The Chicago Bulls started this season 5-0 and were briefly at the top of the Eastern Conference. They have played 18 games since then, and still haven’t reached 10 wins. They have gone on two losing streaks of five games or longer, and now are 11th in the East.
The problems aren’t limited to the court; injuries and public frustration from players are piling up.
Seven Game Losing Streak
The Bulls are currently on a seven-game losing streak that started Monday, Nov. 24, against the Pelicans. Just two days after Nikola Vucevic called Chicago’s playing style “not sustainable”, the Bulls gave up 140 points to the Pelicans.
Then, Chicago lost to the Hornets, after leading entering the fourth quarter, the Pacers twice, once to the Nets, and got blown out by 30 points against the Warriors.
The beginning of the season was supposed to be the hardest part. Through the first 10 games, they had the NBA’s toughest strength of schedule and were 6-4 without Coby White. After the first 10 games, Chicago had the easiest strength of schedule for the rest of the season.
Instead of building wins, they’re collapsing in the softest part of their season.
Vucevic is not the only player speaking out. Both Ayo Dosunmu and Jevon Carter have told the media that the team isn’t locked in to the details and ignoring coach Billy Donovan. It is clear that Donovan has lost the team, and now frustration within the locker room has boiled over and spilled into interviews with the media.
Chicago has four days of rest until their next game, their longest break in the season other than the All-Star break. This respite comes at the perfect time, giving the Bulls a chance to buy back in before their season spirals further out of control.
Noa Essengue Out for the Year
On the court, it can’t get much worse than a seven-game losing streak against several tanking teams. Off the court, though, it somehow did. First-round pick Noa Essengue will miss the rest of the season after shoulder surgery. He played only six minutes, recording one steal and missing his lone field goal attempt, a three-pointer.
Chicago drafted Essengue as a raw prospect with high upside, so he wasn’t expected to contribute early. But the injury stalls his development entirely. He has lost his rookie season and can no longer learn through practices or game reps. He looked promising in the G League, but his role for next season is now uncertain.
To add insult to Essengue’s injury, Derik Queen, the player selected the pick after Essengue, became the first rookie center to have a 30-point triple-double. He did this on Monday, Dec. 8, exactly two weeks after the Bulls’ losing streak started.
Chicago has been the league’s worst team over the past two weeks. There’s little left to look forward to this season. There’s no rookie to watch grow, the team isn’t making the playoffs, and it’s unlikely the front office will fully commit to a tank, leaving even next year’s draft without hope.
After years of mediocrity, the Bulls can’t even tank correctly.
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