Bulls Continue to Roll Despite Injuries, Trounce Nets 110-95
Written by Shawn Foss
While most of the NBA’s teams have been dealing with a rash of injuries due to the condensed schedule, no one in the league is thriving despite the injuries quite like the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have only had their starting lineup intact for 5 of their first 19 games, and yet they are off to a league best 16-3 start. The good times kept rolling on Monday night, as the Bulls dominated the New Jersey Nets from start to finish on their way to a 110-95 victory at the United Center. Luol Deng and Taj Gibson both sat out with injuries for Chicago, but as they have just about every night, the Bulls found a way to pick up the slack. Derrick Rose returned from a toe injury that kept him out of the past 4 games, and looked sharp while racking up 22 points and 8 assists. Rip Hamilton also put up 22 points and the Bulls had 6 players in double figures, and also set a season high with 33 assists as a team. Jordan Farmar paced the Nets with 22 points off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting and Deron Williams put up a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists. The victory was the 4th in a row for the Bulls, who also are now 8-0 at the United Center this season. The Nets are headed in the opposite direction as the loss drops them to 5-13 for the year
Ronnie Brewer got the Bulls jumpstarted early, scoring 7 of the team’s first 13 points. Chicago trailed just once all night at 4-3, and were up by as much as 14 before the end of the first quarter, and pretty much maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. “We just got off to a slow start,” lamented Nets coach Avery Johnson. “They got out with good energy and we let them get too many points in the paint. They did a good job at both ends of the floor against us.” The big theme for the Bulls all night was showing off their balance and depth, as everyone who saw the floor made an impact. Joakim Noah came back from an ankle injury to put up 16 points and 10 boards, and even Brian Scalabrine gave the Bulls some solid minutes with 4 assists and 5 points that included a fancy reverse layup that really revved up the UC crowd. Coach Thibodeau has been really pleased with the way the team has played despite injuries, and said as much after the game: “It’s a testament to our guys, and I think we have the right guys. Whenever they’re called upon, they’re ready to go. They’re not here by accident. We feel they’re very talented and they all can play.”
Monday’s game was a special one for Rip Hamilton, and not just for the season-high 22 points and 10 assists that he tallied. The first basket Hamilton netted in the game gave him 15,000 career points, making him the 120th player of all time to hit that mark and just the 20th that is still active. When asked about the milestone, Rip commented that, “I think I owe it to all my great teammates that I’ve played with my whole career. It’s a great accomplishment.” Hamilton’s work ethic and unselfish play has made him an instant fit in Chicago, and it’s really showing through now that he’s healthy and on the court. The MVP certainly appreciates his presence out there. “Rip is a scoring machine,” commented D-Rose, “someone you have to respect when he’s on the floor. He passes better than me. He makes my job easier.”
As things come together for Chicago this season, there is a lot of championship buzz around this team. While Coach Thibodeau probably doesn’t want his players talking about winning it all just yet, the questions about how good this team can be are going to keep coming up as long as they keep winning. Brian Scalabrine did a nice job deflecting the question by simply answering, “We’re a good team, but we need to get better. We need to get better on offense and we need to get better on defense.” Rip Hamilton had a little bit more to say on the issue, commenting that, “Guys are very in tune to what Coach Thibs wants us to do. To be a great championship team everybody’s got to be on the same page, and since I got here, everyone’s been on the same page.” As long as these guys stay on that page, the Bulls will continue to run like a well-oiled machine, even on replacement parts.
Things are not running so smooth for the Nets. They are just as banged up as the Bulls, with starters Damion James and Brook Lopez both sidelined, and their second leading scorer MarShon Brooks a late scratch for Monday’s game. The difference for the Nets is that their backups aren’t doing what the Bulls reserves are with the extended minutes. New Jersey seems to be headed in the right direction with a lot of young talent, but they have a long way to go to become a dangerous team. They are likely in for plenty of growing pains as the season unfolds, just like the ones they experienced on Monday.
Chicago’s schedule gets a little tougher in the near future, and getting healthy will be a big key this week for the squad. The Bulls host a very dangerous Pacers team Wednesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday before embarking on a 9-game road trip that starts out in Miami against the defending Eastern Conference champs. It would be a big lift to have Luol and Taj back in business by the time the team hits the road. I’m sure the Bulls have all the confidence in the world that they can win with a couple of missing pieces like they’ve been doing all year, but it’s always nice to be at full strength.
The 20 things I learned at the 2012 Cubs Convention
Written by Mike KincaideThis article really should consist of two sentences: The main thing I learned from the Cubs Convention is that Ernie Banks owes me $11. That is all.
Actually I learned a little more than that, but that's probably the most important one, but we'll get to that story later. The 27th annual Cubs Convention may have lacked the star-power of years past but you'd have never noticed with all the excitment Theo and his team brought to the Hilton. So for those who may have sat this one out I'll give you a recap of what a convention veteran like myself learned as the new regime made their first convention appearance.
