Bleacher Report - Articles by Mike Feld

Despite Collapse, One Game Playoff Could Benefit Detroit Tigers

Mike Feld — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:29:24 -0400

It all comes down to this.

Throw all the stats out the window. Forget about the division lead that, just weeks ago, sat at seven games. Look past the fact that a team that has been in first place since May could not wrap up the pennant in October. Ignore the stat goonies who have repeatedly reminded everyone that this could be the most epic collapse in baseball history.

Now, it’s about one final game.

Should fans be worried? Absolutely. Should stomachs twist in knots as the plot takes roller coaster turns like the buildup of a mind-bending movie?

If you didn’t have that feeling, you wouldn’t have a pulse.

It’s playoff baseball now. After 162 games, nothing is settled. For the Tigers to go to the actual postseason, the team must win in the pre-postseason, a one-game playoff on the road against a team that went 11-7 against it in 2009.

This might be a disaster scenario in the minds of many. After all, this team was supposed to lock up the division days ago. But making the playoffs is not the end of the end of this team’s fantasy. It hopes to make a deep postseason run, just as it did in 2006.

That is why this may be a blessing in disguise for the olde English D.

If the Tigers hope to play baseball beyond next week, there’s a multiple of situations that the team must thrive in. For one, it must win a high-pressure game with the season on the line. For two, it must win a do-or-die on the road.

Both situations have merged to create the perfect storm underneath the fiberglass roof of the Metrodome.

Detroit has conquered that season-on-the-line dramatics. Sunday’s game was it. A loss knocks this team out; a win promises at least one more game. Despite stranding nine runners on base, the Tiger bats peppered five runs on the Chicago White Sox through six innings. Included were three home runs, treating a devoted Tiger fan base to a free Arby’s sandwich for one last time this season.

The Tigers might lose on Tuesday. That is fair. If Detroit can’t win that game, there would be no point in this team wasting time and energy in the playoffs. The Yankees would would have its way with this team.

But if the Tigers win, they’ll carry all the momentum in the world to Yankee Stadium. Beating a rival on the road in what would be the final contest ever in a 27-year-old stadium is impressive.

Doing it in a one game playoff would just be the cherry on top.

This is playoff baseball, Tiger fans. This is why you watch. If it was easy and drama free, no one would care. But this is why we watch. This is why we shell out our hard earned dollars for tickets, parking and beer. This is why we buy overpriced, screen printed T-shirts. This is why our work, school and social lives often suffer for 25 strangers.

This is as good as it gets.

Michigan Fans Should Remember There's a Game To Be Played On Saturday

Mike Feld — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:09:08 -0400

Late Monday morning, Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez paced himself. Calmly, he moved into a large room of the Junge Family Champions Center, stepped to the podium and began to address the media.

“Normally I don't bring notes, I kind of speak what's on the top of my mind. But I did write a few notes down here for obvious reasons,” he said.

Rodriguez reminded the media of why he was there. It was supposed to be an exciting day, as they normally are in college football programs across the country. Full of optimism and excitement, the first game week press conference of the season normally comes as a jubilant celebration.

“I want to talk the majority of the time about Western Michigan,” Rodriguez said.

That didn’t happen.

Question after question flowed in about the allegations. Like a broken record, Rich Rod confidently spoke on the situation, despite his previous commitment not to.

He attempted to talk about the Broncos. He discussed the three-man quarterback situation. He talked about WMU’s own stellar signal caller in Tim Hiller. He talked about Bronco head coach Bill Cubit, and his gritty play calling against Rodriguez when he was at West Virginia and Cubit was the offensive coordinator at Rutgers.

But the inquiries kept coming.

Those lingering questions consumed the morning, bled over to the afternoon, and still remained a top story in the evening. The Rich Rod teary-eyed sob will likely go in the second tier of famous coach breakdowns at a presser, along with the likes of UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun’s “Get Some Facts” flame up and U-M women’s hoops coach Kevin Borseth attacking a podium.

Hey, folks. There’s a game to be played Saturday. And unlike the past, this game against the Western Michigan Broncos is no tune-up.

The Broncos already displayed strong evidence of why it can win this matchup way before Sunday’s allegations broke. Coming off a nine-win season, WMU played in its second bowl game in three years last winter.

Despite losing some of its top contributors, the Bronco offensive line is among the most experienced in college football. Hiller, returning from knee surgery, is poised to be among the nation’s top quarterbacks… and that’s considering the likes of Florida’s Tim Tebow, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, and Texas’ Colt McCoy.

Now, the Broncos will enter Michigan Stadium to face a team in disarray.

Granted, fans of the Brown and Gold should not expect a fluff team in its opponent. This is a hungry team coming off its worst year in school history. It has a lot to prove, and a lot of motivation to succeed.

But one can’t help but think this is a distraction, considering the game has been put on the backburner.

For the doubters, it was evident on Monday. Reporters told that players would not address the situation, and were asked not ask questions on the matter. But the persistent members of the media pressed the issue, and the players cracked—against the instruction of the university.

Lineman Mark Ortmann said he felt the team was not overworked and even thought the incident was laughable. Linebacker Obi Ezeh talked about staying focused and eager to play football.

But perhaps the most interesting of them all was lineman David Moosman.

Listed at 6’5” and 293 Moosman displayed the stereotypical look of a big ugly in the trenches. Hair uncombed and grizzled beard covering his face, Moosman looked like a tough, battle-tested athlete ready to handle the pressure.

But instead, Moosman admitted that Michigan athletic director Bill Martin had addressed the team. He informed the interested ears in the room that he had talked openly to the school about the situation, and all players were expected to do the same.

The awkward feeling in the room was, quite frankly, indescribable.

Enter Western Michigan. Forgotten about and slipping under the radar, the team has never knocked off U-M (0-4 all-time). For a mid-major school on the up-and-up, this is the one shot it has at making a namesake.

