Swagger

Stones

"We'll definitely get our swagger back (in the playoffs)."
-Rasheed

I wish I had his confidence. Of course, what else is he going to say? "We're planning to get swept by the Cavs"? I like Sheed's mentality, but I just don't buy it. Despite last night's blowout win, the Pistons are playing out the string. They're not in the same situation as the Bulls or Charlotte or Philly. They're not building toward the championship. They're about to blow it up. The players know that. You can see it in their body language, and in the wins and losses.

The Chauncey trade blew up in Joe's face not because AI was so much worse than Chauncey. It was more a mental shift. The trade signalled that the run was over. The team needed to start anew and with a different cast. Without the support of the management, the team's chemistry (and goodwill) vanished. The losses piled up, and the entire situation spiraled out of control. That's the 2008/09 Pistons. With a renewed sense of confidence - and a defense-first big man - the Pistons of next season should be playoff-bound. Right?



Los Tigres

Gotta give them credit. The Tigers won in impressive fashion last night. It was the formula for success that should've earned them a win the night before too. Timely power hitting (thanks to Cabrera and, gasp, Inge!), solid starting pitching, and capable relief. Of course, it was the relief that let them down earlier. Leyland got a chance to see that Perry has major league stuff. And, even though I almost threw-up in my mouth when I saw Rodney warming up, he did not surrender a hit. Good win. Now do it again.