Chicago Sports

We went back and did a re-draft for the Chicago Bulls with the team taking the players right after them over the past 12 years

The NBA has been around for 75 years, and while players have begun to master different aspects of the game— training, recovery, offensive schemes, defensive rotations, and efficiency included— there is still no sure-fire way to project young prospects.

Some draft picks end up working for the best, such as LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who both went first overall; on the other hand, players such as Anthony Bennett and Darko Milicic are only remembered because of how ridiculously overvalued they were. 

In this article, we take a look back on what the Chicago Bulls team would look like if the front office had a change in heart, and their last 12 first-round draft picks were swapped out for the players taken immediately after them.

Chicago Bulls re-draft

2020: Isaac Okoro for Patrick Williams

2019: Jaxson Hayes for Coby White

2018: Collin Sexton for Wendell Carter Jr. 

2018: Aaron Holiday for Chandler Hutchison

2017: D.J. Wilson for Justin Patton

2016: Juancho Hernangomez for Denzel Valentine

2015: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for Bobby Portis

2014: James Young for Jusuf Nurkic

2014: Bruno Caboclo for Gary Harris

2013: Gorgui Dieng for Tony Snell

2012: Festus Ezeli for Marquis Teague

2011: Bojan Bogdanovic for Jimmy Butler

So, what is the main takeaway from this comparison? Well, first and foremost, it proves that life can always get worse, as despite having a few forgettable (at best) seasons, a roster of these re-drafted players probably would not win more than 15 games.

However, it also shows that the Chicago Bulls missed out on retaining a few quality players, as aside from their two most recent additions, each one of their selections are no longer with the team. Chicago could certainly have done with a sharpshooting Gary Harris standing in the corner, or a bruising Jusuf Nurkic anchoring the middle during their recent down years, that’s for sure.

All in all, it has to be said that the Chicago Bulls’ actual selections form a much more capable rotation than the alternatives, which is a testament to the front office. Of course, they missed out on several late-draft gems, but the purpose of this exercise was simply to see how their judgment was, instead of what perfect scenario could have formed against everyone’s intuition.Next in line to make Bulls history as a first-round draft pick? Dalen Terry.

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With a game taking up to and even over 3 hours, it is useful to have some additional activities planned for during the game. No loyal fan will mind this, as it’s a long time to be focused on one thing. Here are a few tips as to what you can do during the game and how you can be entertained for the entire period.

Have the Right People to Watch With

Regardless of where you choose to watch the game, ensure that you invite friends who also enjoy following the Chicago Bears and like to watch football. The in-game banter and camaraderie during such a long game are some of the best ways to spice up the game. You can share knowledge of the players and have informed discussions on game strategy. 

However, there is also a train of thought that suggests inviting friends or colleagues who support opposing teams or rivals of the Chicago Bears making the watching as competitive as the game itself. So, if you know of a few Green Bay Packer supporters, then invite them over to watch the game and this will add all sorts of spice to the mix.

The Halftime Recharge

Ensure that you have sufficient food and drink to make the halftime break a time to recharge in preparation for the game time to come. It is important to have in-game snacks and drinks, but at halftime, you need to go all out and introduce some favorite foods for football fans. Think of foods and snacks that you may also have been able to get at the game itself such as the favored smoked brisket sandwiches, burgers and fries, roasted chicken, and mac and cheese. 

Bet on the Bears

Placing a few bets on the game is a known and accepted way to keep the game exciting from start to finish. Some bets can be made on who scores first, who wins, and which players perform the best in their positions. First, find the best online site that is registered and certified as genuine on which to place these bets. A great example is www.legitgamblingsites.com/online-betting/nfl/, where the process is straightforward. Then, simply make a few bets that will have you and your fellow supporters invested in the game.

Understand the Rules

It’s a great game to watch, but even better when you know what is going on and understand the rules. Unless you follow the plays and understand why certain decisions are made in the game, then you’re only essentially watching the action, without the strategy component that makes the game so much more exciting.

