Leelanau Sports Guy’s World at sportspig.com

More mature Anderson tones down volume as MSU leader

Free Press article by Jemele Hill

East Lansing — His head sunk in a towel, his eyes wet with tears, Alan Anderson thought he had blown everything.

“Other people didn’t help him out, either, from the coaching staff to every player on the court,” coach Tom Izzo said. “It wasn’t like Alan was out there by himself, but I guess like a Joey Harrington, he was the quarterback, so he gets a lot of blame.”

Read the entire article

My view: Anderson is one of the keys to the Spartans success this season. He will make a solid NBA player in my opinion and if he keeps up his current pace will end up earning many awards by the end of the season. He is back playing his more comfortable forward position and the comfort level is showing. He is shooting the ball well and making good decisions.

Here’s an article from today’s Free Press about free agent pitcher Carl Pavano’s visit to Detroit.

Around the Horn: Pavano tour will come to Detroit this week

Free Press article by Gene Guidi

The Tigers will get to make their personal pitch Friday to free-agent right-hander Carl Pavano.

“Carl will take as much time as he needs to make the right decision,” Shapiro said.

My view: I think they do have a legitimate shot. Here’s hoping they can pull it off.

What: Mix and Mingle, shuffle shoes and clear some lanes with host Az-Zahir Hakim of the Detroit Lions and celebrity guests at Detroit’s 1st Annual Az Hakim Foundation Bust a Pin Celebrity Bowling Tournament and Benefit. Invited celebrity bowlers include members of the Detroit Lions, The Detroit Red Wings, The Detroit Shock, Detroit Jaguars and many more. The benefit will raise funds for children’s programs offered by the Az Hakim Foundation. Events will include a sports memorabilia auction, meet and greet session, food, music and fun for the whole family.

When: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 – From 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Cost: $150 to bowl, $25 to attend, $12.50 for children 12 and under to attend

Where: Taylor Lanes Bowling Center
24800 Eureka – Taylor, MI 48180
Phone: 734-946-9092 or E-mail: info@taylorlanesbowling.com

About the Az Hakim Foundation

Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek

More than 450 season ticket requests submitted

The Beach Bums plan to begin playing in the independent Frontier League in May of 2006. Wuerfel Park is expected to seat 4,500 fans.

Read the entire article.

I finally got back to a computer, what with all the Turkey eating and Christmas shopping going on…

Lions: Thank goodness for Thanksgiving Dinner #1 being during the game, I only had to watch bits and pieces of this mess we call a team. I do however see a couple of bright spots: Kevin Jones, and well, okay, maybe just Jones.

Pistons: To say the Pistons are starting the season slow is an understatement. There lack of defense does make me nervous. Have to remember that they are playing without their heart and soul Ben Wallace.

Wolverines: A nice showing in the preseason NIT. If the injury bug wouldn’t have caught them, I think they could have won it.

Spartans: Now we see how good they are with road games at Duke and GW.

Norsemen: My old high school lost in the state championship 34-13 to Constantine. Congrats on a great season and hope you get another shot next season! Lots of guys coming back so should be a good future for Suttons Bay.

Take a look at some unique Ron Artest items.

Michigan dominates the awards, here’s a link to the article.

Article in today’s Free Press…

The Tigers will play 17 spring training games in Lakeland, Fla., against major league opponents, the team announced Tuesday. Three games will be against the New York Yankees.

Ticket prices remain $16 for field box seats, $15 for regular box seats, $13 for reserved seats, $13 for wheelchair-accessible seats, $12 for leftfield reserve seats, $9 for general admission and $7 for berm seating.

For someone being “full of love”, he sure didn’t show it on Friday at the Palace.

Dad defends son

Artest’s father, in an interview with the New York Daily News, pleaded with fans: “Don’t hate my son.”

“You don’t even know him,” said Ron Artest Sr. of Queens. “Go to Queensbridge. Ask them. They all loved him. Look at Ron’s history. He’s never hurt anybody. He’s never dealt in drugs. … He’s full of love.”

Read the entire article

Maybe. SI.com’s Albert Chen talks Tigers in his The Daily Blog. Here’s what he said…

“And this winter’s biggest spenders will be … the Detroit Tigers? That’s right, baseball’s most popular contribution to Jay Leno monologues in 2003 think — and rightly so — that they’ve got a shot at the AL Central title and consequently, payroll in Detroit may shoot up as much as $20 million from last year’s $50 million total. The Tigers, of course, have already snagged themselves a legit closer in Troy Percival and are serious bidders in the Pavano sweepstakes and could even be considered a front-runner to land Adrian Beltre. The Tigers also covet Matt Clement, Derek Lowe, Corey Koskie and Troy Glaus. Finally, Pudge will have company in Motown. When I interviewed Rodriguez last season at Comerica Park, he was talking playoffs for his Tigers in ‘04. I laughed at him. If GM Dave Dombrowski makes the right moves, Detroit could be kings of the AL Central — baseball’s worst division — in ‘05.”

