For all that's been said and written about the Pistons' outspoken power forward (much of it deservedly so), tonight the real Rasheed Wallace stood up... gimpy ankle and all.
With his team on the brink of an unexpected - and somewhat unbelievable - elimination, Wallace hit several key shots down the stretch to lead the Pistons to an 84-82 win in Cleveland, forcing a Game 7 at home on Sunday.
But prior to Rasheed's semi-heroic performance in Game 6, much of the talk amongst the NBA community was about his Nostradamus impersonations for Games 4 and 5, and subsequent Houdini-like disappearing act on the court.
But what a lot of people failed to realize was that Wallace's ankle sprain (suffered in Game 4) was so severe that if this was still the regular season, he likely would've missed two weeks of play - at least. But this is the playoffs. This is when athletes have to suck it up, play through the pain, and give it everything they have for their teammates. And Rasheed, the real Rasheed, did just that.
Every time the Pistons slipped into a scoring coma, Rasheed Wallace woke them up with a fury. Whether it was via the three-ball like the one he hit from the top of the key that put his team up four with just seconds left in the third quarter, or the three-point play on the post move against Andersen Varejao that put Detroit back in front late in the game, 'Sheed was the one-man answer to every Cavalier run.
Wallace's offensive onslaught (24 points on 9-of-17 shooting) seemed to spark the rest of his teammates along the way. Chauncey Billups emerged from his temporary cocoon to score 12 of his 15 points in the second half, including a couple of big shots in the game's final minutes. Lindsey Hunter brought tremendous defensive pressure off the bench. Ben Wallace got back to what he does best - getting rebounds and loose balls (none more important than the one he retrieved off a late missed free throw). And Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton added just enough offense (17 points apiece) to balance the attack.
But despite all his greatness in Game 6, Rasheed's entire floor game wasn't perfect. He was brutal from the foul line, which includes two huge misses in the final minute with his team clinging to a two-point lead. He was limited on defense and got burned several times by LeBron James on the pick-and-roll. And he wasn't his usual dominant self on the defensive boards. But he persevered through heart and sheer determination, and now he and his teammates live to fight another day.
Going forward, the Pistons will need the real Rasheed Wallace to continue to be a prominent feature in their arsenal.
But just who is the real Rasheed Wallace?
Is it the brash, loud-mouth menace who incites anger and disdain amongst fans of opposing teams? Is it the explosive, quick-tempered whiner who torments NBA officials all over the league? Or is it the calm, smooth-stroking big man who consistently hits big shots for his team?
Well, the answer is a resounding yes to every question... yet so much more. He's the consummate leader. A true professional. A catalyst. He's a man who possesses the heart of a champion. And a man who talks the talk, but definitely walks the walk.
Tonight, he walked (or should I say limped?) all over the Cavalier defense. Sunday, he'll walk onto the Palace floor for Game 7 hoping to ignite his team to yet another come-from-behind series win. Whether or not that will come to fruition is no "Guaran-sheed". But what no one can deny is that the real Rasheed Wallace is back, and he couldn't have returned at a better time.
Over the last three weeks, my friend and I have been trying to mold 14 impressionable young children (ages 9 and 10) into baseball players. And the process couldn't have been more enjoyable.
Last night was the kids' first game. It was our first chance to see what they've learned, how well we've taught them, and what needs to be worked on in the coming weeks. And while I tried to remain focused on the tangible stuff, I couldn't help but get side-tracked on the big picture.
The big picture being the purity of everything I was witnessing - the love for the game, the desire to learn, the desire to have fun and to do your best, and the pure emotion and vigor with which the kids play. I'd like to share two instances that can best describe what I'm talking about.
After playing two long innings behind the plate, one of our star players, Aaron, took the pitchers' mound to start the third. Now it should be noted that our previous two pitchers were having a heckuva time getting the ball over the plate, which made for a tough stint for young Aaron behind the plate. Nevertheless, the young man came in and began firing one strike after another. Suddenly, our team was coming alive behind him with a couple of nice hustle plays in the infield in addition to the strikeouts Aaron recorded.
Then, something happened that made everyone in attendance gasp.
Aaron took a sharp line drive right off the knee of his plant foot. He immediately dropped to the ground as the sound was similar to that of a cap gun going off. But before Aaron could think about the pain he was in or worry about the damage that could've been done to his knee, he promptly crawled over to grab the ball and attempted to throw the runner out at first base. If not for the fact that the runner was a speedy little son of a gun, Aaron would've thrown him out too.
After the play, my friend and I rushed out to the mound to see if Aaron was okay. Trying desperately to hold back the tears, he said he was fine. At this time, I had already motioned for a new pitcher to come in but Aaron said he wanted to continue. I asked the umpire if he could throw a couple of warmup pitches to see how it felt, and the ump obliged. To everyone's surprise (except his parents), Aaron stayed in the game and pitched to the next three hitters.
However, at this point Aaron's control had left him (probably due to fatigue more than anything else). Instead of thinking only about himself, he thought about his teammate, Justin, who was going to move from third base to pitcher when got hurt. He thought about how his sudden wildness was hurting the team. And most of all, he thought about how excited Justin was when he thought he was going to pitch. So Aaron called timeout and asked for me to come out to the mound.
"Justin can pitch now," he said with a purpose. I asked if he was sure and he replied, "Yeah, I can't throw strikes anymore and I know Justin wants to pitch so it's okay." At this moment, I couldn't help but smile as I summoned Justin over from third and sent young Aaron on his way. I knew right then and there that this kid was special - a true sportsman in every sense of the word and mature far beyond his nine years.
The other instance I wanted to share came in the game's final half inning. With our young squad down 14-0 and at the fate of the league's mercy rule, we were left with four players who had yet to bat, and the prospect of one player not even getting to hit did not sit well with me or any of the other coaches.
Thankfully, the opposing coach put in a new pitcher who wasn't nearly as polished as the previous two. After striking out the first hitter, our next batter, Chauncey, delivered a base hit to right field and we were off and running. The next batter struck out, but then the pitcher started getting wild. He walked the next five batters and then hit poor Aaron in the back. The six free passes forced in a total of four runs and had our bench full of young ballplayers jumping with glee.
Now mind you, this wasn't the most ideal way to string together a rally. But when I thought about how their team garnered most of their runs, and more importantly, when I saw the reactions from the once subdued group of kids, I realized it worked just fine.
In the end, our kids lost 14-4. But in reality, they were all winners (to borrow a famous cliche) because they learned about the spirit of competition and the importance of being a team.
As for me, I walked off that field with a huge grin on my face. I had re-affirmed what I already knew - that Little League Baseball is the purist form of sport there is.
The reasons why the heavily favored Detroit Pistons are currently deadlocked in their second round series with the Cleveland Cavaliers are numerous. Many of those reasons have nothing to do with game planning or anything else in the coaching realm.
