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The Chicago Bulls won the NBA championship last year with
star players Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen.
This year, the highly acclaimed team appears to be in shambles
following a major internal shakeup.
Jordan announced his retirement before this season began,
and both Pippen and Rodman were traded to other teams. While
it is true that three players do not make a full team, the impact
these three key players had on the overall performance of the
team was enormous. |
Michael Jordan, # 23, known as a basketball legend, played
for the Chicago Bulls for 14 years. He was a great basketball
player who displayed versatile talents on and off the basketball
court. Besides endorsing athletic products and creating his own
line of clothing and sneakers, he has acted in movies as well.
His fans, young and old, were inspired by his meticulous
performance.
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It is interesting to note that Jordan didn't even make his
High School basketball team but still went on to become one of
the greatest basketball players that ever lived. He is living
proof to what anyone can accomplish with determination and hard
work.
Announcing his retirement on January 13, 1999, Jordan stated
that he wanted to retire knowing that he could still play the
game. He played his last game on June 14, 1998. It was a championship
game against Utah Jazz. |
Michael Jordan |
Dennis Rodman, NBA's greatest rebounder, played with the Bulls
for three seasons. This 37-year-old NBA player is probably best
known for his wild hair, tattoos, and crazy attitude. In addition
to basketball, Rodman had varied interests. He has done some
acting, a notable movie being Double Team, and has also appeared
in many others. He also wrote a book entitled,
Born To Be Wild.
At the beginning of this season, Rodman was traded to the
LA Lakers. However, he was
waived by the Lakers when he showed up an hour late for practice
and used the excuse that he couldn't find his sneakers. Rodman
has a wild attitude, 19 tattoos, and has been said to change
the colour of his hair more than he changes his underwear.
Scottie Pippen, on the other hand, played with the Chicago
Bulls for 11 years. He is 33 years old and played with Michael
Jordan practically throughout his entire NBA career. After winning
the championship at the end of last season, Pippen said he would
only come back to the Bulls if Jordan did.
Following Jordan's retirement, Pippen was traded to the Houston
Rockets. Pippen is now one of the most valuable players in the
NBA, who also inspires so many people around the world.
These three players of the NBA had a tremendous positive impact
on the Bulls, the fans that pay thousands of dollars for season
tickets in the nosebleed section, and the fans that get the best
seats in the house. As a result of losing these star players
right before the season of '98-'99, The Chicago Bulls' popularity
with the basketball fans around the world remains at stake . |
