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The Bulls do not want to host the NBA all-star game (the last one in Chicago was 1988) because most season ticket-holders likely would not end up with tickets for the game. How thoughtful. This is the same franchise that in the post-Michael Jordan era put a team on the floor for a decade that hardly deserved season ticket-holders yet still was able to pack the United Center? One simple solution is to guarantee no all-star tickets to season ticket holders. Just as there is no guarantee to season ticket-holders that they will be at the NBA Finals at the United Center. Well, unless the Bulls upgrade personnel and/or the Miami Heat fails to play anywhere close to its potential.
Alex is one of eight Hooters Dream Girl finalists. Thought you'd rather see her than Chicago Bulls all-star forward Luol Deng.
* Speaking of NBA all-star games, it was a great relief to see Bulls forward Luol Deng named as a reserve for the Eastern Conference. Well, for ardent Bulls fans and some media members. Some of us never have understood the need for media types to push players for all-star berths, awards, etc. Never knew that was part of the job description. Maybe the reason for doing so is to make the media more likable? As if that’s going to happen.
* For those who question Deng being an all-star caliber player (he is valuable to the Bulls, no question about that), he is No. 4 in the league — in minutes played. Not sure that makes a player worthy of much more than fatigue when the postseason rolls around.
* Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer is driving to spring training in Arizona. He will bring along his golden retriever as a companion. Not to sound pessimistic or anything, but did anyone ever think the Cubs would be going to the dogs even before the regular season began?
The field of finalists for Hooters Dream Girl 2012 is being reduced from eight to four. Definitely a hard decision.
The Hooters Dream Girl 2012 contest continues. The field is being reduced to four from eight. To show how talented the participants are, here is Afton Storton. She didn’t make the final eight but definitely merits some space around here:
WORTHY CAUSES:
* The 24th annual Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards, which benefit the March of Dimes, will be Monday (Feb. 13) at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St. Honorees are: Carlos Boozer (Bulls), Edgar Bennett (Bears), Tywaun Crain (inspirational athlete), Corey Crawford (Blackhawks), Logan Pause (Fire), Alexei Ramirez (White Sox) and Tony Esposito (lifetime achievement). The evening includes silent auction, dinner and drinks, plus the program emceed by Steve Dahl and produced by Mike Liederman. Tickets ($350 each) are available through Rebecca Grant at (312) 596-4721 or at CSNChicago.com.
* The Time to Shine Chicago Gala, hosted by former Bears coach Mike Ditka, will be April 26 at the Palmer House Hilton. Reggie Smith — president of the NFLPA Former Players, Chicago Chapter — will be honored as R.A.M. magazine’s Man of the Year. Katie Freeman will receive Dunamis’ Woman of the Year award. The evening will benefit AMI Kids Infinity School (a href=”http://amikids.org/” target=_blank” amikids.org. Tickets are $350 each; sponsorship opportunities are available. For information, contact Laurie Dimakos at (312) 622-6678 or via email: Laurie@ldsportsgroup.com. A portion of the proceeds will go to Gridiron Greats.
The Hooters Dream Girl 2012 contest continues. Here is one of the participants, Desiree Neimann. She did not reach the final eight but still deserves to have some exposure:
FIGHT NIGHTS:
* Fight Card Entertainment will present FCE #44/Cross the Line on Feb. 16 at Joe’s Sports Bar, 940 W. Weed St. Tickets ($35, $55 and $60) are available through Fight Card Entertainment at (773) 745-1112 or at www.FightCard.net. All proceeds will be donated to the family of MMA fighter Jeff Dunbar, who was seriously injured at the December FCE event. Among the bouts will be Denarius Mobley and Tim Phinney in a light heavyweight matchup. A women’s Muy Thai 135-pound division bout will feature Jessica Heuer and Vanessa De La Garza. More information is available at www.FightCard.net.
* Hitz Boxing’s “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” series — scheduled for Feb. 18 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana — has announced the undercard for the event featuring undefeated welterweight prospect Alanbek Kozaev (19-0, 6 KOs) of Russia and Cleveland-based junior welterweight prospect Prenice “Greatness” Brewer (16-1-1, 6 KOs). In preliminary bouts will be unbeaten heavyweight Dave “Diesel” Latoria (9-0, 5 KOs) will face Ed “The Iron Man” Gutierrez (15-10-1, 6 KOs), super middleweight Mike “Hollywood” Jimenez (5-0, 3 KOs) opposes Bruce “The Rage” Rumbolz (22-23-2, 15 KOs), lightweight Chris Singleton (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. Eddie Corrona; heavyweight Philip Triantafillo (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Calbert Lewis, junior welterweight Genaro Mendez (3-1-1, 2 KOs) vs. Josh Rodriguez (2-6, 1 KO), heavyweight Brian Houston vs.Felix Abner (3-2, 2 KOs), and “Italian Stallion” Russell Fiore (5-1-1, 5 KOs) vs. Elvis Gori . Tickets ($10) are available at the Venue box office, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and www.fanfueled.com.
* Former world title challenger Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry kicks off his 2012 campaign on Feb. 24 against Guillermo “The Vampire” Sanchez at Windy City Fight Night 21 at the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavilion. Tickets ($31, $51, $76 and $101) are available through Ticketmaster, the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312 413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions Office (312 226-5800). Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the first bell at 8.
Another of the Hooters Dream Girl 2012 contestants who did not reach the final eight is Lina Nguyen:
Figure competitor Helena Chansky always is welcome on the "Sports & Torts."
On the latest (Feb. 9) edition of “Sports & Torts” with David Spada and Elliott Harris on talkzone.com, legendary announcer Pat Summerall, former NBA great Nate Thurmond and figure competitor Helena Chansky (who will be competing in the 2012 Arnold Sports Festival March 1-4 in Columbus, Ohio) were the guests. Summerall discusses his playing and broadcast careers, Thurmond chats about the NBA past and present, and Helena discusses diet and exercise. Judging by how she looked in studio, things are shaping up nicely for Helena to win another trophy at The Arnold. The “Sports & Torts” podcast is available by clicking here.
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