2006-07 Chicago Bulls season
Encyclopedia
The 2006-07 Chicago Bulls
finished with a record of 49-33 in the regular season and reached the second round of the NBA playoffs, making it their most successful season since the retirement of Michael Jordan
, but nevertheless leaving some doubt amongst fans as to whether the team could compete for an NBA championship in the near future.
focused mostly on allowing the young players which comprised the core of the Bulls' roster to develop, before the '06-'07 season Paxon made an expensive free-agent signing in the form of Ben Wallace
. Many fans were excited about the veteran experience and star power Wallace brought to the team, though some questioned if he was the best fit for the team, as Wallace had always been known for his defense, and many believed that the Bulls' biggest problem was a lack of inside scoring.
seemed to gain some validity, as Wallace appeared to show his age and was not always able to put up big rebounding numbers as he had been known for with the Pistons
. However, as they had in the 2004-05 season in which they started 0-9, the Bulls performed better as the season went on and finished 49-33. The record was good enough to receive the #5 seed among the 8 teams qualifying for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Bulls, however, lost their final game of the season to the New Jersey Nets
which would have boosted them to a #2 seed and given them an easier path to the Eastern Conference Finals.
in a 4-0 sweep. The Heat were hindered by a nagging injury to Dwyane Wade
, but nevertheless most observed felt that the Bulls had outplayed the Heat in the series.
In the second round, the #1 seed Detroit Pistons
quickly put a damper on the excitement of Bulls' fans by soundly defeating the Bulls in Game 1 of the seven game series, holding the Bulls to 33% shooting and only 69 points. The Bulls would continue to struggle, scoring just 87 and 74 points in games 2 and 3 respectively, and finding themselves in a 3-0 series deficit. The Bulls stayed alive by winning games 4 and 5, scoring triple digits in each game, but then suffered a 95-85 defeat on their home court in game 6 to end their season.
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Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
finished with a record of 49-33 in the regular season and reached the second round of the NBA playoffs, making it their most successful season since the retirement of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, but nevertheless leaving some doubt amongst fans as to whether the team could compete for an NBA championship in the near future.
Offseason
Whereas previous seasons under General Manager John PaxsonJohn Paxson
John MacBeth Paxson is a retired American basketball player. He is currently the VP of Basketball Operations of the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls.-High school career:...
focused mostly on allowing the young players which comprised the core of the Bulls' roster to develop, before the '06-'07 season Paxon made an expensive free-agent signing in the form of Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
. Many fans were excited about the veteran experience and star power Wallace brought to the team, though some questioned if he was the best fit for the team, as Wallace had always been known for his defense, and many believed that the Bulls' biggest problem was a lack of inside scoring.
NBA Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | LaMarcus Aldridge LaMarcus Aldridge LaMarcus Nurae Aldridge is an American professional basketball player with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. He is a , 240-pound power forward/center and is one of Portland's two team captains, with the other being Brandon Roy.... |
F | Texas University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin... |
|
| 1 | 16 | Rodney Carney Rodney Carney Rodney Dion Carney is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at the University of Memphis and was selected in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and shortly afterwards traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.-Early college career:Carney made the Conference USA... |
F | Memphis University of Memphis The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system.... |
Regular season
The Bulls got off to a rocky start, posting a record of 3-9 in their first 12 games. The criticism by some in the offseason about the signing of Ben WallaceBen Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
seemed to gain some validity, as Wallace appeared to show his age and was not always able to put up big rebounding numbers as he had been known for with the Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
. However, as they had in the 2004-05 season in which they started 0-9, the Bulls performed better as the season went on and finished 49-33. The record was good enough to receive the #5 seed among the 8 teams qualifying for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Bulls, however, lost their final game of the season to the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
which would have boosted them to a #2 seed and given them an easier path to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Standings
| Team | W | L | Home | Road | PCT. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons 2006–07 Detroit Pistons season The 2006-07 Detroit Pistons season was the team's fifty-ninth in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 64-18 output from the previous season. However, they came nine wins shy of tying it, finishing 53-29.-Standings:... * |
53 | 29 | 26–15 | 27–14 | .646 | - |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season The 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 37th season of NBA basketball in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers finished the season with a 50–32 record, a second place finish in the Central Division, and the champions of the Eastern Conference... * |
50 | 32 | 30–11 | 20–21 | .605 | 3 |
| Chicago Bulls* | 49 | 33 | 31–10 | 18–23 | .598 | 4 |
| Indiana Pacers 2006–07 Indiana Pacers season The 2006-07 Indiana Pacers season was the team's 31st in the NBA, and the 40th year of the team's existence. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 41-41 output from the previous season... |
35 | 47 | 22–19 | 13–28 | .427 | 18 |
| Milwaukee Bucks 2006–07 Milwaukee Bucks season The 2006-07 Milwaukee Bucks season was the team's 39th in the NBA. They began the season hoping to improve upon their 40-42 output from the previous season. However, they came twelve wins shy of tying it, finishing 28-54.-Standings:*Qualified for playoffs... |
28 | 54 | 18–23 | 10–31 | .341 | 25 |
- Qualified for playoffs
Postseason
The Bulls opened the playoffs by defeating the defending champion Miami HeatMiami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
in a 4-0 sweep. The Heat were hindered by a nagging injury to Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Wade
Dwyane Tyrone Wade, Jr. nicknamed Flash or D-Wade, is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat. Awarded 2006 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, Wade has established himself as one of the most well-known and popular players in the league...
