Almost Christmas Eve in Hockeytown!

Season's greetings everyone!  That's right.  It's almost Christmas Eve for all the good little boys and girls who reside in Hockeytown, U.S.A!  We are not dreaming of a White Christmas (that would be Armageddon if it were to snow in July).  We are dreaming of the presents Santa Holland will leave under our tree after the noon hour on Sunday, July, 1, that will be donning the Red AND White.  Our letters to this man who has visions of Stanley Cups dancing in our heads look something like this:

Dear Santa Holland,

We have been good boys and girls over the last year by filling the Joe Louis Arena night after night, buying apparel, watching the games, and cheering our little hearts out.  Heck, we have been doing this for over 20 years now.  We  know we are spoiled, but we really, really, REALLY need a stud #1 defenseman and true goal scorer.  We really like Ryan Suter and Zach Parise and it would be really great if we could have them.  We know there could be other options, which we would also appreciate, but these are the toys we want the most.  We promise we will continue to be good, eat our Little Caesar's Hot and Ready pizzas, and not ask for anything ever again!  Well, not until the trade deadline anyway.  PLLLLEEEEEEEEEAAAASSSSSSEEEE!!!

Thank you, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Citizens of Hockeytown

Okay, we know the obvious.  The Red Wings need, at the very least, a stud #1 defensemen.  One that will be "The Guy" for the next 7-10 years.  That is Ryan Suter.  We know he is the Wings' top target.  Good.  Because he has to be.  Look, you cannot fully replace Lidstrom.  However, when you lose Lidstrom, you must replace him with the best possible option.  You cannot settle.  Suter is by far the best free agent option, and arguably, the best young defensemen in the league.  He must be signed at all costs.  Anything less makes this offseason a failure.  It's that simple.  You lose the best, you replace him with the best available.  He is everything the team covets in their top defensemen: good size, great puck-mover, good defensively (obvious), can play physical, good shot, can QB a powerplay, durable, and logs a lot of minutes.  Pay the man!  If the Wings must "overpay" to keep him away from other teams (especially the Preds and Pens), then so be it.  There really is no other option.  Garrison and Carle are nice young up-and-comers, but that is not what the Red Wings need.  They need a proven commodity.  Suter has played 7 good seasons in the NHL and his best years are ahead of him.  He is a young veteran, if there is such a thing.  He is established.  The others are not.  He is THE option.  PAY THE MAN!!

Now on to the other big need: a scoring winger.  Zach Parise is the best option.  It is no secret he is also very high on the Red Wings' radar.  Good.  He should be.  The problem is that he is also on 26 other teams' radar.  All of which will be throwing huge contract offers his way.  It is said that New Jersey, L.A., Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Detroit are the front-runners.  Minnesota is his home state and has a lot of money to spend.  It is public knowledge they will offer him a gigantic contract.  L.A. has money and just won a Cup and has a great young core.  Pittsburgh has cleared cap space by dealing Staal and sold their soul to Sidney Crosby, who is Parise's supposed chum.  They will be selling the Crosby/Malkin Bonanza hard.  As for New Jersey, Parise has said all along his top choice is to stay with the only team he has ever known.  If they can show him the money, he may just stay.  Needless to say, signing him may be tricky.  My gut is that he is going to Pittsburgh.  It is up to Kenny to sell him to chose tradition and Original 6 over young stars and bad playoff beards.  And of course, money.  We shall see.

If Zach Parise does not chose Detroit, it is not the end of the world as I have warmed up to the idea of taking a gamble on Alex Semin if the price and term are right.  He was outstanding in the World Championships playing alongside Datsyuk for Russia.  If he came to the Motor City, he could rediscover that magic.  For a player who has been criticized for his work ethic and lack of motivation, maybe this is the opportunity he needs to find that spark.  He would play with his countryman, get top line minutes, and no longer be in Ovechkin's shadow.  At the very least, he has an amazing shot and is not afraid to use it.  He is a true sniper.  Something the team has sorely missed since the days of Shanny, Hull, and Hossa which is a big reason the powerplay has been mediocre by Red Wings' standards.  If you could get him relatively cheap, you could follow it up with also signing Shane Doan.  Yes, he is getting up there in age, but he still is a wrecking ball on the ice who can score, play on the powerplay, is durable, a leader, and starving for a Stanley Cup.  He is Dallas Drake on steroids and HGH.  He would look pretty good playing on a line with Filppula and Zetterberg.  If you could bring both of them here for the same price, or possibly less than Parise, this could turn out to be a very good plan B and possibly the best option.

