Bulls’ Loss Pales Compared to Losing Steve Sarr

November 13, 2012 @ admin → No Comments

Some departures are more painful — and more permanent — than others. After the Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 101-95 Monday (Nov. 12) at the United Center, they entered the locker room to view a message on a chalkboard:

PLANE TROUBLE
HEADING BACK TO HOTEL

There’s always room around here for a Luvanulls photo.

So the celebrating Celtics had the night to themselves. Which meant they were able to go out on the town. If Twitter is to be believed, the players ended up at the MID club after midnight. Presumably the players would grab a bit of sleep before their mid-morning departure.

A less pleasant departure unfolded earlier in the evening on Facebook and Twitter (which is where some of us spend time even in the press box at the United Center). Photographer Steve Starr, a seemingly permanent presence on the social and night-life scene, had a heart attack outside the Drake Hotel after having lunch. Following the timelines on social media eventually revealed he had died.

The bald-headed, grinning Starr was 65. Many on Facebook and Twitter — yours truly included — voiced the sense of loss they felt.

Chicago photographer Steve Starr always brought his camera — and his smile — to fun events.

The last time I saw Steve at an event was in September at the Chicago History Museum. It was a symposium sponsored by the Chicago Baseball Museum. Seeing Steve there was a surprise because there were no trendy models or society types in the crowd. And it was early in the evening rather than later at night when I generally would come across him at fun events — such Shari Duffy’s Summer Soiree in June at Estate when Steve had me pose with broadcast legend Chet Coppock (if his camera could survive that, it had to be able to survive anything).

Did I know Steve Starr well? Well, well enough for him to borrow a pen from me so he could write down names of people whom he was photographing. A casual, friendly acquaintance probably is the best description. But that doesn’t mean we don’t hurt. Or won’t miss seeing his friendly face and exchanging pleasantries.

So the basketball game took a back seat to the death of a fun-loving fellow. The game itself save Bulls rookie Marquis Teague receive more minutes than he has been accustomed to playing and in pressure situations. He played the entire fourth quarter and recorded five points and two assists.

“He played hard,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I like the way he matched up with [Boston’s] speed. [Leandro] Barbosa and [Rajon] Rondo are super quick; I like that matchup for Marquis. He got us playing with energy. He used his speed and quickness to extend our defense a bit.”

“I was happy I had the opportunity to go out there and compete,” Teague said. “At the end of the day, I want to get the win. I wasn’t nervous. I play against my teammates in practice every day, and they are just as good as anybody in this league.”

Of playing all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter, the rookie from Kentucky said:

“Whatever Thibs asks me to do, that’s what I do. If he wants me to come out, that’s fine. Whatever he needed. I really didn’t think too much about it.”

Sometimes not thinking is the best way to approach life — and death.

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Military veterans were honored at the Bulls game as part of a Veterans Day tribute:

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Some Luvabulls videos from the Bulls-Celtics game (with more to come another day) plus Benny the Bull takes on Celtics mascot Lucky the Leprechaun: