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Detroit Pistons: where to go

Embed from Getty Images The high expectations heading into the 2017-18 NBA season has given way to a sub .500 season. What’s next? All eyes will be on ownership.

When Los Angeles based billionaire Tom Gores (a Michigan native) purchased the Detroit Pistons fans thought here is a guy who  deliver the next great chapter in Pistons history.
He brought in high profile head coach Stan Van Gundy and fans were over the top with excitement. That’s where it ends. As Van Gundy has tasted NBA success.
Van Gundy simply has not worked in Detroit. The Pistons are poised to miss the NBA post season yet again. Tom Gores is building a house in the Detroit area and moving permanently back to Detroit.
This is a good sign. I have always thought Gores is the right kind of owner. Build the team. Develop younger players then enjoy success.
Unfortunately, Stan Van Gundy is not and never has been a fan or interested in developing young talent. Instead he has a win now philosophy that is out of date in not only today’s NBA, but in all sports.
It is my opinion Tom Gores will relieve Stan of his coaching duties after the season. I am also of the opinion Mr. Gores will find his man. There is talent and the right man is needed to bring it out.
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Detroit Red Wings April fools

Embed from Getty Images Red Wings fans would really like this to be some sort early April fools joke. But, the reality is it is not. Ken Holland, will apparently get his shot to rebuild the Winged Wheels.

For better or worse. There is at this time no word on a contract extension for Holland. That could be intentional. Ownership could possibly see how this years draft goes.
In a very unrealistic thought perhaps ownership wants Ken, the coaches and players for focus on finishing the season before any sort of announcement is made. Fans hope the announcment is that Holland is leaving his general managers position.
Former Detroit Red Wings legend, captain and NHL Hall of Fame member as well as current Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman recently said “Ken Holland deserves patience.”  Unless he’s talking about tanking Wings fans won’t care about that statment even from a beloved sports figure.
Maybe, Yzerman is right. Ken Holland has architected some very good hockey teams. He has also over spent and has maxed out the salary cap. The real question is can Holland recapture his old magic? The odds are long at best.
I for one was and still am in favor of a fresh start. Detroit’s owner feels this is the best rout to take. We shall see how it plays out. But for now it has left a bad taste in the fan base’s mouth.
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Detroit Red Wings prospect Vili Saarijarvi

Embed from Getty Images Right in line with Detroit Red Wings defensive prospects. Vili Saarijarvi stands 5’ 10”. Don’t let that fool you. He’s a playmaker.

In the same vein as Red Wings defensive prospect Joe Hicketts, Saarijarvi is a puck mover and above average goal scorer. He is also a defenseman who can quarterback the power play. He’s a very solid smoot player.
Like fellow defense prospect Hicketts, Vili is on the shorter side. But, does that matter? Should it matter? I really don’t think it’s a factor as more NHL teams are trending towards smaller puck moving defenseman. and those smaller defensmen are have success.
Vili Saarijarvi brings a quickness to his game that would help the quick challenged Detroit Red Wings. He’s fast and much like Joe Hicketts has no issue with people players in the boards. He’ll also, bury the puck in the back of the net.
His defensive attack does contain a flaw. He is at times too impulsive which leads to compromise for himself and his line mates. He has worked hard to brush that up. It still flares up from time to time.
He is viewed as a top four defenseman. Which makes him one of my favorite Red Wings prospects. That and he plays defense.
When he gets called up Detroit fans will enjoy this fleet footed player. As his stick work may be the best in the Detroit Red Wings lower levels.
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Matt Patricia defensive wiz

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Lions, got a high profile head coach when they announced Matt Patricia was the guy.

Detroit Lions fans were curious after Patricia was named head coach if he would take on being the teams defensive coordinator as well. Given his stellar work with the New England Patriots.
After putting his coaching staff together, Matt named University of Syracuse defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni to the same position in Detroit. The two had previously worked together so it was a natural fit.
Even still fans wondered if Matt Patricia would call the defensive plays and Pasqualoni would just be the face. Patricia announced that he would not. But, he brought is a defensive mind to run the defense.
This is a good move. The first time, first year head coach will have enough on his plate to have to worry about also running a unit of the team.
It nice that he knows his limits and is willing to allow someone he trusts to take unneeded stress.  Not to mention a coordinator who has enjoyed success.
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Detroit Pistons Chauncey Billups general manager?

 

Embed from Getty Images Depends if you believe and who you believe. The New York Times ran an article that said Detroit Pistons ownership (Tom Gores) expressed interest in bringing  former Pistons fan favorite Chauncey Billups in as general manager.

Mr. Gores has stated he will sit down with current Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy after the season to discuss the direction of the team.
Meanwhile, Billups was rumored to be close last NBA off season to being named general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. That never materialized.
Billups refuted the Times article. But, time will tell. It would be a bold move. Given the fact Chauncey Billups has no front office experience.
There is no real way to know if he could scout unless he was named to the position. Not to mention how he would handle day to day tasks general managers take on.
If the Detroit Pistons do in fact make a move it would be interesting to see who he would tab to be his head coach.
I’m sure there are a select few who know what Tom Gores is going to do. I for one am looking forward to seeing how it plays out. Something has to break the Pistons out of inconsistent play.
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Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Hicketts

Embed from Getty Images He stands 5’ 8” for a defenseman he’s not very big. But, he is very solidly-built. He can hit with the best of them and is a good player puck mover. The Detroit Red Wings were wise in calling him up.

