Derrick Rose will renew excitement in Chicago come October, as will the Blackhawks.
Typical Sox: After taking three of four from the Red Sox, they get blown out by the A's on Tuesday and miss a rare chance to gain ground on Detroit. They're still eight games out, way too big a deficit to make up even with six remaining games vs. the Tigers.
Typical Cubs: They spank the Pirates for the second straight day, but again fail to gain any ground either on St. Louis (which rallied in the ninth to beat Milwaukee) or on wild-card-leading Colorado. Amazingly, the Cubs still haven't gained as much as a half-game on St. Louis on any day since Aug. 4, falling from a tie for the division lead to 11.5 games out.
Baseball season is over in Chicago, and no matter how exciting Jay Cutler and the Bears may be, we can't talk about them every day. So thank goodness that some familiar friends from last spring soon will be back in action.
It doesn't seem possible, but the Blackhawks -- fresh off their berth in the Western Conference finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs -- open training camp Sunday. Although it's hard to think about hockey when the weather is still warm outside, it will be fun to watch a legitimate championship contender begin preparations for what should be an exhilarating run. Believe it or not, the Hawks open regular-season play just three weeks from Friday (Oct. 2 vs. Florida in Helsinki, Finland).
Meanwhile, the Bulls also open training camp this month, and hopes are high after the way they pushed the Boston Celtics to the brink in a thrilling seven-game playoff series last season. Although Ben Gordon is gone, some predict that will be addition by subtraction as Derrick Rose continues to blossom and John Salmons gets more playing time.
Former Bulls coach Doug Collins said this week that the Bulls should be the fourth or fifth best team in the Eastern Conference, behind expected powerhouses Cleveland, Boston and Orlando. The Cavaliers have brought in Shaquille O'Neal, the Celtics acquired Rasheed Wallace and the Magic picked up Vince Carter, guaranteeing a whole new look to the conference race.
BTW, Dwyane Wade will be logging plenty of time in Chicago this week hosting his inaugural Wade's World Weekend charity event, and in Florida, there are concerns that all the face time he is doing in his hometown is an indication that he will seriously consider joining the Bulls as a free agent next summer.
As for the Hawks, they made a free-agent splash by signing Marian Hossa, only to learn he needed shoulder surgery and will miss the first couple months of the season. But if the offense can get by until Hossa returns, and if Cristobal Huet performs as heroically in goal as he did in that Game 5 overtime loss to Detroit, the sky is the limit for these Hawks.
So, as we prepare to welcome back our "Boys of Winter," which team has you more excited? And all things considered, which team -- Bulls or Hawks -- figures to be the next to hang another championship banner from the United Center rafters?
Cubs and Sox STILL are not done until the math says so! And BOTH still have a better chance and winning a World Series THIS year than the Bulls do.
The Hawks are clearly the Belle of this Ball. The Bulls are a wicked step sister with rotten teeth and a hideous mole on her face! The Bulls are looking for Prince D-Wade to kiss this frog, but the only kiss will be him telling the Bulls what they can kiss (if he is smart). Doug Collins is a sweet guy, but if he is not holding a clip board - aint no way D-Wade is coming here. I like Collins, but I see the Bulls as one of the 3 worst teams in the East, period. Addition by subtraction! Somebody up there can't add points!!! But they can count money!!! They have decided to take this year off and it ticks me completely off! The fans don't deserve it, Rose don't deserve it, Gordon didn't deserve it and its done NOTHING but make it even harder for someone like Wade to choose Chicago. You BUILD off success not go backwards. Orlando went to the finals and ADDED Vince. Cleveland went to the Conf. Finals and ADDED Shaq. Boston went to the Semi Finals and added Rasheed. The Bulls lost their lone playoff game and dispatched their leading scorer for NOTHING. And sent him to the PISTONS!!!
I AM ANGRY, enraged, foaming, fuming, furious, incensed, indignant, inflamed, infuriated, irate, outraged, riled, sore, steaming, raving, stormy; bristling, burning, cross, livid, seething, smoldering, worked up, acrid, acrimonious, antagonistic, antipathetic, bitter, embittered, inimical, malevolent, piqued, rancorous, virulent; ill-tempered, aggravated, annoyed, bearish, bilious, cantankerous, churlish, cranky, dyspeptic, exasperated, ill-humored, irascible, irritable, peevish, perturbed, contentious, contrary, disputatious, and my favorite: APOPLECTIC!!!!
