Written by Nick Dennis, possible Detroit Hookup writer.
With the All Star Break looming ominously, much discussion has begun as to whether the Tigers can make it to the post season. The All Star Break stands as a time when teams reflect on their season whilst managers and coaches decide which direction the team will go for the remainder of the season.
All optimistic Tigers fans firmly believe that the Tigers are in both the division race and the wild card race. Houston seemed mediocre at the All Star Break junction last season, so why can’t the Tigers be the fairytale team this season. The Tigers do have a few factors working in their favor.
THE NL EAST: At the beginning of the season, most people would have believed this division would hold the wild card winner. And after Baltimore’s blistering start, I’m sure nobody doubted it. But it seems to be that Baltimore was playing above itself and is now coming back to the field. With Boston taking over 1st place in that division, and the struggles of the Yankees and Orioles, this opens the door up for the Tigers.
CARLOS GUILLEN: The Tigers have been hit with injuries to three key players most of the season. After Carlos Guillen looked like the best shortstop in the league, his knees started playing up. This left a huge hole on defense and in the lineup. Tony Giarratano tried vailiantly to fill the void, but he is no Guillen. Let’s hope Guillen’s injuries are behind him, because any contending team, let alone the Tigers, would struggle to fill that kind of hole.
MAGGLIO ORDONEZ / TROY PERCIVAL: When both of these players were out to injury, the lineup was basically the same as the .500 lineup of last season. One positive to the Percival injury was that Urbina was able to strut his stuff as a closer and raise his trade value. With Percy getting back to his best and the impending return of Maggs, the Tigers will have an offense and bullpen many clubs will fear.
THE NL CENTRAL: This factor could be good or could be bad, but one thing the Tigers can hold onto is that their fate is ultimately in their hands still. The Tigers have a boatload of games left against their own division and after recently taking 2 of 3 games against Minnesota at the dreaded Metrodome, the Tigers should have a buoyancy going up against other NL Central clubs.
THE YOUNG GUNS: Chris Shelton & Nook Logan have been outstanding when their name has been called. So much so that Nook is the every day CF and Chris Shelton is platooning with Dmitri Young between 1B & DH. These unexpected developments, along with the exceptional play of Brandon Inge, Rondell White & Craig Monroe has enabled the Tigers to stay within striking distance
Of course with all this optimism, there have got to be factors working against the Tigers.
THE YANKEES: With Baltimore losing their footing, Texas struggling and The Tribe sinking back into mediocrity, it would seem that the two teams that the Tigers will be chasing for the wild card are The Yankees & The Twins. The Yankees have teased us all season with their up and down play. Their pitching may not be strong, but expect them to make a deal at the trade deadline to improve that. The Yankees always make a run, and I don’t see why this year should be any different.
THE TWINS: The Minnesota Twins. Just saying that acts like a thorn in my side like the Twins have been for years. Their uncanny ability to eke out wins and play masterful small ball makes the Twins a tough team to catch when they get ahead. The best chance the Tigers have to catch the Twins is to beat them in divisional play.
THE WHITE SOX: To say the White Sox have opened up a commanding lead in the NL Central is an understatement. The other NL Central teams are waiting for the yearly White Sox implosion but it hasn’t occurred yet. Their pitching staff has been pitching way above expectations and their record in 1 run games is astounding. The Tigers are far from out of the divisional race, but as the White Sox keep winning, it seems harder and harder to expect them to come back to the field.
THE PITCHING: So far this season, the reason the Tigers are playing .500 ball is the unexpected excellence of the pitching. The staff led by Jeremy Bonderman, has one of the best ERA in the NL. The worry is, will it hold up. Jason Johnson is known for his late season collapses, the Tigers don’t have a comfortable 5th starter, and the other three guys are starting to look very hittable. Both the starting pitching and the bullpen will have to continue their wonderful play if the Tigers are to have a chance at the post season.
As a biased Tigers fan, I like their chances of winning the wild card. As of Tuesday 28th of June, they are only 4 games behind wild card leaders Baltimore & Minnesota. 4 games is nothing. That can be made up in as little as a week. With key players coming back from injury and continued success of the pitching staff, I see no reason why we should give up on the post season. The Tigers have the talent to play .600 baseball for the remainder of the season and I’ll be there cheering when they make it.
Nick Dennis
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Madness
Well here we are, the Pistons and Spurs, one final game for all the glory. I don't know about other Piston's fans such as I, but I felt like I was playing in that game last night. Gee, my voice is shot, my hands are sore and I'm tired as heck because someone like me cannot fall alseep right away after 2 plus hours of yelling at the T.V. I guess thats what hardcore fans do, right? You yell and scream and yell some more and you actually think it might help the team out.
