We'll Be Back...

The World of Wadley apologizes for the lack of posts and we promise to return once schoolwork slows down. Due to writing intensive majors, we must focus our efforts on our schoolwork and once that ends we will be back on the blogging trail.

-- Zach and Nate Wadley

Active MLB First Ballot Hall of Famers

It is a common understanding that Major League Baseball has the hardest Hall of Fame to be a member of and rarely do more than two or three players get in per year. Sometimes the Hall of Fame status is thrown around much too loosely. There are good players, there are great players, and then there are Hall of Fame players. It's an exclusive group, one that includes just 202 players and 289 members overall. Only once have there been three first-ballot nominees elected in the same year (1999), not including the first year in 1936. So it's rare that players be elected so soon after retirement. I recently read a blog post that listed Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia and Miguel Cabrera as first-ballot Hall of Famers. I scoffed at that simply because it's much too early to classify those players like that. Are they on the right track? Yes. But the road ahead is a long one. What a player does in the back half of his career will decide whether or not he is a Hall of Famer or not. Many have started out strong, only to fizzle out as their bodies grow older. The list of current first-ballot players is short in my mind. Here it is...


Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees
Current Season: 18th Year
Career Stats: .313 batting average, 3,222 hits, 1,828 runs, 346 steals, .382 OBP
Awards: '96 Rookie of the Year, 13-time All-Star, 5 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers, 5 World Series
Derek Jeter has defined winning throughout his career. Perhaps the most respected man in the game of baseball, Jeter eclipsed the 3,000 hit mark last season with a 5-5 day that was capped off with a home run. In my mind, the 3,000 hit plateau should put a player in automatically considering that only 28 men have ever achieved the feat. However, that's not all there is to Jeter. He holds the record for career postseason hits with 191 in 152 games. Obviously the fact that he has played with the Yankees has helped his cause, but that is a record that may never be broken, especially when you consider that he is still building upon it. His defense has produced five Gold Gloves and has given us some of the most memorable highlights in baseball. His unbelievable flip against the A's and his headfirst dive into the stands behind third base will be shown forever. His class, records and winning ensure that he will be in Cooperstown as soon as possible.

Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Seattle Mariners
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: .322 batting average, 2,544 hits, 441 stolen bases, 1,180 runs, .365 OBP, 100 assists
Awards: '01 MVP, '01 Rookie of the Year, 10-time All-Star, 10 Gold Gloves, 3 Silver Sluggers
Ichiro may have the most impressive resume when you consider he is only in his 12th full season and he missed about three or four seasons in his prime. He captured the league by storm in his first season, winning the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards. He has led the league in batting average twice, hitting an absurd .372 back in 2004. He has stolen 40+ bases five times and led the league in 2001 with 56. His outstanding arm has generated 100 assists from the outfield and counting. While he has not played on very many winning teams and the Mariners made the playoffs just once in the time he was there. While Jeter has played in 152 postseason games, Ichiro has played in just 10. Now a Yankee, he will most likely finish his career in pinstripes. At 2,544 hits he needs just 456 hits until 3,000. His 162 game average is 222 so if he keeps pace he will need just two seasons after this to reach the milestone.

Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: .326 batting average, 2,193 hits, 1,353 runs, 469 home runs, 1,405 RBI
Awards: '01 RoY, 9-time All-Star, 3-time MVP ('05,'08,'09), 3 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers, 2 WS
It's hard to believe Pujols is only in his 12th season because his numbers tell a much different story. He has a lifetime batting average of .326, is just 31 home runs away from 500, and could reach the 3,000 hit mark in about four years. If so, he would be only the fifth player to achieve both the milestones (Aaron, Mays, Murray, Palmeiro). Pujols is a three-time MVP, but perhaps more impressive is the fact that he has finished in the top ten of MVP voting every single year and finished top five in nine of those years. He hit at least .300 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his first ten seasons and last year came up a point and RBI shy. He is now in the American League and playing on one of the most exciting teams, the Angels. As he heads into the last stretch of his career he will cement himself as one of the greatest players of all-time.

