Chicago Bulls: Why They Won’t Make It To The Playoffs

The Chicago Bulls dropped below .500 following a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Do they have any hopes of making it to the playoffs?

I’m just going to come right out and say that the Chicago Bulls have been a disappointment to themselves as well as their fans. Adding a new coach with an offense predicated on pace and space, the Bulls were supposed to challenge the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

After 73 games, however, the Bulls not only find themselves trailing the Cavaliers by 16 games, they are also 2.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the final spot in the conference playoff race. Yes, I do realize that injuries have played a major role in why the Bulls have struggled.

Having a former Defensive Player of the Year in Joakim Noah out for most of the season is a huge blow from a defensive standpoint. Furthermore, when a team’s top three scorers are in and out of the lineup at various stretches, the continuity factor certainly does come into play.

To be honest, though, the Bulls lost a number of games to inferior opponents early in the season before injuries became a major factor. That being said, it would not be totally accurate to cite injuries as the lone reason for their inconsistent play.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Chicago Bulls

With their season now hanging in the balance, is it time to panic, or can the Bulls turn things around down the stretch and sneak into the postseason?

The answer to that question is no, and here are a few reasons why the Bulls’ seven-year playoff streak will come to an end.

Next: Schedule