Alex Caruso names his all-time Chicago Bulls starting 5

In his relatively short tenure with the Chicago Bulls, Alex Caruso has already managed to develop a reputation as one of the highest basketball IQ players in the league. Considering this, it’s clear to see why many would be interested in his thoughts about who the best players in Chicago Bulls history are. Some of his answers may seem like obvious choices, but Caruso has introduced a new contender into the conversation as well.

It should come as no surprise, but Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Derrick Rose headline Caruso’s list. His other two inclusions, however, have ignited a little debate amongst the fanbase.

Alex Caruso builds a solid but potentially controversial all-time starting five with some of the best players in Chicago Bulls history.

All things considered, this list isn’t too bad at all. If we consider DeRozan to be a shooting guard — despite only playing forward for the Bulls thus far — this is a pretty good list. Looking at the top guards in franchise history, Jimmy Butler would likely be the prime candidate to compete for DeRozan’s spot here. Jimmy has more quality seasons with the team under his belt and has reached a higher peak in his career outside of Chicago, but DeMar’s first season with the Bulls without a doubt tops anything Butler did while on the Bulls.

Considering that DeRozan predominantly played power forward for the Bulls last year and that most people would place Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in the shooting guard and small forward slots respectively, I believe it makes more sense to compare DeMar to Chicago’s legendary big men. Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, and Luol Deng all deserve to be mentioned here, making for much stiffer competition.

Although each of these players is incredible in their own right, I can’t say I’m surprised to see Dennis Rodman take the fan vote here. His rebounding is something no other member of the Bulls’ all-time starting five can provide, as DeMar would likely defer to Jordan and Rose in offensive talent while Butler’s defense is also already provided by Pippen and Jordan, owners of 19 combined All-Defensive Team selections.

Whether or not you’d personally have DeRozan in your top five, it’s admirable that he’s managed to insert himself into the debate after just one season.  It only makes sense that his teammate Caruso would have his back on the matter.

Speaking of Caruso, I have to admit he did a far better job constructing his selection of starters than his own choice for center did. Back in May, Joakim Noah chose Rose, Jordan, Pippen, Deng, and Luc Longley to represent the starting five. It’s understandable if Jo didn’t want to risk sounding arrogant by including himself, but Caruso correctly has him pegged as the best center in franchise history.