With all that said, Ryan Suter has to be top priority.  Once he is in the fold, Holland and Co. can focus on bringing in the scoring punch.  If they come out of this free agency without him, it will be deemed a failure.  This is not harsh, it is the truth.  If they come out with only him then minimum expectations will have been met.  If the Red Wings manage to sign both Suter and Parise (or maybe the Semin/Doan option), it is an absolute slam dunk and the Red Wings would be among the early Stanley Cup favorites.  They have the cash.  Make it happen.  Be the Red Wings.  Prove to the naysayers that you are not a franchise on the decline, but one that simply reloads.  The next 5 years or so may depend on it.

Whatever happens I am extremely giddy for Christmas.  My stockings are ready.  The anticipation level is at an all-time high.  I just hope Santa Holland does not bring us coal.  MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!  PLEASE CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY!

Now Hiring: Lions Team Babysitter

Good News!  There may be a new job created in the Metro Detroit Area: Detroit Lions Team Babysitter.  The bad news is that it is because Lions CB Aaron Berry was arrested on Saturday for suspicion of DUI bringing the grand total of offseason arrests to 6.  Berry joins teammates Mikel Leshoure (2x), Nick Fairley (2x), and Johnny Culbreath on the list of Lions who have been put in handcuffs this offseason.  Add in Titus Young playing Tyson with Louis Delmas and you have a situation where the inmates are running the asylum.  For a team that is just starting to trend in the right direction and taste success but could easily slip back to mediocrity if a few breaks don't go their way, this garbage has to stop.  There has to be level of accountability that obviously is not present at this time.  Nannys, start updating your resumes.  There may be an open position for you.

Let me start by saying I am not under the illusion that NFL players are choir boys.  The league is full of bad dudes who are about as sharp as bowling balls.  I get that.  So I am not sitting here telling you the Lions need to build a team of players who will be joining Green Peace in the offseason.  We tried that already.  Remember Joey "Blue Skies" Harrington and John Kitna?  How'd that turn out?  But there is a difference between being bad boys and a little unhinged on the field and being complete imbeciles off of it.  Since the players can't keep themselves in check, the organization needs to set a level of accountability that will get through to the players that will deter them from damaging the team.  Do they need to bring in babysitters?  Perhaps nannys?  Schwartz, Mayhew, and company obviously can't handle them by themselves.  It's getting to the point where they should be passing out apology templates to the players with their playbooks.  When does it stop?  When does the organization get a handle on this team?

Winning cures all.  All of us, myself included, will forget all of this if the Lions win 12-14 games this fall and make the playoffs.  All we really care about is if they win games.  However, winning could prove to be more difficult if players in which the team will be counting on miss games due to suspensions.  Mikel Leshoure is going to be relied upon to help give the team an adequate running attack.  Something they sorely missed last season.  Well that is going to have to wait until week 5 as he has been suspended for the first 4 weeks of the season by the league.  Nick Fairley is thought to be a key component to making the Lions defensive line one of the best in the league by playing alongside Suh.  He too will be facing an early suspension (yet to be determined) due to his DUI and marijuana arrests.  Berry is part of the extremely thin secondary that desperately needs to improve this season to take the next step.  Will he now be suspended?  This team simply does not have the depth, especially at defensive back, to absorb suspension after suspension, particularly to players who are pegged to be starters.  I really could care less about tarnishing the image of the team.  If this team wins the Super Bowl but the media calls them criminals I will laugh while I am on Woodward sipping hot chocolate at the parade.  But when it adversely affects the team by spiraling out of control to the point where muliple players are not available to play, something needs to be done.

It's obvious the Lions brass do not care about bringing in players with character issues.  Leshoure, Fairley, and Young all had issues coming out of college which is probably why they were available to the Lions in the draft.  If they are going to continue draft these types of players, then they also have to let it be known that there will be consequences, beyond words, for behavior that is a detriment to the team.  We don't know what is being said behind closed doors but whatever it is, it is not working. 

We as fans have suffered nothing but failure from this team for years.  Now that it appears things may be turning around, it would be a shame if off-the-field stupidity is the new reason the Lions never become serious contenders or, dare I say, champions.  Since Schwartz and Mayhew can't handle their players themselves, maybe they should start accepting resumes for babysitters.  Yes, this is a joke, but then again, so is the level of discipline and accountability on this team.

Pens Parise/Suter Panic Premature

In case you missed it, the Pittsburgh Penguins' GM Ray Shero was a busy little beaver during this weekend's NHL Draft as he traded center Jordan Staal to be united with his brother in Carolina, and shipped defenseman Zbynek Michalek back to where he started in Phoenix.  Instantly, the speculation ran ramped that the Pens were clearing cap space to lure in coveted free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to build a dream team with Crosby, Malkin, Neal, Letang, and Fluery and that they had already started trying to acquire Suter's rights among other rumors.  This began a code red alert among the fans in Hockeytown, myself included.  A couple days later, I have calmed down.  Here are a few of the reasons why.

