The Bulls may be spiraling — but Chicago still knows how to put on a show.
And on Sunday afternoon at the United Center, two icons from different eras stole the spotlight.
The Chicago Bulls entered their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks riding an 11-game losing streak. Morale? Questionable. Playoff hopes? Fading.
But before tip-off, the energy in the building shifted — because Bears head coach Ben Johnson walked in.
And the crowd erupted.
Johnson Gets the Superstar Treatment
Johnson, arguably the most popular coach in Chicago right now, was welcomed like a franchise savior. The Bears head coach received his own classic red Bulls jersey and spent time mingling with team personnel — even reportedly visiting Bulls coach Billy Donovan in his office before the game, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network broadcast.
When Johnson appeared on the jumbotron early in the second quarter, the United Center crowd roared.
He didn’t disappoint.
With a grin and perfect comedic timing, Johnson pretended to rip his shirt off — a callback to his now-legendary locker room celebration after the Bears’ first win over the Packers this past season.
That moment went viral when Johnson actually tore his shirt off after The Wiener’s Circle — a beloved Chicago hot dog stand — promised free hot dogs if he went “tarps off.”
On Sunday, the fake shirt rip sent the arena into laughter.
The coach leaned into it.
The city loved it.
Suite Seats With Royal Company
Johnson wasn’t just another celebrity in attendance.
He was seated in a suite with Bulls owner Michael Reinsdorf, and, according to broadcast reports, surrounded by basketball royalty.
Two franchise legends were in the building — including Toni Kukoc and Scottie Pippen.
Yes, that Scottie Pippen.
Cameras captured Johnson and Pippen sharing laughs as the game unfolded. It was a surreal crossover moment: the architect of Chicago’s football revival chatting it up with one of the faces of the Bulls dynasty.
For a team mired in losses, it was a reminder of Chicago’s championship DNA.
The Bigger Return: Scottie Pippen
While Johnson’s appearance generated buzz, Pippen’s presence carried deeper meaning.
The Bulls legend has kept his distance from the organization in recent years. His strained relationship with Michael Jordan — amplified by The Last Dance documentary — created tension. He notably skipped the team’s inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony in January 2024.
But cracks in that distance have started to mend.
Pippen provided the voiceover for Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement tribute earlier this year — a gesture that hinted at reconciliation. Now, just over a month later, he’s back inside the United Center, reconnecting with familiar faces.
For a franchise searching for stability, his return feels symbolic.
Chicago Energy, Even in a Slump
With 21 games remaining, it’s unclear how often Pippen will reappear this season. But seeing him courtside again — alongside Chicago’s most beloved new coach — sparked something bigger than a losing streak.
It felt like alignment.
The past.
The present.
And maybe, eventually, the future.
The Bulls may be struggling on the court, but Chicago remains a city fueled by personality, loyalty, and larger-than-life figures.
And on Sunday, the loudest cheers weren’t for a three-pointer.
They were for a coach pretending to rip off his shirt — and a legend finally coming home.
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