Share
Sports

Chicago Bulls Officially Hit Lowest Point Since MJ Retired, Lose in Historic Fashion

Share

The Chicago Bulls recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of their sixth and final NBA championship.

Many of the players from that 1997-98 team are in their late 40s and 50s now, and Michael Jordan himself is approaching his 56th birthday. But Chicago fans would have to believe that the ’98 squad could still go out and play better than the current Bulls team did on Saturday night.

The Bulls lost in historic fashion to the Boston Celtics by a final score of 133-77. It was a record-setting night in many ways, none of which favored the Bulls.

The 56-point margin of defeat was the biggest in Bulls franchise history, which stretches back more than 50 seasons and includes 4,242 games played.

For the Celtics, on the other hand, the 56-point victory was the largest in their storied history.

Trending:
Fani Willis Throws a Tantrum to Jim Jordan as Contempt Deadline Arrives

While these kinds of blowouts usually come at home for the winning team, this game took place at the United Center in Chicago.

Such an embarrassing loss at home for the Bulls set yet another record:


What makes this game even more confusing for the Bulls and their fans is that the team was coming off its best game of the season on Friday, when Chicago upset the Oklahoma City Thunder. The momentum from that game clearly didn’t carry over.

Will the Bulls finish the season with the worst record in the NBA?

“Disappointing effort, disappointing outcome after what I thought was a really hard-fought two games and at home last night,” Bulls coach Jim Boylen said following Saturday’s loss, according to The Associated Press. “Got to give Boston credit — I thought they made the shots.

“They kind of punched us and we didn’t respond,” he added.

Boylen tried everything during the game to get his team going, including two middle school-esque five-player substitutions.

The coaching moves didn’t sit well with the team’s second-leading scorer, guard Zach LaVine, who wanted to be out on the floor even though his team was getting destroyed.


Related:
Video: Incredible NBA 'Dunk of the Year' Leaves Opponent Injured

“I felt embarrassed,” LaVine said afterward. “We lose by 56. I felt embarrassed. I wish I was out there competing.”

At 6-21, Chicago currently has the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst record in the league behind the 4-22 Phoenix Suns .

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , ,
Share
Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009.
Ross Kelly has been a sportswriter since 2009 and previously worked for ESPN, CBS and STATS Inc. A native of Louisiana, Ross now resides in Houston.
Location
Houston, Texas
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Sports




Conversation