Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls: Follow the Blackhawks’ Lead This Time Around

By Michael Whitlow

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After dominating the 1990s with their own dynasty, the Chicago Bulls haven’t advanced to the NBA’s grand stage since 1998, while their United Center roommates have become the NHL’s gold standard.

Last night, the Chicago Blackhawks officially became the NHL’s new modern-day dynasty with their third Stanley Cup title in the last six seasons.

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With a young and extremely talented core built through the draft and key acquisitions since the 2009-10 season, the Blackhawks have become the best organization in hockey without question.

But wait, doesn’t that kind of sound like the other Chicago team that plays at United Center 41 times each winter?

Sure, the Chicago Bulls front office isn’t as successful and as popular as the Blackhawks front office, led by general manager Stan Bowman. But when push comes to shove, the Bulls front office of Gar Forman and John Paxson do deserve some credit.

Forman was named general manager in 2009, while Paxson has been in the Bulls front office since former general manager Jerry Krause resigned during the 2002-03 season.

The Tom Thibodeau divorce from Chicago and “GarPax” was ugly and toxic, but there’s no denying the Bulls are back in the upper echelon of NBA teams for the first time in a long time.

Think about it: Since the 2010-11 season, the Bulls haven’t missed the postseason, and have won 64.7 percent of their regular season games, despite the knee injuries to superstar point guard Derrick Rose. Add in some solid additions through the draft since Forman took over as GM, and you have a quality organization.

Rose is now back and prepping for his first offseason without any rehab or mental hurdles to overcome, the Bulls have a fresh (and familiar) face on the sideline, a star in the making in swingman Jimmy Butler (who is due some big money this summer), and some talented frontcourt options (when they’re healthy).

Apr 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Chicago Bulls bench celebrates during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 120-66. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The core of Rose, Butler, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson is a great group of guys to build around, similar to the Jonathan Toews/Patrick Kane/Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook/Corey Crawford core the Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks possess currently.

Of course, there’s the whole “experienced coach who has been there before” thing with coach Joel Quenneville and that “fortunate to avoid any serious injuries come playoff time” thing (outside of Kane’s broken clavicle this year that he actually came back from early) that the Blackhawks have had in their six-year dominance over the NHL.

On top of the good fortune the Blackhawks have had, they’re just that damn good and they know it. At times during these past few years, the Bulls have seemed like an entitled bunch, rather than a roster that earns it.

I may not be the biggest believer in Fred Hoiberg, but there’s no denying that he wants to be in Chicago coaching this team. He turned down several opportunities to come back to a place he called home for four seasons during his playing career.

And, he sees what this Bulls team can really be.

What also works in the Bulls favor moving forward: playing in the Eastern Conference. If — and it’s a big if as always — the Bulls can stay healthy and keep their core guys together, they will remain one of the East’s best teams.

Factor in making progress with their versions of Teuvo Teravainen and Andrew Shaw (Doug McDermott and Tony Snell), the Bulls can compete for conference titles and get back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1998.

The Bulls simply have to follow the Blackhawks’ lead. When you’re able to function as one team with one common goal, and put any differences aside, you can be something special.

Congrats to our FanSided friends over at Blackhawk Up! 

Next: Trade rumors revolving around Derrick Rose are ridiculous

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