Chicago_NP1 's_GE Top_JJ Sports_NN2 Stories_NN2 of_IO 2009_MC The_AT 2009_MC Chicago_NP1 Sports_NN2 landscape_NN1 has_VHZ seen_VVN new_JJ stars_NN2 emerge_VV0 ,_, others_NN2 arrive_VV0 in_II town_NN1 ,_, and_CC some_DD that_CST fell_VVD flat_JJ ._. 
There_EX have_VH0 been_VBN amazing_JJ games_NN2 ,_, playoff_VV0 series_NN that_CST defied_VVD logic_NN1 ,_, awards_NN2 ,_, injuries_NN2 ,_, teams_NN2 changing_VVG hands_NN2 ,_, immortality_NN1 granted_VVD ,_, the_AT perfect_JJ player_NN1 (_( at_RR21 least_RR22 for_IF one_MC1 day_NNT1 )_) ,_, and_CC as_RR21 usual_RR22 ,_, disappointments_NN2 ._. 
When_CS this_DD1 year_NNT1 is_VBZ looked_VVN back_RP upon_II ,_, it_PPH1 might_VM be_VBI one_MC1 of_IO the_AT most_RGT memorable_JJ even_RR without_IW a_AT1 championship_NN1 ._. 
In_II 2010_MC ,_, we_PPIS2 might_VM see_VVI some_DD coaches_NN2 that_CST have_VH0 outlived_VVN their_APPGE usefulness_NN1 ,_, teams_NN2 that_CST rebuild_VV0 and_CC others_NN2 that_CST make_VV0 a_AT1 run_NN1 at_II their_APPGE sport_NN1 's_GE pinnacle_NN1 ._. 
At_II some_DD point_NN1 ,_, as_CSA true_JJ Chicago_NP1 sports_NN2 fans_NN2 ,_, we_PPIS2 will_VM be_VBI waiting_VVG until_II next_MD year_NNT1 ._. 
For_IF the_AT second_MD consecutive_JJ year_NNT1 ,_, Northwestern_JJ finished_VVD 5-3_MCMC in_II the_AT Big_JJ Ten_MC ._. 
They_PPHS2 slipped_VVD to_II 8-4_MCMC overall_RR after_II a_AT1 9-3_MCMC regular_JJ season_NNT1 in_II 2008_MC ._. 
The_AT 2009_MC team_NN1 will_VM have_VHI the_AT opportunity_NN1 to_TO win_VVI NU_NN1 's_GE first_MD bowl_NN1 since_CS the_AT 1949_MC Rose_JJ Bowl_NN1 ._. 
Northwestern_JJ has_VHZ lost_VVN their_APPGE last_MD six_MC bowl_NN1 games_NN2 ._. 
All_DB have_VH0 come_VVN since_II NU_NN1 shocked_VVD the_AT college_NN1 football_NN1 world_NN1 by_II winning_VVG the_AT Big_JJ Ten_MC in_II 1995_MC when_RRQ Gary_NP1 Barnett_NP1 took_VVD the_AT Purple_JJ to_II Pasadena_NP1 ._. 
The_AT 2009_MC team_NN1 got_VVD off_RP to_II a_AT1 slow_JJ start_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 lost_VVD some_DD games_NN2 they_PPHS2 probably_RR should_VM have_VHI won_VVN and_CC the_AT team_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX living_VVG up_II21 to_II22 expectations_NN2 ._. 
Back-to-back_JJ losses_NN2 to_II Syracuse_NP1 and_CC Minnesota_NP1 in_II September_NPM1 dropped_VVD the_AT Wildcats_NN2 to_II 2-2_MCMC ._. 
The_AT 2008_MC team_NN1 started_VVD 5-0_MCMC and_CC then_RT stumbled_VVD by_II finishing_VVG 4-4_MCMC ._. 
Sitting_VVG at_II a_AT1 crossroads_NN1 mid_JJ season_NNT1 ,_, Northwestern_JJ traveled_VVD to_II Purdue_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Boilermakers_NP1 took_VVD a_AT1 21-3_MCMC lead_VV0 early_RR in_II the_AT second_MD quarter_NN1 ,_, and_CC NU_NN1 's_GE season_NNT1 seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI slipping_VVG away_RL ._. 
