Almost a Bull: John Salley revealed he was initially poised to land in Chicago

Krause broke his promise by not picking Salley in 1986 Draft

© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Early in his career, John Salley perceived Michael Jordan as his basketball enemy. As a member of the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys” squad,  Sally and his teammates saw MJ and the Chicago Bulls as a challenge in the Eastern Conference in the late 1980s.

But apparently, Salley revealed that he thought he'd become a Bull to start his NBA career and become one of the franchise's pieces to build around the emerging Jordan.

Almost a Bull

In an appearance on the Off The Dribble podcast, Salley disclosed that he was bound to become a Chicago Bull when he entered the NBA Draft in 1986.

This belief came under the heels of team general manager Jerry Krause informing him that Chicago would select him as the ninth overall pick of the draft. But in the end, the club opted to choose Brad Sellers, while Salley landed with the Pistons after five selections.

"Chicago told me they were going to draft me at number nine," Salley said. "They take Brad Sellers. Jerry Krause said he had a better jump shot. I go, 'He won't be shooting that many.'”

A full circle for Salley

As it is, despite being a part of the Bad Boys Pistons team, Salley still managed to become a teammate of Jordan in the Bulls back in 1995-96.

Salley emerged as a key piece in Chicago's historic 72-10 season that was capped off by an NBA championship. As an instrumental locker room voice, he appeared for 17 games and averaged 2.1 points and 2.5 boards in 11.2 minutes of play.

While he wasn't able to kickstart his career as a Bull, it turned out to be a full circle moment for John as he was still able to become one — and he couldn't ask for a greater season for it to happen.

Michael Jordan was ticked off after being left off the All-Defensive team in 1987