Over-confidence, playing without a sense of urgency, and underestimating the greatness of LeBron James are just a few contributing factors that fall squarely on the shoulders of this veteran-laden squad.
The Cavs also deserve a ton of credit for the Pistons' recent woes.
However, assuming that the Pistons' players are able to shake these inadequacies that have at least temporarily derailed their non-stop train ride to the NBA Finals, let us examine some of the adjustments that must be made by the mastermind roaming the sidelines, Pistons' Head Coach Flip Saunders.
1) Speed up the pace.
Despite what many of the so-called experts claim, Detroit is no longer strictly a slow-down, half-court, defensive-oriented team. Since Flip's arrival, the Pistons have opened up their offense to the tune of 96.8 ppg (3.5 more than the previous season) and 46 percent shooting, while shooting the third best percentage from the 3-point line (38.4) in the NBA. The reason is pretty simple - free flowing offense equipped with ball movement and the freedom to shoot the open shot at any time during the shot clock - something they never enjoyed under Larry Brown.
They generated many of their points via the fastbreak. Throughout the first round and the first two games of the second round, the Pistons were looking for fastbreak opportunities, especially off the opposition's turnovers. However, in Games 3 and 4 of the Cleveland series, Detroit has been content to play a half-court game and has reverted back to their old ways of milking the shot clock and settling for whatever contested jump shot they can muster. In this series, that's not going to get it done.
The slow-down tempo plays right into the hands of the upstart Cavaliers. Detroit's propensity to exploit whatever favorable matchup they feel they have has caused stagnant possessions where the ball stays on one end of the floor and the other four players are simply standing around watching. This makes it much easier for Cleveland to defend, and subsequently, sets up LeBron James to save the bulk of his energy for the offensive end where he has burned Detroit with both his scoring and his ability to set up teammates for open shots.
The fact is, the Pistons are at their best when they're defending and scoring. Detroit eclipsed the 100-point barrier 34 times during the regular season (nine more times than the previous season) and five times in the playoffs. Of those 39 total games, the Pistons have lost just four times. The numbers don't lie.
It's time for Flip Saunders to inject some of that offensive magic again. It's time to start running Richard Hamilton off a bevy of screens. It's time for Rasheed Wallace to look for Ben Wallace under the basket when his man leaves him for the double team. It's time for Chauncey Billups to blow by his man and penetrate the lane, freeing up open shots for Hamilton, Wallace and Tayshaun Prince. And it's time to stop playing the isolation game.
That way, the next time the Pistons find themselves in a dogfight at the end o####ame, they'll have a little more of a rhythm offensively. That, in turn, will create a much better opportunity to knock down the big shot.
2) Utilize the bench.
One of the main reasons why prognosticators all over the NBA nation (not to be confused with ESPN's "NBA Nation") have predicted the Pistons will waltz to their second championship in three years is because of the re-birth of their bench. Antonio McDyess and Lindsey Hunter have been mainstays coming off the Pistons' pine over the last two seasons. But the additions of Tony Delk, Maurice Evans and the improved play of second-year G/F Carlos Delfino have solidified a unit that many critics felt was a disappointment a year ago in their failed quest for back-to-back titles.
Early in the season, those same critics once again questioned the Piston reserves. They said the starters were logging too many minutes and would eventually wear down at the end of the year. However, Saunders took advantage of Detroit's fantastic start by giving the bench players some much needed minutes in the season's second half - and boy did they ever respond.
McDyess found his seemingly lost fade away jump shot and overall scoring touch. Lindsey Hunter returned from an ankle injury to bring his usual brand of relentless on-the-ball defense, as well as a re-discovered offensive arsenal. Mo Evans and Carlos Delfino brought a youthful energy and aggressiveness that resulted in many of Detroit's famous runs. And veteran Dale Davis provided some toughness, grit and experience to counteract any opposing inside presence (i.e. Shaquille O'Neal).
Yet despite this newly realized potent bench, Flip stayed with his starters (sans an injured Rasheed Wallace) for much of the second half, including a fourth quarter that saw the Pistons shoot an abysmal 4-of-16.
If his team is going to advance beyond this round, and beyond the Conference Finals, Flip Saunders will have to rely more heavily on his bench. Antonio McDyess will have to play more than the 14 minutes he played in Game 4, and he'll certainly have to hoist more than two shots. Lindsey Hunter must log more than six minutes. And Tony Delk has to be utilized much the way Chuck Daly utilized Vinnie Johnson in the late 80's for the Pistons, as instant offense off the bench.
If these players don't get more valuable minutes in the postseason going forward, they likely won't be able to come through when needed most (in case of a serious injury or foul trouble). And that will only further attest to what the aforementioned prognosticators were saying about the Pistons early in the season.
3) Tell the players to shut their pie-holes!
Yes, the Guaran-sheeds have worked wonders in the past. Yes, the Pistons do feel that no one can beat them in a seven-game series if they play their brand of basketball. And yes, they're probably right about that.
But why give the opposition further fuel to beat you? Why give them further motivation to prove the critics wrong? Why bother telling us (and them) what most of us already know? Why not just go out and show us instead?
From Rasheed Wallace's on-going charade of making guarantees to Chauncey Billups' insistence that the two losses in Cleveland had little to do with how the Cavs played, the Pistons have continually disrespected their opponents in the media - purposely or otherwise. The result is a scorned, hungry and suddenly confident Cavs' team that is now not only back in the series, but has a collective chip on its shoulder and a burgeoning playoff megastar to spearhead the charge the rest of the way.
Flip Saunders would be wise to hold a team meeting today back in Detroit (if he hasn't already) and advise his team to stick to the tired, yet proven cliches when conversing with the media. In other words .... NO MORE BULLETIN BOARD MATERIAL!
If his players want to talk, or even boast, let them do it on the court where it belongs. Stop telling the sports' world how good you are and start showing us!
As a Pistons' fan myself, that's all I ask for.
If Flip and his staff can make these adjustments for Game 5, the Detroit Pistons will back on the path toward the big gold ball. If not, it may be too late to 'Flip' the switch.
Rival cities Detroit and Cleveland played a most interesting double-header on Saturday. The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers tipped off Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series at 5 pm local time. Then, at 7 pm, the Detroit Tigers took on the Cleveland Indians in the second game of their three-game weekend series.
The result - a split decision, but not exactly in the fashion most would figure.
Another Game 3 Road Lapse
Going into Saturday's contest, the Detroit Pistons - despite all their recent playoff success - had lost nine of their last ten Game 3's on the road. Since a victory at Portland in the 1990 NBA Finals, the Pistons only Game 3 playoff road victory came during their latest championship season (2004) when they beat Milwaukee in the first round after losing Game 2 of that series at home.
Detroit was hoping to turn around their Game 3 woes Saturday afternoon at Quicken Loans Arena against LeBron James and the Cavs.
