B.J. Armstrong, a key figure in the Chicago Bulls’ first three-peat from 1991 to 1993, experienced a career-defining wake-up call when he left the Windy City. Drafted 18th overall in the 1989 NBA Draft after a stellar college career at Iowa, Armstrong was expected to be a lottery pick. However, a broken hand during pre-draft workouts caused him to slip, landing him with the Bulls, where he became an integral part of their championship puzzle. His time in Chicago culminated in an All-Star selection in 1994, but his departure from the Bulls in 1995 revealed the harsh realities of life outside one of the NBA’s most dominant dynasties.
A Rude Awakening After Chicago
Armstrong’s exit from the Bulls wasn’t a trade but a calculated move by Chicago’s management. With Michael Jordan’s return in 1995 and the impending acquisition of Dennis Rodman, the Bulls needed to clear cap space. Coming off an All-Star season, Armstrong was left unprotected in the 1995 Expansion Draft, making him an easy choice as the No. 1 overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. Unwilling to play for the expansion team, he was quickly traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Victor Alexander, Carlos Rogers, and the draft rights to Michael McDonald, Martin Lewis, and Dwayne Whitfield.
Reflecting on his transition, Armstrong shared a candid admission on former teammate Bill Cartwright’s podcast: “When I got traded, I’d only known the Bulls. So I didn’t know any other system of play other than what I learned there in Chicago. And I learned very quickly that the NBA is much different when I left Chicago.” His time with the Bulls, under the guidance of coach Phil Jackson and alongside legends like Jordan and Scottie Pippen, had been a masterclass in winning. But the shift to Golden State exposed him to a league where success was far harder to come by.
Struggles in the Bay
Joining a Warriors roster featuring talented players like Latrell Sprewell, Joe Smith, Tim Hardaway, Chris Mullin, Rony Seikaly, and Kevin Willis, Armstrong might have expected a competitive environment. However, the 1995-96 season saw Golden State win only 36 games, missing the playoffs. The following year was even bleaker, with the team finishing at 30-52. Despite the individual talent, the Warriors lacked the cohesion and winning culture Armstrong had grown accustomed to in Chicago.
The contrast was stark. In Chicago, preparation was singularly focused on victory, with every practice and system geared toward championships. Elsewhere, injuries, inconsistent team dynamics, and a lack of that same winning mentality made success elusive. Armstrong noted, “I remember Tex [Winter, Bulls assistant coach] would say this, ‘Winning covers a multitude of things.’ And that’s when I really learned how special those moments were in Chicago, because in Chicago, all I knew was that I was preparing to win games.”
A Deeper Appreciation for MJ’s Bulls
After two seasons with the Warriors, Armstrong’s journey continued with stints at the Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic before he returned to Chicago to close out his career. Yet, he never reached another NBA Finals, and the experience left him with a profound appreciation for his time with the Bulls. “It’s really hard to win in this league,” he admitted. “It wasn’t eye-opening, but I had a deeper appreciation when I played and went to other places to play.”
The Bulls of the 1990s, led by Michael Jordan, were a juggernaut, securing six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998. Armstrong was fortunate to be part of the first three titles, a period he described as “special.” The team’s dominance was such that many, including Armstrong, believe they could have won even more had Jordan not briefly retired to play baseball in 1993 or had the roster not been dismantled after the 1998 “Last Dance” season.
A Lesson in Winning
Armstrong’s post-Bulls career served as a humbling lesson in the rarity of sustained success in the NBA. The winning culture instilled by Jordan, Pippen, and the Bulls’ coaching staff was not easily replicated. His time with the Warriors, in particular, highlighted the gap between a good roster and a championship-caliber team. While Armstrong’s individual talent earned him an All-Star nod, his journey underscored that true greatness in the NBA requires more than skill—it demands a system, a culture, and a relentless drive to win.
For Bulls fans, Armstrong’s story is a reminder of the golden era of the 1990s, when Chicago set the standard for excellence. For Armstrong himself, leaving the Bulls was a career-shattering lesson in just how unique and extraordinary those championship years truly were.