1988–89 Chicago Bulls season
| 1988–89 Chicago Bulls season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Doug Collins |
| President | Jerry Krause |
| General manager | Jerry Krause |
| Owner | Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Arena | Chicago Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 47–35 (.573) |
| Place | Division: 5th (Central) Conference: 6th (Eastern) |
| Playoff finish | Eastern Conference finals (lost to Pistons 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Local media | |
| Television | WFLD Sportsvision (Jim Durham, Johnny “Red” Kerr) |
| Radio | WLUP (Jim Durham, Johnny “Red” Kerr) |
The 1988–89 Chicago Bulls season was the 23rd season for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Bulls had the eleventh overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, and selected center Will Perdue out of Vanderbilt University.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired Bill Cartwright from the New York Knicks,[5][6][7] and then later on acquired three-point specialist Craig Hodges from the Phoenix Suns in December.[8][9][10]
With the addition of Cartwright, the Bulls struggled with a 6–8 start to the regular season, but played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season. The team posted a six-game winning streak in January, and later on held a 27–19 record at the All-Star break.[11] The Bulls posted another six-game winning streak in March, but posted a six-game losing streak in April, while losing eight of their final ten games of the season. The Bulls finished in fifth place in the Central Division with a 47–35 record, earned the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, and qualified for the NBA playoffs for the fifth consecutive year.[12]
Michael Jordan led the league in scoring averaging 32.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.9 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, second-year forward Scottie Pippen showed improvement, replacing Brad Sellers as the team's starting small forward during the regular season,[13][14] and averaging 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, while Cartwright provided the team with 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and second-year forward Horace Grant provided with 12.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Hodges contributed 10.0 points per game in 49 games with the Bulls after the trade, Sam Vincent provided with 9.4 points and 4.8 assists per game, John Paxson contributed 7.3 points and 3.9 assists per game, and Sellers contributed 6.9 points per game.[15]
During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, Jordan was selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Jordan scored 28 points along with 5 steals, despite the Eastern Conference losing to the Western Conference, 143–134.[16][17][18] Meanwhile, Hodges participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the fourth consecutive year.[19][20] Jordan finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers,[21][22] and also finished in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[22] while Pippen finished tied in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting.[23][22]
In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1989 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Bulls faced off against the 3rd–seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that featured the quartet of All-Star center Brad Daugherty, All-Star guard Mark Price, All-Star forward Larry Nance, and Ron Harper. The Bulls took a 2–1 series lead before losing Game 4 to the Cavaliers at home in overtime, 108–105 at the Chicago Stadium. With the series tied at 2–2, the Bulls won Game 5 over the Cavaliers on the road, 101–100 at the Coliseum at Richfield, in which Jordan hit a memorable game-winning shot over Cavaliers guard Craig Ehlo at the buzzer; the Bulls won the series over the Cavaliers in five hard-fought games.[24][25][26]
In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion New York Knicks, who were led by All-Star center Patrick Ewing, All-Star guard Mark Jackson, and former Bulls forward Charles Oakley. With the series tied at 1–1, the Bulls won the next two games at home, including a Game 4 win over the Knicks at the Chicago Stadium, 106–93 to take a 3–1 series lead. After losing Game 5 on the road, 121–114 at Madison Square Garden, the Bulls won Game 6 over the Knicks at the Chicago Stadium, 113–111 to win the series in six games.[27][28][29]
In the Eastern Conference Finals, and also for the second consecutive year, the Bulls faced off against the top–seeded, and Central Division champion Detroit Pistons, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Bill Laimbeer. The Bulls managed to take a 2–1 series lead, after winning Game 3 over the Pistons at the Chicago Stadium, 99–97. However, the Bulls lost the next three games, including a Game 6 loss to the Pistons at the Chicago Stadium, 103–94, thus losing the series in six games.[30][31][32] The Pistons would advance to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year, and defeat the 2-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals, winning their first ever NBA championship in franchise history.[33][34][35]
The Bulls finished fourth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 736,962 at the Chicago Stadium during the regular season.[15][36] Following the season, head coach Doug Collins was fired after three seasons with the Bulls,[37][38][39] while Vincent was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Orlando Magic expansion team,[40][41][42] and Sellers was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics.[43][14]
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Will Perdue | C | United States | Vanderbilt |
