Before the playoffs began, I asked Pistons coach Rick Carlisle if he could buck the trend and win the Eastern Conference with a no-superstar team in a superstar's league."We're about to find out," he said.Maybe we already have.The honeymoon is nearly over. The good feelings between Detroit fans and the Joe Dumars/Rick Carlisle/goin'-to-work philosophy are on the verge of collapse.
He moves like a water bug, so fast that sometimes all you see is the streak of where he was. Into the corner, back into the middle, through two defenders, back into the corner, grab the ball, turn, shoot. Richard (Rip) Hamilton is such a whirling dervish that you're not sure where his shots really begin. Is it when he flicks his wrist, or when he lifts his arms, or when he lifts his legs, or when he starts running 10 seconds before he ever gets the ball? One thing is certain, when that ball comes, there is little hesitation as to whether it'll be launched.Let her Rip.
SALT LAKE CITY -- But enough about the judges. Let's get to the real issue in figure skating. The costumes.Really. As a man, I can be silent no longer. If the women want to skate in flamenco red and baby-doll blue -- fine. Who am I to complain? I stopped understanding women's clothing when the miniskirt went maxi.But watching my fellow males skate in leprechaun vests, tan boots, sequined belts and puffed sleeves that haven't been seen in athletic competition since Sir Lancelot jousted King Arthur -- well, that's it.I'm putting my skate down.
NEW YORK -- It was still an hour before the summer sun dropped from the New York sky, and outside the crowded Madison Square Garden Theatre, fans sat on steps, sweating through tank tops. Inside, however, it was dark and cool, all long sleeves, custom suits and silk ties. This was pro basketball's version of prom night. The NBA Draft.This one would change the landscape forever.
Things we learned from the NFL draft:1) Sunshine is overrated.2) Joey Harrington can now look to his right and his left.3) It's OK to draft 20-year-olds, but not the ones who go to the Supreme Court.Let's begin with the sunshine.Silly me.Here I thought all anyone could want in life was beach, breeze and beautiful blondes.Obviously, a subway that smells like urine is more attractive.
TO: THE REST OF THE WORLD FROM: DETROIT SPORTS FANSAttention, please.We are not on a ledge.We do not have our heads in the oven.We are not taking the big sleep. We are not swallowing the gas pipe. Yes, we know the rest of the sports world feels sorry for us, seeing as our venerable Tigers, one of baseball's oldest franchises, are about to lose more games in one season than any modern-era team has done before -- even the laughable 1962 New York Mets.But can we let you in on a little secret? We don't care that much.Honest.
Sometime in the future . . ."Grandpa, who's that man in the book?""His name is Michael Jackson. He was a famous singer.""Why is he in handcuffs?""He was accused of doing bad things to children.""And who's that?""That's Phil Spector. He was a famous music producer.""Why is he in handcuffs?""He was charged with murder.""Who's that? The man with the white hair?""That's Robert Blake. He was once a famous actor. When he was small like you, he was in the 'Little Rascals.' ""Why is he in jail?"
WELL, HERE it is Monday morning, and what do we know now that we didn't know before about Matt Millen, who will be put in charge of the Lions this week?We know he used to start fights with his teammates. We know he is a Type-A personality. We know he loves his wife and his four children. We know he dresses like a frat-house brother.We know he jokes during broadcasts. We know he watches loads of tape. We know he comes from a blue-collar Pennsylvania town that breeds hard-working, tough-nosed people.
Mitch Albom writes about running an orphanage in impoverished Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his kids, their hardships, laughs and challenges, and the life lessons he’s learned there every day.
