"Want to know the winner?"

Do you just hate the drama of sports? Do you bang your head against a wall every time your team is in a close game? Do you want to know the result before the action?

Then I've got the website for you. Go to www.whatifsports.com.

You can clash any two teams from any era against each other. Here's an example: I pitted the 1965 Celtics (remember, "Havlicek steals the ball...") against the 1992 Bulls - the best Chicago championship team (no, it wasn't 1996). I simulated a best-of-seven series between the two powerhouses, and the Bulls survived in seven high-scoring contests. I believe Michael Jordan had 49 points in the final game.

Yes, for each game there's not only a score, but a box score, play-by-play, you name it. Anything you'd see after an actual game.

For fun, I also pitted last year's Pistons against the 1996 Vancouver Grizzlies (who were absolutely dreadful). All I wanted was to get the Grizz one win, just one. But after 13 Detroit blowouts, I gave up.

It wasn't happening.

Reality. It's a painful thing.

I haven't predicted any upcoming games (such as... you guessed it, The Game on Saturday) because I, for one, enjoy the drama of sports.

I have close to no idea who's going to win on Saturday. And I don't want to know.

But for those of you who chew on napkins when your team is in a nailbiter, for those of you who start sweating in the second quarter of your squad's big game... well, this site is for you.

Because if your team's going to lose, then why watch the game anyway?

Spend some time outside instead. It'll be good for you.

Check out my writing at writeonsports.com

Hey everyone,
Hope you're enjoying the blog. Again, you can easily make comments about my columns by clicking on the "comments" link at the bottom of each article. Also, feel free to e-mail me with comments, suggestions, criticism, etc. at jbl10@albion.edu.

On another note, many of my blog entries are now being posted on writeonsports.com, a website that features a variety of sports articles written by different journalists from across the country. It's a pretty neat website with several different perspectives. I strongly encourage you to check it out.

thanks,
jake

"Tuesday night wrap-up"

NFL
Guess what? TO's back in the headlines. Guess again. Did he sprain his wrist at a rodeo? Nope. Did he miss practice because his bike got a flat tire? Nice try.

The truth is that TO's first children's book is coming out. Tomorrow "Little T Learns to Share" will hit bookstores, and I'm sure parents will skip work to pick it up for their kids. And, luckily, it won't be TO's last children's book either. You only have to wait until spring for "Little T Learns What Not to Say," and next fall - providing all hell doesn't break loose - "Little T Learns to Say I'm Sorry" comes out.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these books seem not just geared toward children, but also to a certain wide receiver in the NFL.

Maybe the message sent will work. Wouldn't that be something?

NBA
At halftime of the Houston-San Antonio contest Tuesday night the Rockets seemed well on their way to proving that they might just challenge the Spurs (and Mavericks) for supremacy in the Southwest Division. Then they forgot how to score in the second half. Houston scored 19 points in the third quarter and nine - that's three 3-pointers - in the fourth. The Spurs scored 28 in the third. For all you mathematicians... OK, you get the point.

The Rockets aren't there yet. But they're climbing.

In the other Tuesday Night Showdown Out West, the Jazz improved to an astounding 7-1 after whipping the Clippers. Who would have expected this? Jerry Sloan is simply an amazing coach who gets the most out of his players. And it certainly helps to have a guy on the bench who can consistently put up 20 points (Matt Harpring).

And, yes, Mehmet Okur - who the Pistons let slip away a couple years back - is having a heck of a year. His ability to shoot the 3-pointer creates all kinds of problems for opposing big men. I'm saying this right now: The Utah Jazz will win the Northwest Division. Sure it's early, but Denver (3-3) hasn't looked that impressive and Minnesota, Seattle and Portland aren't going anywhere (except Seattle, in 2010, to Oklahoma City).

That division is Utah's to lose.

All right, I'm out. Enjoy another Mac dandy tonight on ESPN2 (who scheduled these games????)

"Knight needs to admit wrongdoings

I was going to write about something else tonight. Maybe the no-acting-emotional rule in the NBA.

But then Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight (ever heard of him?) got a bit too emotional in a huge non-conference game against Gardner-Webb Monday night.

With his right hand.

I'm sure you've heard the story, so I'll spare you the summary, except to say that he slapped Michael Prince, one of his players.

Anyone who says Knight "lifted Michael's chin up," as Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers claimed, hasn't seen the video.

And anyone who's seen the video also saw the painful expression on Prince's face as he sat on the bench post-slap.

Which is not to say Prince needs medical attention. But, c'mon folks, a slap is a slap. Just like Bob Knight will always be Bob Knight.

No college basketball fan will ever forget when Knight threw a chair across the floor in a 1985 game against Purdue. Or when video proved that Knight choked his former player Neil Reid in 1997, which helped lead to his firing from Indiana in 2000.

It would take me a full night to list all of Knight's outbursts, both on and off the court.

Let's just say he doesn't get along well with reporters, isn't a big fan of cheerleaders (even those of his own team) and doesn't stand down to anybody.

But those things don't bother me nearly as much as the fact that Knight never admits he's wrong.

That's his biggest vice.

Bob Knight is a phenomenal coach, one of the all-time greats. He will break Dean Smith's record this season for the most wins in Division I. He is the last coach to lead his team to an undefeated season (1976) and he has three national titles.

But he has faults, gosh darn it. Just like everyone else.

And because he's constantly in the spotlight, his faults are magnified - as would be the case with any coach at a high-profile school.

Seventy-nine percent of voters on espn.com said Knight's slap of Prince wouldn't have been a big deal if another coach committed the act.

I disagree. It might have raised an even greater uproar. Because it was Knight, it will wash over in a couple days and just be added to his list of transgressions. If Coach K had slapped a player, we'd be talking about it for weeks, questioning his character.

Back to Knight's mistakes. Some are more obvious than others. This is one of the less transparent mistakes he's made as a coach. In fact, a great deal of the public seems to think he did nothing wrong.

And, more importantly, Prince wasn't fazed by the slap - at least after the game. Also, his parents thought it was the right thing to do (Prince was hanging his head and needed that chin lifted up).

Now I'm not going to blow this incident out of proportion, because in reality it was pretty minor - especially when compared to Knight's past histrionics.

But the guy needs to admit his wrongdoings, and this was one of them. He needs to simply keep his hands off his players.

Even after video evidence showed Knight choking Reid in '97, Knight denied committing the act. Of several situations involving Knight since the mid-70s where he was in the wrong, only once has he apologized for his action.

That was three years ago, after he went on a profanity-laden tirade in an ESPN interview when asked about his relationship with former Indiana player and Iowa coach Steve Alford - who was sitting next to Knight.

