And so the calendar flips. As an uncomfortable 2011 in sports makes way for 2012, at least 12 people begin a new year packed with intriguing possibility for Chicago’s sporting scene.
Jabari Parker, Simeon basketball player: The nation’s top-ranked junior could announce his college choice as early as spring. Elite programs want Parker, but imagine if the 6-foot-8 star shocked the college basketball world by staying home to attend DePaul — which he has considered enough to visit campus. Even if Parker stays only one year on his way to the NBA, his signing would rival Mark Aguirre’s and Quentin Richardson’s in terms of school significance and give Oliver Purnell the recruiting coup of the decade.
Brett Jackson, Cubs CF prospect: With Theo Epstein making clear with minor moves the Cubs wisely plan to start over, Jackson’s arrival in Chicago next season seems a matter of when, not if. How’s June 1? Solid in every area, Jackson strikes out too much but still possesses potential to become a regular over the next decade. If Jackson develops quickly and shows why Baseball Prospectus labeled him the organization’s top prospect it could ease the pain of what looks like a 90-loss season.
George McCaskey, Bears chairman: Soldier Field needs a different surface. Halas Hall needs a different philosophy, or at least enforced changes to the front office and/or coaching staff that address the Bears missing the playoffs four times in five seasons. McCaskey can intervene in both matters. His observation period has lasted long enough. Chalking up the ’11 season to injuries only masks deeper problems that require bold action.
Jean-Claude Brizard, Chicago Public Schools CEO: I know more budget deficits and cuts are imminent. I know investing more money and resources into high school sports won’t keep every at-risk kid off Chicago’s streets or automatically reduce the rate of violence or dropouts. But I would love to see Brizard or somebody in his administration tilt at windmills anyway and pursue creative solutions to try using sports to address an urban problem killing too many futures. I would welcome almost anything but hearing plans to cut physical education at CPS schools and receiving emails from coaches about inadequate staffing and facilities.
Michael Floyd, Notre Dame WR: In desperate need of a big-play wide receiver, the Bears will draft in the middle of the first round, where many analysts project Floyd going. The Floyd debate threatens to dominate Bears predraft discussion given his college football pedigree. Would Floyd’s potential impact on the field make it a worthwhile risk in light of a sketchy off-the-field history?
Richard Hamilton, Bulls guard: Forget Derrick Rose or Carlos Boozer. The Bulls player carrying the most pressure into the 2012 playoffs will be Hamilton. Yes, Hamilton’s an upgrade but is he a savior? Described by TNT analyst Chris Webber as the NBA’s biggest free-agent pickup, Hamilton faces the daunting — and perhaps unrealistic — challenge of putting the Eastern Conference runners-up over the top.
John Danks, White Sox pitcher: The White Sox think an eight-win season and 54-56 career record warranted a $65 million investment, so it is time for Danks to perform like an ace. Mark Buehrle left town and so have any excuses for Danks not to make a run at 20 victories. If Danks can find enough consistency, nothing would make rookie manager Robin Ventura look smart more than good starting pitching. Nothing would help the Sox go from rebuilding to competing quicker.
Mike Thomas, Illinois athletic director: Thomas showed more vision than sentiment in replacing football coach Ron Zook with Tim Beckman. Thomas’ next coaching conundrum could be Bruce Weber, who, despite a strong start, needs a stellar Big Ten season to satisfy critics. The Illini haven’t gotten past the second round of the NCAA tournament since the ’05 Final Four and have a sub-.500 league record over the last four seasons. To be “Kings of Chicago,” Thomas will demand better.
Bill Carmody, Northwestern basketball coach: If Chicagoans are buzzing about the NCAA tournament in March for reasons unrelated to their office pools it will be because Northwestern qualified for the 68-team field for the first time ever. The well-coached Wildcats have a legitimate chance. And if they don’t, I suspect Carmody’s name will be a big part of conversations asking why.
Crane Kenney, Cubs president/business operations: The way sports broadcast rights fees have exploded recently makes the next year or so critical to the Cubs’ future — in the standings and in the booth — as they near the end of their contract with WGN in 2014. The team’s CSN deal expires in 2019. There are piles of new money to be made. The Angels were the latest team to pour increased TV revenue into their roster, a weapon that could return the Cubs to contender status sooner than later. Like Kenney or not, he is the point man negotiating the next rights deal and navigating the political landmines between the city and Wrigley Field.
Davis Love III, Ryder Cup captain: History awaits Love in September at Medinah as the Americans try to recapture the Cup they lost in 2010. If Love leads the underdog U.S. team to victory it will mark a significant achievement for the sport in the country and a landmark moment for Chicago golf.
Corey Crawford, Blackhawks goaltender: As dependable as backup Ray Emery has been, if the Hawks go deep in the playoffs — as expected — Crawford needs to be in net. He cannot suffer the crisis in confidence he just overcame, and that question looms largest for a complete team clearly built to win it all.
Twitter @DavidHaugh
