Kevin Jackman

Booz-Cruise departing for Toronto?

I know this is hardly considered the top news of the day but the ramifications for the Bulls is enormous. Reports have surfaced in the last few days that a deal is on the table between the Raptors and Bulls that would essentially swap Andrea Bargnani for Carlos Boozer.

First off, why in the world would the Bulls even consider this deal? Not only is Boozer putting up a 20/10 stat line in 2013, but Bargnani is in the midst of a career worst season and has lingering elbow issues. The Bulls would basically be swapping a productive offensive player who has defensive deficiencies for a players who is far less productive on offense and is a much larger liability on defense.

The only reason I can think of is that the Bulls envision Bargnani being a solid pick-and-pop player with Derrick Rose when he returns. But the cons far outweigh the pros in this instance and unless the Bull can also persuade Toronto to give up a player like Landry Fields, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry or Mickael Pietrus, this deal should not go through.

Fixing Soccer Matches

A recent reports claims that upwards of 680 soccer matches worldwide have been fixed, and while that may seem like an alarming number, it really should come as no surprise. Sports is an industry driven by money, the owners want money, the players want money, the officials want money and the sports betters want money.

Now I’m not as interested in European Soccer as I am interested in what would happen if this story were about, say, the NFL. Imagine what kind of hoopla would occur if it were revealed that Las Vegas rigged games and the outcomes were set before kickoff. The industry would be irreconcilably damaged beyond belief. It would also have a boomerang effect and hurt similar industries like the MLB, NBA and NHL.

This is undoubtedly happening in the U.S., so to me, it’s not a matter of if it will happen, it’s just a matter of time that it spreads and hits the newswire.

Indiana goes down… again

For the sixth consecutive week, the AP NCAA Men’s Basketball Poll will feature a new team atop the standings after Illinois shocked the Hoosiers last night. In a season where the upset is a standard, this really doesn’t have the same resonance throughout the sports world as it would have two months ago.

Basically, I’m just waiting until March to start really paying attention of college ball because this upcoming tournament only has one certainty– there are no top teams.

Schilling Update

The statements Curt Schilling made earlier in the week have basically been recanted and there are no lasting implications for the duo of Epstein and Hoyer. This is really great news for Cubs fans, now we don’t have to worry about the league retroactively investigating/penalizing the Cubs hierarchy.

Quicky Notes

• I mentioned Felix Hernandez’ contract with the Mariners yesterday was 7 years, 175 million… well I spoke to soon, make it a 5 year, 135 million dollar extension.
• NBA Trade Alert: Bobcats talking about sending former Bull, Ben Gordon, to Brooklyn for big doofus, Kris Humphries.