Bulls have a chance, but Cavs will still win the East

The apologists for LeBron James are out early this year.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 1-3 and, according to what is being said, James is blameless for their poor start.

Really? Even when he had zero points in the second half in a loss to the Portland Trailblazers?

While I have the Cavs winning the East, I'm certainly not talking panic for Cleveland. That said, there should be some accountability from LeBron James, who is pulling a Kobe Bryant and blaming everyone else for the early bad start - from teammates to coaching to anyone he can find.

My mind isn't what it used to be, but I know that when Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls he held himself accountable and played every game, even practices, like it was for a championship.

Not showing up in the second half of a game like James did against the Blazers means he was a big part of why they lost, yet people are making excuses. James is paid to win games, not stand on the side and watch his guys play four on five. Don't forget, he has disappeared before in games.

And how much fun is it to see his former team, the Miami Heat (3-2) playing good basketball?

As I said earlier, I believe the Cavs will win the East because the talent will mesh soon and all will be fine, but the Chicago Bulls should be very hopeful.

Derrick Rose is still standing upright. Joakim Noah will be over the flu soon, and the Bulls are 10 deep with much better depth than Cleveland. Plus the Bulls' roster is playoff ready, while Cleveland's wing men - Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving - don't have any postseason experience.

Add this to the mix: the Bulls have the better head coach. That's why there is definitely a glimmer of hope, but the main problem for the Bulls is still LeBron James. He is the best player in the game, which makes me believe Cleveland will eventually take over.

Or will they? Whatever, it's going to be fun.

College football rankings:

I love that Alabama is out of playoff range at No. 5 as they moved up a spot in the national rankings even though they didn't play this past week.

I don't necessarily dislike the SEC, but I dislike Alabama and I think they are overrated.

While I have no problem with the four front-runners - No. 1 Mississippi State, No. 2 Florida State, No. 3 Auburn and No. 4 Oregon - I am baffled by the lack of recognition for head-to-head competition. I don't know why the college playoff rankings committee with head czar and Arkansas Athletics Director Jeff Long treat it like an afterthought.

Why is Baylor six spots back of TCU when Baylor beat them 61 to 58? And why is Notre Dame still ranked 10th? They beat Stanford when Stanford was expected to win, and Notre Dame has only one loss to undefeated Florida State.

I still think there is a lot to shake out to come. Enjoy the games this weekend.

Program notes:

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