Maybe Bulls’ Rose Was Better Off Not Talking

November 12, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Midweek musings: For those of us who might have been disappointed by Derrick Rose’s decision not to talk to the media after the Chicago Bulls guard’s best performance of the season Monday night, perhaps his silence was golden. His words Tuesday? Not so golden.

It has been far too long since we last saw Jen Hugunin around here. Problem solved! Credit: Don Bersano Photography

* Rose remarked after practice when he was asked about his performance and mindset in light of injuries that have hampered his career (the most recent being sprained ankles that recently sidelined the former NBA MVP): “I felt like I’ve been managing myself pretty good. I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out or whatever, but I think a lot of people don’t understand that … when I sit out it’s not because of this year. I’m thinking about long term. I’m thinking about after I’m done with basketball. Having graduations to go to, having meetings to go to, I don’t want to be in my meetings all sore or be at my son’s graduation all sore just because of something I did in the past. Just learning and being smart.” Graduations? Meetings? Soreness? Something says if Rose was just learning and being smart, he wouldn’t make such statements — although the media should thank him for providing fodder for their written and/or oratorical genius.

* Speaking of media, Tuesday’s “Lance Briggs Show” on Comcast SportsNet is an excellent example of why it isn’t always a great idea to have an active athlete have his own program. Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs indeed was in an awkward position of having to answer for two consecutive blowouts. And not being able — or be willing (he does want to keep his job) — to answer the questions. Briggs did display some nimble footwork on dancing around the question of whether Jay Cutler should be replaced as quarterback (something that isn’t going to happen regardless of what any other player might think).

Videos below of these lovely Playboy Playmates.

* Speaking of the Bears, the Chicago Sun-Times (the former employer of your humble correspondent) ran a front page with the headline “BOYCOTT” (yes, with all the letters capitalized) superimposed on a photograph of Soldier Field. The subhead stated: “If the Bears won’t do anything about their sorry team, fans should stay away from Soldier Field on Sunday.” All as a form of promoting a Rick Morrissey column. Gee, a Chicago institution of diminished quality being the target of another Chicago institution of even greater diminished quality. Maybe the Bears will counter by calling for a boycott of the Sun-Times. Then again, maybe the great minds running the paper figure they don’t have all that much to lose — in terms of circulation, advertising or anything else.

* Still speaking of the Bears, it was heart-warming to see Jared Allen help deliver gifts for military veterans on Veterans Day. Who would have imagined when the Bears signed the defensive end that his impact would be greater away from the football field than on it?

* Oh, look! The Chicago Cubs reportedly talked to free-agent catcher Russell Martin. And they’re interested in …. A quick reminder: It doesn’t matter what the Cubs say, whom they talk to, whom they’re interested in. What matters is results. Until then, it’s all hot air. Which, come to think of it, just might be welcome around Chicago and other parts of the country today.

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