1. I now know how to pronounce new Cubs manager Dave Sveum's name. (It's like swim...only not).
2. Kerry Wood is going to be buried in a Cubs uniform. (He's never leaving....ever. So if you're stealing his internet connection you can look forward to a few more years of free usage).
3.The Cubs are trying to set a world record for player in the organization with mullets. Seriously, not everyone needs to look like Sawyer from LOST.
4. Brad Zibung of The Heckler: taller in person. Julie DiCaro of the Red Eye: cuter in person. Barry Rosner: cooler in person. Paul Sullivan: shorter in person. Kenny McReynolds: creepier in person.
5. Shawon Dunston has a son in the Cubs organization that could be in the bigs sooner rather than later. Get your Shawn -o-meter's ready.
6. The food at the media social was much better in year's past.
7. Alfonzo Soriano is still a Cub. Carlos pena is not here, yet LaHarr and Rizzo are. Guess we know who's on first.
8. David DeJesus will make all those that miss Todd Walker and Mark DeRosa feel all warm and fuzzy again.
9. There's a new band for the Cubs Saturday Night dance party. Yeah, I'll miss Gypsee Lee too! (fyi she was a dancer at past dance parties)
10. If you don't have a baseball signed by Brett Jackson or Anthony Rizzo you just aren't cool. That Dave Otto autograph will get you no cool points in the lobby.
11. Concerts? What concerts? There's only one concert planned for the summer (oh yeah, and then there's Brad Paisley, and that whole Springsteen thing...)
12. You are insane if you are already in line at 4am waiting for a 11am autograph session for James Russell. Seriously people....seriously.
13. The Cubs trolley has video games on it! It also plays the same songs you hear Mike and Joe play at Cubby Bear. is that exciting?
14. The 2011 highlight video is amazingly missing one thing: higlights of the 2011 season. Ouch. There's a couple in there...but don't blink or you'll miss them.
15. Mike Hill, the Cubs former event operations chief is not around. Mike passed away a few eeeks before, but the notoriously all-business/jokester who would spend much of Saturday being the only guy besides the players wearing dark sunglasses was sorely missed. Many of the staff wore pins in his honor.
16. Rollie Fingers still owns a weird moustache. Why is Rollie Fingers here...good f'n question!!!
17. Ran into Dutchie Caray...literally ran into. Yes she's ok...Seconds later ran into Tom Ricketts. Yes, my job is still ok.
18.The silent auction offerred autographed items from many 7th inning stretch singers. After further review (and witnessing several items not bidded on) i have determined that we need an upgrade on 7th inning stretch singers.
19. The brunch/lunch for the players/staff in the mornings...sucks. Come one, eggs, bacon...something!!! Man cannot live off cinnamon rolls and Sierra Mist all day.
20.Ernie Banks owes me $11. Now let me explain, Mr. Cub isn like other players, he knows everyone. He knows everyone because he talks to EVERYONE! His 1 hour session turned into a 2 hour yap fest with every fan that walked by. Now thats fine....did you not say more personal attention? Did you not tell my wife more personal attention! (Jerry Maguire). Now i'm making sure the session goes smoothly, no biggie, talk that talk, Mr. Cub. I made the mistake of saying that I would get Ernie "whatever he needs". His eyes light up! "Really", he says...pulls me close and asks for a glass of Merlot. Ok fine, no biggie. I was thinking more of the free Sierra Mist but hey, he's Ernie Banks! So I send one of my guys to find a glass from one of the hotel bars, and even give him money to get it...not thinking this half of cup of grape juice would cost $11 dollars.
What else did I learn? Well Marlon Byrd looks in the best shape I've ever seen him in, we have an abundance of young pitchers, Brian LaHarr has weird hair, and Len Kasper just may be the nicest guy around.
So after another crazed weekend amongst Cubs fans my level of optimism is pretty high. How they'll do next season is anyone's guess, but at least we'll have a goal to shoot for: actual baseball highlights on the 2012 higlight video.
The 20 I learned at the 2012 Cubs Convention
Written by Mike KincaideThis article really should consist of two sentences: The main thing I learned from the Cubs Convention is that Ernie Banks owes me $11. That is all.
Actually I learned a little more than that, but that's probably the most important one, but we'll get to that story later. The 27th annual Cubs Convention may have lacked the star-power of years past but you'd have never noticed with all the excitment Theo and his team brought to the Hilton. So for those who may have sat this one out I'll give you a recap of what a convention veteran like myself learned as the new regime made their first convention appearance.
1. I now know how to pronounce new Cubs manager Dave Sveum's name. (It's like swim...only not).
2. Kerry Wood is going to be buried in a Cubs uniform. (He's never leaving....ever. So if you're stealing his internet connection you can look forward to a few more years of free usage).
3.The Cubs are trying to set a world record for player in the organization with mullets. Seriously, not everyone needs to look like Sawyer from LOST.
