Bleacher Report - Articles by Billy Donovan

Joe Dumars Next to Go in Mo-Town?

Billy Donovan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:45:03 -0400

If I were a fan of the Detroit Pistons, I would want Joe Dumars fired immediately.

After the Pistons advanced to the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals, Dumars had a Hall of Fame coach in Larry Brown, a deep and versatile roster filled with team-first players, and the second pick in the '03 draft, courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies. With the chance to select Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, or Chris Bosh, Dumars instead took teenage Croatian center Darko Milicic.

In spite of the wasted Milicic pick, the Pistons did win the 2004 championship. But instead of evolving into a dynasty, which should have been Detroit's fortune, they never won another title. They lost to the Spurs in the '05 Finals and then proceeded to lose in the Conference Finals the next three years (Heat, Cavaliers, Celtics) before bottoming out and being swept in the first round this year by the Cavs.

During that time after blowing the '03 draft and winning the '04 title, Brown left the Pistons, the roster was never improved enough to put the Pistons over the hump to win another championship, and Brown's capable replacement, Flip Saunders, was fired for not advancing past the Conference Finals in three attempts and replaced by Dell Curry, who had no previous head coaching experience.

Dumars made his biggest mistake this season by trading his best overall player, Chauncey Billups, the perfect combination of passing, scoring, defense, and toughness, to the Nuggets for the infinitely selfish Allen Iverson. After the failed season with AI, the Pistons fired Curry and allowed Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, and Antonio McDyess to enter free agency. It gave Dumars and the Pistons roughly $20 million in salary cap space to attract free agents.

Of course, one must remember that it is Joe Dumars, the same guy who drafted Milicic, the same guy who traded Billups for Iverson, the same guy who dumped Saunders for Curry, spending this money.

Fittingly, Dumars spent his money on two good players who in no way make the Pistons contenders to win the championship in 2010. He gave guard Ben Gordon a 5-year, $55 million deal and then handed forward Charlie Villanueva a 5-year, $40-million deal.

That gives the Pistons a roster that still has more questions than answers.

They have no true point guard. They have three shooting guards, Rip Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, and Gordon, who all need the ball in their hands to be successful. They have one good small forward in Tayshaun Prince. They have no threat in the post. Villanueva is more dangerous from the perimeter and neither Kwame Brown or Jason Maxiell make opposing defenses lose any sleep.

Dumars also wasted his first round pick this year to select Gonzaga's Austin Daye, who is no more than a poor man's version of Prince. In the process, they skipped the chance to take a real point guard (Ty Lawson, Jeff Teague, Darren Collison, and Eric Maynor all went after Daye) or post player (Dumars passed on B.J. Mullens, DeJuan Blair, and Derrick Brown).

Dumars did land Georgetown power forward DaJuan Summers in the second round, but considering their lack of talent inside, using both of their top two picks on big men would have been a wiser choice.

As a Celtics fan, I couldn't be any happier with Dumars inability to keep the Pistons a contender. However, all of you Pistons fans out there need to find a way to get Dumars out of power before things get any worse.

If You Hate the "Pink Hats," Stop By the Baseball Tavern

Billy Donovan — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:49:35 -0400

During the 86-year-old "Curse of the Bambino," Fenway Park was populated by die hard Red Sox fans who cared only about the product on the field. These fans did not need anything more than a Red Sox win to be entertained.

It was an era when most of the fans were men, men who drank beer, men who cursed, men who worked hard and wanted nothing more than a World Series.

That all changed in 1998. The Red Sox had Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez. They advanced to the ALCS. Two years later they added Manny Ramirez. Once they added David Ortiz and Curt Schilling, they became a championship contender.

Fenway Park became the place to be during the sweltering summers in Boston.

If the Sox were on national television, viewers could expect to see Ben Affleck or Matt Damon or James Taylor or any other celebrity who wanted front row tickets. Fenway—the stadium where baseball could be celebrated as the national pastime—was turning into the L.A. Forum of the 1980s.

After winning the World Series in 2004 and 2007, Fenway became less about the baseball and more about the atmosphere. Red wine at a Red Sox game? Two fancy restaurants at Fenway? I'll pass. Give me a cold beer and a hot dog so I can enjoy the game.

The Fenway Park crowd of today is summarized in two words: Pink Hats.

The pink hats are the generation of Red Sox fans—including women—who come to the game to be seen in their Josh Beckett t-shirt and designer jeans. They show up in the top of the third inning and make a run for the exits in the seventh-inning stretch. They view Red Sox games as a "night out." Most couldn't explain a six-four-three double play.

Sadly, this new generation of Red Sox fans are driving up ticket prices and keeping the real Red Sox fans on the outside looking in. However, I have a solution for the fans who can't afford $50 bleacher seats but still want to enjoy a real Fenway/Red Sox experience.

The Baseball Tavern.