Chipper Jones, 3B, Atlanta Braves
Current Season: 19th Season
Career Stats: .305 batting average, 2,693 hits, 1,600 runs, 1,609 RBI, 464 home runs, .405 OBP
Awards: '99 MVP, 8-time All-Star, 2 Silver Sluggers, 1995 World Series title
Chipper is probably the only player on this list that doesn't have the eye-popping statistic that ensures he will be enshrined. He will retire at the end of this season, his 19th in the league and with the Braves, and while he won't finish with either 500 home runs or 3,000 hits, he will be in an elite group of third basemen. Chipper has always been a hitter, batting over .300 ten times in his career and on his way to number eleven. He led the league in 2008 with an outstanding .364 average. He won the 1999 MVP award after batting .319 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI. He has a lifetime .305 batting average and has averaged over 30 homers and 100 RBIs in his career. If Chipper's numbers and lack of awards don't seem worthy of the Hall then consider this: while George Brett has more hits than Chipper, Jones has the same batting average as Brett and has more home runs, RBI, runs, and a better OBP.

Alex Rodriguez, SS/3B, New York Yankees
Current Season: 19th Year
Career Stats:.301 batting average, 2,872 hits, 1,878 runs, 1,937 RBI, 644 home runs, 314 stolen bases
Awards: 14-time All-Star, 3-time MVP ('03,'05,'07), 2 Gold Gloves, 10 Silver Sluggers, '09 WS title
There are two things that separate A-Rod from the rest of the players on this list: how great his numbers are and steroids. An admitted steroid user during his three seasons in Texas, Rodriguez does have a tainted career. However, I have included him on this list because he has still produced after the steroids. He was excellent before them and has been excellent after them. I think that guys like McGwire, Sosa and Palmeiro will find it hard to be elected, but A-Rod admitted it and, as far as we know, has stopped. Because of that, I think he will be elected. He definitely has the numbers. He has led the league in home runs five times and could eclipse 700 by the time it's all said and done (he needs 56). He has led the league in batting average once and RBIs twice. He has over 300 steals on top of all the hitting and he has a chance to finish with a .300+ batting average, 700 home runs, 2,000 RBIs, and 3,000 hits. Those are numbers that few men will ever achieve.

Mariano Rivera, P, New York Yankees
Current Season: 18th Year
Career Stats: 76-58 Win-Loss, 2.21 ERA, 608 saves
Awards: 12-time All-Star, All-time saves leader, 5 World Series titles
Domination. Mariano Rivera has dominated competition for 18 years now and has been a part of five Yankees World Series championship teams. He is the all-time leader in saves with 608 and that is a number that will continue to grow once he comes back from an ACL tear. He has been the closer for the best dynasty in awhile and even at the age of 42 he still dominates with his devastating cutter and nearly ensures a Yanks win once he comes out of the bullpen. He is the best relief pitcher of all-time and, as the game changes, he has set the standard for closers. For that reason he will be elected into the Hall as soon as possible.

The Next Three (Questionables)
Todd Helton, 1B, Colorado Rockies
Current Season: 16th Year
Career Stats: .320 batting average, 2,420 hits, 1,360 runs, 1,345 RBI, 354 home runs, .419 OBP
Awards: 5-time All-Star, 3 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Sluggers
Helton has decent numbers, but they don't stack up to the players listed above. He is an above average fielder and can flat out hit the ball, but will voters hold the fact that he played in Coors Field against him? I don't think a player should be penalized for that, but it will definitely be a discussion among the voters. Helton lacks the accolades of other players in his era. Perhaps he will get in at some point, but not first ballot.

Paul Konerko, 1B, Chicago White Sox
Current Season:16th Year
Career Stats: .284 batting average, 2,142 hits, 1,088 runs, 1,314 RBI, 413 home runs
Awards: 6-time All-Star, 2005 World Series title
Konerko may not be a Hall of Famer at all, but he has been a steady player his entire career. He has been the face of the White Sox since Frank Thomas left and he was a key component of the 2005 World Series team. Konerko could play a few more years and potentially build on his numbers, which would make the discussion may be a little easier.