We better not stop talking Bears! Bears Bears Bears! Morning Noon and Night! Bears and Hawks!
Regarding the "Boys of Winter" motto, I would think a lot of that has to go to preference of sport. I strongly support almost all Chicago sports teams, but my favorite sport is basketball, so naturally, I get more pumped up for the basketball season in all levels when it comes around. However, if I had to guess which team is closest to hanging a Championship banner, that would be the Blackhawks. I too noticed Dwyane Wade's face popping up in the Chicago scene quite a bit this offseason. Shoot, no problem, come on over it means that he is leaning towards signing with the Bulls in 2010! Stay depressed, Michael Beasley! The more drama that affects the Miami Heat team, the better the chances for the Bulls to recruit Wade. Now ranking the Bulls right behind the Celts, Magic and Cavs is awfully bold for anyone to believe. I don't even see them performing any better than Toronto and Atlanta, let's not forget the return of a fully healed Gilbert Arenas and new coach Flip Saunders of the Wizards, but bottom line, I'm more worried about the marked improvement of Luol Deng than I am about John Salmons performing at his usual consistent, but not spectacular, self. Rose's improvement as a leader and Luol Deng will be key, while depth will be a concern since there will be a big dropoff in the guard rotation after Rose and Hinrich. I also think they just have to find a way to play Tyrus Thomas more and stop playing the bench games with him. And lastly, Del Negro... I don't know, jury's still out on him as a quality coach, but this will be his last chance to show improvement whether he's the next "Phil Jackson" or the next "Bill Cartwright" to be shown the door by GarPax. The Bulls must show progress and they have to at least make the playoffs if they are ever going to win the signing battle of Wade or any other elite FA in the 2010 sweepstakes. I think the Bulls will squeak in the playoffs again, but no matter how you look at it, JR and company clearly took a step backwards for this season to set themselves up for free agency bonanza in 2010. As a paying fan, I wouldn't support that kind of conservative business strategy.
As for the Blackhawks, that continues to be all on the maturation of Kane of Toews and they'll be needed now more than ever in the beginning of the season while Hossa is out. I think key here is Patrick Kane stepping his game up big time to the potential that is expected to be among the level of Ovechkin and Crosby. For me, if you're a #1 OVERALL DRAFT PICK in any sport, I expect greatness, not just good, consistent play. It's time, no more messing around for Patrick Kane. Toews is already the better player and leader on the team and he wasn't even a former #1 overall. Same goes with Bryan Campbell.. honeymoon's over for him. Campbell must show that he was worth the FA money that the Blackhawks signed him for last year. I'm a bit worried about Huet, but I do like the goalie kids they have in Crawford and Antti Niemi.
I can't see the Bulls being much of a source of excitement.
This is not a case of addition by subtraction.
It is subtraction by subtraction.
I am realy excited about the Hawks. It's been a long, long time since I followed them. However, I don't feel as guilty as bandwagon
jumper should. There was literally nothing to watch over the last
10 years or so. I still pause at the thought that the a Wirtz is
in the background ready to silence everything again. It's genetic
you know......Wirtz's just don't want to be in the spotlight...what are
they hiding?
I am not so excited about the Bulls. They are more like mash potatoes-without gravy. The Hawks are the meat in this city(no
doubt, a comment Roman would not appreciate).A rose is just a rose...
...after all.
I don't know why, but I have a feeling that the Bulls are going to surprise more than a few people this year. This is assuming that Deng reverts back to pre-contract form.
I like the fact that they won't have Gordon's late game scoring to lean on anymore, because this will fascilitate better ball distribution, and allow Rose to take the next step in his growth as a point guard.
What Rose has to avoid is falling into the "No 'D', No Rebound" roll that Gordon occupied. One dimention doesn't cut it in this league, and never will. Anyone who can't work on both ends of the court effectively is only half a player, and will never lead a team to the promised land.
