1990–91 Chicago Bulls season
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Bulls
finished in first place in the Central Division. The Bulls would go on to beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals
.
The Bulls shot a Finals record 61.7% from the floor, with a Jordan layup over Sam Perkins a highlight.
The Lakers were facing elimination, and the lack of Worthy and Scott was not any help to the Lakers. This would not stop Magic Johnson as Johnson had 20 assists in the game, but it was not enough. Elden Campbell outscored Michael Jordan with 13 points in the first half, but it was not enough. The Lakers still fought and even led 93-90 in the fourth quarter, but a Bulls 9-0 run, and Paxson's 10 points in the final half of the fourth quarter helped secure the Chicago Bulls', and Michael Jordan's, first NBA title.
|-
! colspan="2" style="background-color: #D40026; color: white; text-align: center;" | 1990-91 Chicago Bulls roster
|- style="background-color: black; color: #D40026; text-align: center;"
! Players !! Coaches
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="sortable" style="background:transparent; margin:0px; width:100%;"
! Pos. !! # !! Nat. !! Name !! Ht. !! Wt. !! From
|-
!width="40"|Pos.
!width="165"|Starter
!width="165"|Bench
!width="165"|Reserve
!width="165"|Inactive
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | C
| Bill Cartwright || Will Perdue
|| Scott Williams
|| style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | PF
| Horace Grant || Stacey King || || style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | SF
| Scottie Pippen
|| Cliff Levingston
|| || style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:red"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | SG
| Michael Jordan
|| Craig Hodges
|| Dennis Hopson
|| style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | PG
| John Paxson
|| B. J. Armstrong
|| || style="background:#C41E3A" |
|}
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
finished in first place in the Central Division. The Bulls would go on to beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1991 NBA Finals
1991 NBA Finals
The 1991 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1990–91 NBA season. It was also the first NBA Finals broadcast by NBC after 17 years with CBS....
.
NBA Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 29 | Toni Kukoč Toni Kukoc Toni Kukoč is a retired Croatian professional basketball player. He was renowned for his versatility and passing ability; although his natural position was small forward, he played all five positions on the court with prowess and demonstrated court vision and an outside shooting touch that were... |
F | |
KK Split KK Split KK Split , KK Split CO for sponsorship relations is a basketball club from Split, Croatia. Currently, KK Split competes in the A-1 Liga and Krešimir Ćosić Cup.-History:... |
Regular season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 0 | 21.1 | .481 | .500 | .874 | 1.8 | 3.7 | .85 | .05 | 8.8 | |
| 79 | 79 | 28.8 | .490 | .000 | .697 | 6.2 | 1.6 | .41 | .19 | 9.6 | |
| 78 | 76 | 33.9 | .547 | .167 | .711 | 8.4 | 2.3 | 1.22 | .88 | 12.8 | |
| 73 | 0 | 11.5 | .424 | .383 | .963 | .6 | 1.3 | .47 | .03 | 5.0 | |
| 61 | 0 | 11.9 | .426 | .200 | .663 | 1.8 | 1.1 | .41 | .23 | 4.3 | |
| 82 | 82 | 37.0 | .539 | .312 | .851 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 2.72 | 1.01 | 31.5 | |
| 76 | 6 | 15.8 | .467 | .000 | .704 | 2.7 | .9 | .32 | .55 | 5.5 | |
| 78 | 0 | 13.0 | .450 | .250 | .648 | 2.9 | .7 | .37 | .55 | 4.0 | |
| 82 | 82 | 24.0 | .548 | .438 | .829 | 1.1 | 3.6 | .76 | .04 | 8.7 | |
| 74 | 3 | 13.1 | .494 | .000 | .670 | 4.5 | .6 | .31 | .77 | 4.1 | |
| 82 | 82 | 36.8 | .520 | .309 | .706 | 7.3 | 6.2 | 2.35 | 1.13 | 17.8 | |
| 51 | 0 | 6.6 | .510 | .500 | .714 | 1.9 | .3 | .24 | .25 | 2.5 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 16.1 | .500 | .600 | .800 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 1.12 | .06 | 5.5 | ||
| 17 | 30.1 | .519 | .000 | .688 | 4.7 | 1.9 | .53 | .41 | 9.5 | ||
| 17 | 39.2 | .583 | .000 | .733 | 8.1 | 2.2 | .88 | .35 | 13.3 | ||
| 17 | 12.3 | .423 | .393 | .750 | .2 | .6 | .65 | .00 | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 3.6 | .333 | .000 | .444 | .8 | .2 | .00 | .20 | 1.6 | ||
| 17 | 40.5 | .524 | .385 | .845 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 2.35 | 1.35 | 31.1 | ||
| 11 | 7.8 | .296 | .000 | .636 | 2.0 | .2 | .09 | .09 | 2.1 | ||
| 17 | 11.3 | .512 | .000 | .500 | 2.4 | .4 | .59 | .41 | 2.6 | ||
| 17 | 28.6 | .530 | .143 | 1.000 | 1.4 | 3.1 | .65 | .00 | 8.2 | ||
| 17 | 11.6 | .547 | .000 | .545 | 3.8 | .2 | .12 | .47 | 4.1 | ||
| 17 | 41.4 | .504 | .235 | .792 | 8.9 | 5.8 | 2.47 | 1.12 | 21.6 | ||
| 12 | 6.0 | .462 | .000 | .550 | 1.7 | .2 | .08 | .25 | 1.9 |
Game 1
Sunday, June 2, at the Chicago StadiumChicago Stadium
The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 29 | 22 | 24 | 18 | 93 |
| Chicago | 30 | 23 | 15 | 23 | 91 |
Game 2
Wednesday, June 5, at the Chicago StadiumChicago Stadium
The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
The Bulls shot a Finals record 61.7% from the floor, with a Jordan layup over Sam Perkins a highlight.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 23 | 20 | 26 | 17 | 86 |