Carlos Beltran, CF, New York Mets
Current Season: 15th Year
Career Stats: .283 batting average, 2,025 hits, 1,247 runs, 1,233 RBI, 327 HRs, 303 stolen bases
Awards: '99 Rookie of the Year, 7-time All-Star, 3 Gold Gloves, 2 Silver Sluggers
Beltran has quietly put together a nice career and is having one of his best seasons for the Cardinals here in 2012. The 1999 Rookie of the Year for the Royals has three Gold Gloves to his name and surpassed the 2,000 hit mark this season. Were it not for injuries, we may be giving Beltran a closer look.

On the Right Track (Too Early to Tell)
Justin Verlander, P, Detroit Tigers
Current Season: 8th Year
Career Stats: 118-64 Win-Loss, 3.44 ERA, 1,367 SO
Awards: '06 Rookie of the Year, '11 Cy Young Award, '11 MVP, 5-time All-Star
It's a long road ahead, but Verlander averages 18 wins per season. At that pace, he will need to pitch nine more seasons like that to reach the 300 win mark. He has a Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP trophy in his collection and has appeared in the World Series once as well. The 3,000 strikeout plateau is also one that could be attainable for Verlander. At the pace he is going he will need just eight more seasons to hit 3,000.

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Detroit Tigers
Current Season: 10th Year
Career Stats: .317 batting average, 1,736 hits, 923 runs, 1,075 RBI, 304 home runs, .394 OBP
Awards: 7-time All-Star, 3 Silver Sluggers, 2003 World Series title
Cabrera is well on his way to the 500 home run mark and could reach it in about six seasons. 3,000 hits is a little bit more of a stretch but he is on pace to reach it in about seven seasons. Having Prince Fielder behind him in the lineup will help him greatly. Combine the hitting stats with the All-Star appearances and the Silver Sluggers and you may have a Hall of Famer in the making.

C.C. Sabathia, P, Cleveland Indians
Current Season: 12th Year
Career Stats: 187-99 Win-Loss, 3.51 ERA, 2,150 SO
Awards: 2007 Cy Young Award, 6-time All-Star, 2009 World Series title
Sabathia is in his 12th season but 300 wins may be a reachable goal. He is on pace to reach it in 2018 which will mean he would have to keep his 17-game win average going until his is 37 years old. That's not going to be easy. I think 250 wins is going to become the new 300 and Sabathia should achieve that. 3,000 strikeouts should be easier for the big lefty. He is on pace to reach that by 2016. If he can add another Cy Young to his collection that would help his case tremendously.

There are obviously several more players who could be added to the last list and maybe a few more on the Questionables list. I really don't think there's anybody else who is a lock right now though. The team listed next to the player is the one I think they will go in as for the Hall of Fame as of now. If you have any comments or arguments feel free to post below!

Dwight Howard: The Biggest Baby in Sports

To date, I have hesitated to post anything on the Dwight Howard drama simply because I was tired of hearing about it. Nate had one post about the situation, but we both have grown tired of turning on Sportscenter and seeing Howard's name plastered all over the sidebar and bottom line. Yet, this has gone on too long and my frustration has reached its peak. Howard continues to demand a trade from the Orlando Magic and the situation has dominated NBA headlines for months upon months. First it was the Nets, then the Lakers, then the Rockets almost gave up their entire roster for the big man. The Hawks have been thrown out there as well, and so now what we have is a bunch of teams that are frustrated and about to give up on Howard.

We also have a man without a job in Stan Van Gundy. SVG was a solid head coach for Orlando and took them to the Finals in 2009. Still, he became the next coach in a long line to be fired so that the superstar on the team could be happy. There's one problem though, Dwight Howard still isn't happy and he doesn't want to be in Orlando.

But where does he want to be? He desired a trade to Brooklyn, but his back-and-forth indecision turned the Nets away. Brooklyn decided they had to move on and they have a formidable team with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Brooke Lopez. The Lakers have always been a team mentioned, but Howard has always seemed to turn up his nose at the idea of going West. Now it seems that LA is moving on and will go with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. The Rockets almost went all-in for Howard, but they couldn't get a package together. So now the Magic are stuck with the disgruntled big man for at least another few days/weeks/months.

