The “Baby Bulls” are older now. They’ll get to show off how much they’ve improved during tonight’s preseason opener in Wisconsin, where they’ll face the Milwaukee Bucks at The La Crosse Center. via WIFR
“My goal right now is to evolve gracefully into being an ex-basketball player”
The Bulls waived Joseph Blair on Wednesday, a move as inevitable as it is inconsequential in the world of NBA movers and shakers.
But the one line of agate type announcing his release that will appear under ‘Transactions’ in Thursday’s newspapers can’t capture the essence of the life Blair has lived.
You won’t find many NBA rookies - or veterans, for that matter - who call Khalil Gibran their favorite author ‘by far’ and spend pregame time reading Sidney Poitier’s spiritual autobiography, ‘The Measure of a Man.’ Read more
“So I actually appreciate it. Because I don’t think they would demand out of me more than what they think I can do. And the more they demand, I feel the better I can be.”
Go ahead and take his lunch money, as Ben Gordon did earlier this week when the rookie brought the wrong doughnuts.
Haze him further by spelling his name wrong on his road reds, with long-time equipment manager John Ligmanowski laughing as the rookie squirmed about in a ‘NOHA’ jersey that eventually would be replaced with the correct name.
Challenge him by starting Tyrus Thomas at power forward.
No matter: Joakim Noah is going to keep coming at you.
The rookie’s irrepressible spirit was as evident Tuesday night at the La Crosse Center as it was throughout his star-studded college career. Read more
Yi Jianlian made his debut for the Bucks, but fellow rookie Joakim Noah looked more like a polished pro in Milwaukee’s 93-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls in the exhibition opener on Tuesday night. via Journal-Gazette
For Bulls second-year guard Thabo Sefolosha, this training camp might as well be finishing school. via Chicago Sun-Times
“Hopefully, that will translate into more blocked shots, more rebounds and more steals”
The final obstacle to a Bulls’ championship season has been removed: Center Ben Wallace received clearance to wear a headband during games. via Daily Herald
“We still have a no-headband rule I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it.”
FINALLY. After months of waiting and writing about God-knows-what on this blog, we’ve got some action. via MVN - Recent Articles
“I know these guys now, know what makes them tick”
Save for a brief photo opportunity on Monday’s Media Night, Ben Wallace’s signature headband has yet to make an appearance this season.
‘I might bust it out [Sunday] at the United Center for the [fan-friendly] scrimmage,’ Wallace said. ‘I think the fans might like that.’
Wallace will, too, once he starts wearing his favored fabric regularly. He says he isn’t sure if he will sport one every game, but merely knowing that he can pleases him.
All parties said and did the right things after Wallace’s blatant act of insubordination last Nov. 25 in Madison Square Garden, when he openly defied a team rule banning headbands and coach Scott Skiles benched him. Read more
The Bulls have one starting spot open this season, and 12-year veteran Joe Smith is in the mix to fill the vacancy at power forward. via Chicago Sun-Times
By sbulls9030 Posted on Thu Oct 04, 2007 at 07:35:12 PM EDT [Another great Diary from sbulls9030. via Blog a Bull
“Our size is better. Our length is better. Picking up Joe should really help us and Joakim (Noah) is a very versatile player”
BY AL HAMNIK ahamnik@nwitimes.com 219.933.4154 PRO BASKETBALL BULLS MEDIA DAY DEERFIELD How good can the Bulls be this season? Good enough for goose bumps. via NWI Times
Great Ben Wallace mix! Do you like it?
“I don’t think it will be 100 percent all year”
And now, the first unit for the first drill in the first practice of the Bulls’ 2007-08 season: Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Ben Wallace and — drum roll please — Joakim Noah.
For Joe Smith and Tyrus Thomas fans, coach Scott Skiles used one word to summarize the significance: ‘Zero.’
Skiles then elaborated.
‘It’s only because those guys know all the stuff so they can direct Joakim around for a few days,’ Skiles said after practice Tuesday morning.
Call Noah the super sponge. Read more
The Bulls will sport a couple of new looks this season, including center Ben Wallace wearing his signature headband with coach Scott Skiles’ blessing. via Chicago Sun-Times
“I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it.”
One of the biggest questions facing the Chicago Bulls in the coming season has been answered: Big Ben’s headband is back. via ESPN
“I think it takes a coach who is willing to adapt a little bit and listen to his players, understanding the big picture is winning”
For a franchise that endured answering questions about Dennis Rodman’s muzzled German shepherd on Bulls Media Day, vintage 1996, Monday night at the Berto Center seemed subdued, if not equally silly.
Ben Wallace will be allowed to wear his signature headband this season.
‘We still have a no-headband rule,’ coach Scott Skiles said. ‘I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it.’
That a piece of fabric could elicit questions and expend brainpower felt odd on the eve of a season in which the Bulls are expected to challenge for the Eastern Conference title. Read more