Closing out the Bulls-eye?

In order for the Bulls to aim for their franchise's 7th title, they must get a scorer to compliment Rose.

I couldn't help but wonder after the Bulls game (that is, before I found out one of the waitresses misplaced my credit card, which I have since had to cancel): Was this the Bulls' best chance to win the title?

After Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls were picking up right where they left off in their regular season sweep of the Heat. However, the final four games of the series, all won by the Heat, showed a fatal flaw that will haunt the Bulls if they do not address it.

They desperately need a second scorer to compliment Derrick Rose, not only to help him out when he is having an off night, but also to open up the lane for him. Rose thrives in the paint, whether it be a spectacular dunk after blowing by a defender or drawing the fouls in the paint that make coaches go to their benches much sooner than they'd like.

So who might be some options for the Bulls to bring in next year to give Rose this chance?

Free agency

Top names with scoring capabilities: Tim Duncan, Jamal Crawford, Caron Butler, J.R. Smith, David West

Compared to 2010's free agents with the top guys resembling filet mignon, we're looking at Value Meals here. Duncan is in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career and like West, plays a position which the Bulls already have depth at.

Crawford has found his niche as a top 6th man in the league since joining the Atlanta Hawks. However, he isn't the type of guy who is going to draw people off of Rose. Crawford has only had one season in his 10 year career of shooting over 45%, so teams aren't likely to be scared to give up a defender that would be best suited for Rose.

The most intriguing of the bunch to me is J.R. Smith, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his troubled career. He is a guy who is very capable of creating a shot and ripping off 4 or 5 straight three-point bombs. No one else in this free agent class (outside of Ray Allen, who I think will stay with the Celtics and take his player option) has that ability but Smith.

However, if the Bulls' recent track record with players holds up, Smith's hot-headedness and immaturity may not be something that the Bulls want to add to their equation.

Trades

Top names with scoring capabilities: Dwight Howard (Orl)

The list begins and ends with Dwight Howard. This is what many Bulls fans want to see, and for good reason. Howard has age on his side and would immediately upgrade any team's interior (both offensively and defensively).

Howard led a less talented team to the NBA Finals a few years ago simply by being a monster and drawing the double teams necessary to give their three-point shooters the opportunity for open looks. Insert him into this version of the Bulls, and we're talking about the Bulls vs. Heat in the conference finals for years to come. Thibs, the defensive mind that he is, would drool at the sight of having a block shot/shot altering center like Howard moreso than the offensive presence he would bring.

Call it intuition, but I get this feeling that Howard is destined for the Celtics or Lakers. It's the Yankees/Red Sox theory applied to the NBA. I think the Celtics would be favorites to get him - seeing as though the Lakers keep making Bynum an untouchable commodity in trade offers to other teams.

Draft

Really? No. Not a chance at immediate impact for the Bulls, who draft 28th and 30th in this year's draft.

I hope I'm wrong about the Howard situation, as that would be the best way to solve the Bulls' problem and would give the Bulls an essential second weapon to contend with the Heat for the next 6-8 years. Free agency sure won't be the answer, so it will come down to how aggressive of a trade package that the Bulls can make to get Howard and how it stacks up to other teams' offers.

The Heat are only going to get better as Wade, James and Bosh continue to learn how to compliment each other and their future teammates, so it is necessary for the Bulls to make a big move to prevent 2010-11 from being a fluke.

King Me

This cover from 6 seasons ago may actually be more relevant now,
should the Heat continue their winning ways.

Like many people, I never really cared for the title that LeBron James carried from the moment he entered the league. In seven seasons with the Cavaliers, James led them to the NBA Finals once and another additional trip to the Eastern Conference Finals - but was never able to win a title there. Granted, he didn't have the best teams around him, but elite players (no matter who is around them) get viewed strictly on their rings. The nickname "King James" hasn't been earned just yet.

But I feel that it is about to.