Know the Players and Their Backstories

Being able to watch the greatest players in the game of football is awesome, but it is a whole lot more fun and interesting to also know a little more details and background about these players. Read entertainment and football blogs to see what’s going on in their lives and the drama will add layers of excitement to the game.

These are 5 simple means of spicing up the next Bears game that you watch. Football is fun and exciting, but these simple additions will add various layers of additional fun to your viewing pleasure.

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Brian Urlacher had this to say about CTE lawsuits

Former Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher made some inflammatory comments about former NFL players recently. In a podcast, Urlacher hinted that some former NFL players made up having CTE to get money.

Urlacher joined Will Compton for the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast. One of the subjects of conversation was about brain injuries that come with playing football. Compton asked Urlacher if he worries about having complications from CTE.

Via Mediaite, here’s Urlacher’s response:

“I feel like I’m decently sharp still. You know, there’s some things I forget, but my friends forget shit too,” Urlacher said. “I feel like I’m still doing pretty well. There are some guys I played with who claimed — I don’t know, here’s the problem now with all the guys with the CTE, if they do have it, I feel for them, but there’s guys who say they have it just so they can be in the fucking lawsuit,” Urlacher replied.

“They want that money from the NFL and I get it, man. You know, everyone wants to get there due, but there’s really guys that have it, that deserve to be taken care of. And there’s the guys that don’t have it who want to be — who want to have it just so they can get part of that lawsuit and that just drives me crazy,”

Probably not the best comment to make…

Brian Urlacher is a linebacker, not a physician

Brian Urlacher tried to toe the line by admitting some cases were legitimate. But I’m not sure where he was trying to go with his statement. His specialty was football, and more specifically, the linebacker position. Urlacher is not a physician and has no way to verify if a player has CTE or not.

It’s also poor taste for Urlacher to make that comment as an ex-Bears player. Former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon has opened up about his struggles with CTE. If Urlacher has insider knowledge on NFL players making fraudulent claims, I’d like for him to name one name. Otherwise, he’s just talking out his ass.

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The Chicago Sky won despite Candace Parker being held scoreless for the first time in her WNBA career

Even the legends can have a rough night.

Chicago Sky Forward Candace Parker shot 0-11 from the field, including 0-4 from three, resulting in Parker being held scoreless for the first time in her career, a span of 381 games. However, despite Parker’s off night, the Sky still came out victorious against Los Angeles.

Parker did chip in 11 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and two blocks in an 80-68 win against her former team, the Los Angeles Sparks.

Rookie guard Rebekah Gardner led the way, scoring 18 points and boosting the defending champs’ league-best record to 18-6.

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Tristan Thompson’s cheating scandal resurfaces with the expectation of a second child with ex-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian

Tristan Thompson of the Chicago Bulls is expecting a second child with ex-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian via a surrogate who had conceived the baby back in November before Tristan’s child with Maralee Nichols was born in December. Thompson, who was traded to the Bulls early this year, still has yet to meet the child says The Sun.

Scandals had surfaced in December about Thompson’s cheating, and People’s magazine states that the new child had already been conceived. From this, Thompson released a statement saying he regretted his previous actions and that he would take full responsibility for them.

According to CNN,  Khloe is happy about the child on the way. Her spokesperson requested that members of the media take to understand the request for Khloe and the family’s privacy. Even though the relationship of the couple has been plagued with struggles, the two have been cited as “acting as co-parents”.

Thompson has yet to make a statement about the new child on the way, and if he will be playing a role in the life of the child, however, there are a few statements circulating around the reunion of the couple.

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Friday’s game between the Cubs and Mets has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The makeup game has been rescheduled for Saturday at 7:05 p.m. as the second game of a split doubleheader. The regularly scheduled game will start at 1:20 p.m. Gates for the makeup game will open approximately 60 minutes before first pitch.

Separate tickets are required for each game, and fans must exit the ballpark after the end of the first game.

Marcus Stroman was scheduled to start Friday for the Cubs against Taijuan Walker of the Mets. The teams have not provided updated starters for Saturday’s games. Drew Smyly and Max Scherzer were originally scheduled to start Saturday.

