To close out 2021 the Bulls went down to the wire in a game against the Indiana Pacers. Most fittingly the Bulls won on a buzzer-beater by forward DeMar DeRozan. To win the game in that fashion was exciting but it meant so much more than just one game. That win put the Bulls in 1st place in the Eastern Conference.
This incredible shot extends the Bulls' current win streak to six, moves their season-long record to 23-10, and places them 1st in the East (via tiebreaker over the Nets)
Happy New Year, Bulls fans https://t.co/fAUbuN9Dor
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) December 31, 2021
A team that analysts gave very little praise and respect heading into the season now sits at 23-10. A team who had the “worst” free agent signing of the offseason is now #1. This team is on a mission to prove that they deserve to be in the conversation as a contender. While it’s exciting currently to see where the Bulls are at it’s unreal how long it’s been since they were in this exact position.
These Bulls are channeling the Jordan era Bulls
The last time the Bulls were the best team in the East heading into the new year the greatest player of all time was still on the team.
The last time the @chicagobulls were in 1st place in the East on January 1st?
1996-1997 per @Will_Perdue32 on @NBCSBulls! pic.twitter.com/tqrBIrbdJZ
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) December 31, 2021
It’s been 24 years since the Bulls were at this level going into the new year. That shows how good this Bulls team is right now. They are streaking and don’t appear to be slowing down. This team needs to continue building off this and channel the Jordan era Bulls. One game at a time, continue to be the better team and stay atop the Eastern Conference. While this team hasn’t been in this position for 24 years they are also on the way to accomplishing another feat that hasn’t been done since the Jordan Era.
The Bulls are streaking
Last night marked the 6th straight win for the Bulls. They have three “easy” games coming up and if they win those games they will have another accomplishment under their belt that the Jordan era Bulls did.
Bulls have 6 in a row. @rob_schaef already guaranteed 9 in a row on Bulls Talk, next 3 are Wizards (road), Magic, Wizards. If Chicago were to win those 3 and get to 9, it would match the most regular season wins in a row the Bulls have had since the Jordan era (2010 Rose team)
— Doug Thonus (@Doug_Thonus) January 1, 2022
With matchups against the Wizards two times and the Magic, these are games the team should win. The Wizards have a good portion of the team out with COVID so the Bulls should have the upper hand. The Magic are 7-29 so the Bulls should win this game. However, it’s the NBA and you never know what will happen especially playing back-to-back flying from Indiana to D.C. These Bulls teams have shown they can play hard and continue to win. Hopefully, we see that continue tonight as they meet the Wizards in D.C. Either way, Bulls Nation is excited about where this team is at right now.
The Kings of the East
Even if it’s just for a brief period the Bulls are currently the best in the East. A team that wasn’t even in the discussion of the top 8 teams is #1. The Bulls deserve respect and are on pace to win 55+ games this season. It’s hard for a lot of people to believe but it’s where we are at.
Thinking back and laughing about going through Bulls schedule before season with @SBN_Ricky and coming up with 50 wins and then thinking I was nuts. Here they sit going into 2022 in first place and on pace for 57 wins. A lot can still happen, but what a start to this season.
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) January 1, 2022
There’s still a lot of season left but right now you can’t deny how good the Bulls are playing. The team is clicking and playing well with one another. The offense and defense are top ten in the league even with losing most of the team to health and safety protocols. It will be exciting to see what this team can do as everyone gets back to full health and gets to play with one another. Being the top seed in the East while going through all of those issues is huge. The Bulls certainly can maintain their spot in the East and it starts tonight. If these Bulls want to be talked about like the Jordan Era Bulls it’s time for them to show up every night and beat the teams they should be beating.
