Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Nabbing a former Bulls player has been a winning formula

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 30: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls in action during the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 30: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls in action during the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bulls were held in extremely high regard in their prime. Winning NBA titles were the norm for the Windy City in the 1990s, with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen controlling the offense. Outside of those championship-laced ball clubs, Bulls fans often suffered through mediocre teams year after year.

Yet, despite being bereft of a world title since 1998, that doesn’t mean the Bulls franchise hasn’t produced numerous winners. Unfortunately, all of those championship wins have come on other teams.

Since 2017, the NBA Finals have featured at least one former Bulls player in the said game, something fans in the Windy City aren’t too thrilled to hear. After Otto Porter Jr. helped take the Golden State Warriors to the Finals this year, we’re now at six straight years in which one of the ghosts of yesteryear made it to the ultimate stage.

Looking back at former Bulls making championship runs in different locations

In 2017, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers was given a helping hand from sharpshooters Mike Dunleavy and Kyle Korver. During their Chicago years, both players were 3-point standouts, continually running off screens before knocking down smooth jumpers.

Despite their prowess from behind the line, they ultimately left the NBA Finals empty-handed.

In 2018 and 2019, Jordan Bell played the role of the energy guy on two championship rosters on those mighty Warriors teams. After making a quick pit stop in Chicago, Rajon Rondo dished out no-look passes and controlled the pace of the game for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 en route to winning it all.

Last season was a special one for a number of former Chicago players, as a total of three one-time Bulls, including Bobby Portis (who played a significant role on the Milwaukee Bucks), made it to the finals. Portis slipped a ring on his finger by the end of that series.

Chicago fans, who have always displayed an undying loyalty to their squad, have to be befuddled by what they’ve witnessed over the last few years. Why is the missing ingredient to a championship recipe a Chicago Bulls player?

More importantly, why haven’t Chicago gotten the most out of those previously mentioned players and made their own playoff run? If this trend continues, Chicago fans will remain hopeful that their hometown squad will be the ones representing the Eastern Conference in next year’s finals.

Hopefully, Arturas Karnisovas can save this fanbase from years of GarPax mediocrity.

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