"The Dud"

The game did not live up to the hype. The Heat are running away with the game and the 4th quarter hasn't started. The fans tried to give it to LeBron each time he go the ball but after a few 3rd quarter points(24) they seem to be a little deflated. The realization has begun to set in that the Cavs are heading for a loss. At the present time LeBron has 38 and starts the 4th quarter on the bench. It appears that LeBron may be done for the night and fans are starting to leave, and so am I.

"The Reception"

Will there be fireworks after the introduction?  What will "The Reception" for one LeBron James be like tonight at The Q?

One thing I know is Cleveland is Angry for sure! I have been to games in the Q when a picture of the block M of the Wolverines was shown to insight boos. It was loud then, but I believe each time LeBron touches the ball the boos are much louder. If you know anything about Ohioans, they Hate Michigan. But today, it seems they HATE Bron Bron even more, now that is saying something.

As for the game well it looks like Miami will run away with it, but I'll let you know about that later.

Fixing the Detroit Pistons

After a few months off basketball is back, and so am I. I have been watching, reading and learning about as much as I can to write from a better perspective.

My favorite team The Detroit Pistons is off to a very slow start and it looks as if it will be a long season. From where I sit they have no chemistry, they don't seem to be cohesive enough to battle "together" down the stretch of close games. I don't know for sure because I have never been a coach or player in the NBA, but it looks like they are not on the same page. To me they don't look like they are having fun together. It looks like they are simply going through the motions. There is only one way to fix the problem in my estimation is a trade or two. Yeah I know trades during the season are difficult to pull off and it is tough to build chemistry as well, but a change it needed.

First, I would begin to explore a deal involving Tayshaun to LA Clippers for Chris Kaman. This would allow Tayshaun to go home to Cali, and bring us the Michigan native and center we haven't had for years. Secondly, I would explore trading Rodney Stuckey. I have never felt comfortable with him running the point. I would look at someone that has not had the opportunity like Acie Law. I would also explore trades involving Rip Hamilton to Denver and Jason Maxiel for the rights to Jerome Jordan. A few new faces could really help them begin the turnaround they need. 

Why Cavalier Fans are SO MAD!

Close to a month after "The Decision" Cleveland is still upset and some are wondering why. I can tell you first hand my experiences as a visitor to Gund Arena and The Q for Cavalier basketball games.

Pre LeBron Era

It started with 4 guys having an interest to go out of our home state of Michigan to watch an NBA basketball game. Through research of the teams in the central division, Cleveland was our choice. First of all, the drive is minimal, the price was right, and the hotel inexpensive. That first visit was great, we had great seats and we enjoyed the atmosphere. After the game we decided to walk back to our hotel. The hotel was about 9 blocks from the arena. As we walked we spotted less than 20 cars on a Saturday night in downtown Cleveland on that night.

Fast forward a couple years, the interest in the trip grew so we chartered a bus to Cleveland. This time it was Michael Jordan's last game in Cleveland before his final retirement. I was offered courtside tickets for $75 each or the opportunity for our group to play on the Cavaliers court before the game, with use of the scoreboard, and locker room. We took the later deal and still had tickets in the lower bowl.

LeBron Era

I will never forget on a return trip during the LeBron era. My cousin stepped out of the taxi and a group of fans began to let him have it, he was wearing a Michigan hat in Ohio. The game that night LeBron hit the Pacers with about 48, the arena was packed and our seats were in the upper bowl. We also found some great food at small place called Freddy's with the help of our hotel staff.

On our last visit to The Q our seats were so close to the top we could shake hands with the guys on the catwalk above us. The arena was again packed, buses lined the street around The Q and the downtown that night was filled with people. Oh yeah no more access to the court for our group,  it now requires 300 tickets sold.

The Aftermath

I like Cavs fans everywhere had hoped LeBron would stay home in Cleveland, although it would mean on our next visit our tickets still wouldn't be good. It was always fun to visit and experience the transformation that had taken place since his arrival.

The fans had hope with LeBron in town of one day winning a championship and having a parade of their own. Now its over and their disappointment is evident. The future now looks like the past and it is filled with heartache.

The Bright Side

Cleveland Cavalier fans remember this Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas and many other NBA Champions weren't from the cities they won Championships in. Just a thought, stay strong.

Pistons GM For A Day

With my new status as Pistons General Manager For A Day, let's get right down to business. Tomorrow is the draft, which is very important to our team. We have some young talent and have a few needs that we would like to address.

1. Explore trade Rodney Stuckey for Chris Paul

2. Explore trade with Minnesota for 16 & 23 picks in exchange for the #7 pick

The trade of Rodney Stuckey for Chris Paul would immediately help our team run the offense that Coach Kuester has designed. Chris would be the catalyst for getting shots for Rip Hamilton and allowing the offense to run more smoothly. He is an all star and will only help the team excel.