And everyone has already forgotten the team will be in Ann Arbor this weekend.

Fans, friends, students and alumni of the University of Michigan should feel proud of their school. Saturday will mark the beginning of the 130th season of program history. The new renovations at Michigan Stadium, which included fancy luxury boxes, will debut as well.

Instead, it seems fans have decided to accuse reporters of trying to smear their coach, insulted naysayers and question the intelligence of anyone who disagreed.

Maybe it’s time to focus back on the football. After all, the wins may come at a premium once again, and it may be weeks away until the Rich Rod defenders are the ones calling for his head the loudest.

Michael Curry Firing Sheds Light On Pistons' Dysfunction

Mike Feld — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:49:07 -0400

April 29, 2009.

It's not exactly a day that stands out in most people’s minds.

But on Tuesday, April 29 became significant. It was the day of Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars’ end-of-season press conference.

An annual ritual from Auburn Hills, Mich., Dumars sits at a table and answers any and every media question about the past season and the future.

On that day, during this year’s conference, there was one topic Dumars quickly addressed: the job security of first-year head coach Michael Curry.

"The fact that we made so many changes for a first-year coach, I had to step back and be a little more patient than I have been," Dumars said. "During the season I said to myself, 'What affect is this having on him as a first-year coach.' I tried to put myself in his shoes."

Dumars put himself in Curry’s shoes and gave the man a leap of faith. He realized the struggles and gave his friend, a man he wanted badly as his coach, a leap of faith.

But on Tuesday, Curry was fired. It happened less than 12 hours before the start of the free agency period.

After the debacle that was the 2008-09 season, Piston fans are not exactly in mourning over the move. Most fans believed that Curry was in way over his head, despite the white-flag waving that was the Chauncey Billups trade.

But the pink slip is still mind-blowing. Curry may not have been the right guy for the job; within the past week it was revealed that he had a rift with guard Rip Hamilton.

However, Dumars made the hire. He fired former coach Flip Saunders in order to pave the way for Curry, the man that was a budding head coach-in-training in 2007. If he was going to give up this quickly, he should have never appointed Curry for the position.

Dumars said in his late April press conference that Curry was safe. He admitted that the mishaps of the past season were due in part to the rebuilding mode the team decided to enter less than a week into the season.

Curry moved forward. On Tuesday, he was put in front of the microphones and answered the media’s questions about the draft and the future from here.

He did it as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

Yes, 24 hours before the team crashed the proverbial gong on its sideline leader, Curry was put in the spotlight and forced to answer questions about the team from his perspective.

Did Dumars have any idea he was going to chop down the Michael Curry tree before he made him answer questions?

It’s likely. It is really doubtful that in just 24 hours, Dumars woke up and had a head coaching epiphany. It’s hard to imagine that suddenly, without notice, he just decided this was necessary clear out of the blue.

That is why, at this point, Joe’s job needs to come in question. If he wasn’t sure about Curry, why did he definitively state that Curry would return?

Why did he allow his then-coach to stand there and answer questions about the future, when he knew that the man would not be around?

Curry may have clashed with players and lost their cooperation, which could be an answer to this. Now, he’s been run out of town, possibly by his own players and the man who hired him.

So was Rick Carlisle. So was Larry Brown. So was Flip Saunders.

See a pattern?

The player-coach connection is important, but for some reason the coaches change in Detroit and the players do not. While a guy like Curry may not be the best coach, he never stood a chance.

Neither does the next person to sit in the front chair.

That is why that seat has suddenly turned gray. What coach would want to come to the Pistons, knowing they have no job security?

Imagine if, at any other job, an employer told an employee his job was safe, had him or her included in a big project, and then fired them just days later?

The word “lawsuit” comes to mind.

Now, as rumors swirl about what to do with the $20 million cap space the Pistons have, Dumars must try to lure potential free agents without a coach. Of course, Joe D likely had candidates in mind when he pulled the trigger on Tuesday.

Former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson is considered a target. So is current TNT analyst and former Pistons coach, Doug Collins.

Yes, it's that Doug Collins, the guy who failed in Detroit once already, with Chicago and Washington also on the list of unsuccessful gigs.

Are these options really better than Curry?

The Pistons’ moves are becoming more and more perplexing. This move comes just days after a draft that looked like a possible failure. Austin Daye might be a nice player, but he didn’t fit the organization’s most pressing need: point guard.

With several promising and NBA-ready point guards still available, the Pistons picked up a skinny, Tayshaun Prince-like small forward. That was like watching a football team pass on a potential franchise quarterback in the first round and instead taking a blocking tight end.

Now, this happens. Many fans were hoping for the team to use its cap space to be a player in 2010. Now, instead of filet mignon, the Pistons are settling for tofu, which is the 2009 free agent class.

An intentional tank for the upcoming season seemed like a suitable option, especially considering the summer of 2010. Now, with big money possibly going to players like Carlos Boozer, Hedo Turkoglu, and Ben Gordon, there may be an unintentional tank with little-to-no cap room next offseason.

And by that point, Joe Dumars may be without a job.

Challenges Looming for Detroit Pistons this Offseason

Mike Feld — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:07:05 -0400

It’s that time of the year once again for the Detroit Pistons.

Another season full of underachieving, disappointment and what-if scenarios has been digested. The NBA Draft is almost here, free agency is set to kick off, and the now annual pressing issues of this team are back.

So, what to do?

Here's the issues the Pistons face as the busy time of the NBA offseason kicks off.

Should the Pistons pursue big name free agents this offseason?

Well, there’s a catch there. With the buildup of 2010 looming, the 2009 free agent period is expected to disappointing. The big names include Carlos Boozer, Ben Gordon and Trevor Ariza—all potential targets for Detroit. But should Joe Dumars pursue these players?

Boozer made $11.5 million in 2009 and opted out of his big-salary deal with Utah. For the Pistons to sign up, they’ll have to cough up a lot of money. For a guy that brings 16 points and 10 rebounds per game, is it worth paying $12 million plus for his services?

