North: No guarantee Bulls will make playoffs
Time for some random thoughts.
• The Chicago Bulls are averaging 101.9 points per game but are still only in third-place in their division with a record of 30-26.
The injuries continue to pile up and Derrick Rose, who was feeling better the last month, sat out Wednesday's game against Washington with a sore hamstring. Pau Gasol played with the flu and the Bulls managed to pull off a victory. Still, they are just a little better than a .500 team and there's no guarantee they will make the playoffs.
• Cubs manager Joe Maddon is concerned some of his young players may be a little too eager. Several players showed up a few weeks early for spring training camp and Maddon does not want them to push too hard so early. Tread softly, guys.
• I talked with Jon Paul Morosi from Fox TV about Bryce Harper of the Nationals. Harper can do it all, except lead men, according to his own admission.
Harper just wants to play the game and put up numbers, but that seems to rub some people and teammates the wrong way. Manager Matt Williams is gone after a disappointing finish last year and that physical altercation between relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon and Harper. According to Harper, that issue has been resolved but new manager Dusty Baker will have his hands full.
I'm not sure if Baker is the right guy for the job. He's had player issues before with Sammy Sosa, Joe Girardi, Jeff Kent and Barry Bonds. We'll just have to wait and see.
• LeBron James said recently he was tired after back-to-back games. That statement comes just days after the All-Star Game break. Meanwhile Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors stay silent and keep winning.
• Can I just say that nothing surprises me anymore? Donald Trump tweeting about the Ricketts family and warning them about spending money in a campaign against his presidential candidacy proves that.
• The Cubs are favored to win it all while the World Champion Kansas City Royals are 14-1. Go figure!
• I'm starting to get revved up for the Masters Tournament (April 7-10) at Augusta. It's truly the best tournament of the year.
• Tell me you wouldn't have wanted to be part of the "Gronk Cruise," a three-day extravaganza to the Bahamas with New England tight end Rob Gronkowski and his family. Even though it was most likely filled with 700 Patriots fans, I'm sure it was a blast.
• I think the worst place to be ranked in college basketball is number one. Maybe this is the year a dark horse wins it all, but then again don't we say that every year?
• Professional Bull Riding on CBS is a ratings winner. The NFL concussion discussion is almost amusing after watching these guys ride 2,000-pound bulls. Just sayin'.
Program notes:
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