From the Archives: What 1966 and 1984 Still Say About These Bulls

Klein's One-Man Operation. Dick Klein founded the Bulls in 1966, the only owner in franchise history who'd played pro ball himself, and ran the team as both GM and president. Six decades later, Tiago Splitter inherits a front office built by other hands, the first coaching change since Billy Donovan's exit in June.

Kerr Set The Bar. Johnny "Red" Kerr's 1966-67 expansion Bulls went 33-48 and made the playoffs, still the only expansion team to do that. Last season's team finished 31-51, missing the playoffs for a fourth straight year — nowhere near what Kerr's first-year club managed.

Third Pick To Fourth. Jordan went third overall in 1984, behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie. This year Chicago took Caleb Wilson fourth overall, with Dailyn Swain added at 15 — the highest the Bulls have picked since a draft that changed the franchise forever.

Gibson Comes Home. Taj Gibson retired as a player on September 14 to join Splitter's staff as an assistant, the latest Bulls alum to walk back into the building. No further coaching staff details have surfaced since that announcement.

New Names In The Ring. In September 2025 the Bulls added Johnny Bach, Bill Cartwright, Neil Funk, Horace Grant, John Paxson and Norm Van Lier to the Ring of Honor, joining founder Dick Klein and Tex Winter. None of that core overlaps with a roster now led by Giddey, Claxton and Powell.

A Rivalry Downgraded. Detroit eliminated the Bulls from the playoffs three straight years before Chicago broke through in 1991. The closest thing to that frustration now is Miami, which knocked the Bulls out of the play-in three seasons running — a rivalry with much lower stakes.