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Monthly Archives: August 2010

She’s Back! Diana Taurasi re-signs with the Mercury

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The WNBA Playoffs are in full swing!

Angel McCoughtry and the Atlanta Dream sent the Washington Mystics packing. Tonight I’m watching the other Eastern Conference series that might come to a close if the New York Liberty can pull out a win against the Indiana Fever on its home court.  Yesterday, MVP candidate Lauren Jackson and the Seattle Storm closed out Tina Thompson and the LA Sparks. The Sparks were playing without its star forward, Candace Parker, who has been out rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Candace Parker is a tough competitor, and I expect that she will be back next season ready to lead the team to a WNBA Championship. The other side of the Western Conference final is set as well. The San Antonio Silver Stars couldn’t handle strength and dominance of Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury.

As I watched Taurasi and her teammates play, I couldn’t help but think what next season would look like without her. Last month, Taurasi publicly stated that she was contemplating taking the 2011 WNBA season off to rest. She has played seven professional basketball seasons without a break,  and prior to her professional career she was a student collegiate player with the Connecticut Huskies where she led them to three consecutive NCAA National Championships. While student-athletes technically have a summer break, we all know that champions are made in the off season. Taurasi’s total is closer to eleven consecutive seasons of competitive basketball, and of course that doesn’t include high school and AAU basketball.

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Boys Behaving Badly

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What’s up with all of the boys behaving badly lately? Yes, I called them boys. Real men do not act like this.

In the last week we’ve seen NY Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez tear a ligament in his pitching hand after getting into an altercation with his girlfriend’s father. Indiana Pacers 2010 draft pick, Lance Stephenson, was arrested for assault after pushing is girlfriend down a flight of stairs. And finally Miami Heat forward, Udonis Haslem, was arrested for possession of marijuana following a traffic stop.

I’m not sure which one of these incidents is worse.

The passenger in Haslem’s vehicle has stated the marijuana was his. It was found in the passenger’s luggage and it’s possible that Haslem will be cleared. Even if he is cleared, what part of “I am a professional athlete and I have a lot to lose so don’t do anything stupid around me” does Haslem not understand. I’m sorry, I just don’t get it.

The Stephenson situation is very sad. He is 19 years old and clearly is young and immature. Domestic violence is serious and it is something that I personally don’t take lightly. Larry Bird, Pacers President, issued a statement saying the arrest is “very disappointing to the Pacers franchise and to me personally.” Yup it’s disappointing alright and I am sure there are a few other choice words that Larry Bird would like to say too. If it were me I would. Then again I’m a lady and I don’t talk like that.

K-Rod’s actions have probably ended his season. The Mets suspended him for two games, which amounted to a penalty around $125K. Later, he revealed his injury to the organization and it turns out that he has torn a ligament in his pitching hand. Seriously? Yes, Mets organization your closer has a possible season ending injury that occurred off the field. Oh yeah, he has been charged with third-degree assault, second-degree harassment and the entire incident occurred at Citi Field. The Mets organization has said that they are disappointed, discouraged, and frustrated by the situation. I have to hand it to them, they have been very calm when it comes to addressing the media. Continue reading →

A Return to Detroit

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It’s official. After months of speculation, Mike Ilitch, current owner of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, has stated that he wants to buy the Detroit Pistons. Aside from me being the owner. I couldn’t be happier that Ilitch is going to make a bid. While it is known that Davidson and Ilitch families didn’t exactly get along over the years, I think that I can speak for the rest of the Detroit fans that today we’re all breathing a sigh of relief.

Mike Ilitch and his wife, Marian, began building their business empire, if you will, in 1959 with a small mom and pop pizza store front called “Little Caesars Pizza.” After franchising and expanding the business has grown into a billion dollar industry. In 2007, it was reported that Ilitch holdings $1.8 billion. Not only do the holdings including Little Caesars, but it also includes the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers.

Ilitch purchased the Wings in 1982 and turned the “Dead Wings” into Hockey Town by winning for Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008). Ten years later, in 1992, Ilitch bought the Detroit Tigers from Domino’s Pizza competitor, Tom Monaghan. In 2000, the team moved from the historic Tigers Stadium to Comerica Park. The team struggled with losing records for many years and it wasn’t until 2006 under the leadership of Manager, Jim Leyland, and General Manager, Dave Dombrowski, that the Tigers finally made it to the playoffs.

 For years Ilitch has denied any interest in basketball and has firmly restated his commitment to the City of Detroit. Today’s announcement has changed everything.

In Ilitch’s statement (see the following link for the full announcement http://www.freep.com/article/20100809/SPORTS03/100809026/Read-the-full-statement-from-Ilitch-on-the-Pistons) he said “Marian and I grew up here, we raised our family here and we built our businesses here. Detroit is our home. When I read in the paper there was the chance that this great sports town could lose one of its professional sports franchises, I just didn’t see how we could let that happen.” He went on to say, “The Pistons are just like the Red Wings, Tigers and the Lions, have a rich and storied tradition in this community and they’ve brought pride to fans and our community.” Continue reading →

Isiah Thomas – Back in a New York Minute

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Things that make you go hmmm…

That was my reaction today when I heard Isiah Thomas, current Florida International University men’s basketball coach and former New York Knicks GM and head coach, is returning to the New York Knicks as a consultant. While I don’t know the relationship between Isiah Thomas and the Knicks ownership this is either an extremely questionable move or a very calculated move.