This is why nobody will ever mention Gordon's name in the same breath with players like MJ, Kobe, Stockton, etal. A one trick pony might be able to play in MLB's American League where they have a designated hitter, but when the playing roster rarely goes deeper than nine men, there's no place for a specialist.
And save the lectures about guys like Dennis Rodman because I was one of his biggest fans. Besides, Rodman wasn't one dimentional. He played tenacious defense, rebounded like a maniac on both ends of the court, and was a disruptive force like no other player in the league; able to get into opponents heads and throw them off their game with his mere presence.
As much as it pains me to say this, as a floor general and defender, Captain Kirk is of more value than Little Ben, and his ego is far less delicate. And without Gordon hogging the ball, (or coughing it up in transition) the offense will become a little less predictable.
Ok, I've rambled enough for today. I now turn the floor over to Keith, and his 30,000 word dissertation on the virtues of Gordon.
probably more excitement making this a "Put a caption to the photo" contest.....I'll start
"Memphis started recruiting me when I was this many"
The Bulls will be okay. They won't be a contender this year but they will be a playoff team with the chance of grabbing a big free agent next year. With Gordon gone its D.Rose time. He will be better in his second year and also has the chance to play some 2 guard when Kirk Hinrich comes into the game. The question mark is Luol Deng. If he can come back healthy and hungry then the Bulls will be a scary team. Especially because of their youth and athleticsm.
Edgar I'm with you man, Basketball is my main sport and I think Villano may be right about the Bulls surprising more than a few people. Tyrus needs to step it up and show he needs to be on the floor and not the bench and Vinny has to either sh@t or get off the pot. Show you can coach in the big show Vinny or go back to paper shuffling.
Keith I admire your tenacity at times but face facts dude the Cubs and Sox are playing for what little pride they have left right now and the odds either will make the post season are about the same as you hitting the mega millions jack pot. the Cubs are 11.5 out with what 23 to go? that makes St. Louis' magic number what 12? They Cubs can start planing early hunting trip[s.
Villy - according to what you are saying - Kirk and Deng are to be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan right??? You know the complete players on both sides of the ball right??? How about getting them to play a COMPLETE SEASONS first!!!! Complete player huh!
There is only ONE guy on this current team EVAH mentioned in the breath of Jordan - ONLY because he could hit an impossible shot in the 4th and take the air out of the gym like only Mike could do. MJ was the most predictable player on the court - and still the most unstoppable. Ask Cleveland/Utah if they knew who was going to take the shot in the 4th. Ask the Bulls if they think LaBron is going to shoot the last shot. Predictability only hurts when you have a BUSTER doing the shooting. Kirk and Deng WISH they were special. Don't confuse being specially PAID with the latter.
Villy - I hope that was not too many words for you. I did mention Kirk Hinrich enough to hold your interest I hope. Dont worry, he is going to be on the cover of this years program. Try not to get in bed with it.
Keith, my man, I share your pain and I humbly apologize for basically being responsible for transforming you into such a Bulls hater right now. Like I said before to you, I never meant to convert you like this. I know you're still a Bulls fan at heart, but you're getting awfully close to the "frustrated fan syndrome" of hating on their once favorite teams. I see this a lot in other fans. Look at the Hitman... he's really a Bears guy, but his hate for the team goes deep down to Jerry Angelo and Ted Phillips that no matter what kind of positive moves they make to improve the team, he'll never give them any credit at all and will wish the Bears team ill will every season until JA and Phillips & Co. (the proclaimed "yes" men of the organization) are completely removed from the Bears organization. Same with Seedy Backlash.. I believe he was a former die hard Cubs fan before who just got sick and tired of all the failed years and now pokes fun at them every chance he gets converting to a rival team like the Cardinals just to stick it to all the loyal remaining Cubs fans today. For me, I'll always be a fan of all my Chicago sports teams, but it doesn't mean that the teams are immune from criticism. Anyway Keith, I know your ticked off right now, but I just wanted to make sure that you don't completely abandon our beloved Bulls team because quite frankly, sometimes I don't mind reading some faired optimism and comic relief directed to my favorite sports team in Chicago once in a while. I'll leave the x's and o's basketball discussions with Navarro, Swagger, Tiny Tim Little, Villano, Phil, Culzie and those guys, cool? Cheer up, man.. the Bulls won't be THAT bad. ;) It's really all on Luol Deng... He BETTER be healthy! No more excuses, especially with all those missed games from a NON-SURGICAL injury! Again, I repeat to those ever loyal Luol Deng believers, a NON-SURGICAL injury! Doggone overpaid softie!
Edgar --
You should consider becoming a shrink. Your analysis is so far off, you would fit right in with most shrinks.
Hitman --
Funny caption.
Here is the typical Bulls quote going into each season.
2006-07 "Hope Tyrus can live up to his athletic ability"
2007-08 "Tyrus needs to step it up"
2008-09 "Tyrus needs to step it up"
2009-10 "Tyrus needs to step it up"
Teams are just going to put the clamps on Rose and dare the rest of the team to beat them.
Who will step up?
Who even has the ability to step up?
Role players play a role and rarely "step up" to win a game when needed. They may help you get to the final 5 min. but they are not the guys that you want taking control in crunch time and the Bulls are lacking in that department.
Other than Rose name one player on this team that you can honestly consider a "go to" guy.
Who is going to make the other team pay for doubling up on Rose?
Really stop and think about the players that have right now and say who is the player that can carry this team for even a few minutes.
Until the Bulls added Scottie Pippen it was just the Jordan "Owww and Ahhh" show and they were not a serious playoff team and that was with the greatest player of all time.
They were one extremely exciting talent and a collection of average role players and they were going nowhere.
Same thing here only Derrick Rose is not even close to Michael Jordan.
Rose does not have Jordan’s ability to push the players around him into overachieving.
He is just not that type of person and without that they have no real leader on this team.
O.K. love you guys and your basketball hi-tops, but I've got to stick up for my guys after twelve nothin'-but-net posts.
Here come the 'Hawks, the mighty Blackhawks... (um, they also start about a month earlier...tsk, tsk) ;-)
Stu responds: Thank you, Gig, from puckheads everywhere.
Edgar - with all due respect, the BULLS transformed me. You just pointed out the cheapness of the franchise and voiced your reason to no longer pay for an inferior product. Your arguments were sensible and quite sobering. I remember begging you not to dump your season tickets because I had faith in the team after Paxson fired Skiles. Things were progressing and I was willing to hang on in there because at least we had Gordon and Rose who I knew would NEVER let me down any night. I knew the dog had some fight in it and that was still worth tuning in.
I loved what Gordon brought to the table, but its a business and even your favorite players get traded - but to let the man roll out for nothing and get noone of his caliber to replace him was not only punishing Gordon, but me the fan and Rose his teammate. So now I go from watching a team that pushed the Celtics to 7 games to a team that couldn't push North Carolina to 7 games. The last time I was this angry was right after they ran Phil, Scottie and Mike out of town. All for somebody's EGO. And here we are again. What burns me up is that it has a personal feel to it and I don't like bullies and any form of unfairness. He was a main part of the greatest opening round of playoff ball in NBA History. And his reward was "there was no room for him".
Jury is out on the Bulls of course. I have to see the team play. But not really. You rarely see a team lose 20 points and still progress. And I think of Rose who has to try to be something he is not. PHIL is absolutely correct. That man is no MJ and folks are asking him to do more and more and more while shipping his HELP away. Nobody is asking the co-Captains to do anything but start and cash checks. Gordon was worth BOTH of those jokers!!! Its going to take winning to make me feel better. So we know how that's going to go.
Hey, I gave my props to the Blackhawks too, Gig!
Seedy- Maybe I'm wrong about you being a former Cubs fan, that was just a blind guess, but I know I'm not wrong about your buddy the Hitman. He said it himself in words that his hatred of the Bears stems from JA, Philips and the "yes" men of the orgranization, whoever they are, not necessarily the team and the players. Be that as it may, your continuing rants on the Cubs from our last "back and forth" session in FCP was still lame and overly obsessive.
Keith:
Where did I mention that either Kirk or Deng were complete players, worthy of being discussed alongside the likes of MJ? I must have missed that paragraph.