The rumor of Parise wanting to play with Crosby because they are buddies from prep school in Minnesota is just that.  A rumor.  Just as the rumors that Parise wants to play with Datsyuk, or that Parise and Suter are buddies from Team USA and a package deal, or that Suter won't play for the Eastern Conference, or that Suter already has his bags packed for the D, or that Parise wishes to return home to play for the Wild.  I am not saying all of these rumors don't make perfect sense and are not believable because they are.  I am guilty as the next in getting excited every time I read a rumbling that works in the Wings' favor.  But until free agency starts on July 1, none of us really can buy into any of it.  Much of it is rhetoric put out by their agents to drive up the prices.  All this really should tell us is that starting July 1, our guesses are as good as anyone's and that none of us, not even the players themselves, know what will happen.

In regards to the Penguins clearing the cap space to pursue one or both of these players, that's fine.  They will have to line up along with 23 other teams.  In reality, all this has done is add to the long list of teams that will make their pitch.  It has been no secret the competition will be fierce and that it will be a bloodbath.  The more the merrier I guess.  And one aspect of the Penguins' cap situation that has seemed to be getting overlooked is that they have 2 big pieces that are due for raises/extensions in Crosby and Letang.  Crosby is supposedly going to be getting a 10-year extension in which he will be paid as the top player in the league whether he actually is or not.  Letang is due for a hefty raise as he, just like Suter, is a young premier defensemen in which the Penguins plan on having anchor their blue line for years to come.  Defensemen of his calibre are at a premium in the NHL and I am sure his next deal will reflect that.  Not to mention they have a big chunk of money already tied up in Malkin, Neal, and Fluery.  They may have the available cap space now, but what about in the future?  I am not saying signing Parise and Suter is impossible, I am just saying it isn't exactly punch button either.

As dreamy as playing with Crosby and Malkin may be, what the Red Wings have to offer is not exactly chopped liver.  For starters, Pavel Datsyuk is regarded by the players as the best player in the league.  Zetterberg also carries respect amongst his peers.  I am sure Parise could greatly benefit by playing alongside the magician wearing #13 as can Suter by quarterbacking a powerplay in which he will be feeding the Eurotwins as well as The Mule.  I don't think I am completely being a homer when I say that alone is comparable to what Pittsburgh brings to the table.  Not to mention the other selling points the Wings have such as tradition, commitment to winning, being an original 6 team, the fan base, closer proximity to home (Parise), the guarantee of being the #1 guy for years (Suter), the unquestioned reputation of the organization being first class, as well as the new arena on the horizon.  And, oh yeah, we have a ton of cap space as well and will be able to throw very competitive offers their way.  Maybe more competitive than most, if not all, of the teams competing for their services.  This is the Detroit Red Wings we're talking about.  An original 6 team.  We are not talking about the Phoenix Coyotes here.  I am not saying the Red Wings are guaranteed anything either.  I am just saying that we all need to keep things in perspective that the Wings can compete with any team when it comes to attracting free agents on the same level the New York Yankees do in the MLB.  This even more so this year with the available cap space.

The moral of the story is that until July 1, nobody knows what will happen.  Everything up until this point, no matter how rational it sounds, is nothing but speculation.  The players more than likely don't even know where they will end up.  They may have ideas as to where they would like to end up and I am sure Detroit as well as Pittsburgh are on their lists along with other clubs.  The Wings will be right there in thick of it all and I trust that Holland, Nill, Devellano, and Babcock will be making their best sales pitches to bring home the biggest names on the market. 

The only thing I am certain of is that I can't wait for July 1!  The thought of Parise and Suter teaming up with Crosby is scary (also nauseating).  But we all just need to take a chill pill and breathe.  Let Kenny and the brass do their thing and let's see how this shakes out.

Wings Overpaid for Helm? NO WAY!!

On Tuesday, Ken Holland signed speedy forward Darren Helm to a 4-year $8.5 million deal which carries a $2.125 million cap hit.  By doing this, the Red Wings have locked up a young (25 years old), speedy, tenacious, honey badger-of-a-player not even in his prime yet.  Most of the fan reaction has been positive.  However, there are some who feel the Wings overpaid.  Everyone is entitled to an opinion and, contrary to the belief of some, I respect it.  I just do not share this one in particular.

It is no secret that many of the Red Wings' core are on the wrong side of 30.  This is not to say they are old as some pundits would say, but they are a team whose key forwards are seasoned vets.  Helm is only 25 and already has 3 full seasons and a Stanley Cup run (almost 2) under his belt.  And he is getting better.  It is not like they re-upped with a 35 year old with maybe 2 good years left.  Helm is possibly the face of the next wave of young core players on this team.  Locking up young ascending talent is vital in the NHL's salary cap world.

