Chicago Bulls facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chicago Bulls
Conference	Eastern
Division	Central
Founded	1966
History	Chicago Bulls 1966–present
Arena	United Center
Location	Chicago, Illinois
Team colors	Red, black, white
Main sponsor	Motorola Mobility
President	Michael Reinsdorf
General manager	Marc Eversley
Head coach	Billy Donovan
Ownership	Jerry Reinsdorf
Affiliation(s)	Windy City Bulls
Championships	6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Conference titles	6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Division titles	9 (1975, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2011, 2012)
Retired numbers	4 (4, 10, 23, 33)
Association Icon Statement

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team from Chicago, Illinois. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Bulls are part of the Eastern Conference and the Central Division. The team started on January 16, 1966, and played its first game in the 1966–67 NBA season. Their home games are played at the United Center in Chicago.

The Bulls became super famous in the 1990s. They helped make the NBA popular all over the world. They are known for having one of the greatest "dynasties" in NBA history. This means they won many championships in a row. They won six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998. They even won three titles in a row, twice!

All six championship teams were led by amazing players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Their coach was Phil Jackson. The Bulls are the only NBA team to win multiple championships without ever losing in the NBA Finals.

In the 1995–96 season, the Bulls won 72 games. This was an NBA record for the most wins in a season. It stood until the Golden State Warriors won 73 games in the 2015–16 season. The Bulls were the first team to win 70 or more games in a single season.

After 1998, the Bulls had a tougher time. They struggled in the 2000s. But they showed promise in the early 2010s with players like Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Today, the team features All-Stars like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vučević.

Michael Jordan and Derrick Rose both won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award while playing for the Bulls. The Bulls have rivalries with teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks. The rivalry with the Pistons was very intense in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Chicago Bulls also do a lot of good work in their community. They help young people and charities by giving them game tickets and team gear.

History of the Chicago Bulls

Starting the Team: 1966–1975

The Chicago Bulls team was created on January 16, 1966. It was the third NBA team in Chicago's history. The team was started by Dick Klein. He was the only owner in Bulls history who had played professional basketball.

After a special draft, the Bulls picked players from other teams. In their first season (1966–67), they won their first game on October 15. They finished with 33 wins and 48 losses. This was the best record for any new team at that time. They were also the first new team to make the playoffs. Players like Guy Rodgers and Jerry Sloan became All-Stars. Their coach, Johnny "Red" Kerr, won Coach of the Year.

The Bulls first played home games at the International Amphitheatre. Then they moved to Chicago Stadium. After a few years, fewer fans came to games. In 1969, Dick Klein hired Pat Williams as general manager. Williams helped the team by changing players and introducing Benny the Bull, the team's first mascot. This helped more fans come to games.

Under Williams and coach Dick Motta, the Bulls made the playoffs for four years in a row. They won a team record of 57 games in 1972. Key players during this time were Sloan, Bob Love, Chet Walker, and Norm Van Lier. In 1975, the Bulls reached the conference finals for the first time. But they lost to the Golden State Warriors.

After this, the team's performance went down. Williams left, and Motta became both coach and general manager. The Bulls had a bad season in 1975–76. Motta was fired and replaced by Ed Badger.

The Gilmore and Theus Years: 1976–1984

Dick Klein sold the Bulls to the Wirtz family. They also owned the Chicago Blackhawks. The new owners did not spend much money on the basketball team.

Artis Gilmore joined the Bulls in 1976. He led the team with guard Reggie Theus, and forwards David Greenwood and Orlando Woolridge.

In 1979, the Bulls lost a coin flip that would have given them the first pick in the NBA draft. If they had won, they would have picked Magic Johnson. Instead, they picked David Greenwood.

After Gilmore was traded, the Bulls focused on offense with Theus. Other players like Quintin Dailey and Ennis Whatley joined. But the team still struggled. The Bulls traded Theus in the 1983–84 season. Fewer fans came to games. The Wirtz family wanted to sell the team to owners who would move it out of Chicago. But they ended up selling it to local owners.

The Michael Jordan Era Begins: 1984–1990

In 1984, the Bulls had the third pick in the 1984 NBA draft. They chose a shooting guard named Michael Jordan. The new owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, and general manager, Jerry Krause, decided to build the team around Jordan. Jordan broke team records in his first year. He led the Bulls back to the playoffs in 1985. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

The next year, the team got point guard John Paxson and power forward Charles Oakley. Jordan broke his foot early in the 1985–86 season. He came back for the playoffs. The Bulls played against the strong Boston Celtics. Even though the Bulls lost, Jordan scored a playoff record 63 points in one game.

