Yet Unnamed Monday Weekend Sports Re-Kap

An Early Look at the Eastern Conference Playoffs

1. Cleveland Cavaliers- With the way things sit right now, the Cavs occupying the top spot in the East, you'd have to make them the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. LeBron's crew has registered an almost unfathomable 28-1 record at Quicken Loans Arena. How would you like to go up against those odds in a game 7 on the road? Exactly. Danny Ferry has done an outstanding job of finally surrounding James with several top shooters, making it that much more difficult to double and triple team the MVP candidate. Mo Williams, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and Daniel Gibson (I've never been comfortable calling him 'Boobie') are all capable of a big night from behind the arc.

Not a whole lot to find fault with on this squad, as the Cavs are also the best defensive team in the NBA, by a wide margin. The only reason I am skeptical of Cleveland is the bad karma LeBron brings to himself and the team from the Basketball Gods with his pre-game ritual. While everyone now seems to think that his big display before the game with the talcum powder flying into the air and into the crowd of screaming admirers was a LeBron original, educated fans know otherwise. Kevin Garnett was doing that move loooong before King James came on the scene. It's always confused me how nobody brings this fact up more often. I guess there's just a "No Criticizing the King" mandate in NBA circles nowadays, but that does not apply here. It's bush league, it's taking credit for another man's invention, and it will most likely end up costing the Cavaliers a shot at the championship.

2. Boston Celtics- I still think when it's all said and done, the Celts will be the last East team standing. Once Kevin Garnett returns, they will be able to solidify their rotation with their new additions (Stephon Marbury, Mikki Moore) and prepare for another long run in the playoffs. However, I think the Marbury signing was an unusual move for this franchise. The guy has proven to be an enigma around the league and a horrible teammate the last couple of years. And in seeing him struggle mightily against the Pistons last Sunday, it appears his once All-Star caliber game has deteriorated quite a bit. Will Bynum is an energetic player and a pesky defender, but the way Marbury got stripped clean by him twice in that 1st half was a sad sight for those that remember Marbury's smoothness for years in Phoenix. And on the other end, I know Walter Herrmann had a significant height advantage, but he's still Walter Herrmann, and Marbury was getting abused every time down the court.

And when has the 'tattoo on the side of the head or face' ever worked out for anybody? We all remember Mike Tyson's infamous artwork he had inked around his left eye. With the new tat, Tyson suffered depressing losses to tomato cans like Danny Williams and Kevin McBride, and called it a career. If history is any indication, Marbury's addition will do more harm than good.

3. Orlando Magic- The Magic could go 82-0 in the regular season, end up facing the 8th seeded Pistons who won 35 games, and you would know full well who's coming out on top in that series. Somehow, the Pistons just have this squad's number. It was no coincidence that the Pistons regained their swagger a little bit and snapped their 8-game losing streak when playing in Orlando. Everybody remembers when T-Mac and the Magic took a commanding 3-1 series lead on the Pistons back in 2003. It was all Pistons the rest of the way in that battle, with three straight beatdowns taking place, including Chauncey's 40 spot in Game 6. It has been the same way ever since.

While Orlando sports an impressive 45-16 mark this season, the backcourt really does not strike a whole lot of fear into you. Take a look at this group: Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee, Anthony Johnson, Mickael Pietrus, and J.J. Redick. I don't care how dominant Dwight Howard has become. I have a very hard time imagining that group of guards leading a team to the conference finals, let alone the final round.

Lastly, it is nice to know Tony Battie will remain on this team the rest of the year, with no chance of him returning to the Celtics. Many Pistons fans, including myself, are still scarred from the sight of him in the '02 playoffs with Boston. In that series, Tony sported the half green-half white mouthpiece that made him look like a cross between the Green Goblin and Casper the Friendly Ghost. Let me tell you, there was nothing friendly about that image...or the way the Pistons got manhandled in that series by the elite backcourt combo of Tony Delk and an elderly Kenny Anderson. Moving on...angrily.

4. Atlanta Hawks- Sorry, but I just can't imagine Mike Breen belting out this call during a game in the Eastern Conference Finals.

"Hawks trail by two with the ball. Flip Murray's got it on the right wing, here comes Zaza Pachulia to set the pick. Murrary penetrates, and kicks out to Maurice Evans. Evans for 3...it's good"!!!

Clearly, that Atlanta bench leaves a lot to be desired.

Anywhere from Seed 5 to 8, Detroit Pistons- The Pistons are slowly rounding into form of late. Despite the setback in Atlanta, the Pistons are finally showing some fight and are competing hard nightly with the best teams in the conference. It remains to be seen how Allen Iverson will fit in when his back begins to feel better, but at least you can now see a resemblance between this team and the one that has made six straight conference finals.

The guard play has been superb of late, with both Rip Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey benefiting from the absence of AI and his monopolizing of the basketball. Tayshaun Prince has also been very good, but you worry about the way Michael Curry is allowing his minutes to creep back into the 40's again. We have all seen the way that Tayshaun can wear down when the playoffs unfold, and it would be wise for Curry to try and get Tay a little more rest in the season's home stretch. Obviously, Curry wants to win games to solidify their spot, but he also must be smart enough to make sure Tayshaun has a little something left in the tank for the postseason.

I'm actually looking forward to this year's playoffs. I think it will be a refreshing change to be able to root for the Pistons in an underdog role, and I tend to think the players will find some motivation in that, too. It's either that, or I'm the biggest homer this side of Mark Champion. Here's hoping it's the former.


"Yes, Trust Me...I Shoot Ball Very Well...No Worry...Just Draft Me."

When Darko Milicic was being scouted feverishly by NBA general managers leading up to the 2003 draft, there was clearly a fascination with the Serbian seven-footer. Not just because of his immense height and strong inside game, but because of his dual ability to also step out and shoot the 3-ball. Not many had him pegged to be the next Bill Russell. Instead, you heard comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki, with many expecting Darko to eventually display the type of inside-out game that had made Dirk a star in the league. That is why one particular stat has always fascinated me and continues to now. Darko Milicic, once made the 2nd overall pick in the draft largely because of his perceived outside touch for a big man, has now played over 5,500 minutes in the NBA...and has never made a 3-pointer. Shaquille has one 3 to his credit and even Ben Wallace managed to hit 5. But Darko is yet to toss one in from behind the long line. And it's not as if Darko was originally thought to be in Shaq and Big Ben's company. He was viewed more as a big man that could do it all. It boggles my mind on a daily basis, because there is no way that Darko would have garnered even close to the kind of attention and admiration he received in '03 had everyone been made aware that his supposed "range" did not extend outside the painted area. Shouldn't this note from Darko's pre-draft scouting report have been seen as a giant red-flag??

"Several scouting reports indicate he has three-point range, but he does not take this shot when playing for his team in regular season play in order to comply with his coach’s wishes."

