My Favorite Player

Derrick Rose is from Englewood and reps Chicago to the fullest. When he got hurt last season, his injury broke the city's heart and not because it meant the Bulls' playoff run was over. It was like a family member got injured. Even my mom (who has never watched a single basketball game in her life) called me upset. He's not the first pro athlete to play in his hometown, but I don't think a city has ever bonded with a local star like Chicago has with Rose. You can see some of the reasons why in this video. At a moment when he should be hyping his new shoe and counting that adidas money, he spontaneously breaks down and thanks his fans. If you don't like D.Rose, then you don't like basketball (or humanity).

Chi-Town Anthem

I've been laid out with the flu for the past week. I've been too dizzy to play Call of Duty or read books, so my only option has been daytime TV. It is truly a wasteland. If Maury is a reflection on society, or even a small part of it, I might as well call it is wrap and jump onto the Eisenhower as I'm not sure a lower form of human life is possible.

Interspersed among DNA and lie detector tests, commercials for ambulance chasers and lump sum cash settlements, I caught some quality local programming, including this gem from WGN. Local singer-songwriter Paul Smith ripped the mic with his hit "Heeeey Bulls" while a bunch of old people clapped. In all seriousness, this was the best thing I saw between the hours of 7am and 6pm over a span of five weekdays (except for the few times I peeped out MFC).

The Second Coming

Bow down to the best basketball player in the world. Rose falls out of the rafters to block a shot, sprints up the floor, spins through traffic and finishes off the glass around Indiana's bigs for the hoop. And oh yeah, despite the Pacers leading for 47 minutes, Rose led the Bulls on a 16-1 run to win the game. Stunt that, Lebron. If you're not on the Rose bandwagon now, get familiar.

Chi-Town Stand Up!!!

Stacey King is getting into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame with this call of the Dunk of the Year™. It's safe to say that history will only remember Goran Dragic for getting boomed on by Derrick Rose. Civic pride is finally running high right now.

While I'm here talking about sports, I'd like to send a shout out to all of those Vikes fans who sent me countless emails and text messages throughout the season about Jay Cutler throwing too many picks. Excuse me while I get Alanis Morissette on speed dial.