It's no secret that the Chicago Bulls have struggled in recent seasons. Mediocrity has often been the word used to describe the team’s misfortunes, as management has avoided a full rebuild, instead insisting on winning as many games as possible—a strategy that has led to consecutive 39-win campaigns.
Before back-to-back 39-win seasons, Chicago went 86-78 with a core of Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, and Zach LaVine. The Bulls arguably underperformed, especially given the collection of former All-Stars and All-NBA talents on the roster.
As of now, Vucevic is the sole remaining member of the aging core. This will likely be the 34-year-old’s final season in Chicago, as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. While there’s a chance Vooch returns, considering he’s played in only 16 playoff games over 14 seasons, and the Bulls’ clear focus on youth, a parting of ways seems probable.
Through it all, Bulls fans stand strong
Despite recent turmoil and roster turnover, Bulls fans have remained loyal. Chicago has ranked first in attendance for four consecutive seasons, and before the COVID-19-affected years, the Bulls led the NBA in attendance from 2010 to 2019.
Moreover, the Bulls are a globally recognized brand, largely thanks to Michael Jordan and their commercial success in the 1990s. Regardless of the organization’s current state, Bulls gear and Jordan jerseys are worn worldwide—few other NBA teams can claim the same.
When discussing the NBA’s Central Division, and the Bulls in particular, NBA insider Kevin O’Connor emphasized Chicago’s passionate fan base. After his counterpart, Alex Golden, shared what he hopes to see from the Bulls going forward, O’Connor responded with, "It's a shame. They're the Chicago Bulls… Of all the crappy NBA teams I've seen play in their arenas, Bulls fans are still among the loudest with their vibe in the arena despite being so average."
Furthermore, O’Connor likened Chicago’s lack of success to widespread disappointment among fans of the NBA, sharing: "It's a shame for the NBA that the Bulls continue down this path in the middle. And, I just hope… this is a year in which… Giddey takes a leap, or Matas Buzelis looks like the next big star, or Coby White takes a leap, and they decide to re-sign him…"
O’Connor is right. Kudos to Bulls fans for sticking with their team through tough times, but it surely would be better for the NBA if Chicago returned to relevance. Things may look bleak, but at least the Bulls’ fandom remains unwavering, no matter the results.