Media still aiming for the Bulls

Another missive was fired off on ChicagoSports.com today, laying into the Bulls. It wasn’t as angry as the earlier column, which targeted Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf for being–in a word–cheap. But columnist Rick Morrissey did take on the team’s individual members, claiming some of them simply didn’t have the dedication required to form a united team. It also had no tears to shed for the passing of Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Atoni. No point holding on to a ghost, someone who was never a part of the team to begin with, the author argues.

Is all the ire deserved? Possibly. Team members Ben Gordon and Luol Deng have been too focused on what’s going on outside the game, like the recent Kobe Bryant trade rumors. They are both capable players, but neither seems worried enough about the ball and getting it to a basket to pull their eyes away from distractions like that. But that’s an issue they could fix on their own. It doesn’t mean they need to be traded or kicked off the team for it.

In any case, the team is going to be great when all the dust settles around this issue. Buy Chicago Bulls tickets now, or other sports tickets, at Stubhub.com.

Reinsdorf fires back: Money wasn’t an issue

Yesterday a screed was published in the Chicago Sun-Times (and commented on here) about Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf being cheap. But on Monday, Reinsdorf was already defending his own abilities as a manager, saying he was somewhat taken aback by Phoenix Suns’ coach Mike D’Antoni meeting with him for the Bulls coaching position, then running to the open arms of the New York Knicks.

“I’m disappointed in him,” Reinsdorf said. “I don’t know what else we could’ve done. He chose to go to New York knowing there was a good chance we would make him an offer. If he had really wanted to be in Chicago, he would’ve waited. Instead, he misled us. It’s not the end of the world, but it is somewhat rude.”

Reinsdorf goes on to say that D’Antoni wasn’t interested in money as much as an enjoyable work environment. Whether that’s true or not is  up for debate. Regardless, Bulls fans just want a good game. They can get sports tickets like Chicago Bulls tickets at Stubhub.com.

Was it money that kept the Bulls from D’Antoni?

In a Chicago Sun-Times editorial, the Bulls’ owner has gotten lambasted for being less than bullish about the team’s offer to Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni. According to the writer, owner Jerry Reinsdorf is just playing the game too cheaply. The end result? Chicago is left with a team that’s not hitting anything as hard as it could. There’s a ton of suggestions made to Reinsdorf–like don’t be a spendthrift, for one. For another, sell the team if it’s not so important to you. Reinsdorf also owns the White Sox, and the editorial claims he spends much more time with them.

The final, and most interesting suggestion: Sell the team to Michael Jordan.

That would certainly be big news for fans, and might not be a bad idea, actually. But the truth is, that sounds like wishful thinking. What difference will an open letter to Reinsdorf make? Well, hopefully it will air some of the discontent that’s been brewing, especially since the Bulls undertook this coach hunt.

You can still get Chicago Bulls tickets, or other sports tickets, at Stubhub.com.

Knicks get D’Antoni. Who will the Bulls get?

Well, D’Antoni is out of the picture. If you’ve been carefully following the rumor and innuendo festival that is the Chicago Bulls coach selection process, you’ll know that Mike D’Antoni, the Phoenix Suns coach who was until recently a top contender, has decided to accept an offer from the New York Knicks (or, at least, that’s the word from the Chicago Sun-Times, themselves quoting other publications).

Looks like D’Antoni was interested, but the money just wasn’t coming through. It might be just as well–the defensive-minded Bulls aren’t really a match for the offensive strategist D’Antoni. Then again, with a major restructuring, who knows what might have happened?

In any case, there’s still one thing for certain: The search will go on. That, and there are still Chicago Bulls tickets available for sale. If you’re looking for them, or for any other sports tickets, for that matter, visit Stubhub.com.

Knicks have their sights on D’Antoni (still)

What are the Knicks thinking? Well, anyone can you tell what’s on their mind–Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni. But as ESPN is reporting, they still consider him their number one choice for new coach, despite his obvious interest in the Bulls position (which is being reciprocated by the Bulls).

Quite frankly, the Knicks need to be looking around. Though the Bulls/D’Antoni matchup is pretty odd–D’Antoni is a far more offensive thinker than the Bulls, who go for more defensive strategies–it’s still the main matchup that’s in the air. There’s interest from both sides. More importantly, there’s a great deal of interest from D’Antoni! He’s said he would love to be the Bulls coach. If the interest is there, than chances are he’ll be considered for that team.