But if you'd care to talk about what I actually did say, feel free, because in case you missed it the first time, Kirk is better defensively than Gordon (who isn't?) and doesn't shy away from passing the ball, and trying to set up the offence. He's far less likely than Gordon to keep chucking them up from 20 feet out when they aren't falling for him.
Gordon never saw a shot he didn't like.
Phil, just tell me this about Tyrus (and I'm not saying he's a big key for the Bulls at all)... but how can he develop and succeed on this team if he's not on the floor?? In the Bulls-Celtics series, he had the great game 1 and then was always pulled off the court early by Del Negro who never gave him any chance whatsoever to help the team out, not even in that 4 overtime marathon. Tyrus wasn't on the floor, man! Can't blame it all on Tyrus when it's the darn coaches who won't trust him enough to play adequate minutes!...
Keith there is no freaking way the individual you have been speaking of (and who is no longer a Bull) can't come close to being able to be compared to MJ dude. For starters when did MJ evr score 35 and give up 36 on defense? How many times was BG even mentioned as a consideration on the all defensive team? MJ played defense as vigorously as he did offense, BG doesn't even know how to spell defense. I'm betting that when BG faces the Bulls Hinrich shuts him down. Maybe in the next couple years IF Rose developes some defensive abilities he might rise to a teir just short of MJ that would put him in the proximity of LeBron, Wade and (as much as I hate mentioning him) Kobe.
Edgar nice job of profiling.
ok, if the Bulls trade Boston for well, Boston...I'll buy a hat
Go Blackhawks!!....Hey Keith, I have a GIGANTIC Blackhawks magnet for the hood of your car
Kane is lucky the cabbie wasn't named Ditka
"So, as we prepare to welcome back our "Boys of Winter," which team has you more excited? And all things considered, which team -- Bulls or Hawks -- figures to be the next to hang another championship banner from the United Center rafters?"
Of the two Chicago teams, I am definitely more excited about the Bulls. Considering that they will have Miller, Salmons and Deng ready for the season opener, next season should be very interesting for the Bulls.
The Hawks will be good, but I think Huet will have some growing pains as he finds out what it means to be the number one goalie for the Hawks.
Thinking long term, I also believe the Bulls will have a better shot at eventually winning a championship because I see Rose maturing into a superstar/HOFer. His athletic skill set alone should guarantee elite player. Toews and Kane are future all stars, but not sure about Hall Of Fame. To win it all, you need a top 5 player/superstar.
RPK, I respectfully disagree in the most Michael Jordan monumental sense. While am one of "the few and the proud" puckheads on this blog, and has had his summer tainted by some pretty unsightly news from the red and black, I think it's no secret that there are only a few roundballers here that feel the Bulls are in a better spot than the Blackhawks. My knowledge of basketball is minimal, but I think I can see prominence when it's there even on the court. Moreover, I trust Edgar, Keith, Villy, Anthony, and the rest to remind me that there's no championship awaiting the Bulls anytime soon.
Gig, my post wasn't about the Bulls...so I am correcting you (12 nothing but net posts). Good day.
I am not blaming it all on Tyrus Edgar.
I like Tyrus and he does have talent but year after year we hear the same mantra.
If this is your guy then let's see it because for a player who has been in the league for several years now he looks like a role player and a pretty much one dimensional at that.
He has great physical skills but he does not seem to understand the game very well.
If they are waiting for him to figure it out all by himself (because the coaching staff sure as hell can’t show him a thing or two) then they are going to be disappointed once again.
I would have liked to have seen the Bulls bring in someone like Charles Oakley to teach Tyrus how to play power forward in the NBA and maybe give him a little bit of a mean streak.
There are just way too many passive or soft players on this team.
Michael, Scottie, Rodman, Grant, Harper, Cartwright…. Those guys would take your head off if they had to and never backed down.
They were physically and mentally tough and I don’t see that with this team.
No killer instinct at all.
Stuck, my apologies man, I missed your post. Good night.
Tim - I didn't say the man was MJ. I said he was the only one who could produce the MJ 4th quarter moment - like the game winning shots he had in NY. He hit those shots and the papers the next day read GORDAN or JORDAN - FACT in Chicago and NY. That is as far as the comparisons go. How soon we forget. Now I bet you we don't have another Bull that reminds you of MJ like someone ELSE was trying to elude to. Kirk is not MJ, thank you very much. And Mike was overrated defensively. ASK MAGIC. Scottie was the defensive stalwart. He and WORM. Mike was good, but he wasn't lock down. But since folks think Kirk is good I can see how they might make the leap.
