Will the real LeBron James please stand up?

By Joe Tidei

There are moments in sports when the legends take center stage and orchestrate magical performances. In the NBA Finals we recollect the image of Michael Jordan standing with his hand in the air after the final dagger in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. We picture Magic's sky hook over Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish and Larry Bird in Game 4 of the 1987 Finals. We have visions of Tim Duncan's almost quadruple double in Game 6 which clinched the 2003 Finals in our minds and Shaq's almost quadruple double in Game 2 of the 2001 NBA Finals as well. Or we remember Larry Bird's incredible 34 points on 15 of 20 shooting in the 1984 Finals.

Time and time again the greats from days past have acted out the epic scripts that have been written for them. The NBA Finals are a place where the players we idolize and deify remain immortal. The best of the best don't succumb to the surmounting pressure. They rise above the opportunity and define it because they see it as a chance to reach their ultimate dream; an NBA Championship and mythical status.

This years' NBA Finals presented an opportunity for 3 superstars to write their own scripts of greatness. Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James were seeking their first ring and Dwyane Wade was looking to add a second to his trophy case. It was also a chance for both Dirk and LeBron to shed their choker labels.

The Heat were the heavy favorites going into this series because of their star power, but they were struck down by the balanced team play of the Mavericks and more importantly the disappearing act of the best player in the league. I give full credit to the Dallas Mavericks because they were the better team, but for now I am going to focus on LeBron James and put him under the microscope.

LeBron is the greatest talent the NBA has ever seen. He has immense physical gifts and the size and strength to take advantage of them, but it's what is on the inside that really matters and he's full of fluff, doubt and passivity.  Instead of going all in when the chips are down he folds because he fears failure. He's not willing to do what it takes to win especially when it means going all in and risking everything; at least on the NBA Finals stage.

Flash back to the previous two series' against the Celtics and Bulls. LeBron played with aggression, pace and purpose. He closed out Boston in the 4^th Quarter of Game 5 and did the same against the Bulls in Game 6. He took the ball, told everyone to get out of his way and sank clutch jumper after jumper. He was finally showing signs of shaking off the anti-clutch gene that has plagued his career and then he goes out and puts up one of the worst finals performances of any star in NBA History. I just don't understand it.

It may seem like the media and fans are putting the world on his shoulders, but he's the one who wanted it with his 'we are all witnesses' campaign, the chosen one tatoo on his back and his King James nickname. Who is LeBron James and who does he want to be? He claims he wants to be recognized as the next global icon on and off the court, but this mentality doesn't translate on the hardwood where he is a passive playmaker more keen on setting up his teammates than going for the jugular when blood is in the water. In the biggest decision of his life he chose to ring chase and join two other stars instead of leading his own team to a title. The self porclaimed King is more Robin than he is Batman.

In fact, Batman is Dwyane Wade who did make his fair share of mistakes the final two games, but he did so being aggressive. He was the one trying to put the team on his shoulders not LeBron James. When the game was in the final act and it was time to close curtains players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Larry Bird would go for the kill shot. Or when their respective teams were down they'd become more aggressive. LeBron did neither in the Finals, but he did so the previous two rounds.

It appears to me that LeBron is going through an identity crisis. He doesn't know who he is and who he should be on the court. He's not decisive in his decision making and the weight that has been put on his shoulders has brung him to his knees. A true King knows how to lead. A true King has fortitude and confidence in his decicsions. A true King doesn't wilt under pressure and distribute clutch responsibities to others around him. LeBron did all of those things.

The moment was too big for him. The spotlight burned holes through his skin so he hid in the shadows, but his glowing ego emits a light that can be seen even in the darkest of places. Hence why everyone outside of Miami is ripping him to shreds.

I don't feel sorry for him. I don't have pity for him. I don't believe that he's being made out to be the scapegoat for his teams' loss. I believe he got what was coming to him. This is what he wanted. He wanted the attention in the offseason. He wanted to be the man in all of his commercials, slogans and nicknames. He wanted the spotlight. Be careful what you wish for.

All of this talk about how LeBron needs to work on his game though to me is irrelevant. LeBron needs to work on his psychological game. He needs to find himself. He needs to figure out why in big moments he chooses to defer and become passive. This is a career defininig offseason for him. He has the ability to be the closer and the alpha dog, but he has to want to take on that role.

Maybe he'll come back with a competitive fire and drive that we've never seen before. Or maybe the shots and slanders from everyone around him will bury his confidence even more. I just don't know what to think about him anymore. He shows glimpses of greatness and then he flops in big moments.

Will the real LeBron James please stand up?

