Best Seat In The House

Hypocrisy of NCAA is mind-boggling

2010-12-23T13:08:00.003-05:00

Auburn's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton remains eligible and keeps his award because the NCAA determined his father, Cecil Newton, acted alone in shopping his son to a number of schools before ultimately choosing Auburn.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo is suspended one game for employing someone at a camp who at some point had direct contact with a recruit - but not at the camp.

Now-Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari is free to go from school to school with no consequences even though each school he leaves always ends up facing sanctions.

Five Ohio State football players, including three starters, must sit out the team's first five games next season after it was discovered they sold awards, gifts and university apparel and received improper benefits in 2009. A sixth football student-athlete must sit out the first game in 2011 for receiving discounted services in violation of NCAA rules. If the suspension is upheld, Pryor's first game will be Oct. 8 against Nebraska.

NCAA makes rules as it goes
The NCAA says the players - Mike Adams, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Terrelle Pryor, Solomon Thomas and Jordan Whiting can still play Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl because of "inadequate rules education." Ohio State's first five games next year are against Akron, Toledo, at Miami (Fl.), Colorado and Michigan State.

The violations fall under the NCAA’s preferential treatment bylaws. They should fall under the NCAA's "We throw the hammer down when we want" bylaws.

The hypocrisy of the NCAA is astounding. How can that group even have a shred of credibility after it basically makes up rules as the situation allows?

The OSU players said the money earned from selling the items - Big Ten championship rings, jerseys, etc. - went to help their families. That's debatable, of course. What isn't debatable, though, is the lack of consistency in the NCAA rules.

In the case of Newton, all he needed to do was play dumb to maintain his eligibility. How stupid must Reggie Bush feel after he "voluntarily" returned his 2005 award? And why don't all these Buckeye players just say "My parents sold those things without my knowledge" so they, too, can maintain their eligibility?

The NCAA is displaying hypocrisy of the highest order.

"You can prostitute out your son to a bunch of schools. We'll let that go. You can be a certified dirtbag. We'll let that go. But don't do what all other celebrities do and use your name to get free stuff. We'll kill you for that."

If Ohio State is smart, it will look into similar occurrences and fight the ruling.

In 2002, a group of Georgia players sold SEC championship rings and was initially disciplined. But the NCAA didn't uphold suspensions because a rule on selling memorabilia wasn't clear.

Athletes are exploited
Money will always be an issue for college athletes. In the two biggest revenue-generating sports (basketball, football), most of the players come from nothing. That isn't to say they can use their families economic situation to break rules. But I sometimes understand why they do it.

Imagine walking around on a beautiful campus seeing people wearing a jersey featuring the number you wear as big as day on the front. Imagine playing in a stadium 7-8 times a fall in front of 112,000 people who came to see you. Then imagine not having money to take a girl out to dinner. Or not having enough cash to go in on a pizza with some of your boys.

At some point, you would think, "This school is making a mint off me. And I can't even take my girl out?"

The NCAA and these institutions can get rich off these kids and the kids get nothing. I hate the argument about the "student-athletes" getting a scholarship. The scholarship is great. I would have given anything to have had all my schooling paid for. But it'd also be great if all the athletes did something with those degree, like graduate. The whole concept of the student-athlete is a joke, but that's another issue.

Schools give out scholarships to science majors, too. And those science majors are allowed to work and take whatever they want from whoever they want. Both the athlete and the academic have to keep a certain grade-point average. And the academic has to keep a substantially higher GPA, I know. But the school isn't making millions off the academic. And 112,000 people aren't paying $50 a ticket to see the science major do a chemistry experiment.

Think about this: Ohio State annually brings in $20 million on tickets sales alone. But Pryor can't sell a ring given to him to, allegedly, help his mother out? How is that fair? How is it right some OSU players, allegedly, swapped autographs for tattoos that probably cost no more than $150, but those same players can take $500 worth of schwag from the sponsor of whatever bowl game they're in?

Reggie Bush made USC millions. The school wants nothing to do with him. But his coach, who likely knew about everything going on, is free to take any job he likes.

Chris Webber did the same for the University of Michigan, but he can't go on campus or even donate money for a few more years. I still see "MICHIGAN 4" jerseys every now and then. So what if there's no name on back. Had Rob Pelinka been No. 4, how many of those jerseys would the NCAA and school have sold?

Stipends may be the answer
With the Newton ruling, the NCAA may have opened Pandora's Box. Language in the rules should be revisited ASAP, or you'll have every recruit in the country on the take. What makes the Ohio State case even worse is the NCAA wants to punish these students when it doesn't cost the NCAA a dime. I could've sworn we lived in a capitalist society. Or am I wrong.

That capitalism may only be set up to benefit a few, though, since all the OSU players will be on the field for the team's bowl game against Arkansas. That's all about money, too. No way the NCAA and ESPN were going to risk the loss of ad revenue by not having Pryor on the field. But who cares about some early September game against Akron on the Big Ten Network, right? Again, it's perfectly acceptable for the NCAA and TV networks to line their pockets. But curse the kids who tries to make a few dollars!!!

A much simpler way to attempt to fix the problem is paying college athletes. Most of the cases have the players taking small amounts, anyway. Why not just pay them (olympic sport athletes included) a stipend each semester of, say, $1,500-$3,000? All they want the money for is a pair of sneakers and maybe to take a girl to see a movie.

A university typically has about 500 athletes. Let's say OSU paid all 500 $2,000 each semester. That would only add up to the school spending about $2,000,000 each year (Remember, OSU makes $20 million a year in ticket sales alone). I know there would be some players who wouldn't think that amount would suffice. Throw the book at those guys. But I'm inclined to believe those greedy players would think a little harder about the decision they make if they know it can kill long-term prospects.

To take it a step further, athletes who are "the face of a team," such as Pryor, should get royalties from jersey sales. Why should people who already have money be allowed to get richer, while these players are held back. Sure, Pryor could make millions in the NFL, but there's no guarantee of that.

Realistically, the only way to put a stop to all this is if someone successfully sues the NCAA. But how long would that court case last? Years.

Hypocrisy of the higher order. That's what the NCAA exhibits time and time again.

I guess I'm no better. Here I am calling the group to the carpet, yet I'm infatuated with the product they put out.

If the NCAA can ride both sides of the fence, so can I.

Miami Heat, James did what was expected in Cleveland

2010-12-03T16:08:00.004-05:00

Anyone who believed the Cleveland Cavaliers would rise up and vanquish the hated Miami Heat in Thursday's highly-anticipated match-up should stop eating paint chips.

Miami did what it was supposed to in drubbing Cleveland, 118-90. Had that game been a contest, it would have led to too many "LeBron Isn't An Assassin" or "Which Of The Big Three Should Be Dealt" stories.

There are several reasons I believed the Heat would mop the floor with the Cavs. None of which have anything to do with Miami being a great team. Yet.

Early on, Miami has shown to be front-runners. The Heat are 11-1 against the bottom-feeders of the league. When playing teams below .500, Miami wins by an average of 16 points.

Conversely, the Heat can't beat any team that has any semblance of talent, as Miami is 1-7 against teams that have a pulse. In games against squads .500 or better, the Heat score just 94 points a game - 12 points less than they do against the worst of the worst.

Cleveland's roster is made up of journeymen and castoffs. LeBron James leaving the Cavs has given the team a look similar to that of the last season of "Martin" when Tisha Campbell left. You want to watch to see if the team can put in strong performances night after night, but you know it can't and won't be the same.

James going off the way he did shouldn't surprise anyone, either. LeBron in his return played magnificently, finishing with a line of 38, 5, and 8 in 29 minutes before sitting out the entire 4th quarter. James scored 24 of those 38 in the third.

I know people who believed he would shrink in the moment. They said he'd get nervous or that he couldn't handle the boos. Then they looked at Cleveland's roster and realized this would be like a light practice for James.

Cleveland's roster sucks. Last night, I thought to myself, "who's jersey would Cav's fans buy and wear with pride?" Mark Price was the only name that came to mind. Miami was supposed to win by 30 and James was supposed to go off because I'm sure he emasculated every guy those on Cleveland's bench in practice every day for seven years.

That's why I'm slow to say there will be any long-term affects from that game. Yea, LeBron and his mates had swagger last night. But where does that swagger go when Miami plays a legitimate team?

So, yes, last night was a big game from a media and fan standpoint. But from a basketball standpoint, we didn't learn anything from Heat/Cavs I.

Heat's problems easy to fix

2010-11-23T15:35:00.003-05:00

"We're not having fun right now."
-LeBron James, 11/22/10

That's an odd statement for one of the best players in the NBA to make so early in the season.

You'd think with all the buzz surrounding the offseason moves of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to the Miami Heat, those two, along with Dwyane Wade, would be having the time of their lives.

Each of those three is in their eighth year in the League. They're all in their primes. Although I didn't believe the trio joining forces would immediately translate to championships, I did believe the Heat would win 65-70 games simply because of the number of bad teams in the NBA.

Early on, those wins haven't come so easily. A lot of talk this summer was that Miami had a realistic shot to match the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record for regular-season wins at 72. At 8-6, Miami would have to win its next 40 games to keep pace with Chicago. That's seven more wins that the 1971-72 Lakers garnered in what is the longest winning streak in league history.

Miami currently sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Most pundits picked the Heat to run away with the East. That is still possible, but Miami needs to fix some glaring issues it has.

Last night while watching the Heat get blown out at home, 93-77, by the Indiana Pacers, I couldn't help but think that, whenever Wade or James has the ball in a halfcourt offensive set, it looks eerily similar to what James had while in Cleveland. There is no movement without the ball. No cuts to the basket. No backscreens set. Just isolation either at the top of the key or in the post. The other four guys on the court just stare like they're watching Kim Kardashian run across the court naked.

Mike Miller's return could solve some of that problem. He won't be calling for any clear outs. Miller, who shot a remarkable 48 percent from three-point range last season and has shot 40 percent from deep for his 10-year career, will help spread the floor on offense. That's something Miami doesn't have the ability to do right now. The Heat has streak shooters in James Jones and Eddie House, but no one who is a consistent threat from deep.

Miami's spacing on offense so far this season - when the Heat has played solid competition - has been putrid. Miller's return could, and should, remedy that problem.

Movement without the ball on offense has easily been Miami's biggest problem early this season. There's more movement by a paraplegic in a triathlon than by anyone on the Heat in the halfcourt. Miami has two of the 10 best playmakers in the League in Wade and James, yet the Heat offense is surprisingly stagnant at times.

This team doesn't have an identity. And the pieces it has behind Wade, James, Bosh and Miller just aren't that good. Players 1-3 don't win NBA titles. Players 4-9 do. Many people believe Miami executive Pat Riley pulled a major coup bringing three All-stars together. I agree. But questions remained, such as, "who are they gonna fill the rest of the roster with? Rony Seikaly and Sherman Douglas?"

That's pretty much what's happened. Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers are a point guard pu-pu platter. The bigs have helped make the Heat one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. Miami as a whole is solid defensively, but it gets done in by any team with a competent point guard and serviceable big men.

Bosh was supposed to be the one who provided the majority of the bulk for the Heat. But his reluctance to guard centers, or do anything else, really, has helped make him a forgotten man on South Beach. You would expect Bosh's scoring to take a dip playing with Wade and James, but the rest of his game has taken a significant dip. Bosh's rebounds are down almost 4 a game. According to 82games.com, Bosh has had 375 chances at offensive rebounds. He's grabbed 16 in 14 games.

For most of the early part of the season, he looked more like Chris Washburn than Chris Bosh. Bosh has stepped up recently, hitting the 20-point plateau in each of Miami's last four games. He's hit that mark just five times so far this season. He seemed uncomfortable at times early on. Maybe Bosh is finding his way.

The Heat's two leading men need to find their way, as well.

It's always fun to think about how the best players in any given league would play if given an opportunity to do so outside and All-Star game. But the Wade/James experiment, so far, looked like a failed one.

Both players, although phenomenal, do pretty much the same thing. They both need the ball in their hands at all times to be effective. They both love isolation plays. And early on, it seems like neither of them is willing to take a backseat to the other.

James is obviously a better all-around player than Wade. But I think it should be James who makes a change to his game - a change that many have clamored for.

LeBron needs to start playing out of the post. He's a 6-foot, 8-inch tall small forward. His reluctant to hit the low block has always puzzled me, simply because he usually outweighs whoever is guarding him by at least 30 pounds. He's so strong. But James is also extremely fast. His first step upon catching a post entry pass and facing up toward the basket, would be devastating. No one could stop him. James' court vision is off the charts, meaning he could make any pass or find any cutter.

So why doesn't he do this? I seriously don't believe the question has ever been posed to him. I've seen him try and do it in the past. He looks sort of uncomfortable playing on the low block. I would suggest to LeBron he take the route of Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant and seek out a swingman who played out of the post. I suggest Adrian Dantley, Mark Aguirre or Bernard King.

All of these are fixable problems. It's up to all parties involved to address them.

I'm just not sure they will.

South Bend radio host should face discipline for comments on Dantonio

2010-09-23T13:19:00.001-04:00

As just about everyone knows, Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio suffered a heart attack early Sunday morning after the Spartans’ unbelievable overtime win over Notre Dame.

Dantonio, 54, has since had an angioplasty and been released from the hospital. When he will return to the sidelines is yet to be determined.

Heart ailments are no joke. It’s good Coach D’s wife was able to get him to the hospital shortly after he began to take ill, or the talk around East Lansing may have been on something other than Coach’s, um, guts in calling for a fake field goal down three in extra play to Notre Dame.

Someone did decide to make light of a very serious situation, though, and it was totally uncalled for.

Matt Patrick, a morning radio host for South Bend, Ind., news/talk station 95.3 MNC, Tuesday morning got in front of a camera for a short video podcast and said God caused Dantonio to have a heart attack because MSU cheated the Irish. His reasoning was that the play clock had expired before the snap on the game’s final play.

“The moral of the story is you mess around with the Fighting Irish, you cheat on the last play of the game, overtime, and beat the Irish, God is going to get you,” Patrick said.

A little research found Patrick, a 30-year radio veteran, Tuesday was hosting just his seventh show with the station, which leads me to believe his comments served as nothing more than a way to gain listeners and draw traffic to the station website.

More research found Patrick is an avid Notre Dame supporter, which would normally raise an eyebrow, but most radio host have strong ties to teams in their area and make their feelings known.

He has since issued an apology in video form on the station’s website after reports of several Spartan fans calling the general manager of the station voicing their displeasure with Patrick’s distasteful, classless, idiotic remarks — and after pressure from said GM, I presume.

The comments shouldn’t have ever been made.

I joke all the time about games giving me heart attacks. As an MSU fan and alum and well-known sports psycho, I make that joke frequently. I decided to come up with some new material after Dantonio’s episode because heart ailments among college football coaches is becoming an alarming trend.

Florida coach Urban Meyer retired then unretired after suffering a heart attack last winter. Northwestern head coach Randy Walker, 52, died following a heart attack in July 2006.

The job is a stressful one. Running practice and watching film 20 hours a day; not being able to spend ample time with your family and friends; and worrying about 100-plus kids and hoping they don’t decide to do anything stupid.

When episodes such as Dantonio’s take place, they’re no laughing matter.

Maybe the guy was just mad his team lost. I’d be upset, too, if I supported a team that replaced one coach, Charlie Weis, with a (slightly) slimmer version — Brian Kelly, who coaches the same style Weis did. Neither is known for their defense, which has failed the Irish in each of the last two weeks. There are already rumblings Notre Dame fans are souring on Kelly.

Maybe Patrick wanted to deflect from the fact Notre Dame is the most overrated program in college football the last 25 years.
The last time Notre Dame football did anything significant, cell phones looked like laptops and MTV still featured music videos.

What big-time recruit wants to play there these days? No 17-year-old kid cares about the history of Notre Dame. No 17-year-old kid cares enough to learn the history of the Irish, either.

Maybe God hates Notre Dame. How many times in recent years has the team played well enough to get fans’ hopes up and made it to a BCS game only to get destroyed by a better team?

Patrick was talking about karma when he made his comments. If there were any real karma, he’d be searching the classifieds right now.

Why MSU will play in the 2011 Rose Bowl, Part II

2010-09-01T15:03:00.002-04:00

The last time MSU played Ohio State, then-true freshman Terrell Pryor looked like a combination of Randall Cunningham and Doug Williams, as the Buckeyes had their way with the Spartans on their way to a 42-7 smashing.

After several prayers, somehow, Ohio State came off MSU's schedule for two years. That will prove to be crucial this season and is one of four reasons I see the Spartans playing in the 2011 Rose Bowl.

No Ohio State on the schedule is good for MSU

The Spartans for the second straight year avoid the Big Ten’s Team of the Decade: the Ohio State Buckeyes.

How this happened, I don’t know. But I’m as thankful for it as washed-up stars are for reality show checks. Had OSU been on MSU’s schedule last season instead of, say, Purdue, the Spartans go 5-7 and don’t get those extra practices leading up to the Alamo Bowl.

Not playing the Bucks this season is a Godsend for an entirely different reason — its the difference between finishing 9-3 and having a good season and going 10-2 and possibly having a special season.

Make no mistake: Ohio State will win its record sixth straight Big Ten title this season. But the No. 2-ranked Buckeyes will be playing for a much bigger prize than the Rose Bowl trophy. I see Ohio State going undefeated and winning the BCS National Title — partly because I think they’re that good and partly because I don’t think they’ face off with an SEC team in the title game. The Bucks return all their playmakers on offense and feature one of the best, most experienced offensive lines in the country. Add that to a defense littered with NFL prospects and you have the recipe for a national title win.

OSU getting to the title game leaves the door open for the Rose Bowl to select a second Big Ten team, which I believe (Seriously, I do. Stop laughing!) will be the Spartans. That would send MSU to its first Rose Bowl game since 1988, where it beat USC, 20-17. How long ago was that? Michael Jackson bought the “Neverland” ranch that year; “Rain Man” was the top grossing film at the box office; Nintendo released “Super Mario Bros. 3,” which I still have yet to beat; and Milli Vanilli was formed.

One thing not in MSU’s, or any other Big Ten team’s favor, is a new BCS rule going into effect this season that states the Rose Bowl must take a non-BCS team this year (most likely, preseason No. 3 Boise State) if one is eligible and the Rose loses one of its conference anchors. For that to happen, one or both of the anchors (Pac-10/Big Ten) would have to play in the BCS championship game.

I don’t see that happening, though. I think Boise State will lose its marquee game Monday against Virginia Tech. That loss would likely knock the Broncos out of the top 10. With its schedule, it would be next to impossible for Boise to end up in the top two at the end of the season.

With that, I'm picking MSU and Oregon State to meet in Pasadena on New Year's Day.

It’s our turn. We're next in line.

Since State’s last Rose Bowl appearance, eight Big Ten teams have appeared in the “Granddaddy of them All” — Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.

That says a lot more about how awful MSU has been over the last 20-plus seasons than it does about the depth of the Big Ten.

But it’s our time. It has to happen this year.

One of the reasons I’m so confident about this prediction is because of one of the most undervalued units in college football.

Part III coming tomorrow

Why MSU will play in the 2011 Rose Bowl, Part I

2010-08-31T12:48:00.004-04:00

My boys and I every summer have a night where we decide to set the win totals of our favorite teams.

The best part about the whole process is it usually takes place about the time a White Castle tastes like a filet, which makes for some interesting predictions and discussion.

Last year, everybody was saying Michigan State, our alma mater, would win nine or 10 games. Everybody called me crazy for saying we'd top out at seven wins. State finished 6-7.

This year, I've hopped over to the other side of the fence. And this year, people are saying I'm as crazy as Kourtney Kardashian's baby daddy.

That's because I think MSU is going to be playing in Pasadena on New Year's Day 2011. Yes, I have my reasons. and, no, I haven't been hanging out with Paris Hilton.

Please, if you're gonna laugh, wait until the end.

Schedule plays into MSU’s hands
As a Spartan alum, I know MSU football handles prosperity as well as Lindsay Lohan, but the Spartans would have to quit at various points in the season to not win at least nine games. That or run awry of some frat boys.

Of the 12 games on MSU’s slate, seven are at Spartan Stadium against perennial powers such as Western Michigan (Sept. 4), Northern Colorado (Sept. 25) and Minnesota — a team many have picked to finish dead last in the Big Ten this season (Nov. 6).

The rest of the “home” slate includes Florida Atlantic Sept. 11 (I don’t care if the game is at Ford Field and is supposed to be a home game for FAU. It’s a home game for MSU, even if the Owls will recoup the gate), Notre Dame (Sept. 19), Wisconsin (Oct. 2), Illinois for Homecoming (Oct. 16), and Purdue (Nov. 20).

The only real toughie in the Spartans first eight games should come when the Badgers, ranked No. 12 in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today coaches polls, travel to East Lansing. It’ll be Wisconsin’s first test after games at UNLV, and home against San Jose State, Arizona State and Austin Peay. Seriously. Who makes these non-conference schedules? Duncan Hines?

While the Badgers will be a top-20 team all season, the first game in a hostile environment could have Wisconsin rattled, enabling MSU to eek out a win.

On top of that, the Spartans don’t even leave the state of Michigan until Oct. 23 when they travel to Northwestern, where MSU has won two straight and lead the all-time series, 34-16.

The remainder of the Spartans’ road slate consists of on Oct. 9 going to Ann Arbor to face a Michigan team that may have quit on John L. Rodriguez by then, No. 9/10 Iowa on Devil’s Night and at a play MSU never wins — Nov. 27 in Happy Valley against No. 19/14 Penn State.

Rivalry games against Notre Dame and at The Out House will naturally provide tests for the Spartans, but Notre Dame implementing a new scheme that includes a no-huddle offense and the loss of several players slated to make an impact this season for Michigan in its secondary should prove too much for those squads to overcome. Both games will be shootouts, but I think the overall experience of MSU’s personnel will be the difference.

With a schedule as strong as Michelle Pfeiffer’s eggs in “Scarface,” MSU has a realistic shot at starting 8-0 going into November. Cold-weather home wins against the Gophers and Boilermakers should be a given at that point in the season — if the Spartans are for real. So going 1-2 against Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions would put MSU at 10-2, 6-2 in the Big Ten. It's not out of the realm of possibility that MSU could win two of those three games, since Wisconsin is at home and I don't think Penn State will be any good this season. And I say that knowing we win in Happy Valley as often as Charles Barkley refuses a second Krispy Kreme.

That 10-2 finish would give the Spartans their best record since they finished 10-2 following the 1999 season. It could also likely put them in some sort of tie with Iowa and/or Wisconsin for second place in the conference.

Winning that tiebreaker would be crucial for any of those three teams because that second-place finish would send them to Pasadena and the 2011 Rose Bowl (I’ll get to who’ll win the Big Ten later).

I think MSU has the best shot to win that tiebreaker for one huge reason other than its creampuff schedule.

Part II coming tomorrow

Two people should be looked at differently after LeBron saga

2010-07-09T10:54:00.009-04:00

Was the whole thing orchestrated? What's LeBron James' legacy? Who's put together the deal that put James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh together in Miami?

Those are just some of the questions that need to be answered. But not by me.

There are two people very close to this situation who I believe have shown their true colors after James made his decision.

James will never be considered an 'all-time great'
Bob Cousy. James Worthy. Sam Jones. Billy Cunningham. Those are just a few of some of the best players in the history of the NBA. James' name will be added to that list, but it'll be mixed in with those mentioned above and not the likes of Magic, Bird, Russell and Jordan.

On several occasions, I've heard James speak of wanting to be the greatest of all time. How can something like that be achieved when he - and Bosh and, to a much lesser extent, Wade - essentially said, "I can't build up a championship team as the Alpha Dog. I have to play alongside other "great" players to win titles?"

When Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen teamed up in Boston in 2007, each of those three were on the downside of their respective, hall-of-fame careers. They all attempted, for more than a decade, to lead teams to the promiseland and came up short. Wade, James and Bosh are just hitting their primes. Why not build up a team so you can be placed on the short list of the best players of all time?

I have no doubt Miami will win multiple titles, no matter what is placed around James, Wade and Bosh. And I believe each of those three will be enshrined in Springfield one day. But when that happens, it was supposed to, so it won't receive the fanfare that maybe it should. If they don't win, though, this whole thing is a colossal failure. For James especially.

I know Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant both openly complained at times about teammates and coaching philosophies, but neither left. People fail to remember that Kobe played on a Lakers squad that won just 34 games in the 2004-05 season. That was after four Finals' appearances in five years and three titles.

But LeBron did leave. Which has people looking at him in a whole different light. But he isn't the only person who should be looked at differently.

Dan Gilbert has no class
Narcissistic. Self-promoting. Quitter. Those are just a few of the choice words Cavs' owner Dan Gilbert used to describe James after he made his decision.

While I would understand that coming from a fan - the word does come from "fanatic," after all - that made Gilbert sound like a bitter ex who didn't do enough to make their former companion stick around. His comments were as classless as the casts of those "Real Housewives" shows. James was a FREE agent. He was free to go where he pleased. While I may not agree with his decision (I would have picked Chicago), or the fact that there was an hour-long special dedicated to that decision, it was his decision and his alone.

Disloyal was another word Gilbert used to describe James. I thought that was interesting seeing as though Gilbert has shown more disloyalty as anyone over the past couple months.

Former Cavs head coach Mike Brown, he of 127 wins the last two years and the only coach to lead Cleveland to the Finals. FIRED.

Former Cavs GM Danny Ferry, the architect of the teams that won 127 games in two years. FIRED.

Gilbert tried to steal away the coach (Tom Izzo) of his alma mater, my alma mater, my friends' alma mater (Michigan State). Dan Gilbert should be the last person discussing loyalty. Like I said, he essentially played the role of the jilted lover and said, "you'll never find anybody better. You're a loser," when he really didn't have a reason to feel that way but just couldn't express his feelings in another fashion. That reeks of a guy who didn't have a "plan B."

People have said Gilbert made those comments in defense of the city. He doesn't care about that city. He cares about his bottom line. Gilbert's from Michigan, but made his money and his name elsewhere, so how can he be so upset at someone for doing the same? All he's REALLY upset about is that his team is worth as much as a '78 AMC Pacer right about now.

How can Gilbert, a self-made man from all accounts, act so classless toward another self-made man. He's taking out his frustrations on someone who grew up below the poverty level in a single-parent household. James' mother, Gloria, birthed him when she was 16. That he was even in the position to be able to decide where to play says a lot in itself. Again, while I don't agree with James' decision, it's his decision. He has to live with it. Not Dan Gilbert.

We all forgot about a certain team
So it's over now. No more free agency summit talk. No more guessing where James will play. And who's probably the happiest about all that? Kobe Bryant, who's been on television for about 45 seconds during this whole episode. You remember Kobe and the Lakers, don't you? The team that's won back-to-back titles. I don't think they'll bow to Miami so easily.

What if Carlos Boozer never lied to a blind guy?

2010-07-01T00:11:00.003-04:00

Could Carlos Boozer really be the key person in the 2010 NBA Free Agent frenzy?

It's not entirely out of left field if you know the facts.

First, some background info.

Boozer declared for the 2002 NBA Draft, foregoing his final year of NCAA eligibility at Duke. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the NBA draft, where he played two full seasons. Boozer averaged 10 ppg and 7.5 rpg in his rookie campaign, and followed it up with 15.5 ppg and 11.4 rpg his second year, while playing alongside a highly-touted rookie: LeBron James.

After the 2003–04 NBA season, the Cavaliers had the option of allowing Boozer to become a restricted free agent, or keeping him under contract for one more year at a $695,000 salary. According to reports published around that time, the Cavaliers claimed to have reached an understanding with Boozer and his agent on a deal for about $39 million over 6 years, which he would sign if the Cavs let him out of his current deal.

Cleveland then proceeded to release Boozer from his contract, making him a Restricted Free Agent. During this period, a few other teams were also interested in signing Boozer, and Utah ended up offering a 6-year $70 million contract that Cleveland chose not to match, since it would take them well over the salary cap.

Carlos Boozer signed with the Utah Jazz on July 24, 2004, three months after the end of the rookie seasons of three of this summer's top free agents: James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

Boozer has denied that he made any commitment to the Cavaliers: "There was no commitment. It's unfortunate how the turn of events went through the media," Boozer said shortly after signing the deal with Utah. "I'm not a guy that gives my word and takes it away. I think I've made that clear." Boozer's agent subsequently ceased representation, although Rob Pelinka has resumed representing Boozer as of July 2009, when he was eligible for another contract extension.

In addition, the former Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund, who sold the team to current owner Dan Gilbert in 2005, has said, "In the final analysis, I decided to trust Carlos and show him the respect he asked for. He did not show that trust and respect in return."

