Blackhawks Feel Right at Home on TV

Tribune columnist Ed Sherman wrote a positive review of the Blackhawks' first televised home game in eons. Thanks to a directive from deceased owner Bill Wirtz many years ago, Hawks home games were rarely shown because Wirtz wanted fans to pay to see the game. But the tactic backfired, and the Hawks lost fans over the years, which led to a loss in revenue. In the end, the team could not keep up with the higher-salaried teams in the league.

But times, they may be a changing, to borrow Bob Dylan’s words. Rocky Wirtz, Bill’s son and now the current president of the team, has very different ideas than his father. With yesterday’s telecast, the Hawks may be set to begin its resurgence in the NHL, though it may take two or three more years before they truly become competitive. But yesterday was a good start, and the Hawks did not disappoint. They played an inspired game, winning 3-2 over the Wings on the strength of their two rookies, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Even the home crowd seemed more pumped up than usual, perhaps sensing the significance of this game (a far cry from the Saturday night’s Bulls’ crowd).

I used to be an avid hockey fan during the days of Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito. I gave up watching the Hawks a long time ago, mostly due to the team’s poor play and too many fights. But after watching the team yesterday, I may have to jump back on their bandwagon.

Bulls' Head West After Dismal Loss

The Bulls will be glad to get out of town for a couple of weeks for their annual circus road trip starting this week. After a horrendous 30-point loss to the Toronto Raptors Saturday night, it may help the team forget how horribly they shot the ball (less than 30 percent shooting in the first half alone). The team only had 13 points in the first quarter, 30 at half time, and 43 after three quarters. Coach Scott Skiles benched all the starters within the first few minutes of the third quarter with the intent of bringing them back, but the game got so out of hand soon after that he let the reserves play on. Things were so bad, in fact, that by the fourth quarter, whatever fans were remaining at the United Center were booing and chanting, “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!”

It was the worst Bulls basketball game I have ever witnessed.

What baffles me is how a team that has essentially the same players as they did last season could possibly play so poorly in one game, especially when they had just defeated the powerhouse Detroit Pistons on Thursday. The Bulls don’t usually play well on the West Coast, so this upcoming road trip could be problematic. On the other hand, it may be just the tonic they need to forget Saturday’s carnage.

Don Shula: Spygate Would Mar the Pats’ Undefeated Season

It seems the New England Patriots are having as much trouble earning respect as Barry Bonds. The New York Daily News reports that Hall of Fame coach Don Shula, who coached the 1972 Miami Dolphins to an undefeated season, says the Spygate controversy earlier this season will mar the Patriots’ success if they finish with a 16-0 record. The Patriots were caught videotaping the opponents’ sidelines during a game against the New York Jets. Pats’ coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, the team was fined $250,000, and they lost a first-round draft pick. The team was forced to turn the tapes over to the league, but because NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ordered the tapes destroyed, we’ll never know exactly what was on those tapes. “The Spygate thing has diminished what they’ve accomplished. You would hate to have that attached to their accomplishments,” he said.

While it’s obvious that Shula is trying to protect the integrity of the Dolphins’ accomplishment, not many fans agree with the coach. In a survey on Fox Sports Web site, more than two-thirds (68 percent) of respondents said the Patriots should not have an asterisk next to their name if they go unbeaten. What surprises me is how forgiving fans are. It’s obvious that the Pats’ were caught cheating and yet, two-thirds of those who responded to this survey are willing to look the other way. If you’ve got a talented team like the Patriots, why cheat if you don’t have to?

Bulls’ Slow Start Is Nothing to Fret About

A lot of people are looking at the Bulls’ 0-4 start to the new season and asking, “What’s wrong with the Bulls?” Some suggest that it must be the lingering effects from the Kobe Bryant trade rumors. The slow start seems alarming when the team can’t even beat the 76ers, a team that isn’t supposed to make the postseason.

It’s too early to panic, though. The Bulls have always been a slow-starting team and manage to pull things together when they need to. Remember two years ago when the team started the year with nine straight losses? Somehow, they got their act together and made a run to the postseason. Last year, they started the season 3-9, and also made the postseason.

Unlike previous seasons, this one carries a slightly different feel. With so much success behind them, many expected the Bulls to come charging out of the starting gate straight to a divisional title. The problem may be that the high expectations are creating extra baggage for the Bulls and the pressure is slowing them down.

In the long run, the Bulls will do fine. Yes, they will struggle at times because opponents know what the Bulls can and cannot do on the court. Coach Scott Skiles will make some adjustments to respond to what opponents are doing to contain them, and GM John Paxson will make some mid-season trade to help the team for the home stretch. The Bulls players say they aren’t panicking, and neither should we.

