National Basketball Association

Pippen Ain't Easy's All-Time Chicago Bulls Fantasy Draft

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

For a fun offseason exercise, most of the staff here at Pippen Ain’t Easy participated in an all-time fantasy consisting of just the Chicago Bulls.

We’re still a few weeks away from NBA media days and the start of training camp for the Chicago Bulls, so why not have some fun?

With this piece, seven staffers here at Pippen Ain’t Easy participated in an all-time fantasy Bulls draft.

The rules are simple:

Over the next few slides, you’ll see each and every player selected and each roster in their entirety. Let’s get started, shall we?

Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; NBA former player Michael Jordan and NCAA president Mark Emmert during halftime of the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Final Four at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1

Stephen Coyle picks: Michael Jordan

1987-88, North Carolina

Stephen kicks off the draft by taking the 1987-88 version of Michael Jordan. Jordan averaged 35 points per game(!) that season and led the NBA with 3.2 steals per game. He won the NBA MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year awards.2

Matthew Price picks: Michael Jordan

1990-91, North Carolina

Matthew makes it two Jordans in a row with the 1990-91 version of MJ. Jordan averaged 31.5 points per game that season and won his fifth consecutive scoring title.3

Jake Barajas picks: Derrick Rose

2010-11, Memphis

Jake takes the one player that won a league MVP as a member of the Bulls: 2010-11 Derrick Rose. Rose led the Bulls to 62 wins, an Eastern Conference Finals appearance and became the youngest MVP in league history.4

Michael Whitlow picks: Scottie Pippen

1993-94, Central Arkansas

With Michael Jordan on the minor league baseball diamond, Scottie Pippen took the franchise over and had his best season of his career. If it wasn’t for Hakeem Olajuwon, Pippen would’ve been the 1993-94 NBA MVP.5

Daniel Coughlin picks: Scottie Pippen

1996-97, Central Arkansas

Before nagging injuries ruined his 1997-98 season, Pippen played all 82 games in the ’96-97 season, scored 20.2 points, grabbed 6.5 rebounds and dished out 5.7 assists per game. He had the game-clinching steal in Game 6 of the 1997 NBA Finals.6

Alex Kirschenbaum picks: Michael Jordan

1992-93, North Carolina

Jordan won his seventh straight scoring title and led the Bulls to their third consecutive NBA title with a six-game series win over league MVP Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns.7

Megann Horstead picks: Derrick Rose

2009-10, Memphis

Before Derrick Rose asked the world why can’t he be the best player in the world and the MVP of the league, he led the Bulls to 41 wins and a playoff berth. Rose scored 20.8 points and dished out 6.8 assists per game, and made his first All-Star Game appearance.Next: Round 2

Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fist quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2

Horstead picks: Michael Jordan

1989-90, North Carolina

Megann starts the second round with the fourth Jordan off the board. The 1989-90 version of MJ averaged 33.6 points per game and led the league in steals per game again with 2.8. The Bulls made the Eastern Conference Finals and lost in seven games to rival Detroit.9

Kirschenbaum picks: Scottie Pippen

1995-96, Central Arkansas

Without Scottie Pippen, the Bulls don’t win a then-record 72 games in the ’95-96 season. Pippen averaged 19.4 points per game and made his fifth consecutive All-Star Game.10

Coughlin picks: Dennis Rodman

Southwest Oklahoma State

Nobody rebounded the ball better in a Bulls uniform than Dennis Rodman did. And nobody was able to match up with Karl Malone better in two NBA Finals appearance than Rodzilla. The Worm shut down the 1996-97 MVP in their first of two meetings.11

Whitlow picks: Michael Jordan

1991-92, North Carolina

Not only did the Bulls win their second straight NBA title in the 1991-92 season, Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award by averaging 30.1 points per game during the regular season.12

Barajas picks: Joakim Noah

2013-14, Florida

He may have not won the MVP during the 2013-14 season, but who meant more to their team than Joakim Noah did? Not only did Noah win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award, he was named to the All-NBA First Team and appeared in the All-Star Game.13

Price picks: Artis Gilmore

1977-78, Gardner-Webb/Jacksonville

In terms of centers, the best one may have been the “A-Train”, Artis Gilmore. During the 1977-78 season, Gilmore averaged 22.9 points and 13.1 rebounds and was an absolute monster during his playing days in Chicago.14

Coyle picks: Jimmy Butler

2014-15, Marquette

Jimmy Butler’s rise to stardom began with the 2014-15 season. Butler made the All-Star Game in New York and won the NBA Most Improved Player award by averaging 20 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.Next: Round 3