So what if Boozer had honored this rumored verbal agreement with Gund and stayed in Cleveland? Does he play Robin to James' Batman, helping him win a title in 2007? Does James even opt out of his contract this summer? Is this free agent period as newsworthy? Are such a high number of players likely on the move? Is Jerry Sloan still the coach in Utah? How good is Jazz point guard Deron Williams? Is Delonte West even on the Cavs' roster to (allegedly) bag James' mom?

That's a lot of questions. All with no answer.

All because Boozer lied to a blind guy.

Is the spirit of competition gone from the NBA?

2010-06-29T11:18:00.008-04:00

The summer of Free Agency.

That's what 2010 has been branded as by several people who cover and love the NBA.

For 2-3 years, teams throughout the league have shed money and taken on expiring contracts with the hopes of, this summer, landing LeBron James, or Dwayne Wade, or Chris Bosh, or Amar'e Stoudemire or some other top-flight free agent.

The players listed above, and the likes of Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer and David Lee will all be looking to sign maximum contracts in the coming weeks, which would guarantee them about $16.5 million/season - for a maximum of six seasons - beginning with the 2010-11 campaign. If any of the players decides to sign with their current team, they stand to make about $30 million more than they would if they opt to sign with another team, according to the "Larry Bird exception" area of the league's collective bargaining agreement, which gives a monetary advantage to a player's current team.

For the same amount of time that teams in the NBA have said, "screw winning, we're gonna suck for two years and hope we can get LeBron," it's been reported and speculated that a number of those players are planning on joining forces when free agency officially begins Thursday. Players can sign their new deals July 8.

If this happens, and, say, James, Bosh and Johnson end up in Chicago together, I truly believe this summer could signal the end of the competitive spirit flowing through the NBA.

Save the friendships for the offseason
When I was younger, I idolized Michael Jordan. His work ethic was second to none. He needed to be on top at all times; and he enjoyed beating the other players who were considered the best. Back in the 80s and early 90s, it was known that some players were friends (Jordan and Charles Barkley, Jordan and Patrick Ewing, etc.), but they wanted to embarrass their friends when the ball went up in the air. They hated each other on the court and were close off it. They could separate the two and it seems like guys today can't do that.

Is that trait lost in today's player, save for, maybe Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant? I realize Kobe campaigned for "better" teammates for some time from 2005 until Pau Gasol was gift-wrapped for the Lakers in February 2008, but he never openly lobbied for Lakers' owner Jerry Buss to sign an in-his-prime Kevin Garnett or Allen Iverson.

When Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce decided to join forces in Boston in 2007, that was understandable. Each of them, for years, attempted to carry teams and franchises to titles and failed. All three of them were at least 10 years deep in the league, too; so, to them, it made sense to team up for one last title run, which they completed. Gasol is a good player, which Bryant needed in L.A. But he's isn't James or Bosh. Gasol can be dominant at times, but, it's been proven (his teams in Memphis were 0-12 in three playoff appearances) that he's much more of a complimentary player than a "star."

Who wants to be a leader?
But James, Wade, Bosh and the other free agents are all in the prime of their careers. If all of the talked-about supergroups are formed, are all of these world-class athletes, who are supposed to be as competitive as two girls going after the same guy, essentially admitting they can't lead a team to a championship? These (possible) moves make it look like each of these super-talented athletes are giving up on being leaders of their own teams and looking for the easiest road to a title.

A team that features Wade, Bosh and Johnson would be primed to make a run at the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record 72 wins. But it wouldn't have the same feeling as that stretch did.

What made the 72-10 season so special to me was every time I checked a box score and saw names like Kerr, Kukoc, Wennington, Longley, or Harper - role players stepping up and making plays. Say Wade, James and Bosh do all come together and go on a run like that, how much fun is that going to be for fans outside of the city they play in? What person wouldn't look at that group and say, "You're supposed to win all your games! You have three of the best 10 players in the league on your team!"

Sure, the Bulls had two of the best 30 players of all time and the finest defensive player (Dennis Rodman) of my generation, but the rest of that roster was made up of journeymen and castoffs. When you see something like that 1995-96 season come together, to me, it means more than if the whole thing is manufactured. And that's what a run next season by 2-3 of these free agents, put together, would be.

No room for two Type-As in one locker room
It would be different if it were players who complimented one another joining up. But what makes Wade and James - two guys who absolutely need to have the ball in their hands to make things happen - believe they can play together for 100-plus games a season for the next six years without some Alpha Dog issues surfacing?

That all-star roster worked in the 2008 Olympics because there were no endorsements involved, no statistical incentives to shoot for. But in the NBA, you can't have a team set up like that because of egos, money, etc. But, if that somehow did happen, Wade would be the alpha dog of the squad, in my opinion, and I don't think Jame's ego could take that. Wade's the one who led a team to a title. James hasn't done that. And LeBron has always said one of his main goals is to be considered the best player of all time. How's the supposed to happen if he ends up playing most of his prime with Wade?

Hopefully, competitive juices begin to flow again and rosters next season don't look like video games when the "salary cap" function is disabled.

2010 NBA Draft: Most likely to...

2010-06-24T11:27:00.003-04:00

For players who will be selected in tonight's NBA Draft, it's almost like a graduation.

The athletes are ending one act in their lives (college) and embarking on another (the NBA).

Prior to most graduation's there's usually a list, compiled by classmates, of who they think is most likely to do what.

You could also do that with tonight's draft picks.

2010 NBA Rookie Most Likely To...

Win Rookie of the Year: John Wall
Win an MVP Award: Evan Turner
Lead a team to a title: Turner
Make the Hall of Fame: Turner
Become a coach: Greivis Vasquez
Contribute right away: Ekpe Udoh
Be unfairly compared to an all-time great: Gordon Hayward
Be out of the league in three years: Cole Aldrich
Have an ESPN "40 for 40" focus on him: Wall/DeMarcus Cousins
Beat up a teammate/coach: Cousins/Jordan Crawford
Become a major player on "Basketball Wives": Wesley Johnson
Take a Dave Chappelle-esque trip to Africa: Cousins
Eat his way out of the league: Cousins

Many questions to answer following Lakers winning title

2010-06-18T10:58:00.005-04:00

Last night's game seven between the Lakers and Celtics is quite possibly the ugliest thing of beauty I've ever seen.

Statistically, that was L.A.'s worst game in two years, as it won, 83-79, despite shooting 32.5 percent from the floor.

Surprisingly, the one Laker who played well is the one who should be on a steady supply of meds: Ron Artest, who chipped in with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals, along with several great quotes after the game.

The win leaves the Lakers just one title behind Boston, 17-16, for most in league history.

The game has also left a lot of questions to be answered.

Which is the greatest franchise in NBA history?
Although the Lakers trail the Celtics in number of titles, a strong case can be made that L.A. is home to the best franchise in the history of the league.

The Lakers have appeared in the Finals 31 times to Boston's 21. While Boston has a far superior record in those Finals series - 17-4 vs. 16-15 for the Lakers, Los Angeles has been more of a consistent winner. Eleven of the Celtics 17 titles came before 1970, while the Lakers have won titles in 5 different decades and dominated three of those - the 1950s, 80s and 2000s.

Boston also endured a 22-year title drought from 1986 to 2008. Los Angeles' worst stretch lasted 17 years from 1955-72. The Celtics made the final round once during that dry spell (1987), while the Lakers appeared in eight championship series during theirs (1959, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68-70).

L.A. has also missed the postseason just five times in 62 seasons, while Boston has failed to make the playoffs 16 times in 64 seasons. The Lakers also have the most wins in league history (2,970) and the highest winning percentage (.617).

Is Phil Jackson the greatest coach of all time?
Here's Phil's resume: 11 titles (more than any other coach); a .700 win percentage in the regular season and the playoffs; thirteen Finals appearance in 19 years as a head coach.

Compare that with legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, who didn't win his first title until his 16th season in Westwood; or revered Celtics coach Red Auerbach, who didn't hoist his first trophy until his seventh season in Boston. Scotty Bowman, of NHL coaching fame and nine Stanley Cup titles, lost in the championship round three times before winning his first title. Jackson has only lost twice in 13 appearances in the NBA Finals.

Even greater than that has been Jackson's ability to manage egos. His two greatest players, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, are two of the most egomaniacal, bull-headed people on the planet. At points in both of their careers, Jordan and Bryant were known as players who only cared about themselves, yet Jackson has been able to get them to focus on the greater goal (most of the time), allowing the two to reach great heights. He's also been able to corral two of the stranger people in the history of sports: Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest, who passed Rodman on the "crazy-o-meter" last night.

Is Pau Gasol destined for the Hall of Fame?
Prior to joining the Lakers in February 2008, Gasol led the Memphis Grizzlies to the playoffs three straight seasons in the middle part of the decade. That should be enough to answer that question right there.

Since joining L.A., Gasol has been the second best player on two title teams, adding toughness and grit to his game in the process. Gasol has made two all-NBA third teams the last two seasons, averaging about 18 points, 10 board and 1.5 blocks in 2008-09 and 2009-10. His career averages of 18 and 9 are better than Hall of Famers Kevin McHale and Dave DeBusschere. He's tied with DeBusschere in the championship department and one behind McHale.

His offensive skillset, coupled with his awesome passing ability and that newfound grit make Gasol the best big man in the league today; and, unless Dwight Howard starts watching old VHS tapes of David Robinson, Gasol will keep that title for the foreseeable future.

What happens to the Celtics now?
Three of Boston's top four players (Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce) have a combined 40 years of playing experience. The team's best post defender (Rasheed Wallace, who has 15 years in the league under his belt) may retire. Allen and Pierce are free agents this summer. Kendrick Perkins, the Celtic's starting center, tore two ligaments in his right knee early in game 6 of the Finals. And head coach Doc Rivers may not return to the sidelines next season.

Boston brass has a lot of decisions to make this offseason. The team has - if Pierce decides to exercise his more than $21.5 million player option - more than $63 million tied into six players. The Celtics could use the mid-level exception, slated to be around $6 million for 2010-11, to sign a player, but it looks like Boston's roster will look the same as it did last night. Pierce will be a priority, as could Allen, but Allen would likely be offered a deal of no more than two years and $10-$12 million.

Rivers is the wild card here. He has said he'd like to spend more time with his family and be able to watch his sons, Austin and Jeremiah, play college basketball. Rivers, however, has one year and $5.5 million left on his contract. If the team believes it can make another deep playoff run, why wouldn't he come back? But some things are more important than money.

Where does Kobe Bryant rank among the all-time greats
Baseball measures it's greats by stats. Football determines legends by Super Bowl titles. Basketball seems to be the only one of the major American sports that takes both of those things into consideration when choosing who belongs among the best ever.

Despite Kobe Bryant's horrid shooting performance in Game 7, Bryant belongs in the discussion of greatest players of all time. It'll be tough for him to crack the top spot - Michael Jordan's butt is super glued to that seat - but Bryant can make a case for the top 5.

He has as many titles (5) as Magic Johnson, who I rank at No. 2. He has more titles than Larry Bird (3), Wilt Chamberlain (2) and Tim Duncan (4), who I had at Nos. 4, 6, and 7, respectively, prior to the start of the Finals. The win brought Bryant's record in the Finals to 5-2, while Magic finished 5-4 and Bird went 3-2. His offensive numbers are better than Magic's, Duncan's and Bill Russell's (No. 3 on my list).

Bryant's 12 all-NBA selections (8 first-team honors) trail only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6th on my list), who was tabbed 15 times; Karl Malone and Shaquille O'Neal (14 selections) and Tim Duncan (13). And, defensively, he's light years ahead of Magic and Bird, reflected by his 10 all-defensive team selections.

Yes, I know he took Game seven against Phoenix off in the first round of the 2006 Finals. But people act like he's the first star to do something of the sort. Chamberlain asked out of Game 7 of the 1969 Finals, with 5 minutes left, because of an injury. You can bet that, so close to the ultimate goal, Bryant would play on one leg.

Many people (still) contend Bryant ran Shaq out of L.A. in 2004. Kobe doesn't sign any checks or make any personnel decisions. And I think it's safe to say the team's decision to stick with Bryant has paid off.

While Bryant at times frustrated Jackson to no end, he's no coach killer. It's been said that Magic Johnson wanted his first pro coach, Paul Westhead fired. It's also been speculated that Johnson wanted out of L.A. at some point in the first five years of his career. It's been said that Jordan played a key role in getting Doug Collins ousted after the 1989 season.

Several people have said "Kobe never won a thing without Shaq." Well, Abdul-Jabbar never won without Magic or Oscar Robertson. Jordan never won without Pippen. Bird never won without McHale and Robert Parish. It's a proven fact you need more than one top-flight player to win a title, so this is a moot point.

When you put personal feelings aside - and I know that's hard for people to do with Kobe - you realize just how great he is. His work ethic is only second to Jordan's. He's added new moves to his arsenal nearly every season he's been in the league. Last summer, he worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon (No. 13 on my list of all-time greats) to improve his post game. Doesn't that sound like something Dwight Howard or LeBron James should do?

Former Blazer and Celtics great Bill Walton in a book I finished reading a few months ago made a great point about Bryant. He said that while Kobe may not win the way people want him to, he still wins. Winning is the most important thing to Bryant, Walton added, so why does it matter how he wins as long as he gets it done?

So how would I rank the 10 best players of all time, one day after one of them eclipsed another career milestone?

1. Michael Jordan
2. Magic Johnson
3. Bill Russell
4. Larry Bird
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
7. Wilt Chamberlain
8. Tim Duncan
9. Oscar Robertson
10.Jerry West

What swayed Izzo's decision to stay in East Lansing?

2010-06-15T20:54:00.004-04:00

In the end, Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo opted to stay with the girl who has been so good to him for a number of years, and who he's had more highs than lows with instead of leaving for the new girl with the fake ... you know.

Izzo tonight said he'll be a Spartan for life. And with that, Spartan Nation breathed a big sigh of relief. Myself included.

A number of MSU alums and fans said they wouldn't be mad if Izzo, the winningest coach in the history of the school, did decide to take his coaching acumen to the NBA, but I wouldn't have believed any of them had they told me they wouldn't shed a tear.

But he didn't. Now, instead of putting his future in the hands of some grown men who may or may not take his coaching lessons to heart, Izzo will return to a lockerroom full of kids who know what listening to his lessons can lead to.

But what made Izzo, who has spent nearly enough time in East Lansing that he could earn a pension, decide to stay with the Green & White? Why didn't the fiery coach leave for "greener pastures."

What went through in mind during this process?

Was it the recruiting trips? One of which led him to a player he would name his first son after.

Was it the thought of leaving everything he's built in East Lansing, including the Berkowitz Basketball Complex?

Was it the desire to remain an institution in a city and state vs. becoming just a coach in a league?

Was it knowing that, by staying, he'd continue to help turn boys into men, teaching discipline and teamwork vs. babysitting millionaires who only care about themselves?

Was it the run he made to the Final Four with his team this spring?

Was it all the lessons all the players learned about each other and themselves during that run?

Was it knowing he'd be returning to the majority of the major parts of that team, which will likely be favored to win the 2011 National Championship?

Was it knowing winning that championship, his second, would put Izzo in select company?

Was it knowing he can get titles 3, 4, and 5 in short order?

Was it realizing college coaches are loved and remembered for ages and many things beyond winning, while pro coaches are known just for winning?

I'm sure all those things and then some went into Izzo's thought process. Whatever it was, he made the right decision.

History not on Izzo's side if he bolts

2010-06-10T11:35:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I wrote that I would totally understand if Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo left his job in East Lansing to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers. With news coming out that Izzo is in Cleveland meeting with Cavs officials, it's looking more like Izzo is going to take his shot at coaching in the NBA.

I wouldn't be happy with it, but I'd understand. With the job he's done at MSU, turning it into a consistent winner and a nationally-recognized program, Izzo has earned the right to chase him dream.

But the cons may outweigh the pros. The biggest con may be the success rate of coaches who left winning college programs for NBA jobs.

Larry Brown, who has coached nearly every team in both the NCAA and NBA, is the only coach in history to win a title in both the NCAA (with Kansas in 1988) and the NBA (Detroit, 2004).

For every Larry Brown, there's 10 Tim Floyds. Izzo, who I believe to be the best coach in college basketball, has a chance to succeed like anyone else would. But the college and pro games are too different - which is a key reason in why great college coaches seemingly never live out their NBA contracts.

In college, your Xs and Os are vital to team success. The NBA in recent years has turned into an isolation league - pound the ball into the court for the first 17 seconds of the shot clock, then give it to your best player and hope he makes something happen.

In college, you can get away with screaming and yelling at 18-22-year-old kids. In the NBA, you're dealing with millionaires. Chances are that if a coach takes the Bob Knight approach with a guy like Carmelo Anthony, he'll be cleaning out his office shortly thereafter that encounter.

In college, players actually (for the most part) listen in huddles. In the NBA, players routinely tune out coaches to look at eye candy in the stands.

In college, you can put your players on curfew so they stay out of trouble (even though that may not always work.). In the NBA, you have no say over whether or not your star player is shooting off guns at 3 a.m. on a Thursday in the parking lot of a strip club.

In college, players don't get burnt out on coaches because they know they'll only have to deal with the guy for a maximum of four years. In the NBA, players turn on coaches all the time. The Pistons turned on Larry Brown a season after they won the NBA championship. The New Jersey Nets, one of the worst franchises in the history of the league, a season after it made back-to-back Finals appearances.

I'm sure Izzo will take his time in making this decision. And I'll support him no matter what he decides. But, based on past results, the odds are stacked against him succeeding.

At 55, Izzo may not have too many more chances to make the jump. If he feels like this is the best decision for he and his family, Izzo should make the move to the NBA.

It is better to try and fail than not try at all, after all.

Should Izzo stay or go?

2010-06-09T11:15:00.004-04:00

There comes a time in a lot of relationships when one party feels the need to explore other options. This can be for any number of reasons - see what else is out there, see what life is like without the person you're leaving.

Sometimes a couple realizes they can't live without each other. Other instances result in the two going their separate ways.

That line of thinking extends beyond dating. It can also apply to business and employment. And this has to be playing a role in Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo's thinking while he is being courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Proven track record
Izzo has been a part of the MSU coaching staff since 1983. He took over head coaching duties from Jud Heathcoate - his mentor and confidante - in 1995. Since taking the reins 15 years ago, Izzo has made a helluva name for himself.

Izzo is currently the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten. He is the winningest coach in MSU history. In 1998, MSU began a streak of 13 straight NCAA tournament appearances, which is the 5th longest current streak among Division I teams. During that run only Kansas/North Carolina coach Roy Williams has as many NCAA tournament wins as Tom Izzo (35). Izzo also joins Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Pittsburgh/UCLA coach Ben Howland as the only three coaches that have made three consecutive Final Fours since the NCAA tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Izzo has coached his squads to six regular-season Big Ten championships, two Big Ten Tournament titles, six NCAA Final Four appearances, and one NCAA national championship - in 2000. Since he became head coach at MSU, every player he has recruited and who completed their full eligibility has gone to the Final Four. Eighty-two percent of his players who completed their eligibility left MSU with a degree.

No "What Ifs" allowed
It is because of all Izzo has accomplished in his time in my home away from home for five years - East Lansing - that I wouldn't be the least bit upset if he took the Cavs job he has reportedly been offered.

For all he has done for our basketball program, and school, Izzo has built up plenty of goodwill with the MSU fanbase and has earned the right to take a shot at coaching at the highest level in his profession - the NBA.

Sure, the odds of him succeeding are slim to none - if you look at the list of other college coaches who took the NBA plunge (only Larry Brown has won both an NCAA and NBA Title) - but I'd be willing to bet Izzo isn't the type of person who wants to be saying "What If" when he's 80 years old. The reported five-year, $30 million deal Cavs owner and MSU Alum Dan Gilbert has on the table for Izzo can't hurt, either. Neither can the prospect of coaching one of the 10 most talented/psychically imposing players in league history.

Stay on task
At the other end of the spectrum, you have the commitment Izzo has made to not explore any other head coaching opportunities until he leads the Spartans to a third national title, which would be his second as coach.

How much criticism would Izzo get for leaving a team that will likely be ranked No. 1 in every major poll going into the 2010-11 season? That same team, likely to be picked to win the 2011 national title, returns nearly every major cog in a squad that is coming off back-to-back Final Fours, along with what is arguably Izzo's best recruiting class. The Spartans will be a legit 13 deep this upcoming season - and 10 deep in 2011-12. These are all things Izzo knows.

He also knows he has his office in the Berkowitz Complex as long as he wants it. And that the Spartan fanbase will always be in his corner. What he doesn't know, and what is the biggest wildcard in this entire situation, is if Cavs star LeBron James will re-sign with the team this summer. I'm almost positive that's why no one has heard from Izzo regarding Cleveland's attempt to woo him.

Say Izzo agrees to take the job later this month, but James signs elsewhere. Where does that leave him AND the Cavs organization? Izzo would then be saddled with a team full of less-than players, most likely playing in front of crowds no bigger than 7,500 on any given night. Yea, Izzo would have his $30 million, and nothing much else beyond that. But he most likely wouldn't make it to the end of his contract. If James decides Izzo's the man he wants to play for, it's a completely different situation.

So, no, I won't be upset with Izzo if he decides to test the NBA waters. But I do hope he sees what he has at MSU and decides that life is great in East Lansing.

What happens to Kobe's legacy if...

2010-06-03T14:49:00.003-04:00

At 31 years old, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, in 14 seasons, has blossomed into one of the eight best players in the history of the NBA.

His career has been the epitome of "roller coaster ride:" winning the Slam Dunk Contest his rookie season; throwing up airballs in the playoffs against Utah in '98; his relationship with Shaquille O'Neal; winning three titles in a row from 2002-02; facing rape allegations in 2003 and watching his "Q" rating fall faster than Lindsay Lohan's after coach Phil Jackson took a sabbatical and Bryant "ushered" O'Neal out of L.A. supposedly.

But the shine has returned to Bryant's star the last three seasons, as he earned his first regular-season MVP award in 2008. He's also led the Lakers to three straight NBA Finals, something that hasn't been done since Bryant's Lakers accomplished it in 2000-02.

Bryant also won his fourth NBA title in 2009, answering a number of questions in the process: Could he win without Shaq? Could he lead a team to a ring?

But questions still remain for Bryant. Those could be answered in the next two weeks, as Bryant and his squad tangle for the 12th time in the Finals with the Boston Celtics, which hold a 9-2 advantage in the series.

What if the Lakers win their 16th title?
-Bryant will have earned his fifth ring, tying him with greats such as Magic Johnson and George Mikan. He would be just one behind Scottie Pippen, Bob Cousy, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and some dude named Jordan.
-He will have brought L.A. within one title of Boston (17 to 16) for most all time. The Lakers would be in good position to pass the Celtics sooner than later, too.
-Phil Jackson, without a contract for next season, would return to Los Angeles.
-Bryant's record in the Finals will go to 5-2. Johnson's was 5-4.
-Bryant's next 30-point playoff game would give him 76, placing him second all time ahead of Abdul-Jabbar and behind Jordan.
-Bryant will supplant Tim Duncan as the seventh best player in League history.
-The "is he as good as Jordan" talk will (foolishly) continue.

What if Bryant isn't able to best the Celtics?
-Bryant will be 5-4 in the Finals, 1-2 as The Man. Comparisons with Peyton Manning will start.
-Bryant turns 32 in August. He won't have many more shots at championship glory - or at moving up the Greatest of All Time ladder.
-Jackson may retire if he thinks the door is closed on L.A.'s title chances.
-He will have never beaten his franchises greatest rival for anything substantial.
-The "is he as good as Jordan" talk will (finally) cease.

Has there ever been so much on the line for one athlete? You'd think that, at 14 years in, Bryant's place in history would be secure. But when you become apart of any "greatest ever" argument, questions are always abound.

From what I know about Kobe, all of things are on his mind and will remain on his mind until this series is over. Anybody would fold under that type of pressure. But Bryant isn't just anybody. He's playing the best playoff basketball of his career.

It's almost like a revenge tour. By sweeping Utah, and knocking the Jazz out of the postseason for the third season in a row, Bryant exorcised the demons left by those airballs he put up in the Delta Center in 1998.

By vanquishing Phoenix, Bryant finally bested the squad that knocked his Lakers out of the playoffs in 2006 and 2007 - the only two seasons a Jackson-led team failed to get passed the first round.

And by beating Boston, Kobe and his teammates will be able to (somewhat) erase the memory of a 39-point beatdown in the clincher in 2008.

I say it happens.

Lakers in 6.

Umpire steals the headlines from those more deserving

2010-06-03T11:33:00.003-04:00

One of the best all-around players in the history of baseball retired after 22 years yesterday.

Tonight marks the 12th meeting in the championship round between two of the five most storied organizations in the history of American professional sports.

Yet the news today won't be about Ken Griffey Jr. or Lakers vs. Celtics. Nope, everything will center around umpire Jim Joyce taking history away from Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga last night, as Joyce's blown call cost Galarraga the 1st perfect game in Tigers' history. It also made Austin Jackson's running catch, where he made more like Reggie Wayne than Reggie Jackson, "just another catch."

This wasn't an instant where Joyce tried to make himself a part of the game as some umps and referees do at times. His call, on out 27 of 27, where it was clear the Indians Jason Donald was out by at least a step, was simply one of the most egregious blown calls in the history of baseball. Billy the Blind Kid from "Dumb and Dumber," who was sold a dead bird with a broken neck, could see Donald was out; but Joyce, feet away from the play, saw different.

To add insult to ... insult, Joyce is slated to serve as home plate umpire in today's series finale between the Tigers and Indians. With any luck, a number of foul balls will find their way to Joyce's groin.

I'm not upset over his blown call. Joyce, a 22-year veteran who's called games in two World Series, is human. We all make mistakes on our jobs. Sure, his was on a much larger scale, but Joyce is a man. We've been making mistakes since the beginning of time. He should be reprimanded, unless MLB brass believe he punished himself enough with his post-game bleep-filled rant last night. But Joyce shouldn't be fired, shouldn't be thrown from the Belle Isle bridge, and no flaming bags of anything should be left on his porch.

Joyce did what any real man would do. He manned up, talked to reporters and apologized to Galarraga and Tigers' manager Jim Leyland. Galaragga, the picture of class he has shown to be, even hugged a tearful Joyce last night.

But he shouldn't have had to.

And I should've had wall-to-wall NBA Finals coverage, and Tim Kurkjian giddily talking about Jr.'s place in history.

If there is a such thing as justice, Joyce will have forgotten to wear a cup today. And Austin Jackson will foul a pitch right off of his ... nevermind.

An interesting idea for the Silverdome

2010-06-01T13:31:00.004-04:00

An ESPN.com Page 2 columnist, Bill Simmons, A.K.A. "The Sports Guy," was asked by a reader where he would put the World Wrestling Federation (I can't get with calling it "WWE) Hall of Fame. His answer was an interesting one that carries a lot of merit.

Q: You talked about a location for the WWE Hall of Fame in your WrestleMania diary. Where would you put it? I think it's gotta be where WWE people tend to go anyways, not a pilgrimage site like Cooperstown. My votes are either Daytona Beach, near a NASCAR track somewhere in Georgia/Tennessee or the Wisconsin Dells.

SG: I'd like to see Vince buy the Silverdome and turn it into the WWE Hall of Fame. We already have a nostalgic tie-in: WrestleMania III (in Detroit) had the best WrestleMania ever, the biggest wrestling crowd ever, the biggest match ever (Hulk versus Andre), and the greatest match ever up to that point (Savage versus Steamboat). Throw in the local economy boost and the Silverdome's price (dirt-cheap) and everyone wins. There will never be a bigger wrestling match than Hulk-Andre. It's sacred ground. Think I'm kidding? Two other things happened in 1987 at the Silverdome: Basketball Jesus (Larry Bird) punched Basketball Satan (Bill Laimbeer), and the Pope conducted a Catholic Mass.

That's a very interesting proposition. Historically, wrestling shows sell out extremely fast when they hit this area. Throw in the large Canadian following the WWF has, which would bring tourist dollars to the area, and it seems like a win-win. Something like a Hall of Fame would have many more long-term benefits than Monster Truck Rallies or any "one-night only" events, like one held at the Dome in April. Something like a Hall of Fame would, I'm assuming, be open year-round - and need year-round staffing.

Along with tourist money, a Hall of Fame would bring much-needed jobs, along with some positive exposure. Sure, it's wrestling (the WWE has total assets of more than $467 million), which I haven't watched on a regular basis in about 12 years, but it's better than a lot of other alternatives out there.

Are there even any other alternatives out there?

NBA Playoffs finally have some intrigue

2010-05-27T13:16:00.003-04:00

Quickly ... what's the seminal moment of the 2010 NBA Playoffs?

To quote Katt Williams, "Don't worry. I'll wait."

...

