***The Bulls,as expected, positioned themselves for this coming summer’s free agent derby,and at the same time transformed their current roster. The Bulls said goodbye to John Salmons,just a year or so after picking him up from Sacramento.The veteran was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks for Joe Alexander and Hakim Warrick.Then,unhappy and underachieving forward Tyrus Thomas went to the Charlotte Bobcats for “Flip” Murray and Acie Law. How much any of these four will play the rest of the season is up for guessing right now. After Thursday’s trading deadline and the dust settled,the Bulls had the fourth highest salary cap room with New York,New Jersey and Miami having more space. That could change once the NBA Finals come and go.

***The Bulls are long shots at best(if even that high on the food chain)to get free agents to be like LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. That would leave Chris Bosh,Joe Johnson and others. The Bulls got just about shut out a decade ago when they tried to do the same thing. Under Jerry Krause,the Bulls never were considered by players like Tracy McGrady(who was dealt to the Knicks Thursday),Grant Hill,Rashard Lewis or Tim Thomas. The Bulls were about to be shut out,so Krause pulled off a last minute deal with Ron Mercer which excited Bulls fans even less than watching paint dry. True the 1999 through 2003 seasons were worse than awful,and mostly boring, but the current Bulls are in better shape to make a decent pitch for one of the soon to be free agents(other than James and Wade).

***The Blackhawks Patrick Kane got on the scoreboard with his first Olympic Goal Thursday in an easy US win against Norway. The mostly Canadian fans were rooting against Norway,but the Americans in attendance chanted “USA, USA” prior to being shouted down by their “Canuck” counterparts.

***Canada got a scare from the Swiss whom the US have already defeated. Sydney Crosby netted the game winner in a shootout.

***It’s been refreshingly quiet the past few days on the Bears front after the firing of Bobby DePaul as Director of Pro Talent. Some people are saying this was a Jerry Angelo move,but this wreaks of a Lovie Smith ordered move since the Bears Coach and DePaul did not get along.

***After injured Cub started Ted Lilly threw a bit in Mesa Thursday,he reported pain in his knee. Hopefully this doesn’t surface as the first big concern.

LES

VANCOUVER—A U.S. win already was secured by the time Michael Phelps left his rinkside side. Then it turned into a rout. A big surge in the final minutes helped the American men’s hockey team complete a 6-1 win over outmatched Norway on Thursday, but now the club will dive into the deep end of the pool against heavily favored Canada on Sunday with a bye into the quarterfinals on the line. With Phelps, the U.S. Olympic swimming star watching from four rows off center ice, the Americans improved to 2-0 in these games. Phelps didn’t see all the scoring because he left with 5½ minutes remaining, just after the U.S. made it 4-1. Nursing a two-goal lead for much of the final two periods, the Americans broke it open when defenseman Brian Rafalski scored twice in the final three minutes. Phil Kessel and Chris Drury had first-period goals, the Blackhawks Patrick Kane stretched the lead to 3-0 in the second, and Ryan Malone added his second of the tournament to back seldom-tested goalie Ryan Miller.

Norway goalie Pal Grotnes can’t help but look disappointed after conceding one of the goals. (Getty Images)