In the 1986–87 season, Jordan led the league in scoring. The Bulls made the playoffs again but lost to the Celtics.

In the 1987 draft, the Bulls picked Horace Grant and traded for Scottie Pippen. With Paxson, Jordan, Pippen, Grant, and Bill Cartwright, the Bulls won 50 games. They reached the Eastern Conference semifinals. They lost to the Detroit Pistons. Jordan was named NBA Most Valuable Player. This season also started the big rivalry between the Pistons and the Bulls.

In the 1988–89 season, the Bulls traded Oakley for Cartwright. They also got three-point shooter Craig Hodges. The team took some time to play well together. But they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. They lost to the Pistons again.

In 1989–90, Jordan led the league in scoring again. Pippen also became an All-Star. Assistant coach Phil Jackson became the new head coach. The Bulls also added Stacey King and B. J. Armstrong. The Bulls reached the Conference Finals again. They pushed the Pistons to seven games but lost for the third year in a row.

First Championship "Three-Peat": 1990–1993

In the 1990–91 season, the Bulls won a team record 61 games. They easily went through the playoffs. They swept the New York Knicks, beat the Philadelphia 76ers, and then swept the defending champion Pistons. They won the NBA Finals in five games against Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. This was their first championship!

The Bulls won their second straight title in 1992. They set another team record with 67 wins. They swept the Miami Heat, beat the Knicks in seven games, and then the Cleveland Cavaliers. They reached the Finals again. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in six games.

In 1993, the Bulls won their third championship in a row. They beat the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks in the playoffs. In the Finals, they defeated Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. Paxson's three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left won Game 6 for them.

Jordan's First Retirement and the Pippen Era: 1993–1995

On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced he was retiring from basketball. This was a big shock. Scottie Pippen then became the team's leader. He showed he was one of the best players in the league. He won the 1994 All-Star MVP award. Horace Grant and B. J. Armstrong also became All-Stars. The team also had Toni Kukoč. The Bulls still won 55 games in the 1993–94 season. But they lost to the Knicks in the playoffs.

In 1994, the Bulls moved from their old home, Chicago Stadium, to their new home, the United Center.

The Bulls struggled in the 1994–95 season. Then, on March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced he was coming out of retirement! He scored 55 points in one game soon after returning. He led the Bulls to the playoffs. They beat the Charlotte Hornets. But they lost to the Orlando Magic, who had Shaquille O'Neal.

Before the next season, the Bulls traded for Dennis Rodman. He was known for being a great rebounder. He had also played for the Pistons, who were the Bulls' rivals.

Jordan's Return and Second "Three-Peat": 1995–1998

With Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Ron Harper, and Luc Longley as starters, the Bulls were expected to win again. They also had a strong bench with players like Steve Kerr and Kukoč.

The 1995–96 Bulls had an amazing season. They went from 47 wins to 72 wins and 10 losses. This was the best record in NBA history at the time. Jordan won his eighth scoring title. Rodman won his fifth straight rebounding title. Jordan won the NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP. Coach Phil Jackson won Coach of the Year. Many players made All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.

This team set many records, including the best road record (33–8) and the best start to a season (41–3). They won their fourth title by beating the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and finally the Seattle SuperSonics. Many people think the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls are one of the greatest teams ever.

In the 1996–97 season, the Bulls almost had another 70-win season, finishing 69–13. They won their fifth NBA championship against the Utah Jazz. Jordan won his ninth scoring title. Rodman won his sixth rebounding title. Jordan and Pippen were named among the 50 greatest players in NBA history.

The 1997–98 season was difficult for the Bulls. Many thought it would be Jordan's last season. Coach Phil Jackson and general manager Jerry Krause had problems. Scottie Pippen wanted a new contract. Despite all this, the Bulls had a great season, finishing 62–20. Jordan won his fifth MVP award.

In the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets. They beat the Charlotte Hornets. Then they faced the Reggie Miller-led Indiana Pacers. The series went to a tough Game 7, which the Bulls won.

