SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Contents Page

4
Before Jordan
Mostly the Bulls were decent; sometimes they were awful
BY HANK HERSCH

16
Made in he Shade
The 1984 draft produced a sunny future for Chicago
BY MARK VANCIL

24
10 Steps to the Top
The Bulls needed a grand plan to become the best
BY RICK TELANDER

38
Michael in Motion
A photographic essay; His Airness through the years

54
That Championship Season 1
The 1990-91 campaign came down to M.J. versus M.J.
BY JACK MCCALLUM

64
Rise and Shine
Scottie Pippen has shown his critics that he isn't soft
BY LEIGH MONTVILLE

74
That Championship Season 2
The second title drive began with some controversial ''rules''
BY JACK MCCALLUM

86
A Head for the Game
Phil Jackson, a Dead Head, is a master of NBA mind games
BY JACK MCCALLUM

94
Three Cheers!
Before June 20 only two teams had won three titles in a row
BY WILLIAM F. REED

102
That Championship Season 3
Phoenix was only the last of many challenges Chicago faced
BY JACK MCCALLUM

120
One of the Alltime Greats
When compared with the best teams, the Bulls measure up
BY JACK MCCALLUM

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBA PHOTOS