James and company are on the brink of making it to the NBA Finals, where they would likely face the Dallas Mavericks (barring a collapse). As long as the Heat make the Finals, I believe they will be a favorite over Dallas - despite the roll that Dirk is on right now.

And the main reason for them being the favorite is LeBron James.

James didn't win 2 MVPs in Cleveland on accident. He won them because he was the epitome of the award - the most valuable player to the Cavs, who would have never been in that position without him (this year's utter collapse shows how important James was to the Cavs).

To start this year, Lebron and company struggled to find a rhythm together and often had a tough time closing out close games - with none of the Big 3 stepping up to be "The Guy" in those situations. This includes three close games against the Bulls, games which didn't feature clutch shots by Wade or James, but rather Kyle Korver and Luol Deng. The Heat went 0-3 against the Bulls, losing by a combined 8 points.

The playoffs has been a new season for the Heat, who are now 11-3 in the playoffs and looking for their third straight 4-1 series win if they can close out the Bulls on Thursday. While James' averages don't necessarily show any big improvements from regular season to playoffs (outside of the one less turnover a game he is averaging), he is passing the eye-test as a leader down the stretch of games now.

There will be detractors who say that the Heat should be doing this and that James shouldn't get recognized for what he's doing. After all, in his ill-orchestrated "Decision", he did make a heel turn and join Pat Riley's suddenly "evil" Miami Heat to join fellow All-Stars Wade and Bosh. With that talent, everyone expects the Heat to win the title.

However a team may be composed, it shouldn't matter. Teams are designed through free agency, draft and through trades. People are annoyed that the Heat designed the core of their team through free agency, even though that really just applies to James and Bosh because Wade was drafted by Miami. And for the most part, at least under the Paxson era, much of the Bulls core was built via draft. The championship rings they get for winning championships don't change based on how you build you team.

The aforementioned early-season issues in the regular season were celebrated wildly by the public with each passing def-Heat. Many (including myself) questioned whether it would take a season or two for them to gel and get into championship form.

While they are still 5 wins away from that goal, I feel like they have a much better chance than I ever gave them credit for. And the reason for that is Lebron.

His reign may be about to be starting before the NBA's very eyes.

End of an Era: Bookmaker (2007-2011)

If you are reading this, you are likely friends with me on Facebook. Posted earlier today, I lamented on the loss of my sportsbook, Bookmaker. The US Department of Justice and Homeland Security seized its domain today, as seen in the image below:

Bookmaker's death sentence, as handed down by The United States of Big Brother

Tim Wolf first brought this to my attention yesterday, saying that Bookmaker already had an alternate site ready to use in the event of site seizure. The takeover was official today, leaving millions of gamblers such as myself looking for new ways to get the gambling itch fixed. Trust me - people will get their gambling done one way or another.

The seizure of their site (and other poker sites a month ago and I'm sure numerous other sites in the near future) begs the question: in a free country that proclaims democracy and freedom to make choices as individuals, why is it illegal for Americans to gamble on sports outside of Vegas? Some states (Delaware and Oregon for example) allow very limited sports gambling, but Nevada is the only state where sports gambling is legal.

The amount of money that other states could make from sports gambling is sick to think about.  I have at least 10 friends who would love having the ability to sit at a local casino and bet the sports that we have been betting online and through other venues for years - and we'd hardly be the only ones. Not only that, but we'd be modestly gambling when compared to the high rollers - if it's anything like Vegas sports books. In my trips to Vegas, it wasn't uncommon to see guys wagering 10 to 100 times more in a given bet than me. Considering my average bet in Vegas ranges from $50-200, we're talking about a very profitable operation, especially since the book makes money on any gambler that doesn't hit more than 53% of their bets.

Other sites are still in operation for gamblers to use, but it's a matter of time before they get shut down. From what I read, it appears as though Bookmaker's problem (as it was for the banned poker sites) was for money laundering, not for the act of allowing American gamblers to deposit money onto their site.

