1966-1967:
After 2 other teams have failed in Chicago the NBA
was hopeful that the 3rd time would be the charm when the
Bulls took the court in 1966. The Bulls got off to a solid
start when they beat the St. Louis Hawks 104-97 on the road.
The Bulls would continue to play solid basketball as they
won their first 2 home games against Western Conference Powerhouses
San Francisco Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers for a 3-0 start.
The first year Bulls would go on to finish with a 33-48 record,
the best ever for a first year team, making the playoffs as
Coach Johnny Kerr won Coach of the Year honors. However, in
the playoffs the Bulls would be swept in 3 straight by the
Hawks.
1967-1968: After
a solid first season the Bulls trade away their steadiest
player Guy Rodgers, and struggle for the start losing their
first 9 games and 15 of 16. However, the Bulls would end up
making the playoffs despite finishing with an awful 29-53
record. In the playoffs the Bulls would make a quick exit
losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games. Following the
season the Bulls would lose Coach Johnny Kerr who followed
Bulls Vice President Jerry Colangelo to Phoenix with the expansion
Suns.
1968-1969: Early
season struggles would finally catch up with Bulls who missed
the playoffs for the first time with a 33-49 record, as the
midseason acquisition of Bob Love provided a spark, but it
was too late to get the Bulls into playoff position.
1969-1970: The Bulls
were a high scoring team that had many weaknesses on defense
as they finished with a 39-43 record while averaging 114.9
ppg. The Bulls were able to get into the playoffs but would
make a quick exit as they lost to the Atlanta Hawks in 5 games.
1970-1971: The Bulls
show improvement on defense by becoming a physical team while
finishing in 2nd place in the newly formed Midwest Division
with a solid 51-31 record. In the playoffs the Bulls would
battle the Los Angeles Lakers to the bitter end falling in
7 games.
