Just Finish !!

After giving fans a chillingly bad vibe in the N.J. loss to end the regular season, the Bulls punished the Miami heat 4-0 to complete only the second opening round playoff sweep of defending champions in N.B.A. history. And they looked good doing it. A lot has been written about how this Bulls team resembles the early 90’s model in being built slowly while being allowed to grow. They are a hugely different from the Frankenstein model Miami sports: Shaq, ‘Zo, Payton, Williams, and sundry other parts assembled from afar. A healthy Dwayne Wade last year allowed Miami to win it all, but the collection of yesterdays stars and Dwayne Wade could not keep up with the Bulls in any facet of the game this year. This team has been allowed to mesh to-gether well, and the addition of Ben Wallace to the core has been a major plus this series.

It was good to see the Bulls respond to the season ending N.J. loss which dropped them from #2 to #5 in the important playoff seedings. Losing the opportunity to play two straight series against weak opposition to open the playoffs and instead pairing them first against the champs and then the #1 seeded Detroit Pistons could have crushed a teams psyche. But, these was no way even close that these guys were effected.

The Bulls are a talented, deep, young, defensive minded team that used all of these things to overwhelm the Heat. The truth was out the first quarter of game #3. Down 2 games to none, the Heat had to respond by coming out all championship style- but instead it was Luol ‘denging down shots, Wallace boxing out, and the Bulls hustling everywhere. To me, the Heats championship ran out unofficially early in the third quarter of this game when the Bulls survived a furious quarter and a half surge* and put the game away. Shaq had gotten some baskets with his inside immovable positioning, but the defense tightened up and frustrated the Heat, and Ben Gordon started to hit shots.

In Sundays game I just saw a beaten Miami side from the get go, despite the few scattered heroics of what was essentially the rear guard of the championship. Again, the Bulls were able do what they wished almost the whole game. The 4-0 series win was fairly indicitive of how both teams were paying.

Now Detroit. They also are coming off a 4-0 sweep, and seem to be a bigger problem for the Bulls then the somewhat injured and old Heat. However, I have the same good feeling about this team, and the 1st round only strenghtened it. This teams should be going to the finals, if they can get past the Pistons. And they will.



*=funny-I hesitated to use this word.

Sunday Ballin

I’ve muttered the phrases mantra-like throughout the season. Kinda like a Stepford Wife blankly repeating a recipe for Hail Mary cakes 30 times over. Wonderfully coiffed no less. That the veteran presence of PJB and Wallace will be incalculable come playoff time. And now that I’m fresh this Sunday morn in anticipation of a possible sweep, I shake my head and consider how true that statement was/is. Say we flashback to a Tyson, an Eddy, would our position this sweet Sunday be even remotely possible? Indeed we all knew the where Pax was going with the offseason moves and trades, but now that we can witness in realtime the true and beautiful science set into motion on national tv, it is nothing but remarkable.

Wallace and PJB have been crucial in taking Shaq out of the second half these past few games. I see their positioning on Shaq without the ball as key to having him not be able to be elemental the second half of the game. Of course, Shaq is going to get his 17 or so but collectively Wallace/PJB have somehow been able to nullify his massive presence the 3rd/4th quarters. Shaq almost seems exhausted.

Beyond that, the offensive hustle tips to keep the ball alive, the timely midrange jumper, these x factors have kept our Bulls in it. They’ve upped the pot. These vet efforts have really led to our success in this playoff series. Sweep or no sweep. I’m a believer.

Worlds of talents- Zilch of class

There's no question that the Cubs Mark Prior, when healthy, is one of the class pitchers in the game. Unless he was pitching against the Sox, I loved to watch him pitch. It truly is sad for him to have so much trouble with his health, especially with his talent. The same can be said of his older but junior partner, Kerry Wood. A third Cub pitcher of late, Greg Maddux, can be added to this working list.

