Questions, Comments, Thoughts and Theories

• Is it my opinion or did the "celebration" of the Canadian women's hockey team look moronic?  Cigar smoking, beer swilling women aren't exactly what the IOC ordered. 
• If the Detroit Lions can trade down and get a few early round draft picks, that's the way to go.  History tells us this with New England, Dallas, etc.
• Does anyone know the REAL story on what happened with Tom Wilson and Palace Sports and Entertainment?  How long before the dealmaker starts stealing human assets from his old employer?
• Has anyone ever been injured "curling?"  Why do I have a feeling I would trip and bust my backside?
• The Detroit Pistons appear uninspired on the court.  Why did Joe Dumars make the moves for Gordon and Villanueva?  Would it not have been more beneficial to save salary cap room and get a good draft pick before starting over? 
• What's the over/under on Johnny Damon homeruns as a Tiger?  If it's 25...take the under.
• Hear anymore backlash about Mark McGwire's admission to steroid use?  You gotta love America.  Apologize and move on.  Tiger, are you listening?
• UFC is very popular these days.  Wait until the first fighter gets killed in the cage in front of a pay-per-view audience.  Congressmen calling for the abolishment of the sport will come out like cockroaches in the night.

Tom Wilson Departs and Questions Arise

It was a little strange that Tom Wilson departed the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment after leading the organization for the last 22 years.  Stranger yet was the way he left the organization.  It was abrupt.  Never mind the glowing departure statements and equally respectful comments of his successor.

Wilson accepted the role of President and CEO of an Ilitch sports and entertainment company which operates the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings and Comerica Park. 

This is a shocker.  For years these organizations battled for entertainment dollars in the market.  Now the braintrust who led Palace Sports and Entertainment to award winning years has opened an office across town reporting directly to Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings.

When a 32 year employee (22 years at the helm) with an amazing track record of success resigns from an organization abruptly and joins another in the same geographical vicinity, it assumes there was no severance, non-compete clause and non-solicitation agreement.

It appears Tom Wilson wanted to go...and that's good news for Ilitch Holdings.

These questions have answers.

Tiger Woods Apology

In a serious and very well prepared statement, Tiger Woods apologized for his marital affairs and boorish behavior, vowed he would return to therapy tomorrow and explained a return to Buddhism.  He apologized repeatedly to family, friends, fans, children, employees, colleagues and about everyone who made him the most recognized athlete on the planet. 

For the first time in many years Woods was actually, well, human.  He wasn't Tiger.  He was a remorseful man who admitted to many faults and appears to want his life back.  By not committing to a return date to golf, he appears to be putting his priorities in place. 

It was reported that Tiger actually wrote the statement.  I hope so.  America is a forgiving society and aside from whispers lasting to eternity, this entire fiasco will be forgotten.  I hope a beautiful wife who was the definition of grace under pressure and two children will forgive him.

Pistons Question

I watched the Pistons blow out a hapless Minnesota Timberwolves team last night, 108-85.  With the win, Detroit improved to 19-33. 

In watching the game I openly asked: What is wrong with this team?  There are several pieces in place that should make it better than a lousy team only one game out of last place in the Central division.  Oh, sure, there are plenty of loopholes.  I'm confused about why the team must count on Ben Wallace (why was he ever traded to begin with?) to contest every shot and averge nine boards per game?  Why is Rip Hamilton's field goal percentage down from .447 to .387 this year?  Rodney Stuckey has a 2-1 assist to turnover ratio and shoots a whopping .149 behind the three point line.  The lone surprise on this team is Jonas Jerebko who ignites the team with hustle and above average talent.

This team looks apathetic at times and good at others.  When Tayshaun Prince is healthy, he is still a presence.  Ben Gordon has talent and appears to be under utilized.  Charlie Villanueva?  Why this team wants a 6'11" forward shooting three pointers I'll never understand.  Kwame Brown, Jason Maxiell and Chris Wilcox appear to be experiments that didn't work out.

At worst, this team needs an overhaul.  At best, someone needs to answer a simple question: What is wrong with this team?

Damon Not Worth It

If rumors are true that the Tigers are willing to sign Johnny Damon for a two-year, $14 million package, the organization must be blind and foolish.  A few pertinent details: 1.) He won't hit 24 homeruns again playing in Comerica this year, 2.) He won't see the selection of pitches he saw last year with a Jeter and Rodriquez in the lineup, 2.) This isn't 2004.