So let's get this straight. Darko is an excellent outside shooter who can do damage from the 3-point line, but his coach basically demands he never attempt the shot. Why would that be?? Could it be that his coach has seen Darko in practice and knows full well that the man has no long distance game to speak of?? Anytime your coach insists you not do something, that generally means you are sorely lacking in that particular department. But Darko was a magician in that time leading up to the draft. He had everyone thinking he was one thing, and behind closed doors, he was somebody completely different. He was 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' He made you think he was Brad Daugherty meets Sam Perkins. He turned out to be Brad Sellers meets Sam Jacobson.

I'm just hoping that at some point in these last few weeks of the season, Darko manages to tickle the nets from 23 feet. That way, at least we can say with some sense of satisfaction, "Hey, you can see where Joe Dumars was coming from...the guy does have range." But I'm guessing it will never happen, and we will continue wondering how someone with absolutely no 3-point game to speak of managed to use his supposed strength in that exact area to help become the #2 pick in the draft. But no, I'm not still bitter or anything...


Regardless of Time, Score, Situation...I'm Jackin' It Up

J.R. Smith is the only player I have ever seen that seems to always be playing as if it's garbage time during an exhibition game. He's out there windmilling threes from 35 feet out. He'll go coast-to-coast and put up a blind lay-up in traffic with half his team still making their way down the court. The guy is undoubtedly talented, with dazzling athleticism and a sweet shooting stroke to match, but where is the man's head?

He's sort of a present-day Vernon Maxwell, and that's not a great thing. Vernon, although immensely talented at both ends of the floor, could never quite settle himself down to best utilize his ability. Either Mad Max was pressing his umm, package, against another driver's car window after being rear-ended...or he was smashing a dumbbell over teammate Carl Herrera's head and then trying to go retrieve a gun from his car. Apparently he was trying to replicate Marques Johnson's classic scene from "White Men Can't Jump." ("I'm goin' to my car...get my other gun...shoot everybody's _ _ _.")

J.R. Smith is not quite at Maxwell's level off the court, but with the wildness he displays on the offensive end with no regard for anybody else on his team, it's almost as if his on-court persona is equal to that of Maxwell's off of it. One of two things will happen here. Either Smith will tone down his game and play at a more reasonable pace, or George Karl will become the first coach to choke a player to death on the court. Stay tuned...


A Little Perspective

Anybody else kind of confused by the whole Joe Smith phenomenon in the last week? LeBron James made a big public campaign expressing his desire for the Cavs to reacquire Smith, and he got his wish. This is Joe Smith we're talking about here, right?? Just making sure.

Joe Smith has been in the NBA going on 15 years, and the man has been a part of one winning playoff series. I'm not saying he isn't a solid veteran who will provide you with 15-20 decent minutes off the pine, but let's stop acting like the guy is the 2nd coming of Robert Horry. He's a career journeyman who has literally changed teams 6 times in the last 3 years. And more often than not, when the news of Joe Smith coming to your team is viewed with actual excitement, it's a sign that things are not going well.

Take for instance the 2000-01 Pistons. This was after Smith had signed the illegal deal with the Timberwolves, so he was looking for a new home. The Pistons were gawdawful that year under George Irvine. Joe D signed Smith a few weeks into the season, and I remember the reception he got from the Palace crowd the first time they saw him was practically deafening. It was the kind of roar you'd expect if the Pope entered the building, and at the same time Cuppy Coffee and Biggie Bagel were coming down the home stretch. And Smith was only in street clothes, having not joined the team officially just yet. But the Pistons fans were starving for some type of excitement, and they weren't getting it from John Wallace, Dana Barros, and Mateen Cleaves.

Joe Smith was a former #1 overall pick, but sadly, that's pretty much where his accolades begin and end. So, to repeat, if you're LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, do not jump out of your seat because Joe Smith joined the squad. It's embarrassing for you, and it is hard for us to watch. This can't end well.


This Week's Edition of "Unfortunate Lottery Picks of the Past"

"With the 8th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select Rafael Araujo, Center from Brigham Young University"

There is a cardinal rule whenever you're watching a UFC event or anything that involves some type of martial arts. If you ever see a guy whose first name starts with an R, but is pronounced as an H, that guy is simply going to be awesome. It means the guy you're watching is probably Brazilian, probably comes from the famous Gracie clan, and will undoubtedly be a success in the cage for many years to come. Unfortunately, that same principle does not apply to basketball, which leads us to our man Rafael (pronounced HA-fye-ell) Araujo.

When he finished his senior year at BYU, there were some questions about his mobility and on-court behavior. You heard commentators refer to Araujo as a "less skilled Bryant Reeves." He got in hot water during college by once punching an opposing player during a game and also purposely elbowing Andrew Bogut in the head. With a track record like that, you have to wonder if the Raptors really expected Araujo to blossom once he got to the NBA.

I'm thinking the Raps front office just figured at the least, if Rafael never panned out, he would still be able to use his Brazilian heritage to prepare a large amount of rice pilaf for the veterans on long road trips. Not surprisingly, the big fella lasted three uneventful years in the league before he was exiled back to Rio. Rumor has it that while Araujo's post game was actually steadily improving, the pilaf was not, and thus he was never heard from again.


Never Woulda Guessed Who's Behind Door Number Three

It's been the story of Michigan's season. DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris usually show up most nights, putting up big numbers in trying to lead the Wolverines back to the NCAA tournament. But the problem has remained that nobody has really stepped up and become that consistent 3rd scorer needed to put Michigan over the top. Stu Douglass has shown flashes, but cannot be relied upon to get 12-15 points a game just yet. Zack Novak can light you up for 20, but that's basically a once a month proposition. When Michigan emerged from a timeout in the 2nd half on Saturday facing a double digit deficit in Minnesota's gym, the question of whether that 3rd scorer could emerge from the shadows would eventually decide their season. And in one of the most surprising clutch performances in recent Wolverine history, Laval Lucas-Perry became that guy.

There were just over 11 minutes left when Lucas-Perry took over the game, an affair that was seen by many as an unofficial NCAA tournament elimination game. He canned a 3 to bring the lead to seven. After a Minnesota bucket and free throw, Lucas-Perry responded with another trey. And another. Tubby Smith frantically signaled for a timeout, his once insurmountable double digit lead now whittled to just four, all because of the baby-faced Laval Lucas-Perry. After LLP knocked down a pair of free throws, Michigan was now within a single basket and his work was done. He had done what many others have failed to do, assuming the critically important role of the 3rd scorer. Sims and Harris would carry the Wolverines the rest of the way, cementing a .500 Big Ten record for Big Blue and putting them in a fairly strong position to grab their first berth to the real dance since 1998.

Many Michigan fans had expected Laval Lucas-Perry, a transfer from Arizona, to be this kind of force from the moment he stepped on the court. And for a while, it looked like they'd be right. He scored in double figures his first six games, displaying a fearless attitude when attacking the rim and a range from the outside that extended well beyond the 3-point line. But then the roof caved in on his season. His shot deserted him, his confidence diminished, and his minutes went from 30+ to single digits. He would be the last guy you would have expected to rescue Michigan in their most important game of the season. But there he was Saturday, knocking down 6 of his 7 shots on his way to 19 points, 11 of which came in succession when the Wolverines needed it most. If Michigan is announced as one of the 65 entrants on CBS next Sunday, it will be due in no small part to the season-saving contributions of Laval Lucas-Perry. The man with three names stuck out his chest and announced himself as the 3rd scorer on a team that desperately needed it...and it couldn't have come at a better time.


