And this is what they mean by being a professional athlete.
You get compliments from Victoria Secret super model Marissa Miller, instead of restraining orders and blasts to the jaw from her Michael Duncan-sized security guard.
I’m speaking of Derrick Rose, of course, who was recently named Chicago’s sexiest athlete (take that, Aaron Gray).
Miller said Rose had “long eyelashes and gorgeous eyes.”
Rose, with all his humility, said she looked good too. According to most Google searches, it appears Rose is telling the truth.
Nevertheless, the point of the story is: It’s good to be good at what you do for a living…particularly when you play in the NBA. And we see that’s Rose’s celebrity is growing.
While it’s doubtful that Miller knew who Rose prior to this contest, it’s clear that national media is taking him more seriously. The bigger higher-minded question is whether they’ll take the Bulls more seriously.
(Searching on Google right now....and…no).
There are so many questions than answers, nevertheless, here are few lessons I’ve learned from the preseason:
1. Vinny DelNegro needs a new haircut: I think Pat Riley and Rick Pitino have the market cornered on slick-hairdos and it just doesn’t work for Vinny. I’m thinking something short cropped, understated and modest.
2. Joakim Noah definitely lifted weights this year: No, seriously he did. He looks the part with thicker arms, chest and shoulders. More importantly, he’ll need to show that his lower body strength has improved where he’ll have to hold his ground when boxing out. He got pushed around a lot by Dwight Howard in the recent game against Orlando (who doesn’t) but if Noah wants to take that next step, this season looks like it will be the one.
3. Noah is a far better basketball player than Tyrus Thomas: It needs to be said. Remember when these two clowns would do nothing but compliment each other and bob around aimlessly on the court, ignoring Jim Boylan? I do. And one of them apparently knows their place on the court.
4. We deserve a healthy year from Derrick Rose: We have been deprived of seeing his maturation this preseason and we’ll continue to watch a careful Rose in the coming weeks as he fights this nagging injury. One thing is certain, if he’s hurt all year, coming on and off IR, than this team will be near unwatchable.
5. They have no true offensive threat. John Salmons is not a prototypical two guard, and while I like his ability off the dribble, this offensive is structured around Rose off the pick and roll.
6. Taj Gibson and James Johnson are going to matter this year: I thought it was a waste of a draft pick on Gibson last June, but the preseason has proved me wrong. Gibson has a smooth jump shot that’s reminiscent of a young Joe Smith. He’ll need to put on weight to compete at the power forward in the NBA. James Johnson looks like the better talent but you can tell he’s not sure what his role is in this offense and where he should be standing on the court. It looks like he lost weight since the Bulls drafted him.
The season starts in the week, and maybe we’ll feel better about the outlook of the season.
For now, Marissa Miller remains the highlight of the preseason.
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