A_AT1 loss_NN1 would_VM have_VHI left_VVN NU_NN1 2-3_MCMC ,_, 0-2_MCMC ._. 
They_PPHS2 crawled_VVD back_RP in_II the_AT game_NN1 with_IW 13_MC unanswered_JJ points_NN2 in_II the_AT second_MD quarter_NN1 to_II narrow_JJ the_AT deficit_NN1 to_II 21-16_MCMC at_II halftime_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 continued_VVD to_TO hold_VVI down_RP Purdue_NN1 and_CC outscored_VVD the_AT Boilers_NN2 11-0_MCMC in_II the_AT second_MD half_NN1 to_TO win_VVI 27-21_MCMC ._. 
Two_MC signature_NN1 wins_NN2 highlighted_VVD the_AT Wildcats_NP1 '_GE season_NNT1 ._. 
Northwestern_JJ traveled_VVD to_II then_RT undefeated_JJ Iowa_NP1 with_IW a_AT1 5-4_MCMC record_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Hawkeyes_NP1 jumped_VVD out_RP early_RR with_IW 10_MC points_NN2 in_II the_AT first_MD quarter_NN1 to_TO take_VVI a_AT1 10-0_MCMC lead_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 fumble_NN1 recovery_NN1 in_II the_AT end_NN1 zone_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 TD_NN1 pass_NN1 put_VVD the_AT Wildcats_NN2 ahead_RL 14-10_MCMC at_II the_AT half_NN1 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 went_VVD on_RP to_TO win_VVI 17-10_MCMC ._. 
They_PPHS2 finished_VVD the_AT season_NNT1 with_IW a_AT1 wild_JJ 33-31_MCMC win_NN1 over_II Wisconsin_NP1 ._. 
Mike_NP1 Kafka_NP1 had_VHD one_MC1 of_IO his_APPGE best_JJT games_NN2 with_IW 326_MC yards_NN2 ,_, two_MC touchdowns_NN2 ,_, and_CC no_AT interceptions_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Wildcats_NP1 closed_VVD the_AT season_NNT1 by_II winning_VVG four_MC of_IO their_APPGE last_MD five_MC to_TO finish_VVI the_AT season_NNT1 8-4_MCMC and_CC capture_VVI their_APPGE second_MD consecutive_JJ upper_JJ division_NN1 finish_NN1 in_II the_AT Big_JJ Ten_MC ._. 
For_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 since_CS the_AT 1996_MC season_NNT1 ,_, NU_NN1 will_VM play_VVI in_II a_AT1 New_JJ Year_NNT1 's_GE Day_NNT1 Bowl_NN1 Game_NN1 ._. 
Derrick_VV0 Rose_NP1 Captures_VVZ NBA_NP1 Rookie_NP1 of_IO the_AT Year_NNT1 When_RRQ the_AT Bulls_NN2 won_VVD the_AT draft_NN1 lottery_NN1 in_II May_NPM1 of_IO 2008_MC ,_, almost_RR all_DB of_IO the_AT Chicago_NP1 fans_NN2 wanted_VVD the_AT Bulls_NN2 to_TO take_VVI hometown_NN1 hero_NN1 Derrick_NP1 Rose_NP1 ._. 
The_AT debate_NN1 at_II the_AT top_NN1 of_IO the_AT 2008_MC draft_NN1 was_VBDZ between_II Rose_NP1 and_CC Michael_NP1 Beasley_NP1 ._. 
Rose_NN1 was_VBDZ eventually_RR the_AT choice_NN1 and_CC he_PPHS1 helped_VVD the_AT team_NN1 improve_VVI by_II eight_MC games_NN2 in_II his_APPGE rookie_NN1 year_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT Bulls_NN2 won_VVD the_AT right_NN1 to_TO draft_VVI Rose_NP1 was_VBDZ despite_II having_VHG only_RR a_AT1 1.7_MC percent_NNU chance_NN1 in_II the_AT lottery_NN1 ._. 
Rose_NP1 started_VVD his_APPGE rookie_NN1 season_NNT1 strong_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ selected_VVN as_II the_AT rookie_NN1 of_IO the_AT month_NNT1 in_II November_NPM1 and_CC December_NPM1 ._. 