MLB GMs Favor Instant Replay

The NFL has had instant replay for years, sometimes with mixed results. Now Major League Baseball may be following suit.

During this week’s owners’ meetings in Florida, general managers of all but five teams voted to recommend instant replay for baseball games. Instant replay would be used for boundary calls, such as whether potential home runs are fair or foul, whether balls go over the fence or bounce back into the field of play, and whether a fan interfered.

Obviously, the biggest drawback is the time it would take to review the contested plays. Games are already running more than three hours, and instant replay will add more time to the game. On the other hand, I think it’s important to get the play right. And the umpires could certainly use a little help in making the right calls.

Commissioner Bud Selig has always opposed the use of instant replay because of all the delays involved. “I think it sometimes creates as many problems than it solves,” he told the Associated Press. If Selig can keep an open mind, he may run the idea past the owners. The plan also needs approval from the players’ association and the umpires.

Rodman Seeks Coaching Job – in the WNBA

Here’s an announcement that must have raised a few eyebrows or made a few people chuckle. Former NBA star Dennis Rodman is looking for a new career opportunity – as a coach in the WNBA, according to PMG, Rodman's marketing rep. No stranger to controversy, Rodman says his desire to coach in the WNBA is “not a joke.” He says his team would typify many of the qualities and skills that made him one of the best defensive players in the league. “Any of my teammates can tell you that my knowledge of the game is second to none. Our players would be in top physical condition. We would lead the league in rebounding, have a defensive-minded identity, and we’d run the triangle offense.”

No matter what you might think of “the worm” as an individual, you can’t deny that he may have a pretty good plan for success. He and his agent, Steven Simons, will discuss open positions in the coming weeks.

Bryant Will Never Be a Bull

Last June, I wrote in Woman’s Eye that the acquisition of Kobe Bryant by the Bulls was a pipe dream. I still believe that today. That’s why I was relieved to hear GM John Paxson’s statement yesterday that the Bulls were never close to a deal for the disgruntled Laker. Paxson seems like an upfront guy, and if he says the Bulls and Lakers were “never on the verge of a deal,” then I believe him.

He was smart to put things to rest. With a new season underway, trade talks were on everyone’s mind, including the Bulls players who were rumored to be going to LA. Paxson needs his players to have their heads in the game right now. Making a statement now assured them that no one – not Ben Gordon, not Ben Wallace or anyone else – would be leaving Chicago any time soon.

Since all this trade talk escalated earlier this week, I’ve had a hard time believing that this deal would take place let alone that Paxson would even consider making it. Paxson was part of the Bulls championship teams of the early 90s. Even with a superstar like Michael Jordan leading the way, the team played well together. When Paxson took over as GM, he and coach Scott Skiles weeded out the deadbeat players on the team, those who were lazy, self-absorbed or lacked integrity. For Paxson, character and integrity are just as important as talent. He understands what kind of team is needed in Chicago to win a title, and he has done well to build one that embraces teamwork and plays with integrity and has character. Does that sound like a Kobe Bryant-style team to you?

Kobe is just one more distraction that the Bulls don’t need. If the Bulls really, really wanted Bryant here in Chicago, they would have found a way to get the deal done. The Bulls are better off with the team that they have and perhaps make a deal down the road for a lesser-known player who will provide what the Bulls need, without the unnecessary distractions that could hurt them in the long run.

Don’t get me wrong. The Bulls could certainly use someone with Kobe’s talent. They just don’t need the baggage that comes with it..

Hingis Retires Amidst Cocaine Allegations

Former tennis champion Martina Hingis announced her retirement for the second time on Thursday, amidst allegations that she failed a drug test. During a press conference in Zurich, Switzerland, the tearful 27-year-old said she was retiring due to injuries that have plagued her since she returned to tennis in 2006. Playing tennis had become more difficult and she hasn’t been able to return to the top form that made her a champion. Hip and back injuries held her back most of the summer, forcing her to withdraw from several tournaments, and she did not make it past the third round at Wimbledon. Hingis also said she was “shocked and appalled” when she learned of her positive test results from Wimbledon for cocaine, and denied ever taking drugs. She did not want to continue competing while also fighting a possible drug probe that was likely to occur.

Hingis returned to tennis in 2006 after a three and a half year layoff to recover from burnout and injury and finished the year ranked No. 7. She was the youngest player to win a major tournament when she won the Australian Open in 1997 at age 16. She also won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that same year.

Desperate athletes do desperate things. There is no doubt in my mind that Hingis chose to take cocaine out of desperation to get herself through Wimbledon, but also knowing that she would likely get caught. Without the drug, Hingis probably would not have competed at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open. Even before the Wimbledon tournament, Hingis had to know that her tennis career was ending, with or without drugs.