Rites of Spring- Annual Tigers Storylines

1. Jeremy Bonderman is in the process of learning the changeup. The man with two quality pitches (fastball, slider) has been searching for an effective change throughout his career and it wouldn't be spring without this story. Whether it's Kenny Rogers teaching the pupil the secrets of the pitch, or a new grip that is bound to work wonders, Bonderman never gives up on this now almost fruitless quest. And we're still waiting for confirmation on this, but it looks like Bonderman will be allowed to wear the #34 this season in honor of his mentor, Mr. Nate Cornejo. A nice tribute by Bondo.

2. Could Marcus Thames be an effective everyday leftfielder? The guy has always shown flashes in part time duty, but never seems to get that golden opportunity he has always craved. This story is especially unique because it gets some play before the season, and then we are also treated to the mid-season version as well. Thames will go on a power tear at some point during the year, leading to questions like, "Hey, if this guy were starting for another team, wouldn't he bomb 35-40 homers a year"?? These comments are usually coupled with Jim Leyland announcing that he's finally going to give the guy a real shot and run him out there everyday as the starting LF. The following events then occur in real time. The plan Leyland set forth will last anywhere from 2-3 games. Marcus will sit against some recycled lefty like Jimmy Gobble. You'll wonder what happened. Nobody will really pay it any attention, and that will be it for the "full-time" experiment. Then one year later, just lather, rinse, and repeat.

3. Brandon Inge is the best all-around athlete since Jim Thorpe. While he might not be able to hit a baseball with any consistency, which is what he is actually paid to do, let it be known that Inge has many other talents away from the diamond. He can hit a golf ball over 400 yards. He throws curveballs with his right hand and they break as if thrown by a southpaw. And then usually they'll just make some other stuff up to fill the story, like "Inge once hit a tennis serve over 200 mph," or "Brandon has been known to run sub 4-minute miles...in three feet of snow." It's like they have to keep bombarding us with useless information about his exploits in other sports so we won't remember just how lacking he is with an actual baseball bat in his hands. Not to be too pessimistic about Inge's prospects for 2009, but the man's average has undergone a dramatic dip each and every year since 2004. But now he's back at his favorite spot, the hot corner, and ready to turn it around...and if not, there's always the PGA Tour.


Other Very Important Thoughts

We have no idea what it does, or why we need it...but we all feel a little safer when we throw in that little "Bounce" sheet with the clothes in the dryer. It's kind of the babysitter for the clothes, telling you, "Hey, don't worry. You can go ahead and move on with your day. I got it covered in here. Come check on us in a couple hours...we'll be ready to come out."

You know a lot of people that stop whatever they're doing whenever "Jurassic Park" or "A Few Good Men" come on the TV. Others feel this way about "Remember the Titans." Then you have my Dad, who pretty much can't resist checking in for a good 30 minutes anytime he notices that "Hollow Man" is on the tube. Yeah, you heard me. The movie stars Kevin Bacon, or technically, just Kevin Bacon's voice, since he appears throughout most of the movie as some type of invisible mutant trying to kill people. I've never seen it in full, but any time I take a look, it seems to be the same scene. The 'Hollow Man' is there for a second, then not, and then before you know it, he's got a gun to your mug. Not really my cup of tea, but my Dad can't get enough. I believe the next viewing will put his total at triple digits. Congrats...I guess.

You may not spend any time during the day hankering for Cheetos, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if you see someone else tearing into a bag, you're going to experience three separate emotions. Jealousy of the other guy's great snack, frustration that you didn't think of the idea first, and finally, a tremendous motivation to seek out your own bag, while vowing never to make this same mistake again.



Who do you have coming out of the East? What's your favorite "Annual Tigers' storyline"?? How many times have you seen "Hollow Man"??? Drop a comment below or fire an E-mail my way at highsockslegend@gmail.com

One Is The Loneliest Number... Especially When It Belongs To Somebody Else

Allen Iverson could have really learned a valuable lesson from Gary Sheffield, circa 2007. Sheffield came to town with hopes of being the missing piece on a team that had just dropped the World Series to the Cardinals in five games. But he put himself behind the 8-ball before he even picked up a bat and started violently wagging it back and forth. Sheff decided he was going to don jersey #3, which in Detroit only means one thing when it comes to the Tigers. Alan Trammell. Never a wise idea to come to a new team and try ingratiating yourself to the fans by immediately taking over a number that already carries such tremendous history for another player. Apparently Allen Iverson did not get the memo.

When he first touched down in the Motor City, AI was already pouncing on Chauncey's #1 before they could even wash Mr. Big Shot's sweat from it. I know it's a secondary thing and a number is just a number, but it's the absolute wrong way to enter a city as a newcomer. Show respect for the franchise and its past heroes. Select another digit. Would it have been so hard for AI to throw 50 grand Rodney Stuckey's way so he could wear number 3, like he had his whole career? Iverson could have went with double zero, for the number of titles he will win during his career. Or he could have opted for #20, signifying the number of times he uttered the word "practice" during his infamous press conference in Philly (though Carlos Delfino made the fatal error of trying to wear '20' after Jon Barry had just left...again, no respect to the greats).

There's just something to be said for karma in sports. Look at how Chauncey handled the move to Denver, and the immediate success that followed as opposed to Iverson's immense struggles with the Pistons. Chauncey immediately let the Nuggets' brass know that his jersey was to have a big '7' etched on the back when he suited up. He wanted to honor the most beloved figure in Denver sports, Mr. John Elway. Chauncey was not stepping on anyone's toes here, since it was a completely different sport. He didn't try and go pull off the #14 that Robert Pack had made so famous in Denver during the mid to late 90's. He understood the situation and #7 was the perfect choice. It just showed class. It let the people of the Mile High City know that while Chauncey had been gone for a while, he still had a great appreciation for the sports history in that town and the legends that had come before him. I thought Iverson's selection was nothing but a big "Screw You" to the Pistons fans he should have been trying to endear himself to. And look what happened.

Gary Sheffield will be entering his 3rd season with the Tigers in a few weeks. Everyone is still waiting for the dominant Gary Sheffield to appear, but it will be impossible for him to do so with this terrible jersey karma haunting him at every turn. Allen Iverson has yet to find his stride in Motown, and will most likely flee the city before he ever does so. Chauncey Billups is flourishing as a Nugget, and was welcomed back with a monstrous ovation during his introduction Tuesday night in front of the Palace crowd. Just like loyal Tigers followers and the #3, to Pistons fans, there will always be just one Number 1...no matter what last name is printed on the back.