The Samaritan

By Joe Tidei

Stricken my insomnia I lay in bed wide awake

I'm plagued by nightmares about the selfish days I take

My wants have risen above my shoulds and my needs

And I've neglected the less fortunate with narcicism and greed

I've followed the voices that have lead me to my aspirations

But I've ignored the cries of the suffering in desperation

I've reached for the stars to obtain my personal goals

But this empty feeling remains leaving a void inside my soul

We all should aspire to fullfil our hopes and our dreams

But we also should answer the call of the helpless and their screams

There are some who have wasted away their lives with poor decisions

And there are others who deserve a script with a second revision

I believe we make our choices with a calculated intellect

But I also believe that life deals cards with a messed up deck

A tornado rips up a town and hurricane destroys a city

Yet there are some who perceive those without any remorse or pity

It may seem like I'm at the pulpit on Sunday and preaching

But my message should resonate to the masses that I'm seeking

Listen closely and open your eyes to observe what's around you

The hungry and hurting are looking for someone to live through

Even if it encompasses only an hour of your day

Those 60 minutes mean more than sixty dollars of your pay

I'm not telling you to lose yourself in the sacrifice for others

I'm asking you to protect and serve all your needing brothers

The good sumaritan helps themselves before their peers

And if you do this I'll guarantee you that your life will be changed for years

Rays of Hope

By Joe Tidei

I'm mesmerized as I sit beneath the stars

Because somehow it helps me find who we truly are

Our lives are eternal through the gifts we've all been given

And when our time comes our actions will be forgiven

All of us are connected through the pathways of our souls

And when we live for others our hearts are occupied in full

We were created to be selfless and designed for compassion

But greed took the vulnerable like an emotionless assassin

We exist in a world controlled by the powerful and corrupted

Covered by the ashes of the anger that's erupted

But through the destruction the immortal continue to shine

Giving me rays of hope of what one day will be mine

Blood in the Water

By Joe Tidei

The Chicago Blackhawks defibrilated what looked to be flat lined series and have shocked their way back from a 3-0 deficit to force a Game 7 against Vancouver. Who would've thunk it? They showed resiliancy and heart by not giving in to their bitter rivals. They were laying on the mat after being punched in the mouth and they found a way to get back up. Where did this team come from?

All year long the Blackhawks went into the fetal position for their opponent and tended to succumb to pressure situations. All year long this team frustrated and infuriated its fans, coaches and organization with their complacency and lack of fortitude. All year long it looked like this team just didn't have the guts to get the job done like the previous season and for the first three games it looked like the doubters were right. Then Bobby Lou returned to the postseason form that all Hawk fans love to remember.

Seriously, Luongo might be the most mentally soft player in sports not named LeBron James. What other goalie shuts down his opponent for three games and then gives up 12 goals in the next 120 minutes? Roberto Luongo that's who. You want to know why Vancouver won't win the Stanley Cup? Take a look at good ole' #1 in net and you'll find the reason why.

Enough of the moral victories though. There's still a game to win tonight. I'm incredibly happy we bounced back and showed some toughness. I'm elated that Hossa, Toews, Sharp and Kane all decided to play like the superstars they are. I'm thrilled to see Duncan Keith returning to Norris Trophy form, but if we lose tonight it'll be a fitting end to a bad season.

Great teams find a way to win in big games and I have my doubts about this one. I want to buy into this team because they are a good looking product on paper, but it seems like every time I do I find myself at the returns desk wanting my money back. The talent is there, the goaltending is there and the coaching is there. The heart and determination are questionable.

I will say this though. The past three games the Hawks have shown the championship grit we saw last season. They dominated the Canucks in Games 4 and 5 and then proceeded to rip out their hearts in Game 6. Vancouver is wounded. They are mentally soft and result to thug tactics to rattle us and gain the psychological edge. They threw everything including the kitchen sink at us and we returned the favor by flushing them down the toilet. What else can Vancouver do? They had the physical and mental edge and now it's gone. This isn't the same Hawks team you saw in the regular season and it certainly isn't the same team the Canucks beat up on earlier in the series.

I have no idea what type of game we're going to see tonight. A Hawks blowout wouldn't surprise me and neither would a triple overtime thriller. I conceded this series after we went down 3-0 so I'm pretty much done predicting what the Hawks can and can't do at this point, but in closing I will say this.

All the struggles, the inconsistency and the let downs that encompassed this season doesn't mean squat when the puck drops this evening. The Blackhawks have an opportunity to eliminate the Canucks for the third straight season and what better way than to send them packing on their home ice? This is a going to be a war and I can't wait to wach it. I'm expecting big hits, brawls, elbows or whatever it takes to win. These teams do not like each other. In fact hate might be a more applicable word to describe this match up.

The atmosphere is going to be electric. This hits are going to be brutal. The pace is going to be furious and the physical toll is going to be monumental. This is more than just bragging rights. This is about sending a message and I hope Luongo has a spam folder because we are going to be sending a lot of junk his way.

The Canucks are rattled and the Hawks have all the momentum. Moral victories need not apply here. The Hawks have to win or this season is a failure. Limit turnovers, get pucks to Luongo and have a net presence. Those are my keys for tonight. Poise and control in a hostile environment are the vitals to avoid flat lining. A Blackhawks win tonight and this goes from a rivalry to a massacre.

