The 2010–11Chicago Bulls season was the 45th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association. The Bulls won their 8th division title this season and finished with the best record in the NBA but fell short to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. It is the first time since 1975 that the Bulls failed to follow up a division title with an NBA title. In the playoffs, the Bulls defeated the Indiana Pacers in five games in the First Round, defeated the Atlanta Hawks in six games in the semifinals, before losing to the Miami Heat in five games in the Conference Finals. The Heat would eventually lose 4-2 to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals to win their first championship title. As of 2019, this is the only season in the post-Michael Jordan era in which the Bulls have made the Conference Finals. The team's season roster is featured in NBA 2K18.
Derrick Rose was the starting point guard at the 2010–2011 NBA All-Star game. In just under 30 minutes of playing time, Rose scored 11 points with 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal.
On March 12 the Bulls set a franchise record 18 converted 3-point shots in a game against the Utah Jazz. The previous record was 15 set in '94.
Derrick Rose, at age 21, became the youngest MVP winner by winning this year's MVP title.
Milestones
Kurt Thomas played in his 1000th game in a contest vs the Charlotte Bobcats on Feb 15, 2011 at the United Center. Derrick Rose scored a career high 44 pts vs the Atlanta Hawks on May 6, 2011. Derrick Rose also had his first career triple-double at the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan 17, 2011. The 62 wins by the Bulls is the most since the 97–98 season. After defeating the New York Knicks on April 12, 2011, the Bulls became the only team of the 2010–2011 season to defeat all 29 other teams at least once.
Injuries and surgeries
Carlos Boozer underwent surgery on October 5 to repair a fractured right hand. He claimed to have tripped over a bag at his home. After missing the first 15 games of the season, Boozer made his return on December 1 in a loss against the Orlando Magic.
Joakim Noah underwent surgery on December 16 to repair a torn ligament in his right hand. He suffered the injury in a game against the Sacramento Kings on November 27. He returned to action in the 55th game of the season on February 23 after recuperating from right thumb surgery. He scored 7 points and had 16 rebounds in just over 24 minutes.
Taj Gibson suffered a concussion in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 18. He missed one game before suiting up for a game against the Washington Wizards on December 22, playing just 31 seconds.
Carlos Boozer missed the January 17 game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a sprained ankle. He returned to play in the Jan 22 game against Cleveland.
Carlos Boozer missed the March 11 game against the Atlanta Hawks with a sprained ankle. He missed 4 subsequent games and returned for the March 21 game against the Sacramento Kings
Joakim Noah returned to the inactive list for games 74, 75 and 76.
