Chicago Bulls: Selecting franchise's 2010 All-Decade team

Chicago Bulls: Selecting franchise’s 2010 All-Decade team

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 30: Joakim Noah #13, Derrick Rose #1 and Jimmy Butler #21 of the Chicago Bulls react during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 30, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Bulls 99-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

Bench Player of the decade: Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson was taken by the Bulls with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. During his first NBA season, Gibson averaged 9.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest en route to earning an All-Rookie First Team selection.

Gibson’s most productive campaign took place during the team’s improbable run to the playoffs in 2013-14. During that season, Gibson averaged 13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per outing and he finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.

While Gibson’s career numbers with the Bulls weren’t overly impressive (9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in eight seasons), he brought a lot of intangibles to the table that didn’t always show up in the box score. For instance, he played through multiple injuries without any complaints during those years when the Bulls were perennial playoff contenders.

Not only that, but Gibson was good enough to start on some NBA teams, but he never expressed any dissatisfaction about his role within the rotation and he always produced whether he was starting or coming off the bench.

Gibson was always the consummate professional and a great teammate who endured himself to the coaching staff and Bulls fans as well. For these reasons, Gibson earns the nod as the team’s top bench player of the decade.

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