In the Finals, the Bulls played the Utah Jazz again. The Jazz won Game 1. But the Bulls won Game 2 to tie the series. The Bulls won two games at home to lead 3–1. The Jazz won Game 5. Game 6 was very close. Jordan made a shot to put the Bulls ahead. He then stole the ball and made the game-winning shot with 5.2 seconds left. The Bulls won 87–86, earning their sixth championship in eight years. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the sixth time. He retired for the second time on January 13, 1999.

After Jordan: 1998–2008

After the 1998 championship, the Bulls started to rebuild. General Manager Jerry Krause traded Scottie Pippen and let other key players leave. He hired Tim Floyd as the new coach. Michael Jordan retired again. The team struggled, winning only 13 games in the shortened 1998–99 season.

The Bulls drafted Elton Brand, who was a great rookie. But the team still lost many games. They tried to get new star players, but it didn't work. The team kept losing, winning only 15 games in 2000–01. Krause traded Brand for young players Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry. The team was very young and struggled. Coach Floyd was replaced by Bill Cartwright.

In 2002–03, the Bulls added Jay Williams. The team showed some promise but still had a losing record. Krause retired in 2003, and John Paxson became the new general manager. Williams had a bad motorcycle accident that ended his career. Pippen returned but was often injured. The team struggled again, and Cartwright was fired. Scott Skiles became the new coach. The Bulls focused on defense but still finished with only 23 wins. Kirk Hinrich became a fan favorite.

Rebuilding the Team: 2004–2009

From 2004 to 2008, the Bulls worked to build a strong team again. In the 2004 NBA Draft, they got Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Chris Duhon. They also signed Andrés Nocioni. The team started badly but finished with 47 wins. They made the playoffs for the first time since 1998. But they lost in the first round. Ben Gordon won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

In 2005, Eddy Curry was traded. The Bulls struggled without a strong player in the middle. But they still made the playoffs. They lost to the Miami Heat, who went on to win the championship.

In 2006, the Bulls traded for Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha. They also signed defensive player Ben Wallace. The team finished with 49 wins. In the playoffs, they swept the defending champion Miami Heat. This was their first playoff series win since 1998. But they lost to the Detroit Pistons in the next round.

In 2007, the Bulls had a bad start to the season. Coach Scott Skiles was fired. The team finished with a losing record. They traded Ben Wallace for other players. After the season, Vinny Del Negro became the new head coach.

The Derrick Rose Era: 2008–2016

Derrick Rose Arrives: 2008–2010

The Bulls had a very small chance (1.7%) to get the first pick in the 2008 NBA draft lottery. But they won it! On June 26, 2008, the Bulls drafted Derrick Rose from Chicago as the number one pick. They also signed Luol Deng to a long-term deal.

In 2009, the Bulls made trades to make the team stronger. They got Brad Miller and John Salmons. These moves helped them make the playoffs. They finished with a 41–41 record. In the playoffs, they played a very exciting seven-game series against the Boston Celtics. Rose scored 36 points in his first playoff game, tying a record for rookies. The Celtics won the series after many overtime periods.

In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Bulls picked James Johnson and Taj Gibson. Ben Gordon left the team. The Bulls made more trades in 2010. They lost in the playoffs to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In May 2010, coach Vinny Del Negro was fired.

Tom Thibodeau and Rose's MVP Year: 2010–2011

In June 2010, Tom Thibodeau became the Bulls' new head coach. The Bulls also signed Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver. They traded Kirk Hinrich to make space for new players. They also signed Ömer Aşık, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, Kurt Thomas, Keith Bogans, and Brian Scalabrine.

Rose won the 2011 NBA MVP Award. He was the youngest player ever to win it. He was the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan to win the award. The Bulls finished the regular season with the best record in the league (62–20). They were the top team in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 1998. The Bulls beat the Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs. They reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1998. They played the Miami Heat. The Bulls won the first game but lost the next four, ending their season.

Injuries for Derrick Rose: 2011–2014

The Bulls faced many challenges from 2011 to 2014, especially with injuries to their star players. In the 2011 NBA Draft, the Bulls picked Jimmy Butler. They also signed veteran guard Rip Hamilton and gave Derrick Rose a big contract extension. Rose and Luol Deng were both chosen for the All-Star team in 2011–12. This was the first time two Bulls players were All-Stars since Jordan and Pippen. Even with Rose missing many games due to injuries, the Bulls had the best record in the NBA (50–16).

