Results tagged “nba”

• Students involved in the Medill Innocence Project denied allegations made by prosecutors they paid witnesses for testimony relating to Anthony McKinney; the students claim to have only paid transportation costs.
• CTA President Richard Rodriguez commented on last week's miracle stroller story, calling the mother's claim "plausible" and saying the investigation will now turn to the train's operator.
• The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society is ditching Chicago in favor of Las Vegas for it's 2012 convention.

With the season opener just days away now, the Chicago Bulls are making a few small maneuvers to get all their ducks in a row before they tip off Thursday night. The Tribune reports that the team has named Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng and Lindsey Hunter as team captains for the 2009-2010 season. Also, in a move that surprises no one, the team picked up the options on contracts for Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, ensuring that the pair will be under contract through the 2010-2011 season. Speaking of Rose, it looks like he'll get some playing time during Thursday night's opener, but don't expect much from him in the first few weeks as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.

  

We shared photos from the Bulls' practice session yesterday and today we've got a few more shots of the Bulls having fun in London ahead of today's match-up with the Utah Jazz. Bulls star Derrick Rose joined Jazz players Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko (and friends) at this weekend's Chelsea-Liverpool Premiership game. For those interested, the game tips off at 1:30 p.m. Chicago time; it's only being carried on NBA TV but you can follow the action online at NBA.com.

As word spread yesterday that Phoenix and Cleveland were working on a trade that would send Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavs where he would presumably help out LeBron James, there were plenty of other teams being tossed around. Including our Bulls. Even though ESPN didn't list the Bulls as a major player in the "Shaq Sweepstakes" - and one has to wonder how much a winner the team that lands the 37-year-old O'Neal would really be - The Arizona Republic says otherwise.

If you're like us, then Rajon Rondo's late foul on Brad Miller - you know, the one where Rondo clubber Miller in the face - doesn't sit well with you. It seems the NBA agrees. Sort of. Rondo's foul is one of two the NBA is taking a second look after a physical night of playoff action. The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard has been suspended for a game after his elbow in last night's Magic-76ers game, but what about Rondo?

Some great - if not sorta unsurprising - news for Bulls fans as the team will announce at a 2 p.m. press conference today that rookie sensation Derrick Rose is the NBA's 2008-2009 Rookie of the Year. Rose started 80 of the Bulls 82 games, averaging 37 minutes per game. For the season, he averaged 16.8 points a game (second amongst rookies), 6.3 assists a game (first amongst rookies), and 3.9 rebounds a game. Rose provided a much-needed energy for the Bulls and showed an immediate impact, no only helping them back to the postseason, but also so far in the postseason, where his 36 point performance in game one against the Celtics propelled the Bulls to an upset win. Rose is the third Bull to win the award, after Elton Brand and His Royal Airness. But there won't be much time to celebrate as the Bulls host the Celtics in a pivotal game three of their first-round playoff series tomorrow night. [Tribune, ESPN]

In a back-and-forth thriller, the Chicago Bulls stunned the Jazz and the home Utah crowd as a Larry Hughes buzzer-beater gave the Bulls a much-needed 101-100 win Monday night. Derrick Rose continued his outstanding rookie campaign by scoring 25 and dishing nine assists. Drew Gooden added 18 and Hughes had 16, including his game-winner as time expired. The Bulls moved to 2-3 on their seven-game Circus Trip with a date in San Antonio on Wednesday before a few days off for the holiday. The Bulls remain in third place in their division.

The Circus Trip gets longer for the Bulls, who blew a late lead as the Nuggets claimed a 114-101 win. Down by nine after the first period, the Bulls fought back to take a fourth quarter lead. With around five minutes left and up by three, the Bulls were stunned by a 13-0 Denver run that clinched the Nugget victory. Ben Gordon had 28 points for the Bulls and Drew Gooden added 21 more in the losing effort. After the game, Gordon lamented the Bulls play, saying, "We didn't make enough sharp plays to win the game. When it came to crunch time, we just didn't come with a big enough number of plays.'' The team travels to Utah tonight.

Quarterback C.J. Bacher tossed two third quarter touchdowns to give Northwestern a lead over Michigan they wouldn't relinquish on their way to a 21-14 win over the Wolverines. Bacher finished with 198 yards passing and two touchdowns with two interceptions. It was an ugly weather day as precipitation switched between rain and snow, forcing Michigan to go to the ground which wasn't enough as they found themselves looking at the school's first-ever eight loss season. As for the Wildcats, they're enjoying their first eight win season since 2000, which also happens to be the last time they beat Michigan (a crazy 54-51 overtime win). They close out the season next week in Evanston against Illinois.

