Time for Brown, Pistons to break upWritten by John Onan
This relationship has all plotlines of a soap opera, or Jerry Springer Show depending on your tastes. You have Casanova (Brown) who has been with all chicks (NBA and NCAA basketball teams). He falls in love a couple years back with newest fling (the Pistons). And it looks like he’s just about ready to settle down into a life of monogamy until young hottie in Daisy Dukes (Lebron’s Cavs) begin their flirtatious ways. But, after that would-be couple doesn’t come to fruition, legendary Broadway starlet (the Knicks) is soon waiting in wings to catch Larry Casanova on basketball rebound. Okay, enough with dramatics. But, this whole Larry and Pistons saga have almost gotten this silly. Larry wants team to “wait for him” during his treatment for bladder problems. One day, it’s a crisis; next day, it’s not. If it’s not his physical condition, Larry is upset that team doesn’t “appreciate” him. And you wonder why I compare this to something you’d see on afternoon television, just no “baby mommas” and DNA tests, please. It’s time for these two sides to break up “mutually” on “good terms” on basis of “irreconcilable differences”. Larry Brown gave Pistons what they wanted, and Pistons did same for Brown. Detroit is on top of NBA world, by winning Championship in ’04, and almost repeating in ’05. This squad has free agents to resign, young players like Darko Milocic to develop, and if this pissing match in public continues, Dynasty window in Detroit will begin to close much quicker than it should. It’s a testament to those players how well they stayed focused during Playoffs when Brown had one foot already out door.
| | Schilling to the bullpen; it's a "good thing"Written by John Onan
Perhaps Johnny Damon’s in a panic (Why are you guys still petrified of Yankees??) with news of Curt Schilling’s return to Red Sox in a bullpen role. But, this latest move by Boston, in wake of Keith Foulke’s injury and ineffectiveness (4 blown saves and a 6.23 ERA), makes perfect sense. Granted, Yankee will put together a run at Boston after All Star break, regardless if Schilling is in bullpen, rotation, or rehab. But, this bullpen is what is keeping Yankees in race, and I give Francona props for wanting to do something about it.It’s apparent that Schilling’s ankle is not strong enough to pitch 6 or 7 innings at this time (see his last outing for Pawtucket), but he can be very valuable coming out of pen, and giving team a strong inning or two. The gutsy Schilling actually began his career as a reliever, before becoming one of premier Starting Pitchers in baseball in past decade. John Smoltz is living proof you can make a successful transformation from staff ace to closer. It doesn’t hurt that Schilling is a well respected veteran, and could provide a calming influence over a not-so-calm state of affairs. Now, back to Damon’s comments before Wednesday’s game at Texas. “I don't think he's ready to be our closer,I think Bronson (Arroyo) would be our best choice as a closer. That's if Mike Timlin's not it.”. Okay Johnny, if Arroyo heads down to bullpen, who takes his place in rotation? Certainly not Schilling, he’d have to remain on sidelines. Unless Boston goes exclusively to a four man rotation, they have to insert Jeremi Gonzalez (or another mediocre hurler) back into “spot starter” role. That would be my idea of “panic”. If Timlin takes over for Foulke as team Fireman, then entire bullpen will be forced to move up one spot. Like Rocket J Squirrel would say to Bullwinkle “Not again!! That trick never works!!!” Chances are, Theo Epstein will acquire an established middle reliever to help plug up leaks in bullpen boat.
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