Editing Chicago Bulls (section)

====2014–2015: Return of Derrick Rose to health and rise of Jimmy Butler====
The 2014–15 season brought renewed optimism to the Chicago Bulls with the return of Derrick Rose, alongside the addition of two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol. The team, bolstered by a deep roster featuring [[Taj Gibson]], [[Nikola Mirotić]], [[Tony Snell (basketball)|Tony Snell]], [[Aaron Brooks (basketball)|Aaron Brooks]], [[Doug McDermott]] and [[Kirk Hinrich]] was considered one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference, alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls started the season strong, winning seven of their first nine games, although they took notable losses to the Cavaliers and Celtics.

Jimmy Butler's rise as a primary scorer, going from 13 to 20 points per game, was a standout story, positioning him as a candidate for the "Most Improved Player of the Year" award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/chicago-bulls-jimmy-butler-wins-nba-most-improved-player-050715 |title=Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler Most Improved Players |date=May 7, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |work=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510001107/http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/chicago-bulls-jimmy-butler-wins-nba-most-improved-player-050715|archive-date=May 10, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Gasol's consistent double-double performances added significant value, and both Butler and Gasol were selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=9 February 2016 |title=Basketball: Gasol replaces injured Butler in All-Stars Game |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/basketball/nba/basketball-gasol-replaces-injured-butler-in-all-stars-game/2U5ZIPNZXDJHXLE5OTPH3AI7PA/ |work=[[New Zealand Herald]] |location= |access-date=18 November 2024}} </ref> Despite this, the Bulls struggled with consistency in the second half of the season, with Rose publicly expressing frustration over the team's lack of cohesion. Tensions between head coach Tom Thibodeau and the front office, led by Gar Forman and John Paxson, also created internal instability.<ref name="Rocky Tenure"/>

The Bulls finished the regular season with a 50–32 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the playoffs, they faced the Milwaukee Bucks, quickly establishing a 3–0 lead in the series before allowing the Bucks to win two games in a row. However, the Bulls dominated in Game 6, winning by a playoff-record 54 points to advance 4–2. The next round saw a matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James. The Bulls initially shocked the Cavs in Game 1, but Cleveland responded strongly, winning in Game 2. Despite a dramatic Game 3 win by Derrick Rose on a last-second three-pointer, the Bulls were ultimately defeated 4–2, ending their playoff run. Following the series, speculation about Thibodeau's future with the team intensified due to the ongoing tensions with the front office.<ref name="Rocky Tenure">{{cite news |last=Cacciola |first=Scott |date=28 May 2015 |title=Bulls Dismiss Coach Tom Thibodeau and End a Rocky Tenure |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/29/sports/basketball/bulls-fire-coach-tom-thibodeau-after-five-seasons.html |work=[[New York Times]] |location= |access-date=18 November 2024}} </ref>