Tag Archives: Chicago Bulls

NBA

Triple Zeros: Ryan Taylor of NBC Sports Chicago

Triple Zeros

Ryan Taylor of NBC Sports Chicago

Happy to welcome Ryan Taylor (@rytay_), Digital Content Producer for NBC Sports Chicago, to Triple Zeros! Ryan joins us to discuss the Chicago Bulls on the heels of a very revealing and eventful Media Day and the first day of training camp. We talk about the impact of Lonzo Ball’s surgery and absence as well as the effect the entire situation appears to be having on him. Ryan later shares who he expects to start in Ball’s absence – and who he would start – after Billy Donovan hinted at a training camp battle

Then, we shift towards how the offense is expected to look after Patrick Williams alluded to major changes this season. Could we see him unlock a new level of playmaking alongside the Bulls’ Big 3? Ryan also gives his assessment of the Arturas Karnisovas-led front office and their approach leading up to and including this offseason. Will their decision to “run it back” pay off? All of that and much more on this episode of Triple Zeros!

Anchor | Apple | Spotify

 

Triple Zeros. Then this is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. his is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. his is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. Triple Zeros

Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@JoshGBuck, @3ZerosPod, @ClockerSports), and check out ClockerSports.com today!

Heavy on Bulls/Last Word on Pro Football/Soaring Down South

NBA

Triple Zeros: Rick Camp Part 2

Triple Zeros: Rick Camp Returns to Talk Some Bulls

Rick Camp, host of the Chicago Bulls radio postgame show, was gracious enough to join me once again on Triple Zeros. We got into Zach LaVine‘s surprising development, projected Coby White‘s ceiling, and so much more. Follow Rick on Twitter (@RickCCamp) and be sure to listen to him after every Bulls game on 670 The Score. Also check out the ‘I’m Fat’ and ‘Basketball Camp’ podcasts, available everywhere!

Anchor

Rob Schaefer – NBC Sports Chicago – Triple Zeros Sports Podcast

Happy to welcome Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) of NBC Sports Chicago and the "Bulls Talk Podcast" to the show! Rob shared his thoughts on the Bulls' surprising season-opening win on the road over the Miami Heat led by DeMar DeRozan's 37-point effort. He also shared his thoughts on the suddenly murky health status of Zach LaVine, the emergence of Ayo Dosunmu, and the quality additions of Goran Dragic and Andre Drummond. All of that and much more! Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@JoshGBuck, @3ZerosPod, @ClockerSports), and check out ClockerSports.com today! Heavy on Bulls/Last Word on Pro Football/Soaring Down South — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/triplezeros/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/triplezeros/support
  1. Rob Schaefer – NBC Sports Chicago
  2. Ryan Taylor of NBC Sports Chicago – Chicago Bulls Media Day
  3. Alex Shapiro – Chicago Bears Season Preview
  4. Bears Preseason Catch-Up/Bulls Offseason Recap
  5. Kenneth Davis – Talking Chicago Bears

Triple Zeros. This is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. his is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. his is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. Triple Zeros

Triple Zeros. This is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. his is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. his is content to help reach the green light. Tis is content to help reach the green light. Ths is content to help reach the green light. Thi is content to help reach the green light. Triple Zeros

NBA

Around the Clock: So Chicago

Video

For the first-ever Clocker Sports roundtable, the guys keep it local and talk the state of the four major sports in Chicago. From the Cubs and Sox hot start, the Bulls and Bears at crossroads, and the Blackhawks making one last push. Be sure to join us every Thursday @ 9p CST to be a part of the show!

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It’s All in the Name

In sports, your team name is (or at least should be) a source of pride, the symbol that brings people together to lift a team on its shoulders. It starts when we’re as young as five and lasts through the rest of our lives; cheering for pee-wee leagues, our schools, and professional teams. Some names even resonate with an entire nation and around the world, whether they’re beloved or despised. Some of the names that come to mind right away are the Cowboys, Yankees, and Bulls. Maybe you’ve always wondered how did these team names come about and if they will ever change. We know now at least one team had to.

All In the Name: Why So Long?

Redskins No More

On Monday, the Washington football team have retired their name and logo after 87 years. This after a decades-long fight over the offensive nature of the name to the Native American community. The issue even went to the Supreme Court in 2009 and it was ruled that Washington could keep the name. Owner Daniel Snyder recently doubled down on insisting the name wouldn’t be changed.  When sponsors FedEx, Nike, and PepsiCo threatened to pull their support, Mr. Snyder made a change.