Why them on the list? Is this another anti-Cub column masquerading as a positive Cub post? Well, maybe, but my stated point is this: Has one team ever had three bigger jagoffs than these three? It was really amusing to watch Prior jerseys sales go through the roof while that guy constantly presented such a negative vibe. No, Prior, yr not the best. No Prior, the reporter should be treated with class. No Prior, no matter how tall you are and however many wins you had in your one major league season, you shouldn't look down on people.

I understand that as a Sox fan, I've dealt with the surly-ass Albert Belle. And no matter how bad belle was, Barry Bonds is even worse- well, maybe. But all three of these guys never had any respect from me. Oh sure, Maddux is one of the great pitchers of the game, but do you really have to open up your smug mouth? Kerry Wood, do you really have to be so condesending (you are a Cub, after all)?

I hate to see these guys in pain. God Bless them all. I loved to watch prior pitch and even bat. But it will be nice not to have to have these fucks inflicted on us this season. All three are nightmares, and no matter how much talent one has, try and match it with class.

On the Brink?

To Quote the famous Commandant Hilts, " How the fuck did this happen"? The Bulls went from number two seed to number five in an instant. They now have the unenviable match up with the Heat. This incarnation of the Bulls have always played the Heat well, but this Heat season is quite bizarre.

The Heat begin the season with Shaq out, then Riley goes out, and then the season ending injury that wasn't hits Wade. All this led to a well rested and very resurgent late season rally for the Heat. The most important factor that can be gleaned from their season is that Shaq can still play hard every night if he is forced to or feels like it.

Where does this leave the Bulls? In a seven game series, the Heat definitely have the advantage. Shaq will wear down our frontline as they double team him. Though Wade hasn't been the same since the injury, he is still the most clutch player in the East.

Ah, playoff Basketball, what a time. The good players become great and the great players become immortal. Miami has two immortals already, but the Bulls have nothing to lose. If they go out in the first round, it will be said that they had the unfortunate match up of meeting last years champs. Statistically it looks very bad for the Bulls. Champions are rarely defeated in the first round under the current playoff system.

Bulls in Six!

Yes, once in awhile these things happen

It was both a spiritually uplifting nite in Chicago sports last nite as well as a deeply depressing one. Depression will be dealt with rite here: #5 seed. How the fuck................... Ok, on to Buerlhe.

Great nite. I went to see a play (House theatre's "The Sparrow") and I liked it tremendously. On the way up to the north side, I checking in on the Sox game for a half inning early, then switched to FM to concentrate on the uber important Bulls game. After the play, I clicked on the radio and got up the Sox postgame to see if they won. Listening, I knew immediately that something was up. Then I found out:

Holy Cow!!.

I'm glad: First things first, they're now one game under .500. Secondly, yet another strong pitching performance from the staff- The staff ERA, after the first two games, is rite around 2.00- THE WHOLE STAFF'S ERA IS AROUND 2.00. What, we were worried @ one point about the staff?? ( I know, were only 1/10th into the season- there's a long way to go.......and what about the bats.....?). But best of all, my favourite player today got some national attention with a great individual game. He had one walk, to the old Sox Sammy Sosa, and he erased him with a pickoff. 27 up and down. Good job, Mark. The no hitter will probably go a long way in insuring a $100m+ contract from the Cardnials, Red Sox, or Yankee's this fall.

So the Sox have had several no hitters on my watch. I missed the Barrios/Blue Moon odom one in '76, so my first brush with no-hitterdom came when Dennis Lamp almost no hit ( Years and teams my be wrong in this post, since I'm doing no research for this post) who-- the Brewers? This must have been 1980 or 1981. He took it into the 9th with the Sox winning, and I'll always remember Harry's call as the Sox made their 3d out and we went to commercial before the last three outs: "Now lets get to the important thing". Actually, I'm quite sure that that was not Harry's exact call, but I though it was funny that Harry was cool with the Sox making the third out and not able to extend their lead. I was with Harry. Lamp lost it after one out, as I remember. My Dad and Z#1 watched the ninth as well.

Flash 1986. I used to work as a dj @ a south side bar when I was TWENTY- it was good money for those days as well : $6.50/h. I worked for 8h, and I will admidt:

I SUCKED AS A D.J.

