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Must Add to Your NBA Twitter Feed: 2019-2020 NBA Predictions from 6 Chicago Artists

Photo by Michael Salisbury for The Chicago Bulls (Source)

No league does twitter better than the NBA. Whether it's the cringe posts by bleacher report, actual NBA players subtweeting teammates for being trash or my personal favorite, the ride or die “Kobe is the goat” hive, this league provides endless entertainment. Aside from the monumental player movements from this past offseason, this NBA season will be particularly special for Chicago as the Bulls will host All-Star Weekend in February. Not only will this be a key moment for the city, Chicago’s culture will be on full display and it will be a great time to be a Chicago artist in the city during this time. With all of these exciting moments on the horizon, we at these days searched for our favorite NBA twitter follows who are also contributors in the Chicago music scene as well and get their takes on the upcoming season. Make sure to add them to your feed as the season tips off this week, enjoy.

Swopes

Swopes


1. Besides the all star game, what is one thing you’re looking forward to for this Bulls season AND the 2019 NBA season overall? 

It’s a complete new roster across all teams, which is going to make for a very interesting season. There’s more parity in the league, so it’s anyone’s game.

2. What are you looking forward to most about All-Star Weekend Finally being in Chicago this February?

From the dunk contest, to the 3-point contest. From the incredible talent to the unique activations across the city. I just want to see who shows out!

3. Who is your pick for MVP of the league this year?

Giannis Antetokounmpo because Giannis Antetokounmpo.

4. Who meets in the 2019 finals and who wins?

This is hard but I’m going to say Bucks vs Lakers, Bucks win.

5. What is your Go-To NBA Jersey to wear and why?

I always go with the Bulls jersey. It’s just too clean!

6. What is one game or moment in NBA history you wish you could have been at and why?

I would’ve loved to been at the 1996 Bulls Game 6 Championship in Chicago. A legendary moment for basketball history, but also a legendary moment for Chicago.

7. What is your favorite NBA/Basketball related song, and why? 

The opening credits to Space Jam always gets me. Quad City DJs for life!

8. Lastly, Who is your favorite NBA player of all time and why?

It’s a toss-up between Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Dwayne Wade because of their charitable activities. Nothing is more important than educating and furthering the careers of the youth!

Monster Mike

1. Besides the all star game, what is one thing you’re looking forward to for this Bulls season AND the 2019 NBA season overall? 

I’m looking forward to seeing the Bulls push for a playoff spot/Coby White & Wendell Carter Jr’s development/Zach and Lauri making All-Star team. NBA wise I wanna see Luka continue to ascend and the Lakers to win a title for Anthony Davis.

2. What are you looking forward to most about All-Star Weekend Finally being in Chicago this February?

Let’s just say I’m gonna make a lot of money and have a good time

3. Who is your pick for MVP of the league this year?

Anthony Davis.

4. Who meets in the 2019 finals and who wins?

Lakers and 76ers, Lakers in 5.

5. What is your Go-To NBA Jersey to wear and why?

Jordan jersey because he’s the GOAT.

6. What is one game or moment in NBA history you wish you could have been at and why?

When DROSE gamed Tristan and made the stale face because it was iconic.

7. What is your favorite NBA/Basketball related song, and why? 

Probably Sosa Chamberlain by (Chief) Keef. It’s the only one I listen to besides Kobe by Keef.

8. Lastly, Who is your favorite NBA player of all time and why?

Favorite player Rose, money on him let’s go.

Legit

Legit

1. Besides the all star game, what is one thing you’re looking forward to for this Bulls season AND the 2019 NBA season overall? 
Definitely looking forward to all these Lakers / Clippers matchups. We all know the offseason was insane, but I can’t think of a more interesting matchup that we’re getting as a result of it. You got Kawhi coming off such a historic run to team up with Paul George and an already solid and defensively sound Clippers team…and now they’re sharing Staples with a Lakers team that has probably the most rested LeBron we’ve ever seen and ANTHONY DAVIS are you kidding me? And s/o Kyle Kuzma.

2. What are you looking forward to most about All-Star Weekend Finally being in Chicago this February?
Depending on the Dunk contest participants I think that could be something really special. NBA All-Star Weekend is always a fun thing to watch unfold. I don’t know how excited I am about commuting during that time though - ha!