The Americans held a 39-11 edge in shots over Norway, which has been outscored 14-1 in two games. Rafalski netted a power-play goal with 3 minutes remaining and then finished the late outburst in the final minute. The Americans will have a day off Friday from games and practice. The U.S. was 1-4-1 at the Turin Games four years ago and can make a Phelps-like splash should they upset the Canadians.With only a 3-1 victory Tuesday over Switzerland, the U.S. was facing tiebreaker danger should it fall to Canada. Four teams clinch spots in the quarterfinals, while the other eight countries will play for the other four spots. Goal differential is a key tiebreaker, so lopsided wins are beneficial.The Americans held a 15-2 shots advantage through the first period and 23-9 after 40 minutes. But Miller was beaten for a short-handed goal by Marius Holtet in the second. That gave the Norwegians, seeded 11th in the 12-team tournament, something to celebrate after an 8-0 loss in their opener to Canada on Tuesday.Chants of “USA, USA” broke out less than 20 seconds in and before the Americans recorded their first shot. Unlike Wednesday, when ABBA music was played during stoppages of Sweden’s game against Germany, U.S. artists — Bruce Springsteen, John Denver, Bon Jovi — were on the playlist. Not to be outdone, many fans decked out in red — Norway and Canada varieties — yelled support for the decided underdogs with loud chants of “Let’s Go Norway!” The Americans’ top line connected in the second period for its first goal. Kane slipped a pass to Parise at the left point and charged to the net as Parise fired a shot. Pal Grotnes, who despite allowing four goals called the loss to Canada the best game he ever played, left a big rebound off his pad that Kane steered into the open right side to make it 3-0 at 5:52. Grotnes didn’t finish the game against Canada and was said to have leg cramps. The U.S. had numerous chances to put the game away on its power play, but only scored once in five advantages. Kane made a nifty move deep in the zone to get around a defender, drawing oohs from the crowd. But instead of shooting, he tried to pass to Langenbrunner on his left wing.The puck missed its target, and Holtet led a 2-on-1 rush the other way. Holtet zipped a drive from the right circle that eluded Miller’s blocker and found its way in off the post at 8:37 to bring Norway within 3-1. Miller was better with 4:22 remaining in the period when he did the splits to stop a redirected shot off the stick of Anders Bastiansen that barely caught his pad before it could find its way into the net.The Buffalo Sabres star goalie, who Wilson said will start every game barring something drastic, faced only two shots in the first period, but both were prime scoring chances for Jonas Andersen. The second was a one-timer from the right circle that had Miller darting across the crease. Kessel gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead just 2:39 in when he received a pass in the neutral zone from Joe Pavelski and snapped off a laser shot that caromed in off the crossbar before Grotnes had a chance to stop it. Drury, whose selection to the U.S. team received some criticism because of a lack of recent scoring production, validated the move at 13:04. David Backes, who scored an end-to-end goal Tuesday, sent a pass to Ryan Callahan for a shot that bounced off his pad to New York Rangers teammate Drury for an easy putback that made it 2-0.Miller started the rush and earned an assist in the third when he sent Jack Johnson on a 2-on-1 that Malone cleaned up with a rebound goal with 5:41 remaining.

VANCOUVER—Sidney Crosby, not left at home this time, single-handedly prevented a coast-to-coast Canadian panic attack.Crosby scored the only goal of a shootout in which a nervous nation hung on every shot, giving Canada a 3-2 victory over Switzerland on Thursday and avoiding a second inconceivable loss to the Swiss in as many Olympics.

Sidney Crosby beats Jonas Hiller for the winner … (Getty Images)

Across Canada, there was a single response: Whew, was that close.Canada, a huge favorite despite a 2-0 upset defeat to Switzerland in 2006 that ranks among the greatest in Olympic history, took a 2-0 lead early in the second and looked to be cruising. But the Swiss, with two NHL players to Canada’s 23, came back to tie it on second-period goals by Ivo Ruthemann and Patrick von Gunten.After a scoreless third period and five-minute overtime, the first three shooters for each team in the shootout failed. Crosby, denied as Canada’s initial shooter, put a wrist shot past Jonas Hiller with his second attempt. The game ended when Martin Brodeur, the best goalie of his generation, stopped Martin Pluss’ shot.Crosby, who owns the NHL’s best shootout percentage (75 percent, 6 of 8), wasn’t certain he could shoot again until coach Mike Babcock asked if he wanted another chance.Canada, helped by early goals from San Jose Sharks teammates Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau, now faces a North American showdown Sunday with the United States (2-0). It’s a game Canada must win to be assured of gaining the quarterfinals without needing an extra game in a newly added play-in round.It was, too, for Crosby. Back in 2006, an 18-year-old Crosby was judged to be too young for the Canadian team and got no closer to Turin than his TV set.