Obviously Knight has mellowed over the years. But he still won't admit when he's wrong.

And until he does - which is very unlikely - all those reasons he cites for his actions add up to nothing more than a slap to the face.

"Monday wrap-up"

College football
Could North Carolina actually be good at both basketball and football? Ok, probably not. But the hiring of Butch Davis is a huge boost for the flailing football program, which even Julius Peppers would have had trouble saving this season.

While Davis struggled in Cleveland, we should remember him for the success he brought to the University of Miami program - especially considering the disastrous season the 'Canes have had both on and off the field under Larry Coker.

Davis should at least turn Carolina into a respectable team, which is plenty for those who bleed Tar Heel Blue. Then again, does anyone really care? The hoops squad is ranked No. 2 entering the season.

That's what matters in Chapel Hill.

**just a note - beginning on Wednesday night I will provide you with plenty of insights heading into The Game in Columbus.

NFL
Remember how everybody, including Sports Illustrated - for the second consecutive year - picked Carolina to make it to the Super Bowl this season? Yeah, of course you do.

Well those people were holding their breath as the Panthers trailed Tampa Bay at halftime Monday night, 7-0. A loss would have dropped Carolina to 4-5, making it a tough uphill climb to the playoffs.

The Panthers scored 17 third-quarter points to eventually pull out a 24-10 victory, but I'm definitely not sold on Carolina as a playoff team, and definitely not as a Super Bowl team.

I'd take the Bears over the Panthers any day. For one, Carolina continues to prove that Steve Smith is its only big-play threat. Yes, Keyshawn Johnson had a four-yard touchdown reception on Monday, but Smith had an astounding 149 receiving yards compared to 91 for everybody else.

I don't think the Bears would make the same mistake of taking Smith lightly if these teams meet in the playoffs again. And without Smith, well, the Panthers aren't better than average.

All right, I'm out. Enjoy Ball State-Toledo tonight.

"Seattle's citizens take a stand"

As not just a sports fan, but a sports journalist, I feel it is important to write on this topic.

To paraphrase the topic: A week ago, on election day, Seattle's residents overwhelmingly voted for a ballot measure to end public subsidies for the city's three sports teams - the NBA's Sonics, the NFL's Seahawks (who lost in the Super Bowl last February), and MLB's Mariners.

This measure will almost positively mean the departure of the Sonics to Oklahoma City in 2010. A team riddled by a change in ownership and mediocre play on the court is not going to stay in Seattle unless it gets a new arena, those new owners said.

And that ain't happening.

Check out the New York Times story.

I have a mixed bag of feelings on this issue.

I am a firm believer that sports teams, especially when successful, help lift up cities - especially those struggling economically or otherwise. Detroit is a perfect example.

This has been one of the toughest years for Detroit's auto industry, as thousands of workers from GM have been laid off. Yet throughout the summer and especially in September and October the Detroit Tigers dominated the headlines.

Once an abysmal team - much worse than Seattle's Sonics - the Tigers had nothing short of an amazing season, as they made the playoffs for the first time since 1987, then upset the Yankees and swept the A's before finally succumbing to the Cardinals in the World Series.

The city came together to support the Tigers. It didn't matter if you were rich or poor, you were a Tigers fan. It didn't matter if you couldn’t afford a ticket to a playoff game. You watched it with all your friends or even made your way down to the park to stand outside and listen to the deafening cheering from within.

For a month, the city forgot about its problems and instead embraced its baseball team. And it's a season that won't be forgotten for many years to come. It's a memory even those struggling to put food on the table will be able to recall with a smile, making them forget, at least for a few minutes, their plight.

A successful sports team doesn't just make its fans ebullient. It also brings in outside revenue, as people from out of town - whether fans or the media or businessmen - contribute to the city's economy.

It makes the cold water begin to boil.

But what if that team that citizens supported - by paying $500 million in taxes for its new stadium - flounders? What if its players do nothing to make the taxpayers feel good about their investment?

That, obviously, is the other side of the coin. Or at least part of it.

Seattle's citizens made a statement last week that is not very common in America.

"We don't need a basketball team to feel good about ourselves," to paraphrase.

Instead, they want their tax dollars to go to education, transportation projects and health care.

That's pretty hard to argue against.

In this day in age, where so much of the federal budget is spent on never-ending wars and "the war on terror," it is refreshing to see a group of people dedicated to improving their community.

And, undoubtedly, because the Sonics won't get a new arena, more money will be spent on other things, which, I assume, will be good things.

And it's not like Seattle's sports fans are now without a team. They still have the Seahawks, one of the NFL's best, and the Mariners, although they're in a bit of a rut. Throw in the University of Washington and Seattle remains a sports town.

The only negative about the Sonics' eventual departure will be the effect on Seattle's die-hard fans, which, I assume, there are still a few of. I've never experienced it, but I can imagine what it was like for Cleveland Browns fans when their team was uprooted all of a sudden to Baltimore. And LA Rams fans, when out of the blue their team was on the opposite side of the Rockies.

And so many other stories.

A true sports fan loves his or her team, but is also realistic about that team's chances of being successful.

I just hope that Sonics' fans realize the fate of their team and are able to move on, like the rest of the city.

Because Seattle will still have plenty to offer.

"Sunday night wrap-up"

College football
Well, the new BCS rankings are up. And waddaya know, but the Trojans are back in the thick of things. Here are the top 10 spots in the rankings, heading into The Game Week.

1 Ohio State 1 2800 1.0000 1 1574 .9994 24 25 23 20 23 23 .930 3 .9765 1
2 Michigan 2 2688 .9600 2 1513 .9606 25 24 25 25 25 25 1.000 1 .9735 2
3 USC 3 2458 .8779 4 1373 .8717 21 22 22 23 21 20 .860 4 .8699 7
4 Florida 4 2441 .8718 3 1381 .8768 22 20 21 21 18 18 .800 6 .8495 4
5 Notre Dame 5 2267 .8096 5 1273 .8083 20 19 20 22 22 22 .840 5 .8193 9
6 Rutgers 7 2024 .7229 8 1082 .6870 23 23 24 24 24 24 .950 2 .7866 13
7 Arkansas 6 2234 .7979 6 1248 .7924 18 16 15 19 17 17 .680 9 .7567 11
8 West Virginia 8 1864 .6657 7 1113 .7067 16 17 14 15 14 15 .600 11 .6575 10
9 Wisconsin 11 1678 .5993 10 928 .5892 17 21 18 17 20 19 .740 8 .6428 15
10 Louisville 10 1711 .6111 12 884 .5613 19 18 19 18 19 21 .750 7 .6408 3

I know, I know - tons of numbers. What you basically have to know is this: if USC wins out, it's most likely in the title game. The Trojans' remaining schedule is too strong. They play Notre Dame and Cal, two of the top 15 teams in the country. Even a close loss by UM or Ohio State probably won't beat out the Trojans.

