A Look at Team U.S.A.
Although there are no Chicago Bulls playing for Team U.S.A. this year (since Kirk Hinrich made the decision to leave the team in early August), it’s still important to take a look at how Team U.S.A. is doing – it might just give the Bulls a heads up when they face off against some of the team’s players in the regular season. It looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James is carrying most of the team’s weight this year. In Team U.S.A.’s most recent game against Uruguay, James was 11 for 11 from the field, making all four of his 3-point attempts and scoring 26 points in the first half. James raised his shooting percentage – for which he is leading the tournament – to 79.9 percent, which amounts to 47 out of 59 shots. As far as 3-pointers go, James is 14 for 20, coming out to a 70 percent average and the tournament high.
Team U.S.A. beat Uruguay 118-79 in the FIBA Americas tournament. Next the Americans will face Argentina, another team with no losses, which should make for quite a competitive game. If the American’s win they will head onto the semifinals to compete as the number one seed. As for other NBA players competing on the national team, Carmelo Anthony missed the game against Uruguay due to a bruised right heel. According to press notes his injury isn’t serious and he should be fine for the regular season – and probably for the remaining games in the tournament. The Phoenix Suns’ Amare Stoudemire scored 19 points for Team U.S.A. and Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz finished with 14 points. The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Pistons’ Tayshaun Prince each added 13 points.
See how the Bulls match up against Team U.S.A.’s players in the regular season when you get your Chicago Bulls tickets at StubHub.com.
How Will the Bulls’ Upcoming Season Play Out?
Judging by the Bulls’ off-season, it looks like they are gearing up for a successful upcoming season for a few different reasons. Luckily Andres Nocioni, the 6’7” small forward who sometimes plays the power forward position for the Bulls, decided to stay in the windy city after much wooing from the Memphis Grizzlies. The Argentinean brings a special kind of energy to the Bulls that they couldn’t have afforded to lose. John Paxson kept him on at $37.5 million over the next five years, not bad for such a valuable team asset. The Bulls also gained power forward Joe Smith from the Sixers. He’s taking the place of P.J. Brown and will surely be a solid player for the Bulls.
Then of course the Bulls gained Joakim Noah from Florida. The 6’11” forward helped lead the Gators to two titles and will give the Bulls some fresh attitude and skill this year. Although the Bulls couldn’t get Kevin Garnett back to his old stomping ground, which was a high hope of many of Chicago’s fans, there are still plenty of new prospects joining the team this year. The Bulls chances of winning an NBA title are looking pretty good, so long as they keep up the energy and the drive.
Come see how they match up when you get your Chicago Bulls tickets at StubHub.com.
Chicago Bulls Training Hard at the Berto Center
Thanks to the hard-work and dedication of their rookies, the Bulls won’t have too much to worry about when they gear up for the start of their season in October. Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray have become regulars at the Berto Center, the Chicago Bulls’ practice facility in Deerfield, Illinois. Joakim Noah has been working hard to rehab his injured right shoulder, while also conditioning at a high level. Noah can usually be spotted at the center anywhere from three to three and a half hours a day, five days a week. Aaron Gray, who was a second round draft pick, completed his first full week of training at the team’s facility and plans to be there as much as it takes to make the regular season roster.
According to press notes, the Bulls Strength and Conditioning Coach Erik Helland definitely thinks the rookies are on the right track. “You win and lose games and make or break seasons in fractions. We try to exploit every single advantage we possibly can because you never know when it’s going to come down to a last-second shot in a Game 7 of a series. Training can help provide that margin of reserve necessary to make that play.” Helland is entering his 21st season with the Bulls, so there’s no question that Noah and Gray can learn a lot from him.
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Men Arrested for Chicago-Area Robberies
Remember those robberies involving two Chicago-based sports players that happened about a month back? Well there’s good news for Eddy Curry and Antoine Walker and relief for Chicago Bulls players who live in the windy city. Two reputed members of a Chicago street gang have been arrested on charges of burglary in the cases of NBA player and former Bull Eddy Curry’s Burr Ridge home robbery as well as the burglary of NBA player Antoine Walker at his River North home. The two suspects have had their bail set at $5 million each in the Bridgeview branch of Cook County Circuit Court – so it looks like they’ll be locked up for a while.