| 3 | 62 | Derrick Lewis | F | United States | Maryland |
Roster
| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
Roster |
Regular season
In the 1988–89 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the field. The Bulls finished with a 47–35 record, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. On March 11, 1989, head coach Doug Collins moved Jordan to the point guard position. Two days later, Jordan finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists in just 30 minutes of a blowout win against the Pacers. Jordan continued at point guard through the rest of the regular season.[44][45][46]
Season standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y-Detroit Pistons | 63 | 19 | .768 | – | 37–4 | 26–15 | 20–10 |
| x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 57 | 25 | .695 | 6 | 37–4 | 20–21 | 19–11 |
| x-Atlanta Hawks | 52 | 30 | .634 | 11 | 33–8 | 19–22 | 20–10 |
| x-Milwaukee Bucks | 49 | 33 | .598 | 14 | 31–10 | 18–23 | 11–19 |
| x-Chicago Bulls | 47 | 35 | .573 | 16 | 30–11 | 17–24 | 12–18 |
| Indiana Pacers | 28 | 54 | .341 | 35 | 20–21 | 8–33 | 8–22 |
| # | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
| 1 | z-Detroit Pistons | 63 | 19 | .768 | – |
| 2 | y-New York Knicks | 52 | 30 | .634 | 11 |
| 3 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 57 | 25 | .695 | 6 |
| 4 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 52 | 30 | .634 | 11 |
| 5 | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 49 | 33 | .598 | 14 |
| 6 | x-Chicago Bulls | 47 | 35 | .573 | 16 |
| 7 | x-Philadelphia 76ers | 46 | 36 | .561 | 17 |
| 8 | x-Boston Celtics | 42 | 40 | .512 | 21 |
| 9 | Washington Bullets | 40 | 42 | .488 | 23 |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | 28 | 54 | .341 | 35 |
| 11 | New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 37 |
| 12 | Charlotte Hornets | 20 | 62 | .244 | 43 |
Game log
Regular season
| 1988–89 game log Total: 47–35 (home: 31–10; road: 16–25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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November: 6–8 (home: 4–0; road: 2–8)
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December: 9–4 (home: 6–2; road: 3–2)
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January: 9–5 (home: 6–3; road: 3–2)
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February: 9–4 (home: 6–1; road: 3–3)
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March: 10–6 (home: 5–2; road: 5–4)
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April: 4–8 (home: 4–2; road: 0–6)
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| 1988–89 schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playoffs
| 1989 playoff game log | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Eastern Conference First Round: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
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Eastern Conference semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
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Eastern Conference finals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
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| 1989 schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Player stats
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
Regular season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Cartwright | 78 | 76 | 29.9 | .475 | .000 | .766 | 6.7 | 1.2 | .27 | .53 | 12.4 |
| Dave Corzine | 81 | 7 | 18.3 | .461 | .250 | .740 | 3.9 | 1.3 | .36 | .56 | 5.9 |
| Charles Davis | 49 | 3 | 11.1 | .426 | .267 | .731 | 2.3 | .6 | .22 | .10 | 3.8 |
| Horace Grant | 79 | 79 | 35.6 | .519 | .000 | .704 | 8.6 | 2.1 | 1.09 | .78 | 12.0 |
| Jack Haley | 51 | 1 | 5.7 | .474 | .000 | .783 | 1.4 | .2 | .22 | .00 | 2.2 |
| Craig Hodges | 49 | 6 | 22.7 | .475 | .423 | .849 | 1.7 | 2.8 | .84 | .08 | 10.0 |
| Anthony Jones | 8 | 0 | 8.1 | .333 | .000 | 1.000 | 1.0 | .5 | .25 | .12 | 1.5 |
| Michael Jordan | 81 | 81 | 40.2 | .538 | .276 | .850 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 2.89 | .80 | 32.5 |
| Ed Nealy | 13 | 0 | 7.2 | .714 | .000 | .500 | 1.8 | .5 | .23 | .08 | .8 |
| John Paxson | 78 | 20 | 22.3 | .480 | .331 | .861 | 1.2 | 3.9 | .68 | .08 | 7.3 |
| Will Perdue | 30 | 0 | 6.3 | .403 | .000 | .571 | 1.5 | .4 | .13 | .20 | 2.2 |
| Scottie Pippen | 73 | 56 | 33.1 | .476 | .273 | .668 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 1.90 | .84 | 14.4 |
| Dominic Pressley | 3 | 0 | 5.7 | .167 | .000 | .000 | .3 | 1.3 | .00 | .00 | .7 |
| Brad Sellers | 80 | 25 | 21.6 | .485 | .500 | .851 | 2.8 | 1.2 | .44 | .86 | 6.9 |
| Sam Vincent | 70 | 56 | 24.3 | .484 | .118 | .822 | 2.7 | 4.8 | .76 | .14 | 9.4 |
| David Wood | 2 | 0 | 1.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .0 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Cartwright | 17 | 34.3 | .486 | .000 | .700 | 7.1 | 1.2 | .53 | .71 | 11.8 | |
| Dave Corzine | 16 | 13.7 | .422 | .000 | .647 | 2.6 | .6 | .25 | .38 | 4.1 | |
| Charles Davis | 17 | 11.2 | .404 | .167 | .778 | 2.5 | .3 | .24 | .06 | 2.7 | |
| Horace Grant | 17 | 36.8 | .518 | .000 | .800 | 9.8 | 2.1 | .65 | .94 | 10.8 | |
| Jack Haley | 5 | 1.4 | .667 | .000 | .500 | .2 | .2 | .00 | .00 | 1.0 | |
| Craig Hodges | 17 | 32.6 | .412 | .398 | .714 | 1.5 | 3.6 | 1.29 | .18 | 11.2 | |
| Michael Jordan | 17 | 42.2 | .510 | .286 | .799 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 2.47 | .76 | 34.8 | |
| John Paxson | 16 | 18.9 | .474 | .263 | .875 | .6 | 2.1 | .75 | .00 | 5.8 | |
| Will Perdue | 3 | 7.3 | .667 | .000 | .667 | 2.0 | .7 | .00 | .00 | 4.7 | |
| Scottie Pippen | 17 | 36.4 | .462 | .393 | .640 | 7.6 | 3.9 | 1.35 | .94 | 13.1 | |
