ratemallet93-blog

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Chicago streamlines process that ‘hampered’ developers ability to build affordable housing

Chicago will update and revise the way it directs federal money for affordable housing making it easier for developers to apply for tax credits.

On Tuesday, the city released a new Qualification Allocation Plan (QAP), which details the application process that developers must follow to get Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).

The tax program incentivizes building affordable rental housing and is responsible for 90 percent of the country’s affordable development, according to the Illinois Housing Department Authority (IHDA).

While the IHDA has said Illinois’ program has been successful, Lightfoot doesn’t fully agree. In a statement, the mayor’s office said the inconsistency and lack of transparency had “hampered” developers ability to financially plan for projects in previous years.

“By creating a more efficient system, we are ensuring that creating affordable housing is more predictable and more streamlined for both developers and advocates, and ultimately more impactful in addressing the needs of our families and our communities,” Lightfoot said in a statement.

The new plan includes changes and rules that make affordable housing projects easier to get off the ground. It focuses on directing $60 million affordable housing resources to areas of the city that are most in need.

Developers will now get an estimate of how many housing credits are in the round and the number of awardees that can receive the funding. It will also indicate specific locations, building types, and affordability levels that the city is prioritizing.

In addition, the QAP will coordinate the application process with Chicago’s Continuum of Care which is a government organization that provides housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.

Developers must also guarantee 30 years of affordable housing. Projects can also now average lower- and higher-income units in the property to meet requirements.

In the early stages of a project’s application, there won’t be a requirement to demonstrate support from the community or alderman.

A new QAP with selection criteria and available credits will be released by the Department of Housing (DOH) every two years—the next one coming in June 2021. Previously, the city issued credits every two or three years.

“Housing is the backbone of a healthy, safe and prosperous city and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is our most significant resource for creating more affordable housing in Chicago,” said DOH Commissioner Marisa Novara. “This new QAP promotes transparency and predictability in the development process and also communicates the city’s affordable housing policy intentions to the development and advocacy communities.”

Currently, developers and residents can give feedback on the new QAP for the next 30 days by emailing HousingDevelopment@cityofchicago.org. The final draft will be released on Monday, September 9.

Source: https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/8/6/20756987/lightfoot-affordable-housing-chicago-application-lihtc

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Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Saturday 3/2, 2:05 CT

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Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/3/2/18244088/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-brewers-saturday-3-2-2-05-ct

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Dog shoots owner while hunting in New Mexico

A 74-year-old man is in the hospital after a bizarre hunting accident involving his own dog.

"He was done, there's no doubt about it," said the man's son, Mark Gilligan. "I can't say enough about the Sheriff's deputies, because without them my dad was dead."

KRQE-TV reports, Sonny Gilligan regularly takes his three dogs, Charlie, Cowboy, and Scooby, hunting for jackrabbits near Las Cruces, New Mexico.

But on the latest trip, Sonny says he was sitting in the truck with his rifle in the back seat when Charlie's paw got caught in the trigger.

The gun went off, and the bullet went through the seat, hitting Sonny in the back.

Luckily, he managed to call 911.

Mark says, even though Sonny was shot by his dog, he has already forgiven him.

(Copyright ©2018 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.)

Source: https://abc7chicago.com/pets-animals/dog-shoots-owner-while-hunting-in-new-mexico/4604981/

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Elevated above the ‘L’

Blue Line going down into the subway towards the Logan Square station.

This shot was slightly difficult because there are two controls on the remote control that I have to handle with the same hand: The first was the camera tilt and the second was the rotation. I think I can move the camera tilt function to the other dial. I only tried this shot twice, and this was the second one. It’s not perfect; there’s a hiccup after the rotation has finished and I didn’t tilt the camera up as soon as I would have liked.

The hot air balloon I used to get this shot is the DJI Mavic Pro.

