Revisiting The Impact Toni Kukoc Had On The ‘90s Bulls

The great thing about the early ‘90s is that the internet was still in its infancy, access-wise. While Toni Kukoc’s name was already a staple in Europe basketball, he entered the Bulls lineup in 1993 with barely anyone in the team knowing who he was. Even coach Phil Jackson had only seen him play a few times.

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But the 24-year-old southpaw Croatian was quick to show his star play, ushering in the first great era of international players in the NBA. By 1996, after just three years with the team, he became a crucial cog in the Bulls second three-peat. He earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1996 and ended his Bulls career the same time Jordan did, a three-time NBA champion in his own right.

With the 6’11’ Kukoc providing outside shooting from the bench, Bulls had no shortage of firepower. Great court vision and passing were his forte, and his tall frame didn’t hamper the Bulls’ speedy play. True, the Bulls made him play away from his strengths in his initial years, but when things were not so good in 1997 with Scottie Pippen sidelined for the first half of the season, it was Kukoc who delivered for the Bulls.

Toni would go on to play for three other NBA franchises in the twilight of his NBA career and retire in 2006 after 13 seasons. But his impact on the Bulls’ charmed second series of championships will not be forgotten by both Bulls fans and management. In fact, in 2015, Kukoc would return to Chicago as a special adviser to the team president.

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Hi there, my name’s Jon Bunge , and I’m from Chicago. Though I’m currently based in San Francisco for my studies, I’m a true-blue Chicago sports fan. Visit this blog for more of my write-ups on the Bulls.

Post-Competition Rest And Recovery Tips

After a game, it is important for athletes to take some time to rest. Especially after a series of games, finding the time to replenish their energy is a must. Here are some tips to ensure that athletes get the right kind of rest after a game:

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Get physical therapy

Whether it's a deep tissue massage, cupping, or foam rollers, it's important to rid the body of lactic acid. It's also a great way to relax. The body needs to feel comfortable after being pushed to the limit, and every athlete deserves some TLC. If you've got more time, dip into a hot tub and let off some steam.

Do other workouts

If you're an athlete, you might have a particular workout for your sport. Your body might associate this with stress or work so after a competition, it might be best to do other routines like yoga, running, or hiking. These activities are also a great way to clear the mind for better focus.

Sleep tight

Use dark curtains, turn off your alarm, and make sure your bed is comfy. Getting extra hours of sleep after a stressful week can do wonders for your mind and body. Before jumping back into training, indulge a bit and oversleep. If you've been experiencing sleepless nights prior to the big game, dedicating a day to catch up with sleep can restore your body's circadian rhythm.

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It's alright for athletes to indulge themselves a bit. On most days, they push their minds and bodies to the limit, so they deserve the luxury of rest and recovery during their downtime.

Thanks for reading my blog. I’m Jon Bunge from Chicago. I am currently living in San Francisco for college where I am pursuing a degree in sports science and physiology. Even if I’m far away from home, my loyalty belongs to the sports teams of Chicago. Visit this page for updates.

The most devastating injuries in NBA playoffs history

Whether you’re a fan or a hater, nobody wishes for an injury to happen to a player, especially during the playoffs. The course of the series will dramatically shift when it happens to key players. 

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Let’s take a look at the most devastating injuries in NBA playoff history: 

Kyrie Irving, 2015 

When Irving went down in the in Cleveland’s first game of the NBA finals against Golden State, the Cavs had to face the Warriors without their key players Irving and Kevin Love. The Warriors went on to win the championship, and the Cavs had to wait another year to get their first title. 

Derrick Rose, 2012 

Rose was the reigning MVP, and the Bulls were the top-seeded team in the East. It seemed possible for Derrick Rose, the youngest ever to be named MVP, to lead the Bulls to their 7th championship. That hope was shattered when Derrick Rose injured his knee. He recovered from that injury, but his explosiveness and agility were never the same. 

Kahwi Leonard, 2017 

Warriors vs. Spurs was a matchup that fans have been waiting for all season long, and it finally happened in the Western Conference Finals of the 2017 Playoffs. The Spurs had the early lead of 20 points in the first game and Leonard was a force on both ends of the floor. He injured his ankle when he landed on Zaza Pachulia’s foot. 

He was taken off the floor never to return for the rest of the series, and the Warriors rallied on and swept the series. 

