http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070715/SPORTS03/707150629/1048/SPORTS
Nice article on Rodney Stuckey and his family (both of them). If you noticed, both family's were at the draft with him. Gives a good background on him, and lets you see what type of character person the Pistons are getting.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
The Pistons Hidden Gem
http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/langlois_blog_070705.htm
Keith Langlois has a very good blog article on Pistons.com about Cheick Samb, a 2nd round pick of the Pistons in the 2006 draft, acquired for Mo Evans.
To sum it up, Samb was discovered a few years back in the back channels of Sennegal, a poor country in Africa. Scouts went to find his older brother, a supposed basketball star in the making. However, the boys' mom insisted on Cheick being signed along with his brother. Soon after, the scouts took notice, and Samb became an NBA prospect.
Samb played in Spain last year, and I would venture to say he will stay there for another year. He has already put on a ton of weight (maybe 30 pounds at least), and has all the athletic ability and tools needed to be succesful. He could be a steal, and the athletic center the Pistons need in the very near future.
Keith Langlois has a very good blog article on Pistons.com about Cheick Samb, a 2nd round pick of the Pistons in the 2006 draft, acquired for Mo Evans.
To sum it up, Samb was discovered a few years back in the back channels of Sennegal, a poor country in Africa. Scouts went to find his older brother, a supposed basketball star in the making. However, the boys' mom insisted on Cheick being signed along with his brother. Soon after, the scouts took notice, and Samb became an NBA prospect.
Samb played in Spain last year, and I would venture to say he will stay there for another year. He has already put on a ton of weight (maybe 30 pounds at least), and has all the athletic ability and tools needed to be succesful. He could be a steal, and the athletic center the Pistons need in the very near future.
Neifi Perez?????
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2927670
How does this guy become the first MLB player busted under the banned stimulant program? We know it wasnt for steroids, because that brings a 50 gamer. This one was for something along the lines of amphetamines.
Basically, Neifi Perez is straight stupid. The rules are obvious, and you arent going to get away with it when testing agents are knocking on your door at any random moment.
I find it very funny that Perez gets busted. He is the favorite whipping boy for everyone in and around Detroit, never understanding how he ever gets any playing time. It is about the only complaint fans ever have with Jim Leyland. Perez is awful. The only good play he has ever made in a Tigers uniform is a good double play turn in the 8th inning of Justin Verlander's no-hitter.
The man is batting below .200. If Leyland reinstates him to the team at the conclusion of the suspension at the expense of someone like Ryan Raburn, it will be a shame. Perez has done nothing to deserve a spot here, and has tarnished the Tigers in the process. He also dropped the all too famous I-have-been-advised-by-my-lawyer-not-to-talk line. Whatever.
I think his teammates summed it up best. "The rules are in the book......you pay" said Carlos Guillen. Magglio Ordonez backed him up with thoughts along the same lines. Perez has burned his bridges in Detroit, and probably (hopefully) wont ever be in a Tiger uniform ever again.
How does this guy become the first MLB player busted under the banned stimulant program? We know it wasnt for steroids, because that brings a 50 gamer. This one was for something along the lines of amphetamines.
Basically, Neifi Perez is straight stupid. The rules are obvious, and you arent going to get away with it when testing agents are knocking on your door at any random moment.
I find it very funny that Perez gets busted. He is the favorite whipping boy for everyone in and around Detroit, never understanding how he ever gets any playing time. It is about the only complaint fans ever have with Jim Leyland. Perez is awful. The only good play he has ever made in a Tigers uniform is a good double play turn in the 8th inning of Justin Verlander's no-hitter.
The man is batting below .200. If Leyland reinstates him to the team at the conclusion of the suspension at the expense of someone like Ryan Raburn, it will be a shame. Perez has done nothing to deserve a spot here, and has tarnished the Tigers in the process. He also dropped the all too famous I-have-been-advised-by-my-lawyer-not-to-talk line. Whatever.
I think his teammates summed it up best. "The rules are in the book......you pay" said Carlos Guillen. Magglio Ordonez backed him up with thoughts along the same lines. Perez has burned his bridges in Detroit, and probably (hopefully) wont ever be in a Tiger uniform ever again.
