***Hard to believe it’s been twelve years since the Bulls had ANYONE in the NBA All Star Game,but that streak at last ends in February 14th when Derrick Rose will play for the Eastern Conference at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas. Rose hads been named to participate in the Rookie Challenge,but now gets to perform in the “big boys” game instead, The last Bull in the All Star Game was Michael Jordan in 1998 at Madison Square Garden. MJ was that game’s MVP.

***After two bad losses(at Golden State and Los Angeles(against the Clippers)to start tjheir current seven game Ice Show road trip,the Bulls have won four straight against Phoenix,Houston,San Antonio and Oklahoma City–all better teams than the Warriors and Clippers. Now they face the Hornets in New Orleans Friday night before returning to the United Center against the Clippers.

***The Blackhawks got past the San Jose Sharks Thursday night,but the fact that they blew a 3-0 lead and had to go to overtime before winning 3-2, cost them a chance to tie the Sharks for the most points in the NHL. San Jose got a point just for getting into OT.

***Now the amazingly stupid schedule had the Hawks at Carolina Saturday evening after flying coast to coast.

***The Cubs have done the right thing in agreeing to keep their Spring Training facility in Mesa,Az rather than relocate it to Naples Florida. #1, the Cubs always outdraw everyone else in spring training attendance, #2 there are much more ex Chicagoans living in the Valley of the Suns, and #3 There would be many longer bus trips in Florida while in Arizona, most training camps are within an hour of one another,especially since the Diamondbacks and Rockies are leaving Tuscon after this spring, and will sharpe a new spring training facility in the Phoenix area.

LES