The rumors are affecting the Bulls' atmosphere and cohesion, and Pippen's absence is further impacting the team's performance.
In the November opening, the Bulls' record was 5 wins and 6 losses, with a win rate of less than 50%, ranking low in the Eastern Conference.
The season opener was lost to the Boston Celtics, and Duncan's outstanding performance made people sense a changing of the guard.
The entire Bulls organization is filled with the pessimism of disintegration, and the players know very well that this could very well be the last season for this championship-winning team.
In such a tough situation, the nearly 35-year-old Michael Jordan stepped up.
After a 5-win, 6-loss start, facing a challenging 7-game road trip, Jordan scored 49 points against the Clippers, leading the team to a hard-fought victory in double overtime.
