Bernstein: Good Time To Be A Fan In Chicago (Mostly)
By Dan Bernstein--
Amid the daily debates over such minutiae as Tampa-2 zone drops, defensive rebounding margins, penalty-kill percentages and bullpen WHIP, we can lose sight of the larger trends occurring.
So here's one to note: the Chicago sports fan has it pretty good right now.
The Bears are in first place in the NFC North with an 8-3 record, fresh off four straight wins. I should not have to tell you the effect it has on civic mood (whether it should or not is a different discussion, entirely) when the city's representative gladiators are anything other than a doormat. Eyes, ears and hearts are grabbed by even the slightest hint of postseason possibility, and the existence of bewildered doubters is only adding depth and texture to the story. And when is the last time such a mega-free-agent signing as Julius Peppers elicited exactly zero complaints?
A real coach and a homegrown MVP candidate are turning the Bulls into something compelling. As discussed here before, they seem to have just the right combination of qualities to grow into the protagonist role in the East, counterbalancing the Miami Heat, who somehow manage to become more loathsome with each passing day. NBA fans who recognize and appreciate tight defense are starting to ratchet up expectations, and fans who know nothing about anything can watch Derrick Rose's nightly slash-and-burn act and realize this just may be special. Local viewership is already up 34 percent over last November, and Carlos Boozer has yet to play a minute.
Once we recovered from both the endless Stanley Cup party and the jarring salary cap purge, we realized the hockey season had started. The Hawks' title defense has begun unevenly (to be kind), but plenty of time exists for injuries to heal, youth to mature, lines to coalesce and stars to play like stars. New fans are dismayed, perhaps, wondering when the scene that seduced them last year will return, but experienced observers are confident that this group is talented and well-coached enough to be ready for a credible playoff effort when the time comes.
Elsewhere, Ozzie Guillen and Kenny Williams have slapped a temporary façade over their broken relationship, and the Sox will hope it holds for another season. An enviable starting rotation should guarantee their competitiveness in the AL Central, even if the lineup is iffy as roster-move season gets rolling, and the farm is depleted.
And the Cubs…um…yeah.
Did I mention both the Bears and Bulls are in first place?
