Chicago Bulls: 15 toughest players in franchise history

Another member of the Bulls that didn’t have a long tenure with the team, but certainly left an indelible mark in terms of his toughness, was none other than the “Oak Tree,” Charles Oakley.

Before we get to Oakley, let’s just take a step back for a moment and reflect on the fact that for at least one-half a season, Oakley and Metta World Peace were on the same team. Granted it was towards the end of Oakley’s career, but still — those two probably could have held their own against any other team’s starting five in a street fight.

Oakley had an eerily symmetrical career as a Bull, averaging 10.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in his four total seasons. At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, Oakley was an intimidating force.

The NBA gives a player five fouls per game before they are disqualified, and Oakley seemingly took advantage of every one of them. Even when he wasn’t fouling out, he still made the most of every one of them — but, more importantly — he made sure the opponent felt each of them.

Again, although Oakley’s time with the Bulls was brief, he is undeniably one of the toughest players to ever suit up for the team. He never backed down from an opponent, which often resulted in fisticuffs. He famously tangled with Karl Malone (often) and once slapped Charles Barkley.

Unfortunately for the Bulls, they got to witness most of his toughness on display for one of their fiercest opponents in the 1990s — the New York Knicks. While the Bulls got the better of the Knicks in those series, no doubt some of those players are still feeling those battles with Oakley.