Blackhawks looking fantastic – and maybe dynastic

HawksFrom the Saturday, June 6, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …

The WISCH LIST

By Dave Wischnowsky

Ming, Tudor, Duck … Blackhawks?

Outside of China, England and the Reality TV lineup on A&E, dynasties are a pretty rare thing. But here in Chicago, we’ve been spoiled.

During the 1990s, we reveled in Michael Jordan’s Bulls capturing six rings. And now tonight in Tampa Bay, the Blackhawks could take another step toward establishing their own Windy City dynasty when they face the Lightning in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. If Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane & Co. ultimately turn their current 1-0 series lead into another title, it will be the team’s third crown in the past six seasons.

That’s remarkable. All the more so considering that prior to 2010 it had been such a long time since the franchise’s last Stanley Cup in 1961 that some claimed the Blackhawks were cursed. Now, however, they’re just three wins away from joining the Bruins and Red Wings as the only NHL clubs to have hoisted the Stanley Cup six times or more.

So maybe there really is hope yet for the Chicago Cubs.

Jordan’s 30 for 30

Speaking of dynasties, a new exhibit outside Field Museum was unveiled last week that features 30 over-sized photos of Michael Jordan shot by legendary former Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss.

Titled “Open Air,” the free exhibit is in honor of the 30th anniversary of Jordan’s 1984-85 rookie season with the Bulls and the idea came about last year when Iooss and Chicago businessman William Kunkler chatted at a party in New York.

“He thought it would be fun to commemorate it with a photo retrospective of images he had of Michael on and off the court,” Kunkler told Crain’s Chicago Business. “I said I’d be happy to help him make it happen.”

Who knows, a couple of decades from now, some Blackhawks players just might be getting the same kind of royal photo treatment.

The Bulls: See Fred

During his introductory press conference, new Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg spoke about his plans for his coaching staff, especially defensively, saying, “I want to get a veteran assistant in here that can really help me through things.”

My first thought: Tom Thibodeau.

In all seriousness, though, I believe Hoiberg was a good hire. Thibodeau is a fine coach, but his controlling personality had burned out both the Bulls players and front office. The franchise can probably use some fresh blood.

I like that Hoiberg spent a decade in the league (and not as a star). I’ve long been impressed with his demeanor, as well as the way he built a program at Iowa State. I also like that he’s smart and humble enough to know that he needs help.

As for his lack of experience as an NBA head coach, well, remember that Thibodeau also was a first-time head coach when the Bulls hired him. And, for that matter, so was Phil Jackson.

Now on the menu

This week on Twitter, the Chicago media critic Beachwood Reporter asked, “Which Chicago restaurant will be the first to serve a Hoiburger?”

My answer: The (Hoi)Berghoff, of course.

Cubs deserve wrist slap

The Cubs are having a solid season, but the wisdom behind a “walk-up song” at Wrigley Field is shaky. Leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler’s at-bats are accompanied by “Flicka Da Wrist” by Houston rapper Chedda Da Connect, which prompts an ever-growing number of fans to flick their wrists above their heads every time the lyrics are played.

But what does “flick of da wrist” mean?

It refers to the action of whipping cocaine into crack, and my hope is that when the Cubs return home on Thursday, the song has been flicked from the team’s playlist and Fowler has selected a more appropriate tune.

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