The same can be said for Gordon. He would be a nice compliment in Piston blue, as he averaged 20.7 points per game. But Detroit already faced problems with too many shooting guards last year; Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton and Allen Iverson fought for the position.

With the absence of a point guard, do the Pistons need to drop the rumored $11 million Gordon will command and further crowd a congested backcourt?

Ariza would likely be the best fit here. The 23-year-old small forward would be a defensive presence the Pistons have been lacking for some time. He’ll come much cheaper than either Boozer or Gordon, and would allow the team to make a cap space trade—likely shipping Tayshaun Prince out of the Motor City.

The problem with this is that Ariza played on a championship Los Angeles Laker team and does not want to leave Kobe and Co.’s presence.

Is another Allen Iverson-esque trade on the horizon?

Although it meant the tanking of the 2008-09 season, the Allen Iverson was actually a major success. The Pistons acquired an expiring contract and moved an aging Chauncey Billups—and his contract—out of town.

With many players comparable to Iverson hitting free agency next season (Tracy McGrady, anyone?), it is possible Dumars once again packages one or two of his bad contracts out for a “superstar” player ready to test open waters come 2010.

What to do in the draft?

With the 15th pick, the Pistons are smack dab between the end of the high profile talent and the diamond-in-the-rough area in the NBA Draft. If the Pistons are unable to land a solid forward such as Ariza, they might target a Dejuan Blair or a Tyler Hansbrough.

But do they need to draft their true point guard? Ty Lawson does come to mind, but many wonder if his skills will develop in the NBA and question his lack of size.

Is Michael Curry the right man for this job?

This has been a question since day one, and now it has blossomed once again. Is Michael Curry in over his head as head coach? After Flip Saunders was fired, assistant coach and former Piston Curry was put in the front chair, mainly for his player-coach abilities. The former player’s union rep was supposed to relate with characters such as Rasheed Wallace.

But then things changed. Billups, the overwhelming leader, was shipped off. Iverson, a well known locker room cancer, was brought in. For the first time in his career he complained about an injury, blew up about the lack of playing time and was eventually shut down by the Pistons.

Curry had a terrible season, but played the cards he was dealt and still got the team into the playoffs.

But does he deserve another year? Although Billups was gone, the core of the team remained, one that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008. How much blame could be put on Curry?

Former Piston Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer recently resigned as head coach of the Detroit Shock. Clearly the greatest coach in the WNBA’s short history, Lamb decided it was time to chase after his dream job: an NBA head coach.

Is Lamb better suited as the head man in the Palace? He has a commanding presence, does not put up with player’s nonsense and knows what he wants. He won two championships with Dumars as well.

The problem here is that Laimbeer’s hard pressed attitude may alienate players. Lamb chased former UConn and Shock star Swin Cash out of town, and it is rumored that other players did not enjoy his presence, either. Could this hurt his chances at a gig with the men?

The lack of experience is also an issue. Lamb has never coached in the NBA and likely wouldn’t take an assistant’s job. Although Curry had never been a head coach previous to this job, either, it looks like he is here to stay for at least one more season.

Should the Pistons bring Rasheed Wallace back?

This is a very unlikely scenario. Wallace wore out his welcome in 2009, proving that, although a great basketball talent, can not control is emotions or listen to any coach. But with the lack of free agents available and the thought of ‘Sheed at a less expensive price, does it make sense to bring him back for one more year?

No, probably not. But with a team that will fail to contend in 2009, it is one option to consider.

Is 2010 on the mind?

The summer of 2010 has been on people’s minds for two years now. Should the Pistons be thinking about it already? The team might have to rebuild, and this would be the perfect way to start. With the cap room Detroit will have, the have the ability to be a dominant player in one of the greatest free agent periods of all time. Which may lead to…

A Tank in 2009-10?

Many teams use bad seasons as a “transition” or “rebuilding” year. Another struggling season will bring about those comments again in 2009. But should the Pistons just give up already and look towards 2010?

The Pistons could hold on to their cap space, draft wisely, look to dump another big contract, and return to the top echelon of the Eastern Conference come 2010-11. But with a team that’s had as much success as this one, will fans accept it? One year was bad enough, but two years might be costly.

This is probably the best option for the future. With Dumars speaks, he is constantly talking about what is best for the future and long team picture of this franchise. But many might hold the GM on a short leash. Loyal owner Bill Davidson has passed away, and it is unknown if hid successors will be as patient. Which leads to…

Is Joe D’s job really safe?

Dumars has made plenty of phenomenal moves.

He’s made his fair share of terrible ones as well.

Can Dumars function in his current state and survive as a GM? On the other hand, signing Boozer or Gordon made not be the answer, which might cost Dumars his job. It’s a stretch, but a possible option for a guy who has sat at the top and watched his team underachieve every year since the 2004 championship.

Sidney Crosby Handshake Controversy Builds Red Wings-Penguins Rivalry

Mike Feld — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:20:00 -0400

As the closing seconds ticked down in the NHL season on Friday, I stormed out of Hockeytown Café, the bar owned by the Detroit Red Wings.

I came home, ate food, and went to bed, bitter and hurt. The shock of the Pittsburgh Penguins knocking off my beloved Wings had not yet set in.

Saturday afternoon, I felt drained and sick. All season long, I poured so much into the season, expecting another championship. Those hopes were still alive just hours later, until suddenly the realization hit me that it was over.

On Sunday, the emotions were a bit more in-check. That is until I watched Pens captain Sidney Crosby bring the Stanley Cup out at PNC Park, the home of the Pirates. Trouble is, the Detroit Tigers were the opponent in that game.

Crosby is obviously relishing in the moment, enjoying the attention he received this weekend. However, not all of it has been considered positive.