| Brad Sellers | 13 | 13.6 | .379 | .000 | .833 | 2.4 | 1.2 | .23 | .31 | 4.2 | |
| Sam Vincent | 16 | 7.1 | .303 | .000 | .750 | .5 | 1.2 | .19 | .06 | 1.8 |
Player statistics citation:[15]
Awards and honors
- Craig Hodges, NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout Winner
- Michael Jordan, All-NBA First Team
- Michael Jordan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
- Michael Jordan, NBA All-Star Game
References
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- ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Baker, Chris (June 29, 1988). "1988 NBA DRAFT: Clippers Choose Manning, Then Play for Position: They Trade Cage, End Up with Smith and Grant". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ "1988 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
- ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 28, 1988). "N.B.A.; Cartwright Traded to Bulls for Oakley". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Sakamoto, Bob (June 28, 1988). "Bulls Deal Oakley to Knicks for Cartwright". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 29, 1988). "N.B.A. Draft; Manning, Then 3-Way Trade Give Hope to Lowly Clippers". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "Bulls Obtain Craig Hodges from Suns in Nealy Swap". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 15, 1988. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Sam (December 15, 1988). "Bulls Trade for Suns' Hodges in Bid to Give Jordan a Break". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Bulls Trade Nealy". Orlando Sentinel. December 15, 1988. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
- ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1989". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1988–89 Chicago Bulls Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Sam (February 26, 1989). "The Bulls Are Pushing Scottie Pippen for…". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Murphy, Robert J. (June 27, 1989). "The Chicago Bulls Late Monday Night Traded 7-Foot Reserve..." United Press International. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c "1988–89 Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ McManis, Sam (February 12, 1989). "Today's All-Star Game May Lack the Usual Magic: Without Johnson and Bird, NBA Showcase Just Won't Be the Same". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "1989 NBA All-Star Game: West 143, East 134". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "All-Star Lineups". Ocala Star-Banner. February 11, 1989. p. 5D. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
- ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
- ^ McManis, Sam (May 23, 1989). "Magic Is the MVP This Time: Jordan Finishes Second in Closest Voting in 8 Seasons". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c "1988–89 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ "Johnson Named Most Improved Player". Lewiston Tribune. Associated Press. May 16, 1989. p. 3B. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (May 8, 1989). "Jordan Shot Gives Series to the Bulls". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Aldridge, David (May 8, 1989). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Jordan Takes Air Out of Cavaliers, and Bulls Advance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Bulls vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 20, 1989). "Jordan Ends Knicks' Comeback and Season". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Murphy, Robert J. (May 20, 1989). "Bulls 113, Knicks 111". United Press International. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Bulls vs. Knicks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (June 3, 1989). "Pistons Earn a Rematch with Lakers in Final". The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Downey, Mike (June 3, 1989). "No Bull, Lakers Get Pistons Again: After Smoke Clears, "Gangsters" Have 103-94 Victory in Game 6". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Bulls vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons Earn First Title by Sweeping Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ McManis, Sam (June 14, 1989). "Pistons End a Reign, Cap a Career: Detroit Sweeps Lakers, 105-97". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
- ^ "1988–89 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Collins Conflicts with Krause, Reinsdorf Told; Jackson Leads for Job". United Press International. July 7, 1989. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Sam (July 10, 1989). "Phil Jackson Gets the Chicago Bulls Coaching Job in 1989". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "Bulls Elevate Phil Jackson to Head Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 11, 1989. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (June 16, 1989). "Knicks' Green Is Taken First in N.B.A.'s Expansion Draft". The New York Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 16, 1989). "NBA Expansion Draft: Timberwolves Get Mahorn; Lakers Lose Rivers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "1989 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 27, 1989). "Trade of Sellers Gives Bulls 3 First-Round Picks". The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "NBA Roundup: Jordan's Play Helps Bulls Beat Pacers, 122-90". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 14, 1989. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Kendall, Peter (April 3, 1989). "Michael Jordan's Switch to Point Guard, Labeled…". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
- ^ Garry Acedera, Shane (October 8, 2023). "Michael Jordan Said That Playing Point Guard Could Extend His Career: "I'm Not Getting as Banged Up as I Used to"". Basketball Network. Retrieved February 25, 2024.