VANCOUVER—The roster boasts three players who have been previous Olympians. After a slow start through a chess-match opening period, the Americans turned talent and physical play decidedly in their favor.That and a three-goal lead helped the jitters go away.The United States avoided a repeat of an opening-game letdown. During the 2006 Turin Games, the Americans began with a 3-3 tie against Latvia and never challenged for a medal.Ryan Miller, considered the key to the U.S. chances to reach the podium, made 14 saves. He turned aside the handful of scoring opportunities the Swiss created and complied with rules barring corporate sponsorships by covering the words “Miller Time” on his mask.His only blemish came with 10:15 remaining when a pass attempt by Roman Wick struck the goalie’s outstretched stick and tantalizingly trickled behind him for a power-play goal.With only goalie Jonas Hiller and defenseman Mark Streit as regular NHL players, Switzerland put up some early resistance but couldn’t sustain it. Hiller, Ryan’s teammate on the Anaheim Ducks, stopped 21 shots. He faced only two in the third period.In the appetizer before host Canada faced Norway, the Americans coasted to victory after a fast-paced start. Outside of a few missed connections on some passes, there was no clear evidence they had only one practice before Tuesday.Many fans were decked out in red Canada jerseys, but there was plenty of support for the U.S. and Swiss teams. The biggest cheers were reserved for American forward Ryan Kesler of the hometown Canucks, and Mike Eruzione, who captained the U.S. to Miracle on Ice glory in 1980.Just when it seemed Switzerland might get even at 1, Miller fought off a bouncing puck between his pads and got a rush started the other way. Backes streaked down the left side, cut inside of defenseman Yannick Weber, and used a backhand-to-forehand shift to beat Hiller at 5:52 of the second.The Americans needed only 2:08 more to make it 3-0 as Malone found a rebound of Ryan Suter’s shot and slipped it between Hiller’s pads for a power play goal.Ryan helped set up his goal by digging the puck free during a scrum along the left-wing boards. He then darted to the middle and fired a rising drive that eluded Hiller’s glove with 1:01 left in the first.Ryan, best known for being the player chosen No. 2 behind Sidney Crosby in the 2005 NHL draft, shook off the effects of an earlier hit from behind by Streit in the corner of the Swiss zone. Ryan was still muttering about the crunching blow on the bench.With this tournament being held on an NHL-sized rink as opposed to the traditionally wider Olympic surfaces, U.S. captain Jamie Langenbrunner hit Streit twice during the game’s first shift.The U.S. wasn’t penalized until Joe Pavelski was sent off for hooking at 4:49 of the third. A roughing call against Suter set up Wick’s goal.Four years ago, Switzerland earned surprising victories over Canada and the Czech Republic and could pose an upset threat this time in longtime coach Ralph Krueger’s last year at the helm of the national team.The U.S. will play Norway on Thursday, and Switzerland will have a rematch with Canada.

NOTES—Boston’s Tim Thomas dressed as the backup to Miller over Los Angeles G Jonathan Quick….The Americans’ only Olympic loss to Switzerland was during the 1948 St. Moritz Games. The U.S. is 7-1 against the Swiss, outscoring them 66-19, including a 29-0 victory in 1920.

ARLINGTON, Texas—***Well every thing you heard about Jerry Jones’ new joint here being a monstrosity, is true and then some! This Dallas Cowboys Stadium is indeed massive,and quite overdone. The Bears get to play here some time in the upcoming season. This looks even more like a space ship landed here than even Soldier Field does. The near by Ball Park in Arlington is dwarfed by comparison.

***The weather down here felt even colder than it did in Chicago when I left Sunday morning.

***For those who have been complaining that the Super Bowl half time was too retro with it’s last six years, I say two things: 1)Blame Janet Jackson and 2)Watch the NBA All Star Game halftime show. It was geared for people YOUNGER than 30-the Hip Hop gang!

***As always, the NBA All Star Game featured no defense at all. Derrick Rose,who was a ? mark up until game time, did play 7:47 in the first half,scoring 4 points with two assists-including one to (future teammate?)Chris Bosh.Rose finished the game with 8 points and 4 assists. He should be good to go Tuesday night when the Bulls host New York.

