The Phil Jackson-to-Chicago speculations have been discussed too much to not think about lately. Last month I blogged about the possible return of Phil Jackson to Chicago, and the ideal scenario for that to happen. As of now, the reunion is still a possibility.
As of today, Phil has been asked by the news, and it has aired on TV, whether or not he will return to the Bulls. Basically, he said no. Then, he was asked if he doesn't coach in L.A. next year, will he just be at home, retired. Phil responded by saying that he has never been a person who can make commitments. Hmm...
The Lakers are tied 2-2 with the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. Personally, I do not think the Lakers will lose at home, thus, they will face the Celtics in the finals.
Oh man. I will be rooting for the Celtics in that series. If the Lakers win another championship, Phil will reside in Cali for at least one more year and add another ring to his collection of 12 throughout his NBA career. But if the Lakers lose, he could leave Cali and coach somewhere else.
Remember, he did say he has never been someone to make commitments.
He has been in the league for enough years to know how to handle the media in order to keep his name out of negative context. If he said he was considering Chicago, that would set off fireworks all over the news. Phil is a smart man. You don't win 12 rings because of good luck.
If Phil returns to Chicago, that brings the Bulls that much closer to signing Lebron, and maybe another All-Star player.
For now, Go C's!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Third time is a charm
Hawks win! They are going to the Stanley Cup for the first time since '92, and they have not won since '61. I've already written about how awesome it is from a fan's perspective, but how about from the eyes and heart of Marian Hossa?
This is his third consecutive year reaching the Stanley Cup finals, however, he has yet to lift Lord Stanley's Cup. First, he was playing for the Penguins, the year they lost to the Red Wings. The following year (last year), he signed as a free agent with the Red Wings. The Red Wings lost to the Penguins in the finals. This year, he branched out from previous Cup winners and signed a 12-year contrct with the young, talented Blackhawks. And as we all know, the Hawks are waiting to see who their opponent will be in the Stanley Cup finals.
Again, this is his third time playing in the finals. Will the third time be a charm for Marian Hossa? Yes, I believe so. He may not have scored as many times as people would have suspected, but he does the little things to create scoring opportunities. Whether he takes a hit in order to push the puck out of the zone, or steal the puck and use his strength to create a scoring opportunity for a teammate, he does the dirty work in order for his team to win. He is a man on a mission.
Like I've continued to say, the Hawks are a group of young, talented skaters. Game four against the Sharks proves that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, and they have the ability to bounce back and fight their way onto victory. They are young, and because of their age, they have legs that can skate longer and harder than any other team in the league.
Even when they go down 2-0, they can score in a matter of minutes, one or even two times. This is the year. These guys will not look past either opponent they are destined to face in the Stanley Cup. It's playoff hockey, and the Hawks know this. The Nashville series was a scare for the fans, but the Hawks did what they needed to do in order to advance, and then they learned from their mistakes.
Keep the bandwagon moving. Go Hawks!
This is his third consecutive year reaching the Stanley Cup finals, however, he has yet to lift Lord Stanley's Cup. First, he was playing for the Penguins, the year they lost to the Red Wings. The following year (last year), he signed as a free agent with the Red Wings. The Red Wings lost to the Penguins in the finals. This year, he branched out from previous Cup winners and signed a 12-year contrct with the young, talented Blackhawks. And as we all know, the Hawks are waiting to see who their opponent will be in the Stanley Cup finals.
Again, this is his third time playing in the finals. Will the third time be a charm for Marian Hossa? Yes, I believe so. He may not have scored as many times as people would have suspected, but he does the little things to create scoring opportunities. Whether he takes a hit in order to push the puck out of the zone, or steal the puck and use his strength to create a scoring opportunity for a teammate, he does the dirty work in order for his team to win. He is a man on a mission.
Like I've continued to say, the Hawks are a group of young, talented skaters. Game four against the Sharks proves that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, and they have the ability to bounce back and fight their way onto victory. They are young, and because of their age, they have legs that can skate longer and harder than any other team in the league.
Even when they go down 2-0, they can score in a matter of minutes, one or even two times. This is the year. These guys will not look past either opponent they are destined to face in the Stanley Cup. It's playoff hockey, and the Hawks know this. The Nashville series was a scare for the fans, but the Hawks did what they needed to do in order to advance, and then they learned from their mistakes.
Keep the bandwagon moving. Go Hawks!
