The Leaders Are Gone, The Team Rebuilds in a Month, Yet Finds Itself in the Playoff Hunt

In the world of professional basketball, few franchises have undergone such a dramatic shift in a short period as the Chicago Bulls. Once a powerhouse with legends like Michael Jordan, who led them to six NBA championships, and Derrick Rose, who brought the team back to the top of the Eastern Conference in the early 2010s, the Bulls seemed stuck in the middle of the pack in recent years. After multiple seasons of disappointment, Chicago’s front office finally pushed the “rebuild” button. What followed was an unexpected turn of events, where, just months after trading away their former All-Stars, the Bulls have found themselves on the brink of the playoffs.

Last summer, Chicago made the difficult decision to part ways with DeMar DeRozan—the player who had been the face of the franchise since joining in 2022. Shortly afterward, the team traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, signaling what appeared to be the beginning of a long and arduous rebuilding phase. However, contrary to expectations, the team has gone on a tear in the second half of the season. In March, the Bulls won 10 of their 14 games, defeating several playoff-caliber teams like the Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers, including a remarkable sweep of the Lakers.

The question arises—what changed so drastically? The answer is simple but profound: improved offense, enhanced defense, and the emergence of new stars.

From High Scoring to Defensive Efficiency

Throughout the season, the Bulls had a plethora of offensive weapons. With several players capable of scoring at high efficiency, Chicago often found themselves putting up impressive offensive numbers. In November, for example, the Bulls averaged 120.1 points per 100 possessions, a number that only the Cleveland Cavaliers exceeded in the entire league. However, despite this offensive prowess, the Bulls consistently found themselves on the losing side of games, often due to their porous defense.

In one instance, the Bulls scored 126 points against the Utah Jazz, 131 against the Memphis Grizzlies, and 129 against the Boston Celtics—yet lost all three games. Why? The simple answer is that their defense was atrocious, allowing opponents to score 126.8 points per 100 possessions. The Bulls couldn’t stop their opponents from scoring, and as a result, their offensive output was often overshadowed by the defensive struggles.

But as the season progressed, Chicago’s defense began to improve. However, just as their defense strengthened, their offense faltered. The team could never find the perfect balance between the two, until March, when everything clicked.

The departure of LaVine allowed the team to shift focus to younger, more dynamic players like Coby White and Josh Giddey. These two players, both in their early twenties, took control of the offense and injected a new level of energy and pace into the team.

The Rise of Coby White and Josh Giddey

With LaVine traded away, the ball moved more freely, and the team took advantage of their newfound offensive flow. Coby White took on a larger role, and his scoring explosion in March was one of the catalysts for Chicago’s resurgence. White averaged 29.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, shooting a scorching 49.6% from the field and 37.3% from three-point range. His confidence and high usage rate, which saw him average 20.3 field goal attempts per game, helped solidify his place as Chicago's primary scoring option.

White, once considered a solid but unspectacular player, has now emerged as an All-Star caliber scorer. In the past, he often played in the shadows of LaVine and DeRozan, but with them gone, White has been able to fully showcase his talents. His ability to score efficiently from both the inside and beyond the arc has made him a critical piece of the Bulls’ offense.

Meanwhile, Josh Giddey, who struggled earlier in the season, has blossomed since the departure of LaVine. Giddey is a player known for his versatility, and his ability to fill up the stat sheet has made him one of the league's most intriguing young talents. In March, Giddey averaged 22.5 points, 10 rebounds, and 9.5 assists, while shooting 52.5% from the field and 41.2% from three. His shooting from deep has improved dramatically, and his all-around contributions have made him a constant presence on the floor.

What’s perhaps most remarkable about Giddey’s transformation is the fact that he’s done this while maintaining his incredible passing ability. Giddey has always been a gifted playmaker, and his development into a player who can score at will while still running the offense has made him a multi-dimensional weapon for the Bulls.

Together, White and Giddey have become the new face of the Bulls, leading the team with their high energy, creative playmaking, and scoring ability. With the two of them at the helm, the Bulls have found a new identity—one that revolves around youth, excitement, and offensive fluidity.

The Bulls in the Playoff Hunt

At 34-42, the Bulls are currently sitting at 10th place in the Eastern Conference. While they are not a lock for the playoffs just yet, they continue to fight for a spot in the postseason. Their recent surge has reinvigorated the team and its fanbase, with Chicago looking like a legitimate threat for the final play-in spots.

It’s important to note that Chicago’s playoff hopes were once considered a distant dream after trading away their stars. The team was expected to go through a long and painful rebuild. However, thanks to the emergence of White and Giddey, combined with the defensive improvements they’ve made, the Bulls are suddenly in the mix for a playoff spot.

Their success can be attributed to their newfound offensive dynamism and an enhanced defensive effort. Chicago’s team defense has improved significantly since March, with the Bulls managing to keep their opponents’ offensive rating at 116.8 points per 100 possessions. That may not be elite, but it’s a significant improvement from earlier in the season when their defense was among the worst in the league.

This newfound balance between offense and defense is the key to Chicago’s recent success. White and Giddey have found ways to carry the load offensively, and as a result, the team is playing with a renewed sense of purpose and energy. Chicago still has a lot of work to do, but the improvement is undeniable, and their playoff chances are very much alive.

A New Era for the Bulls

The Chicago Bulls may have lost their previous stars in DeRozan and LaVine, but in doing so, they’ve discovered something far more exciting: a young, dynamic core that could serve as the foundation for the team’s future. While the immediate goal may be to make the playoffs, the bigger picture is much more optimistic. With White and Giddey leading the charge, the Bulls have a chance to not only secure a playoff spot this season but also build something sustainable for the future.

The rapid development of these two young players has given the Bulls new life. This turnaround has sparked hope in the Windy City, and Chicago fans can look forward to a team that, while still in the early stages of rebuilding, is already competing at a high level. The Bulls may not be championship contenders just yet, but they’ve certainly shown that even after a dramatic change in direction, they still have the ability to compete with the best of them.

As the season continues, one thing is certain: the Chicago Bulls are no longer a team stuck in mediocrity. With a rejuvenated roster and a renewed sense of purpose, they have a bright future ahead—one that could very well include more playoff appearances and, eventually, a return to contention in the Eastern Conference.