 

The Moment

By Joe Tidei

The Moment is a place

In a memory you cannot erase

Your back's against the wall

As you lose yourself in time and space

When all eyes are on you

We call this The Moment

And when opportunity passes by

You grab hold in order to own it

Will you climb to the stars

Or will you fall flat on your face

Will you reach new heights

Knowing that this is your fate?

Through all the adversity

Through all the blood and tears

This is your chance

To rise above our fears

It's the moment of truth

The culmination of life's battle

Will you keep getting knocked down?

Or will you get back up in the saddle

Chills creep down your spine

Your heart falls to your feet

It's become mind over matter

The Moment to become elite

Physically exhausted

Emotionally drained

This is legendary territory

Can you fight through the pain?

The greats define The Moment

The ordinary let it define them

They succumb to the pressure

As they drift to another realm

It's all the clichés

But none of the ones you see

The Moment is a mirage

Where one and one equals three

The Moment isn't real

It's based on your perception

But for those who rise above it

Your mythical status awaits allocation

Reafs

By Joe Tidei

Misconception triggering confusion

With ignorance leading to delusion

Perceptions become jaded

From the bright lights that have faded

Inferences seeking answers

But the truth reveals the cancers

Understanding forming thesis'

The conscience is blown to pieces

Identifying all the unknown

Still hiding behind our thrones

So scared of the harsh reality

We starting finding our own mortality

Replacing truth with irrationality

By blinding our objectivity

Redundancy to stay insane

As we hold our truths in vein

Cocooned by the social wreath

Inside the hypocrisy of our own beliefs

Repulsed by perceived instigators

Resistance against all infiltrators

Religiously focused and devoted

Forgive and forget cocked n loaded

As an eye for an eye we come to find

Makes every single one of us blind

Obsessing through our rationality

This is our true fatality

 

9th World Wonder

By Joe Tidei

I'm bottling your emotions and sealing your fate

Catching you with hooks because you can't see the bait

Deciphering my writing is like reading hieroglyphs

The symbols I project form inferences you can't depict

Writing for me is like playing connect the dots

As I sit squared away in the prism of my thoughts

I'm planting ideas to seek all you've sought

Then ripping the grounds to get the root of your thoughts

I'm stealing the sun so hell starts to freeze

While buying my time to give life back its lease

I'm a bridge inspiring those living their dreams

As I close the gap between the scripture and the scene

I'm a key for the imprisoned who want to be freed

But I draw bars around the selfish who gamble their needs

I love all the highs in my ascent to the clouds

But I relish the anxiety that brings me back down

I'm exploring all the outlets to avoid getting shocked

Conducting my sentence on grounds of writers block

I'll pray on your confessions as I commune all your fears

Then baptise my sins off the flow of your tears

This is my prelude to the opening chorus

So you'd better go get a pen, some paper and a thesaurus

Energized by lighting and amplified by thunder

I've been chosen by nature to be the 9^th world wonder

Lyrical Weaponry

By Joe Tidei

Hyperbole suffocating the ink I spill

Overdosing on my words like the last pill

Hallucinations flowing from my head to the paper

Trying to find myself before my mind hits the vapor

Rhetorically I'm malcontent and foolish

Trying to find the right words before I lose 'em

My mind is like a puzzle without the pieces

Digging through my bullshit to focus on the thesis

Turning down all the voices just to hear the static

I'm torturing these verses, upside down, Houdini magic

With a flow strapped of metaphors and imagery

I'm caged without a key of my own decree

Channeling the adrenaline volting through my veins

Invincible to the reasoning that tries to keep me insane

Vanishing to another dimension to escape all my fears

I'm blind to the reflection standing in my own mirror

My words are weapons and my thoughts are the trigger

Immune to the viruses that try to kill my vigor

The Right Stuff

By Joe Tidei

Athletes perform physical works of art that please us aesthetically and often times we view them in an immortal light. We marvel at their superhero like capabilities wishing and wondering what it would be like to possess such physical prowess. Whether it be a freakish 7-footer who can touch the top of the backboard or a quarterback who can run a 4.3 we are enamored at their elite sets of athletic gifts. Too often though we look past an important dimension in sports that can't be measured tangibly; intangibles.

Some athletes have the stuff inside that will fill you up even if the outside isn't pretty. Others are just a pretty shell with a hollow inside that will leave you wanting more.

You know how they say it's all in your head? Well, there's some truth to it. An athlete can have all the phyiscal abilities in the world, but if their head isn't in the right place those physical gifts can go for naught. Take a look at two examples; Michael Jordan and JaMarcus Russell. Both players had elite physical tools coming out of college. Jordan was a high flyer with top end speed and acrobatic aerial manueavers. Russell was a hulking quarterback with a howitzer for an arm. One became legendary and the other vetted to legendary bust status.

The difference between Jordan and Russell was their mental game. Jordan had arguably the greatest mental make up of all time. His work ethic, competitiveness and leadership were second to none. Russell reported to camp overweight, had a bad work ethic and had listening comprehension problems.

