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Chicago Bulls: 5 Takeaways From Disappointing 2015-16 Season

By James D. Tillman III

Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) goes up for a shot during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center. The Bulls won 121-116. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) goes up for a shot during the second half of the game against the Chicago Bulls at the Smoothie King Center. The Bulls won 121-116. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman (left) introduces new head coach Fred Hoiberg during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman (left) introduces new head coach Fred Hoiberg during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. More Than A Coaching Change Was Needed

Shortly after being ousted by a LeBron-James led team for the fourth time in a six-year span, the front office parted ways with Tom Thibodeau, stating a cultural change was needed.

"“It is our strong belief that there needs to be a culture of communication that builds a trust throughout this organization,” general manager Gar Forman said, via ESPN. “From the players, to the coaches, to the management and to the front office, a culture when everybody is pulling in the same direction. When that culture is sacrificed, it becomes extremely difficult to evolve and to grow. And today’s decision was about giving this team an opportunity to grow into the future.”"

Despite their comments about an extensive search for Thibodeau’s replacement, Fred Hoiberg was in the fold a week later. How did that change work out?

Not too well.

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Along with the fact that the Bulls are not in the postseason for the first time since 2008, it was painfully obvious that the players and coaches were not on the same page at various stretches during the season.

Whether it was Derrick Rose commenting on being prepared for the free agency period in 2017; Pau Gasol stating that he would more than likely opt out of his contract at the end of the season, or Jimmy Butler calling out Hoiberg for not coaching the team hard enough following a loss to the New York Knicks back in December, this group never developed the chemistry needed to consistently play well when it mattered the most.

And being that this is practically the same group from last season, it is clear that the team’s playoff shortcomings went beyond a simple coaching change.

Next: Injuries

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