I am often asked why I love the Chicago Bulls as much as I do. So many people believe its because I jumped on the Michael Jordan bandwagon, and while he is a small part of the reason it honestly isn’t like that. It was 1988-89 when I was first introduced to the Bulls. My older brother Scott was watching them play and I was fascinated with how he was mesmerized sitting in front of the TV. It wasn’t the same as watching a small child watch cartoons or a teenage boy trying to watch porn through the squiggly lines on the blocked channels. It was something more than that. It was almost like he saw something nobody else did.
I would sit and watch him from afar, for fear of being chased out of the room if I got to close to him, because that’s what older brothers do to younger siblings. One night while he was watching a game I made the mistake of asking a question. Although I thought it was a mistake it ended up leading to one of my favorite childhood memories.
“Who is that guy?” I asked.
As soon as the words left my mouth I felt a chill run down my back because I knew it would mean a thrashing of some sort. But it never came.
“Who?” he replied.
I thought it was a trick to just get me closer to him so he could swipe at me without having to move, but I walked over and pointed at the screen.
“That guy, number 23, who is he?”
He cracks a smile and said, with almost a proud look in his eyes, “That’s Michael Jordan!”
I had no idea who Jordan was, but I responded back with an “ohhhh ok” like I knew exactly who he was.
Seeing through my clever ruse he smiled a bit and then something magical happened, he began to teach me about the game of basketball. Feeling such a huge need to make him proud I watched every Bulls game I could and started retaining every bit of basketball knowledge.
Its been 25 years and to this day I still love basketball, and even more so, the Chicago Bulls.
Scott has been gone for almost 3 years now and there isn’t a day that passes that I wish I was back in Brielle, NJ circa 1989 sitting on the floor watching the Bulls play. As a Bulls fan I want them to win 100 more championships, but no matter how much I want them to win they will all be slightly tainted because he is not here to enjoy it with me.
So there you have it. This is why I’m insanely passionate about the Bulls and will be, for the rest of my life.
Talkin' Shit 
Its so amazing how many memories you have with your brother. He’s with you always and in so much of your daily life ypi feel him. You guys mean so much to me and Scott will always be dear to me, as are you. I love you very much.