Home of the Bulls

If you don't know by now I am a big sports fan. If you didn't know that, where have you been? Of course if you know I'm a sports fan then you must know I'm a fan of every Chicago team. Yes, I like the Cubs and the White Sox, crucify me. I think Chicago fans have overlooked the fact that the city has been graced with two baseball teams. That means every year the city of Chicago has two chances of winning the World Series. I am not going to pass up those odds and wait until the Cubs win it all. That just seems unreasonable. But I digress. The sport I'm talking about today is basketball and the Chicago Bulls. For the first time since the almighty number 23 retired the Bulls have put together a team that is great. The Bulls have managed to somehow make the playoffs a handful of times in the last several years, but this year is different. This year they actually have a legitimate shot at going very, very far.

I remember the day clearly. It was July 26, 2008. A beautiful day in Hawaii, like always. I'm in my hotel room getting dressed. The television tuned to ESPN. The NBA Draft, Bulls had remarkable won the first overall pick in the Draft Lottery. Two great things happened that day. My sister got married and the Chicago Bulls drafted Derrick Rose.

Fast forward two and a half years, Derrick Rose is the leading contender for the MVP award. The Bulls have one of the best records in the league. Also at the top of the Eastern Conference are the Boston Celtics, who continue to win despite getting older and older every year. The Miami Heat, who made big headlines by becoming the only three player team in the league. And the Orlando Magic, who have good depth but are falling fast. Another team that now could be a threat in the East are the New York Knicks, who have jumped back into rellevancy with by teaming up Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

With just a little over a month to go in the season things are starting to get interesting. I said before the season started that the Bulls would need another year and a couple more players before they become true contenders. I am here to say with great pride that I was wrong. Turns out all they really needed to do was sign half of the Utah Jazz and they'd be on their way to great things. Their biggest off-season acquisition was Carlos Boozer who missed the first month of the season. Their center Joakim Noah missed a good amount of games as well. If those two were healthy the entire year the Bulls could have the best record in the East and possibly even the best record in the league.

Derrick Rose(I just can't shut up about this guy) is the best thing to happen to the Bulls since Jordan made that shot against Utah. I am not saying he's as good as Jordan or will ever be as good as Jordan because that'd be outlandish. What I will say is that Derrick Rose means as much to the Bulls now as Jordan did in the 90's, or atleast as much as Pippen. Without Derrick Rose this team is still a team that barely makes into the playoffs every year with an average record. With Derrick Rose this team has become a force. They are not getting much attention right now, but I think I like it that way. Let the media focus on the Heat and the Celtics and blow everything about them out of proportion. The Bulls will be there, flying under the radar and into the playoffs, as a great team. I look forward to what this team can potentially do in the coming years. I am a Chicago fan, and for the first time since MJ I can say with great pride that I am a basketball fan again.


What I'm Listening To:

"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens

Goodbye.