Chicago Sports Then and Now

The author was lucky enough to grow up in Chicago watching Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen lead the Bulls.

As a sports fan, you remember portions of your life based on what was going on with your favorite teams.

Such as the time my little league baseball team was in the midst of the regional finals at the same time Michael Jordan and the Bulls were in the midst of downing the Portland Trailblazers for the NBA Championship.

Or, when my parents told us we were going to Disney World, and I asked if we could go in August instead of June, because I didn’t want to miss the Bulls playoff run.

And, like the time I was on my honeymoon, and I stopped at the free internet station in the lobby of our Jamaican hotel to see who the Chicago Bulls drafted (they wasted their No. 9 pick on Joakim Noah).  And, I was so upset about the pick, that I told my wife I had to email my friends about it before we ran off to our dinner reservation.

That is what being a sports fan is all about.  And, as a lifelong Chicago Bulls fan, I would do, or risk, anything to keep up with my team.

Growing up in the Mike Jordan era was amazing.  Of course, I was born a few years too late to catch his younger years, and was still not truly fan developed (a stage in life I made up) when he was at his first three-peat peak.

But, I still remember watching him play on TV, and seeing him at the old Chicago Stadium two or three times each season, trying to climb down to better seats to get a better glimpse of him gliding across the floor, and through the air.

Sports fans in other cities consider us Mike Jordan fans spoiled.  That may be true, but it’s not our fault our DNA was formed inside a woman who just so happened to live in the Chicagoland area.  It was luck of the draw where we all ended up, and I ended up in the most perfect of sports cities.  Seriously, what city compares to Chicago in the sports world?  And, don’t give me that New York crap!

But, I digress.  My love for the Bulls has grown, and diminished since the Michael Jordan days.  I am excited about our team, but am not truly happy with them.  I am grateful that Derrick Rose landed in our laps, but don’t think our management understands what they need to put around him to turn him into a true weapon.

The Bulls need to build their lineup around Derrick Rose.

He can get to the hoop whenever he likes, but he can’t win games by himself.  If he is passing the ball off to a bunch of guys who shoot 42% from the field, make horrible secondary passes, and are just overall bad offensive basketball players, what good is going to come of it?

I like Joakim Noah’s tenacity on the boards.  I like Tyrus Thomas’ athletic shot-blocking ability.  I think James Johnson can be a good addition, if he can get playing time and not rely too much on his jump shot.  And, at times, I can get behind John Salmons’ driving ability.  That is about it for what I like, outside of Derrick Rose.

Name one ability of any of the current Bulls’ players that fits into the style of play that Derrick Rose is fit to play in?  You can’t.

They don’t have that knock-down three point specialist.  They don’t have that big presence down low that can take a dump-down pass, dribble the ball twice, drop-step, and dunk on his man.  They don’t have another ball handling, good-passing guard/forward who Derrick can swing a pass to, cut to the lane, and be the recipient of a nice pass inside for an easy layup/dunk.

The Bulls have to rely on whoever is hot at the moment, and just hope that they stay hot, and that the rest of the team stays out of the way.  That is no formula for a Championship team.

I am resigned to the fact that the Bulls are not going to be Champions this upcoming season.  I am ok with that, as long as they have a long-term plan for the following season, and to involve themselves in serious talks with the upcoming free agent class of 2010.

The Bulls have a considerable amount of money to play with after this season is over, so if they are serious about getting Derrick Rose some help, after this season will be the time to do it.  The Bulls fans just have to be patient, and survive with another first-round playoff exit-type team this season.

If they can do that, and management can reward them with a serious attempt at signing big name free agents, then I believe the city of Chicago will be celebrating more Chicago Bulls Championships.  This time, I will be old enough to go out to Grant Park on my own and cheer on with my fellow fans.

Go Bulls.

Scott covers the Bulls for Chicago Sports Then and Now