Big Ben Wallace Athletic Shoes are Cheap and Stylish

Chicago Bulls center Ben Wallace is releasing a new collection of Big Ben Wallace athletic shoes and there’s something about these shoes that really distinguishes them from similar player-modeled shoes made by Nike, Adidas and Reebok – price. The Big Ben Wallace athletic sneakers are set to only cost a fourth of the price of the similar basketball shoes out on the market. Wallace definitely has faith in the sneaker line that is being released in his name, according to press notes he has said of the shoes, “I played in these shoes last year in the playoffs and had a pretty good playoff run.” Having his own sneakers is a dream come true for Wallace who always dreamed of “one day, walking by a playground and telling the kids, ‘My game is better than yours because I got on my Ben Wallaces.’”

Wallace teamed up with Steve & Barry’s, a national specialty retailer who sells officially licensed sportswear at discount prices. Steve & Barry’s teamed up with New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury last year to introduce the Starbury II, a high-performance basketball shoe that only costs $14.98. Wallace decided to join the “Starbury Movement” when creating his shoes. The movement is intended to kick the trend of selling expensive athletic shoes to poor kids through celebrity marketing. Wallace wanted to provide an affordable but cool alternative to youngsters who might feel pressure to fit in, but not have the funding to buy the expensive shoes. Many more celebrities are hoping on the “Starbury” train – including Sarah Jessica Parker and Venus Williams. There’s no question that Wallace’s shoes are going to be a hit – and this Bulls’ star has shown that he hasn’t let stardom go to his head.

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Bulls’ Deng and Sefolosha Face-Off Overseas

There’s no question that Bulls’ power forward Luol Deng has been tearing up the court overseas this summer, but there’s also another Bulls star that’s making his mark in the off-season league. Thabo Sefolosha, guard and forward for the Bulls, has been playing for Switzerland during his break from the Bulls. Sefolosha scored over half of his team’s points and grabbed about a quarter of his team’s rebounds in their recent face-off against Great Britain. It’s not every day that teammates get the opportunity to play against each other in a different professional environment - and Deng and Sefolosha definitely did the Bulls proud in their recent match-up.

The two Chicago teammates met up earlier this week in a FIBA Division B playoff game in which Deng scored 31 points and snatched 12 rebounds. Deng’s Great Britain beat Sefolosha’s Switzerland 74-41, but both players put on stellar performances. Sefolosha, who earlier in the tournament pulled out a very impressive alley-oop to himself, is showing promise for the upcoming season, and it’s looking like he may be taking his rightful place as a significant reserve for Chicago this year. There’s no question that Deng is looking like the next Bulls All-Star – after a spectacular summer with Great Britain, Deng will return to the Bulls with more experience than any of his Chicago teammates. You can expect a lot more from both Sefolosha and Deng in the 2007-2008 season, as playing overseas has given them the practice and skill-development needed to shine in the windy city.

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Bulls’ Luol Deng is Living it Up Overseas

Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng has definitely making headlines in Europe this off-season – he’s playing for Great Britain’s basketball team before he heads back to the windy city next month. After a recent game in Edinburgh, Scotland the pens were uncapped and ready for signing before the final buzzer had even sounded. According to press notes, “the scene is witnessed by 2,000 Union Jack wavers gathered to watch Britain edge closer to a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games in the young Bull’s adopted home city of London.” It’s no wonder UK fans are crazy about Deng; he and his family made the UK their home after fleeing Sudan to escape the Second Sudanese Civil War. In order for Great Britain to clench a spot in the Olympics, they must earn a promotion to Europe’s A Division.

In discussing the differences between playing in the NBA and overseas, Deng says, “After a while, your IQ adjusts and expands to the style here. The NBA is more one-on-one. Here they call the three-second rules, the zone defenses. That makes it harder to drive in the lane. A lot of times, I might be ball-watching, and in European basketball, you get punished for that. All of this will make me better.” Deng’s all-star playing for the Britain is eminent – he’s improved his ball-handling, post play, and range – which is great news for the Chicago Bulls. Although Deng is currently focused on getting his off-season team to the Olympics, there’s no doubt that he’ll have Bulls fever when he returns to the Chicago court next month.