That looked to be the case through the first three quarters of basketball. After sputtering a bit early on, the Pistons righted the ship by outscoring Cleveland 25-18 in the second quarter to take a six-point lead into the locker room. Detroit came out strong in the second half as well knocking down five of their first eight shots from the field to open a ten-point lead, 54-44.
The Cavs, however, answered with a quick 9-0 run to close to within one and the game was tight the rest of the way. Heading into the fourth, with the Pistons clinging to a tenuous three-point lead, LeBron James - who was passive offensively through the first three periods - took over the game.
LeBron scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth and led the Cavs on several spurts that would ultimately lead to an all-important win.
LeBron's fourth quarter heroics ignited his teammates as well. The Cavs made 10-of-14 field goal attempts in the final stanza and shot a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, the Pistons shot a porous 33 percent, helping the Cavs turn what was once a ten-point deficit into a nine-point triumph, 86-77.
For the game, Detroit shot just 39 percent and turned the ball over an uncharacteristic 16 times, by far their highest output of the playoffs thus far.
The series is now 2-1 in favor of Detroit with Game 4 on Monday night from the "Q" ... more on that later.
Tigers Wring out a Win Against the Indians
Across the street, on-lookers from the Pistons/Cavs game came pouring into Jacob's Field almost as quickly as the rain poured from the sky as the Tigers and Indians game was already underway.
Jeremy Bonderman and C.C. Sabathia dueled for eight innings in the harshest conditions. While the steady rain continued to cascade from above, the two starting pitchers carved up opposing batters with a potent mix of live fastballs and darting sliders.
Sabathia struck out ten Tiger batters in eight innings while allowing only one walk and six hits. Unfortunately for Sabathia, one of those hits was a long home run off the bat of Chris Shelton - his first homer since April 28th.
Sabathia didn't make any more mistakes like he did to Shelton for the rest of the game. The same, however, could not be said about the Indians' defense behind him. Cleveland committed three errors in total, two of which - a fielding miscue by Aaron Boone and a throwing error by Ronnie Belliard - led to another Tigers' run and put the Tribe in a hole they couldn't climb out of.
The reason they couldn't climb out that hole was because of the right arm of Jeremy Bonderman. Bonderman hurled eight strong innings for manager Jim Leyland. He stuck out eight while allowing just three Indian hits - the first of which didn't come until the fifth inning.
Bonderman did walk three batters and hit another, but he was able to pitch out of every jam and was never seriously threatened by the explosive Cleveland offense. In fact, at one point Bonderman retired 12 consecutive hitters.
Moreover, the Tigers' ace right hander completely shut down the middle of the Indians' order - one of the most lethal in baseball. The 3-4-5 combination of Jhonny Peralta, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez went a collective 0-for-11 with five strikouts and seven men left on base.
Needless to say, J.B. was dealin'!
In the meantime, the Tigers notched their 15th road win of the season and are now an impressive ten games over the .500 mark. They'll look for win number 16 on the road this afternoon as they attempt to sweep the Tribe in Cleveland.
Mike Maroth (4-2, 2.55 ERA) takes the mound for Detroit against his former rotation mate Jason Johnson (2-2, 5.82 ERA), who now pitches for Cleveland.
Uh-oh... He Did It Again!
That's right! Rasheed Wallace has once again cast himself as Nostradamus.
After dropping Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals series against Cleveland, Rasheed Wallace calmly praised the Cavs' effort before he lit into them with yet another bold postseason prediction of his opponents' fate.
"We're gonna bust their ####," proclaimed Wallace when asked what lies ahead for the Cleveland Cavaliers. "We're still going to win this series," boasted the Piston power forward who then added, "Monday will be their last home game this year and then we'll close it out at home (on Wednesday)."
Whether or not that intrepid prognostication comes to fruition is anyone's guess. But if recent history tells us anything, expect the Pistons to respond to 'Sheed's claims.
After a Reggie Miller jumper in the final seconds sealed the Pistons' Game 1 fate in the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, Rasheed Wallace bellowed these famous words to the reporters in attendance:
"They will not win Game 2!"
Wallace was then asked if that was a guarantee for victory. He responded in kind:
"They will not win Game 2. You can put that on the front page, back page, middle of the page, whatever. They will not win Game 2!"
Of course, the Pacers did not win Game 2, thanks in large part to Tayshaun Prince's incredible block of a Reggie Miller break-away layup attempt that would've tied the game late. The Pistons eventually won the series 4-2 and went on to win the franchises' third NBA Title.
Last year, Rasheed tested fate once again... and once again he did so against the Indiana Pacers. After losing Game 3 on the road (imagine that) and subsequently falling behind 2-1 in the series, Wallace guaranteed a Piston win in Game 4. And for the second year in a row the Pistons responded with a convincing victory. From there, Detroit would steal the momentum and reel off two more wins in succession to finish off the Pacers and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight season.
Now we come to the present. It seems that the Pistons are in need of a spark, or a side challenge to motivate them to play their best. And Rasheed Wallace has stepped up to the plate like he often does to provide that spark. This time the potential "victim" will be the Cleveland Cavaliers, not Indiana.
Will it work again? Time will tell. But rest assured, people from all over the country will be tuning in Monday night to see if 'Sheed is truly the second coming of Nostradamus. Some will root for him. Many will root against him. It's only natural.
If the Pistons win Monday night, perhaps this will become an annual omen, a playoff ritual for Detroit. If they lose, it's likely that Wallace will bite his tongue the next time he feels the urge to splurge. Either way, the Detroit Pistons will have his back - in Game 4 and beyond.
A convincing 121-90 Game 7 victory by the Phoenix Suns capped an impressive comeback from a 3-1 series deficit and allowed the Suns to escape into the next round. The win also capped an exciting NBA first round and gave hope that the second round will bring more of the same.
Objects in the mirror are much closer than they appear.
The objects in said mirror are the Los Angeles Lakers.
While the Lakers' players are probably kicking themselves right now for giving up a commanding lead and not closing out the series at home in Game 6, the 'ballers in purple and gold can take solace in the fact that they're not far off from once again competing for an NBA title. Yes, you did read that statement correctly.
Kobe Bryant piled up as many points as criticisms in the season's first half (including from yours truly - scroll down a bit in my blog to see what I mean). But along the way, his scoring and leadership helped instill confidence into the minds of his teammates. The result - a 45 win season, a trip back to the playoffs, and a near first round upset of a Western Conference powerhouse.
Expect the Lakers to recover from this sports "tragedy" and be a big player in the off-season free agent market. Perhaps a trade or two wouldn't be out of the question either. They'll need to add a true point guard that can set up Kobe and Lamar Odom in the half-court game, as well as open up opportunities for others on the break. L.A. will also need to acquire another scorer or two to come off the bench and provide a spark for the team when Kobe is a little off his game.
Another season under the zen master, Phil Jackson, combined with a few additions and further development of players like Luke Walton and Kwame Brown and the L.A. Lakers will once again return to glory.
