Longtime Chicago fan favorite Alex Caruso put the league on notice earlier this week with a record-breaking Monday night. In the modern era, Caruso became the first player to come off the bench in a playoff game and record 20+ points, 5+ assists, 5+ steals, and 2+ blocks. The Thunder’s acquisition of Caruso helped mold the Thunder into a more complete team and provided them with the depth necessary for them to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference. This acquisition did not go unnoticed by the league, as Thunder GM Sam Presti won Executive of the Year Award, partially for Caruso’s impact on the Thunder this season.
Caruso’s success in Oklahoma City this year had me wondering how his tenure in Chicago stacked up compared to other Bulls fan favorite role players. With that being said, here is my top five ranking of the Bulls’ best role players in franchise history.
Top 5 Role Players in Chicago Bulls History
Where Caruso Stacks Up
Chicago per game stats: 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.7 blocks
Alex Caruso lands just outside the top five due to having a shorter Bulls tenure than the guys ahead of him. Even though Caruso played just three seasons in Chicago, he became a fan favorite and household name due to his exceptional defense and leadership. Caruso defended both guards and forwards, and this versatility got him selected to the All-Defensive first team in 2022-23 and the All-Defensive second team in 2023-24. Caruso’s presence elevated the rest of the team’s performance through his hustle and high basketball IQ. If the Bulls placed a stronger supporting cast around him, his Bulls tenure might have been longer, and he would likely rank higher on this list.
5. Taj Gibson
Per-game stats: 9.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.2 blocks
At the fifth spot is Taj Gibson, one of the Bulls’ best sixth men in team history. Over eight seasons with the Bulls, Gibson established himself as an elite defender and consistent mid-range shooter off the bench.
Gibson’s versatility allowed him to guard multiple positions on the court at an elite level. His shot-blocking ability cemented him as one of the league’s best rim protectors in the early 2010s, which made him extremely valuable to defensive-minded coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotations. With a 49.5% shooting percentage, Gibson also nailed clutch shots in the paint to keep the Bulls in close games.
Gibson finished top five in Sixth Man of the Year voting in the 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons. He finished in fifth place in 2012 and as the runner-up in 2014 behind the elite Jamal Crawford. His exceptional defense and leadership off the bench made him one of the best rotation players the franchise has seen.
4. B.J. Armstrong
Per-game stats: 10.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 43.7 3PT%
During the Michael Jordan era, B.J. Armstrong was an essential part of the Bulls’ winning their first three championships. Armstrong was one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters at the time, as he shot 42.5% over his career and led the league with a 45.3% three-point percentage in 1993.
Armstrong’s consistent playmaking also assisted in the Bulls’ success, as he maintained ball security well with a low turnover rate of 1.2 turnovers per game during the Bulls’ first three-peat. Additionally, after Jordan’s first retirement, Armstrong took on a leadership role during the transition period. This earned him his first and only All-Star appearance in the 1993-94 season, where he averaged 14.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
Armstrong’s sharpshooting ability and offensive efficiency made him an invaluable asset to the Bulls dynasty before going to the Golden State Warriors in the 1995-96 season.
3. Kirk Hinrich
Per-game stats: 11.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 37.5 3PT%
Ranking third is the franchise legend “Captain Kirk.” Kirk Hinrich spent 11 seasons with Chicago and was one of the best defenders the franchise has seen at the point guard position. Hinrich was able to lock down both point guards and shooting guards with his 6-foot-4 height. He earned an All-Defensive Second Team selection in his fourth season with the Bulls and finished top 15 in defensive player of the year voting in both the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons.
On the other side of the ball, Hinrich shot a three-point percentage of 37.5%. For the era he played in, he was an above-average outside shooter and one of the Bulls’ most reliable threats behind the arc. Hinrich was also a great passer and playmaker who consistently found open passing lanes to dish it to teammates.
Additionally, Hinrich is the third-longest tenured player in Chicago Bulls history. Clocking in at 748 games played for the Bulls, Captain Kirk’s legacy will be known as one with an exceptional work ethic and one of the most reliable veteran presences the team has had.
2. Toni Kukoc
Per-game stats: 14.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals
Toni Kukoc takes the runner-up spot on the list due to his elite scoring and playmaking off the bench. Kukoc was an essential cog to the Bulls’ three-peat in 1996-98. With a play style ahead of his time that revolutionized modern forward positions, Kukoc often slotted in as a point forward who was an elite passer and playmaker. Kukoc’s ability to create offense for these elite Bulls teams earned him the nickname “Croatian Sensation.”
Kukoc also held the ability to drill clutch shots when it mattered, as he sank two game-winning buzzer beaters in the 1993-94 season. His offensive skills earned him the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1995-96 (also known as the Bulls’ record-setting 72-10 season), as well as the runner-up spot in voting for the award the next year.
Kukoc was arguably the league’s best reserve during the Bulls’ era of dominance and earned a Hall of Fame induction due to elite play. The Bulls dynasty might not be known as what it is today without the impact of Kukoc.
1. Luol Deng
Per-game stats: 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks
Closing out the list is Luol Deng, who I believe is the most well-rounded Bulls role player in franchise history. Deng was arguably one of the league’s best two-way players during his tenure with the Bulls. He was frequently tasked with guarding the league’s best scorers while providing consistent production on offense.
During the Derrick Rose era, Deng took on a leadership role and helped anchor the team when Rose was battling his ACL and meniscus injuries. Deng earned back-to-back All-Star appearances in the 2012 and 2013 seasons for these efforts. He also finished in the top 10 in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2012 and 2013, locking down top scorers in the East while leading the league in minutes during these two seasons.
Deng finished his Bulls career ranking fourth all-time in defensive win shares and seventh in offensive win shares. He finished his career with the Bulls as arguably the most underrated player in franchise history.
The Last Word
Along with Alex Caruso, these five guys were crucial to their respective supporting casts due to their consistency on both ends of the ball and leadership. With the Bulls approaching another rebuild this offseason, it will be essential for the front office to find a glue guy with as much hustle and authority as these guys had.
Featured image: © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The post Top 5 Role Players in Chicago Bulls History appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.