2008–09 Chicago Bulls season

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2008–09 Chicago Bulls season
Head coach	Vinny Del Negro
Arena	United Center
Results
Record	41–41 (.500)
Place	Division: 2nd (Central) Conference: 7th (Eastern)
Playoff finish	First round (eliminated 4–3)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Chicago Bulls seasons
< 2007–08	2009–10 >

The 2008-09 Chicago Bulls season is the 43rd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

[edit] Key dates

• June 26: The 2008 NBA Draft took place in New York City, New York.
• July 1: The free agency period started.

Contents:	Offseason – Draft picks – Roster – Depth chart – Regular season (Standings – Game log) Playoffs – Player stats – Awards and records – Transactions – References – See also

[edit] Offseason

The Bulls re-signed Luol Deng to a 6 year $71 million contract on July 30, 2008. Ben Gordon signed a 1 year contract on October 2, 2008.

[edit] Regular season

The Bulls were having a meager year floating under .500 and on February 18, 2009 they made their first of several trades sending Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, Michael Ruffin to the Sacramento Kings for Brad Miller and John Salmons.^[1] Then on February 19, 2009, the NBA trade deadline, the Bulls traded Larry Hughes to the New York Knicks for Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Roberson. ^[2] Later that day the Bulls made the third trade in a span of less then 24 hours sending swingman Thabo Sefolosha to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2009 first round pick. ^[3]

The trades brought a late-season push for the Bulls, which finally clinched a playoff berth on April 10, 2009, their fourth in the last five years. Then on April 13, 2009 they clinched the 7th place in the east by beating the Detroit Pistons and remained .5 game ahead of Philadelphia 76ers for the 6th spot with one game remaining. The Bulls though lost their last game to Toronto and the 76ers beat Cleveland, who didn't play most of its best players. The Bulls finished 7th even though they tied Philidelphia at 41-41. The Bulls got matched up with a Garnett-less Boston in the first round of the playoffs.

[edit] Season standings

Central Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div	GP
z-Cleveland Cavaliers	66	16	.805	—	39–2	27–14	13–3	82
x-Chicago Bulls	41	41	.500	25	28–13	13–28	9–7	82
x-Detroit Pistons	39	43	.476	27	21–20	18–23	7–9	82
Indiana Pacers	36	46	.439	30	25–16	11–30	7–9	82
Milwaukee Bucks	34	48	.415	32	22–19	12–29	4–12	82

#	Eastern Conference  v • d • e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	GP
1	Cleveland Cavaliers	66	16	.805	—	82
2	Boston Celtics	62	20	.756	4	82
3	Orlando Magic	59	23	.720	7	82
4	Atlanta Hawks	47	35	.573	19	82
5	Miami Heat	43	39	.524	23	82
6	Philadelphia 76ers	41	41	.500	25	82
7	Chicago Bulls	41	41	.500	25	82
8	Detroit Pistons	39	43	.476	27	82
9	Indiana Pacers	36	46	.439	30	82
10	Charlotte Bobcats	35	47	.427	31	82
11	New Jersey Nets	34	48	.415	32	82
12	Milwaukee Bucks	34	48	.415	32	82
13	Toronto Raptors	33	49	.402	33	82
14	New York Knicks	32	50	.390	34	82
15	Washington Wizards	19	63	.232	47	82

[edit] Playoffs

The Bulls-Celtics series became the first playoff series in NBA history to have 4 games go into overtime.^[4]

2009 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round vs. Boston (2) Game Date Visitor Score Home OT Attendance Series 1 April 16 Chicago 105-103 Boston OT 18,624 1–0 2 April 20 Chicago 115-118 Boston 18,624 1-1 3 April 23 Boston 107-86 Chicago 23,072 1-2 4 April 26 Boston 118-121 Chicago 2OT 23,072 2-2 5 April 28 Chicago 104-106 Boston OT 18,624 2-3 6 April 30 Boston 127-128 Chicago 3OT 23,430 3-3 7 May 2 Chicago 99-109 Boston 18,624 3-4
Legend:       Win       Loss