In the first playoff game, Rose tore his ACL (a knee ligament). This meant he couldn't play for the rest of the series. Joakim Noah also got injured. The Bulls lost the series to the Philadelphia 76ers. Rose missed the entire 2012–13 season. But the Bulls still finished with a winning record. They beat the Brooklyn Nets in the playoffs but lost to the Miami Heat.

In 2013–14, Rose got another serious injury, tearing his meniscus. He missed almost the whole season again. The Bulls traded Luol Deng. Despite the injuries, the Bulls finished with 48 wins. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Washington Wizards. Joakim Noah had a great season. He won Defensive Player of the Year.

Rose Returns and Butler Rises: 2014–2015

The 2014–15 season brought hope with Derrick Rose back and the addition of star player Pau Gasol. The team was seen as a top contender. They started the season well.

Jimmy Butler became a much better scorer. He was a candidate for "Most Improved Player of the Year." Gasol played very well too. Both Butler and Gasol were chosen for the All-Star team. But the team struggled to play consistently. There were also problems between coach Tom Thibodeau and the team's management.

The Bulls finished with 50 wins and were the third seed in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they beat the Milwaukee Bucks. Then they played the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James. The Bulls won Game 1. Rose hit a game-winning shot in Game 3. But the Cavaliers won the series 4–2. After this, there was a lot of talk about Thibodeau leaving the team.

Thibodeau and Rose Leave: 2015–2017

On May 28, 2015, the Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau. The next month, Fred Hoiberg became the new head coach. The Bulls picked Bobby Portis in the 2015 NBA Draft.

The Bulls started the 2015–16 season well. But they struggled in the middle of the season. Jimmy Butler was injured. The Bulls finished with a losing record and missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

In 2016, the Bulls made big changes. They traded Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks. They got Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and José Calderón. They also signed veteran players Rajon Rondo and Chicago native Dwyane Wade.

In February 2017, the Bulls traded Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott. Jimmy Butler had a great season. He was an All-Star. The Bulls finished with a .500 record and made the playoffs. They took a surprising 2–0 lead against the top-seeded Boston Celtics. But they lost the series 4–2.

The Zach LaVine Era: 2017–Present

Rebuilding Again: 2017–2020

In June 2017, the Bulls traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They received Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and a draft pick used to select Lauri Markkanen. They also let go of Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade.

In October 2017, there was a fight between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotić during practice. Portis punched Mirotić, causing injuries. Portis was suspended. Mirotić was later traded. The Bulls finished the 2017-18 season with a losing record.

In 2018, the Bulls drafted Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchison. They re-signed Zach LaVine to a big contract. After a bad start to the 2018-19 season, Fred Hoiberg was fired. Jim Boylen became the new coach. The Bulls traded Portis and Jabari Parker for Otto Porter. The Bulls finished with a very bad record and missed the playoffs.

In 2019, the Bulls drafted Coby White. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Artūras Karnišovas became the Bulls' new executive vice president. Marc Eversley was hired as general manager. Jim Boylen was fired, and Billy Donovan became head coach in 2020. The Bulls drafted Patrick Williams.

In March 2021, the Bulls traded for Nikola Vučević. But they still missed the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

The DeRozan-LaVine Duo: 2021–2024

In 2021, the Bulls made many changes to their team. They drafted Ayo Dosunmu. They traded for Lonzo Ball and signed Alex Caruso. They also got DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs.

DeRozan played very well, especially in late 2021. He made two game-winning shots in a row. DeRozan and LaVine were both chosen for the All-Star team. The Bulls finished sixth in the Eastern Conference. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Milwaukee Bucks.

In 2022, the Bulls re-signed LaVine to the biggest contract in team history. They also drafted Dalen Terry. The team struggled with consistency. They finished with a losing record in 2022–23. They made the play-in tournament but lost to the Miami Heat.

In 2023, the Bulls drafted Julian Philips. They re-signed Vucevic and Coby White. The 2023–24 season was disappointing because of injuries to LaVine and Patrick Williams. The Bulls finished with a losing record again. They won their first play-in game but lost the second to the Miami Heat, missing the playoffs again.

Changes in 2024

DeMar DeRozan left the Bulls and signed with the Sacramento Kings. The team also traded Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey. Andre Drummond signed with the Sixers. In the draft, the Bulls picked Matas Buzelis. After missing two seasons, Lonzo Ball returned to play.