Friday, May 21, 2010
The best hockey-years Chicago will ever experience
As the Blackhawks head back to Chicago for game three of the Western Conference Finals, I assume that everyone around town has already hopped on the bandwagon. The feeling I had while watching the Hawks throughout the season, and this year's playoffs, is indescribable. The hockey that these guys are playing is unbelievable. It doesn't matter who the team is, how big they are, how fast they are, or how strong they are, the Hawks find a way to get the job done and win.
This team has no fear of anyone, and Dave Bolland proved that in game two against the Sharks. After Joe Thornton slashed him prior to the faceoff, Bolland didn't back down and continued to shadow Thornton for the remainder of the third period - he probably got on his nerves a little bit, that is until Thornton had Bolland in a headlock. Like I said, it doesn't matter how big or strong the other team is, the Hawks still fight and come out on top.
I can do nothing but smile while watching Niemi in net. He's an absolute stud! The saves he makes are unbelievable, sprawling across the net, using every lim and inch of his body. And he is only a rookie! When I see the "History will be made" commercials for the NHL, one commercial stands out. The Patrick Roy, "what if Roy played like a rookie?" Whenever that commercial airs, I think, what if Niemi played like a rookie? Is this the year? I believe so.
Our offense is ridiculous. Patty Kane is surgical with his stick, and he can slide through the smallest spaces and slap the puck to his teammate with ease. Toews will go down as one of the best centers and captains to ever play the game, and he is only 22. Eleven straight post season games with a point - that is impressive. Sharpie has been outstanding on the ice, physically and mentally. He and Hossa are so smart on the ice and even when they may not put the biscuit in the basket, they do the little things that result in goals. Steeger has moves as good as anyone else on the ice, and not to mention, one of the better playoff beards on the team. I'm a big Eager fan. He is afraid of no one. He talks trash all games and uses his body as well as anyone else playing.
This team is so much fun to watch and root for. After many years of forgotten hockey in the city of Chicago - having to root for the Chicago Wolves for years because they were the only team that could win in Chicago - the wait has been well worth it. There are not many organizations and cities that have a team like the Hawks do this year, and hopefully, for many years to come. It's a gift to be able to watch a team play hockey the way they do.
On that note, go Hawks! Game three will be just as good as the first two of the series, tonight, and hopefully the Hawks get one game closer to lifting the greatest trophy in all of sports - Lord Stanley's Cup.
One last thing - it's a shame that one of Chicago's great hockey players won't root for the Hawks. Jeremy Roenick is still bitter about his departure from the Hawks in '96. He's an analyst so he calls the game how he sees it, but if someone held a gun to his head and made him pick a team to root for, JR said it would be the Sharks.
Go Hawks!
This team has no fear of anyone, and Dave Bolland proved that in game two against the Sharks. After Joe Thornton slashed him prior to the faceoff, Bolland didn't back down and continued to shadow Thornton for the remainder of the third period - he probably got on his nerves a little bit, that is until Thornton had Bolland in a headlock. Like I said, it doesn't matter how big or strong the other team is, the Hawks still fight and come out on top.
I can do nothing but smile while watching Niemi in net. He's an absolute stud! The saves he makes are unbelievable, sprawling across the net, using every lim and inch of his body. And he is only a rookie! When I see the "History will be made" commercials for the NHL, one commercial stands out. The Patrick Roy, "what if Roy played like a rookie?" Whenever that commercial airs, I think, what if Niemi played like a rookie? Is this the year? I believe so.
Our offense is ridiculous. Patty Kane is surgical with his stick, and he can slide through the smallest spaces and slap the puck to his teammate with ease. Toews will go down as one of the best centers and captains to ever play the game, and he is only 22. Eleven straight post season games with a point - that is impressive. Sharpie has been outstanding on the ice, physically and mentally. He and Hossa are so smart on the ice and even when they may not put the biscuit in the basket, they do the little things that result in goals. Steeger has moves as good as anyone else on the ice, and not to mention, one of the better playoff beards on the team. I'm a big Eager fan. He is afraid of no one. He talks trash all games and uses his body as well as anyone else playing.
This team is so much fun to watch and root for. After many years of forgotten hockey in the city of Chicago - having to root for the Chicago Wolves for years because they were the only team that could win in Chicago - the wait has been well worth it. There are not many organizations and cities that have a team like the Hawks do this year, and hopefully, for many years to come. It's a gift to be able to watch a team play hockey the way they do.
On that note, go Hawks! Game three will be just as good as the first two of the series, tonight, and hopefully the Hawks get one game closer to lifting the greatest trophy in all of sports - Lord Stanley's Cup.
One last thing - it's a shame that one of Chicago's great hockey players won't root for the Hawks. Jeremy Roenick is still bitter about his departure from the Hawks in '96. He's an analyst so he calls the game how he sees it, but if someone held a gun to his head and made him pick a team to root for, JR said it would be the Sharks.
