CHICAGO -- The Bulls' six world championship banners hang proudly in the United Center, but instead of holding court over fans, the banners keep a somber and silent watch over nearly 1 million pounds of boxed food. The arena, now a storage facility for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, has become perhaps the most visible symbol of how dramatically the coronavirus pandemic has altered this city and its sports landscape.
And yet, basketball finds a way in Chicago. Particularly this week.
On Monday, the Bulls overhauled a front office that had posted a 71-158 record over the past three seasons. On Thursday, Zach LaVine of the Bulls and Allie Quigley of the Sky are set to play each other in the semifinals of the NBA HORSE Challenge (9 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App). On Sunday, "The Last Dance," a 10-part series on Michael Jordan and Chicago's sixth NBA championship, will debut (9 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App.) The documentary is both a paean to the Bulls' glorious history and a conspicuous reminder to fans that the franchise has yet to find sustained success outside of those dynasty years.
The Bulls' new executive vice president of basketball operations, Arturas Karnisovas, knows the challenge that lies ahead. "Earning the enthusiasm and excitement back ... is something I look forward to," Karnisovas said during his introductory conference call this week. "These fans deserve a team they can be proud of."
"The Bulls of the '90s have been compared to the Beatles in terms of the adulation they received all over the world," said "The Last Dance" producer Mike Tollin of Mandalay Sports Media. "And Michael was called 'the most famous man on the planet' at the time. To have that team belong to you and that player be 'your guy' gave the Chicago fans an enormous sense of pride. And it never faded, even through six titles."
Even through the lean years. Over the past three seasons, the Bulls have had the largest cumulative attendance of any team in the NBA, while at the same time owning the third-worst record in the league.
"It's a basketball town," said Michael Alter, owner of the Chicago Sky since 2005. "At least for the last 40 years, it's always been that way."
Chicago was a basketball town before Jordan, but it became a decidedly pro-basketball town with the emergence of the Bulls' dynasty.
"I was so young when they won their championships, but when people talk about Michael Jordan and the '90s Bulls, you feel pride just being from there and being around during that era," said the 33-year-old Quigley, who was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Joliet. "I had some of their jerseys, but for me it was Michael Jordan all the way."
Quigley spoke from her backyard about Thursday's matchup against LaVine. Her phone, she said, was filled with hundreds of texts from well-wishers.
"I thought it was really cool, just to have two people from Chicago going in the next round but then when I found out it was Zach LaVine, I was like, 'Oh Lord, he's such a freak athlete,'" Quigley said. "Zach is an amazing player, and he could be the player to get [the Bulls] over this hump. I think it just gives everyone excitement for the summer that hopefully we have a season."
"It's always fun to have two hometown folks going at it," Alter said. "It'll be a nice distraction and for us basketball-hungry fans, it's something to watch -- not quite exactly what we're hungering for, but it's better than nothing."
With the live sports calendar up in the air, Quigley and Alter say they will be locked in on "The Last Dance" on Sunday night as well.
"It used to feel so far away, but now it's here. Can't wait for that," Quigley said. "You know it's going to be good."
