Maybe it’s the burden of living up to the Jordan era, though the 1990s are growing increasingly distant to today’s stars. Maybe it’s the ghost and lingering taint of Jerry Krause, the former Bulls GM who was ridiculed by Jordan, Scottie Pippen and others for his attitude toward players in spite of all the winning — though Krause is long gone, too.
Maybe there’s some innate jealousy or leeriness around Rose, the local kid who will remain this team’s “centerpiece,” as Forman calls him, no matter how many big names join him in Chicago. Maybe it’s Thibodeau’s defensive bent and the work that entails.
Maybe it’s the sense that the Bulls are content with an old-school approach to team building, where complementary parts, clearly defined roles and chemistry presumably make up for marquee wattage and individual, even advanced stats. Or maybe it really is the wind chill.