4. Brad Zibung of The Heckler: taller in person. Julie DeCaro of the Red Eye: cuter in person. Barry Rosner: cooler in person. Paul Sullivan: shorter in person. Kenny McReynolds: creepier in person.
5. Shawon Dunston has a son in the Cubs organization that could be in the bigs sooner rather than later. Get your Shawn -o-meter's ready.
6. The food at the media social was much better in year's past.
7. Alfonzo Soriano is still a Cub.
8. David DeJesus will make all those that miss Todd Walker and Mark DeRosa feel all warm and fuzzy again.
9. There's a new band for the Cubs Saturday Night dance party. Yeah, I'll miss Gypsee Lee too! (fyi she was a dancer at past dance parties)
10. If you don't have a baseball signed by Brett Jackson or Anthony Rizzo you just aren't cool. That Dave Otto autograph will get you no cool points in the lobby.
11. Concerts? What concerts? There's only one concert planned for the summer (oh yeah, and then there's Brad Paisley, and that whole Springsteen thing...)
12. You are insane if you are already in line at 4am waiting for a 11am autograph session for James Russell. Seriously people....seriously.
13. The Cubs trolley has video games on it! It also plays the same songs you hear Mike and Joe play at Cubby Bear. is that exciting?
14. The 2011 highlight video is amazingly missing one thing: higlights of the 2011 season. Ouch. There's a couple in there...but don't blink or you'll miss them.
15. Mike Hill, the Cubs former event operations chief is not around. Mike passed away a few eeeks before, but the notoriously all-business/jokester who would spend much of Saturday being the only guy besides the players wearing dark sunglasses was sorely missed. Many of the staff wore pins in his honor.
16. Rollie Fingers still owns a weird moustache.
17. Ran into Dutchie Caray...literally ran into. Yes she's ok...Seconds later ran into Tom Ricketts. Yes, my job is still ok.
18.The silent auction offerred autographed items from many 7th inning stretch singers. After further review (and witnessing several items not bidded on) i have determined that we need an upgrade on 7th inning stretch singers.
19. The brunch/lunch for the players/staff in the mornings...sucks. Come one, eggs, bacon...something!!! Man cannot live off cinnamon rolls and Sierra Mist all day.
20.Ernie Banks owes me $11. Now let me explain, Mr. Cub isn like other players, he knows everyone. He knows everyone because he talks to EVERYONE! His 1 hour session turned into a 2 hour yap fest with every fan that walked by. Now thats fine....did you not say more personal attention? Did you not tell my wife more personal attention! (Jerry Maguire). Now i'm making sure the session goes smoothly, no biggie, talk that talk, Mr. Cub. I made the mistake of saying that I would get Ernie "whatever he needs". His eyes light up! "Really", he says...pulls me close and asks for a glass of Merlot. Ok fine, no biggie. I was thinking more of the free Sierra Mist but hey, he's Ernie Banks! So I send one of my guys to find a glass from one of the hotel bars, and even give him money to get it...not thinking this half of cup of grape juice would cost $11 dollars.
What else did I learn? Well Marlon Byrd looks in the best shape I've ever seen him in, we have an abundance of young pitchers, Brian LaHarr has weird hair, and Len Kasper just may be the nicest guy around.
So after another crazed weekend amongst Cubs fans my level of optimism is pretty high. How they'll do next season is anyone's guess, but at least we'll have a goal to shoot for: actual baseball highlights on the 2012 higlight video.
Bulls Bounce Back from Bad Loss, Run away from Pistons in the 4th
Written by Shawn Foss
The Chicago Bulls were left with a bad taste in their mouths on Saturday night in Atlanta, as the Hawks played from ahead by double-digits for much of the game en route to a 109-94 win. The team laid an egg on the defensive end and failed to move the ball well on the offensive end. Derrick Rose was held to single-digit points for the first time since 2010, and the team was thoroughly embarrassed. “In this league, you usually get what you deserve,” lamented Bulls’ coach Tom Thibodeau afterwards. “This is the NBA. You’ve got to come every night.” Just two nights later, the Bulls got a perfect opportunity to cleanse their palate with the offensively challenged Detroit Pistons coming to the United Center, and they took advantage of it. The Bulls came out of the gate red hot, and then used a dominant final frame to put the Pistons away, 92-68. Carlos Boozer and Derrick Rose tallied 23 and 22 points respectively, with Rose chipping in 8 assists and Boozer 8 rebounds to go along with them. Ronnie Brewer also had a nice game, adding 12 points and 4 assists while continuing to fill in for injured starter Rip Hamilton. For the Pistons, only second-year center Greg Monroe really stood out with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. He didn’t get much help up front as starting power forward Jonas Jerebko and backup center/power forward Jason Maxiell combined to shoot just 3-for-20.