The Tigers have some decisions to make in the future of this team with their starting pitching base in tact.  What they don't need is Gary Sheffield part two.  A one year, $2 million deal with incentives is more in line.

Stallworth is a Risk/Reward Proposition

There's an irony that after all the blown number one draft choices on wide receivers, the Detroit Lions find themselves looking for a compliment to Calvin Johnson.  Make no mistake about it: Matthew Stafford is the foundation of the new Lions and he has one very talented option downfield.  In a perfect world, there would be two but Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt and Derrick Williams don't seem to have it.  Johnson #2 might be a good third receiver.

Enter Donte Stallworth, the recently reinstated wide receiver from the Cleveland Browns who pled guilty to DUI and second degree manslaughter after killing a pedestrian in his vehicle in 2008. 

Without question, the Lions should be looking for defense in the upcoming draft.  This is a critical draft to put a good defensive line and defensive backfield together.  Still, there is a need to also somehow find that second option receiver and perhaps even a running back.  Common sense would suggest a run at defense in the initial draft picks and to select a receiver and back late.

Stallworth is a talented, albeit tarnished gamble.  Over and above the fact he has been hobbled by injuries, there is the question of character when it comes to the accident that ended in a death.  Stallworth did less than a month in jail and is on a strict probation.  However, this is a bit different than the Michael Vick issue where the (then) Atlanta Falcon quarterback was involved in ongoing criminal activities.  Stallworth got behind the steering wheel of an automobile and had a horrific accident.  Was it premeditated?  No.  Is he remorseful?  I hope so. 

The question with Stallworth is very simple: Will he be a good person and teammate?  The question is not talent.

It's a very forgiving society we live in.  From a business and team standpoint, the Lions should pursue him.  Chances are he can be signed for a smaller contract and his appreciation may show in the form of outstanding productivity on the field.  Quite simply: There is small risk and huge reward potential.

Keep those draft picks for the defense early.  I have confidence in Kevin Smith at running back and suggest the Lions focus on offensive linemen late in the draft.

Great Sports Fans

I had a chance to take in a Chicago Bulls game this weekend while in the Windy City.  These Bulls are nothing like yesteryear when players such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright, Dennis Rodman and others owned the city.  No, this team is hovering around .500 in a weak central division some 15 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The 2010 lineup includes Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas.  Other than perhaps Rose, no future hall-of-famers there.

While the Bulls are no threat to win a NBA championship, what struck me was the crowd at the United Center.  The place was packed.  The Bulls were playing an equally mediocre Miami Heat that can only boast of superstar Dwyane Wade yet the fans stayed energized throughout the entire game. 

I shouldn't be suprised.  Chicago sports fans are great.  As a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan, I have experienced the great rivalry with the Chicago Cubs.  I've sat in Busch Stadium and after a heated game, tilted a few cold ones with Cub fans.  For the most part, these are great fans who know and  love their baseball.  Loyal?  How tough is it to get a ticket at Wrigley and when was the last time you saw the Cubs playing past week one in October? 

It's the same in Detroit.  The city got a bad rap after the Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004, but let's face it: Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson had no business brawling in the stands.  Players should stay on the court; fans should stay in the stands.  You can take the Pistons, Tigers, Red Wings and Lions fans and put them up against the greatest sports fans in the country.  You seldom see disrespectful behavior toward opposing teams and fans.  I have seen one fight in the stands amongst fans in seven years. 

Having lived all around the United States, I'll take the respectful, saavy and fun-loving fans of the Mid-West any day.

Jackson Legacy Deserved

  Give Phil Jackson his due.
  The Laker coach has won 10 NBA championships and all we hear is: "Yeah, but he had great players."  Duh.  No kidding.  I suppose Red Auerbach was coaching the LA Clippers.  No, Red had a few decent  players named Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn...I could go on.
  The great thing about Jackson is that he has won in a variety of places with a variety of players.  Sure, he had Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, but he was also able to win with a headcase like Dennis Rodman.  He was able to keep Shaq and Kobe on the same page for a while.
  Great coaches win with great players and Jackson always notes his success is due to just that.
  If people want to throw darts, they should be aimed at those coaches who don't win championships with good players.