Nell Redmond/AP
This was the part of the schedule that the Bulls were supposed to flourish.
Coming out of the regular-season gate with the minefield of playoff caliber teams like Detroit, New York and Cleveland to navigate, Billy Donovan’s crew was looking forward to mid-November and into early December.
The Utahs, the Portlands, the Washingtons, New Orleans … time to feast.
They’ve done nothing of the sort.
So call Friday’s 123-116 loss to lowly Charlotte just the latest slap of embarrassment to the faces of the suddenly fading Bulls (9-9).
Eliminated from getting out of Group C for the in-season NBA Cup Tournament several nights ago, both teams were playing for pride rather than reaching the knockout round.