As the seconds ticked away on Friday night’s 112-91 loss to the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls finished their 39-43 season in the most Bulls way possible – failing to show up in a big game after giving fans hope from their dominating win over the Hawks two nights earlier.
The Bulls started the game by hitting three 3-pt shots to open the game with an 11-6 lead. The Heat responded by going on a 26-2 run to take a 19-pt lead and from that point never looked back. The Bulls shot 38% from the field and 30% from 3-pt range, -9 on rebounds and -13 on fast break points. The Bulls’ deficit grew as large as 29 points midway through the 4th quarter. The most depressing part? Heat F/G Jimmy Butler wasn’t even on the floor for this blowout. Heat G Tyler Hero led all scores with 24 points and he also added 10 rebs & 9 assts on the night. The Heat bench outscored the Bulls 42-24.
After a 42-pt night against the Hawks, Bulls G Coby White struggled with just 13pts, 4 assts & 2rebs on 5/16 shooting. Ayo Dosunmu also struggled with 10pts, 4assts & 4rebs on 3/15 shooting. Ayo & Coby combined to shoot 4/19 from long range.
The Play-In tournament loss capped a season which saw the Bulls start 5-14, endure injuries, make zero moves at the trade deadline but somehow find a way to go 34-29 to finish the season. It was also a season of ups & downs that once again showed just how much of a Jekyll & Hyde outfit this team was:
| Bulls 2022-23 Ranks: | Bulls 2023-24 Ranks: |
|---|---|
| 30th in 3PT Made(10.4) | 27th in 3PT Made(11.5) |
| 30th in 3PT Attempted(28.9) | 26th in 3PT Attempted(32.1) |
| 16th in 3PT FG%(36.1%) | 20th in 3PT FG%(35.8%) |
| 4th in FG%(49.0%) | 18th in FG%(47.0%) |
| 28th in OFF REB(8.5) | 8th in OFF REB(11.2) |
| 22nd in REB(42.4) | 14th in REB(43.8) |
| 38 Clutch games(15-23 record) | 44 Clutch games(27-17 record) |
| 20th in Assists(24.5) | 23rd in Assists(25.0) |
| 22nd in Scoring(113.1) | 22nd in Scoring(112.3) |
| 26th in FT Attempts(21.8) | 18th in FT Attempts(21.1) |
| 24th Off. Rating(113.5) | 19TH Off. Rating(114.8) |
| 5th Def. Rating(112.2) | 21ST Def. Rating(116.3) |
The Bulls fell dramatically in FG% and Def. Rating from the previous season but they did improve in Off. Rebounding, Overall Rebounding and FT Attempts. They still ranked in the bottom 5 in 3PTs made and attempted even though it was the wish of head coach Billy Donovan to get up more shots.
So… for the 7th time in the last 9 seasons the Chicago Bulls will not be in the NBA Playoffs. In that span they have had only two seasons of plus .500 basketball. The Bulls have been the very definition of basketball purgatory since its last championship in 1998:
- Since 1998, Bulls have 12 trips to NBA Playoffs, 8 1st round exits, 3 Conf. Semifinals exits and 1 Conf. Finals appearance.
- Only 2 playoff appearances in last 9 years(both 1st Round playoff exits)
- The Bulls record since 1998 is 998-1141(.467)
Bulls VP of Operations Arturas Karnisovas took to the podium today to address the team’s performance this season and plans moving forward:
A few things to point out from AK’s press conference:
- “Any season that doesn’t end deep in playoffs requires total examination. We’re not here for play-in. We have to make changes. While I can be happy with individual growth, I won’t be happy until we bring championship to city of Chicago.” – Arturas Karnisovas
- “We can’t roll with the same team and expect different results.” – Arturas Karnisovas
- Karnisovas gave great praise to Billy Donovan while also acknowledging the current team as constructed “hasn’t worked”
- “I need to do my job better. Said ownership has been supportive but their expectation is better results.” – Arturas Karnisovas
- Karnisovas remained hopeful of resigning DeMar DeRozan & Patrick Williams but dodged questions regarding the status of Lonzo Ball
While it seems as though AK is taking responsibility for the Bulls’ mediocrity his actions going forward will determine if he is truly a man of his word or will they continue to be empty promises. This is the same man who talked up the virtues of being “competitive” and being ok with just sneaking into the play-in/playoffs. Fans have heard AK speak of getting better but witnessed him making absolutely no moves to improve the team. The Bulls still struggle with shooting the 3-ball, their defensive rating has declined and their core 3 stars are either at their peak or on the decline. Ownership has shown no urgency in making the team better or even attempting to try by entering into the luxury tax. How are fans supposed to trust this front office when their actions have shown they don’t care?
What will Arturas Karnisovas do this offseason? Who knows… but it seems the first priority will be to resign DeRozan. According to the Chicago Tribune’s KC Johnson, the Bulls have offered DeRozan a 2-year, $80 million deal but DeRozan’s camp is looking for more years on the deal. If they do resign DeMar ownership won’t go into next season with their ‘Big 3’ locked into long term deals so that would mean Zach LaVine will once again be on the trading block. The other piece will be whether or not to resign Patrick Williams. Signs point to the team resigning the former #4 overall pick but not nearly at the rumored $20 million per year price tag Williams was looking for. The Bulls will have a lottery pick this year but this year’s draft looks to be one of the worst drafts in the last 25 years.
With all of this uncertainty heading into the offseason why should Bulls’ fans have any confidence in this front office to make drastic changes? Talk is one thing but that’s all it has been over the last 3 years – just talk.
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