Linkabulls

‘Linkabulls’ will not only lead you to all things Chicago Bulls, but will take you around the rest of the league and Central Division

David Thompson to induct MJ into Hall of Fame-Mitchell Houston/LA Times

David Thompson gets a call from the Hall of Fame to learn somebody has chosen him as the inductee, no biggie, it’s only Michael Jordan…

I’m a bit surprised Jordan didn’t choose Phil Jackson or Scottie Pippen, but you get a clue of Jordan’s inspiration as a young player. What players he modeled his game after, what posters he had on his walls. From that perspective, it’s cool, because you see Jordan as so mythical that it’s sometimes hard to believe that he was a fan himself.

Ben Gordon:No bad feelings towards Chicago-Jorge Sierra/Hoopshype

Did it make you feel bad that the Bulls, the team you had led in scoring several years, didn’t show more interest in re-signing you?

BG: Yes and no. After being there for five years, I had a great understanding of how the organization operates. I had a better understanding from the inside, that people on the outside don’t see, of how things work. And at the end of the day, it’s a business. Everybody in that position is going to make the decision that they feel is the best business decision. As a basketball player, obviously with everything I’ve done here and the potential of the future with this team, to not be made an offer is kind of a slap in the face. But from a business standpoint, I fully understand why everything happened the way it did. I don’t have any bad feelings. It’s time to move on and start a new chapter in my career.

You have to give BG credit for at least going out with a bang in Chicago. I know the guy was undersized, and pretty much couldn’t handle a tough defensive assignment, but we all know he could hit BIG shots. BG wasn’t just a one hit wonder against Boston, he made a habit out of being great in the most dramatic of times. I remember early in his tenure with the Bulls, some actually called him “Ben Jordan”. While I agree that the nickname is ridiculous and insults MJ’s legacy, it at least told you about Gordon’s late game antics.

However, Gordon claims to have no hard feelings towards the Bulls. He shouldn’t, because he still got paid in the end, but we all know BG’s ego was hurting. Like any other pro athlete, they think very high of themselves, which is necessary in a industry where confidence is everything.

I won’t be surprised if Ben lights us up this year when we play the Pistons…I’ll put money on that.

Nets will put ads on practice jerseys-John Lombardo/Sporting News

The Nets as a franchise lose so much money that you want to stop listening and wait for them to go to Brooklyn or get moved out west to Seattle. The latest is selling off the name rights to their practice facility, to be called the ‘PNY Center’. Plus, ads for the flash-drive manufacturer will be placed on practice jerseys, and on the coaching staff’s practice apparel for when they do interviews. But tell me this, if somebody is watching sports and sees the “PNY” logo, 9 out of 10 times they won’t have a clue of what they are looking at. At least get a brand that has more relevance towards the sport.

Iverson close to a deal with Grizz?-Ronald Tillery/Memphis Commercial Appeal

This is all about name value. Are the Memphis Grizzlies and Allen Iverson a potential marriage to the NBA Finals? Of course not. It’s all about the brand of “A.I.”. That’s the only reason your seeing his name on this blog.

The Grizzlies are going nowhere, and the same will be said if Iverson signs with them tomorrow. The Grizzlies are the undesirable team in Memphis, where the NCAA Tigers are the box office draw. Signing Iverson could balance it out a little bit.

From a basketball standpoint, I don’t think it makes sense at all. Iverson on a team with O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay? Three players who have to have the ball a lot to be successful. Trust me, it will get ugly. I put my money on Mayo taking another step this year, and ultimately pushing Iverson to the side, where he will inevitably start complaining.

Tags: Allen Iverson, Ben Gordon, Brooklyn, David Thompson, Jay Z, Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Tigers, Michael Jordan, O.J. Mayo, Phil Jackson, PNY, Rudy Gay, Scottie Pippen