One for the Bulls

#233: Chicago Bulls' First Win in the Playoffs

I was picked up form my apartment Sunday afternoon, driven to United Center, given my free ticket for a seat that was so close to the court that I had no excuse not to pay attention, and ushered to a spectacle that was bigger than the game being played. Here are the pics.

01: This scoreboard is so fancy, it's easy to keep your eyes fixed on it instead of watching the game itself.



02: The whistle blows and I take that as my cue to get my picture taken before people at the back start throwing popcorn and beer cans at me for blocking their view.


03: The jump ball. This is where Detroit Pistons' defeat began.


04: Benny the Bull in one of his many forms. Seems like some marketers got carried away in creating someone who can be bigger than Michael Jordan among the Chicago Bulls.


05: Their timeouts always have intermission numbers . Apparently, Americans need to be entertained at every possible point - even when they're just sitting through a 30-second break. And so they start bringing out the freaks. Here is Dancing Granny who's giving the Pussycat Dolls a run for their money.


06: Age wasn't enough to entertain so they got America's biggest preventable problem and turned it into a dance number. Here are the Matadors showing us that obesity makes for a good show.


07: And what will a basketball game be without perky cheerleaders? Here are the LuvaBulls keeping the guys from focusing too much on their beer and their chips during intermission.


08: Thanks to all the heart-thumping music, the tantalizing visuals, the ridiculous marketing gimmicks and the unbelievable freak shows, the Bulls finally win their first game in the 2nd round of the playoffs. It was a good game - if anyone actually noticed.


09: Here are the guys after the game. I think Hinrich (#12) was the best player in all quarters. He reminds me a bit of Kukoc. Luol Deng however, is their Michael Jordan hopeful - but without MJ's charm. Wallace is a Rodman cut-out while Nocioni is eerily like Paxson. I think the recruiting team is trying to resurrect the 90's.


10: Outside the United Center after the game. As you can see, the "D" is missing. And that's why they needed The "D"ikya to stand and pose.