“You’re on the edge…of glory” played as we walked out of Aunt Chilada’s on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Having just watched the Bulls lose to the Sixers by one point. Marking the end of their 2011-2012 season, the year Chicago was predicted by so many to fight Miami for the Eastern Conference Championship. And some went so far as to call them the future NBA champs of this season marked with more injuries than I can ever recall in any given period. Derrick Rose, their reigning MVP missed so many games prior to the Play Offs due to toe, back and groin injuries, most thought the “well-rested” Bull would dominate for the remainder of the games and charge them into victory. The playoffs halting ACL tear that made even the Sixer’s coach Doug Collins want to come out to hug Rose had a stadium holding its breath and all at home viewers with their hands cupped over their mouths in disbelief, then sadness, then anger. NOT FAIR! Many of us wanted to scream to the screens. And some of us did. And still do. Will miss your zig-zaggin’ magic show drives to the basket. Till next season. Hats off to you MVP! 

Then when Joakim Noah sprained his ankle in game three of the play-offs, it was like the dagger after the bullet wound. Kickem while they’re down. Salt in an open ACL torn-wound, I tell ya. And if anyone saw Noah continue to play, hobbling up and down the court for several minutes afterward, bellowing his cry of “Never Say Die” and shooting off his thumb shot gun salute after every great Bull’s play, you just had to applaud the guy for his guts and his gusto. Will miss your center sprinting defence and charisma. Till next season. Hat’s off to you big man!

And what about Luol Deng? I don’t know about you, but in our house we sing a little song that a non-Bulls’ fan introduced one day while hostaged and forced to watch a game with us. It goes a little something like “Deng de de dang de dang de dang dang!!” And we chanted our little ode to Leol every time he lit up the court! Will miss your threes, stellar defense, and athletic drives to the basket. Till next season. Hat’s off to you All Star! Good luck in the Olympics.

And then the rest of the team just filled in all the puzzle pieces to a near perfect picture, despite all the setbacks of the 2012 whirlwind. Each playing a vital role in making them the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.

Will miss your swishing three’s Ashton, I mean Kyle Korver!
Will miss your wild-man facial expressions after a score Taj Gibson! [Gotta love a man whose name rhymes with Raj! Just sayin… ☺ ]
Will miss your block after block stops big man Omer Asik!
Will miss your off the bench sneak up on’em steals Ronnie Brewer!
Will definitely miss your fearless light’em up threes John Lucas III!
Will miss your rough’em up, make some space, soft touch jumpers and turn arounds Carlos Boozer!
Will miss your fancy footwork point guard playmaking magic C.J. Watson!
Will miss your energizer bunny fireworks and crazy curls Rip Hamilton!
Will miss your rookie defensive stops Jimmy Butler!
Will even miss your two minutes all season off the bench of crowd-shouting glory Scalabrine, my favorite redhead Bull. The only red head actually. But the love is all the same!

And farewell my favorite red fuzzy fella, Benny da Bull. Will miss your crazy cartwheels into the crowd too big guy!

Till next season my beloved Bulls. We meet again. And this Chicago Fan will be right here waiting. In New York (oops,) but awaitin! 

For whatever the future holds. 

Cheers to a hard fought, enthusiasm infused, team-invested season. 

Love you guys!

Sincerely,

Rajdeep “Call me Raj” Paulus 

p.s. My favorite color really is RED!! ♡♡♡

**Is YOUR Team Still IN the RACE? What was the highlight of your 2012 NBA season thus far?

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