Nevertheless, this wouldn't be a problem if gambling on sports was legal!

I suspect that Vegas lobbyists and America's desire to limit freedoms (not expand them) as part of their Mommy/Daddy role they play with their citizens are the main reasons that sports gambling is not legal.

They'll say they're protecting the poor from losing their money, but they don't give a rat's ass about that. If people will not lose their money with sports gambling (the way the government has it now), people will lose their money through other venues, many of them just as self-destructive as sports gambling (such as drinking, smoking and many other unhealthy ways).

The government tried Prohibition (didn't work); they've tried "Say No to Drugs" (many people "Said No to Nancy Reagan" and did and continue to use drugs anyways); they continue to try stopping people from being gay by attempting to ban gay marriage in particular states (won't work).

Now, the sports gambling spectrum, at least the online forum, is controlled by the government. If they think this won't drive people to underground methods (as it did to all of the above "bans" or "warnings"), they're dumber than I thought - which is saying a lot.

I'm willing to bet that this is not the end of my "Gambling Outside of Vegas" era. And instead of collecting money from me in a sports book, where some of my money would be going to the government via taxes, my money will be going elsewhere.

Suck it, government.

The True Best Man

(note: to those attending the wedding, this is not my speech)

It's a title that I never really thought about much, but the title "Best Man" carries a lot of weight to me.

Best Man is someone who you've known for a long while. Best Man is someone you have shared some great times with. Best Man is someone you can count on when you're down. Best Man is with you from beginning to end. Best Man is with you during your ups and downs, highs and lows.

Best Man is not a title to be taken lightly.

Less than 2 days from now, my friend Jeremy Spencer (known by his surname to many of us) will be getting hitched to his lady Kate Baker. It's only fitting that it's a non-traditional wedding, because Spencer has never been a traditional person.

Each of us has influenced the other in more ways than we can imagine. For a brief period of time, I tried emulating his fashion for Hawaiian shirts (biiiiiiig mistake). And I know I introduced him to a movie (Dirty Work) that has become the staple of a lifetime's worth of quotes for us.

Within this lifetime of the friendship, we've both went away to school, and for the majority of the past 9 years of the friendship, we haven't been within 100 miles of each other. However, that never stopped us from getting closer as friends and essentially becoming brothers.

The "That's What She Said" and "Name Game" have become our new ways of humoring each other and others around us. The Name Game especially - with its unique way of creating a nickname around a play on words that yields many a laughs - has kept both of us sharp in both humor and intelligence.

As the years have passed, I can proudly say our friendship is stronger than ever. And I'm glad he's getting married to Kate, who clearly matches up with him perfectly.

Thank you to my friend, my brother, Spencer, for letting me share a big part in one of the biggest day of your life.

On Saturday, the true Best Man will be him.

Congrats to you and Kate.

Don't Stress, Young Man

I need to see someone about my sports addiction problem.

There's no reason a human being should get so worked up about any angle of sports where it affects the person even in the slightest.

Don't get me wrong. Sports are a good release from real life, where we have to deal with work, bills, recession stuff, etc. When sports help you forget about those things for a while, no one would argue that as a bad thing. However, there are just some times where I get worked up about certain aspects of sports that make me question why I get so involved in it emotionally.

Gambling

This devil of a thing entered my life at a young age. Around the age of 8 or 9, I was aware of point spreads and wasn't too bad for my age in guessing what a line would be in football. A few years later, I organized a football picking pool with me, my dad and two neighbors on the block to guess the winners straight up every week.

That morphed into the once famous confidence pool that had me and some friends competing for money every week and for end of year prizes by ranking the teams we thought had the best chance of winning every week in descending order. As that dissolved, online gambling became my new outlet. Outside of a few decent cashouts, that has been mostly sewer money.

