Chicago Bulls coach Jim Boylen is easily the worst coach in the NBA. But let’s take a look back through time to find out why Boylen is the worst coach in the history of this team.
When the NBA All-Star Game came to Chicago last a couple weeks back, there were no Chicago Bulls players on either roster. It was one of the most intense All-Star Games in recent memory, but there was no superstar on the court to represent the Bulls.
It was nice to see Chicago as the setting for the NBA’s biggest weekend and to see all the celebrities that came to the city to be a part of things. It stings for Bulls fans that their hometown team was an afterthought all weekend.
The Bulls haven’t been good for several years. Their recent history has been particularly bad as they tried to tank and failed. They now exist in a weird state of basketball limbo where they hope to gain relevance by somehow sneaking into the bottom spot of the NBA Playoffs.
The team was supposed to start turning things around this season. Although it wasn’t a popular choice with the players, Head Coach Jim Boylen was going to start this season still leading this team and hoping to inspire them to take that next step.
Coby White is the first rookie in @NBA history to score 30+ points in three consecutive games coming off the bench. pic.twitter.com/5zyweqs19c
That obviously hasn’t happened as the team sits at 20-39 currently. After a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, the Bulls aren’t in playoff contention and also are unlikely to have a high draft pick.
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Still stuck in that basketball purgatory, it’s unclear what the Bulls will do this offseason.
Let’s take a minute to go over the reasons why Boylen is the worst coach in Bulls history while looking back at some other Bulls coaches that challenge him for the title.
ST. LOUIS, MO – FEBRUARY 25: Patrick Kane #88 and Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a goal by Keith against the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center on February 25, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The ChicagoBlackhawks continue to fall in the standings but Duncan Keith’s 100th career goal is something to be proud of.
The Chicago Blackhawks were in Missouri for their first game after the trade deadline against the St. Louis Blues. The Blues are the defending Stanley Cup Champions along with sitting at the top of the Western Conference. They are good and there is no way around that fact. The Blackhawks played them well but ended up falling 6-5. They got the Blues to play their offensive-minded game and still lost.
One note from the game that is considered a positive one, is the fact that defenseman Duncan Keith scored his 100th career goal. That is an incredible milestone for a two-way defenseman. It was a power-play goal assisted by Jonathan Toews. Keith has been sitting on 99 goals for a bit here so getting that 100th goal off his back is great to see.
Keith has been one of the pillars for this franchise forever. Keith’s 100th goal is with 504 assists for 604 points in 1131 games. He has a Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, two Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenseman, and of course a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. He is without question going to walk into the Hall of Fame one day. You can make the argument that Keith is the best defenseman the Blackhawks have ever had.
As mentioned before, Keith’s goal was on the power play. That was one of three power-play goals for Chicago. As everyone knows, the Blackhawks power play is awful. They are dead last in the NHL but seeing them score 3 against the West’s top team is good to see. It is too little too late but going into next year, it would be cool to see them improve that area of their game.
Keith and the Blackhawks have yet another extremely tough game ahead of them. On Thursday night, they will be in Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts had a rough start to the season but now they are right where we expected them to be all along, one of the best teams in the NHL. They really don’t have any flaws so once the playoff games start, they just need to execute. This is going to be a tough game as Chicago tries to end a long losing streak to Tampa Bay.
As the ChicagoBears met with the media on Tuesday, head coach Matt Nagy made it clear 2020 was going to be different.
If you watched the Chicago Bears press conferences on Tuesday, there seemed to be something different regarding head coach Matt Nagy. Unlike 2019, where Nagy seemed upset over the Bears playoff exit at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, on Tuesday, it seemed like Nagy was optimistic for the Bears future.
Despite being asked a variety of questions, it seemed like Nagy has also done some self-reflection over the last eight weeks. Since the end-of-season press conference in early-January, Nagy has made changes to his coaching staff and while he’ll still be calling plays in 2020, seems like he’s ready to give more responsibilities to his assistants.
