What Went Wrong With Men's Basketball?

Standing on the lowest of the three medal podiums, Richard Jefferson couldn't resist sneaking a peek.

Standing above him one spot to his right was Argentina guard Pepe Sanchez, who was about to have a gold medal draped around his neck, and Jefferson's eyes were drawn to the reward he could only look at, not touch.
It will be at least four years before another U.S. men's basketball player gets that close to the gold, and it could be even longer before an American is the one on the receiving end of a similar jealous gaze.

The Athens Games hammered home a point: The world hasn't just caught up in the 12 years since the Dream Team was born. It has sped past and left the United States in its wake.
Shame should not be attached to the U.S. team that won a bronze medal, though the questions beginning with the word "Why?" are legitimate.

Some of the answers: They didn't practice together long enough. They weren't familiar with each another, nor with the rules of intricacies of international basketball. They didn't have pure shooters. They didn't adapt to their coach, nor he to them

If blame is to be cast on anyone, it should go to the players - including Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Garnett, Mike Bibby, Ray Allen, Kenyon Martin and Ben Wallace - who refused to come.

America will have to go back to the drawing board.

Red Sox cream Tigers

Pedro shutdown the Tigers and Jeremy Bonderman could'int pitch as well as he did his last start. The Red Sox had great offense, with good strategy. The Tigers just could'int hit off of Pedro all day, they only got 4 hits. Guillen did'int play because his knee is injured day to day.

Tonight Ledezma, the suprise player of the year, will take on Wakefield. Wakefield is a kuckleball pitcher, so it might be easy to hit some home runs. Hopefully the Tigers will win one game out of the series.

Mike McMahon might loose his job

Mike McMahon might loose his 2nd string job to Rick Mirer a third stringer who turns bad plays into good ones. Mike McMahon has been looking great in practice reported by sporting news, but doesn't show his great skill in the games. Rick Mirer is just the oppisite. Steve marriucci is probaly looking for a quaterback who has great accuracy not just a great arm. I wouldn't be suprised if Rick Mirer gets a little more playing time in the next pre-season game against baltimore with his great accuracy against the tough ravens defense.

The rookies Kevin Jones and Roy Williams looked ok in the browns game. If Kevin Jones and Roy Williams had more touches and better options, they will make great rookies and will help the team with their playoff doubt. Joey Harrington and Charles Rodgers are begining to get a better understanding of each other and to know where each other are when there is heavy pressure.

The defense is looking good with Donte Curry inpressing the coaches with his heavy tackling and also Chris Kern with his abillity to always get in on the play. Brock Marion finished the game with 1 hurry and 2 tackles against the browns loss. I am noticing that the secondary is getting better every game. Even though there are all of these good things happening there is still help needed in the lions linebackers with the injuries of Boss Baily and James Davis. Walt Rainer is I think one of the best canidates. I would really like to see the lions sign a linebacker that has a good quanity of special skills before the season starts.

More to come later.

Americans Men's Basketball Will Ponder For Spain

Larry Brown let his team rest Tuesday as it prepared for the quarterfinals. With undefeated Spain up next, the Americans might need the time off.

They became the first U.S. men's basketball team to finish anywhere other than first place in the opening round of an Olympics. It won't get any easier against the Spaniards on Thursday.
Spain is the best team Brown has seen. (Pau) Gasol is as good of a player as there is in the tournament, but they're a veteran team, they're a team that beat the United States at home in Indianapolis at the 2002 World Championships.

The difference between winning and losing will be huge.

A victory would put the United States in the semifinals against Greece or Argentina; a loss would drop it into a game for seventh place against the loser of the Lithuania-China.

And no, they don't give medals for seventh place.

The other quarterfinal pits Italy against Puerto Rico. The semifinals are Friday and the gold-medal game is Saturday, meaning the team that stands atop the medal podium in the wee hours Sunday morning will have defeated three tough teams in three days.

More to follow after the huge game. The United States needs the big W!!

Tigers win series

On sunday afternoon, Tiger fans were hoping for a sweep of the Mariners. Well, Detroit could'int pull it off but still won the series. A series win, is better then none. I truly think the Tigers are starting to get it, hitting is up. Pitching has been non consistent all year but I think that will come with experience.

Today, the Chi sox travel to Detroit to take on the Tigers. This matchup has been fun to watch all year, expect it to be a pitchers game with Bonderman, and Contreras on the mound. Should be a fun game to watch

Tigers look to win home stand

The Tigers won last night, against struggling Mariners team, who Detroit hopes to sweep. After the Mariners leave town, the Chi sox come, this series is very winnable, and very important series to both teams. This home stand is a must win, it does'ent get easier then this. Very important for Trammel, to win these games.