Team Rivalries

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers have been rivals since the Cavaliers joined the NBA in 1970. The rivalry became strong when the Bulls drafted Michael Jordan in 1984. It quieted down after Jordan left. But it heated up again when Cleveland drafted LeBron James in 2003. It got even more exciting when Chicago picked Derrick Rose in 2008.

Detroit Pistons

The Bulls' main rivals in their division are the Detroit Pistons. This rivalry started when Jordan's Bulls played the "Bad Boy" Pistons in the 1988 playoffs. The two teams met in the playoffs four years in a row. The Pistons won each time until 1991. In 1991, the Bulls swept the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pistons even walked off the court before the game ended. The rivalry was renewed in 2007 when Ben Wallace played against his old team. The two cities are close, which makes the rivalry even more intense.

Miami Heat

The rivalry between the Bulls and the Miami Heat began in the 1990s. The Bulls dominated that decade. Chicago eliminated the Heat from the playoffs three times. The rivalry became strong again when the Bulls returned to the playoffs. Players like Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose made it exciting. Games were very physical. The Bulls and Heat met in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, which the Heat won. On March 27, 2013, Chicago ended Miami's 27-game winning streak. They met again in the 2013 playoffs, and Miami won. In 2023, they played in the play-in tournament, and the Heat won again.

New York Knicks

The Bulls also have a strong rivalry with the New York Knicks. They met in the playoffs four years in a row (1991–1994) and again in 1996. Two of their series went to a full seven games. Their first playoff game was in 1989. Both teams were getting better with stars like Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing. The Bulls won the first three playoff series (1991–1993). They lost in 1994 but got revenge in 1996. The history between the two cities makes the rivalry even more intense.

Team Traditions

Starting Lineup Introductions

The Bulls' player introductions became famous around the world during their championship years. The lights in the arena are dimmed. Music like "Sirius" plays. A spotlight shines on each player as they are introduced. Lasers and fireworks are also used. Computer animations show a "Running of the Bulls" smashing a bus with the opposing team's logo.

Traditionally, players are introduced in a certain order. Scottie Pippen was usually introduced first, and Michael Jordan last. More recently, Derrick Rose was the last player introduced.

Black Shoes and Socks

The Bulls have a tradition of wearing black shoes during the playoffs. This started in 1989. A player suggested wearing black shoes to show team unity. For the 1996 playoffs, they also started wearing black socks with the black shoes. Many other teams now use this look. When the Bulls made the playoffs in 2004–05 after six years, they continued this tradition.

Sometimes, players have not followed this tradition. In the 1995 playoffs, Michael Jordan wore white shoes. He was fined by the team. In the 2009 playoffs, all players wore white shoes and socks in one game. Now, the NBA allows more shoe colors. Some Bulls players wear red or white shoes instead of black.

Circus Trip

The Bulls used to have a unique tradition called the "circus trip." Every fall, a circus would come to Chicago. It would use the United Center, the Bulls' home arena. So, the Bulls had to go on a long road trip for about two weeks. This was called the "circus trip." The circus stopped in 2017. So, the Bulls no longer have this tradition.

Name, Logo, and Uniforms

Team Name

Dick Klein, the team's founder, wanted a name that reminded people of Chicago's meat packing industry. He thought about names like Matadors. But he chose "Bulls" because his son said, "Dad, that's a bunch of bull!"

Team Logo

The Bulls have used almost the same logo since they started. It's a red, charging bull's face. A graphic designer named Dean P. Wessel created it in 1966. For a short time in the 1970s, they had an alternate logo. It was the same bull, but with a cloud that said "Windy City" below its nose.

Team Uniforms

The Bulls wear white, red, and black uniforms.

Early Uniforms: 1966–1973

The first uniforms looked similar to today's. They had the bull's logo on the shorts. They had block letters. The red uniforms had white lettering and black shadows. In 1969–70, the red uniforms added the city name.

Mid-Era Uniforms: 1973–1985

In 1973–74, the Bulls changed their look a lot. They removed the side stripes. Numbers moved to the left chest. The red uniforms had black lettering and a script "Chicago" wordmark. These uniforms were used until 1985. They were brought back as throwback uniforms in 2003–04 and 2015–16.

Modern Uniforms: 1985–Present

Starting in 1985–86, the Bulls updated their uniform again. Numbers were centered. The "Bulls" wordmark was arched on both red and white uniforms.