, but nevertheless most observed felt that the Bulls had outplayed the Heat in the series.
In the second round, the #1 seed Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
quickly put a damper on the excitement of Bulls' fans by soundly defeating the Bulls in Game 1 of the seven game series, holding the Bulls to 33% shooting and only 69 points. The Bulls would continue to struggle, scoring just 87 and 74 points in games 2 and 3 respectively, and finding themselves in a 3-0 series deficit. The Bulls stayed alive by winning games 4 and 5, scoring triple digits in each game, but then suffered a 95-85 defeat on their home court in game 6 to end their season.
Roster
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! colspan="2" style="background-color: #D40026; color: white; text-align: center;" | 2006-07 Chicago Bulls roster
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! Players !! Coaches
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Transactions
- June 28, 2006: Drafted F LaMarcus AldridgeLaMarcus AldridgeLaMarcus Nurae Aldridge is an American professional basketball player with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. He is a , 240-pound power forward/center and is one of Portland's two team captains, with the other being Brandon Roy....
in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft2006 NBA DraftThe 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,... - June 28, 2006: Drafted F Rodney CarneyRodney CarneyRodney Dion Carney is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at the University of Memphis and was selected in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and shortly afterwards traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.-Early college career:Carney made the Conference USA...
in the first round (16th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft2006 NBA DraftThe 2006 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2006 at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was broadcast in the United States on ESPN. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players,... - June 28, 2006: Traded F LaMarcus Aldridge and a second-round draft pick to the Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
for F Tyrus ThomasTyrus ThomasTyrus Wayne Thomas is an American professional basketball player who played one season of college basketball at Louisiana State University and is a member of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.-High school career:...
and F Viktor KhryapaViktor KhryapaViktor Vladimirovich Khryapa is a Russian professional basketball player.-Pro career:Khryapa played for Khimik Engels in 1999-00, and for Avtodor Saratov in 2000-02... - June 28, 2006: Traded F Rodney Carney, a second-round draft pick and cash to the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
for G Thabo SefoloshaThabo SefoloshaThabo Patrick Sefolosha is a Swiss professional basketball shooting guard who plays for Fenerbahçe Ülker in Turkey. He is also under contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, but is playing overseas because of the 2011 NBA lockout.... - July 7, 2006: Waived F Othella HarringtonOthella HarringtonOthella Harrington is a retired American professional basketball player and current coach. After he finished his high school career at Murrah High School, he played in college at Georgetown University where he teamed with NBA superstar Allen Iverson...
- July 13, 2006: Signed free agent C Ben WallaceBen WallaceBen Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
- July 14, 2006: Traded C Tyson ChandlerTyson ChandlerTyson Cleotis Chandler is an American professional basketball center who most recently played for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. He was also a member of the United States men's national basketball team.-High school:...
to the New Orleans Hornets for F P. J. BrownP. J. BrownCollier Brown, Jr. , commonly referred to as P. J. Brown, is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association...
and G J. R. Smith - July 20, 2006: Traded G J. R. Smith to the Denver NuggetsDenver NuggetsThe Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
for G Howard EisleyHoward EisleyHoward Jonathan Eisley is a retired American professional basketball point guard and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association . Born in Detroit, Eisley played college basketball at Boston College and was drafted in 1994 by the Minnesota Timberwolves...
and two second-round draft picks - July 31, 2006: Signed G Adrian GriffinAdrian GriffinAdrian Darnell Griffin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA from 1999 to 2008.-College career:Griffin attended Seton Hall University and was a three-year starter...
- August 18, 2006: Traded G Eddie BasdenEddie BasdenEdward Richard Basden is an American professional basketball player who formerly played in the National Basketball Association ....
to the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
for C Martynas AndriuskeviciusMartynas AndriuškeviciusMartynas Andriuškevičius is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. He is currently playing for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greek League.-Pro career:Andriuškevičius was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 44th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft... - October 30, 2006: Waived C Luke SchenscherLuke SchenscherLuke Dean Schenscher is an Australian professional basketball player for the Townsville Crocodiles in the Australasian National Basketball League.-School/College career:...
- October 31, 2006: Re-signed G Kirk HinrichKirk HinrichKirk James Hinrich is an American professional basketball player, currently a guard for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. He has also been a member of the USA National Team....