And who could forget Vegas, the place I will have visited for the 6th time in 3 1/2 years after my June trip is complete. While others get their thrills in Vegas from black jack, poker, clubs and shows, my Dream Vegas is plopping my ass in the sports book after a nice fattening Bellagio breakfast with mimosas. While I've never lost more than a couple hundred while in Vegas, I've never really won much either.

Gambling changes the way I watch sports in that I am often rooting for teams and outcomes that I would not care about otherwise. I will say that I am as objective of a gambler as there is when it comes to judging how an official/referee/umpire may or may not be impacting my bet. Which brings me to the next thing that bothers me about sports....

Blaming the Officials

Going into game 2 of the series between the Heat and the Bulls, I told my friend Tim that I guaranteed that Bulls fans and "fans" would find a way to complain about the referees if the game was close (I said within 10 points) and the Bulls lost.

Sure enough, right on queue, I saw a few items on a social network (hint: it rhymes with Schmace schmook) of a handful of complaints about the refs as the Heat were closing out their 10 point win. I didn't realize referees caused the Bulls to shoot 34 percent from the field and 61% from the free throw line, but I'm glad a few people were out there to remind me that it was the men in the zebra outfits who caused that. Sure as hell beats thinking that, I don't know, your team got outplayed almost as bad as they did to you in the previous game.

Even while completely expecting a few people to blame the refs, it still annoyed me to no end to read some of those comments. I typed out comments and hit the backspace button before sending the comments, for fear of getting in a War of Turds with some of the haters of striped shirts. I knew arguing specific calls that the Bulls got in their favor would do no good, so I resisted and decided that venting about it to the 10 people who read this would be a better outlet.

(Editor's note: I did bet the Heat with 5 people but promise you that I will not blame the refs if the Heat lose this series. Neither team needs the ref's help to win the series.)

So the point of this subsection, I guess, is that if I didn't get so worked up about sports, I wouldn't get worked up about people blaming the refs for crap that their players did or did not do. Even in the small increments that I see this happening, this probably annoys me more than the gambling aspect of sports.

If it weren't for the refs, the Bulls would be 92-0 at this point in the year, well on their way to the first perfect season in NBA history.

That last sentence is probably believed by 5-10% of Bulls fans- which scares the shit out of me.

My teams suck

The teams I have decided to follow in my life - mainly the White Sox and 49ers - aren't exactly for the faint of heart. Combined since 2002 the teams have combined for 2 playoff appearances - White Sox in 2005 and 2008. The World Series championship seems so far away, especially given the lack of follow-up to that season in any of the subsequent seasons despite consistently high expectations year in, year out.

On the other end, the Niners have lowered my expectations during that time, to the point where I thought an 8-8 season in 2009 was "a good season". We've had the luxury of having a healthy rotation of coaches since our last playoff appearance in 2002. We're tried offensive-minded coaches, defensive-minded coaches, coaches who had their fathers successfully coach in the league, coaches who used to be successful players a few decades removed. You name it, we've hired a sucky version of it.

While I consider myself somewhat of a Bulls fans, to be fair to the fans of the team through the thick and thin, I will not speak of them in my fandom. For the most part, I root for the Bulls (that is, when I don't have $110 and 10 pitchers on the line). By no means am I a diehard though.

I wish I was though - because I could really use a winning team in my collection of teams I root for (sigh). Losing is tough to swallow, no matter the sport. If only my teams could play without refs....then we'd probably lose every damn game.

Why?

So why the hell am I so loyal to anything and everything relating to sports, given all these factors that annoy me daily or annually? Why would any person deal with the stressors that sports cause, especially when sports are actually supposed to relieve stress of daily life?

I'd say that the main reason that I will continue to love sports despite the above things is the camaraderie that comes from watching sports with my friends. It is unlike any other social aspect of my life. Getting together with friends to watch a sporting event, regardless of gambling/rooting interest or sport, is a priceless time. Also, if it wasn't for sports, I probably would talk to many of my guy friends a lot less than I do. I certainly don't want to take that out of my life. Throwing a few back, wagering a few bucks and sharing laughs and stories outweighs the bad that some aspects of sports create for me.