[edit] Player statistics

[edit] Legend

[edit] Season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Deng, Luol Luol Deng	49	46	34.0	.448	.400	.796	6.0	1.9	1.22	0.51	14.1
Gooden, Drew Drew Gooden*	31	27	29.6	.457	.000	.866	8.6	1.4	0.84	0.45	13.1
Gordon, Ben Ben Gordon	82	76	36.6	.455	.410	.864	3.5	3.4	0.87	0.27	20.7
Gray, Aaron Aaron Gray	56	18	12.8	.485	.000	.576	3.9	0.8	0.25	0.32	3.5
Hinrich, Kirk Kirk Hinrich	51	4	26.3	.437	.408	.791	2.4	3.9	1.29	0.37	9.9
Hughes, Larry Larry Hughes*	30	6	26.4	.412	.392	.817	3.1	2.0	1.20	0.30	12.0
Hunter, Lindsey Lindsey Hunter	28	0	9.5	.329	.333	.600	0.4	1.3	0.71	0.04	2.6
Johnson, Linton Linton Johnson*	8	0	5.3	.364	.500	.000	1.0	0.3	0.13	0.00	1.1
Miller, Brad Brad Miller*	27	0	27.6	.478	.231	.853	7.4	3.2	0.81	0.44	11.8
Nichols, Demetris Demetris Nichols*	2	0	2.5	.250	.000	.000	0.0	0.5	0.00	0.00	1.0
Noah, Joakim Joakim Noah	80	55	24.2	.556	.000	.676	7.6	1.3	0.61	1.38	6.7
Nocioni, Andrés Andrés Nocioni*	53	2	24.1	.414	.378	.806	4.2	1.1	0.49	0.30	10.4
Roberson, Anthony Anthony Roberson*	6	0	3.8	.294	.200	.000	1.2	0.2	0.00	0.00	2.0
Rose, Derrick Derrick Rose	81	80	37.0	.475	.222	.788	3.9	6.3	0.81	0.22	16.8
Salmons, John John Salmons*	26	21	37.7	.473	.415	.843	4.3	2.0	0.96	0.58	18.3
Sefolosha, Thabo Thabo Sefolosha*	43	14	17.1	.434	.300	.840	2.9	1.5	0.81	0.44	4.5
Simmons, Cedric Cedric Simmons*	11	0	5.5	.524	.000	.429	1.1	0.2	0.09	0.36	2.5
Thomas, Tim Tim Thomas*	18	0	14.1	.400	.442	.700	2.3	0.7	0.33	0.00	5.8
Thomas, Tyrus Tyrus Thomas	79	61	27.5	.451	.333	.783	6.4	1.0	1.15	1.91	10.8

*Statistics with the Chicago Bulls

[edit] Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Ben Gordon	7	7	43.4	.388	.370	.875	2.9	3.0	.43	.14	24.3
John Salmons	7	7	44.7	.402	.316	.853	4.4	2.3	1.29	1.00	18.1
Derrick Rose	7	7	44.7	.492	.000	.800	6.3	6.4	.57	.71	19.7
Brad Miller	7	0	26.5	.471	.714	.792	7.9	1.3	.29	.86	10.1
Tyrus Thomas	7	7	27.9	.438	.000	.786	6.3	.86	1.00	2.6	9.6
Kirk Hinrich	7	0	30.0	.468	.394	.680	4.1	2.9	1.71	.43	12.6
Joakim Noah	7	7	38.7	.509	.000	.760	13.1	2.3	.86	2.14	10.1
Tim Thomas	2	0	7.5	.300	.250	.000	1.5	0.0	.00	.00	3.5
Aaron Gray	2	0	4.5	.000	.000	.000	0.5	0.0	.00	.00	0.0
Lindsey Hunter	6	0	4.0	.333	.333	.750	0.71	0.71	.29	.00	0.86
Anthony Roberson	1	0	4.0	.750	1.000	.000	1.0	0.0	2.0	.00	8.0
Linton Johnson	3	0	3.3	.500	.000	1.000	1.3	0.3	.00	.00	1.3
TOTAL	7	---	---	.442	.388	.793	45.6	22.0	9.14	6.71	111.1

[edit] Awards and records

[edit] Awards

Derrick Rose = Rookie of the Year

[edit] Records

4 -- Overtime games played in this series

7 -- Overtime periods played in this series, more than any other NBA team has played in an ENTIRE postseason.

