Archive for September, 2009

Are Chicago Bulls Tickets Once Again a Chance to See a Championship Team?

Monday, September 21st, 2009
Jay Nault asked:
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During the 1990’s, few tickets in sports were harder to find than Chicago Bulls tickets. The Bulls were sports and even cultural icons, and their following was as large as any sports team in history. They won six championships, and the names of Jordan and Pippen still echo in the Windy City years later.

After that all-time nucleus was broken up, the Bulls expectedly struggled mightily for awhile. However, they’ve slowly been building another core of great players, and the current Bulls are beginning to look like a team that could be a threat to come out of the Eastern Conference and into the NBA Finals. Below we’ll take a look at what needs to happen for Chicago to see another historic run.

The first “requirement” is that the Eastern Conference must maintain its level of play at the current mediocre level. Unlike the powerful Western Conference, the East is almost devoid of true power teams. Most experts agree that the main contenders are the Pistons and the Heat, but each of them has serious holes to either fill or cover up if they’re going to make a run in the playoffs. The Pistons are old and injured, and the Heat are not nearly what they were last year without Dwyane Wade, who established himself as perhaps the premier player in the NBA during last year’s title run.

Therefore, the Bulls appear to have as good a chance as anyone else to win three rounds in the playoffs. They’re young, they’re fast, they’re loaded with athletes and they play great defense. These are all not only reasons that Chicago Bulls tickets are once again in high demand, but they are qualities that will present big-time problems to either the Pistons or the Heat in a seven-game series.

Secondly, the Bulls’ internal leadership must come to the forefront, as this intangible quality is vital to any team. The biggest offseason acquisition in the NBA last summer was the Bulls’ signing of C Ben Wallace. Everyone knows that Wallace is a beast in the paint, and that even at a somewhat-advanced age, he can still run opposing centers into the ground over the course of a game with his energy.

Now is also the time that Wallace needs to justify his contract with his championship-bred leadership ability. Other than Wallace and P.J. Brown, this is still a young team without much in the way of playoff battle scars. Anyone who’s ever been there will tell you that there’s no substitute for playoff experience, and the Bulls will need Wallace’s guidance and inspiration when they inevitably face adversity in the postseason.

In terms of the overall outlook, it’s anyone’s game in the Eastern Conference. If the Bulls can get hot at the right time, if Wallace can provide that leadership and the Bulls’ young guns can hit their shots with regularity, then Chicago Bulls tickets could once again be a chance to see a team appear in the NBA Finals.



DANIEL

Blow Her Away in the Windy City: Valentine Romance in Chicago

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Clinton Douglas IV asked:


Discover romance against the sparkling city skyline. Chicago, the third largest city in the nation, is an exciting backdrop for a truly memorable Valentine’s weekend get-away. A cultural explosion, this Illinois city lies on the massive shore of Lake Michigan, offering the finest in soul, jazz, blues and gospel music, mouth-watering deep-dish pizza, champion sporting events and the city’s famous Chicago hot dog.

Transportation is easy in the nation’s hub, whether you arrive by air, rail or auto. Quickly and cost-efficiently move from Point A to Point B via Chicago’s extensive metro, known locally as The L. You can also make use of airport shuttles, city busses or Chicago’s historic and broad-reaching highway system.
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When you visit, set aside a day to explore non-stop art attractions and shopping in and around the business district. At Armitage, you’ll find prestigious shops and million-dollar historical homes. Enjoy a more modern experience in the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods, where you can grab a bite to eat and order a drink at a local bar.

For a low, fixed price, Chicago’s CityPass provides a steep discount on, and front-of-the-line entrance to, five popular tourist attractions including Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, Hancock Observatory, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Shedd Aquarium. Plus, don’t forget the unbeatable shopping opportunities that captivate you at Chicago’s Watertower Place, Michigan Avenue strip and Chicago Place where you’ll find Bloomingdales, Macy’s Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lacoste, Movado, Tiffany’s and countless one-of-a-kind boutique shops.

For the true sports fan, this city is an unbeatable haven. In 2006, The Sporting News named Chicago, home of 16 professional sports teams, the best sports city in the nation. Visitors can plan to spend an action-packed day at Soldier Field, Wrigley Field, US Cellular Field or United Center cheering on champion teams like the Chicago Bulls, Cubs, Bears or White Sox or Blackhawks. Chicago is also home to incredible indoor soccer, hockey, lacrosse and rugby. Pick your event, book in advance and experience the excitement. The day is guaranteed to be a winner.