Chauncey is Locked Up
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070706/SPORTS03/70706062
Finally it is official, after Chris McCoskey first broke it on Tuesday (albeit a bit premature). The Pistons get excellent value in this contract. $15 million a year average is very fair, and are fortunate other teams didnt have the cap room to make a strong push and jack the price up.
Finally it is official, after Chris McCoskey first broke it on Tuesday (albeit a bit premature). The Pistons get excellent value in this contract. $15 million a year average is very fair, and are fortunate other teams didnt have the cap room to make a strong push and jack the price up.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Rip Trade Close???
I posted a little while ago about possible changes for the Pistons, but could Rip Hamilton acutally be very close to being dealt to Seattle? Sooner than we actually thought? WXYT 1270 is saying a trade could be close, and beat writer Frank Hughes in Seattle for the Tacoma News Tribune as picked up on this too (http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/sonics?title=trade_rumor&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1).
The deal would be for Chris Wilcox (who is ideal for the Pistons in the middle) and probably Earl Watson. This could also explain why the Pistons are going after Gerald Wallace.
I actually like this trade, and have always thought Rip needs to be the one that is dealt. What does everyone else think?
The deal would be for Chris Wilcox (who is ideal for the Pistons in the middle) and probably Earl Watson. This could also explain why the Pistons are going after Gerald Wallace.
I actually like this trade, and have always thought Rip needs to be the one that is dealt. What does everyone else think?
Pistons Makeover?
The drafting of Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo may only be a minor start for Joe Dumars this offseason. Everyone knows the Pistons need a backup to Tayshaun Prince at SF, and an athletic big to roam the paint alongside Rasheed Wallace.
Well, ESPN.com dropped an interesting tidbit in saying one of the teams to be making a push for Bobcats free agent swingman Gerald Wallace is, yes, the Pistons(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2922746). Wallace is one of the "big 3" free agents, along with our own Chauncey Billups and Seattle's Rashard Lewis (who looks like he may be on his way to the Orlando Magic).
Wallace would obviously need to come in a sign and trade deal, since the Pistons have no room under the salary cap. It would be interesting to see what Charlotte would take back. The only player who would truly interest them is Tayshaun Prince, but I dont think Dumars would give him up, at least not in this deal. Charlotte may have been interested in Rip Hamilton, especially since Michael Jordan traded him away in Washington and would love to correct his mistake. However, the Bobcats just traded for SG Jason Richardson on draft night, eliminating the possibility they would want Rip. And for the record, I would rather have Wallace than Rip. Wallace is a more explosive athlete, and can create his own shot. He is also younger. Rip has basically maxed out his ability, and seems to be on a dangerous edge of losing his poise by getting frustrated and playing out of character too often.
A 3-way trade may have to be constructed, since a straight swap couldnt be done most likely. Also, keep an eye on Seattle, as Dumars has always liked Chris Wilcox, and tried to make a run at him when on the Clippers a few seasons back. He could be moved to C, and help out the Pistons in the middle.
Since the Toronto Raptors signed Jason Kapono today, this takes them out of the Grant Hill sweepstakes. First of all, Kapono got $24 million from Toronto. Is anyone else as stunned as I am by this? Jason Kapono???? Anyway, Hill's next destination is basically either Phoenix or Detroit. I predict he goes to Phoenix, especially after seeing the Pistons flame out for a 2nd straight season. If he isnt landed, I would fully expect Morris Peterson to be a Piston, since he wanted to be here at the trade deadline, and is a native of Michigan.
Well, ESPN.com dropped an interesting tidbit in saying one of the teams to be making a push for Bobcats free agent swingman Gerald Wallace is, yes, the Pistons(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2922746). Wallace is one of the "big 3" free agents, along with our own Chauncey Billups and Seattle's Rashard Lewis (who looks like he may be on his way to the Orlando Magic).
Wallace would obviously need to come in a sign and trade deal, since the Pistons have no room under the salary cap. It would be interesting to see what Charlotte would take back. The only player who would truly interest them is Tayshaun Prince, but I dont think Dumars would give him up, at least not in this deal. Charlotte may have been interested in Rip Hamilton, especially since Michael Jordan traded him away in Washington and would love to correct his mistake. However, the Bobcats just traded for SG Jason Richardson on draft night, eliminating the possibility they would want Rip. And for the record, I would rather have Wallace than Rip. Wallace is a more explosive athlete, and can create his own shot. He is also younger. Rip has basically maxed out his ability, and seems to be on a dangerous edge of losing his poise by getting frustrated and playing out of character too often.