Still no answer? That's because it concerns someone who hasn't played in two weeks: it's LeBron James leaving the court in Boston after his Cavs were prematurely knocked out of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. That loss has led to All LeBron All the Time. It sometimes feels like the playoffs aren't even going on with all the coverage devoted to "Mailman Jr." I can't take credit for that moniker. It was given to James by ESPN.com's Bill Simmons.

There hasn't been any GREAT moments in these playoffs. How many people - outside of me because I have issues - remember Pau Gasol's tip in with .5 seconds left in game six to close out the Lakers' first-round series with Oklahoma City? Who can recall Paul Pierce's buzzer-beater in game four of Boston's first-round series with Miami. Not many.

That's changed since the conference finals tipped off.

So far, the Phoenix Suns have been able to keep pace with the Los Angeles Lakers, despite the brilliance of Kobe Bryant, who is averaging 33.8 points on 56 percent shooting, along with 9.8 assists and 6.5 rebounds. Phoenix has even opted to employ a 2-3 zone, which has garnered a lot of attention, even though defense, not that zone, has been L.A.'s biggest problem.

After falling behind the Boston Celtics, 3-0, in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Orlando Magic have battled back and forced a game six.

That game could have a decidedly different look to it, as Boston could be without three key players: Glen Davis, who suffered a concussion in game five after taking a Randy Savage-like elbow to the head from Magic big man Dwight Howard; Rasheed Wallace, who may have sustained an "old man injury" when he strained his back last night. Starting center Kendrick Perkins almost missed game six due to suspension after receiving his sixth and seventh technical fouls of the postseason, but the league earlier today rescinded one of the two techs Perkins received last night.

If Boston is without Wallace and Davis, that's two of the three players Boston uses off its been it would be without. That would mean Kevin Garnett and Perkins would need to log big minutes and stay out of foul trouble to contend with Howard.

Within a week, what looked to be one of the more boring NBA postseasons in a while (2003 and 2007 come to mind) may end with three of the best series in ages. I still think we're looking at a Lakers/Celtics final, with both squads getting there after finishing off six-game series.

That would signal the 12th time L.A. and Boston have squared off in the championship round, with the Celtics holding a 9-2 series advantage and a 40-27 record overall in those games.

LeBron's best option is...

2010-05-21T14:44:00.003-04:00

Everyone with an outlet to talk about it says LeBron James will start the 2010-11 season with one of three teams:

-Cleveland (because it can offer him $30 million more than any other team)
-Chicago (because many people believe the Bulls, with point guard Derrick Rose and big man Joakim Noah, would be title contenders if they got James)
-And New York (because it's supposedly the "Mecca of Basketball, even though the squad that calls New York home hasn't reached .500 in nine years ... or won a title in 38)

Those three teams, along with the L.A. Clippers, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey and Oklahoma City will have the most cap space this off season, meaning they can offer LeBron - and guys like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amar'e Stoudemire - maximum contracts, which would net each player about $20 million/year for 6-7 years.

Once teams start discussing sign-and-trade options, everybody becomes a player in the "Summer of LeBron." His best option, though, may be one no one has mentioned yet.

James should sign on to player with the Los Angeles Lakers for the rest of his career. It makes sense for so many different reasons.

The Lakers are my favorite team
Ok. Now that that's out of the way ...

Contract not a big deal
The contract aspect can be summed up fairly quickly: great athletes, namely NBA players, make the majority of their cash from endorsement deals. If a player is marketable, like LeBron is, since he had a $90 million deal with Nike before he played a game in the NBA, he can make 3-5 times his salary in endorsements EACH YEAR.

For the first 10 years of his career, Michael Jordan, the greatest pitchman in the history of the world, averaged about $3 million a year in salary from the Chicago Bulls. In 1992, Jordan made nearly 11 times that in endorsements. That was nearly 20 years ago. Think how much money LeBron could rake in playing for the Lakers now. The possibilities are endless: spots with Magic, spots with him playing pick up games on Venice Beach ... more puppet commercials with Kobe. Being in L.A. could also aid in LeBron's quest to become a "Global Icon."

So what if the Lakers have more than $80 million in contracts locked in for each the next two seasons. LAL is one of the few teams in the league not afraid to pay the luxury tax. And owner Jerry Buss is worth about $3.2 billion, which may have something to do with that.

Let's say L.A. signs James for the midlevel exception this summer, which will be about $6 million. His total earnings for the year would still top $40 million, if you go according to what James made in endorsements in 2008 ($35 million).

He wants to win titles, right?
Here's what LeBron will have around him if he goes to ...
New York: Eddy Curry, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, maybe David Lee and/or maybe Chris Bosh
Chicago: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, James Johnson, Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich (assuming the last two aren't used as trade bait to bring in a bigger name)
Cleveland: the same sad squad he played on this year ... with the same absent-minded coach
L.A. Clippers: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman and a lottery pick from next month's draft (Actually, that doesn't look like that bad an option until you remember it's the Clippers. LeBron would probably tear both ACLs and his Achilles at his introductory presser).
L.A. Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest (as a sixth man!!), Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson

That should say it all right there. Plenty of players have waited until they were on the downside of their career to latch onto a team in the title chase (Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, Bob McAdoo). Why not play the next decade for a perennial title contender? James would have a good start to that decade, too, as he'd most likely play the first 3-4 years with one of the seven best players of all time (Bryant) and the best coach of all time (Jackson). What's the downside to that?

I understand this happening is as likely as me paying good money to go see "Sex and the City 2," but I can dream, can't I?

Kobe is the real 'King'

2010-05-18T08:54:00.003-04:00

For two years, writers, talking heads and radio hosts have crowned LeBron James as the best player in the NBA.

Yes, James is the most physically gifted player in the league and he deserves his two regular season MVP awards; but the best, most complete player still calls Staples Center home. And last night's 40-point outburst from Kobe Bryant was his way of saying, "Who's the real king?"

With questions abound regarding his nagging injuries, everything was working for Kobe last night in the Lakers' 128-107 drubbing of Phoenix in game one of the Western Conference Finals. The mid range game, buzzer beaters at the end of quarters while falling out of bounds, breakaway dunks and the three-ball; everything was on point for Bryant. It was almost like he took his bag of tricks and dumped it all over the Suns. Kobe looked like he was on a mission last night: Forty points in 35 minutes on 56 percent from the floor, including a career-playoff best 21 points in the third quarter. The 40-pointer was Kobe's 11th such game in the playoffs. Only five players in history have more 40-point playoff games.

Last night marked Bryant's 6th straight 30-point game this postseason. That's the most since an in-his-prime Shaquille O'Neal had seven in 2003. Phoenix had - and has - no answer for No. 24. Sure, Jason Richardson and Grant Hill have the size to contend with Kobe, but his skillset, and frame of mind at this time of year, make Bryant virtually unstoppable.

Kobe's body language last night was phenomenal, as well. He had a swagger I hadn't seen since the Finals last season - when Kobe won his fourth ring. If I had to bet my life on it, I'd say Bryant is on his way to his fifth championship. His numbers, and intensity, have gone up with each playoff series. After scoring only 23.5 points/game on 40 percent in the first round against Oklahoma City (where he was hounded by young, long, athletic defenders), Bryant has averaged 33.6 points on 53 percent shooting to go along with 4 boards and almost 6 assists/game.

I told a friend a few weeks ago that Oklahoma City series may wind up being the toughest for L.A. this postseason - similar to the Lakers seven-game second-round series with Houston last spring.

The playoffs are all about match ups. And as far as guarding Kobe goes, the Thunder had the most pieces to slow him down. OKC also had the size to contend with Laker bigs Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Since that first-round series, Laker post players have put in 41.4 points and 32 boards a night. Those numbers are slightly higher than the 37 and 28, respectively they chipped in with in the first round. Utah wasn't able to slow L.A. down, as the Jazz went down, 4-0. Phoenix doesn't have the look of a squad that can deter the Lakers' run, either.

If the Lakers can keep this up, they could cruise to the franchise's 16th title. A fifth championship could also secure Kobe's place as one of the seven greatest players of all time.

It would also put Kobe up, 2-0, in an award category I'm sure James would be envious of: NBA Finals MVP awards.

Michigan baseball should be applauded after yesterday's comeback

2010-05-17T12:48:00.003-04:00

I have a friend who lives in Chicago and works part time for the Big Ten Network.

On a number of occasions, I've told her the station is useless from mid-April to mid-August and that to draw viewers in those months, BTN execs should take advantage of the conference's video library and just run "Greatest Games" on an endless loop for the four-plus months nothing's going on - and by nothing, I mean no football or basketball, since watching any other college sport is about as interesting as watching Dexter Manley try to read "The Cat in the Hat."

My opinion on that hasn't changed all that much, but yesterday's Michigan/Northwestern baseball game did a lot to alter my stance.

I never watch college baseball. But yesterday, in between taking care of some things around the house, I flipped on to BTN to see the Wolverines being trounced by the Wildcats, 14-0, going into the bottom half of the third inning. Even though I admittedly don't care about Big Ten baseball, being a Spartans, I got a kick out of what was going on.

"Man, they suck at EVERYTHING now," I said to myself, with a huge grin on my face. From what I heard, a win would keep Michigan in the race for the Big Ten title. But from the looks of it, a Wolverine comeback seemed as likely as Jessica Simpson gaining membership to Mensa.

But comeback they did. Michigan scored in all but two innings the remainder of the game, while its pitching staff held the Wildcats scoreless past the second.

Michigan senior catcher Chris Berset capped the comeback with a game-tying two-run shot in the ninth before Mike Dufek delivered a walk-off solo home run in the bottom half of the 10th in a 15-14 Wolverines win in Ann Arbor.

The win keeps the Wolverines (31-19, 12-9 Big Ten) in the Big Ten title hunt, one game behind first-place Minnesota. Michigan ends the season next weekend at Penn State. Odds look to be in the Wolverines favor, as the Nittany Lions sit in the basement in the conference standings.

So kudos to Michigan for not folding when they got down two touchdowns. Now if they only fought that hard on the football field...

LeBron's game still needs work

2010-05-14T11:17:00.002-04:00

LeBron James is easily one of the most psychically gifted players in the history of the NBA.

Because he's won the last two MVP awards, James has been christened as the best player alive. His last two playoff performances have made me question that.

Sure, James had a triple double on the night his Cleveland Cavs were bounced from the playoffs by the Boston Celtics - for the second time in three seasons - but he shot less than 40 percent from the field and committed nine turnovers. At no point in last night's 94-85 loss did James take that game over.

Many people recognize the great things James does. I'm one of them; but you never hear - at least I don't - about aspects of his game he needs to improve.

If you look at LeBron's offensive game, how much has it evolved in his seven years in the league? Where's the post up game? The mid-range game? He should have a baby hook or some sort of "big man" move, too. Sure, LeBron gives you five "WOW" moments every night, but nobody really takes into the account the number of times he makes you scratch your head.

I know he's only 25, but James is going into his 8th season and he hasn't developed any of those things on offense. I understand it took Michael Jordan a while to perfect that post up game, but this is different because LeBron has Jordan, and Kobe Bryant, to use to study moves on offense and it doesn't look like he does it.

Every time down the court, James is 2-3 inches taller and 40-60 pounds heavier than just about everybody who guards him. When he catches a post entry pass, LeBron knows a double team is coming - from the baseline or from the middle of the lane. I see him find the open man from that double a lot. But rarely do I see him turn away from that double and look to hit a fade-away or make a move toward the cup.

LeBron still has to dribble to get his buckets, too. While me may be more efficient offensively than Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, those three don't really need to put the ball on the floor to score. They can catch and fire, or catch and get the rip through move to work out of the triple threat position, draw a foul and get to the line. James, too, still relies on bowling his way to the rim and getting hacked to get to the line. As he ages, taking all that punishment could take a serious toll on his body.

Back to LeBron's size. How he hasn't developed some sort of big man move, at 6'9," 270 pounds, is mind boggling. Scottie Pippen, as his offensive game evolved, developed this little baby hook from 8 feet in that was money. He'd catch the pass in the lane, take a couple dribbles and go up with it and it seemed like it always went in. Like I said, LeBron is 2-3 inches taller and a small child heavier than damn near every guy who tries to guard him, so why is this not a part of his game?

For one of the 8-10 most psychically imposing players in the history of the game to not have any of these things in his arsenal is baffling to me. And until he develops them, the talk that LeBron is the best player in the league has to cease.

LeBron was proving a point last night

2010-05-12T10:30:00.004-04:00

LeBron James last night picked a helluva time to have the worst game of his career.

He's had worse games, stat wise; but, overall, it looked like James didn't even wanna be on the court last night as he and his Cavs got dumptrucked by Boston, 120-88. The loss was the worst home loss in Cleveland playoff history. It was also very likely James' last home game as a Cav unless major changes are made in Cleveland this summer, as Boston now takes a 3-2 series lead back to Boston tomorrow night (This series is over, by the way. No way Boston, with all those playoff-tested vets, lets that series get back to Cleveland).

Scoring wise, James was awful. He made just 3 of 14 shots - most of which were jumpers that fell short. His first made bucket came halfway through the third quarter. James did get to the line 12 times - 10 in the first half. But at no point during last night's game did LeBron look like he wanted to take over and put his team on his back and try to lead them to a crucial win.

There's a reason for that. LeBron finally looked at that roster and all the guys who can't play and "Pulled A Kobe."

In game 7 of the 2006 first round against the Phoenix Suns, Kobe Bryant essentially played passive for the entire second half of a game the Lakers lost by 31. He scored 23 on 8 of 13 in the first half and took just three shots in the second. Bryant was doing the same thing James did last night: he looked at that Lakers roster - the team started Smush Parker and Kwame Brown for much of the 2005-06 season. It's a wonder they even made the playoffs as a second seed - and said, "OK, I'm gonna have off nights. I need to know there's guys on this team who can pick up the slack." No one did that. Not that game or the next season, when L.A. lost to Phoenix in the first round again.

A year and a half later, L.A. acquired Pau Gasol and has reached the Finals the last two seasons, winning the championship last year.

For the next day and a half, people will kill LeBron for what he did last night. If he stays in Cleveland and gets some help, and the Cavs go on to win three of the next five NBA titles, no one will remember what happened last night. Just like few people remember Kobe taking a half off against the Suns. But there's no guarantee James stays in Cleveland now.

If Cavs brass has been paying attention - to LeBron's no-show last night, to Mo Williams disappearing act in the playoffs for the second straight year, to Antawn Jamison having next to no impact on this series, to Mike Brown's inability to make in-game adjustments or work a rotation - a major overhaul will take place in Cleveland this summer, or LeBron will leave; and the Cavs will fold in five years.

I don't think anyone in Cleveland wants to be Witness to that.

Mike Brown is LeBron's Doug Collins

2010-05-10T13:57:00.002-04:00

I have a bet with a friend on the Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers series. I bet him a 12-pack (of Dr. Pepper, of course!!) that Boston will knock Cleveland out of the playoffs. My friend thinks I've been hanging out with Whitney Houston.

One of the main reasons I think the Celtics, who I hate being a Lakers fan, will beat the Cavs in this east semi is Cleveland coach Mike Brown.

Brown became head coach of the Cavs in June 2005 after spending two seasons as the associate head coach of the Indiana Pacers and three seasons as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs. For the past five years, he's had the pleasure of coaching one of the 15 most physically gifted players in NBA history in LeBron James. Brown has had success, leading the Cavs to the playoffs in each of his five seasons, including taking Cleveland to the NBA Finals in 2007 where it was swept by San Antonio in four games.

Brown is most known as a defensive-minded head coach.

He should be known as the absent-minded head coach.

Mike Brown is deserving of his position (he averages 54 wins a season), but there's no way the Cavs will win a title this season - or ever - with Brown at the helm. Too often, Brown has failed to do the things that make good coaches great and great teams champions. He doesn't make good in-game adjustments, doesn't utilize his timeouts correctly and he works a rotation as good as Craig did the first time Smokey passed him a J in "Friday."

Most championship coaches change up their rotation from the regular season to the playoffs. Coaches like Brown seem to believe the same things that work November-April work May-June, too.

Take second-year forward J.J. Hickson for example. Hickson started 73 games for the Cavs during the regular season, played about 21 minutes a night and chipped in with 8.5 points and 4.9 boards a game. Since the playoffs started, it's almost like Brown caught Hickson flirting with his wife because J.J. has barely sniffed the floor. Hickson's minutes have dwindled down to 8.9/game; and he's averaging a ROBUST 13 minutes a game in the east semis.

And has there been an APB put out for Zydrunas Ilguaskas yet? Ilguaskas was dealt to Washington in a mid-season trade that got Cleveland Antawn Jamison. He sat out a month before returning to the Cavs. Although he has bad feet, Z (I'm not trying to spell his last name again), at 7'3," can stretch the floor and runs a pick & pop superbly. For the playoffs, Z averages less than 8 minutes/game and hasn't played since game one of the Boston series.

Cleveland's best unit consists of Mo Williams, James, Jamison, Hickson and Anderson Varejao. The group plays together - but sparingly. It took Brown more than six playoff games to figure this out. When he did, that group was the main catalyst in a 124-95 drubbing of Boston Friday night - that and James 21-point first quarter. One Sunday, when the Cavs scored 37 less points than on Friday night, that unit together on the court - but sparingly.

Brown seems like a nice enough guy, but if I'm Cleveland brass and I wanna keep James, who come July 1, will be the most sought-after free agent in league history, I'm getting a new coach. The James/Brown situation seems similar to what Michael Jordan did following the 1988-89 season in essentially telling Bulls higher ups to oust then-Bulls coach Doug Collins.

Jordan's next coach? Phil Jackson, who the G.O.A.T. won titles with his last six full seasons in Chicago.

The Cavs still have a shot to win this series and the title, but I have my doubts about that (not enough guy's who come up in big spots before, misuse of Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams' playoff inconsistency).

If I'm right, and Boston does go on to bounce Cleveland from the playoffs, I'm splitting that 12-pack with Brown. He'll have earned it.

What Mr. Harwell taught me - without saying a word

2010-05-06T11:04:00.002-04:00

It was late August 2003.

I was interning in the sports department of a FOX affiliate in Lansing during my last year at MSU. On this particular day, I was conducting interviews following a Lansing Lug Nuts game at Oldsmobile Park.

The sports reporter and I were walking up to our seats in the press box, and when we turned a corner near our spots, we passed the booth where the radio broadcasts take place. This little man gets up, smiles as he looks at the field, and turns to leave. It's then that I realize it's Ernie Harwell - a voice I heard on my Granny's combo radio/7-inch black and white every day, every summer when I was a young'in.

"How you doin,' young man," Mr. Harwell said to me with a smile as wide as the grill of a '77 Cadillac.

I didn't know what to say. I don't remember, but I'm sure I had a glazed look on my face. I imagine I'd react the same way if I ever met Halle Berry - but for different reasons, of course.

He had to leave shortly after that, so I didn't have a chance to pick his brain like I would've liked to, seeing as though I had been trying to carve out my niche as a journalist at the time - a field I'm still in nearly seven years later.

The smile Mr. Harwell had on his face while he stared out at that field said more than any words ever could. What I took from that look was that Mr. Harwell enjoyed getting out of bed every day and going to do his "job."

I had always heard it isn't work if you love it, and Mr. Harwell loved baseball. What I got from that look, and from listening to him on the radio for so long, was that he had a passion for what he did.

If you have that passion, you can go a long way and be a success at anything because you'll dedicate your time to perfecting your craft. And that's what Mr. Harwell did.

That passion will also help you keep the love for what you're doing on the days where nothing's going right. And with the way journalism, and more specifically newspapers, have gone in recent years, that passion has done more to keep me going that anyone could ever know.

That's a lot to get from a smile, isn't it?

Some people just have a way of conveying thoughts without words.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Harwell.

A Dear John Letter to Granderson

2010-05-04T09:26:00.003-04:00

Dear, Curtis,

I saw you pulled your groin late last week trying to get to third base. That sucks. But that's you, though, always giving maximum effort.

What makes it even worse is I won't get to see you next week (or for the month you're supposed to be out) when the Tigers and Yankees hook up for four at Comerica Park. I was really looking forward to that, too. Hopefully, you can come back 100 percent and try and improve on that .225 batting average and .311 on-base percentage because I know you're better than that.

I'm just gonna get to the point. I hated it when you left. I was upset with everybody who had anything to do with you being traded. It was an amicable parting of ways, but I was still upset. I vowed to stick by you no matter what, even going so far as to tell anybody I could that I wouldn't go to any Tiger games outside of when you were in town. Everybody kept telling me about this new guy, rookie center fielder Austin Jackson, and how good he's gonna be and that I'd be over you in no time. Nope, didn't happen.

At least not that fast.

Look, you were great while you were here. I remember the night I developed my man-crush on you: June 24, 2006. You went 4-5 with 3 runs and an RBI in a 7-6 win over St. Louis. I ran out of the park and into the shop to buy a Granderson T-shirt. Two months later, I got a jersey and wore it every time I went downtown for a game.

But now, there's somebody else. I tried to fight it as long as I could. But I was just in denial. I know it's early, but Jackson has played very well. He's had hits in 23 of 27 games on his way to an American League-leading 43. Every time I turn on a game, he's on base, which explains his A.L. leading .377 batting average. His .427 OBP is good for third in the A.L., too, and ninth in all of MLB. He's also third in the league in runs scored.

This isn't about me finding someone "better" than you. It's more so about me finding someone who's better for me. And my team. I know you're thinking this is the whole "out of sight, out of mind" thing, too. But that's not the case. I check Yankees' box scores every day. I watch New York whenever its on TV, too, just to see how you're doing.

But it's over. I had a friend recently say to me, "Tell me you're over Curtis and in with Austin?" I had to think about it for a while, but now I am. I still care about you and want you to do well, but I'm for Austin now. What it comes down to is he's better for my team. I know you were thrust into a position you're not fit to play, and you did well, but Jackson does everything you did and then some. Sure, he strikes out a lot - Jackson's second in the majors with 34 Ks - but we're gonna chalk that up as growing pains.

If you want, I'll get rid of my "GRANDERSON 28" jersey and the rookie card I got a few years ago. I hope it doesn't come to that, though. I'd still like to see you the next time you're in town, too, which won't be until next year now.

I understand if you're hurt and don't care if I see you or not, but let's try and be adults about all this, OK?

Take care.

Jason

Why the Celtics will beat the Cavs

2010-04-30T11:57:00.004-04:00

LeBron James Monday night will receive his second straight NBA MVP Award. He will become a part of a select group of 10 that includes names like Jordan, Russell, Abdul-Jabbar, Bird and Johnson. Steve Nash is on the list, too, but that's another discussion for another day. You know how when you go out and you see a group of 10 beautiful women and one "less than desirable" one? Guess where Steve Nash fits in?

That list also includes a combined 18 NBA Finals MVPs. Nash doesn't have one of those. Neither will LeBron, after this season, at least, because the Celtics are going to knock LeBron's Cavs out of the playoffs for the second time in three postseasons.

LeBron is easily the best player in the league. And he'll easily be the best player in this series, which tips off tomorrow night. But the team with the best player doesn't always win in the NBA. It happens frequently, but not 100 percent of the time. Ask the '04 Lakers or the '88 Bulls or any of several teams Wilt Chamberlain played on if that's true.

No. 1 is vital, but 2-8 is what wins championships. After LeBron, Boston has the next three best players (Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen) in the series. Each of those three is playoff tested. Is Antawn Jamison, who Cleveland acquired prior to the Trade deadline in February and who, until this week, never advanced past the first round? What about Mo Williams, who shot 40 percent from the field in the 2009 playoffs? What's a 37-year-old Shaq gonna give Cleveland game to game?

Another factor that plays into Boston's hands is rest. The Celtics haven't played since Tuesday. That's four days rest for the oldest team in the playoffs. Game one in Cleveland is a game Boston can - and will - steal. I can't give them game two, since James will receive his MVP Award Monday night prior to tip off. Game three isn't until Friday, giving the aging, prideful Celtics three more days of rest. That will be key for a team that has five guys in its regular rotation who's average age is 34.2.

Pierce, at 32, is the youngest of those five. He is also the player who will guard James and vice versa. That will wear on LeBron, since he barely broke a sweat on D against Chicago in the first round. Yes, I fully expect LeBron to outplay Pierce this series, but James will work for everything he gets. Pierce will also challenge James to play a high level of defense, too.

I have a feeling James will be out on an island this series, receiving little help from his teammates. A number of players on the Celtics have come through in big spots over the course of their careers - even Rasheed Wallace, who, from the look of his bustline, could have been in that Lane Bryant ad that was recently outlawed. Cleveland doesn't have that luxury, which could allow Boston to key its defense on LeBron, which has worked for the Celtics against "one-man shows" in the past - Dwyane Wade in the first round, Kobe Bryant in the 2008 Finals.

Neither of those guys, at the time, played with players who were ready for prime time. Unfortunately for LeBron, neither does he.

Celtics in 6.

NBA Jam still lots of fun

2010-04-27T13:25:00.005-04:00

One of my all-time favorite video games is NBA Jam.

At Christmas '93, AB (my mom) got me a Sega Game Gear and a few games. The one I played the most was NBA Jam.

Like most kids, I got sick of it after about five or six days and moved on to something new. I thought about it every once in a while, but I was over the game. That was until a few months ago when I heard EA Sports will release a new version of the game for the Nintendo Wii later this year that I will be sure to check out.

Around that same time, a buddy of mine must've gotten the itch for some 16-bit action. The night of the NBA All-Star Saturday events, my roommate and I went to this friend's house to watch the Dunk Contest. It was a regular night for us: some libations, surfing the Web looking for "talent" (My All-Time Top 5: Halle Berry, Marilyn Monroe, Pam Grier, Jessica Alba and Kim Kardashian), and lots of **** talking.

That spilled over when my roommate (Skeegs) challenged our friend Brian to a game of...yep, NBA Jam. Brian pulled his Sega Genesis out, which was kind of like seeing somebody walking up the street today with a Zach Morris cell phone. I played a couple times and got ran. Skeegs was able to hold is own, even though Brian had probably practiced all afternoon (He says he didn't. I know better). Those two "battled" that night and played six or seven games until about 2 a.m.

A couple weeks ago, Skeegs and I went over to Brian's to watch some games with him and his wife - another friend of ours. Around 11 o'clock, Brian pulled the Genesis out (seriously, who still has a Sega Genesis?) and he and Skeegs went at it again. These two have developed a full-fledged rivalry that is comparable to the Spartans and Persians. The games are more intense than Heat/Knicks games from the mid- to late-90s. Skeegs would lose and wanna run it back. Brian would lose, blame it on the controller he used and make Skeegs switch with him. Things got so heated that, at one point, Brian tried to cut Skeegs' thumbs off with a steak knife. Well, not really, but you get the point, right?

Who knew something that today seems so primitive could provide so much fun (and provide the base of an interesting drinking game - with Capri Sun, of course)?

Hopefully the new version of NBA Jam is as fun as the original.

Billups hasn't taken role I expected with Karl out

2010-04-26T16:52:00.003-04:00

Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl has missed a number of his squad's games since March 16 after being diagnosed with treatable neck and throat cancer.

Prior to Karl leaving the bench, Denver had been one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning 11 or 14 games coming out of the All-Star break. Following Karl's diagnosis, the Nuggets finished the regular season 7-7, losing out on a shot at a high playoff seed and settling for fourth in the tough Western Conference.

Now Denver is on the brink of elimination after falling behind, 3 games to 1, in a best-of-seven first round series with a Utah Jazz squad that's missing two starters (Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur). Outside of Carmelo Anthony (41 minutes, 34.5 points, 7 boards, 52 percent from the field, 46 percent from three, 94 percent from the line for the series), no one on the Nuggets roster has played with much fire.

Some of that can be attributed to Karl's absence (And the absolute joke of a coaching job Adrian Dantley has done. I have a better shot at becoming Grand Wizard of the Klan than he does at being offered a full-time coaching job.). But not all the blame can be placed on Dantley's shoulders, since anyone with any knowledge of the NBA will tell you it's a "player's league" and that coaches are kept around mostly to manage egos.

If that is the case, some of the blame for Denver's lack of urgency has to go to former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups. Last season, Billups' first in his hometown, saw the Denver product lead the Nuggets to within two wins of the NBA Finals. This season, Denver had been talked about as a legitimate championship contender up until running into Utah's Deron Williams in the playoffs. Williams has torched the Nuggets this series to the tune of 26.8 points and 12 assists/game. Williams is also shooting 50 percent from the field and in three pointers.

Billups' numbers have been steady, as usual, for the series. The former Piston has netted 17.8 points and 6.5 assists/game, while shooting 45 percent from the field. But his impact should be felt in more than just the box score. His wealth of big-game experience and knowledge of the game should resonate on the court, in the locker room and in the huddle. Not once this series have I seen him get in a guy's face or attempt to take a more vocal approach during a time-out or a stoppage of play. At 33, Billups should be a coach on the floor. He is, for the most part, but coaching your guys up is more than telling them what spot to go to in a halfcourt set.