I have never disliked a player as much as I dislike Dwight Howard right now. The way he has handled this situation and the way he has treated the Magic and the teams courting him is awful. He is a prima donna who can't make up his mind. How many times have we heard him say he wants to be traded, only to switch his demand a week later. Everyone is tired of it. If I was one of the teams who wanted him I would back off immediately. Why would you want this guy on your team?? Sure, he is the best center in the game today and he can dominate a game inside like few others. But how long will he be happy? He has shown a different side of himself these past several months and he is no longer the fun-loving kid from Atlanta with the electric smile.

I hate to do this to LeBron James after the phenomenal season he had, but Dwight Howard has somehow surpassed James as the superstar to handle his departure the worst. Few thought anybody could screw up a departure like LeBron did when he held the Decision, but it is Howard's Indecision that has made him the biggest villain in the league. What does it mean for his future? Currently it means more complaining and demanding. It also means he will dominate Sportscenter until America literally can't take it anymore. I honestly don't care about Dwight Howard anymore. Let me know when he signs with a team because I shut off the television when his name comes up.

As Howard continues to make a fool of himself, he will lose popularity among fans and will no doubt be booed in multiple cities across America. One city will for sure boo him and that will be Orlando. Ironic thing is: that's most likely where he will be playing.

Hanley Heads West to LA

It seemed like the Miami Marlins couldn't fail with the way their offseason went. They got the big free agent (Jose Reyes), hired a proven manager (Ozzie Guillen), signed two pitchers who have had success (Mark Buerhle and Carlos Zambrano) and had a new ballpark (Marlins Stadium) on top of that. All of that to join a team that already had Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Johnson, Logan Morrison and Hanley Ramirez.  Ozzie and Reyes were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the Marlins were the talk of the MLB for all the right reasons. However, things haven't exactly gone as planned and now their often-disgruntled star, Ramirez has packed his bags for Los Angeles in a trade that sent him to the Dodgers for next to nothing. On top of that, the Marlins have struggled to put people in the seats at their new ballpark, proof that not all brilliant plans end up working out.

Look no further than Hanley Ramirez. His career has been in the spotlight since he entered the league and not always for the right reasons. Let us not forget though, just three years ago the 2006 Rookie of the Year was on top of the baseball mountain top. In 2009 he led the MLB with a .342 batting average while hitting 24 home runs and knocking in 106 runs. He had career-highs in OBP and slugging percentage and finished second in the MVP voting. He was named an All-Star and received a Silver Slugger at the conclusion of the season. From there it has been a steep decline for Hanley Ramirez. Not only have his numbers continued to drop, but he has become the face of the "lazy and egotistical club" in the MLB. His booted ground ball incident in 2010 made headlines everywhere, not because of the error, but because of the lack of hustle he showed in chasing the ball down. Naturally, news came out later that he may have hurt his ankle earlier in the game, but the damage was done. Run-ins with ex-manager Fredi Gonzalez became something of a routine and Gonzalez was shown the door during last season.

Entering 2012, hopes were high in Miami. As mentioned above, everything was coming together for the Marlins. That is, until Ramirez was asked to move over to third base so that Reyes could play shortstop. Ramirez turned down the idea and publicly refused to move. He later changed his stance and made the move, but again, the damage was done. That's all a precursor to how poorly Ramirez has played this season. His batting average (.249) is challenging his career-low from 2011 (.243 in a season in which he played just 92 games) and he has just 49 RBIs. He is in danger of setting career-highs in strikeouts and double plays while it's highly possible he could have career-lows in batting average, hits, and stolen bases. The 2009 Hanley Ramirez seems like a distant memory, so the question is: why did the Dodgers trade for him?

Precisely because of those number he put up from 2006-2009. He is an all-star caliber player who can be a serious threat wherever he is put in the lineup. Imagine the 2009 Ramirez in the same lineup as Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Through two games he has started at third and is 3-6 at the plate. If the Dodgers can somehow find the old Hanley then they are getting a major prize. There are some cases where athletes need a change of scenery. It could be for a variety of reasons and it appears this is a case of Ramirez needing a new home. Earlier in the year, a slumping Kevin Youkilis was traded from Boston to the White Sox and he has thrived in Chicago's lineup since the trade. The Dodgers hope Ramirez will be a similar story.

He will play for a manager, Don Mattingly, who knows a little something about winning and playing the game the right way and he is surrounded by stars who can take pressure off of him. The situation, again, seems like one that would be hard to mess up. He's already off to a hot start and it's a fair guess he is trying to outrun his negative image. Question is: will he hustle do so?