This is significant since in 2019, Nagy ran the show and everything started and ended with him. However, upon hiring Bill Lazor and John DeFilippo as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach this offseason, he’s got one goal in mind: Fix the offense and fix Mitchell Trubisky.
While many do not want to see Trubisky starting in 2020, Nagy will roll with him in week one and for a good reason too. He took the Bears job two years ago knowing that he would need to develop Trubisky and turn him into the Bears franchise quarterback.
Besides Trubisky, Nagy has hired assistants that will be in charge of figuring out what was wrong with the offensive line and getting the running game back on track. The Bears backfield in 2020 is expected to be headlined by Tarik Cohen and David Montgomery, with Montgomery being a featured running back.
Too often in 2019 did Nagy and the Bears abandon the run early in hopes of Trubisky carrying the offense with a pass-first philosophy. While this succeeded a few times, it wasn’t enough to get the Bears to the playoffs.
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With 2019 now in the rearview mirror, Nagy seems like he’s ready to take a different approach to his football team. While he’s still establishing his identity for what he wants the Bears to be, he’s going into 2020 knowing that he could be on the hot seat if expectations aren’t met.
A lot will change between now and the beginning of the 2020 regular season but for now, Nagy seems to have turned a new leaf. But even then, he’ll have to show it for people to believe it.
Traffic resumes on a section of Lake Shore Drive after being closed for more than an hour Wednesday because of thick smoke from a fire downtown.
Wooden pallets caught fire about 1:40 p.m. at a construction site in the 100 block of North Harbor Drive, according to Chicago police and fire officials.
The fire was out by 1:54 p.m., fire department spokesman Larry Merritt said.
Inbound and outbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive were closed between Madison and Illinois streets because of smoke from the fire but were reopened by 3 p.m., police said.
For a city with so much history, Chicago is no stranger to ghost stories or creepy adventures. We’ve picked out 10 of Chicago’s spookiest spots for your paranormal pleasure. These are Chicago’s most haunted places.
Graceland Cemetery
Built in 1860, Graceland Cemetery is the final resting place for some of Chicago’s most notable people, such as George Pullman, Marshall Field, John Peter Altgeld and Jonathan Ogden Armour. There have been reports from visitors and workers of a little girl playing in the cemetery on rainy days.
Congress Plaza Hotel
Built in 1893 to help house the influx of visitors to the city, this hotel was frequented by visitors in mobs and it is believed to have been the site of many gruesome cries. It was named the most haunted place in Illinois by Travel & Leisure. Pro tip: Room 441 receives the most security calls.
The Drake Hotel
Though there were plenty of notable visitors at The Drake Hotel over the years, it seems that it has also experienced some notable crimes. For example, the unsolved murder of Chicago socialite, Adele Born Williams. Ghostly apparitions have been reported to be haunting the halls of the hotel.
Site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
Al Capone ordered a hit on Irish mobster George “Bugs” Moran, which resulted in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. This was one of the bloodiest days in Chicago mob history, and those who lost their lives are said to still roam the area.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Couch Place (The Alley of Death)
Located in downtown’s theater district, over 600 people lost their lives in a fire caused by a stage light sparking during a theater production in 1903. There have been reports of an unusually cool breeze, apparitions and sounds of whispers while you walk down the alley, making it one of the most haunted spots in Chicago.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Camp Douglas
The area between Cottage Grove Avenue to King Drive and 31st Street to 33rd Place is where Camp Douglas used to sit. It was a camp for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, where many of them died from starvation and disease. Maybe you’ll see an apparition of a soldier while you’re in this haunted Chicago spot.
Photo Credit: The Green Mill Facebook
The Green Mill
Not only is The Green Mill an iconic cocktail lounge in Chicago, it is also said to have played a part in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre because of its association with Al Capone and other gangsters. Employees have claimed to hear odd noises and see things move mysteriously.
Photo Credit: Jane Addams Hull-House Museums
Jane Addams Hull-House
This settlement residence in Chicago is located on the west side and was a place for early arriving immigrants to stay and get acclimated. Jane Addams, the woman who ran the house, was the first to report paranormal activity from inside the walls. The room where she reported the most activity, is actually the room in which she died.
