North: Today's NBA not as good as it was
The NBA continues to be a well-run and profitable league with outstanding television coverage.
The Golden State Warriors were 57-6 while the San Antonio Spurs were 54-10 going into Thursday night's game with the Bulls, putting them in position to win close to 70 games.
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, at 72-10, have held the NBA record for the most wins in a season, but now there are two teams close to breaking that record. For NBA purists or fans who follow the game closely, that tells us all we need to know about the present day game - it's just not as good.
With one team clearly in the lead to win the championship, and maybe three or four teams that could win it, I think it is clear the league isn't all that it once was. The Spurs were supposed to be done about four years ago, but now they are second choice by many to win it all.
The Warriors and the Spurs are "A" teams but the league is more like a C.
Manning says goodbye
Peyton Manning, who retired Sunday from football and the Denver Broncos, has done the right thing for his career.
His best playing days are behind him, and by going out as a Super Bowl winning quarterback, it should ensure he will get nearly every vote needed to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility.
Rumors of sexual misconduct during his time at Tennessee and the recent HGH investigation, though, have tarnished his image. While he earned five MVP awards, he also had a lack of success in the postseason.
Yes, he's getting out at the right time. Congrats for 18 great years.
1960s Cubs were young too:
I keep hearing the 2016 Cubs have the best young talent in the team's history.
Well. let me refresh your memories, because the Cubs of the 1960s had a sterling young nucleus with guys such as Randy Hundley (27), Ron Santo (29), Don Kessinger (26), Glenn Beckert (28), Fergie Jenkins (26), Billy Williams (31) and Kenny Holtzman (23). Certainly not as young as today's Cubs, but players weren't brought up as early in those days.
Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Addison Russell and most of the current roster are babies, but let's remember no one has won anything yet, including those Cubs of the 1960s.
Yes, the Cubs made the playoffs last year, but the 1969 Cubs would have made the playoffs if they had the same format as today with four teams making the playoffs.
Now if the Cubs win the World Series under the leadership of Theo Epstein, he will go down as the greatest front office man in history after also winning in Boston. But right now the much-maligned Jim Hendry is still the one Cubs guy who came closest in 2003 - just one game away from the World Series.
Coming close breaks hearts, and if this team can't close the deal - get ready for another hundred years.
Program notes:
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