Go Hawks!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Vin Del out, Phil Jackson return to the Bulls?
As everyone knew would happen, Vin-Del was fired. The Bulls have been trying to do this for months and have been waiting for the exact time to do it. They couldn't find a replacement mid-year, so they held on to him until the Bulls were knocked out of the playoffs by Lebron James. Yes, I say Lebron James and not the Cleveland Cavaliers, because the Cavs have proven thus far verse Boston, that Lebron is the majority of their team. The Cavs would not win 20 games with the roster they had going into this season without Lebron James and their mid-season Antwan Jamison addition.
Back to the Bulls. Even when Gar Forman cleared cap space at the trade deadline, Vinny brought the best effort out of his players nearly every night. Okay, they lost to the Nets in crucial game at the end of the season. It just shows that these players were not very good. I mean, it's the Nets. They were pathetic this year.
Anyways, two years in a row, Vinny brought very average, at best, teams to the playoffs. Last year, the Bulls took the Celtics to seven games, but lost. They were one game from the second round and were a seven seed. This year, the Bulls played Lebron - the best player in the world. Vinny coached two teams to the playoffs two years in a row and collected a record of 82-82 in his two years in Chicago. With the players he had, that's pretty respectable in that business.
It must be a personality issue. Tyrus Thomas was traded mainly because he didn't get along with Vinny. I am not saying Tyrus Thomas is the ideal player to coach, but still, they didn't get along. Clearly, John Paxson didn't get along with Vinny. They were about to throw hands after a game over Joakim Noah's playing time.
I don't understand why the Bulls would fire Vinny. There are not many better coaches out there to hire. Byron Scott? Maybe, maybe not. Doug Gottlieb? Should the Bulls go down that road again? Jeff Van Gundy? Yeah, sure, why not? There is still one man out there that might be looking for a change of scenery next year.
Phil Jackson is at the end of his contract following the playoffs. Do you remember when he was trying to coach home games this year, and only home games? Well, if the Lakers do not win this year's championship, the Lakers will ask Phil to take a pay cut from his current $12 million, or so. If he doesn't want to take a pay cut, the Bulls can offer him a contract - a large contract. If Phil Jackson replaces Vinny Del Negro, that would be awesome!
Gar Forman did say in his interview that there is no deadline as to when he will hire a head coach. Let the playoffs finish and see if the Lakers are champions, again. If not, get on the phone with Phil Jackson, immediately. Phil back to Chicago, as well as the potential free agent(s) signing this summer, could make for a championship-caliber team next year.
Back to the Bulls. Even when Gar Forman cleared cap space at the trade deadline, Vinny brought the best effort out of his players nearly every night. Okay, they lost to the Nets in crucial game at the end of the season. It just shows that these players were not very good. I mean, it's the Nets. They were pathetic this year.
Anyways, two years in a row, Vinny brought very average, at best, teams to the playoffs. Last year, the Bulls took the Celtics to seven games, but lost. They were one game from the second round and were a seven seed. This year, the Bulls played Lebron - the best player in the world. Vinny coached two teams to the playoffs two years in a row and collected a record of 82-82 in his two years in Chicago. With the players he had, that's pretty respectable in that business.
It must be a personality issue. Tyrus Thomas was traded mainly because he didn't get along with Vinny. I am not saying Tyrus Thomas is the ideal player to coach, but still, they didn't get along. Clearly, John Paxson didn't get along with Vinny. They were about to throw hands after a game over Joakim Noah's playing time.
I don't understand why the Bulls would fire Vinny. There are not many better coaches out there to hire. Byron Scott? Maybe, maybe not. Doug Gottlieb? Should the Bulls go down that road again? Jeff Van Gundy? Yeah, sure, why not? There is still one man out there that might be looking for a change of scenery next year.
Phil Jackson is at the end of his contract following the playoffs. Do you remember when he was trying to coach home games this year, and only home games? Well, if the Lakers do not win this year's championship, the Lakers will ask Phil to take a pay cut from his current $12 million, or so. If he doesn't want to take a pay cut, the Bulls can offer him a contract - a large contract. If Phil Jackson replaces Vinny Del Negro, that would be awesome!
Gar Forman did say in his interview that there is no deadline as to when he will hire a head coach. Let the playoffs finish and see if the Lakers are champions, again. If not, get on the phone with Phil Jackson, immediately. Phil back to Chicago, as well as the potential free agent(s) signing this summer, could make for a championship-caliber team next year.
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