Beware Western Conference foes ... the objects are getting close.
No time for celebration - the other L.A. team is waiting.
For the Phoenix Suns, last night's win was the culmination of an emotional, collective effort. With their backs against the proverbial wall and experts and fans everywhere counting them out, the Suns answered the challenge with a thrilling overtime road triumph sandwiched between two impressive victories at home. But now, a new challenge arises - same city, different name.
It seems like weeks have gone by since the Los Angeles Clippers dismantled the Denver Nuggets in five games to advance to the second round for the first time in 30 years. And while their potential opponents have slugged out in the interim, the confident Clippers have had the chance to do some advanced scouting. What they've likely discovered is that, much like other teams, they dwarf the undersized Suns along the front line.
Look for the Clippers to utilize PF Elton Brand early and often during the best-of-seven series with Phoenix. Brand and C Chris Kaman will make for extremely difficult matchups for the Suns' bigs. While Kaman and Brand stand 7'0" and 6'8" respectively and combine for well over 500 lbs, the Suns power forward/center combination of Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw average 6'7 1/2" and 220. Needless to say, Phoenix will have to make their living in the open floor if they want to have a chance. But that's nothing to new to Mike D'Antoni's crew.
Unfortunately for Phoenix, the Clippers wingmen can match the athleticism and speed of their counterparts. Corey Maggette and Shaun Livingston can run the floor as well as anybody. And if playoff veterans Sam Cassell and Cutino Mobley can offset the play of Steve Nash, the Suns will be in serious trouble in the next round.
A wise man once said that things in the universe have a way of evening out. If that is indeed the case, the Phoenix Suns' current high spirits will come plummeting toward the Earth at warp speeds when they clash with their second round opponents.
A mano-y-mano battle for the ages ends on a sour note.
LeBron James and Gilbert Arenas each carried their respective franchises on their burgeoning shoulders as they made their way through a competitive and exciting series.
James poured in 36 ppg during the series while Arenas countered with 32.7. In almost every contest, it was literally a case of "anything you can do I can do better."
In Game 5 with the series tied at 2-2, Arenas hit a couple of big shots down the stretch of regulation to bring the Wizards back from a seven point deficit with just over a minute to play. In overtime, his aggressive drive to the basket forced the Cavs into fouling him with 3.9 seconds remaining and the Cavs holding on to a one point lead. Gilbert calmly drained both free throws to put Washington in front. So what did LeBron do to answer? Nothing much. He simply took the in-bounds pass amidst a double team and blew by both defenders along the baseline for a game-winning layup.
In Game 6, Arenas nailed a three-pointer from North Baltimore with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime and temporarily stave off elimination. However, with just seconds left in overtime and the Wizards clinging to a one point lead, LeBron whispered some words of "encouragement" into the ear of Arenas as he stood on the free throw line with a chance to lock up the victory and force Game 7.
"I just told him, if you don't make these free throws the series is over," proclaimed James after the game. Unfortunately for Gilbert, LeBron's exploits in fortune telling turned out to be quite prophetic. Arenas missed both shots and seldom used Damon Jones buried the game-winner at the opposing end.
For LeBron James, it was an incredible ending to an unbelievable first-time performance in the playoffs. Now, an even greater challenge awaits as the two-time defending Eastern Conference Champions lick their chops at a chance to stymy all this "next Michael Jordan" talk. Obviously, James will need much more help from his teammates if he's going to have an opportunity to move on.
As for Gilbert Arenas, it was a painful climax and a disappointing finish to another breakout year. Most assuredly, Arenas will think about that fateful trip to the foul line all summer long. But what he should never forget are the many enormous shots he made during the series. He should also never forget the fact that without him, the Wizards would've never made the postseason to begin with, let alone win one game in the Cleveland series.
Are you ready for the best second round matchup in recent memory?
All season long, the defending World Champion San Antonio Spurs and the up-and-coming Dallas Mavericks have battled for supremacy in the Western Conference. These two juggernauts traded the top spot in the Midwest Division (and the top spot in the conference overall) from early November all the way until mid-March when the Spurs managed to "separate" themselves from the Mavs by a game or two the rest of the way. But through all the jockeying for playoff positioning, one thing has been crystal clear from start to finish, the Spurs and Mavericks are the class of the West.
Much to no one's surprise, S.A. and Dallas split the regular season series, 2-2. And no one should be surprised if their postseason series is tied at 2-2 after four games. In fact, I'd be shocked if this series didn't go at least six games, if not seven.
The Mavericks have been resting up and catching up on all the NBA playoff action since their impressive four-game disposal of the Memphis Grizzlies. Meanwhile, the defending champs had to sweat it out in six games against the hungry and battle-ready Sacramento Kings. Who has the advantage as a result of their first round feat is anybody's guess. But Game 1 is already underway and perhaps the answer will be clarified later today.
Playoff Predictions:
Detroit vs. Cleveland
LeBron James is a phenomenal talent but not even Superman himself could beat a team like the Detroit Pistons by himself. LeBron will have his moments. But in the end, too much balance on both ends by Detroit for Cleveland to overcome.
Prediction: Detroit -- 4-1
Miami vs. New Jersey
The New Jersey Nets provide a similar challenge to Shaq and the Heat that the Chicago Bulls did. They're younger, quicker, more athletic, and love to run. The big difference, though, is that the Nets also possess plenty of postseason experience. If the Heat win this series, it will be because of home-court advantage and the ability of Shaq to dominate the paint and stay out of foul trouble. Neither will happen this time.
Prediction: New Jersey -- 4-2
San Antonio vs. Dallas
Barring a complete meltdown by one of the two teams, this series should go the full seven. Tim Duncan's foot seems to be feeling better these days, which makes the front line matchups as close to a push as possible. That means the team whose backcourt plays the best, and most consistent, will ultimately come out on top. I'll take the battle-tested combination of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili over Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse.
Prediction: San Antonio -- 4-3
Phoenix vs. L.A. Clippers
I've already somewhat broken this series down (see above) and I just don't think this is a good matchup for Steve Nash and company - especially without Amare Stoudamire. The size and athleticism of the Clippers will overwhelm the tired and undersized Suns when it's all said and done.
Prediction: L.A. Clippers -- 4-2
If you're a bettin' man, take the opposite of all my picks (except Detroit) and you should be good to go.
One week into the NBA Playoffs and one thing is crystal clear - the higher seeded teams are finding success to be a little more difficult to attain than they probably expected - except Dallas.
In the East, a total of ten playoff games have been completed... with the lower seeded team winning four of the ten. A pair of matchups are deadlocked at 2-2 while the other two series are 2-1 with pivotal Game 4's looming.
For a closer look, let's take a gaze into each series:
#1 Detroit vs. #8 Milwaukee
After a pair of dominating performances at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the two-time defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Detroit Pistons, headed northwest to the "Beer City" to cast further doubt into the hearts and minds of the heavy-underog, Milwaukee Bucks. But after 48 minutes of uninspired basketball by the Pistons in Game 3, the only doubt casted was whether or not the Pistons still have the ability to be a shutdown defensive unit.
