News. Sports. Arts & Entertainment. Politics
Detroit Pistons legend and former Chicago Bull Rip Hamilton is back in town for NBA All-Star weekend, and we caught up with him Thursday night at the Rookie USA fashion show. The event benefits the James R. Jordan foundation, managed by Michael Jordan’s mother, and named for his late father.
Hamilton is close to Jordan and he talks to him all the time, so coming out and supporting the cause was a natural course of action and easy decision for him.
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From 1991-1998, the Chicago Bulls were the greatest sports dynasty that this city has ever seen. They “three-peated” twice, winning six NBA titles in all and forward Corie Blount was a part of it. Since the dynasty ended in 1998, the franchise has been a shell of its former self.
In a league where just about anybody who is trying can make the playoffs, the Bulls have reached the postseason just once since 2015. When you make your free NBA picks against the spread these days, don’t put your money on Chicago! Already 15.5 games out of first place and eight games under .500, the Bulls went 22-60 last season and 27-55 the previous season. So how will this once proud but now laughably bad franchise even return to glory?
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The idea of getting sacked on Christmas Eve is Dickensian to say the least, but the Chicago Bulls have already done it twice. It happened to Tim Floyd in 2001 and Scott Skiles in 2007. There was heavy speculation in 2009 that then coach Vinny Del Negro would be greeted with a “Merry Christmas- here’s your pink slip!” but it didn’t happen. For what it’s worth, the Oakland Raiders have also done this, canning then coach Mike White on Christmas Eve 1998.
The GarPax (GM Gar Forman and VP John Paxson) let him stick out the entire season, only to be told Hasta la vista, baby, on Cinco de Mayo Eve 2010. Which brings us to the current Bulls head coach, one squarely on the hot seat, in Jim Boylen.
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At this point, the Chicago Bulls, as an organization, are really no different than a hedge fund. Both exist simply to make money for a small group of people who are already exceedingly wealthy. The Chicago Bulls are basically nothing more than a brand or marketing machine that also plays some, horribly bad, basketball on the side.
This is not anything new, and it’s not anything that will change until the fan base supporting them changes. Simply put Chicago Bulls fans, you must vote with your feet. The Bulls despite putting a listless, useless, lifeless, product on the court last season, were second in the NBA in attendance last season.
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A lot of people out there enjoy a night or two of gambling and playing at casinos, and in most cases, the excitement and thrill that come with it do not result in a massive strain on the person’s finances. However, some people have let gambling affect them in ways that have scarred their finances and relationships for life.
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It’s a really tough question, and essentially it all boils down to a contest of what can arguably be classified as corporate crime/white collar crime versus allegedly criminally violent and utterly immoral acts. Chicago sports fans, who would jettison first- Chicago Cubs middle infielder Addison Russell or Chicago Bulls front office men, V.P. John Paxson and G.M. Gar Forman.
And you can vote below on Twitter, up until 8pm tonight. As of now, the voting is tightly contested, and it’s way too close to call who will be the “winner” (i.e. loser) when the polls closes.
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Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen has been retired for over a decade, but in 2019 he’s just as relevant as ever. The new year has seen Pippen consistently in the headlines for a host of different reasons. Last month he gave his take on Duke freshman and NBA super-prospect Zion Williamson, suggesting the blue chip frosh ditch the Blue Devils in midseason to start preparing for the NBA Draft.
This was before the Nike shoe fail incident leading to Williamson’s minor injury, so let’s give Pippen some credit on that one. Last week saw Pippen trending again as he “evolved” his opinion on the ultra-stale Michael Jordan vs. Lebron James “debate” for the umpteenth time. We asked comedian Lindsay Glazer (Woloshin) for her take on that news story, and a couple more Scottie Pippen related topics.
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With four Super Bowl appearances in the last five and 10 of the last 17, it’s understandable if you have New England Patriots fatigue at this point. In fact, you may be so sick of the Patriots right now that it’s turning you off from watching the Super Bowl on Sunday.
On the hand, the explosion of legalized sports gambling in the United States and expanded Super Bowl prop betting will make this game “interesting” for those who are sick of the Pats.
And if you are one of those sports fans who has grown weary of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and company, well a Morning Consult poll shows that you are not alone.
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On the court, Scottie Pippen is widely considered the second greatest Chicago Bull of all time, behind only Michael Jordan. Off the court he has a reputation (“No Tipping Pippen”) as not being the most awesome guy in the world. (All we know for sure is that he’s an AWFUL interview subject– so BORING!) There are plenty of negative rumors and un-flattering stories about him floating around out there, and some of them became a lot more believable ever since he sued comedian Lindsay Glazer (Woloshin).
Right now, it looks like filing that lawsuit was a huge mistake, as it’s starting to create a PR disaster for ol’ #33. Pippen is suing Glazer and her husband after the couple rented his Ft. Lauderdale mansion, and according to his attorney, totally trashed the place.
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Welcome to our fourth version of our 2018 NBA Mock Draft. It’s the first edition post lottery. For more on a given prospect, click his name where hyper-linked, and that will take you to an in-depth feature piece on said player. Team needs were sometimes, but not always taken into account, and the order was derived from Tankathon, who we linked here.
You may not agree with the picks in this 2018 NBA mock draft, and yes, somebody will get left out, but you can air your grievances in the comments section. Just keep it all above board.
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Fighting Illini legend and former Chicago Bull Kendall Gill just turned 50 a couple weeks ago, but he’s in as phenomenal physical shape as he’s ever been. Boxing is a big reason why, and Gill was going to box the day after we caught up to him- at the second annual Illini Athletics Hall of Fame gala. If you’re into boxing, and need a new heavy bag, see more about them at this product review site. Boxing is one of the best cardio activities that one can partake in.
“It’s one of my main workouts, it keeps me in good shape,” Gill told The Sports Bank during our exclusive interview, conducted at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
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Steve Kerr is so much more than the championship Head Coach of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. He’s a very politically activated citizen, one who often utilizes the massive public platforms at his disposal to further his express his views on the issues. Gun reform is one of the most critical issues facing our country, and Kerr will join Rep. Ro Khanna (D-17) today to lead a town hall style discussion on gun violence in America with high school students from seven different schools across California’s 17th district.
The event, which is expected to be attended by 2,000 people, will take place at Newark Memorial High School in the events center starting at 3:45pm PT on Monday, 3/12.
It will also be live-streamed on Rep. Khanna’s official Facebook page.
