How Big Ben Got His Groove Back

With the recent success of the Cubs, and failures of the White Sox, I had really been looking forward to football season this summer so I could divert my attention. Of course, that plan went to hell when Notre Dame and the Bears decided to suck ass.

Luckily, basketball season isn't too far away right now as the Bulls open up their training camp with two practices today. There will be a few new looks with the Bulls this season, like seeing Luol Deng play more two guard in the same backcourt as Ben Gordon.

But that's not the look I'm talking about. Putting Luol Deng in the backcourt is not going to be what gets the Bulls to the NBA Finals next summer. No, it takes something much more important than that.

Like a headband.

The Bulls will sport a couple of new looks this season, including center Ben Wallace wearing his signature headband with coach Scott Skiles' blessing.

''I left it up to the guys who have been here,'' Skiles said of his meeting with some of the team's veterans. ''If they wanted to make an exception for Ben, I was fine with it. And they did.''

Finally, Ben Wallace will be able to wear his headband. If that doesn't win us an NBA title, nothing will.

Now all the Bulls have to do is sign Ben Gordon and Luol Deng to contract extensions.