For the Bulls it was all about ratcheting up the effort on the defensive end. “We just keyed in on defense,” mentioned Taj Gibson after the game. “That’s a tough, running team. [Our] guys made plays late.” The Bulls didn’t effectively close out on perimeter shooters against the Hawks, but they made sure that wasn’t a problem again on Monday. On the offensive end, the Bulls came out red hot to start the game. D-Rose scored or assisted on all of the Bulls first 15 points, and the team knocked down their first 7 shots from the field while running out to a 17-8 lead. Chicago cooled just as quickly as they heated up, however, shooting just 1-for-12 for the rest of the quarter, including missing the final 9 shots of the period as the Pistons battled back to a 21-all tie. That was the last time the game would be tied. The ‘Bench Mob’ came in and rolled to a 9-0 run to open the second frame, and it was elementary from there. The Pistons stayed within striking distance for a while, but it was all Bulls in the 4th. A nine point lead ballooned into a 24-point victory as they held the Pistons to just 9 points in the 4th quarter, and the Bulls’ starters got some much needed rest in the first game of their only back-to-back-to-back of the season. It’s always a successful game when the team gets up enough that Brian Scalabrine sees some minutes.
Chicago got a couple of scintillating shooting performances out of Boozer (9-for-13) and Brewer (6-for-9), which made up for an off night for Luol Deng, who scored just 4 points on 2-of-11 shooting. Even after a night like that, Coach Thibs always has good things to say about his small forward. “The big thing about Luol is when he is not shooting well or scoring, he still helps you in so many ways because of his defense, the way he moves the ball, his hustle and activity. I’m not worried about Luol.” When a team plays as well as the Bulls did on Monday night, it’s hard to find things to be unhappy about, even for Tom Thibodeau. The only critique that Thibs offered is that he would have liked to see the team run more, despite outscoring Detroit 18-6 on the fast break. He did really like some of the things his stars did in the half court, however, as he commented, “Carlos and Derrick in the pick and roll, they are tough to stop. They put a lot of pressure on people. Tonight I thought they made real good decisions.”
Despite the dominating performance the Bulls threw at the Pistons on Monday, you won’t find the squad standing around, patting themselves on the back. No one would call a win against Detroit overly impressive, and the Bulls simply don’t have any time to savor the victory. This was just game one of three games in three nights for Chicago, the first such stretch for the organization in 30 years. They travel to Minnesota on Tuesday and return home to square off with the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. The shortened season has certainly taken some players out of their comfort zone with the compressed schedule, but the Bulls don’t seem to bothered by it. Carlos Boozer said the 3-game swing would be a “flashback” to his days playing AAU ball, and Derrick Rose simply said that playing three games in three days is fun. In the bigger picture, the current stretch the Bulls are in includes 9 games in 12 days, but the Bulls certainly qualify as a team with young enough legs to handle the schedule.
As for the Pistons, Monday night was just one rough loss of many they will likely suffer as the season wears on. The roster is fairly young, with 3 starters that are 25 or younger and rookie Brandon Knight and 3rd year pro Austin Daye playing significant minutes off the bench, but with that youth comes inconsistency. Former Bull Ben Gordon summed it up after the game by saying, “We have to be more consistent throughout, and play all 48 minutes. I guess if we could bottle what we did in the 3rd quarter and spread it out over 48 minutes.” That consistency will come with time as these youngsters grow together as a team. Brandon Knight looks like he will become a very solid scorer in the league, but may need to become a better distributor to continue to play point guard, and Greg Monroe absolutely seems to be developing into a star for the Pistons. He is a solid rebounder with good low post moves offensively, and he is a fantastic passer for a big man. There are better days ahead for Detroit, but the transformation will take time. For now, the growing pains will continue.
Growing pains are not a problem for the Bulls this season. This is a team that has one goal: to win a championship one game at a time. All of the early season returns seem to put the Bulls on the road to a rematch with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Chicago hit a bit of a speed bump on that road against Atlanta on Saturday, but they got the bounce-back game they needed on Monday. If Carlos Boozer continues to be an aggressive scorer alongside Derrick Rose, and the Bulls continue to play Bulls’ defense all year, there won’t be many more speed bumps along the way, just smooth sailing.
Remember that awful WB Tv show Unhappily Ever After? Of course you don't, it was awful, it was worse than awful, and even more it knew it was bad, kept getting worse, and never seemed to end. It just fell off network television. You only had reason to watch because well you were A. male and Nikki Cox was at her all-time hottest moment in life, or you were B. male and liked the comic stylings of Bobcat Goldthwait and a puppet bunny. You probably also lived in your parents basement and collected X-men comic books. I only bring up this pathetic display of a show because for the past 10 years that's how Bears fans have been living, unhappily ever after, thanks to general manager Jerry Angelo...or should I say former general manager. Yes people, someone has finally cancelled this show!