Besides the constant griping at the refs, the Piston’s played like true champions. Players stepped up big time, especially Rasheed’s spectacular play in the 4th quarter with 5 fouls. He made 3 huge buckets and an important block that helped them stay in the lead. It was a total team effort. Hamilton, Billups, Big Ben and the bench did their part as well. The 3 point shooting came alive too, thanks to Mr. Big Shot, not Mr. Big Shot Bob like Game 5.
I don’t know what to look forward to in Game 7. This series has been a big mystery so far. I do know, however, that both teams will give it every last ounce of hustle and strength they have. The game will go down to the wire and probably be another classic like the previous 2. This is what true basketball fans love. Game 7’s weed out the good teams from the great, hopefully the Pistons will be the latter.
May the best team win?
Besides the constant griping at the refs, the Piston’s played like true champions. Players stepped up big time, especially Rasheed’s spectacular play in the 4th quarter with 5 fouls. He made 3 huge buckets and an important block that helped them stay in the lead. It was a total team effort. Hamilton, Billups, Big Ben and the bench did their part as well. The 3 point shooting came alive too, thanks to Mr. Big Shot, not Mr. Big Shot Bob like Game 5.
I don’t know what to look forward to in Game 7. This series has been a big mystery so far. I do know, however, that both teams will give it every last ounce of hustle and strength they have. The game will go down to the wire and probably be another classic like the previous 2. This is what true basketball fans love. Game 7’s weed out the good teams from the great, hopefully the Pistons will be the latter.
May the best team win?
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Finally
Obviously, like everyone else who is a Piston's fan, I was extremely pleased with the Piston's performance on Tuesday. They not only showed up, but they also played their brand of basketball us fans have come to know and love. Ben Wallace started the party, McDyess continued it, and Billups and Hamilton closed the deal.
While I think the Pistons will win tonight, I don't think Duncan and Manu will play as poorly as they did on Tuesday. I expect this game to come down to the last few minutes. Geesh, the first 3 games have pretty much been lopsided for the most part. If the Piston's win tonight, the series will start on Sunday. The winner of that game will definitely win the series in my opinion.
The interesting thing about this series so far has been the mediocrity of Rasheed and Tay. Rasheed didn't play bad in game 3, but he needs to post up Horry more often instead of taking those 3's early in the shot clock. He can take Horry all day.
I thought McDyess was amazing. His hustle and rebounding was great to see. Duncan is really going to have to pay attention to him in the post from now on. If Antonio can give them another 10 -14 points and 6-8 boards tonight, it will really make it tough on the Spurs.
It should be a wail of a game tonight. Both teams will come out with extreme intensity and play the game the right way, just how the NBA finals should be.
While I think the Pistons will win tonight, I don't think Duncan and Manu will play as poorly as they did on Tuesday. I expect this game to come down to the last few minutes. Geesh, the first 3 games have pretty much been lopsided for the most part. If the Piston's win tonight, the series will start on Sunday. The winner of that game will definitely win the series in my opinion.
The interesting thing about this series so far has been the mediocrity of Rasheed and Tay. Rasheed didn't play bad in game 3, but he needs to post up Horry more often instead of taking those 3's early in the shot clock. He can take Horry all day.
I thought McDyess was amazing. His hustle and rebounding was great to see. Duncan is really going to have to pay attention to him in the post from now on. If Antonio can give them another 10 -14 points and 6-8 boards tonight, it will really make it tough on the Spurs.
It should be a wail of a game tonight. Both teams will come out with extreme intensity and play the game the right way, just how the NBA finals should be.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Must Win
Game 3 tonight, Pistons vs. Heat, basically makes or breaks the Piston's chances this year. Realistically, the Piston's need to sweep at home to have a chance to win this series. San Antonio has owned them for 7 out of 8 quarters so far. They have been more aggressive, less focused on the refs and more in rhythm. They have gotten great play out of all 7 or 8 guys who play regularly. That can't be said for the Pistons, no way.
Tayshaun needs to wake up and have a monster all around game tonight. Same with Richard Hamilton. He can't allow Bruce Bowen to dictate how he plays. Being at home, the calls should favor the Piston's moreso, but when they don't, the team has to keep it's cool and shrug it off. It seems like the Piston's are focusing on the refs too much and that needs to stop.