The_AT Bulls_NN2 muddled_VVN through_II the_AT winter_NNT1 months_NNT2 before_II closing_VVG 12-4_MCMC to_TO earn_VVI the_AT Eastern_JJ Conference_NN1 's_GE seventh_MD seed_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 playoff_NN1 matchup_NN1 with_IW the_AT Boston_NP1 Celtics_NP2 ._. 
Rose_NP1 earned_VVD another_DD1 rookie_NN1 of_IO the_AT month_NNT1 award_NN1 for_IF March_NPM1 during_II the_AT Bulls_NN2 '_GE strong_JJ finish_NN1 ._. 
In_II his_APPGE first_MD ever_RR playoff_VV0 game_NN1 ,_, Rose_NP1 dominated_VVD the_AT Celtics_NP2 with_IW 36_MC points_NN2 ,_, 11_MC rebounds_NN2 ,_, and_CC four_MC assists_VVZ ._. 
His_APPGE 36_MC points_NN2 tied_VVD the_AT NBA_NP1 's_GE all-time_JJ leading_JJ scorer_NN1 Kareem_NP1 Abdul-Jabbar_NP1 for_IF most_DAT points_NN2 by_II a_AT1 rookie_NN1 in_II his_APPGE NBA_NN1 playoff_NN1 debut_NN1 ._. 
In_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT NBA_NP1 's_GE most_RGT memorable_JJ series_NN ever_RR ,_, Rose_NP1 averaged_VVD 19.7_MC PPG_NP1 ,_, 6.4_MC APG_NP1 ,_, and_CC 6.3_MC RPG_NP1 ._. 
Rose_NP1 finished_VVD the_AT regular_JJ season_NNT1 with_IW averages_NN2 of_IO 16.8_MC PPG_NP1 ,_, 6.3_MC APG_NP1 ,_, and_CC 3.9_MC RPG_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 became_VVD only_RR the_AT third_MD player_NN1 in_II Bulls_NN2 '_GE history_NN1 to_TO win_VVI the_AT Rookie_NN1 of_IO the_AT Year_NNT1 Award_NN1 ._. 
Michael_NP1 Jordan_NP1 won_VVD the_AT award_NN1 in_II 1985_MC ,_, and_CC Elton_NP1 Brand_NP1 shared_VVD the_AT award_NN1 in_II 2000_MC ._. 
Milton_NP1 Bradley_NP1 's_GE Repeated_JJ Meltdowns_NN2 When_RRQ the_AT Cubs_NN2 acquired_VVD Milton_NP1 Bradley_NP1 during_II the_AT 2008-09_MCMC offseason_NN1 ,_, many_DA2 questioned_VVD the_AT Cubs_NN2 signing_VVG the_AT mercurial_JJ outfielder_NN1 ._. 
Bradley_NP1 was_VBDZ signed_VVN to_II a_AT1 three-year_JJ $30_NNU million_NNO contract_NN1 ._. 
Cubs_NN2 General_JJ Manager_NN1 Jim_NP1 Hendry_NP1 was_VBDZ quoted_VVN as_CSA saying_VVG that_CST he_PPHS1 knew_VVD that_CST the_AT Cubs_NN2 got_VVD their_APPGE guy_NN1 ._. 
When_CS Bradley_NP1 was_VBDZ signed_VVN ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ considered_VVN to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 major_JJ piece_NN1 for_IF the_AT Cubs_NN2 to_TO capture_VVI their_APPGE first_MD World_NN1 Series_NN in_RP over_II a_AT1 century_NNT1 ._. 
It_PPH1 seemed_VVD as_CS21 if_CS22 Bradley_NP1 was_VBDZ ready_JJ to_TO put_VVI controversy_NN1 behind_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
In_II 2008_MC with_IW Texas_NP1 ,_, Bradley_NP1 hit_VVD .321_MC and_CC led_VVD the_AT Major_NNB Leagues_NP1 in_II OPS_NN2 ._. 
Bradley_NP1 was_VBDZ quoted_VVN as_CSA saying_VVG he_PPHS1 would_VM do_VDI his_APPGE best_JJT to_TO not_XX get_VVI emotional_JJ ._. 