Behind USC it's a bit messier. Florida and Notre Dame have a chance, but not Rutgers. Unless The Game isnt' a game, and USC, Florida, Notre Dame and No. 7 Arkansas all lose.

And even then, well you never know. Should be interesting these next few weeks. And damn exciting. Things won't be decided until the final Saturday.

College basketball
We got our first big upset of the season (gosh I love upsets). Virginia christened its new arena with a 93-90 victory over No. 10 Arizona. Will it mean much in the grand scheme of things? I'm proud to say, "Yes." The NCAA tournament committee will look at this win and view it as a "quality win" and, I know I'm being bold here: Virginia makes the tournament.

Arizona, meanwhile, with a wealth of talent - but still young, except for Mustafa Shakur - will grow leaps and bounds and challenge UCLA for the Pac 10 crown and a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.

NBA
There's no doubt who's playing the best basketball right now: the Los Angeles Clippers. After their fifth straight victory Sunday afternoon, over the upstart New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, the Clippers are 5-1 and atop the Pacific Division, a game up on the surprising 4-2 Sacramento Kings. And the Clippers aren't just winning. Their +7.7 point margin per game is second in the league to Houston's +8.0 (the Rockets, 5-2, are also hot, having won four in a row, including a 94-72 fourth-quarter route of the Heat on Sunday).

It's scary to think how good the Southwest Division in the West is going to be as the season progresses. Right now, the division looks like this:

San Antonio 5-1
Houston 5-2
NO/Oklahoma City 4-3
Dallas 2-4
Memphis 1-5

This division could easily have four playoff teams, all of which could contend for a tile (except maybe the Hornets, who still lack a go-to big man). Memphis is the only dud in this group, but once Pau Gasol returns, the Grizzlies could string together some wins also. Watch out for this division. It and the East's Central Division are the toughest in basketball.

All right I'm out. Enjoy the winning-record Hawks while they're around.

"The main reason why you've gotta love the NFL"

This Sunday was exactly why, despite the zillions of commercials, despite the endless Fox promos, despite Joe Buck broadcasting football games, you've got to love the NFL.

Can I say unpredictable?

Yes I can, because that's exactly what the NFL is. I'm no gambling man (don't worry, Mom), but if I was, the NFL would be the absolute last league I'd bet on.

Tell me, and let's be honest here: Who would have picked the Jets (4-4; now 5-4) to beat the Patriots (6-2; 6-3) in Foxboro Sunday? Who would have picked the Browns (2-6; 3-6) to win in Atlanta (5-3; 5-4)? Who would have laid down dough on Miami (2-6; 3-6) to knock off Kansas City (5-3; 5-4)? Ok, I can believe that one, since the Fins ended the Bears perfect season last weekend.

But, then again, does momentum mean anything - and I mean ANYTHING - in this league? The answer is no. A resounding no.

The Redskins were coming off an emotionally bizarre last-second win over the Cowboys. And they got thumped by the Eagles, 27-3, who ended a three-game losing streak. Jacksonville was coming off a 37-7 drubbing of Tennessee, so of course it went out and laid an egg at home against a Houston team that lost quarterback David Carr mid-game.

So obviously momentum means about as much as a third-string punter. And so does a good record, except for when it comes to qualifying for the playoffs. On a given day, a 2-6 team can beat a 6-2 team (oops, sorry for giving it away: yes the Steelers, who were somehow four-point favorites, knocked off the Saints to keep their playoff hopes alive).

After Sunday's games, I have a new respect for NFL experts who can actually pick the games at 60 or 70 percent. Anything above that is phenomenal.

Yes, there are a few certainties in the NFL - such as, the Lions and Cardinals are going to interminably stink regardless of how nice their stadiums are. But, at the same time, wasn't it those 1-6 Lions who drilled 5-2 Atlanta last week? And didn't Arizona have a huge lead against an undefeated Bears squad about a month back before pulling an epic collapse.

Just goes to show that in the NFL, where commercials come before and after kickoffs, wins, on the other hand, are hard to come by.

On any given Sunday.

"Saturday night wrap-up"

Gosh, I love this time of year. Crunch time in college football. Games getting bigger in the NFL. The NBA getting into full swing. Hockey season as well. Baseball free agency heating up.

And don't forget about college basketball. It's underway, baby! Ok, sorry for going Vitale on you, but I'm excited. There's nothing like a fresh college basketball season. With the huge influx of underclassmen to the NBA each year, you never know which teams will emerge the following season.

Florida, of course, is ranked No. 1 because - in an absolute shocker - all five of their starters are returning, including Joakim Noah, who would have been a lottery pick.

What a breath of fresh air this group is. But, stil, a repeat will be tough.

You know how most people say underclassmen leaving early hurts the college game? I disagree. Yes, the talent level might not be as high, but it brings about a certain uncertainty to each season that true basketball fans just have to love.

And, also, when was the last time you saw college kids not playing hard? You just don't see this. Everyone is playing for their neck in college bball. Something you won't find in the NBA.

Anyway, the games have begun. No surprises so far. Ohio State, playing without the injured Greg Oden, has cruised to a 2-0 mark. Ditto for other ranked teams. The first big game I'm looking forward to is No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 1 Florida two days after Thanksgiving.

We'll see if Kansas deserves the high ranking despite a poor finish to last season. And we'll see if Florida is as good as it looked in that impeccable NCAA tournament run.

Bigger college bball preview to come...

MLB
The Detroit Tigers, my hometown team, signed Gary Sheffield, the aging slugger, while I was in the mountains. I honestly don't know what to think of this move.

The Tigers signed him to a deal that's worth $14 million the first year and $15 the second and third season.

I think they're overpaying him, like they're doing with Magglio Ordonez.

He was injured for much of this past season, and he was awful against the Tigers in the playoffs.

Can he bounce back? I'm not sure. And I don't know if he'd put up better numbers than Marcus Thames, who, it seems, the Tigers are giving up on as an everyday player.

Thames hit 26 homers this season. Sheffield hit 34 two years ago, but that was two years ago. He’s getting old. He’s losing power.

This is not to say I totally disapprove of the move. Shef's a tough guy, a veteran who's played on a World Series champion before (the 1997 Marlins, GMd by, ironically enough, Dave Dombrowski). And he has hit over .300 in half of his 18 seasons.