The Bucks shot an unthinkable 60 percent from the field, including 65 percent from 3-point range, in route to an easy 124-104 victory. Much like he did during the regular season, Michael Redd blistered Detroit with 40 points on 14 of 21 shooting and a returning Tony Kukoc delivered a spark off the Bucks' bench with 10 points and six assists. Maurice Williams added 20 points as well as the game was never in doubt from the middle of the third stanza onward.
Overview: Despite all the offensive success the Bucks enjoyed in Game 3, it was just one game - a game in which Milwaukee knew they had to have to stay in the series, and a game the Pistons clearly didn't view as being crucial to their overall success.
Detroit will need to make a concerted effort to play much better team defense and slow down the pace in tomorrow's Game 4. While it's certainly not a "must-win" situation for the Pistons, a victory would put them in a position to close out the series early at home and give one of their key contributors, Richard Hamilton, some much needed extra rest for his injured ankle.
As for Milwaukee, the Bucks must realize that they won't shoot 60 percent for an entire game again for the rest of the series. They must commit to playing solid half-court defense with an emphasis on forcing turnovers and quickening the pace. If they can do these things, they'll have a chance to make it a series. If not, they'll be heading back to Detroit down 3-1 with their postseason fate already decided.
#2 Miami vs. #7 Chicago
Perhaps the most intriguing of the so-called "David vs. Goliath" series, the Heat and the Bulls have spent the better part of sixteen playoff quarters of basketball trying to impose their will on each other. The result - a 2-2 tie heading into a monumentally important Game 5 in South Beach on Tuesday night.
For Pat Riley and the Heat, their focus was to utilize their size and ability to score in the paint as a way to exploit the physically inferior Bulls. Of course, at the forefront of their size advantage and ability to dominate the paint is Shaquille O'Neal. Through the first two games in Miami, Shaq averaged 24.5 points and 11.5 rebounds, which parlayed into Heat victories. However, in Game's 3 and 4, O'Neal got into early foul trouble and never found a rhythm. The result was a 12 point, 6 rebound average and a pair of defeats in the Windy City.
The Bulls, on the other hand, have tried to use their quickness and ability to score from the perimeter to offset the Heat's physical prowess. Scott Skiles hoped to trap Miami into an up-and-down game in order to wear out Shaq and exploit their superior guard play. Thus far, mission accomplished as the trio of Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Chris Duhon have vastly outplayed their couterparts, Jason Williams, Dwyane Wade and Gary Payton - especially in Chicago.
Overview: The Miami Heat, for the most part, have been their own worst enemy. Turnovers, poor shot selection, and extended minutes of lackluster play at the defensive end of the floor have allowed the upstart Bulls to climb back into the series.
That's not to say the Bulls haven't been a huge part of that. Hinrich has done an admirable job of bothering Wade and forcing him to expend energy at the defensive end. The constant shuffling in and out of players like Malik Allen, Tyson Chandler and Michael Sweetney on Shaquille O'Neal has been moderately effective and has allowed Scott Skiles to equally distribute fouls among his big men. And the perimeter shooting and overall athletic abilities of Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni has spread the Heat defense thin and created second and third chance opportunities when they do happen to miss from outside.
Going forward, Miami must get back to their game plan of pounding the ball inside to Shaq and Alonzo Mourning and forcing Chicago into a half-court game. Doing so will not only equate success for their big men, the double-teams will open up opportunities for their perimeter players as well as driving lanes for Dwyane Wade. And it should equate to a berth in the second round for the Heat.
#3 New Jersey vs. #6 Indiana
Much like the Heat/Bulls series, the Pacers/Nets encounter involves two teams with two completely different identities. The New Jersey Nets (like the Bulls) are a guard-oriented club who prefer a quicker pace, while the Indiana Pacers are more of a half-court team designed to grind it out possession by possession. Thus far, the pace has favored Indiana ever so slightly. Nonetheless, the series is tied going back to the Meadowlands with the Nets back in possession of home-court advantage.
One of the most talked about themes of this series was how the Pacers would be able to combat New Jersey's "big three" of Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. So far, they've done so with inspired efforts from PG Anthony Johnson, whose 16.5 ppg are twice that of his counterpart, Jason Kidd (8.8). They've also received significant contributions from SF Steven Jackson (14.5 ppg) and C Jermaine O'Neal. Still, the Nets tantilizing trio has done their damage, especially Jefferson and Carter who have amassed 50 points combined in three of the four games. The key for Indiana in their two victories has been limiting the impact of C Nenad Kristic, as well as making Carter and Jefferson work for their points.
Overview: The consensus going into this series was that of all the first round matchups in the Eastern Conference, this one was the most likely to go the full seven. After four games, that consensus seems to be even more prevalent.
New Jersey will need to get out to an early lead and sustain it in Game 5. Because with the Pacers' battle-tested, veteran lineup, the longer the Nets allow Indiana to hang around, the more likely it will be that the Pacers head back to Indianapolis with an opportunity to close out the series on their home floor.
#4 Cleveland vs. #5 Washington
No Eastern Conference series possessed more star power than the Wizards/Cavs matchup. With LeBron James, Gilbert Arenas, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, and... well... LeBron James, the potential for an offensive showcase seemed not only a probability, but inevitable - and almost pre-determined. Yet through three games, neither team has scored 100 points to this point and only one game (Game 3) has seen both teams topple the 90-point plateau. Yes, believe it or not folks, it's been a defensive struggle thus far between these two offensive juggernauts.
Having said that, one has to assume that both teams will eventually open things up as the "feeling out" process has come and gone. And when you figure neither team was known for their defensive abilities all season long, that only adds to the notion that the scorekeepers will have a severe case of writer's cramp when it's all said and done.
LeBron James' game-winning floater in the lane in Game 3 shifted the momentum back in the Cavs' favor and gave coach Mike Brown's club an opportunity to take a stranglehold on the series with another victory in the nation's capital. With claims of a traveling violation on that last shot aside (and warranted at that), LeBron has torched the Wizards in the two Cleveland victories, scoring 32 and 40 points respectively. If the Wizards want to get back in the winning column, they'll have to be more physical in their approach to defending James, much like they were in Game 2 when LeBron was just 7 of 25 from the field. Washington must force the Cavs' supporting cast to beat them. In addition, they'll need more consistent outputs from Jamison and Caron Butler to coincide with the 30 ppg that Arenas brings to the table.
Overview: Tonight's Game 4 (which is 14 minutes from tip-off as I write this) will go a long way in deciding this series. A Wizards' win ties it at two and gives Washington the momentum and confidence needed to pull off the minor upset. They've already proven they can beat the Cavs in Cleveland so that shouldn't present a problem for them. However, a Cavs win tonight will bury Washington in a deep hole that will be virtually impossible to climb out of - having to win three straight and two of the three on the road.