Skeptics will look at the fact that he does not exactly light up the scoreboard.  Last year he only potted 10 goals (missed time with injuries mind you).  Again, he is young and he may become a 15-20 goal scorer, which for a 3rd line center, is pretty darn good.  Management and Babcock all have said they believe he will get to that level of production.  If that does happen then $2.125 million per year is robbery! Even if he doesn't, offense is not the main value he brings to the table.  He is without question the fastest skater on the team and arguably the fastest in the league.  His speed has made him the most important player on the PK unit by allowing an aggressive forecheck, which leads to turnovers, which occasionally leads to SH goals, and at the least, leads to killed penalties.  His is not big in stature but he is physical, tenacious, goes in the corners and wins battles, plays against the other team's top forwards, chips in timely goals, wins faceoffs...CREATES HAVOC!  If this year's Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings (and passed Wings champs) have shown us anything, having a strong 3rd and 4th lines (depth), strong PK, being physical, an aggressive forecheck, and SPEED are very critical pieces to the championship puzzle.  "Nightmare on Helm Street" possesses the skills to strengthen these aspects for the Wings.  I tend to agree with Ken Holland when he calls him one of the premier 3rd line centers in the league.  That isn't worth $2.125 Million? His absence the last few weeks of the season and in the playoffs proves otherwise.  They were not the same team.

Speaking of depth, Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby together gave the Wings the best checking line in the NHL for years.  Having that depth was one of the biggest reasons for their playoff success.  The "Grind Line" shut down the opposing teams best lines, killed penalties, and chipped in timely goals taking some of the heat off the superstars.  Draper, was the leader of that line.  He was a very fast skater and tremendous in the face off circle.  Helm has been labeled by many as "Draper 2.0."  I think he could end up being better than Draper.  He is faster, more physical, and it appears has a bigger offensive upside.  If Draper was a huge part of the Wings' Cups, and Helm is on track to be as good if not better than him, $2.125 million is a bargain.

Darren Helm will never be a dynamic goal scorer.  He may never be a perennial all star.  He probably will never be a regular top six forward.  But he's young, fast, physical, and does the little things that championship teams must do.  He fills the void left by one of the Wings' most important playoff players of the past (Draper) and may end up being better than him.  And the Wings have him for 4 years.  I truly believe that by the end of this contract, the $2.125 million cap hit will prove to be highway robbery because rest assured, if the Red Wings win a Stanley Cup during that time, Darren Helm will be one of the biggest reasons why.  Bravo Mr. Holland!

Ajax is the Key

It seems the NL is the annual tonic for all that ails the Detroit Tigers.  Just when they looked to be in a downward spiral and out of contention, along came interleague play (and the woeful Pirates, Cubs, Rockies, and Cardinals).  The team finds themselves only 2 games out of 1st place in the AL Central after a stint where they have played at a 8/10 clip. And hey, they are scoring runs! It should be no surprise that the winning and run production began when Austin Jackson returned from the DL.

Since returning, Ajax is batting .333, has knocked in 13 runs, drawn 7 walks, and though he does not steal as much as we would all like, he, along with the surprise of Quintin Berry, has provided some much-needed speed to the top of the lineup.  He is getting on base.  He has been the table-setter.  Not to mention he is one of the better defensive CF in the AL.  It should be no surprise that having a stable bat at the lead off spot is directly resulting in more runs and more production from Miggy and Prince.  Logic tells you they have to have actual runners on base to knock in to maximize their production.

Not only does Jackson provide a consistent bat at the top of the order, he also provides extra base power.  Since his return he has hit 4 doubles and hit 2 long balls.  Last night this was on full display as he broke the game open with a 2-run double with the bases loaded.  Something the Tigers have been unable to do much of this year.

Also in these 10 games, Fister has returned, Scherzer has pitched very well, the pen has been a lot better (minus last Friday's debacle), Miggy and Fielder have been their consistent selves, Delmon Young and Boesch have shown improvement, and Quintin Berry has been a pleasant surprise by batting over .300 and providing a base-stealing threat every time he gets on base.  An element this team has lacked since, well, Tony Phillips.  Mr. Berry is daily making his case that he can be a key dynamic following Jackson at the top of the lineup and in the field each and every game.  Leyland is not exactly endorsing this sentiment (shocker) which is fueling more talk from his detractors that he is incapable of managing this team to a championship.  His apparent mancrush for Raburn is becoming borderline creepy.  However, this is a topic for another day.  I digress.

