Reggie Theus

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Reggie Theus brought energy and enthusiasm that endeared him to fans during his five-and-a-half seasons in Chicago. He played under five different coaches: Jerry Sloan, Phil Johnson, Rod Thorn, Paul Westhead, and Kevin Loughery. His most memorable playoff moment came in the 1981 first-round series against the New York Knicks, where he scored 37 points and dished out 11 assists to secure a 115–114 victory in the clinching game. Although the Bulls were swept by the Boston Celtics in the second round, Theus averaged 19.8 points and 6.3 assists over those six games. In his final full season with Chicago (1982–83), he set a career high with 23.8 points per game, leading the team despite a 28–54 record.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere in Chicago Stadium shifted whenever Theus took the floor. Paired in the backcourt with fellow UNLV alumnus Ricky Sobers, he became the team's offensive engine. In his rookie year (1978–79), he averaged 16.3 points and finished as the runner-up for Rookie of the Year, scoring second only to future Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore. By the 1979–1980 season, he elevated his game to 20.2 points and 6.3 assists per contest. The turning point arrived in February 1984 when newly hired coach Kevin Loughery benched him for the first half of the season before trading him to the Kansas City Kings on February 14, 1984, for Steve Johnson and three second-round picks. This transaction deeply saddened many fans who cherished his spirit, yet it opened a path that eventually brought Michael Jordan to the franchise.

Reader's Guide

If you are studying Theus's Bulls era, focus on his statistical consistency and leadership. He played 441 games in Chicago, averaging 18.8 points and 5.6 assists per game. His peak came in 1983 when he was a two-time All-Star selection (1981, 1983). He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1979. While the team struggled to reach the championship level during his tenure—losing in the second round of the 1981 playoffs and missing the postseason in other years—Theus remained a reliable scorer and distributor. His departure marked the end of an era, as he was the leading option until the arrival of the next generation.

Did You Know?

• Theus earned the nickname 'Rush Street Reggie' for owning an apartment on Chicago's famous Rush Street and having an active social life there.
• His trade to Kansas City in February 1984 indirectly freed up a roster spot that led to the Bulls drafting Michael Jordan later that off-season.
• In the 1981 playoffs, Theus scored 37 points with 11 assists to help the Bulls defeat the New York Knicks 2–0 in the first round.
• Theus played under five different coaches during his time in Chicago: Jerry Sloan, Phil Johnson, Rod Thorn, Paul Westhead, and Kevin Loughery.