Australian NBA star and Olympian Luc Longley’s career will be defined by his contributions to the Chicago Bulls dynasty, chronicled in “The Last Dance”.
Luc Longley is arguably the greatest Australian to ever play in the NBA. His trade to the Chicago Bulls was a game changer. He joined a star-studded lineup coached by the legendary Phil Jackson and featured Hall of Fame superstars Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.
LISTEN TO LUC LONGLEY ON THE AUSSIE HOOPLA PODCAST.
Longley’s five-year stint with Chicago delivered three championships, thus becoming the first-ever Australian to win an NBA championship.
How did Longley get to that point of winning multiple rings? Time and chance.
It was a sliding doors moment that forever changed Longley’s fate and the fortunes of the Chicago Bulls.
After a successful four-year college run with New Mexico, Longley was drafted seventh overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1991.
The 7’2”, 265-pound Longley started off slowly in his first two years in the NBA, but his stats started to climb up in his third season. Longley averaged 7.6 points, 6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while averaging 20 minutes of court time in his final year with the Wolves.
It was a blessing in disguise when Longley got traded to the Chicago Bulls for centre Stacey King midway through the 1993-94 season. It was a fortuitous change that would create a life-changing journey for the big Aussie, who found his passion again.
At the time, the Bulls were fresh off their first three-peat. Michael Jordan had just retired. The team was now spearheaded by Scottie Pippen, with increased roles given to BJ Armstrong and Horace Grant. Bill Cartwright was at the tail-end of his career, while backup centre Will Perdue’s one dimensional game had limited use.
The Bulls management saw plenty of potential in the youthful but underachieving Longley. He was a big body who could come off the bench and do all the dirty work for his teammates.
He shot particularly well from the free throw line for a big man and was tenacious on defence when he was switched on.
Longley’s arrival coincidentally triggered a ten-game winning streak, helping the club finish third overall in the East. The Bulls unexpectedly made it into the playoffs with a winning 55-27 record, but were eliminated by the Knicks in the Eastern semifinals. It was Longley’s first time to play in the post-season.
In 1994, Longley signed a new $8-million, three-year pact with the Bulls. He continued to come off the bench, but the biggest news that season was the return of Michael Jordan.
Jordan rejoined Chicago and dropped a fax memo with two infamous words, “I’m Back”. Jordan’s comeback turned the basketball world upside down. Despite MJ’s return, the Bulls lost once again in the East semifinals to eventual NBA finalists Orlando Magic.
During the 1995 off-season, acquired the enigmatic Dennis Rodman from the San Antonio Spurs. The Worm’s arrival became the final piece of the puzzle for the mighty Bulls.
Head coach Phil Jackson promoted Longley to the starting lineup in the 1995-96 season, which turned out to be a masterstroke.
Longley proved to be the perfect foil to Jordan and Pippen. The intangibles that Longley gave – big screens, hard-nosed defence, rim protection and passing skills fit perfectly in the triangle offense. He averaged 9.1 points 5.1 rebounds that season. His no-nonsense game was a seamless compliment to the offensive-minded alpha dog Jordan.
Longley started alongside Jordan, Pippen, Rodman and combo guard Ron Harper. Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, Bill Wennington, Jason Caffey, Randy Brown, Dickey Simpkins and Jud Buechler came off the bench. Two former championship-winning Detroit players, John Salley and James Edwards, rejoined former Piston teammate Rodman that year.
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team is regarded as the greatest team in NBA history. They created a dynasty. The team recorded an unbelievable 72-10 record and went on to win the first of three championships.
During the Bulls’ final championship run, Longley delivered his best season yet. He averaged a career high 11.4 points and 2.8 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just under 30 minutes per game. His contribution to “The Last Dance” definitely counted.
1997-1998 season was the last time the Bulls would ever win another title. The following season, the Chicago Bulls broke up the band.
Jackson resigned as head coach, Jordan retired a second time, Pippen was moved to the Houston Rockets, Rodman moved to the LA Lakers. Longley was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in a sign-and-trade for four players. It was an end of an era for a proud franchise. The club became a shell of itself after an amazing six championships in a decade.
Longley never regained the same level of success that he had with the Bulls. He signed a new $30-million deal via sign-and-trade with the Phoenix Suns. He later moved to the New York Knicks in a massive four-team trade. However, a degenerative ankle condition forced him to retire after one final season in the Big Apple.
Longley’s personality, demeanour and game fit perfectly with the greatest team of all time in the overall scheme of things. He is a trail blazer and the only Australian to ever win three NBA championships. Indeed, he found a home with the Chicago Bulls at the right place at the right time.
The Last Dance is a 10-part documentary that premieres in Australia on Monday, April 20 on Netflix from 5pm AEST.