At_II the_AT press_NN1 conference_NN1 to_TO announce_VVI Bradley_NP1 's_GE signing_NN1 ,_, Jim_NP1 Hendry_NP1 said_VVD that_CST the_AT Cubs_NN2 did_VDD their_APPGE homework_NN1 on_II their_APPGE new_JJ right-fielder_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT opinion_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 would_VM n't_XX be_VBI a_AT1 good_JJ teammate_NN1 or_CC he_PPHS1 would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 disruption_NN1 in_II the_AT clubhouse_NN1 could_VM n't_XX be_VBI further_JJR from_II the_AT truth_NN1 ,_, "_" Henry_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
Bradley_NP1 was_VBDZ more_RRR his_APPGE past_NN1 than_CSN the_AT promise_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ made_VVN at_II his_APPGE introductory_JJ press_NN1 conference_NN1 ._. 
Bradley_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX waist_NN1 much_DA1 time_NNT1 getting_VVG into_II controversy_NN1 with_IW the_AT Cubs_NN2 ._. 
On_II April_NPM1 16_MC ,_, Bradley_NP1 bumped_VVD umpire_NN1 Larry_NP1 Vanover_NP1 during_II a_AT1 game_NN1 and_CC was_VBDZ suspended_VVN two_MC games_NN2 ._. 
Other_JJ occurrences_NN2 as_II the_AT season_NNT1 went_VVD on_RP included_VVD being_VBG told_VVN to_TO go_VVI home_RL by_II Manager_NN1 Lou_NP1 Pinella_NP1 after_II a_AT1 dugout_NN1 argument_NN1 and_CC throwing_VVG the_AT ball_NN1 into_II the_AT right_JJ field_NN1 stands_NN2 costing_VVG the_AT Cubs_NN2 two_MC runs_NN2 ._. 
The_AT final_JJ straw_NN1 came_VVD in_II September_NPM1 ._. 
Bradley_NP1 insulted_VVD Cubs_NN2 fans_NN2 ,_, took_VVD himself_PPX1 out_II21 of_II22 a_AT1 game_NN1 without_IW a_AT1 pinch_NN1 runner_NN1 necessary_JJ ,_, and_CC criticized_VVD the_AT culture_NN1 of_IO the_AT Cubs_NN2 specifically_RR that_CST they_PPHS2 have_VH0 n't_XX won_VVN a_AT1 World_NN1 Series_NN in_RP over_RG 100_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
After_CS an_AT1 abysmal_JJ one-year_JJ stint_NN1 in_II Chicago_NP1 ,_, Bradley_NP1 was_VBDZ finally_RR traded_VVN to_II Seattle_NP1 in_II December_NPM1 for_IF pitcher_NN1 Carlos_NP1 Silva_NP1 ._. 
Silva_NP1 has_VHZ a_AT1 bigger_JJR contract_NN1 and_CC worse_JJR statistics_NN ,_, but_CCB getting_VVG rid_VVN of_IO Bradley_NP1 's_GE attitude_NN1 was_VBDZ worth_II it_PPH1 to_II anyone_PN1 that_CST cares_VVZ about_II the_AT Cubs_NN2 ._. 
Injury_NN1 Ends_VVZ Brian_NP1 Urlacher_NP1 's_GE Season_NNT1 In_II the_AT Opener_NN1 The_AT Bears_NN2 entered_VVD the_AT 2009_MC season_NNT1 with_IW high_JJ expectations_NN2 after_II trading_VVG for_IF Jay_NP1 Cutler_NP1 ._. 
Cutler_NN1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO be_VBI the_AT leader_NN1 that_CST would_VM improve_VVI the_AT Bears_NN2 offense_VV0 ._. 
The_AT Bears_NN2 franchise_VV0 always_RR prides_VVZ itself_PPX1 on_II defense_NN1 ._. 
Urlacher_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN the_AT leader_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 defense_NN1 for_IF the_AT last_MD decade_NNT1 ._. 
Through_II two_MC coaching_NN1 regimes_NN2 and_CC up_RP and_CC down_RP seasons_NNT2 ,_, Urlacher_NP1 has_VHZ been_VBN the_AT face_NN1 of_IO the_AT franchise_NN1 ._. 
Entering_VVG this_DD1 season_NNT1 ,_, Urlacher_NP1 was_VBDZ healthy_JJ for_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 in_II two_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
Urlacher_NN1 was_VBDZ playing_VVG well_RR against_II the_AT Bears_NN2 during_II the_AT Sunday_NPD1 night_NNT1 opener_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD three_MC tackles_VVZ and_CC broke_VVD up_RP a_AT1 pass_NN1 in_II just_RR over_RG two_MC quarters_NN2 of_IO play_NN1 against_II the_AT Packers_NN2 ._. 
