All indications are that the NBA Players Association is set to reject the latest offer from David Stern and the owners, which will more than likely derail any chances of having a 2011-2012 NBA season. Count me among the many that don't care.
I love basketball. It's my favorite sport. Yet, the NBA as a whole has been a declining product for awhile now.
Unless your team has one of the 5-7 true superstars, you'll be investing your time and money to watch half-speed, low-effort basketball.
The Pistons have been a part of some great sports memories in Detroit during their history, but there's no need for them to take the floor for another 30 win season this year.
You want basketball, there's plenty of it.
The University of Michigan may have its best team in the past decade, if not further, and has a legitimate chance to win the Big Ten and make an NCAA tournament run. We all got our first look at the Spartans Friday against No. 1-ranked North Carolina and the early impressions are promising. They too, should contend for a Big Ten title this season.
For those in the Detroit area, there's good basketball closer to home as well.
Oakland lost Keith Benson, but gained Laval Lucas-Perry and returned Reggie Hamilton for what will be an exciting, high-scoring backcourt. The Golden Grizzlies open the season Monday night at Alabama -- and unlike year's past, they've got plenty of home games this season, including Tennessee at the O'rena and Michigan at The Palace. That's good basketball being played in Rochester.
Detroit Mercy is also loaded this year. Without currently suspended center Eli Holman, the Titans are still a very strong team. With him -- he is expected to return at some point -- Butler's got a huge problem in the Horizon League. Led by former Birmingham Detroit Country Day star Ray McCallum Jr., the Titans are going to have a fun team to watch and should be able to pack Calihan Hall. I'm already excited for the home game against St. John's Dec. 5.
As always, Oakland County is also home to some of the best high school hoops in the state.
Throw in the fact that the Lions, Spartans and Wolverines are all relevant on the football field -- as are the Red Wings on the ice -- and truth be told, our paper at The Oakland Press would be hard-pressed finding room to cover the Pistons' mediocrity this season. They're beyond second fiddle.
So forget about Ben Gordon's contract, Rodney Stuckey's jump shot, Ben Wallace's age and Rip Hamilton's ego. Take a year off.
I'll be updating coverage of Detroit Mercy, Michigan State and Michigan as best I can on this blog and Paul Kampe will have his usual coverage of the Golden Grizzlies on his blog, The Grizz Den, and in The Oakland Press.
You want basketball, there's plenty of it.
There's also going to be meaningful football in late December this year.