Bulls fans voiced displeasure with their team’s front office on live television on the first day of NBA All-Star Weekend.
During Friday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, which broadcasted live from Navy Pier, fans donning Bulls jerseys repeatedly chanted “Fire GarPax.”
It all started when First Take co-host Max Kellerman asked Bulls guard Zach LaVine if he had confidence vice president John Paxson would be able to get him the help he would need to take the Bulls to the next level in their rebuild. Fans immediately began booing.
“They might think differently, man,” LaVine said in reference to the disgruntled fans. “But I’m with the team man, I gotta put the team first.”
LaVine started chuckling, before saying: “They’re terrible, man,” again in reference to the fans.
That’s when the “Fire GarPax” chants ensued.
LaVine tried finishing his answers, but as the chants grew louder, moderator Molly Gerim cut him off and motioned for fans to stop.
Watch fans chant “fire GarPax” on First Take:
“FIRE GARPAX” chants have broken out on national television. pic.twitter.com/PqkIP41ogZ
— Josh (@JoshJBullsHoops) February 14, 2020
The Bulls haven’t lived up to their own expectations in Year 3 of the team’s rebuild. Before the season began, Paxson, coach Jim Boylen and general manager Gar Forman said playoffs were the goal. However, the Bulls entered the All-Star break ranked 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 19-36 record.
To make matters worse, the Bulls don’t have an All-Star in this weekend’s game, which is taking place at the United Center, though, LaVine, a two-time NBA dunk champion, is participating in Saturday’s three-point contest.
As the best players in the NBA arrive in Chicago for one of the biggest events on the basketball calendar, one thing is clear: It’s going to be a long weekend for Bulls fans.