The_AT injury_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO occur_VVI earlier_RRR in_II the_AT game_NN1 ,_, but_CCB Urlacher_NP1 left_VVD after_II the_AT first_MD series_NN of_IO the_AT second_MD half_NN1 ._. 
The_AT next_MD day_NNT1 Urlacher_NP1 sent_VVD a_AT1 text_NN1 message_NN1 to_II the_AT Tribune_NN1 announcing_VVG his_APPGE season_NNT1 was_VBDZ over_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD pins_NN2 inserted_VVN into_II his_APPGE wrist_NN1 during_II surgery_NN1 ._. 
The_AT surgery_NN1 required_JJ Urlacher_NN1 to_TO be_VBI in_II a_AT1 cast_NN1 for_IF 10-11_MCMC weeks_NNT2 and_CC would_VM require_VVI another_DD1 month_NNT1 of_IO rehabilitation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Bears_NN2 defense_NN1 has_VHZ never_RR recovered_VVN ._. 
After_II getting_VVG off_RP to_II a_AT1 3-1_MCMC start_NN1 ,_, the_AT Bears_NN2 have_VH0 lost_VVN eight_MC of_IO their_APPGE last_MD 10_MC ._. 
They_PPHS2 have_VH0 n't_XX returned_VVN to_II the_AT playoffs_NN2 since_II making_VVG the_AT Super_JJ Bowl_NN1 after_II the_AT 2006_MC season_NNT1 ._. 
Bulls-Celtics_NP2 Playoff_VV0 Series_NN The_AT Bulls_NN2 improved_VVN by_II eight_MC games_NN2 from_II the_AT 2008_MC season_NNT1 ,_, largely_RR because_II21 of_II22 the_AT edition_NN1 of_IO Rookie_NN1 of_IO the_AT Year_NNT1 ,_, Derrick_NP1 Rose_NP1 ._. 
Even_RR without_IW superstar_NN1 Kevin_NP1 Garnett_NP1 for_IF their_APPGE first_MD round_JJ series_NN match-up_NN1 ,_, the_AT Celtics_NP2 were_VBDR still_RR a_AT1 heavy_JJ favorite_NN1 against_II the_AT inexperienced_JJ Bulls_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Bulls_NN2 opened_VVD the_AT series_NN with_IW a_AT1 bang_NN1 ._. 
Rose_NP1 exploded_VVD for_IF a_AT1 rookie_NN1 playoff_NN1 debut_NN1 record_NN1 36_MC points_NN2 and_CC the_AT Bulls_NN2 escaped_VVN with_IW a_AT1 105-103_MCMC overtime_RR win_VV0 ._. 
The_AT Celtics_NP2 evened_VVD the_AT series_NN in_II game_NN1 two_MC when_RRQ Ray_NP1 Allen_NP1 buried_VVD a_AT1 three-pointer_NN1 with_IW two_MC seconds_NNT2 left_VVN ._. 
The_AT Celtics_NP2 seemed_VVD to_TO take_VVI control_NN1 of_IO the_AT series_NN with_IW an_AT1 easy_JJ 107-86_MCMC win_NN1 in_II game_NN1 three_MC ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ when_RRQ the_AT series_NN got_VVD interesting_JJ ._. 
With_IW the_AT Bulls_NN2 down_II two_MC games_NN2 to_II one_MC1 ,_, they_PPHS2 faced_VVD a_AT1 must_NN1 win_VV0 game_NN1 four_MC at_II home_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 loss_NN1 would_VM mean_VVI a_AT1 3-1_MCMC series_NN deficit_NN1 returning_VVG to_II Boston_NP1 for_IF game_NN1 five_MC ._. 
After_CS clutch_NN1 shots_NN2 by_II both_DB2 teams_NN2 ,_, the_AT Bulls_NN2 eventually_RR held_VVN on_RP for_IF a_AT1 121-118_MCMC double_JJ overtime_NN1 win_NN1 ._. 
Every_AT1 Bull_NN1 that_CST played_VVD scored_VVN in_II double_JJ figures_NN2 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 series_NN that_CST never_RR ceased_VVN to_TO amaze_VVI ,_, game_NN1 five_MC needed_VVD overtime_RR again_RT ._. 
