Artis Gilmore

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Gilmore's Chicago era (1976–1982) was defined by sheer dominance in the paint and record-breaking shooting accuracy. In his first season, he delivered an NBA-career-high performance on March 18, 1977, scoring 42 points with 15 rebounds and 9 assists in a 114–112 victory over the Kansas City Kings. Despite this individual brilliance, the Bulls fell to the eventual champion Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 1977 playoffs. Over his five solid seasons in Chicago, Gilmore averaged 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, earning four All-Star selections. He led the NBA in field goal percentage for four consecutive years, peaking at a career-best 67% during the 1980–81 season. At the time of his retirement in 1989, he held the record as the NBA's all-time leader in career field goal percentage (minimum 2,000 shots made) with 59.9%, a testament to his ability to score without needing outside shots.

In Their Own Story

When the ABA disbanded after 1976, the Chicago Bulls secured Artis Gilmore as the number one pick in the dispersal draft. Signing for $1.1 million over three years, he stepped into a franchise desperate for an anchor. The transition was seamless; in his first season, he commanded the interior so thoroughly that opponents held their breath every time he received the ball near the basket. On March 18, 1977, Gilmore showcased this control against the Kansas City Kings, pouring in 42 points while adding 15 rebounds and 9 assists to secure a narrow 114–112 win. His presence forced defenses to collapse, yet he remained an unstoppable force, finishing with a field goal percentage that would eventually stand as the highest in NBA history for players with significant volume. Although the Bulls lost their first-round playoff series that year to the Trail Blazers, Gilmore's impact was undeniable, earning him four All-Star nods and turning Chicago into a consistent postseason team through his unparalleled efficiency.

Reader's Guide

To understand Artis Gilmore's time with the Chicago Bulls, one must look at the 1976 ABA dispersal draft. The Kentucky Colonels folded, and Gilmore was chosen first overall by Chicago, joining a league where his size (7-foot-2) and skill set were unmatched. His tenure lasted from 1976 to 1982, during which he averaged 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. He earned four All-Star selections in these five seasons. Statistically, his greatest contribution was efficiency; he led the NBA in field goal percentage for four straight years, reaching a peak of 67% in the 1980–81 season. This performance made him the NBA's all-time career leader in field goal percentage upon retirement (59.9%). While he reached the first round of the playoffs in 1977, falling to the Trail Blazers, his six seasons laid a foundation of interior dominance that defined the franchise before the Jordan era.

Did You Know?

• Gilmore was selected first overall by the Chicago Bulls in the special 1976 ABA dispersal draft after his Kentucky Colonels folded.
• On March 18, 1977, he scored an NBA career-high 42 points while adding 15 rebounds and 9 assists against the Kansas City Kings.
• He led the NBA in field goal percentage for four consecutive seasons, including a peak of 67% in the 1980–81 season.
• At retirement in 1989, Gilmore held the NBA record for career field goal percentage (59.9%) among players with at least 2,000 shots made.
• In his first season with Chicago, he helped the team hold opponents to a league-best 98 points per game.