Posts tagged ‘Derrick Rose’

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.

Recommended Reading:

That quote makes me oh so happy!  The crew over at DraftExpress has begun a series of “Rookie Retrospectives”, in which they revisit there initial draft-day scouting reports based on the player’s first twenty-ish games in the Association.  Read their review of Derrick Rose.  Pretty comprehensive and inspiring stuff.  I’m almost certain to jack a few insights and pawn them off as my own on the podcast.

Recommended Listening:

Annoyed that Nick and I aren’t banging out podcasts with the frequency you desire?  Listen or watch The Basketball Jones everyday!  It’s dope!  Two guys from Toronto who are both very funny.  Plus, unlike Bullscast, it’s short, snappy, and well-produced (wink)!

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!

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.

It has been almost a week since KG uncontrollably roared like an “I Am Legend” alpha male zombie into Michele Tafoya’s post-game microphone. The Boston Celtics capped an historic turnaround season by hoisting the trophy. They shattered the NBA record for best single-season turnaround, catapulting from 24 wins one year to 66 wins the next, a 42-game swing.

So, am I, a die-hard fan of a pathetic Bulls team that won 16 FEWER games than the season prior, a bit envious of the Celtic’s historic rise? No. Actually, just the opposite…I’m relieved NOT to be a part of it! You see, it is no mystery how the Celts elevated from forgotten bottom-dweller to SportsCenter darling…they bought it.

Alright, maybe technically-speaking they didn’t “buy it,” but it certainly feels that way. Garnett and Allen, two-thirds of the “Big Three,” were added this season via Blockbuster Trade and P.J. Brown, Sam Cassell, Eddie House, and James Posey were all signed this season for this specific title run. Sure, you can defend the acquisitions by crediting Danny Ainge as a masterful GM, but that is the same logic New Yorkers use to defend the world series rings purchased by the free-spending Yankees.

Call me crazy, old-fashioned, or naïve, but I’m glad Paxson did not sell our homegrown players for all-stars like K.G., Kobe, or Gasol. Doing so would be pretty much equivalent to Rhys Ifans, the potbellied, snaggle-toothed Welsh actor, undergoing full-body cosmetic surgery in a quest to knock Matt Damon off the “People’s Sexiest Man” throne. (Ifans is pictured here prancing around half-naked in the film Notting Hill. Unsightly.)

You see, as diehard Bulls fans, we don’t merely root for red jerseys; we become invested in and cheer for the players themselves. I’m proud that Deng, Noah, Hinrich, Gordon, Thabo, Nocioni, and (soon) Rose are all homegrown drafted Bulls. They may need a tuck or a lift here and there, but definitely not an extreme makeover. Eventually, when they win their title, Bulls fans will find it infinitely sweeter and more rewarding because we will have watched them grow and persevered with them through the most trying of times.

After all, that Welsh actor, he opted NOT to “purchase” George Clooney-like looks…and now he’s dating Sienna Miller! There is hope Bulls fans.