The Game High

NFL Week 9 Lead Pipe Lock Pick

Titans (-4) over the Packers

Since this pick for last two weeks has gone horribly wrong, you're best served placing bets against whatever rambling thoughts fill this post.

The Titans have won 5 consecutive games ATS, so consider this pick a kiss of death.  No time for further analysis, since it's offensive-costume-party-time.

Happy Halloween!

Who is pouring beers into this man's mouth tonight?

Overall Record: 5-3

Sam Smith Back for the Bulls(.com)

Former Tribune writer and bane of bloggers, Sam Smith, has resurfaced as a writer for Bulls.com.  He basically offers up the same concocted trade scenarios, goes through his mailbag, and continously bitches about Tyrus Thomas. 

I'd just as soon purchase a wrist cutting knife than read through another Smith column about how the Bulls should have drafted so-and-so...

However, someone over at Bulls.com must agree that plenty of Smith's stuff is an unedited, steaming pile.  Every article by old man Sammy gets to bear this message at the end:

"The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or their Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors."

 

Story Lines to Watch this Bulls Season

Beyond watching the progression of Derrick Rose, several other story lines for the Bulls should emerge this season: 

How about an All Star player this year?

It's been NINE years since a Chicago Bull played in an NBA All-Star game.  That player was Michael Jordan.  That stat alone should tell you how the team's been doing for the last decade.

Will Paxson finally make the "package of youth" for a proven All-Star trade?

The Bulls need to clear up the logjam in the backcourt and find a legitimate All-Star.  If one doesn't emerge from within the roster, then it's time to go find one.  The annual assemblage of youth through the draft cannot continue. 

Will a consistent starting lineup emerge? 

Due to Larry Hughes' injury and the lack of a true center, the lineups may be juggled nightly depending upon the matchups.  Aaron Gray fills up the middle, but he fits VDN's offensive philosophy as well as Shaq works in Phoenix.  Tyrus Thomas could average a double-double if he starts at power forward.  But this would require moving Drew Gooden to the center position, where his size and propensity for 18-foot jumpers is less than ideal.

Can Vinnie Del Negro coach? 

He's surrounded by experienced assistants, but is he going to be the one with the clipboard, diagramming X's and O's during the timeouts?  During the preseason games, VDN could often be seen conferring with Del Harris on the sidelines.  Harris is a good guy, but he couldn't win with teams absolutely loaded in talent in the Lakers and Mavs.  So VDN better bring some creativity.

Will Luol Deng be exposed as overrated and overpaid? 

When you sign a 6-year contract with over $70 million in guaranteed salary, that makes you the franchise CORNERSTONE.  As it stands today, Deng would be the 4th option in crunch time after Rose, Gordon, and Gooden.  Deng brings hustle and an all-round game, but he's going to have to step it up several notches this season. 

Will Nocioni find himself? 

Insane passion and maddening inconsistency have followed Noce since he joined the Bulls.  With better shot selection and foul control, he could easily become the a hustling fan favorite and off-the-bench energizer this team needs. 

Who is going to be the enforcer for Derrick Rose? 

Charles Oakely always had MJ's back.  Nocioni has the inside track, as his retaliation foul on Milwaukee's Richard Jefferson in the last preseason game had both teams ready to rumble.

How tolerable will Neil Funk and Stacey King be calling Bulls games on Comcast?

Why split up the legitimate chemistry of Funk and Bill Wennington broadcasting on the radio?  Sure, Johnny "Red" Kerr may have wanted/needed a dimished role and Tom Dore was unbearable to hear, but Stacey King isn't that much of an improvement.  King is a comedic legend in his own mind, and hearing him crack "jokes" and bust on "old" Red and Neil is mindblowingly pathetic.

What other forms of stadium entertainment do the t-shirt launching genuises in Bulls marketing department have in store for us this season?

May I suggest something involving Korean acrobats and a teeter totter?

Samurai Mike Is Back With a Vengeance

Mike Singletary goes off in his inaugural post-game press conference. 

What makes this so classic is that it doesn't appear premeditated at all.  He just got up on the podium and let the emotions flow.  Quite refreshing in a day of bland coaches giving canned responses (Belichick).   Nothing beats Old School football Passion.