I can't complain about Billups play too much, he's really been our only consistent performer. Sheed needs to demand the ball more, when he's involved and making trips to the foul line, the team is awfully hard to beat. Another 8-14 point game by Sheed just won't get it done. As for Big Ben; who knows. He needs to continue to hit the offensive glass and become a force defensively again. Brown didn't do any of these starters any favors during the regular season by playing them so much. These guys are really worn out. The Miami series definitely had something to do with that too, just ask Big Ben.
I'm predicting a competitive game tonight though. Look for Prince to come alive and for Ginobili to have a rough game.
91-85 Pistons
Tayshaun needs to wake up and have a monster all around game tonight. Same with Richard Hamilton. He can't allow Bruce Bowen to dictate how he plays. Being at home, the calls should favor the Piston's moreso, but when they don't, the team has to keep it's cool and shrug it off. It seems like the Piston's are focusing on the refs too much and that needs to stop.
I can't complain about Billups play too much, he's really been our only consistent performer. Sheed needs to demand the ball more, when he's involved and making trips to the foul line, the team is awfully hard to beat. Another 8-14 point game by Sheed just won't get it done. As for Big Ben; who knows. He needs to continue to hit the offensive glass and become a force defensively again. Brown didn't do any of these starters any favors during the regular season by playing them so much. These guys are really worn out. The Miami series definitely had something to do with that too, just ask Big Ben.
I'm predicting a competitive game tonight though. Look for Prince to come alive and for Ginobili to have a rough game.
91-85 Pistons
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Motown vs. Alamotown
Motown vs. Alamotown
The sexy teams are now gone and the big boys remain. The Pistons want respect; the Spurs want the title back. No teams could be so different, yet be so much alike. Put your hard hats on folks, no more pretty boy basketball.
Match ups people, match ups. This series will heavily depend on players adjusting from game-to-game schemes these teams will throw at each other. Ben and Rasheed will take the task of covering the MVP type player Tim Duncan while McDyess will also have his opportunities. Rasheed’s on the ball defense is better than Ben’s, so Rasheed should see the bulk of the time on Duncan if he stays away from foul difficulties. This would allow Ben to roam the lane, which he does so well. Ben was really worn down during the Miami series; look for him to have much more energy and to get that somewhat sporadic scoring mentality back. It is vital that Ben and Rasheed stay out of foul trouble. Horry, Mohammed and Nesterovic are all solid contributors, but their athleticism is not that of the Pistons front line.
The talented backcourts of these two teams is quite similar. Parker and Ginobili will have to be contained and vice-versa for Billups and Hamilton. The Pistons should really look to post up Chauncey frequently because of the strength advantage he has on Parker, or all the other point guards in the world for that matter. However, Mr. Big Shot isn’t the quickest and that’s were Parker could wreak havoc on the defense with his superb penetration and shot making ability in the paint.
If you want to discuss shot making abilities, well, look it up in the dictionary. The definition will read, Ginobili drives past defender and flings a shot up to the rim that’s not too pretty and isn’t supposed to go in. Shot most always touches glass and is known to bounce around on the rim until finding the net while descending toward the floor. The play is usually followed by a visit to the free throw line by the shot maker. Call me crazy, but the results have shown themselves this year. Ginobili has solidified his spot as a top ten player in the league.
Ginobili is a good defender too, and he will have to prove it even more so with the match up with Rip and Tayshaun. Prince is maybe the most talented player on Detroit, but his lack of aggressiveness gets him in trouble at times. He needs to toughen up and help D up Ginobili and make him work both on sides of the ball.
It’s probable that Bruce Bowen will guard Rip the majority of the time. Bowen’s lack of offensive skills is overlooked because of his hardnosed defensive mentality. I think Rip could have a huge series though, but I shouldn’t underestimate undrafted NBA scrap players such as Bowen.
Detroit’s bench is not what it was last year. The bench this year is about two, two and a half strong. The ball hawking he displayed and hustle plays provided by Lindsey Hunter against Miami last series was a major plus. Hunter will need to make life miserable for Parker as he did against Wade. McDyess is either on or off. His offensive skills are very important for when he is matched up against the slower and older Horry down low.
Speaking of Horry, he’s a clutch playoff player. He hits big shots and is really the only big man the Spurs will play off the bench consistently. Udrih and Brown are decent spot players who can shoot. I’m not going to forget Brent Barry, he’s real key for when the double comes on Duncan or when Ginobili and Parker are dishing off. He still can flat out stroke it from three land. Obviously, the Spurs have a real advantage on Detroit with their scoring minded and more flexible bench.
