Guy Rodgers: Mr. 908
The Bulls’ single-season assist king nabs a spot on our list.
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
Most Bulls fans might not know Guy Rodgers. During the Bulls’ first season as a NBA franchise, Rodgers was the veteran asked to be the leader after getting traded from the San Francisco Warriors during the 1966 season. The point guard was able to lead in 908 different ways. And by lead, I mean dishing out 908 assists in a single season. That is still a Chicago Bulls franchise record, and ranks 22nd all-time in regards to a single season. One of the premiere playmakers in the sixties, the dude named Guy certainly made his mark in the NBA.
Rodgers was a four time all-star, and only played for the Bulls for two seasons. Considering that Rodgers was there when things began for Chicago is pretty cool to think about. You can think of him as the first glue guy in franchise history.
Somewhere, Luol Deng is smiling.
One of the coolest stories that I have heard about Rodgers is how he had the privilege of paying alongside Wilt Chamberlain when he scored 100 points in a single game. Wilt went on record saying that Rodgers was better than Cousy, Maravich, West, and Oscar Robertson. If Chamberlain is correct, then Rodgers is way too low on our list.
If you look at the franchise leaderboard, Rodgers ranks first in assists per game with 11.0. The 2014 hall of fame inductee’s time in Chicago came to an end after he was traded to the Cincinnati Royals. Rodgers played a total of 12 seasons in the NBA, and was inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, “the second Cousy” never got a chance to celebrate his induction to the hall, he passed away at age sixty-five in 2001.
Even though the point guard from Philly played a pretty short time with Chicago was short, his impact on the game should be noted and respected.
Get familiar, Bulls’ fans.
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