Here’s a clear shot from the daily Ice Machine, with crystal blue linkage of stories that will refresh you during your lunch break (since this isn’t likely to be a morning feature for the next two weeks):
Normally, we provide multiple links in this space, providing a bit of a pick-me-up/simple distraction. However, we can only think of one topic today, so we beg your indulgence: Doug Collins is the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls, according to the Chicago Tribune. Yes, he’s also the old head coach before Jordan forced him out.
We have come to a deeply disheartening view of the Bulls and of all Chicago sports we wish to share with you now. We highly recommend sitting down and consuming a calming beverage of your choice before continuing.
To wit: The Chicago Blackhawks are the most innovative sports franchise in Chicago today.
The Chicago Bulls have selected two high-strung defensive-minded coaches with short coaching life spans in a row. They will select Michael Beasley in the draft because big men are always drafted when possible because That’s the Way It Is. There will be grit and determination and heart and Derrick Rose will become the second point guard to leave Chicago and become a star in Miami. (Star Jones has cleared her schedule in 2011.)
The Chicago Cubs installed Jim Edmonds in center field. Their business innovations have involved allowing their head of marketing to be stolen by the Blackhawks (along with his key lieutenants) while trying to sell the naming rights to Wrigley Field, which is an incredibly old and played-out idea. Their drafts have been unremarkable, highlighted by an attempt to draft a Notre Dame wide receiver because he throws so darned hard and isn’t that sexy?
The most creative thought held by a Cubs official in the last few years has been to try to sell Wrigley Field to the state to handle all the upgrades. However, “highway robbery” has a long tradition unto itself.
The Chicago White Sox had a case to move to the head of the class in 2005 and possibly 2006, but now they are repeating the same mistakes in the draft and on the field without any self-awareness. They would still win this anemic competition for their Carlos Quentin fixation last winter, which showed the ability to project past the problems and towards the solutions.
The Chicago Bears… if anyone has broken the key and deduced their plan involving building an offense or keeping an aging defense functional, please contact us by calling the station. Thanks for your time. (Also, we liked their recent draft, but we don’t know if we’d call it mold-breaking. Their marketing has been yeoman-like but not exceptional. They’re just… y’know… there.)
However, the Chicago Blackhawks have truly stepped forward in the last 12-18 months into solid competency. The on-ice product has improved and shows signs of continuing to do so. The off-ice marketing has proved at least interesting, with cross-sport promotion between the baseball teams in town and the Blackhawks. Their games are on television, for crying out loud. The new commercials have been well-focused and thoughtfully positioned. They’re the only franchise in the city with organic buzz not built from getting really really lucky with ping-pong balls in a way that doesn’t involve Winona Ryder.
We could also argue the Chicago Fire have shown better innovation, especially with the Blanco signing, but their front office disarray and loss of goalkeepers leaves us uncertain at the moment. Consider this an incomplete grade.
Therefore, we can only conclude the Wirtz-led franchise leads the pack in innovation. The other franchises may succeed with their actions, but it will not be because they chose the right path after carefully considering many thoughtful and/or pioneering options. It will be because they worked the checklist of What Should Be Done pathologically and got lucky. That’s as entertaining as trainspotting. (No, not that kind.)
Our Question of the Day should be obvious by now: What’s your choice for the most innovative sports franchise in Chicago today?
Tags: chicago bears, chicago blackhawks, chicago bulls, chicago cubs, chicago white sox, doug collins, innovation, we need two for the hawks opener next season
Chicago Wolves!
That’s not a bad answer. Where do you think the ‘Hawks are getting many of their ideas? Also, it’s pretty awesome to be able to walk up to Wayne Messmer and schmaltz with him for a minute or three between periods.
Wirtz’s best move was seeing how smart McDonough is and making him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Kane County Cougars!