If you’re curious, the term is offensive because it’s associated with the scalping of native Americans as a bounty.  In their culture, being called that is derogatory. It was only right to change the name with an unprecedented focus on social justice right now.

Will This Be A Trend?

It’s long been said that a lot of Native Americans find having sports teams and mascots named after and imitating them demeaning. In 2007, the University of Illinois dropped Native American mascot Chief Illiniwek after 81 years.  That fight that started in 1989.  Yet we have a few teams professionally that have those cultural monikers.

We have the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, and reigning Super Bowl champ Kansas City Chiefs; two baseball teams and a football team respectively.  The Chiefs at least seem to be more of a name of endearment but we’ll just have to see what changes are made moving forward.

Let’s Play the Name Game

Here’s a fun fact, the football team was not the city’s first professional sports team to change its name because of social consciousness.  23 years ago, the Washington Bullets changed their name to ‘Wizards’.  Rising gun violence in the nation’s capital brought about the change.  Their approach to the name change was unique as well, an 800-number was set up for the community to call in and vote on a list of names.  

What will the new name for the Washington football franchise be? Here is a list of suitable names that would fit.  Since both the NBA and WNBA teams have magical themed names, Wizards and Mystics, that’s where we’ll start.  The Washington Warlocks with there logo being a warlock character holding a football-shaped crystal ball (a personal favorite).  Next, the Washington Wave, crashing through the NFC East. Sounds like a fun start.  Lastly the Washington Wasps (that’s stings!).  That may be a reach but hey, there’s a pro team called the Pelicans.

What would your name be for the franchise?

NBA

The Final Dance of the Last Dance

 

Well, good people, we had our final dance of the 10-part documentary “The Last Dance” last night and what a dance it was.  It lived up and surpassed the hype leading up to its early release.  For the last five Sunday evenings, we’ve been treated to an intimate inside look into Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the ’90s.  Did it leave you wanting more?  I know it did for me, it could’ve been 10-20 more and I’m here for it.

The timing of this documentary also added to the aura of Jordan.  In typical MJ fashion the light is shining brightest on him like there are 1.1 seconds left in the game, he has the final shot, and the entire world is holding its breath.  Same as his first retirement announcement in ‘93 on a Wednesday morning or his first game back in ‘95.  What better time to have this series air than during a global pandemic with sports halted and the world salivating for any sports content? Enter Michael Jordan.

Final Dance of The Last Dance

Supporting Cast

We know the documentaries main focus was Jordan but it’s about the team as well.  Chicago definitely had the supporting cast that helped with the six championships Mike led them to.  The show did a great job highlighting the diverse characters of the team.  It revealed things about some players even die-hard fans didn’t even know.  We knew about the star power of arguably the greatest number-two player in history Scottie Pippen and the best rebounder in league history Dennis Rodman aka the Worm.  Pippen was also the only other Bull that was with the organization for all six championships so his role was vitally important to the team’s success.

Their backstories were the intriguing part, Scottie coming from very humble beginnings and his fractured relationship with the general manager the late Jerry Krause.  The biggest takeaway was that Pip also is probably the most grossly underpaid superstar ever.  Rodman was that wild card, the rockstar of the team.  His off the court life was legendary within itself!  He leaves the team during the season for a 72-hour whirlwind weekend in Las Vegas with Carmen Electra and gets back to play with no problem. If that’s not crazy enough how about right after a finals game getting on a private plane to appear on WCW Nitro and missing practice the next day. Things that NBA players wouldn’t think about doing today.

Steve Kerr was another player that played a key role, hitting big shots (see Game 7 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers).  His career-defining shot though came in the ‘97 Finals Game 6 when he hit the game-winner to give the Bulls their fifth title, this one over the Utah Jazz.  Besides these great moments, Kerr surprisingly was the teammate that could most relate to Jordan with tragedy.   Both men’s fathers were murdered.  Per Kerr’s account they never spoke about it. But that was their silent connection.

Global Icon

The Jordan brand was birthed back in 1985 when Nike first introduced the Air Jordan.  At the time nobody knew it but a trail was blazed.  Countless other endorsements derived from MJ’s game. Gatorade, Chevrolet, Hanes.  Just like the NBA, anything that was associated with the Jordan name turned to gold.  Pre-Jordan, the NBA was in 80 countries. When he retired it was over 200.  Not to mention the Chicago Bulls 90’s teams are considered the creme de la creme of NBA franchises.

