Little time for the Bulls to regroup; Blazers at the UC Monday night

The Bulls five game home stand concludes Monday night as they take on a Portland ball club loaded with promising talent that is probably a year or two away from doing some serious damage in the Western Conference. The Blazers have  outstanding personnel  and owner Paul Allen, yes, THAT Paul Allen (Microsoft) will gladly hand out the big bucks to retain Roy, Aldridge, Oden etc.

  The fiasco with Darius Miles leaves a stain on the franchise. I hope Memphis plays Miles and here's hoping the Blazers take the cap hit.  If Miles has been cleared to play, let him play-period.  The arrogance of the Blazers will come back to hurt them. 

On the court the Bulls need to play  an exceptional game  against the Blazers.  The Bulls were hammered in Oregon by 42  six weeks ago and for all practical purposes  the game was over in the first quarter.

The Bulls must play unselfish. I'm not only talking half court sets but yes, even in transition. There were three opportunities where Derrick Rose should have been given the ball and never received a touch. 

A  final word on OKC. The three core players of Durant, Green and Westbrook can flat out play. Kristic is a nice add on piece and I really like Kyle Weaver.  GM Sam Presti has that club headed in the right direction.

Other NBA notes.

Best game of the night in a duel between Wade and Kobe, the Lakers edged the Heat.

Caught the Celtics-Raps game.  Still not sold on the Celtics bench.  Raps? What will they elect to do prior to the trade  deadline? I'll take Bargnani over O'Neal ten times out of ten.  I still think they're better than their record but losing Calderon hurts and O'Neal needs to get back on the floor.  He's a big who still has some game left...when he's on the court that is. 

Don't look now but here come the 76ers.  With Elton Brand out Philly  done a good job hanging in there.  Not sure what's going on with the Hawks.   Atlanta has dropped three straight. Al Horford will miss a week with a brusied knee.

Big time road win for the 30-8 Magic in San Antonio. When will people give this team a break and consider them legit?

Jamal Crawford with the game winner in another wild Warriors win as they beat the Pacers who have lost 14 out of their last 20 games.

For one night at least the Kings had a good outing tripping Dallas.

Another game-another loss for LAC. Make it 11 straight for the Clippers . Even though Elgin Baylor is no longer running the team I think Clippers management should do the right thing and book him a room in NJ for the lottery just so he feels at home. You know, May comes around only once a year!

I thought Channing Frye would be a better pro.

D. J. Augustine who has put together a solid rookie year with thr Bobcats is out for 10 days with an abdominal injury.

Baltimore, Pittsburgh  and the Eagles winning..no surprise?  I am shocked the Cardinals destroyed the Panthers. Didn't see that coming  I'll take Philly to win once again on the road as its defense is tremendous.  The Steelers will beat the Ravens in a low scoring contest.

Could you handle a Steelers-Eagles Super Bowl?

I like Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and he plucked 32 year old Josh McDaniels away from the Patriots.   The jury is still out on how successful NE assistants are once they live the nest. 

Fans either love Tim Tebow or a complete 180 on the guy. Fox went overboard during the BCS game. Yes, he's a tremendous young man with high morals and values and a spirited heart for others on and off the field. No one can deny that but come on..Fox really pushed it the other night.  Tebow announced Sunday he'll return for his senior season  and I have to believe he will be the favorite to win the Heisman.

Not sure how much life there is to the Rangers-White Sox rumored deal but if the Sox can get Michael Young...go for it.

Growing up in Seattle reading the morning newspaper, the Post Intelligencer was a daily must. The newspaper world is imploding so the news over the weekend that the P-I will cease operation if a buyer cannot be found in the next two months doesn't come as a shocking surprise. I know a couple writers at the paper and they're excellent reporters.  Don't think it can't happen here in Chicago. Tough time indeed.

If Tony Dungy steps down as head coach of the Colts one of the first things Barack Obama should do is to find a place for him in his administration. I'm serious. 

I'll check in later. Always a pleasure  cswirsky@bulls.com