Feb 14, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Team Millsap forward Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks (4, left), legend Scottie Pippen (center), and guard Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky (11, right) during the 2015 NBA All Star Shooting Stars competition at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3

Coyle: Artis Gilmore

1978-79, Gardner-Webb/Jacksonville

Gilmore’s dominant play in Chicago continued in the 1978-79 season when he averaged 23.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. He made the second of his four All-Star Games in Chicago that season.16

Price: Scottie Pippen

1994-95, Central Arkansas

Despite a late-season arrival of the game’s greatest player, the Bulls were still Scottie Pippen’s team. Pippen averaged 21.4 points per game and led the NBA with 2.9 steals per game.17

Barajas: Michael Jordan

1995-96, North Carolina

The Bulls were knocked out of the postseason the year before by the upstart Orlando Magic, but Michael Jordan returned for a full season the next year and that was all she wrote. Jordan won the NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP and NBA Finals MVP all in the same year as the Bulls won their fourth title.18

Whitlow: Toni Kukoc

1995-96, Croatia

The Bulls seemingly won everything during the 1995-96 season, including the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Jordan won the MVP, Phil Jackson won Coach of the Year, Steve Kerr won the Three-Point Shootout and Toni Kukoc was named the league’s best sixth man.19

Coughlin: Steve Kerr

1994-95, Arizona

Sure, he only took 2.1 three-point attempts per game, but nobody shot the ball better from long range in the 1994-95 season than Steve Kerr. That season, Kerr drilled 52.4 percent(!) of his triples for the Bulls.20

Kirschenbaum: Dennis Rodman

1995-96, Southwest Oklahoma State

After losing in the Eastern Conference Seminfinals the year before, the Bulls realized they needed to address their frontcourt toughness against a monster like Shaquille O’Neal. So, they counter-attacked with signing Dennis Rodman and you know how the rest ends.21

Horstead: Pau Gasol

2014-15, Spain

Pau Gasol’s two years were certainly up-and-down, but he did have a pair of really good statistical seasons. In the ’14-15 season, Gasol averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.Next: Round 4

Dec 14, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Luol Deng (right) looks over at Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau (left) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4

Horstead: Elton Brand

1999-00, Duke

Didn’t think you’d see rookie Elton Brand on here, did you? Brand only spent two years in Chicago (like Gasol), but he was good during his time as a Bull. In 1999-00, Brand averaged 20.1 points and pulled down 10 rebounds per contest.23

Kirschenbaum: Joakim Noah

2012-13, Florida

Noah’s best season came in 2013-14, but with Derrick Rose on the shelf for a full season, the Bulls needed Noah just as much as the season after. Not only did Noah’s game evolve further when he was healthy this season, his Game 7 performance against the Brooklyn Nets is the stuff of legends.24

Coughlin: Ben Wallace

2006-07, Cuyahoga CC/Virginia Union

Yes, Ben Wallace was a member of the Chicago Bulls and yes, it was only for a season and a half. Personally, I think Daniel picked him just for his hair.25

Whitlow: Luol Deng

2009-10, Duke

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Luol Deng was a lot younger and a great player. During the 2009-10 season, Deng was 24 years old and a great compliment to the exciting Derrick Rose.26

Barajas: Luol Deng

2011-12, Duke

Believe it or not, Luol Deng didn’t make an All-Star Game until the NBA played a shortened 66-game season back in 2011-12.27

Price: Bob Love

1970-71, Southern/A&M Univ.

Yeah, it took a while to see a Bob ‘Butterbean’ Love season to come off the big board and no, we don’t have an idea why. It’s probably because there were so many Jordan/Pippen seasons to pick from.28

Coyle: Norm Van Lier

1973-74, Saint Francis Univ.