The two Chicago residents, Demmorris Hill, 25, and Antoine Larkins, 28, are charged with the July 28th home invasion, armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping in which Curry and his wife were tied up while the robbers ransacked the house. The Burr Ridge Police Captain Tim Vaclav said that a third suspect may still be at large – but at least for now two of the suspects are off the streets. They are also charged (along with two other suspects) with the robbery and home invasion of Antoine Walker. There is no bail available in this case. It’s good news for the Bulls who live in the Chicago area, as it seems there was most definitely a link between NBA players and the robberies. Hopefully the only place you’ll see any of the Bulls in the news from now on is in the sports section.
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Ben Gordon Seeks New Contract with Chicago
The Bulls’ Ben Gordon is hoping to work out a contract extension with Chicago before their 2007-2008 season opener against the New Jersey Nets. Gordon, a shooting guard for the Bulls, is approaching the final year of his four-year rookie contract with the Bulls – he signed the contract in 2004 after being drafted from the University of Connecticut. Gordon, 24, is seeking out a new contract with a new agent – he left Billy Ceisler and is now represented by the Los Angeles-based Raymond Brothers.
According to press notes, Gordon is optimistic about staying with his team: “The Bulls have an opportunity to extend my contract with them this summer. So I’m hoping something gets done and I won’t have to wait another year to see what’s going to happen. I’ve done everything possible I could have done to help get my team to the playoffs, and I think it’s up to them right now to see if they want to make a long-term commitment.” Gordon’s being pulled from the starting lineup has merited discussion about his worth to the Bulls – some speculate that the Bulls may view him as a limited scorer, but it’s more widely conceived that Gordon will be an elite scorer – and Gordon is looking for that respect. “If you look at other players around the league that are doing things similar to what I’ve done in my past year and throughout my career, I just want to get that equal respect. And that’s all it’s really about. The money I make is going to be more than I’ve ever made, so it really just boils down to getting your just due and your respect.”
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Luol Deng Brings a Positive Image to Basketball
Luol Deng is doing wonders for Great Britain’s team as they try to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, but what is most interesting about Deng is his back-story and the positive influence that he’s giving to basketball. At only 22-years-old, Deng has accomplished a lot. Basketball-wise he’s already helped the Chicago Bulls get to the NBA playoffs and he is now a major player in pushing Great Britain towards the Olympics. Life-wise, he’s also been through a lot. When Deng was young his father Aldo, a member of the Sudanese parliament, moved his family to Egypt to escape the Second Sudanese Civil War. In Egypt they met former NBA center Manute Bol, also from Sudan, who taught Deng and his older brother to play basketball. When the Deng family was granted political asylum, they emigrated to South Norwood in London, England.
According to press notes, Great Britain’s coach Chris Finch speaks very highly of Deng, saying, “Britain couldn’t ask for a better ambassador, not only for all sports, but the country in general. He’s extremely professional and takes what he does seriously. Whether that’s campaigning for humanitarian issues or playing for Great Britain or being a better Chicago Bull.” Deng’s core mission in Britain has been to make basketball more popular to the country’s residents, but the hard part is getting them to take an interest. “It definitely starts with facilities…Growing up here it was really hard to find a lot of facilities to practice in and a lot of kids only practice maybe once, twice, three times a week.” So far Deng is doing a great job of providing a positive influence for Britain’s youth, and his high-scoring lately is definitely bringing more attention to the game.
See Deng when he returns to Chicago when you get your Chicago Bulls tickets at StubHub.com.
3rd Annual Ben Gordon Homecoming Weekend Takes Place in Mount Vernon, VA
The city of Mount Vernon, Virginia has collaborated with Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon to host a weekend of inspiration and encouragement for its families and community. Mount Vernon is Gordon’s home town, and Mayor Ernest D. Davis has been working to arrange the 3rd Annual Ben Gordon Homecoming weekend. This year the event has been expanded to two days and will take place on Friday, August 24th and Saturday, August 25th. Davis spoke for all of Mount Vernon when, according to press notes, he said, “Ben Gordon’s commitment to his family, his deeply religious beliefs and his love of the Mount Vernon community were the motivating factors in determining this year’s theme. We are happy and proud that Ben holds this community with such high regard and continually comes back to provide our young people with encouragement through his involvement over the course of the weekend.”
Gordon’s basketball career, which eventually led him to the Chicago Bulls, started in his hometown. He was a stand-out player on Mount Vernon High School’s basketball team, the Knights. Gordon then moved on to play at Uconn, where he helped his team capture the 2004 NCAA Championship. The Ben Gordon Homecoming weekend is set to feature an inspirational concert done by youth choirs, praise dancers, and motivational speakers as well as 5 Star youth basketball clinics, NBA activities, a women and girls fitness demonstration and workshop, and another workshop designed to teach young people about career opportunities off the court. This weekend will definitely be both a celebration of the game of basketball and Mount Vernon’s most well-known native.
