Thank You Taj Gibson.

Hearing that you are officially retired marks the end of an incredible and inspiring career. It’s tough to see you leave. You have meant nearly everything to me and to every single fan who watched you become the absolute heartbeat of the late 2000s era. You were not loudest or flashiest player on the court, but you were there when it mattered. You are the ultimate professional and one of the most beloved pieces of basketball.

You came in Chicago as a rookie in the late 2000s, the late 1st round, stepping onto a team with great expectations. But right from the beginning, you earned our trust, our admiration, and our respect. You became a Chicago Bull forever. You will be missed not only from Bulls fan, but from us all.

When you were drafted 26th overall in 2009, nobody could have predicted you’d become the anchor of one of the most beloved eras in Bulls history. As the engine of the legendary bench you showed us that greatness isn't measured by a starting spot. You gave up personal stats and accolades because you cared about one thing, and that was winning. You defended at an elite level, ran the floor with endless energy, and threw down some of the most electric, rim-rocking putbacks the world has ever seen.

To finish your playing career 5th in total blocks in Bulls history says everything about your willingness to do the dirty work. You protected the rim, protected your teammates, and earned the respect of every player who ever shared a locker room with you. There’s a reason Tom Thibodeau brought you everywhere he went you were the ultimate culture setter.

Seventeen years in the NBA is a lifetime. To cap off that incredible journey by stepping straight off the court and onto Tiago Splitter’s coaching staff feels perfectly right. This young, rebuilding squad desperately needs direction, and there is nobody better to teach them what it means to play with heart.

Seeing your journey come full circle is the best part of this news. Stepping directly off the court and onto Tiago Splitter’s coaching staff feels completely right. This young, rebuilding Bulls roster needs direction, and there is absolutely no one better to teach them what it truly means to wear the red and black.

Thank you for the hustle, the heart, and 17 years of doing things the right way.

You are forever a Bull.

With Love and Respect, Stephon. ❤️