With all that seems to be making the turn for the better, I believe Jackson remains the main cog and the catalyst for a Tigers turnaround.  He started the season hot along with the team.  When he started missing games, the Tigers started plummeting.  He is now back and viola, the team looks like they possibly may be the team to beat in the AL Central after all.  Don't get me wrong, they will need the strong pitching, the pen, the supporting cast, etc. to ultimately play in October, but Jackson provides the stabilizing presence in the lead off spot and in CF that championship teams must have.  Here's to his health.  Cheers.

Stay Classy David Stern

After posting how the NBA is the worst league of all the pro sports, their commissioner, David Stern, has provided more evidence to this claim. 

On Wednesday, Stern was a guest on the Jim Rome Show.  Jim Rome is known for being one of the few media personalities that will actually refrain from asking the softball questions in favor of asking some of the tougher variety.  Rome had asked Stern if the fix was in for the NBA Draft Lottery in which New Orleans (currently owned by the NBA) was awarded the #1 pick.  Stern of course denied it and then got defensive calling the question "ridiculous."  When Rome countered that he did  not think it was Stern then let his anger get the best of him asking Rome: "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?"  Jim Rome does not have a history of domestic violence.  It was obvious the comment was to prove a point.  Nonetheless it was underhanded, bush league, and classless.  He also went on to accuse Rome of making a career out of "cheap tricks" amongst other verbal attacks before taking his ball and going home (hanging up).  Basically acted like a whiny child.  Similar to his players.

First, when looking at the lack of class in the NBA amongst its players, well it all starts at the top apparently.  How can you ask the subordinates to act one way when your boss acts another publicly?  In any business?  The inmates clearly run the asylum in "The Association" and the man at the top is not actively promoting classiness with acts such as these.  To some extent, how can you blame the players for acting like overpaid prima donnas?  Their boss promotes such behavior in public.

Second, you are the commissioner of one of the biggest sports leagues in the world.  Show some professionalism.  Jim Rome was doing just that by trying to do his job and do it well.  If you can't handle that then why go on the show?  Better yet, go find a new job working at The Gap where your actions are not publicly scrutinized if you are that thin-skinned.  It would be one thing if they were at a local watering hole tossing back a couple pops and got in a debate, but to act like that on national radio?  That's a bad look.  Especially for someone in a position such as his.

Third, when do people get the most defensive?  When they are caught lying, cheating, etc.  Could it be that he acted so poorly because someone had the stones to call him out out on what everybody is thinking?  Did he feel like his "secret" is out?  David, if you are trying to make us believe your league is not entirely based on favoritism (on and off the court) and is not a complete circus, you may want to act a little more smooth when members of the media question you on some of the fishy events that seem to constantly occur on your watch.  At least act like a professional.

I give credit to Jim Rome for asking a question that needed to be asked.  Everybody was thinking it.  He had the guts to ask it.  As for David Stern, you stay classy along with your league.

Vomit at Wrigley

No geeky stats needed here.

Yes, there was the bad call at second in the 8th. Who cares? The Tigers played the worst team in MLB (statistically) and faced a pitcher with an ERA above 5. No excuses.

Eyeball test showed when push comes to shove, the Tigers are the worst team in the league. By eyeball test I mean I paid my $60 tickets and $7 beers and saw the worst team in baseball wearing the Old English D.

Tigers hitters until their 6th inning rally were lifeless looking like they were facing Roger Clemens with the HGH syringe still sticking in his right butt cheek. Batter after batter struck out or hit popcorn to the Cubs' fielders awarding them an extra day of practice. In an opportunity and matchup ripe for them to get on a roll they did what they have done all year. Fail.

Wrigley Field had a huge showing of Tigers fans whose cheers drowned out those of the Cubs most of the game. We may have even been the majority. After the 8th inning, the fan base with nothing to cheer for all season punked the majority. Thank you, Tigers, myself and the other Tigers' fans in attendance experienced a new low. We were laughed at...BY CUBS' FANS!!

Hoke Needs to Make MSU, Not OSU, Most Important Game

Let me just start off by saying that I am a big Brady Hoke supporter.  What he has done so far from the turnaround season to recruiting is truly remarkable.  I am a lifelong Wolverine fan who understands and appreciates the traditions of Michigan Football.  Heck, the traditions are what makes Michigan Football so great and unique and unlike any other program in America.  The traditions are what got me hooked since I was a young lad.  The biggest being the annual war with Ohio State or "Ohio" as it is being referred to.  It is the best rivalry in college football.  However, it can no longer be deemed the most important game on the schedule each and every year.  That title now must belong to the game vs. Michigan State.  Don't tell that to Hoke.  He recently stated that while they take the game vs. Sparty "very seriously," the OSU game remains the most important.  Sorry, I simply have to disagree with that.

