Chicago Bulls Basketball Preview: 2008-2009 Season

Can the Bulls Rebound to Make the Playoffs?

Summary of 2007-2008 Season

The Chicago Bulls finished last season with a 33-49 record. This came one year after the Chicago Bulls made the NBA playoffs with a 49-33 record. Last season was a step backwards, and certainly not what the Bulls were hoping for. The consensus around the NBA at this time last year was that the Chicago Bulls were poised to assert themselves as one of the top teams in the NBA Eastern Conference.

So, what happened? For starters, Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, and Ben Gordon all saw their production decline from the previous year. The Chicago Bulls did not have any chemistry in the clubhouse or on the court. Coach Scott Skiles (now with the Milwaukee Bucks) was let go after the Chicago Bulls quit on him and he quit on the Chicago Bulls. Throughout the whole season it just didn't seem like the ball would bounce right for the Bulls.

However, there were a couple of bright spots during the season for the Chicago Bulls. Joakim Noah, Aaron Gray and Thabo Sefolosha all contributed more than expected. Gray, one of last year's second-round picks, may never be more than a good backup center, but Noah and Sefolosha have a chance to become very valuable players for the Chicago Bulls. Also, in a bit of addition by subtraction, the Chicago Bulls were able to find a taker for Ben Wallace and his giant contract. In return, the Bulls had to accept the Cleveland Cavaliers' Larry Hughes and his also-giant contract. However, Hughes is a better fit for this Bulls team and Noah has many of the same skills that Wallace has.

Player profiles are available for many of the Chicago Bulls basketball players by clicking on their names.

Backcourt

The backcourt is a logjam right now for the Chicago Bulls. Chris Duhon has moved on, but the roster still contains Ben Gordon (as of right now), Kirk Hinrich, Larry Hughes, Thabo Sefolosha and the overall first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Derrick Rose. Also on the roster, for now, are Chicagoan Shannon Brown and JamesOn Curry.