Meanwhile, the staid and snobbish clique of owners looks on with apparent horror as none of them has ever engaged in anything questionable. Ask George Steinbrenner.

Cuban would provide the Cubs an entrepreneurial flair and a zeal that would bring not just a World Series trophy to the North Side but a dynasty. He has the one thing Veeck always lacked: unlimited financial resources to go with a genius for marketing. Too bad guys like Jerry Reinsdorf have short memories about how they rose to the top with guts, vision and the courage to succeed. Cuban's makeup is the same; he's just more flamboyant. It remains to be seen if his alleged "insider trading" is even worthy of a civil slap on the wrist.

Mark Cuban deserves a shot the Cubs as well as his day in court. He's innocent until proven guilty.

-- Dean Dranias

\ Dump Paxson

NAPERVILLE -- With the annual circus disaster well under way, perhaps Jerry Reinsdorf will finally analyze the job of good friend John Paxson for what it's worth.

Since Paxson took over as GM in April 2003, the following is true:

Six top-10 picks in the NBA draft, including three in the top five (Derrick Rose, Tyrus Thomas, Ben Gordon); signing Ben Wallace to a five-year deal; trading Tyson Chandler for P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith; acquiring Viktor Khryapa in the draft-day deal for Thomas (Khryapa was waived Feb. 6); re-signing Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng to lucrative, long-term deals within the last two years; hiring an assistant GM with no head-coaching experience to lead a team of underachievers coming off a disastrous season; drafting Joakim Noah with the No. 9 overall pick in 2007; and failing to make a trade that makes a difference, especially given the team's glut at guard and lack of any low-post threat.

John Paxson seems like a nice guy, but is he really competent as an NBA general manager?

-- Paul Traverso

\ Rose requires rest

CHICAGO -- Ten years ago the Cubs introduced a wonderful young pitching prospect who had a remarkable first year. As a result, however, of physical problems caused by overwork stemming from poor management, this prospect never lived up to his exceptional promise. It would seem we are about to bid Kerry Wood adieu.

A decade later, the Bulls had the great fortune to acquire Derrick Rose, who has also shown exceptional skills and promise. But the Bulls are putting Rose on the court for more than 40 minutes a game, a heavy burden for anyone, much less a rookie. They are doing so in less than consequential early-season games.

One only hopes Bulls management will not do to Rose what the Cubs did to Wood.

-- William P. Gottschalk

\ Horrid Bears

WILMETTE -- A strong case can be made that the Bears' performance in last Sunday's loss to the Packers was the worst in the history of the franchise. It certainly is near the top of any list of all-time worst Bears games.

How much longer do we have to put up with this coaching staff?

-- Todd E. Fandell

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