Everyone’s Favorite Captain
How Kirk Hinrich encapsulated Bulls’ culture
Throughout the off-season, the team at Bulls Confidential is going to reveal our picks for the top 25 best players in Chicago Bulls franchise history. We are measuring overall impact on the organization, community, and how they impacted their team. Follow along on Twitter by searching #BC25.
25. Mickey Johnson
24. Guy Rodgers
23. Orlando Woolridge
22. Charles Oakley
21. Taj Gibson
20. Bob Boozer
19. Elton Brand
18. Ben Gordon
17. Tom Boerwinkle
16. Reggie Theus
15. Toni Kukoc
14. Horace Grant
13. Kirk Hinrich
“O Captain! My captain!”
Not one player represented the Chicago Bulls quite like Kirk Hinrich did. The captain of grit and grind, the guard out of Kansas was just what the baby Bulls needed when he was selected 7th overall in the legendary 2003 NBA draft.
My first memory of Hinrich stems from Kansas’ championship game appearance against Carmelo Anthony and the Syracuse Orangemen. I remember a floppy haired Hinrich and Nick Collison battling Carmelo Anthony for a chance at history. Unfortunately, the Jayhawks didn’t come out on top, but soon their leader would be writing a new chapter in the NBA.
Throughout his eleven seasons in Chicago, Bulls’ fans truly got to see the ebb and flow of Hinrich’s career. They got to see him develop and bloom into a player they loved and adored, eventually dawn some pretty slick goggles, and observed his regression towards the latter end of his career. However, there was no denying that Chicago’s point guard played hard every night he was on the floor, which fans very much appreciated.
When the Bulls chose Hinrich, some of the of the cornerstones of the roster included Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry, and Jalen Rose. After Jay Williams got into a career ending motorcycle accident, and Chicago was looking for someone to fill the large void left at the point guard spot — Kirk got the call, and the rest was history.
He was able to make an all-rookie team despite missing some time earlier on in his rookie season with a pretty nasty viral infection. Kirk conitnued to make his impact felt on the court and agreed to a contract extension with the Bulls during the 2005–2006 season. When Derrick Rose got drafted, Hinrich lost his starting role but was a good mentor for the future MVP.
During the 2010 trade deadline, a thirty year old Hinrich was traded to the Washington Wizards. When he became a free agent after that season, he chose to sign with the Atlanta Hawks. He didn’t have much success down south, he was hobbled by an shoulder injury which played an impact throughout the rest of the season.
The Captain returned to his ship before the 2012 season, signing a shiny two-year contact. The rest of his career in Chicago would entail filling in for Derrick Rose, weird injuries, and nostalgia.
Fans will never forget the demeanor is which Hinrich carried himself on the floor. Who could forget this shoving match with Rajon Rondo?
Or giving LeBron a hug…
In all seriousness, Hinrich is one of the best Bulls of all-time. His per-game statistics aren’t the flashiest, he never made an all-star team, and he won’t be mentioned along the likes of James, Wade, Anthony, and Bosh when talking about the 2003 draft class. But, Kirk gave everything he had to Chicago. He ranks third in games played, fourth in minutes played, and first in 3-point field goals made.
Throughout all of the coaching changes, injuries, and questionable uniform choices — the commander was there throughout. And for that, he deserves a spot on our list.
“A captain of a ship, no matter his rank, must follow the book.”- James Kirk.
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