A Poor Choice of Words

Huel Perkins is usually a pretty reliable news anchor for FOX-2 Detroit that is not going to wow you, but will get the job done. He's relatively straightforward, looks a little bit like Jim Cleamons, and remains the only person on the face of the Earth to be named "Huel." But I thought he and the rest of the FOX-2 News staff made a very irresponsible decision in their wording of the lead story on Monday night's 10 PM telecast.

That first story was about the four men that went missing in the Gulf of Mexico (one was found and recovered) this past weekend. One of those men, Corey Smith, has been a Detroit Lion for the last three seasons, giving the story extra meaning regionally. Now, by the time this story ran Monday night, much of the hope had realistically faded in terms of finding Smith and the others. At this point, tragically, his death was more or less a formality, as search crews were planning to call off their efforts in the next 24 hours. So how does Perkins begin the night's newscast? "Free Agent Corey Smith remains missing at this hour." Free agent??? This is a man that has most likely lost his life, and the descriptor Perkins uses for Smith is one that lets us know of his contract status. When you are fighting for your next breath, things like 'incentives' and 'no-trade clauses' become unimportant.

There are many times when sports fans and the viewing public are curious of a certain player's deal, but this was absolutely not one of them. People watching the news wanted to know if Corey Smith would ever again be seen alive...they were not sitting there wondering, "Hey, so this guy is eligible to sign with whichever NFL team he wants, right"?? There were a number of other ways Huel Perkins could have opened that story. For his first words on the air to be "free agent" when it had clearly become a life and death issue did Corey Smith, his family, and the viewing audience a great disservice.


Leave a comment below or shoot me an E-mail at highsockslegend@gmail.com

Yet Unnamed Monday Weekend Sports Re-Kap

Signs of Life from the Red, White, and Blue

In Sunday morning's sports page, there was a very telling headline in relation to Michael Curry and his ideas on the overall well-being of the Detroit Pistons. It read, "Curry: Iverson Key to Success." So let me get this straight. The Pistons lose eight straight games, including a horrific home loss to Milwaukee and a disastrous ESPN affair in Cleveland. Then they play their first game without the services of one Allen Iverson, and the result is a hard-fought comeback win at Eastern powerhouse Orlando. And the one thing Curry has to say about the whole thing is that "Iverson is the key to the team's success"??? Well, after today's highly impressive W in Beantown over the defending champs, one thing is perfectly clear. Iverson might be key to this team's success, but more so in his absence than by his presence in the lineup.

To put it simply, Allen Iverson has never been a player known to enter a situation and turn things around for the better. The Nuggets made a big splash a few years back by pairing him with Carmelo Anthony, but nothing good really ever came out of it. Despite the team having capable big men in Marcus Camby and Kenyon Martin, to go with an emerging superstar in Anthony, Iverson was unable to get them over the hump. He played there for two seasons, and both campaigns ended in first round exits in the playoffs. As a matter of fact, when one looks deeper into the resume of this almost sure-fire future Hall-of-Famer, a glaring statistic emerges. Most NBA fans are well aware of the fact that 'The Answer' led his 76ers to the NBA Finals (L to Lakers) in 2001. What many may not realize is that in the 7+ years since, AI has emerged victorious in exactly one playoff series. That's pretty stunning for a player of his caliber...or is it?

The main thing people say when talking about Allen Iverson is that "he needs the ball in his hands all the time to be successful." It's a backhanded compliment if there ever was one. People are saying that Iverson can get you 30 a game and put up huge numbers, but he needs to dominate the ball to do so. As in, if this guy is forced to play within the confines of a team and share the basketball, he won't be nearly as much of an asset. Not exactly a ringing endorsement for a guy considered to be one of the top players of the last decade. You hear certain columnists and radio guys around town suggesting the Pistons woes are related to their inability to let "Iverson be Iverson." They're insinuating that the Pistons' best chance to win is by letting him be who he's always been, hoist 25 shots a game and dominate the ball on every offensive possession. Well, he's been doing that on teams for the better part of the last decade, and we've already been over those numbers.

The trade Joe Dumars made in giving up Chauncey Billups and for Iverson will be one talked about for a long time. To me, it was just the wrong deal for so many reasons. First off, I think that finding a true point guard in this league is a rarity. Chauncey was one of the few, and was still in his relative prime at just 32 years old. And if Joe D felt the deal was absolutely necessary for salary cap ramifications, could there have been a worse player to acquire? I could produce a list of 100 players in the league that would have made a better fit for this team. Seemingly, the deal was made in large part as a nod to Rodney Stuckey and the Pistons' belief that he would one day be a legitimate NBA superstar. They wanted him to grow this year, lead the team, and learn a few things along the way. Then why deal for Allen Iverson, a guy who would undoubtedly hamper Stuckey's improvement? It is no coincidence that in Stuckey's coming out party this year, when he dropped 40 on the Bulls, Iverson was in the locker room with an injury. And while Rodney's immense struggles lately cannot be pinned on anyone but himself, it is interesting to note that in Iverson's absence Friday night, Stuckey dropped in over 20 points for the first time in 20 games.

The two biggest possessions in Sunday's win at Boston displayed the type of unselfishness that has largely been missing from this team since the day they brought on Iverson in place of Mr. Big Shot. The first was a result of Rip Hamilton drawing multiple defenders coming off a screen, and finding Tayshaun Prince for a backbreaking corner 3. The next time down, it was Stuckey darting into the lane, leaping into the air, and firing a perfect laser to Rip in the same corner for another dagger trey, icing the contest and silencing the Celtics faithful. Would these plays have transpired the same way if Allen Iverson were in the game handling the basketball? Highly doubtful.

It was only one weekend of basketball, but it was as impressive a duo of road wins that you can find on the NBA schedule. And while questions remain about this squad and its playoff future, one thing has become crystal clear. Sometimes the best answer is having no Answer at all.


Outright Big Ten Champs...Almost

Michigan State claimed at least a share of the Big Ten title on Sunday afternoon with a gritty win in Champagne over the Fighting Illini. The overall crown will most likely become official this week when MSU pays a visit to conference cellar dweller Indiana. The Spartans have shaken off their thrashing at Purdue by responding with three straight wins. Now they begin preparing themselves for a very important month of basketball, with all eyes focused squarely on Ford Field. Do the Spartans have what it takes to get there? After seeing Raymar Morgan finally able to contribute in a big way over Illinois, it becomes a lot easier to see this team make a run to the Final Four. He can be a matchup nightmare with his athleticism. If he can remain healthy and start routinely scoring in the double digits again, this team becomes that much more dangerous. Not many teams can match the depth Tom Izzo throws at you with his club, and very few clubs can also match the tenacity with which they play. They got some kind of contribution from eleven guys on Sunday, allowing them to play every minute at full bore and simply wear the opposition down.

The only thing you might worry about with this team in a high pressure affair in the tournament is the youth of their guards. Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, and Chris Allen are all sophomores, while Korie Lucious is just a freshman. While there is one Senior in that group in Travis Walton, he is not a player that will be depended on for much scoring like the others mentioned will be come March Madness. But when the dust settles, I still think they have too much depth, too much physicality, and too much Izzo. Despite that inexperience at the all-important guard spot, if the brackets were revealed today, I would be entering the Green and White on through to the Final 4. Nobody thought it would happen, but a hometown team might actually win a big game at Ford Field for the first time in a very long time.


