Artis Gilmore with the Bulls

Tribune photo by Quentin C. Dodt

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore visits 12-year-old Richard Circo during a 1978 visit to Wyler's Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago.

Tribune photo by Dave Nystrom

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore rejects a shot by Milwaukee Bucks forward Mickey Johnson in the first half of a 1982 game at the Chicago Stadium. Milwaukee beat the Bulls 120-90. Gilmore was traded to San Antonio after the season, but would return in 1987.

Tribune photo by Ed Wagner, Jr.

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore (left) and David Greenwood run through drills during practice at Angel Guardian gym in Chicago.

Tribune file photo

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore, whom broadcaster Jim Durham called "The A Train", is seen here in a 1978 portrait, back in the days when NBA players were still allowed to wear gold chains.

Tribune photo by Phil Mascione

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore and guard Reggie Theus take a break on the bench during a 121-118 win over the San Diego Clippers in a 1980 game at the Chicago Stadium.

Tribune photo by Val Mazzenga

New Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore and veteran Bulls guard Bob Love join forces during an intrasquad game in t1976.

Tribune photo by Phil Mascione

New Chicago Bull Artis Gilmore is welcomed to the team by part-owner Phillip Klutznick during a press conference at the team's downtown Chicago offices in 1976.

Tribune photo by Edward Wagner, Jr.

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore and guard Norm Van Lier (right) wait for a rebound during a 1978 game against the Washington Bullets at Chicago Stadium.

Tribune photo by Ed Wagner, Jr.

The Bulls' Artis Gilmore drives past Rich Kelley of the New Orleans Jazz during a 1977 game at the Chicago Stadium.

Tribune photo by Carl Hugare

Artis Gilmore receives his old uniform number of 53 from Chicago Bulls coach Doug Collins during a press conference announcing "A-Train's" return to the team, now led by Michael Jordan, in 1987.

Tribune photo by Dave Nystrom

Chicago Bulls David Greenwood (34) and Artis Gilmore (far right) both grab a rebound during a 1982 game at the Chicago Stadium against the Detroit Pistons.

Tribune photo by David Nystrom

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore is seen at home with his wife, Enola Gay, and daughters Shawna (4 years old) and Priya (10 months old) in 1977.

Tribune photo by Phil Mascione

It was a meeting between two of the best NBA centers in the 1970s, as the Chicago Bulls' Artis Gilmore battled the Portland Trail Blazers' Bill Walton in a 1977 game at the Chicago Stadium.

Tribune photo by Phil Mascione

Artis Gilmore honed his skills as a 7'2" center in the American Basketball Association before joining the Bulls in 1976 and becoming one of the NBA's most intimidating scorers and shot blockers. Four of his six all-star game appearances were in a Bulls uniform. He led the NBA in field goal percentage four straight seasons and retired as the league's career leader in that category (59.9 percent). Gilmore averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Tribune photo by Ed Wagner, Jr.

The man behind the ball is the Bulls' Artis Gilmore (53). Portland Trail Blazer Bill Walton is to his left in this game at the Chicago Stadium in 1978.

Tribune photo by Dave Nystrom

Fans congratulate Bulls center Artis Gilmore after a dramatic playoff win over the New York Knicks at the Chicago Stadium in 1981.

Tribune photo by Ed Wagner, Jr.

A disappointed Artis Gilmore sits half-dressed in the Chicago Stadium locker room after the Bulls lost a playoff game to the Boston Celtics in 1981.

Tribune photo by Ed Wagner, Jr.

The Bulls' Artis Gilmore and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar go head-to-head in a battle of the two of the best NBA centers of the 1970s in a 1978 game at the Chicago Stadium. Gilmore had 28 points to Jabbar's 18, but the Bulls still lost.

Tribune photo by Walter Neal

Chicago Bulls center Artis Gilmore (53) executes a one-handed slam dunk over New Jersey Nets' forward George Johnson during a 1979 game at the Chicago Stadium. Chicago's Wilbur Holland (12) looks on.