Reinsdorf brings Chicago pro teams together in effort to combat violence in city
The Chicago Bulls are among five Chicago professional sports teams that joined together in an effort to combat violence in the city.
The Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs and White Sox announced the plan Wednesday, which includes a $1 million donation to three different groups that are working to solve the issue.
"Chicago is our home. This is the greatest city in the world. Collectively, we need to work together to preserve it, and now is the time for us to double our efforts," Bulls and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.
"While we understand that as sports teams we don't have all of the answers to solving such complicated issues, we do appreciate the incredible position of leadership that we are fortunate to hold. We have a responsibility to give back to our city and to all of our fans who have given us their hearts and cheers."
The three groups selected for grants are Choose 2 Change, the University of Chicago Crime Lab and analyst training for the Chicago Police Department's Strategic Decision Support Centers.
"The credit for this should go to Jerry Reinsdorf, as it was his idea," Bears chairman George McCaskey said in the statement. "We are all doing things already with our own teams, but it was his vision to bring everyone together to collectively have a greater impact.
"The monetary factor is important, of course, but we are also hoping because so many of our great fans and so many young people look up to our players that we can have an impact that way. If we can get through to them in some way, we can send a positive message about making our city better."
Bulls change lineups:
The Bulls tend to start and finish games with two different lineups.
Nikola Mirotic. David Nwaba and Bobby Portis have been frequent finishers during the seven-game winning streak, but none of them started Tuesday night.
The reason, coach Fred Hoiberg said, is simple: He likes both lineups.
"The thing that I look at is we've gotten off to great starts," Hoiberg said before Tuesday's contest. "I think it's nine of 11 now we've had leads after the first quarter, so I like how that group is getting us out of the gate."
The Bulls got off to another quick start Tuesday, jumping to a 12-0 lead before settling for a 31-24 edge after the first quarter.
"There's going to be opportunities to get those guys rest," Hoiberg said, "but I like the way we're getting out of the gate, and that's a credit to our starting group."
LaVine makes progress:
Coach Fred Hoiberg said Zach LaVine's back soreness has subsided and the injured guard should be ready to join practice the next time the Bulls have one.
Hoiberg said LaVine was planning to go on the road trip to Cleveland and Boston. LaVine, who tore the ACL in his left knee last February, is expected to make his Bulls debut next month.