Following the game on Friday, Crosby allegedly skipped the post game handshake line, choosing instead to celebrate. He did shake hands with several players moments later, but Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom and veteran Kris Draper weren’t among them.

“Nick was waiting and waiting, and Crosby didn’t come over to shake his hand,” Draper told reporters after the game. “That’s ridiculous, especially as their captain, and make sure you write that I said that.”

Crosby, on the other hand, didn’t feel the same.

"I really don't need to talk to anyone from Detroit about it," Crosby said Sunday. "I made the attempt to go shake hands. I've been on that side of things, too. I know it's not easy, waiting around. I just won the Stanley Cup, and I think I have the right to celebrate with my teammates.”

Crosby also said that he felt like Draper’s comment was inappropriate and even questioned Lidstrom’s integrity, hinting that the defenseman avoided the handshake instead.

I should be upset about this. This should make me even more mad. Instead, I think this is fantastic.

While I personally have a few choice thoughts for Crosby, I know that other fans outside of Detroit feel quite different. That’s fine; think what you will. But this could be the start of a bitter rivalry.

Crosby could have taken the easy way out. He could have apologized, given respect to the veterans, and moved on. Instead, he chose to stir the stew. He put the blame on two players considered the class of the league; two guys who almost never slam the opponent.

As rare as it is to see a finals rematch, these teams are built to last for years. Twenty-eight teams might disagree, but we might see round three of this match up next season.

Red Wings fans, don’t be bitter or angry. Stop pointing fingers at coach Mike Babcock, defenseman Brad Stewart, forward Marian Hossa, or anyone else.

Sometimes, the puck doesn’t bounce your way. And in rivalries, your team can’t always win. If it did, it really wouldn’t be a rivalry.

And to you, Sidney, thank you. Thanks for choosing to not take the easy way out and appeasing your PR department. Whether or not we agree with your comments, it was the right thing to say.

You’re now the new villain in this town, Sid the Kid, and I couldn’t be happier. This city has been looking for a hockey rival, and now we’ve got it.

See you next year, champ?

Willis' Latest Flop Reaffirms First-Place Tigers Full Of Concerns

Mike Feld — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:27:37 -0400

Following his removal from Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, pitcher Dontrelle Willis sprinted towards the dugout, punching his glove before reaching the first step.

With his control, it should be considered a surprise that Willis made contact with the glove, instead of his thigh.

Willis lasted 3.2 innings, allowing six runs, six hits with eight walks. Yes, eight walks.

As bad as it seems, Willis may not be the worst pitcher in the rotation. On Saturday, Armando Galarraga earned his seventh loss, lasting only two innings. Why? He allowed four runs off eight hits. He hasn’t won a game since April 26.

This might be the worst first-place team in baseball.

In mid-June, the Tigers remain three games up on the Minnesota Twins. The reason can most likely be attributed to the front end of the rotation. Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello are a combined 20-9 with an average 2.99 ERA. Verlander and Jackson are Cy Young candidates.

On the other hand, Galarraga, possibly the best Tiger pitcher in 2008, is 2-7 with a 5.56 ERA. Willis has only made seven starts after a terrible spring, but is not 1-4 with a 7.49 ERA.

Detroit has two former members of its rotation coming out of the bullpen, but neither seems like a reliable option.

Zach Miner, always an asset as a long reliever, started in the rotation this season. After an unsuccessful run, he was condemned to the bullpen, where he’s allowed one run through five appearances (11.1 innings).

Then there’s Nate Robertson. An off-and-on lefty who was a key member of the 2006 American Champion team. Robertson has yet to start a game this season. He’s pitched 20.1 innings, boasting a 6.20 ERA. Not exactly an option to start.

Jeremy Bonderman was expected to be a member of this year's rotation and should have been an option. But after making his first start of the season Monday (an eight hit, six run, three walk nightmare through four), he’s back on the DL.

What to do? Robertson and Willis are both locked up to long term, pricey contracts. Obviously, a trade is not an option. The Tigers are stuck with them for the time being.

The minor leagues do include a couple possible options, but it’s really slim pickings. Don’t expect much out of Toledo or Erie.

Then there’s the trade option. In the past few days, Brad Penny has been mentioned. But with a farm system depleted following the trades for Miguel Cabrera, Gary Sheffield and Edgar Renteria, there’s not much talent to offer without including a big bat.

Oh, right. There’s that offensive problem, too.

The Tigers have knocked in 46 runs through 13 games in June. That may not seem like an issue, but 10 of those 13 games have produced three runs or less. Detroit is 6-8 this month, but obviously strong pitching has helped.

Former batting champ Magglio Ordonez has failed to hit consistently and has long his power. Five spot DH and left fielder Carlos Guillen is expected to be a mainstay on the DL.

Center fielder Curtis Granderson has gotten the boot from his leadoff spot. Second baseman Placido Polanco, a career .300 hitter, is hitting .261. Rumors are swirling about a trade, especially for an outfielder. Matt Holliday, Ryan Spilborghs and Adam Dunn have led that discussion.

But once again, do the Tigers have what it takes to make a move? Holliday might make the most sense, because he’s in a contract year with a team expected to be out of the pennant race by July. He’ll be attractive in exchange for prospects, but Detroit will need to outbid other contenders.

Spillborghs might cost a bit less, but the Rockies are officially in rebuilding mode. Either a prospect or a young up-and-comer might be in the cards for Colorado to pull the trigger. The Phillies and Red Sox are also in the mix, and might have more to offer a team thinking about 2010.

Dunn has 17 home runs and will provide the power needed. His team, the Nationals, are competing for one of the worst records of all-time. In fact, Dunn has more home runs than Washington has wins (16). Problem is, he’s set to make $8 million this season. The Nats will look to move a large portion of that salary with him, something the Tigers aren’t in a position to accept.