I'm just not sure how much he's got left in him. He's already got a World Series title. He's secure financially. I'm not sure if there's going to be extra motivation for him to come back if he succumbs to injury.

On the other side of the trade, the Tigers gave away auspicious pitching prospects - particularly Humberto Sanchez. Obviously, this move was made for the now, but couldn't the Tigers have gotten a slugger similar to Sheffield without having to trade away prospects. There are a few sluggers on the market.

Barry Bonds. Carlos Lee. Aramis Ramirez (although he’d probably be too pricey).

I like the fact that Dombrowski’s being pro-active in trying to improve this team. And Sheffield, if healthy, will bring some pop to this lineup (just watch the dude’s swing!) that I haven’t seen from Magglio (except in that one ALCS at-bat).

I just don’t think Sheffield will be good enough at 38 to rationalize the dumping of three promising youngsters.

NBA wrap…

I know how much Pistons coach Flip Saunders loves offense, but if he wants his squad to start winning more games – they’re 3-4 after an embarrassing 111-79 drubbing at the hands of, yes, the Golden State Warriors – he should start preaching defense.

Just look at the numbers.

When the Pistons hold opponents under 100 points, they are 3-1. And the loss was a 99-86 defeat at the hands of Sacramento.

It looks like Amare Stoudemire might be slowly working his way back into form. After back-to-back 16-point performances in Phoenix losses, Stoudemire busted out for a season-high 25 points in 25 minutes as the Suns easily defeated Memphis 96-87 tonight.

Stoudemire also grabbed 14 boards in the contest, a great sign for a team that’s already receiving excellent rebounding from Shawn Marion. Between the two of them, they have the potential to dominate the boards.

And don’t forget about Boris Diaw either.

… I can’t help but gawk at LeBron James’ numbers. Tonight he posted 38 points, eight rebounds and seven assists against Boston.

Still, the Cavs had to outscore the Celtics 34-17 in the fourth quarter to defeat them at home. And that just ain’t right. Something’s not working in Cleveland, because the Cavs – with possibly the game’s best player – are only 4-2 and struggling to defeat lowly teams.

Right now the Central Division is up for grabs.

But as I’ll be saying until post-Christmas, IT’S EARLY!

"NFL Week 10 preview"

It's the second half of the season, which means there are a few groups of teams.

There are the "playoff locks"
- Indianapolis (8-0)
- Chicago (7-1)

There are the "looking good for the playoffs"
- New England (6-2)
- Denver (6-2)
- San Diego (6-2)
- Baltimore (6-2)
- NY Giants (6-2)

There are the "50-50 chance" teams
- Seattle (5-3)
- Atlanta (5-3)
- Jacksonville (5-3)
- Kansas City (5-3)
- Minnesota (4-4)
- Philly (4-4)
- Dallas (4-4)
- Carolina (4-4)
- St. Louis (4-4)
- Cincinnati (4-4)

There are the "outside looking in" teams
- NY Jets (4-4)
- GB (3-5)
- Washington (3-5)
- Buffalo (3-5)
- San Francisco (3-5)
- Pittsburgh (2-6)* can't count them out just yet

And there are the "start playing for that high draft pick" teams
- Detroit (2-6)
- Tampa Bay (2-6)
- Miami (2-6)
- Cleveland (2-6)
- Houston (2-6)
- Oakland (2-6)
- Tennessee (2-6)
- Arizona (1-7)

With that said, here are previews for a couple of the games that matter this weekend.

San Diego (6-2) at Cincy (4-4)
Must-win game for the Bengals, simple as that. Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson need to step up in this one otherwise this team is done. Meanwhile, San Diego continues to fly under the radar screen. No one's talking about it, but with the game's most consistent running back, the Chargers are a top-level team.
*My pick: Cincy 27, San Diego 24

Green Bay (3-5) at Minnesota (4-4)
I don't think either of these teams will make the playoffs, but I KNOW that the loser of this game is definitely out of the playoff picture. Will Brett Favre put together one final great game in the Metrodome? I don't think so. Vikings rebound from an absolutely devastating loss in the odious Bay Area.
*My pick: Minnesota 28, Green Bay 14

Washington (3-5) at Philly (4-4)
Another make-or-break game in the NFC. I still think Philly is a playoff team, despite three straight losses by a combined 12 points. Washington's win over Big D last week was an emotional rollercoaster the 'Skins will have a hard time getting off. Philly begins a strong second half with a hard-fought victory.
*My pick: Philly 24, Washington 17

St. Louis (4-4) at Seattle (5-3)
Huge NFC West matchup. If St. Louis wins, this division goes down to the wire. If the Seahawks win, I see them running away with it. Can Seattle actually win without its offensive leaders, Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck? Actually, yes. Boosted by the home crowd and a strong defensive effort, the Seahawks take control of the division.
*My pick: Seattle 20, St. Louis 13

Chicago (7-1) at NY Giants (6-2)
Now we get to see how the Bears respond to losing. A week after getting drilled by the Dolphins at home, they go on the road to face a Giants team that has quietly won five games in a row. Tiki Barber is playing as if it's his last season - which, of course, it is - and Eli Manning and Plaxico Burress are becoming quite the tandem. The key for the Bears is to limit the turnovers. We know their defense can keep them in the game, but only if their offense holds onto the ball. Rex Grossman needs to regain his confidence after a couple shaky outings in the past month. Close game, but Giants prevail.
*My pick: NY Giants 17, Chicago 13

By the end of today's games, we should know a lot more. Several teams will have either played their way into the thick of the playoff race or played their way out of it. That's why you gotta love the second half of the season.

Unless you're a Lions fan.

"Saturday Madness"

And to think I considered Thursday night crazy.

Wow.

I returned from a trip to the Blue Mountains today, checked the Internet and was shocked. Three - not one, not two - but three BCS contenders upset by teams they should have beat. Cal went down to Arizona - where the focus by now is entirely on basketball - and fell. Auburn hosted Georgia, which is having an awful season, and didn't just lose. They got drilled! And Texas gave up 45 points to Kansas State (yet still almost won). Thank goodness they didn't, because nobody wants to see a team that got torched by Kansas State in the title game.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes and Wolverines can finally stop saying all the democratic things - "We're taking one game at a time." "Northwestern is all that's on our mind." Blah, blah, blah - and actually start talking about The Game. Six days until everybody in America - and a dude in Sydney - will be watching what goes down at Columbus.

Analysis, predictions, and more columns on this to come throughout the week.

