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Midweek musings: Chicago Bulls star guard Derrick Rose, who has been recuperating from offseason anterior cruciate ligament surgery, told USA Today Sports of his return: “I don’t have a set date. I’m not coming back until I’m 110 percent. Who knows when that can be? It can be within a couple of weeks. It could be next year. It could be any day. It could be any time. It’s just that I’m not coming back until I’m ready.” Rose estimated his proximity to 110 percent at “in the high 80s.” Meaning he is at 88 percent of 100 percent? OK, so some of us (your humble correspondent included) are mathematically challenged.
Something says we haven’t seen the last of Kate Upton.
* Speaking of mathematical challenges, when someone says chances of Rose’s return this season are “50-50,” some of us (OK, that would be me) can’t help but think the odds should be 55/55. Yeah, not good at math and/or setting odds.
* Speaking of 50 and star Bulls guards, Michael Jordan will celebrate his 50th birthday on Feb. 17. Which is Sunday. Also the date of the NBA’s all-star game. Also the date when Comcast SportsNet will air a 30-minute, Jordan-themed special “MJ 23/50″ at 10:30 p.m. Chicago time. Meaning the all-star game should be over by then. The show will look at Jordan’s impact on and off the court. Additional content will be available at CSNChicago.com. “MJ 23/50″ also will run on Feb. 20 at 10:30 p.m.
* Speaking of former Chicago athletes who wore No. 23, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said he turned down a one-year contract extension after the 2012 season. Maybe he doesn’t want to manage forever. And maybe some Sox fans are hoping departed catcher A.J. Pierzynski ultimately will be Ventura’s replacement.
* Wrestling will not be part of the Olympics for 2020. A vote by the International Olympic Committee’s executive board eliminated one of the sports in the original Games. The outcry from the wrestling world was predictable. All this space knows is none of this would have happened if the IOC president was John Cena, Hulk Hogan or The Rock.
* Kobe Bryant did not attempt a field goal in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 91-85 victory vs. the visiting Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. He was 1-for-8 from the field with nine assists and eight turnovers. It was the lowest point total of his NBA career for a game in which he played seven minutes or more. Guess he doesn’t worry about remaining the league’s No. 3 scorer this season and No. 5 in league history.
Samantha Slaven is to appear on the Feb. 14 “Sports & Torts.”
* Speaking of scoring, LeBron James scored 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting in the Miami Heat’s 117-104 victory over Portland. It was his record-setting sixth consecutive game with 30 or more points and 60 percent or better shooting from the field. He had been tied with Adrian Dantley and Moses Malone. In 22 years, there will be a James turning 50 retrospective.
With today being Wednesday (provided that yesterday was Tuesday, which it was if you’re reading this on Feb. 13 or any subsequent Wednesday), then we are only a day away from the next “Sports & Torts” show co-hosted by David Spada and Elliott Harris at noon Chicago time on talkzone.com.
Among the scheduled guests (as if we ever have unscheduled ones?) is Samantha Slaven. A mom and bikini competitor, Samantha, who once weighed 180 pounds and now is about 70 pounds lighter, will be participating in the bikini Class B category at the Arnold Classic to be held Feb. 28-March 3 in Columbus, Ohio.
Also on the show will be Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Charlie Joiner, who was the all-time leader in receptions and yards when he retired in 1986. He also was the last former American Football League player in the NFL.
Tuesday was the first day that the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was available. Cover model Kate Upton appeared on the “Late Show With David Letterman.” Also, the good folks at SI.com have provided an abundance of content related to the swimsuit issue.
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