Ask any general manager or scout what they look for in a prospect and they'll tell you that the mental side is just as important as the physical side. They grade on potential, but they also grade on the players' ability to get to their potential and that is where the intangibles come to light.

In professional sports the athletic playing field evens out. Prospects who dominate from youth to college solely on their phyiscal talents will struggle because they've never had to adapt their games. In professional sports the level of athleticism is elite across the board. There are some freaks of nature, but relying on phyiscal talent will only get most players so far. The great ones expand their games to compensate for their weaknesses. They develop different aspects to counter what will be thrown at them in the professional ranks.

There are some exceptions to this rule. LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Calvin Johnson and Michael Vick possess athletic traits that no one in their respective sports can rival. However each of these players also had to evolve. LeBron had to work on his outside shot, free throws and defense. Dwight Howard had to develop post moves and gain strength. Johnson had to work on his route running and blocking. Vick had to become more of a pocket passer by developing his accuracy and footwork. None of these players were able to skate by solely on their phyiscal gifts. It took the intangible side to get where they are today, which involved work ethic and commitment.

When we look back at recent monumental draft busts such as Ryan Leaf, Kwame Brown, Eddy Curry, Lawrence Phillips and Charles Rogers, what do you notice? All of these players had immense physical talent, but were head cases off the field. I know I'm stating something fairly obvious with those names, but this is why general managers and scouts look at the intangibles as well as the tangibles. Give me a guy who will maximize his potential over a guy who will never reach his ceiling. I perfer the overachievers to the underachievers.

Next time you are grading a prospect look past the tangibles and delve deeper into what you can't see on paper. Look past their phyical capablities and ask yourself if you believe they are going to reach what they are truly capable of. Ask yourself if this player possesses the work ethic, commitment and leadership qualities that you'd want on your team. Make sure that player possesses the stuff inside to maxmize their abilitiy; the right stuff.

Quote of the Day

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

- Ghandi

My Little Helper

By Joe Tidei

I have this little helper

It’s called my voice of reason

It’s not always what I want to hear

But it’s the one that keeps me breathing

Teetered by a world filled with egos

I keep myself balanced without hypocrisy

While maintaining a moody personality

My bi-polar triggers delusions of fallacy

It’s a daily battle inside my head

One that I can’t afford to lose

I’m on a very short rope

Making my thoughts feel like a noose

With every impulse decision I make

The rope keeps getting tighter and tighter

It’s like putting a dynamite wick in front of me

As I pass myself the lighter

My mind is my greatest weapon

But it’s also my biggest trap

It starts to get itself going

And it feels like the ropes about to snap

It can get me out of certain situations

It can get me way outside the box

But it can also be very dangerous

When I’m alone inside my thoughts

There’s a saving grace though

One that I can never overlook

My little helper is always there

Like a King relies on the Rook

Impulse decisions rely on emotion

Conscience ones rely on thought

I’ve learned to trust the latter

Because that one can never be bought

It’s sure to catch my stumbles

It always counters an egotistical idea

It’s like I’m playing chess with my mind

But I’m 3-steps behind my leader

My little helper is easy to point out

It’s the one that settles me down

I may not recognize it at first

But it’s in my lost and found

It usually tells me the truth

Whether I want to hear it or not

It feels like shooting darts through my chest

As my ego slowly starts to rot

Whether I’m high up in the clouds

Or going through my personal demons

My little helper is always there

Giving sound logic to objective reason

The Sky is the Limit

By Joe Tidei

Every Bulls fan remembers that night in Phoenix a year ago and I'm sure Goran Dragic does too. The night where Derrick Rose sucked the life out of the U.S. Airways Center and then electrified it as the oohs and ahhs channeled to the ground. I'll refresh some memories if the shockwaves from his dunk destroyed the images. Former Bull Tyrus Thomas passed the ball to Rose on the break and with only Dragic to beat Rose launched himself into the stratosphere and thundered down a two-handed dunk over the Suns guard. The aftermath that followed though will be remembered as well. Color commentator Stacey King's 'I wanna go higher' line still rings in my head when I visualize it or see a replay. The ironic thing is after the game Derrick said that he could've gone higher if he had to. Is it scary that I believe him?

That play was the culmination of what I'd been waiting for to go along with his 36 point playoff debut in Boston. The moments where Rose showcased the physical abilities that make him such a special prospect. He is the most physical gifted point guard in the history of the league from an athletic standpoint. Magic had incredible size and length, but Derrick's combination of speed, strength and explosiveness is absolutely unbridled, if you didn't already know. He can do things no other point guard in the league can do. Steve Francis and Baron Davis were also impressive athletically, but Derrick is on a level all by himself. I'm talking to you too John Wall.

