1. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
In terms of basketball pedigree, you couldn’t find two more polar opposites than the wings for the Chicago Bulls’ enduring dynasty: Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Jordan, of course, introduced himself to the world immediately after hitting a deep corner jumper late in the game to take the NCAA Championship for Carolina.
As a rookie, in 1984, M.J. immediately went to work to eviscerate all comers for 28 points per game. Alternatively, the SuperSonics drafted Pippen out of Central Arkansas in 1987 and promptly traded his rights to the Bulls. A defensive specialist, Pip would develop his game over time after going toe-to-toe against the mercurial Jordan behind closed doors in heated practices.
The strength of the Jordan-Pippen partnership was largely forged in playoff runs against the Bad Boy Pistons group that turned back the Bulls in 1988, 1989, and 1990.
In 1991, however, the Bulls were back, and a more determined squad swept the Pistons, 4-0, in the Eastern Conference Finals. From there, Jordan and Pippen went on to bring home six championships. Perhaps no more lasting image of the pair exists than Pippen carrying His Airness, the flu-ridden Finals MVP, off the floor in Utah