The 2004-05 Chicago Bulls season was a revitalizing year for the franchise, as they finished second in the Central Division with a 47-35 record and secured their first playoff appearance since 1998. Led by head coach Scott Skiles, the team featured a dynamic young core including Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng, while top draft pick Ben Gordon made history as the first rookie to win the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. The 2005-06 Chicago Bulls season was a testament to the team's resilience and defensive prowess, as they overcame a difficult start to finish with a 41-41 record and secure their second consecutive playoff berth. Led by the backcourt duo of Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich, the Bulls showcased their competitive spirit by winning 12 of their final 14 games to clinch the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Their season was highlighted by a hard-fought playoff series against the Miami Heat, where they pushed the eventual champions to six games and demonstrated the potential of their young, talented core. The third overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, Ben Gordon was a prolific scoring guard for the Chicago Bulls who remains the only player in league history to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award as a rookie.