Bulls to honor Kerr on Feb. 10
The Bulls will honor longtime broadcaster and former head coach Johnny "Red" Kerr at halftime of the Feb. 10 game against Detroit.
A star-studded guest list is expected for the ceremony, including Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jim Durham, former NBA teammates Dolph Schayes and Al Bianchi and former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo.
Kerr, 76, has been ill and has not been to a Bulls game at the United Center for a few weeks, but the team is hoping he will feel well enough to attend on Feb. 10.
"I very much appreciate the Bulls hosting a night in my honor," Kerr said in a statement. "Other than my wife and my family, the Chicago Bulls have been the great love of my life. I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to thank everyone."
Kerr's list of accomplishments is as long as it is diverse.
The Chicago native helped lead Illinois to the Final Four, then played 12 seasons in the NBA, mostly for the Syracuse Nationals. He was the first head coach in Bulls history, taking the team to the playoffs in its inaugural season. He held some management jobs before spending the past 30 years on Bulls broadcast team.
West breaks wrist: Cleveland will be without shooting guard Delonte West for an undetermined amount of time after he broke his right wrist in a late first-quarter fall.
West flew in somewhat recklessly trying to block a fastbreak layup attempt by Derrick Rose. After Rose let go of the shot, he ended up knocking the airborne West off balance and the Cavs guard hit the floor hard with his wrist and head. West also suffered a cut above his left eye.
King likes Rose: Bulls rookie Derrick Rose received the LeBron James seal of approval before Thursday's game.
"I have watched him a lot, honestly," James said. "He's a very good talent. They definitely made the right choice on drafting him. He's a special player."
Missing big men: Cleveland has been without center Zydrunas Ilgauskas due to an ankle injury, and former Bull Ben Wallace missed his second game Thursday with a stomach virus.
The last time the Bulls played the Cavaliers (Jan. 2), Wallace scored a season-high 13 points and power forward Anderson Varejao hit for a career-high 26, which prompted some humor from Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro before Thursday's contest.
"I feel very strongly we're going to be able to handle Ilgauskas and Wallace tonight, which is good," he said.
Bull horns: Larry Hughes did not play for the second straight game, while Lindsey Hunter skipped his third straight. - With Ben Wallace out sick, LeBron James jumped center at the start of the game and won the tip from Joakim Noah.