I don't see Denver climbing out of its 3-1 hole, but if that is to happen, Billups has to be more of a vocal leader.

History not on Bradford's side

2010-04-23T14:05:00.004-04:00

It's common knowledge that winning the Heisman Trophy, first awarded in 1935, is a gift and a curse for college football players.

It's a gift because you're acknowledged as the best at what you do. And it's a curse because most Heisman winners bomb in the NFL. Kind of like if Jennifer Lopez starred in a film that won at Cannes before starring in "big budget" films.

New St. Louis Ram Sam Bradford is a member of that fraternity. The winner of the 2008 Heisman, Bradford Thursday night became the 17th Heisman winner to be tapped at No. 1 in the NFL Draft and the seventh quarterback.

Bradford seems like a good guy. But if history is any indication, Bradford's career could resemble that of Macauley Culkin's.

Of the 75 Heisman winners, 17 have been chosen No. 1 in the NFL Draft. Of those 17, only three are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Earl Campbell, Paul Hornung and O.J. Simpson.

Seven of those 17 are quarterbacks. Hornung is the only one of those gunslingers to have been enshrined in Canton, Ohio. It remains to be seen if Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer - No. 1 in 2003 and still active - will have a Hall of Fame career.

Of the 75 total Heisman winners, only eight had Hall of Fame careers - Doak Walker, Hornung, Roger Staubach, Simpson, Tony Dorsett, Campbell, Marcus Allen and Barry Sanders.

Who ever would have thought winning such a prestigious award would mean so little for long-term prospects?

Hopefully, for Bradford's sake, he's able to buck a trend.

Steelers should call Kurt Warner

2010-04-22T11:27:00.005-04:00

It remains to be seen how serious the Pittsburgh Steelers are about dealing two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

His recent transgressions, in some people's eyes, have made him expendable. I don't know how smart that thinking is, but if a deal does go down and Roethlisberger is dealt, Pittsburgh would have to get a veteran signal caller in return because it isn't a team that looks to be in rebuild mode.

The Steelers' roster isn't one filled with young studs. It's a veteran-laden squad that is set on winning right now. Pittsburgh gave up a seventh-round pick in this weekend's draft for quarterback Byron Leftwich, earlier this month and signed him to a two-year deal. The move fills out the QB spot on the team's depth chart and puts Leftwich in competition with veteran back-up Charlie Batch and second-year QB Dennis Dixon. Leftwich is a stopgap and was brought into Pittsburgh for his second stint with the team because he knows the system.

I think there's a better option on the market, though. If I'm an exec with the Steelers, I'm putting in a call to recently-retired Kurt Warner. The retirement is still fresh, and I'm sure he still has the the itch to play. Warner is a proven quarterback, while Leftwich, well, isn't.

Roethlisberger is expected to serve a six-week suspension to start the season, meaning he would miss his teams first five games - if he's not traded. With Roethlisberger, I'd pick Pittsburgh to win four of those five (against Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Cleveland). Without him, and with Leftwich, they might win two of those.

Warner could win four of those five, as well, and serve as a more than serviceable placeholder until Roethlisberger returns. Based on his last two seasons in Arizona, where he took the team to a Super Bowl in one season and close to it in another, it's obvious Warner still has more than a little left in his tank.

Warner may say no, but Pittsburgh brass owes it to themselves and to their fanbase to put the team in the best position to win until Roethlisberger returns...if Roethlisberger isn't traded. If he is dealt, Pittsburgh would be wise to ask for, along with draft picks, another team's starting quarterback.

Quick-hit Mock NFL Draft (1st Round)

2010-04-21T14:37:00.005-04:00

First three picks pretty much set in stone. After that, look for a number of trades to take place.

1. St. Louis-Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma
2. Detroit-Ndamukong Suh, DT Nebraska
3. Tampa Bay-Gerald McCoy, DT Oklahoma
4. Washington-Trent Williams, OT Oklahoma*
5. Kansas City-Eric Berry, S Tennessee*
6. Seattle-Russell Okung, OT Oklahoma State
7. Cleveland-Dan Williams, DT Tennessee*
8. Oakland-Derrick Morgan, DE Georgia Tech
9. Buffalo-Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame*
10. Jacksonville-Jason Pierre Paul, DE South Florida*
11. Denver-Rolando McClain, LB Alabama*
12. Miami-Carlos Dunlap, DE Florida
13. San Francisco-Sergio Kindle, LB Texas
14. Seattle-C.J. Spiller, RB Clemson
15. New York Giants-Earl Thomas, S Texas*
16. Tennessee-Dez Bryant-Oklahoma State
17. San Francisco-Bryan Bulaga, OT Iowa*
18. Pittsburgh-Maurkice Pouncey, C Florida*
19. Atlanta-Anthony Davis, OT Rutgers
20. Houston-Joe Haden, CB Florida
21. Cincinnati-Jermaine Gresham, TE Oklahoma
22. New England-Brandon Graham, LB Michigan*
23. Green Bay-Jerry Hughes, LB TCU
24. Philadelphia-Kareem Jackson, CB Alabama
25. Baltimore-Mike Iupati, OG Idaho
26. Arizona-Sean Witherspoon, LB Missouri
27. Dallas-Everson Griffen, DE USC
28. San Diego-Darryl Washington, LB TCU
29. New York Jets-Eric Norwood, LB South Carolina
30. Minnesota-Terrence Cody, DT Alabama*
31. Indianapolis-Jared Odrick, DT Penn State
32. New Orleans-Brandon Spikes, LB Florida

*Indicates strong potential for a trade

Why the Lakers/Thunder series has been so tight

2010-04-21T10:56:00.002-04:00

I love the Lakers. So much so that I stay up until the wee hours of the morning to watch them play anybody - even the Clippers.

I always think they can win the title, no matter who's hurt, or who's playing like their fourth mistress is ready to spill the beans to TMZ.

I've seen a lot of Lakers games this season. I've also taken in my fair share of Oklahoma City Thunder games in 2009-10, and it's no surprise, to me, at least, that the first round series between the two teams has been so tight the first two games.

Even though the Lakers are up, 2-0, you get the feeling this series could swing at any time.

Here are some reasons I think this series still has a long way to go before being decided.

-L.A. refuses to run its offense through Pau Gasol
The Lakers win 8 of 10 games Gasol is in the lineup because he's such a versatile, skilled big man. But he's only averaging 14 shots a game through the first two. That number should be at around 18-20 if the Lakers want to win this series and a title. No team in the league has a player who can match up with Gasol.

-Russell Westbrook
The second-year converted point guard will continue to eat 35-year-old Derek Fisher alive until Lakers coach Phil Jackson decides to put someone else on him. This has been going on the last couple seasons. Fisher can't stay in front of young, fast guards. I'd hate to see what happens to him should Utah beat Denver and meet up with the Lakers in the first round.

-The Thunder defense is severely underrated
They don't have names that jump out at you on defense like Dwight Howard, Josh Smith or Gerald Wallace, but Oklahoma City's defense this season has stayed ranked in the top 10 in every major category. The Thunder has held the Lakers more than 10 points under their season average so far this series at 91/game. That number is seven less that what Oklahoma City gave up during the regular season.

-The Lakers bench has been bad
Lamar Odom going back to his sixth man role should boost L.A.'s bench, which has been about as productive as a quadriplegic on "Dancing With the Stars." But OKC hasn't been able to take advantage of this...yet.

Lions will continue to progress in 2010

2010-04-20T23:29:00.003-04:00

I remember the days when the NFL schedule makers would have pity on a team that had an awful season and give them a favorable slate for the upcoming season.

Those days are over, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Detroit Lions' 2010 schedule, released less than six hours ago.

The Lions in 2010 have eight match-ups with teams that made the 2009 postseason, one squad three seasons removed from winning a Super Bowl and another versus a team that has made the biggest off-season move so far.

I see improvement in the Lions, with the solid moves team officials have made and the development of the team's young players. They're still not a playoff team yet, though. But I think Detroit can triple its win total (two) from last season.

Lions 2010 Win Prediction

All times Eastern
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 12, at Chicago, 1:00 PM-Win: Matt Stafford has more weapons than Jay Cutler

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 19, Philadelphia, 1:00 PM-Win: The number of roster moves Philly has made so far this offseason will show in this early-season game.

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 26, at Minnesota, 1:00 PM-Loss: The Lions have as much of a chance in winning this game as Ben Roethlisberger does of being a keynote speaker at one of those "Take Back the Night" vigils.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3, at Green Bay, 1:00 PM-Loss: Lions haven't won in Lambeau since the second season of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10, St. Louis, 1:00 PM -Win: The Lions will get to do what teams did to them last season - tee off on a rookie quarterback.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 17, at NY Giants, 1:00 PM-Loss: Giants won't want to disappoint fans in first season in a new stadium.

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 31, Washington, 1:00 PM-Loss: New Redskin Donovan McNabb will carve up the Lions' D.

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7, NY Jets, 1:00 PM-Loss: Jets will be one of the top teams in the league. They're my pick to win the Super Bowl.

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14, at Buffalo, 1:00 PM-Win: The only "gimme" on the schedule. Buffalo has a shot to go 0-16 this season.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21, at Dallas, 1:00 PM-Loss: Cowboys will be playing for a division title.

Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 25, New England, 12:30 PM-Loss: Lions haven't won on Turkey Day since 2003.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 5, Chicago, 1:00 PM-Win: Bears will be the worst team in the NFC North this season.

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 12, Green Bay, 1:00 PM-Loss: Packers will need this game for playoff positioning.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 19, at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM-Win: Unless Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and Mike Alstott suit up, Lions should take this one.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26, at Miami, 1:00 PM-Loss: Weird scheduling here, giving a team from the north back-to-back trips to Florida.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2, Minnesota, 1:00 PM-Loss: The Lions have as much of a shot of winning this game as "The Back-Up Plan" does of making more money than "Avatar."

Lions' 2010 Record: 6-10

Weird first weekend in the NBA Playoffs

2010-04-19T13:17:00.003-04:00

A lot of odd things happened this weekend with the start of the NBA Playoffs

-Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings may both have heads full of gray hair at the end of their series against the Cavs and Hawks, respectively. Rose HAD to take 27 shots Saturday, which is 10 more than he averaged per game all season, in order for the Bulls to have a shot at winning. Jennings had the fourth-best playoff debut for a rookie with 34 points and had no one step up to help him out. With the make up of both Chicago's and Milwaukee's rosters, both guys are like the smart kid in school who gets put in a group with all the slackers for "group" projects.

-Coaches are idiots. Both Scott Skiles (Milwaukee) and Mike Brown (Cleveland) decided it was fine to stick to the patterns they utilized in the regular season. Skiles sat Jennings the first five minutes of the fourth quarter Saturday in Atlanta when Milwaukee was down 11 and no one else could hit a shot. Brown did the same with LeBron James, allowing the Bulls to gain ground on the Cavs before falling short. Had Brown left James in, he could have finished off Chicago and probably sat out the LAST five minutes of the game.

-Derek Fisher is the worst starting player on any playoff team. I love the Lakers, but Fisher needs to be put out to pasture. Russell Westbrook abused Fisher several times yesterday. It got so bad that at one point, I thought to myself, "Mitch Kupchak needs to read "Old Yeller" for tips on what to do with Fisher."

-Jerry Sloan is cursed. In a year where many picked Utah to get to the Western Conference Finals, he loses Andrei Kirilenko prior to the playoffs for two weeks, then Mehmet Okur tears his Achilles and is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs.

-I'd like Charlotte's chances of upsetting Orlando if one of the Bobcats' bigs (Tyson Chandler, Nazr Mohammed, Theo Ratliff) had at least one go-to move on offense. The way they defended Dwight Howard yesterday should scare Magic fans.

-If Dwight Howard had Al Horford's jumper from 12-15 feet, he'd average 30 a game and win 8 MVPs.

-Dirk Nowitzki looks like he's on a mission, going 12-14 FROM THE FIELD, on his way to 36 in a game one win over San Antonio.

-Playing a team in Portland without its best player, I expected the Suns to make short work of the Blazers. But Portland is a team that plays hard every night and doesn't feel sorry for itself. Portland's win in Phoenix last night ended a streak of 18 losses on the road to open playoff series that dates back to 1983.

-If Ron Artest plays D the next two months like he did on Kevin Durant yesterday, banner 16 will be hung from the rafters of Staples Center sometime next fall.

Sims deal has to be a part of something bigger

2010-04-19T12:42:00.004-04:00

When news broke earlier today about the Lions sending Ernie Sims to Philadelphia as part of a three-team deal that netted Detroit tight end Tony Scheffler from Denver, I didn't know what to think.

My first thought was that Calvin Johnson is the only first-round pick left from the Matt Millen era, which is awful on a number of different levels.

My next thought was what does this mean going into this weekend's draft? I still believe Detroit will stay at number 2 overall and draft Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. But now the intrigue centers around what the Lions will do with the 34th overall pick - No. 2 in the second round.

Dealing Sims, who, in 59 career games, all with the Lions, recorded 420 tackles including 2.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one interception, creates a huge hole at middle linebacker. There will be middle linebackers available early in the second round, including Penn State middle linebacker Sean Lee and Missouri outside linebacker Sean Witherspoon, who people think could be converted to a middle linebacker. If one of those guys is available at 34, that has to be the direction Detroit goes in. If not, GM Martin Mayhew will have some explaining to do.

As far as Scheffler goes, he's put up solid numbers so far in his young career. The Western Michigan grad, in four seasons, has totaled 138 catches for 1,896 yards and 14 touchdowns, all for the Broncos. He caught 31 passes for 416 yards and two TDs last year. Adding Scheffler gives Detroit the flexibility to run two-tight end sets with he and Pettigrew, which will allow second-year quarterback Matt Stafford to have two safety valves on the field. It also will help in the area of pass protection and run blocking.

NBA Finals will be a rematch of last season

2010-04-17T15:49:00.002-04:00

The Magic have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA, while the Lakers started hot, finished cold and battled injuries to key players all season long.

But I think L.A. has enough talent to run through the West, while Orlando should navigate its way back to the Finals.

When the teams match up again, marking just the second NBA Finals rematch since 1998, I expect the Lakers to claim title 16, which would give Kobe Bryant 5 rings and allow him to stake his claim as one of the seven best players in the history of the NBA.

2010 NBA Playoff Predictions

First round

East
Cleveland over Chicago in 5
Orlando over Charlotte in 4
Atlanta over Milwaukee in 4
Boston over Miami in 6

West
LAL over OKC in 5
Dallas over SAS in 6
Phoenix over Portland in 4
Denver over Utah in 7

Second Round

East
Cleveland over Boston in 6
Orlando over Atlanta in 5

West
LAL over Denver in 6
Dallas over Phoenix in 6

Conf. Finals

East
Orlando over Cleveland in 6

West
LAL over Dallas in 7

NBA Finals
LAL over Orlando in 7

NBA Playoffs fuel my unhealthy obsession

2010-04-16T11:20:00.004-04:00

When the NBA Playoffs tip off tomorrow afternoon, it'll signal the start of my favorite two-month stretch of the year.

The length of the playoffs is a huge reason I have already planned when I'll start my family. The whole thing will, hopefully, start in June - after the NBA Draft - and culminate with the birth of each of my children sometime in February each time my wife and I conceive.

I'm not selfish about it, either. I figure June is a good starting point, because no woman wants to walk around carrying 50-80 extra pounds in the late stages of pregnancy in the middle of a hot summer. She'll appreciate the extra cushion when we're tailgating in 30-degree weather in the fall, too. And February is a good ending point because the NBA and College Basketball are both in the "dog days" of the season and there's really nothing else going on. Oh, and family vacations can only be taken in the weeks following the NBA Draft and leading up to the start of College Football.

That's my logic. Nobody can tell me I'm wrong. And I know there's at least one woman out there who's dense enough to agree with me.

2010 NBA Playoff storylines
-Will Boston show up for an extended postseason run or go out early?
-Will the Lakers bench get back to the level of last year?
-Is all the wear and tear starting to catch up with Kobe Bryant?
-Can Cleveland beat Orlando?
-The entire country FINALLY being able to see Oklahoma City in action
-Can Dwyane Wade win a series by himself?
-Is this it for the Spurs?
-How will Denver do if George Karl isn't able to coach in the postseason?
-Can Portland put up any semblance of a fight against Phoenix without Brandon Roy?
-The country being able to see so many young guns (Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, Ty Lawson, Brandon Jennings, Rajon Rondo) do their thing.

I don't know much about hockey, but...

2010-04-16T10:40:00.005-04:00

I'll be the first to admit I know as much about hockey as Ben Roethlisberger knows about bathroom etiquette.

I don't watch anything hockey related until the puck drops for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I can identify one penalty (icing) when it happens and I can pronounce (maybe) the names of four players on the Red Wings' roster.

I do know this much, though: after the first two days of the Cup playoffs, with all the early-game upsets that have taken place, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has to be having serious anxiety issues.

The winners of the President's Trophy - the Washington Capitals - dropped game one at home Thursday night against Montreal, 3-2, in overtime on a night where the best player in the league, Washington's Alex Ovechkin, was held without a shot on goal for just the fourth time in his career.

The reigning Cup champs, Pittsburgh, which features the league's most marketable player, Sidney Crosby, on Wednesday fell behind, 1-0, to Ottawa.

On the other side of the bracket, the San Jose Sharks, the One Seed in the West, lost their opening game to Colorado.

And the Wings, opening the playoffs on the road for the first time since cell phones were as big as laptops, lost in Phoenix late Wednesday.

It's too early to say each of these squads is in trouble, but for the league's sake - and Bettman's heart health, all four need to turn things around quickly.

King James reigns supreme yet again

2010-04-15T13:42:00.003-04:00

There's a really easy way to determine the Most Valuable Player in the NBA each season.

Take a great player from his team and determine where that team would finish in the standings without him.

For example, if you take Kobe Bryant away from the Lakers, Los Angeles would still make the playoffs. But if you take LeBron James from the Cavaliers, Cleveland's roster is as strong as Michelle Pfeiffer's eggs in "Scarface."

The Cavs would be awful without LeBron. That's why he's my 2010 NBA MVP. Too bad he won't be around to challenge for Finals MVP, though.

2010 NBA Award Winners

MVP
LeBron James - Averaged a 28, 8, 8 for the past three seasons
2. Kevin Durant
3. Dwight Howard

Rookie of the Year
Tyreke Evans - Fourth rookie in history to put up a 20, 5, 5. The others? Oscar Robertson, Michale Jordan, James
2. Stephen Curry
3. Brandon Jennings

Defensive Player of the Year
Dwight Howard - Led the league in rebounds and blocks for the second straight season.
2. LeBron James
3. Thabo Sefolosha

Sixth Man of the Year
Jamal Crawford - Finally found the role he was made to play: gunner off the bench. Put in 18 points/game in 31 minutes/night for the Hawks.
Carl Landry
Manu Ginobili

Most Improved Player
Aaron Brooks - Became Houston's go-to guy in the absence of Yao Ming. Improved his scoring average by more than 8 points/game, too (11.2 to 19.6). Also shot nearly 40 percent from 3.
2. Joakim Noah
3. Andrew Bogut

Coach of the Year
Scott Brooks (OKC) - took one of the two youngest teams in the league to the playoffs a season after it won just 23 games. Oklahoma City won its 50th game of the year last night.
Scott Skiles
Rick Carlisle

All-NBA First Team
Kobe Bryant
Dwyane Wade
LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Dwight Howard

All-NBA Second Team
Deron Williams
Steve Nash
Carmelo Anthony
Chris Bosh
Dirk Nowitzki

All-NBA Third Team
Chauncey Billups
Joe Johnson
Manu Ginobili
Carlos Boozer
Amar'e Stoudemire

All-Defensive Team
Rajon Rondo
Dwyane Wade
Thabo Sefolosha
LeBron James
Dwight Howard

All-Rookie Team
Tyreke Evans
Stephen Curry
Brandon Jennings
Darren Collison
Marcus Thornton

Least Valuable Player
Eddy Curry - made $10 million-plus this season to play in 7 games and average 8.9 minutes/game

Least Valuable Player on a really good team
Derek Fisher - routinely gets torched by quicker guards...and slower ones

Early College Basketball Top 10 for 2010-11

2010-04-07T11:18:00.003-04:00

Last weekend, some friends and I made the trek for Indianapolis for what we thought would be a celebratory Saturday in which our Spartans would continue their march to a third national title.

By now, everyone knows it didn't go the way we would have liked, but something good came out of the trip.

Early Saturday morning, my friends and I met up with some friends at the Columbia Club, a swank hotel in the heart of downtown Indy that I'm surprised they let me in. It was there that we became aware of something called Maguire University.

You know the movie "Accepted" where Justin Long's character makes up a college? Well, Maguire University is sort of like that. It's a fictitious school "established" in 1963 by a group of Chicago high school basketball coaches for the sole purpose of getting tickets to the Final Four. The group has been in every city that has hosted the Final Four for the past 45 years.

According to literature from the gathering, where there were libations as far as the eye could see, the idea was put into fruition by High School basketball coach Len Tyrrell at Maguire's Pub in Forest Park, Ill. The NCAA fell for it, and so did at least one real school: the U.S. Air Force Academy, which contacted Tyrrell (Maguire's self-proclaimed "Chancellor") and asked to play his nonexistent team.

Maguire (nicknamed "the Jollymen") received Final Four tickets for two years, until a writer wrote about the scam in The Chicago Tribune. Naturally, the NCAA - the fun-loving group it is - was not amused. The coaches then had to acquire their own tickets, and at least one of them has attended every Final Four (or, as they call it, Final Five) ever since. Maguire's motto, "We Play Hurt," is a reference to the hangovers accrued by Maguire's "students." Everyone in my group has wristbands or pins that feature the motto, which I will wear proudly wherever I go this summer. Even church.

So this made-up school has been at every Final Four for the past 45 years. For its "students," getting there is as easy as booking a flight and making hotel reservations.

For REAL teams, it's much more difficult than that. But here's a look at 10 squads I think have the best shot of getting to Houston for next year's "Final Five."

Waaaay too early 2010-11 Top 10

1. Michigan State - Minus Raymar Morgan, MSU returns six guys who have played in the last two Final Fours and welcomes in one of the top five recruiting classes in the country.
2. Purdue - The Boilers lose defensive stalwart Chris Kramer and Keaton Grant from a team that was ranked in the top 7 most of last season. Minus another freak injury, and if Lewis Jackson can stay healthy, Purdue should challenge for the title in 2011.
3. Butler - The Bulldogs should dominate the Horizon League once again and with everyone of consequence returning, save for Willie Veasley. With its roster in tact and its tournament run, Butler should be able to parlay that exposure into a high national ranking.
4. Duke - The Blue Devils lose three starters, including their starting power forward and center, but Duke's perimeter depth should rival MSU's with Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, Andre Dawkins and transfer Seth Curry (younger brother of former Davidson star Stephen Curry).
5. Georgetown - If Greg Monroe is smart, he'll stay in college another year. If that happens, the Hoyas return everyone from last season and the team should be in revenge mode after being bounced early from the tournament this year.
6. Kansas State - KSU's floor general, Denis Clemente, and banger Luis Colon graduate, but the Wildcats bring back potential lottery pick Jacob Pullen and his spectacular beard, along with Curtis Kelly and Jamar Samuels. All three scored in double figures last season.
7. Ohio State - Losing the best player in the country would hurt any team, but Evan Turner (presumably) skipping his senior season may not be that big a blow to a Buckeye team that returns Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year David Lighty, Jon Diebler and William Buford. OSU also brings in the best recruiting class money could buy.
8. Pittsburgh - The Panthers overachieved this season and snuck up on people. That won't happen next year.
9. North Carolina - Call this season one of growing pains for the Tar Heels. There's too much talent on that roster for UNC to struggle two years in a row. Bringing in the No. 1 player in the country - Harrison Barnes - doesn't hurt, either.
10. Florida - The Gators will return with their entire starting 5 in tact from a tournament team. Couple that with the losses other teams in the SEC (Kentucky, Tennessee) will suffer because of graduation and guys leaving early, and Florida should won the SEC next year.

Is this MSU's year?

2010-04-01T15:02:00.005-04:00

I'm a very, VERY superstitious person when it comes to the Michigan State basketball team.

I always tell myself, and whoever will listen to me without punching me in the kidneys, that we're gonna lose every tournament game. Some might look at it like reverse psychology, I call it hoping for the best and expecting the worst.

Basketball makes me a nervous wreck. It got so bad during the Elite Eight match-up against Tennessee that I had my back turned to the TV for the last 10 seconds of the game. For the entire second half, I shook like somebody with warrants during a routine traffic stop. My knees were shaking so badly that they sounded like I was constantly banging two rocks together.

My friends and I are all spread out since Graduation. The shaking got so bad Sunday that when Tennessee's Scotty Hopson stepped to the free throw line late in the game, a text I sent one of my best friends read like this: "I'm nnot watchsin the enxt free throw. I cant ype because skahingi"

And, yes, I do realize it's unhealthy to reach that level of anxiety because of a basketball game.

Now, since we're in our sixth Final Four since 1999 and second straight, with no squad as talented as last year's North Carolina team left in the field, I can't help but be a little optimistic.

I only need to look at the venue (Indianapolis) and a couple other interesting tidbits for that inspiration.

-We're playing in a city where coach Tom Izzo is undefeated (7-0) in NCAA Tournament games.
-Last time MSU played in a Final Four in the Circle City, 2000, the team cut down the nets after winning the school's second national title.
-In 1979, the year the Spartans captured their first national title, MSU played a mid-major team from Indiana (Indiana State) with a versatile forward who had the look of an NBA prospect (Larry Bird).
-In 2010, State is playing a mid-major team from Indiana (Butler) with a versatile forward who could be a pro (Gordon Hayward).
-In 2000, MSU in its national semifinal game was matched up against a team known for its lockdown defense in Wisconsin, which State beat, 53-41.
-Saturday, the Spartans will be matched up against a team in Butler that hasn't given up more than 59 points in four games so far during this tournament. MSU has proven to be one of the few teams in the tournament that can play fast or slow.
-In 2000, only one "blue-blood" program, besides MSU, made it to that year's Final Four: North Carolina, which made its 15th appearance that spring. Florida and Wisconsin both were making their second appearances.
-In 2010, only one "blue-blood" program, besides MSU (eight Final Fours), made it to this years Final Four: Duke, making its 15th appearance. This weekend's games mark the first and second Final Fours for Butler and West Virginia, respectively.

It's not in my nature to pick us to win, but I can't help be confident with all the parallels between the past and this weekend. All week, talking heads, newspapers columnists and radio show callers have made a big deal about the fact MSU has won each of its four tournament games by a total of 13 points and the fact that the Spartans have trailed in the second half of each game. Wouldn't you go with the team that can win a close game?

Some people have said next year is the year for MSU, with the highly-touted recruiting class the Spartans have coming in and the returnees on the roster. People said the same thing about Duke in 1991 - that '92 was the Blue Devils year. Duke won back-to-back titles in those two years. I think the same will happen for the Spartans.

Predictions
Semifinal One
MSU-74
Butler-67

Semifinal Two
Duke-78
West Virginia-73

National Championship
MSU-79
Duke-75

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go put everything I have on Butler.

A Most Improbable Final Four Run

2010-03-29T12:17:00.004-04:00

There's a kid in a every classroom. The one who has all the potential and brains in the world, but who just can't seem to put it all together.

Every marking period, he comes home with a report card full of C-minuses. Every big test he takes, he gets a 79. His teachers, friends and parents know he can be great at anything, but he just doesn't seem to want it enough.

At times, that has been the 2009-10 version of the Michigan State basketball team. But they seem to have "gotten it" at the right time. With all the things that have gone on this season, the Spartans are back in the Final Four. For the second year in a row. And sixth time in 12 years. No school in the country - not Duke. Not North Carolina. Not Kansas - can match that.

Many people have said the 2005 team's run to St. Louis was Izzo's best coaching job. With yesterday's one-point win over Tennessee in - ironically - St. Louis, that has just been topped.

That 2005 team FEATURED three seniors. This team' senior leader, Raymar Morgan, who has played well the last couple weeks, more often than not looks like he's been sedated.

The 2005 team was nowhere near as talented as this group, either. This group started the season as the number 2 team in the country and has seen it's share of peaks and valleys.

This team: which, at some point, has seen all of its wing players miss games, be benched, suspended or kicked out of practice.

This team: a team that dropped its biggest non-conference games (at UNC and Texas).

This team: the same team that was rumored to have a group full of guys who had been feeling themselves too much.

This team: a team that saw a 9-0 start in conference and a three-game lead vanish with the twist of Kalin Lucas' ankle.

This team: the same Spartan squad that has had its starting backcourt (Lucas and Chris Allen) on the court TOGETHER for less than 10 minutes this entire tournament run.

