Texas Advances

Tonight we saw something that has never been seen before. The Texas Rangers have advanced to their first ever World Series by defeating the heavily favored, and much richer, New York Yankees. The Rangers accomplished this by doing one thing and one thing only, win. This team found a way, through front office turmoil and the handicap of playing in the league that New York seemingly had bought through the first 162 games of this baseball year to just win. Did anyone see the Rangers making the post season? Remember what the Rangers organization is known for before this season. 50 years, 0 post season series wins, which obviously would mean that 0 world series appearances, the 3rd longest drought in the MLB. But suddenly this front office, while dealing with a bankruptcy and multiple distraction, found a way to pick up the right people at the right time. (AKA Cliff Lee) And now they wait too see who they will face in the quest for their first championship. I personally give my blessing to the Rangers, GO UNDERDOGS!

Bases Loaded... Again?

We tried, but didn't hit a grand slam. Those were John Paxson's feelings on the offseason pursuit of the big three. Rarely in the NBA when you whiff on a franchise altering move does another opportunity follow so quickly. Had you told me entering the off-season that the Bulls would just wind up with Boozer, I'd have considered that a failure. I do not blame the Bulls for what happened in Miami. I think they did everything possible to make Chicago a very attractive desination for free agents.

While it seemed LeBron, Bosh, and Wade have decided to play together years ago. From the ashes of those failures rise a second chance. Carmelo Anthony wants to play in New York or Chicago. While it takes two to tango, lets hope the Bulls don't have two left feet. Outside of trading Derrick Rose you do what it takes to get this done.

Trading Noah would be a huge step backwards for this season. He is not a franchise center. You could find another Noah before you could find another top 5 NBA talent to pair with Rose.

Imagine this 2010 starting lineup...

PG - Derrick Rose
SG - Ronnie Brewer
SF - Carmelo Anthony
PF - Carlos Boozer
C - Joakim Noah

I personally don't think you have to trade Noah to get this deal done. Because what other options do the Nuggest have? They've made it pretty clear they don't want to get nothing for Anthony. So take a look at what other teams can offer. Deng is the best player available. The issue is his contract. That's why you offer Taj Gibson, James Johnson, or 1st round picks. Combine it however you need to get that starting 5.

While I think Gibson will turn into a soild pro. His greatest asset is youth and potential. I don't think his stock will ever be higher than it is over the next few seasons. Unless he surpases everyone's projections for the type of player he can be. James Johnson is all potential and I'd gladly give him up.

Low 1st round NBA draft picks are unlikely to contribute heavily to this team anytime soon. If the Nuggets get Noah they will also likely have to agree to a new contract before the deal can occur.

At the end of the day Noah will likely help out the 2010 Bulls more so than Carmelo Anthony. He's the center we need to compliment Boozer. When you have a chance to get a top NBA talent at age 26 you do it. In the long run the ceiling for the Bulls will be that of a championship. So I'm begging and pleading with the Bulls brass. This time hit the grand slam.

WE ARE BACK!

It has been 3 weeks and I know that all of you have missed us but A CASE OF THE MONDAYS is back!!! We have lost Nick Giordano and Scott Struthers but have gained Veronica Donaldson and Juan Vargas. So tune in to Nick McClintock, Zach Withers, V-Ron and "Dirty Money" on every Monday from 11am-1pm on Sportstownchicago.com for all of your sporting news coming out of the 1st week of the NFL season, as well as an announcement from Nick McClintock that will rock the sportstown studio to it's core! Like I said we are back and ready to take our show to the next level, no more 3 weeks off, I promise that to our fans, We are completely recommited to the show and Sportstownchicago.com. So until next time, We are A Case of the Mondays and we are here for the people!

Great Show

All the talk this year concerning the Chicago Bears is focused around the addition of offensive coordinator, Mike Martz. Much talk has been made comparing this 2010 Bears team to the 1999 "Greatest Show on Turf" St. Louis Rams. Well, resident Rams fan Nick McClintock thinks this is, in his words, "LUDICROUS!" While Zach "Franchise" Withers, to hear him talk, was the first one to start this talk. With that back-story, a white hot debate is set to shake the studios at sportstownchicago.com. So be sure to listen to A Case of the Mondays, and make sure to call us with you're thoughts at 630-403-5200.

