The Noiseboy Online

Let’s start with the big, bad news: my job is likely caput for good, which did come as a total surprise that I suppose I should have been more prepared for given the fact that nothing was set in stone when I went back to work for the potential new owners (who are still just that, potential). Given the fact that I recently applied for six jobs in town that I felt I was qualified (and in some cases over-qualified) for and received zero call-backs, I don’t know what the future will hold for me. But I do have one sports-related quest to pursue. It’s a lofty goal, so I’m not holding my breath. But we’ll see.

Speaking of the recently jobless, I was shocked that the Brewers fired skipper Ned Yost today. I’m guessing that had much to do with the general attitude of the team, because I can’t figure out why else one would fire the manager of a team in a playoff race, despite a recent slide. Take my team, for instance. Since getting off to a hot start in April, the Redbirds have played exactly .500 ball. The Cardinals were tied with the Brewers for second place in the N.L. Central at the close of play on July 31. Since then, the Cardinals have gone 17–21, and the Brewers have gone 23–18. Yet Tony La Russa remains in control of his ball team. Man, I hate the guy. I’ve watched fewer games as the summer has progressed, mostly due to a general “I just can’t take it anymore” attitude when it comes to the skipper. Nearly every move he makes or doesn’t make irks me. To scratch my baseball itch while avoiding the frustrations of following La Russa ball, I need to find a suitable secondary team and follow them as much as possible. Last year in the playoffs that team was the Indians. This year I’ve decided I’ll follow the Twins, if they make the postseason, and the Rays, who are hard not to love as they battle for supremacy against the Red Sox and Yankees.

Illini basketball recently hauled 30 jerseys into the rafters of the Assembly Hall, the first time the university has honored players in such an obvious fashion. This is a direct result of Deron Williams’ recent success on the national/international level. The university likely felt it couldn’t honor him specifically without also honoring countless others who have come before him. The list of players honored is largely predictable, so we’re left to argue the merits of Kiwane Garris (who didn’t make the cut) versus someone like Jim Dawson (who did make it). Leave me out of that argument. I’m glad the university is finally realizing that by celebrating your past in traditional terms (the jersey treatment), you can help secure your future (by encouraging all those great players to return to campus and energize the program and its prospects); but I’d rather argue the merits of the ‘08-’09 incarnation. Looking over the schedule for next season, I’m pegging the pre-conference record to be 11–2, with losses coming in the championship game of the Padre Island tourney (likely to Texas A&M) and either at Vandy or versus Mizzou. (I think the Illini will handle Clemson, probably the best team they are playing in pre-conference, at home in the B10-ACC “Challenge.”) The pre-conference schedule is laughably easy for a power-conference team hoping to make the NCAA Tourney. D-Mac will be averaging 18 a game by the time B10 play kicks off.

The Bulls are six weeks away from launching their new campaign, and still there’s no decision on the inclusion of Ben Gordon, who a month ago vowed not to sign the Bulls’ one-year offer. I’m incredibly anxious to see how Derrick Rose fits into the offense, and how his role impacts Kirk Hinrich. I’m hoping that Rose will take immense pressure off Hinrich to be a “playmaker” while also freeing him up to be the beneficiary of Rose’s drive-and-kick penetration. Call me silly, but I see Hinrich as a key to the team’s success this season. He needs to revert to his career-best shooting form of ‘06-’07, especially if Gordon is no longer on the team. I think the Bulls’ defense will improve this year with increased effort, but the team needs to improve its outside shooting accuracy if they have any hope of making the playoffs. Hinrich and Nocioni will need to step up big, because we can’t count on much improvement from Larry Hughes, Thabo Sefolosha, or Rose.