The 1971–72 Chicago Bulls were built around the scoring of Bob Love and Chet Walker, with Norm Van Lier emerging as the team’s primary playmaker and a key defensive presence in the backcourt. Tom Boerwinkle supplied consistent rebounding and interior support, while Jerry Sloan contributed across the board. The statistics point to a balanced, defense-oriented team that emphasized rebounding, ball movement, and collective production over high-volume offense.
Led the Bulls’ offense with elite scoring and durability; a long-armed scorer with a reliable midrange game and free-throw production who finished 6th in league MVP voting and earned All-NBA and All-Defensive honors this season. (Steals/blocks were not officially recorded in this season’s box scores).
MVP-6, AS, NBA2, DEF2
Chet Walker
Secondary Scoring Veteran
33.2
High
22.0
6.1
2.3
0
15.20
Durable wing scorer and intelligent off-ball player who consistently produced near 20+ PPG and strong free-throw rates; his scoring and efficiency made him a key complement to Love.
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Jerry Sloan
Defensive Lead & Rebounder
37.0
Medium-High
16.2
8.4
2.6
0
13.60
Hard-nosed guard-forward who excelled on defense and rebounding for his position; reputation as one of the league’s most tenacious defenders of the era.
MVP-21, DEF1
Norm Van Lier
Floor General / Defensive Catalyst
31.0
Medium-High
12.1
4.3
7.1
0
11.75
Led the team in assists and embodied a gritty, disruptive defensive style as part of Chicago’s tough backcourt.
DEF2
Bob Weiss
Secondary Facilitator
29.9
Medium
11.3
2.1
4.6
0
8.95
Steady scoring and playmaking off the bench / secondary guard role; provided relief ball-handling and created opportunities.
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Tom Boerwinkle
Big Playmaker / Interior Setter
25.3
Medium
7.0
11.2
3.5
0
10.85
Unusual passing big for the era with strong rebounding; served as a pivotal distributor from the post when on the floor.
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Clifford Ray
Impact Rebounder / Role Big
22.8
Medium
7.0
10.6
3.1
0
10.35
Provided strong interior rebounding and effort, helping anchor the frontcourt rotation as a young center.
ROY-4
Jim King
Situational Guard
13.9
Low
5.7
1.1
1.4
0
4.10
Spot minutes as a bench guard; modest scoring and limited secondary playmaking.
—
Jim Fox
Short-Term Big
13.3
Low
6.0
5.4
0.6
0
5.50
Appeared in limited games; provided brief scoring and rebound support.
—
Howard Porter
Role Wing
10.9
Low
6.0
2.7
0.4
0
4.55
Bench wing with occasional scoring burst in limited minutes.
—
Kenny McIntosh
Deep Bench
9.4
Low
3.1
2.1
0.4
0
2.75
Appeared in spot minutes; minimal impact.
—
Charlie Paulk
Brief Reserve
8.6
Low
3.3
2.1
0.6
0
3.00
Short stint with limited opportunity; peripheral contributions.
—
Jimmy Collins
Deep Guard Reserve
7.1
Low
3.3
0.6
0.5
0
2.20
Sparse bench minutes; minor scoring.
—
Jackie Dinkins
Minimal Rotation
4.9
Low
2.5
1.1
0.4
0
2.00
Very limited rotation time with brief appearances.