Brady Hoke has made it clear that the Wolverines' goal every season will be to win the B1G and that will be how they are ultimately judged.  I could not agree more (though they also need to strive for national titles).  In the new B1G conference alignment, that means they will have to win the Legends Division and then win the B1G Championship Game to reach this goal.  Michigan State is in the same division with UM, "Ohio" is not.  I have some news that most of my UM brethren are not going to like to hear but it does not look like Sparty will be going away anytime soon.  With that said, it looks like most years whoever wins the in-state battle will win the Legends Division.  This alone makes this game the most important game on the schedule year in and year out.  In years past whoever won "The Game" would win the B1G most years and head to the Rose Bowl.  Times have changed, and now so must the thinking inside Schembechler Hall.

Also, inevitably the Buckeyes will win the Leaders Division thus earning a trip to the conference title game.  What happens in the years when the Wolverines win the Legends Division as well?  Doesn't that somewhat make the annual clash at the end of the year a meaningless game in the grand scheme of things?  Do both teams rest players to ensure their best chances to win the rematch that will be played shortly after?  Those are questions that will certainly be asked if and when this scenario plays out.

As for MSU, Mark Dantonio has probably the biggest Napoleon Complex in college football.  Especially when it comes to Michigan.  I am not so sure Coach Hoke needs to be making these types of comments to further fuel Dantonio's desire to beat the Wolverines and add to the Titanic-sized chip that is on the Spartans' green shoulders.  Bulletin board material only goes so far but why give them any more ammo?  No thank you.  I for one am sick and tired of losing to MSU and would like their streak to end at 4.  If the Wolverines lose for a 5th time to Sparty, it will be a lot bigger blow than if they lose to the Buckeyes both in perception, and in the standings.

Whether Hoke or the players will admit it, the game vs. Michigan State has become the most important game on the schedule.  Starting this year, both teams will annually be contenders to win the Legends Division.  The game whether it be in The Big House or Spartan Stadium will be paramount to both team's pride, perception, and above all, their chances to win the B1G Championship.

NBA = Worst Professional Sports League

Dribble...Dribble..Dribble...Clear out for star player...Dribble...Dunk/layup...Lather...Rinse...Repeat.  That describes the game play in any given NBA game game regardless of teams or whether it is regular season or playoffs.  Add in whiny players/lack of heart, constant off-the-court drama, coaches who have zero power, obviously biased refereeing, incredibly top heavy in terms of teams, and a puppet for a commissioner and what do you have?  The worst professional sports league among them all.  I am not talking ratings, merchandise, etc. (this to be discussed later).  I am simply talking face value.

First let's talk about the players.  Most teams have 1-2 star players and the rest over payed fillers.  This leads to what I described above as an incredibly slow game that consists of these star players dribbling until they get a clear out or a screen and they drive to the hoop.  The end.  This then leads to a very individualistic mind set as opposed to a team concept.  I truly believe that most players could care less about winning as long as their stats are up and they end up on Sportscenter.  It's hard to find players diving for loose balls, playing truly physical, or playing defense for that matter.  You don't have to look much further than Andrew Bynum.  The man gets benched for heaving up threes (he is a center) instead of helping his team do what he is paid handsomely to do which is play down low.  What does he do?  Is seen laughing on the bench, goofing around, and playing grab ass.  Then in interviews he acts like he could care less and he didn't do anything wrong.  Dude, you play for the Lakers, an organization who strives to win championships, not develop your 3-point game.  Do your job.  He is only one of the countless examples of this carefree and uninspired behaviour on the court.  It is hard pressed to find the games being played with any heart.  Isiah, Bird, Magic, Barkley, and Jordan are laughing inside at the softness and lack of competitive spirit of these players.  If you want to see athletes who give a damn watch football, the NCAA Basketball Tournament, or the Stanley Cup Playoffs (more on that later).

NBA players also may be the biggest whiners in all of sports.  Just watch any game and watch a player who gets called for a foul or a player who didn't get a foul call for a defender breathing on him.  It turns into the male version of The View.  The tears can fill reservoirs.  It's pathetic.  Shut your mouth, take your medicine, and move on to the next play.  You are an embarrassment.  Some players do have a point as there is an obvious favoritism by the refs towards star players.  Just take a look at the Heat and Celtics series where in one game the Heat had around 50 FTs and the Celtics had around 10 as the Celtics' players were being suplexed when driving to the hole.  Come on guys at least make it somewhat less obvious.

The antics off of the court are even worse.  The most famous example was "King James" and "The Decision."  Yes, he is a rare talent.  But do you mean to tell me that his free agency and his decision as to where he would sign next warrants an hour long special on ESPN?  It just further exemplifies the strong individualism and lack of team mentality this league promotes.  Another shining example is the Dwight Howard saga.  First he wants to be traded.  Then he wants to stay.  Then he wants to be traded again.  Then he wants the coach fired (which ultimately happened).  Then he never said that.  Hey Dwight, you play for the Magic.  Your contract says so.  Earn your inflated paycheck, play hard, play for Mickey Mouse if he is your coach, and shut your mouth.  If you are truly "Superman" you will win and succeed wherever you play.  You are becoming a side show.  Enough.

