We Talkin' About (a New Place to) Practice

The Bulls may be on the road, but that's not stopping them from making big announcements at home.  Making good on the plans they revealed early in the offseason, the organization unveiled plans for a new practice facility next to the United Center.  The spot currently known as Parking Lot J at the UC is where the new building will sit.  The project, which will be completely funded by the Bulls, is expected to be completed for the beginning of the 2014-15 season.  Other plans to build an entertainment complex near the arena haven't been finalized because funding would require a tax break.  I'll touch on that issue more as it moves forward.

Jerry Reinsdorf says it was Mayor Rahm Emanuel's idea to bring the Bulls' practices to the city from Deerfield, home of the current practice facility, the Berto Center, which the club plans to sell.  I have to admit I don't know everything about Emanuel's policies or his accomplishments since taking office, but I'm glad he's played an active role in this decision.  He must have carefully observed the success the Blackhawks have had in practicing at Johnny's Ice House, which I walked past after attending my recent Bulls game.  It only makes sense that both United Center tenants conduct all operations in the same vicinity.  Why it took both teams until their arena was 18 years old to finalize this arrangement is beyond me.  It's a lot better than having to fight rush hour traffic to get to games from the northern suburbs, something Bulls players have done for 20 years.  That's why they and the coaches are glad this will soon become a thing of the past.

Not a lot of time to celebrate this new development.  The Los Angeles Clippers are awaiting the Bulls fresh off their victory over the Heat.  This will be a tough test, but even if the Bulls lose, it will still be fun to watch one of the most exciting teams in the league.