Chicago Bulls Fans Fill Milwaukee’s Arena, Bucks Owner Upset

In their first round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Chicago Bulls own a distinct advantage that nobody is talking about. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is literally Chicago north with Bulls fans frequently outnumbering Milwaukee fans in the Bucks’ own arena. The Bulls essentially have seven home games during this series, an advantage that should work in their favor as it drags on.

Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center

Joakim Noah

(13) celebrates with teammates

Jimmy Butler

(21) and

Mike Dunleavy

(34) as they enter a timeout against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Apparently, Bucks co-owner James Dinan has noticed the large contingency of Bulls fans in Milwaukee during Bucks’ homes games, and this has upset him greatly. Dinan released a statement strongly discouraging Bulls fans from making the 90-mile drive from Chicago to Milwaukee.

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"Bulls fans have flocked north in recent years during the regular season, often forming a majority of the BMO Harris Bradley Center crowd. When the two teams played on April 1 in Milwaukee, the Bucks snapped a nine-game home losing skid to Chicago with a 95-91 victory and sent the Bulls fans home unhappy. I would say it’s going to be a very long, long, lonely drive home to west Chicago after the games here,” Dinan said. “That’s my advice, OK. Stay home, because you’re going to be really lonely and sad on that long ride home.”"

Is this guy serious? Not only is he bitter that Bulls fans have outnumbered Bucks fans in his own stadium for as long as anybody can remember, but he is also predicting a Bucks’ series victory by saying Bulls fans will have a “really lonely and sad” ride home if they choose to venture to Milwaukee for the playoff series.

During the 2014-2015 season, the Bucks were ranked 27th in the league in terms of average home attendance. Since the 2010-2011 season, the Bucks have topped out at 23rd in the league in terms of attendance. During this same time frame, the Bulls have been first in the NBA in home attendance every single year. According to Business Insider, as of 2014, the Bulls were the fourth most valuable team in the NBA while the Bucks were last on the list at $410 million. In 2015, the value of the Bulls franchise rose to $2 billion. The fact that Bulls fans flock to the BMO Harris Bradley Center keeps the Bucks in business. Dinan should be thankful to Bulls fans instead of encouraging them to stay away from Milwaukee.

Dinan’s comments were also a clear attempt to trash talk. However, he has zero basis for his arguments, because the Chicago Bulls have owned the Milwaukee Bucks ever since Derrick Rose was drafted in 2008.

Regular Season Series:

Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks center

Zaza Pachulia

(27) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

2014-2015: Bulls 3 Bucks 1

2013-2014: Bulls 3 Bucks 1

2012-2013: Bulls 2 Bucks 2

2011-2012: Bulls 4 Bucks 0

2010-2011: Bulls 4 Bucks 0

2009-2010: Bulls 1 Bucks 3

2008-2009: Bulls 3 Bucks 1

TOTAL: Bulls 20- Bucks 8

Dinan clearly doesn’t have any legitimate basis for his trash talk, because the Bulls have dominated the Bucks since Rose came into the league in 2008. Time will tell if Dinan’s bold claims pay off. However, if he thinks his verbal rant will deter Bulls fans from making the trek up to Milwaukee, he has another thing coming. When the series moves to Milwaukee on April 23, expect to see more red than green in the stands.

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