Exactly they started off 9-7 , and had already lost more games than they had lost starting out in the in the previous 2 seasons, and they looked really bad as far as the flow off the offense. They were absolutely terrible, losing games by double digits. Sports illustrated did a write up on it and the issues were clear as day. Scottie was a main cog if not the main cog. Considering their record in the past 2 seasons, especially the 72-10 season, the City was pissed.

I was here in Chicago and it was bad, so that 24-11 record does not showcase how bad it was. Again 2 years prior they were 72-10 for the season. And Already had more losses before the allStar break. Team was barely scoring 80 points, offense didn’t move. Defense had went to shit. Etc And even though we won the championship it didn’t feel like it because of how badly the team played for most of the season and all the drama that came with it.

And from there the breakup talks were constantly in the news.

SI writeup:

https://www.si.com/vault/1997/11/24/235238/hurry-back-lacking-injured-catalyst-scottie-pippen-and-a-lot-of-their-old-fire-the-bulls-have-been-struggling-just-to-score