Stacey King also had another line in that famous sound byte where he said 'this kid is special.' Yes he is. I don't know if Chris Paul, Deron Williams or Russell Westbrook can be 'the guy' on a championship team, but I can guarantee you Derrick can. I understand if you want to smack the drink out of my hand with I just said, but it's non-alcoholic. I'm fairly certain of three things in Chicago sports; Lovie Smith is incompetent, Patrick Kane is overrated and Derrick Rose is going to be a superstar. I repeat. Derrick Rose is going to be a superstar in the tier of LeBron, Wade, Howard and Durant. Just watch and see.

Derrick Rose is more than just a point guard. He's a new breed that can dominate a game passing or scoring. I'll get reamed for this, but Derrick has combo-guard skills. He is not a traditional point guard a la Jason Kidd or Rajan Rondo. He's not the passer/playmaker Chris Paul is. He's not the floor general Deron Williams is. Nor is he as active and aggressive as Russell Westbrook, but Derrick has elite traits in his own right. His physical skill set, his elite scoring ability and his intangibles makes him elite.

When you combine his traits and abilities you get a special player. A special player that can return a franchise back to glory. Derrick isn't just a puzzle piece. He is a centerpiece on a title contender. I think what impresses me the most about Derrick though is his competitiveness, his humbleness, his work ethic and his dedication to the game. The kid just wants to win and this quote will forever resonate with me when I think or talk about him.

“I don't care about getting triple-doubles or any of that. I just want to win because winning gets you everything in this league. So long as we win I don't care about stats.”

Derrick's value isn't in individual statistics such as TS%, PER, PPG, APG, SPG, Win-Share %, etc. His value is in the win/loss column. In order to understand how truly special he is though you have to watch him play. I know that sounds like a straw man argument, but it's the truth. You can't judge Derrick's performances or his value in the box score. It's not how many he scores it's when he scores them. It's not how many assists it's who they were too and how they happened. He's not be the most efficient or aesthetically pleasing player and I think that's why he gets knocked down. Neil Funk, while at times senile, calls him the 'run stopper' because of his pension to make big plays in big moments. The third-year prodigy has consistently risen to new heights in the biggest moments of the 2010-2011 season. Players sometimes start slow in games, but all I ask is that they show up later when it really matters and Derrick has done it time and time again.

I hate to compare him to #23, but I will in this regard. Both players came into the league and no one really knew what to think about them because they'd never seen their games before. Michael brought aerial maneuvers, showtime and flair, while Derrick has brought shooting guard explosiveness and scoring to break the traditional point guard mold. They also both have an immense amount of competitiveness, although Derrick will never sacrifice the amount of relationships Jordan did in order to win.

Ask Derrick to shoot better and statistically he was one of the best mid-range shooters in the league in his 2^nd season. Ask him to extend his range this offseason and he's shooting 38% from the 3-point line this year. Ask him to become better defensively and he goes from liability to good. Ask him to draw more fouls and in the past 3 games he's gone to the line 30+ times. I'm done doubting the perception of what he can't do. He can do anything if he sets his mind to it and believes in himself, which is key. As his confidence increases so does his game.

There are prospects that the masses call a 'once in a generation.' Prospects that possess a combination of rare physical ability and intangibles. Take a look at Derrick Rose and realize he's that type of talent. Realize that 1.7% brought back the franchise because those were the odds of the Bulls landing the 1^st pick. Sit back and enjoy the ride because Derrick's about to take us on an incredible journey.

He won't be Michael Jordan, but that shouldn't take away from what he's capable of and he's capable of a lot. I truly believe that Derrick can become the best player in the league. And yes the drink is still non-alcoholic. I know I touched a lot on his physical abilities, but it's his intangibles that will make him great. He's the type of player that won't stop working and won't get satisfied. He will continue to push himself until his career is over because he understands the opportunity he has.

If Stacey King every tells Derrick to 'go higher' again he'll probably ask 'how high' in his mind. He'll then give a humble answer, but you can bet that his 'how high' response is what he truly believes and that is what makes him scary. That answer is what makes him special.

Fandamonium

By Joe Tidei

There is a scene in the movie Good Will Hunting where Will Hunting, the main character, is eating with his girlfriend and she asks him how his mind works. He responds by giving an example of Beethoven and how he could sit at a piano and just play. Beethoven saw the piano and it made sense to him just like Will could look at an equation or a science paper in the same sense. Everyone seems to have an area of life where they can just play. Somehow, someway it just makes sense.

This is what sports are like for me. I can watch Football, Basketball, Soccer, Hockey, etc and I connect on a level I cannot explain. For me sports are more than just a game. On an emotional level it's a lifestyle, an obsession and a drug. Some people can sit back and enjoy the game without getting attached. Others get so angry and amped up that they scream, throw things and let it affect their entire day or week. I'm somewhere in between those two poles. Sports get me up in the morning and light a fire under me. Sports are also drain my emotions and stress me out. My writing and passion truly are a double-edged sword at times.

