And…They're Off! Slowly.
There are few moments more anticipated than that when thoroughbreds are finally loaded into the starting gate, the bell sounds and the competitors burst forth.
So it felt around the NBA at 11:00 PM last night, but alas.
The gates flew open: and the horses moseyed out, and wandered around eating grass and flicking flies with their tails.
Free agency, it appears, will be more like a week-long business conference than a frenzied, freewheeling marketplace. What we know is that players are listening to their options, some opt-outs are just rearranging deals with their teams before the new CBA, and Byron Scott is coaching the Cavs.
Adrian Wojnarowski (who just reported that Joe Johnson is resigning in ATL) will join us with an update this afternoon, as we follow it all.
We will also do "Who You Crappin?" at 5:00.
Someone please make David Haugh stop writing basketball columns for the Tribune. He seems to be the only person who actually believes Gar Forman is in charge of the Bulls' efforts to land Lebron James, and writes about the significance of these next days for Forman's legacy. The problem with this, of course, is that John Paxson is the executive in charge of everything other than talking to the media.
Chicago's baseball teams lost to lesser competition yesterday, with the Cubs now ten below .500 and Lou Piniella not expressing much displeasure over it. Koyie Hill continues to start over Geovany Soto despite being the worse player. Reds in town for four, starting today.
Sox have the day off before a big test with a three-game weekender at Texas. Good to hear that lefthanded power is not the only commodity sought by Ken Williams, since any veteran lefty reliever other than Randy Williams would be nice behind Matt Thornton.
And Kris Versteeg is an ex-Blackhawk -- another salary cap casualty. I have no idea who any of the new guys are.
Tomorrow, we will be coming to you from the Lamplighter in Palatine on the Bud Light "Who Needs Two?" Tavern Tour. Join us for a few cold ones and you could win Cubs tickets.