It went on entirely too long if you ask me. A barrage of bad choices and horrible drafting, added with bad roster management and what you got yourself is a recipe for disaster. Actually what you have is the San Diego Chargers, a mediocre team going nowhere with high expectations of themselves that only they believe...and generally fall flat on their faces without ever changing their god-awful team management. Yet year in and year out we put our faith behind Angelo, head coach Lovie Smith, and money man Ted Philips, and almost every season they brought us weeks upon weeks of confusion. Outside of a Super Bowl victory there was no way Angelo was surviving another season as GM. Remember his confidence in the offensive line this summer, and not wanting to get another experienced lineman? That worked out well, didnt it? Remember him drafting another broken offensive lineman from college with more injury problems? Did you not get the memo on Chris Williams? Did you really think this offensive line, the same offensive line that watched Jay Culter get tossed all around the field the previous season resulting in leading the NFL in an embarassing stats of giving up the most sacks, would be better be better somehow and would remain healthy all year long? As for picking up a back-up veteran quarterback...totally overrated. Sure everyone loved Caleb Hanie after that play-off game against Green Bay, but we didnt love him after a very awkward pre-seaon. You couldn't find one veteran quarterback? We'd have taken McNabb, Kerry Collins, maybe even Fav...maybe not. But hell, Bubby Brister is available. Check the Score 670 am, they seem to have a ton of ex Bears there, a few qb's to spare.
The end also came for offensive coordinator Mike Martz, which is two years too late. Martz' system works...well it did for the Rams in the early 2000's. Unfortunately we are a decade late with nothing close to the same level of recievers. Sure I love Johnny Knox (not as a fantasy football coach I don't) but if he's your fastest reciever (sorry Devin Hester is not a reciever) then you've got issues, because he got benched for Roy Williams. Let that tell you something about putting together a roster. In pre-season before he was even in shape and making any type of impact on the practice field, the bears annouced Roy Williams as the starting wide reciever over knox. Hmmm. Now look at the stats...go ahead, I'll wait. Now did you see the part where Knox has 200 more yards in one less game than Williams? Did you also see the part where rookie Dane Sanezbacher from the bench led all wide recievers in touchdowns? It's at this point you're remembering that Earl Bennett is Cutler's favorite target, just like last seson when Greg Olsen (540 yds with 5 touchdowns this season) was his favorite. What happened to Olsen you ask? Oh yeah, Mike Martz didnt like him, and Angelo probably traded him for a pack of black bic pens.
Martz' offense was oh so confusing for a team that works best with simplicities. Martz was determined to make lemonade with oranges, all the while having one of the best oranges in the league (Matt Forte) at his disposal. Eventually Lovie Smith realized the error of Martz's ways, and his own in handing over the reigns to a 90's madman. In turn Lovie showed Martz who Forte was since they seemingly needed an introduction, (its not good when you have one the leagues best runningbacks and you never run the ball) and then showed him the door afterwards.
Oh do we even need to go into more players formerly of the Dallas Cowboys we picked up?
So now the entire mess falls back on Lovie. Its his damn team, his mess, his offensive coordinator. Somehow he gained more power out of all of this! Most expect offensive line coach Mike Tice to get the gig. Um...sure. I understand that he wasnt really given the right horses to run with, however he was the coach of the offensive line, the same offensive line that nearly broke Jay Cutler in half on several occassions each season. Lets just get a second opinion, that's all I'm saying...A much better option would be current Jets offensive coordinator Brian Shottenheimer.
The Bears also did something that most "insiders" consider a no-no in not firing Lovie Smith, which means whatever GM that gets hired is stuck with Lovie and his offensive coordinator for the year. Its an interesting corner to put the man running your football program in, since they usually like to have their own people, right Theo Epstein??? Some of the more talked about options for the GM job are Ed DeCosta from Baltimore, Les Snead from the Falcolns, both directors of personel, John Dorsey, a scouting guru from Green bay, and Bill Polian. Polian ran Indianapolis' team until being fired recently, and considering the Colts went to two SuperBowls in the Lovie/Angelo era, thats a good place to start. Polian has a tremendous track record with the Colts, Buffalo, and Carolina, and definitely knows talent (yes he did draft Peyton Manning, which is like drafting Jordan in his prime I suppose..a no brainer) which should make him the Bears' first option. However here what one Colt insider said about Polian:
"Bill Polian is a fine football architect. He’s a smart man, who knows he’s a smart man and who tends to talk down to people he doesn’t respect or doesn't believe are as smart. Those qualities could make him somewhat of a tyrant -- especially to some branches of the media, but not to them exclusively -- which is hardly the worst thing you can say about a football executive."
And you thought talking to Mike Martz was fun. what will n ot be fun is keeping up with Green Bay and the up and coming Detroit Lions. Plus can you guess the number of offensive coordinators Jay Cutler has had in Chicago since becoming a Bear? This will be number 4 in 5 seasons....that could be a record, folks.
