Chicago Bulls Timeline

(January 16, 1966 - Present)

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1966 as an NBA expansion franchise. The team rose to global fame in the 1990s behind Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and coach Phil Jackson, winning six NBA championships in two three-peats (1991-1993 and 1996-1998). The Bulls remain one of the most iconic franchises in sports history. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Franchise Founding and Early Years

Chicago Bulls founded as NBA expansion team

Jan 16, 1966

The Chicago Bulls were established as an NBA expansion franchise, beginning play in the 1966–67 season. They became the first major professional basketball team in Chicago since the Chicago Stags folded, and surprisingly qualified for the playoffs in their inaugural season.

Image source: Chicago Bulls

Jerry Sloan joins the Bulls

Mar 1, 1966

Jerry Sloan was selected by the Bulls in the 1966 expansion draft and became one of the franchise's first stars, known for his tough defense. His No. 4 jersey was later retired by the Bulls.

Image source: Jerry Sloan

Bulls win inaugural game against St. Louis Hawks

Oct 15, 1966

The Bulls won their very first regular season game, defeating the St. Louis Hawks 104–97 at the Chicago Coliseum, an auspicious start for a brand-new expansion franchise.

Bulls make playoffs in first season

Apr 1967

In a remarkable feat for an expansion team, the Bulls finished 33–48 and clinched a playoff berth in their debut season, becoming the only expansion team to reach the postseason in its first year until that point.

Bulls move into Chicago Stadium

Nov 1967

After one season at the International Amphitheatre, the Bulls began playing home games at the historic Chicago Stadium on the city's West Side, their home for nearly three decades.

Image source: Chicago Stadium

Norm Van Lier era begins with strong defense

Oct 1971

Guard Norm Van Lier joined the Bulls and formed a dynamic backcourt with Jerry Sloan. The early-1970s Bulls teams became known for their gritty, defense-first identity, reaching the conference finals in 1975.

Image source: Norm Van Lier

Artis Gilmore leads Bulls back to prominence

Sep 1976

The Bulls acquired star center Artis Gilmore from the Kentucky Colonels after the ABA-NBA merger. Gilmore anchored competitive Bulls teams in the late 1970s and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Image source: Artis Gilmore

Michael Jordan Era

Bulls draft Michael Jordan third overall

Jun 19, 1984

With the third pick of the 1984 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan out of North Carolina, a decision that would transform the franchise and the entire sport of basketball.

Image source: 1984 NBA draft

Jordan wins NBA Rookie of the Year

May 1985

In his rookie season, Michael Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game and earned Rookie of the Year honors, while leading the Bulls to a playoff berth and instantly electrifying Chicago Stadium crowds.

Image source: Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen drafted by Seattle, traded to Bulls

Jun 23, 1987

The Bulls acquired Scottie Pippen, drafted fifth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, in a trade for Olden Polynice. Pippen would develop into Jordan's essential partner as one of the greatest two-way players ever.

Image source: Scottie Pippen

The Shot against Cleveland Cavaliers

May 7, 1989

Michael Jordan hit a buzzer-beating jumper over Craig Ehlo in Game 5 of the first-round series to eliminate the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the most iconic moments in NBA playoff history.

Image source: Jump shot (basketball)

Phil Jackson hired as head coach

Jul 1989

Phil Jackson was promoted to head coach and installed the triangle offense. Under his guidance, the Bulls evolved from a talented team into a championship dynasty.

Image source: Phil Jackson

Championship Dynasty

Bulls win first NBA championship

Jun 12, 1991

The Bulls defeated Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 to capture the franchise's first NBA championship, with Jordan winning Finals MVP after years of playoff frustration.

Image source: 1991 NBA Finals

Back-to-back titles with Finals win over Trail Blazers

Jun 14, 1992

Chicago repeated as NBA champions, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 4–2 behind Jordan's legendary shrug performance after six three-pointers in Game 1.

Image source: 1992 NBA Finals

Back-to-back titles with Finals win over Trail Blazers

Three-peat completed against Phoenix Suns

Jun 20, 1993

The Bulls won their third consecutive championship by beating Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns 4–2, with John Paxson hitting the title-clinching three-pointer in Game 6.