For dinner, Chicago is renowned for it’s eclectic dining choices ranging from All-American to Korean, Italian and Mexican cuisine. Whether you prefer a posh, upscale establishment or the trendy Hard Rock Caf?you’ll find the hardest part is choosing just one. Add icing to the cake by giving your sweet a devilish fresh-baked cinnamon roll covered draped in sugary goodness from Ann Sather or specialty pastries from some of the nation’s most incredible bakeries.

The evening is rich with shows and entertainment. Spend an afternoon finding the ideal attire then leisurely enjoy a delicious dinner. Then sit back and enjoy an night filled with laughter and relaxation. Some options, requiring reservations, include The Blue Man Group, an artistic multimedia performance, or rotating shows at the Steppenwolf Theater, Goldman Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Symphony Center. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more casual, visit B.L.U.E.S on Halsted or Rosa’s Lounge on Armitage, two unbeatable local blues bars, The Hideout on Wabansia, an alternative folk and bluegrass bar, The Velvet Lounge, offering an incredible jazz atmosphere, or Green Mill on N. Broadway, former hangout for notorious gangster Al Capone, presenting an intense weekly poetry slam and jazz music.



LOGAN

The Cleveland Cavaliers

Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Billy Bonds asked:


The Cavaliers first began play in the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team. Under the direction of coach Bill Fitch, they compiled a league-worst 15-67 record. However, the team began to build around the 1971 draft pick, Austin Carr.

In the 1975-76 season, with Carr, Bingo Smith, Jim Chones, **** Snyder, and newly acquired Nate Thurmond, Fitch led the Cavs, as the team is commonly nicknamed, to a 49-33 record, which was the best record in the Central Division. He received the league’s Coach of the Year award as the Cavs made their first-ever playoff appearance.

The Cavs won the series against the Washington Bullets, 4-3. Because of the many heroics and last-second shots, the series became known locally as the “Miracle of Richfield.” However, hampered by injuries, particularly to Jim Chones, the Cavs proceeded to lose to the Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs.

In the 1980s, new owner Ted Stepien quickly hired and fired a succession of coaches, made a number of poor trades and poor free agent signing decisions. Stepien’s poor trades cost the team several first round draft picks, and led to a rule change in the NBA prohibiting teams from trading away first round draft picks in consecutive years. The rule is known as the “Ted Stepien Rule.” Stepien threatened to move the franchise to Toronto, but brothers George Gund and Gordon Gund purchased the franchise in the mid 1980s and decided to keep the team in Cleveland. In 1993, Toronto would, in fact, get an expansion franchise, the Toronto Raptors.
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In 1986, under the Gund brothers as owners, the team acquired, either through trades or the draft, Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Ron Harper and Larry Nance. These players (minus Harper, who was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for the rights to Danny Ferry) formed the core of the team that led the Cavs to eight playoff seasons in the next nine years, including three 50-wins plus seasons. However, in 1989, the Cavs were paired against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. It was a best-of-five-series. Cleveland managed to beat the Bulls in overtime, 108-105 and tied the series 2-2. Home court advantage went to Cleveland.

The game was evenly matched, until Cleveland managed to score on a drive and raise the lead by 1, with 3 seconds left. Chicago called time. The ball was inbounded to Michael Jordan, who went for a jump shot. Cleveland’s Craig Ehlo jumped in front to block it, but Jordan seemed to stay in the air until Ehlo landed. “The Shot” went in as time ran out, with Chicago winning the series 3-2. The buzzer-beater is considered one of Jordan’s greatest clutch moments, and the game itself one of the greatest. But the pinnacle of the Cavs’ success came in the 1991-92 season, when they compiled a 57-25 record and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, losing again to the Chicago Bulls 4-2. Cleveland had no success in the playoffs during this period.

After then, an era of decline came for Cavs. With retirements and departures of Nance,Daugherty and Price, team lost its power and no longer was able even to fight for playoffs, where once they used to be the greatest trouble against the Bulls.

For several years under leadership of point guard Terrell Brandon, Cavs became the most defensive team of NBA, setting its tactics all on defense,being the NBA’s least point conceding team. But offensive inproductivity caused Cavs to have no success in this era.

Later on, players like Ricky Davis and Zydrunas Ilgauskas were added to the team, increasing the quality, but without any success.

However, after the Cavs’ glory days came several losing seasons. Those seasons saw the Cavs drop to the bottom of the league, becoming a perennial lottery draft team. After another disappointing season in 2002-03, the Cavs landed the number one draft pick in the NBA Lottery. The Cavs selected high school phenom LeBron James.

