Jake Fine - Inside the Mind of Fine

Best Case Scenario

I was simply going to wait until tomorrow to express my thoughts on the joyous turn of events that allowed our beloved Chicago Bulls to not only cheat death but they walk away Wednesday night with the top pick in next month’s draft.  It simply bottles the mind (please excuse the lame Blades of Glory reference) just to imagine how less than two weeks ago it would have been simple to settle with someone like a Kevin Love with the 9^th overall pick, and hope to fight for the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference, which would give you a top-20 finish in the league if you’re lucky.  But now everything changes.

This will mark the first time the Bulls will pick first in the draft since 1999 when they snagged former Duke product, Elton Brand.  If they had to return to the top spot this isn’t a bad year to get it as GM John Paxson has two very promising freshman prospects to look at in Kansas State forward Michael Beasley and Memphis guard Derrek Rose.  If the pick was made based around all-around hype then Beasley (26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 1.6 blg) would be the consensus choice especially after watching him dominate the Big 12 conference last season.  In fact all season I have been guilty of dreaming about the slim possibility of watching Beasley play in a Bulls uniform.  Although now that the opportunity is right there in front of me I have to admit that it is an option that has to be passed on.

When you look at how the NBA has evolved over the past few years there is one position that links to immediate success, point guard.  It’s evident looking at the impacts had by the Nets after acquiring Jason Kidd, the Suns after signing Steve Nash, and the Hornets getting Chris Paul.  If there is strength at that position it can make everyone around him better.  I mean seriously, have we ever mentioned anything ever about Tyson Chandler’s productivity on offense?  I didn’t think so.  Though you will have to factor in some time for growth but I truly feel Derrek Rose can take his hometown team to the next level.  Though he doesn’t have the greatest jump-shot it was clear to witness the impact he had on a Memphis team and could have lead them to a title, had it not been for a few missed free-throws.  Regardless of who the Bulls plan to take it is obvious that Paxson will have do his homework the next few weeks to ensure that the best decision is made with the team in mind.

Also what the prescience of a top-pick, it could make everything else go towards the Bulls’ favor this off-season.  Even though the team is still without a coach, this makes the job more attractive with the possibility to work with a player like Rose or Beasley and that could stick out to an Avery Johnson or Mark Jackson.  And it becomes more enticing for other possible free agents.  Who knows maybe this news could force Luol Deng to think twice about leaving.  Bottom line, all of a sudden the Chicago Bulls have once again entered the garden of relevance, and signs could be looking up.  But until next time, keep your mind on the fine side.

What A Wonderful Sight

The few weeks leading into the start of baseball season, members all over the media try to get stimulated by starting the same cliché debates in hopes of creating more of a buzz for the upcoming season, and each year one debate seems to gather the most attention. Prior to this season the question that created the most interest was determining who in fact held the crown of toughest division. While some wanted to dish out more respect for the AL Central, it was hard to go against the AL East (If there are any other Cub fans out there that foolishly think they have the hardest task, shut-up! The division blows donkey balls). I mean they already have the Boston Red Sox who are fresh after winning their second title in four chances. Then there is the ever controversial Yankees, because how many years in a row can you really screw up with a pay-roll exceeding $200 million? Even Toronto sent off the perception of being a contender, especially if A.J. Burnett could stay healthy. However, as we approach the third weekend of May, we are now all saying the one thing no one could ever say with a straight face: First place Tampa Bay Rays.

After taking three of four at home against the Yankees this week, Tampa sits atop the division with a 24-17 record which puts the eleven year-old franchise seven games over .500 for the first time in their existence. As I have already informed several people already this week, I am officially drinking the Tampa Bay Kool-Aid, so much so that if given the chance I would happily pull a Kool-Aid man by sporting a Carl Crawford jersey and jumping through a wall of the Boston clubhouse while screaming out, “OH YEAH!”

So what’s the main reason for the sudden 180? Most of the credit should go to skipper Joe Madden who in only his third season in the dugout has successfully changed the culture in the clubhouse completely. No longer is this a team that would be content with posting a .500 record, now Madden has his club refusing to settle for anything short, which is how a team should think if they want to compete. Also it doesn’t hurt when your starting rotation has shown growth either. Jamie Shields has followed up to his breakout season last year by recording 4 wins and 45 strikeouts. Staff anchor Scott Kazmir who recently came off an injury has looked impressive starting his year off at 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA. Matt Garza is making Minnesota feel stupid for trading him as he also is off to a 2-1 start.

If the Rays are to continue to hover near the top of the AL East they will have to increase their offensive production. Currently Tampa is 16th in the majors in runs scored and does not have a single starter who is currently hitting over .280. Carl Crawford who despite who is currently at .276 has always been known to heat up closer to the All-Star break, and it will needed as well as his leadership for this young ball club. B.J. Upton and Akinori Iwamura continue to heat up at the plate and Carlos Pena won’t be hitting .212 all season, he just needs to learn not to swing for the fences every time ala Sammy Sosa. My biggest question centers on rookie third baseman Evan Longoria. Last month the Rays gave Longoria their biggest contract ever for nine years, $45 million. So far the rookie has gotten off to a sluggish start his first year in the big leagues hitting .210 with 4 HR and 15 RBI. He will need to start showing more consistency or it could have a very negative affect on his confidence now that all the expectations are thrown at him. A similar situation happened with Kansas City’s Alex Gordon who had to be sent down to Tripple-A after hitting below .200 for the first three months.

Bottom line the surprising productivity from the Rays will make this division race an exciting one to watch during the summer. While Boston isn’t too far behind as expected Baltimore with 21 wins has been almost as much of a surprise. Also even though it might not last forever I would like us all to enjoy the fact that the Yankees are stuck in last place. Suck on that Hank! Until next time, keep your mind on the Fine side.

Long Way Down

For many it will be hard to realize but this June will mark a full decade since Michael Jordan hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy for the sixth time for the Chicago Bulls. At one time the organization had such an allure to it and in many ways set the gold standard as to how a team should run in the NBA. Of course in the post-Jordan era the Bulls have endured their share of low points and an endless amount of high draft picks go to waste but that was all part of the “rebuilding process,” or at least that’s what we were told. Although it wasn’t until recently that it became evident that this beloved team has completely fallen from grace.

After too many losing seasons Chicago was able to revamp around a young core making the playoffs three straight seasons, including last year which saw them fall short against Detroit in the second round. The turn of success gave fans new hope and thoughts that returning to a contender wasn’t that far, but in reality it was nothing more than an illusion. For the 2007-08 season everything came into focus as the embarrassment year was tarnished by trade rumors, contract negotiations, lack of discipline and leadership. The overflow of turmoil lead to one head coach losing his job and one superstar shipped out to a divisional rival. Despite all the negativity there was still optimism that Chicago could return to being competitive.

In order to actually turn things around it was clear the Bulls need an offensive minded coach, and who fits the bill better than former Pheonix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni? The Bulls wanted him, he wanted the job, it seemed like a done deal, or at least we hoped that it was. Our dreams were once again ruined this time by the sight of D’Antoni signing on the dotted line to take over for the New York Knicks, a team that has more problems than anyone else in the league.