[edit] Roster

2008-09 Chicago Bulls roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. From 3.0 SF 9 UK  Deng, Luol 81 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Duke 4.0 PF 90 USA  Gooden, Drew (To SAC) 82 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Kansas 2.0 SG 7 USA  Gordon, Ben 75 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Connecticut 5.0 C 34 USA  Gray, Aaron 84 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 270 lb (122 kg) Pittsburgh 1.0 PG 12 USA  Hinrich, Kirk (C) 75 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Kansas 2.0 SG 32 USA  Hughes, Larry (To NY) 77 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Saint Louis 1.0 PG 11 USA  Hunter, Lindsey 74 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jackson State 5.0 C 31 USA  James, Jerome  85 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Florida A&M 3.0 SF 54 USA  Johnson, Linton 80 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Tulane 5.0 C 52 USA  Miller, Brad 84 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 261 lb (118 kg) Purdue 3.0 SF 35 USA  Nichols, Demetris (Waived) 80 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Syracuse 1.0 PG 21 USA  Nelson, DeMarcus 76 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Duke 5.0 C 13 USA  Noah, Joakim 83 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 232 lb (105 kg) Florida 3.0 SF 5 ARG  Nocioni, Andres (To SAC) 79 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Argentina 1.0 PG 5 USA  Roberson, Anthony 74 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Florida 1.0 PG 1 USA  Rose, Derrick 75 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 181 lb (82 kg) Memphis 4.0 PF 51 USA  Ruffin, Michael (To SAC) 82 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Tulsa 3.0 SF 15 USA  Salmons, John 78 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 207 lb (94 kg) Miami (Fla.) 2.0 SG 2 CHE  Sefolosha, Thabo (To OKC) 78 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Switzerland 4.0 PF 15 USA  Simmons, Cedric (To SAC) 81 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) North Carolina State 4.0 PF 2 USA  Thomas, Tim 82 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Villanova 4.0 PF 24 USA  Thomas, Tyrus 81 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Louisiana State	Head coach Vinny Del Negro (North Carolina State) Assistant coach(es) Bernie Bickerstaff (San Diego) Del Harris (Milligan College) Bob Ociepka (Quincy College) Pete Myers (Arkansas-Little Rock) Mike Wilhelm (Southampton) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (IN) Inactive (S) Suspended Injured Roster • Transactions Last transaction: 2009-04-09

[edit] Transactions

[edit] Draft picks

The Bulls beat the odds and won the NBA Draft Lottery on May 20, 2008. The Bulls vaulted from the ninth spot to win the NBA Draft Lottery in Secaucus, N.J. and obtain the first pick in the June 26 NBA Draft. ^[5] Chicago had a 1.7 percent chance of winning and were represented by Executive Vice President, Business Operations Steve Schanwald. The Heat had the best odds of securing the top selection and will pick second followed by the Timberwolves and Sonics.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	1	Derrick Rose	Point Guard	American	University of Memphis
2	39	Sonny Weems	Shooting Guard	American	University of Arkansas