It wouldn’t be an all-time fantasy Bulls draft without Norm Van Lier. That’s just a fact. Van Lier averaged 14.3 points and made the first of three All-Star Game appearances.Next: Round 5

Round 5

Coyle: Horace Grant

1991-92, Clemson

Without Horace Grant, the Bulls don’t win back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992. Grant was Taj Gibson before Taj Gibson. Grant was the definition of a “team player”.30

Price: Jerry Sloan

1970-71, Evansville

If there was a voting poll for Mr. Bull, the winner could very well be Jerry Sloan. Not only did Sloan help make the Bulls relevant in the 1970’s, he would later coach the Bulls in the late 70’s and early 80’s.31

Barajas: Scottie Pippen

1991-92, Central Arkansas

Pippen’s career really took off as the 1990’s got going. He truly became one of the best players in the league and the best compliment to the best player in the world.32

Whitlow: George Gervin

1985-86, Eastern Michigan/California St./Long Beach

OK, so he only played one season with the Bulls in 1985-86, but c’mon … it’s George ‘The Iceman’ Gervin. You have to take him.33

Coughlin: Jamal Crawford

2002-03, Michigan

Jamal Crawford spent four years with the Bulls while they were in the cellar on the NBA, but J-Craw is the defintion of a “bucket-getter”.34

Kirschenbaum: B.J. Armstrong

1993-94, Iowa

Before he became Derrick Rose’s agent and ticked off the Bulls during their series in the 1998 postseason as a member of the Charlotte Hornets, B.J. Armstrong made an All-Star Game as a point guard of the Bulls in 1993-94.35

Horstead: Scottie Pippen

1992-93, Central Arkansas

The Bulls don’t become the first team since the dominant Boston Celtic teams of the 1960’s without Scottie Pippen. A huge reason why the Bulls were able to three-peat as champions is because Pippen became the compliment Jordan and Co. needed him to be.Next: Round 6

May 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau speaks to the media prior to game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6

Horstead: Dennis Rodman

1997-98, Southwest Oklahoma State

Who had a better 1997-98 than Dennis Rodman? Not only did he win a third title in three seasons with the Bulls over Karl Malone and the Utah Jazz, he defeated Malone at a World Championship Wrestling pay-per-view after the season.37

Kirschenbaum: Luol Deng

2012-13, Duke

Luol Deng made two All-Star Games as a member of the Bulls. The 2012-13 version of Deng led the league in minutes and was one of the league’s best two-way players on the wing.38

Coughlin: Michael Jordan

1997-98, North Carolina

Basically, everyone pretty much knew that Michael Jordan’s final year with the Bulls was here in 1997-98. It was hard to believe, but it was true. Although Jordan would come out of retirement for a second time with the Washington Wizards shortly after, his 1997-98 season was one of his best and most memorable.39

Whitlow: Phil Jackson

1987-98, North Dakota

At some point, ‘The Zenmaster’ had to come off the board. He’s the first coach off the board and for good reason. Actually, six good reasons.40

Barajas: Tom Thibodeau

2010-15, Salem State

The Bulls coach in Bulls history not named Phil Jackson follows him off the board? Oh hey, Thibs.41

Price: Fred Hoiberg

2000-01, Iowa State

Bet you didn’t expect the player version of Fred Hoiberg to come off the board in this draft, did you?42

Coyle: Doug Collins

1986-89, Illinois State

Some probably don’t remember that Doug Collins was the coach in place before Phil Jackson help took the franchise to new heights. Plus, he had some sweet hair.Next: Round 7

Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7

Coyle: Steve Kerr

1995-96, Arizona

That’s 1995-96 Three-Point Shootout champion Steve Kerr to you, sir and/or ma’am.44

Price: Fred Hoiberg

2015-Present, Iowa State

Bet you didn’t think the head coaching version was coming off the board, did you?45

Barajas: Jimmy Butler

2015-16, Marquette

Hey, despite the chaos that ensued last season, Jimmy Butler was on his way to a really good season in 2015-16. That knee injury was just a killer to the season. Well, that … and a lot more.46

Whitlow: Charles Oakley

1986-87, Virginia Union

During his Hall of Fame speech, Michael Jordan called Charles Oakley his best friend when talking about Pat Riley and all those times Jordan and the Bulls beat up on the Knicks in the playoffs. And, during his days as a teammate of Jordan, Oakley was a double-double machine.47

Coughlin: Tex Winter

1985-98, Southern California

Of course the father of the Triangle offense needed to be taken.48

Kirschenbaum: Johnny Bach

1986-94, 2003-06, Fordham

See Winter, Tex, but as the architect of the “doberman defense” that the Bulls perfected during their dominance of the 1990’s.49

Horstead: Jerry Sloan

1978-82, Evansville

Just like Hoiberg, the player and coaching version of Jerry Sloan comes off the board (legally) at No. 49 as our draft’s Mr. Irrelevant (but quite relevant).Next: Reviewing the draft

Jul 18, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls players hold up the NBA Summer League championship trophy over head coach Pete Myers as he is interviewed after the Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 84-82 at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

So, how did we do?