Image source: 1993 NBA Finals

Three-peat completed against Phoenix Suns

Michael Jordan retires for first time

Oct 6, 1993

Shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement at age 30, citing diminished desire to play months after his father James Jordan was murdered.

Jordan returns wearing number 45

Mar 19, 1995

Michael Jordan returned from his baseball experiment, announcing 'I'm back' via fax and scoring 55 points in just his fifth game back at Madison Square Garden.

Image source: Back to the Future Part III

Bulls sign Dennis Rodman

Oct 1995

The Bulls traded for rebounding icon Dennis Rodman, whose defensive intensity and rebounding prowess would be critical to the second three-peat.

Image source: Dennis Rodman

Record-breaking 72-win season

Apr 21, 1996

The 1995–96 Bulls finished 72–10, setting an NBA record for wins in a single season, widely considered among the greatest teams ever assembled.

Fourth championship over Seattle SuperSonics

Jun 16, 1996

The Bulls defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 4–2 to begin their second three-peat, capping the record-setting 72-win campaign with Father's Day victory in Seattle.

Image source: 1996 NBA Finals

Fourth championship over Seattle SuperSonics

Fifth title won against Utah Jazz

Jun 22, 1997

Despite Jordan playing through flu-like symptoms in the famous 'Flu Game' victory in Utah, the Bulls won the Finals 4–2 over Karl Malone and John Stockton's Jazz.

Image source: 1997 NBA Finals

Sixth championship sealed by The Last Shot

Jun 14, 1998

Jordan stole the ball from Malone and hit the game-winning jumper over Bryon Russell in Game 6 at Utah, delivering the franchise's sixth title and completing the second three-peat.

Image source: 1998 NBA Finals

Sixth championship sealed by The Last Shot

Post-Dynasty Rebuilding

Dynasty dismantled; Jackson departs, roster broken up

Jul 1998

Following the sixth title, Phil Jackson left, Jordan retired again, and Pippen and Rodman departed, ending the dynasty as management opted for a full rebuild.

Image source: The Last Dance (miniseries)

Elton Brand named co-Rookie of the Year

May 2000

Drafted first overall in 1999, Elton Brand averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds and shared Rookie of the Year honors with Steve Francis, offering hope during lean rebuilding years.

Image source: Elton Brand

Derrick Rose drafted first overall

Jun 26, 2008

The hometown Chicagoan Derrick Rose was selected first overall by the Bulls, becoming the face of the franchise's return to relevance.

Image source: 2008 NBA draft

Rose wins MVP, youngest ever

May 2011

At 22 years old, Derrick Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history after leading the Bulls to 62 wins and the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Bulls reach Eastern Conference finals under Thibodeau

May 2011

Coach Tom Thibodeau's defensively dominant squad advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, falling to LeBron James's Miami Heat in five games.

Image source: Tom Thibodeau

Rose suffers ACL tear in playoff opener

Apr 28, 2012

Derrick Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of the first round against Philadelphia, a devastating injury that derailed the Bulls' title aspirations and altered the course of the franchise.

Image source: Derrick Rose

Jimmy Butler era peaks with 50-win seasons

Oct 2014

Jimmy Butler emerged as an All-Star and the league's Most Improved Player in 2015, leading the Bulls to consecutive playoff appearances before being traded in 2017.

Image source: Jimmy Butler

United Center hosts All-Star Weekend

Feb 8, 2020 - Feb 9, 2020

The United Center hosted NBA All-Star Weekend, honoring Kobe Bryant following his death, with the game featuring the new Elam Ending format in a memorable tribute night.

Image source: 2020 NBA All-Star Game

'The Last Dance' documentary airs globally

Apr 19, 2020 - May 17, 2020

ESPN's ten-part documentary chronicling the Bulls' 1997–98 championship season captivated audiences during the pandemic, introducing the dynasty story to a new generation.

Key Facts

The Chicago Bulls were founded in 1966 as an NBA expansion team and played their first season in 1966-67.
Led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and coach Phil Jackson, the Bulls won six NBA championships: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time and won five regular-season MVP awards with the Bulls.
The Bulls' 1995-96 team posted a then-NBA record 72 wins in a single season, a mark later surpassed by the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
Since Jordan's retirement, the Bulls have struggled to reclaim championship glory, with Derrick Rose's MVP season in 2011 marking their most recent period of sustained success.

Source

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