The trade for the 16 and 23 picks is simply because I feel all players that can help immediately will be gone before our pick. Also I would not want to give up a player to move up in the draft unless it were for the #2 pick.

Moving down in the draft will allow our team more flexibility, with the option to keep or trade a pick. The Dallas Mavericks are said to be looking to get into the first round and could provide a trade partner for one of the picks for their 2010 second round pick and possibly a future pick.

If the proposed trades are completed Detroit would have two first round picks and two second round picks and an all star point guard. All is a day's work!

2010 NBA Draft - Detroit Pistons

With the draft just two days away, there are only 2 picks that I am interested in and those belong to the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons have the 7th pick in the first round and 6th pick in the second round. Honestly, as the person in charge of the draft for them I don't know what I would do.  There are only 4 or 5 guys I would draft with the 7th pick. Both John Wall and Evan Turner will definitely be gone before they pick, again leaving me undecided who I would select.

Ideally, the Pistons need a point guard that can direct the offense and distribute the ball, and a center that can both rebound and score. There isn't a point guard after Wall that would deserve to be the 7th overall pick, in my estimation. The only center that could help here would be DeMarcus Cousins, but I wouldn't trade up to acquire him. If he falls yes I would take him otherwise I would trade down or out of the first round.

What I want from a player selected at the 7th pick is an ability to come in and contribute right away. He may not be the starter from the beginning, but at some point he must move into that role. The weight of the franchise need not be on his young shoulders, but he has to have the will to win from the outset. He must make the team better when he is on the floor, and carry himself with class off the floor. If there isn't a guy that fits that criteria, then trade down or out of the first round.

Depending on the selection in the first round, in the second I would have my eye on Jerome Jordan. He seems to be a project that could be a serviceable big man with upside.

Just something to think about two days from the draft.

2010 Champion Los Angeles Lakers

Months ago I predicted that the Boston Celtics would win the NBA championship this year in 6 games over the Los Angeles Lakers. Well, as you know I was wrong. The Los Angeles Lakers came through with an inspired performance to win the championship in back to back years.

The Lakers have the best coach in history Phil Jackson and a top 50 player of all time in Kobe Bryant. This combination along with Derek Fisher has delivered 5 NBA championships to the so called city of Angels.

This team has learned how to win in different ways. They are tough, resilient, talented and well coached and they have the will to win. Congratulations to the 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers.

What's Right with College Sports

Four short years ago a talented teenager entered The University of Michigan as a member of the basketball team.  The first in his family to take the journey to college. He had to leave his home where he was the man of house because the incarceration of his father. He made the short trip from Detroit to Ann Arbor which seems to be two different worlds.  A new environment,  a new team and within months his brother who may have followed in footsteps was shot and killed. Its a lot to endure for anyone, but especially difficult for an 18 year old.

DeShawn set out to help the team win ball games, and to obtain a degree. He did both. What I am most proud of is that through it all,  he did exactly what he set out to accomplish. A young man that has gone through plenty of adversity now is a college graduate. Congratulations DeShawn Sims!

The Best Time of Year

The NCAA Basketball Tournament is the absolute best sporting event on earth. Each year fans of college basketball look forward to this dynamic tournament, and each year it does not disappoint. Well it may if your team doesn't win it all, but in general the tournament is a hit no matter who wins. 2010 was no different, what a great tournament!

Although my bracket was destroyed early, I watched and enjoyed the games each weekend. Butler was not only a surprise participant in the championship game, but an inspiration as well. As a so called mid-major they gave Duke all they could handle, in the process gave underdogs a reason to keep fighting.

I can't wait for 2011 to see who will be next.

Let me introduce the Little Brother Mentality

For those that don't have an older sibling, the little brother mentality is vital to the development of confidence. Confidence is essential to success in sports or in anything that you wish to achieve.

For many the first competitor you faced was from within your own house. For me it was my brother who happens to be 5 years older. He took me everywhere with him, and I was glad to follow. I was a fixture at his varsity basketball practices. For years I didn't have a first name, I was simply known as Little Banks.

When it came to competing against him years later, he always had the upper hand. The problem is he and his friends would let me know it. For more than a few summers each Sunday after church we would go to Mrs. Smith's house to play ball. It seemed to be years before I was able to compete, but when I finally could I felt that I could compete against anyone.

It is that type of drive and determination that is needed to succeed when a times are bad, when times are better, and even during good times to stay on top. If you ever had an older sibling that you had to compete against, you know what I mean. Just ask Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, or Reggie Miller they'll tell you the same thing.