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Friday’s game between the Cubs and Mets has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The makeup game has been rescheduled for Saturday at 7:05 p.m. as the second game of a split doubleheader. The regularly scheduled game will start at 1:20 p.m. Gates for the makeup game will open approximately 60 minutes before first pitch.

Separate tickets are required for each game, and fans must exit the ballpark after the end of the first game.

Marcus Stroman was scheduled to start Friday for the Cubs against Taijuan Walker of the Mets. The teams have not provided updated starters for Saturday’s games. Drew Smyly and Max Scherzer were originally scheduled to start Saturday.

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Three players will line up to compete to be the Chicago Bears starting left tackle in 2022 and the team is hoping one of them can emerge as a starter

Larry Borom, Teven Jenkins, Braxton Jones, it doesn’t matter who the Chicago Bears march out there in week one of the NFL season, it’s not going to be a starting caliber left tackle.  The Bears hopes at left tackle are on a wing and a prayer that one of these three players each with less than two years of starting NFL experience and even less experience playing left tackle will come up and take over the position.

Ryan Poles made an attempt in free agency to sign Terron Armstead, but Armstead ultimately signed on with the Miami Dolphins who had a far better salary cap situation heading into the 2022 off-season.  This left the Bears without a real left tackle and hope that someone can step in and be the guy.  That is a quiet admission that there’s a major problem ahead for the Bears that could prove to be the entire undoing of the Bears offense in 2022.

First let’s look at who the Bears have that might be considered for the left tackle position in 2022.

Larry Borom has the most NFL experience at the position with a couple of games started at left tackle in 2021.  Borom was forced into the role after three players went down with injuries.  Borom a fifth-round draft pick struggles in pass protection and has a huge learning curve to become an even competent player at LT.

Your left tackle needs to be your best pass blocker and Borom is a better run blocker.  He also comes up short on the desired arm length for the LT spot.  Borom however spent most of his career at right tackle and seems better suited in that role overall.

Next the Chicago Bears could trot out 2021 second round draft pick Tevin Jenkins who missed all of training camp with a back.  Former Bears GM Ryan Pace inexplicably cut Charles Leno Jr in favor of starting Jenkins at LT which completely baffled anyone with an eye for football.

Jenkins spent the entirety of his career at RT and then was immediately asked to be Justin Fields’ blind side protector.  That was a major fail because of the injury an injury that could be the beginning of long-term problems as it was for former Bear Chris Williams who also was a LT.  Jenkins looked like he might be the best option among him and Borom.  Either way the Bears likely have two right tackles that are on the same kind of developmental timeline.

Then comes rookie fifth-round Braxton Jones who ran with the first team at left tackle throughout most of mini-camp.  Jones goes 6-foot-5 310-pounds with over 35-inch arms.  That arm length is nearly a full two inches more than either Borom or Jenkins.  He’s played the position consistently as a starter over the last three seasons.  He’s a little more athletic and versatile. 

He could arguably project like a Terron Armstead, they’re the same height coming out of college, same athletic traits, and both came from a small school and were drafted in the mid rounds of their respective draft classes.  The downside, Jones is a very raw prospect who hasn’t faced any high-level competition in college.  Despite looking good in the game against Arizona State, he didn’t dominate a prospect that would be considered NFL caliber.

Heading into the 2022 season it’s going to take a borderline miracle for the Chicago Bears to get starting quality play out of any of these three players.  You hope that the competition between the three will cause one of them to up their game to the point that they can be at least an average left tackle.  The likelihood though is the Bears are going to squeeze water out of a rock.

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A woman was shot early Friday during a struggle over a firearm inside a South Deering home on the Far South Side.

The woman, 40, and a male were struggling over the firearm about 12:15 a.m. inside a home in the 9900 block of South Commercial Avenue when she was shot in the hand, Chicago police said.

The woman was taken to Trinity Hospital, where she was listed in good condition, officials said.

The male fled the scene.

Police believe the incident is domestic.

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