Ho Hum - Lakers Clinch Another Title

The Los Angeles Lakers clinched their 16th NBA title Thursday night, defeating the Boston Celtics in the seventh and deciding game of the NBA Finals.

So what else is new?

The Lakers are a very good team -- always have been and probably always will. Ditto for the Boston Celtics who made it to the finals for the umpteempth time in their franchise history.

But I find it difficult to care about perennial winning teams. It's old news. As odd as this sounds, a team that wins multiple titles or makes the postseason year in and year out isn't nearly as exciting or newsworthy as a team that wins a championship for the first time in nearly 50 years, as the Chicago Blackhawks did last week. I care more about their Stanley Cup victory because they've been an underdog for so long, they've gone through so many ups and downs, and in fact, had to crawl back from the brink of oblivion to become relevant again. It's far more fun to see them succeed and it makes you want to celebrate with them. The Hawks won more than the Stanley Cup last week; they won the hearts of many new hockey fans. I doubt the Lakers can boast about that.

The Lakers will probably continue to win and appear in the NBA finals in the future, with or without coach Phil Jackson. Sadly, that may not be the case for the Blackhawks. With the NHL salary cap, the Hawks will likely lose some key players this off season, which could impact their ability to repeat as champions next season.

Try putting a salary cap in the NBA, then we'll see how far the Celtics or Lakers go in the playoffs, if they make it at all.

Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Blackhawks Cannot Underestimate Flyers

The Chicago Blackhawks will face the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals beginning Saturday night. By all outward appearances, the Hawks are taking a measured, live-in-the-moment approach to this series, refusing to be drawn in by all the hype, super-high fan expectations and the Vegas odds pegging them as the favorite.

To hear the Hawks players yesterday during the Media Day event at the United Center, they have a lot of respect for the Flyers and what they have done to get to the finals. The Hawks respect the Flyers' tenacity and determination, their unwillingness to give up. They know this series will not be easy, and they are not taking the Flyers lightly. That is a very smart move.

You cannot overlook what the Flyers have accomplished, getting to the playoffs on a shootout on the last day of the regular season, and later coming from three games down against Boston to win the series. If the Hawks think they can take this team lightly in this series, they will go home empty-handed while Philly celebrates the Stanley Cup.

Several Hawks' players have adopted the attitude that they must play this series as if this is the only opportunity they will ever have to play in the Stanley Cup finals. I like their approach. How would you play if you knew this was your only shot to win it all? If you are the Blackhawks, you play as if there is no tomorrow.

This will be a tough series, but I believe the Hawks have the depth and talent to withstand anything the Flyers can throw at them. And if goalie Antii Niemi continues to be stellar in the net, the Hawks will do fine. Look for Patrick Kane to have a big series.

Prediction: Hawks in 6.

For more about this series, check out this SI review.

“Field of Dreams” Site Up for Sale

The movie “Field of Dreams” is one of my all-time favorites. So naturally I was interested to hear that the site where the movie was filmed is now up for sale. For a mere $5.4 million, you can buy the 193-acre tract of land that contains the baseball field, a two-bedroom, 1.5 bath house with the familiar front porch and six outbuildings, according to the Des Moines Register. The owners, Don and Becky Lansing, have had the land in their family for more than 100 years.

Universal Studios built the baseball field in 1989 specifically for the film, and it has remained ever since. The area continues to draw hundreds of visitors every year, and the baseball field is occasionally used for old-timers’ games and other special events.

The Lansings have placed no limit on the next owner. It could land in anyone’s hands, including a baseball player, movie buff, even a not-for-profit organization or investment group. Whoever purchases this land will own a piece of film history. Let’s hope that the next owner or investor will not tear it down for development, but continue to keep the legacy going for years to come.

