Bulls are officially dunzo

April 9th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

Ah, what to make of the ‘07-’08 Chicago Bulls. Was it their coach effectively resigning, saying he couldn’t control the troops anymore? Pete Myers being the interim coach for two seconds, then handing over the reigns to Jim Boylan? John Paxson not pulling the trigger on the Kobe Bryant trade? Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden of all people coming over from the Cavs? Maybe it was their listless play the whole season after they were seemingly the grittiest, guttiest team in the league?

Whatever you saw as the demise of a team that seemed so promising a year ago — sweeping the Heat in the first round of the playoffs and playing the Pistons to the wire in the second — they are now officially mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Thank God.

“We lost our identity to what got us here,” (Hinrich) said. “So whatever happens this off-season, we have to find a way to get back our edge. We need to become a better defensive team. The better teams in the league, those that compete for a championship, almost always are the best defensive teams.”

Kirk raises a good point here. Because remember friends, identity theft is not a joke! Millions of families suffer every year!

Sigh.

Big Ben’s headband makes triumphant return

October 2nd, 2007 | Posted by PostmanR

Scott Skiles is a bit of a disciplinarian. He’s hard-nosed, man. Just when you thought the NBA was full of highly-payed lazy players who value the dunk over defense, along came Skiles to set your ass straight. The guy wouldn’t even let Ben Wallace wear his headband last year. It caused a bit of a ruckus. But no longer, friends.

“We still have a no-headband rule,” coach Scott Skiles said. “I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it.”

That a piece of fabric could elicit questions and expend brainpower felt odd on the eve of a season in which the Bulls are expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference title.

But the fact that, 11 months removed from Wallace’s insubordinate act of wearing a headband during a game, everybody encircled for a group hug underscored the harmony that defined the end of last season and should continue in the franchise’s 42nd season.

“I think it takes a coach who is willing to adapt a little bit and listen to his players, understanding the big picture is winning,” general manager John Paxson said. “Scott’s one of the best coaches in the league. There’s no doubt in my mind. And he’s able to adapt. It’s really a non-story. But the fact that Scott has looked outside maybe a personal belief, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

No word on whether or not Skiles is going to continue to let Joakim Noah wear socks with sandals, but I’d assume that has been outlawed as well. Remember kids: Scott Skiles is HARDCORE.