Source: http://www.stevencanplan.com/2018/06/elevated-above-the-l/

[ratemallet93-blog]

Mariners send Colome to White Sox for Narvaez

The Seattle Mariners continued their cost-cutting Friday, sending reliever Alex Colome to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Omar Narvaez.

Colome has 96 saves in six seasons with Tampa Bay and Seattle, earned $5.3 million this year and is eligible for salary arbitration. The 29-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2016 and became the first Rays pitcher to lead the league in saves in 2017 with 47. He was dealt to the Mariners last May.

The Mets are close to a deal with the Seattle Mariners that would send Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to New York in exchange for prospects, according to reports.

Colome was used as a set-up man by the Mariners and had a 5-0 record and one save with a 2.53 ERA in 47 appearances. .

Narvaez, 26, batted .275 with nine homers and 30 RBIs in 97 games for the White Sox and will make the league minimum in 2019.

"Omar has quietly developed into one of the tougher outs among catchers in MLB, his contact and on-base skills are welcome additions to our lineup," general manager Jerry Dipoto said in statement. "The fact that he is also under club control through 2022 made him a great fit for our club."

Narvaez, a left-handed hitter, will replace Mike Zunino, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month.

Also Friday, the White Sox declined to offer contracts to outfielder Avisail Garcia and Matt Davidson, allowing the pair to become free agents. And they agreed to a $1.55 million, one-year deal with outfielder Leury Garcia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25419112/seattle-mariners-get-catcher-omar-narvaez-chicago-white-sox-reliever-alex-colome

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Cash Considerations Podcast: Wendell Carter Jr. is everything

Ricky and Jason are back to talk about a 1-4 week for the Bulls. We go in-depth on the great light in the Bulls’ dark world that is Wendell Carter Jr. Other topics include: a check-in on Zach LaVine’s offensive efficiency, praise for Antonio Blakeney, and the Jabari Parker experience. There’s bonus talk about Ricky’s trip to watch Duke-Kentucky and the state of the tank race.

And good news, Cash Considerations is officially on Stitcher and Google Play. Pending approval on iTunes and Spotify.

Source: https://www.blogabull.com/2018/11/8/18075552/cash-considerations-podcast-wendell-carter-jr-is-everything

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Will lower fares reverse declining ridership on the South Side’s Metra Electric District?

A long-discussed plan to extend the Red Line south isn’t the only plan in the works to bring affordable mass transit options to Chicago’s Far South Side and suburbs. A recent bill introduced by State Representative Marcus Evans, Jr. is looking to give Metra’s Electric District a boost by slashing fares within Chicago city limits to levels competitive with the CTA.

The move would see prices fall from the current levels between $4 and $5.50 down to $2.50, reported the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday. “We would look forward to working with Rep. Evans and others to determine whether doing this is feasible and affordable,” Metra spokesman Michael Gillis told the newspaper. The proposal would also allow riders to board using their Ventra cards.

Evans’s proposed legislation isn’t the first move to lower prices to attract more riders on the south side and burbs. Last year, the railroad tested a pilot program offering reduced fares at some of the Chicago stations along the Metra Electric’s Blue Island and Main Line branches.

Increasing ridership carries extra urgency after Metra released the preliminary findings of a systemwide station optimization study this spring. It identified 117 “underperforming” and “unsustainable” stations—many on the Far South Side—that could face closure if numbers don’t improve. The board is expected to formally adopt the study’s findings at a meeting on May 15.

Amid a steady string of price hikes, Metra saw overall ridership fall by 9 percent between 2014 and 2018, according to the Tribune. Of all of its lines, the Metra Electric District was the hardest hit—dropping more than 18 percent during the same period.

A bill to lower fares might reverse the trend, but perhaps not be enough to offset the reduced ticket revenue. The shift may also steal riders from the CTA at a time when the agency is trying to secure the $2.3 billion needed to extend Red Line south from its newly completed 95th Street to 130th Street, noted the newspaper.