Missed Opportunities...On the Court and the Big Screen

Watching the Michigan Wolverines basketball team this season, I am reminded of something the legendary Craig Kilborn once said on his late night show. Kilborn was riffing about the delightful little film, "You've Got Mail," but mentioned how frustrating it was for him to watch because of the way they "Grossly underused Kinnear." He felt that Greg Kinnear's appearances on screen were the greatest strength of the movie. That's why it irked him so much when Kinnear was rarely involved while bigger stars like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan dominated the action. The U of M hoops team is not much different. They possess one option on the offensive end that no team has shown the ability to stop, and they fail to utilize it during the game's most tense moments. DeShawn Sims has been a man amongst boys when posting up on the block recently, making the final minutes of the Wisconsin game all the more frustrating.

He was starting to show signs of heating up with just under five minutes to go. He nailed two straight buckets off post-ups and Big Blue had cut the deficit to two. He would not get a post touch the rest of the game. Not exactly a wise move for a team fighting desperately for its postseason life. So many times during games this year, Michigan will encounter a long scoring drought where they make something like one basket over a 10-minute period. This is exactly what happened to begin the fateful 2nd half on Sunday in Madison that dealt a serious blow to U-M's NCAA Tournament hopes. While many coaches would insist a player like Sims touch the ball down low nearly every time down, the Wolverines instead came out firing from deep. David Merritt, Manny Harris, and Stu Douglass all tried their hand from downtown. Combined with a couple of expected Harris turnovers, Michigan had played some of their worst offense of the whole year in the time when it mattered the most. Echoing my man Kilborn's statement from years back, it's pretty frustrating watching anything, let it be a movie or a basketball team, when you have to see their most viable resource go left untapped. Especially when an NCAA tournament berth is on the line.


Other Very Important Thoughts

It's a little bit depressing seeing Woody Harrelson in "Semi-Pro." The guy played one of the best movie characters of all-time when he was Billy Hoyle in "White Men Can't Jump," and now he's a 2nd or 3rd lead in a lame Will Ferrell comedy. It's hard to watch. I mean, who didn't love Woody as Billy Hoyle?? (Lord knows I did) Perfect actor for the perfect, albeit flawed, character. My boy B-Shoke was so obsessed with the character and the movie itself that he went so far as to write a letter to the studio trying to confirm his conspiracy theory that the whole movie was a dream sequence. He thought this because Billy fell asleep at the beginning of the movie and woke up in the same spot at the end. Name another movie that can have that kind of effect on an otherwise sane human being. Obviously, Woody could never tarnish the legacy he created with Billy Hoyle. However, maybe he should just chill on doing any more basketball movies so we can still remember him for the great baller he was on the courts of Venice Beach, and not the lifeless player-coach for the Flint Tropics.

I saw the movie "Milk" the day of the Oscars and came away pretty impressed with Sean Penn's performance. Just tragic the way Mr. Milk's life had to end prematurely, especially at the hand of one of the people he had worked closely with during his time as a city official. As a matter of fact, the more I think about it, yes, I did like that movie better before...when it was called "Selena."

There must be some clause in Laval Lucas-Perry's scholarship offer that says, "If you ever make a productive play, such as sinking a 3-pointer or dishing out a nice assist, you are to immediately follow it up with 4-5 boneheaded plays, 2 of which must be inexplicable turnovers."

When you are eating a bag of 'Combos,' you're basically announcing to the world, "Yep, I would eat just about anything right now."



Who was the real star in "You've Got Mail"?? Who do you have making the Final 4 right now? And if you have had a bag of Combos in the last week, let me politely ask what drove you to such a dark place. Drop any of these answers in the comments area below or just pop me an e-mail at highsockslegend@gmail.com

A Trip Through the Detroit Sports Scene...and Other Important Thoughts

Tigers

Many Tigers fans, including yours truly, had concerns coming into this season about the starting pitching. Last year produced some of the most horrific results seen in years. There was Nate Robertson and his bone-chilling ERA that seemed to increase after every appearance, no matter how high it already was coming into the game. You had Dontrelle Willis and his complete loss of control, causing me to wonder why it's taking so long for the Rick Ankiel comparisons to start coming out of the woodwork. Oh well, I might as well be the first. Not to mention Jeremy Bonderman, who is slowly but surely continuing the fine legacy put in place by Nate Cornejo. Lots of promise, lots of disappointments...very little body hair. But all those concerns were washed away in the past couple weeks.

See, countless stories have been written where Jim Leyland expresses how good all these guys have looked throwing off a practice mound to some minor league catcher with no hitter in sight. Obviously, that's your true indicator right there of what they're really made of. Forget the fact that the Detroit Fire Department had to literally be on call whenever Robertson took the mound last season. What's really important is how he looks in the first week of February. I know something has to be written to fill the sports pages in these early days of spring training, but how about an actual look at why Robertson struggled so mightily last year and how he intends to change? So far, it seems like every day you pick up the paper, Leyland is singing someone's praises on how great they looked throwing in the bullpen...Robertson, Willis, Fernando Rodney, newly acquired Brandon Lyon. Even Lou Brown had enough sense in "Major League" not to get too excited when he saw Rick Vaughn hurling blistering 100 mph pitches with nobody in the batter's box.

Other Tigers Thoughts...

-You tellin' me old Tiger knuckleballer Steve Sparks couldn't find 20-25 starts with this squad, even at the age of 43? It was funny/sad one year going down to games at Comerica Park. Attended maybe 9-10 ballgames...I think Steve Sparks started all but one. The first couple times, it's like, "Hey cool, gonna get to see a knuckler in person"!! That was very quickly replaced by, "HOW IS STEVE SPARKS PITCHING AGAIN????? IS THERE NOBODY ELSE ON THE F$%^ING PLANET THAT CAN THROW A BASEBALL?!?!??!?" Ahh yes, Tigers baseball in the early 2000's...lots of good memories.

-There has never been a player in baseball history with a last name as hard to figure out as former Tiger pitcher Shane Loux. Some people tried getting the 'X' involved...some left it silent. Others went with "Looch," which just confused me further. He appeared in 14 games for them during the early part of the decade...and had 14 pronunciations to match. I still don't know the correct way to say it, and I hope I never do.


Pistons (Must be kept short for fear of a 20,000 word rant)

-8 losses in a row makes me think of guys like Eric Leckner and Pete Chillcut...and I get sad.

-No over the back call on the Hornets last possession will keep me up tonight.

-You don't need to watch the game or look at the box score to know how Rodney Stuckey played in a particular game. Just assume he went 2-9 and scored somewhere between 6-8 points. You'll have 95-99% accuracy every time.

-Will Bynum should have been getting minutes at point guard all year long. Might be a small thing, but when Chauncey was dealt, this team was effectively left without any point guards, save for Bynum. The guy can get in the lane, he can dish, he can finish himself. Not gonna set the world on fire, but Curry should have been giving him time all year...and he knows it.