Hamilton Tearing Apart AL Competition

If you haven't taken notice of what Josh Hamilton has been doing the past week then now would be a good time to do so. The Rangers have won four of their last six heading into the Sunday Night Baseball showdown against the LA Angels and Hamilton has been tearing the cover off the ball. Over the course of those last six games he has hit nine home runs with a four-homer game on May 8th the highlight. Hamilton is hitting .402 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs just 34 games into the season. As of now he is running away with the Triple Crown race, which has not been won since 1967 by Carl Yastrzemski. Hamilton's .402 average is thirty points higher than Derek Jeter's, who is in second place and he has eight more dingers than the next closest player. He also has 11 more RBIs than second place Miguel Cabrera. His Rangers are 22-12 and leading the American League and it appears this could finally be the year that he leads Texas to that elusive World Series title.

The Texas Rangers had the World Series almost wrapped up last season before David Freese and the St. Louis Cardinals performed one of the great Fall Classic miracles, stealing Game 6 and winning it all in Game 7. In the offseason the Angels and Detroit Tigers dominated the headlines by signing power hitters Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Yet it is Hamilton who has been called the best player in the American League by several analysts this season. Consider these numbers: Fielder and Pujols have combined for just six home runs this season. Hamilton has hit three times that amount. The two also combine for 27 RBIs compared to Hamilton's 41. Pujols is hitting just .195 while Fielder is below his normal average at .266. While the two new AL sluggers get accustomed to their new homes their teams continue to suffer. Detroit is .500 while the Angels are at the bottom of the AL West. Another stat worth mentioning is the fact that the entire San Diego Padres team has hit just 13 home runs.

We can expect Hamilton to come back down to Earth, but the fact of the matter is that he will most likely finish the year .330/50/150 if he stays healthy. Sure, there will be slumps, but Hamilton is hitting at such a torrid pace right now that his stats will still be above average. Healthy is the key word though as that has been a problem for Hamilton. He is one of, if not the most, talented players in the game of baseball when 100 percent. He can hit for average and power, run the bases, and play a stellar centerfield. He is well protected in the Rangers lineup with bats like Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre, and Nelson Cruz surrounding him.

Still, the personal stats are nice and the trophies and accolades will add to his legacy, but the Rangers big prize would be a World Series trophy. The two-time defending AL champs have come up short the past two seasons and one must wonder how much longer they can keep this team together. They are a complete team with a potent lineup and a pitching rotation that's solid from top to bottom. The loss of C.J. Wilson was offset by the addition of Yu Darvish, who has been lights out thus far. Right now, the Rangers are clicking on all cylinders, and if it keeps up they will be World Series champions and their star should win the American League MVP and perhaps the Triple Crown. Stay tuned.

Injuries Highlighting NBA Playoffs

A year that definitely had its fair share of action has suddenly turned into a contest. Not a contest to see who hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy, but a contest to see who can be the last man standing…literally. Injuries have plagued quite a few, if not every team that is in the playoffs. Some players have been able to come back, while others have sadly exited the season for good and will most likely not be back next season either. There have been freak accidents, as there always are, but you also have to wonder if the condensed schedule doesn’t somehow contribute to all these casualties. Playing five games in one week (with every team having to fight through a stretch of three games in three nights) can definitely take a toll on anybody regardless of age or stamina. The playoffs were looking bright at the beginning, but here’s a look at the injuries that have slowly brought down the teams that have a goal to win it all.


Derrick Rose: Easily the biggest story of the playoffs so far. The 23 year-old phenom suffered a torn ACL in the first game against the Sixers and is expected to be out at least six to nine months. Rose’s left knee buckled awkwardly on a jump stop late in the fourth quarter, sending the point guard to the ground, grimacing in pain. Some say that the Bulls will lose in the first round without Rose, others say they’ll advance to the second round only to fall to either the Hawks or Celtics. If you ask me, the Bulls have every bit of a chance to make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals. They have proved time and time again that they can win without Derrick Rose and, with the depth they have, they have more than enough players that can step up. Don’t count the Bulls out yet.