True.

But it was a sweet job- It was great to be able to play blocks of music from, say, the June Brides. It got really crowded @ nite with tonnes of people dansing-and again, it wasn't from anything I was doing. back then, they were dancing )probably) in SPITE of my efforts. Once a guy from high school came up- it was Professor Griff (extend the last name -- I didn't know him too well @ SRHS, but we knew each other enough)- and drunkenly said "Hey Hilts- yr not 21 yrs old!! I'm gonna tell". he was goading me, and then drunkenly told me he was just joshing. Anothe rgreat story from that job was the chick who --drunkenly again-- wanted to kiss me. I was way too virginal, afraid ('and everything she wants costs money'), and.......afraid, so I said no. Wasn't the first girl who I said "No kiss!" to- probably wouldn't say that again to an interested girl in the future, except that I now have a girlfriend.

But the Sox were on the coast that nite- a late game -v- the Angels- and I'm pretty sure I was the only one in the bar watching. He walked like 8 batters, and I think he even gave in a run or two. But I realised that I had seen then what I hadn't before- a Sox no hitter- and was very happy.

Final Flash--1991. Bad relationship choices let me scope out two no hitters, one by the Sox. It was the Wilson Alvarez one, where he beat the O's in Baltimore 7-0. I was staying in Omaha for several months with an old lover. Luckily, I could keep up with the Sox because WGN was a superstation back in the day. Q and I had stuff to do during the day, so I taped the game. When we got back, it was nice to kick back and watch the no hitter. Q was with me. Second Sox no no for me. The second nohitter I watched in Omaha? Wasn't a Sox no hitter. Q and I had the habit of listening to Omaha Royals games, the minor league AAA team of the K.C. Royals. We were listening when reports came over that Nolan Ryan was deep into a no hitter. We Speed Racered it to her crib, gathered her dad, and we all watched it upstairs on the second tv- her mom could care less about some Texas Ranger baseball game. Good memory.

And, because I listened to a half inning of last nites game, I'll claim this one as well. I'm glad. Burhle's such a favourite in Soxdom. So, to my great grandchildren, when I'm 95 and barely able to talk, I'll direct them here.

Sox Savvy Owner Sure to Influence Cubs Sale

No matter how much you love or hate Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, any way you slice it he will be the key to who the Cubs' new owner will be. Players in other baseball team sales indicate conclusively that knowing Bud, having ties to baseball (especially locally), and a potential bidder's stand on Bud's pet issues are crucial to the politics of baseball ownership. Lurking behind the scenes in the Cubs sale is none other than crosstown rival owner, Jerry Reinsdorf. News accounts state that no one is closer to Bud than Jerry. Aside from his informal influence, Reinsdorf sits on baseball's executive council (the equivalent to the Trilateral Commission) and on four other committees. Whatever Reinsdorf's overt or covert influence, no matter how hard you look, chances are you won't find a transparent process. The Sox might just blow a fastball by the Cubs, Chicago-style.

The Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century: Jackie Robinson

Sometimes, MLB and ESPN really get things right. The all day celebration of Jackie Robinson Day today was made even more poignant with the backdrop of the declining numbers of African American players entering the Major Leagues. It is hard to imagine today, but almost two decades before the Black Panthers, two decades before Martin Luther King, two decades before Selma, Jackie Robinson forced baseball, no, forced America to reevaluate itself and its promise. That just cannot be understated.

One thing that Jackie Robinson Day definitely did was educate people about the incredible accomplishments of Jackie Robinson. It is worth noting that not only was he great at baseball, tennis, football and track and field. In my opinion, he was an even greater athlete than Jim Brown.

In 1935, Robinson graduated from Dakota Junior High School and enrolled in John Muir High School ("Muir Tech"). There he played on various Muir Tech sport teams, and lettered in four of them. He was a shortstop and catcher on the baseball team, a quarterback on the football team, a guard on the basketball team, and a member of the tennis team and the track and field squad. He won awards in the broad jump.