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Former Bulls’ Coach Phil Jackson Inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Chicago Bulls’ coach Phil Jackson was the first Bulls player, coach or executive inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last week. Jackson, a former New York Knicks player, who currently coaches for the Los Angeles Lakers, is considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NBA. Jackson built his reputation during his time coaching for Chicago, from 1989-1998. The coach led the Bulls to six NBA titles and has recently led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles. Plenty of Jackson’s friends, family and fans were present at his induction into the Hall of Fame. His kids, grandkids, ex-wife, and girlfriend were there to support him, and he was introduced by his former teammate and roommate Bill Bradley, along with longtime coach and friend, Tex Winter.

Of his life with basketball Jackson says, “Basketball has been an adventure. My basketball life, like me, became more family and togetherness, the long nights in North Dakota driving 200 miles on icy, two-lane roads to play basketball, the CBA (coaching and driving the van), coaching in Puerto Rico summers, it all gave me the background and the endurance to stick with it with great support from my family.” Jackson has been coaching for 25 years and is the all-time NBA leader in winning percentage in the regular season and playoffs. Jackson was a counterculture rebel in the 1970’s who was mostly ignored by the NBA until Jerry Krause gave him a chance as an assistant for the Bulls in 1987. Jackson will return to the court this year for the final season of his three-year $30 million contract with the Lakers.

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Malik Allen Says Goodbye Bulls, Hello Nets

Malik Allen, the 6’10” forward who played for the Chicago Bulls last season, has been picked up by the New Jersey Nets. Allen played a total of 60 games for the Bulls last season, averaging 4 points and 2 rebounds on .415 from the field and .824 from the line in 10.6 minutes per contest. Nets President Rod Thorn announced that the free agent was signed last week, but per team policy, terms of his Allen’s contract were not released. Allen, a six-year NBA veteran, played for the Bulls in five postseason contests during the 2007 NBA playoffs. Allen holds career averages of 6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 287 games, including 103 starts. He has appeared in 21 postseason contests, where he holds career postseason marks of 3.9 points and 2.6 rebound per game.

The 29-year-old forward was born in Willingboro, New Jersey, and attended Shawnee High School in Medford, New Jersey. In high school he was part of a nationally ranked basketball team during the early to mid 1990’s. Allen became a local hero, carrying the team to two state championships. Allen, who was undrafted after a college career at Villanova University in 2000, began his career with the Miami Heat, where he played for three and a half seasons. He was then traded to the Charlotte Bobcats for the 2004-2005 seasons, and played the last two seasons for the Chicago Bulls. Although the Bulls are losing Allen, they’ve still got plenty of talent for fans to feast their eyes on.

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Past Bulls Coach Moves to New Team

Bulls fans are true to their players and coaches, so it’s only natural to follow those who have contributed to the team in the past when they move on to new endeavors. Bob Thorton, who was the assistant coach for the Bulls from 2002-2004, before moving on to coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, is moving on to South Dakota. Thorton will join the Sioux Falls Skyforce as assistant coach for the upcoming 2007-2008 season, and there’s no doubt that his eight years of NBA coaching experience will be of great help to the team. Thorton served as the Bulls’ assistant coach during the 2002-2003 season and spent the 2003-2004 season with the Bulls as both assistant coach and a scout.

Thorton is certainly being welcomed by his new team. According to press notes, Mike Heineman, the Skyforce president and owner, is extremely excited to add this Bulls veteran to his staff. “To be able to add a coach of Bob’s caliber is amazing. Bob’s many years of experience as both a coach and player will be a huge asset to our coaching staff.” There’s no doubt that Thorton’s contributions will be welcomed in South Dakota, although he will surely be missed by the Timberwolves. Bulls fans can continue to keep up with the man who helped shape their team in recent years by following the Sioux Falls Skyforce this season.