***The East won 141-139 when Bosh nailed a pair of free throws with 5 seconds left.

***Just about all NBA Mascots-including Benny The Bull were here.The record crowd(for any basketball game)was more than 108,000….Dwyane Wade was the game MVP with 28 points on 12-18 shooting,6 rebounds and 11 assists.

***The Blackhawks now are on the Winter Olympic Break after winning their fourth in a row(the last three in a shootout). Sunday they knocked off Columbus 5-4.

***Bobby DePaul has been relieved as Bears personel director. More proof that Coach Lovie Smith wields additional power-for better or worse. Those two have not been on the same page for some time.

LES

COLUMBUS—Troy Brouwer scored in the fourth round of the shootout to give the Blackhawks a 5-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night, sending the NHL into its Olympic break with a flourish.Each team came back from — and blew — a two-goal deficit in regulation.Jake Dowell and Patrick Sharp each had a goal an assist, and Bryan Bickell also had a goal for the Blackhawks, who won their fourth in a row. Patrick Kane, who bounced back to also score in the shootout after injuring a knee in the third period, had the Hawks first goal. Jonathan Toews added two assists.Kristian Huselius had a goal and an assist and scored in the shootout for Columbus, which dropped its second straight. Raffi Torres, Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin added goals.Kane’s goal in the second round of the shootout was matched by Huselius in the third round. After Antoine Vermette failed to score for the Blue Jackets, Brouwer’s forehand shot went high over goaltender Mathieu Garon on the stick side for the clincher.Down 4-3 heading into a wild, chippy, end-to-end third period, the Blue Jackets pulled even on the second of a double-minor penalty assessed to Brouwer. Brouwer jumped to the defense of Kane, a U.S. Olympian, after Kane was leveled on a hip check by Columbus defenseman Anton Stralman that resulted in Kane and Stralman’s right knees slamming into each other. While Kane lay on the ice, Brouwer instigated a fight with Stralman.Tyutin’s hard, rising slap shot from the left point on the power play went off the leg of Chicago defenseman Kim Johnsson for the tying score at 7:58. The teams traded scoring opportunities and punches the rest of third period. Sharp and Torres fought late in regulation, then Dustin Byfuglien had a dust-up with a couple of Blue Jackets, including goaltender Garon after the Blackhawk jabbed at a puck in Garon’s glove.Columbus killed a roughing penalty late in regulation and overtime resulting from Torres’ fight with Sharp.The game will undoubtedly be fodder for discussion on the flight shared by Nash and Chicago’s Toews, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. The Team Canada members flew out of Columbus after the game to make it to the Olympic site in Vancouver.Down 2-0 early on goals by Huselius and Torres, the Blackhawks scored the next four goals.With just over 5 seconds left in the first period, the Blackhawks cut the deficit in half when Keith outbattled Nash for the puck at center ice and then carried it into the offensive zone. He dropped a pass to Toews, who fed Kane for a hard shot from the left dot that sliced inside the far post. The power-play goal was Kane’s 25th of the year.Bickell picked up his second goal of the season and fourth of his career to tie it early in the second from all alone at the doorstep.The Blackhawks then scored twice in less than two minutes. Dowell ended up with the puck after two deflected passes and picked up his first goal of the season from low in the left circle.No sooner was that announced than Toews beat the Blue Jackets’ R.J. Umberger to a loose puck in the right corner, then skated along the goal line before feeding Sharp as he crashed the net.That all but silenced a capacity crowd of 17,673. The fans did revive a bit later in the second period when, on the power play, goalie Antti Niemi gave up a rebound on Huselius’ hard shot and Nash slammed the rebound into the net for his 28th goal to cut the lead to 4-3.

NOTES—Niemi had 24 saves, Garon 33. … Columbus has scored the first goal in its last seven games. … Each team has six Olympians. … The Blue Jackets dropped to 3-1-1 under interim coach Claude Noel. … The Blackhawks won the season series outright for the first time since 2002-03.

