Lamingo Tomlin was excited to see the iconic wrought iron lattice work tour Eiffel that delivers its own unique high five to the world. There were the famous museums to see, like the fortress Louvre that was built to repel invaders and then became a residence before the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo took residence there. And, oh the food, so many sidewalk cafes you almost don’t give a crepe after awhile.
So the world comes to Paris for the culture, the art, the cuisine, the life in the slow lane.
Not Tomlin. He comes for the Bulls.
"It’s the first time as a married couple (with wife Yolanda) we’ve got the chance to go to Paris," Tomlin explained. "You both spend so much time at work and are invested so much time in the kids, what do you do for yourself? Sometimes it seems like just the kids and work. So we decided to do something for ourselves. Going to Paris is the bonus; we’re here to see the Bulls."
Just part of probably the world’s most involved NBA fan base.
Tomlin joined perhaps hundreds of Bulls fans who flew to Paris this week to watch the Bulls Thursday face the Detroit Pistons in a regular season game.
No, most of them still aren’t having a hangover from the 1990s championship teams. They are representing for the NBA team that for years probably has been the most recognized and popular around the world.
The late NBA commissioner David Stern delighted in discussing his role as the Richard Nixon of the NBA—not politically, for sure—in opening China for NBA games and expose. Stern related that when he first went even officials asked him about the only NBA team they’d knew, the Red Oxen.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, and lately the Golden State Warriors, may be the most recognized teams domestically. But internationally none truly compete with the Bulls. Much of that is thanks to the legacy of Micheal Jordan and the most dominating decade in the modern NBA. But even if that ended more than 20 years ago, the oxen still has plenty of gore left.
During every Bulls road game the TV cameras will focus on fans in Bulls jerseys scattered throughout the arena. They talk about fans of college football teams traveling well; in Europe it’s the soccer fanatics. Bulls fans do as well in showing up in large numbers wherever the Bulls are playing, and even in France.
When the United flight I was on was landing in Paris earlier this week, the flight attendant went through the usual series of announcements and added that there was an event this week, the Bulls and Pistons. She closed with "Go Bulls." Perhaps two dozen passengers began cheering.
Christian Tabares is another, a Northwest Side native who played basketball at Van Steuben High School and who recently got his certificate to teach K-12. His birthday is coming up, so he and his fiancé and a few friends figured the perfect way to celebrate was Paris and the Bulls.
"I’ve never been to France before," said Tabares, "but we’re coming to see the Bulls play. Lately, we’ve been going to more games on the road, too. I was too young for the championship years, but I fell in love with the Bulls with the Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon team. Ben was my favorite. I wish they would have kept him with Derrick (Rose).
"Took in a game in Memphis last year and Miami with my buddy Munaf Musa, who also is a die hard and on this trip," Tabares said. "He used to do construction. When he found out he wanted to join. There’s six of us. My family is from Columbia, so they don’t understand going to Paris to see a basketball game. My team is the Bulls, and after that just players like D-Rose, Damian Lillard. Mexico City, went to that game. I love the Bulls."
So, too, does Aakifa Papel, who with her husband decided this would be a heck of a way to spend some dreary January days, Paris and the Bulls not necessarily in that order. She’s from the Albany Park neighborhood and manages an Asian fusion restaurant in the city.
"I played high school basketball," said Papel. "My uncle was always watching the Bulls and I got hooked. I became a Scottie Pippen fan. All the players wanted No. 23 when the jerseys were being distributed for our team. So I picked 33. We decided at the last minute to go, and you can’t lose; Paris and the Bulls, though the Bulls were definitely the first idea."
Every time I go to the UC, every time they come out of the tunnel, it feels like my first time seeing them.
Lamingo Tomlin, Bulls Season Ticket Holder
Tomlin is from Gary and works for the Gary Sanitary District. He’s a Bulls season ticket holder who grew up with his grandmother, Mary Parks, falling in love with a lot of Bulls guys who took a lot to love, like Orlando Woolridge, Reggie Theus and the pre-Jordan early 1980s Bulls.
"I did get to see Michael in my first game in Chicago Stadium and I still have the game program," he said. "I just love the Bulls. We’d go to games every year, but decided to spark it up and go to more."
"Someone asked me if it gets boring going to so many games (with the season tickets)," Tomlin said. "I tell them every game is like the first time. Every time I go to the UC, every time they come out of the tunnel, it feels like my first time seeing them."
"The excitement being in the UC is a lot different than just watching it on TV," said Tomlin. "It a great time."
Chicago also is turning out in Paris for the Bulls.
Got a question for Sam?
Submit your question to Sam at asksam@bulls.com
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.