After_CS a_AT1 Paul_NP1 Pierce_NP1 shot_NN1 put_VVD the_AT Celtics_NP2 up_II two_MC with_IW three_MC seconds_NNT2 left_VVN ,_, controversy_NN1 took_VVD over_RP ._. 
Rajon_NP1 Rondo_NP1 fouled_VVD Bulls_NN2 back_VV0 up_RP center_NN1 Brad_NP1 Miller_NP1 hard_RR ._. 
Bulls_NN2 fans_NN2 were_VBDR shocked_VVN when_CS a_AT1 flagrant_JJ foul_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX called_VVN ._. 
Should_VM the_AT Bulls_NN2 have_VHI received_VVN two_MC shots_NN2 and_CC the_AT ball_NN1 ?_? 
Miller_NP1 received_VVD two_MC shots_NN2 to_TO try_VVI and_CC even_RR the_AT game_NN1 and_CC force_VVI a_AT1 second_NNT1 straight_RR double_JJ overtime_NN1 game_NN1 ._. 
Miller_NP1 missed_VVD the_AT first_MD and_CC then_RT purposely_RR missed_VVD the_AT second_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT Bulls_NN2 were_VBDR unable_JK to_TO secure_VVI the_AT rebound_NN1 and_CC the_AT Bulls_NN2 headed_VVN back_RP home_RL fighting_VVG for_IF their_APPGE playoff_NN1 life_NN1 down_II three_MC games_NN2 to_II two_MC ._. 
After_II five_MC games_NN2 ,_, three_MC that_CST required_VVD a_AT1 total_NN1 of_IO four_MC overtimes_NN2 ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 could_VM have_VHI imagined_VVN what_DDQ lied_VVD ahead_RL for_IF game_NN1 six_MC ._. 
Fitting_VVG for_IF the_AT series_NN ,_, game_NN1 six_MC nearly_RR doubled_VVD the_AT four-overtime_JJ total_NN1 of_IO the_AT first_MD five_MC games_NN2 ._. 
The_AT drama_NN1 that_CST occurred_VVD would_VM have_VHI been_VBN dismissed_VVN as_CSA too_RG unbelievable_JJ if_CS it_PPH1 had_VHD been_VBN written_VVN ._. 
Game_NN1 six_MC had_VHD enough_DD drams_NN2 and_CC heroes_NN2 to_TO fill_VVI an_AT1 entire_JJ series_NN ._. 
Ray_NP1 Allen_NP1 scored_VVD 51_MC points_NN2 (_( three_MC points_NN2 shy_JJ of_IO a_AT1 team_NN1 record_NN1 )_) and_CC Rajon_NP1 Rondo_NP1 had_VHD 19_MC assists_VVZ for_IF the_AT C_ZZ221 's_ZZ222 ._. 
John_NP1 Salmons_NN2 scored_VVD 35_MC points_NN2 ,_, Derrick_NP1 Rose_NP1 netted_VVD 28_MC and_CC Joakim_NP1 Noah_NP1 pulled_VVD down_RP 15_MC rebounds_NN2 for_IF Chicago_NP1 ._. 
The_AT most_RGT memorable_JJ play_NN1 of_IO the_AT 2009_MC NBA_NN1 playoffs_NN2 came_VVD from_II Noah_NP1 in_II a_AT1 most_RGT unlikely_JJ fashion_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Bulls_NN2 center_NN1 intercepted_VVD a_AT1 pass_NN1 and_CC raced_VVD the_AT length_NN1 of_IO the_AT court_NN1 to_TO put_VVI the_AT Bulls_NN2 up_RP late_RR in_II the_AT third_MD overtime_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Bulls_NN2 '_GE win_NN1 sent_VVD the_AT series_NN back_RP to_II Boston_NP1 for_IF game_NN1 seven_MC ._. 
They_PPHS2 started_VVD out_RP strong_JJ ,_, but_CCB a_AT1 22-2_MCMC Boston_NP1 run_NN1 in_II the_AT second_MD quarter_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT ultimately_RR the_AT difference_NN1 in_II the_AT game_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Bulls_NN2 '_GE loss_NN1 dropped_VVD them_PPHO2 to_II 0-6_MCMC on_II the_AT road_NN1 in_II game_JJ sevens_MC2 ._. 