This team: a group that has essentially become a M.A.S.H. unit with the loss of Lucas to a torn Achilles, power forward Delvon Roe playing on one knee, and Allen playing on a foot that may need to be lopped off once the season is over.

This team: which NOBODY picked to make the Sweet Sixteen - even with a healthy Lucas.

This team: where a sleepover (inside the Breslin Center) and a Come to Jesus Moment (for junior guard Durrell Summers) was needed prior to the start of the tournament.

This team: where it's most athletically-gifted player, Summers, finally "got it" at the perfect time and has been MSU's go-to guy this entire tournament.

This team: which has seen several players step up in the absence of its floor general into roles not a lot of people thought they would be able to handle.

This team: which has come together and actually became a team and not a group of individuals.

This team: which has guys who don't mind passing up a shot late in the clock, but also has guys who WANT that last shot.

This team: which has learned to play unselfishly and execute phenomenally at the end of games.

This team: and this coach, who deserves much more credit nationally than he gets.

This team: and its coach, who may be the best tournament coach of this generation.

This team: going back to a place where one of the program's finest moments happened 10 years ago to the day of its Final Four game against Butler.

This team: still fighting. And still playing.

Spartans run ends tonight

2010-03-26T13:57:00.002-04:00

I know a number of people who've been laid off at some point during the past couple years, including myself for a short stretch in 2007.

When something like that happens, you do your best to make due with what you have. If you have a family, everyone in the family does their best to step on and take on a bigger role. That works out for a while at times, but other times, when bills start to pile up, things become too much to bear and certain arrangements have to be made or things have to be done to make ends meet.

I don't like comparing things like that to sports, but it makes sense when you think about this year's Michigan State basketball team. At various points this season, a number of different things have happened (injuries, benchings, players being kicked out of practice, guys not fulfilling academic responsibilities), yet the team is still two games away from its sixth Final Four appearance in 12 years.

The Spartans look to have the look of a real team now - one where everyone looks out for everyone else and where certain guys (Raymar Morgan, Draymond Green and Durrell Summers) have began to grasp "The Moment" and have stepped up in the absence of others.

The squad looks like it could continue its (somewhat) improbable run. But things are beginning to pile up on the Spartans. Their best player (Jr. G Kalin Lucas) is out for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles. MSU's best perimeter defender (Jr. G Chris Allen) has been hobbled by a foot that, according to reports, resembles something out of a cartoon - throbbing and purple. Starting power forward Delvon Roe has been playing on a torn meniscus for who knows how long.

Piled on top of that is that MSU is set to face the Team of the Tournament: Northern Iowa. Since knocking off the prohibitive favorite - Kansas - every talking head, radio show host and newspaper columnist has sang the praises of the Panthers. With good reason. The team has good spot-up shooters, plays good defense and can rotate in three players, all seniors, who are 6'8" or taller. Their starting center, Jordan Eglseder, is 7-feet tall and 280 pounds. MSU's big man, Derrick Nix, who has come to life since the tournament began, can rival Eglseder physically, but not in the skill department.

The Spartans should be able to outrebound the Panthers and the team still has the ultimate X-factor in head coach Tom Izzo - the best tournament coach of the last 15 years. MSU can win, but it'll have to play the full 40 minutes - something it hasn't been able to do so far this tournament.

If MSU is able to run on offense, and if players continue to live in The Moment, MSU could potentially, based on how crazy this tournament has been, win the whole thing.

But too many things have piled up. And I have to believe NIU fans will make the 4 hour drive to St. Louis to cheer on their Panthers. Sure, MSU will have fans in the stands, too, but, with a game being played prior to the start of ours, I have to think the Ohio State and Tennessee fans will lean toward the "underdog."

With all that said...

Children of the Corn - 67
300 -63

Excuse me while I go make myself a Tylenol PM sandwich.

March Madness 2010: Ranking the Sweet Sixteen teams

2010-03-25T13:08:00.003-04:00

I heard on a radio show yesterday that a youngster in Chicago correctly picked the winners of last weekend's 48 first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games. I'm not calling the kid a liar, but I believe that as much as I believe Elin didn't whoop Tiger's butt.

If the kid pick all those winners: congrats!!! But I'm not buying it. Just like I'm not buying one ESPN analysts' assessment (Jay Bilas, my favorite) that Cornell's run will continue by beating Kentucky.

Here's how I rank the remaining 16 teams in the field and their chances of winning it all (from worst to first).

16. Northern Iowa - I think NIU is a solid team and a good story. I just want them to lose by 40 tomorrow night...for obvious reasons. But if you call me a homer, I'll punch you in the face.
15. Cornell - Easily the best 3-point shooting team in the field and one of the top three in the country. They have to have an off night at some point, right?
14. Washington - Awesome guards, and the team is on a hot streak in the tourney, but the Huskies may be a little too guard heavy.
13. Butler - The last two times the Bulldogs have been in the Sweet Sixteen, they've lost - Florida in '07 and Tennessee last year.
12. Xavier - The Musketeers have a guy in sophomore Jordan Crawford who could carry them to the Final Four, but he has to get help at some point and I don't know where it'll come from.
11. Tennessee - A deep team that employs a fastbreak offense and likes to press, the Vols can cause problems all over the floor. They can also play games like no one on the roster cares if they win or not.
10. St. Mary's - Dominant big man Omar Samhan, 31.5 points in two tourney games, could put the Gaels on his back and lead them to a couple more wins this season. But later in the tournament, talent begins to take over, which means trouble for St. Mary's.
9. Kansas State - The Wildcats don't get this far in the tournament very often, as this is their first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1988. KSU has a great backcourt, but inexperience on the big stage may fail the Wildcats.
8. Michigan State - Of course I wish I could place them higher, but I can't. Losing your floor leader this late in the game is tough. Toughness has also been a calling card of the program since Tom Izzo took over the reins in 1995. That tenacity, and Izzo, could carry the Spartans a long way, but with all the injuries the team is facing, I just don't see it happening.
7. Purdue - The Boilermakers play excellent defense, feature a versatile big man and have more than enough ballhandlers. That can lead a team far. But Purdue will have to find ways to score, as it has averaged 67.5 points in two tournament games and notched only 63 in an overtime win over Texas A & M Sunday.
6. West Virginia - A very athletic team with versatile players in Da'Sean Butler, Devin Ebanks and Kevin Jones, but the loss of point guard Truck Bryant will take its toll on a team that doesn't feature a true point man already.
5. Baylor - This season marks just the Bears sixth tournament appearance in the school's 103 years of fielding a hoops team, but it's a good one. Baylor has scorers on the wing (LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter) and in the post (Michigan Tranfer Ekpe Udoh). Udoh also gives the Bears an awesome defensive presence, shown in his nearly 4 blocks a game.
4. Duke - The Blue Devils, who I like as much as I like the KKK, feature three players (all on the wing) who average at least 17 points and 35 minutes a game. Duke can also rotate in a 6'8" guy, a 6'10" guy and a 7'1" guy. That's the recipe for a title. But if anyone they play in the next couple games realizes John Scheyer isn't really a point guard, that could keep Duke out of the Elite Eight for the sixth straight year.
3. Ohio State - The Buckeyes play a short rotation, but it's full of interchangeable parts. They play solid defense and also feature the best player in the country in Evan Turner, which is always a good bet. If some team is able to get the Buckeyes in foul trouble, that could spell the end of OSU's season and Turner's career in scarlet and gray.
2. Syracuse - The Orange, like OSU, employs a short rotation, which has been made even shorter with the loss of starting center Arinze Onuaku March 11 to a knee injury. Even with that loss, Syracuse, led by top-five NBA prospect Wesley Johnson, has looked like the second-best team in the field behind...
1. Kentucky - In picking the national champion, always go with the team that features the most pro prospects. Now watch the Wildcats go out and lose by 20 to Cornell tonight.

March Madness 2010: Who's NBA Draft stock is up?

2010-03-23T16:16:00.005-04:00

While MSU's junior guard Durrell Summers was putting on a show (a career-high 26 points, 6-7 from three) Sunday in the Spartans' second-round NCAA Tournament win over Maryland, all I could think was, "This guy should easily be a first round-NBA draft pick."

Summers, like a lot of gifted college basketball players, doesn't always play up to that potential. But he and others have been doing so in the tournament up to this point. Guys who have been expected to lead teams all season long have picked the biggest stage to step their games up, while others have played like the got a hold of the cell number of Lil Wayne's supplier.

Playing well in the biggest games can do a lot for a college ballers' draft stock. It can put a guy on the fringe of the first round in the 20-25 range, or someone in the 20-15 range into the lottery. And playing bad can take you from the penthouse to the outhouse - kind of like what would happen if you cheated on Oprah with one of the girls from "For the Love of Ray J."

Here's a list of some of the guys who may have made themselves a nice piece of change in the last week (obvious guys like John Wall, Evan Turner, Wesley Johnson, Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins omitted), along with some guys who may actually wanna keep going to class this semester and pay attention a little bit. All this is based on the 1,678,987.666 hours of basketball I watched last Thursday-Sunday.

Stock up

Jordan Crawford, Soph. G; Xavier
After sitting out a season following a transfer from Indiana, Crawford led the Musketeers in scoring this season (20.2 ppg), while chipping in with nearly 5 rebounds and 1.4 steals/game. Crawford, a Detroit native and graduate of Renaissance High School, also shot a rifleman-like 40 percent from three in leading the Musketeers to a 23-7 record. All of Crawford's numbers have gone up since the start of the tournament, as the starting guard, in two games, has averaged 27.5 points on 56 percent shooting, along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. If he keeps it up, Crawford's individual brilliance could lead his team to the Final Four, a la Dwyane Wade in 2003. It may also make it so he can buy as many "Big Man" T-shirts as he wants to wear under his jersey.

Jimmer Fredette, Jr. G; Brigham Young University
When the tournament started last week, here's what I wrote about Fredette (29 points and 4 assists/game in two tourney games), who's Cougars have since been bounced from the tournament: "(Fredette) is a wizard with the basketball. No matter where he is on the court, if he's got the ball, he doesn't pick up his dribble without a purpose. He can score, too. On the season, Fredette averages 21.7 points, along with 4.7 assists. He also shoots .448 percent from three. He put up 49 Dec. 28 in a blowout win at Arizona and 45 in a win last week over TCU. He reminds me of Steve Nash with the way he keeps his head up at all times and how everything he does on offense has a purpose. Another aspect of Fredette's game that's similar to Nash's? Defense. Fredette, like Nash, doesn't keep his hands up on the defensive end and he couldn't guard the chair in Darko Milicic's pre-draft tape." If he wasn't such an awesome scorer and decision-maker, his future would be as a career-backup. But Fredette could prove valuable as a pick in the 20-25 range. Maybe Phoenix would take a look at him.

Omar Samham, Sr. C, St. Mary's
All of Samham's numbers have gone up in each of his four years as a Gael, which, if you didn't know, means "Irish Warrior." The 6'11," 260-pound Samhan has put in career highs in points (21.5), rebounds (10.9), blocks (2.9) and field goal percentage (.558) this season. The tournament hasn't slowed him down a bit, as the senior has dominated two NCAA Tourney games with an average of 31.5 points (on .667 percent from the field) and 9.5 boards in leading St. Mary's into the Sweet Sixteen. These last two games (against UNLV and Villanova) have put Samhan on scouts' radars. But this weekend - when St. Mary's squares off against Baylor - will be telling, as neither the Rebels or Wildcats have much size. Baylor has a front line that can match up with Samhan and throw multiple guys at him. If Samhan is able to continue his outstanding play, he could find himself drafted in the first round in June's draft.

Honorable mention: Greivis Vasquez, Sr. G; Maryland, Durrell Summers, Jr. G; Michigan State; Da'Sean Butler, Sr. G, West Virginia; Andy Rautins, Sr. G, Syracuse; Jacob Pullen, Jr. G; Kansas State

March Madness 2010: The Play of the Tournament So Far

2010-03-22T12:20:00.003-04:00

Down one.

Just a little more than 6 seconds to play and your best decision maker is on the bench wearing (sweet-looking) sweats and a boot Shaquille O'Neal would have trouble fitting into.

Your 6'7," 240-pound sixth man (Draymond Green) catches the inbounds pass and dribbles into the frontcourt.

Three seconds left.

That power forward almost blasts your starting power forward (Delvon Roe) in the head with the ball; but he ducks.

Two seconds left.

Your back-up point guard (Korie Lucious) catches the pass.

One second left.

Gives a little upfake. Takes a step to his left. Fires up a three for the win...

Cash money.

That's exactly how the end of Michigan State's second round, 85-83, win over Maryland in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament went.

Forget the fact we were up 16 with 12 minutes and change left. Don't harp on the fact the Spartans had a 9-point lead with 2 and a half minutes left. The team pulled out a tough win without its best player, Kalin Lucas, who will most likely not be able to play basketball until August because of a tear in his Achilles tendon.

There were a number of big plays made in that game from several players. But the biggest play came from someone who didn't take a shot, grab a rebound or take a charge.

How many games have you seen over the years where a squad will be down two with little to no time on the clock, take a desperation heave and see it fall, only for a whistle to be blown on the release because a coach called time out? More often than not, that time out doesn't result in a win.

Ironically, that happened to Maryland earlier this season in a home game against Georgia Tech, which the Terps won by two after coach Gary Williams called a timeout following a heave from halfcourt that went in. Maryland won on a second buzzer-beater.

But MSU Coach Tom Izzo - who, after watching the replay, oh, 657,986 times over the past 20 hours, looked like he was ready to signal for a timeout once Green crossed the timelime - didn't overcoach or overthink. Izzo's instincts kicked in and he let his players handle their business.

People always say it's better to be lucky than good sometimes. Well, sometimes it's better to let things happen spontaneously.

And that's what Izzo did, basically saying, "*$@# it. These guys are winning it on their own."

And because of that, his team lives to play another weekend.

This has been the best tournament in years

2010-03-20T19:59:00.004-04:00

In seven hours, the number one overall seed, a two and a three went down.

There will be a 9, 10 and 11 seed in the Sweet Sixteen.

And with one game, with 9 seed Northern Iowa downing the number one seed Kansas Jayhawks (Kansas' only lead was 2-0 the entire game), about 75 percent of America's brackets became lining for bird cages.

Including mine.

Again, this is why I don't gamble.

Edit: Being the geek that I am, I just did a little research and found out that Kansas is only the 10th One seed that hasn't at least advanced to the Sweet Sixteen since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

March Madness Day III: The Famous Alum game

2010-03-20T15:44:00.003-04:00

With so many teams playing in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament each years, fans can't help but wonder who some of each school's most notable alumni are.

Here is a list of some interesting ones, including a non-qualifiers that may only amuse me.

Butler University, which is playing right now, has current Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta; Bobby Plump, who played on the 1954 Milan High School Championship basketball team, and Jim Jones - not the (awful) rapper, but the founder of the People's Temple Cult, where 918 people were killed on Nov. 17, 1978.

Number-one overall seed Kansas lists Bob Dole, Scott Bakula (of "Quantum Leap" fame), and Elmer McCollum - co-discoverer of Vitamin A.

Locally, Oakland University recognizes Robert Englund (a.k.a. Freddy Krueger) and Curtis Armstrong (Booger from "Revenge of the Nerds") as famous alums. It also lists David Hasselhoff as having attended the school in Rochester. If there were a prop bet for "weirdest alumni of any team in the Dance," I'd take Oakland and clean out my Savings Acct. to make that bet.

The University of Houston lists Star Jones, CBS play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and Master P as notable alums.

They aren't in the tournament (as usual), but I thought it made sense that Ted Kaczynski, a.k.a. The Unabomber, earned a Ph.D. in math from Michigan.

Seeding, not which teams got in, has been the problem this year

2010-03-20T15:18:00.002-04:00

Exhibit A for the committee's bad job at seeding: A Villanova team that went 5-5 down the stretch, got bounced in the first round of their conference tournament, slept-walked through their opening-round game and got bounced by a bunch of guys with dingos for pets.

The Wildcats "earned" a two-seed, though. Ron Washington must've gotten some of that "good good" to the committee last weekend.

Oh, and have fun in the D-League Scottie Reynolds. He's gonna have fun riding buses through Iowa after being at Nova for as long as "Good Times" has ran in syndication.

2010 NCAA Tournament Day Two picks

2010-03-19T09:11:00.003-04:00

After going 10-6 on day one, I came to the realization I should never gamble.

The moral to this story is, as always, I'm an idiot.

I'll take it, though. Yesterday, excitement-wise, was the best first day in a long time. Seven of the 16 games were decided by a basket and 10 f 16 were decided by single digits. The average margin of victory - 8.8 points - is nearly half what it was last year.

We'll see if that continues today. If it does, my bracket will serve as emergency TP the rest of the tournament.

Day two slate. Picks in bold. Games called by Gus Johnson have "Gus-isms" preceding the start times.

"PUUUUUUURRRRRRRRREEEEE" 12:15 PM Morgan St. #15 vs West Virginia
12:25 PM Minnesota #11 vs Xavier
12:30 PM Cornell #12 vs Temple #5
02:30 PM Siena #13 vs Purdue #4
"Rise and FIRE!!!!" 02:35 PM Missouri #10 vs Clemson #7
02:45 PM Oakland #14 vs Pittsburgh #3
02:50 PM Wofford #13 vs Wisconsin #4
04:45 PM Utah St. #12 vs Texas A&M #5
"Got IIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTT!!!!"07:10 PM Florida St. #9 vs Gonzaga #8
07:15 PM Georgia Tech #10 vs Oklahoma St. #7
07:20 PM New Mexico St. #12 vs Michigan St. #5
07:25 PM Ark.-Pine Bluff #16 vs Duke #1
"OH, my GOODNESS!!"09:30 PM Vermont #16 vs Syracuse #1
09:35 PM UC Santa Barb.#15 vs Ohio St. #2
09:40 PM Houston #13 vs Maryland #4
09:45 PM Louisville #9 vs California #8

March Madness Day I: A break from hoops - UM to host first night game

2010-03-18T17:19:00.003-04:00

For the first time in team history, the University Michigan will host a night football game at Michigan Stadium when the Wolverines welcome hated rival Notre Dame on Sept. 10, 2011.

New Michigan athletics director David Brandon made the historic scheduling announcement Thursday afternoon in Ann Arbor, according to the Associated Press.

The 2011 game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET and be televised by ESPN or ESPN2.

That looks like a good idea, as I've wondered why UM didn't host night games in the past. I don't know how well attended the game will be, though. Most Michigan football fans are in bed by 6:30 every night. I'm not sure all those old folks will make it through a game that might go until 11:30 at night. It should be fun, either way.

March Madness Day I: Best first day in years

2010-03-18T16:44:00.005-04:00

Murray St., a 13 seed that won 30 games in the regular season, just drained a buzzer beater to upset fourth seed in the West Vanderbilt, 66-65.

This has easily been the best first day of the tournament in a while. So far today, we've had a two seed pushed to OT before winning after Villanova played 40 minutes as bad as most people look in their driver's license pictures; we've had a double OT thriller (BYU 99, Florida 92) where three guards put on a scoring show, including one - BYU's Michael Loyd Jr. - who averaged a shade under 5 points a game scoring 26 in the win; we've had two double digit seeds advance with another, Sam Houston State, looking to add its name to that group, as the 14th seeded Bearkats are down just four to three seed Baylor, 55-55, with 2 minutes left due in part to SHS's solid matchup zone.

The first four completed games have been decided by a total of 12 points, with seven of those coming in BYU's win.

This is why this tournament is the best thing in sports.

March Madness Day I: BYU advances in double OT

2010-03-18T14:59:00.002-04:00

The BYU Cougars dropped Florida, 99-92, in double overtime to notch its first win in the tournament since 1993.

The game was the coming out party for BYU's backcourt of Michael Loyd Jr. (26 points) and Jimmer Fredette (35). The duo shot 20-36 from the field, 6-13 from three and 15-18 from the foul line and notched six steals.

Florida has no one to blame for the loss but themselves. The Gators had two awful possessions at the end of regulation and the first overtime and didn't even get a shot off on the latter play.

If two seed Kansas State takes care of 15 seed North Texas, Saturday's game between the Cougars and Wildcats could be one for the ages when those two backcourts square off.

March Madness Day I: Two OT games out of three is pretty good

2010-03-18T14:51:00.003-04:00

Villanova and Robert Morris are going to overtime after Nova mounted a furious comeback to tie the game at 58.

Cats' coach Jay Wright drew up a beautiful lob play late, but Robert Morris was able to block the lob, forcing OT.

Seriously, where is Gus Johnson? Can we get him to record tracks so CBS can have a Gus Johnson Soundboard for things like this? How much would something like that cost?

March Madness Day I: Florida's end of game execution lacking

2010-03-18T14:40:00.003-04:00

BYU and Florida are set to start double overtime.

The game should probably be over, and I should be 2-2 on my picks, but the Gators late-game execution is about as sharp as a butter knife.

At the end of the first OT, with about 20 seconds left, the Gators ran the clock down and couldn't even get a shot off.

What's good, though, is there's someone on the floor who's matching BYU's Jimmer Fredette (27 points) and Florida's Kenny Boynton (26), who just fouled out. The Cougar's Michael Loyd Jr. has scored 23 points on nine shots.

BYU is now up 4 with 3:30 left in double OT. The margin should be a bit wider, but Fredette, a 90 percent free throw shooter, missed two freebies.

The first big upset of the day is brewing, too, as Villanova just tied the game at 58 on a layup by center Mouphtaou Yarou.

Robert Morris just missed a runner from the baseline with about 30 seconds left, now Nova will get the last shot, which I expect they'll hit. But the uncertainty of that, and the fact that like my limbs, is the reason I don't gamble.

March Madness Day I: One upset in the books

2010-03-18T14:20:00.002-04:00

Old Dominion has the first upset of the tournament, beating sixth seeded Notre Dame, 51-50. Notre Dame couldn't break ODU's zone at all during the second half, shooting 6-20 from three for the game. That works for me, since I picked the Monarchs in an upset.

BYU and Florida look to be headed to OT, as Florida's Chandler Parsons missed a fadeway at the end of the second half. BYU apparently was granted a timeout, though, and missed a desperation 3.

Villanova still hasn't woken up yet, either. The Cats have been down the entire game and are still down 7 with four minutes left. Nova is shooting like the entire team is hungover - 32 percent from the field, 23 percent from 3. Scottie Reynolds, Nova's senior All America, is playing especially awful. He's 1-12, 0-7 from 3 and has committed 4 turnovers. I've had BMs that look better than Reynolds does today.

March Madness Day I: Florida's Boynton matching Fredette

2010-03-18T14:15:00.002-04:00

After being down 13 with 8 minutes left, the Florida Gators have used a 28-14 run to take a 74-73 lead on BYU with 1:22 left.

That run has been keyed by freshman guard Kenny Boynton (25 points, 5-9 from three), who has matched BYU's Jimmer Fredette (26 points) shot for shot.

All three games so far have been tailor made for Gus Johnson, who won't call a game until tomorrow afternoon.

That makes me sad. I want Gus in the delivery room when my wife gives birth. "THERE'S THE HEEEEAADDD!!! It's OUT. It's a BOY. Haha!!"

March Madness Day I: Good slate of early games

2010-03-18T14:08:00.003-04:00

Even though the quality of play hasn't been that great, each of the day's first three games look to be going down to the wire.

Sixth seeded Notre Dame and 11 seed Old Dominion just traded threes, keeping that game tied at 46 with 1:49 left. I know the score looks like one you'd see in a girl's high school game, but trust me, it's fun.

Fifteen seed Robert Morris is up 7 on two seed Villanova with 11 minutes left. And BYU and Florida continue to go back and forth.

So far, this first wave has been better than the last couple years, when there were no upsets early and blowouts ruled the first two days.

Edit: Old Dominion is up 3 on the Irish with 35 seconds left.

March Madness Day I: Fredette helping his draft stock

2010-03-18T13:43:00.003-04:00

After scoring only 8 points in the first half, BYU junior guard Jimmer (his real name is James. Jimmer's a nickname and not a very good one) Fredette has scored 12 in 10 minutes of second half play to give him 20 for the game. His ballhandling has been spectacular, especially on a nice crossover that got him a layup with about 9 minutes left in the game.

Some NBA teams with low first round picks may want to take a look at James. I think he'd make a solid back-up guard (nice handle, can score in bunches, plays defense like a Lady of the Night) for a team like San Antonio, Utah or Orlando.

BYU had a 10-point lead on Florida with 8:30 to go, making it look like picking the Gators may be my first mistake of the day - with several more to come, I'm sure. But the Gators have gone on an 11-2 run to cut the Cougars lead to four with 6 minutes left.

Back and forth. Back and forth.

March Madness Day I: Florida, BYU playing at a high level

2010-03-18T13:32:00.003-04:00

Florida and BYU have been going back and forth the entire game.

Right now, the Mormons are up, 43-38, early in the second half, but this looks like a game where the ending could be added to the March Madness Montage CBS runs every year.

Both squads are shooting better than 50 percent from the field and the offenses for both teams looks crisp with plenty of passing and not a lot of one-on-one play.

I can't say the same for the teams in the other two games (Villanova/Robert Morris, Notre Dame/Old Dominion). All four of those teams look like they went on a bender with Ron Washington and Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Sheen.

March Madness Day I: Nova playing awful so far

2010-03-18T13:06:00.002-04:00

It doesn't look like two seed in the South - the Villanova is playing with any purpose after the temporary benching of the Wildcats' starting backcourt.

Through 15 minutes of play, Villanova is shooting terribly, only hitting on 5 of 19 shots, including 1-9 from three. The Cats are also getting killed on the boards.

As a two seed, I fully expect Nova to pull this game out. The Cats were down 14 in the second half of their first round game last year and fought back and one, but their body language doesn't bode well for their long-term prospects.

March Madness Day I: BYU's Fredette invokes memories of Nash

2010-03-18T12:32:00.004-04:00

BYU junior shooting guard Jimmer Fredette is a wizard with the basketball. No matter where he is on the court, if he's got the ball, he doesn't pick up his dribble without a purpose.

He can score, too. On the season, Fredette averages 21.7 points, along with 4.7 assists. He also shoots .448 percent from three. He put up 49 Dec. 28 in a blowout win at Arizona and 45 in a win last week over TCU.

He reminds me of Steve Nash with the way he keeps his head up at all times and how everything he does on offense has a purpose and that's shown in the early minutes of seventh seeded BYU's first round game against 10th seed Florida.

Another aspect of Fredette's game that's similar to Nash's? Defense. Fredette, like Nash, doesn't keep his hands up on the defensive end and he couldn't guard the chair in Darko Milicic's pre-draft tape.

For BYU to make a run, Fredette will have to contribute at both ends of the floor. Guards are too important in the college game, and if and when BYU plays a team with a guard as skilled as Fredette, that will hurt them.

March Madness Day I: Villanova having issues

2010-03-18T12:00:00.003-04:00

Neither of Villanova's starting guards - Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher - will start today's first round game against 15th seed Robert Morris (12:30 p.m.), according to the Associated Press, but both will play extensive minutes.

The report quotes Wildcats coach Jay Wright saying the benching is a "teaching point." I'm sure Nova won't have any trouble today, but this still doesn't look good.

Whatever they did, they picked an awesome time to do it. That's like going overboard the night before your wedding and having a strippers drop you off at the church.

2010 NCAA Tournament Day One picks

2010-03-18T11:18:00.005-04:00

Here's today's lineup of games for the Big Dance.

Picks in bold

Thursday March 18, 2010

12:20 PM Florida #10 vs BYU #7
12:25 PM Old Dominion #11 vs Notre Dame #6
12:30 PM Robert Morris #15 vs Villanova #2
02:30 PM Murray St. #13 vs Vanderbilt #4
02:40 PM North Texas #15 vs Kansas St. #2
02:45 PM Sam Houston #14 vs Baylor #3
02:50 PM St. Mary's (Ca.) #10 vs Richmond #7
04:45 PM UTEP #12 vs Butler #5
07:10 PM N. Iowa #9 vs UNLV #8
07:15 PM East Tenn. St. #16 vs Kentucky #1
07:20 PM Washington #11 vs Marquette #6
07:25 PM Ohio #14 vs Georgetown #3
09:30 PM Lehigh #16 vs Kansas #1
09:35 PM Wake Forest #9 vs Texas #8
09:40 PM Montana #14 vs New Mexico #3
09:45 PM San Diego St. #11 vs Tennessee #6

Quick-hit NCAA Tournament primer

2010-03-18T07:58:00.003-04:00

Five most over-seeded teams: Duke, Villanova, Kansas State, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt
Five most under-seeded teams: West Virginia, Gonzaga, Washington, UTEP, Temple
Region(s) featuring the most NBA talent: Midwest, East
Highest-seeded team that will have the shortest tournament stay: Duke
Team seeded five or lower that will make a run: Washington
Most disappointing teams in the field: Michigan State, Texas
Coach I would most want leading a team in the tournament: Tom Izzo, Michigan State
Least: Rick Barnes, Texas
Best pro prospect nobody knows about - but will soon: Epke Udoh, Baylor
Player most likely to boost his NBA Draft stock this month: Jordan Crawford, Xavier
Player most likely to kill his NBA Draft stock this month: Cole Aldrich, Kansas
Talking point I will be most sick of by early April: John Wall's dance
Person I appreciate most during the tournament: Gus Johnson
Person I'll miss most during the tournament: Charissa Thompson
Person I don't miss at all during the tournament: Dick Vitale
Best thing about the tournament: the raw emotion from the players and coaches
Worst thing: It'll be over in three weeks

What's not to love about March Madness?