The success of Jordan has allowed the players of today to be some of the highest-paid athletes in sports.  Even guys that sit at the end of the bench averaging about seven minutes a game got it made.  It’s also allowed the likes of Lebron James and Steph Curry to be their own brand.  There’s no doubt Jordan was the force that started the power change from the owners to the players.

Last Impression of the Dance

Going into the Last Dance docuseries, most people considered Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time.  A recent AP poll has him ranked as the most popular athlete in America, even after being retired for 17 years.  After watching it I think it proved he’s head above shoulders of his NBA peers.  That’s no knock on the other greats, it’s just that MJ carved out a section in history where only he can stand.

He’s the epitome of taking your skill and sculpting greatness from it.  There also was the example of sacrifice.  To be successful in any endeavor it takes sacrifice and putting your all into that you wish to succeed in.  One of the most profound things that I heard Mike say was at the end of the last episode. That all you need is “hope” to spark that fire within you.

NBA

It’s Time for ‘The Last Dance’

We’re only 3 days away from the start of what will be the GOAT of all sports documentaries, (the ESPN 30 for 30 ’85 Chicago Bears’ currently holds that title).  The highly anticipated 10 part  “The Last Dance,” which documents the extraordinary career of Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls; specifically his final season, ‘97-98.

The program will air on ESPN starting Sunday, April 19th and will run every Sunday, through May 17th.   If there are any bright sides to this pandemic this is definitely one for the sports world.  This documentary was not slated to be released until early June but ESPN heard our wish and it was granted.

Time for the Last Dance

Nostalgia…

Oh, the 90s. Hard to believe that decade started over 30 years ago and basketball during that time was some of the best you would ever see, especially if you were from Chicago.  It was the decade where Jordan cemented himself as the greatest basketball player of all time, or the GOAT if you will.  The decade whereby the turn of it the run of the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons comes to an end.  Thus, the Chicago Bulls dynasty was born.

Just like the 90s was the golden era of rap, (now the genre is classified as hip hop), it was also the golden age of basketball with the Chicago leading the way.  The Bulls six championships  (via two three-peats) and the sheer dominance of MJ, his Airness, gave the sport a meteoric rise in popularity worldwide.

This was also the time a teammate, Scottie Pippen, developed into a bonafide superstar.  If you need a reference, see his player card and the 1993-94 season…you’re welcome.  In the 1996 campaign, we saw them break the single-season wins record going 72-10, a record that stood pat for 20 years until 2016 when the 73-9 Golden State Warriors broke it.  Some, especially Chicagoans, may say the Warriors really didn’t surpass that Bulls team because the deal wasn’t sealed, no championship!

Who can ever forget one of the greatest shots in not only NBA Finals history but NBA history period!  Michael Jordan’s final career shot over Bryon Russell to defeat the Utah Jazz in the 1997 Finals giving Chicago their sixth NBA championship.  Well, we thought it was his last shot but you’ll have to tune into ‘The Last Dance’ to see.

Reminisce Over You!

Let’s flashback to that 90’s time, think about what you were doing then, (at least those of us that can).  For myself, it was the start of those crucial teenage years we all go through.  My formidable high school and college years as well.  To my fellow Gen X’ers and millennials, who were definitely raised on it, think about the music you were listening to.  My goodness, the music! Personally, it was R&B (it’s final hoorah) and rap (it’s golden era as mentioned before).

The artist that laid their foundations during this time, Jodeci, Mary J Blige, NWA, 2PAC, Jay-Z, Diddy and a host of others.  Just blow the dust off that CD collection and look through it and watch how those memories flow through your mind.  Yes, I said CDs, before the luxury of modern technology that was our Spotify and Pandora.  Who else put their phones to the stereo speaker to record your answering machine greeting?  We can’t reminisce about the 90s without mentioning the fashion, just google the styles for that decade.  You’ll probably see the most popular footwear were Jordans,  which is still true to this day. They debuted 35 years ago; yes 35!

What To Know Before the Big Dance

For those that need to brush up on some history of Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, here are a few points you want to know:

  • Michael Jordan was drafted 3rd overall in the 1984 NBA draft.
  •  Phil Jackson and Tex Winter were the head coach and assistant coach, respectively.  Winter was the architect of the iconic triangle offense that Jackson implemented to perfection.
  • Jerry Reinsdorf is the owner and the late Jerry Krause was the GM.
  • Jordan retired after ‘93 season to play baseball for the Chicago White Sox and returned in the middle of ‘95 season.

Now that we have some info to reference it’s time to dance, I’m sure we’re all in for a great one.  Those who know the history and those who may be just novice, this will give even more insight into Michael Jordan the man and it will be breathtaking.