Located on Boylston Street, running parallel to the first base line side of Fenway, The Baseball Tavern has been a ballpark institution since 1963. The Tavern offers cheap beer ($4 for domestic bottles), good food (try the clams), and a true baseball atmosphere.

The Tavern is the type of place where your average bartender knows that Jonathan Papelbon will need tonight off after pitching three-of-the-last-four days. It's the kind of place where you don't need to remortgage your house to have a handful of cold ones and an evening of fun.

It's the type of place your father and grandfather went to before, during, and after Sox games when they were young.

The Tavern is also the place where Derek Lowe, Kevin Millar, Todd Walker, and Gabe Kapler celebrated the clinching of a Wild Card berth at the end of the 2003 season. The guys stormed the bar, in full uniform, and partied with the crowd for almost an hour.

Best of all, the Tavern is huge—it has four floors including a roof deck that overlooks Fenway—and it is a great place to watch the game. Each floor has multiple 50" high definition TV's, all projecting the best in Boston sports.

With the Bruins and Celtics involved in the playoffs, there is no better place to watch all your favorite teams at once.

So, for those of you disenchanted with the current state of Fenway Park and it's yuppie, pink hat wearing crowd, I implore you to head on over to The Baseball Tavern.

You won't be disappointed.

Red Sox: Suggestions from a Fan

Billy Donovan — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:33:23 -0400

If Martin Luther King, Jr. were a Red Sox fan in 2009, here is what his famous "I Have A Dream" speech might sound like:

"I have a dream today ... that one day ... little Kevin Youkilis' and little Dustin Pedroia's will be able to join hands at home plate with little Jacoby Ellsbury's and little Jason Bay's.

"I have a dream today. I have a dream that the Red Sox will give hope to a Nation where they will be able to watch Hanley Ramirez drive in runs, play a flawless shortstop, and win multiple World Series championships."

That's right, TheBostonInsider is back again with another plea (and trade proposal) for the Red Sox to acquire Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins.

For the Red Sox to win the 2009 World Series, they desperately need another big bat for the heart of their lineup. David Ortiz just isn't good enough to be the savior anymore and needs to be dropped in the lineup. Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and Jason Bay are terrific hitters but they alone won't be enough to win a third world championship in six years.

That big bat is playing before small crowds in Miami. He is a former Red Sox uber-prospect who was traded to the Marlins before the 2006 season in a deal that landed the Red Sox Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, two heroes from the 2007 World Series champs. It was a good deal for both teams then, and it could be an even better deal for both teams now.

The Sox don't just need a bat, they need a shortstop, as well. The one big knock on Theo Epstein as a general manager is the constant state of confusion the shortstop position has suffered since he took over in 2003.

First there was Nomar, there was almost A-Rod, then there was still Nomar. Orlando Cabrera (and his intricate handshakes) replaced Nomar. Edgar Renteria was signed to replace Cabrera. Alex Gonzalez came in for one year. Julio Lugo took over in 2007 (with help from Alex Cora) and 2008 before an injury paved the way for Jed Lowrie.

Lowrie and Lugo both got hurt early in 2009 creating a job for Nick Green. Now, Lugo is back at shortstop. Confusing enough for you?

Lugo is neither the short term nor the long term answer. Theo needs to get a good shortstop and there is no better alternative at the plate and in the field than Hanley Ramirez.

Ramirez would not come cheap, but the Red Sox have done such an outstanding job of developing young talent that they could probably meet the Marlins' asking price.

The Red Sox could begin their offer with Manny Delcarmen, a proven relief pitcher at the Major League level who has the potential to be a very good closer. They could spice up the offer with Michael Bowden, a starter at Triple-A who has major league stuff, but lacks an opportunity in Boston.

Adding in Lars Anderson, a power hitting first baseman, would give the Marlins even more reason to consider. The Sox could also add in Lugo, along with $8 to 10 million to almost pay off what is owed on his deal that expires after the 2010 season, giving the Marlins a shortstop.

The Marlins, who are always in a state of rebuilding and trying to cut costs, would add a power arm for their bullpen, a starting pitcher who could help them immediately, a big time prospect at firstbase, and a veteran shortstop who they would have to pay short money for one-and-a-half seasons.

The Red Sox would add an All-Star shortstop who would fit into their plans for the next decade, ending the constant turnover at the position and giving them the big bat they need so much right now.

Imagine the delight of Terry Francona if he could make out this lineup every day.

Jacoby Ellsbury—CF
Dustin Pedroia—2B
Hanley Ramirez—SS
Kevin Youkilis—1B
J.D. Drew—RF
Jason Bay—LF
David Ortiz—DH
Mike Lowell—3B
Jason Varitek—C

That is as deep of a lineup as you will see in the major leagues. A six-seven-eight of Bay, Ortiz, and Lowell would match most teams three-four-five. It is a lineup that can get on base, hit for average, run the bases, hit for power, and drive in runs.