In 1936, he captured the junior boys singles championship in the annual Pacific Coast Negro Tennis Tournament, starred as quarterback, and earned a place on the annual Pomona baseball tournament all-star team, which included future Major League Baseball Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Bob Lemon. The next year, Jackie played for the high school's basketball team. That year, the Pasadena Star-News newspaper reported on the young Robinson.

After leaving Muir, Jackie attended Pasadena Junior College and played both football and baseball. He played quarterback and safety for the football team, shortstop and leadoff batter for the baseball team, and participated in the broad jump.

In 1938, he was elected to the All-Southland Junior College (baseball) Team and selected as the region's Most Valuable Player. On February 4, 1939, he played his last basketball game at Pasadena Junior College. Thereupon Robinson was awarded a gold pin and was named to the school's "Order of the Mast and Dagger.”

To add insult to injury, Jackie served his country in the Military during World War Two and upon his return was not allowed to play in the Major Leagues. Finally, in 1947, Jackie joined the Dogders. For two years he said nothing about the deplorable conditions blacks faced in this country. Such was his deal with the Dodgers.

Finally, he was allowed to play in the Major Leagues and quickly won Rookie of the year in 1947, was a Six time All-Star. Three years into his career he won the NL batting title and the League MVP. This was truly a great American Athlete, and an even greater American who deserves to have everyone remember his legacy.

Goodbye to the Cubs (as we have newly gotten to know them these past twenty years)

Cub fans should be in a dizzy these days with all of the talk about the end of the old Wrigley Corporation Field on Chicago's North Side. Hell, I'm as big a Sox fan as we are made, and I'm hating the idea of the loss of yet another wonderful piece of baseball architecture being scrapped. For the city and for Cub fans (I think) it would be a great mistake to do away with Wrigley.

Chicago as a city is losing much of what makes us unique. Too many old buildings are being torn down and replaced by bland suburban-type condo architecture and parking lots. Any old suburb- or, a newish car-driven city like Los Angeles - would kill for the streetscapes that we routinely destroy each week. Marquette Park, the neighbourhood I grew up in, has lost enormous amounts of the 'walking city' along 63d street and Kedzie. Tall three and four story buildings, movie theatres, marble storefronts= all are missing from the historical neighbourhood I knew. Replacing the irreplaceable has been........................parking lots..............ug......... I feel a little cheated that my neices and nephews can't grow up in a real neighbourhood like I did, full of bricks and morter and interesting sights. Instead, the pull in Chicago is to destroy all neighbourhoods and replace them with parking lots.

Baseball as well has almost destroyed its heritage. This is the pentumulate season @ Yankees Stadium. We lost Tigers Stadium a few years back. Worst of all, Old Comisky Park, the Baseball Palace of the World, was taken from the city in 1990. And now, the most serious rumours about Wrigley I have ever heard. For me, I would hate to lose Wrigley, and there are many reasons.

During the last game @ Comisky Park a guy walked around the park with a sign saying "Babe Ruth Played Here" (one of my favourite baseball signs). Wrigley, although not having as glorious a past as Comiskey, has been a part of baseball for 90+ years. The memories are legion: the White Sox have played there in interleague play (the 1906 World Series was played before either of Chicago's historical parks were built), the famous 23-22 game v. the Phillies was played there, and many famous players have graced the field: Don Kessinger, Ron Santo, Steve Stone, Steve Trout, Bobby Howry--even Michael Jordan. To destroy this park would be to partly destroy these memories.

Wrigley is a great advertisement for Chicago. The ballpark itself is beautiful, but architecturally the real key to the stadium is the view OUTSIDE the park. Wonderful Chicago buildings across the street are on view for fans inside the stadium and on tv. The view from Wrigley in, say, 1979, was unique. Unfortunately, as this is a yuppie Cub area, a lot of what made the view unique is being destroyed. Instead of historic Chicago two and three flats, we're getting a bunch of "I'm a good friend of Daley" cinderblock condo wonders across the street. The old buildings that people lived in for decades are being replaced by cheap corporate buildings built expressly for their rooftops. Despite the endemic general unwashed of those who live in this neighbourhood, it's still an area with strong and interesting buildings. Enough of the view outside of Wrigley must be saved along with the stadium itself to keep its charm.

