Chicago Sports Insider

Bulls Destroy Cavaliers Without MVP

The Chicago Bulls improved to 14-3 this season after a 114-75 slobber knocking of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland. The win came despite not having last years NBA MVP Derrick Rose. It was clear he was not needed in the contest though as the Bulls outscored the Cavs in every quarter while letting the Cavaliers score over 20 points in just one quarter. In the meantime, they made sure to get 20 plus points in each quarter and scored nearly 30 in 3 of the 4 quarters.

Luol Deng who put in 21 points led the Bulls on offense. Carlos Boozer led all in rebounds with 14 while CJ Watson led the Bulls in assist with 7. The bulls showed that they are ready to make a run deep into the playoffs and will win with or without their star and do so convincingly. The Bulls also are continuing to show that they can win away from Chicago as they are 8-3 away from home this season. Read more about Bulls Destroy Cavaliers Without MVP

Bulls Make the Celtics age Show

The Chicago Bulls beat the Boston Celtics 88-79 on Friday in a low-scoring but exciting matchup. The Bulls had a huge lead in the game and were winning by as many as 20 in the game. The Celtics battled back to get within one before Rose took over and closed the deal for Chicago. Chicago, with the win is now 11-2 and at the top of the league in wins. The game was won at TD Garden in Boston against a Celtic team that seems to be over the hill this season. So far on the year the Celtics are just 4-6 and have been a shell of their former selves.

The Bulls rocketed out of the gate and led 26-13 after the first quarter before letting Boston back into the game. Rose led all scorers with 23 points and scored many late in the fourth to get the win for Chicago. Deng helped out as well with a 21 point performance and 16 rebounds. Noah also had a lot of production as he collected 10 points and twelve rebounds. The double-doubles by Noah and Dang were critical in extra possessions and points for Chicago. Rose continues to show up when his team needs him most and makes things happen by attacking the hoop. This trend should continue to produce wins as teams have trouble containing Rose and not fouling him.

Boston's struggles continue with veterans who have been anything but productive. Ray Allen led the team in points with just 16. Rondo, who was believed to be the guy to watch for Boston did get a double-double by getting 14 points and 11 assist. He was simply not as effective on this day distributing the ball and his long time teammates did not get enough production. Paul Pierce, for example, had just 13 points on the day while Kevin Garnett was a non-factor. Boston is simply not the championship team they once were and it has been showing. Read more about Bulls Make the Celtics age Show

Chicago Continues to Cruise

The Bulls latest win over the Pistons on Monday was the 13th consecutive win over their old rival. the win, which came at Home in Chicago, was a big one with the final being 92-68. The Bulls are now 8-2 on the season and are yet to lose at home. Carlos Boozer and Derrick Rose led the Bulls scoring 45 points between them. That was nearly half of the Bulls total scored on the day. The Bulls are really looking like a team to be weary of this season and are beating teams handily. Their combination of speed and power will help down the stretch and if they can stay healthy they look to be one of the favorites to win it all.

Leading the Bulls on Monday was Boozer with 23 points. Derrick Rose was close behind with 22 and nearly had a triple-double as he added 8 rebounds and 8 assist in the game. His rebounds and assist led the team and the game was an overall showing of just why Rose was the MVP last season. The Bulls really opened things up late in the game and finished strong behind Rose scoring 24 in the fourth compared to just 9 points from Detroit. The Bulls The Bulls travel to Minnesota for an 8 pm game against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. Away from Chicago, the team is 5-2 this season and will have to continue to win away from home if they really want to be considered the team to beat.

The Pistons loss drops their record to 2-7 this season and they have yet to win a game away from Detroit. Greg Monroe led the Pistons in all major statistical categories. He had 14 points 10 rebounds and 6 assist. This season he averages 15 plus a game and has been the only bright spot on a dismal team. The Pistons will travel back to Detroit to play the Mavericks Tuesday. There they will hope to get another win at home and try and get their team headed in the right direction.

Chicago needs to step it up after shaky start to the season

The Chicago Bears need to make a new game plan, because the one they have currently is not working so well. Chicago is 1-3 in the last 4 games after putting a beating on the Atlanta Falcons in the opening week. After the first week, there was surprise that the Bears might be a team to beat, but apparently that is not the case anymore. Chicago has some playmakers, they just need to execute. Read more about Chicago needs to step it up after shaky start to the season

Bears Week 1 Review

Well shut my mouth! The Bears definitely proved me wrong yesterday, and did it resounding fashion. As I wrote the other day in my preview, I wasn’t expecting much from the Bears. Atlanta was a top team last season, with improvements all around this season, and the Bears were bringing the same people to the party after lucking out on more than one occasion a year ago. But after a 30-12 beatdown, which featured contributions from both sides of the ball, maybe I have to rethink some things. But first, let’s look at how it happened. Read more about Bears Week 1 Review

Week 1: Bears vs Falcons Preview

WEEK 1: FALCONS AT BEARS

BEARS: And so it begins. The last we saw of the Bears, they were defeated by hated rival Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game. Quarterback Jay Cutler was put out of action and had his toughness questioned by all kinds of players and pundits alike, as he didn’t look like he was actually in any pain. That was unfair, and no, I don’t question Cutler’s toughness. The guy gets sacked what seems like twenty times a game, so he’s a tough dude. However, the team didn’t bother to really improve in their major areas of weakness, so tomorrow afternoon hosting Atlanta, the 2011-2012 Bears step foot onto the field looking a lot like the 2010-2011 Bears. Read more about Week 1: Bears vs Falcons Preview

2012 Forecast: The Young Guys

In September of a lost season, a baseball team can at least take solace if the younger players they trot out every day show promise. Rosters expand every September 1^st, and if a team is floundering and out of the race, they use September as an sneak preview for next season’s Spring Training, and try to get the most out of their top prospects. The White Sox are no exception to this rule, as all month long, the team and the fans will get an extended look at three young players who figure to play prominent roles in 2012: catcher Tyler Flowers, outfielder Alejandro De Aza, and slugger Dayan Viciedo. Read more about 2012 Forecast: The Young Guys

White Sox Spotlight

Gordon Beckham

With write-ups about Adam Dunn and Alex Rios out of the way, we can now look at Gordon Beckham, the supposed wunderkin from just a couple seasons ago for the Sox. He has never lived up to his hype, though, and this season in particular, has been a big liability for the Sox. He does play a nice second base, but his average has plummeted each of his years with the team. This year has been the worst of all. Read more about White Sox Spotlight

2012 Forecast: Dunn, Rios, Beckham

I’ve looked at Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, and Gordon Beckham in detail now, and the verdict is that each had terrible 2011 seasons. Each guy has slumped all year, none worse than Dunn. While Sox fans might want to see them either take a backseat next year or just take a hike somewhere else, the reality is that all three probably will be back with the team next year: Dunn and Rios because of their exorbitant contracts and Beckham because he’s still young and it is too early to give up on him. So how will they do? Read more about 2012 Forecast: Dunn, Rios, Beckham

Strong Pitching for Sox and Cubs

The Cubs and White Sox both won Monday in close low-scoring ball games that had few hits and strong pitching. It was a good day for Chicago baseball that have had few good days this year, as the teams have been sub-par. The way in which both won was more impressive however and must of had all on the edges of their seats. Especially in game 2 of a double-header that saw a shutout as well as another more rare pitching feat. Read more about Strong Pitching for Sox and Cubs