But back to the BCS situation. It's no longer as ugly as I prescribed it to be just days ago. It will be very, very interesting to see the rankings tomorrow. We know what the top two spots will be:

1. OSU
2. UM

And Florida will likely be No. 3 despite barely hanging on to beat South Carolina and Steve Spurrier. But from there, who knows. The question everybody from Jersey to, well, Jersey is asking is, Where will the Scarlet Knights be ranked? Will they get screwed? Do they now have a shot, thanks to the collapses of Cal, Auburn and Texas?

Only, in my opinion, if The Game is a blowout.

In an espn.com poll today, 56 percent of voters - more than 100,000 people voted - said that the BCS title game should be a rematch of The Game. Could you imagine the outrage in either Ann Arbor or Columbus if Rutgers went to Glendale, Ariz. instead of the Buckeyes or Wolverines?

Smashed cars in Columbus ... maybe some burning couches in Ann Arbor.

If you think about it, there could be no controversy at all. Rutgers still has to play West Virginia, a game I think they'll lose. Florida still has FSU - which, yes, is terrible, but think rivalry game - and the SEC title game against Arkansas (unless the 'Backs collapse). USC and Notre Dame play each other, and the Trojans have Cal and UCLA as well.

A rematch of The Game could happen without controversy. Only time will tell.

But no one on those two teams is thinking ahead now. They're taking one game at a time.

And finally that game is The Game.

Thursday night wrap-up

Thankfully, it was a quiet night in the sports world (except, of course, in Jersey - see previous post). Surprising, considering Doc Gooden was released from jail.

Ok, enough ripping Doc. He still could K me in his sleep.

I made a Taurasi/Bird spotting tonight at an Australian women's basketball game. That's right. The two former UConn stars and current WNBA players (Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird) were at the Sydney Uni-Canberra game chatting it up with the Aussies. It was nice to see the American players paying respect to foreign competition. You don't see that too often considering how caught up in U.S. sports we are (myself included).

Or maybe they had to show up as part of a bet after the Australians won the recent World Championships. Yeah, that's a more likely scenario.

Anyway... I picked the Phoenix Suns to win the Pacific Division. And they're sitting pretty... in last place, at 1-5. Obviously it's very early - after all, if Phoenix had won tonight, then Dallas would still be winless (instead they're 1-4). But, still, what a whacky first week in the NBA.

The Hawks - the Hawks! - are 3-1 and if the playoffs started today, they'd be the No. 1 seed in the East and the Heat and Pistons wouldn't qualify. Interesting. Following that theme, here's a list of teams I didn't pick for the playoffs who started out the season hot and whether they're a pretender or contender.

Hawks (3-1) - Pretender... show me 20-5, and I'll start believing... maybe
Sixers (3-2) - Pretender... they're already sliding, having lost two straight.
New Orleans/OK City - Contender... I picked them to finish ninth, but I'm already seeing much more out of them. They're looking like a 3 or 4 seed with the consistent play of Chris Paul and David West and, yes, I said it, Tyson Chandler.
Portland (3-2) - Pretender... although I'm higher on the Blazers than I am on the other pretenders. There's potential there (as if that means anything).
Golden State (3-3) - Pretender... until they learn how to defend and actually play some players who can intimidate opponents, this team ain't going anywhere. Period.

So, as you can see, most of these team's starts are aberrations. Except them to cool down in Week 2 and for the good teams - the 1-5 Suns and 1-4 Mavericks, the 2-3 Pistons and 2-2 Heat - to pick it up.

College Football preview...
Some questions as we approach the weekend.

1. Any chance UM or Ohio State loses?
- Nope, nope, nope. These teams learned their lesson last week in terms of looking ahead. Neither will have a problem on the road this week. OSU clobbers Northwestern by 24 and UM beats Indiana by two touchdowns. Bring on the Big One.

2. Will any game be better than the Thursday Night Shocker in terms of suspense and importance to the BCS picture?
- Yes. Like has been the case all season, there will be some crazy finishes with huge national title implications. A week ago I would have said that Tennessee-Arkansas is going to be a great game, but following the suspension of a trio of key Vols, I think the Razorbacks - with more to play for - will win by 10 or 13. Florida will roll at home against S. Carolina, but I'm not so sure of Auburn at home versus Georgia. Keep an eye on that one. Also Oregon at USC should be entertaining.

3. Any big upsets?
- Don't think so. I think everyone with lots on the line will pull through, setting the stage for a huge Nov. 18 weekend.

4. Who climbs up the ladder in the race for the Heisman this weekend?
- Well, I've already said it: If the Buckeyes win out, Troy Smith easily takes the cake. But Rutgers' Ray Rice already made a huge push on Thursday with an outstanding performance. This is a big week for Colt McCoy, going on the road to a hostile environment in Manhattan to play Kansas State. If he can put together a superb performance, he could be alongside Brady Quin as the guy ready to jump into the lead if Smith falters.

Smart move of the week: How can it not be JoePa deciding to follow his doc's advice and not coach against Temple? Yes, I know the Owls are no longer winless and are dangerous with that one win and loads of confidence, but c'mon, this is Temple we're talking about here. All the Penn State coaches could leave the game for ribs, and PSU would still win by 30. Smart move by the 79-year-old.

Dumb move of the week: The Atlanta Hawks announcers "condemned" LeBron James for walking off the court a couple seconds before the final buzzer at the end of the Cavs' 104-95 overtime loss to Atlanta Wednesday night. They compared him to Randy Moss, for heaven's sakes. LeBron didn't moon anybody, OK? One thing you can bet on: The next time the Cavs take on Atlanta (not far away - Dec. 1 in Hotlanta), that's still gonna be fresh in LeBron's mind, and he'll take it to those poor Hawks until the final buzzer.

All right, I'm out. As always, enjoy the games. And post comments please!

"BCS mayhem thanks to Rutgers?"

Here in Sydney, I could hear the celebration coming from Jersey. Heck, I could feel the celebration, as 45,000 scarlet-red drowned out the sorrows of 137 years of mediocrity (the last time this team played an important game was when they won the first ever college football game over Princeton, 6-4, in 1869).

Rutgers – yes, Rutgers! – had just beaten Louisville, the No. 3 team in the country, the No. 3 team in the BCS, a team that likely would have ended up in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 8 if not for Rutgers.

Thank god for those Scarlet Knights. What would BCS Haters do without ‘em? Now, because of their comeback from a 25-7 deficit, because they somehow found a way to shut out the Cardinals in the second half, a week after those same Cardinals dumped 44 points on West Virginia, the previous No. 3 team, the BCS is all messed up.

More messed up than The U right now. And that’s saying something.

