Scoop Jackson Interview with Derrick Rose

http://espn.go.com/chicago/story?columnist=jackson_scoop&id=4070218\

Towards the end of last season, Scoop did this interview with Derrick about how the transition to NBA life was going.

Everyone has been making it seem like Derrick has arrived and that he is already the player he needs to be and that all he needs is some help and the Bulls will be set.

Whereas I believe that he needs some help, I also believe that he has some growing to do as a player, as well.

His jump shot has gotten a little bit better, but I would still like to see him work on his range.  He cannot keep a defender honest from outside of 18 feet.  Opposing teams will allow him to shoot that all day.  He rarely takes three pointers (and for good reason), so it is much easier for defenders to play off of him when he’s outside of the three point line, which definitely impedes him driving to the basket.

Speaking of driving to the basket, he needs to do it more often.  He is a decent free throw shooter (79% last season), but barely ever got to the line.  He averaged slightly over three free throws a game last season, and is doing more of the same this year (he’s actually below two per game, so far).  If he would assert himself more often and try and finish plays at the rim, he would either make the layup/dunk, or get fouled.

In adjusting his game in these ways, his scoring will increase which is exactly what the Bulls need right now.  They don’t have that go-to scorer that can keep them ahead late in games, or help them come from behind.

With better help (ie low post scoring threats), his assist numbers will increase, but for right now, the Bulls need to worry more about scoring.  He claims he wants to become more of a leader, but he needs to start acting like it on the court by staking claim to the Bulls best player, and scorer.

Thirteen points a game is NOT going to cut it, Derrick!  Step up your game.

Jerry Angelo’s Weekly Interview

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6294

Jerry gave this quick interview to Chicagobears.com.  In the interview, he shares his thoughts on why his expectations for the season have not changed even though the Bears stand at 4-4 right now.

In my opinion, the Bears are done.  I’m not giving up complete hope in the team, but I don’t think they are going to make the playoffs.

And, that is all that matters at the end of the season.  I don’t care if we beat the Packers twice (we can’t this year, but I’m just saying), and crush Minnesota twice, as well; if we aren’t in the playoffs at the end of the 16 game season, it wasn’t a good year.

With so many holes to patch up, I’m not exactly sure next year is looking so bright, either.  Without a first and second round draft pick, the Bears won’t be able to work on their deficiencies as much as they would like.  Most teams trying to build up use the draft to do so, but the Bears don’t have that option.

And, with Angelo seemingly uneasy about spending big money in free agency, I don’t see the Bears getting much help there, either.

It is getting harder and harder to watch the Bears play.  It’s almost like they came back from the bye week a completely different team.  They have absolutely no pass rush (only two sacks in the last four games), they can’t make a tackle, and the offensive line is still struggling.

I’m not so sure a coaching change is the answer, but something needs to be done.

What are your thoughts on the Bears season?  And where do you see them going from here?

Taj Gibson Interview

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog/_/post/4645928/name/friedell

Taj Gibson gave this interview to Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago.  He spoke on his time at USC, his love of reality shows, and being a Yankees fan.

When the Bulls first selected Taj, I was happy with the pick, but not overjoyed.  I was hoping they would take their chances with DeJuan Blair out of Pittsburgh.

My feelings were that Taj was the same type of player that Tyrus Thomas was.  A long, athletic, undersized power forward.  He did not possess great ball handling skills, low post moves, or scoring ability.  But, his defense was incredibly good, and he would be an undervalued rebounder and shotblocker.

I like all that about him, and even like his game.  And, I definitely like it more now since Tyrus Thomas is injured. 

I understand that Blair isn’t exactly tearing up the league right now, but he isn’t really getting the chance, either.  Once he does, I think he will be a valuable backup power forward/center.  I don’t think he’s going to be an overpowering presence in the NBA, so that is one reason I am still ok with the Taj Gibson pick over Blair.

