North: Golden State deserves all the accolades
Time for some random thoughts:
• Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors deserve all the accolades they receive for breaking the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' record of 72-10. Their coach, Steve Kerr, who played on that Bulls' team, thought that record was as safe as Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. Apparently it wasn't, as the Warriors finished the regular season 73-9. Did I mention they didn't lose two games in a row all season?
• Kobe Bryant scored 60 points Wednesday night in his last game with the Los Angeles Lakers. That's the way to make an exit!
• I have to mention how happy I am for the band "Chicago" for its long-overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are a great group of guys. What took so long?
• And congratulations to Rockford's very own, "Cheap Trick," which also was inducted.
• Hey Cubs and White Sox fans - join me on Twitter with #2teamsintown.
• The Cubs are unconscious right now with their great start to the year. I know people say it's early, but that's a pretty sound start to the season. If their record was reversed, fans would be panicking.
• The Chicago Bulls have to make some changes after this year's debacle and a 42-40 record. That's a long way from that 72-10 season. Many of us knew it was coming and status quo won't get it done.
• Count former NBA all-star Glen Rice among the many previous players - including Kevin McHale, Karl Malone and Julius Erving - who don't get the "rest thing," which is gaining momentum in the NBA. Why don't the coaches just admit it's more about not getting hurt? No one seems to know how to rectify the problem, even though the players are contracted to play 82 regular-season games. The fans are the ones being hurt.
• What's the first thing Jordan Spieth thinks of when he wakes up each morning since his collapse at the Masters Tournament last weekend?
• I was surprised Tiger Woods was hardly mentioned at the Masters; he would never have let anyone come from behind on a Sunday and beat him.
• The NHL opened the playoffs Wednesday night. It seems misguided on a night when the NBA was in the forefront. Wouldn't sound planning have the hockey season open the day after the basketball season ended? They had to expect the playoff race might come into play and steal some thunder. Besides, hockey fans know it's all about the playoffs, so why not showcase it? I don't think the NHL gets it.
• The Chicago Blackhawks lost 1-0 on the road to St. Louis in the first game of the playoffs. Don't worry - they'll bounce back.
• Loved being back on Comcast Sports Net Thursday night with my buddy David Kaplan on "Sports Talk Live."
That's another edition of random thoughts!
Program notes:
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• North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.