Bears Struggle in Preseason Opener

The Chicago Bears took the field Saturday Night, losing to the San Diego Chargers 25-10. Jay Cutler was in for only one series but went 2/2, finding Johnny Knox both times on the way to an opening field goal. The Charger's kept their starters in for two drives, with QB Phillip Rivers going 4/6, 62 yards and one touchdown. Now since I've just given you some useless preseason stats, let's get to what was important. The Bears had some injury trouble throughout the game with S Craig Steltz going out with an ankle injury. Backup QB Caleb Hanie suffered a huge hit and came out with a throwing shoulder injury, and rookie S Major Wright banged up his hand early in the 2nd half. These will be things to look out for in the coming weeks, especially with Hanie, be sure to listen to our recap and analysis on ACOTM, this Monday from 11am-1pm

Get ready!

We'll be going live soon on www.sportstownchicago.com. Make sure you tune in! We're going to talk Cubs, Sox, Bulls, Bears, and the NFL! Lets not forget we'll have another edition of "Moron of the NFL" where Nick M. will make a pick everyone disagrees with... or will he?

Lets not forget we're all counting down the hours till midnight. That's right, Madden NFL 11 launches tonight and we're going to be discussing it on our last Madden segment ever! Your phone calls will always be welcomed, just call ‎630-403-5200.

Evolution of a killer

The 2006/2007 NBA season saw the Chicago Bulls come one win shy of 50. Many saw the stock of the Bulls going up after a 49-33 win season. Chicago managed to sweep a bad Heat team in the first round. While they lost to a good Detroit team 4-2 in the ensuing Conference Semifinals. Loul Deng was hailed as the next NBA superstar.

That summer Bulls fans would catch Kobe-fever. Rumors were rampant that Kobe wanted to be a Bull, but only under the condition Deng remained in Chicago. This situation continued into the early 2007/2008 season. ESPN.com reported on November 1st that Kobe vetoed a three team deal between the Bulls, Lakers, and Kings because of Deng's involvement. This trade would have been a franchise changer, and altered the NBA landscape. A season of turmoil resulted in a disappointing 33-49 season. The Bulls stock went from going up to crashing down. Recent top draft picks Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah seemed like bust, and Deng never blossomed into a superstar.

Nearly half the NBA, 14 of 30 teams, get to participate in the lottery. Armed with the 9th worst record, the Bulls figured to land a top 10 first round pick. May 20th, 2008 changed everything. The Bulls unexpectedly found themselves in the final three. Your representative says a lot about your expected pick. Standing there for the Bulls in the final three was EVP-Business Operations Steve Schanwald. Somehow, someway, with a 1.7% chance the Bulls must have blackmailed lady luck, and won the lottery.

Not everyone wanted the Bulls to pick Derrick Rose. I'd imagine you'd be hard pressed to find writers that would admit "I was the guy that said take Michael Beasley." but thankfully the Bulls got it right.

It was evident right away the talent Rose possessed. The biggest complaint about the eventual rookie of the year was his willingness to give up the ball. Ben Gordon wound up taking big shot after big shot, and Rose never complained. The Bulls knew they had to take a step backwards before they could take a step forward. They did the unpopular thing and let Big Ben walk.

Early on due to injury in his sophmore season, Derrick Rose struggled. People were worried about his development. In Decemember almost-Bull Kobe Bryant was quoted as saying "Just do it." in reference to Rose and his struggles. Health would eventually find Derrick and the light would go on. Talk shifted from Noah to Rose for who'd likely make the All-Star team as a Bull. Rose eventually received the well earned honor.

It was Roses' emergence that got people buzzing about the Bulls. Suddenly they were just a superstar away from being a championship contender. This would result in the Salmons trade at the trade deadline to clear up cap space. No matter how well he played or how many big shoots he took. The mantra that Rose couldn't be the best player on a championship team never went away. This perception was especially fueled by his low key demeanor.

While his defense remained suspect. He'd come a long way from a college kid at Memphis who ate mostly junk food, gummy bears was his candy of choice, to the gym rat he is now. Lets not forget when it came playoff time Rose continued to impress. While the Bulls eventually lost to the Cavs, they had no answers for Rose. Even when they had LeBron guard him the whole game, Rose wasn't shutdown.

