Heat Check

For the first time in the young year of 2011, Chicago becomes 'witness' to the Holy Triumvirate. No, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit aren't making a guest appearance at Holy Name Cathedral on Saturday. Instead, LeBron, Wade and that 6'10'' left-handed extra-terrestrial roll into Chi-town still yielding the 2nd best record (30-11) in the Eastern Conference (behind Boston 29-9) despite losing two straight to the Clippers and the Nuggets. I repeat, losing to the Clippers and the Nuggets--a perpetual third-tier Western Conference bottomfeeder and a team plagued by more possible trade implications than the ever-strenuous relations between Cuba and United States. Sure, Lebron's ankle/hamstring/ego injury has sidelined him in both of these woeful losses, but this game is still one of the most anticipated regular season contests for the Bulls so far in this season's first half. Perhaps LeBron was trying to prove a point in his absence over the last week, revealing that the Heat are merely lukewarm (no pun intended) without the presence of the most explosive athlete in professional sports. Or, perhaps he's just a yellow belly (it's a tragedy nobody used this term after 1950) who can't grind through an injury for his team. By no means am I a "LeBron hater" and I promise you that I have never uttered the phrase "LeLoser", but I'll still take the latter in this case.

But this game has deeper value for the Bulls than simply one-upping LBJ as an artificial ego boost. It is a chance for the Bulls to show that they can beat both teams that they trail in the conference standings at the United Center. Last week, the Bulls proved they could outlast the Celtics behind a jubilant United Center crowd poised for a promotional Big Mac. On Saturday, they will once again have to rise to the occasion against the most top-heavy team in the history of the NBA (...and that officially marks the first time I've ever used the phrase 'top-heavy' negatively in my entire life, what a shame).

But as Derrick Rose's legend grows with each astonishing fast-break embarrassment of an opposing defender, the Bulls inch closer to becoming a legitimate contender for the Eastern Conference crown. Outside of the City of the Alamo in which the Spurs simply don't lose, and Gregg Popovich never changes facial expressions, the Bulls and Celtics are tied for the 2nd best home record in the NBA at 17-3. But, as well as they've played at home, the Bulls have lost to the Nets, Bobcats and Sixers on the road. If you didn't know any better, you would think that I was rehashing the road results of the miserable Cavaliers, who incredulously failed to score 60 points against the Lakers earlier this week. If the Bulls put one in the W column on Saturday night, even if LeBron is absent from class, it would be a statement win to the rest of the Eastern Conference. Almost a sort of "Bright Lights" (I truly am sorry for this link) welcoming to the spotlight for the new-look Bulls. Just remember the lyrics Rob Thomas so beautifully echoed through the speakers of your parents' Camry in 2004, "If the bright lights don't recede you, just turn yourself around and come on home", we know you can always win there.

As for Pick of the Day, the Pulse Man finds himself in the midst of a 2-bet plunge for the first time in 2011. In order to find a way out of his losing streak, he has put his faith in Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to dethrone the #1 seed in the NFC, or at least cover the 2.5 point spread. Often times, when everyone thinks something is going to happen, it never does (Seahawks surprising Saints last week). But in this case, I think Aaron Rodgers is going to have his "Yes, I have a mustache. Yes, I'm sleeping with Erin Andrews. And Yes, I'm the best damn quarterback in the NFC!" type of game. I don't like the Packers, but he's hard not to like. Go ahead Aaron, show Atlanta the effing belt! Packers/Bears NFC Championship would be incredible. Undoubtedly the stuff that ruins friendships. Da da da, duh da da da....GO PACK GO.

Pick of the Day: Packers (+2.5) @ Falcons- PACKERS

Record:(45-32-0)

Now I'm done. Rack me

Frost