April in the "D"
Andy Buss
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Sports
April - it's the greatest month of the year to be a sports fan in Detroit. The Tigers' expected World Series season begins, the Pistons make what has become a routine run to the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals, and the Red Wings begin their usual plummet from the playoffs after a year of domination.
With the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins this past offseason, high expectations swirled around the Tigers as they entered the 2008 MLB season. All that is changing.
As the last remaining winless wonder in the majors, the Tigers, at 0-6, have questions to address to get their head above water in a solid American League Central Division. Relief pitching, clutch hitting - which was supposed to be a given - and health must be fortified before the team can make a run at .500, let alone the playoffs.
The Pistons on the other hand are their old down-to-business selves once again. Allowing only 90.2 points per game, the Pistons hold the No. 2 overall defense in the NBA. Does ESPN or TNT ever talk about the 'Stones?' No. Just the way the Pistons like it.
To go along with the "blue-collar," "defense first" and "we win as a team" mottos of the Pistons, anonymity fits in nicely. The Celtics, Lakers, Spurs and Suns have huge targets on their backs - but the Pistons? The Pistons are merely a staple in late May. They'll be there along with all the favorites. They just have their own way of going about it: quietly.
And then there are the Red Wings. Those dear, sweet, loveable Red Wings. You may wonder, as I do, why they torture us so. Gone are the days of "the Russian Five" or "the Grind Line." Heck, even Stevie Y is no longer with us! Despite the passing of those times, the Wings of today continue to find players and points to roll through regular season after regular season. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Lidstrom are just three of today's many reliable - I mean talented - Red Wings.
Oh yeah, there are still playoffs to win! It seems the Red Wings have forgotten this for several years. Year after year, including this year, Detroit brings home the President's Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. The problem is they forget how good they are each postseason and make early exits to often severely inferior teams. Not this year, they are too good.
For all of you Detroit sports fans out there, sit back, kick your feet up, grab a Faygo Rock 'n Rye and enjoy the games. April promises to provide no shortage of excitement and frustration.
Reach Andy at abuss@hillsdale.edu
With the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins this past offseason, high expectations swirled around the Tigers as they entered the 2008 MLB season. All that is changing.
As the last remaining winless wonder in the majors, the Tigers, at 0-6, have questions to address to get their head above water in a solid American League Central Division. Relief pitching, clutch hitting - which was supposed to be a given - and health must be fortified before the team can make a run at .500, let alone the playoffs.
The Pistons on the other hand are their old down-to-business selves once again. Allowing only 90.2 points per game, the Pistons hold the No. 2 overall defense in the NBA. Does ESPN or TNT ever talk about the 'Stones?' No. Just the way the Pistons like it.
To go along with the "blue-collar," "defense first" and "we win as a team" mottos of the Pistons, anonymity fits in nicely. The Celtics, Lakers, Spurs and Suns have huge targets on their backs - but the Pistons? The Pistons are merely a staple in late May. They'll be there along with all the favorites. They just have their own way of going about it: quietly.
And then there are the Red Wings. Those dear, sweet, loveable Red Wings. You may wonder, as I do, why they torture us so. Gone are the days of "the Russian Five" or "the Grind Line." Heck, even Stevie Y is no longer with us! Despite the passing of those times, the Wings of today continue to find players and points to roll through regular season after regular season. Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Lidstrom are just three of today's many reliable - I mean talented - Red Wings.
Oh yeah, there are still playoffs to win! It seems the Red Wings have forgotten this for several years. Year after year, including this year, Detroit brings home the President's Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. The problem is they forget how good they are each postseason and make early exits to often severely inferior teams. Not this year, they are too good.
For all of you Detroit sports fans out there, sit back, kick your feet up, grab a Faygo Rock 'n Rye and enjoy the games. April promises to provide no shortage of excitement and frustration.
Reach Andy at abuss@hillsdale.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
Skylar
posted 4/10/08 @ 2:47 PM EST
You want to name a team (really, a city) which doesn't get talked about by the national media? The Houston Rockets. They have to lose Yao Ming and win 20 games in a row to even get looked at. (Continued…)
Halla!
posted 4/10/08 @ 6:20 PM EST
You Michiganders need to get over yourselves. The Tigers losing streak was a much needed and timely reminder to you guys that pride comes before a fall. (Continued…)
Mark Perkins
Mark
posted 4/16/08 @ 7:03 PM EST
Look, I'm a homer. But some realities knock out even the blindest optimism; for example, this is the first year I've ever knocked Arizona off before the Sweet Sixteen in my bracket. (Continued…)
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