Archive for the ‘Blog Entries’ Category

You may have noticed today that there’s a new graphic at the top right of each page on our site. It’s a link to the brand new 140 Characters from Center Court feature on our site. We envision this as something awesome that fans can use to get and provide real-time feedback while watching the game. Since it uses Twitter, it’s easy for fans at the game, fans watching the game on TV, and fans listening at work to use. Similar to a “game thread,” but easier to use and more interactive.

To start interacting, just add the phrase #bulls to any Twitter message (”tweet”) and it’ll show up on the 140 Characters from Center Court page.

Create a twitter account and try it out before or during tonight’s game!

Big thanks to the guys over at Cubscast for helping us get this up and running.

Kelly Dwyer, the dude that’s NOT J.E. Skeets on Yahoo! Sports’ Ball Don’t Lie, posted his top-ten defenders of the last-decade. Guess who made the list? Sitting pretty at #10, Nick’s boy Captain Kirk Hinrich!

From the article:

Hinrich fell off noticeably in 2007-08, though he did bounce back by a goodly sum last season. It does little to jettison him from this list, as the Bulls combo guard moves his feet quite well and uses a lanky-ish frame (for someone his size) to pester all manner of point and shooting guards, alongside the occasional small forward. Not the flashiest guy, he won’t be stripping you at the top of the key, but he will force you into giving up the ball or giving into a low-possession shot.

Also, rare video or Nick Gorsage immediately after reading this Hinrich love-fest.

Alright, I must admit, I have yet to purchase a single Christmas gift.  Only 6 more days?!  Really?  Wow, the Holidays really crept up on me this year!  So in the interest of further procrastination, I’ve decided to dedicate my quickly dwindling “gift shopping time” to compiling a few gift ideas for your everyday Bulls fan.

It’s a tough call.  Do you go the authentic Jersey route (replicas are wack and entirely out of the question)?  Maybe, but they’re expensive, and often suffer from a short lifespan.  For example, my Tyson Chandler jersey is buried deep in my closet next to my Jalen Rose (if only Derrick Rose had opted for #5).  Any day now, my Hinrich jersey will be packed into a box for storage, and that Deng jersey might not be too far behind.  Derrick Rose seems like a pretty solid bet, but how many of you own never-to-be-worn again Jay[son]Williams jerseys (knock on wood a million times)?

Throwbacks are an option: the MJ and the Pip are obvious classics, but it might be even cooler to rock Grant’s #54 or Van Lier’s #2!  But I’ll admit, these retro J’s often cost a fortune, and many shoppers are required to stay within the confines of the Secret Santa Salary Cap. 

So, I suggest acquiring some player-neutral gear.  However, be wary of any neutral garments sold by the official NBA Store . . . you don’t want the recipient of your gift to be mistaken for Bulls strength coach (or, even worse, Jim Boylan)! 

Very Bad

I’ve linked to a few solid options from MooseShirts.com.  Check out the following Tee’s: Upper Playground’s “Pit Bulls”, Playing for Keeps’ “Skull”, Upper Playground’s “We Fly High” and  New Era’s “We Fly High” Hat.  Please, don’t hesitate  to email Nick or myself for our respective shipping addresses!  I own a couple of these, so gift receipts are encouraged.  Happy Holidays.

Wow. If there was any question to how devoted to Chicago sports Derrick Rose is, the question has been answered. In all caps. And with misspellings. D-Rose put Kerry Wood’s hot tub injury to shame in one fell slice on Monday. It’s a shame that we can’t hear the trash talk that the lauded Bulls guard will hear starting later tonight.

Here are a few guesses at some of the on-court banter:

How bout’ dem apples!?! — opposing guard, after making a 3-point play after a weak foul by Aaron Gray

Hey Martha Stewart…(trails off) — Charles Barkley, en route to making a point about turnovers

Welcome to the Jungle of Fun. Please remove your shoes. — Judd Buechler

A knife! In the bed! What were you thinking! — Reggie Miller

‘Now it cuts like a knife…but it feels so right’ — jukebox at bowling alley

Can I get a witnesssss! — Rev. Jeremiah Wright

Can I get a witnesssss! — Larry Hughes

Who will I pretend to want to pass the ball to after dribbling 20 seconds off the shot clock? Heal up, son. In the meantime, did I say you guys could stop counting my money? Count it! Count it up! — Ben Gordon

Go Bulls, and Go Bizarre Injuries!

Check out this hilarious (and equally depressing) article from the guys over at “Empty the Bench” (great site) ripping apart the Bulls frontcourt. It eloquently encapsulates my frustration with Tyrus:

“Bulls Frontcourt is Offensive for all the Wrong Reasons”

Rooftop Golf: Yo Pax, cut Tyrus and sign the dude on the left!

Courtesy of listener Ken . . . creepy right?

Vinny

Luke Wilson in Blue Streak

During the first couple games this season I thought nothing had changed for the Bulls from last year to this year. Yes there’s Derrick Rose, and it’s easy to see that he’s the brightest spot on the team. But the overall play has been the same — the Bulls cannot play with a lead. They don’t know how to do it. Once they’re up by as little as 5 points, there is a conscious (or unconscious, who knows) effort to allow the other team to go on a 10-2 run.

