All-Star 2010: To Play or Not to Play….That is the Question

Derrick Rose - Chicago's Homeboy and current NBA Rookie of the Year

 

 *BREAKING TID-BIT* Derrick Rose says he will play in tonight’s All-Star game. Source: ESPN and CBS 2 Chicago  

Just when loyal Chicago Fans got over Da Bears’ disappointing season, the Bulls started heating things up around this city. I mean, Chicago is waiting, WAITING for the Bulls to get back to the dynasty that they once were.    

P.S.A…Chicago… Michael Jordan is not coming out of retirement! He can’t, unless David Stern pens some crazy pardon that will make him the first to de-shrine himself from the Hall of Fame! Not gonna happen.    

But, this did happen.     

Bulls Nation got a scare when Derrick Rose went for a lay-up against Dwight Howard in a game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Let’s just say Rose forgot to pack that kryptonite. As he went for the layup…well, you can probably guess what happened next. He just kind of ricocheted off Superman and landed awkwardly on his back and hip. Really scary. Really. It was definitely a nasty fall. Rose left the game and did not return. All of this on the heels of him being named to his first All-Star team. Rose is the first Bull named to the illustrious All-Star status since MJ in 1998. WOW! That’s a drought, especially when a team was once Elite in a past lifetime.     

What a total blow! Chicago’s first All-Star since #23 and he gets injured. An MRI revealed Rose suffered no serious injuries. He did travel to Dallas this weekend. Rose was supposed to participate on the sophomore roster for the Rookie Challenge last night, but he did not. He is also scheduled to appear in the Skills Challenge later tonight and as a reserve during the finale All-Star game on Sunday night. Some reports say that he will. I know he wants to. He probably will. This is THAT opportunity for every NBA player; only second to a championship ring. Rose will not miss his first All-Star game. Will he?     

It is a tough decision. He has a sore back and hip, but you don’t want to play around with any kind of sore body parts at this time. The playoff push officially begins next week after the All-Star break, and the Bulls are looking pretty decent in the East. Currently, the Bulls hold the eighth seed, with the retro-hair-wearing Brandon Jennings and his Milwaukee Bucks crew close behind.     

If the playoffs were to start today, the Bulls would face King James and his crew. I don’t know about y’all, but that’s a playoff series I want to see. No one expected the Bulls to give it to the Boston Celtics like they did in last year’s first round playoffs. It was a seven-game series with beaucoup OTs, and it was definitely a confidence builder for the young Bulls team – even though their valiant effort resulted in a loss in the seventh game. I don’t think this year will be anything reminiscent of the last if King James were to have a say, which he would if they were to play.     

So, should, Rose play this weekend or not? I am not a doctor, but if there is one ounce of doubt, I would sit it out. He has to think about the playoffs. Yes, Playoffs. I expect the Bulls to go deeper this year. In order to do that, Rose has to be the one to lead the way.     

Don’t worry Derrick; you are already an All-Star to Bulls Nation. No matter what, the Bulls are still better than Da Bears for now. Well, for as long as you are still a Bull. 

SPEAK ON IT =)

Respect

In football, there is always that one special play where the momentum of the game shifts in favor of one team. One play, so eloquently drawn up by the Head Coach, that could be a sure thing or a gamble. You can’t go for the “What if?” You, have to just go with your gut and go for it.

That’s what New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton did in last night’s Super Bowl. The onside kick to start the second half of the game almost caught me off guard. I was just getting settled back in my seat after getting a slice of that new Domino’s Pizza (it was pretty good, by the way). Thank goodness I did not blink, would’ve missed it. Now, this onside kick was not really all that suprising to me, because we are talking about Sean Payton here. The man has some sick plays like he is a voodoo priest on the slick.

Payton had to do something spectacular. Something that was not expected to get his boys going. The Indianapolis Colts dominated the first half. Peyton Manning, of course, poised. Dwight Freeney gets in the pocket to sack Drew Brees on one foot! The Saints defense was not its usual Darren Sharper-esque, et al, at all. Brees, obviously was nervous. The Saints’ only offense was two 40-plus yard field goals made by Garret Hartley, which was a Superbowl record. The score at the half was 10 -6.

The onside kick gave the Saints the momentum which, apparently, was lacking in the first half. It was that kick which saved this game for them. Once a team gets their mojo back, especially this team, you better watch out. They marched. Then, Joseph Addai scored the last points for the Colts in the third quarter, putting the score at 17-16, placing them up by a point. The Saints defense woke up and came up with some great stops in the last quarter, and a touchdown by Saints running back, Pierre Thomas. The poise quickly shifted to Brees and the jitters to Manning.

Tracy Porter, cornerback for the Saints, sealed the deal. Reggie Wayne, Colts’ wide receiver, has been trapped on Revis Island before, but this time, on Porter’s “Who Dat” Island. Porter read Manning’s throw so well as if he were in blue and white instead of black and gold-well at least Manning must have thought that because he threw that spiral directly to him. Porter returned that ball for 74 yards, untouched and scored the TD. That was it.The Saints silenced the naysayers and shut down the Colts 31-17.

Respect the Who Dat. Respect NOLA. Respect the game. And after 40-plus years, the New Orleans Saints have earned Respect.

SPEAK ON IT =)