Photo Credit: All That’s Interesting
Site of Eastland River Disaster
On July 25, 1915, the SS Eastland steamship capsized on the Chicago River, trapping over 2,500 passengers on board. Many of the nearby buildings were used as makeshift morgues for the recovered bodies, and visitors of the area have reported ghostly sightings on the riverwalk.
Photo Credit: Rosehill Cemetery
Rosehill Cemetery
As the final resting place for many Civil War soldiers and historical Chicago figures, Rosehill Cemetery has a chilling vibe that is hard to deny even just walking by. Moaning and the rattling of chains can be heard from inside this cemetery’s walls.
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This list of one-of-a-kind Chicago bars highlights sometimes classy, sometimes divey, but most of the time, quirky experiences. And quirky isn’t bad; if anything, Chicago will show you how to do quirky effortlessly. Bring a friend and beam with pride for Chicago as you explore your city’s most unforgettable experiences—with a drink in hand, of course. These are the bars to visit to have the best night of your life in Chicago.
Photo Credit: Facebook
The Signature Lounge at 96th | 875 N Michigan Ave
Perched on the 96th floor of the Hancock Tower, just off Michigan Avenue, is the Signature Lounge. Although this tower of delights is in a tourist setting, the overall experience does not disappoint. At this particular famed Chicago attraction, specifically on the 94th floor, you can admire the architecture on the 360 Observation Deck or even dare yourself and participate in The Ledge Experience (for thrill-seekers!). However, for those of you who are thirsty and would like a quieter evening, venture on up to the 96th floor. Here you’ll find some of the most spectacular views of all Chicago all the while enjoying a strong drink. You’ll never want to take your eyes off the vastness of Lake Michigan or the glitter of Michigan Avenue.
Pro-tip: Ladies, go to the bathroom. You won’t believe the view of Chicago.
Photo CredIt: Bunny Slope Facebook
Bunny Slope | 15 E. Ohio St.
While Chicago doesn’t have a ski-lift (or ski-mountains… or ski lodges), Chicago’s River North neighborhood does have a retro-chic ski-lodge perfect for any special occasion. Bunny Slope is a throwback from the 1960s ski-lodge, complete with cabin-decor and a cozy fireplace. Did we mention there’s a hot-tub as well? Splish-splash with your bubbles and enjoy this eclectic atmosphere with top-notch beverages!
*Note: Bunny Slope is reservation-only for parties of 20 (maximum). Make some friends at our other bar options to make Bunny Slope your go-to party haven.
Big Joe’s 2 & 6 Pub | 1818 W Foster Ave
Probably the most dive-y of places for a one-of-kind experience but don’t let looks deceive you; Big Joe’s 2 & 6 of Ravenswood Manor is the home of Turtle Races! It’s like the Kentucky Derby, but with turtles and domestic beers… minus the hats, horses, and mint juleps. On Fridays, Big Joe’s transforms its beloved pool table into a race-track for our reptilian friends. Spectate and cheer for your turtle or even make it a team sporting event for you and your friends!
Photo Credit: Happy Camper
Happy Camper Old Town | 1209 N Wells St
This may be the future of millennials, especially when we age: brunch-themed pizzas, boozy morning drinks, twinkly-lights with neon, and brunch bingo. Nursing homes (or wherever we end up) are going to be lit and trendy. All joking aside, Happy Camper in Old Town has a fresh interpretation of bingo. Give a little, get a little, and score some while you play this famed-game of chance. All proceeds benefit a local charity so be sure to bring the $10 suggested donation. Feel good about your brunch this Sunday and maybe you will realize your potential as a bingo-badass.
*Note: Happy Camper’s Brunch Bingo starts at 1:30 pm every Sunday – be sure to arrive early!
