The second time around was not the charm–not at the start, anyway.
Following up on their inaugural season in which the Bulls finished 33-48 (good for fourth place in the NBA Western Division and the playoffs), Chicago started the 1967-68 season 0-9.
Like this season, that team played inconsistently. It was blown out in five of those losses, losing by more than 10 points. The Bulls were competitive other nights, losing two games by two points.
That ninth loss
Walt Hazzard led the Sonics (they were SuperSonics back then) with 34 points in Seattle’s 114-104 home win. It was the first meeting between Bulls coach Johnny “Red” Kerr and Al Bianchi, Kerr’s assistant from the previous season. The Bulls were led by Barry Clemens’ 29 points and Bob Boozer’s 28.
What they said then . . .
From the Wednesday, Nov. 1, 1967,Tribune:
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The injury-riddled “snake-bitten” Bulls thus dropped further into the cellar in the NBA’s Western Division. Last year’s “Cinderella team” of sports remained the only pro squad in the established league and its new rival, the American Basketball Association, which has yet to win a game.
Their first win
On Nov. 2, Bulls earned their first win of the season, 119-105 over the same Sonics. The game was played in Spokane, Wash., before a crowd of 1,051. Boozer had 29.
That second season
The Bulls didn’t get their next win until the 17th game. They finished 29-53 and qualified for the playoffs. They earned their first playoff win, 104-98 over the Lakers, but were eliminated 4-1 in the first round.