EVANSTON—John Shurna scored 22 points, Drew Crawford added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Northwestern rallied from 13 down in the second half to beat struggling Minnesota 77-74 in overtime on Sunday.Down three in overtime, the Wildcats (17-8, 6-7 Big Ten) scored nine straight points to make it 68-62. They also converted 9-of-10 free throws in the extra period and tied the program’s regular season wins record after dropping three of their previous five.Lawrence Westbrook led Minnesota (14-10, 5-7) with 22 points, but the Golden Gophers lost for the seventh time in 10 games and saw their postseason hopes take another blow.Minnesota was leading 62-59 after a 3-pointer by Blake Hoffarber early in the extra period, but Michael Thompson answered with one of his own, sparking the 9-0 run.

CHAMPAIGN—Only a few minutes ticked off the clock Saturday before Bill Cole and his Illinois teammates had seen enough of Ohio State’s 3-point accuracy.But with Jon Diebler and David Lighty each showing a hot hand, the Illini would see a lot more.No. 13 Ohio State used a barrage of 3s, most of them from Diebler, to take an early 21-10 lead before finishing off Illinois, 72-53.The Buckeyes were 11 of 22 from 3-point range, including a 6-for-11 performance from Diebler, who led Ohio State with 18 points. Lighty hit a trio of 3-pointers and scored 17 Evan Turner was just shy of a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.The Buckeyes (20-6, 10-3) held onto a piece of first place in the Big Ten, along with Michigan State. They’ve won nine in a row in the conference and six straight overall.Illinois (17-9, 9-4) lost for the first time in six games and fell a game behind the conference leaders. The Illini took the court Saturday after back-to-back wins over Michigan State and Wisconsin that put them back in the Big Ten title chase.After trailing by one early, the Buckeyes used an 18-6 run to finish the Illini off early.Illinois’ first and last lead (4-3) came just over two minutes into the game on a Mike Davis basket on a fast break.A single free throw from Turner with 17:40 to play in the first half started the Buckeyes on an 18-6 run that gave them a 21-10 lead. Diebler ended the run with a 3-pointer — his second during that span — and the Buckeyes hit five of six shots from the field.From there, the Buckeyes coasted into halftime with a 36-20 lead.Demetri McCamey led Illinois with nine points — nearly seven short of his average.The much talked-about matchup between high school teammates McCamey and Turner turned into, for the most part, Turner’s show. Both went to St. Joseph High school in Bellwood, a Chicago suburb.Turner’s 16 points came mostly in the second half, but eight of his 11 rebounds were in the first 20 minutes and were a big piece of why the Buckeyes led by 16 at the half.McCamey, on the other hand, didn’t hit his first field goal until there was 11:46 to play. Down 49-34 even after the basket, the game was all but out of reach for Illinois. McCamey had nine points and nine assists.Illinois closed within 14 on a short bucket from D.J. Richardson with 14:05 to play, but Diebler answered 15 seconds later with another 3 to extend the Buckeyes’ lead to 46-29.While the Buckeyes shot 53 percent for the game, Illinois struggled with Ohio State’s zone defense. The Illini hit 34.3 percent of their shots and didn’t make it to the free-throw line until 19 minutes had passed.

 GROBBERNET PHOTO GALLERY BACK UP AND RUNNING!!!!!———————————————————————————————–

***After some five frustrating months following the server blowup that cost up the Sound Vault and Photo Gallery, we are happy to report that the Gallery is back up and running. We have a few photos posted in the 2009 and 2010 files,and plenty more will be listed every week until we get caught up! The 2010 file includes some pictures from our week in South Florida for Super Bowl XLIV,and includes a photo of us with star actors ADAM SANDLER, KEVIN JAMES and ROB SCHNEIDER whom we interviewed on the Score.

***To reach the Photo Gallery,simply go to the top of this Home Page and click on GALLERY. Then choose the file you want(only 2009 and 2010 have pictures at this time,but more is on the way. Click on the photo of your choice and it will enlarge.

