"The Answer"

Over the weekend I was able to watch the Celtics prove they are still the team to beat in the NBA and the Pistons have a long way to go before they are considered a serious threat to dethrone the Champs.

Watching the game had me thinking about the Iverson trade and what the possible reasons were for Dumars to make the trade of Billup’s for Iverson. It goes without saying Iverson is awesome to watch and has the heart of a champion. That's like telling your boys, "I'd bang her!" Really?Thank you Captain Obvious. The guy’s motor running is always in the red and with his god given talents he is truly one of the best players in the game. But being talented and greatbasketball player are two different things. I’m a huge fan of A.I. and this next comparison hurts me more than it’s going to hurt your reading but, is A.I. not just a better version of Marbury?

The Piston have gone to six straight conference finals and have a well constructed team yet Dumars was convinced that his team needed a face lift…..but was trading Billup’s “The Answer”? If I was the man calling the shots (no not time for a tequila just yet)and maybe Dumars even looked into this angle but I would have kept Billup’s and traded Hamilton for Iverson. You need a leader in big time games and “Mr. Big Shot” was the guy for the Pistons. Why trade your floor leader? I certainly would not have traded Wallace or Prince but Hamilton is a dime a dozen guy. Most NBA guys could fit that roll on the Pistons. RIP would be average at best on another team. Imagine RIP on the Warriors or Clippers. You’d probably be watching SportsCenter one night and see him on a rare highlight and you’d say to yourself, “that guy is still in the league?” Plus a guy like Billup’s would keep Iverson in check, at least have more command of the ball. Iverson is going to look for his and include other guys because he thinks it’s his job. It is not anything that comes naturally to him. Not convinced just watch a game. A.I. has no intentions of making his teammates better. He's is like a hot chick....they hate other hot chicks.


I’m convinced there is a bigger picture at hand but like all professional franchises they can’t come out and say it. Imagine if Dumars said “I’m not totally convinced we can beat the Celtics and it was time for a change. Iverson sells tickets and will be off of the books next year, a good short term investment. Do I think we will be competitive? Yes, but I’m also thinking about the future.” Fans don’t really take to kind to dropping a couple hundred bucks on a game to find out that the team is rebuilding for another day by acquiring a super star. It’s rather sneaky if you think about it. Certainly the Pistons are going to win some games but does anybody think they are going to win it all let alone the East…no way. Dumars is not a guy who looks for W's, he looks for banners to hang.


Alex James

My Dream

What to do in life when what your most passionate about is not what your doing? Day in and day out I want to punch myself in the face for not following my heart when I was younger. I show up to work everyday not because I love what I do, it's because I have a family and a responsibility to them and myself to provide.

Now that I'm a Dad I continue to find ways to better communicate to my son that to be truly happy in life you should follow your heart. The crazy thing is that my son is only 2. I figure you can never start to young. If I send him the same message for the next 18 years of his life he may actually receive it one day.

My Dad and I never had that talk. I'm sure he knew what I wanted to do and be....he just never pushed me. Do I blame my Dad for working at my current job? No way. I truly only have myself to blame but like most people I would have appreciated a nice little nudge now and again.

What's my point. My point is that I love sports, I love competing and I'm addicted to proving people wrong when they look across the court and think they are going to have the better of me.

My family and friends have always told me that I should write about sports.....so here we go. While I certainly might not be living the dream playing, coaching or writing about sports for a major publication I figure this could be my small way of getting in the game.


The dream has to start somewhere.

Alex James