This leads me to the coaches.  I feel bad, in a sense, for these men as they have been reduced to glorified babysitters.  Van Gundy showed that.  Howard wanted him gone so he is now gone.  Bynum gets benched by Mike Brown to send a message and Bynum either didn't get it or just didn't care.  And who really thinks they use that white board to draw up plays?  Here is a gem from the Miami Heat  "playbook."  Give the ball to James or Wade, clear out and let them drive to the hoop.  This is why you see these stars with 30-40 points per night because nobody else touches the ball.  Again, it is the antithesis of a team game.  Coaches are there to babysit.  And paid well to do it.  In turn, they are normally the sacrificial lamb for the team's failures (see Orlando Magic or the Pistons of the last 5-6 years).

The NBA also lacks in the department of parity/competitiveness.  In any given season, you pretty much can peg 3 teams from each conference that could realistically make it to the conference finals.  It's almost like the other 5 teams in the conference are just there for glorified scrimmages for the 1st 2 rounds of the playoffs.  Tuneups if you will.  You may get a surprise team here and there, or in the case of the Chicago Bulls, your star player's leg falls off and you get upset in the 1st round.  Again, 1-man team.  Other than that, there is really no shocking upsets or surprises.  Where is the fun in that?  People laugh at the NHL because small market teams make the finals or maybe even win the Stanley Cup.  Well, maybe that is why the players play so hard because they know if they give maximum effort, they may actually win.  Right now you have the Los Angeles Kings, an 8 seed, about to hoist the best trophy in all of sports.  Why?  Because they bonded together as a team, have had every player on the team chip in in big spots, and played very inspired and effort-filled hockey.  What a concept.  The Devils, who will be the runner up, are a 5 seed.  Same formula.  How is that not more intriguing and/or respectable?

Speaking of trophies, do you think 50% of the NBA fans (or the players for that matter) know the name of the trophy that is awarded to the eventual champs is the Larry O'Brien Trophy?  That would be an interesting poll someday.

NBA fans and media will be the first to scream "look at the ratings compared to the NHL!!" as if that is an indication of anything.  Let's put things in perspective.  Do you know what else gets some of the highest ratings on TV?  Jersey Shore. My explanation as to why people watch the NBA and mindless trash like Jersey Shore is simple.  We are a society of brainwashed zombies who are easily amused by slap-stick entertainment and wish to be spoon fed with instant gratification.  Just look at the other forms of popular entertainment in this country.  Spiderman is about to be remade AGAIN within 10 years, all the horror franchises are being remade, there are 5 trillion reality shows, and we get force fed 12 gazillion singing and dancing competition shows.  Why?  Because they know we'll eat it up like dogs do table scraps.  Don't even get me started on the same 5 pop songs in constant radio rotation or what is being sold to us as "hip-hop" nowadays. This canned entertainment and the need for instant stimulation is why hockey will never be the mainstream in America and why soccer will never be fully embraced.  Both are amazing sports but they do not appeal to the masses by presenting constant scoring.  It is sad really.  I will take an overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Finals over a tomahawk dunk on token defense I have seen 50 times before that makes the Sportcenter Top 10 any day.  That's just me though.

In conclusion, the proof is on display.  The NBA is a poor product if you truly care about athletic competition.  It is slow, boring, and seriously lacks any evidence of heart or desire by the players to win.  The players are no better than the Real Housewives of Orange County or the drama kings/queens on Jersey Shore.  From a competitive and integrity standpoint, it is the worst league among all of the professional sports.  But like the mindless dribble that is on network TV and on the radio, it caters to the masses with constant drama and provides instant gratification (scoring).  It is trash reality TV that disguises itself as athletic competition.  It is almost the WWE.  My opinion is that it has become nothing more than a platform for athletically gifted INDIVIDUALS (stress that word 100x) to score a shoe or apparel endorsement.  Keep buying those Kobe jerseys people.

Dombrowski Deserves Blame...A LOT OF IT

The finger has been pointed in many directions this season as to who deserves the blame for the Tigers' woeful play.  Players such as Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn have received plenty of scolding from the fans and deservedly so.  Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon and Jim Leyland are the latest scapegoats.  All of the above do indeed deserve blame among others.  However, who is the architect of this Tiger team?  Dave Dombrowski.  When do fans realize that the root of the problem is the man who put these role players in starting roles?  Now seems as good of a time as ever.

