Bulls Notes 2009-01-16 News Philadelphia Sixers

The Bulls will honor Johnny ''Red'' Kerr for his career achievements and 35 years of service to the organization during a halftime ceremony Feb. 10, when the Bulls host the Detroit Pistons. ''Johnny Kerr is a Chicago Bulls icon,'' Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.

''It is only fitting that we salute Johnny and thank him for the many contributions he has made to the Chicago Bulls organization over these past decades. We are pleased to have the opportunity along with 20,000 of our fans to tell Johnny how much we love and appreciate him.'' Neil Funk will emcee the ceremony, which will include a video tribute, speeches and appearances from notables such as Reinsdorf, Jerry Colangelo, Dolph Schayes, Al Bianchi, Jim Durham, Ron Guenther and NBA commissioner David Stern, who will appear via a taped message. The Bulls' John Paxson and Bob Love also will attend, and former Bulls Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are expected. ''Other than my wife and my family, the Chicago Bulls have been the great love of my life,'' Kerr said. ''I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to thank everyone." ... Ben Wallace missed his second game with a stomach virus. The Cavaliers also were without center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (fractured ankle). ''You can't replace those years -- Ben's understanding and defense and Z's ability to score,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ''But we feel we're a deep team.'' ... Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro has harped on sharing the ball, and the team answered with 33 assists on 40 baskets in the victory Wednesday at Toronto. ''I try to think of ways every day to hammer that point home,'' Del Negro said. ... The Cavs are 19-0 at home, but Brown doesn't think the Bulls' record of 44 consecutive home wins from March 30, 1995, to April 8, 1996, is in jeopardy. ''Kudos to them because it's almost impossible to even think of,'' Brown said. ''Somebody would be hard-pressed to do that.'' ... LeBron James on Derrick Rose: ''I have watched him a lot. He's a very good talent. They definitely made the right choice in drafting him. He's going to continue to get better. He's a special player.''