Checking out Google news the other day, I read that the Pistons are stirring things up down in Florida. I normally don't follow sports of any kind, I avoid it like the plague actually, because to me it's nothing more than a lot of guys storming around trying to prove their manhood. Don't get me wrong, sporting competition is a good thing, but it gets way out of hand, too much so for my taste. In fact, I used to get shit about it from people I used to work with in the Marine Corps. I would have fun with it though, I would be in the shop listening to the shit flying around about this or that team, and I would throw out statements intended to get someone going. It wasn't hard, just figure out who was for what team, and express contempt for that team in their presence. Always good for another five minutes of bellowing.....

Anyway, I did look at this article though. Apparently someone thought it would be a good idea to let everyone know about how some of the Pistons players were out having a good time the day before the big game. A few players were out having a good time, and according to the article it was ‘until the wee hours’ of the morning before the big game. The problem I saw with that was it was the day before, but the game wasn’t until that night. So even had they been out until six in the morning, which they hadn’t, it still would have left them plenty of time for rest.

It seemed to me that someone thought the Pistons were an easy target. They are basketball players, they were spotlighted earlier in the season with controversy, and they are from Detroit… the ‘hood’, as my wife put it. A combination sure to reel in sympathy with the author from most people.

I sent an email to the guy that had his name on the article….

Is there no more interesting news to report than some athletes were out having a good time?

He sent me a reply!! I thought I might get a form letter response, but it looks like he personally replied….

Yes-My editor wanted me to put something on line about that.

So, he’s blaming it on the editor. I did a search for the original article, so I could put it here, but apparently the paper saw fit to take it offline. Someone from the Free Press in Detroit saw fit to mention it though, just before they mentioned that the Pistons were victorious in their bid for the title.

The Miami paper, by the way, was the Miami Herald, and they graciously reprinted the article from the Detroit paper….

Monday afternoon in Miami, a few hours before Game 7, a story began circulating about several Pistons players and, of all things, their late-night partying. According to the Miami Herald, a TV reporter and a cameraman were tipped off that Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince and Antonio McDyess had arrived at a South Beach nightclub at 2 a.m. Two a.m.! Before Game 7! Can you imagine!

Well, yeah, I can. And yeah, who cares? Last I looked they were adults. Last I looked the game didn't start until 8 o'clock that night. Last I looked the TV ``report'' admitted they weren't drinking. And last I looked, the last thing you have to worry about with the Detroit Pistons is their being where they are supposed to be.