Devin Gardner
Devin Gardner is beginning to look more and more like Denard Robinson. This isn’t necessarily a good thing. Robinson was known to undress opposing defenses early in the year when the likes of Bowling Green and Massachusetts appeared on the schedule. But as late summer became early fall and the quality of opposition ramped up, his stats and performance would suffer. Gardner has become a clone.
It’s not fair to lay the blame on any one individual for Saturday’s thrashing at the hands of rival Michigan State. The game was utterly dominated by the Spartans from start to finish. But Gardner did not help matters. He looked indecisive, and at times appeared to have borrowed the happy feet and immobility from Scott Mitchell for the afternoon.
Michigan has two road games remaining: at Northwestern, and at Iowa. The combined Big Ten record for those clubs is 2-8. If Gardner and the Wolverines are anything more than a run-of-the-mill football team, these will result in two wins. I’m highly skeptical, though.
This is simply a different group when forced to leave the friendly confines of Ann Arbor. Brady Hoke can continue to trumpet his unblemished home mark, but ultimately, respect in this sport is earned by going out and defeating quality teams in their own backyard. For a number of years now, Michigan has been unable to do this. This year, they lost at Penn State, lost at Michigan State, and somehow escaped Connecticut with a win that was more embarrassing than anything else.
The progress of Hoke’s program took a giant step back on Saturday. It wasn’t just a loss to an in-state enemy. It was another instance of getting bullied on the road, an event that has become more trend than anomaly. Get the problem remedied soon, or another promising campaign could become a 4-5 loss season in the blink of an eye.
PISTONS
The Pistons are 2-1, though they should be 3-0. The loss at Memphis Friday night was a give-away game, meaning the Pistons had the victory in hand and simply handed it to the other club in the closing minutes. There was a sad conclusion to regulation, as the Piston set up for the final shot in a tie game. They came out of a timeout with one mission; get the ball to Mr. Big Shot.
Detroit Pistons Josh Smith and Chauncey Billups. (AP photo)
Sure enough, Chauncey came and got it out near half court. He dribbled to the right, picked up a terrific screen, and found himself completely unguarded from three-point land. This is where Chauncey is comfortable...it’s where he earned his nickname. One more picture-perfect release and the Pistons have a signature victory over a Western Conference contender.
But alas, this is the scaled down 2013 Billups, not the 2004 model that had power steering and a six-CD changer. Sure enough, he rose up, let the ball fly...and barely caught rim, the hopes of a memorable Big Shot moment vanishing harmlessly into the night.
Still, this squad looks promising. The big fellas have been as good as advertised, dominating the glass and all getting their share of scoring opportunities. In fact, in last night’s win over Boston, the front court of Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond had near-identical stat lines. All three gentlemen converted seven baskets, scored 15 points, and shot free throws like they were half court shots. Moose and the Drum Line each went 1 of 4, while J-Smoove made 1 of 3, for an unacceptable 3-11.
You can get away with such sloppiness against the hapless Celtics. But waste that many opportunities against a team with an actual NBA roster, and you’re in trouble.
The return of Brandon Jennings was an encouraging sign, as was the fact that Kyle Singler dribbled the ball with his left hand two different times in the fourth quarter! Singler became the first rookie in league history last year to play an entire season without the ball ever touching his opposite hand, so this is no small event.
An early-season barometer comes in the form of two difficult home contests this week. The formidable Pacers come to town tomorrow night, and the Thunder (with Russell Westbrook) visit on Friday. Find a way to get two wins and I’m pre-registering for playoff tickets 6:00 AM Saturday morning.
Dave Dombrowski (left) and Brad Ausmus
TIGERS
Brad Ausmus was brought on board to manage the Detroit Tigers. He should give half of whatever he’s making to Mike Matheny, as the immediate success of the Cardinals’ similarly inexperienced skipper practically earned Ausmus this shot.
Ausmus need not be a genius (though he did attend an Ivy League school) to win with this group. It is loaded with superstars, both in the lineup and on the mound. They capture the AL Central annually without breaking a sweat. His job will be to take a yearly playoff participant and get them that last eighth of a mile to the World Series winner’s circle.
Let’s remember, however, that the impact of a manager in the American League is fairly minimal during the actual proceedings of a game. All 15 bosses in that league do things about the same. Roll out your lineup...hope your pitcher gives you 6-7 quality innings...go get him somewhere between 100-110 pitches...maybe put in a pinch hitter if the situation calls for it...call on your closer in the 9th, then go dive into the post-game spread like it’s the last salami on Earth.
His brilliance, or lack thereof, will more likely depend on guys like Prince Fielder and Anibal Sanchez. If Fielder plays like the All-Star that he is come playoff time, Ausmus will win, and be labeled a boy genius. If Sanchez throws three gems next fall as opposed to one, Ausmus will receive accolades and possibly even a championship ring.
Jim Leyland may have butchered some important late-game relief situations in the ALCS this year, but when it comes down to it, the team’s undoing was Fielder and his cohorts inability to use their lumber in a productive fashion.
Ausmus can come in and provide a fresh face with some youthful exuberance. He can encourage Jose Iglesias to be more aggressive on the bases. He can rest Miguel Cabrera when his tendons turn to potato salad.
But he can’t move mountains. He can’t throw out runners for Alex Avila or put the ball in play for Austin Jackson. He can’t lower the price of the in-stadium Hot-N-Ready or bring back Charlie the Hot Dog Man.
His ancestors may have been able to part the Red Sea, but Brad Ausmus is no miracle worker.
If his players score runs in October, he will be a hero. Simple as that.