I suppose I am fine without a sports psychologist in my life. It's not like I'm gambling more than I can afford to lose, getting heart attacks from sports arguments or losing sleep over my teams sucking ass.

In the meantime, I bet you that the refs will cause the Bulls to lose again and that my White Sox will lift up my hopes and then let me down again.

At least my Niners will miss the playoffs along with 31 other teams if there's no season.

Finally, a victory cigar is in order.

When in Poem...

Random writing, 5-17-11:

Numb Hairs

I’m a numbers guy,
I hate zero, but don’t ask me why.
If you take the time to add it up,
You will have no time for the half-empty cup.

One time, I want to be the rhyme
That turns the nickel into a dime,
That turns the lemon into a lime,
That makes the innocent commit a crime.

Two jacks give you a pair
But all you’re left to do is stare
When three kings growl like a bear
And crush your hand without a care.

Three is the magic number
When it’s you and her and her.
It’s something that you wanted, that’s for sure
It’s what you deserve after all you’ve endured.

Time to go forth and make the best of this
You asked for a hug and you got a kiss
Before you make this something you dismiss,
Realize everything you are going to miss.

I plead the fifth when it comes to the court of life
I’m guilty of nothing but wanting this to thrive
I jump into the pool with a perfect dive
If that’s a crime, give me 25 to life.

Six numbers in, I wonder when I will begin
To make sense of these words to my next of kin.
These verses show where I’m going and where I’ve been.
Regret in this world is the biggest of sins.

Keep your eyes open like 7-11,
Whether or not you believe in heaven.
Keep those feet movin’ and those engines revvin’,
For all you take from life, reciprocate with some givin’.

If you eat, you ate; if you’re now, you’re late; after seven, you’re eight.
Set this on your calendars so you don’t miss the date.
You’re fishing alone, they say you have master bait.
If you swim among the hungry sharks, you’ve decided your fate.

Nine planets, but being on this Earth, we never planned it.
Amongst these words of clutter and bullshit,
There’s a message that’s so lawful, it is writ.
As basic and as useful as a first-aid kit.

I won’t command you to give me these minutes of your life—ten,
I just wanted to see how you have been.
Just make the most of this time, live like Barbie and Ken.
Do it now, cause if not now, when?

Jersey? Sure

(Fan Blog 2 of 6 - idea courtesy of Chris Williams)
Judge: The case of Rick Reilly v Adult Jersey Wearers of America is now in session.

We've already heard the prosecution's case against the Jersey Wearers from Mr. Reilly, which he wrote in late 2010 and recited to the court, as seen here: Reilly. Several witnesses called up by the prosecution have stated their case that adults should not wear jerseys to preserve societal order at sporting events and to create a more family-friendly environment.

Would the defendant please take the stand to be examined?

Defendant Lawyer (DL): When you read this article by the head of the prosecution, how did you feel after reading it?

Man in Scalabrine Jersey (MSJ): To be quite honest, I was caught off guard by this blanket judgement of jersey wearers. Mr. Reilly has never seen me at sporting events and bars enjoying a drink or eight, with people coming up to me and bowing to me for wearing this jersey every time I go out. It's mainly douchebags who come up to me, but they come up to me and praise me for wearing it nonetheless. Hell, I've worn the jersey more than the man has himself.

DL: So what you are telling the court is that your encounters as an adult jersey wearer have been nothing but positive?

MSJ: Well, it did set me back $75 - and the site even gave me a chance to get out of buying the jersey by requiring me to customize the jersey. Sad thing was, I wasn't even drunk when buying it.

DL: I think you're misunderstanding me. What I meant was: when going out to the bars and games, you've enjoyed nothing but praise from douchebags....I mean drunken Bulls fans, correct?

MSJ: That is correct.

DL: So if Rick Reilly were to be watching this, what would you have to say to him about grown men who wear jerseys?