It looks like, for now, Detroit is stuck with its current roster. The expectation is three wins in a row, followed by two losses. Somewhere in there, the team is bound for a tough loss and a lucky win, unless manager Jim Leyland and general manager Dave Dombrowski can pull off a miracle.

Hey, it's better than being a Mets fan.

Detroit Red Wings' Keys for Winning Game Six

Mike Feld — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:50:09 -0400

For Detroit, it can win its second straight title and fifth in 12 years on Tuesday night. But the task won’t be easy; elimination games are the hardest to win. And when the Stanley Cup is on the line and the game is in Pittsburgh, the Wings have a tough task ahead.

The Wings have excelled through the past decade when up 3-2, but this time, it’s a bit different. They’ll be up against a hungry and improved Pittsburgh team; one that has already felt the heartache of a missed opportunity once over the past calendar year.

Here’s what the Wings will need to do to raise Lord Stanley once again on Tuesday night.

Meet the opponent’s desperation—As mentioned in the Pittsburgh breakdown, the Pens will obviously enter this game as a desperate, hungry team. If the Wings have even a figment of a Cup ceremony, a victory parade, or the champagne flowing, it’ll be game over. The team needs to have the thought that it is elimination for them as well.

Keep puck possession—The best way to shut down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is to keep the puck out of their control. Detroit has done a great job of this in all five games, but in Games Three and Four, Detroit struggled to keep the puck away from Pittsburgh.

What happened? Pittsburgh exploited the Red Wings, made the team look gassed and proceeded to win convincingly. Pavel Datsyuk in the lineup should help in this section, but

Continue crashing the net—Detroit has frustrated opponents throughout the playoffs by firing shot after shot. It made goalies look weak, although they were playing phenomenal in the pipes.

In Game Three, Marc-Andre Fleury was chased out of the night, marking the third straight series the Wings have done so. If they keep the pressure on Fleury and the Pittsburgh blue liners, cup No. 12 will return to Hockeytown.

Limit bad penalties—Detroit will not get any help from the men in stripes on Tuesday. Although the Gary Bettman conspiracies can get quite nauseating, his frustrated face during Game Five’s blowout tells the tale.

Home ice and the hope for a seventh game might play factors in the calls, so the Wings can’t give the zebras an excuse to blow the whistle. An early penalty kill can lead to an early goal, exciting an already amped up Mellon Arena fan base. Playing down in a visiting arena is disastrous, so avoiding an early mishap is key.

Avoid playing on heels—This is the most important aspect for the Wings. Detroit led 2-1 halfway through Game Four. It almost felt as if the Wings took the foot off the gas pedal—resulting in three goals in less than seven minutes.

If this team expects to win on Tuesday, it needs to constantly play with an edge, regardless of the score. The moment Detroit plays content and starts playing defensive, the Penguins will exploit it and force a Game Seven.

Penguins' Keys for Winning Game Six

Mike Feld — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:40:47 -0400

This is it, Pens fans.

For Pittsburgh, it’s do or die. Improve to 3-0 in Mellon Arena and the Pens survive for a Game Seven. Lose, and the team will watch Detroit raise the Cup on its ice for the second consecutive season.

If the Penguins plan to survive, they’ll need to stick to these five elements. Otherwise, Crosby and Co. will face another summer of what-ifs and disappointment.

Keep your composure—The Pens have been smooth as the ice surface when the team has been ahead. When playing at home, Pittsburgh has shown grit, determination, and class, proving they’re an elite team. But following frustrating losses in Game Two and Game Five, the team completely lost its head.

Although the typical grinders were in on the act, the key players were the ones wearing the largest dunce caps. Evgeni Malkin lost his head both games, and Sidney Crosby and Maxime Talbot joined in on the fun after the 5-0 blowout on Sunday. Pittsburgh will need its leaders to keep their slates clean, even if they face an early deficit.

Use home ice—The home team has the crowd and the energy on its side. Although up for debate, it seems that the team in dark uniforms also gets the better calls from the officials as well.

The Pens know the home crowd will be as loud as ever, so they’ll need to carry that momentum early. If the calls do go in Pittsburgh’s direction, the Pens will need to score quick on the early power play. If they can take any momentum away from the Wings, they’ll have a good shot of winning the contest.

Pressure the puck carrier—In both home games, Pittsburgh had success on the defensive end because the team put heavy pressure on Detroit. It seemed like every team a pass was made, a defender was right there with a stick in the way.

Pavel Datsyuk will once again be in the lineup, so this will be a daunting task. But if the Penguins can return to its man-to-man style D, they’ll take pressure off goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, allow fewer shots, and in turn limit the number of chance Detroit will have to score.

Fire away—Is Chris Osgood really Conn Smythe potential? It’s possible, because he’s made incredible saves throughout the playoffs. But he’s also been credited with some soft goals. Although he’s been fantastic, there’s no doubt that at least a couple of Detroit wins could have gone the other way had Osgood seen more shots.

Pittsburgh needs to put a steady diet of pucks on the net if it plans on playing hockey instead of golf on Friday. While setting up shots and taking good chances is a coach’s dream, it will not work here. Fire away, fire early, and fire often. It just may be the difference in the season.

Play desperate—This one is obvious. Pittsburgh has nothing to lose and something to gain. The Penguins need to play smart, play physical, but above all else, play like there’s no tomorrow. Detroit may have a game to give, but a team with that much experience is going to play like it’s a Game Seven. Pittsburgh must treat Tuesday’s matchup the same way.

How NBC Has Managed To Alienate Both Penguins and Red Wings Fans

Mike Feld — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:58:16 -0400

Detroit and Pittsburgh are not all that different from one another.

Both cities are blue collar and rely on hard working, family-first individuals. Both cities were built on one industry; Pittsburgh is the Steel City while Detroit is the Motor City.

When the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, they did it in Detroit. The team’s lead running back, Jerome Bettis, was born and raised in Motown.

Meeting for the second straight year, a bitter rivalry has been built between the cities. The Penguins and Red Wings have made residents of the cities forget how fond they were of each other.

