The Detroit Pistons former number 2 overall draft pick Darko Milicic has mad it no secret he intends to leave the NBA after this season and try to find a team in Europe. Darko has also let his feelings be known of how he feels towards the NBA and the Detroit Pistons.
“I don’t know why they (Detroit Pistons) took me with the second pick if you’re not going to play me,” Milicic said. “I never understood that, you know. I was happy being the second pick and all that kind of stuff, but I never knew what I got myself into. I never knew I was coming here not to play. Nobody was telling me anything. Coming from Europe, you know, what do I know? I just wanted to play basketball."
“They lie to everybody,” Milicic. “It’s the NBA. The NBA, all around the league, same (crap). Be ready. Your chance is going to come. All that kind of (crap). (Bleep) that. … I’ve got enough of that kind of stuff, so I decided I’m going to go play in Europe and enjoy a little bit play.
“I’ve go to be real, there is no team in the league that is going to give me the chance that I’m looking for,” Milicic continued. “My only chance is back in Europe. I’m going to do that. I want to be happy. I want to play. So for me, to go to Europe and have a good chance.
Well Darko, I didn't want to have to be the one to tell you this, but since you don't understand why you never played in Detroit, here is what happened...
Joe Dumars saw a grainy video of you from some overseas scout and thought WOW, a 7-footer who can dribble! But then once you got here, he figured out that you are soft, can't post-up, rebound or remember a play. Thus you were sat at the end of the bench until the Pistons were 20 points on an opposing team. Which is also how you got your nickname "The Human Victory Cigar".
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Charles Rogers is Smart
Former Detroit Lion and current Village Idiot Charles Rogers will be back in court soon after passing out in a Mexican restaurant in Novi after drinking too much. This is of course a violation of Charles' probation and if convicted, he will most likely face jail time.
This was a particularly great decision by Charles considering a few months earlier he was found by the Novi Fire Department passed out in his car with the engine running. Rogers failed sobriety tests and was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a valid license.
This was a particularly great decision by Charles considering a few months earlier he was found by the Novi Fire Department passed out in his car with the engine running. Rogers failed sobriety tests and was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired and driving without a valid license.
Detroit Lions: Who's in & Who's Out
The worst NFL team of the decade and maybe ever, the Detroit Lions will begin trying to figure out who to keep and who to give the boot before next year. Personally, I hope at least half the team is cut. The Lions were ridiculously hard to watch as they just didn't have the talent to compete with other teams.....again.
Below is Tom "Killer" Kowalski's position-by-position breakdown of the 2009 key players and whether they will be around in 2010.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is the starter and Daunte Culpepper won't be back. Look for the Lions to bring in a veteran free agent to compete with Drew Stanton for the No. 2 job.
The Lions likely will try to upgrade their No. 1 spot, but they like Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown in backup roles. Fullback Jerome Felton will have to show improvement in camp.
The Lions won't give up on Derrick Williams after just one year. Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt still are under contract, but it's unlikely both will stay, especially if the Lions draft a speedy receiver.
The position is pretty much set. Brandon Pettigrew is the starter and Casey FitzSimmons is the all-purpose guy who also is strong on special teams. Will Heller is an unrestricted free agent and the Lions will look to sign a blocking specialist.
Other than the four top starters, this unit could undergo a huge transformation. Dylan Gandy could be back because he can play guard and center, while Jon Jansen provides excellent experience at backup tackle.
Cliff Avril had a disappointing season but he has some special skills, while Sammie Hill is a work in progress. Grady Jackson's future is uncertain if the Lions draft a tackle and some of the other veterans have a chance to stay, but nobody's a lock.
The Lions could look to replace Larry Foote and Julian Peterson. DeAndre Levy can fill one of those spots. Foote is an unrestricted free agent and Peterson has a huge contract, and it's very unlikely he'll take a pay cut.
Will James and Anthony Henry are unrestricted free agents, while Phillip Buchanon played well in the second half of the season but his inconsistency irritated the coaching staff.
