B. J. Armstrong

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Benjamin Roy ("B.J.") Armstrong, Jr. (born September 9, 1967 in Detroit, Michiganand attended Brother Rice High School(Michigan)) is a former point guard who was an integral part of the NBA's Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s.

Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1989 NBA Draft out of the University of Iowa, the 6'2" (1.88 m) Armstrong helped the team return to the Eastern Conference Finals after compiling a 55-27 regular season win-loss total in 1989-90. The following season he helped them win their first NBA title against the Los Angeles Lakers after winning 61 regular season games. In 1991-92 Armstrong averaged double-digit scoring while coming off the bench behind longtime starter John Paxson to help the Bulls win 67 games and their second straight title. In 1993, he locked down the starting job, contributing to a 57-25 record and the Bulls' third straight title.

In 1994 he emerged as more of a leader in the wake of Michael Jordan's retirement, placing third on the team in scoring and earning his first all-star game berth while leading the team to a 55-27 record and a second-round exit from the playoffs. Armstrong finished third in scoring again in 1995 as the Bulls posted a 47-35 record, and with Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc led the team to the second round again.

Selected first overall by the Toronto Raptors in the expansion draft in 1995, Armstrong was traded before ever playing a game for them to the Golden State Warriors where he remained for over two seasons. He was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in late 1997, where he played for parts of two seasons before moving on for one campaign with the Orlando Magic. He rejoined the Bulls in their post-dynasty rebuilding years in 1999.

After retiring in 2000, Armstrong was hired as an assistant to Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause. Having replaced Paxson as the Bulls' starting point guard years before, Armstrong was himself replaced by Paxson as hire to the GM job in Chicago when Krause resigned in 2003. Armstrong remained with the organization as a scout for a couple of seasons, leaving in 2005. He is currently employed by ESPN as a basketball analyst.