2010-03-16T13:42:00.005-04:00

Every March, when the NCAA Tournament comes around, it seems like I always have something to do.

Class, work, family obligations - there's always something.

Not this year. That's why I'll be able to watch as much basketball possible this Thursday and Friday. The only thing that could put a wrench in my plans is something serious happening to someone in my family. Even then, I'd have a decision to make because I'd like to believe everyone I'm related to has knowledge of my (unhealthy) obsession with basketball.

Seriously, there's very few things I love more than March Madness (my family, friends, Haribo Gummi Bears and those Beefy 5-Layer Burritos from Taco Bell come to mind).

During my freshman year of college - the year Michigan State won its second national title - I let one of my best friends, who's probably the most superstitious person I know - talk me into sitting in the same position in the same chair for three weeks. It must've worked, right?

Two years after that, I rushed through a test in a history class in order to make it home to watch MSU lose to North Carolina State in the first round. It's safe to say I would have been better off skipping the class altogether.

I've gone from skipping class to trying my best to get out of work the first couple days of the Big Dance.

I even told a boss of mine once that I was a devout Bracketologist and that if he didn't give me that Thursday-Friday off, I'd have the ACLU on him with the quickness.

I don't have to do any of that this year!! Everything is all set for me to only have to leave my couch for one thing. That's still up in the air, too, especially if I come across a bed pan in the next 48 hours.

From start to finish, millions upon millions of people are enthralled by the NCAA Tournament. Even those Butler-UTEP (pick UTEP) and Richmond-St. Mary's (go with the Spiders) matchups will garner decent ratings and shares.

I love everything about this tournament.

From the rowdy, die-hard, sometimes too optimistic fans; to the double-overtime buzzer-beaters from half court; to the awesome play-by-play skills of Detroit native Gus Johnson. College basketball, not the NBA, is truly "Where the Amazing Happens."

And who doesn't know of the legends this tournament has helped make?

Who doesn't remember the skinny kid from North Carolina - with a full head of hair - sinking that legendary jumper from the baseline in 1982 in New Orleans against Georgetown?

Anybody who can't recall Christian Laettner's one bounce, turnaround jumper to beat Kentucky at the buzzer in the Elite Eight during the 1992 tournament should be court marshalled.

And I know everyone around here remembers Glen Rice's phenomenal six-game run in '89. And how Magic Johnson essentially saved college basketball with his play in the 1979 tournament.

It's not like productivity is at a high level during the Dance. An article published by various publications each March says U.S. companies will lose about $20 million a minute paying employees for time spent following the games at their desk, according to an estimate by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.

I’m sure worker bees all over the country already have ways set up on how to enjoy the Madness from their cubes. I always have several windows open on my computer so I can keep track of each game. I power walk back and forth from my desk to the television in our newsroom “like an expectant father whose wife is in labor” as our office manager said while I marched back and forth to watch the Big Ten Tournament a couple years back.

So as we get closer and closer to tourney time, I advise everyone to set their DVRs, skip class or call in sick to work.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get ahold of my mom so she can help me win my pools. Why do I have her help me, you ask? Because she thinks March Madness is a sale at Lord & Taylor.

Free throws not free in NCAA this year

2010-03-13T14:04:00.002-05:00

With an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament at stake Saturday morning, UTEP's best guard - Randy Culpepper - stepped to the free throw line with his squad down 6 to Houston with 33.7 seconds left in the Conference USA conference title game and split a pair. The Miners, the best team in Conference USA, lost by 8.

Duke's Jon Scheyer, who has shot 89 percent from the line this season, was fouled while firing up a three early Saturday afternoon in the Blue Devil's ACC Tournament semi-final against Miami (FL) and hit just one of three attempts.

That same afternoon, the University of Tennessee, in its SEC semi against Kentucky, started out 1-4 at the line.

In their Big Ten quarterfinal against Minnesota Friday night, my Spartans (17-32 free throws, 68 percent on the season) were about as accurate a shot as Dick Cheney on their way to gagging again in the Big Ten Tournament.

Tight games are already somewhat painful to watch, with all the intentional fouls and time outs coaches call. But when neither team can take control of a game when given a "Free" look at the basket, that makes teammates, coaches and fans cringe. It got so bad during the MSU game that I started hoping the Spartans would shoot their free throws underhanded like Rick Barry or Wilt Chamberlain.

Free throw shooting has been an issue all across the NCAA all season long. Only four teams projected to earn high seeds (1-4) in next week's NCAA Tournament - Duke (9), Villanova (13), Wisconsin (29) and Purdue (30) - rank in the top 50 in the nation in free throw shooting accuracy. After Baylor, at number 44, the next "good" team that comes up on the list is Georgetown, which is ranked 110th in the country in free throw shooting.

The number one team in the country, the Kansas Jayhawks, check in at number 145, shooting .698 from the line as a team.

I researched all this hoping to feel better about my team's struggles from the line. I don't. MSU is the 203rd best (out of 347) free throw shooting team in the country.

So when the tourney starts Thursday, you have a second option for taking bathroom breaks - when the refs blows his whistle.

Leave the NCAA Tournament be

2010-03-10T11:23:00.006-05:00

There's lots of things in sports that need to be re-examined.

Overtime in the NFL. The college bowl season. The NBA and NHL regular seasons. The WNBA as a whole.

One things in sports that is perfect as is is the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, or as I like to call it, "Three Weeks of Heaven."

That could change, though, as NCAA officials have had preliminary discussions about expanding the tournament - currently at 65 teams - to 96 teams. The only motivating factor that could lead to this coming to fruition is cash money.

Revenue drives everything, and the Big Dance is no different. However, there never seems to be a shortage of advertisers when March Madness rolls around each year. Add that to the fact the tournament is a perfect Made for TV event - four games on at once, 12 straight hours of coverage over the first two days, constant updates during games, CBS cutting away from games when others are tight down the stretch - and there is absolutely no need to mess with such a good thing. That'd be like Jessica Alba or Zoe Saldana feeling the need to get breast implants.

This could be a knee-jerk reaction to the low ratings drawn by the 2009 National Championship game between North Carolina and Michigan State, which saw a 7-percent decrease in viewers, according to a report published shortly after last year's title game. That was offset, though, by a 5-percent increase in viewership for the entire tournament.

College basketball, for the most part, has been the one sport that has stayed true to players and fans. There's no TV break every couple minutes. There's rarely an extended commercial break during a game. And the sport, in general, is fun. Expanding the field of the tournament would take from that, and, for what? To make a few extra dollars? Granted, it'd be much more than that, but adding 31 teams to the Dance would kill competition across the board.

That expansion would turn March Madness into essentially the college bowl season, where even the most mediocre team would have a shot (albeit not a realistic one) to win a national title. Bowl games are different, though. You have a 6-6 team that gets a trip to Mobile, Ala., to play in what really accounts as a meaningless game. Unlike bowl season and its several Toilet Bowls, there are no meaningless games in the NCAA Tournament. All 63 contests are a part of a story.

That story should continue to have only the best teams as characters. During bowl season, which I do love, by the way, about 60 percent of Football Bowl Subdivision Teams get a payday. Only 19 percent of D-I men's basketball teams (347 total) make the Big Dance. That means only the cream of the crop are invited.

Take Connecticut for example. UCONN advanced to the Final Four as a one seed last year. This year, after some attrition, coach Jim Calhoun's temporary leave of absence and some admittedly bad play, UCONN finished the season 17-15, 7-11 in the tough Big East. The Huskies had 15 chances to beat potential Tourney teams and made good on just three of those. But, with an expanded tournament field, UCONN would, more than likely, be a shoo-in to make the tournament with that barely above .500 record.

What sense does that make? Why would any team schedule tough non-conference opponents or go on the the road in the non-conference when it knows it can have an up-and-down year, finish in the middle - or near the bottom- of its conference and still have a shot at the national title? What would be the purpose of conference tournaments (other than, yea, you guessed it, money)?

Why would anyone get excited about Championship Week and Selection Sunday? Why would I take the first two days of the tournament off every year to watch 15-15 Michigan play 16-14 North Carolina State when neither team has a shot to make any noise? Isn't that what the NIT is for? Or would the expansion serve as a way to do away with the NIT, as some have speculated, since Three Weeks of Heaven may move from CBS to ESPN, which currently broadcasts the NIT?

And what would become of the mid- and low-major conferences? Schools like Dayton and UTEP don't generate a whole hell of a lot of revenue, but it's schools like those and others who are a part of the charm of the tournament. Gonzaga, Davidson, George Mason, Bucknell, Howard and others are the schools that really make March Mad.

Could a team like, say, Arizona State, really be considered a "Cinderella" when it's on a level playing field revenue- and recruiting-wise with the likes of UCLA and Washington? I don't think so. But if the tournament field is expanded. I can't help but believe the move would be made in part to make room for more power conference (Big Ten, SEC, Big East, ACC, Pac 10, Big 12) teams.

If there is real talk of expanding Three Weeks of Heaven, it should stop. Now. As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it." The NCAA tournament doesn't need tweaking. It's perfect the way it is.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna check TMZ.com to make sure Jessica Alba hasn't done anything stupid.

Raymar Morgan: The most frustrating player in the NCAA

2010-03-08T14:42:00.004-05:00

-6'8"

-230 pounds

-Four-year starter

-Averaged double-figure points and around 6 board a game his entire career, along with shooting about 51 percent from the field

-The ability to score on the wing, combined with the skills to get buckets in the paint

-Can guard multiple positions

That looks like the resume of an NBA Lottery pick, right?

What about when you add this in:

-Looks lost on the court at times

-Sulks when things don't go his way

-No-shows entire games at times

-A bit of a whiner

That looks like the attributes of an athlete with the mental acumen of Ron Artest.

But that's been, for better or worse, what MSU has gotten from Raymar Morgan the last four years. Morgan shows flashes of brilliance at times - like averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds over State's final three regular season games. Those were all wins MSU HAD to have, and Raymar was easily the best player on the floor in each contest.

Then there's the other side of it, like when Morgan had a five-game stretch of 0, 8, 8, 6 and 4 points when MSU lost three of five, and the lead in the Big Ten, early last month.

That's what kills me. I get more upset when Ray has a great game (WHY THE #%$* CAN'T YOU PLAY THIS WAY ALL THE TIME?!?) than I do when he goes out and gives a performance that rivals the acting in "Homeboys From Outer Space." How weird is that? There's so much potential there, but he hasn't fully harnessed it. He's faced injuries and illness during his time in East Lansing, but more often than not, Morgan has played like Rasheed Wallace: great skills and talent, but no real desire to be The Man.

Look at Texas' Damion James. I've been telling my boys all season that he and Raymar are the exact same player: same size, skill set, everything. But James doesn't take nights off (he's scored in double figures in 28 of Texas' 31 games and has 15 double-doubles this season) and is projected as a top-15 pick in this summer's NBA Draft. Morgan - because of his inconsistent play and demeanor at times, not is level of skill - will be lucky to latch on with a team overseas.

But Ray can redeem himself if he carries his good play from the end of the regular season into the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

The most frustrating thing about that?

Nobody knows if he will.

Upcoming schedule keeps Spartans in driver seat

2010-02-12T15:13:00.003-05:00

Last week, I told a friend the four teams in the best position to lock up Number One seeds in the NCAA Tournament were Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Michigan State.

A week and three killer losses later, MSU (19-6, 9-3 Big Ten) has fallen out of that group.

It's amazing what an 8-day stretch can do in sports. A team can go from looking like Christina Milian to resembling something out of "Daybreakers." That's what's happened to the Spartans. Their last three opponents (Wisconsin, Illinois and Purdue) all shot better than 50 percent against MSU's defense. The three Ls came by an average of 12 points and players who had been steady for the lion's share of the season - Draymond Green and Durrell Summers - played like you'd think Tiger Woods would have the last few years with all the things he'd been hiding.

Ankle injury to reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas aside, MSU hasn't put a complete game together since blasting Northwestern by 21 Jan. 2 in Evanston. Sure, the 9-0 start in conference LOOKED good, until you realize it came against the Wildcats, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Hickory High, Carver High and the high school from "Hang Time." One of those wins was against Illinois, but that was before the Illini hit their current stride. There are good things that came out of that stretch, though. We saw that MSU could win tough games in hard-to-win gyms (Williams Arena); and we saw how clutch Lucas is.

That's why I'm not jumping off the bandwagon. These are the dog days of the college season. Sure, you want your team to go undefeated every year, but the likelihood of that happening is about as high as Kevin Federline's vertical leap. Two of the teams now on State's tail in the Big Ten title race (Purdue, Ohio State) had three-game skids of their own, now they look like they could make deep tournament runs. Plus, I trust coach Tom Izzo to straighten his guys out and find a way to make a deep run of their own.

Another thing on MSU's side is the upcoming schedule. Four of the Spartans' remaining six games are against three of the four worst teams in the conference (Michigan, Penn State and Indiana). Those three teams have combined to go 8-26 in Big Ten games. MSU gets Ohio State at home Feb. 21 and travels to West Lafayette to take on the Boilermakers Feb. 28.

I think MSU will straighten things out and go 5-1 in its last six games. That's due in part to having four games against teams that couldn't win a wheelchair basketball league and partly because there's too much pride and talent in East Lansing for the slide to continue.

Look for the Spartans to finish 24-7, 14-4 and share the regular season title with Purdue. After having my hopes of a one seed dashed in a week's time, I'm looking for the Spartans to be no lower than a three seed in the Big Dance.

What happens from there? Who knows.

Don't let these people in your door for the Big Game Sunday

2010-02-04T14:34:00.004-05:00

Each year, millions of people have Super Bowl parties.

When you invite people into your home, you should be a gracious host. Sometimes, though, a host/hostess has to draw the line and tell certain people “nope. Sorry, man. You’re not getting in here tonight.”

Everybody knows someone who takes advantage of the host’s home during a Super Bowl Party. So I took the time out of my busy, BUSY schedule to compile a list of people to totally exclude from your Super Bowl festivities.

‘The circus is in town’ guy
Everyone knows several people like this. They eat too much salsa or too many buffalo wings, then leave your bathroom smelling like a monkey cage. I was at a party once where I thought I needed to wear a Hazmat suit and galoshes in order to just wash my hands.

The ‘mooch’
This person might be the worst of the bunch. The mooch comes to your party, empty-handed, then proceeds to pile snacks on plate after plate. He doesn’t eat them while he’s there, though; he wraps them in foil, sticks them in an old Kroger bag and puts them in his car. That’s not even the worst part. After all that, he comes back to the party…and eats more food.

The ‘teach me’ girl/boyfriend
I know several women who have immense football knowledge. By that I mean they know how many points a touchdown is, what a running back does, what offsides is, etc. Women like my mom, though, are a different story. She’s the same woman who told somebody Barry Sanders played linebacker. There’s nothing wrong with teaching your girlfriend (or boyfriend in some odd cases) the game of football, but holding that class during the Super Bowl is sacrilegious. People are trying to enjoy the game, eat their smokey links and have some libations. No one wants to hear somebody whispering, “hey, sweetie, you know those wide receivers you told me about? I thought they’d be fatter?”

‘I couldn’t find a babysitter’ guy
I’ve been to a couple Super Bowl shindigs where parents had to bring their little tykes. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the kids know how to act. Home training has been lacking in some instances, though. My solution: throw a box of Capri Sun and a bag of Combo’s in a room with a 12-inch TV, Nintendo Wii and one Wii remote. The youngsters will either learn to ration out snacks and share or it’ll turn into the 21st-century version of “Lord of the Flies” really, REALLY fast.

‘I don’t have to work the next day’ guy
This person always wears out their welcome. They come four hours before the game starts and drink like a fish. Usually, once the game’s over, people file out, say how much fun they had, yada, yada, yada. But this guy is still hanging around, trying to find any remnants of left-over liquor and snacks. I know some people view Super Bowl Sunday as a holiday, but this guy takes it to a whole ‘nother level by taking the following Monday off work. No matter what you do — yawn, doze off — he’s not leaving.
My advice: as soon as the game’s over, tell him you’re out of booze.

‘I’m gonna buy all the squares’ guy
For those of you who don’t know what squares is, during the game, you pick numbers from 0-9 and try and determine what the scores will be at the end of each quarter. For example, if you pick 4 and 6, and the score at the end of the first quarter is 14-6, you win some scratch. Some people are obsessed with this game so much to the point they’ll buy damn near half the board. Win or lose, they’re unbearable. I’m talking Fran Drescher’s voice unbearable. I’ve often had the urge to pull a 211 on the winners because of constant questions of “did I have those numbers? Are those my numbers? How much is the pot?” Newsflash: it’s just for fun; and, usually, the house fixes the games.

For anyone hosting a Super Bowl Bash, you can easily identify these people. You probably already know them. And for those of you planning to hit a Super Bowl party, don’t end up like these folks.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to figure out which prop bets I wanna put potato chips on.

"All-white" basketball league could set South back 50 years

2010-01-21T14:32:00.003-05:00

There's a term for when a basketball team (not named Gonzaga or BYU) puts five white guys out on the floor: Garbage time. No, that's not it. It's called a White Wash.

A new basketball league, which would be based in the deep South (I know, shocking!!), is set to attempt to field an entire league of Anglo players.

The All-American Basketball Alliance (AABA), based in Atlanta, announced in a press release early this week it plans to start its inaugural season this summer and hopes to field 12 teams.

A story in the Augusta (Georgia) Chronicle quotes the statement as saying, "Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league."

The story also quoted Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who has publicly expressed his support for minor league teams in the past, as saying he would not support this team. Augusta is one of the cities the league would like to house a team.

Don "Moose" Lewis, the commissioner of the AABA, in the same story said the reasoning behind the league's roster restrictions is not racism.

"There's nothing hatred about what we're doing," he said. "I don't hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like."

Lewis said he wants to emphasize fundamental basketball instead of "street-ball" played by "people of color."

"Would you want to go to the game and worry about a player flipping you off or attacking you in the stands or grabbing their crotch?" he said. "That's the culture today, and in a free country we should have the right to move ourselves in a better direction."

I know there may be some people who think this is deplorable. I think it's hilarious. Don't these idiots know the NBA was an "all-white" for the first three years of its existence? The only people of color who were even allowed in NBA arenas until Nat Clifton was signed by the Knicks were the people cleaning the toilets.

I always thought sports was the ultimate equalizer. Sports, in my opinion, transcend race and color and allow people from all aspects of life to put their differences aside in support of a common goal.

"Moose" doesn't see it that way. And even though I in now way agree with what he's trying to do, I'm gonna help him out a bit.

Here are some ideas on how this league can succeed.

-Make the league's major sponsors Ritz, Saltines, Denny's and the NRA.

-Have all the games televised on CMT.

-Make Celtics benchwarmer Brian Scalabrine the face of the League.

-Propose that Wrangler get into the shoe game and have the company sign Indiana Pacer forward Josh McRoberts, Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick and L.A. Laker Adam Morrison to lucrative deals.

-Suggest to Tommy Hilfiger that his company design league apparel.

-Make Tang the official drink of the league and have Chicago Bulls big man Brad Miller serve as official pitch man.

-Screen all prospective cheerleaders and make SURE their butts are as flat as a blown-out tire.

-Hire Don Imus to do play-by-play for the nationally-televised CMT games.

-Make football hall-of-famer Paul Hornung league commissioner.

-Name the MVP Award after David Duke.

-Name the championship trophy after Marge Schott.

-Hire Wayne Brady to host pre- and post-game shows.

-Make certain the only music played by a non-white artist in league arenas is by Darius Rucker. That or "Whoomp! There it is."

Here's the best idea: scrap the league and join everybody else in the 21st Century.

NBA Half-season award winners

2010-01-20T11:48:00.003-05:00

Remember how the Heisman vote went down to the last two weeks of the regular season?

Everyone was waiting for that one guy to pull away from a pack of four or five and take the award.

Alabama sophomore running back Mark Ingram did that with his performance in the SEC Championship game against Florida, snatching the award from Florida's Tim Tebow among others.

This NBA season has been weird. In the first month of the season, you could make a case for five or six guys who should win MVP. Milwaukee point guard Brandon "Young Money" Jennings was a shoe-in for Rookie of the Year after he went off for 55 points in just his seventh game in the League.

Now, both of those are one-horse races in my opinion. So are the races for Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player.

So unless some guys step up the last 40 games of the season, there won't be any shock when award winners are announced in May.

As for who is leading in the chase for those awards...

Most Valuable Player
LeBron James, Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers
You know how Pistons' fans used to treat Michael Jordan? They hated his guts but respected the hell out of his game. That's the way fans are with James now. He might be too silly for anybody to hate, though, with his pre-game antics and sideline dances. So far this season, LeBron is averaging 29 points, with 8 assists ( a career high at this point) and 7 boards a night. He's also posting career highs in field goal, free throw and three-point percentage. James is doing all this, and has his team in the race for the League's best record, without much else around him.

Also considered: Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas)

Rookie of the Year
Tyreke Evans, Guard, Sacramento Kings
The same way James saved the Cavs when he was drafted in 2003, Evans has been reviving the Kings so far this season. Sacramento was widely thought of as one of the three or four worst teams in the League at the start of the season, but the Kings have been surprisingly competitive. While Jennings started hot and hit the Rookie Wall, Evans has been steady all season to the tune of 20.8 points, 5 boards and 5 assists a night. At 6'6," 220 pounds, Evans can play any of the perimeter positions. He may be best suited to play off the ball, but his play at the point has been solid. Evans has also scored in double figures in all but two games he's played in so far this season.

Also considered: Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee), Stephen Curry (Golden State)

Most Improved Player
Kevin Durant, Forward, Oklahoma City Thunder
In his third year in the League, Durant has made "The Leap." His scoring average has gone up exponentially each season (from 20 (year one) to 25 ppg (year two) to 29.1 this season. Durant is also averaging a career-high 7 boards a night. He's a threat to go for 40 every night and he's also mastered the art of manufacturing points. When he has an off night from the field, Durant is awesome at getting to the line. In Oklahoma City's 94-91 win over Atlanta Monday afternoon, Durant went 7-19 from the field, but shot 14-15 from the free throw line. He's getting to the line nearly 10 times a game and in flirting with shooting 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line. Above all of that, he's leading his young Thunder squad to Ws. Oklahoma City currently sits at 23-18, good for 8th in the tough Western Conference. OKC didn't win its 23rd game until the last game of the 2008-09 season. Look for Durant to be in the MVP discussion until he retires.

Also considered: Aaron Brooks (Houston), Channing Frye (Phoenix)

Sixth Man of the Year
Jamal Crawford, Guard, Atlanta Hawks
Crawford has always been known as a gunner. But you can't win with guys like that in your starting lineup unless their name is Kobe. Crawford is in the perfect role in Atlanta. He's been a major reason why the Hawks are atop the Southeast Division. He's the Hawks' version of Vinnie Johnson and he's flourishing in his new role. So far this season, in 30 minutes a night, Crawford is netting 17 points and shooting 45 percent from the field. That number doesn't look that great until you consider that's the best he's shot from the field since shooting .476 from the field in 23 games in 2001-02.

Also considered: Carl Landry (Houston), Jason Terry (Dallas)

Defensive Player of the Year
Dwight Howard, Center, Orlando Magic
Although Howard's offensive numbers have trailed off from last season and his post game is almost nonexistent, his defensive play always remains at a high level. Howard once again leads the League in rebounds (13.1) and blocks (2.49). He also ranks in the top 50 in steals - a category dominated by wing players.

Also considered: LeBron James (Cleveland), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte)

Coach of the Year
Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets
No Yao. No Tracy McGrady, yet, at 23-18, Adelman has the Rockets in the seven spot out West. Prior to the start of the season, I picked Houston to finish with one of the worst records in the League, since the team's roster is made up of no-name players. Houston has been able to stay afloat despite switching from a team that thrived on good defense to a team that likes to run on offense. During his career, Adelman has coached some supremely talented teams in Portland and Sacramento, but this may be his best work.

Also considered: Lionel Hollins (Memphis), Scott Brooks (Oklahoma City)

Pistons should take a good, long look at Evan Turner

2010-01-12T21:34:00.004-05:00

Having versatile players on your roster is crucial in today's NBA.

It seems the best players all do several things well.

LeBron James can get you a triple-double on any given night. Kevin Durant, who can get you 40 any time, has improved his rebounding numbers each year he's been in the League.

Very few teams have players like this, but they can be franchise changers (James, Dwayne Wade, Brandon Roy) or saviors (Durant, Sacramento's Tyreke Evans).

Another player who exhibits this versatility who may be available when the Pistons are on the clock in this summer's NBA Draft is Ohio State junior guard Evan Turner. Turner, who has two triple-doubles this season, is a 6'7," 205-pound swingman who can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court - Turner averages 17.5 ppg on 59-percent from the field. He's extremely aggressive on the boards for a player his size, a la Jason Kidd and Gerald Wallace, shown by his 10.3 rebounds/game average. He's makes solid decisions when he has the ball (5.9 apg), and he has the ball a lot, serving as the Buckeyes' primary ball handler.

Turner suffered a back injury Dec. 12 in a loss to Butler. With Turner, Ohio State was 7-1 and ranked in the top 15. Without him, the Buckeyes went 3-3, 0-3 on the road. Turner's injury was supposed to keep him sidelined for about eight weeks. He was back half that. He started slow, playing 20 minutes and scoring 8 points in a win over Indiana. Turner amped it up in a 73-62 loss to Minnesota, showing his all-around skills by pouring in 19, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

Turner showed he was back in a huge 70-66 win at No. 6 Purdue tonight, giving Ohio State its first true road win of the 2009-10 season. He started off slow, going 5-12 in a first half that saw Purdue forward Robbie Hummel steal the show with a 29-point performance, which included hitting 8 three-pointers, on his way to a game-high 35. But Turner picked it up in the second half, going 7-9 and finishing with a career-high 32 points, along with 9 boards.

Watching how smooth and composed Turner stays on the court reminds me of Portland do-everything guard Brandon Roy. They play the exact same way, except Turner is more aggressive on the boards. Pistons fans take note, Roy fell to No. 6 in the 2006 Draft. So far, Roy's the lone all-star from that draft class.

Right now, Detroit, at 12-25, is tied with Indiana and Philadelphia for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. If that holds true to form, and the Pistons land what (right now) would be the sixth pick in the draft, Detroit should take a long, hard look at Turner. His versatility would give the Pistons something they haven't had since Grant Hill.

Some people worry about Turner's back issue. I would, too, if he hadn't come back in half the time doctors said he was supposed to. Bringing in Turner may not sell tickets at first, but it would solve a couple of Detroit's (many) problems. It would relieve Rodney Stuckey of some of his ball-handling duties, which I'm sure every Pistons' fan would love. Adding to that, Turner would give Detroit that versatile athlete teams covet.

The Pistons will have to build through the draft, seeing as Detroit has never been a free agent destination. Sure, they may be able to get some second-tier free agents; but even then, the Pistons will most likely have to overpay them. Detroit needs to draft and cultivate players who will make up their core for the next decade. Turner should be a part of that. He's been the type of player the last two seasons who makes the guys around him better. I believe he can take that intangible with him to the next level.

I think it's safe to say the Pistons won't catch New Jersey in the race for the League's worst record, which basically takes them out of the John Wall sweepstakes. There will be big men on the board with Detroit makes its selection, but they'll all be projects. I KNOW Pistons fans don't want President Joe Dumars to draft anymore "projects," do they?

Based on his track record when it comes to drafts, Dumars will screw this pick up. He can improve that record by drafting Turner if he's staring Dumars in the face on draft night.

Losses should keep piling up for Pistons

2010-01-10T12:40:00.003-05:00

I was at the last game the Pistons won: a 104-95 victory over the equally hapless Golden State Warriors Dec. 12 at the Palace.

That W gave Detroit a 5-game win streak and put the Pistons at 11-12, good for seventh in the Eastern Conference at the time.

Since then, the team has lost 12 straight games by an average score of 100-87 to put the Pistons at 11-24. Detroit is now tied with Golden State for the fourth-worst record in the League and, if the NBA Draft were held today, the Pistons would most likely have a top-five pick in a fairly deep draft.