When Nike became the NBA's uniform maker in 2017, the Bulls kept a similar look. They added the Chicago four stars on the shorts. Nike changed home and away uniform rules. So, the red "Icon" uniforms became their home uniforms. The white "Association" uniforms became their away uniforms. The Bulls wore red at home until 2020–21. Then they returned to wearing white at home in 2021–22.

Black Alternate Uniforms

In the 1995–96 season, the Bulls added a black uniform. It had red pinstripes. This uniform was brought back as a throwback in 2012–13.

From 1997–98 to 2005–06, the black uniforms were slightly changed. They did not have pinstripes. The city name was added to the front in 1999–2000.

In 2006–07, the black uniform changed again. It looked more like the red and white uniforms. In 2014–15, they added sleeves and a new diamond design.

Since 2017–18, Nike calls the black uniform the "Statement" uniform. The 2019–20 season brought back pinstripes to the "Statement" uniform, but in dark gray.

Other Special Uniforms

The Bulls have worn many special uniforms:

• Throwback Uniforms: In 2005–06, they honored the old Chicago Stags team with red and blue uniforms.
• St. Patrick's Day Uniforms: From 2006 to 2017, they wore green versions of their red uniforms around St. Patrick's Day.
• Noche Latina: Between 2009 and 2017, they wore red uniforms for "Noche Latina," often with "Los Bulls" written on them.
• Green Week: In 2009, they wore dark green uniforms to raise awareness for environmental issues.
• Christmas Day Uniforms: From 2012 to 2016, they wore special Christmas uniforms for NBA games on Christmas Day.
• Pride Uniforms: From 2015 to 2017, they wore gray uniforms for Pride events.

Nike City Uniforms

Nike's "City" uniforms for the Bulls honor Chicago's flag, buildings, and culture.

• 2017–18: White with red "Chicago" writing and stars, like Chicago’s flag.
• 2018–19: Black with parts of the flag’s red stars and blue stripes.
• 2019–20: Light blue with a changed Bulls logo, inspired by Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.
• 2020–21: Dark gray with gold writing, showing Chicago's Art Deco buildings.
• 2021–22: Red design mixing old uniform parts.
• 2022–23: White with rust red letters, like Chicago’s "Y" symbol.
• 2023–24: Black, inspired by the old Chicago Stadium.
• 2024–25: Gray and sand uniform for the United Center's 30th anniversary.

Team Mascots

Benny the Bull is the main mascot of the Chicago Bulls. He started in 1969. Benny is a red bull who wears number 1. He is one of the oldest and most famous mascots in sports.

The Bulls also had another mascot named Da Bull. He started in 1995. Da Bull was known for his dunking skills. Da Bull was retired after an incident. Benny looks friendly, but Da Bull was designed to look more like a real bull. He was brown and had a meaner face. He wore number 95.

Season-by-Season Records

Here are the last five seasons for the Bulls:

Season	Games Played	Wins	Losses	Win Percentage	Finish	Playoffs
2019–20	65	22	43	.338	3rd, Central	Did not qualify
2020–21	72	31	41	.431	3rd, Central	Did not qualify
2021–22	82	46	36	.561	2nd, Central	Lost in First Round, 1–4 (Bucks)
2022–23	82	40	42	.488	3rd, Central	Did not qualify
2023–24	82	39	43	.476	4th, Central	Did not qualify

Home Arenas

The Bulls have played in three different home arenas:

Arena
Arena Name	Years Played
International Amphitheatre	1966–1967
Chicago Stadium	1967–1994
United Center	1994–present

Famous Players and Coaches

Basketball Hall of Famers

Many Bulls players and coaches are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This means they are recognized as some of the best in basketball history.

