Chicago Bulls 1996 Roster: Where are they now and what made them one of the greatest NBA teams of all time?

Many fans and experts consider the Chicago Bulls' 1996 roster the best team in the history of the NBA. The squad featured stars like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and coach Phil Jackson. They were the first team to break the 70-win mark in an NBA season. While many people continue celebrating the Bulls' success that season, the whereabouts of the players in the iconic team has also become a topic of discussion.

The '96 Bulls team record of 70 victories in the season lasted two decades before the Golden State Warriors broke it with 73 wins. Many treated Michael Jordan and his teammates respectfully as crowds followed their every move to witness the most outstanding team play on the court.

Where are the 96 Bulls players now?

A lot has changed for the players since the historic team ended its cycle. Some stars are still involved in basketball, while others decided to focus on other things. Fans will remember the players for contributing to one of the greatest teams in the history of the NBA.

Is the 1996 Bulls team the best team in NBA history?

The invincible Chicago team won many hearts both on and off the court. Many consider it the best in NBA history because of its landmark achievements. Jordan and his colleagues had a better regular-season record than the 2017 Golden State Warriors. Statistically, the Warriors, who broke the 1996 Bulls record, come close to challenging the Chicago-based franchise status of the best basketball team ever.

Chicago Bulls 1996 roster stats

The team's stats speak for themselves. Chicago Bulls' 1996 players dominated opponents and entertained fans with their performance throughout the season. They won their games by an average margin of 12.3 points and had winning streaks of 13 and 18 games apiece.

1996 Bulls record

The Bulls posted a record 72 wins and only lost ten games during the 1995-1996 season. The record stood for 20 years before Golden State Warriors registered 73 victories and nine defeats in the 2015-2016 season. Here is a breakdown of the 1996 NBA Chicago Bulls roster and where they are now.

Edwards was 40 years old in the 1995-1996 season. Due to his age, he was a reserve centre and spent one season with the Bulls. He joined the historic team from the Pistons alongside Dennis Rodman and John Salley. However, James has kept a low profile over the years.

John Salley

Salley also played one season with the Chicago franchise. He was the team's best shot-blocker and mostly played as a reserve. Salley retired in 2000 and is an advocate. He also launched his brand, Deuces22.

Jud Buechler

The legendary forward spent four years with the team between 1994-1998. Buechler was a tenacious defender who provided some much-needed three-point shooting. After retiring, he got a coaching position with the Lakers before joining the Knicks' coaching staff in 2018.

Randy Brown

Randy Brown joined the Chicago franchise in 1995 and became a reserve point guard. He also served as an assistant coach for the team between 2015 to 2018.

Bill Wennington

The reserve centre played for the Bulls between 1993-1999. He is among the most famous Canadian players who starred in the NBA. Wellington is also among many of the '96 Bulls squad still connected to the organisation. In 2003, he became a colour commentator for the team's radio broadcast.

Steve Kerr

Kerr was a reliable sharpshooter who could make the big shot with the game on the line. He finished second in the NBA in three-point percentage in the 1995-1996 season while also knocking down 93% of his free-throw attempts. Steve ranks among the most successful coaches in NBA history. He coached the Golden State Warriors to the famous 73-9 record in 2015-2016 after joining them in 2014.

Toni Kukoc

The former Croatian athlete played a crucial role in the Bulls' invincible campaign. He was the only player besides Jordan and Pippen to average double figures in the historic season. Kukoc is among the few players to win the Sixth Man of the Year award and an NBA championship in the same season. The Croatian still resides around Chicago and serves as a special adviser to team president Michael Reinsdorf.

Luc Longley

Longley is the first Australian-born player in NBA history. He joined the Bulls in 1994 and got promoted to the starting lineup in the 1995-1996 season. Longley was a great centre and contributed heavily to the defensive department. He also led the Bulls in blocks.

Luc resides in his native Australia, where he is heavily involved with the national basketball team. He also serves as an assistant coach on the team. In December 2022, Longley joined the Sydney Kings ownership group.

Ron Harper

The legendary shooting guard averaged 2.6 assists per game with the '96-team. He was a long-armed defender who helped the Bulls post the best defensive rating in the NBA. Haper, nicknamed "Hollywood", settled in his home state of Ohio, where he is a part-time golfer.