Despite all this people still doubted Rose had the killer within. While everyone was concerned about the Bulls clearing cap space. Rose stayed quietly in the background. He was interviewd by MouthPieceSports.com in June. They asked him about getting LeBron and Bosh. His response? "Just give me one of those players and I'll be all right". He wasn't gushing about the chance to play with superstars. He said "give me" one of them. That doesn't sound like anybody's Robin.

Before LeBron decided to take his talents to South Beach. There were reports Rose didn't want LeBron in Chicago. Word has it that while he texted James, Rose never reached out to beg him to come. Most upper management had their stars reach out to James. Apparently no one sent Rose a memo. According to Rose if James wanted to talk he could have just called him. As Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports put it: James needed to be courted, needed to be wooed and apparently it surprised him there was a star who wasn’t falling over himself to do that.

When the dust settled and "The Decision" was made. You didn't hear anyone on the Bulls crying. They were happy with the additions of Boozer, Korver, and Brewer. More importantly Rose showed you the killer growing within.

"I want to be that guy," Rose said Tuesday in an interview with ESPNChicago.com before the start of Team USA's training camp. "I want to be the reason why the Bulls are back to what they were [during the Michael Jordan era]."

"Why wouldn't I want to be [the face of the franchise]?" Rose asked. "That's the point of playing the game. That's the greatest thing right now.

"I came to a team where they didn't make the playoffs, not for a couple of years. No one was really interested in the Bulls like that in Chicago, not like [it was during the Jordan era]. And I'm making it back [to being] exciting. I'm from Chicago, [and] it would mean a lot if I would just bring back one championship there, or even get past the first round. The city would go crazy. So for me to even bring that team back to like the old days, it would mean so much to this city."

Boastful isn't a word used to describe Derrick Rose often. Earlier this offseason he did talk up the expansion of his game. "It's there; I have a consistent 3-point shot now," Rose said. "You'll see. I just have so much confidence in my jump shot now. It's coming along so good. It's past even my expectations at this point."

Rose is a guy who likes being coached. He's one of the few players who listened to Vinny Del Negro. All indications are that Rose is greatly improving on defense. He's spending lots of time with new head coach Tom Thibodeau. Being the more complete player should give him a huge edge over Rondo for a spot on Team USA.

All of that doesn't matter if Rose can't become the superstar this team needs. Had someone like LeBron James come to Chicago, we'd still be asking that of Rose. Especially with LeBron because he's proven he doesn't want the ball. Analyze what Charles Barkley says about LeBron James, which in my opinion is 100% accurate.

"Let me just tell you this," Barkley said. "Mike and I are in 100 percent agreement on this. If you're the two-time defending NBA MVP, you don't leave anywhere. They come to you. That's ridiculous.

"I like LeBron. He's a great player. But I don't think in the history of sports you can find a two-time defending MVP leaving to go play with other people."

Now compare that with what Derrick Rose said about possibly leaving Chicago.

"I'm never [leaving]," he said, before punctuating that statement a few seconds later. "Never."

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a man who can be the best player on a championship team.

Upcoming Shows and Content

The cast of "A Case of the Mondays" needs your help! Everyone here knows that a sense of complacency has gripped the show over the past couple of weeks. We aim to remedy this with some exciting things upcoming, such as our trip to Stratford Square Mall this Monday to participate in the Madden Launch '11! Also upcoming will be an exclusive to ACOTM, Zach Withers and Nick McClintock have secured media credentials for next Tuesday to Bourbonnais for Bears Camp and will be talking to your favorite Bears players and coaches. Any comments you, the listener, have for the show is always appreciated and will be immediately implemented. Together, we can make A Case of the Mondays the best show on sportstownchicago.com! Please e-mail us at acaseofthemondays1@gmail.com and follow us on twitter @icbmondays. We promise to do all we can to get better and in the infamous words of Cleveland Cavaliers Dan Gilbert, "YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANK!"