Much like New Jersey in their next game, it will be vital for Washington to get off to a quick start tonight and allow their fans to have an impact on the playof####eprived Cavaliers. Otherwise, they'll likely leave it up to fate in the final seconds with the ball in the hands of the confident, young mega-star who did them in just two nights ago.
Here's how I see these first round matchups ending up:
Detroit over Milwaukee (4-1)
Miami over Chicago (4-3)
New Jersey over Indiana (4-3)
Cleveland over Washington (4-2)
Yeah, I know ... I didn't really go out on a limb there, did I? But don't fret, there will be plenty of opening round upsets in the West ... well, at least one.
Kobe, I take everything I said about you three months ago back! You are indeed - the MAN!
Yesterday afternoon, I blogged about five keys to victory for the Red Wings in Game 4, as well as their keys to success going forward. Unfortunately, the blog was never posted to the NHL section for some reason.
Nonetheless, now that Game 4 is in the books (a Red Wing victory), I thought it would be interesting to do a checklist for the five key points and see how Detroit fared in each category.
Point #1 -- Eliminate Turnovers
Earlier, I wrote the following:
Experts can talk all they want about the trap Edmonton is employing or the excellent goaltending of Dwayne Roloson, but the reason this series is currently 2-1 in the Oilers' favor is because the Red Wings have not been strong with the puck, especially in their own zone.
In Game 2, leading 2-1 in the second period, a pair of defensive zone turnovers by Kirk Maltby and Jason Williams (just 57 seconds apart) led to the tying and go-ahead goals respectively. From there, the Wings lost the momentum and never regained it, losing 4-2.
In Game 3, three of the four Edmonton goals were the direct result of a turnover by Detroit in their own zone, including the game-winner in overtime by Jarret Stoll.
Detroit must do a better job of handling the Oilers' forecheck. They have to be stronger with the puck in the corners and along the boards and they must make crisper and more accurate passes in and out of the zone. Doing so will not only keep the puck out of their own net, but it will also help them generate speed through the neutral zone and give them better opportunities to beat the Edmonton trap.
Check
The Red Wings responded with a very strong puck possession game against the Oilers, especially in the third period. They carried the play for the most part at even strength and were adept at moving the puck before Edmonton's forwards could get in on the forecheck.
Because of their strong puck play, Edmonton's offensive chances were few and far between when they weren't on the power play. As a result, Detroit was able to generate some momentum through the neutral zone with their crisp passing leading to several scoring chances, including the game's only even strength goal - a Robert Lang tally in the first period.
Point #2 -- Stay Out of the Penalty Box
Earlier, I wrote:
The Detroit Red Wings were among the least penalized teams in the NHL during the regular season. And through the first two games of the postseason, they continued that trend. But in Game 3, Detroit took undisciplined penalties from start to finish, tallying 14:43 of penalty time and nine power play opportunities for their opponents.
Edmonton managed only one power play goal out of their nine chances, but the plethora of short-handed minutes for Detroit hindered Mike Babcock's ability to role four lines and give some of his potent scorers (i.e. Pavel Datsyuk, Brendan Shanahan and Robert Lang) the ice time needed to get into game rhythm.
The Red Wings must stay out of the penalty box in Game 4 (and for the remainder of the series) or the result will likely be the same as it was in Game 3. Detroit is far superior to Edmonton in five-on-five situations. But they cannot exploit that superiority by taking dumb penalties and allowing the Oilers to spend a good chunk of the game on the power play.
No Check
For the second straight game, the Red Wings spent too much time in the sin bin. But then again, so did the Oilers.
I really can't fault the Red Wings too much for being undisciplined because this was one of the worst officiated games (on both sides) I've seen in quite some time. Any time a stick got near an opposing player, the referee's hand went up. It was very frustrating to watch as a fan.
I realize Gary Bettman wants obstruction out of the game and subsequently, he wants it called in the playoffs in any game situation, but there needs to be some consistency with the way it's being called. It seems that one game the referees #### the whistles and let them play. The next, they call every little tug, including some phantom hooks as well. It's an absolute joke and it must be corrected for the betterment of the game.
Point #3 -- Better Goaltending
Prior to the game, I wrote:
The play of goaltender Manny Legace hasn't been a massive chink in the Red Wings' armour thus far, but it hasn't been good either.
In Game 3, Legace let in two relatively weak goals from Jaroslav Spacek and Ryan Smyth in the first period. Smyth's goal was especially deflating as it came just minutes after the Wings had tied the game and stymied the Oilers' crowd and momentum; and it came on a wrap-around attempt in which Legace was too slow to react.
But the most deflating mistake Legace made was in double overtime when he found himself out of position as the puck was being jostled behind the net. By the time it was feathered out front, Legace had no chance to stop the back-hand rebound shot by Stoll that gave Edmonton the victory.
The bottom line is that the Red Wings' defense must play better in front of Legace. But it's also the goaltender's job to provide the last line of resistence. Dwayne Roloson has been formidable in that role for the Oilers. Now it's time for Manny Legace to match his counterpart in net for Detroit.
Check
Going into Game 4, Legace carried an unimpressive .887 save percentage, which ranked 12th in the playoffs and third worst among goaltenders who had played at least three games. Tonight, once again he looked shaky in the beginning.
Legace allowed two goals on the power play. Each one was a shot from the deep slot that found its way through Manny's legs. But after making some crucial saves during a lengthy five-on-three short-handed situation, Legace started to find his groove.
In all, he stopped 24 of 26 shots, and along with Chris Chelios, was the best Red Wing penalty killer on the ice.
Legace now must build on this performance and continue to get better as the series progresses.
Point #4 -- Big Guns Must Step Up
Earlier, I wrote:
At the end of the regular season, the Red Wings had eight, yes eight, 20-goal scorers on their roster - including four with 28 or more. Through three games in the playoffs, only three of those players have tallied a goal, and only one (Henrik Zetterberg-3) has scored multiple times.
Moreover, consider these numbers. Brendan Shanahan is a minus-2 with only six shots on goal in the series. Niklas Lidstrom, a three-time Norris Trophy winner and former Conn Smythe recipient is a minus-4. Pavel Datsyuk has zero points in two games. Robert Lang and Jason Williams are both minus-2. And Tomas Holmstrom is a minus-2 with only seven shots on goal and no sustained pressure in front of the Edmonton net.
If the Red Wings want to win Game 4 and ultimately advance, they need their stars to shine. Whether it's flying through the neutral zone on odd-man rushes, shooting the puck from all angles and crashing the net for rebounds, or winning the physical battles along the boards, these players must step up and make significant contributions for their team. And it must begin tonight!
Check +
The Wings guns came out firing from the start and never let up until the final buzzer.
