In this Tuesday, April 9, 2019, file photo, Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, in Chicago. (AP Photo / Kamil Krzaczynski, File)

The Chicago Bulls fired coach Jim Boylen on Friday, the new front office beginning its remake of a team that missed the playoffs again. 

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Sports fans, the countdown can finally begin. As the country takes its first steps out of a coronavirus-induced slumber, plans for the re-emergence of pro sports are surfacing. 

In this Oct. 23, 2019, file photo, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.  (AP Photo / Rick Bowmer, File)

The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July, the clearest sign yet that the league believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Dennis Rodman (File photo)

If you’re watching ESPN’s Michael Jordan documentary series “The Last Dance,” you have lots of company — and you may have spotted another familiar face on the series recently.

Former sportswriter Melissa Isaacson joins “Chicago Tonight” for a virtual interview on Monday, April 20, 2020. (WTTW News)

On Sunday night, Chicago sports fans were treated to the much-anticipated premiere of an ESPN documentary. Former Bulls beat writer Melissa Isaacson shares her take on the 10-part series.

In this June 10, 1998, file photo, Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan reaches high above teammates Dennis Rodman, left, Scottie Pippen, and Scott Burrell (24) for a rebound against the Utah Jazz in the second half of Game 4 in the NBA Finals in Chicago. (AP Photo / Michael S. Green, File)

A 10-part documentary series focused on the final year of the 90’s Bulls dynasty that won six NBA titles in eight years will debut Sunday night on ESPN and on Netflix over five consecutive Sundays through May 17.

Jennifer Hudson sings a tribute to former NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash Jan. 26, before the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo / Nam Huh)

It has become one of the NBA’s most revered traditions: On the morning of the NBA All-Star Game, the league pays tribute to retired players with what is called the Legends Brunch.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson grabs a rebound during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in New Orleans, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. (AP Photo / Matthew Hinton)

Zion Williamson and Trae Young are used to meeting fans who are typically a bit nervous during those interactions. This was different. This time, they were nervous to meet the fan.

(WTTW News)

The NBA’s All-Star Game is in Chicago for the first time since 1988 and the city is bouncing with NBA events all weekend. Here’s a preview.

In this June 7, 2009, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill, File)

Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with sublime skills and an unquenchable competitive fire.

Common attends Tiffany Haddish’s “Black Mitzvah” at the SLS Hotel on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell / Invision / AP)

The NBA said Thursday night that the Grammy winners will be headline performers at the All-Star Game in Chicago on Feb. 16.

Melissa Isaacson appears on “Chicago Tonight.”

How Title IX changed a future Chicago sportswriter’s life, and paved the way for a championship basketball team from Niles West. We speak with Melissa Isaacson, author of “State: A Team, a Triumph, a Transformation.”

In this Feb. 9, 2019, file photo, DePaul head coach Dave Leitao reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo / John Minchillo, File)

The NCAA suspended DePaul men’s basketball coach Dave Leitao for the first three games of the regular season Tuesday, saying he should have done more to prevent recruiting violations by his staff.

In this Wednesday, April 10, 2019, file photo, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) acknowledges cheers from the crowd before the start of the final NBA basketball game of his career, against the Brooklyn Nets in New York. (AP Photo / Kathy Willens, File)

The book is called “3 Dimensional” and tells of the 13-time All Star’s rise from Chicago’s South Side to NBA stardom.

Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball coach Porter Moser speaks to the press March 19, 2018. (Chicago Tonight)

Loyola-Chicago coach Porter Moser says he plans to stay at the school after he reportedly talked to St. John’s about its job.

Loyola University of Chicago's Sister Jean shows off the NCAA Final Four ring she received Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018 before an NCAA college basketball game between Loyola of Chicago and Nevada. (Matt Marton / AP Photo)

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt now has a little bling to go along with the international attention she gained as the near-centenarian team chaplain during Loyola-Chicago's run to the NCAA Final Four.