After 2+ years, I bid you adieu, Chicago Bulls fans

CHICAGO - APRIL 15: Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull entertains students gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open a new Chicago Bulls Reading and Learning Center at Cook Elementary School on April 15, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls and their marketing partners Rush University Medical Center and ComEd teamed up to sponsor the renovation of the space in conjunction with the team's Read to Achieve Program. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO - APRIL 15: Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull entertains students gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open a new Chicago Bulls Reading and Learning Center at Cook Elementary School on April 15, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls and their marketing partners Rush University Medical Center and ComEd teamed up to sponsor the renovation of the space in conjunction with the team's Read to Achieve Program. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)

It feels like I’ve been around Pippen Ain’t Easy for longer than a little over two years, but unfortunately, my time is coming to a close and I wanted to say a little Chicago Bulls-related goodbye to everyone before I departed.

Chicago Bulls fans,

I wasn’t sure if this day was going to come for a while, but it actually has.

After over two years as an expert here at Pippen Ain’t Easy, my time helping run this awesome site is coming to a conclusion. I joined PAE in the summer of 2015 during the second-round series when the Bulls probably should’ve had a 3-1 series lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers and then LeBron James dropped that dagger from the corner to tie the series at two after Derrick Rose‘s miraculous game-winner to conclude Game 3. I’m sure you remember that series.

There’s been some fun times around here. Sure, the last couple of seasons haven’t been as fun with Fred Hoiberg at the helm in Chicago, but the sarcasm and the viciousness Bulls fans utilize on a daily basis with this franchise has been nothing short of hilarious to see. Chicago may be a Bears town (and somewhat of a Cubs town for the most part during the fall months lately), but there’s still a ton of passion surrounding the Bulls.

I know this isn’t the most of ideal of times with the rebuild. Hey, I thought the Bulls didn’t get nearly enough either for Jimmy Butler, but the beat goes on. Butler’s in a good home with Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota and I also look forward to see what the TimberBulls do over the next few seasons like many among the Bulls fan base.

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As for the actual Bulls, it’s going to be unbearable. They’ll do some random things like beat the Warriors or Cavaliers because nothing with the Bulls ever makes sense. The TNT Bulls are forever, you know.

(Despite what anyone tries to dispute, the TNT Bulls are still alive. Just because they don’t play on TNT this season doesn’t mean the streak is dead.)

Thankfully, you have some good people here to help you ride this all out at PAE.

The folks at Blog a BullBulls Confidential and The Athletic Chicago will be here to also help guide you through the rebuild. Stephen and Will run a great podcast for The Athletic, while Jordan and Matt run a fun podcast on Almighty Baller Radio that you should check out each week, too. (They just joined the Dash Radio family, so check them out there.)

And, go easy on the beat guys, will ya? They’re doing their jobs. Except Nick Friedell. He’s all big-time now with his fancy trips to China with Jimmy Butler and stuff. (Just kidding, Nick.)

Just because it’s going to be a long journey for the Bulls doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow these fine outlets. There’s so much great content to read and listen to. I’m sad I can no longer be a part of the fun, but you’re in great hands here and elsewhere around the Bulls internet community.

I’ll still be writing elsewhere, so if you want to continue to follow along with me in other pastures, feel free to. I’m sure I’ll still be tweeting about the Bulls every now and again. Otherwise, thank you for following along through all this time. I appreciate it more than you know.

#TrustThePaxcess (Please never use this.)

#LoseForLuka

#PlayPoorForPorter

#SecureTheBagley

Next: Bulls show fight, but lose in regular season opener

Thank you and goodbye,

-Mike