Robert Lang scored a goal and had two assists. Tomas Holmstrom and Nicklas Lidstrom each scored their first goal of the series. Lidstrom's power play goal proved to be the game-winner. Pavel Datsyuk tallied two assists and brought the kind of energy and play-making ability that made him one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the league during the regular season. And even though Brendan Shanahan didn't register a point, he did pile up six shots on goal, which equaled his total for the first three games combined.
Point #5 -- Grab an Early Lead and Hold It
I wrote:
Here's an eerie stat for you. Through three games, the Red Wings have led the Oilers a grand total of 18:17 out of 231:23 played. That leaves 213:06 of playoff hockey where the Wings have either trailed or been tied.
Of all the statistics compiled from this series so far, this has to be the most compelling. It's no secret that Edmonton's modified trap has foiled the Red Wings' offensive attack and has forced them to shoot from the perimeter. But by getting out to an early one, two, or three goal lead, the Oilers will not be able to sit back and clog the neutral zone. Instead, they'll be forced to carry the play to Detroit, thus creating even more chances for a counter attack on the Wings' behalf.
Therefore, it's imperative that Detroit survive the early on-slaught of the Oilers and their fans tonight and grab a first period lead. From there, it's equally imperative that they score the next goal as well. That way, they open up the ice and put the pressure on the Edmonton offense to get them back in the game.
No Check
The Red Wings fell behind 1-0 midway through the first period. But by the end of the stanza, Detroit found itself in front 2-1.
After a shaky second period that saw the Edmonton Oilers tie the game on Jaroslav Spacek's power play goal, the Wings responded with a dominating third period performance. They grabbed the lead at the 6:44 mark and never looked back.
So I guess, in essence, they did what they needed to do. They just waited until the third period to do it. Going forward, they'll be better served to take the lead earlier and force the Oilers to play from behind.
All things considered, we'll call it three and a half out of five, which in this case was enough to garner a 4-2 victory. Now Detroit has new life. It's a best of three series starting Saturday afternoon at the Joe. And this time, the Red Wings must make better use of the home ice advantage.
Three games into the NHL's second season, the Detroit Red Wings find itself in an all too familiar position - staring at the prospect of another early round playoff exit.
Trailing 2-1 to the eighth seeded Edmonton Oilers heading into tonight's pivotal Game 4, the heavily favored Wings face an arguable must-win situation in order to avoid a 3-1 deficit and the likelihood of yet another postseason letdown.
But this is nothing new to Hockeytown. Despite enjoying a wealth of success in the NHL playoffs over the years (including three Stanley Cups in a six year span), they've also incurred plenty of early round disappointments.
In 1994, after winning the President's Trophy as the league's top team, the Red Wings were shocked by San Jose in the first round, 4-3.
In 2001, after jumping out to a commanding 2-0 lead on an inferior Los Angeles Kings' squad, the Red Wings promptly dropped four straight games to lose their opening round series, 4-2.
And of course, who could forget the 2003 debacle against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks? The defending Stanley Cup Champions were overwhelmed by the seventh-seeded Ducks in an embarrassing four-game sweep.
However, the failures of postseasons past should not affect this year's team. Nearly half of the current roster did not participate in any of the aforementioned series. And those that did are playoff veterans who have also been a vital part of the many Red Wings' triumphs.
So instead of dwelling on the past, it's time for Detroit to focus on the future - the immediate future. Therefore, I offer five key elements that must take place in Game 4 in order to even the series and shift the momentum back in the Red Wings' favor.
#1 -- Eliminate Turnovers
Experts can talk all they want about the trap Edmonton is employing or the excellent goaltending of Dwayne Roloson, but the reason this series is currently 2-1 in the Oilers' favor is because the Red Wings have not been strong with the puck, especially in their own zone.
In Game 2, leading 2-1 in the second period, a pair of defensive zone turnovers by Kirk Maltby and Jason Williams (just 57 seconds apart) led to the tying and go-ahead goals respectively. From there, the Wings lost the momentum and never regained it, losing 4-2.
In Game 3, three of the four Edmonton goals were the direct result of a turnover by Detroit in their own zone, including the game-winner in overtime by Jarret Stoll.
Detroit must do a better job of handling the Oilers' forecheck. They have to be stronger with the puck in the corners and along the boards and they must make crisper and more accurate passes in and out of the zone. Doing so will not only keep the puck out of their own net, but it will also help them generate speed through the neutral zone and give them better opportunities to beat the Edmonton trap.
#2 -- Stay Out of the Box
The Detroit Red Wings were among the least penalized teams in the NHL during the regular season. And through the first two games of the postseason, they continued that trend. But in Game 3, Detroit took undisciplined penalties from start to finish, tallying 14:43 of penalty time and nine power play opportunities for their opponents.
Edmonton managed only one power play goal out of their nine chances, but the plethora of short-handed minutes for Detroit hindered Mike Babcock's ability to role four lines and give some of his potent scorers (i.e. Pavel Datsyuk, Brendan Shanahan and Robert Lang) the ice time needed to get into game rhythm.
The Red Wings must stay out of the penalty box in Game 4 (and for the remainder of the series) or the result will likely be the same as it was in Game 3. Detroit is far superior to Edmonton in five-on-five situations. But they cannot exploit that superiority by taking dumb penalties and allowing the Oilers to spend a good chunk of the game on the power play.
#3 -- Better Goaltending
The play of goaltender Manny Legace hasn't been a massive chink in the Red Wings' armour thus far, but it hasn't been good either.
In Game 3, Legace let in two relatively weak goals from Jaroslav Spacek and Ryan Smyth in the first period. Smyth's goal was especially deflating as it came just minutes after the Wings had tied the game and stymied the Oilers' crowd and momentum; and it came on a wrap-around attempt in which Legace was too slow to react.
But the most deflating mistake Legace made was in double overtime when he found himself out of position as the puck was being jostled behind the net. By the time it was feathered out front, Legace had no chance to stop the back-hand rebound shot by Stoll that gave Edmonton the victory.
The bottom line is that the Red Wings' defense must play better in front of Legace. But it's also the goaltender's job to provide the last line of resistence. Dwayne Roloson has been formidable in that role for the Oilers. Now it's time for Manny Legace to match his counterpart in net for Detroit.
#4 -- Big Guns Must Step Up
At the end of the regular season, the Red Wings had eight, yes eight, 20-goal scorers on their roster - including four with 28 or more. Through three games in the playoffs, only three of those players have tallied a goal, and only one (Henrik Zetterberg-3) has scored multiple times.
Moreover, consider these numbers. Brendan Shanahan is a minus-2 with only six shots on goal in the series. Niklas Lidstrom, a three-time Norris Trophy winner and former Conn Smythe recipient is a minus-4. Pavel Datsyuk has zero points in two games. Robert Lang and Jason Williams are both minus-2. And Tomas Holmstrom is a minus-2 with only seven shots on goal and no sustained pressure in front of the Edmonton net.
