Chi-Town Craziness

While it may have appeared like any other cool, overcast summer day in Chicago yesterday, in actuality, there was a tornado. And by tornado, I mean enough sporting news to cause Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz to get a headache. Here is the run down with a little commentary interspersed:

1) Da Bulls - Yesterday, the Ben Gordon era officially came to an end, as he signed a 5 year, $55 million dollar deal with our nemeses, the Detroit Pistons. I have mixed feelings about this deal because when Ben is on, he is lights out. BUT, on that same note, when he is struggling, he becomes like the black hole of basketball (once the ball goes into him, there's no coming out). And, whether he is on or not, he is always a defensive liability. I think that this is going to work out alright for the Bulls in the long run though because while Gordon is an excellent shooter, the other players on the floor with him basically gave up on shooting come the 4th quarter, as they expected him to take every shot. That kind of offense just becomes way to predictable and easy to stop. This will force the Bulls to play a much more team oriented sort of basketball and will only be helped by the continued development of Noah in the post or the signing of another low post presence. Add in the continued development of Derrick Rose, continued good play of John Salmons, and hopeful return of a healthy Luol Deng, and I think we've got a great nucleus to a team.

In terms of Detroit, I think they made a couple of ballsy moves. In Gordon, they get a great shooter who can come off the bench. I'm just not that convinced that he is going to mesh well with Stuckey and especially Hamilton (and who is going to run the point if they decided to put Hamilton and Gordon on the floor together since they both love to shoot?). Also, they signed Charlie Villanueva yesterday. I think that he'll be good for 12/6 per game next year, but there is no way that he is going to be able to match the intensity and defense that Rasheed Wallace has given them in the past.

2) Da Hawks - I can't really sugar coat this one. I'm without a doubt most excited about this part of what happened yesterday. The Blackhawks unfortunately could not come to terms with Marty Havlat or Nicolai Khabibulin. Havlat is still a free agent, while Khabibulin was snatched up by the Edmonton Oilers. While its tough to see these guys go (especially since they were such significant contributors last year), it is exciting to see the Blackhawks again be aggressive in the offseason (as they were last year when they brought in Brian Campbell) and sign Marian Hossa to a 12 year, $62 million dollar deal. This gives the Hawks a veteran who is a proven scorer and all around professional. What I like about this deal most is that while the Red Wings sat Datsyuk and other key players during games 4 and 5 of the conference championship last year, it was Hossa who stepped up. Also, his hustle for the puck is relentless at all times when he is on the ice. Overall, I think that this is a phenomenal pick up and proves to the other players and the fans that the management is serious about bringing Lord Stanley's Cup back to the Chi. In terms of the Bulin Wall, it's sad to see him go but it is also time for Cristobol Huet to step up and show us what we're paying him for. He had a great couple of seasons prior to this last one, and I hope that he can return to that form (Side note: It's not fair to blast him for the poor tending in the playoffs. If he had continued to split time with Khabibulin, then yes, you could expect more. But he essentially sat all the last 1/3 of the regular season and all of the playoffs.)

3) Da Sox - They just continue to win. Next post will be on them, so check back for that.