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The Chicago Bulls revealed on Tuesday that after 57 years, they would finally be creating a Ring of Honor to celebrate the franchise’s most important players and coaches.
The inaugural class for the Chicago Bulls’ Ring of Honor will be made up of the entire 1995-96 team, which went 72-10 en route to winning the organization’s fourth NBA Championship.
In addition to players from the 1995-96 team, the Bulls will also be honoring Phil Jackson, Jerry Krause, Artis Gilmore, Jerry Sloan, Toni Kukoc, Bob Love, Chet Walker, Johnny “Red” Kerr, Tex Winter and Dick Klein.
“The Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor will be a first-of-its-kind celebration honoring many of the legends who have helped shape our organization over the past 57 years,” Bulls President Michael Reinsdorf said in a release. “They have deep connections to our fans and community and represent a spirit of competition, hard work, and toughness.”
There will be a private gala for the honorees at the United Center on Jan. 11 and a halftime presentation during the Jan. 12 game against the Warriors, coached by member of the 1995-96 Bulls team, Steve Kerr.
Introducing the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor!
We are excited to announce our Ring of Honor, celebrating past players, coaches, and front office staff who have made outstanding contributions.
Join us for the ceremony at our Ring of Honor Game, presented by @MagellanCorp, on 1/12. pic.twitter.com/eiSlmIGN6r
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 12, 2023
What this means is that for the first time since the airing of The Last Dance, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen will be meeting face to face.
Since the announcement, all sorts of people are getting their popcorn ready for the event, and that includes one Charles Barkley.
“Were they waiting on Michael and the guys to die before they come up with the Ring of Honor?” Barkley asked Dan Patrick on Wednesday.
“I mean, don’t they have a statue out front? I think you’d rather have a statue than be in the Ring of Honor.”
Patrick then informed Barkley that Jordan and Pippen were going to have to cross paths because they will both be honored on the same night, which Chuck couldn’t believe.
“You know what, I gotta go. I gotta go!” Barkley said. “I’m just going to sit back in the corner and stare.
“Hey, I’m praying, I just hope, please, please don’t have it a night I’ve got to work. Because I want to go there and be a fly on the wall.”
Barkley then found out that Jan. 12 will be a Friday.
“I can be there! I can be there!” Barkley said with excitement.
“Maybe you can go with Michael Jordan’s son,” Patrick then joked.
“Dan… I’m telling you something. I’m going to have to go to Chicago just to see it,” Barkley continued.
“I mean, you talk about the weirdest, uncomfortable… ‘uncomfortable’ won’t do it justice.”