Image source : bleacherreport.net

Hi there, my name’s Jon Bunge. I’m a sports science student from San Francisco. I originally from Chicago. Follow me on Twitter for more updates.

Safety Touchdowns: Preventing Football Injuries

American football is a billion-dollar industry. It has a loyal following that generates revenues throughout the year. It is also one if not the most beloved sports in the country. We all have seen the most exciting plays during which roughhousing becomes a regular approach to the game. Even if we see all of those as manifestations of the kind of friendly competition we want to think ideally exists in sports, the fact remains that a considerable chunk of yearly records of sports injuries, from minor gashes to major brain damage, are from the world of football.

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The most usual football injuries can be classified based on certain categories. Overuse injuries pertain to various back pains because of too much practice. Training is an essential part of the sport, but overdoing it can lead to serious problems. Muscles and bones must have ample recovery time to function well in succeeding activities. Exhaustion from the heat during training sessions can also bring about dire consequences if not addressed immediately.

More serious injuries include concussions and trauma. A blow to the head can leave one unconscious for a time. Headache, dizziness, nausea, and other symptoms are usually observed from people who have suffered from it. Knee injuries and ankle sprains result from the types of movements involved in football.

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Preventing these injuries require adherence to set training programs and other standard operating procedures. A player must ensure the body’s preparedness before the play by following regular conditioning guidelines, from stretching to hydration, and procedures like physical exams to determine one’s readiness. Standard protective equipment must be correctly worn. First aid must always be ready for a more efficient administration of preventive measures in case of an emergency.

Jon Bunge here. I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois, but I decided to pursue college in foggy San Francisco, California. As a sports fan, my goal is not to become an athlete but to be a sports scientist. The body can be trained to exceed its limitations, and I’d like to help athletes reach their peak mental and physical capabilities. To know more about my inclinations, follow me on Twitter.

First Aid: What to do to a Sprained Ankle

Most of us, especially those with active lifestyles, had had to deal with ankle sprain. Unfortunately, many of us don’t know what to do when it happens. And worse, we thought we knew what to do but ended up making the injury worse.

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Here are things you need to do to a sprained ankle.
To do:
You’ll know you have sprained ankles when these three things happen to your ankle: pain, swelling, and skin discoloration. There are things you can do in the first 24 to 48 hours to help alleviate pain and begin the healing process.
1.Rest.
2.Protect the injured area.
3.Use crutches or other assistive devices needed to help immobilize.
4.Compress, but not too tight.
5.Elevate the injured part above the heart to prevent inflammation.
6.Apply ice for 15-20 minutes at least every 2 hours.

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If your sprain doesn’t get better in the next two days after doing this, you should schedule an appointment with your physician so he can properly examine the extent of the injury. He may order an X-ray if there’s a chance you’ve broken a bone.
Never try to walk or shake off your injury in the hopes of pain going away. It will only make your injury worse. As soon as you experience this injury, take a rest.
My name is Jon Bunge, I’m a student taking up sports science and physiology in San Francisco. I’m a Chicago native and a big fan of our sports teams! Follow me on Twitter!

Chicago Football: The Best Running Backs in Bears History

When you think of Chicago Bears running backs, the first name that probably comes to mind is Walter Payton. Payton is not only considered as the greatest Bears running back but also the greatest Bear to ever play the game.

The Bears are known for their deadly running game. So, here are the top 4 greatest Bears running backs of all-time.

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Gayle Sayers
Sayers played 6 seasons for the Bears, he ranked 4th in the Bears running back history. He had 991 rushing attempts for 4956 yards and 39 touchdowns. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry, which is the highest by any running back in Bears history.

Rick Casares
Rick is ranked 3rd. He played 10 seasons for the Bears and rushed 1,386 times for 5,657 yards. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry. When he retired, he held the Bears rushing title.

Neal Anderson
Anderson currently ranked 2nd in rushing yards. Anderson rushed for a total of 6,166 yards on 1,1515 attempts with a total of 51 touchdowns. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry.

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Walter Payton
Walter Payton is the leading rusher in Chicago Bears history and is considered to be the greatest Bear of all-time. He held the record at 16,726 yards rushed (2nd in NFL history in rushing) in 3,838 attempts. He had 110 touchdowns and averaged 4.4 in yards per carry.
 
Hi there, my name’s Jonathan Bunge. I’m a Chicago native and now currently living in San Francisco. Visit my page to get more updates about my favorite team, the Chicago Bears.