Photo Credit: SafeHouse Facebook
SafeHouse Chicago | 60 E Ontario St
Whether you’re Agent 007, Evelyn Salt, or Agent Scarn from Threat Level Midnight, SafeHouse offers a whimsical, mission-like atmosphere, complete with undercover events, “in-spy-red” drinks, and shareable cocktails. River North’s not-so-secret spy-themed bar is ideal for those in groups or on dates who want to flex their prowess of perception all the while enjoying a beverage (or sharing one). Come later in the evening and explore the lounge’s nooks or ignore the imminent mission and dance the evening away (in other words, do the Scarn!). With all the events SafeHouse offers, you’re sure to have fun and look good while doing it.
Photo Credit: Replay Lincoln Park
Replay | Lakeview, Andersonville & Lincoln Park
With various locations across Chicago, Replay has managed to create a one-of-a-kind relaxed environment for those who want to play their favorite arcade games of yesteryear with a craft beer or cocktail in one hand. It’s like the ultimate adult playground. Throughout the year, Replay also redesigns the bar into a “pop-up.” From Spongebob to Harry Potter or Rick and Morty, Replay brings its best self for you to experience your favorite fictitious worlds while playing Skee-ball and enjoying their beverage. With the novelty of a pop-up-themed bar and all the games of your childhood in one place, you’re sure to think you’re in arcade heaven… or Hogwarts….
Photo Credit: Kingston Mines Facebook
Kingston Mines | 2548 N Halsted St
Established in 1968, Kingston Mines in Lincoln Park is an unforgettable evening for any jazz and blues connoisseur alike. Kingston Mines has two rooms and two stages so you have twice the opportunity to savor the melodies, hum to the harmonies, and tap to the riffs. Kingston Mines has been a staple for Chicago, being the longest-running blues and jazz club here. A perfect combination of riffs, raffs, and old-time friends- Kingston Mines brings you an evening of approachable yet top-notch entertainment, complemented by strong drinks and homestyle cooking (BBQ and okra!). Feed your soul and your stomach!
Photo Credit: The Revel Room Facebook
The Revel Room | 1566 N Milwaukee Ave
Specifically on Monday nights, The Revel Room hosts Industry Night karaoke. This is unlike other karaoke’s in Chicago — primarily because of the juxtaposition that is The Revel Room. First, you’re in Wicker Park, which is unapologetically hipster. But then, the decor of The Revel Room is that of the Victorian era (imagine these massive, leather booths paired with ornate light fixtures and dim lighting). Then, to top it all off, The Revel Room’s creative and friendly bartenders craft well-balanced classic cocktails while belting out Celine Dion… So, here’s the deal: weekends, The Revel Room is your typical Wicker Park old-time-y feel bar with a DJ. However, on Mondays, there’s a karaoke session, in which the emcees and bartenders all join in the fun. It’s quite the experience where you’re included as a spectator, performer, and friend.
Singing Hall and Oates or watching turtle racing? Enjoying classy drinks in a skyscraper or in a retro-chic ski-lodge? B-I-N-G-O: you can have it all at any of these Chicago bars!
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Plurnt up, Chicago! From glovin’ to shufflin’ and everything in between, rave in some of the greatest EDM clubs in Chicago. Kandi Kids and Rave Bunnies unite for the nights that never quit!
Photo Credit: Sound-Bar
Sound-Bar | 226 W Ontario St
This bi-level River North bar is a staple for EDM aficionados as well as fashion-forward Chicagoans and visitors alike. Imagine you’re in a dark space, with loud music, beats, and then occasional flashes of lights in a show. It’s as if you’re in a literal soundbar, which is partially true. Enter: River North’s Sound-Bar. The first level, or main stage, is for electronic music – come here for acclaimed DJs. If EDM isn’t your group’s favorite music genre, send them downstairs to the second floor, which focuses more on throwbacks and hip-hop tunes and remixes. Sound-Bar brings a whole new level to the going-out experience in Chicago, such that you’ll feel like you’re at Spring Awakening (just inside!).