Iman Shumpert: A kid that was only really a name because of his withdrawal from the dunk contest has suddenly become a big part of the Knicks late-season run. Yet all of that came crashing down when Shumpert crumpled to the floor with, you guessed it, a torn ACL. One of the best perimeter defenders in the league will not be making an appearance for the rest of the playoffs and will be confined to the seat next to the Knicks other injured point guard Jeremy Lin. The Knicks are in deep trouble being down 0-2 and will miss Shumpert’s ability to defend. Yet with the perk of heading back to the Garden for the next three games, hopes can be high for New York fans seeing as the Heat are not a very good team on the road. None the less, it does nothing but dampen the spirit in the locker room to see two promising young players who can do nothing but watch.

Caron Butler: He’s been around the league for quite some time, but has never been a big-time name. Yet the loss of Caron Butler is one that stings just as much as any other injury. With a broken hand, the Clippers lose a reliable shooting guard who contributed twelve points a game. And with the young talent they have, Butler was able to play a leadership role on the floor. He’s not the first Clipper to be sidelined since Chauncey Billups is battling an achilles injury, but with two of the most experienced players unavailable, it’s up to Chris Paul to really take the weight on his shoulders and lead this team.

Amar’e Stoudemire: Now you can call the previous injuries freak accidents and strokes of bad luck, but Amar’e Stoudemire’s actions last night prove to be that of ignorance and instinct. After losing another battle to the Heat, Stoudemire took his anger out on the glass fire extinguisher case in the locker room. Giving the glass window a solid punch, the 29 year-old power forward lacerated his hand, resulting in a call to the paramedics as well as a hefty amount of stitches. I can understand the anger he was feeling, I’ve been there myself so I would not be justified to rip the guy for what he did. All I will say is that, when the frustration is at its peak, that’s the time to be a leader. Don’t allow your teammates to see you act in that manner. Again, I’m not saying it’s bad to be that upset because I think it shows how much he wants to win and how much he cares. But all the same, stop and think about the repercussions.

The lockout made the summer very tough on everyone involved with the NBA. Players came back out of shape, coaches couldn’t stay in contact with players, and fans were continually kept waiting to see the next “Breaking News” on SportsCenter. Yet here we are, on the first of May, and the playoffs are well underway. It’s sad to see how the fatigue has begun to catch up with some of the players, especially with the four listed above. But let’s not forget some of the injuries that I didn’t go into detail on such as LaMarcus Aldridge, Ray Allen, Brandon Roy, Al Horford, Dwight Howard, Manu Ginobli, Kobe Bryant, Rip Hamilton, Carmelo Anthony, Ricky Rubio, Stephen Curry, and so on. I know that I left out some names, but you understand the wear and tear these athletes have suffered. It’s been a rough season for everybody, but we can now appreciate in depth just how tough these teams have to be mentally and physically.

Pac-12 Dominating 2012 Recruiting Class

Shabazz Muhammad will become the new face of the Pac-12

I’m a big-time Chicago Bulls fan, being that I’m about hour south of the Windy City, but college basketball has always outweighed the NBA for me. With that being said, I have paid attention more to the post-season NCAA coaching and player moves than I have to the NBA playoff races. One of the things that have caught my eye about the upcoming college basketball season is the successful recruiting done by the Pac 12. There is a possibility that seventeen of the top 100 recruits will be making their way west this coming fall in hopes that they can help restore a conference that is currently in shambles.

This past season for the Pac 12 was, to say the least, unentertaining. Colorado won the conference tournament which should send up a red flag right away. Colorado? Come on, the team finished 11-7 in conference play. Teams with 11-7 records in other conferences finished, at the highest, third or fourth. Not to say that other teams such as Washington, Arizona, and Oregon didn’t have decent years, but the Pac 12 was once a feared conference. So what happened?

Maybe it was the lack of recruiting to that whole region of the country. Maybe it was the falling out of programs that were once the most respected in the nation. Yes, that must be it. Teams like UCLA and Arizona were dysfunctional to say the least. Arizona made a great run in the tournament in 2011, yes, but this year they did not even make the field. Instead, they were paired with Bucknell in the first round of the NIT and lost to the eighth seeded Bison by nine points. UCLA on the other was suffering from locker room issues as well as player/coach relationships for about the second or third year straight. The situation got so bad to the point that ESPN talked about it about four days a week and Coach Ben Howland’s job security was in jeopardy. The season finished on the lowest note it has in awhile for the member of the Power Six conferences.

