Bulls Honor Michael Jordan & 91 Champions…Chicago Rains 3’s On the Jazz’s Parade 118-100

The 2009-10 Chicago Bulls one game behind the Eastern division leading Boston Celtics paid homage to 1991 Chicago Bulls NBA Champions by giving them a champion like performance and breaking a franchise record. Chicago dismantled the Utah Jazz in an impressive blow-out victory overwhelming the Jazz early and coasting to 118-100 win. 

Although, it was an exciting game the true main event was the star studded 20-minute half-time celebration of the 20th anniversary of Chicago Bulls first NBA Championship in 1991. In attendance for the ceremony were six time NBA champions Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and the other 1991 team members. (Full coverage in the “Half-Time Celebration” section)
 


Bulls Played Like Champions, At Least In The First Half
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Derrick Rose playing in front of his basketball idols Michael Jordan and put on quite a show, hitting 5 three-pointers in the first quarter to help the Chicago grab an early17-2  lead and finished out the quarter 37-17. “There was extra energy tonight we always have a great crowd but there was something extra special tonight,” said Kyle Korver. Rose matched his career high for 3-pointers and surpassed his record for point in the first quarter with 17 points. “Derrick came out and was really aggressive and we just followed his lead.”

The heavens opened up as Chicago put on a 3-point clinch scoring a franchise record of 18 three’s eclipsing the previous record set in 1994. In addition to Rose’s exceptional shooting performance Luol Deng, Keith Bogans, Kyle Korver and C.J. Watson each contributed at least one 3-pointer during the 1st half.  As a group they scored eight three’s in the 1st quarter and total of thirteen 3-pointers for the half.  “Shooting 3’s was definitely not the plan said” Korver. “But that the way it worked out. Once a couple of guys hit a few shots it just spreads the floor. Guys had got good shots in rhythm and it snowballed.”

By the end of the half the Bulls had a commanding 68-41 lead, not insurmountable by NBA standards but a dire position for the visiting Jazz who barely had a pulse in the first 24 minutes. Al Jefferson was the only player in double digits for the Jazz with 14 points and 9 rebounds. The Bulls 68 point half-time score set a new season record for most points scored in a half. Three players recorded double digits were: Rose 19, Deng 10 and Korver 12. Deng commendable play once again stood out as he battled an ankle injury and was 2 of 3 from 3-point range, had 5 assist, 3 rebounds and 5 assist by the end of the half.

Half-Time Celebration – 20th Anniversary Commemorating Bulls 1st Championship
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The much awaited commemorative celebration of the Bulls 1st NBA Championship was met with great enthusiasm by the sellout 22,885 fans at U.C. as former Bulls broadcaster Jim Durham returned to served as master of ceremony for the historic tribute. Also in attendance were team members: John Paxton, Horace Grant, Stacey King, Craig Hodges, Will Purdue, Scott Williams, Cliff Levin, Dennis Hopson and eleven year Assistant Coach John Bach. Not in attendance were Head Coach Phil Jackson, B.J. Armstrong, Jim Cleamons and Tex Winter.


Following a video montage of fabled 91 Bulls season, each of the attendees was introduced by Durham to cheers of appreciative and raucous crowd. Each team member walked one by one on to the court through a gauntlet of Luvabulls cheerleaders to the center court where they receive a commemorative plaque from Bulls Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf.

Both Pippen & Jordon received huge standing ovations from the crowd. As expected, Jordan applause was by far the loudest and the longest. At one point, when Jordon approached the microphone, the applause was so deafening that Jordon had to delay until the fans quieted.

Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordon addressed the crowd on behalf of the 1991 team. “This is very special for us,” said Pippen. “Thank you for sticking with us back in the 1990's.”

“I want to thank the Bulls organization for allowing us to unite,” said Jordan. One guy who is missing is Johnny “Red” Kerr.” Johnny “Red” Kerr friend of M.J. was a former NBA great, coach and Bulls announcer during the Bulls Championship era. Kerr dedicated 35 years to the Bull organization who lost his battle with Cancer in February of 2009.




It seemed so surreal for the six time champion Michael Jordon NBA hero to be standing    at a podium at half court in the United Center, home to last three Bulls teams to win a Championship trophy in the 1990’s and to predict a NBA Championship future for the young 2010-11 Chicago Bulls team led by consensus MVP candidate Derrick Rose.

 “You guys are in stored a lot of other championships said,” Jordon. “Looking at this team tonight, don’t be surprised if you have another six more coming.” Although, Jordon made his comment to a emotionally charged an adoring Bulls fans as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Bulls 1st NBA Championship Michael Jordon appeared to be sincere in his assessment of the teams bright future.

All of the Honorees
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Horace Grant accepts award.
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Craig Hodges accepts his award.
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John Paxton holds the trophy.
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Jordon concluded by saying, “From the bottom of my heart and all the players here, I want to thank you for all your dedicated support on the court, off the court, in retirement and not in retirement we thank you for everything you have given us.”

Expectations Ridding High For Young Bulls

With the Chairman of the Board Jerry Reinsdorf stating to the Chicago Sun-Times “We have an outstanding coach, an outstanding bunch of players, the team is deep, and if we stay healthy, we have an awfully good chance of winning at least four championships.”  In addition to Jordon’s prognostication of the Bulls future, expectations are beginning to riding though the roof for this talented Bulls team.

Bulls Continue To Give The Jazz The Blues In 2nd Half
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Despite the Jazz scoring 59 points in the second half enviably time ran out on Utah as they suffered their 11th loss in 14 games loosing 118-100. Both Al Jefferson and Devin Harris scored 19 points in the 2nd half to help the Jazz out score Chicago 59-60 in final half.  Jefferson finished with 33-points and 18 rebounds. While Harris scored 24 points, 2 3’s and 3 assist. Chicago was satisfied with trading baskets with Utah and their cooled off in the half. However, Thibodeau requires improvement of his players even after capturing an easy victory.

“Our defense in the 2nd half was poor,” said Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. “The first thing we did was we came out and took a 3 pointer instead of establishing our inside game first. That leads to their transition baskets. In the 2nd half we did not play well but we did enough to close it out”

Both Rose and Deng had outstanding offensive games finishing with 26 points each. Rose scored 7 baskets, 5 3-pointers, 7 free-throws and 4 assist. Deng tallied on 3 3-pointers, 7 rebounds and 6 assist. The Bulls who shot an outstanding 13-20 (65%) from 3-point range in first half cooled from their blistering pace shooting 5-12 (41.7%) in final 24 minutes of the contest. 



Joakim Gives Respect To The Bulls Winning Tradition
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Joakim Noah scored 9-points in 2nd half. In addition he scored 16 points and grabbed 9 rebounds along with Kurt Thomas to tie for most rebound by a Bull. This night was definitely a special night said,” Joakim Noah. “There’s no doubt, that when you see the love that those guys (1991 Champions) get, it’s well deserved. When we’re on the road and we get the love we get, a lot of it is because of what they did. So, to be a part of it is something very special. We’re trying to do something special to respect their tradition.”

Bulls Only Percentage Points From Best In The East

The Bulls win there 11th straight home victory the longest since 1997 season when they won 17 in a row. Chicago is 29-4 at home won the last six consecutive games. The Bulls won by 18 points and are now within percentage points behind the idol 1st place Celtics with each team 47 wins currently. “Were still chasing,” said Thibodeau. “I want us to continue to improve every game. The really good teams do that. We’ve been playing solid and we have a lot of room for improvement.”



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