If the Red Wings want to win Game 4 and ultimately advance, they need their stars to shine. Whether it's flying through the neutral zone on odd-man rushes, shooting the puck from all angles and crashing the net for rebounds, or winning the physical battles along the boards, these players must step up and make significant contributions for their team. And it must begin tonight!
#5 -- Grab the Early Lead and Hold It
Here's an eerie stat for you. Through three games, the Red Wings have led the Oilers a grand total of 18:17 out of 231:23 played. That leaves 213:06 of playoff hockey where the Wings have either trailed or been tied.
Of all the statistics compiled from this series so far, this has to be the most compelling. It's no secret that Edmonton's modified trap has foiled the Red Wings' offensive attack and has forced them to shoot from the perimeter. But by getting out to an early one, two, or three goal lead, the Oilers will not be able to sit back and clog the neutral zone. Instead, they'll be forced to carry the play to Detroit, thus creating even more chances for a counter attack on the Wings' behalf.
Therefore, it's imperative that Detroit survive the early on-slaught of the Oilers and their fans tonight and grab a first period lead. From there, it's equally imperative that they score the next goal as well. That way, they open up the ice and put the pressure on the Edmonton offense to get them back in the game.
If the Red Wings can apply these five keys to victory tonight, they'll be well on their way to advancing to the next round - Steve Yzerman or no Steve Yzerman. However, if they fail to adjust to what Edmonton is doing and continue to make the same mistakes they've made in the first three games, they might has well start reserving tee times at Oakland Hills.
"Just when I think I'm out... they PULL me back in!"
This famous Al Pacino line (who coincidentally is celebrating his 66th birthday today) from the Godfather trilogy aptly described the feeling I had when I received my email notification that the Next Great Sportswriter II contest was set to begin.
On the one hand, much like the gangster life was intrinsic to Michael Corleone, sports will always be an important part of my everyday life. And what better way to convey this inborn passion than to write about it and interact with thousands of individuals around the globe who share the same affinity. But on the other hand, after the last fiasco that was the original NGS, I was somewhat hesitant to re-enter.
Don't get me wrong, there was much to enjoy about the first NGS - great discussion/debate, amity, arguments, agreements and a LOT of outstanding work put forth by the contestants. But once the final 16 was revealed, all hell broke loose!
People were questioning the selections by the judges... a few even claimed that it was all fixed from the beginning. We had an underaged contestant admit to his ineligibility, only after he was eliminated. A seemingly fantastic writer was eliminated for su####ion of plagiarism. And round-by-round eliminations were decided by the scorned "outsiders" instead of the judges themselves, leading many to believe that it was more of a popularity contest than a writing competition. Needless to say, it all became quite the headache, at least for yours truly. In the end, I do believe the right man won. But all the extracurricular stuff (in addition to some health issues) drove me away from the blogging experience here for the better part of four months.
But now, with some reservation, I'm back... and the heavily anticipated NGS - Part Deux is upon us. In order to avoid the frustrations that came with the inaugural edition, I decided to make a deal with myself... sort of a self-contract if you weill (TM - Dusty Rhodes), loaded with incentives, stipulations and out-clauses. And for my first blog on Foxsports.com since mid-January, I thought I'd share some of the particulars of my "self-contract" for the NGS II with my fellow bloggers.
The following criteria must be met in it's entirety in order to continue blogging in the Next Great Sportwriter II contest on Foxsports.com:
* You shall only endeavor to write a blog if the mood should strike you. DO NOT write just for the sake of posting in order to "pad" your blog. This is not a contest to see who can write the most blogs. It is a contest to see who can write the most effective blogs.
* You must NEVER take the contest, or your writing, too seriously. Sports are your passion and you love to write. Have fun with it! Otherwise, what's the point?
* You must NEVER offer another blogger anything but kind words and/or constructive criticism. If you should read something in a blog, or in a comment to one of your blogs that repulses you, simply move onto something else and ignore it. Nothing good comes from bickering with people you don't know. Save the venom for your ex-girlfriend!
* You must NEVER post a blog immediately after a Pistons, Tigers, or Red Wings loss ... especially if there is a blown official's call of some kind. Doing so will only reflect bitterness and poor sportsmanship on your behalf. Instead, sleep on it and put together honest criticisms and thoughts from your team's performance the next day.
* You must NEVER, under any circumstances, EVER post drunk. In addition to it being almost impossible to convey a point coherently through the spoken word with "beer goggles" on, it's equally impossible to do so via the written word. Typos and misspelled words will most certainly be at a premium, and no matter how much sense it makes in your mind at the time, it won't make any sense at all the next day and you'll be left with nothing but regret. (For the record, I never did this the first time.)
* You must not put too much stock into the comments posted on your blogs by other members. Welcome the feedback as always, and strive to post thoughts on other blogs, but do not take them as gospel. Everyone has different opinions on what makes a good piece, what makes a great game or play, and what constitutes a lucid thought or observation. So always keep that in mind when blogging.
* DO NOT spend too much time on one post. If it flows, it flows. If it doesn't, it isn't worth your time. Move on and wait til the mood strikes you again.
* DO NOT treat this like it is the gateway to becoming a nationally recognized journalist. There are many other ways to break through and you are pursuing all of them. Treat this only as a fun endeavor and if something else comes out of it - bonus.
* If someone gets caught cheating after the finalists are revealed, DO NOT shake your head and think "that cheatin' son of a #&&#*#* took MY spot". Instead, simply sigh and say ... "Wow! That sucks that he got caught!"
* Finally, you MUST resolve to do your best and accept whatever results may loom. If you're lucky enough to advance to the final 16 this time, relish the opportunity and put your best foot forward. If not, well... there's always the "Next Great Pornstar" competition.
Failure to adhere to any and all of these guidelines will result in the immediate removal of one MotorcityMadman from the NGS II contest.
Okay, okay... I admit it. I didn't actually make a contract with myself. I just thought I'd throw that out there as a reminder to myself, and perhaps others, of what this contest is really about. Maybe you agree, maybe you don't. It's cool! The bottom line is that the Madman is back and I look forward to interacting with all the familiar cohorts from last December, as well as all the new blood out there.
Good luck to everyone and I'll talk to you soon! Perhaps as soon as tomorrow if the Red Wings don't figure out that stupid trap Edmonton is playing.
Oh wait, that would be in direct violation of a contract stipulation, wouldn't it?
They're partying in Ann Arbor tonight after the Michigan Wolverines upset #12 Michigan State, 72-67.
After falling behind by double-digits early to a hot-shooting, run-and-gun Spartan squad, the senior-laden Wolverines slowly closed the gap by playing suffocating defense, dictating the tempo, and hitting one big shot after another, both from the field as well as the free throw line.
Bonderman hurled eight strong innings for manager Jim Leyland. He stuck out eight while allowing just three Indian hits - the first of which didn't come until the fifth inning.
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