Leelanau Sports Guy at sportspig.com

Opinions on five current sports topics from yours truly and amazingly one isn’t about our 6-2 Lions…

1. Detroit Tigers Playoff Run – I had a blast following the Tigers bid for the World Series. Although they fell a bit short, it was a great season and the Tigers have a promising future. The rotation remains a strength and if they can get consistency from Rick Porcello and find a reliable fifth starter (Jacob Turner?) then I think they’ll compete again. As far as second base, not much to pick from out there, but maybe a platoon involving Ramon Santiago will make due! I’ll miss Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez, but both will be remembered for having great Tiger careers.

2. Tony La Russa – As much as I love Sparky Anderson, I have to say Tony La Russa is the best baseball manager of my lifetime. All he’s done is win, in the era of free agency no less, and then changed the way the bullpen is managed to create favorable matchups. Congratulations to Tony La Russa and the Cardinals!

3. NBA Lockout – I know I’m not the only NBA fan who just doesn’t seem to care they aren’t playing right now? or actually, if they ever do again? I don’t know how to explain it, but the NBA just doesn’t really excite me much anymore.

4. Michigan/Michigan State Football – Two strong seasons so far on the gridiron and it’s looking like two warm weather bowl games for both the Wolverines and Spartans. I think both teams still have alot to work on, but I like where both programs are. MSU is maintaining a high level and Michigan is almost back!

5. Diet Time – Started the old diet again (Weight Watchers, yeah!) and now just need to come up with a good workout program!

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

Was reading Hawks assess trade interest in Smith at Yahoo! Sports and found this buried near the end…

Houston continues to offer the 14th and 23rd picks in the draft to move into the top 10, and could have a willing partner with the Detroit Pistons at No. 8. The Pistons have told teams they won’t trade down until they see who drops to them on draft night, sources said. In what could be an interesting window into the Pistons’ preferences, San Diego State forward Kawhi Leonard worked out for Detroit on Monday, and shortly thereafter cancelled his Wednesday workout with the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the 10th pick. Several executives believe Leonard may have left Auburn Hills with a guarantee.

My View: Just who is Kawhi Leonard? Well, he’s a 6’7″ forward who averaged over 15.5 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game and left San Diego State after his sophomore season. Leonard’s numbers show him as being consistent throughout the season, but no real big games (a high of 23 points), with only two games failing to score double figures. He looks like a solid player, but not sure if he has that superstar game.

The New York Times has a nice breakdown of the Crossover Dribble. It features among others Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson and Tim Hardaway.

Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Co-Founder sent me a link to his review of Wuerfel Park, home of the Traverse City Beach Bums. I’ve always enjoyed myself when attending a game and agree with much of what he says here. I wasn’t thrilled when they went to the turf, and it’s definitely a negative in Paul’s eyes. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Stadium Journey is…

a brand-new web venture. Our goal is to become a world-class community resource for sports fans, built around optimizing the experience of traveling to and attending live sporting events. We provide top-notch editorial content and reviews of sports stadiums. We rely on fans to provide tips and information about their favorite home stadium, or a first time impression. By sharing our knowledge, we can make every trip to the ballpark, stadium, or arena the very best it can be. Enjoy the journey!

I also found some other reviews of stadiums in our great state of Michigan, give them a read if you’re thinking of heading to a game!

Comerica Park – Detroit Tigers (My View: I love Comerica Park, but miss the closeness of old Tiger Stadium. You’re so far away from the action, but that’s how stadiums are built today.)

The Palace of Auburn Hills – Detroit Pistons (My View: I’ve had many great memories from games and concerts. Grant Hill vs. Michael Jordan was one of my favorites!)

Ford Field – Detroit Lions (My View: It looks great from the outside!)

Joe Louis Arena – Detroit Red Wings (I’ll always remember my first game at Joe Louis Arena. We were sitting in a suite of a friend’s uncle and we had a blast! Bob Probert had some monster hits and the Wings defeated the hated Chicago Blackhawks. I don’t remember the score, can’t find the ticket stub right now, but I know I didn’t leave the arena hungry!)

Photo courtesy of Stadium Journey

Cover story features interviews with Olympic Gold Medalist Roberto Luongo and Silver Medalist Brian Rafalski. Plus article on the infamous Tail of the Tiger Golf Balls, The Hanson Brothers and a whole lot more! Detroit’s ONLY sports magazine is In Play!

DIRECT LINK

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Rodney Stuckey underwent a completely negative cardiac evaluation under the direction of University of Michigan’s (Fred Morady, M.D.), Cleveland Clinic’s (Thomas Dresing, M.D.) and the Detroit Medical Center’s (Luis Alfonso, M.D.).

The combined opinion is that Rodney may return to a progressive exercise program.

by Steve St-Pierre

Pistons point guard Rodney Stuckey collapsed on the team’s bench at the 2:30 mark of the third quarter of Detroit’s loss last night in Cleveland to the Cavaliers. He was carried out on a stretcher with an oxygen mask and transported to Cleveland Clinic.

Tests came back negative, and the team says Stuckey should return to Detroit today. The 23-year-old guard experienced similar dizziness last season and wound up missing two games. He’s started every game for the Pistons this season, but should he have to miss time, veterans Will Bynum, Ben Gordon and Chucky Atkins would likely split the minutes at point guard.

It was an emotional scene following the game when both teams huddled and prayed for Stuckey and his family. Members of both teams admitted to be shaken by the incident and remained adamant that his health was more important than the game itself.

