THE Chicago Bulls Last Dance team is one of the most historic teams in NBA history.
As the third-string center on the 1998 Bulls, Joe Kleine, 61, didn’t have to do much – but he was rewarded with a championship and even had a movie cameo.
5
Joe Kleine played on the Chicago Bulls Last Dance teamCredit: Getty
5
He played 15 years in the NBACredit: Getty
5
Kleine also made a brief movie cameoCredit: Getty
Kleine, the former sixth overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, had a modest career statistically but played professionally in the NBA for 15 years.
In his career, he averaged just 4.8 points and 4.1 rebounds, but the center maintained playing at the highest level in part to his ginormous 6-foot-11-inch frame.
During the 1997-98 season, at 36 years old, Kleine hit big and signed with the Bulls.
In an interview in 2020, he shared his thoughts on the Bulls team he was joining.
Kleine said: “I didn’t know about all the turmoil they were having was so deep.
“But we were winning, and I was around great players who were good guys. The coach was a good guy.”
He also expressed his pleasure of playing for winning teams instead of putting up impressive stats in a losing environment.
The veteran made it aware: “I liked being on good teams, because good teams just had a happier atmosphere.
“Life was better.”
He played 46 games with the team and was rewarded with his first NBA championship ring in his 13th year.
He’d play just two more seasons before retiring from basketball entirely.
In 1996, Kleine hit Hollywood and made his first movie cameo, appearing in a film starring Whoopi Goldberg.
Eddie was released in 1996, with Goldberg as the lead in a movie centered around a New York Knicks team deprived of talent.
Kleine plays himself in the film – and even revealed the shocking amount he received from his small acting gig.
The NBA champion showed a check with just $.38 to his name from Disney, the studio that made the movie.
The movie had several NBA stars in the film, like Mark Jackson, Rick Fox, Alex English, Muggsy Bogues, and many more.
Even Donald Trump made a guest appearance.
The film was a moderate success, grossing over $31million.
Kleine shouldn’t have to worry about money, though.
In his NBA career, the center made more than $11million.
Besides the Bulls, he played on the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, and Portland Trail Blazers.
5
Kleine played himself in the movie Eddie starring Whoopi GoldbergCredit: PA:Press Association
5
The film grossed over $31millionCredit: AP:Associated Press