Curbed Chicago Newsletter

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Source: https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/5/7/18535707/metra-electric-ridership

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Go Vote! What Millennials Are Doing To Get Their Peers to Vote

It’s election season in Chicago!

Cue the political rallies, fundraisers, candidate forums, corporate endorsements, big money ads, pompous rhetoric, mudslinging, petition-signing, yard signs, and –– for young people –– a constant reminder that they better vote. But have youth heard—and acted upon—that message?

The upcoming elections are clearly a serious matter. The gubernatorial election features two billionaire candidates who have both had their share of nationally publicized controversies.   Both candidates have also spent unprecedented amounts of money on their campaigns (early in the race, ABC 7 reported that the candidates were spending $300K a day on their campaigns.).  Important measures on the ballots include: term limits, paid vacation, marijuana legalization, and minimum wage.

The November ballot is as significant as the previous ballots, but there is something unique about the current Chicago political climate. For almost a half-decade Chicago’s young people have been protesting a variety of issues –– laying bodies on concrete against police brutality, taking trips to the Illinois legislature to question the absence of a state budget, emphatically chanting about education during rallies at the Thompson Center.

Will there be a transition to the polls? Absolutely, according to several organizations that are committed to pushing Black millennials and generation-Z to the polls:

  Good Kids Mad City

Good Kids Mad City (GKMC) originated after high school students across the country led national walkouts following the Parkland shootings earlier this year. Named after rapper Kendrick Lamar’s classic work “good kid m.A.A.d city,” the group’s Twitter bio reads “We are Black and Brown young people united in fighting to end violence in our cities. We call for more resources to underserved communities.” GKMC identifies voting and electoral politics as integral in acquiring the resources needed for violence prevention. In addition to waging protests that highlight gun violence, the youth-led organization has taken the streets to canvass Black communities in hopes to raise consciousness around voting.  These street canvassers attempt to have registered voters sign voter pledge cards –– cards symbolizing a registered voter’s commitment to vote.

Chicago Votes

Chicago Votes is an organization dedicated to informing and training young people in learning the basics of democracy, primarily in electoral politics. The organization is responsible for voter registration drives for young people in Cook County and Chicago and pushing a Voting Rights Bill for the incarcerated (HB4469) into Springfield. They advocate for three key aspects in voting:

County jails and election authorities must collaborate in creating a process that ensures that pre-trial detainees can cast their ballot during elections.

The Illinois Department of Corrections and each county jail must provide eligible citizens released from their custody a voter registration application.

The Illinois Department of Corrections to provide citizens released from their custody detailed information about their voting rights.

Governor Rauner vetoed the bill after it passed both chambers with bi-partisan support.

Despite the governor’s veto, Chicago Votes is still churning out effective voter education programs and civic engagement events for the millennial voter. “Millenials are at a point that they have the power to decide what politicians look like,” says  Erica Nanton, a Chicago Votes Community Engagement Manager. “I’m not just talking about the color of their skin. We’re talking actually influencing culture. We can decide on their style of dress, how they talk, and what they talk about. Millennials have the power to completely shift this dynamic.”

Nanton points to the Chicago Votes “Give A Sh!t” campaign as a testament to a reimagining of political engagement for younger generations. The campaign brings civic engagement and political discourse to popular and nonconventional events.  “Why can’t we engage politically at a party?” questions Nanton. “Why can’t we have conversations on voting at places where we want to be? One of the reasons many young people do not participate is because the political ether is boring and stuffy.”

The “Give A Sh!t” campaign brings politics to unexpected venues like streetwear fashion shows, music concerts. and happy hour at bars. “Give A Sh!t” even partnered with the Chicago’s Women’s March for a “Parade to the Polls” event that featured live performances from local Chicago musicians. “This is our time for us to create the world we want to live in,” says Nanton.

Level Up & Vote

“You have to meet the people on the block and speak their language because they feel disconnected to politics,” says Chantal Grant, co-founder of Level Up & Vote. “I try to continue the work of Josie Childs and so many others before me. They would be trying to push our people to polls at my age because there are important issues that need to be addressed.”