-The McDyess-Maxiell combo needs to be used more. Teams cannot keep them off the glass when they play together.

-Pistons now just two games up on the 9th place teams in the East. Looks weird just seeing it in black and white. I'm an optimist, though. Get a few more wins, bump Philly from that 6th spot, and it's Orlando in Round 1. Still not convinced they have the chops to finally beat the Stones 4 of 7. Their bench just doesn't do much for me. J.J. Redick, Tony Battie, Anthony Johnson...I wouldn't even say it's equivalent to a side of rice pilaf. It's more like a side of croutons, but the ones that aren't even crunchy anymore because they've already been in bed with the salad dressing.


Red Wings

What a performance at Joe Louis Arena tonight. The High Socked One was in attendance as the Red Wings took it to the NHL's best, the San Jose Sharks. A dominating 4-1 win highlighted by two goals from Henrik Zetterberg and stellar goaltending by Ty Conklin. But that's not the performance I'm talking about. What I'm referring to did not take place on the ice, but instead in the stands. Midway through the first period, the crew at the Joe started bouncing up the various sections throwing little personal Little Caesar's boxes up into the masses. Whoever grabbed one got a free slice. Not exactly a reason to lose your mind. Tell that to my brother Sam.

We were in row 11, so there wasn't much time to prepare. The guy threw a couple boxes in the rows before us, but now he was coming to our general vicinity. The box came fluttering towards us, but it soon became clear that it was gonna be too far to the right and thus, no free Za tonight. Again, tell that to my brother Sam. Risking life and limb of himself and everyone around him, he smashed through a couple kids, maybe a dad or two, and reached out with his 6'2 frame. It was too far for him to get a clean catch, but he did manage to deftly get a hand on it and tip the box skyward. I felt like I was watching Dennis Rodman go after an offensive board. Sure enough, when the prize finally returned to Earth, Sam was in perfect box out position to secure it. If this were the NBA, he probably would have been called for one of those fouls where the guy gets the rebound, but then swings his elbows too wildly and catches someone in the chin. Maybe even a flagrant.

Sam was definitely not the most popular person in our section. He couldn't make eye contact with the guy next to him the rest of the night. But he returned to his seat with a smile, clutching the little box tightly against his chest. Like how a mother might hold a newborn baby, but with much more affection. Now don't get me wrong, Sam has had his fair share of athletic achievements in his life. Won the softball toss in field day at Forest Elementary in 5th grade. Best Athlete award in high school four straight years. Pitched at the University of Michigan for two years without ever allowing a run (true story, look it up!). But this improbable catch, albeit for a single slice of pizza, meant so much more. And the best part of the whole thing...he let me have the Za.


Movies

-Sometimes a movie looks really good to you in previews, but then you can never seem to find the rhythm once you get the chance to watch it. That's the story with me and the Don Cheadle movie, "Talk to Me." He plays this dude Petey Green who just got out of jail and is now trying to get a gig as a DJ on the radio. Have tried getting into it a few different times on TV...just can't stick around for more than five minutes. Is it supposed to be funny? I wasn't laughing. After a while, they just started ripping off entire scenes from Howard Stern's movie, "Private Parts." I guess the moral of this story is that it is hard to stay with a film longer than a few minutes if your heart really isn't in it...especially when the film in question is complete garbage.

-Just wanted to squash some of the rumors I've heard floating around lately...Gheorghe Muresan is not dead!! I know it seems like a weird issue to have to straighten out, but the truth must be told. There is already enough sad news in the NBA world from tonight (see end of article). There are those that try to claim the star of "My Giant" has left this world permanently, but he is indeed alive and well, most likely mulling over what to do for his next Oscar worthy performance. For some reason, when guys are 7'7 and look like monsters even with the lights out, people just assume they are dead when they leave the public spotlight. For instance, there is one girl that happens to be one of the sweetest people in the whole world, but insists, I mean absolutely insists, that Big Gheorghe passed away some years back. It's almost as if she is wishing death on the gentle giant! It got so bad that I started receiving messages and e-mails from her like this on a daily basis.

"R.I.P. Gheorghe Muresan 1971-2004. You will be missed."

Thankfully, all of these rumors are wildly untrue, we are still on track for "My Giant 2" in July of 2011, and I hope all of you sleep better tonight knowing that.


All Good Things Must Come To An End...

It began as nothing more than a little early season NBA curiosity. Many had expected the LA Clippers to improve with the additions of Baron Davis and Marcus Camby, and they were struggling mightily out of the gate. I casually checked up on Baron after a couple weeks and noticed he wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. I remember casually pointing out to my friend Harold late one night that Baron had not exceeded the 50% mark in any of his first 10 games of the year. I didn't think too much of it, but my interest had been piqued.

The real turning point in this whole saga came maybe 20 games in to the season. After rapping to Sam about Baron's struggles and his baby streak he had going, he wondered if the streak might extend from the end of last season. Worth a look, I thought. Bam! He was right. Just like that, 19 games were tacked on to the streak, and we were off and running. Baron Davis, a man once considered to be a future NBA superstar, was soon passing the 40 game mark without missing a beat and his story was officially brought to the attention of High Socks Nation.

As 40 became 50, my initial curiosity had now turned into an all out obsession. I was following Clippers games so closely on the Internet that people must have thought I had a close relative on the team. I wasn't afraid to approach a complete stranger in the shoe department at Dunham's Sports to see if she wanted an update on the streak. Yeah, you read that right. It had taken over my life. I just could not wrap my head around any NBA player, let alone one with the credentials and bank-breaking contract of Baron Davis, allowing a streak like this go on for this long.

You can tell where this is going. Tonight, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, while hosting the Boston Celtics, Baron Davis finished the game 6 of 10 from the field. It was over. After 62 games of failing to eclipse 50% shooting, it had come to an end. It almost took the perfect storm of factors for it to happen. While it looked for a moment like there might be some late game drama with the streak, Baron fouled out in the last minute, cementing his plus-50 percent game and eliminating the run officially. Zach Randolph played a major part in allowing Baron to have this kind of night by hoisting up 30 shots of his own. Usually, Baron will grab 8-10 of those shot attempts and bang 'em off the rim, but not tonight.

But hey, give credit where credit is due, and for the first time in nearly a year, Baron deserves some. The man made more shots than he missed. For the first time in 63 games. Many followers of this site have been it in from the beginning and might feel like I do right now. Like you lost something that was important to you, when you really weren't prepared to say goodbye. Others came along somewhere in the middle and were just starting to really enjoy this miracle. And then there are some that are ecstatic that BD pulled the 6 for 10, as they had grown tired of the streak and were not enjoying my quest to draw as many parallels as possible to the number "50" from Hollywood and the like. Regardless of which camp you fall in, the fact remains. Baron Davis shot 60% from the field tonight, and the lights have officially been shut off on this party.

