MEXICO CITY -- It has been 20 years since Michael Jordan's iconic shot over Byron Russell capped the Chicago Bulls' dynasty. Still, they remain one of the NBA's most recognizable teams for fans worldwide.
In Mexico, where on Thursday the Bulls will play their first regular-season game outside of the United States or Canada, "Los Toros" are especially popular, and those devoted to basketball's growth south of the border hope that Chicago's game against the Orlando Magic will serve as a catalyst for a boom in a sports landscape rife with competition.
"The Bulls fans in Mexico [are numerous]. I've known about them since the '90s," Hall of Famer and Bulls legend Scottie Pippen said during a promotional event in September.
A study commissioned by the NBA in July found that the Bulls were the favorite team of 18 percent of fans in Mexico, behind only the Los Angeles Lakers (20 percent) and well ahead of the defending champion Golden State Warriors (10 percent). The Bulls were also a top-three favorite of 42 percent of fans polled, second again to the Lakers (45 percent).
"Wow, I didn't know that," point guard Zach LaVine said Wednesday at practice in Mexico City when informed of the Bulls' popularity in the country. "It's a good thing to know. That's crazy."
That's why, despite the Bulls' internal struggles and 6-22 record this season, it feels like a huge accomplishment to have them finally stop by for a visit.
"To have a team so well-followed and loved like the Bulls in the country, it's a very important step for us," said Raul Zarraga, managing director of NBA Mexico.
Since the league's formal return to Mexico in 2014 as part of the NBA's Global Games initiative, six regular-season games have been played in the country, including a record four in 2017. Mexican fans have been treated to stars such as James Harden, DeMarcus Cousins, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook, to name a few.
This year, fans will witness a last-place version of the Bulls that fired head coach Fred Hoiberg on Dec. 3. Not one week into new boss Jim Boylen's reign, players expressed concern about his methods and approach. But excitement for the Bulls' arrival in Mexico has not dampened.
"I've been a fan in good times and bad, and it will always be exciting to watch them live," said Juan Estreyer, who lives in Mexico and has followed the Bulls for more than two decades. "I'm a fan because of Jordan, yes, but that's my team regardless of who plays for them."
Such is the case for many others in the country who reacted with excitement when the announcement was made in August. It was common to spot fans rocking Bulls jerseys in past Mexico games, regardless of who was playing.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come and play in Mexico City," Bulls forward Wendell Carter Jr. said. "I'm excited, and we hopefully can get a win for all those fans."
The ticket website for the Mexico games showed a few available at the 22,300-seat Arena Ciudad de Mexico for Thursday's clash and for Saturday's game between the Magic and the Utah Jazz. Prices for either game range from $20 in the upper level to $535 for courtside seats.
"Throughout the years, I've seen people in Mexico enjoy every game, rooting for the players regardless of what team they support," Zarraga said. "Some people walk in without being a fan and walk out thrilled, buying merchandise. This time, we think we'll see more core fans. Chicago is a team a lot of people want to see."
Because of its proximity, Mexico has become a prime destination for the NBA in recent years -- akin to the renewed interest shown by other North American leagues such as the NFL and MLB. Despite the crowded landscape for attention from fans and soccer's undisputed hold as Mexico's most popular sport, Zarraga credits the NBA's efforts for basketball's growth in recent years.
"More than 16 million Mexicans consume NBA games and highlights every week," he said. "We've grown that number over 20 percent since just last year."
The trend has produced short-term benefits: This week, the league is expected to announce a renewed TV contract to broadcast in the country, as well as the confirmation of more games in Mexico next season and beyond.
"Throughout the years, I've seen people in Mexico enjoy every game, rooting for the players regardless of what team they support. ... This time, we think we'll see more core fans. Chicago is a team a lot of people want to see." Raul Zarraga, managing director of NBA Mexico
The league's development has spilled into Mexico's pro circuits, such as the CIBACOPA, the 10-team league launched in 2001 and located wholly in Mexico's northwest corridor. "It speaks to the trust that businessmen have in the growth of basketball in the country and, of course, their fandom for their sport," said Omar Villanueva, a CIBACOPA executive. "And yes, all of this comes from the fact that we border the United States and are thus close to the NBA."
Although Villanueva and Zarraga represent leagues at different levels, it is their combined hope that more devotees will increase their involvement in the sport -- not just as fans or executives but also as players. Mexico has produced just four NBA talents in its history and does not currently count a representative in the league. The two most recent exports, Gustavo Ayon and Jorge Gutierrez, remain active in Spain.
The development of players is crucial to another of the league's potential long-term goals south of the border. During his visit to the country last year, NBA commissioner Adam Silver talked up the possibility of putting a G League team in Mexico as a way to evaluate whether a full-fledged franchise could one day play there.
"In the midterm, we want to get young people involved," Zarraga said. "We want to spread Jr. NBA [the league's youth program] and have at least 30 cities field a team to have national tournaments. We need professionals, and to do that, we need to take basketball to every nook and cranny of the country."