ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Jimmy Butler #21 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Chicago Bulls look on from the bench during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NBABy Matt Clapp on

The Chicago Bulls seem to have officially reached dumpster fire status.

After the team blew a big lead late to lose to the Atlanta Hawks at home on Wednesday night, Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade were very critical of the team’s effort. Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo then fired back at Butler and Wade on Instagram.

Well, Butler and Wade were benched for the start of Friday night’s game against the Miami Heat:

And, things definitely didn’t get any better during the game. Butler went 1-of-13 shooting with three points, good for the worst shooting night of his career:

And in the second quarter, Butler took himself out of the game when he picked up his second foul. Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg was not at all prepared for it and had to find Taj Gibson at the last second to sub in for Butler:

The Bulls lost the game 100-88, and were booed off the floor by the home crowd at the United Center:

Hoiberg — who sure seems to be part of the problem or is at least not doing a very good job to help fix it — called it their worst loss of the year, and said it’s a “very critical time for our team”:

And Wade agreed with Hoiberg on it being the Bulls’ worst loss of the year:

Nick Friedell (ESPN) and KC Johnson (Chicago Tribune) have been covering the Bulls for many years, and called the team “emotionally broken” and “fragile” after the game:

This is an absolute mess and it starts at the top in the front office with Jerry Reinsdorf, John Paxson, and Gar Forman. While no one could’ve seen all of this drama coming, of course, the roster was poorly built with a mix of past-their-prime veterans and raw young players that are having their opportunity to develop being blocked. It looked like a .500-ish team on paper with no direction, and that’s exactly what it’s been. And now with middle school-level drama to boot.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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