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.
1971-1972: In November
the Bulls acquired Norm Van Lier, who brought a pugnacious
attitude to the game and teamed with Jerry Sloan to form the
toughest defensive guard tandem of the era. The squad had
2 seven-game winning streaks before entering the New Year.
The Bulls would go on to finish in 2nd place with a 57-25
record. However, with an injury to Tom Boerwinkle the Bulls
would be no match for the Los Angeles Lakers who swept them
in 3 straight.
1972-1973: Despite
missing Tom Boerwinkle for most of the season with a knee
injury the Bulls finish in 2nd place again with a solid 51-31
record. The Bulls appeared to be in line for an upset as they
led the Los Angeles Lakers late in Game 7. However, the Lakers
would rally outscoring the Bulls 12-2 in the final minute
to win 95-92.
1973-1974: The Bulls
would get off to a fast start winning 13 of their 15 games
on the way to another solid 2nd place finish with a 54-28
record. In the playoffs the Bulls found themselves in another
7-game war this time against the Detroit Pistons. With Game
7 at Chicago Stadium the Bulls would prevail 96-94 for their
first ever playoff series victory earning a trip to the Western
Finals. However, in the West Finals eth Bulls would be dominated
in 4 straight by the Milwaukee Bucks.
1974-1975: The Bulls
got off to a shaky start as Norm Van Lier and Bob Love held
out while they renegotiated their contracts. However, 6-11
center Nate Thurmond, acquired from the Golden State Warriors
in a trade for Clifford Ray, picked up the slack, blocking
12 shots in his debut with the Bulls. Love and Van Lier would
return, and the Bulls would become nearly invincible in the
2nd half of the year finishing with a 47-35 record earning
their first ever Division Title. In the playoff the Bulls
would earn a trip to their 2nd straight Conference Final by
beating the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in 6 games. In the Conference
Finals the Bulls were one game away from playing for all the
marbles as they led the Golden State Warriors 3 games to 2.
However, the Warriors would rally and take the series in 7
games.
1975-1976: The Bulls
were hurt form the starts of the season as Nate Thurmon and
Chet Walker retired, Meanwhile Jerry Sloan was lost to a knee
injury as the Bulls fell into last place with a terrible 24-58
record.
1976-1977: Center
Artis Gilmore, who the Bulls acquired in the ABA dispersal
draft, made an immediate impact averaging 22.0 ppg as the
Bulls got off to a solid start. However the Bulls would need
to close the season out by winning 20 of their last 25 games
to finish with a 44-38 record and make the playoffs after
a midseason 13-game losing streak nearly ruined their season.
In the playoffs the Bulls, would be knocked off in a 3-game
series by the eventual NBA Champions Portland Trailblazers.
1977-1978: Despite
posting a 28-23 record after the All-Star Break the Bulls
miss the playoffs with a 40-42 record.
1978-1979: The Bulls
get off to a lousy start, as Coach Ed Badger is fired after
a 20-36 start. Under his replacement Larry Costello the Bulls
would not fare much better finishing in last place with a
31-51 record.
1979-1980: Jerry
Sloan takes over the coaching reigns, but the Bulls struggles
continue as Artis Gilmore is lost for 34 games with a leg
injury as the Bulls finish in 4th place with a 30-52 record.