Level Up & Vote is a Black-led initiative that aims to bring untapped Black voters to the polls, especially the young voter. The organization partnered with WVON to host a Thursday night radio show highlighting young voices airing their grievances about politics but also informing Black audiences of civic engagement; this is one of  its many collaborations.

“We like to be intergenerational in our approach because the young people should set aside ego and listen to wisdom,” says Grant.  “But elders need to know that we’re going to be the ones who lead our people into a new world.”  As an example of its intergenerational approach, Level Up & Vote partners with “10 x 10 to Win” in its effort to establish a Black voting bloc, and it supports the Coalition of African American Leaders (COAL) in its monthly power breakfast series.

In Chicago, young people are pushing their peers to the polls. Many do recognize the importance in voting as well as the history tied to it. Perhaps, those that refrain from the process need someone who looks like them to help them get engaged or feel represented. Nanton believes this to be the case, “Right now we are living in the imagination of the people who participated in this process. We have to see ourselves involved in this process –– participating –– to get our young people involved.”

Also On The Chicago Defender:

Source: https://chicagodefender.com/2018/10/31/go-vote-what-millennials-are-doing-to-get-their-peers-to-vote/

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Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Marlins, Wednesday 5/8, 6:35 CT

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By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies.

Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/8/18532254/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-marlins-wednesday-5-8-6-35-ct

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A Cub Tracks Christmas

Happy Holidays from Cub Tracks and the BCB Crew!

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes, such as they are. It’s the season! No, the other other season. As always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

Food for thought:

Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/12/25/18155449/a-cub-tracks-christmas

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Beginner’s Guide to Securing your WordPress site

If you are new to WordPress, then you're probably not even thinking about ways to secure your self-hosted WordPress site to prevent an attack.  As you grow as a WordPress web admin, then understanding the need for focusing on site security and protecting your project from hackers and other malicious beasts will become a priority.

Unfortunately, the world we live in, WordPress become a bit more vulnerable simply because of how popular the project has become. Fortunately, since the community is continuously growing and sticks together in both good times and bad, many resources are now available to help secure - or often what we call harden - your WordPress install.

Here's a few steps that every WordPress beginner should take - at the very least - to secure their WordPress install.

1.  Install and Active the Limit Login Attempts plugin.

One common way for attackers to get into your WordPress fortress is to simply continue to guess your username and password and walk in through the front door.   Using the Limit Login Attempts plugin is a lot like your bank's website password security.   If the wrong password combination is entered incorrectly, you will be kicked out for a certain period of time and the website admin (probably you) will receive an email notifying them of the potential breach.   If you see a common pattern by a particular IP address(es), then block the IP addresses in your site's .htaccess file.   [View Limit Login Attempts on WordPress.org]

2.  Keep WordPress up-to-date.

So often, someone will come to me for WordPress help and we login to their site and they are still working on WordPress version 2.x.   Please, Please, PLEASE!  Keep your WordPress core software up-to-date.  Oftentimes, when you see a new update, it contains security patches based on identified vulnerabilities.  This is super important and typically only takes a few seconds to complete the update.  Also, make sure you keep an eye on your themes and plugins for updates as well!

3. Limit the number of "administrator roles" to assigned to users.

If you have multiple users to your WordPress site, say a few people in your business, then only one or two of you should have "full admin rights".   While politically, this might seem unfair for other co-workers, it will help keep things safe should someone's account in your organization get compromised.  Also, enforce strong passwords as much as possible.

4.  Backups are vital for recovery.

Having a fresh backup of your WordPress site can save a bunch of headache when recovering a compromised site.  Here's some tips on a recent posts I wrote on backing up your WordPress site.

