Horace Grant, the three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, shared his perspective on how the 1990s Bulls would perform in today’s league. Speaking with Ryan Ward of EssentiallySports, Grant emphasized the team’s growth and chemistry as key factors in their early championship runs.
“The most important thing was how we grew as a unit, how we matured as a unit,” Grant said. He credited the team’s evolution after tough playoff losses to the Detroit Pistons and highlighted the trust developed among teammates as a decisive factor in winning titles.
Grant singled out Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen for their leadership roles. “It starts off with the leadership with MJ, Michael Jordan. And then you had basically the second in command with Scottie Pippen,” he said. Role players like Grant knew exactly what their responsibilities were, which contributed to the team’s consistent success.
Comparing Jordan to other stars he played with, including Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, Grant noted, “What made MJ different was just the passion, tenacity, and the will that he had for his craft, the game. And in terms of making us better players, making us better teammates.” He ultimately named Jordan the greatest of all time based on work ethic, impact on the game, and undefeated NBA Finals record.
When asked about today’s NBA, Grant expressed confidence that the 90s Bulls could dominate even under modern rules. “I think those 90’s Bulls team would dominate. I think just with MJ, Pippen and myself, and we had a great bench,” he said. He added that the team’s intelligence and physicality would allow them to adapt to the no-hand-checking era quickly.
Grant also weighed in on contemporary players. He praised Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for his scoring and efficiency, reflecting on the guard’s impact in the current MVP race. “You got to look at a Michael Jordan, a Kobe Bryant, those guys. They were straight-up killers,” Grant said, drawing parallels between the competitiveness of past and present stars.
Beyond individual talent, Grant highlighted the importance of team roles and chemistry. He recalled playing with both mature stars like Shaq and young players like Kobe, noting that early development and trust within the Bulls roster made a difference in their success.
Reflecting on his own contributions, Grant emphasized his commitment to defense and rebounding. “I put my heart into every game. I knew my role to rebound, play defense, hit that 15 to 17-foot jumper when I was open,” he said. His dedication helped define the Bulls’ identity alongside Jordan and Pippen.