Photo Credit: Spybar
Spybar | 646 N Franklin St
Basements have never been so elevated! Take your evening to new heights at Spybar. Find yourself in the beats and lose yourself in the lights while you dance the night away. Spybar is the ultimate lounge and bar for connoisseurs prog, trance, and house music. Order a strong drink, watch the lights, and en-trance yourself into a melodic evening.
Photo Credit: smartbar
smartbar | 3730 N Clark St
Do you like to stay up until the wee hours of the morning dancing to the drop and the bright lights? How does 5 am sound? Get your PLUR on at smartbar in Wrigleyville. smartbar brings a lot to the dance floor for you and friends- including a disco ball, lights, and national/international DJs. With a capacity of 400 dancers and fist-pumpers alike, smartbar pairs the beats with strong drinks and reasonably priced shows (free on Thursdays, $15 after midnight on weekends). Be smart about your night in Wrigley: skip the snapback and go to smartbar.
Photo Credit: PRYSM Nightclub
Prysm Nightclub | 1543 N Kingsbury St
Three cocktail bars, two dance floors, one unforgettable evening *cue the beat drop.* Home to Pretty in Pink on Wednesday evenings and host to famous DJs (Louis the Child, for one), Prysm Nightclub brings an edgy flair to the edge of Chicago’s quaint, Kingsbury Street. Also, they have lasers so be prepared for an unrealistically bright evening. Keep up the tempo and drops going — if you can — until 5 am on Saturdays.
Above a famed country-style establishment in River North, is Tunnel (ironically not in the basement). Go up the stairs and follow your heart’s true desire: beat drops and LED lights. Tunnel has created a high-energy atmosphere that’s even, gasp, sultry. Complete with massive tufted-lounge seating and intricate light fixtures (that sync up to the beat!), Tunnel harnesses the music’s energy and inspires dancers, shufflers, and light enthusiasts to get PLURNT!
Here’s to your evening full of PLUR, kandi, and lights!
Since 2004 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of ChicagoMusic to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place.
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Formed in 2017, art-rock ensemble Je’raf arrange bits of hip-hop, jazz, funk, and postpunk into whimsical, progressive jams. All seven members (they’re split between New York and Chicago) play in similarly animated, eccentric bands outside the group too–bassist and vocalist PT Bell is in art-punk unit Blacker Face, for instance, and vocalist Brianna Tong fronts jazz-fusion group Cordoba. On Saturday, February 29, local labels Amalgam and No Index release Je’raf’s rambunctious and politically charged debut album, Throw Neck. That night they celebrate with a headlining set at Hungry Brain; Udababy opens, and tickets are $10.
Morrissey’s swerve into reprehensible political gibberish, mediocre albums, and lackluster live shows over the past 20 years has left many sweet and tender hooligans reaching for their Smiths albums far less often than they used to. Local electronic musician Nicky Flowers has a solution: a covers project called the Smynths, which recently dropped the charming EP The Smynths Return. It seems bound to offend the famously synth-averse Mozzer: Flowers turbocharges Johnny Marr’s melodies with a raft of ringing keyboards and glorious vocoder-assisted crooning. Giving offense is the point–the Smynths are “dedicated to psychically destroying Morrissey,” Flowers says. “Johnny Marr was the Smiths, 100 percent.” Shots fired! Due to prohibitive licensing costs, the Smynths aren’t on any streaming services, but the EP (and a 2018 self-titled full-length) are available via Flowers’s Bandcamp.
Justin Samuel Martin (of indie-rock group Automata) makes stylistically loose indie-pop as Otherly, with occasional help from his friends–Automata front woman Rachel Sarah Thomas, for example, adds luscious vocals to recent singles “Nadia” and “Leave.” Both those tracks appear on Otherly’s debut album, Darkling, which drops Friday, February 28. Otherly plays a free release party that night at the Whistler. v
ARTIST: Shawn Reed SHOW: American Dreams Records showcase featuring Forest Management, Jordan Reyes, Civic Center, and Itsi at the Hideout on Wed 3/4 MORE INFO:Shawn Reed/Digital Sting
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Because the media landscape has changed, your support makes everything we do possible.
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