It's just a game though right? If it's just a game why has our society become so enveloped with sports? Why do 60,000 fans pack Soldier Field on Sundays to watch 22 guys running around hitting each other? Is it the spectacle factor or are there a bigger connections involved? My answer is that it's more than just a game. It's more than just a game for me. It's feeling a part of something bigger than myself. It's my city vs your city. It's bragging rights for the week. It's a way to escape reality and live vicariously through the team. I can't be the only one who felt like Hester running that kickoff back in the Super Bowl. Or Jay throwing the overtime touchdown to Aromashodu. Or Patrick Kane celebrating like a kid after winning the Stanley Cup. Sports can be a feeling of invincibility, hope, loyalty, success or whatever emotion resonates with you. One thing is for sure though, sports are more than just a game. They are a true definition of reality television where anything can happen.

On an intellectual level I can debate sports all day long. I'm a journalist and while I have a voice in the media I'm nothing more than a fan with a pen. My opinion only seems to matter because I put my thoughts in writing and with one click of the mouse it's available for anyone with the internet (and some lunacy) to read. I'm an employed blogger with a hallucinogenic sense of entitlement.

At the end of the day though I'm still a fan. My pieces of writing are opinionated, but they are from a fans perspective. I am not a news source. I try to write in a way that fans will connect with. I don't write critically to be a hack nor do I write glowingly to be a homer. I write because I feel my thoughts and ideas will provoke debate and critical thinking. I try to delve deeper than what lies on the surface and provide depth to topics. I could've been a fan and had an outside job, so why then am I writing about something that seems so primitive? I write about sports because it's my passion and I'm always asking 'why.' I try to be a channel of information from the sports world to your homes. I try to connect you with things that you don't get from pre and post game articles. I try to escape from the cannon fodder that has been shot all over your desktops.

That's not to say that I don't have my quirks. I'm passionate to a fault. I over analyze things that should have a simple answer. I obsess about the same things over and over again (Derrick Rose's potential and Lovie Smith's ineptness). I am sometimes so dead set in my opinion that I don't listen to what others have to say. I am far from a perfect writer, although my ego thinks I am. My conscience usually puts me in my place though and in the grand scheme of things I'm no different than my readers.

I like to think sometimes that my writing has an effect on my favorite teams (or my yelling at the television). I imagine Brian Urlacher, Jonathan Toews, Derrick Rose and Bruce Weber reading my articles and taking them to heart. Then my mental editor slaps me out of la-la land and the realism hits. The day that the Bears or Bulls start losing because of what I write will be the day I'll actually believe we affect their jobs, but that won't stop me from expressing my opinion.

It dawned on me today though that I'm much more effective as a fan cheering at the United Center than I am at my computer pumping out opinions. Players are going to embrace the roof lifting off the Madhouse, not my short sided opinion on why they lost the previous night. That realization keeps me in check and prevents me from getting to far above the board. I am a fan first and I need not ever forget that. Journalist is just a job description. Fandom is a lifestyle.

The Formula for Success

By Joe Tidei

The formula for success is one simple word; accountability. Accountability breeds responsibility. That responsibility, which starts at the top, will filter down through an organization and create a winning environment. That filter down effect will hold general managers, coaches and players' feet to the fire and will result in a quality product on and off the playing surface. Look no further than the Chicago Blackhawks for an example.

Current Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz took the reigns on October 5, 2007 after his father, Bill, died and his brother, Peter, declined the ownership position. That change in guard signified the re-birth of one of the greatest franchises in sports. Some will argue that the selections of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were the real reason, but I'm a firm believer that when good change occurs at the top the effect will be felt throughout an organization, corporation or nation. As Julian said in Remember the Titans, 'attitude reflects leadership, Captain.' That change in attitude lead to the greatest turn around in sports history. The Hawks were once the laughing stock of the NHL and in 4 years became Stanley Cup Champions not solely because of a talent influx, but also because accountability was created. Rocky Wirtz decided that he was going to do anything to bring a Stanley Cup to Chicago and get the fans back. An owner committed to winning and devoted to fans can never fail unless it's a selfish proclamation and Rocky is anything but selfish.

Accountability was what triggered the hiring of President John McDonough from the Cubs and he has been instrumental in marketing and public relations. Accountability resulted in the hiring of Executive Vice President Jay Blunk who has been progressive and innovative in business strategies including fan accessibility. Accountability was the appointment of long time nemesis Scotty Bowman to the scouting department and naming seasoned coach Joel Quenneville as the head man on the bench. Then there was the return of the voice, Pat Foley, and the addition of best color commentator in the league, Eddy Olczyk. 

As a fan though the most memorable change was naming Bobby Hull, Stan Makita, Tony Esposito and Denis Savard team ambassadors. They were cut off from the organization for so long and it was quite surreal to see those four legends back with the team. The hertige nights were nothing short of pure brilliance by the organization. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die and the Blackhawks brought them back to life.

Players and coaches get sole credit for wins and losses, but behind every great team is a great organization that starts with ownership, management and fans. Creating an environment devoted to responsibility, loyalty and winning is the first step and a big one at that. Getting talented players is also vital, but talent doesn't always breed success. Making that talent accountable breeds success.