Wassup Boys Reunited

The only thing missing from the Wassup boys is a clip of the Cubs getting swept.  Otherwise, it delivers some serious laughs.

Skiles annoints Derrick Rose "a star"

An unexpected compliment thrown by coach Skiles lands.

For a coach who tosses compliments around like manhole covers, it was pleasant to hear Scott Skiles give his thoughts on Derrick Rose.

"The guy's a star.  He's beyond quick and fast, and he's so powerful. He can go to the rim and finish. He has unique shots in the paint that he makes — floaters, runners. And that doesn't even mention that he sees the floor and passes the ball. He's going to be very hard to handle."

Sadly, Skiles never had the opportunity to use the word "star" to categorize any of the Bulls players he coached during his 4 years in Chicago.

NFL Week 8 Lead Pipe Lock Pick

Jaguars (-7) over the Browns

Thanks to Brett Favre and the Jets for laying a giant turd in Oakland and ruining my lead pipe credibility last week.  I'm so upset I could enter a virtual world and murder someone's avatar. 

In reality, none of this weeks games look all that appealing.  So let's find a home team with a struggling opponent.  Here we are... the Cleveland Browns are on the verge of the Brady Quinn era, stuggle offensively, and can't stop the run.  The Jags are coming off a bye week, have a solid run game, and their defense should easily contain the Browns. 

I guess that wasn't so hard.  I will now resume carving a melon brain.

Overall Record:  5-2

NFL Week 7 Lead Pipe Lock Pick

Jets (-3.5) over the Raiders

Time to break out the lead pipe.  Where the hell was it the last six weeks, you say?  Well, it was busy filming music videos for its burgeoning hollywood career.  You may remember it's big break as the meat pipe in this Tool video.

Damn, this post is off task.  Not since the Art Shell era (a mere two years ago), have the Raiders been so susceptible to the blowout loss.  The Raiders flatout suck.  End of discussion.

Overall Record:  5-1 (trust me)

Simple Solution To Bulls Starting Back Court

The consensus opinion is that the Bulls will use the preseason to set their back court rotation.  However, unless coach Vinnie Del Negro employs a 4-guard offense, there won't be enough minutes for the abundance of guards currently on the roster (Rose, Hinrich, Gordon, Sefolosha, and Hughes).  Someone is going to lose major minutes and someone else is headed for the trading block.

But screw the preseason.  After two games, we've seen enough.  This is at best a .500 ball club, so it's time to employ the playground pickup strategy:

VDN:  "Derrick, you're starting at point guard.  Who do you want to play with?"

Rose:  "Thabo."

VDN:  "Great.  Thabo, you're starting at 2.  Gordon, you're sixth man.  Hinrich and Hughes, please observe the fine vinyl seat padding on these folding chairs."

Problem solved. 

Up next:  Finding a pair of scissors for Nocioni.

Who The Fuck Decided It Was Basketball Season Already?

It’s been a while, amigos.  We’re talking correspondence levels of Jim Anchower proportions.  Did I miss anything? 

Besides an epic collapse in Cubbie land and the inevitable playoff ouster of the Sox, is it really that tough being a Chicago sports fan?

 

Well, put down the torches and pitchforks fellow natives because another glorious season of Bulls basketball is upon us!  On the bright side, compared to the 162 baseball games played this year by  the Cubs and Sox,  it will only take the Bulls 82 games before ripping your heart out and handing it to you.

When we last left our lovable Bulls, they were staring at the 153^rd rebuilding strategy since the departure of his Airness.  This summer, we welcomed new head coach Vinnie Del Negro and number one draft pick (no pressure) Derrick Rose to the fold.   

Annually, the Bulls roster provides a vast assortment of young, talented players, a logjam in the backcourt, and the lack of a true All-Star.  This year is no exception.

The Bulls are already two games into the pre-season and winless.  Not that wins and losses matter at this point, but the Vinnie Del Negro era could use a few feel-good victories to build some team confidence before the games start to count. 

However, it’s already clear that Derrick Rose is going to be pretty good.   Once he settles into the point guard position, his turnovers should decrease.  And from there, the success of this Bulls team hinges on its players’ desire to play defense and not settle for jump shots on every possession.  Just like last year…