The 2005-06 Chicago Bulls season marked a period of rebuilding and development for the franchise. Under the guidance of head coach Scott Skiles, the Bulls aimed to improve upon their previous season’s performance. The team finished the regular season with a 41-41 record, securing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. This was the second consecutive season the Bulls reached the postseason, signaling a positive trajectory for the young squad.
Key players for the Bulls during this season included Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, and Luol Deng. Hinrich, known for his defensive tenacity and leadership, played a crucial role as the team’s point guard, averaging 15.7 points and 6.3 assists per game. Ben Gordon, coming off the bench, proved to be a reliable scoring option, contributing 16.9 points per game and earning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in the previous season. Luol Deng, in his second year, showed significant improvement, becoming a consistent scoring threat and a solid defender.
The Bulls’ defense was a standout aspect of their game, ranking second in the league in opponent field goal percentage. Their defensive prowess was a key factor in their ability to compete against more experienced teams. Offensively, the team relied on a balanced attack, with multiple players capable of scoring in double figures on any given night. However, they struggled with consistency, particularly in close games, which led to their .500 record.
In the playoffs, the Bulls faced the Miami Heat in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, Chicago was eliminated in six games by the eventual NBA champions. The series highlighted the Bulls’ potential and resilience, as they pushed a more experienced Miami team. This season laid the groundwork for future success, as the young core continued to develop and gain valuable playoff experience.
- Regular Season Record: 41-41
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 2-4
Chicago Bulls Roster and Stats for 2005-06 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Ben Gordon | 80 | 16.9 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 43.5 | 6 | 21.0 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 36.6 |
| Kirk Hinrich | 81 | 15.9 | 3.6 | 6.3 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 37.0 | 6 | 20.5 | 3.3 | 7.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 34.6 |
| Luol Deng | 78 | 14.3 | 6.6 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 26.9 | 6 | 10.2 | 4.8 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 20.0 |
| Andrés Nocioni | 82 | 13.0 | 6.1 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 39.1 | 6 | 22.3 | 8.8 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 47.6 |
| Darius Songaila | 62 | 9.2 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 40.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Chris Duhon | 74 | 8.7 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 36.0 | 6 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 43.8 |
| Mike Sweetney | 66 | 8.1 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 6 | 7.2 | 5.5 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Tyson Chandler | 79 | 5.3 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 6 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Malik Allen | 54 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 100.0 | 6 | 4.7 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Othella Harrington | 72 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jannero Pargo | 57 | 4.8 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 37.9 | 5 | 3.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 60.0 |
| Tim Thomas | 3 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Eddie Basden | 19 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Eric Piatkowski | 29 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 27.3 | 6 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 40.0 |
| Luke Schenscher | 20 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Stephen Graham | 3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| James Thomas | 7 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Randy Holcomb | 4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Randy Livingston | 5 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Chicago Bulls in the 2006 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Miami Heat
In the 2006 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls faced a formidable challenge against the Miami Heat in the first round. Despite a spirited effort, the Bulls were ultimately overpowered by the Heat's star duo of Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, losing the series 4-2. The series highlighted Chicago's potential with young talents like Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, signaling a promising future despite the early exit.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 22, 2006 | @ Miami Heat | L 111-106 | |
| Apr 24, 2006 | @ Miami Heat | L 115-108 | |
| Apr 27, 2006 | vs. Miami Heat | W 109-90 | |
| Apr 30, 2006 | vs. Miami Heat | W 93-87 | |
| May 02, 2006 | @ Miami Heat | L 92-78 | |
| May 04, 2006 | vs. Miami Heat | L 113-96 |
Chicago Bulls 2005-06 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2005-06 season for the Chicago Bulls.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 2005 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 109-105 | |
| Nov 05, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 100-99 | |
| Nov 07, 2005 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 104-95 | |
| Nov 09, 2005 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 85-84 | |
| Nov 12, 2005 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 103-98 | |