James’ status as both a local star (having played his high school basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in nearby Akron) and one of the most highly touted prospects in NBA history led many to view his selection as a turning point in the franchise’s history. The 2003-04 season offered great hope for the future, as James rose to become a dominating player, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Hope was even greater for the 2004-05 season. James blossomed into a superstar, increasing his points average, shooting percentage, assists average, and rebounds average. Despite the loss of Carlos Boozer under very dubious circumstances, James teamed with Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to form the core of the Cavs team. After a promising start when the team seemed to be locked firmly into the Eastern Conference’s 5th playoff spot, the Cavs began a downward spiral that eventually led to the firing of coach Paul Silas and general manager Jim Paxson. The Cavs failed to make the playoffs that year, tied with the resurgent New Jersey Nets for the eighth (and final) playoff spot (the Nets owned the tiebreaker over the Cavs).

The 2005 offseason was one of many changes for the Cavaliers. The team hired a new coach, Mike Brown, and a new general manager, former Cavaliers forward Danny Ferry. The team also signed free agents Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones (four-year, $16 million for Damon) to multi-year contracts. Along with new owner Dan Gilbert, the Cavaliers’ front office consists of individuals new to their respective positions. Despite the relative inexperience of many of these newcomers, the franchise sees great hope in rising star LeBron James, whom many have compared to all-time great Michael Jordan.

In March, the Cavaliers clinched their first playoff appearance since the 1997-98 season. They wound up receiving the #4 seed in the Eastern Conference and faced the Washington Wizards in the first round. After the two teams split the first two games in Cleveland, LeBron James scored a game-winning basket with 5.7 seconds remaining in game 3. The Wizards then won game 4 to tie the series. With the series back in Cleveland, the Cavs emerged victorious in the fifth game, 121-120 in an exciting overtime contest that saw LeBron James hit the game winning shot with 0.9 seconds left on the clock. Game 6 also went to overtime, on a Gilbert Arenas three-point shot at the end of regulation to tie the score. In the extra session, however, Damon Jones nailed a long jumper in the final seconds to clinch the game for the Cavs - advancing them into the second round for the first time in 13 years.

In the second round, the Cavs lost the first two games to the Detroit Pistons, but then won the next three, including one at the Palace of Auburn Hills (producing the Pistons’ only three game losing streak of the season). However, they lost a close Game 6 at home and then fell to Detroit, 79-61, in game 7. This game produced two records of futility for the Cleveland organization. First, they earned the record for least points scored in a Game 7, and secondly, they tied the record for least points scored in a half with 23.

The two playoff rounds were a showcase for the emergence of LeBron James, which he has achieved many “youngest ever to…” records considering his age (21 in the 2005-06 season). More importantly, it marks the rebirth of a once stagnant basketball franchise.



ROBERTO

Do you think the Chicago Bulls are guilty of playing fundamentally dumb basketball?

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
itonosato@sbcglobal.net asked:


Do you think the players are to blame for the lack of offense and defense?

What worries you the most? The offense or their defense? And, why?

The way I see it, I think once Deng, Gooden and Heinrich return, they’ll start clicking again on offense and defense. The Bulls are a young team, and they’ll only get better once they learn how to win like one.

TIMOTHY

What does the Chicago Bulls Franchise have to do to be championchip contenders?

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
agnes l asked:


I have been waiting to see what the bulls do to make the franchise better

DARREL

Chicago Bulls Nba

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
Pamela Walker asked:


The Chicago Bulls is a professional National Basketball Association team located in Illinois. It is one of the eight teams included in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of NBA and the third ever in Chicago. They play in Chicago wearing black and white colored uniforms. To date they have bagged six NBA championships, six Conference titles and seven Division titles.

The Bulls played their first season in 1966-67 and made it to the playoffs. They remained mediocre during mid seventies to mid eighties and posted just two winning marks and one playoff qualification. They acquired the right to the make a third pick in the 1984 NBA draft which they used to acquire Michael Jordan which proved a beneficial move for the team. He was an instant success and bagged the NBA rookie of the year title. Other distinguished players were Pippen and Rodman.

Michael Jordan went on and redefined not only the game but also rewrote its record books that gave him the status of the best NBA player of all times. In the start of 90’s the Bulls posted a record 61 wins and won the conference finals against opponents the Lakers on 12th of June,1991 . Michael Jordan was awarded the MVP and the Finals MVP title which was is fifth title in a row. This was also a first of three consecutive titles for the Chicago. Jordan took an early retirement owing to his father’s demise but made a comeback in 1995 and steered the team to three more championships. In the 2004 0ff-season an additional pick was made in return for a pick in 2005 to the Phoenix Suns. The pick was utilized to acquire Ben Gordon and Chris Duhon in the first and the second rounds respectively. Several of their players performed very well and they gave steady performances in the 2004-05 season. In fact the Bulls had the third best record at the end of the season in the East Conference and they managed to grasp a playoff which was their first ever since 1998.  They won against opponents The Toronto Raptors at a score 110-97.