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Deng Steps it Up Overseas
Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng is at it again. Once again he stepped it up for Great Britain, scoring 21 points in their first European qualifying campaign over Slovakia in Birmingham. Deng’s position as lead-scorer for Great Britain follows in his own footsteps – last week he hit the high 24 points in their game against Ireland. It took Deng a little while to get his game on this week as he struggled with his shooting in the beginning of the game. Deng missed his first five scoring attempts but well made up for his misses later in the game. According to press notes, Deng said of the international team, “It’s going to take a while to gel offensively, but defensively we’re doing a good job.” Well, until the gel sets at least fans are comforted knowing that Deng has the ability to pull more than his own weight.
Deng is getting a lot of praise from his international teammates – according to press notes center Andy Bettes said of Deng, “He’s going to get pressure and publicity because of how good a player he is. He handles it will, and the team performance was good – we didn’t give them an easy shot all night.” Great Britain will spend the next week training before they head to Almere for their second qualifying game against Holland. With Slovakia taken care of, Great Britain only has three more teams to beat – the Netherlands, Belarus and Albania. If Deng keeps his numbers up, these wins should be an easy feat.
If you won’t have the opportunity to see Deng play abroad, see him play with the Bulls this season when you get your Chicago Bulls tickets at StubHub.com.
Ex-NBA Official Pleads Guilty to Fixing Games
Scandal is surfacing in regards to one of the Bulls games way back in the 1986-1987 NBA Finals, but luckily the Bulls aren’t to blame. It seems that Tim Donaghy, who worked as an official in the NBA until recently, pleaded guilty in federal court last week to betting on games he officiated and being paid for giving information to his associates. During his testimony Donaghy mentioned the Bulls game in which Jordan hit an 18-foot shot against the Utah Jazz in the final seconds of the game, breaking Utah’s hearts and winning the game that gave the Bulls their second straight NBA championship over the Jazz – and not to mention Jordan’s sixth and last championship with the Bulls.
There has always been speculation by Jazz fans that a call should have been made when Jordan brushed the defendant before banking the shot. Byron Russell was that defendant, and he has been quoted as saying, “He pushed off.” Mathis confirmed Jazz fans’ speculation in his testimony when according to press notes he said, “Remember when Jordan hit that winning shot? I’m going to give you exactly what the commentators said: ‘What a great move by Michael.’ Was that a great move or was that an offensive foul? There was no question it was a push-off. No buts about it. The only buts you can have is, ‘Well, it was Michael Jordan.’ That was a defining moment. The video tape would never lie. Here’s what could have happened. The referee makes the call and it’s, ‘No, no. How could he do that? It was Michael Jordan.” With Mathis’ comments having emerged, it gets one thinking about the issue of fairness in the sports world. It’s not a question of whether or not the Bulls deserved that win – the real issue is dishonesty among officials. It makes you wonder how many of those close calls could have or should have actually gone the other way. Sadly all we can do as fans is sit back and put our trust in the those we hope aren’t out to change basketball’s history, or it’s future.
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Bulls Deng is Lead Scorer in Great Britain’s Latest Win
The Chicago Bulls Luol Deng was a key player in Great Britain’s win over Ireland last week, hitting 24 points to become the lead scorer on the international team for the game. Great Britain beat Ireland with a wide gap, scoring 88 to their 59 points at the K2 Arena in Crawley. Great Britain led the first quarter 27-8, with nine of those points made by Deng. Great Britain had a steady lead up until the third quarter when they gave Ireland a chance to close the vast point gap.
Deng was definitely the star of this game and Great Britain’s coach, Chris Finch, gave him all the credit he deserved. “Luol gives us versatility, profile and class…he’s very receptive – he asked a lot of questions about the differences in the international game. We’re trying to help educate him.” Deng will finish off the season with the international team soon, as they face their first European qualifying tie against Slovakia on Tuesday in Birmingham. Deng is definitely representing his home team well, and there is growing anticipation among Bulls fans for his return to the windy city this fall. It’s safe to say that this Bulls star will be bringing a lot to the table when he returns for the Bulls opener against the New Jersey Nets on Halloween night.
If you’re not up for trick-or-treating this year, come and see what Deng will bring to the game when you get your Chicago Bulls tickets at StubHub.com.