Michael Jordan is universally considered the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball. With countless classic moments, clutch shots, and breathtaking dunks — all with his tongue hanging from his mouth — Jordan captivated the basketball world and dominated a decade with the Chicago Bulls to cement his legacy as the greatest of all time.
Many would credit all of Chicago's six NBA championships in the '90s to Michael Jordan. However, even His Airness couldn't get to the pinnacle on his own. In fact, he failed over and over again through the late '80s before eventually winning his first ring in 1991.
The GOAT certainly needed the support of great teammates, even All-Star and Hall of Fame ones, to reach the mountaintop. Here are Michael Jordan's 10 best teammates from his incredible NBA career.
10. John Paxson
Looking at John Paxson's numbers, one would wonder why he is on this list. But if it were up to Jordan himself, he would, without hesitation, include Paxson here.
By no means was Paxson a star, nor did he put up numbers that jump out the page. In fact, his stats were very pedestrian at best. However, the 6-foot-2 guard played his role to the best of his abilities and gave the Bulls a reliable shooter alongside Jordan. More importantly, he also delivered when it mattered most.
Paxson is basically the Steve Kerr of Chicago's first three-peat. Like Kerr, Paxson knocked down a clutch jumper for the Bulls to secure their first three-peat in 1993.
9. Bill Cartwright
Already entering his 30's, Bill Cartwright joined the Bulls in the 1989-90 season. Though he was already past his prime at that point, the man with the awkward looking jump shot gave Chicago a much-needed veteran presence.
Cartwright started all games of the three seasons where the Bulls won their first three-peat. Despite seeing his minutes dwindle as he aged, the veteran big man still gave the Bulls a steady presence on the interior.
8. Ron Harper
Ron Harper played just a little over three seasons with Jordan from 1995 to 1998. By this time, the 6-foot-6 guard was no longer in his prime and wasn't the 20-point scorer he once was through the first seven years of his career. Nonetheless, the five-time NBA champion still became a key contributor for Chicago's second set of three-peats as His Airness' starting backcourt-mate.
Averaging just 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in nearly 25 minutes per game through the 1995-96 to the 1997-98 seasons, Harper's numbers certainly did not jump out the page. However, serving as a role player on a team with loaded offensive talent, Harper contributed in other ways with his versatility, length on defense, and high basketball IQ.
7. Luc Longley
Longley served as Chicago's starting center through their second three-peat. Unsurprisingly, Longley easily had the best stretch of his career playing alongside Jordan.
In the 1997-98 season, the Aussie-born center averaged a career-best 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds in a little over 29 minutes per game. While most effective near the basket, the Aussie big man also possessed a steady mid-range jumper. Moreover, his 7-foot-2 frame gave the Bulls a towering interior presence and rim protector.
6. Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr served as the back-up point guard for Chicago's title teams from 1996 to 1998. Kerr definitely benefited playing alongside MJ, as he had arguably the best stretch of his career with the Bulls. In his three seasons with Michael Jordan, Kerr averaged 8.1 points and shot an insane 50.4 percent from the field and an absurd 47.8 percent from three.
Most would remember the 6-foot-3 guard for his clutch jumper in Game 6 of the 1997 Finals against the Utah Jazz. Prior to the game-winner, Kerr famously told Jordan during the huddle that he would be ready to shoot should the Jazz double-team the 5-time league MVP. The double-team came, and with all the confidence in the world, Kerr knocked down the shot that ultimately won Chicago's 5th NBA title in seven seasons.
5. B.J. Armstrong
B.J. Armstrong played with Michael Jordan for nearly five seasons. Initially coming off the bench for the first three years of his career, Armstrong eventually took over as Chicago's starting point guard in the 1992-93 season, which marked the end of the Bulls' first three-peat.
Though nothing about his game stood out, he still contributed in several ways as an athletic point guard for the Bulls. Armstrong was an efficient scorer and a steady shooter from long range. Most importantly, he made it a point to get MJ the ball. Armstrong made the All-Star team the following season in 1993-94 after Jordan's sudden hiatus from the game.
4. Toni Kukoc
Toni Kukoc became Chicago's steady Sixth Man through their second three-peat. The Croatian forward thrived in the second unit. He even won Sixth Man of the Year in the Bulls' historic 1995-96 season, where he averaged 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Despite standing at 6-foot-10, Kukoc had a savvy handle for his size. Likewise, his ability create for himself and, likewise, make plays for others took a little pressure off Jordan when he would leave the floor. His versatility as a long, athletic, and skilled small forward certainly gave Phil Jackson many options to roll with. The lefty swing man reminds you of Lamar Odom when he was with the Lakers, huh?
3. Horace Grant
Horace Grant was one of Chicago's most important players through their first three-peat. Drafted by the Bulls in 1987, Grant played with Jordan for six seasons. In his sophomore campaign, the 6-foot-10 big man took the starting power forward job and thrived playing alongside Jordan.
Grant pretty much provided the Bulls a do-it-all forward who gave them toughness on the interior. From 1988 to 1993, Grant averaged 13.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks, all while shooting 53.4 percent from the field. Like Armstrong, Grant did make the All-Star team once in his career, but that came after MJ left to play baseball.
2. Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman only played with Michael Jordan for three seasons. However, there's no doubt that he belongs in this spot given his importance to the Bulls throughout their second three-peat.
Rodman initially started as Jordan's fierce rival through the late '80s as part of the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons. Mostly tasked to guard the Bulls superstar, Rodman gave Jordan all he can handle through their grueling playoff battles.
When Rodman got to Chicago, the two set their past aside and instantly thrived as teammates on the floor. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year was all business, and his hustle and elite rebounding certainly became a major factor to why Michael Jordan won three more championships.
1. Scottie Pippen
Seriously, who else would have made the top of this list?
Scottie Pippen is undoubtedly Jordan's greatest teammate of all time. Of all the people on this list, the only constant on all of Michael Jordan's championship teams is the 6-foot-7 star from Arkansas. While most of the credit for Chicago's six titles is attributed to Jordan's greatness, many would point out that none of those championships would come without Scottie Pippen.
Pippen became the perfect running-mate for Jordan. Arguably the greatest perimeter defender of all time, the 7-time All-Star always took it upon himself to guard the opposing team's best offensive player. Likewise, his versatility on the offensive end and ability to handle the ball and create plays helped ease the load off Jordan's shoulders.
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