Now, let us fast forward to 2012. You can’t change the past, Timon and Pumbaa even said so. But with the recruiting that has been done by the Pac 12 this past winter and spring will surely change the future on the west coast. According to the ESPNU Top 100, seventeen rising stars could attend and play for a Pac 12 school this coming fall/winter. Ten of those recruits will potentially make their way to either UCLA or Arizona (Anthony Bennett, Christopher Obekpa, Torian Graham, and Savon Goodman are have not yet committed). Ten percent of the top recruits will do their best to aid the resurgence of the Pac 12.

It’s already exciting to see guys turn down currently successful schools like Kentucky, Duke, and Ohio State and instead choose schools that are rebuilding. That to me shows character in young athletes. I thought that Shabazz Muhammad’s quote saying that he wants to help rebuild UCLA was extremely mature because, nowadays, so many athletes want to team up and play together to win. Muhammad could’ve gone straight to Lexington with Nerlens Noel and tried to make it to Atlanta. It’s refreshing to see that some athletes still have the confidence that they don’t have to team up with anyone to win. However, in no way am I saying that top recruits that attend the same universities are trying to take the easy way out because you see athletes recruit each other all the time. What I’m saying is it takes a special player to go to a school that’s struggling and try to bring the program back to the top. That’s what’s so admirable.

This next season brings in a lot of fresh, young talent and with the anti-climactic finish of this past year’s tournament, I’m ready to go. With the new additions to the Pac 12, there’s no argument as to why they can’t be represented in the tournament by three or four teams. Last year was rough on the west coast, but this year will surely present much more talent and competition.

"Next Year" Still Isn't Here for Cubbies

Once again, for what seems to be a yearly habit, the Cubs are starting the season on the wrong foot. With a dismal record of 5-12, the North side of Chicago has seldom been a joyous area since Opening Day kicked off another season in the MLB. So much has gone wrong in a program that proved in Spring Training to have a fair amount of potential. With the Division rival Cardinals losing three HUGE assets to their team (Pujols, Duncan, and LaRussa), you would have thought that the Cubbies would have come out ready to go and ready to make a run to the postseason. Well, not so much.

But what is it that is so wrong with the Cubs? You have Theo Epstein completely redecorating the farm system, you have Starlin Castro as your new posterchild, and you have a manager whose first words were along the lines of “this team needs an attitude change.” With a list like that, the team looks as if it could be a contender on paper. However, the woes in Chicago have proved that this team has a long way to go. The All-Star shortstop already has seven errors and the former Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto is basically non-existent at the plate, batting an awful .136 with only one RBI.

Leadership is one thing this team needs most. And when your two leaders are both A.) young and B.) struggling on both defense and offense, the locker room atmosphere has the potential of taking a turn for the worst. If the Cubs want to come back this season, it starts with Castro and Soto. Forget guys that are older such as Alfonso Soriano and Bryan LaHair. Soriano’s too selfish to be a leader and LaHair is just as inexperienced as anyone.

Now don’t get me wrong, with the work that Epstein put into the offseason, it’d be foolish to expect this team to gel right away. With that being said, team chemistry has nothing to do with fielding, throwing, and hitting the ball. When your hitting .235 as a team and have already committed fourteen errors, there should be no question as to what needs to be the main focus. The Cubs are young, but they need a serious wake-up call if they want to salvage this pathetic start. I like what Epstein has done with all the fresh, young talent, and I’m a firm believer that with more experience, this Cubs team could be a threat in a few years. But the nonsense that has gone on thus far can’t keep happening. Wake up fellas, or the next five months will be a living hell for the front office, team, and fans alike.

