The Chicago Bulls may have suffered a disappointing 126-110 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, but amid the scoreboard frustration and defensive lapses, Josh Giddey delivered a performance that quietly unlocked something the franchise hasn’t seen in decades: a true floor-general presence reminiscent of the Michael Jordan era.
Forget the final tally for a moment. The Bulls’ porous defense allowed the Kings (led by Russell Westbrook’s triple-double) to pour in points with ease, dropping Chicago to 28-38 on the season after losing eight of their last ten. Collin Sexton exited early with a lower leg contusion despite a strong 28-point outing off the bench (including seven threes), and the team struggled with rim protection and rebounding effort throughout.
Yet Giddey, returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him against the Phoenix Suns on March 5, refused to let the narrative stay negative. In his bounce-back game, the 23-year-old Australian posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists—his ninth triple-double of the season and the 16th of his Bulls tenure. That milestone officially surpassed Bulls legend Scottie Pippen for second place on the franchise’s all-time triple-double list, trailing only Michael Jordan’s 28.
This isn’t just a stat-padding footnote. Giddey’s stat line reflects the kind of all-around command that defined Chicago’s golden age. During the Jordan-Pippen dynasty (six championships from 1991-1998), the Bulls thrived on versatile playmaking, defensive versatility, and players who controlled tempo without forcing shots. Pippen was the ultimate glue guy—facilitating, rebounding, and defending at elite levels. Giddey, in his second season with the Bulls after signing a four-year, $100 million extension last summer, is channeling a similar identity.
His vision has been elite all year (averaging 17.6 points, 8.5 assists, and 8.3 rebounds across 42 games), but this performance highlighted a defensive spark too. Giddey wasn’t just racking up numbers in transition or pick-and-roll sets; he was active in the passing lanes, crashing boards against a Kings team built for pace, and setting the tone for ball movement that kept Chicago competitive early despite the eventual blowout.
This is the defensive identity the Bulls haven’t truly embraced since the Jordan era—one where the point guard isn’t just a scorer or shooter but a multi-positional force who disrupts, rebounds, and leads by example. Giddey’s size (6’8″), feel for the game, and willingness to do the dirty work evoke echoes of Pippen’s prime facilitation and Jordan’s relentless competitiveness. In a season where Chicago has leaned into rebuilding (or “tanking” debates), Giddey stands out as the franchise cornerstone, proving why the front office invested so heavily in him.
The loss stings, especially against a “lowly” Kings squad also in the lottery mix. But Giddey’s unreal bounce-back—playing through injury questions and elevating his game—offers hope. This Bulls team may be mired in a five-game road trip (next up: Golden State on Tuesday, Lakers Thursday, Clippers Friday, before returning home vs. Memphis on March 16), but with Giddey orchestrating and chasing Jordan’s record, the foundation for a new defensive-minded, playmaking era is emerging.
The scoreboard said defeat. The stat sheet—and the eye test—said something far more promising. Giddey isn’t just collecting triple-doubles; he’s redefining what Bulls basketball can look like again.