It was most definitely fun while it lasted, and during this tough time, we will try to remember all the good memories. The JaVale McGee block in D.C., now known as the "Miracle at the Verizon Center." The 1 for 10 effort against Chicago after nearly a month of rest. The back-to-back 11 for 29 efforts when it really seemed like Baron had his heart set on never again approaching the 50 percent mark. I will sleep with a heavy heart tonight knowing I lost a good friend in The Streak. There will never be another one like it.



Feel free to drop a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at highsockslegend@gmail.com

The Goods on the NBA- Taking You Around the Association and Back

Baron Davis. Words can no longer describe what this man has accomplished in the last 11 months. He has taken a small streak being discussed by few and turned it into a national phenomenon that has every basketball fan asking, "What did Baron shoot from the field tonight"?? The man has now played in SIXTY ONE straight NBA games without once shooting over 50 percent from the floor. He's done it all kinds of ways. Games where he starts out blazing, then comes back to Earth with a disastrous 4th quarter. Games in which he goes 0-7 in the 1st half, guaranteeing that we have nothing to worry about. And games where he just decides, "Yo fellas, I know I'm the point guard, but I'm tellin' you right now I will be jackin' up at least 20 shots tonight...get yours!!"

Funny how much things can change in a short time. Just a couple of years ago, when Baron was leading his Warriors to a monumental upset over the top ranked Mavericks, he was the toast of the basketball world. Now, when my brother Sam recently suggested that I am the new Baron Davis of our Sunday morning basketball league, it was all I could do to not slug him right in the face. Them be fightin' words in our house.

We are approaching one of the most historic days in the great history of our country. The One Year Anniversary of BaronMania. If the basketball gods allow this run to make it to March 12 unblemished, we will officially be one year removed from the last time Baron made more shots than he missed in a game. I've already started to hear rumors of fans planning huge parties that night to celebrate the accomplishment. But what is on the agenda for a party that is, in essence, toasting one of the saddest and most embarrassing streaks in sports history? Possibly serve some nice steaks, but be sure to cook them just slightly less than half the time they're supposed to be on the grill in honor of the Baron. Or even show the movie "Speed" before the Clippers game, just for the sheer irony of the film in relation to Baron's streak. In that flick, Keanu Reeves and Co. were forced to keep their bus moving in excess of 50 mph at all times or have it blown up immediately. Baron's situation is similar, only he refuses to soar past the 50% threshold. Plus, Keanu had Sandra Bullock to help guide him through the various roadblocks that Dennis Hopper had put in place. All Baron has in terms of help is Steve Novak, Alex Acker, and a small side portion of rice pilaf.

Now that I think about, it is quite possible that Dennis Hopper has been holding Baron hostage for the past 61 games. B-Dizzle has made a foray into the Hollywood scene the last few years, and it seems like he may have went one step too far and actually got into hot water with Hopper himself. Maybe Baron shut Hopper out of a major movie opportunity, and the threat was made. Our hero might be facing immense danger if he ever breaks the 50% barrier. Taking all that into consideration, it looks like this streak might be goin' on for a while. A long while. Because honestly, you just don't mess around with Dennis Hopper...especially when the number 50 is involved.


The NBA trade deadline came and went, without too much heavy action taking place. Except for one very notable deal. Tim Thomas and Larry Hughes were exchanged for one another, with others, in a deal between the Knicks and Bulls. I'm pretty sure that after this trade, they have now each played for all 30 teams in the NBA. Both guys were drafted by the 76ers in the late 90's and have been on a mad quest ever since to suit up for every team in America. The unfortunate aspect of trades in pro sports is that families are forced to move and kids have to leave their friends. But it does not have to be the case here. Why don't Thomas and Hughes just let their families stay where they are, and the two NBA'ers can switch households? Nobody would know the difference. They can just be honest and tell their kids the truth. "Daddy might look a little different, but don't worry. He's still the same underachieving, lanky gunner with a questionable work ethic and a propensity to jack up bad shots. And Daddy will make sure to get injured real soon so he can come home and spend time with you guys!"


When did the NBA season just turn into one giant discussion about who should be this year's MVP?? Sure, it's an important award and something that should be discussed for a certain amount of time as the year draws closer to its conclusion, but why all of a sudden has this topic trumped actual commentary on the teams in the league and how they are all performing? Both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are having magnificent years, I will not argue that. Both players present great arguments as to why they should be the MVP. But somehow it feels like every talking head on TV or the radio only wants to talk about one thing and one thing only when the topic of the NBA comes up: the MVP award. I especially enjoyed last week's riveting ongoing debate, "Which guy had a better game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden"?? Wake me up when that one is wrapping up. While awards in every sport are meaningful both to the players and the fans, ultimately what matters most and creates the most longstanding memories is the actual championship. I wish the primary focus would remain on the teams around the league and their quest for the title, and the award talk was put on the back burner for a while.


Somebody needs to tell my boy Walter Hermann it's Ok to receive the ball on the court and not immediately heave the pill towards the basket. The Argentinian Secretariat (he really does look like a horse, doesn't he?) was on the court for 18 minutes Sunday night, and wound up with a whopping 15 field goal attempts (made 5). For a guy that rarely sees game action and hadn't attempted a single shot in the last month of play, Herrmann was apparently intent on not letting one minute of court time go to waste. Reminded me of the time we had a get-together at the house for some game and had a pretty good deli spread going in the kitchen. Our friend Larry attacked the various foods so hard and with such vigor that my Uncle Leon exclaimed, "Looks like the man hasn't eaten a solid meal in months." In other words, Mr. Herrmann, act like you've been there before...three corned beef sandwiches on one trip to the buffet reeks of desperation.


Watching some of the New Orleans Hornets on the tube the other night, I noticed both Ryan Bowen and Sean Marks on the court at the same time for Byron Scott's crew. By watching them play, it becomes quite apparent that these boys were big fans of Cherokee Parks growing up. And that's not a good thing. Ryan Bowen is the poor man's Austin Croshere, if there is such a thing. Sean Marks looks like Adam Sandler's character from "Little Nicky." He's just got that look about him that says, "I was drilled in the side of my face by a shovel as a youngster." I was hoping that they would crash into each other at some point during the game with some solid momentum...just to see if, in fact, they would immediately meld together into one human being. The end product would be a player with a willingness to go after every loose ball in the arena, a total lack of any offensive awareness whatsoever, and also the predominant favorite to be the "next guy to get clocked by a Zach Randolph haymaker for displaying too much hustle while in Z-Bo's presence." I wait in breathless anticipation for the next long rebound and subsequent wild chase for the ball in the next Hornets game. We could be witnessing history.


Kevin Martin is the present day Mitch Richmond. Martin is going to put up these eye-popping scoring numbers on a horrible Kings team for a few years, and at some point, will be traded to a semi-contender where his impact will be much less than what everyone expected. Same thing happened with Richmond. He was dealt to the Wizards, where it was assumed that the trio of Richmond, Juwan Howard, and Rod Strickland would dominate the Eastern Conference for years to come. Didn't exactly pan out that way. Richmond's best days were behind him, Howard was discovered to be very average without Chris Webber by his side, and Rod Strickland was just getting ready to embark on the "7 teams in 4 years" portion of his career. Where will Kevin Martin end up to follow in Richmond's footsteps?? I'm thinking the Hornets are a decent possibility for the scenario. People will salivate over Martin joining Chris Paul and David West to form one of the "best trios in the league." But we've seen this story before, and it does not have a happy ending.


