The Bitterest Big Mac

I won a Big Mac last night, but I didn't want it. To explain...if you attend a Bulls game, and they win with over 100pts, you get a free Big Mac. I would have happily given up that Big Mac for a 7-game win streak however.

A few observations from the 300 level...
1. I sat with the Midwest Rockets group, and it was a blast. Lots of yelling and cheering for our guys. Hopefully they heard us clapping and yelling for them, but we were way up there. We withstood some heckling from Bulls fans, and gave it back. Thanks again to Jose for organizing...

2. I saw the first human wave go all the way around an arena since 1991. Seriously. This guy two sections over was absolutely possessed, and he jumped like a monkey on speed, and shouted and gestured, and finally got people in his section to stand and start the wave. It went around for 2-3 sections maybe 6 or 7 times, dying out each time. But this guy...he just would not let it go. Eventually, the participating sections started booing when the wave died out, and other sections started to notice and join in. Sometime around the middle of the 4th, a tiny wave rippled around the other side of the upper deck picking up speed as it neared again, to the raucous cheers of the initial participants. At some point, the circuit completed, and went around 2 or 3 more times. Incredible. I've seen people try to start a wave at different types of events, but I had not actually seen people take enough interest to participate in a decade. I sounds corny, but it was actually pretty fun.
Sidenote1: The wave started when we had an 11pt lead, and the Bulls began to make a serious run. Connection? Probably not, but still.
Sidenote2: I saw the wave starter guy later in the 4th, and he was still yelling and screaming with maniacal zeal. His glasses were steamed, his face was red and his companions were mortified. He was intense to say the least.

3. Yao Ming was having his way with Brad Miller in the 1st half. I had forgotten he was on the floor in the second half. I know it's been said ad- nauseum, but it should not be this difficult to find a way to get the ball inside to a 7'6" hookshot factory. Come on, Rick, you get paid well to figure this out, and it's been one and a half seasons.

4. To follow this, there was no consistent offensive scheme to be found in the second half. Just us holding our collective breath as Ron Ron took off balance 3 point shots. I think Artest can be an integral part of a winning team, but he has to have a plan to buy into. I sincerely hope this was not the plan I saw executed last night.

5. Derrick Rose is just special. He really took over in the 4th, and there was not much we could do about it with what we had to work with. No knock on Brooks, but Rose got to the rim at will, and put in some tough shots. That floater that finally gave the Bulls the lead was an amazing shot. I was waiting all game for Brooks to blow past Rose and get to the rim, and make him work more on defense. Maybe he would have been a little more tired in the 4th if this has happened. Maybe Rose is a cyborg, fueled by Sour Patch Kids candy, and nothing short of tackling the guy would have made a difference.

6. Someone kidnapped Tyrus Thomas, and replaced him with a look-a-like that could hit open 18' jumpers. He also seemed to want to dunk whenever he caught the ball. Joakim Noah was awake and active for a change. I kept waiting for these two to lose interest in the game and start spacing out, but it just did not happen last night.

7. In retrospect, maybe Chicago had to win this game. The game opening ceremony was a tribute to Chicago Bulls legends, Johnny "Red" Kerr and "Stormin" Norm Van Lier, who both passed away on last Thursday. There was a tasteful and inspirational video montage, and after a moment of silence, the announcer thanked the audience, and his voice cracked a little. Very emotional moment, and possibly an added incentive for the Bulls to dig deep when they were down 18. I cannot underestimate the effect of emotional incentive - See: Dwayne Wade's game last night after he got PO'd.

So I won a Big Mac last night, and oh yes, I went to McDonald's after the game and redeemed the coupon. I ate that Big Mac, but I didn't enjoy it. It tasted like bitter disappointment of defeat, and wasted opportunity.

 

Words cannot describe. The instigator was wearing what had to be his little sister's jeans. They were mustard yellow and looked to be uncomfortably tight. He yelled and hopped around like an absolute maniac. I might have been scared to not get involved if I were sitting near.

Well after the waving had ended, I could see him screaming at the court, vein raised on the side of his head and what might have been a line of spittle between his open lips. I could not look away. The girl sitting next to him was just looking straight ahead blankly, as if she was not there with him. Maybe she wasn't, but either way her body language was saying "OMG."

The wave was actually fun. I tried to ignore it, and hey, I'm here for the Rockets, not to take part in Bull's fans' activity. But the feeling of being part of a collective effort and something larger than the individual is overwhelming. I raised my hands for it twice when it went around. Yaaay, we're blowing our 4th qtr lead! Again!