| Nov 14, 2005 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 100-82 | |
| Nov 16, 2005 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 96-93 | |
| Nov 18, 2005 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 98-84 | |
| Nov 20, 2005 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 96-93 | |
| Nov 25, 2005 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 106-99 | |
| Nov 26, 2005 | @ Houston Rockets | W 94-89 | |
| Nov 29, 2005 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 85-76 | |
| Nov 30, 2005 | @ New York Knicks | L 109-101 | |
| Dec 02, 2005 | @ Boston Celtics | W 106-102 | |
| Dec 03, 2005 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 92-79 | |
| Dec 05, 2005 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 102-94 | |
| Dec 07, 2005 | @ Orlando Magic | W 102-93 | |
| Dec 09, 2005 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 93-80 | |
| Dec 10, 2005 | @ Washington Wizards | W 118-111 | |
| Dec 13, 2005 | vs. Miami Heat | L 100-97 | |
| Dec 14, 2005 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 105-94 | |
| Dec 16, 2005 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 110-82 | |
| Dec 17, 2005 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 118-86 | |
| Dec 20, 2005 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | L 105-92 | |
| Dec 22, 2005 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 108-100 | |
| Dec 23, 2005 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 95-77 | |
| Dec 26, 2005 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 102-91 | |
| Dec 28, 2005 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | L 93-80 | |
| Dec 31, 2005 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 107-98 | |
| Jan 02, 2006 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 93-92 | |
| Jan 04, 2006 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-97 | |
| Jan 06, 2006 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 105-91 | |
| Jan 07, 2006 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 111-82 | |
| Jan 09, 2006 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 113-104 | |
| Jan 11, 2006 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 99-93 | |
| Jan 14, 2006 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 91-89 | |
| Jan 16, 2006 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 97-94 | |
| Jan 18, 2006 | vs. New York Knicks | W 106-104 | |
| Jan 20, 2006 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 109-108 | |
| Jan 21, 2006 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 101-89 | |
| Jan 25, 2006 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 104-88 | |
| Jan 27, 2006 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 90-79 | |
| Jan 28, 2006 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 111-99 | |
| Jan 31, 2006 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 98-94 | |
| Feb 01, 2006 | @ New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets | L 100-95 | |
| Feb 04, 2006 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 118-101 | |
| Feb 06, 2006 | @ Utah Jazz | L 109-107 | |
| Feb 08, 2006 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 110-107 | |
| Feb 09, 2006 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 98-80 | |
| Feb 12, 2006 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 97-91 | |
| Feb 14, 2006 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 105-101 | |
| Feb 16, 2006 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 117-84 | |
| Feb 22, 2006 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 97-91 | |
| Feb 24, 2006 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 95-87 | |
| Feb 25, 2006 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 108-102 | |
| Feb 28, 2006 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 111-100 | |
| Mar 02, 2006 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 92-91 | |
| Mar 03, 2006 | @ New York Knicks | W 108-101 | |
| Mar 05, 2006 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 91-72 | |
| Mar 07, 2006 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 95-87 | |
| Mar 08, 2006 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-101 | |
| Mar 10, 2006 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 107-96 | |
| Mar 11, 2006 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 95-90 | |
| Mar 14, 2006 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 95-66 | |
| Mar 15, 2006 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 104-88 | |
| Mar 18, 2006 | vs. Miami Heat | L 85-84 | |
| Mar 19, 2006 | @ Washington Wizards | L 113-104 | |
| Mar 22, 2006 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 95-85 | |
| Mar 24, 2006 | vs. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets | W 96-82 | |
| Mar 26, 2006 | @ Boston Celtics | W 101-97 | |
| Mar 28, 2006 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 97-93 | |
| Mar 31, 2006 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 113-107 | |
| Apr 01, 2006 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 100-94 | |
| Apr 04, 2006 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-96 | |
| Apr 05, 2006 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 99-92 | |
| Apr 08, 2006 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 89-75 | |
| Apr 11, 2006 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 104-101 | |
| Apr 12, 2006 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 96-90 | |
| Apr 14, 2006 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 103-101 | |
| Apr 16, 2006 | @ Miami Heat | W 117-93 | |
| Apr 17, 2006 | @ Orlando Magic | W 116-112 | |
| Apr 19, 2006 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 127-106 |