***The White Sox are having(or have already had, depending on the time you read this)a Friday news conference at U.S.Cellular Field as The Big Hurt FRANK THOMAS will officially announce his retirement after a Hall of Fame career.Big Frank was called up(for good)in late 1990 and went on to a career that saw him bat .301 with 521 homers(same as Ted Williams), 495 doubles,and 1704 RBI’s. He was the American League MVP in both 1993 and 1994. He finished second to Jason Giambi in 2000-and many feel he was robbed on that one since Giambi later admitted using performance enhancing drugs. Thomas also became the first every White Sox batter to homer in an All Star Game(in 1995 at Texas).

***Derrick Rose’s injury which he suffered Wednesday night when he was hammered by Orlando’s Dwight Howard,is not as bad as first feared. Nonetheless,he will be examined Saturday in Dallas by a Bulls physician before he’s cleared to take part in the NBA’s Skills competition, or the All Star Game itself Sunday.

***Speaking of the AS Game, I’ll be broadcasting SCORE OVERNIGHT Sunday evening(at Midnight)from Dallas.

LES

Dwight Howard insisted his intentions were pure, that he was simply trying to block a layup and in no way meant to injure Derrick Rose.It’s just that the lane can be a dangerous place. Particularly when “Superman” is lurking.Howard had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic pulled away early for a 107-87 victory over the Bulls on Wednesday night for their 10th win in 12 games.Orlando led 41-17 through the first quarter and didn’t have to contend with Rose, the Bulls All-Star point guard, after he left with a bruised right hip following the hard foul by Howard in the opening minutes. That was a chilling sight on a night when little went right for the Bulls, and the Magic could do no wrong.They certainly look ready for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, a showdown between the Eastern Conference’s top teams before the All-Star break.Howard had his league-leading 41st double-double, while Vince Carter scored 15 points after pouring in a season-high 48 in a win over New Orleans on Monday. Matt Barnes added 14 for the Magic, who had seven players in double figures.Luol Deng led the Bulls with 23 points, his fourth straight game with 20 or more, but the Bulls never had a chance — particularly after Rose went down, throwing his status for the weekend’s All-Star game into question. Selected to the U.S. national team pool Wednesday, Rose’s day took a drastic turn for the worse almost as soon as the game began. He drove the lane hard for a layup about 2½ minutes into it and got knocked to the floor by Howard, clutching his lower back before slowly rising to his feet. Rose then hit a free throw to complete the three-point play but left right after that.Rose went for an MRI at a nearby hospital after X-rays taken at the arena showed no structural damage and was unavailable for comment. His availability for the All-Star game depends on the test results and how his body responds. That injury also left the Bulls without two of its best players, with center Joakim Noah sidelined by plantar fasciitis in his left foot.There was nothing enjoyable about this one for the Bulls.The Magic followed up a 68-point second half in Monday’s win over New Orleans with their second-most prolific quarter this season.They hit 15 of 22 shots in the opening period, including 11 of their first 13 while jumping out to a 30-11 lead. With a 9-6 lead after Rose’s three-point play, they scored 11 straight to break it open — a layup by Barnes, a 3-pointer by Rashard Lewis and another layup by Barnes capping that run.Carter, meanwhile, hit a 3-pointer and a 16-footer to make it 30-11 with about five minutes left in the quarter. After two free throws by Deng, Howard spun toward the rim for a thunderous alley-oop dunk from Jameer Nelson.

NOTES—The Magic scored 42 points in the opening quarter against Golden State on Dec. 5, when they had 72 in the half…..Before the game, Rose said he planned to soak in the atmosphere and absorb a few lessons at the All-Star game this weekend. “You get to see what the players do on and off the court, with the media, how they treat their fans, and just learn from it,” he said. One thing he won’t do: Lobby the potential big-name free agents to sign with the Bulls in the summer. “If they choose to come here, I wouldn’t mind, to tell you the truth.” …Del Negro said F Taj Gibson will be limited to about four or five minutes per half in the Rookie Challenge because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.