3. Who is your pick for MVP of the league this year?

If he doesn’t have to miss much time for rest, I think Kawhi has a career regular season and will grab MVP. I also would love to see Joel Embid take that leap on the heels of how his season ended last year.

4. Who meets in the 2019 finals and who wins?

It’s really hard to do a finals prediction because we haven’t seen so many of these new teams play at all. I think the Clippers are favored to come out the West and I would agree, though it might be a tougher trip than we are all letting on. I say Philly takes that leap and beats Milwaukee in the ECF to meet the Clippers. But that might just be what I want to happen - lol. In a Clippers/Philly final I got Clippers in 6.

5. What is your Go-To NBA Jersey to wear and why?

I haven’t bought an NBA Jersey in so long sheesh! I do have a hit list though. Top priority is a Kawhi Jersey. Either a home Toronto uni or the Spurs Christmas joint.

6. What is one game or moment in NBA history you wish you could have been at and why?

Am I wrong for wanting to be at the Brawl at the Palace??? Lololol energy in that room was probably craaaaaazy. Maybe I am crazy for saying that because I hate the Pistons, especially during that time.

7. Lastly, Who is your favorite NBA player of all time and why?

Mike is the GOAT but Kobe is my all time favorite player. Mainly just because he was way more alive and cognizant when he was doing work lol. I have way too many memories of Kobe leaving me literally amazed at the end of basketball games that I was watching live on TV. That hits a little different.

Illi (Formerly The Boy Illinois)

1. Besides the all star game, what is one thing you’re looking forward to for this Bulls season and the 2019 NBA season overall? 

Im looking forward to a future All-Star Zach Lavigne, and hopefully a number 8 or 7 seed from the Bulls as a collective. Overall, I want to see how the Warriors fare with a whole new squad after a disappointing Finals loss. 

2. What are you looking forward to most about All-Star Weekend Finally being in Chicago this February?

As far as All-Star weekend goes, I'm just looking for it to be a safe weekend filled with fun. No nonsense.

3. Who is your pick for MVP of the league this year?

My early MVP pick is going to be KL, The Klaw. I think he will be MVP on reserved minutes, and it won't shock anyone.

4. Who meets in the 2019 finals and who wins?

Finals match-up will be Clippers Vs. Bucks. I'm going with the Clippers as the Finals champ.

5. What is your Go-To NBA Jersey to wear and why?

Other than the Bulls? lol. I really like the Seattle Supersonics jersey and the old silk 76'ers jersey.

6. What is one game or moment in NBA history you wish you could have been at and why?

The one moment I wish I could have been a part of in NBA history is the MJ shot over Byron Russell. Such an iconic shot and it meant so much to the city of Chicago.

7. What is your favorite NBA/Basketball related song, and why? 

Favorite NBA/Basketball related song? It would have to be Quad City DJ's, the Space Jam theme song.

8. Lastly, Who is your favorite NBA player of all time and why?

My favorite NBA player of all time is hands down Allen Iverson. Changed the game, changed the culture, and gave confidence to a lot of young black boys around the world.

Photo by Cyn Rivera

Cuevo Jones

1.) Besides the all star game, what is one thing you’re looking forward to for this Bulls season AND the 2019 NBA season overall?

For the Bulls it's competing for a playoff spot. Our young studs (Lauri Markkanen, Zach Lavine, and Wendell Carter, Jr.) are all poised to make a leap in their development after promising 2018-19 campaigns. Last years addition, Otto Porter, should be a lock to score between 17 and 20 nightly while spreading the floor for everyone. I think a full year of Otto on the floor will only enhance Zach and Lauri's scoring output. Free agent signing, Tomáš Satoransky is a lowkey pick up that is gonna pay dividends (6'7" combo guard who can play 3 positions and can hit the 3 ball). All this without mentioning vet Thaddeus Young and rookie 2019 lottery pick Coby White. Yeah, the Bulls will be sneaky good this year....at the very least a fun ass 2K/League Pass team.

For the league it's the unknown. This is the first time since LeBron went to the Heat that we don't have a clear cut favorite to win the Eastern or Western conferences. There was a ton of player movement this offseason and there are a couple under the radar teams with real chops (Nuggets and Jazz) that only adds to the "new car smell" of this drama. The element of surprise will be there all season and that's fun.