As bad as they've been, Detroit is only five games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East (currently held by the 15-18 Milwaukee Bucks. God, the East is awful). It's not completely out of the realm of possibility that the Pistons could make the playoffs and play sacrificial lamb to the Cleveland Cavaliers (again), but what would that accomplish?

A lot of people have talked about Detroit trading either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince to get a big man. What (decent) big man would either of those guys, who make - combined - about $23 million, be able to get you? All of the solid big men have been locked up long term or will command big dollars on the free agent market, which would mean the possibility of the Pistons having to pay the luxury tax, which they've always been reluctant to do.

Others have suggested offering one or both Hamilton and Prince to a team with a big expiring deal as a way to free up cash this summer and go after a superstar, such as LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. Who's the last "big name" free agent to come to Detroit?

Detroit has never been a place where free agents wanted to come. It is important to find a way to get one or both of those guys off the roster at some point this season, as Detroit already has about $51.4 million in salaries on the books for next season. With the cap set to drop to about $52 million, moves must be made if the Pistons are going to be a player in the free agent game this summer. I'm just not sure any team would want Hamilton or Prince.

Detroit should keep doing what it's doing: being a bad team.

In the NBA, it doesn't pay to be middle of the road. So you get to the playoffs and get bounced in the first round. You've got no shot at a lottery pick and the Draft is usually a crapshoot outside of the lottery. Lady Luck hasn't exactly been on team President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars' side when it comes to the Draft.

The Pistons are awful. I've heard of teams "tanking" the season, but it's not tanking when you already stink. I had Detroit pegged to finish 27-55 before the start of the season. I'm not sure they'll win that many games. Looking at their schedule, the Pistons have two games against Minnesota (8-30) and three against the Detroit Lions of the NBA: the New Jersey Nets (3-33), who would probably struggle with Hickory High at this point. Those are (probably) their only "gimmes" the rest of the way.

Detroit has to build through the Draft. When you're not a free agent destination, stockpiling young talent through the Draft is how you build a winner. At this point, it's safe to say the Pistons will have a top-five pick. And if the Lottery balls bounce their way, the Pistons could luck up and get Kentucky freshman point guard John Wall and pair him with Rodney Stuckey, allowing Stuckey to slide to his natural position: shooting guard.

A backcourt of Wall and Stuckey would be a nice start.

So while the losses keep adding up for Detroit (and they will), fans should think about the long-term effects.

Predictions for 2010

2010-01-04T14:46:00.003-05:00

I never would have predicted that Alex Rodriguez would be a key cog in a World Series win.

I never could have even dreamed what happened to Tiger Woods.

But I can predict some things that will happen in sports in 2010.

-No Detroit-area professional sports team will reach the postseason this year.

-Michigan defensive lineman Brandon Graham will wow NFL Scouts at this year's combine, leading to him becoming a first-round pick in April's draft. Graham is projected by most as a mid-second to third-round pick.

-Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant will finish in the top three in NBA MVP voting this coming spring.

-Kobe Bryant will win his second NBA MVP award.

-Curtis Granderson will have a career year in his first season in pinstripes.

-Despite the efforts of the local teams, no big name free agents will be lured here this year.

-Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis will continue to look like the Cryptkeeper.

-Tiger Woods will return at some point this year and tear up the PGA Tour. Golf is all he has now, so all his time and effort will be put toward that...even more than before.

-Twitter will get an athlete suspended for an extended period of time.

-The World Cup will draw a record number of viewers...in other countries.

-A blogger will break a major sports story.

-Justin Verlander will be the 2010 version of Zack Greinke.

-Someone will be fatally injured in a widely-viewed MMA fight.

-Kentucky freshman phenom John Wall will be the first pick in the 2010 NBA Draft but he and his team will have a short run in the NCAA Tournament.

-The Philadelphia Eagles will be the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XLIV.

-The Texas Longhorns will win the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament.

-The Los Angeles Lakers will repeat as NBA Champions...only if the Boston Celtics limp into the postseason like they did last year.

-The Philadelphia Phillies will win their second World Series title in three years.

-This time next year, USC will be back on top of the College Football world.

-Michigan State will play in the 2011 Rose Bowl (I hope!)

How I Avoid the Holiday Mall Madness

2009-12-24T12:54:00.003-05:00

Like (almost) everybody else, I love the holiday season.

If everyone was as polite year round as they are for a 30 some-odd day stretch, the world would be a much better place…well, if you exclude all the psychos in the stores.

I’m a 20-something bachelor, which means a few things: George Foreman is a deity in my eyes; up until about four years ago, the word “wedding” was worse to me than some four-letter words; and I Christmas shop around Dec. 23 every year. I don’t wait until the last minute because I lack Christmas spirit. I hold off for one reason and one reason alone: Christmas shoppers are the vilest, most evil people walking the Earth outside of the casts of every reality show ever, SEC football coaches and that dude who laid out Snooki last week on "Jersey Shore."

I’m sure you’ll all seen them: fighting over sweaters with reindeer on them when they know people hate getting clothes for Christmas, screaming at the top of their lungs about “Hannah Montana;” and getting up at the butt crack of dawn the day after Thanksgiving to save $3 on an MP3 player.

I was walking through a big box store — the name rhymes with “Mest My” — a couple weeks ago, and I swear I saw a man get tased by a 68-year-old woman because she had to have the last blu-ray copy of “District 9” for her grandson.

Why can’t people keep their cool when they’re in the mall during the holidays? My Mom is a serial shopper. She never met a sale she didn’t like, yet this is the only time of year she has tales of terror. It’s really not that difficult to devise a plan of attack for hitting the mall, yet millions of people unleash their inner Ebenezer Scrooge or Cruella De Vil and make fools of themselves during what is supposed to be the best time
of the year…next to college football season, of course.

I made up my 11-person shopping list about a month ago. It contains everyone’s name and what I want to buy them. I know of a number of stores that hold each gift, so I won’t go all Jack Torrance on some unsuspecting retailer who already hates their job if one store doesn’t have something on my list. I also have back-up gifts on the list, and I clear an entire day so I can devote as much time as needed to my search.

I understand people are adamant about getting the “perfect gift” for someone — usually because it’s asked for. But if you really know that person, it’s easy to have second and third gift options because you pay attention to what they like, their interests and tastes. If that person has a gripe about what you get them, they should be off your Christmas list altogether, or you should buy them nothing but Ben Affleck movies every year for as long as you know them.

I know it’s said a lot, but Christmas has become over-commercialized. I haven’t asked for anything since before I left home for college almost nine years ago. That was due more to the fact that I knew I’d need things earlier in the year, but you get the
point, right?

Family, friends, eating way too much food and laughing at your drunk uncle should be the focus of the season, not which sibling can get mom and dad the best gift because you know they’ll love whatever you buy as long as you put some thought into it. If you can’t afford to spend exorbitant amounts of money on someone, I’m sure you’ll think of something they’ll love that fits your budget.

So it really is the thought that counts when it comes to any gift; and since the NFL, college basketball and the college football bowl season are in full swing, I THOUGHT about buying everybody on my list gift cards and popcorn tins. I put a little more thought into it than that, though, so hopefully the people I had to shop for will be happy…because I threw out all my receipts.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

Darko done in the NBA/Re-hashing 03 Draft

2009-12-17T22:55:00.004-05:00

The New York Post this week reported that former No. 2 overall pick Darko Milicic said he's going to return to Europe to play ball at the end of this season.

"Whatever happens, I'm going back next year," the 7-foot-1 Milicic told The Post. "It's 100-percent certain. I have to be real and not lie. I'm not going to get it done in the NBA. I'm not going to get another opportunity and there's nothing wrong with going back to Europe. I don't want to create a bad atmosphere here, but it's not working in the NBA."

It took him seven years in the League to figure out it wasn't working? How’d he come to that conclusion? Maybe it was playing behind 450-pound Eddy Curry. That or the constantly hearing, “YOU SUCK, DARKO” yelled at him in 658 languages by NYC cabbies. He couldn't get off the oak in Detroit. He couldn't get any burn in Memphis, which is the CW Network of NBA teams. Now he can't get on the court for a New York team (Milicic has played in just eight of the Knicks 24 games) that had been 3-14 until a recent four-game win streak.

Darko is making $7.54 million this year to play 8.9 minutes a night. That's about $7.56 million more than he SHOULD be making. For his seven-year career, Darko averages 5.4 points, 4 boards and about 17 minutes a night. Those are numbers you expect to see for Dwayne Schintzius, not the No. 2 overall pick.

From here on, this is a re-hash of a blog I published prior to the 2007 NBA Draft in June 2007.

Let's play a game of "what if." The '03 draft turned out to be one of the deepest in history, being mentioned in the same breath as the '84 draft (Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, John Stockton) and the '96 draft (Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Stephon Marbury, Jermaine O'Neal).

Darko was the second pick on the '03 edition of the draft. The second pick in the other star-studded drafts hasn't panned out how GMs and owners hoped. Sam Bowie's 10-year career was injury filled and Marcus Camby (selected number two by the Toronto Raptors in 1996) has turned into a serviceable big man, but not what Isiah Thomas hoped when he drafted him.

Waiting a few years to re-do or grade a previous draft is always a good idea, in my opinion. Who would have thought Josh Howard and Leandro Barbosa would have turned into stars after their rookie campaigns?

Number one in 2003 was a no-brainer. Cleveland was set to take LeBron James with the first selection. It gets interesting past that point, though, so we'll start with the second pick. The draftees' original spot is in parentheses.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers-LeBron James (1), St. Vincent/St. Mary's High School. Original pick: James

2. Detroit Pistons-Chris Bosh (4), Georgia Tech. A number of people have said Detroit should have taken Carmelo Anthony here, but the Pistons already had a small forward in Prince. Dwyane Wade may have fit here, too, but his minutes may have been minimal behind Hamilton and Billups. Many people have said Milicic didn't display any passion or work ethic, which led to him not getting any burn. I think Bosh, Anthony and Wade would have earned some PT. Original pick: Darko Milicic

3. Denver Nuggets-Dwyane Wade (5), Marquette. We all know Denver took Anthony in the spot four years ago. The 2006 Finals MVP could have worked out for the Nuggets, though. With the 46th pick, Denver could have chosen the undrafted Udonis Haslem, Wade's teammate in Miami, or the undrafted Marquise Daniels. Haslem has stayed healthy throughout his career, which is more than I can say for Nene. Haslem may have not commanded a $60 million deal the way Hilario did, either. Original pick: Carmelo Anthony

4. Toronto Raptors-Carmelo Anthony (3), Syracuse. Could drafting Anthony have kept Vince Carter in Canada? We'll never know, but this pick could have given the Raptors a wing tandem for the ages. Haslem was also still on the board when Toronto picked again at 52, which would have filled the PF hole. Original pick: Bosh

5. Miami Heat-Josh Howard (29), Wake Forest. The best defensive player on the list takes a huge jump from his original position. I don't know if Howard would have led the Heat to the second round of the playoffs the way Wade did his rookie season, but Howard's all-around, unselfish game would have meshed well with Shaq, assuming O'Neal would have still signed with the Heat. Milwaukee point guard Mo Williams was available at 33, as well, and Williams could have played the two in Miami. Original pick: Wade

6. Los Angeles Clippers-Chris Kaman (6), Central Michigan. Kaman was selected here by the Clippers in the '03 draft. He fit a need with the departure of former number one pick Michael Olowokandi. Kaman parlayed a couple solid seasons into a $50 million re-up before injuries put him on the shelf for much of the current season. Original pick: Kaman

7. Chicago Bulls-Kirk Hinrich (7), Kansas. Hinrich was originally selected here by the Bulls in 2003. The Jayhawk fit a need after '02 pick Jay Williams pulled a Rothlesberger before you could call it that. Hinrich has been a key cog in the Bulls' resurgence, helping lead the team to back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Original pick: Hinrich

8. Milwaukee Bucks-T.J. Ford (8), Texas. Ford was selected here by Milwaukee and fit a need following the departure of Sam Cassell to Minnesota and Gary Payton to the Lakers. Ford was having a solid rookie campaign (7.1 ppg, 6.5 apg) before he suffered a neck injury. He was traded to Toronto for Raptors 2006 lottery pick Charlie Villanueva and has piloted Toronto to the top of the Atlantic division and the three-seed in the Eastern Conference. Original pick: Ford

9. New York Knicks-David West (18), Xavier. The 6’'9," 240-pound West had a quiet first two years with the Hornets, but West had a breakout season last year, averaging 17.4 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 51 percent from the field. Yes, I'm sure having Chris Paul helped, but West seems like a hard worker who'll do anything to make it in the League. Original pick: Michael Sweetney

10. Washington Wizards
11. Golden State Warriors
Either of these spots could have gone to two players: Boris Diaw (21) and Luke Walton (32). Diaw couldn't get off the bench in Atlanta, yet he has been a major part of a Phoenix team that has re-introduced "Showtime" to the masses, even garnering Most Improved Player honors at the end of the 2005-06 season. Starting at center for Phoenix that season in the playoffs, Diaw averaged 18.7 points, 6.7 boards and 5.2 assists. Walton has blossomed into one of the better all-around young players in the league. His adept passing skills have been put on display in Phil Jackson's triangle offense. In 48 games this season, Walton has more than doubled his career scoring (5.1 to 11.4 ppg), and assists per game averages (2.3 to 4.5). The original picks in these slots, Jarvis Hayes and Michael Pietrus, have shown flashes at time, but haven't played at the level of Diaw and Walton. Original picks: Jarvis Hayes (Wash.) and Michael Pietrus (GSW)

12. Seattle Supersonics-Udonis Haslem, Florida. I considered slotting Darko here, but Seattle has had a pension to take bangers the last few years (Reggie Evans, trading for Chris Wilcox). Haslem went undrafted in 2003, after playing overseas in 2002, but has worked his way into the starting PF spot in South Beach for the foreseeable future. Haslem isn't flashy, but he's a big body who isn't afraid to mix it up in the post. It also helps that he can hit an 18-foot jumper consistently. Original pick: Nick Collison

13. Memphis Grizzlies-Leandro Barbosa (28), Brazil. As of March 27, Barbosa is averaging 17.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 32.4 minutes per game. Barbosa is widely considered at the favorite to win the Sixth Man of the Year award. The speedy Barbosa could start on a number of teams, but he's happy with his role in Phoenix. Ironically, one of his teammates, Marcus Banks, was selected in this spot originally. Banks rarely sniffs the court in Phoenix. Original pick: Marcus Banks

If you notice, Darko’s nowhere to be found on the list. If I went that deep into the draft, Milicic would have fallen somewhere between Bow Wow’s character in “Like Mike” and the kid in my fifth-grade phys. ed. class who would just take a basketball and run in circles around the gym screaming “TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN!”

So, so long, Darko. I hope every team you play against starts a barstool at power forward. You’ll be a hall of famer for sure!

Adding 12th team to Big Ten a good idea

2009-12-15T14:23:00.007-05:00

The Big 12 was once the Big Eight.

Florida State, and a slew of other football programs, were independents.

Joe Paterno, up until a few years ago, could hold his bowels on the sideline.

Things change. It's time for the Big Ten to change and join the 21st century and add a 12th team, which would bring some much-needed interest to a conference that has been treated like Elin Nordegren the last few years. Reports have surfaced that this is now a real possibility and it's something that should happen soon.

No matter what team it is (it's been rumored to be Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse or Iowa State), the Big Ten would be able to establish a conference championship game, which would mean an additional $5-$7 million for the conference. That conference game would be played in early December - uncharted territory for the Big Ten. That would keep the conference's top teams at the top of the minds of pollsters and give them a chance to impress the computers, as well.

A downside of scheduling a conference title game is the gate. Most stadiums (Beaver Stadium, The Horseshoe, The Big House) are much larger than where the conference title game would be played. If the game is played in either Soldier Field, Lucas Oil Stadium or Ford Field, some teams would lose 30,000 seats. But tickets for the conference title game would be at a premium and cost more than a regular-season game in Ann Arbor or Columbus.

Adding an additional squad would also call for a schedule shake-up.

Oftentimes (not always), Michigan and Ohio State will be at the top of the conference and would meet in the league's championship game. No one outside of Columbus or Ann Arbor would want to see the teams play two straight weeks, meaning the annual rivalry game could be moved around on the schedule, a la Texas/Oklahoma, Notre Dame/USC. Playing that game, let's say, six weeks before the conference championship game would allow the fanbases to stew and give Big Ten fans something to hope for come early December.

Adding a twelfth team would call for divisions to be formed in the conference. Some have said there should be an East (Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and the new squad) and West (Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Purdue). The East would be stacked, as it has all the power teams, meaning there would be basically no intrigue leading into a conference title game, unless the team out of the West has a special year.

I would opt for a North/South split, with the conference shaking out like this:

North
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
Northwestern
Purdue
Wisconsin

South
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Ohio State
Penn State
(Pittsburgh/Rutgers/Syracuse/Iowa State)

I know it doesn't make a lot of sense geographically, but you keep the eight-game conference schedule, with the teams in each division playing every season, and rotating three teams in and out from the outside division. In order to keep rivalries in tact (I'll use Ohio State as an example), The Buckeyes would play their five division games - including a rivalry game with Penn State each season that would (most likely) have championship implications each year - Ohio State would still play Michigan every year (presumably in mid-October), while rotating two other teams from the North off their schedule every couple of years.

With the rotating games, teams that play for rivalry trophies would still be able to do so. Wisconsin would still have its game each year against Iowa, as the Badgers would have two teams in the South that would rotate off their schedule every couple of years, while the Hawkeyes would be a staple on Wisconsin's slate. Same goes for Northwestern (Illinois every season), Purdue (Indiana), Minnesota (Iowa), Penn State (Michigan), Michigan State (Penn State). Sure, some rivalry games would take place every couple of years (Penn State/Minnesota, MSU/Indiana), but the big ones would remain an annual happening.

A North/South split would balance out power in the conference. You have Michigan in the North, along with teams like (Wisconsin, Purdue and, sadly, not my alma mater in Green) that are capable of special seasons and winning a conference title. In the West, you have traditional powers in OSU and Penn State, along with Iowa, which has made runs recently, and the new squad. Putting the new squads in the same division with OSU and PSU, and having them play every season, would give the new squads a chance to legitimize themselves.

This move would be much more of a football one than basketball. There seem to be many more positives than negatives. The only major negative I see is if the new team flops and doesn't add anything to the Big Ten. So, if this does come to fruition, Commissioner Jim Delany and whomever else has a say better be careful which team they choose.

I only have one request, though: make it a squad State can beat. Please?

I hope pinstripes don't make me look fat

2009-12-08T15:01:00.004-05:00

I get the business aspect of sports.

I stopped getting attached to athletes when I was around 17.

Players get traded from team to team, leave in free agency and retire all the time.

But this is different.

When I initially heard the Tigers were going to look at trading Curtis Granderson, I thought it was a joke. It made sense on a number of fronts: his contract is set to balloon in the next few years-it would get as high as about $13 million in 2013. His numbers at the plate have been on the decline. If the team was going to rebuild, he would be one of four or five players other teams would want.

All of that made sense.

Until the deal went through...

Earlier this afternoon, Curtis was dealt to the New York Yankees as a part of a three-team deal that sent Tigers No.-3 starter Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, while Detroit picked up pitchers Max Scherzer (Arizona) and Phil Coke (NYY), along with outfield prospect Austin Jackson (NYY), who is said to eventually replace Curtis in centerfield.

While some people are saying Granderson will be a part-time player in the Big Apple. I think he'll start for the Bombers, as both Johnny Damon, who started in the outfield for the Yankees last season, and DH Hideki Matsui are free agents on the downside of the their careers who will be expecting big paydays.

I hate to see Grandy go. I never owned a jersey of a player from any Detroit team until I got a Granderson jersey for my birthday in 2006. That was the first summer he played full time, and Curtis was a catalyst in a lot of big wins that year. He also contributed greatly to a lot of fun nights at Comerica Park.

I hate to see Grandy go, but, for him, there could be a silver lining. He's made for Madison Avenue. ESPN gave him a blog two years ago BEFORE he became an all-star. He's been featured as an analyst as a part of TBS' postseason coverage the past two seasons, as well, getting his face out in the mainstream. Curtis has also started many charitable organizations that benefit the youth of Detroit and surrounding areas. He's easily been the most visible Tiger since he's gotten here. If he's able to keep that up in New York, and get his batting average up, he could be a huge star.

In a sense, Granderson is Derek Jeter Lite: a little overrated on the field; comes up clutch at times, but in a place like New York, you can make more money off the field than on it if you play it right.

Sure, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long will have his work cut out for him with Granderson. Curtis couldn't hit a pitch off a lefty if the guy was throwing a beach ball to the plate. His career .210 batting average against left-handed pitching is a cause for concern, but if he doesn't have to hit leadoff, which I'm assuming he won't, that could help him out.

I hate this move. I can see Detroit is looking to build for the long-term, but Granderson should have been in those plans. Look at all the bad contracts the Tigers have: Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis. But that's the problem. No other team wants those guys. If you're going to rebuild, you can only deal players other teams covet.

But fans don't have to be happy about it. I expect season ticket sales to take a major dip. I would go as far as to say the only sellouts they have will be when Justin Verlander pitches or when New York, Boston, the White Sox or Indians come to town. That or when it's a picturesque day outside.

The Tigers will be running all kinds of specials next season. You'll be able to get a ticket, pop, hot dog, T-shirt and pretzel for $13.85. I can't wait for "Bring Your Own Hot N Ready Day."

As a fan, this sucks. My Granderson jersey has a permanent home on a hanger now. But as someone who knows and understands the business of sports, the deal makes all the sense in the world. "Buy low, sell high" is the motto. That's what GM Dave Dombrowski did.

But I don't have to like it.

May 10-13. Tigers/Yankees. Comerica Park.

I'll be there cheering. But I'll be wear...I'll be wearing pin...I'll be wearing pinstripes.

Man, that was hard.

The Sloppiest MNF game ever

2009-12-08T08:11:00.005-05:00

In case you didn't stay up to watch, last night's Monday Night Football Game between the Packers and Ravens was, statistically, the sloppiest game in MNF history. The game was sloppier than Tiger Woods and how he went about hiding his extramarital affairs.

Seriously, a real player wouldn't have his mistresses name AND number in his phone. You might even think someone with as much cash as Tiger would have a phone specifically set up for his Women On the Side. Either that or set up the, um, "meetings" as you go and don't have any phone contact.

Is it bad that I know so much about that kind of thing?

Back to football.

Some numbers:

-The two teams combined for 23 penalties, totaling a loss of 310 yards.
-Baltimore had almost as many penalty yards (135) as total yards (185).
-Green Bay had nearly twice as many penalty yards (175) as rushing yards (94).
-The squads combined for seven turnovers, including five interceptions.
-Joe Flacco looked like a combination of JaMarcus Russell and Matt Stafford, as he completed 41 percent of his passes (15/36) for 137 yards. That equals out to an average of 3.8 yards/completions. His QB rating (27.2), though, was higher than the combined IQ of the casts of "Jersey Shore" and "The Ruins."
-The Packers and Ravens combined to go 5-10 in the Red Zone.
-On 2nd and 3 from the Green Bay 3 with 8:46 left in the game, Flacco, with the Ravens down, 24-14, dropped back to pass, rolled out as far right as he possibly could, threw across his body to the other side of the field (a no-no for quarterbacks) and was intercepted by Tramon Williams to effectively end the game. The Packers went on to win, 27-14.

No-tolerance policy must be enforced by Dantonio

2009-12-02T13:05:00.005-05:00

With news coming out that eight Michigan State football players have been suspended indefinitely following their involvement in a dorm brawl Nov. 22, head coach Mark Dantonio must take a stand immediately and tell everyone on that roster he won't stand for this anymore.

An alleged fight the night before - after the team played Andy Dufresne to Penn State's The Sisters - at a club supposedly led to the fracas, where 15 MSU players were allegedly in attendance, 10 of whom are said to have been involved. Of the eight who have been suspended, three (WR B.J. Cunningham, WR Mark Dell and CB Chris L. Rucker) get significant playing time.

I don't understand how not even ONE of the players thought to say "We stand more to lose than anybody in all this, so let's just squash it." They messed it up for everyone on the team. No more second chances. One mistake, you're gone. When you're trying to build a program and establish a reputation, things of this nature cannot be tolerated.

The frat boys who the players went after still get to do whatever they want. The idiots who ski-masked up, what do they get? Less practice time, no bowl game, criminal charges possibly, and in the case of Roderick Jenrette and Glenn Winston, no more football.

It's not like this was an immediate reaction, all of these guys had time, nearly an entire day, to think about it and still none of them though, "this probably won't end well."

Winston got two shots, now I don't know what's gonna happen to him. I always thought Dantonio giving him a second chance essentially saved his life, now I don't know what's gonna become of him. How can somebody be so dumb?

Dantonio has to be smart in all this, because a pattern is forming in East Lansing.

The MSU coach allowed Winston to return to the squad late last summer after he served four months in jail for an October 2008 assault in which an MSU hockey player was seriously injured.

Dantonio also threw Jenrette off the team for the entire 2008 season to attempt to fix unknown personal problems before giving him his roster spot back in 2009.

I don't care who it is. I don't care if Kirk Cousins gets caught trying to take the bell out of Beaumont Tower, he has to go.

I don't care if Larry Caper gets caught trying to take an extra steak or handful of fries at dinner. He has to go.

These types of incidents can't keep happening. Dantonio is the best football coach MSU has had in eons. I know he wants to win, but it can't be at all costs, especially at the cost of tarnishing the university's name.

No matter what, Tiger will continue to play at a high level

2009-12-01T14:04:00.004-05:00

Ever since Tiger Woods was in the most newsworthy traffic accident in the history of the world, various rumors have hit the airwaves that Woods has had a number of extramarital affairs.

This is getting bad. And it's most likely gonna get worse.

News this afternoon from TMZ.com had another woman come out and reveal she had an affair that lasted more than two-and-a-half years with Woods. She has admitted she did have an affair with Woods, while the woman who was talked about last week said she did not mess around with Tiger. The newest chick on the side says she has photos and voicemails from Woods. She must be the beacon of class, too, since she appeared on VH1's "Tool Academy."

Apparently Tiger is attracted to walking petri dishes.

It's becoming more and more likely that Elin Woods, Tiger's wife, early Friday morning was chasing Woods out of their Florida home after finding out about these women (that or getting fed up with it after knowing about them for some time), causing him to smash into a fire hydrant near the edge of his driveway. In a statement Woods made on his Web site, Woods said his wife acted "courageously" in helping him out of his Cadillac. Why would she smash out the back window of his SUV when he was in the driver's seat of the vehicle and the airbag hadn't deployed?

It just doesn't add up.

I think she was going Angela Bassett in "Waiting to Exhale" on her husband minus the flames.

Actually, what makes it likely that Woods DID cheat on his wife is the company he keeps: Michael "$160 million divorce" Jordan and Charles "I'm on my way to get the best B.J. Armstrong in the world" Barkley.

This whole situation is gonna get nasty. Tiger is the most recognizable person in the world outside of our president. Not only has this story been a mainstay on ESPN, but it's been the top story on Larry King Live and Campbell Brown this week, as well, along with being featured on every local newscast.

Every news outlet is covering this story. Had he just came out and said something - anything - other than "I'm not talking to police," his family issues would still be just that. But his unwillingness to cooperate with the authorities - in essence, "big timing" the cops, Woods "minor accident" is now mainstream news.

Now police are getting involved. Charges may be filed against Woods and not his wife. Information as to why those charges may be filed hasn't been released yet. I think him saying Elin acted courageously was, in a way, Tiger attempting to keep her from going to jail for domestic abuse. Elin going upside his head with that club is grounds for an arrest. Her being in cuffs would have made things worse, if that's even possible.

I'm not saying what he may have done outside his marriage was right. It's not. What he DID do right, though, was attempt to leave the situation and not strike his wife.

I refuse to go along with what many are saying and say that money makes famous men step out on their wifes. I've known guys who work 3rd shift at Ford's and who stock groceries who have a wife, a girlfriend, a late-night hook-up, etc. It's not the money. I don't know what it is. It's most likely the fact that they think they can get away with it. That's it.

This is gonna put serious strain on the Woods family. If he did cheat on his wife with some of the Real Chance of Love Girls, it's a personal matter between husband and wife. But Tiger is a PUBLIC figure. Everyone from Anderson Cooper to a dude with a YouTube screenname and a camcorder will want to get in on this story.

But Tiger has a sanctuary.

The golf course.

When Kobe Bryant was going through his rape trial in spring 2004, he would fly to Colorado for court, then fly back to L.A. or wherever the Lakers were playing that night and drop 40 on the opposition. That went on through the duration of that trial.