Chicago Bulls Hall of Famers
Players
Number	Name	Position	Years with Bulls	Inducted
42	Nate Thurmond	Center	1974–1976	1985
8	George Gervin	Guard/Forward	1985–1986	1996
00	Robert Parish	Center	1996–1997	2003
12 23 45	Michael Jordan	Guard	1984–1993 1995–1998	2009
33	Scottie Pippen	Forward	1987–1998 2003–2004	2010
53	Artis Gilmore	Center	1976–1982 1987	2011
91	Dennis Rodman	Forward	1995–1998	2011
25	Chet Walker	Forward	1969–1975	2012
5	Guy Rodgers	Guard	1966–1967	2014
7	Toni Kukoč	Forward	1993–2000	2021
3	Ben Wallace	Forward/Center	2006–2008	2021
16	Pau Gasol	Forward/Center	2014–2016	2023
3	Dwyane Wade	Guard	2016–2017	2023
Coaches
Name		Position	Years with Bulls	Inducted
Phil Jackson		Assistant/Head coach	1987–1998	2007
4	Jerry Sloan	Assistant/Head coach	1977–1982	2009
Tex Winter		Assistant coach	1985–1999	2011
Contributors (People who helped the team)
Name		Role	Years with Bulls	Inducted
Jerry Colangelo		Executive	1966–1968	2004
Jerry Reinsdorf		Owner	1985–present	2016
Jerry Krause		General manager	1985–2003	2017
Rod Thorn		General manager	1978–1985	2018
Larry Costello		Head coach	1978–1979	2022
Del Harris		Assistant coach	2008–2009	2022
Doug Collins		Head coach	1986–1989	2024

Retired Numbers and Honorees

The Bulls have honored several players and coaches by retiring their jersey numbers or hanging banners for them. This means no other player on the team can wear that number.

Chicago Bulls Retired Numbers and Honorees
Number	Player/Person	Role	Years with Bulls	Date Honored
4	Sloan, JerryJerry Sloan	Guard/Forward	1966–1976	February 17, 1978
10	Love, BobBob Love	Forward	1968–1976	January 14, 1994
23	Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan	Guard	1984–1993 1995–1998	November 1, 1994
33	Pippen, ScottieScottie Pippen	Forward	1987–1998 2003–2004	December 9, 2005
—	Jackson, PhilPhil Jackson	Coach	1987–1998	May 5, 1999
—	Kerr, JohnnyJohnny Kerr	Coach/Broadcaster	1966–1968 1973–2009	February 10, 2009
—	Krause, JerryJerry Krause	General manager	1985–2003	October 31, 2003

• The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all teams on August 11, 2022.

Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor

On January 12, 2024, the Bulls started a "Ring of Honor." This honors former players and other people who helped the team. The first group included all those who had their numbers retired or banners hung. It also included other important people like original owner Dick Klein. New people will be added every two years.

Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor
Players
Number	Name	Position	Years with Bulls	Inducted
53	Artis Gilmore	Center	1976–1982, 1987	2024
12 23 45	Michael Jordan	Guard	1984–1993, 1995–1998	2024
7	Toni Kukoč	Forward	1993–2000	2024
10	Bob Love	Forward	1968–1976	2024
33	Scottie Pippen	Forward	1987–1998, 2003–2004	2024
91	Dennis Rodman	Forward	1995–1998	2024
4	Jerry Sloan	Guard	1966–1976	2024
25	Chet Walker	Forward	1969–1975	2024
Staff
Name		Role	Years with Bulls	Inducted
Phil Jackson		Coach	1989–1998	2024
Johnny Kerr		Coach/Broadcaster	1966–1968 1975–2008	2024
Dick Klein		Owner	1967–1972	2024
Jerry Krause		General manager	1985–2003	2024
Tex Winter		Assistant coach	1985–1999	2024
Teams
Team				Inducted
Members of the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls team				2024

Images for kids

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  Michael Jordan was drafted third overall by the Bulls in 1984. He won six championships and six Finals MVPs for Chicago.

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  United Center

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  Michael Jordan

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  Scottie Pippen

• Dennis Rodman.jpg

  Dennis Rodman

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  Bulls head coach Phil Jackson consulting Michael Jordan in 1997

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  Joining the Bulls in 2004, Luol Deng made his first All-Star appearance with the team in 2012 and his second in 2013

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  Joakim Noah was drafted by the Bulls in 2007. He was named an All Star for the first time in 2013 and for the second time in 2014.

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  Derrick Rose was drafted first overall by the Bulls in 2008. He was the 2010–11 NBA MVP.

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  Tom Thibodeau coached the Bulls to 62 wins in his first season.

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  Fred Hoiberg was the 22nd head coach in the franchise's history.

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  Zach Lavine (seen here in 2022) was brought to the Bulls in 2017

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  DeMar DeRozan at the 2022 All-Star game

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  Benny the Bull in February 2018

See also

In Spanish: Chicago Bulls para niños