To say that the 1990s Chicago Bulls were ultra-popular was an understatement. That's kind of how former Bulls All-Star power forward Horace Grant once described it.
Grant was part of the Bulls team that won three consecutive NBA championships from 1991 to 1993. Throughout that stretch, Grant revealed that they were adored by thousands of fans everywhere they went, like they were some kind of famous band.
For Grant, what he experienced with the Bulls was beyond comparison. In fact, he isn't even sure if any team from modern-day NBA has ever matched the '90s Bulls' charisma and popularity.
"It was like traveling with the Jackson Five in their day," Grant once said of that squad. "We had buses following us from the airport. It was crazy. I don't know if they do that now with the guys, but we had them."
There have been many accounts in which former Bulls players raved about how they drew crowds in every city. It's also not the first time that they have likened themselves to a group of rock stars touring all over the world.
Considering that the comparison was precise, of course, the Bulls should also have the leader of their band. In that case, it was none other than the team's superstar, Michael Jordan .
According to former Bulls reserve Jud Buechler, it was true that people loved them back then. However, it was also very evident that they loved Jordan and Scottie Pippen more .
"A few of us — Randy Brown, Stevie Kerr, Bill Wennington — you know, we would get into it at some place and we'd call our favorite restaurant and be like, 'Hey, you know, four or five of the Bulls want to come for dinner,'" Buechler once shared . "'Oh yes, sir. No problem. We'll get the best table for you.'"
"And we'd all roll in, and they'd be disappointed because it wasn't, you know, it wasn't Scottie or Michael," he continued while laughing.
On the other hand, former Bulls big man Stacey King recalled an instance in which he witnessed the extent of Jordan's unbelievable charisma and popularity.
"We're leaving after playing the Knicks, and a lady lays in front of the bus and says she's not going to get up until Michael comes out and takes a picture with her," King remembered. "And then so, you know, we thought it was a joke. And you know, Phil's like, 'Michael, I need you to go take this picture so we can get out of here,' because you had to get out of New York at a certain time since the airport closed at a certain time. If you didn't, you had to stay the night."
What the '90s Bulls achieved in terms of on and off the court success undeniably stands out among other NBA dynasties. With that in mind, many fans echo Grant's remarks and believe that no other team has yet to touch the '90s Bulls in that sense.
What separated the Bulls from other dynasties was their consistency. During their time, the league was stacked with a wide range of talents, but almost every year, the Bulls would end up dominating everybody and taking home the championship trophy.
It's also worth noting that Phil Jackson's men exemplified loyalty all throughout their reign. Unlike most teams in modern eras, the Bulls kept their core intact and never thought about forming a super team, not even once.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
