The Ballad of Ricky-Bobby: D-Rose in the ASG

(Note: Ricky's out this week. In his place is TUP friend, Kansas City dweller, and resident Dan Le Batard, Brian P., who has requested I don't link to his Twitter)



BOBBY: I'd definitely say I'm more excited, but not by a ton. I'm more excited about the idea of Rose making it. The whole "first all-star since 1998"-thing is really sitting well. I don't expect him to play big minutes or win the MVP or anything, though. Still, it's nice to see him get recognition, and this does increase my chances of watching the game -- though they were already pretty decent in the first place.

Matt at Blog a Bull, as well as some others, have always said the Bulls don't actually have to be good this year, but people have to perceive that they're good. That way, Chicago can become a desirable free agent destination this summer. I think Rose making the All-Star game is a big step toward raising perception in a positive way.

You're a former-Chicago/current-Kansas-City resident... what is Missouri's perception of Rose, the Bulls, and hell, the NBA in general?

BRIAN: As a Kansas City(-ian?) resident for about a year and a half now, I'll be the first to admit that I follow the NBA differently than I did while living in Chicago. I've seen maybe four Bulls games this year and I definitely don't know what Taj Gibson looks like, but it's allowed me to follow the rest of the NBA more closely than I ever have. So, Rose making the All-Star game easily increases my excitement level, but not as much as it would be if I was living in Chicago. I'd say I'm more excited about the fact that David Lee was left off the All-Star team, hopefully allowing for some kind of fake rejuvenation of the Chicago-New York rivalry I so desperately miss (this implying that the East decided to take an extra guard instead of forward).
BOBBY: My Bulls-Knicks rivalry thoughts can be summed up in my MSG post, which I link way too often, but whatever.

Ever since I heard about the existence of the Sprint Center, I've wanted the Kings to move there. At the same time, that totally feels like a "now what?" kind of move.

As in: Kansas City got the Kings!!!! ... now what?

It'd almost be like if the Chiefs moved to Sacramento. In theory, exciting. But in practice, totally boring. (Not to discount Tyreke Evans in any way... as he is incredible.) With the Kings out, what NBA team would you say is Kansas City's "team"? And don't say the Jayhawks. And I'd be remiss not to get your take on the million dollar question: how do you see Chicago's off-season playing out?

Oh, and here's Taj Gibson.

I like him a lot and all... but you're not missing much. He's got Spurs written all over him.

BRIAN: I'm really glad that picture has him shooting over Brian Cardinal. He has to be good shooting over a defender like that, right? And as a side note, I believe the Kings used to play in KC, but the mayor got pissed or something and kicked them out. There was this marketing gimmick around KC that said something like, "Bring back the Kings! They were ours first!" which I found both stupid and made me hate the South even more (KC isn't really true South, but a lot of people have "Southern views").

BobbyStompy is the assistant editor of Tremendous Upside Potential. He can be reached at stompaberdeen [at] aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @bobbystompy.