Sox fans tend to be smug with superiority, but the one thing that Cub fans have over Sox fans in the historical park. I loved old Comisky, the greatest ball park ever, but am less fond of New Comisky. The retrograde changes that have been made in the last few years have improved the park greatly, but it still isn't old Comisky. Cub fans still have the park that, in the absence of all the old destroyed parks is deemed "special" 'cause of its age. If the new Cubs management actually tears down the park and relocates the team in the suburbs, Cub fans will then be completely put on the same level as of Devil Rays fans: not lovable at all, just losers. Camden Yards, Jacobs Field, The Toronto Dome, even New Comisky before the last three years: none have kept the initial giant rush of fans coming to the game unless the team is doing well (New Comisky). Let three years pass, and if the Cubs have their typical team, New Wrigley will be having the same 15-20,000 these other parks have in lean years. No matter what kind of wonderful new park they build, it won't be Sportsmans, Ebbets, Comisky, or Old Wrigley: it'll just be a new place that, no matter how many comical ways the home team will continue to lose, Babe Ruth never played in. Plus, it'll have that most ultra of embarrassing situations: during Cub games, thery'll be Cub fans there. Ha ha.

Errant Thoughts On Bull

I like Eddy Curry. Ditto Tyson. Their collective thriving presently under Player Coaches is certainly no odd thing. It was a foregone conclusion. These players obviously needed a more hands off approach. The antithesis of which is the Skiles/SLA school of Conformity through the Breakdown of Will and Ego. There’s no mistaking those glowering Skiles’ eyes beneath that balaclava.

Tonight’s game against the Cavs/Nets will prove meaningful in the Bulls final playoff positioning. I’ve never rooted for the Nets in anything in my life. I’ve always mocked the size of Jason Kidd’s kid’s head. Always cast aspersions. Tonight, though, they’ve never looked so good. I hope Vinsanity has the game of his stupid career. And that Kidd kisses 25 straight from the free throw line. And that they blow their old fogey who the fuck cares wad just in time for a first round matchup against your Chicago Bulls. Oh. That’s right. Jay-z cares.

Hell I even like Isaiah. Do you think him and Magic still touch cheeks?

Bulls/Knicks rivalry resuscitated over two all beef patties, special sauce. Could have been a lot worse. Teabags for instance.

If the Bulls clinch #2 and have home court ad the first two rounds, there is no small chance that we could be in the East Conf finals. Hell, the NBA Finals for that matter considering our chances against the Pistons. It’s all about cherry and the first round. It really is all there for the taking. Just spread and say, "Skiles."

Anybody's Day at Master's Sunday

With the course playing like newly re-paved Illinois tollroad and equally as frustrating to the pampered pros trying to master it, Augusta National has baffled even the greatest golfers in the world this time. The amazing thing is that anytime someone gains momentum, the course will inevitably knock them down to reality with incomprehensible greens and strategically placed water (everywhere). A case in point was Saturday's finish where Tiger was 5 strokes off the lead when he finished another disappointing round, but was only 1 stroke off the lead and scheduled to play in the final group at the end of the days debacle. The reason, no one, not even the best of the best pros can count on not fading at some point in the round. Breakfast prediction: Tiger wins by one stroke in a Sunday finish to remember.

Hendry's Moves looking Good!

With Big Z back to form today, the 2007 Cubs have now had four quality starts out of their revamped pitching staff. They also have a winning record for the first time since the first week of 2006.

While we haven't seen Wade Miller yet, early reports are looking good. Furthermore, this has all happened without any contribution from Prior or Wood. After the past three years of heartache and painful waiting for the health of Dusty's horses, Sweet Lou has determined that the past is not going to haunt the future. As a die hard Cubs fan, this is the sweetest music I've heard since 2003.

Off season pickups Mark DeRosa and Cliff Floyd are already paying dividends. Ceasar Izturis, whom we really didn't see last year because of injury is playing lights out.