Dennis Rodman

Rodman teamed up with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in 1995, forming a deadly trio that ranks among the best defensive threesome in NBA history. He was an extraordinary basketball player known for doing dirty work to stop opponents from scoring.

However, Dennis has struggled quite a bit since retiring. He was involved in several drug and alcohol abuse incidents. He even travelled to North Korea for peaceful negotiations with President Kim Jong Un, which attracted mixed reactions.

Scottie Pippen

Pippen spent 12 years with the Bulls between 1987-2004, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest forwards in the NBA. He was a brilliant point forward and led the team in assists while ranking second in scoring. Scottie was a special adviser to Bulls president and COO Michael Reinsdorf for a few years before getting fired in 2020. He also contributes to the ESPN NBA show "The Jump."

Michael Jordan

Many people regard Jordan as the greatest basketball player in NBA history. He won almost everything in his illustrious career, including 11 All-NBA teams appearances, five MVPs, six Finals MVPs and six NBA titles. MJ was the engine and leader of the Chicago Bulls roster 1996 starters.

Since he retired in 2003, the legendary shooting guard has built a lucrative career. He is the chairperson of the Charlotte Hornets and has a secret golf course. MJ has also bought estates, restaurants, and the 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He has actively donated to and supported charity organisations globally.

Phil Jackson - Head coach

Jackson was a great leader in Chicago during his nine years in the team (1987-1998). He ranks among the greatest coaches in NBA history, having won 11 titles with the Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. Phil served as president of the New York Knicks from 2014 to 2017. Since then, he has kept a low profile away from basketball life in Montana.

John Paxson - Assistant coach

Paxson won three titles with the Bulls as a player between 1983-1994 before returning as an assistant coach in 1995. He only stayed for one year and returned to serve as the team's general manager and vice president of basketball operations from 2003 to 2020.

Who were the starting 5 for the 96 Bulls?

The 1996 Bulls starting roster consisted of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Ron Harper, and Luc Longley. They were regular starters often preferred by coach Phil Jackson.

Who were the Big 3 for the Chicago Bulls in 1996?

Many would pick Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman as the most outstanding players of the 1996 squad. The trio enjoyed strong chemistry and made the team a formidable force through their talents and leadership skills.

Who is the Bulls' legendary player?

Michael Jordan is the greatest Bull player and the greatest player of all time. The legendary shooting guard holds 27 team records and is a 10-time scoring champion. Jordan owns the most points, rebounds, assists, and steals with the Chicago-based side. He ranks second in blocks. His 29,277 career points are over 14,000 more than Pippen, who ranks second.

Who did the Bulls lose to in 96?

Chicago suffered ten defeats during the 1995/1996 NBA season. Their first loss was against Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Indiana Pacers were the only team to defeat them twice in the regular season.

Only a few basketball players would get into the Chicago Bulls 1996 roster. Their talent and chemistry took the game to another level. However, despite the success, some have struggled to live a reputable life after retiring. Michael Jordan remains the most successful of the players.

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Bulls 1996 team	Position
Michael Jordan	Shooting guard
Scottie Pippen	Small forward
Dennis Rodman	Power forward
Ron Harper	Point guard
Luc Longley	Centre
Toni Kukoc	Reserve small forward and power forward
Steve Kerr	Reserve point guard and shooting guard
Bill Wennington	Reserve centre
Randy Brown	Reserve point guard
Jud Buechler	Reserve small forward
John Salley	Reserve power forward and centre
James Edwards	Reserve Center
John Paxson	Assistant coach
Phil Jackson	Head Coach

Chicago Bulls defeats (1995/1996)	Date
88-94 vs Orlando Magic	14 November 1995
92-97 vs Seattle SuperSonics	26 November 1995
97-103 vs Indiana Pacers	26 December 1995
99-105 vs Denver Nuggets	4 February 1996
96-106 vs Phoenix Suns	6 February 1996
104-113 vs Miami Heat	23 February 1996
72-104 vs New York Knicks	10 March 1996
108-109 vs Toronto Raptors	24 March 1996
98-97 vs Chicago Bulls	8 April 1996
100-99 vs Chicago Bulls	20 April 1996