Ramble On

Through The Looking Glass

2011-04-06T15:45:00.001-05:00

A conversation today about the worthiness of the MVP award and a player’s attributes required to achieve it somehow, of course, brought us to LeBron. The discussion focused on players performances in the clutch, and I made the statement that: “LeBron still can’t hit a shot with 5 seconds left to save his life”. To which the obvious counter was Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, where

The Other 11

2011-03-02T15:33:00.004-06:00

FROM CHI-CA-GO… The Chicago Bulls held the rights to the 1st pick of the 2008 NBA Draft. The national consensus was that the first pick would most likely be Michael Beasley, but that Derrick Rose was also a legitimate contender. The Bulls selected Derrick Rose over Michael Beasley, as we all know. I’ll go ahead and let you decipher which player, at the beginning of the 2010-11 NBA season, said

Mid-Season Review

2011-02-28T15:51:00.000-06:00

Let's see how my early-season predictions are looking so far: Makes (0-3 Ranking Differential): Miami (0), Minnesota (0), Memphis (1), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Indiana (1), Charlotte (2), Sacramento (2), Cleveland (2), Chicago (2), Boston (3), It doesn’t surprise me that I hit most of these. I think nailing Memphis, New York, Charlotte, and Chicago are my proudest victories here. Memphis

How to Fix the Pro-Bowl

2011-01-31T16:27:00.001-06:00

I can honestly tell you that I have never been interested in watching the Pro Bowl, regardless of them having it before or after the Super Bowl. I just don’t care. I’d wake up hungover in college, realize it was on, and shut the TV off instead of watching it. There’s no point to it. That led me to wonder what about football players – and these specific Pro Bowlers – am I most interested in? I

NBA Power Rankings: Pre-Season

2010-10-27T10:24:00.000-05:00

Pre-Season Power Ranking Team O/U My Pick Conference 30 Toronto Raptors 26.5 Under East 29 Minnesota Timberwolves 23.5 Under West 28 Cleveland Cavaliers 30.5 Under East 27 Detroit Pistons 31.5 Under East 26 Sacramento Kings 27.5

2010-11 NBA Preview: Western Conference

2010-10-26T19:18:00.001-05:00

Western Conference 15. Minnesota Timberwolves – 23.5 – 2010-2011 Over/Under for Wins Last Season: 15-67, 15th seed West Additions: Wesley Johnson (draft), Michael Beasley (trade), Martell Webster (trade), Luke Ridnour (FA), Darko Milicic (re-signed), Nikola Pekovic (draft), Kosta Koufos (trade) Subtractions: Al Jefferson (UTAH), Ramon Sessions (CLE), Oleksiy Pecherov (FA), Ryan Hollins (CLE)

2010-11 NBA Preview: Eastern Conference

2010-10-25T13:40:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my 2010-11 NBA Preview. Below you will find my predictions from worst-to-first for the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Since last year, fan bases have been stabbed in the back (LeBron) and in the face (Bosh) simultaneously, talents have been taken to various beaches, Michael Jordan has graced the cover of NBA 2k11, and the balance in the East has shifted. Shaq is still old and fat, Brad

LeBenedict James

2010-07-09T17:11:00.002-05:00

“I feel like I’m gonna be like a tornado. I’m just gonna go from place to place destroying it." – Snooki It might as well have been LeBron James quoted above. Recent reports showing the city of Cleveland burning to the ground have been confirmed. Cavs fans are wearing LeBron jerseys and lighting themselves on fire…in hopes to light more of Cleveland on fire. Lake Erie is burning again. Things

Lakers vs. Celtics & A Side of LeBron

2010-06-03T17:53:00.007-05:00

2010 NBA Championship: Lakers vs. Celtics Short and to the point, I hope neither team wins. I like Kobe, I like watching how he plays, how he knows what he’s going to do before he does it, how he knows how to beat every specific defender that comes at him. I would like to see Kobe win. I absolutely despise the Celtics and every fiber of their being…except Ray Allen. It’s a dirty team. They’re the

Going Green

2010-05-28T11:16:00.001-05:00

I was recently provided an “anti-going green” article by a friend. The article makes some ridiculous points, uses poor examples, and is far from realistic. Take the following quote for example: Bryce mocked the "green" value of my riding my bike to work:"Let's assume you saved a gallon of oil in your commute (a generous assumption!). Global daily energy consumption is 9.5 billion gallons of oil

Blackhawks? NBA? It's the UEFA Championship League Final!

2010-05-24T14:26:00.004-05:00

It’s the middle of the NBA Playoffs. I just witnessed the Blackhawks sweep the top-seeded team in the NHL to clinch an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. But the game I watched this weekend that was the most exciting? Bayern Munich v. Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League Final (The Union of European Football Associations, UEFA is pronounced: you-ayy-fa). I’ve tried to tune into soccer the

So, what do you think about LeBron?