The bullpen could also absorb Delcarmen's loss. Justin Masterson will return to the 'pen when Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the rotation and the flamethrowing Daniel Bard was called up to the Red Sox on Sunday.

I beg you, Theo, bring Hanley Ramirez to the Red Sox!

Patriots-Celtics Comparison; Football Picks

Billy Donovan — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:06:34 -0500

I have had this feeling for some time now, but after Bill Simmons broke it down in his column this week I am again thinking about the odd similarities between the 1986 NBA World Champion Boston Celtics and the 2007 New England Patriots.

Both teams are led by league MVP athletes at the top of their game. For those scoring at home that would be Larry Bird and Tom Brady.

Both teams had unbelievable supporting casts. The C's featured Dennis Johnson, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Bill Walton, Jerry Sichting, and Scott Wedman. The Pats trot out Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Vince Wilfork, Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Asante Samuel, Rodney Harrison, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, and Junior Seau, among others.

(Sorry for the rambling list of Patriots, there are just too many solid players. I can't believe I skipped over Ty Warren, Ben Watson, and Stephen Neal.)

Both teams picked up a former star who was seen to be on the downside of his respective career before storming back with great seasons. Bill Walton was the NBA's sixth Man of the Year in 1986 and Randy Moss...well, you already know what Randy Moss did to opposing defenses in 2007.

Both teams also missed out on playing their biggest rivals in the postseason. The 1986 Celtics were denied revenge on the Lakers, who knocked off the C's in the 1985 NBA Finals, because L.A. lost to the Houston Rockets. The Patriots were denied revenge on the Colts, who bounced the Pats from the AFC Championship Game last January because Indy choked against the San Diego Chargers last week.

Another similarity, and this one sends a few chills down the spine of any true Boston fan, is that both teams held high draft picks following their great seasons. The C's had the No. 2 overall pick in the 1986 draft, courtesy of trading Gerald Henderson to Seattle. We all (sadly) remember how that played out. The Pats have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2008 Draft courtesy of trading the No. 28 pick in the 2007 Draft (offensive lineman Joe Staley of Central Michigan—sadly I didn't have to look that up) to San Francisco.

A quick side note: That trade with the 49ers could end up as the most lopsided trade in the history of sports even if Staley morphs into the next Anthony Munoz. The Pats dealt the No. 28 pick to the 49ers for a 2008 No. 1—the seventh overall choice—as well as a 2007 fourth round pick. Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick then sent that fourth round pick—who became cornerback John Bowie—to Oakland for Randy Moss. Moss, by way of his record breaking 2007 season and his role in the team being 17-0 heading into Sunday's AFC Championship Game, already has made it a lopsided trade. However, if/when Pioli/Belichick nail that No. 7 pick, the trade will be remembered by history as one of the all-time great steals.

Both teams even have the perfect coach fo. K.C. Jones gets very little credit for the job he did with that 1985-86 team because of his laid back manner, but when you are dealing with a team of 12 players—including Hall of Famers Bird, McHale, Walton, and Parish, as well as All-Stars D.J., Danny Ainge, and Wedman—there wasn't too much tinkering that needed to be done. Also, basketball players tend to be more sensitive to criticism so K.C. letting the team play instead of over-coaching made them a success.

Bill Belichick is the perfect football coach. He is tough and accepts no excuses, he game plans better than any other coach in the NFL, he makes players earn his trust before trusting them on the field, and he obviously loves his players (not that his love makes any of them safe from criticism or saves their jobs) because he does return that trust.

Belichick has also built a dynasty in the era of the salary cap that has lifted the degree of difficulty for team-building many notches higher than Paul Brown, Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, Bill Walsh, or Jimmy Johnson ever dealt with.

The only thing the 2007 Patriots currently do not have in common with the 1986 Celtics is the championship ring. For all the talk of the undefeated season and the records they have set, this Patriot team can not go down in history with the '86 C's if they fail to win the Super Bowl.

As for the picks...

PATRIOTS (-13.5) over San Diego

The Pats just have too much, even if the Chargers were at full speed. The injuries to Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates hurt the Chargers but even those three couldn't prevent the inevitable from occurring.

45-10 Pats

NY Giants (+7.5) over GREEN BAY

The whole country is already planning for the David (Green Bay/Brett Favre) v. Goliath (New England/Tom Brady) Super Bowl but I have a funny feeling that Eli Manning will step up to the plate like his brother always fails to in the clutch (The Pats choked away last year's AFC Championship Game and had an inferior team anyways and the Bears may not have been an AFC playoff team let alone a Super Bowl team). The Pats will get their shot at a Manning this winter, they'll just have to settle for Eli.

24-16 Giants

Last Week: 1-3
Playoffs: 3-4-1
Regular Season: 120-109-6