MVN: Most Valuable Network

Detroit Pistons:

The Answer skips a mandatory Thanksgiving Day practice, and is making noises about not getting enough playing time.

Tayshaun Prince is benched during Sunday's loss, as in head coach Michael Curry's words, "He wasn't playing well." Prince responds it's "news to me" that he was playing badly.

In another team drama, Rip Hamilton continues to play like a mopey teen who was dumped by his girlfriend, apparently still upset over the trade of Chauncey Billups.

Thoughts:

First off, why in the Hell was Curry scheduling a Thanksgiving Day morning practice after winning the night before? I know the Pistons are still trying to get Allen Iverson acclimated within the offense, but it was a rookie coaching mistake on his part.

Curry would be best to remember what Chuck Daly once said about coaching in the NBA: (Paraphrasing) "I'm not a coach, I manage 12 different corporations."  Curry should know corporations are closed on Thanksgiving.  He also needs to learn to pick his battles. Pissing off his team by calling for a holiday practice was not a smart thing to do.

The fact it was an asinine idea to practice in the first place doesn't mean I'm letting Iverson off the the hook.  Between his reenacting his Philly "we're talkin' 'bout practice" fiasco, and bitching about playing time even though this is the most talented team Iverson's ever played on, is not a good way to curry favor with the fans, his coach or the organization.

If there were any question this was only going to be a one year marriage between player and team, Iverson's recent actions may have answered it. Massive amounts of cap room is more important than re-signing an aging point guard with attitude.

In regard to Prince, I'm sure Curry was trying to get a point across. Produce, and you play. Period. I have no problem with that, and it's time a Pistons coach actually held his players accountable. This is the sort of battle Curry should be waging, not penny ante shit like Thanksgiving practices.

As for Rip Hamilton, he needs to GROW UP.  Players get traded. You're being paid MILLIONS. Get a God damn grip, and play as you're capable. All I can say about the trade is if he and the rest of the "core" didn't come up woefully short in the past 3 conference finals, then his little point guard buddy is quite likely still wearing the white, red and blue.

Detroit Tigers:

The organization declined arbitration on free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria, thus losing the opportunity to get a pair of high compensatory draft picks if he signed with another team. The Tigers end up with absolutely nothing (save for one below average year from Renteria) from their trading a pair of excellent prospects, Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez.

The Tigers still have NO IDEA who will play shortstop, catcher or be their closer in 2009. All we do know is Renteria won't be their shortstop.

Thoughts: 

With the current economic climate, declining arbitration on Renteria makes you wonder if the Tigers are so strapped for cash and/or deathly afraid of upping payroll, they didn't want to even chance paying for one year of Renteria at $9-10 million, when there are cheaper alternatives. Not that the alternatives are all that exciting, or as good as Renteria.

Declining arbitration makes absolutely no sense otherwise. For a team that takes much pride in their ability to make the most out of the amateur draft, willing to break ranks on signing bonuses, forfeiting a pair of compensatory draft picks is mystifying to me.

It's looking more and more like the Tigers will be going on the cheap this season, at least relative to last year. There will be no more $130 million plus payroll, to be sure. Could the next move be trading the still highly productive, but very expensive, Magglio Ordonez? If trading Maggs can net the Tigers a catcher/shortstop/closer or some combination thereof, I think Dave Dombrowski will do just that.

This off season has been one big ball of meh. Hard to believe about this time a year ago I was stoked beyond belief over the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera, and a likely playoff spot. But now? With so many holes to fill, and apparently little, if any, money to spend, I'm wondering if the Tigers are anything more than a .500 team, at best.

Detroit Red Wings: 

The Wings find themselves in a mini-slump, losing 3 of their last 4 games.

Chris Osgood continues to flail away helplessly in net with a 3.19 GAA and .878 SV%. Ty Conklin hasn't been much better at 2.70 and .905.
 
Mike Babcock calls out his entire team to the media by saying they are no longer the hardest working team in the NHL. He also takes a backhanded slap at the goaltending and overall defense with the following statement: "We gave up seven goals on 38 shots the last two games, I think that's pretty self-explanatory."

Thoughts:

You have to love Babcock's mind games. His Red Wings team is 15-4-4, leading the central division by 8 points, yet he is far from being satisfied. Why else would he publicly call out his extremely talented group the morning of a game against their biggest roadblock to another Stanley Cup berth, the Anaheim Ducks?

Despite their gaudy record, the Red Wings really haven't played all that well. At least not up to their capabilities. It's all relative, as this team is good enough to sleepwalk their way to 100 points. But Babcock has his eye on the playoffs, and will not allow his team to half-ass their way through a season.  That's why Mike Babcock is the best coach in the NHL, bar none.

As for Osgood and Conklin, it's too early to be overly concerned about their performance. Their track records say their slow starts are an aberration. But if we are still talking about their struggles in February, even the Downriver puck bunnies will be wondering who is going to step up in goal. Or if that person to step up in goal is even on the roster.

Again, I'm not worried. Not worried at all. Not with a cranky Babcock behind the bench. But a shutout or three would help quiet the little voice in the back of my head wondering where in the Hell have the defense and goaltending been this year.

Detroit Lions:

No need to go into the Thanksgiving Day Massacre again, right? Right. (I'll have thoughts on the GM list from PFT and the long feature pieces in today's Detroit News tomorrow)

Another player has been involuntarily sent to the IR. WR Mike Furrey is out for the season, as the Lions have placed him on the IR after missing the last 3 games with a concussion. Furrey isn't happy about it, telling the media, "This is the way they want to go. I'm 100% right now, and I'll be getting ready for next year next week."

The Lions actually saw fit to respond via a press release, with Martin Mayhew being quoted as saying:  "We made this move to protect Mike and to do what's best for this football team."

Thoughts:

This is no "Let's get Jon Kitna out of the pitcure by placing him on the IR" situation. In fact, it may be the only time this season I side with the Lions (OK, the 2nd time, as I was in favor of the Roy Williams trade), but they are doing both the right and smart thing in sitting Furrey on the sidelines for the remainder of the schedule.

I love the fact Furrey wants to play, and I'd be disappointed if he wasn't upset. But there is no reason to risk further injury by playing out the string in a season that's already long lost. Concussions are nothing to be trifled with, and I'm fully behind the Lions in erring on the side of extreme caution.

Missing 3 weeks due to concussion symptoms means this was more than Furrey getting his bell rung. There was some brain damage, even if Furrey doesn't want to admit it. I'm glad the Lions are showing a great deal of common sense, and are doing the right thing in this case.

I'll see you 2009, Mike...with all your faculties intact.