Suprise Player of the year= Wilfredo Ledezma.

Ledezma, pitched another gem thursday night, in the finale of the 3 game series against the Chi sox. He allowed 3 runs in 7 innings. Expect Wilfredo to be a big part of the rotation, next year he may pitch from start to finish, with no Minor leauges stints hopefully.

U.S.A Pulls A Victory Out Of Their Hat's

Larry Brown believes his team is finally starting to get it.

In a game the Americans were waltzing through and losing for the better part of three quarters, something clicked when the fourth quarter began.

One flashy and selfless play typified the turnabout: LeBron James eyed Shawn Marion's pass coming toward him and made a split-second decision to redirect the ball with a touch pass to Dwyane Wade for a layup.

The basket broke the last tie during a game-changing 10-point run at the start of the quarter, leading the United States to a 89-79 victory over Australia on Thursday at the Athens Games.
The victory - and the way the Americans turned the game around - might be a big step toward reversing their fortunes after they struggled to beat Greece and were embarrassed by Puerto Rico in a 19-point loss.

Next up is a matchup against Lithuania, the toughest team in their group. But at least the Americans will go into it knowing they're capable of playing the type of basketball the folks back home expect.

More to follow tomorrow.

Up, and down series

Tigers win the first game, with there offense, and Chi sox bad pitching. Last night it was the opposite, the Chi sox won because of bad pitching, and great offense. 2 blow out games. Jeremy Bonderman has been roughed up his past starts, last night was the same. The Chi sox scored 5 runs in the first inning, with a grand slam! by then the Tigers were already out of it. Contreas held the Tigers to only 2 runs in 7 innings pitched. Today, I hope things will even out. Ledezma for the Tigers, and Garland for the Chi sox.

Doesn't Look Good for U.S.A.

The Olympics U.S.A. Basketball Team beat Greece Tuesday, only by six points. On top of that, co-captain Allen Iverson fractured his thumb. I don't like U.S.A's chances in the Olympics because they can't shoot "worth beans." LeBron James isn't playing enough. Carmelo Anthony scored zero points Tuesday, and only two consistent players are Allen Iverson and TimDuncan. I see The U.S.A. not getting a medal in the 2004 Olympics.

Lions looking good!!!

The Detroit Lions played the pre-season opener very well and organized. Not very many mistakes made by them. Joey Harrington is looking great especially with precision passing. He and Charles rodgers will make a great combination and also the add of Roy Williams will help Joey if Charles is covered. He also has great help from the offensive line. They blocked pretty well with the offseason move of Damien Woody and Former Michigander Dave Pearson who played at Michigan last year. The secondary and defense looked pretty bad because of the injuries. Dre' Bly, (hip flexor) Fernado Bryant, (knee) and Brock Marion, (shoulder) are looking to play within the next couple games. I wouldn't be suprised if the lions decide to rest the three secondary starts because I wouldn't want to see them get hurt before the season starts. Kevin Jones did not play either, (injury) but is probable for next game. If the lions don't have lots of injuries, they could be a wild card contender or a playoff contender but that will be if the lions play smart. More to come later.

P.S. the lions beat the steelers 27 to 21.

Tigers still in the race?

CENTRAL W L PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST NL L10 STRK
Minnesota 64 53 .547 - 33-27 31-26 14-10 29-24 10-12 11-7 3-7 W1
Cleveland 63 57 .525 2.5 37-24 26-33 15-11 24-26 14-12 10-8 7-3 L2
Chicago 59 56 .513 4.0 33-25 26-31 16-13 25-21 11-12 7-10 5-5 W1
Detroit 54 63 .462 10.0 28-30 26-33 9-10 23-24 13-20 9-9 4-6 L2
Kansas City 42 74 .362 21.5 26-33 16-41 8-19 23-29 5-14 6-12 3-7 W1


Detroit in 4th place, will need a sweep in Chicago this week to get in the race. There is still some season left, in my opinion the Tigers will end up chasing the Indians, but will be to far out. This series between the Chi Sox and Tigers, is very, very important.

Tigers trying there best against tough team

The Red Sox were heavily favored coming into Comerica Park friday night. Tigers took it to them winning 4-3. Last night, Pedro was on the mound for the R sox, he shutdown the Tigers for 7 innings, with more then 10 k's. Tigers lose 7-4. The Tigers did'int try there hardest, and pitching let them down. Today, the Tigers will put Nate Robertson, arguably the most reliable pitcher this year on the mound. It will be hard to break the new Red sox up, but if the Tigers try there hardest give it all they've got, with some good managing, anything can happen.


A Tiger trade is not ruled out, they have been talking about shipping Urbina through waivers. A team like the Giants could still be intrested if they are in the race for the wild card. Also don't rule the Phillies out.