Next Show

We will be going live in about 10 minutes and there are some burning questions. Will some of college football's biggest schools be given the USC treatment? Who won the series between the Cards and Cubs? And finally, Who is this weeks Moron of the NFL. All this and plenty more on this week's A Case of the Mondays on sportstownchicago.com

4 SEC Schools Under Investigation by NCAA

Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama are all being investigated for seperate incidents involving players accepting gifts/money from agents over the past year and a half. At SEC Media day held ealier this week, Alabama head coach Nick Saban compared these agents to pimps and every other member of the conference severly reprimanded the agents behind it. Is this all the agent's fault or does some fault need to be put on the schools, or better yet, the players. All players involved in these investigations have claimed that they are innocent. We will disect this issue as well as all of this weekends biggest news on A Case of the Mondays, every Monday from 11am-1pm on sportstownchicago.com

Madden Comes to A Case of the Mondays

Some things just can't wait till Monday. Such was the reasoning behind a special Friday edition of 'A Case of the Mondays' with Nick McClintock and Zach Withers. Unfortunately fellow co-host Nick Giordano and Scott Struthers were unavailable for this special edition show.

'A Case of the Mondays' will now have a Madden segement every show through August 9th. We are thrilled to kick off our Madden coverage by having senior product manager, Anthony Stevenson, of Madden NFL 11 on our show. This is a CAN'T MISS interview, and you can only hear it on SportsTownChicago.com. You can catch the replay this Monay, or the entire interview has been broken up into three parts, and posted on our website. CLICK HERE!

Don't forget you can follow our guest Anthony Stevenson on twitter @EAnthonyS.

My Personal View on the Lebron Saga

Well, it's over, after weeks, perhaps months of speculation, wooing, and poorly performed versions of "We Are the World," Lebron has decided to join the Miami Heat. I obviously wanted the Bulls to win the Lebron Sweepstakes, and turned a deaf ear the whole day when ESPN reporter Chris Broussard kept saying, "my sources are saying he is going to the Heat." Although I don't personally understand the decision made by James, I can't outright say it was the wrong one. No one can say that yet, the Heat could go on and become a Dynasty in the NBA, rivaling the heights of the 90's Bulls, or simply become a squad of ball-hogging divas who never win an NBA Championship. The simple truth is that until it happens, all of this is speculation. Now as for the public backlash Lebron has received, I have to ask why? He stated two years ago that he wanted to win, that's it, just win! He chose what he believed, and statistically is, the best option for him to do that. Of course the Cavs fans have the right to be upset that he didn't re-sign with his hometown team but be honest Cleveland, did you give him the best reason to stay? You didn't have a championship team last year and you showed Lebron what? NOTHING, absolutely nothing to improve the squad. The Owner of the Cavs released a letter to the fans guaranteeing a Championship before James. Well that's all fine and good to try and salvage season ticket sales but be honest, the Cavs are a 25-30 win team without James and every other blockbuster free agent has signed so good luck Cleveland. And a personal thanks to Lebron James, for giving me and my co-hosts on A Case of the Mondays plenty to talk about for the past 3 weeks and good luck in south beach. On a personal note, great job Bulls, didn't get Lebron and whats are consolation prize, CARLOS BOOZER!!! I'm glad the Blackhawks won a Championship this year, at least that should keep the Chicago faithful from jumping off Willis tower for a couple of years.

Open Letter to Fans from Cavaliers Majority Owner Dan Gilbert

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"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.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....






Dan Gilbert
Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

@kingjames

Looks like LeBron is trying to out Favre, Brett Favre. Once we got that whole NBA championship thing out of the way, it was all about King James. I'm not sure the NBA draft even happened. LeBron has been done with his free agent meetings since Saturday, but he's been busy.

Have you been to LeBronJames.com recently?

The launch date is nearing for the online home of LeBron James and you can put yourself on the guest list!

Personally directed by LeBron, the new site will keep you up to speed on his actions off the court, his focus on strengthening the community and why “It will always be about more than basketball”.

It will be interesting to see if there's a comment section on this website. Though even more recently King James has joined twitter. His account, which has been verified, is http://www.twitter.com/kingjames. LeBron already has a staggering 207,000+ followers. In his first and only tweet he mentions Chris Paul got him to sign up.

Hello World, the Real King James is in the Building "Finally". My Brother @oneandonlycp3 gas'd me up to jump on board so I'm here. Haaaa

Tuesday night the following was reported on ESPN.com.

LeBron James is planning to announce the team with which he will sign during a one-hour special on ESPN Thursday night, ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard has learned through independent sources.

