Will Perdue at Bulls Fest

Will Perdue is a very underrated former NBA player. Perdue won four NBA championships.

After being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round in the 1988 draft, Perdue played 8 seasons in Chicago, winning 3 titles with the team. Although he was mostly a backup center, Perdue averaged 4.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Those aren't huge numbers, but considering his role, they were slid.

He was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he plaued four seasons, winning another title. One more season with the Bulls and a last one with the Portland Trailblazers would round out his career. Since retiring, Perdue has stayed active, doing broadcasting work for various outlets.

I met Perdue at Bulls Fest 2025. I was the first person to meet him that day and he talked about my shirt (from The National, a huge sports convention). He talked about being there, meeting fans. Although I was there, I missed him. Anyway, the crowd handler scolded me saying I needed to move on. Then Perdue told him he was talking to me and I wasn't lingering. Score one for Johngy and thank you Mr. Perdue.

Will Perdue and me in Chicago, IL-August 2025.

Benny the Bull Loves Me

One would think mascots would give me more respect, considering my fascination with them. Apparently, Benny the Bull doesn't care.

At Bulls Fest 2025, the Bulls mascot decided to have some fun with me, covering my face. I must admit, it is an improvement. In all fairness, he also did a regular picture with me.

Benny (or his great grandfather) debuted in 1969, becoming the first live NBA mascot. Over the years, there have been a few versions of Benny, with the current one was introduced in 2004. No matter the version, Benny is regarded as one of the most popular mascots. Some rank Benny at the top of that list.

At Bulls Fest, several former Bulls appeared for meet-and-greets. They all attracted large lines, but the biggest might have been for Benny, as kids and adults wanted pictures with the big red bull. Lucky for me, I had a media pass and didn't have to wait long. You know I would have waited though. I can't pass up a mascot.

Benny and me in Chicago, IL-August 2025.

Eddy Curry at Bulls Fest 2025

Chicago-area native Eddy Curry was a star high school basketball player. Nicknamed "Baby Shaq," he had a lot of eyes and pressure on him.

His hometown Chicago Bulls selected him in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2001 NBA draft. Curry played four seasons with the Bulls, never playing up to the projected potential. He followed that with five seasons with the New York Knicks, and off season and one more each with the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks.

In 11 seasons, he played 527 games, averaging 12.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. That's a solid NBA career. The perceived problem is he did not live up to the hype. Perhaps he would have been better not playing for the Bulls. Maybe his status was overrated. It's hard and even unfair sometimes to ask why a player did not live up to expectations.

Maybe Curry was just meant to have a nice NBA career. He played 11 seasons and made more than $70 million. On its own, that is a major success. I don't care about his high school scouting report. I just see a successful NBA player.

At BullsFest 2025, I met Curry. He was extremely engaging and seemed to enjoy interacting with fans and even us annoying press members. Actually, I pretty much took off my press hat and just talked to him a bit about being a local star. Ever humble, Curry just thanked me for being a fan and knowing his career.

Eddy Curry and me in Chicago, IL-August 2025.

Finally Meeting Chuck Swirsky

I have an interesting hostroy with Chuck Swirsky, dating back to 1988. Earlier this year, I finally got to meet him and get a picture with him.

Back in my early days with Lerner Newspapers, we promoted at a lot of neighborhood fests. For one fest, we had a big cardboard of our front page with a big cutout for fun pictures. Then a WGN broadcaster, Swirsky was appearing there, too. I handed him the cardboard and he graciously posed for the photo below. It was the coolest pic we ever got with that thing, but of course, I received no credit.

Fast forward many years, Swirsky published his autobiography. I emailed him about a Zoom interview and within days, we had it done. What a thrill for me. He is such a class act. That interview is at On the Beat with Chuck Swirsky.

I missed a few promotion appearances from Swirsky, but kept hoping to meet him. Finally when I saw he was appearing at Bulls Fest, I had my chance.

At a booth hosted by Autograph1 and Mitch Dubinsky, Swirsky was selling his bobbleheads, which benefitted Chicago Bulls Charities. I bought one for my lifelong pal and fellow Swirsky fan Tom and finally got my picture with Swirsky.

A broadcast veteran of more than 45 years, Swirsky is a true sports talk radio pioneer. Even better, he is a class act. A man of faith and love for his family, Swirsky is such a positive guy.

Thank you, Chuck! Thanks for years of listening pleasure and finally a picture.

Chuck Swirsky and me in Chicago, IL-August 2025.

Friendly Encounters

This is a weekly feature highlighting friends who have met celebs.

Today is a very special Friendly Encounters.  It features one of my classmates through 8 years at Sacred Heart school.  Back then, she was Mary Jovanovich.  Now she is Mary Brazzale, mother of two teenagers.
Mary was Class President in 8th grade and voted "Most Athletic" by our class.  She was well-liked by all and was funny, friendly, smart and everything you'd want in a classmate friend.
We went to different high schools, but I would see her around the neighborhood occasionally.  Unfortunately after high school, I lost track of most of my Sacred Heart classmates, including Mary.
A few months back, several of us reconnected on Facebook.  It was great to see Mary and her family. 
Mary and her family are big Hawks fans (her husband got to hold the Stanley Cup!).  At one of the games last season, Mary ran into Bill Wennington (who won some titles with the Chicago Bulls a few years back).  Mary was gracious enough to share the photo here.
I appreciate Mary sharing her photo here.  I can't believe so much time passed, but I am happy to see that Mary is doing well.

