Welcoming Chuck Swirsky (back) to Chicago

May 16th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanE

I’ve never listened to one of Chuck Swirsky’s Toronto Raptors broadcasts, and I’m a bit too young to remember him from his stint with the Bulls in the mid-90’s (little known fact: I’m actually eight years old). But if this Chicago Tribune piece is to be trusted, Swirsky seems like the kind of guy who’ll win the hearts of Bulls fans sooner rather than later:

As the voice of the Toronto Raptors, he received 200 to 300 e-mails a day from viewers. And he responded to every one. One fan sent him a handwritten letter with a request, asking Swirsky to make a special announcement when a Raptors victory was in hand. That way, he would know when it was safe to prepare a late-night snack. By the way, the viewer wrote, I like salami and cheese.

Days later, Swirsky bellowed: “Get out the salami and cheese, this game is over!”

The phrase quickly became more popular than a chocolate glazed doughnut at Tim Hortons. It was featured in TV commercials and splashed onto T-shirts and posters.

Pretty cool, right? More tidbits: Salami and cheese is getting left in Canada, which is too bad, because I really enjoy that snack; Swirsky says he took the job in part because he wanted to raise his kids in the west suburbs of Chicago; that he has a ‘maniacal’ work ethic; and that he’s “not much of a party guy.” I, for one, see that as a refreshing change of pace. Wayne Larrivee’s late-night exploits are the stuff of legend, and trust me: once you put a little chop in front of Tom Dore, look the fuck out. Party animal, that guy.

And hey, guess what? Swirsky has a blog, too! Here’s hoping the Bulls let him continue his annoying scroll window-confined work in the near future. Welcome, Chuck.

You spin me right round, baby right round…

June 29th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

The NBA Draft. The hope for your team’s future. The first step in a long process of franchise-building (Bobcats) or the final step in a run at the top of the league (Bulls?). Drafts are an inherently exciting device, chock with intensity and intrigue and surprise.

Last night did not dissapoint. While the Raptors did what Chad Ford said they would do since the lottery came out and selected Andrea Bargnani at the top spot, the Bulls got a little tricky with their two No. 1 picks. John Paxson and company drafted LaMarcus Aldridge only to trade him for the player they wanted anyway, Tyrus Thomas, and Victor Khyrapa. Thanks Portland! Later, they traded to get a guy, who, according to our immediate video-based impression, looks amazing. Jay Bilas agreed, which is always fun.

Those were only two of the trades, though. Commissar Stern - did I say commissar? I meant commissioner - was forced to rattle off deal after deal in the first round, usually with a distinguishable look of bemusement on his face. (Also hilarious was Stern and Dan Patrick’s little exchange in the early part of the first round; Stern was nice enough, I guess, for a guy who knows he could have Patrick killed with a snap of the fingers.)

I could go on and on about all the wheeling and dealing, but most interesting to R and I were the absences of Kevin Pittsnogle and our hometown guy, Marco Killingsworth, anywhere in the draft. We didn’t expect ol’ Marco to get drafted; he’s 24 and peaked during the Duke game in December. We did expect Pittsnogle to get the nod, though, considering his size, versatility and consistent success in college. Lack of athleticism probably killed him, but man…that dude was good, despite his ridiculous tattoos. Unfortunate.

But alas, the draft is over, and Screamin’ A. Smith has finally ceded our eardrums. HOWEVA, it’s back to work today, just another fun day at the Postm -

(On phone) Hello? Oh - hey R. Huh? Alright, I guess. Yeah. I know. It’s not personal, it’s business. These things happen. OK. Talk to you later man.

(Hangs up.) OK - sorry. I’ve gotta go. R just traded me for the rights to Bassie Telfair and cash consideration.

NBA Draft 2006 - Feel the rush

June 27th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

The NBA Draft. It’s usually - usually - not the greatest test of how your team does the next year. But this year’s different, right? No high school players, right?

Well, that might actually weaken this draft, believe it or not. NBADraft.net has that European guy, Bargnani, going 1st overall and Tyrus Thomas going 2nd to the Bulls (C’mon Bulls). Um, remember Greg Oden? Yeah, he’d definitely get drafted over both of those guys.

Either way, I’m still really excited for this thing, moreso than in recent years, and I probably shouldn’t be, given the shallow talent pool.

Without sounding too much like some sort of circus clown, let me just say - this draft could get craaaazy! Will the Bulls get a guy to push them over the hump, or just another young player on a too-young roster? Will the Raptors completely eff up this draft, as with most things concerning their franchise? Is Bargnani the new Dirk or the new Darko? Will J.J. Redick get drafted in the top 10, free to urinate on NBA groupies for years to come? Does Adam Morrison have his seizure problems under control?

Here’s a couple more draft boards to check out. NBA Draft 2006. Can you feel it?

(Apparently, there’s already a 2007 NBA Mock Draft. Will Marco Killingsworth at least be in that one?)

(Quick little amusing update. Apparently, some crazy shit is going down in Andy Katz and Chad Ford’s world over on ESPN. Rudy Gay is pictured. It just read as such: As Wednesday’s draft hurtles toward the NBA planet, the latest rumors are out of this world. Raptors fans, pay attention. If you’re a Raptors fan, and you weren’t already paying attention, you’re not a Raptors fan. Also, if your team drafts Rudy Gay, you should stop being a Raptors fan. Also - I would bet my apartment this means absolutely nothing. But we’ll see.)