As one of the most storied and recognized professional sports teams around the world, the Chicago Bulls have an incredible history dating back to their founding in 1966. They were the third franchise to come to the Windy City, following the former Chicago Stags and what are now the Washington Wizards. Today, the team is synonymous with Chicago itself, thanks in large part to the era of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and then-coach Phil Jackson. Whether they’re reliving their glory days of the ‘90s or working through a rebuilding year, fans can’t wait to grab tickets to watch the Bulls battle it out at the United Center.
The first 18 years of the Bulls’ history saw numerous ups and downs, beginning with little fan interest, then winning their first division title, and eventually struggling through dismal results from the mid-’70s to ‘80s. But all that changed in the 1984 draft when the Bulls acquired a little guy known as Michael Jordan. In his first year, he set franchise records, eventually leading the team back to the playoffs and earning the title of Rookie of the Year. The following season saw them back at the playoffs again. While they lost in the first round to the Boston Celtics, that didn’t stop Jordan from scoring 63 points in a single game—the most of any playoff game in NBA history.
The Bulls saw their greatest success in the 1990s, winning 6 NBA championships between 1991 and 1998, with 2 three-peats. Today, they’re still the only team in history to reach the final round of the playoffs numerous times and never lose. The 1995–96 season finished with 72 games won—an NBA record that stood until the Golden State Warriors won 73 in 2015–16. Despite their beaten record, basketball analysts still consider the 1996 Bulls to be in the top 2 teams in NBA history, second only behind the 70–71 Milwaukee Bucks.
Following Jordan’s retirement in 1999, the team went through a rebuilding period that lasted for about 9 years. Then in 2008, in a surprise win of the no. 1 draft pick, the Bulls signed Derrick Rose, the only of the team’s players other than Jordan to be named the NBA’s MVP. Over the next 9 years, the Chicago-based team went on to win 2 more Central Division titles and return to the playoffs 8 more times. Today, under Head Coach Fred Hoiberg, the team boasts a roster that includes stars like Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn. While the Bulls are in another era of rebuilding, fans want to see what happens next. Don’t wait long to grab a ticket to see them face off against rivals like the New York Knicks, the Detroit Pistons, and the Miami Heat.