Stephen Coyle, contributor

Matthew Price, contributor

Jake Barajas, contributor

Michael Whitlow, co-expert

Daniel Coughlin, co-expert

Alex Kirschenbaum, contributor

Megann Horstead, contributor

Next: Final thoughts

Jul 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwayne Wade addresses the media during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Final thoughts:

Steve on his roster:

With the first pick in the Pippen Ain’t Easy All-Time Bulls Draft, I knew the pressure was on. I had to get this pick right. Ultimately, this needs to be the person you build your team around and run a lot plays for. Who better than the GOAT himself, Michael Jordan? The issue is he had a ton of solid years with the Bulls. I had to pinpoint one of his many great years for my draft pick. There will always be a debate as to what year Jordan was TRULY the best but I looked at a few main objectives for this draft; stats, accolades, and youth.

So, what does this all look like? A Bulls fan can dream right? Just imagine this starting five:

PG – Norm Van Lier

SG – Michael Jordan

SF – Jimmy Butler

PF – Horace Grant

C – Artis Gilmore

6th man – Steve Kerr

Defensively, this team would DOMINATE. After all, that was really my focus all along. All these players have been on an All-Defensive team at least once in their careers. At a quick glance, I could definitely use some more shooting, but that’s where one of the deadliest long-ball shooters in Steve Kerr came in.

Offensively, I truly think running an up-tempo, current NBA-style game with this lineup would be very successful. A pick-and-roll game of Jordan/Butler with Grant/Gilmore would be fun to watch, not to mention the isolation game with Jordan and Butler. Van Lier, Jordan and Butler can all handle the ball well, and I like their ability to get to the rim. Gilmore and Grant would be the tenacious rebounders both offensively and defensively.

Matthew on his roster:

This draft for me was all about available talent. I tried to take the best player at the positions I needed, regardless of whether or not they fit a specific system of play. So even though Bob Love can’t be a stretch-four shooting three-pointers, his overall talent level means he can still beat up anyone.

Michael Jordan will be playing point guard on my team. Although 1990-91 MJ is the year after he actually played point guard for 24 games and averaged 30 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, he still will be a frightening mismatch at the one. I feel bad for whatever team thinks Derrick Rose can compete with him (think of when LeBron James shut Rose down in the playoffs).

My biggest priority besides drafting MJ was to get a big defensive anchor to play center. Because of this, it was a no-brainer for me to select 1977-78 Artis Gilmore in the second round. That year, “The A-Train” averaged 24 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks per game. Defense wins championships, and the tandem of Jordan and Gilmore will smother the opposition.

Rounds 3-5 were just about finding the best player at the remaining positions. All three of the players I drafted were phenomenal players who can make positive impacts on the team. Jerry Sloan will slide over to shooting guard, and the small forward position will go to Scottie Pippen.

In the last round, I needed an amazing player to be my team’s sixth man, and I was extremely fortunate to snag 2000-01 Fred Hoiberg. Steph Curry-Hoiberg (I know, that’s the worst nickname ever created) averaged an absurd nine points per game that year while shooting 41 percent from three, establishing himself as one of the greatest players ever.

What’s a good team without a good coach, though? Nothing.

So, in order to really solidify this team as the best one, I made sure to select the best coach available. And that coach is none other than Fred Hoiberg.

I wonder if 2001 Hoiberg can run the Hoiball system effectively?

Jake on his roster:

I had to go with Derrick Rose and Jo with my first two picks because through the years, the Bulls have not been particularly deep at point guard or center. Noah’s 2013-14 season is probably the best center season in Bulls history. The same goes for point guards and Rose’s MVP year.

I wanted to hold off on grabbing MJ because let’s face it, no matter what version of MJ you get, he’s still Michael Jordan. Plus, getting the worst version of Jordan would be like watching the worst season of Breaking Bad, The entire series was practically flawless, so I’m perfectly fine with watching any season of MJ.

bulls

Nothin' But Nets 2wNBA: Preseason Ranking for the Eastern Conference

More headlines around FanSided:

2w - Jimmy Butler Talks NFL, Claims He'd Be Better Than Thomas, Brown 2w - Water Cooler Talk: State of the Chicago Bulls 2w - HP Big Summer Read: Chapter 6 -- The Myth of the GOAT 2w - Team USA Wins Gold, Beats Serbia 96-66 2w - NBA: Power Ranking Every Team's Bench Unit Entering 2016-17More News at Pippen Ain't Easy

Besides, I actually ended up with the version of Michael Jordan I wanted. With drafting Rose I knew I would need some shooting in my court, because who wants to have two backcourt players who can’t shoot. That would just be a disaster, am I right or am I right?