2010-05-14T19:28:00.006-05:00

The ridiculous media coverage in the last 24 hours hasn't been enough for people. I’ve had a constant stream of emails (home & work), tweets, IM’s, you name it: “What do you think about LeBron? Will he come to Chicago? Where will he go? Who else do you like?” So I’m going to run through a list of topics I’ve been talking to people about and flush out my thoughts: 1. What did you think about

2009-2010 Chicago Bulls Recap

2010-04-28T12:54:00.016-05:00

The 2009-10 Chicago Bulls Campaign During Game 3, I sat in nearly the same seat at the United Center as I had a year ago during the Boston series. I couldn't help but relive the Celtics series from the 2009 NBA Playoffs. The Bulls looked energized. Joakim Noah was doing everything in his power to put his team on his back and get them the win. He was a man possessed. Derrick Rose was a silky and

30 for 30 – No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson

2010-04-21T14:39:00.010-05:00

Before I begin to talk about the film, I want to take a moment to encourage you to tune into ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series. So far, they’ve aired about 10 of these documentaries on various historical events in sports. They’ve ranged from basketball to football to hockey to gambling. Most of the stories are about things that were a big deal at the time, but were mostly forgotten. Being born

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

2010-04-10T03:08:00.001-05:00

I realize that I am a few years late on seeing this movie ("HEY I JUST SAW HEAT!" - ala Jim Gaffigan), but I couldn't help but make a few brief comments. My initial reaction: I loved it. It's something that you can watch with your buddies, it's something that you can watch with a group of guys and girls or just as a couple. There's something in it for both people. My lone recommendation; do

Beware the Ides of March

2010-03-25T15:20:00.002-05:00

Just a few weeks ago, I wrote that the Bulls needed at least 6 wins in March to stay afloat for the playoffs. It’s still possible, however, unlikely. As of March 24th, the Bulls are 2-9 in March with four remaining games against Miami (H), New Jersey (H), Detroit (A), and Phoenix (H). The Bulls began the month by losing nine consecutive games (ten in a row, dating back to February). During this

Post-Trade Deadline Bulls Update

2010-03-04T15:25:00.009-06:00

The Bulls have been dropping like flies the past few weeks. Joakim Noah came back too quickly from plantar fasciitis; a big mistake. My Dad’s had bouts with this the last few years, even pretty light activity can cause this to flare up and in some cases gets so bad that is bothers your back. I can only assume that that gets worse once you’re 7-feet tall. Hopefully three weeks of rest and

A New Angle on Cubs vs. Sox

2010-02-25T15:02:00.012-06:00

Baseball season is around the corner, players have begun reporting for Spring Training and every one in Chicago is excited for the season to begin for two reasons. 1) It will finally be above freezing (maybe).2) It means we can start arguing about which team is better; the Cubs or the Sox. Most of the last 10 years, I would say the Cubs have fielded a superior team. This hasn’t

Post-Trade Deadline Recap

2010-02-18T14:05:00.002-06:00

Well, looks like I was wrong about only moving Tyrus if we move Kirk. Once Charlotte threw in a 1st Round Draft Pick to their previous expiring contracts offer, the Bulls jumped. The Bulls also went for Warrick/Alexander in the Salmons deal, which I thought was the better move. I’ve been a big fan of Warrick since his days at Syracuse. Here are the two trades that the Bulls did and their

Gossiping, Rumors, Backstabbing… it's the NBA Trade Deadline!

2010-02-18T11:16:00.002-06:00

Meant to post this last night after the John Salmons trade, so here it goes. Bulls are apparently moving John Salmons ($5.8M/1yr) to Milwaukee for Kurt Thomas ($3.8M/expiring) and Francisco Elson ($1.7M/expiring). Both of the Bucks players have expiring contracts. However, it has also been reported that the Bulls may receive Hakim Warrick ($3M/expiring) and Joe Alexander ($2.58M/expiring) instead

The Road to the NBA & Tyrus Thomas' Future

2010-02-11T15:28:00.004-06:00

Adrian Wojnarowski from Yahoo! Sports is reporting the following: “Everyone understood Chicago executives are now determined to move Thomas, and a clear price has been established for suitors: Expiring contracts and a future first-round draft pick, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The Bulls are also exploring ways to package Thomas with guard Kirk Hinrich to free themselves of his contract. The

More Bulls News as Trade Deadline Approaches

2010-02-02T14:07:00.003-06:00

FAKE TRADE IDEA Here’s a copy of Bill Simmons’ tweets today regarding a fictitious trade and what the Bulls goal should be for the future: “CHI gets R.Allen/House expirings (2010 cap space!); SAC gets Deng +T.Allen/Scal exp’s; BOS gets K.Martin, Nocioni + Hinrich. Who says no?” “PS: If I’m running the Bulls, my goal is a 2011 superteam (Noah, Bosh, LeBron, Rose, Joe Johnson). Gotta move Hinrich/

Derrick Rose: 2010 NBA All-Star

2010-02-01T12:46:00.002-06:00

For the first time since the 1997-98 season, the Chicago Bulls are sending a player to play in the All-Star game. Rose will also defend his title in the Skills challenge and participate on the Rookies vs. Sophomores game. In case you can't watch Bulls games or you live under a rock, here's what Derrick has done over the last 3 months: November: 16.2ppg, 5.3apg, 2.9rpg December: 20.4ppg, 6.1apg

And. here. we. go.

2010-02-01T12:37:00.000-06:00

Well, I've written so many fantasy league notes over the years and have had so many random conversations based on tiny inklings of stories that I figured I might as well blog them and keep a record. We're going to start no where in particular with today's blog post on the Bulls and Derrick Rose's All-Star selection.The ultimate premise of this blog is exactly what it's title says, "Ramble On"