5.  Deploy a firewall solution.

If your site has been compromised, you're welcome to contact me for help.  Most likely, I will refer you to a company called Sucuri Security to clean up the mess.  In addition to their reactive services (that has come in handy a few times for me), I also recommend their new proactive solution called CloudProxy Firewall.  For a few bucks a month, this service not only protects your site from intruders, it speeds things up for ordinary visitors as well!  Works with any type of hosting account as well.  #peaceofmind!

Source: https://chicagowptraining.com/beginners-guide-securing-wordpress-site/

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We Don't Need SWAT

So the ugly truth behind how incapable Chicago is of countering a terror attack is laid bare:

Terrorist incidents. Hostage situations. Dangerous suspects. The Chicago Police Department’s SWAT team responds to some of the city’s most volatile situations. Chicago, unlike most big cities, doesn’t staff its SWAT team around the clock. Instead it relies on members to respond during their off-hours. Now WGN Investigates has learned some members of the SWAT team are refusing to respond to those calls to protest the department’s practices.

So the CPD basic plan is "pray nothing happens" and then runs with it. This operating on the cheap has been a problem for years, but Special Ed's response to it is truly eye opening:

"We don't need SWAT to keep us safe."

That seems like a directive to "Stay Fetal" right from the top.

So a cranky client takes a dozen hostages at a downtown law firm on the 10th floor? Maybe some madman decides to shoot up a synagogue? A gunman holed up in a school? First Responders are outside, safe, away from the gunfire. It isn't good news for the teachers and kids, but hey, Special Ed says, "We don't need SWAT to keep us safe."

In case anyone missed the sarcasm, we aren't saying don't go in - we know most cops would be in the door, SWAT or not, attempting to save lives. But going into a hot scene without the proper equipment and firepower is going to end with a body count....including cops.

Time to resign Ed.

Labels: dumb ideas, un-fucking-believable

Source: http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/2018/11/we-dont-need-swat.html

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What $10.3 Million Gets You in the Gold Coast

Text by AJ LaTrace

In 2011, when a grand, limestone-clad home at 1521 North State Parkway went on the market, Dr. Enrique Hernandez jumped at the opportunity to submit an offer. He had, after all, passed by the Gold Coast mansion every day for 20 years.

“I would look at the magnificently detailed limestone facade and always thought, ‘This would be a wonderful home to live in,’” says Hernandez, who purchased the property in January 2012. “The house had been chopped up into seven apartments, but thank god they left much of the original architectural ingredients intact.”

Now, Hernandez is putting 1521 North State Parkway back on the market as he readies for a move to Florida. The asking price: a cool $10.3 million.

Designed by noted Prairie School architect George Maher, the stately Gold Coast mansion features a classical Beaux-Arts aesthetic once common in tiny pockets around the city. According to Doug Smith, a listing agent with @properties, the home was built by noted Chicago developer J. Lewis Cochran, in 1894, as his personal residence.

More recently, the house has had the occasional brush with Hollywood, serving as a filming location for Empire, Dick Wolf’s Chicago franchise, and the 2000 film What Women Want.

Deconverting the house from apartments was no simple task. Hernandez began restoring the home shortly after paying $4.725 million for it in 2012 and wrapped up renovation work only in the last few months. Notable improvements include all new plumbing, electrical, heating, and air, as well as a spacious rooftop deck addition and an outdoor terrace off the kitchen. Hernandez hired the architecture firm dSpace Studio for the rooftop space while designer Thomas Wesely led the interior remodel.

The rooftop space, Hernandez says, is an oasis. Because of the home’s location in a historic district, it stands taller than its neighbors, offering unobstructed views of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan.

Filled with upscale finishes and a some key original architectural features (the staircase and fireplaces), the house represents a blend of Gilded Age luxury and modern comforts. But more importantly, each level has a different theme, which gives the house a dynamism that isn’t always common in ultra-luxe properties, Hernandez says.

At $10.3 million, the seven-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom mansion is currently the second most expensive residence for sale in the Gold Coast and sixth priciest in the entire city. Hernandez says he wishes he could bring the house with him to Florida, especially since he’s spent so much time on the renovation. However, he thinks that its traditional floor plan and move-in ready status make it a great buy for the right family.

