Thanks

I will no longer be updating this site and will now only focus on my new site.  Thank you for your support, my blog went very few visitors to developing its own constantly growing following.  Please continue to follow my posts on http://puremichigansports.com

Thanks, once again for your comments and support.

New Website

Despite being under “construction” new website is uphttp://puremichigansports.com/.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions, or adjustments that need to be made.  Thanks!

Pistons Draft Round Up

After selecting big man Greg Monroe in the first round, the Pistons took a flyer on SG Terrico White in the 2nd round.  White’s strongest asset is his athletic ability, he possess the skills to jump out of the gym.  This was  a case where the Pistons took the best athlete available, it will be interesting to see if White can make the team or spend time in the D-League.

The Pistons headed into the draft with trade rumors swirling in every direction.  Analysts has the Pistons trading up for Center DeMarcus Cousins, trading picks and players for the Timberwolves Al Jefferson, sending Prince to the Kings, and the list went on and on.  After the draft was all said and done the NBA saw numerous moves, but none by the Pistons.  Granted the offseason is still young and the Pistons have plenty of time to make trades.  However, the draft and the trade deadline are when 90% of trades in the league happen.  Maybe the trade rumors surrounding the Pistons were all just talk, or deals that did not make sense for the Pistons.  Despite the inactivity I still anticipate the Pistons to do everything they can to trade Prince, and Hamilton.  Prince is the most likely to be dealt since he has an expiring contract, but the clog of money and minutes at the shooting guard position will force the Pistons to deal Hamilton ASAP.

Pistons Draft Day-1st Round Pick

Heading into this draft the Pistons were focused on beefing up their front line by adding a big man with their first round pick.  They spent the days leading up to the draft trying to move up to draft Center DeMarcus Cousins.  Their failure to do so forced them to watch the Sacramento Kings select him with the fifth overall pick.  The Warriors used the sixth pick to draft another big man with upside in Epke Udoh.  With both of these players off of the board the Pistons took the next best big man Greg Monroe.  He instantly brings much needed size, and is the best passing big man in the draft.  Not to mention his rebounding and scoring skills will allow him the opportunity to be a starter right away. Maybe not the player everyone wanted, but Monroe has the potential to be a solid pro.

Website Coming Soon

I will be officially transferring my blog over to my website http://puremichigansports.com.  The site is under heavy construction right now, but should be completed in the next few days.  I will keep this blog active, but will eventually just update only on the website.  I will also be changing my twitter account from @joshalltrades to @pureMIsports.   Big changes are on the horizon.

Pistons Offseason Approach

With the NBA Draft a mere two days away its time to contemplate what direction GM Joe Dumars will lead the Pistons ongoing rebuilding attempt.  Rumors have been rampant that the Pistons are desperate to trade up to select Center DeMarcus Cousins from Kentucky.  It seems unlikely a trade will occur, but Cousins immaturity may allow him to drop to the Pistons anyway.  Regardless of the pick, whether its Cousins, Udoh, Aldrich or someone else, the Pistons will be drafting a big man.  After adding size to the draft the Pistons will focus on trying to trade Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Ben Gordon and/or Jason Maxiell.  The next goal of the offseason will be to decide where Rodney Stuckey fits on this team.  Hopefully Dumars finally comes to the realization that Stuckey is not a point guard, but a solid shooting guard.  It would be in the Pistons best interest to pursue a veteran point guard via free agency.  The name that sticks out to me, and seems most realistic, is Raymond Felton.  Although the Bobcats will be adamant about re-signing the talented point guard, his price tag will likely be out of the their price range.  Naturally it doesn’t make sense for the Pistons to add payroll, unless they can trade one of their over paid, and unnecessary players (aforementioned Prince, Hamilton, Gordon and Maxiell).  This is a crucial offseason for the Pistons, and it won’t be easy with the pending sale of the team, but Dumars job is on line.  Many have called out his ability to judge talent and manage a payroll, not to mention question if former assistant and current GM of the Bucks, John Hammond was more responsible for the Pistons success over Dumars.

Miggy’s MVP Numbers

The Tigers have gotten several outstanding performances from Jackson’s hot start, Maggs resurgence, Galarraga’s perfect game that wasn’t, impressive bullpen play, Boesch’s stunning rookie stats, solid starts from Bonderman and strong starting pitching from Verlander.  However no player has been more impressive on the Tigers, or even in the entire league, than Miguel Cabrera.  For a team that has (have scored 17th most runs in baseball)  struggled to score, Miggy has put this team on his back.  He leads both leagues in home runs(19), RBIs(59), and would be a serious threat to win the triple crown, but he trails Robinson Cano by .50 points in batting average(.332) in the AL.  Miggy has also been outstanding in the clutch, batting .375 with runners in scoring position and .345 with runners in scoring position and two outs.  Obviously he has gotten help, but its safe to say the Tigers would be far closer to the Royals than the Twins in the standings, without Miggys amazing start to the season.