Ben_NP1 Gordon_NP1 was_VBDZ amazing_JJ for_IF the_AT Bulls_NN2 in_II the_AT series_NN ._. 
He_PPHS1 averaged_VVD 24.3_MC PPG_NP1 and_CC was_VBDZ the_AT player_NN1 the_AT Bulls_NN2 leaned_VVD on_RP when_CS they_PPHS2 needed_VVD a_AT1 big_JJ shot_NN1 ._. 
Rondo_NP1 nearly_RR averaged_VVD a_AT1 triple_JJ double_NN1 in_II the_AT series_NN and_CC became_VVD public_JJ enemy_NN1 number_NN1 one_MC1 in_II Chicago_NP1 ._. 
The_AT series_NN will_VM go_VVI down_RP as_II the_AT most_RGT dramatic_JJ in_II NBA_NP1 history_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Blackhawks_NP1 Resurgence_NN1 During_II the_AT last_MD ten_MC years_NNT2 of_IO the_AT Bill_NP1 Wirtz_NP1 regime_NN1 ,_, the_AT Blackhawks_NP1 failed_VVD to_TO generate_VVI much_DA1 buzz_FU in_II Chicago_NP1 ._. 
Their_APPGE home_NN1 games_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX on_II TV_NN1 and_CC with_IW only_RR one_MC1 playoff_NN1 appearance_NN1 they_PPHS2 almost_RR became_VVD an_AT1 afterthought_NN1 in_II the_AT Chicago_NP1 sports_NN2 landscape_NN1 ._. 
When_CS Bill_NP1 died_VVD ,_, his_APPGE son_NN1 Rocky_NP1 inherited_VVD the_AT team_NN1 ._. 
Rocky_NP1 instituted_VVD more_RGR modern_JJ practices_NN2 of_IO running_VVG an_AT1 NHL_NP1 franchise_NN1 ._. 
Behind_II young_JJ hot_JJ shots_NN2 Jonathan_NP1 Towes_NP1 and_CC Patrick_NP1 Kane_NP1 and_CC a_AT1 reawakening_NN1 from_II Nikolay_NP1 Khabibulin_NP1 ,_, the_AT Blackhawks_NP1 reached_VVD the_AT conference_NN1 finals_NN2 for_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 since_II 1996_MC ._. 
Kane_NP1 scored_VVD a_AT1 memorable_JJ goal_NN1 as_II part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 hat_NN1 trick_NN1 to_TO help_VVI eliminate_VVI Vancouver_NP1 in_II the_AT second_MD round_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Hawks_NN2 also_RR knocked_VVN off_II Calgary_NP1 in_II the_AT first_MD round_NN1 ._. 
The_AT season_NNT1 was_VBDZ their_APPGE most_RGT successful_JJ in_II many_DA2 years_NNT2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 hosted_VVD the_AT Winter_NNT1 Classic_NN1 at_II Wrigley_NP1 Field_NP1 on_II New_JJ Year_NNT1 's_GE day_NNT1 and_CC made_VVD their_APPGE first_MD playoff_NN1 appearance_NN1 in_II seven_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
For_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 in_II a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 ,_, the_AT Blackhawks_NN2 mattered_VVN in_II Chicago_NP1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 went_VVD into_II the_AT offseason_NN1 generating_JJ excitement_NN1 for_IF their_APPGE fans_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Hawks_NN2 are_VBR on_II the_AT verge_NN1 of_IO returning_VVG to_II the_AT NHL_NP1 elite_NN1 for_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 since_CS the_AT mid-90s_MC2 ._. 
In_II the_AT U.S._NP1 ,_, several_DA2 Rust_VV0 Belt_NN1 senators_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS are_VBR considered_VVN swing_NN1 votes_NN2 on_II the_AT climate_NN1 bill_NN1 ,_, have_VH0 pushed_VVN for_IF such_DA a_AT1 system_NN1 to_TO protect_VVI U.S._NP1 manufacturers_NN2 from_II unfair_JJ competition_NN1 from_II developing_JJ nations_NN2 with_IW no_AT real_JJ emission_NN1 limits_VVZ --_JJ and_CC thus_RR lower_JJR energy_NN1 costs_NN2 ._. 