Rocky Wirtz turned the Blackhawks organization upside down and the result was a Stanley Cup. The scene on Michigan Avenue was something I'll never forget and cured a decade long of emptiness, frustration and anger. A decade is not as long as some other fans had to wait, but as a fan base the culmination of all that happened was a Hollywood story. It pieced itself together perfectly without a hiccup and almost seemed too good to be true.

The key for the Hawks now though is to create a dynasty a la the Red Wings. They need to be in contention every year and instead of rebuilding they need to reload. I know this season has been a major disappointment and they are currently out of the playoffs, but there is still half the season to go and I don't think General Manager Stan Bowman is going to sit on his hands much longer if things continue to trend the way they are.

Rocky Wirtz saw a drastic situation when he took over the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2007 and believed it would take drastic measures to get it where it needed to be. He took risks and sacrificed jobs, but in doing so he revived a historic franchise from the dead and fostered a winning environment.

We need to look no further than this season as evidence. In years past an 80 point season, which is what they are on track for, would've been considered somewhat of a success. Instead it's considered a failure because we've all had a taste of what accountability can really do. It has been done here before and it can be done again, but it's going to take some more accountability from the front office to get things rolling again. Unfortunately it may mean the sacrifice of some beloved players, but sports are a business and the business is winning. Rocky won't stand for this, John won't stand for this, Stan won't stand for this and neither will Joel. Drastic situations require drastic measures and the apple cart may have to be upset once again to turn this seasona around.

Most Blackhawk fans were in awe after winning the Stanley Cup because of where we were a few years ago. We went from the bottom of the barrel to the top of the mountain, but now that we have had a taste of true success we want the entire pie.

The formula for success isn't solely adding or subtracting players. It's not just tinkering with lineups or playing the hot goalie. The forumla for success is the variable at the top that produces an infinite residual below it. It cannot be quantified on paper and it can't be measured with numbers, but it certainly can be recognized with the banners that hang from the rafters and I expect this formula to equal many more of them when it's all said and done.

