WEBVTT 1 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:16.440 Get some facts and come back and Seebee. Get some facts and come back 2 00:00:16.440 --> 00:00:20.679 and Seebee. Don't throw out salaries or other things. Get some facts and 3 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:25.000 come back and Seebee. You can't handle the true now told our players you 4 00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:27.800 need a bit more like a dog. We don't need a bunch of cats 5 00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:31.440 in here. Looking in the mirror, I look good. I got my 6 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:35.359 extra bands on, I got my other shoes. Be a doll. We 7 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:39.000 don't need no meals. We don't need no cats. We need more dogs. 8 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:44.359 Why am out a detain Oh you're not that aday. We weren't good. 9 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:46.799 There's no sense asking me things about the game. I'm telling you. 10 00:00:46.880 --> 00:00:49.159 We laid an egg. So I'm not gonna break it down for you. 11 00:00:49.439 --> 00:00:54.240 He sucks. He sucked. He laid an egg. That's all I have 12 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:56.359 to say. Guys, I'm sorry. I'm not going to break it down 13 00:00:56.359 --> 00:00:59.399 for you. Nothing went well for us. It's on us. We have 14 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:06.680 to figure it out. And we went eight SHOWDWN, final hour of the 15 00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:11.040 show here on Xis and Bros. Throughout the Great State of Michigan. Matt 16 00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:14.040 Shepard, we'd have been our producer. You can call him on the Meyer 17 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:17.400 Hotline. Eight sixty six eight three, eight forty eight, forty three. 18 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:21.280 You can always text the show as well. Sports ready to twenty one thousand 19 00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:25.799 James Edwards from the Athletic joints us at the bottom of the hour if you 20 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:29.519 missed it. Tiger is a four to one winner yesterday over Saint Louis. 21 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:34.640 They win two out of the three games. Yes, most of us feel 22 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:38.000 like they should have swept them, but let's be careful. There four straight 23 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:41.680 series win for Detroit, and there's seventeen wins entering this month of May. 24 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:46.519 The eighteen wins overall second most in franchise history. Only the eighty four eventual 25 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:51.599 World Series champions were better at eighteen and two. Remember they won seventeen straight 26 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:53.879 road games to start the year. That's unheard of. Last year this team 27 00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:59.640 was ten and seventeen entering the month of May. They had a decent month 28 00:01:59.680 --> 00:02:02.920 of May and a good September. That's about all they had a year ago. 29 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:07.560 But there's optimism there. Matt Verling, with a two run homer yesterday, 30 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:10.080 propelled Detroit to the four to one. When they have today off, 31 00:02:10.120 --> 00:02:15.439 they are in New York for a weekend series against the Yankees, and then 32 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:20.360 they go to Cleveland. Cleveland atop the division, Minnesota charging hard. The 33 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:24.120 Twins won their tenth in a row yesterday. Byron Buxton was hurt or is 34 00:02:24.199 --> 00:02:32.639 hurt? I should say? And I think he's a really good example of 35 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:39.120 a really talented player who just can't seem to stay healthy. I don't know 36 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:42.759 what it is, I really don't. I mean, this is a guy 37 00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:46.759 who you talk about talent, He's got a ton of it. He was 38 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:53.960 recruited as a wide receiver to Georgia. I like him a lot. I've 39 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:59.919 had the opportunity to talk to him a number of times, do interviews at 40 00:03:00.080 --> 00:03:04.199 his stall. He's a really welcoming and a really easy dude to like. 41 00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:09.840 The problem is, you know, he just can't stay healthy. Writ knee 42 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:15.599 injury a year ago, limited to eighty five games. When he's in the 43 00:03:15.639 --> 00:03:21.360 lineup, Minnesota's numbers are incredible compared to when he's not in the lineup. 44 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:25.039 He's that much of a difference maker. But it's interesting. There's a national 45 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:30.280 broadcaster who has a talk show host on a four letter network who came out 46 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:36.719 and was just criticizing Mike Trout, why can't you stay healthy? He doesn't 47 00:03:36.759 --> 00:03:40.800 say that about you know Zion Williamson for some reason, he doesn't say that 48 00:03:40.840 --> 00:03:46.080 about Byron Buxton. Byron Buckston is one of those guys who as a center 49 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:50.719 fielder, just like Mike Trout, although Minnesota wanted him use him as more 50 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:53.759 as a designated here a year ago. Those are two guys. They put 51 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:59.319 a lot of force on their body with how they play the game. It's 52 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:06.360 always a really tough discussion when you're talking with players or coaches or managers on 53 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:11.680 how to reel a guy in. Like I think it was Jim Leland who 54 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:14.759 wants it. You don't want to take the mustang out of the horse. 