Wings Re-Sign Bertuzzi to 2-Year Deal

The Red Wings announced yesterday that they re-signed forward Todd Bertuzzi.  Despite the Red Wings being excited about bringing Bertuzzi back, I am not a fan of the deal.  While I will admit for his price tag, (from last season; terms were not disclosed on his new deal) he performed well, 18 goals and 44 points.  However Bertuzzi is a streaky player, he will go several weeks contributing points and solid shifts and other weeks offering very little.  Personally, I felt the Wings would have been wise to scavenger the open market to see if they could not find a younger version of Bertuzzi for a similar price.  I had heard rumors that the Wings were heavily interested in brining Bertuzzi back once the playoffs ended, so the deal itself isn’t a surprise.  I am shocked that they decided to give him a two year deal.  Granted a two year contract will allow his cap number to be lower, no matter his yearly total, but why not give him a one year deal with a team option on the second year?  Hopefully Bertuzzi can bring his 44 points from last season to next year, but the Wings could look foolish by risking a two year deal on a streaky player with a history of injuries.

*Just saw on SB Nation Detroit that Bertuzzi’s deal is 2 years for 3.875 million, cap hit of 1.937million a year.  This makes me like the deal even less.  I understand Bertuzzi wanted a raise and a two year deal, but were the Wings fighting off suitors that they needed to give in to both of his demands?  The Wings will definitely regret this decision.  This off season was about getting younger, faster, and better, not sure how giving a raise to an aging, slow, streaky player helps…

Izzo Stays to Build on MSU Legacy

After MSU announced Izzo was staying, they held a press conference to make the announcement official.  Izzo spoke at great length about his decision making process, including why he eventually deciding to stay at MSU (he also took Q & A with the media, including putting Detroit News writer Lynn Henning in his place).

Although the Cavs presented the riches, MSU Alum Owner, and potential for Izzo to coach one of the best players in the world, none of that beat his situation at MSU.  He explained that he felt it was a greater opportunity to go out and recruit the next wave of LeBron’s than it was to simply coach him with the Cavs.  Ultimately, his decision was based around family and continuing to build an elite program.

Izzo spoke eloquently about the support he received from his Spartan basketball family.  He had former players, and coaches calling to offer their opinions and support.  As he reflected on these calls and conversations, it help confirm what he had built at MSU.  Izzo has been much more than simply the head coach of the basketball team, he has helped build a Spartan basketball family that has made the program stronger.  Yes, the selling point that any player who stays four years has made it to a Final Four helps, but the culture he has created keeps players coming back.  Izzo also spent time talking about what being a Spartan for life meant to him.  He plans on spending his remaining time at MSU chasing the Coach K’s, Boeheim’s, and Calhoun’s of the world, and adding more National Championship banners to the rafters in the process.  These were things the Cavs could not offer.

He also took the time to acknowledge his growing relationship with AD Mark Hollis and MSU’s football head coach Mark Dantonio.  He displayed confidence that the three of them have the best intentions of doing everything they can to turn MSU into a powerhouse program.  Izzo loves coaching, teaching, and building families, but he also loves winning.  He feels together this trio has what it takes to take MSU to the next level, an opportunity he had no real interest in walking away from.

Among the other reasons for staying was the Izzo family as well.  Last time Izzo was contemplating leaving for the NBA it was with the Atlanta Hawks.  He took the family to check out the facilities and as they were in the Hawks arena his daughter began signing the MSU fight song, not long after the Izzo’s were out the door at back on a plane to East Lansing. Once again his daughter Raquel played a role in Izzo’s decision explaining to her dad her commitment to the community and family they had created and her desire to continue to be apart of that.  When asking his daughter about what she thought she said  ”Gosh Dad I don’t want to leave, what about all of our ‘boys’?”  Izzo reminded her about what a great people person she was, but you could tell what she said next really hit home with Izzo “I know Dad, but if you went there they’d be my friend because of who you are, and here they’re my friend because of the people we built.”

At the end of the day Izzo showed no signs of regret and stressed how focused he was to move on and get back to work.  Maybe the process took too long and maybe Izzo didn’t say all the things Spartan fans wanted to here over the last nine days or at the press conference.  However, hearing he is a “Spartan for life” and is only focused on building the program to win as many championships as possible sure made all that time and agony disappear pretty quickly.

Tom Izzo Stays at MSU

After what seemed like an eternity Tom Izzo has finally made a decision, he is staying at MSU!  Shortly after MSU announced he was coming back Izzo said “I’m pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State”.  He has finally turned down the Cleveland Cavaliers to stay with the Spartans.  Izzo has left Spartan fans waiting for positive news for just over ten days now, boy did he come through in a big way.  Early reports began surfacing from WDIV channel Four Detroit around 4:30pm and more reports kept on until MSU officially confirmed around 7:30pm.  I must admit, today I officially resigned to the fact that Izzo was leaving.  I kept thinking if he was truly going to stay with MSU positive feelings would have surfaced.  Apparently he was waiting for me to completely doubt his return before finally making up his mind (sorry I took so long).   After making the decision Izzo described the process as agonizing in deciding what was clearly an opportunity of a life time.  I am so glad to hear that he was able to reassure himself the grass will always be greener at MSU.

Izzo deserved all of the time necessary to make his decision, but the good news makes the wait more than worth it.  He has become the face of MSU, and single handily put Spartan basketball on the map.  Had he left I am sure MSU would have said all the right things in wishing him well, but it would have been nearly impossible to replace him.  With this decision behind him he will quickly go back to work and start recruiting the class of 2012.  However, I hope these past ten days were a outstanding reflection of how much the Spartan family loves him, and how perfectly he fits at MSU.  Please, don’t ever do this again.