If the Pistons can limit their turnovers and get Prince and Rasheed good shots throughout the game, I like the chances of Detroit at the end. Mr. Big Shot always comes through. They will also have to limit the Spurs fast break that starts with the defensive play of Parker and Ginobili. Of course eliminating games of 30+ points and 15+ rebounds from Duncan is a must too. Both teams like the somewhat slow and methodical pace and that will give the casual basketball fan all the boredom they can handle. Free throws and coaching could end up being the difference. Popovich and Brown are both quality coaches, but who will make the smarter moves?
An evenly matched heavyweight fight compares to how I think this series will end up. It may get ugly and slow in spots, guys will have to get back on their feet and suck it up, but at the end the determined will win. The question is, who wants it more?
The sexy teams are now gone and the big boys remain. The Pistons want respect; the Spurs want the title back. No teams could be so different, yet be so much alike. Put your hard hats on folks, no more pretty boy basketball.
Match ups people, match ups. This series will heavily depend on players adjusting from game-to-game schemes these teams will throw at each other. Ben and Rasheed will take the task of covering the MVP type player Tim Duncan while McDyess will also have his opportunities. Rasheed’s on the ball defense is better than Ben’s, so Rasheed should see the bulk of the time on Duncan if he stays away from foul difficulties. This would allow Ben to roam the lane, which he does so well. Ben was really worn down during the Miami series; look for him to have much more energy and to get that somewhat sporadic scoring mentality back. It is vital that Ben and Rasheed stay out of foul trouble. Horry, Mohammed and Nesterovic are all solid contributors, but their athleticism is not that of the Pistons front line.
The talented backcourts of these two teams is quite similar. Parker and Ginobili will have to be contained and vice-versa for Billups and Hamilton. The Pistons should really look to post up Chauncey frequently because of the strength advantage he has on Parker, or all the other point guards in the world for that matter. However, Mr. Big Shot isn’t the quickest and that’s were Parker could wreak havoc on the defense with his superb penetration and shot making ability in the paint.
If you want to discuss shot making abilities, well, look it up in the dictionary. The definition will read, Ginobili drives past defender and flings a shot up to the rim that’s not too pretty and isn’t supposed to go in. Shot most always touches glass and is known to bounce around on the rim until finding the net while descending toward the floor. The play is usually followed by a visit to the free throw line by the shot maker. Call me crazy, but the results have shown themselves this year. Ginobili has solidified his spot as a top ten player in the league.
Ginobili is a good defender too, and he will have to prove it even more so with the match up with Rip and Tayshaun. Prince is maybe the most talented player on Detroit, but his lack of aggressiveness gets him in trouble at times. He needs to toughen up and help D up Ginobili and make him work both on sides of the ball.
It’s probable that Bruce Bowen will guard Rip the majority of the time. Bowen’s lack of offensive skills is overlooked because of his hardnosed defensive mentality. I think Rip could have a huge series though, but I shouldn’t underestimate undrafted NBA scrap players such as Bowen.
Detroit’s bench is not what it was last year. The bench this year is about two, two and a half strong. The ball hawking he displayed and hustle plays provided by Lindsey Hunter against Miami last series was a major plus. Hunter will need to make life miserable for Parker as he did against Wade. McDyess is either on or off. His offensive skills are very important for when he is matched up against the slower and older Horry down low.
Speaking of Horry, he’s a clutch playoff player. He hits big shots and is really the only big man the Spurs will play off the bench consistently. Udrih and Brown are decent spot players who can shoot. I’m not going to forget Brent Barry, he’s real key for when the double comes on Duncan or when Ginobili and Parker are dishing off. He still can flat out stroke it from three land. Obviously, the Spurs have a real advantage on Detroit with their scoring minded and more flexible bench.
If the Pistons can limit their turnovers and get Prince and Rasheed good shots throughout the game, I like the chances of Detroit at the end. Mr. Big Shot always comes through. They will also have to limit the Spurs fast break that starts with the defensive play of Parker and Ginobili. Of course eliminating games of 30+ points and 15+ rebounds from Duncan is a must too. Both teams like the somewhat slow and methodical pace and that will give the casual basketball fan all the boredom they can handle. Free throws and coaching could end up being the difference. Popovich and Brown are both quality coaches, but who will make the smarter moves?
An evenly matched heavyweight fight compares to how I think this series will end up. It may get ugly and slow in spots, guys will have to get back on their feet and suck it up, but at the end the determined will win. The question is, who wants it more?
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