The good news is, that has carried over to the 2008-2009 team. The bad news is, last year’s team actually TOOK the lead at key points in games. This year’s team is constantly playing 10 points down. It’s worrisome.

Luckily, Vinny Del Negro isn’t taking this lying down. Here’s his halftime speech from last night’s Cleveland game.

Put that coffee down, Aaron Gray.

Pardon my politicking, but it there’s any day it’s acceptable on a Bulls blog, today would be the day. Right?  I received this in my inbox this afternoon from diehard Bulls fan Dan Bruhl.  Thought I’d pass it along.

Dan Writes:

I know you’re never supposed to talk about religion, poop, or politics as it may offend people, but here’s a few reasons for Bull’s fans to go out and vote for Mr. Barack Obama . . .

“I’ve never known anything about politics before, never got involved. It was just too over my head, and it seemed like I could never do anything about it. I felt like my voice wasn’t to be heard or anything. And for whatever reason, Obama makes you understand that you do have a voice and what you do effects this country, no matter how major or minor.” ~ former Bull Tyson Chandler [Link]

“Obama. Yes, because he’s a Chicagoan. So that’s who I gotta go for. If I didn’t vote for him, I probably wouldn’t be able to go back to Chicago. So he’s got my vote automatically.” – Bull’s number #1 pick Derrick Rose [Link]

“I think Derrick Rose is the man.  I think he is Jason Kidd with a jump shot.  I think he’ll be a great point guard in the NBA and he’s from Chicago.” ~ Barack Obama [Link]

“I actually can relate to the Bulls,” the Democratic presidential candidate said following his remarks where he called for more fuel efficient automobiles. “They’re a young team. They’ve never been there before. Sometimes they’re going to make a few mistakes. But I think they’ve got great promise.” ~ Barack Obama [Link]

“He talks the whole time. He’s never quiet.” What are some of the things he would say? ” ‘You can’t guard me!’ Just random talk. He knows the game. He’s like a point guard out there, and so he’s always telling guys where to go, what to do, very vocal.” Who won? “Oh, I won – he may be running for president, but I’m not going to let him win, not going to take it easy on him. I don’t take it easy on anyone.” ~ former Bull Chris Duhon [Link]

“I want to congratulate Luol Deng on being honored with this award. In a world rife with conflict, one of our most important obligations is to look after the innocent victims of war, including those who are forced to flee their homes as refugees – and few understand this better than Luol. His dedication to bringing hope to millions of children living as refugees in Sudan and around the world is an inspiration, as is Luol’s own life itself. Both on and off the court, Luol sets a standard of excellence and service that all Americans can look to for inspiration.” ~ Barack Obama on Deng’s UN Refugee Agency’s Humanitarian of the Year Award [Link]

“However, as far as I am aware Barack Obama would be the first United States President who is an avid hoops fan. Basketball is a huge part of Mr. Obama’s life, he plays all the time on the campaign trail. He is so passionate about playing that on “Super Tuesday” reports indicate that he made sure time was allocated for him to play! The Senator along with his “Body Man” Reggie Love, play with Secret Service Agents every day since he has been running for President.” [Link]

Barack Obama drains a 3 without warming-up and is interviewed afterwards and also a sweet Barack mixtape . . . 

Barack Obama Makes 3 Pointer!

Barack Obama Mixtape

And of course his Greatness is listed as a contributer to Barack’s campaign . . . [Link]

I hope, whatever your political leanings, Bulls fans all go out and vote today.  Make history!

-Dan Bruhl

This is the clip from the ESPY Awards Nick mentioned on the November 3^rd podcast.Pretty funny stuff.  

Wait, Nick watches the ESPYs? Really? Lame.

Only three games in, and the D-League-ian principals behind the Bulls starting rotation are beginning to drive me crazy.  Thabo Sefolosha looks terrible.  Based on his appalling play during the preseason, one would expect to see Thabo sitting far down the bench donning some unfortunate suit.  How did this guy get an upgrade to starter?

A Bulls fan would hope that young Thabo might take advantage this opportunity and prove his doubters wrong.  Unfortunately, 4.5 points per game isn’t going to sway many voters.

The rationalization most often provided for this irrational decision is “player development.”  Are the Bulls gearing up for a show down with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants?  Must the team develop their players on National television versus the defending champs?  It’s embarrassing!  Shouldn’t they take care of player development during training camp, practice, or, if all else fails, in the Development League?

The most effective way for the Bulls to improve their players would be to create a competitive environment.  It should be reinforced that playing time is a scarce commodity and everyone must compete for their share of the minutes.  Thabo certainly hasn’t earned his.

Rewarding poor play with a coveted starting spot is a very dangerous precedent to set.  After all, just remember, unless he succumbs to a Tanya Harding-like assault (fingers-crossed), Larry Hughes is expected to return from injury in only a week or so . . .