Fans have been going crazy regarding the revolving door that is 2B.  We have seen Inge, Raburn, Worth, and Santiago.  What do they all have in common?  None of them are good enough to start every game at the position.  As much as I have been opposed to Leyland's decisions regarding the batting order,  he really has zero options at 2B.  He has tried everything.  The only thing he really can do is play Santiago everyday and bat him 9th.  That's it.  Who is responsible for there being a lack of quality options at the position?  Dave Dombrowski.  He could have had Orlando Hudson for can of jock itch spray a few weeks ago but he passed.  Now he's not the best but at least he is a legit  Major League starter at a position where you have zero.  The Tigers had arguably the best number 2 hitter and 2B in the AL a few years back in Placido Polanco but decided to let him walk in favor of the up-and-coming Scott Sizemore.  Where is this Sizemore?  Not in the organization anymore.  Not Leyland's fault.  That was Dave's call.  How much would he help in that 2-hole right now?

The Tigers' 1-4 hitters have been producing for the most part.  After that, the 5-9 hitters might as well step into the batter's box without bats.  They are essentially automatic outs that are completely incapable of moving base runners.  I think it's becoming obvious Peralta, Avila, and Young had their career years last year.  Yet, it was assumed they would replicate that production.  Who's call was that?  David Dombrowski's.  They could have had Bobby Abreu last month for bag of Bettermade Potato Chips and a bottle of Faygo Cola.  Nah, we'll just hope Raburn busts out of his slump because he can do damage.  Abreu isn't the same guy who was winning the Home Run Derby at the Copa years back but still a professional hitter and better than anybody you trot out there not named Cabrera or Fielder.  That's on Dombrowski.

When your MLB roster is not producing you can always go to your AAA for one of your young studs to supplement the lineup.  Well, too bad the Tigers' farm system at the AAA level is bone dry.  With the exception of Berry, the journeymen career minor leaguers we keep seeing are the best Dombrowski has to offer.  Who is responsible to draft quality positional players (not pitchers)?  You guessed it.  Dave Dombrowski.  He likes to draft "power arms" it seems every year in the draft.  Well, Perry, Zumaya, Sanchez, Miller etc. are no longer here (many of them are not anywhere) and Porcello looks to be another possible bust.  Just today the Tigers used their first pick to draft a high school pitcher.  Dombrowski's call.

As far as Leyland goes, he is not without blame.  His lineups that he makes off of his "hunches" and his righty/lefty match ups are enough to make fans scream.  His apparent Raburn man crush was maddening.  However, at some point you have to see that he is also working with what he has been given.  What he has been given is a team with 3 superstars in Verlander, Cabrera, and Fielder and the rest are simply role players forced to play in big spots every game.  Not to mention the team is a strictly power hitting team with zero speed in one of the biggest parks in the league.  Who has given him these tools to work with?  Dave Dombrowski.  Heck, if you are a Leyland hater, Dombrowski is the one who gave him a contract extension!  Ultimately, this is the team Dombrowski has built and thus the blame has to rest on his shoulders.

Verdict: Tigers Are a Bad Team

It took 54 games but my verdict is in. The Detroit Tigers are not a good baseball team. They just aren't. I would say they are mediocre at best. I finally have come to grips with the harsh reality. I am not planning on watching fall ball in Detroit unless I decide to take in a beer league softball championship game. The Tigers are not good enough to play that long into the season.

This club has many flaws. Inconsistent hitting, poor defense, up and down pitching, and a shaky bullpen are the worst of them. Most of these do not seem fixable. If there are solutions they are not on the current roster nor are they on their very sub par farm system. Let's face it, they are a team with a few superstars surrounded by bench/minor league players who are forced to play everyday. That sort of team will not win consistently enough to win championships. Maybe not even enough to stay in a division race.

The fact that they are in a God-awful division (AL Central) and are 6 games out of first should tell you all you need to know. If they were halfway decent they would run away with the title or at least be in a dogfight with the Sox for the top spot.

Most fans, myself included, have been waiting for the big turnaround to happen. We have been waiting to see the "Real Tigers.". Unfortunately, I think we are seeing that now. I am facing reality and no longer anticipating said turnaround because I no longer truly believe it will happen. Especially with the injuries piling up. And if it does, the hole may be too deep to dig out of when it finally happens. The only things I am anticipating are the sure-to-be interesting off season for the Red Wings and football season. I can no longer waste my time worrying about when the Tigers will wake up and start playing well. It's unnecessary stress during the summer season.

I am now finally going to say what I have been afraid to say for 2 months. The Tigers are not a championship team. They are not a great team. They are not a good team. They may not even be a mediocre team. I am afraid they may be a bad team. If they prove me wrong I will gladly eat feasts of crow. However, I am afraid at the end of the summer I will be left with nothing but an empty stomach.