Obligitory Red Wings are the Champions Post

Well, they did it. (And I'm about 12 hours late writing this)

The Red Wings proved that they were the best hockey team in the NHL in 2008. They also proved they are in the conversation for best organization in all of sports. You have to put them right up there with the Patriots, Yankees and Cowboys in terms of continued success.

I am especially proud that they won this Cup during while under a salary cap. Before, the Red Wings would outspend everyone, and earn their victories that way. As as fan, there was nothing you could say to defend it. They were just as bad as the Yankees, but they were winning so we accepted it.

Now, they truly are a superior team. Better scouting, better coaching and, most importantly, better players.

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About the game.

I usually don't like hockey. And I am not modest about saying it, I mean just like at half of my blog posts that I've made since I started writing.

But, jeez, game 5 &6 almost changed my opinion on hockey. Fast paced and hard hitting. There was even actual goals scored! Last second tying-goals even! This is not the hockey that I am used to watching...this was entertaining.

One thing ruined it for me a little though. The Red Wings had to hoist the Cup, and go through their celebration in Pittsburgh. It doesn't sound like a big deal, I mean heck, they won the freakin' Stanley Cup. But Red Wings fans have waited all year to see their team raise the cup, and when they did it was disappointing.

Sure, almost the entire crowd stayed for the ceremony, and kudos to them for that. But there was no energy in the building. You didn't get to hear the crowd erupt as the cup was passed off to different players. I feel cheated by not hearing the cheer that Darren McCarty would have recieved as he skated around the Joe.

Sure it's a championship, but I never realized just how important it is to the viewing audience for the win to come at home.

If you don't believe me, just check out the video below, and pay attention to the void of energy in the building.

Pistons Fans — Step up your Game

From Bill Simmons' latest chat.

"One more thing on the Pistons: What happened to those fans????? They used to have one of the best crowds in the league - now you're banging Thundersticks and wearing white T-shirts and clamming up when your team falls behind? What happened to the fans who used to throw beers on opposing players and charge on the court to fight them? Deeee-troit Basssssssketball has gone soft. You need to do some soul-searching this summer. "

This is very true. I was able to buy tickets to a round 2 playoff game for $4.75. No, not $475, but $4.75. I forgot that we used to riot in the Palace.

Even worse, we used to make fun of the Heat for a having to resort to a 'whiteout' during the playoffs. Three years later, the Pistons try the same thing and it fails miserably. It failed so bad that for the next home game they had to ask fans to wear 'red, white and blue.' THOSE ARE THE PISTONS COLORS! Who was going to these games not wearing those colors?

We as fans need to pick up our game if we want the team to do the same as well. Bring back the Malice at the Palace!

Is it time to blow up the Pistons?

Another NBA season… another disappointing Piston playoff exit in the Eastern Conference Finals. It seems like a regular thing — something to depend on happening every year. That being said, are we as fans, content to let this go on for another year? Or do we want Joe Dumars to blow up the team and start all over again.

Just to refresh your memory about what this current crop of players has accomplished, check out some of these numbers that the Pistons have accumulated with this core group of players (2003/2004 - 2007/2008)

1 NBA Championship
2 NBA Finals Appearances
6 Conference Finals Appearances
284-126 (.693)
11 All-Star Game Appearances

Not a bad six year run right? Many people will say that the Pistons could have had more during this time...and they're probably right. So what? Piston fans just got to watch basketball played at the highest level for 6+ years with a (fairly) likable team. That's all a fan can ask for really.

And if you break up the team, what are the chances that they will actually rebuild. When you've got a good/competitive team, why try to make them bad/Miami Heat-esque?

The number one rumors surrounding the implosion of the Pistons roster is the impending trade of one, Rasheed Wallace. Trading Rasheed certainly seems like a panic move, a trade that is just being done because the public is a little upset over the season ending

The Pistons would be better served hanging on to Rasheed until is contract comes up at the end of next season. Here's a list that details just a few of the reasons why 'Sheed should stick around for another year.