Tim - I was saying the Cubs and Sox have a better chance winning a championship in 09 than the Bulls do for 2010! That means none at all brother. I know its over for the Sox and Cubs, but as bad as it is on the North and South sides - its worse on the Westside unless you are wearing ICE SKATES.
HITMAN - when you are right, you are right! Give me the magnet.
And while yall are crowning Rose the next Jordan - fact is he turns the ball over MORE than Gordon and is worse on defense, and YES has a lower scoring average. Rondo ate him for LUNCH except one game and I believe there were 7. RONDO AVERAGED A TRIPLE DOUBLE against him. And I like Rose, but I am going to keep it real. Rose is crying in his pillow because of the position the Bulls put him in this season. He is coming off the most controversial moment he has had in his life. And he has noone to help him with the scoring but Salmons. Rose was as bad a point guard as I mentioned above and he TOOOOOOOK Kirk's spot like Kirk was from the WNBA. Kirk lost his point-guard position to a guy who averages 5 turnovers a game. And he is the team captain!!! Thats how bad Kirk sucks rocks! And this cheap skate bunch of sphincter smellers decided to go out and get Generic Pargo from the Greek Dragons! This is what they did to Rose. Rose is now on the floor without a true baller and has to do it ALL by himself. I say he has a worse year than last and ends up a headcase. Vinny didn't like him either. Yall forgot that, but I didn't!!!!
Phil - Tyrus is the ONLY Bull that has gotten better every year - unlike our captains - ALL of his numbers have gone up steadily. He is a better shooter, ball handler, shot blocker and rebounder than he was when he got to the league. Vinny doesn't like the man because he has to teach the man some of the fundamentals of the game, but that is what a good coach does. Vinny is not good and clueless. He would rather have a Duke guy who is average than a Thomas who is special. And Tyrus is going to figure it all out here or with another team. You cannot teach "special". The Bulls have become Duke University! Thats it. It makes sense now. They are not going to beat North Carolina or anyone else in the East.
Bulls will not see a championship in the next 10 years easy the way they are going. Look just like Utah with worse talent and a court jester for a coach. And whoever they pay next year is not going to do jack because it will not be Labron, Wade, Kobe or Dirk. Hawks might get theirs this year or definitely next year just like the Whitesox. They are serious about winning and they are not talking all that "wait till the big free agents sign" crapola. When a guy doesn't perform - they send him PACKING. REAL GM's.
Keith say what you will but BG never gave me anything like an MJ feeling and I doubt anyone ever will. Yes BG hit some big 4th quarter shots but his missed as many if not more then he hit and took many when he should have passed the ball off. Whether or not MJ was overrated on defense he did play defense which Gordon never did. Comparing Rose's numbers to BG's is a bit unfair when you consider he was a rookie and BG was a 4 year vet. Hinrich knew going into the season that with Rose being the number 1 overall pick he had to start or the organization was going to catch hell and he accepted his role where as BG who's a natural 6th man insisted he wanted to start. Now I realize after going back and forth with you about the likes of Ben Wallace, Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry that your like a pit bull with a bone and aren't going to let it go until it's damn sure dead but this is my last comment on the subject....BG is gone get over it and move on.
Yo Tim!
With Keith it's all about the Benjamins.
Favorite Players: Ben Wallace, Ben Gordon
Favorite Movie: Ben
Favorite Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry's (easy on the Jerry)
Favorite Starch: Uncle Ben's Rice
Favorite Timepiece: Big Ben
Favorite Quarterback: Big Ben
Favorite President: Ben Franklin
Favorite Golfer: Ben Crenshaw
Favorite Soccer Player: Ben Brewster
Favorite Singer/Dancer: Ben Vereen
Favorite Actor: Ben Stiller
Favorite Obama Federal Appointment: Ben Bernake
Favorite Saying: "Ben there ... done that."
Wanna get on Keith's good side? Change your name to Ben.