My hope is that Gibson can develop a nice fifteen foot jumpshot to go along with his rebounding and defensive skill set.  If he could do that, he would be a great secondary scoring threat on every possession.  With guys that like to slash to the hoop in Derrick Rose, John Salmons, and Luol Deng, it would be great to have a big man who could pop outside so the man with the ball could have options on what to do if he got in trouble on his way to the hoop.

Anyways, please feel free to leave your opinion on the Taj Gibson selection, and how you think he is doing as a rookie so far.

 

Joakim Noah Interview

http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog/_/post/4638687/name/friedell

Joakim Noah did this interview with ESPNChicago’s Nick Friedell.  He spoke about acting, winning championships in college, his nicknames, and what he wants to do after his playing days are over.

In my honest opinion, I’m not a fan of Joakim Noah.  I do like his intensity, and his rebounding prowess, but I just felt he was the wrong fit for the Bulls once they drafted him.  He was nothing like what they were looking for, and fit more into the game they were already playing rather than the game they should have been wanting to play.

What I mean by that is that he sucks on offense, and they needed a power forward who could play offense.  But, you can’t go back in time and change things, so you have to live with what you have.  And, the Bulls have been trying. 

I think Noah would be a great asset as a backup power forward/center, coming off the bench and bringing his energy to the second team when the opponents starters are wearing down. 

If he ever managed to hit the ten to fifteen foot jumpshot on a regular basis, he’d be an all-star caliber player with his rebounding and shot blocking skills, but you can see in his shot that he’s never going to have it.  And, that is ok.  But, just not for a Bulls team that has no other low post presence.

What are your thoughts on Joakim Noah and the Bulls?  Do you think he’s an asset that the Bulls can’t live without?  Would you like to see him retire as a Bull or have them ship him out?

Matt Forte speaks on fantasy football

http://www.nflplayers.com/user/content.aspx?fmid=178&lmid=443&pid=3756

Matt Forte gave this interview before the season started. He joined a fantasy football league with six other NFL players and one fan.

All I can say is that I hope he didn’t pick himself as his premier player, because he hasn’t even been all that solid of a fantasy player this season.

In his second season with the Bears, he has been an utter disappointment. A lot of it might have to do with the offensive line, but I don’t like to blame everything on them. Even during last season, his numbers weren’t all that great once you take out his big runs. He either hit the home run or struck out, and this season he just isn’t hitting any home runs.

The Bears were counting on him to help the wide receivers develop by keeping safeties honest and linebackers focused on him. But, with him proving to be a less than fantastic running back, defenses have been able to key in on our lackluster receivers and prevent them from making plays. Without a decent run game, our decent receivers can’t become anything but decent, even with an above average quarterback.

I am hoping that Forte can get it together. If not for this season, than maybe for seasons to come, so that the Bears don’t have to go back to the drawing board at running back, as well. They already have a bunch of other holes they need to fill before they should even start to worry about the running back position.

What are your thoughts on Matt Forte? Do you think he is a fantasy stud? A real life stud? Or just another Bears one-time wonder running back dud?

Mr. Cub speaks about his legacy as a Chicago Cub

http://www.theheckler.com/news/templates/?a=28&z=8

I had the pleasure of meeting the great Ernie Banks when I was younger. He was at a celebrity golf tournament, and he was speeding away in his golf cart when I approached with a baseball and a permanent marker. The guy who was driving the cart told me “No autographs” and kept driving. But, as they got about ten feet away from where they left me, I heard Ernie say to the driver “No, hold on. Stop the cart for the boy.”

A great player, but an even greater person

He turned around and waved me over, asked me if I was a Cubs fan, asked me how I was doing in school, and had a genuineness about him that made me feel as if he sincerely cared about every answer I gave.

He was a great baseball player. A legend of the game. But, more importantly, he was a great person. He did not have to stop the cart and sign my ball. And, if he hadn’t, I still would have thought that he was a great player, and thought nothing bad about him. But, the fact that he took the time to sign my ball, talk to me for a few minutes, and shake my twelve year old hand like I was a man made me have all the respect in the world for him.

