The Chicago Bulls 1988–89 were led by Michael Jordan, whose exceptional scoring, playmaking, rebounding, and defensive production made him the team’s unquestioned focal point. Scottie Pippen emerged as a versatile two-way contributor, while Horace Grant strengthened the frontcourt with efficient scoring and rebounding. The statistics indicate a team built around Jordan’s all-around brilliance, supported by athletic, defensively active complementary players and balanced contributions across the lineup.
Roster
NO.
PLAYER NAME
POS
HT
WT
DOB
COLLEGE
2
Brad Sellers
PF
7-0
210
December 17, 1962
Wisconsin, Ohio State
5
John Paxson
PG
6-2
185
September 29, 1960
Notre Dame
11
Sam Vincent
PG
6-2
185
May 18, 1963
Michigan State
12
Dominic Pressley
PG
6-2
170
May 30, 1964
Boston College
14
Craig Hodges
SG
6-2
190
June 27, 1960
Cal State Long Beach
15
Jack Haley
PF
6-10
240
January 27, 1964
UCLA
22
Charles Davis
SF
6-7
215
October 5, 1958
Vanderbilt
22
Anthony Jones
SG
6-6
195
September 13, 1962
Georgetown, UNLV
23
Michael Jordan
SG
6-6
198
February 17, 1963
UNC
24
Bill Cartwright
C
7-1
245
July 30, 1957
San Francisco
32
Will Perdue
C
7-0
240
August 29, 1965
Vanderbilt
33
Scottie Pippen
SF
6-8
210
September 25, 1965
University of Central Arkansas
34
David Wood
PF
6-9
227
November 30, 1964
Nevada
40
Dave Corzine
C
6-11
250
April 25, 1956
DePaul
45
Ed Nealy
PF
6-7
238
February 19, 1960
Kansas State
54
Horace Grant
PF
6-10
215
July 4, 1965
Clemson
Note: The Bulls also had Stacey King and B.J. Armstrong later in 1989, but they joined in the 1989–90 season.
The clear engine of the team — primary scorer, primary playmaker, and main defensive disruptor (steals + perimeter D). He carried a very large offensive and defensive load and was the focal point in clutch moments throughout the season.
MVP, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, Scoring Title
Scottie Pippen
Co-Star / Two-Way Wing
33.1
High-Medium
14.4
6.1
3.5
2.7
≈ 13.3
Emerging as a top-tier two-way wing: contributed across the board — scoring, rebounding, facilitating and defense. His versatility allowed him to guard multiple positions and help shoulder secondary creator/front-court resources.
—
Horace Grant
Starting Big (Defensive Anchor)
35.6
Medium
12.0
8.6
2.1
1.9
≈ 12.3
Provided much-needed interior presence: rebounding, rim-protection and physicality. As a starting power forward, he helped stabilize the frontcourt and allowed perimeter players more freedom.
—
Bill Cartwright
Starting Center (Role C)
29.9
Medium-Low
12.4
6.7
1.2
0.8
≈ 10.6
Veteran center: brought size and stability in the paint, defended the rim, and offered experienced half-court play. His role underpinned the Bulls’ interior rotation and provided a physical presence against bigger frontcourts.
—
Sam Vincent
Starting / Ball-Handling Guard (Secondary)
24.3
Medium-Low
9.4
2.7
4.8
0.9
≈ 8.9
As a primary ball-handler (when starters rested) and secondary playmaker, he helped sustain offensive flow off the bench or in smaller-lineup sets; his assist rate suggests he facilitated when starters needed rest.
—
Craig Hodges
3-Point Specialist / Spot Shooter
22.7
Low
10.0
1.7
2.8
0.9
≈ 7.7
Served as outside-shooting and floor-spacing threat. His perimeter shooting offered the team an extra dimension, especially in a period where 3-point shooting was less emphasized — valuable in spreading defenses and opening lanes for stars.
3-Point Contest Winner (season long pedigree)
John Paxson
Role Guard / Floor-Spacer / Off-Ball PG
22.3
Low
7.3
1.2
3.9
0.8
≈ 6.6
Provided back-up point-guard minutes, stability, and shooting — especially in less-pressured moments. Valuable in preserving tempo and spacing when starters rested or in sub-lineups.
—
Brad Sellers
Bench Forward / Stretch Big
21.7
Low
6.9
2.8
1.2
1.3
≈ 6.1
Provided front-court depth and moderate shooting/rebounding off the bench. Useful in lighter front-court rotations or when resting starters; modest but functional role.
—
Dave Corzine
Backup Center / Rotation Big
18.3
Low
5.9
3.9
1.3
1.0
≈ 6.1
Served as reserve center — offered interior minutes when starters rested, contributing modest rebounding and inside defense.
—
Charles Davis
Minor Rotation Wing
11.1
Very Low
3.8
2.3
0.6
0.3
≈ 3.5
Occasionally used as depth — limited minutes and impact, likely utilized in low-leverage or mop-up situations.
—
Anthony Jones
Deep Bench Guard (Spot Minutes)
8.1
Very Low
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.4
≈ 2.2
Minimal impact; used sparingly, served as extra guard depth when needed.
—
Ed Nealy
Deep Bench Forward
7.2
Very Low
0.8
1.8
0.5
0.3
≈ 2.2
Rarely used; provided occasional front-court depth and garbage-time minutes.
—
Will Perdue
Reserve Center / Future Development Piece
6.3
Very Low
2.2
1.5
0.4
0.3
≈ 2.2
Very limited minutes; likely developmental or situational — negligible impact on main rotation but added depth.
—
Jack Haley
Deep Bench Big / Spot Minutes
5.7
Very Low
2.2
1.4
0.2
0.2
≈ 2.0
Used rarely; marginal role — possibly for matchup-specific minutes or garbage time.
—
Dominic Pressley
Mop-Up / Emergency Guard
5.7
Very Low
0.7
0.3
1.3
0.0
≈ 1.0
Extremely limited usage; likely only used in blowout or low-leverage situations.
—
David Wood
Marginal Bench Depth
1.0
Negligible
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
≈ 0.0
Practically no impact — negligible minutes and no measurable statistical production.
