Chicago Bulls: Season lost; Season gained

Nate Robinson #2 of the Chicago Bulls led the Playoff fight valiantly as they bowed out with their heads held high. (Getty Images)

In an alternate reality, the 2012-13 season would’ve gone quite differently for these Chicago Bulls.

In that reality, the Bulls would’ve quit on the entire season when they knew that there would be little or no chance for their reigning MVP (and on his day, a top five player in the league) Derrick Rose to play a single contest. They would’ve quit when their famed bench mob would’ve grown thinner with the departures of Omer Asik, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer and John Lucas III, who had stepped in Rose’s absence to lead the team through major stretches in 2011-12.

They were destined for NBA purgatory: not good enough to contend for a title, and not bad enough to contend for a lottery spot. If they had just quit, they would’ve not only cleared up cap space for 2013-14 and perhaps struck lucky with a high pick in the 2013 draft, but also then welcomed a healthy Rose with open hands for the next season to try and bounce back into the playoffs.

They would’ve certainly not fought so hard for a playoff spot, would’ve certainly allowed extended rest for their remaining core players, and certainly not found themselves giving the world’s best basketball team nightmares.

And yet, all of the above happened. For the alternate reality Bulls, the 2012-13 was destined to be a season lost. Instead, the team fought till the very end, and despite a 4-1 second round exit to the Heat, emerged with their pride intact.

Under the tutelage of Coach Tom Thibodeau, the Bulls did not let injury (or their spendthrift front office) stop them from once again having a memorable campaign. Joakim Noah and Luol Deng were both named to the All-Star team, and were both amongst the league leaders in minutes played per game this season. Somehow, without the help of any true offensive option, the team managed to finish fifth in the East and give fits to the finest squads in the Conference, including going 3-0 over the Knicks and tying their season series versus Miami. It was no surprise when the Heat’s incomparable 27-game winning streak also ended at the hands of Chicago, who refused to back down and allow Miami to trample over them.

Although the Bulls could never replace the superstar and the bench presence that they lost, they did get a few new backups who bought into the team’s philosophy of relentlessness and fighting till the very end. Head of the new class was little Nate Robinson, the 5’9 sparkplug who had to step in and become the team’s best (and probably only) offensive option, and who responded beautifully in several memorable playoff performances. Kirk Hinrich, Marco Belinelli and Nazr Mohammed all had their moments this season, particularly Hinrich, who had to step in and become the team’s starting PG in Rose’s absence.

It was in the playoffs that this team really began to turn heads, playing the underdog card beautifully throughout and making sure that, even with the odds stacked against them, they played with the swagger of a championship team. Chicago defeated the Brooklyn Nets in seven games, a series that included an amazing triple overtime win (with Nate Robinson’s uber-heroics) and a fantastic game seven where Joakim Noah (24 points, 14 rebounds) willed the team to an away victory and into the second round.

By the time the Second Round against the defending NBA champions – and favourites for the title this year – Miami Heat began, the Bulls roster looked like a M*A*S*H unit from the famous US TV series from the 70’s. Rose had been out all season, and despite being cleared by his doctors to take part in team scrimmages, never felt comfortable enough to play a single game. All-Star and the league’s leader in minutes, Deng fell ill and had to be hospitalised by the end of the Nets’ series following a deadly-sounding spinal tap treatment. Hinrich had a bruised calf and didn’t play a game after hallway through the first round. All three missed the entire second round versus Miami. Noah had plantar fasciitis in his foot – an injury where most players just shut down for the season – and yet, he played through the pain and became the team’s motivation. Robinson and Taj Gibson played through illnesses (and vomit) and still helped the team compete through games. They faced off against a team that featured four-time MVP LeBron James, superstar Dwyane Wade (who has been struggling with knee issues himself), All-Star Chris Bosh and one of the best surrounding casts in the league. And they held their own.

The record books will state that the Bulls only won one game in the second round against Miami, and a 4-1 victory for the Heat is a pretty comprehensive way to win a series. In Game 2, Miami handed Chicago their worst loss (37 points) in playoff history. In Game 4, Chicago only managed a total of 65 points on 25 percent shooting while experiencing a franchise-worst 9-point quarter in a 23 point loss. But Miami were closely challenged in all other games, and a little more effort from Chicago could’ve helped them steal another game or two in the series.

Jimmy Butler #21 pictured here with Carlos Boozer #5 and Richard Hamilton #32 was the find of the Playoffs for the Chicago Bulls. (Getty Images)

It is only in further dissection that we see the heroism in what the Bulls achieved, even in a comprehensive loss. They handed Miami only their third loss in the past 49 games (one of the other two came by their hands, too). They had the best players in the world shaken and worried; all this, despite struggling mightily on the offensive end. Their leading scorer for the series was Jimmy Butler (15.6 ppg), a relatively unknown second-year player who became a regular starter this season and had to play Deng’s role after the All-Star went down. Butler answered the call brilliantly, playing 48 minutes in five different post-season games and guarding MVP LeBron James toe-to-toe throughout the second round. Their second leading scorer was Robinson (15.2 ppg), an unpredictable backup player his whole career who had to suddenly graduate from being a bench offensive sparkplug to the team’s starting point guard. Carlos Boozer poured in 15 points per game. They had to rely on rarely-used guards Rip Hamilton and Marco Belinelli to find them desperate points.

By the time Game 5 finished, Bulls had been defeated 94-91 and their season was over. They huddled together by the court for one final public embrace. Few teams could lose 4-1 and still hold their heads up this high. It was a rare occurrence when the losing team somehow became the story of the series. But the Bulls had done just that, not just by getting results, but by fighting till the very end.

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls looks on from the bench during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Miami Heat. The former MVP is expected to pull on his red #1 jersey next season. (Getty Images)

The future looks better for them. Rose will be back and will certainly give them an elite offensive option capable of being the best in the NBA on any given night. Deng and Hinrich will be healthy again. Butler has been the find of these playoffs and will likely evolve into one of the league’s best two-way players. Noah’s passion and energy make him this team’s emotional leader and he will of course continue to evolve as one of the finest post defenders and rebounders in the NBA. By this time next year, they could well be one of the league’s elite teams, and the ‘lost’ season could be all but forgotten.

Except that – with pride and passion – the Bulls refused to lose this season. And they refused to not be counted amongst the league’s elite, even without the presence of elite players.

In an alternate reality, the 2012-13 season was a season lost; in the real world, it was a season gained. It was a season where the team gained its pride and its soul. A season where a team with a lot of character, gained a whole lot more.