For the post-Michael Jordan Bulls, the journey from sublime to ridiculous was sudden and painful.
In the blink of an eye, the six-time NBA champions went from dynasty to doormat, forcing fans to adjust their expectations dramatically.
Consider this fact: In Jordan’s final season in Chicago (1998), the Bulls won 62 regular-season games and lost only 20; in the first four years after he left, they won a grand total of 66 and lost–are you sitting down?–230.
But after six seasons of frustration and futility, there’s a positive buzz building around the Bulls again. On Monday, they clobbered the Atlanta Hawks 107-82 and moved their record into positive territory at 20-19–nothing to brag about, true, but if the season ended now, the Bulls would be one of eight playoff-bound teams in the Eastern Conference. Don’t look now, but it might be time to party like it’s 1998.
If Prince can make a comeback, why can’t the Bulls?
Chicagoans who felt free to ignore pro basketball for the better part of a decade are now checking the standings, watching the highlights and asking their friends in a combination of disbelief and delight “How ’bout those Bulls?”
If you haven’t been paying attention and don’t know how to answer that question, it’s time to play catchup. Here’s a cheat sheet of five fast facts that will make you sound like a die-hard, even if you haven’t seen a game since MJ left town.
1. The big kids can play
A lot was expected out of Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler when they were drafted out of high school in 2001, but until this season, they were considered a two-headed bust. Curry, the 6-foot-11 center from Thornwood High, has shed some baby fat and turned his game around. Chandler, 7-1, seems to have recovered from his back injury of last season and blossomed into a shot-blocking force. Both players are eligible to become restricted free agents after this season, so the Bulls will have to decide whether to invest in them long-term. Right now, their stock is soaring.
2. The rookies stepped up
Four first-year players have become regular contributors this season. First-round draft picks Luol Deng and Ben Gordon look like keepers, and second-rounder Chris Duhon has been a pleasant surprise. Andres Nocioni, whom the Bulls plucked from the European league, has adapted quickly to the NBA game.
3. Scott Skiles’ tough love
Some people thought Skiles might be too abrasive and impatient to coach a young team, but so far his style seems to be working. He’s tough, but he gets the best out of his players, something that previous coaches Tim Floyd and Bill Cartwright couldn’t seem to do.
4. Change at the top
As brilliant as Jerry Krause was during his reign as general manager–six titles say it all–change has to start at the top. In many ways, John Paxson is the anti-Krause. Pax is Jordan’s former backcourt running mate; Krause never played in the NBA. Pax has a Golden Dome polish about him; Krause was rumpled and grumpy. Pax inherited a team full of misfits and malcontents; Krause inherited a team full of misfits, malcontents … and Michael.
5. The NBA is weaker
Skeptics might say that the Bulls haven’t gotten better as much as the rest of the league has gotten worse. The Eastern Conference in particular is down in the dumps this year, with only a handful of teams playing much above .500. It’s true that the Bulls have a lot of dead-ass teams on their dance card, but this year, for a change, the Bulls are beating them.
OK, consider yourself caught up. Get that old Bulls sweat shirt out of the closet and wear it with pride. If it still fits after six years, well, that’s one more reason to celebrate.
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Meet the Bulls
If you haven’t been following the Bulls since Michael Jordan left town, you’ve got some catching up to do. None of the players on the current Bulls roster has been with the team longer than three full seasons, and many of the players from last year’s team are gone. This year’s group includes several new faces, including rookie draft picks Luol Deng, Chris Duhon and Ben Gordon and free-agent import Andres Nocioni.
— Joe Knowles
John Paxson, Executive VP
Pax has been with the Bulls in one role or another–player, broadcaster, executive–since 1985. Now MJ’s former backcourt mate is running the show.
Scott Skiles, Head coach
Despite some success as a head coach in Phoenix, he was known as a short-fused tyrant. Paxson liked his fire and handed him the reins. So far, so good.
Tyson Chandler, Forward/center
Still just 22, Chandler has three NBA seasons under his belt and is starting to realize the potential that led the Bulls to make him the second pick in the 2001 draft.
Eddy Curry, Center
A first-round pick in 2001 like Chandler, the former local prep star has become more productive as a scorer, but his inability to rebound remains puzzling.
Antonio Davis, Forward/center
A.D. is the grown-up on the Baby Bulls. The 11-year-veteran’s steady leadership by example has been an underrated factor in the Bulls’ recent resurgence.
Luol Deng, Forward
After just a season of college ball at Duke, some parts of his game still need work, but the Sudan-born rookie has shown a nice shooting touch for a big man.
Chris Duhon, Guard
He may not possess A-level skills, but he can shoot and defend. His four years at Duke give him a little extra polish. He figures to be a solid NBA role player.
Ben Gordon, Guard
The No. 3 pick overall in last year’s draft is still struggling to find consistency, but he has a knack for taking–and making–big shots late in the game.
Adrian Griffin, Guard/forward
An NBA veteran playing on his fourth team in six years, Griffin has been a valuable swing man who can defend against guards and small forwards.
Othella Harrington, Forward
His ability to score off the bench has helped the second unit flourish. The former Georgetown star also filled in admirably as a starter when Antonio Davis was hurt.
Kirk Hinrich, Guard
A well-conditioned gym rat, Hinrich was Paxson’s first draft pick in 2003. He stepped right into the lineup and should be a fixture at point guard here for years.
Andres Nocioni, Forward
At 25, the former Argentinian national team star is not your typical NBA rookie. After winning gold last summer in Athens, he jumped to run with the Bulls.
Jannero Pargo, Guard
Born in Chicago, the former Robeson High star got a chance to play late last season and has impressed the coaching staff with his shooting ability off the bench.
Eric Piatkowski, Forward
A 10-year NBA vet, the so-called “Polish rifle” has survived mainly on his long-distance shooting ability. His career mark from 3-point range is nearly 40 percent.
Frank Williams, Guard
Former Illinois and Peoria Manual star was acquired from the Knicks in an off-season trade but has played in only eight games and is currently on the injured list.
Jared Reiner, Center
Rookie from Iowa has size and skill to stick in the NBA, but the Bulls have enough big men for now, so they’ll keep him stashed safely on the injured list.
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jknowles@tribune.com