As a resident of a Detroit suburb and a lifelong Wings fan, I like to think of Pittsburgh almost as a cousin. They’re not as close to be considered a sibling, but it’s still family. Although you don’t always agree, you still like each other and, in the end, will still be friends.

Despite the Stanley Cup Finals, both Detroit and Pittsburgh are united once again. This time the cities can join in on quite the interesting battle: Arena Vision.

Anyone who has watched a playoff game should know what this is. While the team having success is on the road, a shot of that team’s fans packed into their home arena is shown. Those fans are often ecstatic; smacking thunder sticks, waving pom-poms and screaming as if they are at the game itself.

It has become quite the image in this series. Shots outside of Mellon Arena display Pens fans carrying couches, blankets and lawn chairs in order to find the perfect view of one of the big screens placed on the side of the arena. Even as a Wings fan, I can respect this and commend Penguin fans for their enthusiasm.

With Game Six approaching, I looked forward to joining the fellow Wings fans at Joe Louis Arena. Every year, Joe Vision produces thousands of fans to watch road games. Tickets are normally an affordable $5, with all proceeds going to local charities. There are bands, giveaways, and perhaps the most important factor: fans that are as diehard as anyone.

On Monday, I learned that my plan had been foiled. There hasn’t been a Joe Vision yet this year, and there won’t be one. Although I have not been able to confirm this, it looks like there will be no Mellon Vision for Pens fans on Tuesday, either.

Why? NBC put the kibosh on it.

Yes, the lowest-rated network, the Now Broadcasting Crap channel, decided that its reputation wasn’t bad enough. So they decided that since viewers could be at home boosting ratings, they better damn sure not watch the game en masse at the Joe.

This should make fans sick to their stomachs. NBC screwed over a fan base compiled of fans that have lost their jobs, their pensions, their homes and their livelihoods. They’ve watched their towns, neighborhoods, favorite destinations and childhood landmarks crumble and vanish. Hockey is one of the few things Red Wing fans have to hold onto.

But NBC’s ignorance and greed has blinded the network. Are a few thousand fans packing an arena really going to kill your ratings? Isn’t it safe to assume those fans will gather at a friend’s house or crowd a local bar instead?

Most might. But some will not, because of one problem: kids. Yes, Joe Vision is fan-friendly. Unlike a bar, parents can bring their children into the arena and let them share in one of the rare moments, like watching a favorite team compete for a title.

In a brutal economy, both cities were given a chance to be a part of their team’s Stanley Cup run. Most fans can’t afford tickets to a game, or don’t have access to purchasing any. But camping outside Mellon Arena or watching the game on the big screen at Joe Louis Arena gave fans of these two areas a way to connect with the teams.

NBC has robbed fans of that.

Fumbling and Stumbling: Women's Sports Rule

Mike Feld — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:02:36 -0400

This is the first edition of my new weekly column. It’s irrelevant and pointless. If I weren’t me, I wouldn’t read it. But I really hope you enjoy it.

A few days back, I received a text from one of my friends that now lives quite a distance from me. It was one of those texts that made me stop what I was doing in order to draw attention to it and laugh out loud.

You know, the type of text where you make everyone in the room stop what they’re doing, interrupt the semi-boring story being told, and then act like you’re handing out a word for Text of the Year.

Unfortunately, with all this buildup, I can’t reveal the message here verbatim, due to some mild inappropriate context. But to paraphrase, the friend was frustrated that the only sport he could enjoy on TV at the time was college women’s softball.

That was until he stopped and actually looked at the players.

Obviously, he realized the rosters of Washington and Florida were loaded with attractive athletes.

Why was this humorous? Well, outside my male burp-and-fart joke immaturity, I was watching the same game, having the same conversation with another friend less than an hour later. In fact, we went as far as to rate the attractiveness of each player.

I’ve never thought of myself as sexist. Why would I? Come on, I LOVE women. But after enjoying my real-life LOL moment, it finally dawned on me.

I’m slightly pathetic.

At this point, female readers are probably nodding in agreement. Don’t think you’re exempt, males. Two-thirds of you are floating downriver in the same boat with me.

Here’s my beef with the male sports following: we watch the guy sports for the excitement, for the passion, for the competition, and for the conversations we get to have.

We watch the girl sports because they’re hot.

I know, I know. Women watch sports because the guys are hot, too. But a lot of the gals watch sports for the same season us boys do. Why can’t we do the same?

If sports fans stop and watch many exciting women’s sports, they’ll be surprised. There’s the same amount of athleticism, hard work, dedication, and passion involved in these games. Give the ladies some credit, because they deserve it.

It doesn’t hurt when they’re quite fine, though.

With that, here’s my fumblers and stumblers of the week:

Phoenix Mercury

Just when I dedicate a several paragraphs promoting women’s sports, I take it right back. Don’t worry, it’s justified. This week, the WNBA’s Phoenix franchise unveiled its new uniforms for the upcoming season. It’s a subtle change…er, kind of.

Playing in a league in need of positive promotion, the Mercury thought it best to stop promoting itself on the front of the jerseys and instead promote…LifeLock.

Yeah, you know, the identity theft company. Yes, this makes perfect sense and should bring PLENTY of good vibes to women’s basketball.

Oh, but don’t worry. The team got a little shoulder patch, just so you remember you’re not watching team LifeLock. I can just hear the uplifting pregame speech now:

“Don’t play for the name on the back of the jersey, play for the name on the front…or, the little graphic thingy on your shoulder.”

The NHL

Gary Bettman is such a cute little man. He would fit right in with Gizmo from Gremlins and the Ewoks from Star Wars. Just don’t let the guy run your pro sports franchise.

It’s bad enough he traded in the ESPN spotlight for broadcasting rights on the Bullriding and Hunting Network (to be fair, they have a whole lot semi-pro MMA fights no one cares about, too).