Anyways, MJ shot 43 percent from deep that year and he led the Bulls to the single-greatest season in NBA history.Deng was taken to space the floor, and I already had enough fire power on my team, so I grabbed Scottie Pippen to go all out on defense.

I ended the draft with Thibs and Jimmy Butler for defensive purposes. If my team needs to whole a lead late, tell me who is scoring on a lineup if Jimmy Butler, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Luol Deng and peak Joakim Noah?

Not even The Monstars stand a chance against this squad.

Michael on his roster:

Well, let’s see: Scottie Pippen’s best season ever, the peak of Michael Jordan’s popularity in his first NBA run, one of the best International players ever, a man with ice in his veins and a giant tree.

I think I turned out just fine in this draft.

Jordan is Jordan in any year, plus getting Pippen’s best season ever (and the year he should’ve won MVP)? I’ll take that. Plus, I have the 1995-96 Sixth Man of the Year in Toni Kukoc and his ability to stretch the floor off the bench for Jordan and Pippen to penetrate the lane.

He spent just one season with the Bulls, but George Gervin was a bad man during his career. He was truly one of the most gifted players offensively before the game evolved into what it is today.

Defensively, if you drive the lane, you’re going to get hit. Charles Oakley was one of the baddest dudes in the NBA during his career and when he hit you, you felt it the next day. On the wing, I have a 24-year-old version of Luol Deng to stop ball movement and penetration. Deng could easily start a ton of offensive breaks and let Jordan and Pippen handle the rest on the other end.

Oh yeah, and I have one of the greatest coaches in sports in Phil Jackson to keep these troops in line.

CONFIRMED: A 74-8 season and blowing a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) sits on the bench during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

More final thoughts:

Daniel on his roster:

My lineup is simple. At guard, Steve Kerr in 1994-95. In 82 games, he averaged 22.4 minutes per game and shot a league-leading 52.4 percent from 3-point range. He didn’t get a high volume of shots, but I’d like to think that given space and a 2016-esque focus and valuation on 3-point shooting, I could get at least 45 percent shooting on five threes per game. And he would space because, Michael Jordan.

He is the epitome of basketball winner. I ended up with 1997-98 Jordan because I elected to let everyone else go after him first. I valued other players in their brief windows of excellence about grabbing a particular year of Jordan. He didn’t shoot well from deep, but I don’t care about that at all. That is why we have Kerr.

And I’ve got Scottie Pippen from his amazing 1996-97 season. He averaged 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Add that to Jordan’s 1.7 steals per game in my lineup and you’re building a strong wing defense to go with all-time offensive greatness. So let’s kick up that defense.

Honestly, imagine walking out on the court against a peak or near-peak Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace. You’d want to go home before the game even started. The 1996-97 Rodman season was yet another year that he led the league in rebounds. The dude was nasty and came to work and beat you and intimidate you and infuriate you. He did not care at all about anything other than winning. He was Jordan’s ultimate foot soldier, ready to do all the ugly battling.

Then there was Wallace. He wasn’t in Chicago for long, but can you imagine what Wallace would have done in the modern NBA? He may be an offensive liability, but he was a terrifying defender at center and with his size, could play all the way down if you needed him to.

Kerr can’t handle everything so I need another shooter, occasional ball-handler. Need a sixth man? How about the guy that embodies the Sixth Man Award, Jamal Crawford. Yup, in 2002-03 he averaged 35.5 percent from 3-point range, scored over 10 points per game and added 4.2 assist and one steal per contest. Solid, solid off-the-bench guy.

For coach, Tex Winter. The guy was the true triangle guru in Chicago, making Phil Jackson the coach he was. It was Tex that played an integral role in working with Jordan and had a special relationship with him. Jordan was extremely loyal and Tex was his guy. You want the best out of the best player ever, then you need to bring in his coach. I think this lineup wins more than the 72-10, easily.

Alex on his roster:

I’m buckling down on defense with my Bulls squad. We’ve got three Hall of Fame players, four All-Defensive First Teamers, and five All-Stars (Dennis Rodman missed a few too many games to make the team). At shooting guard, I’ve drafted Michael Jordan during the tail end of his athletic prime. Jordan capped off the first Bulls three-peat at age 30 by thoroughly outplaying league MVP Charles Barkley for the championship.