| Chicago | 28 | 20 | 38 | 21 | 107 |
Game 3
Friday, June 7, at the Great Western Forum| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Tot. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 25 | 23 | 18 | 26 | 12 | 104 |
| Los Angeles | 25 | 22 | 25 | 20 | 4 | 96 |
Game 4
Sunday, June 9, at the Great Western Forum| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 27 | 25 | 22 | 23 | 97 |
| Los Angeles | 28 | 16 | 14 | 24 | 82 |
Game 5
Wednesday, June 12, at the Great Western ForumThe Lakers were facing elimination, and the lack of Worthy and Scott was not any help to the Lakers. This would not stop Magic Johnson as Johnson had 20 assists in the game, but it was not enough. Elden Campbell outscored Michael Jordan with 13 points in the first half, but it was not enough. The Lakers still fought and even led 93-90 in the fourth quarter, but a Bulls 9-0 run, and Paxson's 10 points in the final half of the fourth quarter helped secure the Chicago Bulls', and Michael Jordan's, first NBA title.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 27 | 21 | 32 | 28 | 108 |
| Los Angeles | 25 | 24 | 31 | 21 | 101 |
Roster
{| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"|-
! colspan="2" style="background-color: #D40026; color: white; text-align: center;" | 1990-91 Chicago Bulls roster
|- style="background-color: black; color: #D40026; text-align: center;"
! Players !! Coaches
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="sortable" style="background:transparent; margin:0px; width:100%;"
! Pos. !! # !! Nat. !! Name !! Ht. !! Wt. !! From
|-
Depth chart
{| style="text-align: center; background:black; color:white"!width="40"|Pos.
!width="165"|Starter
!width="165"|Bench
!width="165"|Reserve
!width="165"|Inactive
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | C
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
| Bill Cartwright || Will Perdue
Will Perdue
William Edward Perdue is a retired American NBA basketball player who won four NBA Championships. Perdue is now an ESPN basketball commentator and analyst.Perdue attended Merritt Island High School, Merritt Island, Florida...
|| Scott Williams
Scott Williams (basketball)
Scott Christopher Williams is a retired American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. Standing at 6' 10", he was capable of playing as a power forward or a center.-Early life / College career:...
|| style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | PF
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
| Horace Grant || Stacey King || || style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | SF
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
| Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
|| Cliff Levingston
Cliff Levingston
Clifford Eugene Levingston is a retired American basketball player in the NBA. Levingston starred at Wichita State University before being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1982...
|| || style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:red"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | SG
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
| Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
|| Craig Hodges
Craig Hodges
Craig Anthony Hodges is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 10 seasons and led the league in 3-point shooting percentage three times...
|| Dennis Hopson
Dennis Hopson
Dennis Hopson is a retired American professional basketball player and currently an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University...
|| style="background:#C41E3A" |
|-style="height:40px; background:white; color:white"
! style="background:#C41E3A" | PG
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
| John Paxson
John Paxson
John MacBeth Paxson is a retired American basketball player. He is currently the VP of Basketball Operations of the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls.-High school career:...
|| B. J. Armstrong
B. J. Armstrong
Benjamin Roy "B. J." Armstrong, Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player. As a starting point guard, he was an integral part of the NBA's Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s....
|| || style="background:#C41E3A" |
|}
Award winners
- Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, All-NBA Team, First Team - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Guard, NBA MVP - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Guard, NBA Finals MVP - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, NBA All-Defensive First Team - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Field Goals (990) - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Field Goal Attempts (1837) - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Total Points (2580) - Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Regular season leader, Scoring Average (31.5 points per game) - Michael Jordan, Associated Press Athlete of the YearAssociated Press Athlete of the YearThe first Athlete of the Year award in the United States was initiated by the Associated Press in 1931. At a time when women in sports were never given the same recognition as men, the AP offered a male and a female athlete of the year award to either a professional or amateur athlete...