Add to this the hiring of Lou Piniella, and Jim Hendry is looking like one of the best GMs this year.

I know it's early, but there definitely is a renewed sense of optimism and hope on the North Side this year. Let's hope it keeps up into October.

Spring Fever

Spring Fever

After last Saturday’s soul crushing defeat to as the French whisper, “Le James et co,” I couldn’t help but sleep it off deeply, sawing sheep and muttering “why didn’t Sir Hinrich-alot take the last shot?” Alas. Sweet delirious sleep.

I now understand that it was Saturday’s latest Bull disaster ala three guard pile up (akin to blue balls or as the French whisper “Bull balls”), coupled with unforgiving, brand-less scotch that felled me for the next few days and spun me sickly in a maelstrom of dyspepsia, midlife crisis, fevered babbling and utter desolation.

Hosanna, as chin hits sunken chest, we’re inching towards the playoffs. Maybe against the Heat.

But. But. Today. It’s bitter hilarious cold out and Gloria Gaynor must be playing somewhere in somebody’s bedroom. Let me fully disclose, we are alive. Last night the Bulls soundly stifled the Pistons in a near rout. I have to say it. IT was beautiful. Sublime. Clutch. Enough to make Deepak Chopra sing the song of life.

I’ll also throw this out. How refreshing it was not to see the Bens on the court yesterday. That was my thought as we successfully, professionally rounded the third quarter hump last night. Indeed, the glass wasn’t half sucks. The Bulls didn’t succumb to an inexplicable bout of dropsy. PJ B made his shots. I considered naming my firstborn Malik.

Hinrich had the game he needs to have on a more consistent basis if we eva wanna get over. Hinrich is getting closer to his world. He needs to step on the jugular as it were. Grow hair. Revive the Stockton shorts. He needs to cut down on the Curly Neal dribbling (when it’s more Curly than Neal). Move without it and look for his shot just as he did because we’ll need more games like this in the playoffs.

TyT literally had a fevered impact on the game. He’s brought on another welcomed element to the drive and kick offense. We can now drive and toss. If opposing teams now need to honor the baseline-alley-oop, the drive in the paint can be infinitely more dangerous. His stats show thusly. He has more dunks than all other rooks. See. Midseason I was a bit worried that he’d solely pad the “intangible” impact stats ala the “provides energy” column. Most dunks. I’ll take it.

I’m never one to be doubting Bens, but to actually have 5 on the floor who could provide Offense and Defense was refreshing indeed. Spring fresh. Funny. The Pistons were still laughing at the end of it. Hopefully it was of the nervous variety. But today, who cares? It’s certainly nothing I’ll lose sleep over.

Update as of 4/6 - This team has risen. Cavs slip to 5. Bulls now at 2.

Free At Last?

The Tribune Co is reportedly being sold to Chicago Billionaire Sam Zell. Zell recently sold Equity office property to Blackstone Group for $23 Billion cash. So to the winner usually come the spoils- not in this case. The Cubs are being sold at the end of the 2007 season. Let the billionaire freaks game begin!

Zell has acquired the trib, the LA times, wgn, the cubs and wrigley. Two months ago he stated that he had "absolutely no interest" in owning the cubs. Was this negotiating ploy or was he being honest. His logic at the time was that he didn't want to be the figure to burn in effigy if the cubs continue to lose.

Zell and or the Trib has decided to sell the Cubs at the end of the 2007 season. Zell is renowned for being a very tight spender- did this play into the sale idea? The irony is the Trib obviously was spending money that they knew wasn't theirs in order to entice a bidder who didn't even care. Remember that the cubs are being sold not wgn. The cubs situation will be entirely different without their parent station. There are several intangibles in the works. Will Wrigley go with the cubs?

A couple of years ago, having the Weiss Angel or anyone else buy the cubbies would have been a no brainer for joy. But now with vast spending and improvements, there is again great uncertainty in the air. The options for ownership are numerous- Cuban or any other billionaire wanting a feather in his cap. We'll have to wait and see how this one plays out, but there is immediate reason for joy- we currently own 1st place.