Dickey Simpkins had quite the introduction to the NBA. Months after helping to lead Providence to its first Big East title in 1994, he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were in transition at the time following the retirement of Michael Jordan in October 1993. By March of ‘95 (Simpkins’ rookie year) Jordan returned to the Bulls and turned the sports world on its head.
After losing to Shaq and Penny Hardaway’s Orlando Magic in the 1995 playoffs, Chicago made history winning three straight NBA championships from 1996-98. In ‘96 they became the first team to win 70 games in a season, finishing 72-10 (Simpkins started 12 games in ‘96).