January 1, 2021: Promise

I did it. The first time I wrote the date, I still used 2020; I wonder how many more times that will happen. Yep, it’s a brand new year… 2021, and although technically it’s just another day, like what’s the difference between yesterday and today, the calendar tells us it’s a new year and that means renewed hope. I hope 2021 is great for everyone. Like the start of any new sports season, there is promise; anything can happen. Coming off the year that was in 2020, this year, yes I’m going to use the word… again, 2021 is unprecedented in terms of promise. I’m feeling positive…

The Bulls gave us a nice end to 2020 beating the Washington Wizards again. Sure, it was the Wizards, but for a young team with a new coach, we have to get them however possible. Poor Westbrook… a triple double in every game and no wins; what does that mean? Don’t really care about the Wizards, but this one was a pretty entertaining game. I always like the New Year’s Eve game. We’ve attended those in the past; it’s a nice way to kick off the holiday. Nobody attending games yet, but it was still nice to settle in and watch the game with the family, chomping on a charcuterie board. Do you know what that is? First time I heard that term, but the trays of meat, cheese, grapes, pretzel chips, and chocolate that my wife put together were damn good. So good that everybody got full before the main course.

Let’s start off with Zach. I’ll start off the new year saying something I’ve said many times before, he needs to take better shots. From what I’ve seen, he has done some of that so far this year; he still takes those bad ones though. I get it if the shot clock is running down, and hate when he just dribbles for 20 seconds before chucking one up, but I get those. Fine. Yet coming down court, with no reason to rush, with a lead, and just raising up taking a contested step back three… I can do without those. I guess this is why the offense has been scoring so many points; is the strategy just shoot at will? I’d rather get the wide open shots, the shots in rhythm. I like the fact that the Bulls have been passing the ball more; the assist totals are up… I really like that; that’s coaching, and that’s promising.

One thing I like about sitting down watching a full game, which doesn’t happen often, is listening to Stacey. I swear he said the same thing I said at least a half a dozen times. He knows his stuff. I like when he does the breakdown. Kind of like Eddie O on the Hawks broadcast, you learn stuff by watching him, especially on the defensive end, where the Bulls need the most improvement. He doesn’t dog players out, but he does point out mistakes… and rightfully so. But Stacey keeps it positive too, and I love that. Who would want to listen to, and for that matter read, some Debbie Downer aka Joe Cowley every game? Not sure if you seen the back and forth between those two… Cowley is a joke. Stacey is the man!

Looking into the New Year, it would start with a trip to Milwaukee; well mark that a loss. I’m as positive as anybody, but that game was as close to hopeless as you get. And yes, the Bucks handed it to us; we’re not ready for that yet. This is why we need to beat all those teams we’re supposed, which isn’t many, and all those teams we’re in the same ballpark with. Do that, and it will be a good year; do it not, and it will be frustrating. Go Bulls!