In this interview done by “The Heckler,” Mr. Cub takes the time to speak on what it meant to play for the Chicago Cubs, what it was like NOT to win a World Series, his biggest thrill as a player, and how he would have fared in today’s MLB.

Enjoy the interview, and come back and leave your thoughts on your favorite Cub and what made them your favorite.

In depth interview with White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf

http://www.ethicsandentrepreneurship.org/20090720/interview-with-jerry-reinsdorf/

As a Chicago Bulls fan, I have grown to deal with Jerry Reinsdorf.  He was the Chairman of six World Champion Bulls teams, so he deserved a little respect, right?

And, he was savvy enough to entrust the White Sox to Kenny Williams, who (some might say luckily) delivered a World Series title to the south side.  But, hey, a Series title is a Series title, right?

But, he lost it for me the day he said he would trade in all six of his Bulls championships for one with the White Sox.  How could a man say that about a team he was still Chairman of?  It was that day that I decided to believe all the horrible stories I had heard about him and Jerry Krause.

But, I digress.

This is an interview that Jerry did with The Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship.  Sounds like the right place for him to be, right?

But, if you ever wanted to know how he came about owning the two teams, and how he built them up to be winners, this is a great interview to do so in.

He touches upon his early days out of college, how he made his money, how he purchased the teams, and how Michael Jordan saved the Bulls, and how awards mean nothing to him.

I’d love to hear what other Chicago sports fans think of Jerry, so please leave comments on your thoughts and feelings.

An oldie but goodie…MJ chat transcript

http://www.toppics4u.com/michael-jordan/i3.html

The greatest of all time, but definitely not the chatting type

This is a transcript of a CHAT that Michael Jordan did with “fans” back in 2001, when he became an executive for the Washington Wizards.

The Michael Jordan that we all have come to know does not seem like the type that would take time out of his day to do a chat on cbssportsline.com, but if that’s what they’re selling, I’ll buy in.

Some of the interesting comments he made were when asked if he was thinking about coming back.  He gave an adamant “No” to that one, but we all know how that turned out.

Another fun question was the one asked about his good friend Charles Barkley.  At that point in time, there were rumors going around that Chuck wanted to make a comeback, and the “fan” asked Mike if he would think about signing Charles to the Wizards.  Mike said he would entertain it, but also mentioned that he thinks Charles could lose 60 pounds or so!  Ah, that sounds like Mike busting his buddies chops!

With all that is said about Mike’s Hall of Fame induction speech, I still have respect for the guy.  I laughed at his remarks that day, and still cheered him on even if everyone else had the “stank face” after some of his comments.  He was the greatest basketball player ever to live, and there will never be another sport icon like him in this lifetime, no matter what the LeBrons and Kobes have to say about it.

Feel free to leave your comments on what your feelings on MJ are.

Getting to Know Blackhawks Center John Madden

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=501137

Chicagoblackhawks.com sat down with Blackhawks free agent signee John Madden.  John is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils, and came over to the Blackhawks via free agency this season.

In the interview, he discusses why he came to Chicago, what he did with the Stanley Cup trophy when he had his day with it (whenever a team wins the Stanley Cup, each player gets one day with the Cup to do with it as they please), favorite music, and how often he gets mixed up with the retired NFL announcer/coach John Madden.

Q&A session with new Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091030&content_id=7581612&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

MLB.com’s Carris Muskat also sat down with new Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts and grilled him on his future plans for the organization.

She asks some great questions about if he is going to open up his checkbook a la George Steinbrenner and the Yankees, and whether or not he has any plans to remodel Wrigley Field and the surrounding areas.

She also touches on the Milton Bradley situation.  I say cut his overpaid butt loose.

My favorite line in the interview:

“Our goal is to make the Cubs the best franchise in baseball.”

Let’s hope he means it and can make it happen.