But then Bettman decided it was best to rush the start of the Stanley Cup Finals and play the first two games on back-to-back nights for the first time since the 1950s.

Well, it does seem logical. NBC had broadcasting rights to both games, and didn’t want them to clash with Conan O’Brien’s Tonight Show debut.

That’s legit. If the NHL has a chance to have its games on network TV, make it work. Except when you’re duking it out with the NBA.

The NHL went head-to-head with Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals, and will battle the NBA on Thursday night as well. In Detroit, Pittsburgh, maybe Buffalo, possibly Boston and probably Minnesota, this is a fair fight. In the rest of the nation, it’s basically a matchup similar to that in 300.

Except with more lopsided domination. Oh, and no nine-foot tall Persian alien monsters.

Dontrelle Willis

No matter what I do, I seem to somehow work a Detroit reference into every piece of work I do (please, let me drop out of the Bill Simmons School of Journalism). Today is no different.

The D-Train had a poopy spring. He had anxiety issues. He went on the DL. He had several rehab starts, most of which showed signs of progress. He dominated a first-place, offensive-minded Texas Rangers lineup.

He’s back!

Oh, wait. With a rotation in flux and the possibility of six or seven starters trying to find their place in a strong Tiger starting squad, ‘Trelle unraveled after the start against Texas. He was decent against the Colorado Rockies, allowing three runs but still picking up the loss.

Then Thursday happened.

Against the first-place Boston Red Sox, Willis got out of the first and second innings unscathed. He was handed a three-run lead on a silver platter.

Instead of taking advantage, he fell apart, allowing five runs through two-and-one third. It was about that time when the bullpen had to go to work, fighting off the Red Sox batters for six-and-two thirds innings.

Damn, it feels good to be a Tigers fan.

Twitter

For existing.

Feel free to add (or subtract) your own fumblers and stumblers. There’s a good chance I’ll agree, a slight chance I’ll disagree, or maybe I’ll just ignore everyone all together. Who knows.

Stanley Cup Finals: Five Things To Watch As Series Shifts To Pittsburgh

Mike Feld — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:02:45 -0400

Can anyone believe it?

It’s already Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals. Through two games, fans have been treated to…well, not much.

Believe me, as a Red Wings fan, I’m ecstatic. My team is up 2-0 and only two victories away from its 12th Stanley Cup and fifth in 12 years (only 11 seasons when the lockout is considered).

However, as a hockey fan, I’m missing something. The games have been somewhat bland, most of the goals have been defined as fluky and up until the final 10 seconds, there was no bitterness to this budding rivalry.

Apparently fans agree; despite back-to-back games during prime time on network television, ratings are down.

With anywhere from two to five games left, here are five things that need to be done in order to salvage this series in order to appease the hockey gods.

5. Stop with excuses

The boards of Joe Louis Arena were the big discussion after Game One, and by Game Two it was obvious the subject was still lingering. Both teams played several pucks off the board, looking for an advantage.

Sure, the boards might be different at the Joe. But really? Baseball teams enter stadiums with wind conditions, dimension advantages/disadvantages and weather issues every single day. Do you ever hear a pitcher come out after a bad outing and blame it on the stadium? “Yeah, I had a bad outing. But left that pitch hanging because it’s a pitcher’s ballpark. It’s not my fault.”

This might sound like a shot at the Penguins, but it’s not. The Wings have been lucky, using players that spent two-thirds of the season in the AHL to score most of its goals. If a star doesn’t step up tonight, the Wings will be on that side of the mic, likely due to a loss. Speaking of which...

4.The stars need to shine

Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen. Four of the league’s top offensive forces have combined for two goals—one for Franzen, one for Malkin. Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk has yet to make an appearance in this series due to a foot injury.

I love the fact that a no-name like Justin Abdelkader has two goals for Detroit. But the rest of the hockey nation does not. If the NHL is to drum up attention and prove this is a quality product, the top players need to put the puck in the net.

3. Flap those gums

Fans may not admit it, and like to say the exact opposite on blogs and radio shows. But in reality, everyone loves a good jawing. Crosby enjoys to talk—especially on the ice. He hasn’t backed down in the past when it comes to criticism. Wouldn’t it be great if he said something inspiring now?

If he did, it might spark his team. It might spark the other team. Either way, it would cause a stir. Detroit has a lot of quiet guys who like to keep the battles out of the media, so why not have Crosby start it?

2. Talk about someone other than Sidney Crosby

Sid the Kid is the face of the league. We get it. But wouldn’t it be nice to hear about someone else between periods and on the World-Wide Leader?

As a Detroit fan, I can see where this looks like me complaining. It’s not. If NBC put a spotlight on aging Penguin Bull Guerin, I’d be happy. Marc-Andre Fleury? I’m watching. But I get the message. Crosby is the future. He’s the captain. Oh, and he has quite possibly the poorest excuse for a beard in North America.

Here’s a question to ponder: Is Crosby the best player in the league? The No. 1 guy in the playoffs? Even the best player on his team? I think I’d take Marian Hossa, Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk, or Malkin over Crosby.

1. Let ‘em go

Yes, the officiating has allowed the teams to play. There’s been only a handful of penalties called through two games. But here’s my beef: If players want to scrap, let them do it.

At the end of Game Two, Maxime Talbot got his stick into the chest of Chris Osgood. Likely a combination of attempting to knock the puck loose and frustration, Talbot caused a scrum that included Osgood and ended with superstars Evgeni Malkin and Henrik Zetterberg without their jerseys.

Malkin and Zetterberg got their shots in on each other. But this isn’t a bout between two boxers on skates. These are two finesse-style players and leaders of their teams. If they want to fight, that means it’s genuine hate. Let them go.

NHL Producing Great Postseason, But Still Needs To Make Changes

Mike Feld — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:42:09 -0400

The 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs have been one of the most memorable postseasons in recent memory, both for hockey and professional sports.

