Buzz Magazine

No. And that should be the end of this article...however the world doesn't work that way.

Tracy McGrady continues to fight and claw his way on the Bulls roster with workouts, twitter messages, media quotes, flowers, candy...anything you can imagine. Its kind of pathetic,really. I remember back in the day there was this girl I was just head over feet for....did all  kinds of crazy stuff for her, because I liked her alot, thought the world of her, just knew we were the perfect fit in this crazy mixed-up world. Unfortunately she didnt share that same opinion....and while she enjoyed the attention I gave her she quickly made her way to some flashier, std-ridden a  dude...a  guy who would do her oh so wrong in the end. And here we are now, years later,and its safe to say I've got my crap together, looking pretty fly for a black guy and all,and here comes my princes from the past...life clearly beat the crap out of her and looking for that love and affection I offered at one point in life. Thats what's going on here. McGrady played this same game with the Bulls years ago, choosing to go to Torontoor Orlando...who the hell remembers, instead of the Bulls, a team who wined and dined him and did anything and everything to bring him toChicago.

Derrick Rose is beating the drum for McGrady,only because he say him play when he was in high school, and back then Mcgrady was really good...dunking on people, scoring at will.  This is the same logic that tells me should put NBA legends and has-beens on NBA rosters. Reports are McGrady still isnt healthy...still nursing that surgery-repaired knee of his from 2 years ago. The issue also lies in his attitude. If McGrady still thinks he's the man (and trust me, he does) then he's no help. McGrady played on an absolutely garbage New York Knicks team and put up only 8.0 ppg. The Knicks flat out refused to play defense last season, so McGrady didnt even have to leave half court, nevertheless he still only put up 8 points a game. Who's the man?

While the Bulls would love to go out of their way to please star point guard Derrick Rose, this isnt the best option.There's alot of curiousity in seeing just what McGrady can give you, him being a 6'8 guard and all. Then again, there are other options, cheaper options,and even more so, similar options. Josh Howard and Michael Redd are both options that could be explored around the All-Star break, when they are both completely healthy from knee surgeries. Right now the Bulls are not in dire straits to fill the 2/3position.

In signing Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver the Bulls have monopolized minutes a the 2 spot/3spot, especially with Luo Deng expected to start, and James Johnson looking to recieve more minutes at the 3. The Bulls might also bring back Joe Alexander, a player athletic enough to play the 3 and 4, just like Johnson. A more realistic option in filling the 12 roster spot (and final guard spot) is Eddie House, a sharp-shooter who played in Boston and knows exactly what coach Thibideau wants. And the Bulls are indeed looking for a shooter.....

While the McGrady to Bulls dream isn't officially over, its looking more and more likely the Bulls will sleep right through this one. Sweet dreeams, GarPax.

So it's really gonna happen this time: when the 2011 edition of the Chicago Cubs annual Cubs Convention takes place there will be a new manager introduced. The candidates are already lining up, putting there names out there, and everyone seems to have an opinion on who should step into the hot seat next. So lets take a look at the front-runners for job.

Ryne Sandberg. A very popular choice, Ryno is a Cubs legend currently residing as manager of the Triple A Iowa Cubs. Sandberg has done something alot of other managers haven't done before him, which is put in the time in the minors after a successful playing career. Ryno has carefully worked his way up the system from the bottom, and has gotten good reviews as a manger in each stop. Not to mention he's the popular choice, as he again is a Cubs legend. HOWEVER this could be the kiss of death for the Ricketts family, as your first choice as manager in the Ricketts era would be the Cubs legend, and his failure or failures will all fall back on you. managers are hired to be fired, in reality...and for the Cubs a world series is the only thing worth talking about. And if Ryno can't deliver much like the two men he follows (Dusty Baker and Lou Piniella, both considered brilliant managers and the missing piece to  a world series championship) then the Ricketts era already starts on a bad note. No new owner wants to be rememberedfor firing a team legend, right?

Bobby Valentine. I cringed a bit even saying this name as this is a manager built on repuatation, shenanigans, and personality...but not wins. He's perfectly suited for his ESPN job. Did you know that in 15 seasons as a manager not one of Valentine's teams have ever finished in 1st place? Even more, only 2 play-off appearances, with one being a world series lost to the Yankees. Valentine's been coaching in Japan the past few years and that's not by choice: losing managers who are based in all hype and personality aren't the first to be hired by most GM's. Most teams figured out this guy's act a while ago, fake moustache and all.

With all that said Imust admit I like Valentine alot. He's colorful. He's got fight. My favorite Valentine moment is not him re-appearing in the dug-out wearing a fake moustache after being thrown out of a game, yet its him calling out the 2005 World Series champions Chicago White Sox and challenging them to a series against his team, the Chiba Lotte Marinesof Japan. That team also didnt win anything, and ironically enough Valentine was fired the following season for personal reasons. Oh Bobby, he'd be quite the character for Chicago media outlets.

Bob Brenly. The Cubs tv color anouncer has been carefully watching over this Cubs team for a few years now, and is a very respected mind in baseball. It's hard to argue with Brenly's credentials...he's got 3 of 4 winning seasons under his belt, including 2 play-off appearances, with one ending in a World Series title. For 6 seasons he's watched, knows the organization well, and even has a son on the fast track to the majors in the Cubs farm system. If you're interviewing for the manager spot its the guys with championship rings that get interviewed first in my opinion.

Joe Girardi. Yeah right. It would take something earth-shattering (like firing a guy just named manager of the year) to get Girardi out of New York, especially since it looks like he's on track for another play-off appearance. When you win, the team with baseball's biggest payroll isn't just going to let you walk away...not without a fight. Plus Girardi has become more Yankee than Cub, playing in their latest Old Timer's game. While it would be a great fit, its just not going to happen....again. Critics will tell you its easy to win with a payroll like the Yankees, but ask Boston if its that easy. And just look to the 2006 Florida Marlins team Girardi managed years ago...a team with youngsters and nobodies...and they battled respectfully all season long, earning Girardi the award of manager of the year.