Friday night the Bulls played making fans feel like they head been transported back to the glory days. The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 135-125, improving to 5-0 record for the first time since the legendary 1996-97 season. Josh Giddey dropped a career-high 32 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists, Nikola Vucevic added 26 points, and Ayo Dosunmu contributed 22 points off the bench as six different Bulls reached double figures. The energy for fans watching on TV and in the building was electric, the comparisons to Michael Jordan’s dynasty were inevitable, and Bulls Nation was buzzing with excitement.
But here’s where we need to pump the brakes just a bit.
That 1996-97 team didn’t just start 5-0 — they opened 12-0, finished 69-13, and went on to capture their fifth NBA championship. They had Jordan averaging 29.6 points per game, Scottie Pippen at the peak of his powers, and Dennis Rodman controlling the boards. This current Bulls squad, as thrilling as they’ve been through five games, isn’t remotely in that stratosphere. And that’s perfectly okay.
The reality is that this team entered the season with modest expectations. Their preseason win total was set at just 33.5 games, with most analysts predicting they’d be fighting for a play-in spot at best or positioning themselves for lottery luck at worst. The front office’s direction remained unclear — were they rebuilding, retooling, or running it back one more time? Many viewed this as a potential lost season, another year of mediocrity in an Eastern Conference that had largely passed Chicago by.
Yet here we are, five games into the season, and the Bulls sit alone atop the Eastern Conference standings. They’ve become the conference’s only undefeated team after their victory over New York, defying every preseason prediction thrown their way.
The Giddey factor has been impossible to ignore. The 23-year-old Australian has averaged 22.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists through five games while shooting 48.1 percent from the court and 45.5 percent from three-point range. His breakout has been remarkable, transforming from a player who struggled in Oklahoma City to someone now generating legitimate All-Star buzz. Against the Knicks, he was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 21 points as Chicago built a commanding 72-53 advantage. His confidence has soared in this system, and coach Billy Donovan, who earned his 200th win with the franchise, has created an environment where Giddey can thrive.
The Bulls have embraced a fast-paced, balanced offensive approach that emphasizes ball movement, cutting, and teamwork. Against New York, they committed just seven turnovers compared to the 72 they had accumulated over their first four games. When the Knicks made their inevitable run — cutting a 22-point deficit down to just two points midway through the fourth quarter when OG Anunoby hit his fifth three-pointer — the Bulls responded with composure. Vucevic and Giddey connected on crucial possessions, and Chicago closed on a 13-3 run featuring contributions from Dosunmu as well.
The depth has been genuinely impressive. Six Bulls players have reached double figures in all five games this season, with the bench contributing 53 points against the Knicks. Matas Buzelis led the way with 27 points in their win over Sacramento, while Coby White has continued his development as a key piece. This isn’t a one-man show — it’s a collective effort that makes Chicago dangerous on any given night.
Their first four opponents currently hold a combined 8-8 record, and the schedule is about to get significantly tougher. The Bulls will face more challenging tests ahead, and the league will have more tape to study and adjust to Chicago’s new style. There will be losing streaks, there will be disappointing performances, and there will be reality checks that remind everyone this team still has significant limitations.
Defensively, this group isn’t elite. They’ve shown vulnerability to strong offensive teams, and while their pace can overwhelm opponents, it can also lead to defensive breakdowns when they’re not executing. The Bulls have been fortunate that some early-season opponents have struggled with their shooting, but need to realize that it likely won’t continue that way indefinitely.
Now, let’s also acknowledge the elephant in the room. This team, as currently constructed, is not a championship contender. The Eastern Conference runs through Boston, with teams like Milwaukee, Philadelphia (when healthy), and potentially others standing between Chicago and any legitimate Finals aspirations. The Bulls don’t have a superstar in the LeBron-Giannis-Tatum tier, and their roster lacks the two-way dominance required to compete for a title.
That doesn’t diminish what we’ve witnessed over these first five games. After years of frustrating mediocrity, play-in disappointments, and unclear direction, Bulls fans have something tangible to enjoy right now. There’s actually chemistry, exciting young talent developing before our eyes, and a style of play that’s entertaining to watch. The United Center has life again, and that matters.
The beauty of this 5-0 start isn’t in comparing it to 1996-97 or projecting some improbable championship run. It’s in watching Giddey realize his potential, seeing Buzelis flash his future star power, and witnessing a team that was written off before the season began prove it belongs in the playoff conversation. Whether they finish with 38 wins or 45 wins, whether they secure a play-in spot or sneak into the sixth seed, this start has given Bulls fans a reason to pay attention and believe in the process.
Coach Donovan made sure to temper expectations after Friday’s victory, noting that while the team feels good about where they are, there’s a long way to go. Giddey echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that it’s still early and they can’t lose sight of what’s ahead. That grounded perspective is exactly what this team needs as they navigate the remaining 77 games.
Here’s the thing, folks: The excitement is justified considering their 5-0 start to the season. The comparisons to 1996-97 are fun but ultimately meaningless. This Bulls team has earned the right to be celebrated for exceeding expectations and giving Chicago something to cheer about. But for now, let’s enjoy watching a young, hungry team play with joy and purpose while keeping our expectations firmly rooted in reality.
With that This isn’t the dynasty reborn — it’s a promising team finding its identity and giving fans a reason to believe in the future. And honestly, after years of wandering in mediocrity, that’s more than enough.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!