Part 1: Doing the Unthinkable
At the end of the 1987-88 season Michael Jordan had established himself as the best basketball player in the world. Some wondered if he was the best player the game had ever seen. There were also many who wondered if he was TOO good. Jordan was an unparalleled scorer. He was a brilliant individual defender. He had just compiled an amazing season, winning both his first MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year.
But while Jordan flourished, the Chicago Bulls had not managed to break through to become an elite team. The team had finshed with a 50-32 record and had been beaten easily by the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round.
Bulls coach Doug Collins and GM Jerry Krause were disappointed with the team's progress. Promising rookie forwards Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant had not gotten the opportunities to develop as much in their first seasons as had been hoped. Both appeared equipped to be very good players, but it was unclear how much of a chance either would get while playing in Jordan's shadow.
Jordan's cutting personality had already damaged the career of one promising player, Brad Sellers. In two seasons he had shown flashes, but had ultimately failed to produce what his physical gifts seemed to promise. Jordan had mercilessly ripped Sellers, and the young man was breaking under the pressure.
Collins had initially relished the prospect of coaching Jordan. But his inability to get Jordan onboard with a more up-tempo, more team oriented game had left him truly frustrated. But how could you criticise a player who just won the MVP?
Sometimes opportunities present themselves at unexpected times. The Los Angeles Clippers had just completed another awful season, their ninth consecutive losing season. Their 17-65 record was the worst mark in the NBA and they had won the Draft Lottery for the 1988 Draft. They also owned the sixth pick, picked up in trade from the Sacramento Kings.
But Clippers owner Donald Stirling didn't want more lottery picks, he was desperate for a star to lift the Clippers out of irrelevancy. He wanted a star who could compete with Magic Johnson. Stirling craved the on and off court success of the Laker franchise his team shared the city of Los Angeles with, and he was determined to get his man.
The Clippers approached the Bulls about an uthinkable deal. They would give the Bulls any five assets (players or draft picks) of their choice for Michael Jordan. Of course, a 17-65 team didn't have many players that the Bulls would be interested in. Those picks though... they were an interesting proposition.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Krause and Collins huddled for several days. The 1988 Draft was a good one. With young stars like Danny Manning, Charles Smith, Mitch Richmond and Hersey Hawkins available, not to mention Danish wundekind 7-4 Rik Smits, the possibilities were mindboggling. Chicago already possessed the nineteenth pick. The opportunity was there to build a super-team. But could they really trade the best player in the game? Would they be lynched for doing it?
Finally, Krause and Collins persuaded Reinsdorf that building a champion team would be easier without a dominant player and personality like Michael Jordan. The decision was made. Krause contacted the Clippers with his demands. The Bulls would trade Jordan to the Clippers, but only in exchange for the two 1988 picks (#1 and #6), young forward Reggie Williams, enigmatic and talented center Benoit Benjamin and the Clippers' 1991 First Round pick.
The Clippers agreed.
At the end of the 1987-88 season Michael Jordan had established himself as the best basketball player in the world. Some wondered if he was the best player the game had ever seen. There were also many who wondered if he was TOO good. Jordan was an unparalleled scorer. He was a brilliant individual defender. He had just compiled an amazing season, winning both his first MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year.
But while Jordan flourished, the Chicago Bulls had not managed to break through to become an elite team. The team had finshed with a 50-32 record and had been beaten easily by the Detroit Pistons in the Second Round.
Bulls coach Doug Collins and GM Jerry Krause were disappointed with the team's progress. Promising rookie forwards Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant had not gotten the opportunities to develop as much in their first seasons as had been hoped. Both appeared equipped to be very good players, but it was unclear how much of a chance either would get while playing in Jordan's shadow.
Jordan's cutting personality had already damaged the career of one promising player, Brad Sellers. In two seasons he had shown flashes, but had ultimately failed to produce what his physical gifts seemed to promise. Jordan had mercilessly ripped Sellers, and the young man was breaking under the pressure.
Collins had initially relished the prospect of coaching Jordan. But his inability to get Jordan onboard with a more up-tempo, more team oriented game had left him truly frustrated. But how could you criticise a player who just won the MVP?
Sometimes opportunities present themselves at unexpected times. The Los Angeles Clippers had just completed another awful season, their ninth consecutive losing season. Their 17-65 record was the worst mark in the NBA and they had won the Draft Lottery for the 1988 Draft. They also owned the sixth pick, picked up in trade from the Sacramento Kings.
But Clippers owner Donald Stirling didn't want more lottery picks, he was desperate for a star to lift the Clippers out of irrelevancy. He wanted a star who could compete with Magic Johnson. Stirling craved the on and off court success of the Laker franchise his team shared the city of Los Angeles with, and he was determined to get his man.
The Clippers approached the Bulls about an uthinkable deal. They would give the Bulls any five assets (players or draft picks) of their choice for Michael Jordan. Of course, a 17-65 team didn't have many players that the Bulls would be interested in. Those picks though... they were an interesting proposition.
Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Krause and Collins huddled for several days. The 1988 Draft was a good one. With young stars like Danny Manning, Charles Smith, Mitch Richmond and Hersey Hawkins available, not to mention Danish wundekind 7-4 Rik Smits, the possibilities were mindboggling. Chicago already possessed the nineteenth pick. The opportunity was there to build a super-team. But could they really trade the best player in the game? Would they be lynched for doing it?
Finally, Krause and Collins persuaded Reinsdorf that building a champion team would be easier without a dominant player and personality like Michael Jordan. The decision was made. Krause contacted the Clippers with his demands. The Bulls would trade Jordan to the Clippers, but only in exchange for the two 1988 picks (#1 and #6), young forward Reggie Williams, enigmatic and talented center Benoit Benjamin and the Clippers' 1991 First Round pick.
The Clippers agreed.
The sports world was stunned. Michael Jordan was stunned. The city of Chicago threatened to turn against the Bulls franchise, with a fans demonstrating outside Chicago Stadium and some burning their season tickets. Sports commentators were divided on the trade. Many decried the Bulls organisation for trading the best player in the world, but some pointed to the vast horde of resources the team had landed in return. Many of the Bulls' players were shocked. Forward Charles Oakley, a close friend of Jordan's, accused the team of disloyalty to Jordan and said he wanted to be traded.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the media was also in near-meltdown. Los Angeles already had Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers, now Michael Jordan was coming to town. Some wondered if he would refuse to report to the Clippers. Many questioned how the super competitive Jordan would handle playing with such a weak team around him. Jordan of course did report to LA, and he vowed to turn the Clippers into a team to be reckoned with.
The Chicago Bulls now had a lot of big decisions to make going into the 1988 Draft. The questions were circling the franchise. Had they made a genius or disasterous move? Could the fanbase accept the move? Only time would tell.Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the media was also in near-meltdown. Los Angeles already had Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers, now Michael Jordan was coming to town. Some wondered if he would refuse to report to the Clippers. Many questioned how the super competitive Jordan would handle playing with such a weak team around him. Jordan of course did report to LA, and he vowed to turn the Clippers into a team to be reckoned with.