If he keeps on his current track, Louis Delmas is on the verge of something special. He needs some help. The Lions need to add speed and savvy. One of the veterans could return, but, again, no one is a lock.
Below is Tom "Killer" Kowalski's position-by-position breakdown of the 2009 key players and whether they will be around in 2010.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is the starter and Daunte Culpepper won't be back. Look for the Lions to bring in a veteran free agent to compete with Drew Stanton for the No. 2 job.
- Who's in: Stafford
- Who's on the bubble: Culpepper, Stanton
The Lions likely will try to upgrade their No. 1 spot, but they like Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown in backup roles. Fullback Jerome Felton will have to show improvement in camp.
- Who's in: Smith, Brown
- Who's on the bubble: Maurice Morris, Felton
The Lions won't give up on Derrick Williams after just one year. Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt still are under contract, but it's unlikely both will stay, especially if the Lions draft a speedy receiver.
- Who's in: Calvin Johnson and Williams
- Who's on the bubble: Bryant Johnson and Northcutt
The position is pretty much set. Brandon Pettigrew is the starter and Casey FitzSimmons is the all-purpose guy who also is strong on special teams. Will Heller is an unrestricted free agent and the Lions will look to sign a blocking specialist.
- Who's in: Pettigrew and FitzSimmons
- Who's on the bubble: None
Other than the four top starters, this unit could undergo a huge transformation. Dylan Gandy could be back because he can play guard and center, while Jon Jansen provides excellent experience at backup tackle.
- Who's in: Jeff Backus, Dominic Raiola, Gosder Cherilus and Stephen Peterman
- Who's on the bubble: Jansen, Gandy, Manny Ramirez and Daniel Loper
Cliff Avril had a disappointing season but he has some special skills, while Sammie Hill is a work in progress. Grady Jackson's future is uncertain if the Lions draft a tackle and some of the other veterans have a chance to stay, but nobody's a lock.
- Who's in: Jared DeVries, Avril and Hill
- Who's on the bubble: Jackson, Jason Hunter, Dewayne White, Landon Cohen and Andre Fluellen
The Lions could look to replace Larry Foote and Julian Peterson. DeAndre Levy can fill one of those spots. Foote is an unrestricted free agent and Peterson has a huge contract, and it's very unlikely he'll take a pay cut.
- Who's in: Ernie Sims, Levy and Zack Follett
- Who's on the bubble: Peterson, Foote and Jordon Dizon
Will James and Anthony Henry are unrestricted free agents, while Phillip Buchanon played well in the second half of the season but his inconsistency irritated the coaching staff.
- Who's in: Eric King
- Who's on the bubble: Buchanon, DeAngelo Smith and Brian Witherspoon
If he keeps on his current track, Louis Delmas is on the verge of something special. He needs some help. The Lions need to add speed and savvy. One of the veterans could return, but, again, no one is a lock.
- Who's in: Delmas
- Who's on the bubble: Ko Simpson, Kalvin Pearson, Daniel Bullocks and Marvin White
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Jordan Dumars Transfers to University of Michigan
Former Detroit Country Day guard Jordan Dumars (son of current Detroit Pistons GM Joe Dumars) is now enrolled at U-M, after spending a semester at Southern Florida. Dumars' reason for transferring? He wants to play closer to home. Most likely he will be considered a walk-on and would be eligible to play at the end of the fall semester next season.
Not to play armchair quarterback here, but I was never sure why Dumars didn't pick Michigan originally. Dumars is a great outside shooter, but not necessarily someone who can create his own shot. He needs to come off a screen and get open in that manner.... translation, he is a perfect match for the Wolverines heavy 3-point shooting offense.
Oakland's Benson Drawing Attention from NBA Scouts
From NBAdraft.net
NBA Draft: Stock Watch - Risers
Keith Benson
Oakland University, Junior
C - 6'11", 225lbs
Keith Benson has been one the most productive center prospects in the country thus far. Through 8 games, Benson is averaging 17.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, and 3.9 blocks per.
