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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 . . . 

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.

“Pick number 9 goes to the Charlotte Bobcats”
Wait, who got what? No, really, there’s no way. One-point-seven-percent chances don’t pay off. They just don’t, but we got in the top freaking 3!!!

“The 3rd overall pick goes to the Minnesota Timberwolves.”

Holy Fµ¢¿ing S¶!T !!!!! TOP TWO?!!!

“The 2nd overall selection goes to…. the Miami Heat.”

(passes out briefly)

I was briefly tempted to call this post “do you believe in miracles?,” but realized that Al Michaels may sue me, and well, I don’t like being sued. Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, I’m not sure what to say, as I’m still kinda in shock.

Good shock, of course, but we get the pick of the litter in a STACKED draft class. Now, Pax is under all kinds of pressure to sign somebody, trade somebody (the two are not mutually exclusive), and pick the future stud of the team.

Wow, talk about a to do list.

My preliminary thoughts on what can be accomplished are in tonight’s cast (subtle enough plus for ya?), but I would also love some feedback from the peanut gallery (I don’t think you guys are peanuts, I really just always wanted to use that phrase). So, legume references aside, email me at Nick@bullscast.com with your crazy trade ideas, and I will use them in the next cast after tonight’s. Also, I am going to attempt again to pull off the elusive call in show at least once before the draft- possibly between the 30th and the 8th.

until then kiddies

-Nick

Much is amiss on West Madison this summer, and a few minutes ago the ping pong balls bounced right for John Paxson and the Bulls, who only had a 1.7% chance of getting the first pick. Stay tuned for coverage and commentary by Bullscast host Nick Gorsage, who will soon be joined by a new co-host.

The NBA draft is a little over a month from now, on June 26th in New York City.

Let us know who the Bulls should pick #1!

If this isn’t your first time visiting Bullscast, you’ll notice that our website looks a lot different today than it has for the past several years. We’ve been redesigning the site for some time and are happy to roll out the new version this week.

Feel free to check out a few of the new features:

* Latest Episodes — check out the 3 most recent episodes of our show on the right side of the page.

* Get notified of new Bullscast episodes via e-mail

* Become a fan of our brand new Facebook page

* Flickr photos — tag a new photo you upload on flickr “chicagobulls” or “bullscast” and you might see it on our site

There are many additional features on the new site. Feel free to make yourself at home and check them out.

How obvious has it become that Chris Duhon and Andres Nocioni are the two guys pushing the Bulls forward this December?  Their gutsy, put-the-team-on-their-back performances have added more than just energy to the Bulls — they’ve added wins.  Duhon’s prowess early on this season (3 12-point performances in consecutive games this month, including 9 assists in a win at Charlotte) may look slightly better because of Captain Kirk’s rough going so far in 2007-2008, but prowess is a rare commodity for these Bulls.

And maybe it’s partly due to the word in front of “Kirk” — Skiles has refused to start Duhon instead of one of our team captains, despite benching Hinrich routinely while Duhon and Noc turn games around and help the Bulls build larger leads.  Hinrich seems to be getting back to form but the only given for his play is that it’s sure to vary between “on” one night and “who-knows-where-the-switch-is” off the next.

In the meantime, Skiles has chosen his typical tight-lipped approach…starting the same 5 guys (Deng, Smith, Wallace, Gordon, Hinrich), but showing everyone who he thinks the best 5 are by playing them during key stretches of several 3rd  quarters (Deng, Nocioni, Noah, Gordon/Hinrich, Duhon).

Why not start this group?

• Is it because Ben Wallace makes more money per game than the cost of 18,000 headbands?

• Is it because Noc’s crazy awesomeness increases to a peak level after watching his team get outhustled for the first 6-10 minutes of the game?

• Is it because Skiles loves lists of 3 from bloggers?

The Bulls are starting to right the ship, and beating the Pistons for the 2nd time this season last week was great — but until we see a new starting lineup, we aren’t going to beat the likes of the Celtics.  Don’t even get me started on the Western Conference.