Chicago Bulls Winning With Team Basketball

Watson and Deng celebrate after Watson's three in the 4th

At 46-15 the Chicago Bulls own the best record in the NBA for the second consecutive year and have run away with the Central Division yet again. The Bulls have their star in Derrick Rose, but what has made them so special this year and what has separated them from other top competition such as Miami is the fact that they play some of the best team basketball in the league. Coach Tom Thibodeau is more than willing to use his bench, which has taken on the nickname "The Benchmob" and a different guy steps up big for Chicago every single game. While Rose is the centerpiece to the team, they do not rely on him too heavily like other teams do with their stars. Chicago is 17-7 without Rose in the lineup and have beaten the Miami Heat twice without him. In March Rose sat out with an injury and last Thursday Rose played, but had the worst game of his career. He was non-factor, scoring only two points in a Bulls victory at the United Center.
In the game versus the Heat in March the Bulls played one of their better games of the season, winning 106-102 in a high-intensity game with a playoff feel. Third string point guard John Lucas III stepped up that night, scoring 24 points and continually bringing the United Center crowd to its feet. In the first half Lucas drained three threes in a row and in the second half found himself being guarded by LeBron James. Lucas calmly dribbled out toward halfcourt and took James one-on-one, burying a fadeaway jumper in his face and sending Bulls fans everywhere into pandemonium. Not only were the Bulls without Rose, but Carlos Boozer only scored two points. However, six different Bulls scored in double figures and the entire Chicago bench finished the game +6 or higher. No Rose, no problem.

Fast forward to last Thursday night when the Bulls defeated the Heat yet again 96-86 in an overtime thriller. Rose played 25 minutes, shot 1-13 from the field and scored just two points. This time it was C.J. Watson's turn to be big. Down three with seven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Watson drilled a step back three in Dwyane Wade's face to send the game to overtime. Watson finished with 16 points and nine assists for the game while four other Bulls finished with double figures. The two games against the Heat have come to define this Bulls team. Is Rose the best player on the floor for Chicago when he plays? Certainly, but the Bulls have a team and there is a confidence that no matter what five are on the floor they will get the job done.

And despite Rose's performance, this post is not meant to criticize the superstar or question his worth to the team. He is still having an incredible year stat wise with 22.5 points, 7.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, but what is perhaps the most impressive thing about Rose is the way he handled himself last Thursday. In a time he would usually find himself taking the big shot, Rose sat on the bench and watched as his teammates battled the Heat in the fourth quarter and, when it came time for the last second shot, he watched as Watson sank the three.

"I'm fine, man," Rose said of coach Tom Thibodeau's decision to sit him down the stretch. "Anything to win. Where he felt that lineup was going to win the game, it won the game, and I can't complain about anything."

The fact that a superstar, much less an MVP, would say that after being benched against the second best team in the conference is remarkable. It speaks to Rose's character that he sees the bigger picture and didn't whine or complain when things didn't go his way. It's no wonder why the Bulls operate the way they do when their superstar carries himself that way. As the locker room leader that attitude will only influence his teammates in a positive manner.

Chicago's suffocating D is second best in the NBA

Much of the credit must also go to Thibodeau. He has the best bench in the NBA and he is willing to go to those players in any situation. Many times Omer Asik and Taj Gibson will be on the floor in the fourth quarter instead of starters Boozer and Joakim Noah. Other coaches do not use their bench to their full advantage and pay the price. For example, the Heat have used James Jones in just 45 games this season, but he is a more than capable player. Granted, some of those DNP's have been due to injury but Jones is one of the best three point shooters in the league and he is the perfect complement to Wade and James because he stretches the floor. Yet he sees only 11.4 minutes a game in the 45 games he has played in.

Thibodeau also has found a way to make his team play hard every night and be committed to team defense. The Bulls rank first in rebounding and second in points allowed at just 88.9. It's a common sight to see Chicago players diving on the floor for loose balls and sliding over in help side defense, a lost art in the NBA. The Bulls commitment to defense has covered up for their lack of another go-to perimeter scorer and could carry them deep into the playoffs again.

Winning the East will be tough because the Bulls will have to get through the Heat and teams like the Celtics and Pacers are formidable threats. However, a healthy Rose, Rip Hamilton and Luol Deng will work wonders for Chicago as the three have rarely been on the floor at the same time due to injuries. The passion and energy that the Bulls play with is an intangible quality that cannot be measured, yet means so much to their success. With one of the best frontlines in the game, a stingy defense and the best bench in the league the Chicago Bulls are poised to make run for title number seven.