MSJ: Very simple, my man. It's not the jersey that makes an idiot. The person who starts fights at games was born an idiot. A jersey just gives the general public an easier way to identify them. Like, 'Hey, look at that guy in the Urlacher jersey calling the Packers fan a Fudge Packer, ain't that funny?' No, it's not, dude. Lay off Grandma's cough syrup and move to Moscow. Hopefully you'll freeze to death, and heaven help us if you already produced offspring. D-bags don't fall far from the tea bag.

Not sure what that meant, but anyways. It's my right as a non-asshole American to wear a jersey and root on my team, no matter what bar or sporting venue I may be at. I will not be afraid of these idiots who aim to ruin my good time.

DL: I rest my case your honor.


Judge: Do you wish to cross-examine the Jersey Wearer of the man who logged 88 minutes of court time in the regular season?

Prosecuting Lawyer (PL): With pleasure...

PL: So, Scalabrine lover, please explain to me why you bought the current jersey you are wearing.

MSJ: Well, I went out with a couple of friends to watch some basketball games. And I've always joked around about buying a Brian Scalabrine jersey, but never had the balls to do it. Then, I saw the myth himself, Scalabrine, step on the court against the Washington Wizards in the last minute of a blowout game. Chicago designed a play for him from the end line, and what do you know- he banks the shot in! Road crowd goes nuts, me and my friends go nuts. It was an awesome moment.

PL: So you're saying that a man whose total time played this year was about the length of a crappy Summer comedy release had an awesome moment at a meaningless point of the game. Why the jersey?

MSJ: Why not? I figured I'd be the only one who had it - and sure enough, I have not seen another one of his jerseys yet.

PL: I have a hunch on that one. So you say you've never experienced any distaste for your jersey?

MSJ: Well, the ladies never praise it, but most of them probably don't even know who he is. Hell, Scalabrine's mom makes him wear the jersey at Thanksgiving dinner just so she remembers his name. Mind you, she does not have Alzheimer's.

PL: But other than that, no ill will directed your way?

MSJ: None.

PL: Would you say that perhaps you've never experienced any negative feedback simply because nobody even knows who this man is? You admitted yourself that his mom doesn't even know who he is.

MSJ: It's possible, but even while wearing my San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore and Patrick Willis jerseys, I've never had anyone come up to me and want to start something.

PL: Who are the San Francisco 49ers? A Canadian Football League team?

MSJ (looking at the judge): Is this guy serious?

PL: From what I can tell, you wear obscure jerseys of teams/players that no one gives a shit about. I dare you to wear an Aaron Rodgers jersey to Soldier Field.

MSJ: Why would I do that, I....

PL (interrupting): See, your Honor. Even he knows that wearing a Packers jersey in Bear town is dangerous.

MSJ: You didn't let me finish. I was gonna say, I don't give two shits about the Packers.

PL: What are you, chicken?

MSJ (to judge again): Seriously, what the hell is wrong with this guy?

Judge: If we're going to resort to baiting of the Marty McFly sort, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask the prosecution to leave the stand.

PJ: I know you are, but what am I?

Judge: Zip up your pants, Pee Wee. This ain't a peep show.

Judge (cntd): Frankly, I'm appalled that I even wasted the taxpayers' money on this case, but that's the government for ya (courtroom laughs). While the prosecution made its case in presenting witnesses and victims of violence from jersey wearers, one thing remains clear. It is not in my jurisdiction to tell people what they can and cannot wear to sporting events. An idiot is going to be an idiot whether he is wearing a jersey, a business suit or a birthday suit. Likewise, people who go to games in jerseys are just as likely to be victims of violence as those who wear a plain t-shirt and jeans.

The court rules in favor of the Adult Jersey Wearers of America. Court is adjourned. Please get the hell out of my courtroom - all of you. I have a 2pm appointment with blond twin escorts and I don't intend on being a minute late.