Next season will definitely be interesting. Who's going to play wide reciever for this team? Will there be anymore ex Cowboys on the roster? Will Lance Briggs still be in a Bears uniform? Will Brian Urlacher be healthy? Who's going to be on the line? Will Matt Forte have a contract by then? Will the defense still suck to high heaven some games? What will become of Brock Lesner? Who's going to be on Dancing with the Stars? Will Snooki and The Situation finally hook up? Will Jay Cutler be married or break off another proposal before the seaon start??
Either way addition by subtraction is sometimes the best possible answer, right Theo Epstein (Goodbye Carlos)! No matter what happens from this point on we know the Bears are headed in a new direction, and hopefully a much better direction..
This must be what a 16 year-old girl feels like when Breaking Dawn part one finally hit the big screens....happiness, relief, excitment. Why am I gushing? Why am I making this silly reference to 16 year-olds and pale yet beautiful-looking vampires that have never seemed to age despite being hundred of years of age? Well its because of three simple letters: NFL.
You see, the NFL has been the vain of my existance since...oh, August. I had such high hopes for the Bears to do well. I believed in Mike Martz and Jay Cutler coming together for a terrific season. I believed Matt Forte was going to dominate the NFC conference. I couldnt wait for our big showdowns with Green Bay, and watching Brian Urlacher toss Rodgers and Jennings like rag dolls. More importantly, my fantasy football teams relieved heavily on the producition of said players, as well as my secret weapon, Johnny Knox.
Well everyone of those guys with the exception of Urlacher is now injured. Infact, all of my running backs, even the subs, are no longer playing football today. My quarterback situation is about as shotty as my dating situation, and did I mention I lost my 1st kicker on the first damn day of the season. I'm on kicker number 4 btw...and I dont even care about having a kicker but the "league" says we need one...ugh. How comes there's no black kickers? Just sayin....The NFL has just done me wrong this year. Ive stopped updating my rosters for weeks now...who cares anymore. Facebook had to remind me that the "biggest game of the season" was still occurring, the Bears versus Packers in Green Bay. Thanks for nothing, facebook.
So needless to say I am frickin' happy as pie that the NBA season is finally in full gear. While I dont like bad basketball, it at least gives me something credible to watch for the rest of winter. The idea of seeing Kobe bryant's relationship drama play out for an entire season has me pumped. Plus that means another season of VH1 Basketball wives, I'm sure that will make for some interesting tweets. I'll finally know what Spike Lee is doing with his life...you'd think he'd spend more time talking to Woody Allen, wouldn't you? Weird. Shaq is joing the TNT studio crew, which makes tv's best sports gre-game/post game show even better. Plus, i'll admit, I actually like Kris Humphries. I do. I even know what team he plays for...do you?
Im guessing you proabaly arent as excited as I am about the league returning, but let me give you just a few reasons why you should watch:
Miami's holy trinity of evil is back. The team everyone hates is back and are the favorites to win this yhear's NBA championship. Talent-wise alone, Wade and LBJ are incredible enough to beat every team in basketball, unfortunately you have to play with five. The Heat took a major step in the right direction by signing Shane battier. Who you may ask? Well besides being my favorite current NBA player (yes it's true), Battier is the one player in the NBA who is willing to do anything and everything for a team while still playing at a high level. The 6'8 guard/forward plays defense like a monster while also being able to shot the 3 ball very well. Unfortunately it's two steps forward, one step back as the heat also signed Eddy Curry for some odd reason. Curry is collecting over 10 mil for eating Big Macs the last 3 years. He's probably played in A game (yes, 1 game) and might as well be wearing a ski mask over his head while cashing checks. I hope he has direct deposit. The Heat also decided not to upgrade their point guard position, relying on Mario Chambers to develop. Thats great and all, but putting your faith in Chambers to turn into a starting point guard is just about the same as putting your faith in Kevin Smith not making another movie that doesn't suck. (sorry Kev, it's true. Step your game up, bud.) While I fully expect the heat to compete if not win it all this year, watching them fail and get beat is always a highlight for any basketball fan.
I would like to see if Kim and Kris can work things out, plus how is Khloe going to adapt to living in Dallas? Speaking of Dallas, why are people still signing Vince carter to any type of contract. He's not even good on NBA2K12 anymore. You know you're starved for basketball when you can't wait to see the Clippers play. Yikes! let's not forget the trials of GSW. Who's that, you ask" Well GSW, or the Golden State Warriors, are a team from Oakland or San Francisco...who even knows anymore, who...well lets just say they have issues with 'winning". They have no issues scoring, yet they seem to be allergic to defense. Like your friend's kid is allergic to peanuts and needs a shot if he eats one, yeah the Warriors need a shot nightly. New head coach Mark Jackson has high hopes and big dreams of bringing a defensive mentality to Golden State. Jackson also had big dreams of beating the Bulls when he was with the Knicks and the Pacers. some dreams just don't come true, mark. At least you'll have some coaching experience, even if it was with GSW.
