Page "Chicago Bulls" Paragraph 13

In the 1986 – 87 NBA season, Jordan continued his assault on the record books, leading the league in scoring with 37. 1 points per game and becoming the first Bull named to the All-NBA First Team.

The Bulls finished 40 – 42, which was good enough to qualify them for the playoffs.

However, they were again swept by the Celtics in the playoffs.

In the 1987 draft, to address their lack of depth Krause selected center Olden Polynice 8th overall and power forward Horace Grant 10th overall, then sent Polynice to Seattle in a draft-day trade for the 5th selection, small forward Scottie Pippen.

With Paxson and Jordan in the backcourt, Brad Sellers and Oakley at the forward spots, Corzine anchoring center, and rookies Pippen and Grant coming off the bench, the Bulls made major noise in the 1987 – 88 season, winning 50 games and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they were beaten by the eventual Eastern Conference Champions Detroit Pistons in five games.

However, for his efforts, Jordan was named NBA Most Valuable Player, an award he would win four more times over his career.

The 1987 – 88 season would also mark the start of the Pistons-Bulls rivalry which was formed from 1988 – 1991.