David Stern gets credit for being the best commissioner in pro sports, and I don't necessarily disagree with that. But I still feel pretty strongly about one piece of legislation that he has not put in play yet. I feel that Tyronn Lue should be allowed to show up at any NBA arena on any night and play backup point guard for whichever team he chooses. At this point, lil' fella has been on so many teams and backed up so many different point guards that I don't think any team in the league would even bat an eye if he randomly showed up in the locker room before a game. "Oh yeah, I forgot T-Lue was on this squad." This way, he could begin and end his career in storybook fashion. He began his career as the young little jitterbug that hassled Allen Iverson better than anyone during the 2001 NBA Finals. He could finish this run as the first ever "year round free agent" that had the freedom to visit any team on any night and handle the rock for 17 minutes. Heck, he could even play half the game for each team if he wanted to. We're gonna trust Tyronn to handle this the right way. It really isn't fair for any team to have to employ him for a full season, because honestly, his presence has basically become the NBA's version of Kryptonite in terms of the NBA Playoffs (1 appearance the last 7 years). Which is why this plan works out perfectly...nobody has to have him for too long. He could even have his own custom made jersey that just said "NBA" on the front and "Backup PG" on the back...no number necessary. I think I just feel a little sympathy for Mr. Lue and the way he has sorta been kicked around during his career. It might sound outrageous, but think back to all the times growing up that your Dad played 'All Time Quarterback' for the games in the front yard. You knew the passes would get there on time, plays would be made, and the ball would always be in safe hands...same thing here with Tyronn Lue. Except the exact opposite.


This Week's Edition of "Unfortunate Lottery Picks of the Past"

Mike Sweetney (2003, 9th Overall, Knicks) - Sweetney was a dominant force in his days at Georgetown. That is, until he got to the NBA where the per diem money allowed him to select whatever he wanted off the Burger King Dollar Menu, several times over. This is the best example of a guy that literally ate himself right out of the league. Mike Sweetney was listed at 6'8 and 275 pounds. The problem is, these were the dimensions taken from his Little League card when he was just 11 years old. He lasted four NBA seasons, and actually was semi-productive in the middle two. But by the time he finished up that final campaign with Chicago, his size was becoming a problem that could not be dealt with. Several times that year, the referees demanded that Sweetney count as two players when he was in the game, only allowing Scott Skiles the chance to place three other guys on the floor with him, putting the team at a severe strategic disadvantage. Sweetney's NBA career may have come and gone in the blink of an eye, but he will forever be remembered by drive-thru workers throughout the nation.


As the Pistons trudge on through their most depressing season in a long time, the question continues to boggle the mind of all fans of the red, white, and blue: why was Michael Curry hired as coach of this team?? Coaching changes every 2-3 years have become the norm with GM Joe Dumars, so there was no surprise when Flip Saunders was canned after last year's loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals. But why did Dumars look to Curry, a man with no head coaching experience, to lead a team of established veterans trying to make one more run at the Finals?? There's something to be said for a "fresh voice" coming in and giving a message these players have not heard before, but if that's the case, why hire a guy who was already an assistant under Saunders?

While trying to remain fair, it is a fact that Curry has been nothing short of a train wreck as the head coach. The frequent and sometimes unexplained changes to the starting lineup have almost become this team's identity. There was the bizarre stretch when he would either start Kwame Brown or Amir Johnson depending on who the opposing team's frontcourt consisted of. Guess Curry does not believe in the old adage of, "Play to your strengths and make them adjust to you." Puzzling fans further was the demotion of Rip Hamilton to the bench despite his being the longest tenured Piston (along with Tayshaun Prince) and main cog on a team that has been to the last six Eastern Conference Finals. And then Curry decided to play only seven players Thursday night, a tactic practically unheard of in today's NBA.

Some might argue that the constant discussion and debate about starting lineups was overrated and that everyone ends up getting their minutes. But the bottom line remains that Michael Curry is also lacking in a major way when it comes to pregame planning and in-game decision making. Curry's shortcomings as a strategist came full circle on Thursday night at the Palace against San Antonio. The Spurs had the ball up 1, with 39 seconds left, about to come out of a timeout. The Pistons needed a stop and then a score on the other end to steal this game. The key here is that San Antonio had the ball and thus came on the court with their offensive lineup. What this means is no Bruce Bowen. While in this timeout, one would hope that Coach Curry would tell his Pistons, "Hey, if we get a stop here, this is the play I want us to run. We're not calling timeout, because that allows them to get Bowen back in the game. Get a stop, run this play, let's win the game"!! Unfortunately, that kind of forward thinking is something that is absent from the first year coach.

Instead, the Pistons got a stop, secured the rebound, and called timeout immediately. Reggie Miller, calling the game for TNT, was incredulous as to why Curry would follow this course of action. Gregg Popovich must have felt like a kid in a candy store, able to get Bowen in the game. The same Bruce Bowen that has been on the NBA All-Defensive 1st team for the last five years. Sure enough, Curry diagrammed a pick and roll for Iverson and Rasheed, to be defended by Bowen and Tim Duncan, another player with more All-Defensive awards than could ever fit on his mantelpiece. Really, is this the best matchup we have here?? To go against arguably the top two defenders in the league for the last decade? Apparently Curry believed so.

They ran the play, the screening action led to nothing, and ultimately it was another crummy fadeaway by Rasheed over Duncan that went begging and left Pistons fans frustrated once again. The funny thing is, Curry did not even realize his error following the game. This is what he had to say.

"We had Rasheed with a good look at a 17-footer in a one-point game," Curry said. "That's what you want."

Well, if that's what you want right there, then good luck finding another head coaching job after this one. Any Pistons fan that has watched this team with any regularity knows that this is the absolute antithesis of what you want in a big situation. Rasheed Wallace hitting a big shot inside of two minutes is about as sure a bet as Fernando Rodney locking down a big game with a 1-2-3 9th inning. The Pistons are now officially flat lining with several players showing no interest in really competing anymore, while the Palace continues to look more and more empty with each passing game. Not a fun time to be a fan of the Detroit Pistons. After all, it's never a good sign when you're watching them play and all you can think to yourself is, "Hmm...I wonder if Mike Fratello would like to get back into coaching." No, but really...would he???


The Oscars went down last night and "Wall-E" took home some hardware in the 'Best Animated' category. The movie has had praise lavished upon it ever since it hit the big screen. However, one main point has yet to be raised. The main character, Mr. Wall-E, is a COMPLETE rip off of Johnny-5 from "Short Circuit." Is it just a coincidence that they look exactly alike?? Why do we keep ignoring the elephant in the room? This movie was plagiarism at its finest and somebody needed to say it. Email me at highsockslegend@gmail.com or drop a comment in the section below.