And since we are talking about Chicago, let me tell you there is not alot of good that comes out of Englewood. There's like....me, and Derrick rose. We'll give Derrick the headlines here as he did just sign a 90 million dollar contract after being named league MVP last season. To come so far from so little is impressive, and shows kids that it is possible. it's also possible that the Bulls could go to the finals this year. They are bringing back basically the same team, with key additions being the rookie Jimmy Butler and veteran shooting guard Rip Hamilton. Butler will help ease the pressure of guarding LBJ and Wade as he has the size and speed to keep up with them for a few minutes, so that neither will be able to torture Kyle Korver for minutes at a time He tries so hard, doesn't he? Kyle, we get it, you shoot 3's...you're not suppose to be guarding 6'9 300lb "small" forwards. Hamilton steps in as starting guard along size Rose and fits like a glove. A 100% upgrade from last year's starter Keith Bogans, Hamilton can shoot the lights out and play defense, and will punish defenders trying to double or help on Rose, Deng, or Boozer. If they stay healthy, the Bulls have more than a legitimate shot at not only repeating as the NBA's best team, but as this year's newest NBA champions.
Up in Denver Tim Tebow is making miracles happen. Tebow, who has the unfortunate reputation by players and critics alike as “not being much of an NFL quarterback”, somehow has made it all work. His limited skills have been effective in running the ball, and passing when he really needed to; helped out by a super-tough defense. It’s a game-plan the Bears better get used to, as not only do they face Tebow’s Broncos soon, it’s a game-plan they may want to subscribe too, themselves.
The Bears looked like a bad high school team on offense against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Quarterback Caleb Hanie isn’t the answer, and he has the numbers to back it up. Any thoughts of calling up just-released qb Donavan McNabb were laughed at…well,
that is until Sunday night came about. Add that with the injury to running back
Matt Forte, and the seven sacks the offensive line gave up to a weak KC
defensive line, and you’ve really got some offensive issues! The good news is
when Jay Cutler does return next season he’ll have a new offensive coordinator,
as Mike Martz not only turned down an extension for next season, but he’s
rumored to be looking everywhere but here. Oh, that’s not good news, is it?
Defensively the Bears played a very tough game. They kicked the Chiefs all over the field, and only gave up 10 points. In a normal game, that’s a win for the home team! But alas, the Bears are not a normal team, not anymore, not with Hanie behind center. And it’s not
all his fault. Again, seven sacks?? Six in the second half alone! No Forte, who
is the Bears biggest offensive weapon btw, means you have to throw to your receivers
more, and the receivers did a magnificent job of sucking. Don’t believe me? Ask
Roy Williams how his day went. Stop by Earl Bennett’s locker while you’re at
it.
The Chiefs only scored a touchdown because of a botched defensive play by the Bears where Brian Urlacher had an end zone hail mary interception in his hand only to have it knocked out by safety Chris Conte into the hands of a waiting Chiefs receiver. Ouch.
Offensively it was a horrid day all around, from Hanie to the receivers, even down to kicker Robbie Gould’s missed field goal. The defense did a tremendous job, and should feast on an awful qb like Tebow, however, much like the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning, Brian
Urlacher and his teammates can’t play offense. Well I’m sure they could, I just don’t recommend it.
The Bears without Cutler still have play-off hopes. The Bears with Hanie do not. The Bears without Forte will have a better shot at Andrew Luck than the play-offs. When you can’t beat the average Oakland Raiders, or the lifeless Kansas City Chiefs you deserve to stay
home and watch the NBA return to television on game days. I hear Shaq is joining
the TNT studio team, that should be fun to watch!
Oh yeah, about Tebow, he had another miracle game against Minnesota, this time going 10-15 for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns in another late victory. He’s 6-1 since being in the line-up. Is another miracle on board for next Sunday’s showdown in Denver? I wonder who the Bears would pick if they had a vote, Hanie or Tebow…
Yes kids, the lock-out is officially over. Life is back to normal. Dogs are back chasing cats. Dinosaur Train is airing again everyday on public television, there’s another Twilight
movie, Bruce Willis is making another Die Hard movie, Lindsay’s back in jail, ….yep,
life is truly back to normal.
So you’re probably asking yourself, why do I care if the NBA is back? Well you have to be curious on what Prince looks like these days. Khloe and Lamar without the NBA turns into Kendra…and nobody wants to see that. Plus with Jack not making movies much these days you have to be curious if he’s even still alive, right? Laker games will keep you
updated. Plus Justin Bieber literally grew up before our very eyes at NBA games.