They participated in NBA’s St. Patrick’s Day uniform program which was held for the first time in 2006 wearing special green colored uniforms. Though they changed their red colored road uniforms to green but maintained their traditional logo on their shorts and on the back of their jerseys and wore it in a match against the Miami Heat. In the year that followed the Bulls made a hearty participation again in the St. Patrick’s Day uniform program. Again their original red colored road jerseys were exchanged for the uniform they wore the previous year.

They wore the specially designed uniform on two occasions, one on the 13th of March and the second time on the seventeenth of March whereas in 2007-2008 season the special uniforms were worn against the New Jersey at New Orleans.

 For more information you can visit: Chicago Bulls Tickets



REYNALDO

Is Ben Wallace going to make an impact on the Chicago Bulls?

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
Tony T asked:


Ben Wallace is traded to the Chicago Bulls who is a very young and inexperienced team. Is he going to make a difference on the Bulls? Is he going to take the Bulls far into the playoffs?

BLAIR

The History of Dennis Rodman

Monday, September 14th, 2009
Kevin Bailey asked:


Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American professional basketball player. He is one of the controversial NBA basketball players in America. Born on May 13, 1961 in Trenton, New Jersey, he played for San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks and Detroit prisons. The Dennis Rodman Biography/History is popular to many Americans because he is one of the best NBA players. Dennis made a name for himself through his astonishing talent, tattoos, body piercing and dye colors on his hair.

Nicknamed “the worm” and “Dennis the Menace”, he was recognized for his ferocious rebounding and defensive ability. Dennis earned honors for the NBA All-Defensive Team seven times and was an NBA Defensive player of the year two times. He was a leader of the National Basketball Association for seven successive years. Rodman is instantly identifiable because of his many controversial actions such as dyeing his hair, several piercing, having an affair with singers Carmen Electra and Madonna that led him to court. Dennis Rodman’s early prominence with teams like Detroit Pistons led him to fame with both the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. As his wild behavior and frantic moves started drawing attention to the outside world, he started a career with the World Championship Wrestling.

He played at power forward, which is a physical position in the game for many years. He was considered the top defender in his time along with Scottie Pippen, Gray Payton and Michael Jordan. In 1986, the Detroit Pistons noticed him and drafted him in the second round. In 1989, Rodman was recognized and named the Defensive Player of the year due to his good skill in basketball. He helped the Pistons defeat the young Chicago Bulls for the second time making them NBA champions. In 1990, the Pistons defeated the Bulls winning the second straight championship. Rodman also won the Defensive Player of the year honors.

In 1991, the Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals swept the Pistons. The Pistons rebound Dennis Rodman and got on the lead. However, Rodman raised his level of playing and in 1992; he was extraordinary, with an average of over 18 rebounds, as he became a winner of the first of seven direct rebounding titles. In 1993, Rodman had a second rebound, which was also the last with the Pistons. He joined the San Antonio Spurs during the off-season. In San Antonio, Rodman continued with his expertise and made many more great scores. The following season, he spearheaded 62 wins for San Antonio making it to the western conference finals. However, his publicized relationship with Madonna was too much for the Spurs to bear. In the offseason, he joined the Bulls. With Rodman aboard, the Bulls improved on 25 games. The team also had Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan and the three formed an all-defensive first team.

After the season with the Bulls, he left Chicago and started rebuilding himself. Being the best NBA rebounder, without doubt he made a name for himself. According to Dennis Rodman Biography/History, he could not have lasted as long just because of a criminal record and tattoos. Although he does not view himself as a basketball icon or a role model, he gains from the benefits of the basketball experience.



AHMAD

How big was the Chicago Bulls win last night against the Detroit Pistons?

Monday, September 14th, 2009
King Of New Jersey asked:


now only 1 game back of the Pistons for 7th and 2 games ahead of the Bobcats for 8th. It was a solid win in my mind considering Derrick Rose was out with an injury, and Tyrus Thomas played really well.

How big was the Bulls win against the Pistons last night? and
stop with the thumbs down please

KERRY

What will the chicago bulls do about there lineup?

Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Ami =]] asked:


There not gonna find room to start rose gordon and hinrich are they or are they gonna bench hinrinch for rose and keep gordon at 2 spot?

BYRON