Poor Rutgers. No matter how many congratulations cards they receive in the next few days – on the weekend, when football is supposed to be played – they won’t be the new No. 3 team in the BCS. No, that’ll go to some one-loss team. That’s all I can tell ya.

Florida? Auburn? Texas? California? USC? Notre Dame? Wisconsin? Arkansas?

Oh, my, let the debate begin, folks.

All of the above teams, as well as the Scarlet Knights – if they manage to win out against Cincinnati, Syracuse and West Virginia – could make a case to play the loser of the UM-Ohio State game Nov. 18 in the BCS title game.

As could the loser of the UM-Ohio State game.

Folks over at the BCS studios must be saying, “Here we go again,” because this could get ugly.

Here’s the worst-case scenario:
- the UM-Ohio State game is very close, making the loser a candidate to play in a rematch on Jan. 8
- Rutgers wins out, taking each game convincingly
- Texas wins out
- Auburn wins out, finishing 11-1, but not making the SEC championship game
- Florida wins out, and then faces Arkansas, which also wins out, in the SEC championship. The winner of that finishes with just one loss.
- Cal wins out, including a blowout victory of USC, finishing 11-1
- Notre Dame wins out, also torching the Trojans, to finish 11-1
- Wisconsin wins its final two games, against Iowa and Buffalo, by scores of 63-0 and 70-0 so its fans can argue for that BCS bid

If this all happened – which really is quite possible, except for the Wisconsin scores (the Badgers run the ball too much) – that would leave seven teams deserving of a chance to play the UM-Ohio State winner in Glendale.

The loser of the game; Rutgers; Texas; Auburn; Florida/Arkansas; Cal; and Notre Dame.

Wouldn’t that be fun to sort out? Right now in the BCS rankings Florida is just .02 ahead of Texas, which is just .19 in front of Auburn. The next three teams – USC, Cal and Notre Dame – are all within .13 of each other, before there is a significant drop-off to No. 10 West Virginia.

As far as one-loss teams are concerned, it’s tough to call, but I might have to say that an SEC team has the advantage. If Florida wins out – against South Carolina, West Carolina (cupcake!) and Florida State (cheesecake this season) – and beats Arkansas or Auburn in the SEC title game, I see them going to Glendale. If Auburn wins out and gets to play in the title game due to an Arkansas loss, and, of course, wins the title game, the Tigers are going.

Texas needs three things: It needs to win out, including a tough after-Thanksgiving clash with A&M and the Big 12 title game (probably against Nebraska). It needs Florida to lose. And it needs Auburn to lose or not make the SEC title game.

For Cal or ND to make it, I believe they need Texas and the SEC schools to lose. Ditto for the loser of The Game. Unless it’s really, really close and appears really, really well-played on both sides.

And for Rutgers to make it, well, we shall see.

Just don’t count ‘em out. If they can come back from a 25-7 deficit, they can surely find the top of a crippled system.

Yes, the crying in mid-December should be even louder than the cheers coming from Jersey late Thursday night.

Louisville-Rutgers, national title implications?

I can't believe I'm saying this: A Louisville-Rutgers game on a Thursday night in November has national title implications. Wow. Anyway, the game just started and I'm following it on gamecast.

I expect a Louisville win, which would take them one step closer to that perfect season and... a BCS birth?? What a heated debate this could be become. Would an undefeated Louisville deserve a birth over a one-loss Florida, or one-loss Texas, or one-loss Michigan/Ohio State team?

No point in debating it now. I'll give you my take after the game.

Fantasy BBall players to (try to) pick up

Are you like me? Are you, just a week into the NBA season, already feeling hopeless, wallowing in the lower half of your fantasy basketball league, with hobbled Chris Webber and injured Pau Gasol on your roster?

If you aren't, then no need to read this. But if you're struggling, if you want just a peep of motivation, here are 10 players - most of them underrated, at least for now - who you should try to steal from other teams in your league.

1. Zach Randolph, Portland - You better hurry on this one, because he is quickly being amped up as one of the most explosive scorers in the game. Especially considering he's on the Trailblazers, where, along with ROY candidate Brandon Roy, he's just about the only offensive option. Hurry, hurry.

2. Joe Johnson, Atlanta - Just like Randolph, he's on a crappy team (or at least they should be crappy soon - their winning record shouldn't last more than a few sunsets). And just like Randolph, he's just about the only legitimate scorer on the squad (see my bonus pick). Yeah, and he can flat out shoot as well as post up smaller guards. Pick him up.

3. Wally Szczerbiak, Boston - Sense a formula yet? Bad team, great scorer. Ok, if you're looking for rebounds and assists, don't look Wally's way. But if you need points, Wally is your man. He's averaging 26.8 ppg through four games, acting the Antoine Walker part alongside Paul Pierce. He won't keep the average that high, but I expect he'll average about as many points for the season as the number of games the Celtics win.

4. Shawn Marion, Phoenix - Dude simply does it all, especially with Amare playing like Sean Bradley. Nineteen points, 11 boards, two assists, two blocks, a steal a game. Plus, he hasn't even heated up from downtown yet (just 8-for-30). And he's got the best passer in the game dishing it to him.

5. Drew Gooden, Cleveland - Seems as if he's finally living up to the hype he brought with him from Kansas. A double-double guy almost every night now, especially with Zeke's statistics diminishing. Still not really talked about as one of the Eastern Conference's top PF's, so now's the time to make a bid for him.

6. Andrew Bynum, LA Lakers - Not close to being in the same class as the others listed, but he's shown glimpses of his potential (he scored a career-high 20 points the other night) and only having to battle Chris Mihm and Kwame Brown for playing time, well, he'll be on the court regardless if whether he struggles. For a guy averaging 11 points and seven boards, you should be able to get him for virtually nothing.

7. David West, NO/Oklahoma City - This guy is developing into one of the league's most consistent PF's. And playing in the small market of New Orleans and O.K. City, his talent still isn't known to everybody. Averaging 19 points and seven boards for the undefeated Hornets, and with Chris Paul dishing him the rock, he's sure to continue to post similar numbers.

8. Rafer Alston, Houston - Need assists from a little-known point guard, but also a few points... and a couple rebounds? Then Alston is your man. He's dishing out a modest six assists a game to T-Mac, Yao and others, and also scoring at a 12-ppg clip. Only concern here is that the Rockets aren't scoring a lot (95.4 ppg), but I expect that to go up if you know who (two of them) stay healthy. Alston is also averaging 1.6 steals a game.

9. Charlie Villanueva, Toronto - I can't help but say it: With Michael Redd and Mr. Villanueva, the Bucks - the Bucks! - are playoff contenders. Even with Mo Williams running the point. Villanueva, in just his second year, is developing into that second scorer the Bucks have so coveted. He's averaging over 16 points. Not only that, he's grabbing nearly 10 rebounds a game. And these numbers will only increase.

