Ben Gordon stopped by the ESPN 1000 studios on his way over to Mo-Town this morning and is claiming that the Bulls didn't even make an offer to him this off-season. Okay, but they did make an offer to you in each of the past two off-seasons, Gordon, for approximately $50+ mill. over five years in each offer. You did have your chances, and maybe (though I doubt it) the Bulls management realized that the team could be better without your 20 points a night, your mercurial FG%, your demand for star money when, in fact, you're not a star: you take entire defensive possessions off, you are a poor rebounder -even for a 2 guard, you have no concept of ball movement in a team-oriented offense...
Meanwhile, out in Las Vegas the odds have been released for the favorites to win the 2009-2010 NBA Championship. Not surprisingly, three of the NBA's final four this year: Cleveland, Los Angeles and Orlando take spots 1, 2, and 4 respectively, with Boston sliding in at 3. The Bulls are a little lower on the list at 14 with 50/1 odds, sandwiched in between Atlanta and Miami who are both at 50/1 as well.
When he left (was pushed out of?) the Sun-Times sports department, controversial sports columnist Jay Mariotti declared that the future of sports writing was "sadly, not in newspapers."
So would it surprise anyone that the often-contrary Mariotti could be heading BACK to newspapers, specifically the Chicago Tribune?
Semi-satirical sports website Deadspin is reporting (with a humorous assortment of derogatory terms) that Mariotti is expected to join the Trib soon, adding that the paper has reportedly even mocked up a page with space for his column. The connection between his return and space being made at the Tribune is one Bill Adee, Mariotti's former editor at the Sun-Times, now doing the same job digital editor at the Trib, and the force behind ChicagoNow.
The reaction by local sports fans to the news may range from a collective yawn to an assortment of expletives (OK, maybe with a few claps of approval thrown in. He may have one or two fans, but websites like "Jay The Joke" and "Fire Jay Mariotti" seem to suggest there aren't too many of those.)
The sports newspaper war between the Sun-Times and Trib columnist will no doubt ramp up again, picking up where it left off as we reportedhere. Heck, even betting on an in-house battle between Mariotti and Tribune sports writers, whom he has also ripped in the past, would seem to be a sure thing.
So will he actually be required to venture into a clubhouse this time around to get his stories firsthand? Time will tell.
After making a splash in last year's market by signing Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet to pricey (or, more accurately, overpriced) contracts, Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon pulled off another shocker today by adding top free agent forward Marian Hossa to the Hawks. The move was out of left field as the majority of fans were waiting to hear whether the team would resign Martin Havlat and Nicolai Khabibulin (Havlat is headed to the Minnesota Wild, Khabi has moved on to Edmonton); even more shocking was the contract itself: 12 years, $62.8 million dollars!
The Blackhawks also signed Hossa's Red Wing teammate and friend, center Tomas Kopecky, to a 2-year, $2.4 million deal, and inked center John Madden from the Devils for a 1-year, $2.75 contract. During his afternoon press conference for the Hossa deal, Tallon also mentioned having tendered offers to the five restricted free agents to which the team holds the rights. Though none of these deals have been finalized, the Hawks will have the right to match any offers made to these players.
What Hossa's signing and the other deals mean for the Hawks next season and beyond after the jump.
Former Bull Ben Gordon surprised exactly nobody by signing with the Detroit Pistons for a reported $55 million over five years. Gordon had led the Bulls in scoring the past four seasons, rejected offers from the Bulls the past two off-seasons with each offer, reportedly, in the $50+ million stratosphere.
Without Gordon on the books, Chicago has much more salary cap space for the remainder of this free agency period and also, potentially, for the 2010 free agent market that includes LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, et al.
As four-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup winners, the Chicago Fire entered last night's third round game against the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL-2) with confidence. The Hammerheads had not played a Major League Soccer (MLS) team since they lost to the New York Red Bulls in 2006. However, that fact did not show at all as the Fire fell to the Hammerheads 1-0. Chicago dominated a majority of the game and was presented with plenty of opportunities to score, but none of their shots were able to get past the Hammerhead's goalie Daryl Sattler. The loss knocked the Fire out of the tournament, and now they must travel to the Mile High city this weekend to face the Colorado Rapids for their first league match in two weeks.