 First, let me say that Isiah was a great point guard. He led my beloved Detroit Pistons to two NBA Championships (’88-’89 & ’89-’90). He was a pit bull on the court and would flash his 1,000 watt smile off the court. He put the “bad” in bad boy and his Chicago competitive roots were always on display for the world to see. Now he’s known to have strained and on again off again relationships with former players and those players not wanting to have anything to do with him.

Former LA Lakers great, Magic Johnson, stated in his book When The Game Was Ours, “‘Isiah killed his own chances when it came to the Olympics. Nobody on that team wanted to play with him. … Michael [Jordan] didn’t want to play with him. Scottie [Pippen] wanted no part of him. Bird wasn’t pushing for him. Karl Malone didn’t want him. Who was saying, ‘We need this guy?’ Nobody.” Ouch. These comments are a long way away from the “kiss heard around the world” between Magic and Isiah during the ’88 NBA Finals.

Ok, so putting Isiah’s athletic talent aside and what he contributed to the league as a player let’s get down to the matter at hand. Is this a good move for the Knicks, and is his new position a conflict of interest?

Under Isiah’s tenure from 2004 – 2008 the Knicks had a .368 winning percentage. They reached the playoffs in his first season but then failed to make the playoffs in all later seasons. The team just didn’t win games and (I hate to say it) was the doormat of the league.

 The draft picks didn’t get any better either. The most notable successful draft pick was David Lee who was the 30th pick in the 2005 draft. All other draft picks just haven’t worked out. While I know that drafting a player can be like rolling the dice, but the Knicks have passed on many guys that turned out to be great players. Rajon Rondo, Glenn “Big Baby” Davis, and Jordan Farmar were all passed up by the Knicks and went on the play in the2010 NBA Finals.  

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Are You Ready For Some Football?

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Are you ready for some football? Yes, it is that time of year again. Training camp is in full swing and the first preseason game is just days away. The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing the Dallas Cowboys in the annual Hall of Fame game. Every year I say that I’m going to make it to Canton, but I never do. Ok, next year is the year.

Anyway, I saw an interview with Tony Dungy and it inspired me to to take a moment to hit a few of the NFL highlights to get everyone up to speed.

Favre-hound Day. Favre-ageddon. Call it what you want. The rumors are swirling around Brett Favre’s return to the Minnesota Vikings for his 20th season in the NFL. I think he’s coming back and so does Tony Dungy. Favre is a competitor and there’s no way he’s going out like that (I’m referring to the devastating loss in the NFC Championship game against the Saints). Please everyone calm down. Favre has done this many times. It’s just his unconventional way of doing things. If I’m the owner of the Vikings I’m just playing it easy and letting Favre, well be Favre. He’ll come around and let us know his decision. He always does. And by the way…has he ever let us down?

Michael Vick on the other hand he is someone that I feel let us down. Will he ever learn? Tony Dungy is mentoring him and says that he’s “quote proud of him.” I don’t know Michael Vick and I don’t know Coach Dungy either. But I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Dungy so I will side with coach on this one. I have to say I was very disappointed to hear that he was at a club where a shooting took place. I’d really like to see Michael Vick mature. This incident was not a good start toward rebuilding his image. Philly’s owner Jeffery Lurie said that Vick’s mistake in judgment should not be confused with wronging.

Maybe the Eagles don’t have a choice with this one. Based on his contract and the availability of another quarterback - does the ownership have to keep him? If it were me I think I would have let Vick go. Sorry. I am a believer in second chances and I was one those people last season that said let Vick play. He paid his debt to society and he should be allowed to work. It just so happened that work for him was playing professional football. Believe me. I would have told him I don’t want to see your name in the paper about ANYTHING. Wasn’t the dog fighting incident a lack of judgment issue too? I will say that I give the Eagles’ owner credit for supporting Vick in the media. The last thing an owner wants to do is air dirty laundry out in public. “Ne-va ev-va” chastise a player in the media. That’s ownership 101. Again, I’ll side with Coach Dungy on this one and l’ll watch this situation play out.

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Ode to the Detroit Shock

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I love the WNBA. The games are so competitive and the women are fierce. Once-upon-a-time I was in great shape. Now I am just in awe (and somewhat envious) of the athletic talent of the players, which make me a perfect candidate for ownership.

Speaking of athletic talent, I want to take a moment and give a shot out to Lindsey Whalen from the Minnesota Lynx and former Golden Gopher. Whalen and I played together at the University of Minnesota. During my senior year she was a stand-out freshman. She is tough, skilled, and the kindest person you’ll ever meet. After starting her career with the Connecticut Sun, she’s back in Minnesota playing in front of the home fans. Right now the Lynx are fourth in the Western Conference standings, so I hope to see her leading the team into the playoffs.

Back to the rest of the WNBA…

I have to say I have been a little sad this season. The Detroit Shock was sold at the end of last season and the team moved to Tulsa Oklahoma. I miss the Detroit Shock. Joni Mitchell said it best, “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”

The deal seemed to happen so fast. First, there were rumors swirling and then the next thing I knew the team was sold. And anyone that knows anything about “the art of a deal” the sale of the Shock didn’t just happen overnight. Between the lawyers, underwriters, accountants, and investors the deal had to be in the works for months.

Now the Tulsa Shock looks nothing like the Detroit Shock. There’s a new coach – Nolan Richardson, former head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks and known for his “40 minutes of hell” defense. Plenette Pierson is playing with the New York Liberty. Katie Smith is playing with the Washington Mystics. Kara Braxton is playing with the Phoenix Mercury.
Deanna “Tweety” Nolan and Cheryl Ford are not playing in the WNBA this season. After four conference championships (2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008) and three WNBA championships (2003, 2006, and 2008) the Shock of yesterday is gone. Continue reading →