As the final buzzer echoed through the United Center and the season came to a close with a 109-90 loss in the Play-In Tournament, a wave of emotions hit hard. Disappointment, frustration, and even heartbreak. But amid all of that, one feeling rose above the rest — gratitude. Pure, unwavering gratitude for Bulls Nation.
This season may not have gone the way we envisioned. It wasn’t always pretty. There were missed shots, missed opportunities, and stretches that left us all shaking our heads. But if there’s one constant — one light that never dimmed no matter how dark things got — it was the incredible support from our fans. Bulls Nation, you showed up. You showed out. You stood by this team, through thick and thin, and for that, we owe you more than just a thank you.
You deserve the world.
From the opening tip of the season to that final game in Miami, Bulls fans filled the arena with energy and passion. At home, you painted the United Center in red and black, night after night. On the road, you traveled, you chanted, you made your presence known. Whether it was freezing cold in January or blazing hot in April, you were there. And not just physically — you were emotionally invested. You lived and breathed this team. You stood by us through overtime thrillers and tough losses. You rallied around the squad during injury stretches, trade rumors, and moments of uncertainty. You believed — even when the odds didn’t.
We saw the signs you held up, the jerseys you wore, the messages you tweeted, and the support you poured out on Instagram, TikTok, and every other platform. You defended this team like family, celebrated every big bucket like it was Game 7 of the Finals, and rode with us every step of the way. You made your voices heard. You inspired us to keep going. That kind of loyalty doesn’t go unnoticed — and it doesn’t exist everywhere.
In a league full of passionate fanbases, Bulls Nation stands apart. Maybe it’s because of the legacy this team carries. Maybe it’s because of the memories from the dynasty years that still live in our veins. Maybe it’s just the city of Chicago — gritty, resilient, and never backing down. But whatever it is, you’re different. You’re special. You’re the reason we play this game.
This season was a grind. Injuries tested our depth and resolve. Lineup changes tested our chemistry. Adversity reared its ugly head more times than we’d like to count. But we didn’t fold — and a big part of that is because of you. You gave us something to fight for, something bigger than the scoreboard. When we fell, you helped us get back up. When we stumbled, you told us to keep going. And even after that final loss, we felt your love.
We know it hurts. We feel it too. The dream of a deep playoff run — it’s what we all wanted. It’s what we worked for. But sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way. And while it’s easy to dwell on what didn’t happen, we’re choosing to focus on what’s next. Because Bulls Nation, we’re not done. We’re just getting started.
This offseason, we’re going back to work. No excuses. No shortcuts. We owe you that. We owe you a team that reflects your passion, your energy, your expectations. And we’re committed to building that. To getting better. To returning stronger. This front office is already having tough conversations. The coaching staff is already breaking down film, reevaluating strategies, looking at every angle. The players? They’re in the gym, repping out shots, watching tape, and pushing themselves to come back better than ever.
This isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of a new chapter.
And while the result of this season might sting, there were still moments to be proud of. We saw breakout performances. We saw young guys stepping into the spotlight and veterans laying it all on the line. We saw flashes of what this team could become — what it will become. And through it all, we saw a fanbase that never gave up hope.
That means something.
It means everything.
Because the truth is, this city doesn’t tolerate mediocrity. Chicago demands excellence. Bulls fans know the game — you’ve seen greatness before. And you’re hungry to see it again. That hunger fuels us. That expectation drives us. And that pressure? We welcome it. We embrace it. Because pressure makes diamonds, and we’re ready to shine.
There’s a reason we wear this jersey with pride. It’s not just about basketball. It’s about representing a culture, a history, a community that bleeds red. It’s about fighting for every possession, every rebound, every loose ball — because that’s what this city does. That’s what you do. And we want to honor that. Every single game.
So to the fans in the 300 level who stood up and cheered even when we were down 20 — thank you. To the kids in the stands wearing DeRozan and LaVine jerseys, dreaming of one day playing on that court — thank you. To the lifelong fans who’ve been here since MJ and Pippen, who stuck through the rebuild years, the heartbreaks, the “almosts” — thank you. To the international fans who wake up at 3 a.m. to stream games halfway across the world — thank you. To the ones who never stopped believing — thank you.
You are the heartbeat of this franchise.
And now, it’s on us to respond. To use this offseason wisely. To take the lessons learned and turn them into action. We know changes may come. That’s the nature of the game. Rosters evolve, coaches shift, and no season is ever the same. But the standard remains. The goal remains. Competing at the highest level. Bringing another banner to the rafters. Making you proud.
Because you deserve more than just effort. You deserve results. You deserve a team that reflects your passion and brings your energy to life on the court. And that’s what we’re striving for — not just to get back to the playoffs, but to make noise when we get there. To win. To chase greatness again.
We’ll be back stronger.
That’s not a slogan. That’s a promise. A mindset. A mission.
And when that first tip-off of the next season comes, we know where you’ll be. Right there in the stands. Right there behind your screen. Right there with us — again. Because Bulls Nation never stops. You love this team like it’s family. And for that, we’re forever grateful.
This bond between team and city — it’s real. It’s powerful. It’s unbreakable.
So as we turn the page on this season, we do it with our heads high. We do it with fire in our hearts and a chip on our shoulder. And we do it with Bulls Nation in our corner — the best fans in the world. You never wavered. You never folded. And that means everything.
We’re not done.
The work starts now.
Thank you for believing. Thank you for riding with us. Thank you for being the soul of Chicago basketball.
We’ll be back.
Stronger.
Forever Bulls.