Chicago has done tremendously well on the road this year with 4-1-3 record in 8 games. Colorado, though, has historically been a difficult city for the Fire to dominate. This is the first encounter of these two teams this year, and both share the exact same record and hold the fourth place position in their respective conferences. The Fire hope to pick up three road points this weekend, which is something they have only accomplished twice in 11 years of play, and they have not won a game against the Rapids since 1999. Their record against Colorado is not the only thing the Fire has to worry about. After a long undefeated streak (11 games), the Fire lost three consecutive games in June. The team hopes they will not post a fourth consecutive loss this Saturday.
The 4th of July game will take place at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, and kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
A quick reminder: the second of six Soldier Field Cycling races is tomorrow. The action starts at 4:00 p.m. with the juniors and continues all the way to 8:00 p.m. with the Men's Pro/1/2. A nice walk from the Loop, the action is intense and if the race is at all anything like the last and a little luck, there will be likely an abundance of Pepsi Max and podium girls.
Last race there was a major shortage of lady racers, but a large Men's 4/5 field. Likely many racers were just scoping out the course and waiting for races 2-6, but SFC's put on a great show and the races deserve packed fields and loud, raucous fans. Everyone's racing with heart out there, give them support.
The NBA's free agency season starts tonight at 23:00 CST and the question on many fans of the Bulls is" What team is making the grab for BG7?" Gordon, Chicago's mercurial, shoot-first-ask-questions-later guard, has strongly been linked with divisional rival, Detroit. With flirtations between Pistons GM, Joe Dumars, and Gordon's agent getting downright ribald* at moments. The Pistons after taking a huge step backward last season (barely qualifying for the playoffs as the 8 seed and getting swept by Cleveland in the first round) after making it, at least, to the Conference Finals for the past six seasons, have started the housecleaning by firing head coach, Michael Curry, today.
Posting the best home start of their short existance, the Chicago Sky will try to push their UIC Pavilion record to a perfect 5-0 when they take on the Sacramento Monarchs tonight at the arena, Harrison and Racine.
The Sky are 5-3 and in second place in the Eastern Conference of the WNBA. The Monarchs, with a 1-7 record, look to be an easy mark for the Sky, but have a 4-2 record against the hometown team and won two games at the Pavilion.
Below are highlights from the Sky's 68-63 victory over the Washington Mystics Saturday.
Entering this past season, one of the Blackhawks' main weaknesses was up the middle in the center position. While Dave Bolland grew into a solid two-way center during the year (and was rewarded with a five-year, $18 million contract extension that should be signed soon), that weakness is still a factor throughout the team's minor-league system.
It came as no surprise then that the Hawks took advantage of this weekend's NHL draft in Montreal to restock their organizational depth, with six of their eight picks being players with center experience. Another area of concern was defense, which made up the remaining two picks, including first-round pick (#28 overall) Dylan Olsen from Camrose in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. A full list of draftees can be found after the break.
The NHL's draft system is similar to baseball, in which a very rare few picks make the team, let alone make an impact in their first year -- stars like the Hawks' Patrick Kane or Sidney Crosby being the exception. The majority of the picks are teenagers who will be given time to grow and develop as players, either as players within a college program or working their way up through the minor-league ranks in hopes of making the NHL.
Olsen's a case in point. He's a large, tough defenseman who measures 6 feet 2, 210 pounds, but as an 18-year-old who's played in the lowest level of Canadian minor leagues, he would have a tough time adjusting while still developing into his body and his play. Olsen's slated to attend Minnesota-Duluth this year, but with his size and ability he's the kind of player the Hawks need to bolster their blue line in a few years if he continues to grow as expected.
What a year it's been for the Windy City Rollers! First a new home at the glossy UIC Pavilion, and then and a exciting, upset-filled season. After a ridiculously (and surprisingly) good year, the Manic Attackers took home the 2009 Ivy King Cup Championship on June 20, beating last year's champs, the Hell's Belles. Despite the Belles snagging a 28-point lead by the end of the first half, the close-fought game ended with Manics hauling ass and winning 137-115 -- with the lead claimed within the last few jams. It was the first championship win for the Manics, and it'll be interesting to see whether they maintain their winning streak next season.
Although the league's season is finished, WCR's travel team, the Windy City All-Stars, are just getting started. Check back later for info and schedules.
It was an ominous start for the Chicago Slaughter as they took on the Fort Wayne Freedom in the CIFL Championship Saturday night at the Sears Centre. It was the first time all season that the Slaughter would be shutout in the first quarter. If not for a 52-yard field goal by Chris Nendick before the half ended they would have been tied for the first time all season going into half time, which is uncharacteristic of Slaughter. It would be a momentum changer for them however.