ESPN would only confirm that active discussions for the special are ongoing. But sources tell Broussard that representatives for James contacted the network, proposing that James makes his announcement during a 9 p.m. ET special.

How does ESPN learn something about ESPN from independent sources? Regardless, at 8 p.m. local time this "primetime special" will air. I'm left pondering what kind of content will drive this hour. Plus, if he picks Cleveland I want an hour of my life back.

Michael Vick v.s. Security Tape… Who is lying?

 Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick is in some more hot water after apparently lying about his whereabouts and role in the shooting of dog fighting codefendant Quannis Phillips in a Virginia nightclub last week. According to Vick’s initial statement he had left the party well before Phillips had shown up and the eventual shooting took place. However, recent surveillance tape of the party show Vick exiting only 3 minutes before the shooting occurred and some are speculating that younger brother Marcus Vick was involved in the shooting. As more facts come in we will surely give an update but since Vick in on such a short leash (no dog pun intended) I would expect some definite action from the NFL in the way of a fine or possible further suspension. (Update coming soon!)

Cedric Benson in trouble... AGAIN!

Cinncinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was arrested in Austin, Texas on Tuesday and charged with misdemenor assault. Benson was booked into Travis County Jail and later realeased after posting $5000 bail. The arrest stems from an incident May 30th at Anne's West Bar.

Apparently, Benson got into a fight with an Unknown person inside the bar which led him to spit blood from a cut lip. At that point, he was escorted out of the bar by security saying, "all these white boys ganging up on me and kicking me out."

This is the 3rd arrest since being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2005, the other two being alcohal related in 2008.

As usual, the NFL has stated that they will be "monitering" the situation. Well, so will A Case of the Mondays. So listen in on July 12th from 11am to 1pm for complete coverage of this, as well as other NFL news.

Next Show

All your Crosstown Classic news, Zambrano fallout and why Lebron WILL be calling Chicago home on July 8th on this weeks A Case of the Mondays starting at 11am and running till 1pm.

World Wide Wes

William "World Wide Wes" Wesley put in his two cents about the Lebron James free agency saga. Luckily for Chicago Bulls fans, Wesley's two cents are worth a lot since he is considered to be the most influential person in the NBA. The man behind everything in the basketball world said in a quote Friday, "He's up out of there(Cleveland)" saying that all of Lebron's inner circle already knows the decision. The Yahoo article also said, "We're going to Chicago, and Chris Bosh is coming to." It's all a possibility, due to the trade of Kirk Hinrich the Bulls have two max contracts to offer so in a perfect world, James and Bosh will be calling Chicago home in about a week and a half. In the end, unfortunately, only one person knows what #23 (uh make that #6) will be doing next year. In the meantime, tune in to A Case of the Mondays on sportstownchicago.com for all your Lebron Watch updates. Every Monday from 11am to 1 pm!

What to do with Zambrano?

The Cubs plan on suspending Zambrano for as long as major league baseball will allow. Jim Hendry basically said he was tired of Zambrano's act after Friday's game. If you missed the tantrum view it here www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzNQkmpo2g4&feature=related

Captain Kirk to the Wizards!

Kirk Hinrich and the 2010 17th overall pick were dealt for what's rumored to be a future 2nd round pick. As long as the Bulls play their cards right, it could go down as one of the best trades in franchise history. Remember coming into the 2009/10 season when we were all worried that we couldn't afford one max free agent? Exporting Salmons mid-season began the dream. Now the Bulls have positioned themselves to go after not one, but two free agents from the dream class.

While LeBron is the prize--even if the Bulls wound up with lets say a Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson. That's a better team than either of them plus Hinrich, but let's not kid ourselves. We want LeBron and he should want us. Wherever he decides to go he'll be paid well, but he needs rings to secure his legacy. The one thing teams like New York and Miami had over Chicago was more cap space. They could sign LeBron and another free agent of his choosing. Would that be enough to win it all? Previously the Bulls could counter pitch that with having a great core in place, and being closer to a championship.

While the Bulls were the smart option before. Now they have to be the only choice. Who knows? Maybe the Bulls aren't done. The rumored Deng to the Magic deal doesn't seem to be picking up steam. I'd still like to see that contract moved. Bottom line it's a great day for Bulls fans. It seems like it's only a matter of time before the King arrives.