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Chicago Bulls: A look at the team’s newly released 2017-18 schedule

By Allana Tachauer

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Dwyane Wade
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 26: Dwyane Wade /
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With the league having released the official 2017-18 team schedules on Monday, major changes are coming for the Chicago Bulls.

Monday was a sad, sad day for Chicago Bulls fans.

With the NBA releasing the entirety of 2017-18 team schedules that afternoon, one thing stood out beyond the rest: The #TNTBulls are no more.

Well, at least for now.

The Bulls’ one and only nationally televised game will air on ESPN on Feb. 9, as Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Tom Thibodeau will all make their return to Chicago.

This marks the end of the organization’s TNT streak. Heartbreaking, but sort of besides the point.

In case the lack of TNT coverage obstructed the more obvious problem stated above, here it is once again: Out of an 82-contest slate, just one Bulls game will be broadcasted nationally.

One. Measly. Matchup.

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    • My, how the mighty have fallen. Even the Phoenix Suns, who finished last in the Western Conference at 24-58, have four nationally televised games on the books next season, including one airing on TNT. Ouch.

    As for fellow Eastern Conference teams? How about the No. 11, 36-46 Charlotte Hornets having booked three? Obviously, the Bulls’ rebuild is not exactly sparking much public interest.

    Having traded Butler off to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine, Chicago also decided against re-signing Rajon Rondo. Couple losing those two with the likelihood that Dwyane Wade does not finish the year a Bull, and it is easy to see why the franchise has lost marketability.

    Sure, a youth movement can be exciting. Look at the Philadelphia 76ers for example. Or even the Miami Heat, who may be headlined by the likes of Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside, yet are mostly made up of young, still-developing talent. But such a strategy has to be executed correctly in order to be successful.

    Unfortunately, as things currently stand, Chicago’s future does not look so bright. While LaVine shows promise and rookie Lauri Markkanen has potential, that does not a rebuild make.

    The front office still has plenty of work to do before people buy into their plan, clearly demonstrated by the league’s disinterest in the organization this year. So what else is worth noting about the team’s 2017-18 campaign?

    How about that the Bulls have been left off the Christmas Day schedule for the first time since 2009, making room for the 76ers and New York Knicks to battle it out?

    There is another major change too, in the disappearance of Chicago’s famous Circus Trip.

    With the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus no longer returning to the United Center, the Bulls can finally say goodbye to having to spend two weeks on the road. Now, Chicago’s longest road trips will be just four days long — without a doubt a huge sigh of relief for the team.

    The Bulls will tip off their season on Oct. 19 on the road, as they take on the Toronto Raptors. Their home opener comes on Oct. 21 against the San Antonio Spurs, with their last game of the year happening on April 11, at home, against the Detroit Pistons.

    Next: Chicago Bulls: Dwyane Wade's top moments from 2016-17

    Time to start counting down, Chicago Bulls fans.

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