Bulls Need to Upgrade Coaching, Not Just Talent

No sooner had the final buzzer sounded in Sunday’s 121-98 Bulls’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, I could hear the clock ticking away, marking the end of the Vinny del Negro era in Chicago. Most fans will blame del Negro for the poor performance of the Bulls this season. That’s usually the case. But management also must take some of the blame. What did they expect when they hired Del Negro two years ago, a relative unknown with very little professional coaching experience to speak of? When you hire mediocre talent to coach your team, you will get mediocre results.

It was clear back in December that Del Negro’s days were numbered when rumors of an imminent firing flew around the Internet. But nothing happened, and it appeared that the beleaguered coach had a reprieve. Then a few weeks ago when stories surfaced of a heated exchange between Del Negro and team president John Paxson, you figured Del Negro’s days were numbered.

To his credit, Del Negro has kept the team together during these ups and downs and multiple injuries, and he has managed to lead them to two playoff appearances in two consecutive years. But that is not good enough for Bulls management or for Chicago fans, who hunger for another championship in any sport. If the Bulls are serious about bringing another championship to the Windy City, they not only have to upgrade the talent on the floor, they need a serious talent upgrade in the coaching ranks.

Did Rochette’s Mother Ignore Symptoms?

It seems that the mother of Olympic bronze medalist Joannie Rochette may have experienced some symptoms several days before suffering a fatal heart attack in Februrary, just days before Joannie was to compete at the Olympics. According to the Montreal Gazette, Joannie found a handwritten note in her mother’s purse that outlined some of the aches and pains she had been feeling. The elder Rochette did not tell anyone about the symptoms, including her doctor and daughter.

Was she keeping track of her symptoms with the idea that she’d talk to her doctor after the Olympics? Or did she simply ignore the signals? No one will ever know for sure. But one wonders if Rochette’s mother would be alive today had she gone to the doctor at the first signs of trouble.

This is our only life and it’s up to us to protect it. So if you experience any signs of a heart attack — chest discomfort, pain or discomfort in the arms, and shortness of breath — call a doctor and seek medical attention right away. Every minute counts.

Tennis Great Navratilova Being Treated for Breast Cancer

I was saddened when I heard the news that tennis legend Martina Navratilova has breast cancer. According to news reports, the cancer caught the 53-year-old Navratilova off guard. She readily admitted that she got too busy in her life and went for four years without getting a mammogram. Now she’s paying the consequences.

This only goes to show that cancer can hit anyone at anytime. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve accomplished in your life, or how fit and healthy you feel you are. For women over 40, it’s important to get a mammogram every year.

Navratilova is a tough cookie, so I’m sure she’ll fight this disease with the same ferocity as she battled opponents on the court. She is expected to make a full recovery.

White Sox Blank Tribe in Season Opener

The White Sox looked to be in mid-season form as they shut out the Cleveland Indians 6-0 in their season home opener at U.S. Cellular Field this afternoon. Paul Konerko and Alex Rios both hit home runs, and Mark Buehrle pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up three hits and one walk. He also made a spectacular play, kicking a grounder into foul territory on the first base side, chasing after it and flipping the ball with his glove between his legs to Konerko at first base for the out. Rios also made a diving catch to end the game.

If this is a sign of things to come, then this should be a sparkling year for the White Sox. Based on the strength of their pitching alone, many baseball experts, including Fox’s Ken Rosenthal, are picking the Sox to clinch the AL Central crown. The key question mark is whether they can hit with any consistency and score runs to help out what is surely one of the best starting rotations in the American League.

One victory down, another 90 or so more to go, which should be plenty to clinch the AL Central.

Bulls' Pippen Enters Hall of Fame

Congrats to fomer Bull Scottie Pippen who was named to the Basketball Hall of Fame today. He joins teammate Michael Jordan who entered the Hall of Fame a year ago. Pippen and Jordan were part of the Bulls’ team that won six championships in the 1990s.

Pippen earns a double honor as the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team” was also named to the Hall of Fame. Former Jazz great Karl Malone and former Chicagoan and four-time WNBA champion Cynthia Cooper are also inductees.

The induction ceremony will take place Aug. 13 in Springfield, Mass.