It's All Competitive Now, Chicago

I don't believe what has happened with Chicago sports.  I'll put it out there now: All of our teams are good!  I think about this often.  Where are the best sports cities this year?  In the fall of 2007, for instance, I thought the defending AL champion Detroit Tigers, surprising Detroit 
Lions (6-2 through 8 games), and the two teams that never lose in that town (Pistons, Red Wings) made up maybe the best sports city in the country back then.  Chicago has always competed, but the Blackhawks have held the city back, especially when combined with another bad team (2006 Cubs, 2007 White Sox, 2007-08 Bulls).  New York always thinks they're the best at everything anyway, but that's because they have double the teams.  Two football franchises, in the same stadium?  Are you kidding me?  This isn't the Staples Center.  Anyway, the playoff warriors on the Bulls and Blackhawks have vaulted Chicago to leads in the first round of their respective playoff series.  

An amazing note for Bulls fans from the Game 1 OT win over Boston: Derrick Rose has done something Michael Jordan didn't.  He did something Magic Johnson didn't.  He also did something Wilt Chamberlain didn't.  He scored 36 points as a rookie in his first playoff game, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  Throw in 11 assists, and he's got ESPN raving about the Bulls and not the Celtics who were supposedly dominating at home.  So dominating, in fact, that coach Doc Rivers got really angry after the game.  "Guys, Kevin is not playing in these playoffs.  I'm not answering any Kevin Garnett questions," he barked.  I think the Bulls have to be the favorites to win the series now.  After getting the one necessary road win to win the series (assuming they win all of the games at home), the Bulls have a lot of confidence built up.  The experts were saying the series would go 6 or 7 anyway, but they didn't expect this.  I predict the Bulls will lose Game 2, win Games 3 and 4, lose Game 5 on the road, and then take the series at home in Game 6.

The Blackhawks are alive and well.  Another big home win has Comcast SportsNet Chicago drawing comparisons to Chicago Stadium.  The place was crazy in Game 1, with Martin Havlat being the big hero.  You'd think this was the 1970's, because everyone is absolutely insane with hockey.  Is this Detroit?  Is this Pittsburgh?  It's bigger than that.  Game 2 saw a big comeback led by the captain Jonathon Toews.  I love this Blackhawks team because of the youth, faith, passion, and dedication in what they do.

Aramis Ramirez, thank you.  Ramirez is helping me stay competitive in my league despite an absolutely terrible week on my fantasy team.  Ramirez hit a 2-run walk-off homer, making it three years in a row he has hit one.  Down, dumb Redbirds.  The Cardinals are slipping with the division lead after the Cubs have taken 2 of 3 thus far heading into Sunday night's ESPN finale.  

So, New York, move over.  It's our time to shine.  Let's hope that a Chicago team the majority of the city actually likes gets the championship this time.