Comparing The 2008-09 Chicago Bulls With 1990-91 Seattle Sonics

The fine folks over at Blog-A-Bull wrote an interesting comparison piece comparing the new Chicago Bulls (and by new I mean with Derek Rose) to the Seattle Supersonics team that drafted Gary Payton (they had lucked out in the lottery after just missing the playoffs with 41 wins). Overall, a strong article--except I'm not sure I 100% believe that Tyrus Thomas will be as effective as Shawn Kemp (that would cause me to do backflips). Well, if you have the time, you should check it out.

Also, it warrents mentioning that Shawn Kemp Jr. (the first of many we can assume) is being heavily recruited to play college ball. The 6-9 center is ranked as the 25th best player in the 2009 class. Thought you'd like to know.

Thinking About The Future and the 90s Sonics

Joakim Noah Surprises No One

True story: I was working the second job Sunday night when someone who knew I was a Bulls fan told me that a Chicago Bull was arrested and they found marijuana. My first, last, and only thought was Noah. Actually, if you've seen an interview with Noah, this will probably come as no surprise to you (see video below), in fact, his father Yannick Noah admitted a few years ago that he too smokes the grass.
Apparently, Noah was seen by police in Gainsville (his former college town) drinking out of a plastic cup on the street. They found an amber liquid that was found to be alcoholic. After a search at the police station they found the weed.
Since Noah lead the Florida Gators to back to back National Championships, he is held up on a god like level, so it really makes you wonder if something else happened that isn't being reported. I mean, I went to the University of Minnesota, I've been caught with an open container of alcohol on the streets and even though I was a nobody at the school, I never got arrested--I just had to pour it out. So, perhaps there's more to this story than we're hearing now.

That Just Happened!

A couple of notes about last night's NBA Draft Lottery:

1. My Bulls somehow bucked the odds and landed the #1 pick. I don't know exactly how to react to this. To be honest, it hasn't even sunk in. The team that some publications were picking to win the Eastern Conference this year, had a down year, but somehow landed the first pick? I think I was more excited when we found out the Bulls jumped into the top 3. At that point? Playing with house money. Also, sitting with a few Timberwolves fans, I was hoping they'd land #1 or #2 along with the Bulls. Then, the Wolves landed the #3 pick and I wanted to feel bad at that moment but then I realized: Holy shit, the Bulls are going to get Michael Beasley or Derrek Rose. That thought lasted for all of three seconds before the Heat's logo popped up and then I realized: Holy shit, the Bulls are going to have their choice between Michael Beasley or Derrek Rose!

2. You gotta feel for Timberwolves fans. They seemed to know they wouldn't get the first or second pick before the lottery began. Almost as if just having Kevin McHale in the front office makes you lose all hope in your team. After landing the #3 pick, you can almost see Danilo Gallinari getting fitted for his Timberwolves hat (You might think I'm just pouring salt into the collective wounds of Wolves fans, but Chad Ford thinks it's a distinct possiblity).

3. So Bulls take Beasley/Rose and Miami takes option #2, do both teams make the playoffs next year? I think the Bulls are in (they just had a quirky season) but assuming Wade is healthy and Marion resigns with the Heat? Is it really that far fetched? That could end up being a 7 or 8 seed.

4. Fred Hoiberg's reaction to the Wolves landing at #3 is priceless. The teddy bear he was holding didn't do him any favors (yes, I know the bear was a gift from a sick kid to bring the Wolves good luck, but combine the teddy bear with Hoiberg looking 12 years old--even if you're Wolves fan, you have to find it funny). Don't agree? Go to the 5:33 mark in this video and try and tell me it's not funny.

We'll have much more on the NBA Draft over the next few weeks leading up to the draft. Josh Nguyen will be posting more draft bios and I'll be doing my weekly mock draft starting this week.