Has the sun set on the run-and-gun Phoenix squad? Without coach Mike D'Antoni and with big man Shaq on the bench, the Bulls ran roughshod over Phoenix on their way to a 100-83 win Friday night. Ben Gordon came off the bench to lead all Bulls in scoring with 23 points and rookie sensation Derrick Rose added 18 points and 6 assists. Said Gordon of the Bulls' #1 pick, "Watching him in practice, you can tell right away how special of a talent he is. He really doesn't surprise me with anything he does out there on the floor. I think he hasn't even scratched the surface.'' At one point, the Bulls went on a 16-0 run to go up 31-17 and never let the Suns back in. Rose, a new fan favorite, is taking the popularity in stride: “I was just trying to play basketball today. If they get out of their seats, that's great. I'm really just trying to play basketball.” With the win, the Bulls are .500 at 3-3 and are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for third place in the division. Next up for the Bulls is a game against Cleveland tonight, their second game in four days against the Cavs.

We’re somewhat hesitant to mention it given the Bulls' track record with “done deals" this summer, but the team and Luol Deng have agreed on a six-year, $71 million contract that will be officially announced this morning at a press conference at the Berto Center. With incentives, the deal can reach upwards of $80 million.

The Bulls' number one draft pick Derrick Rose,19, was fined $1,000 this morning in Kane County. Rose admitted to driving 106 miles per hour on I-88, where the speed limit is 65. He'll be under "court supervision" for six months and has to complete an online driving school course. [Trib]

Having won the NBA Draft Lottery, the Bulls are free to select any player available -- but the consensus top two players are power forward Michael Beasley from Kansas State and point guard Derrick Rose of Memphis. With the choice pretty much narrowed to those two, the Bulls are bringing each in for personal workouts and interviews this week.

The Chicago Bulls have offered the head coach position to Vinny Del Negro, and he's going to accept, according to the Trib. Del Negro is currently the Phoenix Suns' assistant GM.

"I just knew over the last few days that Jerry was really struggling over whether or not to do this, and I didn't want Jerry to have those struggles," Collins told the Tribune. "I love him. And I didn't want him feeling that kind of angst.

Continue reading "Doug Collins Not Going To Coach Bulls"

In the six weeks since Bulls GM John Paxson fired interim head coach Jim Boylan, countless names had emerged as possible replacements: coaching legends like Larry Brown, formerly hot coaches like Mike D'Antoni and Avery Johnson, and well-regarded assistants on teams still in the playoff hunt all seemed likely at some point in the search.

Chicago Bull Joakim Noah was arrested in Gainsville, Florida early this morning for violating an open container law, and police later found a joint in a pack of cigarettes in his pocket. He's facing two misdemeanor charges.

While initially mentioned among the leading candidates for the Bulls' head coach vacancy, Avery Johnson's seeming desire to take a year off on the Mavs' dime had made him an afterthought in recent weeks, even as other top candidates landed elsewhere.

The Bulls hit the jackpot on Tuesday night, winning the NBA Draft lottery!

Last week, it looked like the Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni were close to hooking up. Then rumors that the New York Knicks also liked D'Antoni began to sweep through the halls. Most thought, however, that D'Antoni was just playing hard to get, hoping to squeeze more money from the Bulls.

Rumors spread through the NBA world like spring fever through a high school yesterday, as ESPN.com reported that current Phoenix Suns coach Mike D'Antoni wanted to coach the Bulls, followed by reports that the Bulls liked D'Antoni, too.

The Bulls unveiled a new broadcast line-up this afternoon: longtime play-by-play announcer Neil Funk is moving from radio to TV, Raptors broadcaster Chuck Swirsky will be taking over his radio slot, and Wayne Larrivee on WGN and Tom Dore on CSN both got the boot. [Bulls, Trib]

Up high! Actually...never mind. A Bulls fan is suing the team after a high five from Benny the Bull left him with a hyperextended arm and a ruptured bicep.

So this is what happens when two teams, out of playoff contention and just trying to run out the season, meet in the week's final season?

Bulls interim head coach Jim Boylan looks like a fool for commenting to the media that he hopes to remain the Bulls coach next year.

Chicagoist spent our Saturday night on the couch watching the Duke/North Carolina basketball game -- the best rivalry in college basketball, and on that night a match-up of two Top 5 teams battling for the ACC regular season title. Countless former players form both teams found their way into Cameron Indoor Arena at Duke to witness the game in person. Among those spotted in the crowd was Bulls guard Chris Duhon, a former Blue Devil.

Just squeaking in before the NBA's Thursday afternoon trading deadline, the Bulls made a big move by moving Big Ben.

Sha na na na, Ben Wallace. The Bulls traded Wallace in a three-team deal with Cleveland and Seattle.

Seems Chicagoist wasn't the only one who found the lopsided terms of the Pau Gasol trade a bit fishy. With outrage and confusion growing in Memphis, the Grizzlies owner pointed his finger firmly at ... the Bulls! Wha?!

Bulls GM John Paxson is having about as much luck these days as fellow Jerry Reinsdorf employee Kenny Williams. While the Sox have been unable to add a marquee center fielder to their roster, the Bulls keep keep coming up short when trying to land a player who can be the centerpiece of their franchise.