1. Rasheed "CTC means Cut the Check" Wallace will be playing for a contract — His last big contract in the NBA. I guaran-damn-tee you he will be motivated and playing his best.

2. The Pistons can make one more run at an NBA Championship with the current group of players. This makes even more sense when you take into account that Flip Saunders' contract will also be running out after the 08-09 season.

3. The East will still be very, very bad next year. Besides Boston (who will be a year older) and maybe Orlando, and maybe, maybe, maybe Chicago, which team will surpass Detroit in the standings? I'm willing to bet no one.

4. When Rasheed's Contract runs out, suddenly Detroit will have ample cap space to go out and sign free agents, and start over again if 08-09 doesn't pan out. (Or just wait until 2010 and throw a truckload of money at LeBron, Wade or Bosh)


(In case you were wondering, here is a few key names from the 2009 free agent list.)
Drew Gooden
Allen Iverson
Baron Davis
Elton Brand
Lamar Odom
Kobe Bryant (option)
Jason Kidd
Jamal Crawford
Eddy Curry
Andre Miller
Ron Artest
Mike Bibby
Carlos Boozer
Mehmet Okur
Jason Maxiell (restricted)
Danny Granger (restricted)
Andrew Bynum (restricted)
Andrew Bogut (restricted)
Chris Paul (restricted)
David Lee (restricted)
Deron Williams (restricted)


Yeah, doesn't sound like the greatest bunch. But hey, Joe Dumars is pretty good at picking out decent free agents. Then consider what Detroit is likely to get in a trade involving Wallace... nothing.

Good players in the NBA don't get traded (unless you fleece terrible franchises such as Minnesota/Memphis.) And they certainly do not get traded for someone like Wallace. Trading for him is a lose/lose for teams. Sure they'll get rid of his contract number at the end of the year, but at what cost.

A player like Wallace is just good enough that he might play your team into a 7-8 seed in the playoffs — and play you out of the Draft Lottery. And he's guaranteed to leave your team at the end of the year, unless someone wants to CTC.

So this means the only team that will want a player like Wallace is a contender. He is a perfect last piece of the puzzle for a team making one more run at the Championship. (Detroit Pistons? Perhaps you've heard of them?) And good teams don't trade their good players, which means trading Wallace will likely land a low-1st round draft pick and several mediocre players making a too much money.

Now your asking yourself, wait, couldn't the Pistons use a draft pick. They are getting older and need some fresh blood for the future. To that end I implore you to examine 'Exhibit A' - Dumars drafting history:

Rodney Stuckey
Aaron Afflalo
Sammy Mejia
Will Blalock
Jason Maxiell
Amir Johnson
Alex Acker
Rickey Paulding
Darko Milicic
Carlos Delfino
Andreas Gliniadakis
Tayshaun Prince
Rodney While
Memhet Okur
Mateen Cleaves
Brian Cardinal

Who is the best player that Dumars has drafted? Prince? Okur? Either way, out of that many picks you would hope that JoeD would have founds more than just one or two "solid starters." Wouldn't you feel much more comfortable if JoeD looks around the free agent pool and then decides what the Pistons need? This is the superior option to receiving draft picks for 'Sheed.

In summary.

It would be stupid to try and blow up the Pistons for the '08-'09 season. At worst they'll be the third best team the the Eastern Conference - which will give them a punchers chance at the NBA Championship. In my book, if you still have a good chance at winning a championship, it's no time to try and NOT win a championship.

So keep the gang together, and revisit the situation next year, when the situation might actually warrant a change.

Edit (6/5/08): So, Flip is gone. My theory still stands — The Pistons should try one more time with Rasheed Wallace. The team is obviously pretty good with him. Why not use this chance to win a championship and re-evaluate the team when it actually makes sense.

One more point on Flip. It was probably time to go. You started hearing too many stories like, "The guys don't listen to him" and "Why go in the huddle during timeouts, I'm just going to do whatever I want." When that starts happening, it's probably time to go.