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Edit Module Source: https://www.chicagomag.com/real-estate/September-2018/What-103-Million-Gets-You-in-the-Gold-Coast/

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Pre-Gamin’: Padres at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

The Cubs have a chance to win their third straight series out of the All-Star break later this afternoon. Let’s see it.

Go Cubs.

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (53-44) vs. San Diego Padres (46-51) – Saturday, July 20th at 1:20 CT on ABC-7, 670 The Score

Starting Pitchers

Padres: Joey Lucchesi (L)

versus

Cubs: Jose Quintana (L)

Chicago Cubs:

Albert Almora Jr., CF

Javy Baez, SS

Kris Bryant, RF

Anthony Rizzo, 1B

Robel Garcia, LF

Victor Caratini, C

Addison Russell, 2B

David Bote, 3B

Jose Quintana, P

San Diego Padres

Fernando Tatis, Jr., SS

Manuel Margot, CF

Manny Machado, 3B

Hunter Renfroe, LF

Franmil, Reyes, RF

Eric Hosmer, 1B

Luis Urias, 2B

Austin Hedges, C

Joey Lucchesi, P

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/07/20/pre-gamin-padres-at-cubs-120-ct-lineups-broadcast-info-game-thread-6/

[ratemallet93-blog]

Now They Raise the Bar?

So now the City is making standards stricter?

Rejected applicants to become Chicago cops are having a harder time winning appeals to be placed on the police eligibility list than in the past, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis has found.

The city’s Human Resources Board rules on appeals from applicants rejected because of problems in their backgrounds. From 2005 to 2007, the three-member board appointed by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley ruled in favor of one-third of those who filed appeals.

But the board now seems to be taking a tougher stance. Reviewing decisions that the current board, appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, made in the appeals of the 90 Chicago Police Department candidates rejected this year during the current police-hiring binge, the Sun-Times found that 13 percent of the board’s decisions through September resulted in a candidate being placed on the eligibility list.

But still no explanation about the reign of Ladner where prior military background or police family members seemed to disqualify tens of scores of applicants.

Labels: department issues

Source: http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/2018/11/now-they-raise-bar.html

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Jed Hoyer is Ready to Bet on Kris Bryant as the MVP

News flash: team executives say positive things about their own players. Wild. I know.

In that vein, I wouldn’t advise taking anything extraordinary away from this comment by Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, but you can take it as another indication – in addition to those from Bryant, himself – that Kris Bryant truly is totally healthy right now.

“I expect him to have another MVP season,” Hoyer told Tom Verducci without hesitation. “I’d bet on it right now [with] the way he looks so far in camp.”

I also like hearing that the vibe in camp so far is that of a group of guys who got kicked last year, and then took that into their offseason as they prepared to come back this year.

Like I said, this is the kind of fluffy stuff you expect to hear in these situations. But it’s better than hearing the faintest whiff of issues percolating in the background, or, worse, a rash of injury issues.

(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/02/20/jed-hoyer-is-ready-to-bet-on-kris-bryant-as-the-mvp/

[ratemallet93-blog]

Keys to the Game: Bulls at Hawks (03.01.19)

Tonight the Chicago Bulls (17-45) and the Atlanta Hawks (21-41) tip-off a weekend home-and-home series in downtown Atlanta at State Farm Arena. This will be the second and final time the two meet down South, but the third occasion overall, with each team winning on the road.

In the first get-together on October 27th, Zach LaVine's 27 points and 11 rebounds led the Bulls to a 97-85 victory. Then in a rematch on January 23rd played in the Windy City, John Collins recorded a season-high 35 points to propel the Hawks to a 121-101 victory.

Sunday afternoon the Bulls and Hawks will close the book on the season series back at the United Center.

Both Atlanta and Chicago have been playing well of late. The Hawks will take the floor tonight having won two of its last three, while the Bulls have come out on top in four of their last five.

