Going into tonight, I was halfheartedly thinking about the Red tribute because I thought it would be hokey at best. Really, all I cared about was the Pistons-Bulls game. But damn, they did a hell of a job with the halftime ceremony. I got chills a few times. The above picture really says it all. It was nice to see the boys back in the building.
I actually watched the whole game and halftime on DVR, but due to some taping confusion, the game itself cut off with six minutes left and the Bulls down 8 (so I'm going to watch the 2:30 am taping tomorrow morning). But yeah, I felt like I needed to throw this up in dedication of Johnny "Red" Kerr. Tonight was certainly all his.
I was hoping in the comments everybody could throw out some favorite Kerr memories... I think mine was
seeing and hearing the replay of Red's call of MJ's shot over Ehlo ("The Bulls win!") so many times growing up. Just about perfect.
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Also:
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Derrick Rose's REAL letter to Bulls fans (bulls.com)
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Rest of the Kerr photo stuff (Chicago Tribune)
UPDATE:And the Bulls come back to win, 107-102. What an incredible game. While it's easy to fault Detroit for imploding down the stretch, it wouldn't have been possible without stellar play from Rose, Ben Gordon, and the man, the myth, the legend: Tyrus Thomas. Seeing Thomas hit his stride is so fun because we've been with him through all of his ups and downs since his rookie year. Hopefully, his consistency will eventually start to outweigh his inconsistency and we can see performances like these from him night in and night out. Rose's assist and Gordon's momentum shifting four point play were obviously the difference maker, and I couldn't think of a better way to send off Red.
Comcast actually has some videos and stuff of the Red tributes. I realize now I didn't mention this, but
44 -- or as Shanoff would call him, "The First Fan" -- actually made an appearance via video. Probably worth checking out.
I was stuck at work for the game tonight, so I watched it as closely as I could but without sound. The halftime thing looked awesome, hopefully that goes up on YouTube soon. MJ, Obama, and a statue? That's pretty much as hardcore as you can go.
As for the game, it was the best of the season, and probably the best since game 5 of the Pistons series two years ago. Tyrus was a monster in the fourth quarter; if he can continue getting to the line like he has been the last couple weeks, he's going to continue to be effective (I think that's been the biggest reason he's been playing so well lately.)
And Rose was just incredible in the fourth. Great game by any measure.
Oh and I'm super glad you wrote this because I am f'n loaded with stuff to do right now.
Man that letter from Rose is great. I really hope he's as good a guy as it seems. At the same time I thought Dwayne Wade was a really good guy too and it seems like that's not the case. I loved that in the letter his biggest flaw was that he ate too much candy in college. God I hope that's true.
When I click on the link for the D-Rose letter it takes me here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dokidoki/2935418137/sizes/l/in/pool-936292@N23/. Anyone else?
I have no idea where that link came from. It's fixed now, though.
What a first class athlete, love to see that.
How fucked up is that Robby Alomar situation?
All I heard was AIDS, since you're the expert in that subject- what happened Mike?
Did I say fucked up? I meant fucking hilarious.
All I heard was AIDS, since you're the expert in that subject- what happened Mike?