Hicketts, is a playmaker. No matter his size. He can flat out create plays and he is an above average goal scorer. He is one of the Red Wings prospects I’ve been waiting on. And  now he gets an audition in Motown.
Even given his short stature he has all the tools to be a solid second line defenseman. In my opinion Joe Hicketts should be part of the Red Wings next group of core players moving forward.
Joe, plays with a lot of energy. Make that high energy. Hicketts credits Detroit Red Wings defensemen Niklas Kronwall as being the player he wanted to model his game after.
The difference is Kronwall is playing on two damaged knees and at 37 years old is closer to the end of his career. Joe Hicketts is 21 years old with two good knees and can be a difference maker for the Wings.
So perhaps it’s best to view this as a passing of the torch. From a good defenseman to one who aspires to be just like him.
Joe Hicketts, is worth watching. His progress should be quick. The Red Wings need to add more to the defensive crop. But Hicketts is a good place to start.
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Detroit Tigers to be clear

Embed from Getty Images This season is going to be horrible. There is absolutely no hiding that fact. It is not about winning. It’s not even about following your favorite player. It will simply be about Detroit Tigers baseball.

In a painstaking full blown rebuild there are no sunny days. It’s like being boarded up in a box. With no light to see.

This is what fans must have in mind. There is minor league talent. That is still years away from seeing Comerica Park. Who knows if some of those guys will actually spend a summer in Detroit?

That’s what a total and complete rebuild looks like. There was a time Chicago Cubs, fans knew that unhappy time. Houston Astro, fans also felt the sharp sting of the rebuild process. They now share in being the last two World Series winners.

Statistics, show us losing a lot helps speeds rebuilding up. It also shows us that ticket sales will come to a grinding stop. The ballpark will look huge when the crowds are sparse.

I’m not a doom and gloom person. In fact quite the opposite. But there are inescapable facts that can not and should not be ignored. The most hard core fan would agree.

While opening day is generally a happy day. There will be a somber feel in Motown that day. While the promise of a better tomorrow is coming. It must get dark first.

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Detroit Tigers spring training complete, long season ahead

Embed from Getty Images Commence project rebuild. That should be the 2018 Detroit Tigers theme this season. For good reason 100+ losses are going to be the flavor.

Comerica Park is nowhere near a sell out for what is usually a big day in Detroit. Opening day. I’m not entirely sure why? Yes the Tigers starting pitching is thin. Perhaps razor thin. But, I’m actually interested to see the bullpen.
The batting lineup has some good hitter littered in it. After all Miguel Cabrera, Nicholas Castellanos are still dangerous. Even thought to be washed up Victor Martinez has knocked the ball all over in spring training.
Yes, they are going to be bad. There is no way to sugar coat it. But, they need to make it through this season and then next spring training start inserting the kids (top prospects) into the starting pitching rotation and batting lineup.
Next years team will look much different than the one they are breaking camp with. Christian Stewart, Isaac Paredes, Beau Burrows and others will be placed in the Motor City.
My feeling on all of this is lose. Lose big, lose small, lose a lot. Win soon. I’m focused on the fact the Detroit Tigers are setting themselves up to win for a while with home grown talent.
That is a much more sustainable approach rather than going and spending on high priced free agents. Even the New York Yankees who are notorious big spenders have switched to winning with your own.
I’m very interested and very excited to see where this goes. Forgoing the pain that is sure to come this season. With  brighter ahead.
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Detroit Red Wings they aren’t going to tank?

Embed from Getty Images Teams do it all the time. Ease off the gas and coast to the end. Move up in the draft order. The Detroit Red Wings are saying they will not. But, I’m not buying it.

Either the Red Wings are worse than I thought or they are tanking. But would a team come right out and admit that’s what they are doing? Probably not. That’s a good way to have even less fanny’s in the seats at Little Caesar’s Arena.
With the play of younger guys the Red Wings are not as bad as they appear. In a season that has seen Dylan Larkin grow into a first line caliber center and Anthony Mantha score with more consistency I simply do not  think they are all that bad.
The emergence of Tyler Bertuzzi and Evgeny Svechnikov have also breathed more life into the team. These four guys will make up the core of the Red Wings next great team.
Tanking is as I have said before the quickest way to get out of a rebuild. In my opinion the Red Wings are already in good position in the 2018 NHL draft. The tank (yes I’m going to say what they won’t) will further aid the speed up and winning will return faster to Motown.
In reality it is not cheating the fans or even the current team. That team had it’s day. Instead it is about the future. A future that can be closer by mounting losses.
That said it is not entirely pleasant. The process of losing more than winning. But it is needed. And I for one am fine with it. So tank away Red Wings.
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Detroit Lions still rebuilding

Embed from Getty Images The Last championship was 1957. It’s all been downhill from there. The Detroit Lions have been in an 61 year rebuild ever since.

That’s not fun to read and it certainly was not fun to put down. That said I believe the Detroit Lions are close to being a model of consistency in the NFL. But being a Lions fan is not easy.
General manager Bob Quinn has masterfully added players in free agency and added both depth and quality personnel to the roster. And now we find ourselves heading into April’s 2018 NFL draft.
Lions fans know the needs. Defensive ends, running back, offensive guard are at the forefront of needs that must be addressed. I feel they will. As guard and running backs are very strong in this draft.
The Detroit Lions are in good shape headed into the draft. Free agency has yielded in my opinion better more athletic linebackers. They are certainly better at tight end. And finally have a solid conerback opposite Darius Slay. Although the secondary was not a huge weakness.
I’m both very interested and curious to see where Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia go in the draft. They are a lot of good options that can help improve the team moving forward. With glaring needs I have faith Quinn will adress them.
This is a great time to be doing homework on every player who will be available. That is what I am doing. I want to know when the name is called what that player brings to the table.
So get excited Detroit Lions fans. The team is coming together.