Aren’t you curious to see if Jay-Z, Kanye, and Diddy are still friends, or if Spike Lee
got a new Knick’s jersey? You know you want to see Kenny Smith show the world
just how insane Charles Barkley is 2 nights a week on their NBA show. I know I
do. Seriously, your fantasy football season is almost up…it’s true, face it. What
obnoxiously overplayed artist will be played on the arena loud-speakers this
year…hopefully Ne-Yo and Pitbull, we need more of that. The NFL is done in
January, and with Jay Cutler out and the Packers still undefeated, well, there
really isn’t much to look forward to if you’re in Chicago (until the Packers fail miserably in
their chances of repeating or staying undefeated). You know what comes after
football season? March Madness! Yes, more basketball. Such a fun part of the
year…it’s where you get to see more guys headed to the, wait for it…NBA!
February and March has nothing to offer you but spring training baseball. If you’re a
Sox fan, well first off I feel sorry for you, and secondly, um, you need a new
GM. Oh I kid, I kid, I like the Sox, you’ve just had a series of bad
off-seasons. And while the Cubs may have a buzz about them, well let’s face it, they are still the Cubs. Rome wasn’t built in a day…and Wrigley Field damn sure ain’t Rome.
So where does that leave you…in the loving arms of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, of
course. The Miami Heat would love your support this season, as they try to get
past that “overrated” tag that’s followed them the past year. This time things
will be different, they promise. Remember the hometown kid, Derrick Rose? He
was the MVP of the league last year…good kid, plays for the Bulls. Well he’s
back too. Shaq’s gone…I know, but he’s promised no more movies of rap albums so
we’re good there.
Oh, and just how do you expect VH1 to show Basketball
Wives without basketball? I’m still curious to see just how billionaire
Mark Cuban flaunts his team’s NBA Finals win from last season. Will he give his
team golden Ferraris and strippers, championship belts, watches, platinum unicorns?
Plus you know you’re curious about the latest nonsense that goes on in the NBA.
Did you know Ron Artest changed his name, or that Sacramento and Minnesota still have franchises? Plus that NBA2K12 game is going to make a lot more sense once you can download free agent and rookies to the rosters, won’t it?
Anyways, welcome back NBA…you’ve been gone way too long.
Major League Baseball: A Sensible Instant Replay Rule
Written by Travis Clemmons
In the National Football League, a Head Coach has two options when he disagrees with a Referee's call.
- A -
He can allow that decision to stand.
- B -
He can bet one of his time outs against the possibility that a video review might cause the decision to be overturned. If the review supports the Coach, the Referee's call is overturned and the time spent on the review is treated as a normal part of playing the game. If the review supports the Referee's call, the Coach has just burned one of his time outs.
The decision on whether or not to review the Official's call is placed exactly where it should be, in the hands of each Head Coach. The fact that asking for a review might wind up costing him a very important resource prevents a Coach from demanding review after review after review. It's a system that allows the game to be played in a fair and equitable manner while assuring that it will not be needlessly slowed down by a set of people in a video room having to review almost every single decision the Referees make.
During the past five years, Major League Baseball has consistently had a patented answer for why it won't institute its own type of instant replay system. In spite of the fact that sports fans and sports writers have been increasingly clamoring for something to be done, the National and American Leagues continue to fall back on the same old tired excuse.
This is not Football.
This is not Basketball.
Major League Baseball is not a game where a Coach faces two opponents ... The Opposing Coach and the Time Clock. Unlike an NFL Coach, an MLB Manager does not have a pocket full of Time Outs. He has no currency that he can choose to gamble on the possibility of a video review going against him.
My response to Major League Baseball is a simple one.
Please stop talking about what a Manager doesn't hold in his hand. Open your eyes and take a good hard look at the currency he does have there. While it's true that a Manager has no time outs, each new game hands this individual 27 very important coins. And each of these coins is called an out.
Taking into account that this is the currency a manager has on hand, it becomes very easy to devise a method for the Manager to protest an Umpire's call and ask for a review.
- A -
The Manager of the team that is currently batting asks for a video review of an Umpire's call. He takes this action knowing that losing this protest will cause him to be charged an out.
If he has two men on base and his team already has two outs, losing the protest will immediately end his turn at bat.
If he's protesting the call that has caused his final out of an inning, he asks for a video review knowing that losing this protest will hand the opposing Manager an additional out to use during his turn at bat. When the opposing team steps up to the plate in just a few minutes, they will have the use of 4 outs for that inning instead of the usual 3.
- B -
The Manager of the team that is currently defending the field asks for a video review of an Umpire's call. He does so knowing that losing the protest will cause the batting team to be handed the use of an additional out.
In this system, the decision on whether or not to review an Official's call is again placed exactly where it should be. It rests squarely in the hands of each Manager. And each Manager is required to balance the importance of overturning an inconvenient decision against the possibility that a failed appeal would hand him a rather severe penalty.
So here you have it Major League Baseball. An easy fix that would quickly improve the fan's confidence in the quality of the officiating while ensuring that Video Review would not become a time consuming monster. Are you going to take a stand up and take a step that will help to advance the best interests of the game? Or are you going to continue kneeling there with your heads down in the sand?
Travis Clemmons