10. ROOKIE PICK: Brandon Roy, Portland - No-brainer here. And, unfortunately, any fantasy player with a brain should know that Roy's gonna put up big numbers for a rookie. Already averaging 14 points and four dishes for the 'Blazers, and, since he's playing for the Blazers, his minutes will only go up (and likely his numbers).

**BONUS: guy most people have never heard of
- Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta - In my Eastern Conference preview I made fun of this guy. I now regret that. He is one of the reasons why the Hawks actually have a winning record (for now). From the country of Georgia, Pachulia - I just call him Zaza - is pouring in 18 points a game and 6.8 boards. Wouldn't that be the story of the year if Zaza, Joe Johnson and tiny Tyronn Lue led the Hawks to the playoffs?

Yeah, sure thing.

Navigating this blog

Hey everyone,
Thanks for visiting the site. Just a couple things to point out about this blog. On the right-hand side, under my profile, there is a list of links. At the top of the list I will post my most current articles written. Right now those articles are from Sydney University Sport, where I'm interning in Sydney, Australia until Dec. 8. There are some pretty interesting pieces on Australian athletes. Check them out. Once I return to Michigan on Dec. 19, I am hoping to return to the Jackson Citizen Patriot, and when I go back to Albion College on Jan. 20, I will write game articles for the sports website (www.albion.edu/sports) which I will also post links for on this site.

Also, I have posted links for some of the best sports websites, including espn.com, deadspin.com (sports humor), and three great sports statistics websites (basketball-reference.com, baseball-reference.com, and profootball-reference.com) that have every stat from those three leagues you could ever imagine. I'll likely be adding more links in the weeks to come. For now, check out my material first, but also feel free to navigate to the links I have posted.

Thanks,
Jake

"Tigers, Bonds? Why not?"

Barry Bonds is A) An asshole; B) A cheater; C) Someone I'd never invite to my Thanksgiving table.

So obviously he's not somebody you'd want on your baseball team. Oh, sorry, I forgot to mention D) He's still, for probably one more year, a damn valuable player to have in your lineup.

Which is why the Tigers should go after him.

Yes, he wouldn't help the clubhouse atmosphere. Yes, he'd be a pain for the media (although, unlike Kenny Rogers, he’s never $@%@ up a cameraman). But what does every player in every clubhouse across the country say? That winning is all that matters.

And Barry Bonds would help the Tigers win. At least for one season.

The Tigers have talked about adding a big bat during the off-season, a Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano (although that's not happening, considering the dough he'll ask for and receive). They've overlooked the most obvious choice: Barry Bonds.

People say that because he's lost some pop in his bat he's no longer good. Ok, I guess if you call a .454 on-base percentage poor. Or a .270 average. And he did happen to hit 26 dings in 130 games last season, which was still more than all but two of the Tigers hit.

As for that OBP, the closest Tiger to that mark was Carlos Guillen, whose OBP was .400. Leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson’s OBP was .335.

Another comparison: Bonds struck out 55 times last season and walked 115 teams (yeah, seems like pitchers aren’t afraid of him anymore). No Tigers’ regular struck out less than 86 times except for Placido Polanco, who only played 110 games, and Sean Casey, who played just 53 regular-season games with Detroit. Guillen led the team with 71 walks.

Bonds would make life easier for the hitters around him. Face it: At least some pitchers are still intimidated by him and pitch around him (how else can you explain the amount of walks?). And no pitcher will want to walk the batter in front of Bonds.

That would be perfect for free-swinging Craig Monroe. Plug him in at the No. 2 slot and Bonds at No. 3 and all of a sudden Monroe is seeing pitches he can wallop. He hits 30 jacks, unarguably.

I hear the whispers… Bonds can’t run. What’ll the Tigers do if he gets on base? I have two words for you: FRANK THOMAS. Anyone who watched the Big Hurt play this season for Oakland knows he can’t run. Yet he managed to hit an amazing 39 home runs and drive in 119 runs.

You put Barry Bonds in the American League, where all he has to do is hit, and he has a similar season to that of Thomas, who’s only four years younger than Bonds.
If Bonds is hobbled and can’t run, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. The Tigers could simply pinch run with Marcus Thames or Craig Monroe – whoever isn’t playing left field.

I hear more whispers… how could the Tigers afford Bonds? Well, amazingly enough, Bonds isn’t interested in a huge contract. All he wants is a chance to break Hank Aaron’s record (although he might say something more diplomatic like, “I want to win a World Series”).

But let’s not kid ourselves. With Bonds in the lineup, the Tigers would be one of the favorites to make it back to the World Series. Even if only for one year.

Kenny Rogers has one more year in him. Ditto for closer Todd Jones, who, as much as he’s criticized, was remarkably efficient this season. And it’s obvious that Pudge, who turns 35 on Nov. 30, isn’t the player he used to be.

So, while the Tigers pitching staff is indelibly young and talented, as well as most of their position players, it’s not a reach to say that 2007 might be the best chance in the next five years for the Tigers to make it back to the WS.

And even if the season’s a disappointment, the Tigers would be back where they started a year from now. Not with a huge contract hanging over them, because Bonds would be gone. Just with the same questions being asked about what to do in the off-season.

Seems harmless. So why not risk it?

"Nov. 18 - mark down the date"

Before then I will buy $200 worth of groceries; I will go hiking in the blue Mountains; I will see "Snakes on a Plane"; I will watch cricket on TV; I will go bar-hopping on the weekend; I will do lots of things.

But nothing will have a chance to live up to what will transpire on November 18, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. here in Sydney. I will find a bar. And within its friendly confines, I will watch one of the most anticipated college football games in decades.

And possibly the most hyped-up Michigan-Ohio State game EVER.

No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Michigan. I know they each have a game to play before that fateful afternoon, but there's no way they'll lose. They wouldn't ruin what everyone from Mackinac Island to Columbus is looking forward to.

No way, no how.

Now that the Tigers' amazing championship run has fallen short - never to be forgotten, but to be placed in the past - the entire state of Michigan can focus on November 18.

'Cuz face it, there's no need to pay attention to basketball or hockey until Thanksgiving.

I can only imagine what Ann Arbor will be like in the days leading up to November 18. Here's an imagined conversation between an auto shop worker and a customer.

"The car all right?"
"Yeah, brakes were a little worn, nothing big."
"Nothin' compared to that game on Saturday, huh?"
"Oh, yeah, you got that right. Hopefully they can put the brakes on Smith, huh??"
"Got that right. Little worried about that guy, but hopefully we can get our offensive engine humming."
"Yes, sir, uh-hum."

