No, it’s not B.J. Armstrong. The second Chicago Bulls three-peat was led by the household names like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, but the player who brought everyone together was point guard Ron
Harper.

Somewhat forgotten now, it’s easy to forget that Harper was a two-time MAC Player of the Year at
Miami (OH). He was selected No. 8 overall in the 1986 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harper’s
early career played to his strengths as a 6-foot-6-inch point guard. He averaged 22.9 points, 4.8
rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as a rookie.

After four years in Cleveland, Harper moved on to the L.A. Clippers. He was still a big-time scorer
averaging nearly 20 points per game in each of his five seasons in Los Angeles. His career would take a
turn prior to the 1994-95 NBA season.
Harper was signed by Chicago where he would see his playing time cut in half. Used to playing 35 to 38
minutes per game, Harper played just 19.9 minutes a game in his first season with the Bulls. It would pay
off in the end though.

Over the next three seasons, Harper started all but two games and was an integral part of three
consecutive Bulls NBA championships. He never averaged more than 9.3 points a game (1997-98), but
his leadership and his perimeter defense were keys in the second Bulls’ three-peat.

Harper would finish his 16-year NBA career with two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. They were
memorable as well. Again, Harper didn’t average over 7.0 points a game in either season, but he ended
his career with two more NBA titles.

While somewhat forgotten among the superstar point guards of the 1990s, Ron Harper will never forget
winning multiple NBA rings during the decade.

Rick Bouch