Mary Jovanovich Brazzale and Bill Wennington in Chicago, IL-May 2010.

John Paxson Salutes Literacy

This recurring series spotlights the Literacy ad series I ran while at Lerner Newspapers.

When an old blowhard of a GM handed me the Newspaper In Education (NIE) program to run, I was not happy, but I had no choice. I also had no budget, no resources and virtually no help. I started to run a series of ads in our newspaper to promote the program. (Even that was a hassle in our troubled company.) Still, I forced the issue and got the ad series going.
I solicited well-known Chicagoans to appear in the series. I knew this would raise awareness and it did. The series was quite successful. I am still amazed at some of the people who appeared.
John Paxson is a Chicago sports legend. The Chicago Bulls won three straight championships with Paxson sharing the backcourt with Michael Jordan.
Paxson is perhaps best known for his game (and series) winning shot in the 1993 NBA Finals. Paxson sank a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns with 3.9 seconds left to give the Bulls the lead and their third consecutive title.
After Paxson retired, he has been an assistant coach, an announcer and held various executive positions for the Bulls. While he hasn't enjoyed the same success he did as a player, Paxson's place is well-secured in the history of the Bulls.
The ad design for this was simple, yet effective. Paxson was pictured making his big shot and as the Assistant Vice-President. The duality conjured thoughts of success, progression and contrasting roles, along with simply being visually appealing. In retrospect, maybe we should have added three small NBA trophies in the lower left white space.
Adding Paxson (and his three NBA titles) was excellent for the ad series. He is a highly recognizable champion.

Reading is invaluable because it inspires our thoughts, ideas and imagination. To pick up a good book or to read a favorite author is one of the true joys in life.
--John Paxson as quoted in the NIE ad series in 1994

RIP:Norm Van Lier & Johnny Kerr

A few months ago, I posted about meeting Chicago Bulls legend Norm Van Lier. Sadly, today I am posting about his passing.
Van Lier was unique. He was old school, yet very hip. He was flashy and colorful, yet he was ferocious on the court. Van Lier was a real treat to meet and I am glad I had the chance a few years ago.
I remember Van Lier as one of the anchors on the Bulls of the 70's. After retiring Van Lier coached briefly at Mt. Carmel High School before becoming a media personality on several different radio and tv shows. Van Lier always was direct and always was entertaining.
Unfortunately, the Bulls organization experienced another death Thursday. Johnny 'Red' Kerr, the original coach of the Bulls and their long-time broadcaster passed away.
I never met Kerr, although he did sign some cards through the mail for me. Everyone who has met Kerr, has great tales to tell. He spanned 5 decades with the team and multiple generations with the fans.

(Bob) Love is Here

I have never met Bobby Valentine. Nor Ellis Valentine. So representing this special day will be former Chicago Bull All-Star, Bob Love.
Bob Love was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in 1965. After failing to make the roster, he spent time in the Eastern Basketball League. He went on to play 2 seasons in a reserve role before being selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the expansion draft. After playing less than a season in Milwaukee, the Bucks traded Love to the Bulls.
In Chicago, Love became a 3 time All-Star, while averaging at least 19 points and 6 rebounds per game for 7 seasons. These were the glory days of the 70's for the Bulls.
Love split the 1976-77 season between Chicago, the New York Nets and the Seattle Super Sonics. Love retired after that season. Eventually, Love's #10 became the second jersey number to be retired by the Bulls (Jerry Sloan's #4 was the first).
As great as Love's career was, more impressive is the fact that he overcame a stuttering problem after his career ended. He was washing dishes in a restaurant until the owner offered to pay for speech therapy classes. This resulted in Love's second career with the Bulls. Love is now Director of Community Relations and also a motivational speaker.
Those Bulls teams of the early 70's will always be special to me. Sloan, Norm Van Lier, Chet Walker and Love were the heart of those teams. Nobody had more heart than Bob 'Butterbean' Love!

Bob Love at the Harlem-Irving Plaza in Norridge, IL-early 2009.

Stormin' Norman Van Lier

When I was growing up, the Chicago Bulls had some pretty good players, but never could get into the title picture. Jerry Sloan, Bob Love and Chet Walker were 3 of the brighter stars. Of course, I did not mention a center, which is probably one reason why they never really challenged for a title. I also didn't mention a pretty good guard, who is one of my all-time favorites.
Norm Van Lier (aka Stormin' Norman the moving Van Lier) played parts of 7 seasons for the Bulls. Van Lier was often flashy (in dress and on the court), but he is certainly old school. His intensity and passion come through clearly when talking to Van Lier.

Norm Van Lier and me at AU Sports in Skokie, IL-mid 1990's.