Hey, how about some ink or bytes for the Wolves? At least they have won something in this millenium.
KLSS --
That last post is pushing you ever closer to pulling a Culzie, a WRD and/or a Philtration. And it's about basketball?!?!?!?!?!?! I can understand lengthy posts about the Bears and football -- where people care and the players are above average... every one of them -- but the Bulls and NBA basketball??? Like most NBA basketball games, you should save your lengthy posts for the fourth-quarter -- the only time teams really play.
Btw, recently saw Tyrus T. in Union Station. That vacant stare he has on the floor during pivotal moments in games... he also had it walking thru the Metra station. Poor guy. Life is passing him by and he probably doesn't even know it.
Rex Grossman had that stare, too.
Ah... Villano.
You do know that Ben Franklin was never President don't you?
He died the year after George Washington became the first U.S. President.
You lie!
You forgot what the Bulls have been saying to their fans for the last ten years....
"Meet our friend Ben Dover"
SEEDY - count it to my heart. I LOVE HOOPS and believe it or not - the Bulls. You have to "know" to understand. I have it bad.
TIM - Ask Stacey King about the Rain Maker and the Shot Maker. I was in the United Center last year in the playoffs when I called his shot - and he closed Boston OUT. Popcorn and Nachos flying everywhere! People cheering and jumping wildly. Complete mayhem and euphoria! And you are right of course - the thrill is gone. Pardon me for caring.
You assume that Kirk didn't care - I believe with all the fiber of my being that he went to Vinny and demanded to start - which is how he eventually got on the floor! I wouldn't respect Kirk if he didn't want to start!!! KIRK THE NOBLE NOW! I flat out don't believe it. PAXSON had to put his foot down and MAKE Vinny play Rose - especially after he got about 50 billion death threats from the fans and probably a call from STERN.
That entire situation spoke volumes. You see, all Vinny had to do was bench Ben Gordon. But even Vinny wasn't that stupid. 4th quarter came and he looked down the bench and knew good and WELL what to do. And when we got in the PLAYOFFS...please. Vinny had plenty of options - ASK TYRUS!! But Vinny wasn't about to be stupid and face the press after the game. He put Gordon and his bad defense on the floor! Start, Start, Start, Start, Start, Start, Start! And rolled the dice with Gordon. Salmons was hurt, but Kirk and Rose were just fine. And Kirk-The-Noble came off the bench while the other "cough" CAPTAIN was in a suit watching. They were scared!! But they fought valiantly! And I think Rose learned more in the playoffs than he did the entire year. He said so! He and Salmons did. They were learning from the rainmaker. Was GREAT for the fans and good for the team. Thats what Salmons and Miller came over for. The thrill is GONE. You see those Bulls commercials??? What do you think they are trying to sell??? A commodity they no longer possess. PLAYOFF HOPES. I feel like Florida Evans!!!!
Ah... Villano.
You do know that Ben Franklin was never President don't you?
He died the year after George Washington became the first U.S. President.
You lie!
__________________
I know, but I keep slipping up because he's in the, "Dead Presidents" team photo.
Villano you're crackin me up here. Actually i think Ben Franklin would be Keith's favorite electrician. And we all know electricians are all about dead presidents so your trnsgression is excused.
Keith I never said Kirk liked coming off the bench I only said he accepted his role. and that my friend is the definitive end of the conversation as far as I'm concerned. My focus is on what we have now not what anyone thinks should have or could have been. If I wanted to keep lookin back I'd still be yakin about trading Artest and Miller for Jalen Rose or trading Elton Brand for the rights to Chandler or dismantling the Championship team at least one year too soon or even the Cubs trading Brock for Brolio. One thing that seems to escaspe everyone is that series with the Celtics was played Garnettless. That changed the entire complexion of the series. Yes it was exciting but had the Bulls won the series the talk would have been what if garnett hadn't been hurt? And as exciting as it was it still did not have the feeling there was when MJ, Pip and Rodman dispatched Stockton, Malone and Honecek. It was merely the most excitement the fans had had since that time.
STU - this picture is so prophetic!
I just caught it! LOL!!!!!
Rose is saying "I surrender" - the United Center belongs to the Hawks!!!!