Things picked up in the second half and they would eventually right the ship to win the CIFL Championship defeating the Freedom 58-48. "You rarely find professional teams going undefeated through out the whole season and winning the big game," said Championship MVP, Donovan Morgan.
Entering the field four across and hands clasped, the Chicago Force mean business. In their 26-6 win over the Detroit Demolition in the last regular season game on June 13, the Force had their eyes set on victory. Now for the second year in a row, they have successfully made it to the playoffs. The team will now head to the West Coast to face the #1 seeded Seattle Majestics in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs on Saturday, June 27.
With last years' heartbreaking overtime loss in the finals to the Dallas Diamonds still in the their minds, the players are hoping to redeem themselves this year. They are looking to finally succeed in winning the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) Championships. The Force has one of the strongest teams in the league, evident from the thirteen Chicago players named as all-stars this year. Among those selected are Kim Marks, Dawn Pederson, and Amanda Malsch, all veteran players that bring leadership, experience, and stability to the team. And with their intimidating offensive line, which helped them reach a 6-2 winning season, and 25 strong, young rookies, the Force has a real shot at the title.
Seattle is ranked first in the Western Conference and has gone unbeaten this season. While the Majestics will be a difficult team to beat, the Force have the drive, passion, and talent to bring home a win. If the Force beat Seattle on Saturday, they have the chance to host the 2nd round on their own turf at Holmgren Athletic Complex at North Park University against the winner of the Kansas City/Los Angeles playoff game.
Fresh on the heels of the mildly interesting revelation that Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana while playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball classic this season, comes this mind-blowing follow-up: Lou Piniella admits he partook of the weed once himself.
Really? Grandpa Lou? Old Grumpy Pants? Yup, that was Brother Louie admitting that just before the start of today's White Sox/Cubs game at U.S. Cellular. He said he only did it once and it didn't do a thing for him. Why isn't that hard to believe?
Maybe it's time for the rest of the Cubs to come clean on whether reefer madness is running rampant in the clubhouse. Because, seriously, Milton Bradley has got to be on SOMETHING. I mean, forgetting how many outs there are in an inning? Classic pothead move.
"With the 16th Pick, from Wake Forest, James Johnson!" So sayeth the Commish.
Reaction from a crowded living room of Bulls fans: "Meh. He's not that bad." "Can you say, Marcus Fizer???" "He looks sooo fat, but in a fast way." "I'm not unhappy about this pick, he could be alright."
Not exactly a glowing endorsement, but the lowdown on Johnson isn't that bad. Considering that this is arguably on of the worst draft classes EVAR! OMG!! Johnson should provide at the very least 10-15 minutes, 6 fouls and a few boards night in and night out.
Best-Case Scenario:
Johnson develops into a utility tool who, with some NBA seasoning, could develop into a decent outside defender with his insane (7'1"!!!!) wingspan to guard taller shooting guards and forwards. Offensively, if Johnson keeps at his Wake Forest production he could easily eclipse Ty Thomas and the perpetually injured, Luol Deng, as the Bulls most productive front court man. And that's what I really think this pick is: a "Break Glass in Case of Injury to Deng" Johnson could very easily slide into the starting 3 spot in Chicago's uber-athletic front court. I'm surprised that the Bulls didn't go hunting for a two guard to complement Rose, but they still have the 26th pick...
And now we come to the 26th pick...
The Bulls received this pick from Oklahoma City during the season when Chicago shipped Thabo Sefolosha to the Thunder back in February.
Taj Gibson from the University of Southern California. Huh? So now the Bulls have the new James Johnson, Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas, Brad Miller, Luol Deng, Aaron Gray and, apparently, now -Taj Gibson. An wealth of 3-5s if I ever saw one, but how will all these guys get minutes? Also, where's an athletic 2 guard? I know nothing about Taj Gibson but am already unhappy about this pick. More recap Monday!
Michael Phelps, you can breath easier (well, as easy as you can while inhaling and holding it). Another athlete has been busted by the pot police. This time, it's Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, who tested positive for marijuana while playing for Puerto Rico in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. There reportedly won't be any penalty imposed on Soto, who called it an "isolated incident", by MLB or the Cubs. At the very least, the news might provide a possible reason for the drop-off from his Rookie-of-the-Year numbers last season for Cubs fans.
