The dream opening entertained Chicagoans, but three consecutive losses have brought the Bulls crashing back to reality: they're vulnerable against star power.

This season, Chicago embraced an identity Billy Donovan has nurtured since taking the helm in 2020. After years of mediocrity, the results arrived early — a 5-0 start fueled by balanced scoring and collective effort. "Strength in numbers" became ingrained in their DNA, with multiple players stuffing the stat sheet nightly.

But reality hit hard. After a dream start to the season, the Bulls dropped to 6-4, including back-to-back road losses to Milwaukee and Cleveland, and a frustrating home yield Monday against San Antonio. One painful truth emerged: sometimes collective effort doesn't match absolute star power.

It feels harsh to say after their heroic 24-point comeback against Philadelphia, but if the Bulls hadn't won that game, the story would've been Tyrese Maxey's 39-point explosion that dominated 99% of the contest. And imagine if Paul George returns at full strength.

Against Milwaukee in the NBA Cup, Chicago couldn't contain Giannis Antetokounmpo's 41-point, 15-rebound demolition. Facing Cleveland, they built a 19-point halftime lead before Donovan Mitchell erupted for 26 of his 29 points in the second half, including five threes that evaporated their cushion. Monday night against San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama drilled two clutch threes over Nikola Vucevic to blow away another Bulls lead, pouring 38 points at the United Center.

Donovan said they "lived in the paint" on Monday’s postgame. He's not entirely wrong because the Bulls average 55.8 paint points per game, placing fourth in the league. But Wembanyama's ability to step outside and drain polished perimeter shots in crunch time rendered that effort meaningless.

This isn't just about struggling to close games in the fourth quarter, though that's part of it. The Bulls scored just 24.3 points per game in fourth quarters during the three-game skid, while opponents averaged 35. The deeper issue is that stardom typically shows up in the fourth, and Chicago has no answer.

While "strength in numbers" sounds noble and the Bulls are executing it well, they're exposed when encountering teams with absolute solo dominance. Even their first loss — 116-128 to New York — showed warning signs when Jalen Brunson dropped 31 points. But the Knicks also boast depth: Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby all scored in double figures, combining for significant contributions. Even the New York bench features Jordan Clarkson, Josh Hart, veteran shooter Landry Shamet, and young gun Miles McBride — all with starting potential.

That's the real problem: the Bulls struggle not just against star power, but against teams with similar depth plus superior talent.

The schedule doesn't ease up. Chicago heads back on the road, including a West Coast trip against Portland. But first comes Thursday's rematch at Detroit—a crucial test. The Bulls won the season opener impressively, but if they want to prove their hot start wasn't a fluke, they need to beat the Pistons again to escape this current mud.

Detroit presents its own challenges. Cade Cunningham has elevated his game, surrounded by other comrades who generate impact through teamwork — a similar trait to Chicago's approach. The Pistons also rank fourth in defensive rating, meaning the Bulls won't feast on easy buckets though they won the first-round battle of the season.

The real test has arrived quietly. Chicago's depth and chemistry are admirable, but without a go-to closer or a legitimate star to counter opposing superstars in crunch time, the Bulls remain vulnerable. If they can't solve this riddle soon, their promising start will fade into another chapter of familiar mediocrity.

Wednesday in Detroit will reveal whether this team has learned anything from three straight humbling defeats.

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