Crown Le-Wade with Championship; Story Already Written?

As the Bulls and Heat prepare to tipoff the Eastern Conference Finals, some in Chicago think about what could have been. An article on ESPN Chicago talks about how Dwayne Wade and LeBron James both thought they'd be Bulls at one point during free agency (story). Apparently they didn't think about it too long, because they chose to team-up with Chris "Don't Call me Soft" Bosh, in a threesome that isn't nearly as world-beating as would have been the case with Wade, James and Derrick Rose.

But ... everything happens for a reason, right?

I believe that if James and Wade had taken "their services" to the Windy City, Rose wouldn't be the MVP, wouldn't have showed his unstoppable thirst for greatness - which won't be quenched until he receives a different trophy from Commissioner David Stern - the Championship Trophy.

The addition of Carlos Boozer instead of "Le-Wade" has created more of a team mentality, an "us against the world" approach that the Heat like to talk about. But the Bulls have it. They are the underdogs. The Bulls have the working-man's MVP. Despite wearing the Red, White and Black, the Bulls are a Blue Collar team. Rose has been the perfect role model - hard working, devoted, loyal and always positive about his teammates, yet demanding of himself. A world of difference from "The Decision" and the rally the Heat had before any of the Three Stooges had stepped on a court together wearing Miami jerseys.

Say what you want. History may show that the Heat win more championships with James, Wade and Bosh, but I'll take Derrick Rose and the elevation we've witnessed this season. We'll see if all of that work - both mentally and physically - will result in a 7th World Championship for the Bulls.

Jock Strap? Check. Other Support? Missing.

Could someone please put out an APB on Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver … quickly! Derrick Rose and the Bulls were spanked on Sunday night in Atlanta, as the Hawks evened their best-of-seven series at 2-games apiece. Rose, whose only support came from his athletic gear, was forced – and I don't use that word lightly – forced to take 30+ shots on a night when he didn't have his jumper.

Rose may be the meat in the Bulls sandwich (forgive the analogy, but it's lunchtime and I'm hungry!), but Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are the bread that keeps this team going – the intensity, the energy the Bulls so desperately need if they're going to revive their playoff lives and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Deng and Noah have to provide the spark - Deng by slashing to the bucket and creating space, and Noah by banging the boards and being a general nuisance.

And don't get me started on Korver! If you're a "shooter" - but you're missing your shots – and you don't play much defense – what's the point? Exactly! It's the lack of points that’s killing this team.

Atlanta has new confidence after a beat-down on Friday night. Josh Smith has discovered that if you don't heave-up bad shot after bad shot, and instead attack the rim, you will have success – and he did against the Bulls on Sunday. The Bulls are a couple of Jamal Crawford hot-streaks from going home and wondering how the hell they blew a shot at the Conference Finals to the Atlanta Hawks!

PACERS KEEP HITTING HIM - ROSE DOESN'T WILT

HEIR APPARENT?

ATHLETICISM

Bulls: First off, it's been said a million times this season, but DAMN! Derrick Rose is a MAN among boys. The kid – and I say that with the most affection possible – has the killer instinct, the drive to come out on top and the fearlessness of a warrior. OK, I may be exaggerating on the warrior front – but c'mon! When asked after the game by Comcast SportsNet Chicago's sideline reporter if the hard fouls were getting to be too much, Rose responded matter-of-factly, "It's only gonna get worse!" He went on to say that he's prepared for this – and this kind of punishment in the paint is what drives him to keep his body strong and continue lifting weights.

Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, clearly frustrated after a Game 2 loss to the Bulls, had some lofty praise for #1, saying he has ...

"Allen Iverson's quickness, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting touch and Micheal Jordan's athleticism." 

VISION

TOUCH

QUICKNESS

I don't know if Rose is up to any of those levels – but he's certainly climbing the latter pretty quickly. His humility, hard work, dedication, team-play and leadership are all great – but it's his killer instinct, the "eye of the tiger" if you will – or maybe it's tiger blood – that makes him so dangerous. He doesn't get frazzled. There's no worry on his face. Just that look of "I'm gonna get you, sucka!" And there's nothing anyone in the NBA has been able to do about it this year.

Blackhawks: How about that Corey Crawford! After getting shelled in the first 3 games versus Vancouver, the Hawks offense has provided 12 goals in 2 games, and Crawford has been stellar. Crawford stopped all 36 shots he faced in Game 5, and allowed only 2 lamp-lighters in Game 4, when he had 21 saves. The Hawks will try and even the series on Sunday at the United Center. Given up for dead just a couple of days ago, it's good to see the Hawks showing some life – and pride – as they attempt to defend their Stanley Cup Championship short-handed.

White Sox: Congratulations to fans of the White Sox, as the Southside Hitmen got off the schneid – snapping a 7-game losing streak with a 9-2 win over the Rays. As much as folks wanna talk about youth and how that's the ticket to winning. It wasn't last night for the Sox, as Omar Vizquel, A.J. Pierzynski, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko had 2 RBI's apiece – an average age of 35 years old – with Omar on the high end at 43 and Quentin at 28. Doing it "old school."

Bears: The NFL draft is creeping upon us – maybe. What are your thoughts on the Bears draft? Should they go offensive line? Wide receiver? Defensive back? Take a peak at a recent post about the Bears 2011 Draft and what direction they might go - http://bit.ly/faXx6n

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS – WE ALWAYS WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY! 

Bulls Celebrate 1st of 6 NBA Championships

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a special time for a kid growing up in Chicago. The only championship season I’d experienced came in the ’85-’86 NFL season when the Bears dominated all and took no prisoners. It wasn’t quite that easy for the Bulls, but the ride was a great one!

Who will ever forget Michael Jordan’s layup against the Lakers in the Finals – when he drove down the lane, put the ball up to the right – and then swooped back to the left – all while in mid-air. Classic!



The 20th anniversary of the Chicago Bulls 1st title will be celebrated this weekend at the United Center. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and the crew will be on-hand. Three key pieces will be absent; Phil Jackson will be coaching the Lakers, Bill Cartwright is an assistant with the Suns - and oddly enough, but not surprising, Jerry Krause will miss the event. Krause is busy scouting baseball.

Chicago Tribune's coverage of Saturday's celebration:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-10/sports/ct-spt-0311-bulls-91-champs-chicago--20110310_1_trust-factor-phil-jackson-bulls

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF THE 1991 SEASON?