Enough about the Knicks. Think Bulls. Think Chicago Bulls tickets. Or other sports tickets, if that’s more your thing.

Think Stubhub.com.

So long Johnny “Red” Kerr

The Bulls longtime announcer, Johnny “Red” Kerr, is finally retiring according to ChicagoSports.com. Surprise, though: The team is mixing its entire broadcast lineup.

The news about Kerr isn’t too much of a surprise, as the article suggests. Kerr has been serving the team faithfully for years, and is now in his 70s. It’s totally appropriate for him to step down and play grandpa for a while.

But look at the rest of the changes:

“Out are play-by-play voices Wayne Larrivee, who handled Bulls games for WGN-Ch. 9, and Tom Dore, who worked the games for Comcast SportsNet. Neil Funk will move over from the radio side to handle the television call for both outlets.”

That’s a pretty big change. Let’s wish them luck in the future. Anyways, if you want to see the team on the court rather than TV, check out Chicago Bulls tickets, or other sports tickets, at Stubhub.com.

Is D’Antoni the right guy?

While everyone is calculating the odds about who will be the next Chicago Bulls coach, ESPN is asking the $64,000 question: Is Mike D’Antoni the right guy?

He’s recently met with the Bulls, and we know he wants the job. But does the Phoenix Suns coach have what it takes to craft a winning team?

They’re right to ask that question. D’Antoni is a master offensive strategist. The Bulls’ general manager, John Paxson, has long been a champion of defense for the team. So together, would they meld? That’s the basic question. You can nitpick all you want about which players would fit with which strategies, but ultimately, the team needs to change its philosophies. If D’Antoni is picked, it’s going to have to give up on the defensiveness and  became an all-out attack team, or D’Antoni is going to have to rethink his own coaching styles.

Whichever it is, you know it’ll make for an interesting game. The Bulls will be unlike they’ve ever been before. Check them out by getting Chicago Bulls tickets, or other sports tickets, at Stubhub.com.

D’Antoni wants the job

Well, well. Seems like Mike D’Antoni, the Phoenix Suns coach that met with the Chicago Bulls recently about their vacant coaching position, has told Bulls general manager John Paxson that he wants the job.

Suns general manager John Kerr had this to say about D’Antoni meeting with the Chicago team:

“As we have continued to convey, we value Mike D’Antoni as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns and would like him to continue leading this basketball team,” Kerr’s statement said. “Because he has requested to speak to other teams about their head-coaching vacancies, we have granted him permission. We will have no further comment until this process further evolves.”

D’Antoni certainly has the desire to be a part of the team. But the question is, does he look better than the other choices? He’ll come with a hefty price tag, and there’s also the issue of him being more offensively minded than Paxson.

We’ll see. Get Chicago Bulls tickets, or other sports tickets, at Stubhub.com.

Update: D’Antoni free to talk to the Bulls for coaching position

It looks like some interviews have been confirmed as already having happened for the prized Chicago Bulls coach position, while Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni is expected to interview in the near future. The Arizona Republic is reporting that a radio report from KTAR-AM from a franchise source said Suns general manager Steve Kerr has given his okay for D’Antoni to be interviewed for the Bulls position.

The Chicago-Sun Times is reminding us that former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson will be paying the Bulls heads a visit soon, and Rick Carlisle has already been interviewed.

There’s plenty of people vying for this position now. But the question remains as to who will take it in the end. The Bulls have a lot of choices and pros and cons to weight about each one.

Whichever it is,  you’ll be able to see them by getting Chicago Bulls tickets, or other sports tickets, at Stubhub.com.

Chicago Bulls coach selection archive

In case you missed an installment of the exciting soap opera that is the Chicago Bulls coach selection process, the Bulls’ official Web site has an archive of press stories. It’s a good resource for watching how it’s evolved over the past couple weeks. For those obsessed with drawing odds on who will be picked in the end, feel free to go to town.

There’s an impressively diverse range of newspapers represented on this archive page, which is nice. Looking through the headlines, you can see different papers going after different angles. Not all the stories are about the coach selection, of course, but with it being the biggest news at the moment, the subject is naturally a predominant one.

The tough part is that there are so many candidates, and rival teams have their sights focused on them as well. Will the Bulls get the one they want?

With all this going on, it’s easy to forget there’s Chicago Bulls tickets available, so stock up now. You can get those, or other sports tickets, at Stubhub.com.

 Page 2 of 3 « 1  2  3 »