My first real memory dealing with basketball is hugging Toni Kukoc. I was at a Bulls game with my mom, dad, and uncle, and we were sitting in maybe the 5th row, aisle seat, behind the basket. Kukoc was injured at the time and because the Bulls were killing the other team (which I believe was Toronto), apparently he did not feel the need to pay attention. As he walked by in his suit and tie, wide smile on his face, something came over me. For the most part I was shy as a child but that night I decided it was time to get over my social awkwardness. I ran up to him, gave him a hug, told him I hoped he felt better, and asked him for an autograph. Now the sad part of this story is that I now have no idea where that autograph is. However, that memory will probably be with me till the day I die and it fills me with great joy every time I think about it.
I have to admit that after the "golden" Bulls team lost their spark and Jordan, Pippen and Rodman all went their own ways, I fell back a bit from the basketball scene. I will not go so far as to say that the Bulls are now as good as they once were, because obviously their 08-09 record says otherwise, but I do believe they are making a strong comeback and are without a doubt a team to watch out for, making me once again obsessed.
I don't know what I love most. Watching Derrick Rose almost break another guy's ankles. Seeing Tyrus Thomas angry at himself for a bad play. Holding my breath as Brad Miller goes for a jumper. The list goes on and on. To be honest there is really nothing I dislike about watching the Bulls play except for maybe Vinny's sometimes questionable calls such as putting Thabo Sefolosha in to run a CRUCIAL last-minute play during a game against Miami in which we lost (I only remember this specific game because not only was I there third row but also ended up on tv) or maybe when Aaron Gray steps foot on the floor (come on, what is he doing in the NBA?). But even the heart-stopping moments make me happy because in the end they are still my team, and they are still on the rise.
I am looking forward to this season for two main reasons. One, because we have now gained so much more respect from the basketball community for making it to the Playoffs and two, because I am curious to see how we do without Ben Gordon. Personally I was sad to see him go, despite his inconsistency as a player, but I have heard many wise people say it was a positive move for the Bulls, so I am going to keep an open mind.
Obviously, as the title of my blog suggests, I’m not going to focus only on the Bulls. But seeing as I am from the Chi, I thought it was only appropriate that my first entry be dedicated to them. From here on out though everything is open territory. All is fair in love and basketball…right?
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