Revisiting Michael Jordan's championships and the 5 key Chicago Bulls players that helped him achieve his 6 rings

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan’s case for being the greatest basketball player of all time is largely due to his undefeated NBA Finals record. Jordan’s Bulls went 6-0 in the Finals during the 1990s on the backs of two three-peats from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998.

Jordan was the best player in all championship runs for the Bulls. He averaged 33.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game on 48.1% shooting over 35 finals games. However, he had some great teammates in all title runs.

On that note, here are five other top contributors for the Bulls from their six championship teams.

Michael Jordan's five most impactful Chicago Bulls teammates during his NBA Finals career

5. John Paxson

Former Chicago Bulls point guard John Paxson

Point guard John Paxson played on the Bulls' first three title teams from 1991 to 1993. He averaged 9.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 17 Finals games for Chicago. He shot an efficient 59.2% from the field, including 47.2% from deep.

Paxson’s best Finals performance came in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals versus the Lakers, when he scored 20 points on 9-of-12 (75.0%) shooting. Bulls won the game 108-101, and won their first title in franchise history.

4. Toni Kukoc

Former Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc

Croatian forward Toni Kukoc was a key member of the Bulls' latter three title teams from 1996 to 1998. Kukoc averaged 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 18 Finals games for the Bulls. He also shot 45.1% from the field, including 37.0% from deep.

Kukoc's best game came in Game 5 of the 1998 NBA Finals against Utah. Kukoc dropped a team-high 30 points to go along six rebounds, one steal, one block and four made 3-pointers on 84.6% shooting from the field. However, the Bulls fell just short, losing 83-81.

3. Horace Grant

Former Chicago Bulls forward Horace Grant

Forward Horace Grant was a crucial member of the Bulls' first three title teams from 1991 to 1993. Grant averaged 11.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game on 57.2% shooting in 17 finals games for Chicago.

Grant's best game came in Game 2 of the 1993 NBA Finals when the Bulls beat the Suns 111-108 to take a 2-0 series lead. Grant scored 24 points with eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks on 10-of-13 (76.9%) shooting.

2. Dennis Rodman

Hall of Fame power forward Dennis Rodman

Power forward Dennis Rodman wasn't a scorer for the Bulls, but his defensive energy and elite rebounding was important for the team. The Hall of Famer was a vital piece of the Bulls’ three title teams from 1996 to 1998. Rodman averaged 4.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game in 18 finals games for Chicago.

Rodman’s best game came in Game 6 of the 1996 NBA Finals against the Seattle SuperSonics. Rodman finished with nine points, 19 rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block in the game. The Bulls won 87-75 to close out the SuperSonics and secured their fourth title in franchise history.

1. Scottie Pippen

Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen

Michael Jordan’s undisputed wingman was Hall of Fame point-forward Scottie Pippen, who operated as the Bulls' second option for all six of their titles. Pippen averaged 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in 35 finals games for Chicago.

Similar to John Paxson, Pippen’s best game came in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals. Pippen finished with a game-high 32 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and one block. He helped the Chicago Bulls beat the Lakers 108-101 to secure their first NBA title.

Also read this: Michael Jordan's rings and his path to GOAT status: Ranking his 6 NBA championships in order of toughness

Or this: Michael Jordan’s net worth flex when he gifted Charles Barkley a $20,000 diamond earring just for mind games during 1993 NBA Finals: “What’s $20,000 to me? I hate that fat f**k”