2. What are you looking forward to most about All-Star Weekend finally being in Chicago this February?

The potential of a Zion Williamson vs. Zach Lavine Slam Dunk Contest. The bevy of All Star related concerts and events throughout the week will be exciting for sure but the Zion hype could be at its apex come February and Lavine is a former Slam Dunk Champ already. The last time Chicago held an NBA Dunk contest MJ beat ATL Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins in a classic. We could be in for the same sort of treat if both opt-in.

3. Who is your pick for MVP of the league this year?

Wardell Stephen Curry. He's going to remind the league who he is now that KD is gone and he'll get the majority of the touches (Case in point the 40 points he dropped the other night through 3 quarters). The Steph Curry "Remember me?" Revenge Tour 2019 is upon us. You've been warned.

4. Who meets in the 2019 finals and who wins?

Literally any of the contenders in the West can win it all but I'm going with the Lakers vs. 76ers (If Ben Simmons can actually hit jumpers and Embiid is healthy throughout the season). Lakers will have the parade in June.

5. What is your Go-To NBA Jersey to wear and why?

I don't really wear jerseys but the 1996 Bulls black with red pinstripes Jordan. As a Chicagoan I have to pay homage to the greatest NBA team ever. The 72-10 championship Bulls team.

6. What is one game or moment in NBA history you wish you could have been at and why?

A Non-Bulls moment to mix it up here, Kobe Bryant's final game in LA when he dropped 50 because it was a rare sports moment that exceeded the hype. Just look at the crowd reactions from Snoop, Jay-Z, and Kanye. Probably the happiest we've ever seen them. Thanks, Kobe!

7. What is your favorite NBA/Basketball related song, and why? 

Future & Drake - Jumpman. Named after the GOAT, Metro Boomin comes through with hall of fame level production on this banger. It was either "Jumpman" or Aaron Carter's "That's How I Beat Shaq." Obviously.

8. Lastly, Who is your favorite NBA player of all time and why?

Allen Iverson. Watching A.I. absolutely dominate guys sometimes a whole foot taller than him was something special. He was a force to be reckoned with nightly and was a precursor to guys like Russel Westbrook and D-Rose. Pound for pound is top ten all time (FIGHT ME!). His impact on the NBA and culture cannot be understated.

Danny From Pachanga

1.) Besides the all star game, what is one thing you’re looking forward to for this Bulls season AND the 2019 NBA season overall? 

The rookies all look really good. I think Zion Williamson and Tyler Herro are going to be solid. The game has changed over the last 20 years. It's exciting to see such young talent thriving.

2. What are you looking forward to most about All-Star Weekend Finally being in Chicago this February?

It'll be really cool to see the stars interact with the city. I'm sure there will be a lot of exclusive parties. Hopefully Pachanga will be able to be apart of the festivities.

3. Who is your pick for MVP of the league this year?

Russell Westbrook. He will be a great addition to an already solid Rockets squad.

4. Who meets in the 2019 finals and who wins?

Milwaukee Bucks vs. LA Clippers - Bucks in 6. The Clippers and Bucks are gonna be solid teams.

5. What is your Go-To NBA Jersey to wear and why?

I'm a big fan of the T-Shirt jersey. I really want a Kawhi Leonard jersey shirt. Kawhi is the best two-way player in a long time. His finals run last year was legendary.

6. What is one game or moment in NBA history you wish you could have been at and why?

2019 NBA Finals Game 6. The Warriors were so dominant for a solid 5 year stretch. It's crazy that they made it all the way to the finals running on fumes. To see that team fizzle off in the Finals was bitter sweet. You knew the team wasn't gonna be the same Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant got hurt.

7. What is your favorite NBA/Basketball related song, and why? 

Basketball Jones off the Space Jam soundtrack. The Barry White and Chris Rock collaboration was very special.

8. Lastly, Who is your favorite NBA player of all time and why?

My favorite NBA player of all time is Michael Jordan. Growing up in a small town in Joliet there wasn't much to do. I fell in love with the game of basketball as a kid watching Michael play. We would watch the NBA Finals as a family when I was in grade school.I have vivid memories of the Super Sonics and Suns Finals the Bulls played. Moments like the John Paxson game winner will always stick out to me. Times were just simpler. To this day I still watch and play basketball. There's a feeling like anything is possible when you watched Michael Jordan play. I carry that feeling into everything I do.


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