We had to drive to AT&T Park so we could drive across the Bay Bridge on our way to Oakland for the Golden State Warriors game. Since we had time before the 6 pm tip, we stopped for dinner at Everett & Jones BBQ in Jack London Square. This was the same restaurant we ate at on October 1, 2003 in between Giants and Athletics divisional series playoff games.

Beg, Borrow and Deal
My Dad wanted good seats for the Warriors game so I had my work cut out for me. Most …

In a miraculous turn of events, I felt somewhat ok when I woke up Sunday morning for my 8 am flight to Oklahoma City. This was a day that could have turned into a disaster. I was flying solo with the Ultimate Sports Baby to Oklahoma City Sunday morning, attending the Thunder game at noon, then flying back to Chicago Sunday evening. Not many people would take their nine month old son on a trip like this but I had no choice but to continue at this point.
My only savior …

It was supposed to be a quick trip to Dallas and Oklahoma City. The schedule was perfect. Fly Saturday morning to Dallas, attend the Dallas Mavericks game Saturday night, fly to Oklahoma City Sunday morning, attend the Oklahoma City Thunder game Sunday afternoon and fly back to Chicago Sunday evening. Of course, that was my plan alone. Then Nicole somehow convinced me to take the Ultimate Sports Baby with me – “it’s a short trip just like you said”…”plus he flies free”. I fell for her argument.
We landed in Dallas …

Amazingly there was very little traffic leaving Chicago on a Friday afternoon and I arrived in downtown Milwaukee a few minutes before 6:00 pm – meaning I need to find parking, walk to the Bradley Center and buy a ticket quickly.
I parked for free on the same corner (Juneau Ave. and Jackson St.) I did on Sunday of the NCAA Tournament. The walk is far from the Bradley Center but saved me time searching for parking closer to the stadium.
Beg, Borrow and Deal
As I approached the Bradley Center, there weren’t …

It was LeBron James’ afternoon. After losing Game 3 on Thursday night to the Chicago Bulls, there was no way James would come out Sunday afternoon and lose on national television. And perform he did. Not only did he easily make a half court shot at the end of third quarter, he delivered his fifth career postseason triple-double and became the first NBA player to post 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while draining six three-pointers during the playoffs. Many signs around the United Center …

Over the last few years, smokers attending sporting events have gradually been banished from the arena in order to smoke. First, they were removed from their seats. Second, they could no longer smoke in concourses and had special smoking sections. Third, they were required to smoke outside of the stadium entirely. Not only is banning smokers better for all of the non-smokers in the stadium, but the outside smoking sections have definite advantages for all fans – smoker or not.
Case in point was last month when I attended the NCAA …

The NBA Playoff Schedule is set and for the first time since the 1990-91 season the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks are all in the playoffs in the same season. Below are the first round home schedules for each team:
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators:
Friday, April 16 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 18 at 7:30 pm
*Saturday, April 24 at 2:00 pm
*Wednesday, April 28: TBD
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers:
Thursday, April 22 at 6:00 pm
Sunday, April 25 at 2:30 pm
*Thursday, April 29: TBD
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks:
Saturday, April 24 at 6:00 pm
Monday, …

April is one of the best times of the year to attend sporting events. You can attend a different sport every day. Consider my last four days. On Saturday, I attended the Final Four. On Sunday, I went to the Chicago Blackhawks game. Monday, I was at U.S. Cellular Field for MLB Opening Day. And tonight, I went to the Chicago Bulls game – four different leagues in as many days.
Tonight was the last game of the $10 tickets I bought at the beginning …

At first, it appeared the Phoenix Suns would blow out the Chicago Bulls in a game that would clinch the Suns a playoff spot in the Western Conference.  They took an early 12-point lead and were ahead by nine points at the end of the first quarter.  That quickly changed in the second quarter as the Bulls caught up and took a three point lead into halftime.
At halftime, Quick Change performed.  The last time I saw Quick Change perform was this winter at a Northwestern men’s basketball game.  As usual, …

With the wife traveling to Miami, OH this weekend for a synchronized skating competition, I chose to visit my parents in San Francisco – the less of two evils. I had a free ticket on Southwest Airlines to use by May 11 and this was the best weekend to use it.
I landed in Oakland around noon and posted on my facebook page “just landed in San Francisco.” Thirty minutes later a friend of mine, who has Golden State Warriors season tickets, commented “Want some warriors tix for tonight?” …