[edit] Trades

Date Acquired From For June 26, 2009 Omer Asik Portland Trail Blazers Sonny Weems[6] February 18, 2009 Brad Miller and John Salmons Sacramento Kings Drew Gooden, Andres Nocioni, Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons[7] February 19, 2009 Jerome James, Anthony Roberson and Tim Thomas New York Knicks Larry Hughes[2] February 19, 2009 2009 First Round Draft Pick Oklahoma City Thunder Thabo Sefolosha[8] [edit] Free Agents [edit] Additions Player Signed Former team Michael Ruffin October 27, 2008 Washington Wizards Lindsey Hunter November 13, 2008 Detroit Pistons Linton Johnson March 11, 2009 Charlotte Bobcats DeMarcus Nelson April 9, 2009 Golden State Warriors [edit] Subtractions Player Left New team JamesOn Curry [9] July 31, 2009 None Shannon Brown [10] August 6, 2009 Charlotte Bobcats Demetris Nichols [11] November 17, 2009 New York Knicks [edit] References ^ "KINGS ACQUIRE FOUR PLAYERS IN THREE-TEAM TRADE". NBA.com. 2009-02-18. http://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings_press_release0209.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-19.  ^ a b "Sources: Knicks trade for Bulls' Hughes". http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3919012. Retrieved on 19 February 2009.  ^ http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/1440399,thabo-bulls-trade-021909.article ^ "Pierce's OT push leads Celtics to 3-2 series lead over Bulls". April 29, 2009. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290428002. Retrieved on 2009-04-29.  ^ NBA.com NBA Draft Lottery 2008 ^ "Nuggets Acquire Draft Rights to Weems". NBA.com. 2009-02-18. http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/weems_draft2008_062608.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-19.  ^ "KINGS ACQUIRE FOUR PLAYERS IN THREE-TEAM TRADE". NBA.com. 2008-06-26. http://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings_press_release0209.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-04.  ^ http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/1440399,thabo-bulls-trade-021909.article ^ "Bulls waive JamesOn Curry". NBA.com. July 31, 2008. http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/curry_waived_080731.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-01.  ^ http://scoreboards.canoe.ca/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=canoe&page=nba/news/newstest.aspx?id=4169783 ^ Bulls waive forward Demetris Nichols [edit] See also 2008–09 NBA season v • d • e 2008–09 NBA season by team 2008 NBA Draft • All-Star Game • Playoffs • Finals • Transactions Eastern Atlantic Boston • New Jersey • New York • Philadelphia • Toronto Central Chicago • Cleveland • Detroit • Indiana • Milwaukee Southeast Atlanta • Charlotte • Miami • Orlando • Washington Western Northwest Denver • Minnesota • Oklahoma City • Portland • Utah Pacific Golden State • L.A. Clippers • L.A. Lakers • Phoenix • Sacramento Southwest Dallas • Houston • Memphis • New Orleans • San Antonio v • d • e Chicago Bulls Founded in 1966 • Based in Chicago, Illinois The Franchise Franchise • Expansion Draft • All-Time Roster • Seasons • Head coaches • Current season Arenas International Amphitheatre • Chicago Stadium • United Center Head Coaches Kerr • Motta • Badger • Costello • Robertson • Sloan • Johnson • Thorn • Westhead • Loughery • Albeck • Collins • Jackson • Floyd • Berry • Myers • Cartwright • Skiles • Boylan • Del Negro D-League Affiliate Iowa Energy NBA Finals Appearances (6) 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 NBA Championships (6) 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 Retired Jerseys 4 • 10 • 23 • 33 Hall of Famers George Gervin • Robert Parish • Nate Thurmond • Phil Jackson • Michael Jordan • Jerry Sloan Important Figures Dick Klein • Johnny "Red" Kerr • Dick Motta • Bob Love • Jerry Sloan • Norm Van Lier • Chet Walker • Clifford Ray • Tom Boerwinkle • Artis Gilmore • Reggie Theus • Charles Oakley • Michael Jordan • Scottie Pippen • Bill Cartwright • Horace Grant • John Paxson • B.J. Armstrong • Toni Kukoč • Ron Harper • Luc Longley • Steve Kerr • Dennis Rodman • Phil Jackson • Jerry Krause • Jerry Reinsdorf • Kirk Hinrich • Ben Gordon • Luol Deng • Derrick Rose • Joakim Noah • Brad Miller • John Salmons Key Personnel Owner: Jerry Reinsdorf • Vice President of Basketball Operations: John Paxson • General Manager: Gar Forman • Coach: Vinny Del Negro Rivals Detroit Pistons • New York Knicks • Miami Heat Culture & Lore The Shot • Tommy Edwards • Triangle offense • Benny the Bull • "Sirius" • Ray Clay • Bulls–Blackhawks Finals series of 1992 • 72-10 • The Flu Game • Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals • The Shot (1998 NBA Finals) • "The Madhouse on Madison" • "The Madhouse on Madison II" • "The House That Jordan Built" Media TV: WGN-TV • WGN America • WCIU • Comcast SportsNet Chicago • Radio: WMVP-AM • Announcers: Neil Funk • Stacey King • Chuck Swirsky • Bill Wennington v • d • e Chicago Bulls seasons Franchise • History • Seasons 1960s 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1970s 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1980s 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1990s 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 2000s 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2010s 2009–10