Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago TribunePractice fights happen. Practice fights in which a player misses the first 23 games of the season following two facial fractures and a concussion don't, which is why Paxson labeled the incident "almost unprecedented." Portis apologized to Mirotic via text and a phone call, which weren't returned. He also apologized via reporters and then vowed to move on. Mirotic accepted Portis' apology via reporters but not directly. The two still have yet to discuss the incident. But crazily enough, they've played extremely well on the court together, often exchanging fist bumps and high fives following connected plays. Go figure.
Charles Krupa / APThe Bulls stormed into TD Garden and won the first two road games of their first-round playoff series, halfway to becoming just the sixth No. 8 seed since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format in 1984 to eliminate a No. 1 seed. Then news broke that Rondo fractured his right thumb and normalcy returned. The Celtics stormed back to win the series in six games, blowing out the Bulls in Game 6 and setting the franchise on its course to trade Butler, waive Rondo and buyout Wade. The rebuild essentially began with that playoff elimination.
Brian Cassella / Chicago TribuneOne night after Wade and Butler criticized teammates for not caring enough, Rajon Rondo posted a photo of him in a Celtics uniform alongside noted leaders Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The accompanying text scorched the Earth with scathing criticism of Wade and Butler's leadership attempt, without mentioning either by name.A team meeting in which the organization levied fines on Wade, Butler and Rondo followed. Young players spoke up in the meeting against Wade and rallied around Rondo. And, similar to the seemingly irreconcilable Portis-Mirotic incident, the Bulls played their best basketball down the stretch as Rondo returned to the starting lineup. Go figure.
Chris Sweda / Chicago TribuneIt seemed fitting that just before the calendar flipped, the Bulls made NBA history to cap their nutty year. No team in NBA history ever had won seven straight games after 10 straight losses. The Bulls became the first when Mirotic and David Nwaba returned from injury, injecting the team with defensive energy and team-first play. What will 2018 bring? Time will tell. Typically, intriguing things happen to this franchise.
Jerry Holt / TNSIt's rare when a team trades a homegrown three-time All-Star who remains on an upward trajectory. But the Bulls took a deep breath and sent Butler and the No. 16 pick to the Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the rights to the No. 7 pick that netted Lauri Markkanen. Let the rebuild begin. Many factors contributed to the decision. The one stating that Butler stood poised to receive the designated player exception and a five-year extension north of $200 million has been overstated because the Bulls could negotiate that extension and not pay Butler the full amount. Back-to-back seasons near .500 with Butler as the centerpiece and executive vice president John Paxson's itch to get back to a young, hungry, ball-movement team similar to the 2004-05 squad helped drive the decision.
Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune
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Practice fights happen. Practice fights in which a player misses the first 23 games of the season following two facial fractures and a concussion don't, which is why Paxson labeled the incident "almost unprecedented."
Portis apologized to Mirotic via text and a phone call, which weren't returned. He also apologized via reporters and then vowed to move on. Mirotic accepted Portis' apology via reporters but not directly. The two still have yet to discuss the incident. But crazily enough, they've played extremely well on the court together, often exchanging fist bumps and high fives following connected plays. Go figure.
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By K.C. Johnson | Chicago Tribune
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Storylines: The Bulls have lost both meetings in this series and perhaps reached their season low point on Dec. 6, blowing a 16-point, fourth-quarter lead in a two-point loss. The Bulls began their recent 9-2 stretch the next outing. For the Pacers, Victor Oladipo, eighth in the NBA in scoring, is out with a sore right knee and the team converted forward Alex Poythress’ two-way contract into an NBA deal.
Trending: The Pacers have lost two straight, including a home loss to the lowly Mavericks. The Bulls have secured a nine-victory month for the first time since December 2014.
