Among usual NHL and NBA playoff intensity and the progression of baseball season as June approaches, this spring has the added wrinkle of an ongoing NFL lockout making it a unique one for sports fans in many cites. One of those cities in a maelstorm of activity is Chicago. A city with a loyal fan […]

It wasn’t always this way, but that doesn’t mean this way isn’t better. Maybe Tyson Chandlertells himself this as he sprints down the the American Airlines Center court to beat his man to the block. Then again, maybe he’s moved on. The faces that surround him these days aren’t the faces he set out with a […]

When the Tampa Bay Rays shipped Scott Kazmir to Los Angeles in 2009, they did so for two prospects and a player to be named later. That player turned out to be Sean Rodriguez. It’s no secret that players with the “named later” tag aren’t exactly the foundation of the deals in which they’re included, rarely sticking with […]

Less than one year ago, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert boldly proclaimed, “I personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win an NBA Championship before the self-titled former ‘King’ wins one. You can take it to the bank.” At the time, it seemed ridiculous, and as this past season progressed, it seemed to become even more outlandish. By the […]

At first glance, Eric Thames’ thick build and stern facial features – including his trademark, creative facial hair – give him an intimidating look. His upper body resembles that of a superhero, with tattoos running through distinct arm lines created by bulging muscles on his large frame. Upon talking to him, though, you realize that not […]

Rating: 9/10 On April 5, 2011, a Toronto Maple Leafs loss officially ended their playoff run. Almost like clockwork, the Toronto Sun began a series on what’s wrong with the Leafs in the next day’s paper. The regularity of this kind of sportswriting, where a columnist takes it upon themselves to explain why a team’s […]

And then there were 12? Twelve teams in the increasingly inaccurately named Big Ten, that is. For the 2011 season, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will be joining a conference that was already saddled with a misnomer thanks to the addition of Penn State in 1990. In the process, they’ve made college football’s conference names look even […]

For the second straight year Team Canada arrived home from the IIHF World Hockey Championships with the bitter taste of a quarter-finals exit in their mouth. Historically, Canada has not dominated the spring championship, as they have captured just five gold medals since professionals began playing in 1976. Conversely, it is rare for Canada to be shut-out of the […]

Baseball has been full of surprises this year. Francisco Liriano threw a six-walk no-hitter despite having never thrown a complete game in his career, Manny Ramirez abruptly retired, and after starting the season 0-6, the Tampa Bay Rays sit atop the AL East. One that nobody saw coming was the Cleveland Indians owning baseball’s best record at […]

Russell Westbrook is sitting on the court, head lowered, arms resting on knees. It’s the end of the second overtime in Memphis and the game is going to a third overtime. He’s tired and it’s not hard to see why, he’s been on the court almost the whole game. Before it’s over, he’ll end up spending […]