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Back in Brooklyn, we used to call them “the M&M Boys.” They weren’t actually beloved by all, but we respected them. The Dodgers and Giants had left and the Mets hadn’t come yet. So it was M&M, Mantle and Maris, making the big plays when they were needed.

They’re not likely to be as celebrated, and certainly not in Brooklyn. …

After all those mostly underperforming “M’s,” — Minnesota, Milwaukee and Memphis — the Bulls get a look at a real contender Tuesday at the United Center, the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though mostly overshadowed by the Lakers and their high profile additions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, most around the NBA still consider the Thunder the favorites …

How about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 21st at home against the Lakers? Nah, too early.

What about the Heat’s first trip into the United Center right after the All-Star break February 21? Probably still too soon.

OK, what about Derrick Rose playing his first game of the 2012-13 season at home Saturday, March 2 against the Brooklyn …

Well, maybe it doesn’t look that bad for the Bulls in the 2012-13 season, after all.

It’s not good, mind you, at least as long as Derrick Rose is recovering from knee surgery, which should be at least half the season. You lose the league MVP or your star and you get worse.

There are no shortcuts: Bulls go from …

Now that 109-92 Philadelphia 76ers win Tuesday over the Bulls to even the first round playoff series at 1-1 is a game in which the Bulls could certainly have used Derrick Rose.

Yes, I know, we’ll be thinking that often for a long time to come, and it’s also time to get past that. Reporters in the wake of the …

The Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers open the NBA playoffs Saturday at noon Central time in the United Center. And if the first round doesn’t hold all that potential suspense—though there is some with Miami and the Knicks—then the answer to the ultimate question certainly does.

Because the identity of a potential champion is as uncertain this season as it’s ever …

Is this 2011-12 Bulls team the second best in franchise history?

I assume they are not, since after losing badly at home to the fighting-for-the-playoffs Denver Nuggets Monday in the wake of a pair of fortunate wins over the barely trying Toronto Raptors, we pretty much decided these aren’t the best of times nor really an age of wisdom for …

For the last two weeks, the story with the Bulls has been Derrick Rose’s back, which kept him out of the last five games and with other maladies 10 overall on the season, nearly a third of the team’s games. But Monday the story was Rose being back, and it was a relief for the Bulls in their 90-79 victory …

Heck, I didn’t even know All-Star voting had started with the season just a few weeks old. And now it’s about over for the fans.

That’s because with the release of the first returns Thursday, the starting lineups appear set with Derrick Rose to start again at guard.

I’m not suggesting, mind you, that your vote doesn’t count and you …

In basketball, as in life, there occasionally are times like the Bulls’ unusually uncompetitive 109-94 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Call it: Saturday happens!

“In this league,” offered Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, “you usually get what you deserve.”

It was stunning in many respects as Derrick Rose with eight points, six assists and five turnovers likely had the poorest game …