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For all the hoopla surrounding the Ben Wallace signing, his offensive deficiencies were hard to ignore. Chicago made a multi-player deal with Cleveland in an unsuccessful effort to shake things up.
Chicago was rumored to be looking for a big name to help lead the younger players, but that plan failed.
The Bulls finished 16 games under .500 in 2007.
Chicago did get lucky, pulling off the No. 1 Draft Pick last season, and the Bulls brought back native son Derrick Rose to lead the team at point guard.
Rose clearly showed he is a developing talent and his Rookie of the Year award gives Chicago fans reason to hope for 2009-10.
That's just it, though: Hope.
For all the great efforts, for all the close calls and for all the would have, could have, should haves, Chicago seems stuck in infancy.
Since Ben Gordon was drafted in 2004, Chicago has compiled a record of 211-199.
Four out of five years they have won at least 40 games, but every year they have lost at least 30 games.
Chicago is 1-4 in playoff series, including two in which they were the better seed.
In other words, the Bulls has not been all that bad. They just have not gotten better.
The Bulls have been stuck in mediocrity, and until that breakthrough victory occurs, Chicago fans are less than willing to jump into blind optimism after another close loss.
Chicago has perhaps its most important off-season since the 2005-06 season if it truly want to make progress from this year's strong finish.
First and foremost, the Bulls must re-sign Ben Gordon.
Chicago has been searching for a face of the franchise since Jordan's departure, and although Rose may one day be that man, it is clearly Gordon's team.
The way he played in the Boston series was truly something special to watch.
Sure, he made some errors in judgement, but he also made shots that only a few players on Earth can make when the stakes are that high.
He is an incredible talent with the ability to carry a team, like he did with his famous duel with Ray Allen earlier in this series.
The Chicago brass need to show their commitment to this guy.
Secondly, Chicago needs one more piece.
Sure we have been saying it for five years now. If only Chicago had this player or that player...then they would be the best team in the East.
Well the iron is hot. It's time to strike.
Gordon is near his prime, Rose is becoming more and more confident. Deng is returning.
When Chicago stole John Salmons and Brad Miller from Sacramento, the team instantly got some experienced and talented players that fit some glaring needs.
Chicago has the cast. Now it needs the star.
Someone who can work alongside Gordon and Rose to shift the power in the East as other teams are already beginning to decline with age and injuries.
Playing hard makes the Bulls a tough team to play, but it does not make them winners.
Five years and they are still trying to make it over the hump.
Is Chicago close to emerging as a contender for the Eastern crown?
Sure, if they can find one more front court player who can force teams to give up space to some of the talented shooters Chicago has.
Until they do it, though, the Bulls will continue their prolonged infancy.
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