As they prepare to make some big decisions – both on and off the court – this summer, we look back at the demise of the Chicago Bulls
How bad was the Chicago Bulls season?
For starters, the team missed the playoffs for first time since 2008 despite expectations of title contention.
The value of significant pieces, like Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose and Nikola Mirotic fell swifter than Chipotle’s stock.
The coach, who has four years left on his contact, appears to be a dud.
He’s also at odds with the best player, who happens to be on a five-year contract as well. It’s a loveless marriage and divorce isn’t an option.
Management lost the respect of the city and most likely the players.
Fans were fed up with the team by February. And now they Bulls are stuck with 14th pick in the draft- which means you missed the playoffs but really don’t get anything good in return.
To make matters worse, the only team that went through a more embarrassing year, the Sacramento Kings, own their protected pick.
And just to throw salt in the wound, the franchise’s 72 wins record was defaced by the Golden State Warriors. And the best player on that team, Michael Jordan, has been reduced to little more than a horribly unflattering internet meme.
OK, exaggerating a bit on the last point, but you get where I’m coming from. The only way the Bulls season could have gone worse is if their best player would have torn his ACL or something.
Thankfully this death march is over. But how did it go so wrong so fast?
Next: Hiring Hoiberg