2000-2001:
After failing to land one of the stellar young free agents
the Bulls were clearly a franchise that was without a clear
direction. GM Jerry Krause's whole rebuilding strategy of
tearing the team down came with the hopes he could work some
magic in the free agency market. However, his failure only
made his moves seem worse, as the Bulls had their worst season
in franchise history finishing with a league worst 15-67 record.
2001-2002: After
3 years languishing in last place GM Jerry Krause decided
to start from scratch trading Elton Brand their most promising
player to the Los Angeles Clippers for an additional first
round draft pick. The pick was used on High School star Tyson
Chandler, who joined number 1 overall pick Edie Curray. The
Bulls were gambling that the pair of high school stars could
energize the struggling franchise. Instead the struggle continued
leading to a coaching change early in the season as Tim Floyd
resigned. He would eventually replaced by Bill Cartwright.
Under Cartwright the Bulls would improve, but more retooling
was not over as they acquired Jalen Rose Travis Best and Norman
Richardson from the Indiana Pacers for Brad Miller, Ron Artest,
Ron Mercer and Kevin Ollie. However, it was not enough to
lift the Bulls out of the cellar as they finished with an
awful; 21-61 record. Adding insult to injury was the return
of Michael Jordan in a Washington Wizards uniform, as he received
a thunderous 5-minute standing ovation, which proceeded boos
for the current crop of Bulls. In addition Phil Jackson weaved
his 3-peat magic again for the Los Angeles Lakers. For the
Bulls demise state GM Jerry Krause would receive full credit.
2002-2003: GM Jerry
Krause would finally step down as the Bulls got off to another
slow start losing 15 of their first 19 games. As John Paxson
became the Bulls new General Manager, the young team built
by Krause finally began to show some promise as they posted
a solid 27-14 record at the United Center. However, on the
road the Bulls struggled badly winning just 3 times in 41
games as they finished in 5th place with a record of 30-52.
2003-2004: Despite
a possible career ending injury to Jay Williams suffered in
a off-season motorcycle accident, there was optimism entering
the season as Scottie Pippen returned to lead the "Baby
Bulls." However Pippen was just a shell of his former
self as injuries and year of wear and tear had taken their
toll. The Bulls would get off to a terrible start holding
a 4-12 record at the end of November when Coach Bill Cartwright
is fired and replaced by Scott Skiles. At the same time they
began to retool their roster trading away Jalen Rose and Donyell
Marshall to the Toronto Raptors for Antonio Davis in a multiple
player deal. However the deal could not salvage yet another
lost season for the Bulls who went on to finish in last place
with a terrible 23-59 record. As Pippen's Bulls comeback ended
with injury in February as the Hall of Famer went on to retire
following the season.
2004-2005:
The Bulls filled the roster with players who won in college hoping that
the new draft strategy would end the years marked by potential but defined
by losses. Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon, Luol Deng, and Andres Nocioni brought
a collegiate and international culture to Chicago, as the Bulls finished 47-35
and made the playoffs for the first time in the post-Jordan era. The trip
to the playoffs would be a short one with a first round exit to the Washington
Wizards despite a number three seed in the East. Unable to stop Gilbert Arenas,
the Chicago Bulls returned to the offseason disappointed, but optimistic.
2005-2006:
Curry’s departure to the Knicks ended the curse of Krause as the Chicago Bulls
started truly anew with small forward Luol Deng, point guard Kirk Hinrich, and
explosive scorer Ben Gordon. The team started slow, but ultimately ended the
season at 41-41. The Eastern Conference was weak though, and the record was
good enough for a sixth seed in the playoffs. Once again the Chicago Bulls
ended their season in the first round, with a 4-2 series loss to the eventual
champions, the Miami Heat. Growing pains were the story of the year (which also
led to the trade of Tyson Chandler for more P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith), but a
second consecutive year in the postseason made most fans happy and convinced many
that their season tickets were not a waste of money.
2006-2007:
Players began to buy completely into Scott Skiles’ philosophy and the roster
gained some valuable experience with the signing of Ben Wallace. The defensive
stalwart added to the gritty play that terrorized teams on the defensive end
and carried the Chicago Bulls to a 49-33 record, third place finish in the
Central Division, and a third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. For the
first time since Jordan was nailing fade away jumpers, Bulls fans actually
thought the club could go all the way to the championship. The lofty talks
were a little bit too high, but Chicago managed to sweep the Miami Heat in the
first round before losing to the Detroit Pistons in the conference semi-finals.
The Bulls’ struggle on offense made some fans question the direction of the
team and the limited play of rookie Tyrus Thomas left fans confused.
2007-2008:
The draft added another post player in Joakim Noah, who fit the Paxson philosophy
of drafting for college success. The Bulls expected another year of development
and a tough defense, but instead came out of the gate limping. Many contend that
the slow start was due to the rumors that Kobe Bryant was going to be traded to
Chicago in a move that would take a significant number of talented team to the
West Coast. The nagging start did not subside and John Paxson followed with drastic
roster moves by mid-season. Scott Skiles was fired on Christmas Eve and Ben Wallace,
Joe Smith, and Adrian Griffin were traded to division foes Cleveland for Larry
Hughes and Drew Gooden. Interim coach Jim Boylan finished the season as coach in
a season ended that disappointedly with a 33-49 record and trip to the lottery.