Yet no one seems to be watching.

Just look at the opening round. The most dominant team in the regular season, the San Jose Sharks, got knocked out by the Anaheim Ducks, a team that nearly conducted a fire sale at the trade deadline and benched its Conn Smythe winning goalie.

A young Chicago Blackhawks team that was hockey's Detroit Lions just two seasons ago went into Western Canada in the first round and took out a tough and physical Calgary Flames team. Now the team is on the brink of taking out another gritty team from Western Canada, the Vancouver Canucks.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins hooked up for an intense battle of top team in Pennsylvania. The Carolina Hurricanes stunned the New Jersey Devils by beating Martin Brodeur—arguably the game's greatest goaltender—on two last minute shots. Two!

I didn't even touch on the epic battle between the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals, which included enough dirty hits to excite WWE fans, including Rangers head coach John Tortorella tossing a water bottle at a fan.

Now, in the second round, each series has been pushed to six games. No sweeps, no five-game domination series'. All eight remaining teams have proven its worth, and believe it can hoist Lord Stanley come June.

So why don't fans care? Hockey may be used to a back seat behind the NBA come spring time. But there was a time when Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman and Patrick Roy gave hockey its respect.

Personally, I blame the NHL.

The league has clearly put its best product in years on the ice this season. Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin have become household names. Fans are involved. Superstars have made their claim on the ice.

But no one is watching because a lot of fans can't.

Versus, the network airing most of the national coverage in the United States, is a little-known network known for hunting shows and bull riding. On most cable lineups, it's buried between the channels no one watches. It's true, hockey is competing with gardening tips and six channels not in English.

This is, of course, if one's cable provider carries Versus. Some do not.

If games are covered, often times they overlap each other. The NBA wouldn't make this mistake. They have made sure every game starts at a different time, so that diehards can watch every game, every time.

With the overlap, there's another consequence: some fans miss their own team's games in some situations. For example, Versus own exclusive rights to game four of the Red Wings/Ducks series.

It was set to begin promptly at 10 p.m. sharp Eastern. But when the Blackhawks and Canucks couldn't settle on a winner in 60 minutes of ice time, fans were forced to miss the opening of the Wings/Ducks game, which included a goal from Anaheim.

This is problematic when you're a lifelong Wings fan, like I am.

Even worse, the national TV audiences don't carry all games. Because of the overlap, games five and six are being broadcast exclusively on local TV. Imagine the NBA not broadcasting on TNT or ESPN at this time of the year. Yeah, it's hard to imagine, because it would never happen.

The problems go beyond the TV issues. On the ice, the "new" NHL—call lots of senseless penalties and do whatever it takes to eliminate any physicality from the sport—has ruined games for teams. Many of these calls are based on emotion, catching an official at the right moment. Often times a soft hit with the stick is called with the stick, or a player in the wrong place at the wrong time is called for interference.

The funny thing is, the league has said it has tried to speed the game up. Yes, unnecessary penalty calls, including a delay of game if a goalie skates too far behind the net, is going to make the game move faster.

Sigh.

Hockey has solved its worst problem, almost by accident. The game has generated a new breed of superstar players, captivated home crowds and improved attendance. Having four series go six games is quite an accomplishment, especially when the NBA has a team that is 7-0 in the playoffs and is likely going to sweep its first two postseason opponents out of way.

It's time for the NHL to return to the glory days. Stop with the silly penalty calls, the overlapping TV schedules and the airing of games on nonsense networks. The NHL has been stuck with the tag line of the worst of the four professional sports leagues. Now it has fans that want to watch. It's time for the league to embrace it.

Chuck Daly Was One Of the Few Remaining Old School Coaches

Mike Feld — Sat, 09 May 2009 17:24:53 -0400

I'm a little young to remember the coaching career of Chuck Daly.

Growing up in a suburb of Detroit, I have limited memories of the Bad Boys, the Dream Team and the relevant basketball he helped create in the city.

But today, like many Pistons and basketball fans, I'm in mourning.

Daly was one of the last old school coaches. Thinking about his teams makes me wish I was just a bit older and could really appreciate who he was. But what I know and the memories that I do have will live on for the rest of my life.

Basketball lost a true icon Saturday; one that cannot be replaced. He didn't dominate like Red Auerbach or Phil Jackson. He didn't win everywhere he went, either. I am old enough to remember his brief stint with Orlando, which, although successful, was far short of his standards.

What I have with me about Daly is that he did things the right way. The Bad Boys were blue collar, like the city they played in. They were about grit and hustle. The Pistons scrapped out victories and were not intimidated by anyone.

Most importantly he was a player's coach, something lost in today's game. Players loved to show up to practice every day. They related to him, he related to them. Coaches would last more than three months in today's NBA if that were still prevalent.

This is the second loss the Pistons organization has faced this year. Long time owner Bill Davidson passed away almost two months ago. But both men have banners hanging from the rafters of the Palace of Auburn Hills, making sure fans are reminded of their legacies every time they attend a Pistons game.

I had the pleasure of being in attendance when Daly's banner was raised. The team retired No. 2 in his name, in regards to the two titles he won. When sports fans are asked about some of the top moments they witnessed in person, they are always quick to name which stick out. Daly's ceremony will always carry great pride with me.

Probably my best memory of Daly is a bit of an odd one. When in the Detroit area, Daly attended the same church that I did. One time he passed me in the aisle in a pew. I was stunned to be in his presence, but there he was, trying to blend in as a normal churchgoer.

The funny thing was, he didn't blend in at all. Maybe to those that didn't know who he was, yes. But for those of us who knew who he was, there was an aura that came with being in the same room with him.

I'll never forget that moment where I felt like I was just a normal guy at church with Daly, yet someone fortunate to be in his presence.

Good-bye, Chuck. The Detroit Pistons, the game of basketball and the world of sports will not be the same without you.