The Antidote

By Joe Tidei

Jumping in the fire I'm invincible to the flames

My words are the needles that will puncture all your veins

I'm injecting the serum that'll keep you alive

While holding the antidote that'll help you revive

All your talking takes away your next breath

And all of your walking brings you closer to death

I inspire the lives of those who are dying

And I gravitize those who shouldn't be flying

Open your mind and free all your thoughts

Give me a gateway to infuse what I've caught

I have a condition that'll cure ignorance and petulance

By detoxifying the monoxide that harbors all your prejudice

You're suffocating on the pollution dispelled by your anger

But I'll filter the toxins that put you in danger

I'm not a prophet and certainly not a disciple

But I can help remedy the spells of all of your triffles

Limitless

By Joe Tidei

Have you ever had that feelin when the words start flowin

It's like a shot of adrenaline as your minds starts goin

It's a feeling of invincibility where your mind breaches limits

I'm vibing to the infusion of telepathy meeting kinetics

Exploring the outreaches of an infinite vocabulary

I find solace altering the hymns in my own sanctuary

The syallables piece together like something unrehearsed

As the devil starts to sweat the fire of my next verse

I'm asfixiating the demons that suffocate my lines

As I formally introduce you to ties that I can bind

Wordplay has become effortless sprinkled with ease

I'm polarizing my thoughts before they start to freeze

I ignite the gasoline with the fire that I script

Like a match I strike best when I'm being lit

Zoning on the parallels of untapped symmetry

I'm infaltrating your perceptions with geometric imagery

Slicing up rhymes and scarring them with lethal incisions

I absolve all the heathens committing envious exorcisms

I'm trialing articulates accompanied by a hung jury

Encrypting the lines so your vision becomes blurry

I Am

By Joe Tidei

I am strength without weakness

I am quiet but not speechless

I am electric with no grounds

I am limits with no bounds

I am nuclear without fission

I am fractions but not division

I am mind above matter

I am voice without chatter

I am hope but not prayer

I am heaven without stairs

I am dreaming and not fearing

I am driving without steering

I am rise above succumb

I am weapon without gun

I am words and not fists

I am legend without myth

I am skyscraper not tower

I am free falling without cower

I am powerful beyond resason

I am scarred with no lesions

I am bruised and not battered

I am climbing with no ladder

I am revolution without war

I am change but not poor

I am grave but not flower

I am success without power

I am want below need

I am gamble and not greed

I am shining but not bright

I am destiny without sight

I am empty but not none

I will multiple and become one

Illustrate the Imagery

By Joe Tidei

I want the meanings in my verses to cause you to think

I want you to open your eyes when I tell you to blink

Each of these lines produces highly functioning visuals

Multiplying the entities while finding infinite residuals

I paint you pictures so you can read what I write

It's like the brush is my pen and the canvas is my mic

Interpreting the data that flows through your mind

Translate the conclusions from what you may find

Sensitize your animities and harness your emotions

Meditate the syllables as they inspire your devotion

Read between the lines to keep yourself balanced

But weaving through the clutter is the key to the challenge

Connect what is real and depict what you relate

Then fortify the illusions that seep through the gates

Aesthetically pleasing and vivid to listen to

I'm sensitizing your ears as my mind paints you visuals

The Flow

I have a way with words that not many know

Riding the waves of the rivers I flow

My gift is the ability to puzzle the pieces

While rearranging them so I don't jumble the thesis

I'm scattered with ideas of what to say next

Writers blocking me with a cross in the shape of a hex

Delving into my conscious seeking the succeeding rhyme

I'm cutting it raw so I don't spoil the lines

The cleaner the substance, the doper the high

But the method of entry deciphers what's implied

Conventional wisdom says to be humble

My ego would buffer it and ready a rumble

Trying to emulate this is like playing with matches

I'll light you on fire until you burn down to ashes

To The Heavens

By Joe Tidei

Ascending above the stars I find another portal

Dicipating to another dimension in order to become immortal

My body is my vessel that carries me to the gates

My path is my guide deciphering a predetermined fate

Blinded by temptation to commit one of the deadly seven

I'm awaken by the bright lights beaming from the heavens

Illuminating the sky as my evil turns itself hollow

The clouds open a path for my soul take and follow

All of us individually have just one life to lead

To smile and to cry, to triumph and to bleed

We have been given the gift of life and the curse of greed

As we walk amongst the dead who are buried in their creed

Life is the beginning of an endless, cyclical journey

And upon death life is endured to those who are worthy

So to the heavens I'll continue to climb

In search of a life that was stolen from mine

Because there is such a place where only eagles dare

Live, love, life and I'll meet you up there

Breaking the Habit

By Joe Tidei

Habit: a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance.

Have you ever heard of the phrase 'winning has become a habit?' That's exactly what head coach Tom Thibodeau is trying to create with his young Bulls team.

In Thibodeau's first interview with the media after he was introduced as the Head Coach this summer he explained some of his X's and O's strategies and his journey as an assistant coach. The part that caught my attention though was when he talked about developing championship habits from day one. Habits that include practicing hard, focusing on each game as it comes and playing unselfish basketball. The most important habit Thibobeau mentioned though had to be implanted from the heavens above; 48 minutes of intensity (RIP Norm Van Lier). Up by thirty points or down by thirty points it doesn't matter. When you step on the floor for him you had better execute and you'll be on the bench (see Carlos Boozer). An unrealistic expectation for every game? Possibly, but you can't fault the thought process of trying to achieve perfection.

Thibodeau is an intense individual who eats, breaths and sleeps basketball. That hyperbole might be cliché', but there's no question basketball is his life. When he steps on the floor he becomes a general about to lead his troops into battle. Thibodeau doesn't do this strictly for show or for himself. He approaches the game the way he does in hope that it will trickle down through his team. He's trying break bad habits that were learned under Vinny Del Negro. He's trying to create a championship environment through a routine of professionalism that will become involuntary because that's what habits are; involuntary actions. When they are engrained into each individual they become natural actions that occur without thinking.

Thibodeau coaches his team as if it was a college program. He's always teaching, always talking and always aware of what is going on. He may be coaching professionals, but you are never to old to break bad habits which include lack of focus and energy, standing around on offense, not putting bodies on rebounders and slow defensive rotations. Thanks Vinny!

Thibodeau is a coach that understands offensive lulls and bad shooting nights, but he demands consistent intensity and defense. Offense is often a law of averages. Defense is the law of effort and sometimes your best offense is a good defense.

The NBA is known as a players league. It's also the only sport where getting one player can completely change your franchise around or cripple it (see LeBron James). It has become isolation an based league and guards have started to dominate what was once a big mans game. In an era lacking fundamentals Tom Thibodeau is preaching and demanding the lost art. Play defense, rebound, move the ball offensively and you'll find yourself in positions to win on a consistent basis. Good habits are made through repetition and there's no doubt that Thibodeau has his guys on a diligent schedule.

Thibodeau often looks like a raving lunatic on the sidelines, but there is a method to his madness. Right or wrong he has a reason for everything he does and each decision is calculated. He demands accountability from his team and they appear to be buying in to what he's selling. There is still a ways to go before they get where they want to be, but they are on the right, I mean, fast track. The Bulls are currently 11 games above .500 and for the first time sine the dynasty they had a winning record on the circus trip. That's a fast track indeed for a first year coach.

Thibodeau has appeared to flip this team upside down and it started with breaking old habits. No longer will they be unprepared going into games and no longer will there will be acceptance of lackadaisical play or incompetence. His blue print is simple. Play hard, stay focused and expect good results in return. Play uninspired and expect to lose while sitting on the bench. Thibodeau isn't content on just reaching the playoffs. As he said in his first press conference he's trying to build habits; championship habits.