There will be a pandemonium in town. How could there not be? If I was mayor, no one would have to work between 3:30 and 7 p.m. on November 18.

That's how big this game will be. Bigger than the state of Pennsylvania.

So, yes, life will go on here in Sydney. I'll talk to people about things as if they are important. I'll go food-shopping, as if I'm hungry.

But I'll be honest: the only thing I'm hungry for is the arrival of November 18.

Paying homage to Red

(NOTE: this was written the day after Auerbach died on Oct. 28)

A sports legend passed away last night.

When I saw the news, I made a decision. I wouldn't weep, I wouldn't sit staring blankly outside. I would go out the front door of my residence, into the sunny, 63-degree Sunday afternoon. I would pass by Victoria Park, filled on this day with dogs running loose and sunbathers basking. I would cross Cleveland Street, cut through a few buildings, and make my way to the Sydney University Aquatic Center.

There, on the wooden basketball courts, I would pay homage to possibly the greatest NBA coach of all time, Red Auerbach.

I decided to shoot 100 free throws for Red, aiming to make 89 - his age at death. It was a lofty goal, but on this day my shooting hand felt blessed. It was as if each flick of the wrist was empowered by a divine force.

I was on fire.

I dedicated each set of 10 free throws to a championship won by Red as the Celtics coach. 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966. The final 10 I dedicated to Red's decision, upon his retirement from coaching in 1967 before he was 50 years old. He turned the team over to his star center, Bill Russell, who became the NBA’s first black coach.

Of course Red never said so, but I think he had some more coaching in him. He didn’t step down because his tank was empty. He did it to give Russell the opportunity. His star didn’t let him down, winning titles in ’68 and ’69 – paving the way for more black men to become head coaches.

Midway through, I was 43-for-50 – almost on pace to hit 89. I was in a zone. I didn’t feel like someone who hadn’t touched a basketball in three months. I felt like Bob Cousy, or Bill Sharman, or KC Jones – a few of the great guards Red was able to lure to Boston during his coaching days.

Who will ever forget how Red said he’d never draft Cousy, but ended up with him anyway? After the point guard began to direct the Celtics franchise in the right direction, Red warmed up to him and they’ll live together forever in Celtics lore.

Unfortunately, I hit a rough streak in the 60s, and ended up seven free throws short of my goal – 82 for 100. But it didn’t matter.

I felt that I had done my part to honor a legend, to honor a man who took pride in being a players’ coach, a man who as GM of the Celtics after his playing days gave the coaching job to five former players. A man who didn’t forget who helped him be so successful.

Even as the Celtics struggled the last two decades, Red never turned his back on the franchise. Even when narcissistic Rick Pitino demanded Red's GM title when he became coach in the late ‘90s.

Red was always there, giving advice to anyone who asked, acting a father figure to many.

The Celtics are dedicating the upcoming season to Red. There are not high hopes in Boston, as has been the case for most of the past decade. But maybe, just maybe, the players will feel the same way I did this afternoon.

Maybe when Paul Pierce flicks his beautifully arching shot, it’ll go in 55 percent of the time instead of 45 percent. Maybe Boston’s talented but immature youngsters – Kendrick Perkins and Sebastian Telfair, to name a pair – will grow into their shoes, realizing who’s looking down on them.

It’s amazing how you can be touched by history. A lot of my life I’ve been stuck in the present. I’ve watched in awe as Tiger Woods dominates the PGA Tour without knowing the names of the black men who made it possible for him to play on tour. I’ve enjoyed the great tradition of Michigan football without knowing the men who made the program one of the nation’s best.

But now I do pay attention to history. When a team wins a championship, I think about how they made it to the top. And, of course, when a man like Red Auerbach dies, I don’t shake my head nonchalantly and move on.

I dedicate a beautiful afternoon to his life. Because I know who he was.

Brief Pistons' preview (written after the first game)

I know. I know I'm cheating by doing this after the Pistons' first game - a surprising loss at home to those scary Bucks - but I had a Coach K clinic to catch. Maybe Flip should have attended.

I know. I'm being hard on the Pistons, especially on head coach Flip Saunders. After all, he did lead 'em to the best record in the league last year and the conference finals.

But Detroit's rather sad loss to eventual champion Miami in the Eastern Finals exposed problems with Flip's offense-first system that simply did not exist during Larry Brown's up-and-down (and short) tenure with the team.

To put it concretely, if you have an offense-first system and only a decent defense, if your offense goes in the tank - as the Pistons' did the final two rounds of the playoffs - you're screwed.

Unless your playing the Hawks, Bobcats or Trailblazers. Even the Knicks will beat you.

If you have a great defense, however, you're never out of a game. Your D keeps you in the game until your shooters start hitting.

I hate to carp after one game, but the fact that the Pistons gave up 105 games to the Bucks, a team with virtually one offensive weapon (quick-release gunner Michael Redd), doesn't send out the best signals.

Remember a couple years back when the Pistons went a ridiculous number of games without giving up 80 points? That was fun to watch.

Now, with Ben Wallace sporting his 'fro and 'rows in Chicago, the Pistons, all of a sudden, aren't so intimidating. Sure, Chauncy Billups and Rip Hamilton can shoot the lights out and 'Sheed might hit some big shots too.

But the game is played on both ends of the floor. And opponents are no longer scared of attacking the basket.

Nazr Mohammed? Please. He was more intimidating as a Wildcat.

To get to the prediction, the Pistons are still going to be one of the East's best, maybe even THE BEST... during the regular season. They still have the best starting lineup in the league - as long as 'Sheed doesn't get kicked out of too many games, which definitely could happen with the new no-bickering-to-the-refs rule.

Their bench is improved from last year as long as Lindsey Hunter and Antonio McDyess stay healthy. Flip Murray and Carlos Delfino are capable of putting points on the board.

As for a defensive presence, however (besides Hunter, of course), 6-5 newbie Jason Maxiell is about the best the Pistons got. He blocked three shots in 12 minutes against Milwaukee, but, I'm sorry, if the Pistons have to rely on Jason Maxiell in the playoffs... well, pencil in another loss in the conference finals (or sooner).

As for my team outlook, with young teams in Cleveland and Chicago quickly closing the gap between themselves and the Pistons/Heat, a loss in the second round wouldn't be surprising.

The Pistons will win the division, and finish first in the East, but lose to the Cavs in six games in the Eastern Semis (what nearly happened last year).

And they'll realize how much they miss Ben and the defense-first approach.