Read the entire article.

Insider filed this report: “Ok, here’s the story (how ironic). The guy (who they have confirmed by looking through 10 different video tapes) who threw the cup of beer is a former neighbor of the Oakland County Prosecutor, who lead the press conference along with the Auburn Hills police chief. Sounds like all the crimes could be misdemeanors, except for the person who threw the chair (possible 4 year felony). Players from both teams and fans could all be prosecuted for this. There are a few reports that Ben Wallace’s brother was sitting in that area where the fight broke out in the stands, but nobody has confirmed anything. Auburn Hills police is asking for help from people who took pictures, videos, and the like.”

Thanks Insider!

–

Detroit Insider says, “Auburn Hills police have found the guy who threw the beer cup at Artest. Press conference at 4:00.”

Great job by the police in this manner. This guy should never be allowed in the Palace again as far as I am concerned.

Lions: Aargh! Another last minute defeat. I can’t keep watching these games. Harrington looked better, but threw a horrible pass on the Lions last chance drive for an interception. Kevin Jones had an excellent first half as the Lions were running the ball and calling aggressive plays. The 2nd half the Lions kept it simple and seemed like they were too conservative as they lost their 4th straight and now fall to games out of the North division lead.

Pistons: They didn’t play particularly well in their Friday loss to the Pacers, but rebounded with a double overtime win over the expansion Bobcats. The Pistons had only 8 players on available after the suspensions for “The Fight”. Smush Parker played solid as did Antonio McDyess. Bobcats Coach Bernie Bickerstaff said the Pistons are stronger than last season having Rasheed for the full season and adding McDyess.

Wolverines: A forgettable performance in Columbus. With a chance at an outright Big Ten title the Wolverines were flat against the Buckeyes. From what I could tell it looked like Ohio State wanted it more and I can’t figure out why. Luckily the Wolverines backed into the Rose Bowl because of Wisconsin choking even worse, with two consecutive losses down the stretch.

Spartans: A loss at lowly Penn State eliminated them from Bowl contention and continued their tradition of poor games the week after big upsets. I think John L. has the foundation in place for improving the program and if not for Stanton’s injuries this team might have won 8 games. If Stanton can get healthy for next season and stay that way, this team will be factor in the Big Ten and go to a bowl.

Norsemen: My old high school has advanced and is playing in their first ever Football state title game. They are squaring off against Constantine in the Division 6 High School Football Final at the Silverdome. Good Luck and congrats on a great season. What makes it even better is that I have coached a number of the kids over the years in baseball and basketball, so it’s fun to see them have this kind of success.

The NBA suspended Ron Artest for the season, Stephen Jackson for 30 games, Jermaine O’Neal for 25 games, Anthony Johnson for 5 games and Ben Wallace will sit for 6 games for taking part an ugly brawl at the Palace Friday night. Four players were suspended for a game apiece: Indiana’s Reggie Miller and Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman. Suspensions are without pay. Reported by WDFN – 1130 The Fan.

Fanball has a scouting report on Kevin Jones and the difficult start to his career…

Read the article.

There are many reasons to love college sports, and one of them is the spirit and passion of the fans. Michigan and Ohio State fans are part of one of the biggest, greatest rivalries in all of sports, and some of the fans come up with some crazy stuff. You might not like the article below if you are a Michigan fan, but regardless, it’s kind of funny and very entertaining.

OSU punks rip into U-M rivals

Buckeye band the Dead Schembechlers makes fun of coaching legend, his team

Free Press article by The Undercover Fan

The University of Michigan plays the Ohio State University on Saturday for the 101st time in what many consider to be the country’s best college football rivalry. But it’s not much of a rivalry.

Michigan has never won. That’s right, they’ve lost 100 straight games.

And for all those who believe that U-M won just last year, 35-21 in Ann Arbor, well, said the frontman for Columbus punk rock band the Dead Schembechlers: “They are dupes, suckers who’ve been tricked by the ‘Wolverine liberal media.’”

In fact, the man who calls himself Bo Biafra believes many of the nation’s problems can be traced to the prissy campus in Ann Arbor.

“Did you know that the massive changes in our country’s weather patterns can be traced back to the time when Apollo 15 was in the air?” Biafra said. “Did you know who made up the crew? That’s right, three alumni from the University of Michigan!”

Read the entire article.