Benson made scouts take notice with his dominance of Cole Aldrich in Oakland’s match up with Kansas the day before Thanksgiving.
Benson blocked 2 of Aldrich’s first 3 shots, affecting the preseason All American with his length and shot blocking and outplayed him throughout the game, despite Kansas running away with it. Aldrich finished with just 4pts (2-10 fg), 9reb and 3blk while Benson went for 20pts, 6reb, and 4blk.
Far from a complete player, some scouts wonder if he can ever put the necessary weight on to merit a first round selection. Right now Benson struggles to hold position in the block, however some scouts point to the fact that he has never had a proper training regiment and that Oakland likely is not up to the level of top division one schools in weight training.
Due to his incomplete skills and body, Benson is a guy who, like Jerome Jordan of Tulsa, would benefit by returning for his senior year.
But if he did decide to go this year, he is a player who could get together with a top trainer (like Tim Grover or Joe Abunassar) once the season ends and potentially put on 15-20 pounds. You will remember Grover worked with NBA veteran Steven Hunter before the 2001 draft transforming the young post player's body and helping him to become a first rounder (15th overall after many felt he was a 2nd rounder).
Regardless, Benson is a player on the rise who stepped up big in what will likely be his biggest individual match up all season (Aldrich).
NBA Draft: Stock Watch - Risers
Keith Benson
Oakland University, Junior
C - 6'11", 225lbs
Keith Benson has been one the most productive center prospects in the country thus far. Through 8 games, Benson is averaging 17.3 ppg, 10.6 rpg, and 3.9 blocks per.
Benson made scouts take notice with his dominance of Cole Aldrich in Oakland’s match up with Kansas the day before Thanksgiving.
Benson blocked 2 of Aldrich’s first 3 shots, affecting the preseason All American with his length and shot blocking and outplayed him throughout the game, despite Kansas running away with it. Aldrich finished with just 4pts (2-10 fg), 9reb and 3blk while Benson went for 20pts, 6reb, and 4blk.
Far from a complete player, some scouts wonder if he can ever put the necessary weight on to merit a first round selection. Right now Benson struggles to hold position in the block, however some scouts point to the fact that he has never had a proper training regiment and that Oakland likely is not up to the level of top division one schools in weight training.
Due to his incomplete skills and body, Benson is a guy who, like Jerome Jordan of Tulsa, would benefit by returning for his senior year.
But if he did decide to go this year, he is a player who could get together with a top trainer (like Tim Grover or Joe Abunassar) once the season ends and potentially put on 15-20 pounds. You will remember Grover worked with NBA veteran Steven Hunter before the 2001 draft transforming the young post player's body and helping him to become a first rounder (15th overall after many felt he was a 2nd rounder).
Regardless, Benson is a player on the rise who stepped up big in what will likely be his biggest individual match up all season (Aldrich).
GVSU Announces New Football Coach
From Detnews.com
Matt Mitchell has been named head football coach at Grand Valley State.
Mitchell has been a Lakers assistant under Chuck Martin for six years, the last two as defensive coordinator. Martin left Grand Valley to become defensive backs coach at Notre Dame.
Mitchell, 35, is the seventh head coach in school history. Grand Valley is located in Allendale, Mich. Grand Valley won more games (122) during the 2000s than any other program -- Division I, Division I-AA or Division II. Grand Valley plays Division II football.
In 2008, Mitchell's defense was ranked second nationally in sacks (4.17 per game) and fourth in scoring defense (12.6). In 2009, the Lakers gave up 17.7 points per game.
"The Grand Valley State football program has a great tradition of excellence and I am excited about the opportunity to lead our student-athletes," Mitchell said in a statement. "I am following in the footsteps of some outstanding football coaches and I am looking to continue to build on the tradition already established."
Mitchell is married to Jenny Selgo, the daughter of Grand Valley athletic director Tim Selgo.
The Lakers have won four national championships since 2002. This year they lost in the championship game, 30-23, to Northwest Missouri State.
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