Blogs.Bulls.com

The anticipation mounts for the Rose-Beasley matchup but in essence it’s really about Rose and Mario Chalmers. They know each other very well and the intensity will be as equal to if not more since the NCAA championship game as Kansas prevailed over Memphis.  The two met at the Summer League in Orlando.  I was at that game and Chalmers was terrific. Rose was banged up and in all candor who remembers or cares about SL anyway?

Chalmers has been a huge plus for the Heat.  When they selected him at 34 I think the feeling was to have him backup a veteran guard (via trade) and play on the second unit. Chalmers is eighth in the league in steals and has been getting after it on the defensive side as well.

The Bulls made the right choice over Michael Beasley. Hands down.  Rose is not only a terrific player-that’s obvious but he handles himself with poise, professionalism and class.

The Bulls need to find a way to win on the road. They’ve dropped five straight and having come up with a”w” since Nov. 30 at Philadelphia.   They are struggling in the first quarter being outscored in double-digits in four consecutive games.

Miami is a playoff team for one simple reason- Dwyane Wade. He is a superstar. End of discussion.

Bill Wennington and I will have the radio call with pre game coverage starting at 3:30. Neil and Stacey on TV at 4.

Quick hits.  The Lakers sent an early message to the Celtics but that’s all it really was. I think the loss of Jordan Farmar will hurt  LA’s depth.

The Wizards should probably do the right thing and shut down Gilbert Arenas for the entire season. He hasn’t played a game yet and really at this stage there’s no chance of the “p” word.

Was Orlando that good yesterday or is something going on with the Hornets?

Houston is nine games over.500 and know one is paying much-if any -attention to them and they’ve become an after thought.

Roger Mason’s game winning shot capped off a beautiful game between the Spurs and Suns.

Disco Dirk and the Mavs are on fire..an impressive road win in Portland.

My favorite snack food has become Jr. Mints.  See, you can still be a kid at heart and in the stomach.

Love getting e-mails from our readers. In fact, a newcomer to Chicago asked me who makes the best chocolate  malt in the city. Good question.

Now it’s Roy Williams turn to be unhappy in Dallas. What a mess.

I am a huge Joe Girardi fan so pulling against the Yankees is tough  but I fear if they don’t make it to the World Series he’s finished. Trust me, I am not a Yankees fan but Girardi is a class, class act. 

There are so many meaningful NFL games this weekend it’s a major bonus for the networks.

You can always text us during the game at cswirsky@bulls.com  We love hearing from you.

Always a pleasure.