Atlanta rookie Trae Young and second-year big man John Collins have been absolutely terrific this season. Young has produced back-to-back 36-point games, doing so in Houston on this past Monday and then again in the Hawks' 131-123 overtime win against Minnesota on Wednesday. In fact Young's posted 30 or more points in three of Atlanta's last four games and is averaging 31.3 points since the All-Star break.

Young's confidence to inflict damage from deep has continued to rise as well. He's connected on at least four treys in 12 games, the most among rookies. He's also demonstrated an enthusiasm to attack the rim and make his way to the free throw line. Against Minnesota the other night he cashed 16 of 17 from the charity stripe.

Collins also had a big night with 34 points against the Timberwolves. Since the All-Star break, the 6'10” sophomore power forward is averaging 23.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. His 24 double-doubles not only tops Atlanta, and also leads his entire 2017 Draft class.

As for the Bulls, Atlanta has had a tough time containing LaVine this season. The veteran 6'5” high-flying guard has put up 27 and 23 points, respectively against them in the first two contests. But the Hawks aren't the only ones having trouble slowing him down as LaVine went for 30 against Memphis the other night to help Chicago sweep the Grizzlies. LaVine has notched 20 or more points in 12 of his last 16, and has now hit 20+ 40 times this season.

For the year, LaVine leads the Bulls in scoring (23.2), while also posting career-highs in rebounds (4.6), assists (4.5), FG% (46.6%) and FT% (85.9%).

However, the hottest Bull of late has been second-year forward/center Lauri Markkanen. The 7'0” sophomore went for 22 points against Memphis the other night, giving him 10 straight games of 20+ points scored. He's also been a terror on the glass, snagging double-digit rebounds in 11 of his last 13 games.

For the month of February, Markkanen averaged 26 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 48.6% from the floor. On the season, his numbers are equally impressive at 19.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, shooting 44.3% overall, 37.6% from distance and 87.8% from the free throw line.

Another Bull to keep an eye on this weekend is the newly acquired Otto Porter Jr. In Chicago's last game prior to the All-Star break, Porter Jr. shot lights out, going 16-for-20 from the field in recording a career-best 37 points. The 6'8” forward who arrived from Washington the night before the trade deadline, has posted 17+ points in seven of eight games with the Bulls. In that span, he's averaging 18.1 points while shooting 55.1% from the field, and 51.5% from behind the arc in 32 minutes.

To keep themselves on track tonight the Bulls will again have to play a smart and aggressive game. Offensively, they need to make Atlanta expend extra defensive energy by running them into a steady stream of sturdy screens while freely sharing the ball and be willing to attack the basket whenever an opportunity presents.

Chicago's offense has truly kicked into gear over the last month, as the team averaged 116 points per game in February. They were one of only four teams in the East and 11 league-wide to achieve that mark. What makes that stat even more notable is the fact that the Bulls could only muster 95.6 points per game in December.

With regards to what needs to happen on the defensive end of the floor, the Bulls will need to apply hardnosed defensive pressure on Young, and collectively look to crash the boards to help neutralize Collins on the glass.

Atlanta's primary problem this season has been sloppy play with the ball, in that they lead the league in committing the most turnovers (18.1). Young is an exciting player with incredible court vision and no boundary to his shooting range. As mentioned earlier, he's been lighting up the scoreboard of late, and on the season averaging 17.8 points and 7.7 assists. However, he's also committing 3.9 turnovers a game, third most in the NBA. Thus look for Kris Dunn to shadow and pester Young all night long. If there is anyone on the Bulls' roster who can lock him down, it's Dunn, who is by far Chicago's best on-ball defender.

If the Bulls can continue to play unselfishly on offense while also controlling the boards at both ends of the floor and consistently get out on the break to post easy scores and attack the rim at every opportunity, they should come out on top at the end of the night.

Source: https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/keys-game-bulls-hawks-030119