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Viktor Khryapa Wants to Leave the Chicago Bulls

There’s a new hurdle for the Chicago Bulls – one of their players actually wants to leave the team. Russian international Viktor Khryapa announced this week that he wants to take leave of the Chicago Bulls. It seems that Khryapa is not satisfied with his playing time, he’s looking for more time on the court and the Bulls just aren’t giving it to him. At a press-conference held prior to the European Championships start, Khryapa told reporters, “I have a running contract with Chicago and they are not going to trade me but I want to leave as I look to spend more time in action.” Although he wants to leave the Bulls, Khryapa has no desire to head back over to Europe; he simply wants to be traded within the NBA.

Khryapa, who was born in present-day Ukraine, was the 22nd overall selection in the 2004 NBA draft. He was picked up by the New Jersey Nets and subsequently traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. In 2006, he was traded to the Bulls, where he has remained for only a year. The 6’9”, 210 lb. forward is known for his competitive nature, quickness, and leaping ability. Although he lacks body weight and bulk, he is a good rebounder and noted shotblocker. Khryapa is currently playing for Russia’s national team, and says of his off-season time abroad, “As for the national side we are charged to achieve a good result at the championships in Spain. It is of course difficult to switch to European basketball but I wouldn’t say it is impossible.” It seems that this versatile player doesn’t think he’s getting the playing time he deserves, so it’s up to the Bulls to decide whether or not they want to lose him.

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The Bulls’ Ben Wallace is a Valuable Asset

With the Bulls gearing up for the upcoming season, it seems important to take a look at who will be ripping up the court on behalf of the windy city. One of the Bulls’ big names is Ben Wallace, who joined the team last year after signing a four-year, $60 million contract. After playing with the Detroit Pistons for six years, Wallace decided to leave when his relationship with coach Flip Saunders became strained and the Bulls gained momentum and offered him more money. He was considered one of the pillars of the Pistons’ success, helping to carry them to a championship in 2004. Wallace, a 6’9”, 240 lb. center, is one of the best defensive players in the game. He helped Chicago make it to the playoffs last season and hopes are high that he and the other players will exhort that same effort this year.

Ben Wallace, a.k.a. “Big Ben”, “The Fro”, “The Body”, and “The Beast”, was born on September 10, 1974 in White Hall, Alabama. He achieved all-state honors in track, football, and baseball in high school and played his first two years of college basketball at Cuyahoga Community College. Wallace transferred to Virginia Union, a Division II school, and was signed as a rookie free agent by the Washington Bullets on October 2, 1996 after playing in Italy. He was traded to the Orlando Magic in 1999 and in 2000 he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. From there Wallace made his imprint on the game of basketball, and the Bulls are lucky enough to have him on their side for the next three years.

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Michael Jordan’s Son is the University of Illinois’ Newest Big Name

Although Michael Jordan no longer plays for the Chicago Bulls, he is still no doubt a Bulls legend, so following his son’s basketball career is certainly of interest to Chicago fans. Michael Jordan’s son, Jeff Jordan, is a freshman playing guard for the University of Illinois. His team was defeated 86-82 by Concordia last week; an upset to the team who had already won the first two games of it’s pre-season in Canada. On Monday, Jordan’s team stuck it to McGill 107-103, going into double overtime before securing the win. Jeff Jordan scored nine points in the game against McGill and hit seven points, three rebounds and a steal in his 15 minutes playing against Concordia.

Jordan, the six-foot-one guard who is majoring in psychology, was a mid-level high school prospect last season. He walked on without scholarship to Illinois basketball team after turning down scholarship offers from other smaller universities. Although Jordan won’t be starting for Illinois this year, the team’s coach, Bruce Weber, has high hopes for the son of the Chicago Bulls superstar. “He’s got a long way to go. He’s got to find a niche and find out how hard he has to play, but that will come.” Jeff Jordan played basketball at Loyola Academy in Chicago, and although he has some big feet to fill on the college court, the guard seems to be handling the pressure well. Jordan says it’s easier to get used to the press at the college level and tries not to measure himself with his father too much. “You’ve got to do your own thing. If you go out there with expectations, you’re not going to do well, so I just try to do what I can for my team.” Maybe we’ll see Jeff on the Bulls court in the future – now that would be a great legacy to follow.

See the Chicago Bulls tear up the court when you get your Chicago Bulls tickets at StubHub.com.

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