Derrick Rose led the Bulls on a fastbreak and hit Rip with a nice alley-oop pass which he caught and turned it into an easy mid-air layup.

@KCJHoop: Rip has cleared waivers. Sounds like he’ll be at #Bulls practice on Thursday after 2/$10M deal is finalized.

I’m thinking Rip is going to have a nice rebound year in 2012. Last season he averaged only 14.1 points per game, the second worst average of his career. With him starting and in the Chicago offense he’ll be closer to his career average of 17.7. The reason being they need a guy who can hit shots from the outside to open up room for Derrick Rose.

What he’ll enjoy even more is that members of the Bulls want him on the team, especially his friend Carlos Boozer.

“He always has been a great competitor and winner,” Boozer said. “If he did come, that would be a great addition. I’ve admired his game for a long time.” (Chicago Tribune)

Grant Hill has his free agent Final Four, according to sources: the incumbent Suns, the Clippers, the Bulls and the Knicks. Each provides its own opportunities. (David Aldridge – NBA.com)

What I’ll do is just list each team and what they can bring.

Phoenix – Well he’s played there for a few years now and thanks to team trainer Aaron Nelson he’s been on the court for all but three games. After the disaster in Orlando, he’s got to love that. According to Aldridge, Hill also really likes to play with Steve Nash. There’s one big factor that can’t be overlooked his former agent, Lon Babby is the teams president.

Chicago – They had the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2010-11 so they obviously give Hill a chance to win that elusive championship. On top of that the team is a defensive juggernaut, only giving up 91.3 points which was good for second in the NBA. One of Hill’s strong suits is defense but with a team that good, he can just blend in instead of having to always guard the other teams top players. Something he’d have to do with the …..

New York Knicks – The Knicks were the third worst defensive team last season giving up 105.7 points. So yea, Hill would most likely be asked to guard the other teams leading scorer night in and night out, which would take its toll on him. On the flip side, he’ll be getting to play with Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire. A third wheel with them could catapult the Knicks to an Eastern Conference leader. Knicks also offer Hill the New York market. A place where he could easily make a lot of extra money in endorsements.

Los Angeles Clippers – They’re a young up and coming team that could use some real veteran leadership. That’s something Hill could provide and he’d get to play with the most exciting guy in the NBA, Blake Griffin.

Personally, I think he’ll wind up back in Phoenix. The Bulls have to worry about Derrick Rose, while the Knicks are still trying to save money for next years free agent class. The Clippers could outspend the Suns but at this point in his career I doubt money is what Hill is after.

All I can say is at least Rose was smart enough not to be behind the wheel. About time a celebrity or athlete used their head huh? Wait did he use his brain there??? He did get in the car with a drunk driver. Hmmmm.

“It’s very sad, but everybody knows it’s not our fault,” Rose said Saturday in Chicago. “If it was up to us we’d be out there playing. I think that is wrong and I know they could easily take care of it.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

“They (the owners) aren’t thinking about anything that we’re saying,” he said. “They’re not taking into consideration (anything) that we’re trying to give them. We’re just going to have to see how it goes.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

Like I said no surprise that he blamed it entirely on the owners. The lockout itself, I’d say yes it’s their fault they locked the players out. But when it comes to the stalemate in negotiations both sides deserve blame. I’m not going to go into a rant about the lockout and who deserves blame.

The purpose here is to show that the players aren’t helping their cause by saying stuff like this in the media. If they want to take the higher ground and make the fans think they want to play then they need to SHUT UP!!!

As a fan I don’t want to hear who is at fault and how much you want to play. If you wanted to play as bad as you say then you’d accept the owners current offer and get back on the court BUT this is a business. By holding strong in their demands they’re showing that they care about their money first, not playing the game.

So Rose and other NBA players, don’t say things like you did today. Us fans don’t care, we’re smarter then you think and see through it all. We just want to watch basketball..

Good thing is the better league aka the NCAA starts shortly. Once that happens without an agreement you all are an afterthought.

Los That Sports – Hank Williams Jr. Records Song Ripping FOX & ESPN
Unathletic Mag – Video: Awesome High School Pep Rally FAILS
The Hot Glove – Kenyon Martin Is Mad At Someone And Hopes They Get Full Blown AIDS
Gunaxin – Under Boob : Better Than Cleavage?