Just got a heads up about a new commercial that will air one-time only during the Final Four on Saturday. Here’s the details and a sneek peak at the commercial featuring former Detroit Pistons Rick Mahorn and Kelly Tripucka, and former tennis great John McEnroe.

The Final Four on CBS this Saturday will be interrupted by John McEnroe.  The three-time Wimbledon and four-time US Open Champion, who recently turned 50, will be serving up a bit of humor for the 50 year-olds watching the Final Four on CBS this Saturday. Mac, alongside 50 year-old hoopsters Kelly Tripucka and Rick Mahorn, will appear in a vignette that will ONLY air one-time encouraging men to visit www.50over50challenge.com and get serious about their prostate health (specifically enlarging prostate).

Check it out!

Surfing the web at lunch, I stumbled upon an article by josh q. public titled Grant Hill: Iron Man?. It was Grant Hill’s 75th game of the season last night and it means he has played in all of the Phoenix Suns games this season. But here’s what struck me the most…

He was NBA Rookie the Year.  He made All-Star team after All Star team.  All-NBA first team.  Led the NBA in triple-doubles.  Twice.  Get the papers, get the papers.  First player since Larry Legend to average 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a season.  Nobody’s done it since.  Nobody.  Joined the Stilt and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history to lead their teams in scoring, rebounding and assists more than once.

I had forgotten how dominant a player Grant Hill was in the beginning of his career with the Detroit Pistons, luckily this video helped me remember!

I remember some of those plays, wow!

WOW! That was the first word I thought of when I read this. People have always talked about the Pistons lack of a true “superstar” and this trade would instantly remove that label. Allen Iverson would bring some serious star power to a team and might even make them the favorites in the East. Plus, as an added bonus, it potentially frees up major cash for next summer’s free agent class!

Read Sources: Nuggets to acquire Billups in agreed-to Iverson trade at ESPN.com

Updated: Read Piston fans reactions here!

My View: A great trade. I didn’t like Chauncey’s contract to begin with as his skills are starting to decline and we were going to have to watch it for the next couple of seasons. Iverson will be playing for a new and probably last large contract, so you know he’ll behave and give his best effort. Plus it allows more minutes for the young core especially Stuckey and Maxiell. All in all, I’ll miss what the consistency that Chauncey and Dice gave us, but the possibility of Iverson lighting it up for 40 on any given night will be fun to watch. I think this trade makes the Pistons the best team in the East!

Here’s the details…

Coach Michael Curry will lead a Detroit Pistons contingent that will be in Traverse City today for a pep rally from 3-6 p.m.

The Traverse City stop is part of a six-city tip-off tour for the NBA team. The tour will also include Scott Perry, vice president of basketball operations; guards Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo; and broadcasters George Blaha and Greg Kelser.

The Pistons year-round hoops truck, featuring interactive games, will be on hand at the corner of Union and Front streets for the outside pep rally. The Pistons’ dance team “Automotion” will perform. Blaha and Kelser will host a short program previewing the upcoming season with Curry, Stuckey and Afflalo addressing the crowd. The traveling party will also be available for autographs.

The event is free and open to the pubic.

Read Pistons tour stops in Traverse City today in the Record Eagle

Mitch Albom sat down with Detroit Pistons and Detroit Shock owner Bill Davidson recently and Davidson shared his thoughts on former players, his Hall of Fame induction, and much more in this great interview with one of the best owners in the history of Michigan sports.

Read Hall-bound Bill Davidson on all the banners and all the bummers in the Freep

Just a quick post to videos of the best dunks, clutch plays and more from the 2007-2008 NBA regular season and playoffs. Some of those dunks are amazing!

View Top 10s of the Regular Season and Playoffs at NBA.com

Opinions on five current sports topics from yours truly…

1. Tigers are done – It’s all over but the cryin’ in 2008. Another blown lead last night puts the Tigers 8.5 games back in the divsion race. Sheffield was put on waivers and the moves looking to slash payroll and ready the team for a run in 2009 will start now!

2. Kwame Brown? – The signing of Brown has brought opinions saying it’s a waste of money and that it’s a good deal for the Pistons. It’s hard to argue either side, but I think Joe D may have found another diamond in the rough and if the solid veteran leadership of Chauncey, Rip and McDyess can bring Kwame along, he could be a pleasant surpise and really help shore up the depth on the frontline.

3. Lions over .500 – That’s my official prediction, I have this weird feeling that the Lions are going to finish 9-7 and contend for a wild card berth. While this isn’t a new prediction around these parts, I think this is really, finally, positively, the year they get over that hump. I know on paper they seem less talented, but I think that head coach Rod Marinelli has finally gotten the roster where he wants it and has gotten rid of the players he’s needed to. I still think they will struggle to run the ball, but they won’t be so quick to abandon it either. A healthy Calvin Johnson is going to be huge for quarterback Jon Kitna. Johnson and Roy Williams should provide some offensive sparks this season. I’m looking forward to it!

4. College Football – It’s finally almost here! I can’t wait. I like Michigan and Michigan State to both have solid years and for the first time in a while MSU will have the better record. I just love Mark Dantonio and think he’s got the Spartans heading up, up, up and will be a mainstay in the Big Ten title race for years to come. Rich Rodriguez is still looking for quarterbacks but will have his team competitive and tough to play against defensively.

5. Shock visit TC – A neat experience on Monday for some Traverse City area youth girls basketball players as the Detroit Shock (minus Katie Smith who is playing in the Olympics) visited during the Olympic break for a camp and clinic at Traverse City West. I love to see stories like this and I am sure it’s something those girls won’t forget anytime soon.

If you want to let the me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!