Welcome back Ben

Ben was sick last night! He came out on fire and didn't let up. He finished with 27 points shooting 12-19 and 3-6 from three point range. He looked like the Gordon of last year when he would launch a shot and you knew it was good. When he plays like this the Bulls are tough to beat and I want him extended. I think ultimately he will be and at a little more that $10 million per. He is the only true offensive threat the Bulls have and I think that other teams know that and game plan against him. This will mean other players will need to step up especially Deng. Tyrus Thomas had a good performance last night as well he played with energy and hit the boards aggressively. I am hoping to see these two continue this tonight against Indiana and Friday against the Knicks. We need to redeem ourselves from that loss to the Knicks at the Garden and hopefully drive another nail into Zeke's coffin, as it is there are probably more nails than coffin. On top of that our schedule gets a little tougher in the next two weeks with games against San Antonio, Houston, Orlando and the Lakers so we need to fatten up now.

You better not shout, you better not cry

Because K Fuk is coming to town! The Cubs landed Kosuke Fukudome yesterday. He signed a four year $50 million dollar deal. And did I mention that he is coming off of elbow surgery and spent the final two months of his Japanese teams season on the disabled list? Thank God he is not a pitcher I can't wait for the signs next season extolling K-Fuk springing up in the bleachers. I think they are hoping that he turns out to be another Ichiro or Hideki Matsui, time will tell. I guess you will have an outfield of Soriano, Pie and Fukudome. The Cubs seem unwilling to pronounce Pie a bust and move on but I am sure that will be obvious again this season. I can't wait for the Fukudome press conference I hope he shows up dressed like Long Duck Dong from Sixteen Candles and talks about Grandpa Baker's hyena not getting irritated. I can dream can't I?

The Bulls

Friday night I watched the Bulls vs the Pistons on ESPN and I could not be more pleased. It was the gritty game I expected from them. Whenever they play the Pistons it is like someone flipped a switch and their game is on. Saturday night too little too late KG was just too much. It really pissed me off that they did not pull off the trade for him. I would have gladly given up Deng for KG probably Hinrich too. Gordon has been off but he and KG would be deadly. This led me to think who are five players I would rather have on the Bulls than most of the players on this roster.

1. Tim Duncan-I believe he is the best power forward to ever play the game and he has the hardware to prove it.
2. Kevin Garnett-He is in the Pantheon of greats will eventually get some hardware of his own.
3. Dwight Howard-This kid is a monster and will have some rings and MVP's too.
4. Shawn Marion-He could be fun to watch with Tyrus Thomas if he ever gets off the bench.
5. Chris Bosh-He is young like Howard and will be a force for a long time.

I know this list is big man intensive but I feel like this is what they are missing most. I almost put Kobe and Melo on this list or even DWade. Kobe like most of them are pipe dreams, there is something about Melo that I don't like but he can ball and Wade is just and upgrade over any guard on the roster.

Current events

Thought on mall security

I am not trying to poke fun at the tragedy in Omaha. But on my way back from the library I saw an article at the news stand that bothered me. It read “Tragedy in Omaha opens old debate about arming mall security guards”. What? Did I miss something? I support the second amendment and I am a firearm owner but I never have heard of this argument. I am not sure I want some of the people I’ve seen as mall guards picking out their own clothes let alone having the option of deadly force. I mean have you seen some of these mouth breathers? Some of the ads I’ve seen practically scream felons and the mentally unstable encouraged to apply! I am willing to bet fifty percent of them are people who cannot pass the psychological exam for their local police departments and spent their time trolling the food court searching for a girl who loves a man in uniform. I am sure the girls are dreaming of riding in the mall golf cart and getting their hands on your minimum wage level paycheck. The next twenty five percent are the local Rambo’s walking around like Jack Bauer waiting for some crisis to arise so they can pull their concealed boot knife and save the day. They have attempted to join the military and either been rejected or are in the National Guard and want the danger to extend from one weekend a month to their everyday lives. The final twenty five percent are off duty police officers who are trained on the proper use of deadly force. I am fine with these people guarding the malls but the other two stick to Call of Duty and role playing games.

Dumbest question ever

Last night my daughter and I went to the Iowa/Iowa State women's basketball game. Before the game began we were talking to the people who were sitting around us when the inevitable question was asked "where are you from originally"? I told them I was from Chicago, next question was "how do you like Iowa"? I told them I like it but I miss Chicago. Then it happened "What does Chicago have that Des Moines does not"? I politely sipped my diet Coke and smiled afterwards my daughter said it was the stupidest thing she ever heard. So TDizzle has come up with a list now this is not exhaustive just what came to mind and in no particular order

Things Chicago has that Des Moines does not

1. 3 million people
2. Better pizza and hot dogs
3. World class museums and theatre
4. Michigan Avenue shopping
5. Marshall Fields on State Street (it is now Macy's but it will always be Fields to me)
6. State Street
7. The Beloved White Sox, Bulls and Bears (DSM has the I-Cubs who at times have been better than the Chicago Cubs)
8. Hot women
9. Beautiful parks and beaches
10. A majestic skyline, I love to drive up Lake Shore Drive and get that first glimpse of the skyline
11. Architecture
12. Diversity

I will admit I am a little biased but I loved every minute of working downtown just being able to walk around absorb the energy. There are things I love about being in Iowa and my quality of life here but I will always be a Chicagoan at heart.

My Sox, My Sox! Why have you forsaken me!

Jesus uttered words very similar to this before he died on the cross. Not that I am raising the Sox to the level of deity because I am not but I feel this way. Kenny Williams has blown it again. First we needed a shortstop we loose out on Edgar Renteria to the Tigers. But no fear we resign Juan Uribe! Uribe blows. Then we try to land Torii Hunter and out of nowhere come the Angels and sign him. The Angels! Then we trade for Orlando Cabrera who is not bad but he is thirty-three! In shortstop years that is old. We give up Garland to get him. Garland is twenty-eight and has been a workhorse. Williams didn't want to pay him is what it boiled down to. Hasn't Kenny heard of diminished skills? That is usually the age when players in his position start to decline. Andruw Jones is not coming to the South Side so are we going to overpay for Aaron Rowand? Then the death blow. The Tigers trade for Miguel Cabrera AND Dontrelle Willis. Ozzie and Kenny made it sound like Miguel was already here just like they did with Torii Hunter. Willis will strengthen an already strong rotation. So we begin the season with a shaky rotation, no answers at third or center field and everyone left over from the glorious 2005 season one year older. I am afraid the picture above from 2005 will be the only World Series celebration I live to see. Yes I am on the ledge

Weekend sports action

First off

Man they were awesome Saturday night. Gordon was on fire; when he plays like this I want to keep him. He was just in the zone Deng was playing like he is supposed to and someone must have spiked Big Ben's punch because he was awesome as well. He definately played like the $15 million dollar man. When he plays with that tyoe of energy they are hard to beat. Granted they played the Bobcats but nonetheless they play Dallas tonight and the Bobcats again this week. Hopefully they will bring their A+ game tonight if they leave their intensity at home it will be ugly.

And now onto The Bears

I thought that this game was theirs. Grossman looked good and the defense created turnovers that should have led to more points. However Hester's dropped touchdown pass, the offensive lines numerous penalties hurt us and then their inability to protect Grossman led to field goals instead of touchdowns. This game should have been won by two touchdowns, I mean Eli Manning practically gave the game to us. Oh well.