Sweater Punch – Matt Barkley Shows Us Lineman’s Funny Thong Dance
Image CPR – Video: Antelope Takes Out Mountain Biker
Midwest Sports Fans – The 2011 Falcons: Disappointing On The Field, In The Stands
Sharapova’s Thigh – Behind The Scenes Of Derrick Rose’s “The Bull” Commercial For Adidas

Camel Clutch Blog – Bad Pro Wrestling Gimmicks Hall of Fame: Akeem, the African Dream
Unathletic Mag – Jaguars Cheerleaders Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness
Lakers Nation – Kobe Bryant Wishes He Could Play With Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony
Guyism – Alicia Sacramone tears Achilles as Brady Quinn rushes to be by her side

The Celts, according to sources briefed on Boston’s thinking, have joined their conference rivals from Chicago in pursuit of Cavaliers swingman Anthony Parker.

The pursuit by both teams makes plenty of sense as Parker is a playoff tested veteran. His skill set would be a huge addition to any team, especially in a reserve role that he’d most likely hold with both teams. He’s a well rounded player, offensively and defensively.

On offense he can shoot the rock, including 40% from behind the arc as well as being able to dish the rock (just under three assists per game). On defense he can rebound and has a knack for making the timely steal. Any true playoff contender would love having a bench player who can do all of those things.

The Cavaliers know how valuable a player like that could be to a playoff team so they want something of value in return.

The Cavs are seeking a quality draft pick or a young big man with promise in exchange for Parker, who’s averaging 11.5 points and shooting 47 percent on 3-pointers in February.

Unfortunately, I don’t know if Boston or Chicago would be willing to pay such a price. Neither really has a young big man that they could offer up. A draft pick on the other hand is doable; would either be willing to give up their late first rounder?

I know you guys are thinking great, I’ll expirement with ya.. Well, she is single now she recently split from her long time boyfriend Macaulay Culkin so maybe you all have a chance. Well, actually I doubt any of us do but hey in the meantime enjoy some sports links and some pics of one of the hottest actresses on the market today.

Hugging Harold Reynolds – Rachael Ray: Huge Sav Rocca Fan
Ted Williams Head – Antonio Pierce Says Players Should Begin Strike During NFL Playoffs
Foul Balls – Carlos Boozer Seems Kind Of Pissed
Arrowhead Addict – Vince Lombardi Playoff Pep Talk

The NFL Chick – Video: And The Rex Ryan Jokes Continue……
Babes Love Baseball – Dan Uggla Gets Five-Year Deal from Braves
Unathletic Mag – Offseason NFL QB Carousel Should Be Interesting
PSAMP – Ben Roethlisberger = AFC Offensive Player of the Week

Larry Brown Sports – Floyd Mayweather Jr. Heckled by Manny Pacquiao Fans While Shopping
Gunaxin – How Are You STILL An NFL Head Coach!?
Total Pro Sports – Russian Under-20 Hockey Team Kicked Off Flight After Night Of Celebratory Drinking
Sportress of Blogitude – Yellow Ledbetter: Ex-CFL QB Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison

Terez Owens – Jayson Werth Caught Sleeping With Chase Utley’s Wife
Ted Williams Head – Gilbert Arenas Craps In People’s Shoes
Celtics Life – Why does Joakim Noah hate KG so much?
NESW Sports – My Grandfather, Ted Williams, Veterans Day, and Baseball

Rumors and Rants – Is Jose Reyes On The Trading Block?
Unathletic Mag - In Case you Missed NFL Cheerleaders in Costume
Sports by Brooks – ESPN: MSU Coaches Leaked Damning Cam Calls
Hugging Harold Reynolds – God, I Love Joakim Noah

Arrowhead Addict – Don’t Panic: Five Reasons For Chiefs Fans To Remain Optimistic
Guyism – Serena Williams has interesting workout attire
Lake Show Life – Lakers Need to Make a Statement in Denver
The Sports Bank – Jenn Sterger Finally Meets with NFL Regarding Favre Situation