A 3-way trade may have to be constructed, since a straight swap couldnt be done most likely. Also, keep an eye on Seattle, as Dumars has always liked Chris Wilcox, and tried to make a run at him when on the Clippers a few seasons back. He could be moved to C, and help out the Pistons in the middle.
Since the Toronto Raptors signed Jason Kapono today, this takes them out of the Grant Hill sweepstakes. First of all, Kapono got $24 million from Toronto. Is anyone else as stunned as I am by this? Jason Kapono???? Anyway, Hill's next destination is basically either Phoenix or Detroit. I predict he goes to Phoenix, especially after seeing the Pistons flame out for a 2nd straight season. If he isnt landed, I would fully expect Morris Peterson to be a Piston, since he wanted to be here at the trade deadline, and is a native of Michigan.
The New Buick Open Champion
So who is this guy? Good Question. Well, his name is Brian Bateman, and he made a clutch birdie on the 18th hole, to avoid a playoff with Jason Gore, Justin Leonard, and Woody Austin.
Bateman is one of those guys who fights to even stay on the tour. Most of his events have ended in being cut this year, including just last week at the Travelers Championships. Batemen is a Louisiana native, and is a huge LSU Tigers fan. He is also a huge wine lover, and collects many different kinds, while also traveling to northern California a lot to get the best of the best. Congrats to the champ, but have fun with Tiger trying to steal that title back next year.
http://www.pgatour.com/2007/tournaments/r035/07/01/bateman070107/index.html
Bateman is one of those guys who fights to even stay on the tour. Most of his events have ended in being cut this year, including just last week at the Travelers Championships. Batemen is a Louisiana native, and is a huge LSU Tigers fan. He is also a huge wine lover, and collects many different kinds, while also traveling to northern California a lot to get the best of the best. Congrats to the champ, but have fun with Tiger trying to steal that title back next year.
http://www.pgatour.com/2007/tournaments/r035/07/01/bateman070107/index.html
Schneider Leaves.....But Rafalski Signs
Many fans will probably be sad to see the Red Wings lose Mattheiu Schneider, especially to Anaheim of all teams, but the blow is lessened somewhat. Brian Rafalski was quickly signed to replace him, but in the end could seem like the better deal.
Schnieder is 38, while Rafalski is 34 and has many more years left on the tires. Rafalski is also a Michigan native, being born in Dearborn and spending his childhood in Allen Park.
The rest of the offseason should be fairly quiet, but you never know. Hasek and Bertuzzi should be signed back soon, and maybe a few low priced free agents could be added here and there.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/UPDATE/707010378
Schnieder is 38, while Rafalski is 34 and has many more years left on the tires. Rafalski is also a Michigan native, being born in Dearborn and spending his childhood in Allen Park.
The rest of the offseason should be fairly quiet, but you never know. Hasek and Bertuzzi should be signed back soon, and maybe a few low priced free agents could be added here and there.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/UPDATE/707010378
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Hail Mary at Michigan Stadium
I know this can be painful for many people to read/see all over again, but the college football writers at ESPN have compiled a list of the 100 most dramatic plays ever in college football. The Kordell Stewart hail mary for Colorado checked in at #3, behind only the Doug Flutie hail mary, and the Stanford/Cal circus.
How about Lloyd Carr just opening up the offense more this coming season and letting the NFL caliber offense cause serious damage? Another National Championship sure would soften the blow even more of a play like that years ago.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/features/the100?intro=5
How about Lloyd Carr just opening up the offense more this coming season and letting the NFL caliber offense cause serious damage? Another National Championship sure would soften the blow even more of a play like that years ago.
Huge Signing for MSU
Draymond Green has committed to the Michigan State Spartans. A monster pickup for Tom Izzo, which will make two straight recruiting classes that are insanely loaded. This year has Durrell Dummers, Chris Allen, and Kalin Lucas. Next year adds Delvin Roe, Draymond Green, and Korie Lucious. MSU is destined for a return to the Final Four in the very near future. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070629/SPORTS07/706290383/1055/SPORTS
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