While both are awful, I'm not comparing (possibly) cheating on your wife to being accused of sexual assault, but Tiger and Kobe share that killer instinct and a keen ability to block everything out when it's time to go to work. He may get booed on the course from time to time, but no matter what happens, I expect Tiger to continue to play well on the PGA Tour. He's too much of a competitor to let anything get to him.

Yea, he may blow a gasket on the course from time to time, but he'll continue to play at a high level. Especially when he's so close to Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors. He was able to win the 2006 Open Championship two months after his father, Earl, passed away in 2006.

He has to play well, because if that these reports are true, golf may be the only thing he has come this time next year.

A Family Affair

2009-11-24T13:15:00.002-05:00

Ah, the holiday season.

The time of excruciatingly-cold temps and expanded waistlines.

It’s amazing that so many people shop during the other 11 months on the calendar, yet this is the only time of year a 73-year-old woman will wield a machete if someone attempts to take the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots she wants to buy her grandson for Christmas.

This is the time to reflect on the things — good and bad — this year has brought us, and it’s a good idea to do that with family.

I love this time of year. There’s two days — Thanksgiving and Christmas — where you can eat like Joey Chestnut and nobody asks if you have a tapeworm or assumes you’re depressed.

It’s also one of the few times of year that families get together just to have some fun, reminisce and laugh at things they did in the past. Oddly enough, the only other time this happens on a regular basis is at funerals.

I know people who look at this time of year like it’s the worst thing ever. I’ve never looked at it like that because as people get older, things change. You spend less time with your family (Mother, Father, etc.) because you’re trying to start your own. I cherish this time of year, for no other reason than I get to bother the hell out of my aunts and cousins.

I would put my Mom in that category, but she gets it all the time. I'm not sure, but I could be the only person I know who tells his mother she's, um, "smuggling raisins" when it's cold in her house. Sometimes she deserves it. Once she told me Barry Sanders was a linebacker. She had a thing for Dontrelle Willis, too, but couldn't even tell me what position he played. I didn't expect her to know, though. The only thing she knows about pitchers is that you fill them with lemonade.

People always say they’re going to take more time out of their schedules to spend with family, but these days, that’s almost impossible, what with hectic work schedules and everything else. So this 30-some odd day period — from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day — should be reserved for catching up with relatives.

I think I’m pretty good about making sure I allocate time for my family, whether it’s through a phone call, e-mail, or text message. Modern technology has pretty much taken away any excuse anyone has for not keeping in touch with friends and family, so it’s pretty much unacceptable to not take a couple seconds and call someone to talk.

I know it’s cliché, but we all need to learn to cherish the people we say we care about because they could be gone in the blink of an eye.

So enjoy the holidays with your folks.

And watch out for little old lady's in the malls.

Should there even be any 'Pride of the Lions?'

2009-11-19T21:47:00.002-05:00

This Sunday, during a game NOBODY will see, the 1-8 Detroit Lions will unveil a "Pride of the Lions'' during halftime of the team's game against the 1-8 Cleveland Browns.

Twelve former Lions will be honored during the ceremony, and their names, numbers and years played will be displayed in a portion of Ford Field. All 12 members are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

I didn't even know the Lions had 12 "great" players. The Lions are as deserving of something like this as Carl Lewis and Roseanne were of standing ovations after their renditions of our National Anthem.

Why didn't they switch it up and do a Ring of Shame? There's enough names for that list to fill a five-foot high stack of phone books.

Terry Fair (taken one spot ahead of Randy Moss in 1998). Andre Ware. Charles Rogers. Joey Harrington.

You know how bad it is? When you think of great Lions, you always hear the same three or four names: Barry, Bobby Layne, Charlie Sanders, Herman Moore. But there's enough awful former players and execs to fill a couple 53-man rosters.

Dan Orlovsky. Mike Williams. Brian Calhoun. Scott Mitchell. Everybody on the roster of the 1942 team that went 0-11 and scored 38 points the entire season.

This Ring of Horror isn't just reserved for players. Nope. Coaches and front office personnel have spots, too.

Former coach Alvin McMillin, who was hired in 1948 and led the team to a .333 win percentage in his tenure.

Former GM Matt Millen, who, over a little more than a seven-year stretch, ran a football team about as good as a paraplegic would fly a space shuttle. The team was 31-97 under Millen. They went 8-50 on the road. From 2001 to 2007, Millen was responsible for the drafting 53 players. Five are still with the team.

Rod Marinelli: a head coach who was in way over his head and who oversaw the first 0-16 team in NFL history.

None of them compares to owner Bill Ford Sr. Forty-three years ago Sunday, Ford purchased the team for $4.5 million. It's worth about $800 million today. That's about $799,999,999.67 too much. In that $800 million somewhere lies one playoff win since 1957.

So what are they honoring again?

Iverson could be 'Answer' for Orlando

2009-11-18T12:42:00.003-05:00

For the second season in a row, Orlando Magic all-star starting point guard Jameer Nelson will miss extensive time with an injury.

After being sidelined with a shoulder injury for most of the second half of the regular season and a large part of the 2009 playoffs, Nelson this season will be out 4-6 weeks after suffering a knee injury Monday in the Magic's six-point win over Charlotte.

Last season, Orlando went out and dealt for Rafer Alston, who played solid ball in Nelson's absence. Nelson's injury this season again leaves Orlando with little depth at the point. Jason "White Chocolate" Williams will be Orlando's starting point guard. He'll be backed up by 35-year-old, career backup Anthony Johnson. That's not good when you're starting point guard looks like he just got done doing a 4-year bid. It's even worse when his backup looks like one of the frequent guests on the Howard Stern Show.

There's an option out there for Orlando, though. He's got a lot of mileage on his odometer. He's a bit of a malcontent (that's an understatement). But he's also one of the best scorers in league history, along with being one of the toughest players in league history.

Orlando should take a good long look at signing newly-cut Allen Iverson. Iverson and the Memphis Grizzlies parted ways Monday after the man with the sixth-highest scoring average in league history (27 ppg) played 3 games with Memphis. Reports surfaced that Iverson wasn't happy with his role with the Grizzlies, as he was set to play backup to third-year guard Mike Conley.

His unhappiness is his own fault, as Iverson in the last two seasons has refused to realize he's on his last legs. At his size (6-feet tall, a buck 165 soaking wet), it's a wonder he's been able to play at a high level for so long. But you'd figure that at this point in his career, Iverson would be interested in one of two things: mentoring a young guard and/or winning a title.

He wasn't going to win a title in Memphis, or anywhere for that matter because no other team would touch Iverson knowing his Type-A personality. All summer long, I thought he would suck it up and come off the bench for a San Antonio, Cleveland or L.A. Lakers. Iverson doesn't want that. He wants to be the guy he was in Philly who took 35 shots a game. He's not that guy anymore.

Iverson could work in Orlando, though.

You can get him for the veteran's minimum ($1.8 million). He would basically serve as a stopgap until Nelson returns from his injury, which could sideline Nelson for 14-22 games. You could cut bait with Iverson once Nelson comes back. Or Magic GM Otis Smith and coach Stan Van Gundy could make him an offer.

You know how when someone first gets a job, they have a 90-day probationary period? That'd be what AI gets until Nelson gets back into game shape. If he acts right, keep him on. There's a strong possibility that won't happen, but it's worth a shot. It also helps that it wouldn't cost Orlando that much.

Upon the signing, Magic brass could propose an offer to Iverson. Tell him he's the starter until Nelson gets back. Tell him he'll get his looks, but he needs to understand this isn't Philly circa 2000 and that he can't jack up 30 shots a night. Then tell him he has a spot on the roster once Nelson returns, but that he'll get 20-25 minutes a night backing up both Nelson and shooting guard Vince Carter. If he decides to embrace his sixth man role, he would be able to channel a younger Iverson because he would be the best player in that second unit.

Lastly, and this SHOULD be what seals the deal, explain to him the team has designs on winning a title and that they'd love for him to be a part of that as long as he understands his role. If Iverson doesn't like that, he's done. If he doesn't want a role on what would easily be the best team he's been a part of, he's done.

And it'll be on him. Nobody else. All that would do is prove everybody right about his "Me-First" outlook. Hopefully Iverson doesn't want that to be his legacy.

Chris Paul now a realistic option for Detroit

2009-11-14T09:23:00.007-05:00

The firing of now former New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott earlier this week has done a couple of things: let Hornets players and fans know this year is already a wash, made the country's unemployment rate just a liiiiitle higher, and pissed off the team's franchise player.

All-world point guard Chris Paul (23.8 ppg, 9.2 apg, 1.9 spg so far this season) shortly after Scott was given his walking papers told reporters all the blame can't be placed on Scott. The fifth-year guard also said he isn't pleased with how the situation was handled, saying he felt someone would have at least consulted with him and asked how he felt before the decision was made.

Having a disgruntled star on your team is never a good thing. Rarely do situations like the one unfolding in the N.O. end well. That roster, outside of Paul and forward David West, is kind of like the opposite of a pot of gumbo: a bunch of things thrown together that turned out awful.

The man who built that roster, Hornets GM Jeff Bowers, now has to try and make chicken salad out of chicken (you know what) and I think that team is destined to remain a bunch of (you know what).

That means Paul will have to continue to try and be a basketball version of Jason Bourne, but he'll only be able to do that for so long. Paul recently signed a new deal that will pay him about $45 million over the next three seasons (the deal includes a player option for a fourth year). His is a deal any team in the NBA would be willing to take on, even in the state of the league's economy.

But there aren't that many teams that are realistic options for Paul. In any deal, the Hornets would obviously want to receive pieces in return that would keep the team viable. There are some deals out there that would serve as short-term solutions and would work for all parties involved (Paul for Steve Nash straight up comes to mind). But I see very few real options for the Hornets. I say that because other GMs in the league would be calling Bowers and Bowers would be the one holding all the cards.

Paul and Peja Stojakovic to Orlando for Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis
The money matches up just about right, which is important in NBA deals. Both teams would be dealing more than $26 million in salary. Stojakovic and his two years and around $29 million are basically a throw-in in this deal, which amounts to trading all-star point guard for all-star point guard. Nelson was an all-star last season, but missed part of the second half of the season with a shoulder injury. So far this season, in 29 minutes a game, Nelson is averaging 13.5 points and 5.6 assists. Lewis (currently serving a 10-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug) was arguably Orlando's best player in the NBA Finals and is versatile enough to play both forward spots. Lewis is also coming off a season where he put in around 18 points and 6 board a night. In this deal, New Orleans would be getting two players who are relatively young and who can make big contributions. Orlando would be pairing one player who is the best at his position - center Dwight Howard - with another - Paul. Losing the scoring punch Lewis provides would normally be a blow to any team, except Orlando in the off-season added Vince Carter, who's averaging 18 a game this season and has averaged 23.5 over his 12-year career.

Paul and Hilton Armstrong to Detroit for Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince and Jason Maxiell
The return of Isiah Thomas. Paul would be exactly what Detroit needs: someone to ignite the team's fastbreak offense, which is obviously what the team is looking to do going forward. Armstrong, with one year left on a $2.8 million deal, is basically a throw-in to make the contracts match. On the Detroit side, The Rodney Stuckey as a Starting Point Guard Experiment is heading nowhere fast. Sure, he leads the team in assists at 4.1/game, but backup point guard Will Bynum has the same total in 12 less minutes a night. So far, that has added up to the Pistons being last in the league in assists/game at 15.9. All the teams at the top of that category are either really good, or they run an uptempo offense. Right now, Detroit is trying to be the latter. Imagine Paul on the floor running and gunning with Ben Gordon (who has been a revelation so far this season, pouring in 23.8 points a night on .492 percent from the field), Rip Hamilton and Charlie Villanueva. Paul might be the only man in the league would could possibly make Kwame Brown look good, too. As far as Prince, Stuckey and Maxiell go, they could bring some toughness and hard work to a roster that looks lethargic right now.

There are other possible deals for Paul, but they wouldn't benefit the Hornets at all and some of them would put Paul in the same position he's currently in.

So Otis Smith and Joe Dumars, if you're smart, pick up a phone.

Tayshaun Prince won't get Pistons fans what they're asking for

2009-11-11T14:54:00.005-05:00

Let people around here tell it, Pistons small forward Tayshaun Prince, if traded, could get you a more than serviceable big man.

That's about as accurate a statement as this: "Oh, no! White Castle doesn't give you bubble guts at all!"

Pistons fans and pundits have been pining for a big man who commands a double team since Bob Lanier left town. They think Prince, who has two years and about $21.5 million left on his contract, can be moved for a big who would allow Detroit to play 5-on-5 on the offensive end instead of the 5-on-4 they've been playing for the better part of a decade.

That talk has gotten stronger since Prince, in his eighth NBA season, all with Detroit, has missed the team's last four games with a ruptured disk in his back, which will keep him sidelined indefinitely. With the drafting of 17 small forwards this past June (OK, it was really three), Prince's injury has given those rookies, most notably Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye, a chance to earn PT.

Jerebko, the 39th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, has taken Prince's place in the starting line-up up to this point. Jerebko has played 24 minutes a night since Tayshaun went down. His numbers have gotten better with each start. He has also become more comfortable out on the court and more aggressive on offense. Daye has averaged about 14 minutes a game in Detroit's last four. He's shown flashes, as well.

I knew something was up when Pistons GM Joe Dumars drafted three guys who play the same position as Prince (12 points, 5 boards a game in three games this season). Those moves would lead anyone to believe Tayshaun was on the block. Drafting that many players who fit the same mold as Prince would also lead some to think there is a market for Prince, but there isn't. Not for what Dumars will be asking.

The most logical - and most talked about - deal for Prince seems to be a 1-for-1 deal that would bring Central Michigan alum and Grand Rapids native Chris Kaman home to Detroit. The move would allow Prince, from Compton, to go home, as well.

The deal makes sense on the surface. The contracts of the two players are close enough where no other players would have to be added in the deal. Both players would get a new start. Kaman (21.9 points, 9.4 rebounds in 2009-10) has one more year and about $12 million on his contract, but he would just be reaching 30 years old at the end of the deal.

I should have phrased that different. The deal makes sense for the Pistons. Not the Clippers, or any other team Detroit would be looking to deal with.

Kaman is the best center the Clippers have ever had. Him being able to do more than move all his limbs saved jobs after the debacle that was Michael Olowokandi. Kaman's numbers haven't been great. His career averages of 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks don't jump out at you, but he's one of maybe six TRUE centers in the NBA who's a threat to get a double-double every night while commanding a double team.

The Clippers are third-worst franchise in sports (number one plays at Brush and Montcalm downtown and number two is owned by the Cryptkeeper). It's worth a shot because the talk between Dumars and Clippers GM Mike Dunleavy could go something like this:

Dumars: "Hey, Mike. I got a logjam at small forward. Any way I can get Chris Kaman off your hands?"

Dunleavy: "Chris Kaman? Oh, my starting center. Um...he's pretty good. And one more brainfart of a move could cost me my gig."

Dumars: "Yea. I understand that, but we really, really need a big man."

Dunleavy: "I don't know, Joe. We already have Al Thornton and we're not looking to take on anymore money."

Dumars: "Oh, but his deal is up after next season. He's long, a plus defender, gives you scoring, can guard different positions. I think you know him."

Dunleavy: "Do I!!! I'll take him. I didn't even know Scottie Pippen was still around!!!"

Dunleavy isn't even that dumb. You're going to trade a bonafide big man for a guy who isn't even gonna start for you? That's career suicide, especially for somebody like Dunleavy who already isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

There's not that many true bigmen in the league anymore and unless a team is in severe financial trouble, no GM in his right mind would trade his center for a small forward unless that small forward's name is LeBron.

I'm not saying there's nothing you can get for Tayshaun. Can I interest you in Eddy Curry? He works about as hard at his job as the people who work the drive-thru at the Wendy's by my house. How do you feel about Samuel Dalembert. Six points and 6 boards a game...for $12 million/year.

Detroit's best bet is to find a big through the draft. That may take some time, though, because there aren't many great big men coming out in the next couple years. (Really) early mock drafts have the first big man, Kansas center Cole Aldrich, going number 5 to Golden State.

That same mock has the Pistons, at number 12, taking...Ohio State small forward Evan Turner.

Maybe Detroit could be the first squad to field a squad of guys 6'4" to 6'8."

The worst of times

2009-11-06T11:23:00.003-05:00

Sports have always served as a distraction for fans.

Watching a football game can, for a little while, make people forget what ails them.

Not around here. Not this fall.

The last couple months have been awful for fans of local teams. I've gotten to the point that I'd rather watch a Maury Povich marathon than watch a football game featuring one of our teams.

The University of Michigan has pulled an MSU: start fast and fade.

The Spartans have performed well below expectations (not mine, though) and will be lucky to play in a bowl game.

And the Lions have been, well, the Lions.

Fast forward to hockey and basketball season, and the Pistons, while they'll be entertaining, likely won't make the playoffs. And the area's one consistently really good franchise, the Red Wings, stumbled out of the gate (tied for second in the Central Division with Chicago, one point behind Columbus) and will be in a fight all year to make hockey's second season.

I know it's extremely early in the game, but if the playoffs started this weekend, fans of the two Detroit teams that have seen the most success in recent years would have to find a second squad to root for because their hometown team would be watching postseason action at Bdubs with the rest of us.

Things could get much better, though, come winter.

The Spartan men's hoops team is ranked second in the nation (behind Kansas, a team MSU beat twice last season) in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls. Michigan's hoop squad is ranked 15th in both polls, as the Wolverines will look to build on last season's trip to the Big Dance - their first since 1998.

So there may be some light at the end of this long tunnel, but right now, being a Detroit sports fan is about as fun as watching DVR'd episodes of NOVA on a Saturday night.

2009-10 NBA: Preseason Power Rankings Part IV

2009-10-21T15:56:00.004-04:00

There's not many "great" teams in the NBA.

These next five teams all have serious question marks as far as personnel, yet I think they could all make the playoffs and make a run in the playoffs.

This season is gonna be fun, but, outside of the top teams, it'll be about as predictable as Mike Tyson.

The Buffalo Wild Wings Division

15. Philadelphia 76ers
Philly is intriguing for a lot of reasons. The Sixers have athletes all over the place (Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams, etc.). They have size inside (Elton Brand, Samual Dalembert, Marreese Speights). But they don't have a point guard. Andre Miller, who played all 82 games in 2007-08 and 2008-09, left for Portland as a free agent, with the reins being handed to Williams (going into his 5th season at 22 years old). Williams in the last two seasons has missed just three games, but has never started a game in his career. His high in assists per game was 3.2 in 2007-08 and his best assist to turnover ratio was 2:1 that same season. Look for Iguoldala to share ballhandling duties with Williams. And expect rookie point guard Jrue Holiday (the only "true" point on Philly's roster), to get some time at the point, as well. If that pans out and Brand, who's played 37 games the last two seasons, stays healthy, Philly could make some noise in the playoffs.

14. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix will most likely sneak into the playoffs this season, but the run is over for this team. Reports I've read have the Suns going back to their run & gun style, which will be fun for the first 82, but, as has been proven in the past, that style won't translate to a championship, or even a trip past the first round. Phoenix's core now features a 37-year-old with bad ankles (Grant Hill), a 35-year-old with a bad back (Nash) and a 26-year-old coming off eye surgery (Stoudemire). That group also features former MSU star Jason Richardson and Barbosa, 28 and 26, respectively. Phoenix does have some young pieces that should contribute in second-year center Robin Lopez and 2009 lottery pick Earl Clark. The Suns have the pieces to have a solid season, but with the moves some other teams out west have made, I don't think Phoenix has enough in the tank to compete.

13. New Orleans Hornets
Chris Paul lost his Shawn Kemp when center Tyson Chandler was traded to Charlotte in exchange for Emeka Okafor. The move is actually an upgrade, as Okafor for his career has averaged 14 points a game to Chandler's 8.2, along with pulling down 10 boards a night - a slight bump from Chandler's 9. The move also helps out power forward David West, as Okafor is just a little more adept at playing away from the basket than Chandler. That frees up room for West, 21 points, 8.6 boards in 2008-09, to work. But the key to this team is Chris Paul. His numbers have gotten better every year. But this team needs to start going deep in the playoffs. Paul is a winner and if this team doesn't start winning big, trade rumors centering around Paul could begin to swirl.

12. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks, in my opinion, reached their peak last season. The squad got to the second round of the playoffs before being swept by Cleveland. This is a team that has lots of talent and is good enought o be a playoff team every season, but it won't make any real noise in the playoffs. Taking Boston to seven games in the first round of the 2008 playoffs was good for the squad, as was getting out of the first round last season. But there are too many guys on this team (Marvin Williams, Josh Smith) who don't want to play a role.

11. Toronto Raptors
Acquiring small forward Hedo Turkoglu in the offseason was a solid move. With that, Toronto has basically become the (really) northern version of the Orlando Magic. The Raptors have Chris Bosh (22.7 ppg, 10 rpg in 2008-09) to play the role of Dwight Howard alongside Turkoglu, while Andrea Bargnani (15.4 points, 5.3 boards, 41 percent from 3, 83 percent from the line) will take on the role Rashard Lewis played in Orlando. Jose Calderon, in the second year of a 5-year, $45 million contract, will run the team - and is one of the underrated players in the league, in my opinion. Toronto has a wealth of bulk up front, including former Piston Amir Johnson, who I expect to contribute now that not a lot it expected of him. The Raptors backcourt depth leaves a lot to be desired. They need someone to play alongside Calderon and Jarrett Jack, who came over this summer from Indiana, isn't a starting two guard. Lottery pick DeMar DeRozan will get a chance to prove his wealth early.

Part V coming tomorrow

2009-10 NBA: Predicted order of finish (division)

2009-10-20T14:32:00.004-04:00

The more things change, the more that stay the same.

Look for the Lakers and Spurs to battle for the best record out west, while LeBron and Shaq will battle Boston's three-headed monster for the east crown.

Here is how I see each team finishing in each division.

(Bold denotes playoff team)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
Boston
Toronto
Philadelphia
New York
New Jersey

Central Division
Cleveland
Chicago
Detroit
Indiana
Milwaukee

Southeast Division
Orlando
Washington
Miami
Atlanta
Charlotte

Western Conference

Northwest Division
Denver
Portland
Utah
Oklahoma City
Minnesota

Southwest Division
San Antonio
Dallas
New Orleans
Houston
Memphis

Pacific Division
L.A. Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Clippers
Golden State Warriors
Sacramento Kings

2009-10 NBA: Preseason Power Rankings Part III

2009-10-19T16:54:00.004-04:00

You know those reality shows on VH1? They suck you in because they're fun to watch, but there really isn't anything to them.

You can throw these teams into that category for the upcoming NBA season.

The .99 cent menu at Wendy's Division

20. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors this offseason made the craziest man in the NBA - Stephen Jackson - its team captain. Since then, he has expressed that he wants to be traded, along with being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. Shortly after that suspension was handed down, Jackson went on to score 22 points, grab 7 rebounds and play all 48 minutes of a preseason game last week. The Golden State Warriors, everybody!!!

19. Detroit Pistons
Last year, the Pistons could have taken Kansas point guard Mario Chalmers to pair in the backcourt with Rodney Stuckey. They took a guy with a sleep disorder. This offseason, Detroit was still in need of a point guard...the Pistons passed up on Jrue Holliday, Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague and Eric Maynor to select Gonzaga small forward Austin Daye - a poor man's Tayshaun Prince. Detroit also took two more small forwards in the second round, apparently hoping to become the Golden State of the Midwest. That or the Pistons are planning on dealing Prince at some point this season. Detroit also doesn't have a true center and are hoping Kwame Brown, in his 9th year, will become a solid starting center. The kids of Hot Air Balloon Guy have a better shot at being normal adults than Kwame Brown does of becoming a decent center.

18. Houston Rockets
Aaron Brooks. Brent Barry. Trevor Ariza. Luis Scola. David Andersen. Those names don't represent members of the cast of some TV movie about prison life. Those are the starters for Houston until Tracy McGrady returns in December from a knee injury. And based on his history, McGrady will play 12 games, aggravate a previous injury, and be out for the season. Either that, or he'll be traded since he's in the last year of his contract. Couple that with Yao Ming being out for the season with a foot injury, and the Rockets season will be about as successful as those people who appear on "Real World/Road Rules Challenge" after "Real World/Road Rules Challenge."

17. Washington Wizards
The Wizards traded away the pick that became Ricky Rubio for Mike Miller (career averages of 13.9 points and 5 rebounds/game) and Randy Foye (13 points/game). Rubio played Minnesota and decided not to come to the NBA, and Miller and Foye will add firepower to a group that includes Gilbert Arenas (coming off a knee injury), Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. That group will be allowed to run with new coach Flip Saunders (.597 winning percentage in 13 years) and Washington could sneak into the playoffs if it learns to stop somebody. The Wizards finished 2008-09 24th in the league in points allowed with 103.

The National Coney Island Division

16. Miami Heat
Miami was middle of the pack both offensively (98.3 ppg-18th in the NBA) and defensively (98 ppg-12th) last season. The offensive numbers should improve, especially if Michael Beasley (13.9 points/game in his rookie season) can keep his head in the game. Having Jermaine O'Neal for a full season should keep the Heat's defense solid, too, but having Jermaine O'Neal healthy for more than 55 games in a season is about as likely as "Real Chance of Love" winning an Emmy.

Part IV coming tomorrow

2009-10 NBA: Preseason Power Rankings Part II

2009-10-16T15:17:00.004-04:00

That story about the kid who was supposedly stuck in a hot air balloon all day yesterday was insane.

We came to find out a lot about him and his family. The family - from Colorado - has appeared on the reality TV show "Wife Swap." They believe in aliens and named the kid Falcon. During an interview with CNN, the boy said "you told me to do this for the show." The parents home school their kids. And, from the looks of that balloon, they loved Jiffy Pop when they were younger.

I wouldn't trust that thing enough to step foot inside it even if there was a briefcase inside it with a million dollars in it.

I also wouldn't trust these teams to go very far this season.

The Hot N Ready Division

25. Indiana Pacers
I feel for Danny Granger. Granger is a fabulous player who's gotten better (scoring averages of 7.5, 13.9, 19.6 and 25.8 in each of his four years in the league) in each of his four seasons in the NBA. Granger has earned his $10,130,500 salary. But the rest of the team is junk. Three other highest-paid players on the squad are Troy Murphy ($11,047,619 in 2009-10), T.J. Ford ($8,500,000) and Mike Dunleavy ($9,780,992). Those three guys have played in a combined total of 16 playoff games - all by Ford in his time in Milwaukee and Toronto. Their starting center (7'2" Roy Hibbert) has shown signs of life this preseason, but things aren't looking up for the Pacers. As an aside, this team has more white guys who will play major roles than an episode of "Entourage."

24. New York Knicks
Hmmm...Derrick Rose, or Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson? I bet Mike D'Antoni wishes he took the Bulls job now. He probably cries every time Eddy Curry walks into practice. As a basketball coach, your prospects don't look so hot when you're starting center's butt is wider than the back of a '74 Eldorado.

23. Charlotte Bobcats
For the last couple years, I've had this idea of how the league could be better if six teams were contracted. The Bobcats are always at the top of that list. Charlotte isn't a good place for pro basketball. If it was, the Hornets would still be there. The Bobcats have some nice pieces (D.J. Augustin, Gerald Wallace, Gerald Henderson) and Tyson Chandler will add more of a defensive presence than Emeka Okafor (traded to New Orleans for Chandler) ever did. But those pieces don't mesh well. When you constantly have high draft picks, you get guys who don't necessarily know how to play a role. They just wanna "get theirs." Could you see three movies being made in the "Ocean's 11" series if Matt Damon and Don Cheadle walked on the set and turned into the Dudley Boyz on George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

The Sonic/Chik-Fil-A Division

22. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC is a team on the come up. They have one of the five best scorers in the NBA in Kevin Durant (25.3 ppg, .476 field goals, .422 3-pt field goals in 2008-09). The Thunder also has a dynamic point guard in Russell Westbrook and a solid all-around player in Jeff Green. If things break right, Oklahoma City could sneak into the playoffs and serve as a sacrificial lamb for the Lakers or Spurs. Realistically, they'll be more fun to watch than those cop chase shows and miss the playoffs.

21. Los Angeles Clippers
Look at how scary good the Clips starting five is: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman. That's easily one of those most talented starting fives in the league. Want to see something even scarier? MIKE DUNLEAVY is their coach!!!! Dunleavy routinely does less with more with the greatest of ease. In 16 years as a coach, he's 592-688, good for a .463 winning percentage. In those 16 years, he's made seven playoff appearances. In six years in L.A., he's 194-298, with one playoff appearance. How he's still employed is beyond me. He must have pictures of Clippers owner Donald Sterling with a Jonas Brother or something.

Part III coming Monday