The Bulls Enter the Most Pointless Week of a Season in a Long Time

Well, it actually happened. The Chicago Bulls have missed the postseason for the first time since 2008. But, there’s still somehow two games left in the season and things still aren’t fully wrapped up. A few notes and thoughts entering the final week of the year.

The Indiana Pacers obliterated the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday evening, which meant that the Bulls were officially eliminated from playoff contention this season.

However, there’s still two games left that nobody really cares about, but just like the last few days of school, you have to pay attention to them.

The Bulls will face the depleted New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night down on the Bayou. If there’s a team that’s battled more injuries than the Bulls have, it would be the Pelicans.

Before Monday’s game, there were a few nuggets from the morning shootaround and what lies ahead for the Bulls in the next few days.

The Bulls have officially put the year in the tank

For those that don’t know, Taj Gibson (fractured rib) and E’Twaun Moore (hamstring) have missed some substantial time down the final stretch of the season. Pau Gasol (knee) will join them on the inactive list for the final two games, as Saturday might have marked the final time Gasol put on a Bulls uniform.

Derrick Rose provides his status:

Rose has had his own laundry list of injuries this season, but he still managed to play in 66 of a possible 82 games this season. That’s great for a guy that played in 61 total games in the previous three seasons combined.

Jimmy Butler update:

On Sunday night, there was a report from ESPN’s Chris Broussard that Jimmy Butler had a personal matter to take care of and would likely miss the team’s shootaround on Monday. Broussard’s source did mention that Butler would play on Monday night in New Orleans and that’s exactly what he plans to do.

Fred Hoiberg recognizing the situation

The rookie year for Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg was a complete and utter disaster. He’s not the only one that will receive blame for how this season has gone, but a fair share of it falls on his shoulders. The Bulls were a trainwreck all season and along with some questionable coaching tactics throughout the year, Hoiberg’s lack of communication with his players at times made for a frustrating season for everyone, including Hoiberg himself.

Thoughts:

• There’s a lot to break down when it comes to the Bulls. There’s not a singular cause into why this season was horrible. One thing that sticks out: Jimmy Butler. It’s clear that Butler hasn’t been himself since the knee injury in Denver and for him to play in these final two games doesn’t make a lot of sense.

• Hey, more Justin Holiday and Cristiano Felicio! With a bulk of the Bulls roster on the shelf for the year, Holiday and Felicio seeing more minutes is not only good for the Bulls, but it’s good for the duo themselves. They’ve stepped in and played some solid minutes for the Bulls in the final months of the year and could find themselves in next year’s rotation.

Next: Nice to meet you, Cristiano Felicio

• Props to Derrick Rose for giving us one more episode of #DerrickRoseSaysStuff, too.

I know Rose is just trying to say the right things and he’s criticized for whatever he says, so all power to him for the ringing endorsement of his team … but, no.