55 00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:24.040 If he's if that's who he is, let him be that player. When 56 00:04:24.079 --> 00:04:30.399 a guy goes diving for a ball in left center field and lays out to 57 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:34.920 make the catch in early May, people will say, oh, you can't 58 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:38.079 make that play, and you can't. You can't do that in May. 59 00:04:38.759 --> 00:04:41.040 You do that later in the season. What do you mean do it later 60 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:44.319 in the season. Those games later in the season might not be worth it. 61 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:47.160 Damn if you're not making those plays in early May. I don't want 62 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:53.720 a player to be different and play timid. Don't go crashing into the wall, 63 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:57.920 So you don't want him to make the catch. He doesn't do that. 64 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:00.519 You know what you're gonna say, You gotta go all to make that 65 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:04.800 catch. How do you let that fall? How do you let that hit 66 00:05:04.839 --> 00:05:08.879 off the wall? Why don't you try? Why don't you give your a 67 00:05:09.079 --> 00:05:14.759 effort. I'm not making I'm not trying to change players. Man. The 68 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:19.439 reason you got to where you are is because of who you are and how 69 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:27.199 you play. I want that in them. It comes with the price sometimes, 70 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:32.480 and for Buxton and Minnesota it's absolutely come with the price. It's the 71 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:36.519 hell of a player. You just wish he could stay healthy. And that's 72 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:41.879 where not load management in baseball. You're playing, but you can do other 73 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:44.800 things instead of being out there in center field every day. You can be 74 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:49.120 the DH. So maybe early in the season this is simplicity, I know, 75 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:53.759 but early in the season, maybe you're playing him defensively once in a 76 00:05:53.839 --> 00:05:57.360 series and he's DH and two other times. A lot of guys don't like 77 00:05:57.439 --> 00:06:02.639 that. Buxton hated it. He wanted to be out there every day because 78 00:06:02.680 --> 00:06:06.680 you feel like you can be a difference maker even if you're not hitting the 79 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:13.399 ball. But Minnesota charging hard they've won ten in a row. NHL Stars 80 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:15.120 beat Vegas three to two. That's the first time the home team has won 81 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:17.879 a game in the series. They leave that series three too. Is a 82 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:21.000 really good game. Last night watch that, and then I watched a little 83 00:06:21.040 --> 00:06:25.560 bit of the start of the Oilers Kings game. Edmonton wins at four to 84 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:29.800 three. They eliminate LA for a third straight yearly On res Title had two 85 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:35.000 goals. Connor McDavid had a couple of assists eleven assists in the series overall. 86 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:39.800 They move on to the second round. Will play either Nashville or Vancouver, 87 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:44.839 who play tonight. Boston will play in Toronto tonight. Celtics led wire 88 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:48.240 to wire. They eliminate the Heat one to eighteen eighty four. Jaylen Brown 89 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:54.000 Derek White each with twenty five. Boston's going to play either Cleveland or Orlando. 90 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:58.959 They play tonight, and Dallas went into LA and handed the Clippers their 91 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:02.439 worst playoff loss in history, one twenty three to ninety three. Luka Doncics 92 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:08.120 had thirty five points ten boards. Twenty of his points came in the second 93 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:12.560 half. The MAVs lead that series three games to two. Speaking to the 94 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:16.759 NBA, we will talk with James Edwards of the Athletic at eight thirty five, 95 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:20.160 so hope you can stick around and join us for that. Yesterday and 96 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:26.480 we just played the interview with Ben Raven from m Live. We were talking 97 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:29.120 about the Lions obviously in the draft and so on and so forth. This 98 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:30.920 is what the NFL does so very well, right. I mean, it's 99 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:34.959 it's amazing how they can go draft and then you got or you have the 100 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:38.959 combine before the draft, and you get the draft, then you got OTA's 101 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:42.560 and then you got you know, rookie camps, and then you've got training 102 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:45.600 camp, and then you've got the season, and after the season and after 103 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:47.839 the Super Bowl, nobody cares about the Pro Bowl, but then you've got 104 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:51.439 the combine. I mean, they just keep you engaged all the time, 105 00:07:53.519 --> 00:08:01.000 and writers are constantly giving you something to think about as well, like Jeff 106 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:09.199 kerrvcbssports dot Com ranking the NFC teams following the draft. You and I both 107 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:15.560 know this is just filling up space. And I'm hypocritical right now because I'm 108 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:18.759 sitting here talking about it, but it does peak your interest. I'm just 109 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:24.480 wondering what they think of my team filling the Blank, San Francisco reached the 110 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:26.959 Super Bowl a year ago. Would they be the favorite? According to him, 111 00:08:28.040 --> 00:08:30.759 they are, but the Lions are right behind him. Here's what he 112 00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:33.279 writes about the Lions. The draft is where the Lions shine. They hit 113 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:37.879 a home run by selecting Terry on Arnold in the first round. Should be 114 00:08:37.879 --> 00:08:43.879 a Week one starter and a playmaker in this Rake Straw fell to number sixty 115 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:46.879 one in the second round, giving the Lions needed depth at the corner position 116 00:08:48.320 --> 00:08:52.720 as well. Sion Avaki, who can play running backers safety which again that 117 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:58.240 to me is irrelevant, appears to be playing the former for Detroit, giving 118 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:03.879 the Lions more depth behind David Montgomery and Jamier Gibbs. Detroit added Kevin Zeitler. 119 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:07.679 Then he goes into you know, for Jonah Jackson, a'man Ross Saint 120 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:11.720 Brown with a massive extension Jamie Wims. They don't mention anything about Penney Seool. 121 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:16.559 He just basically tells you why he thinks they're the number two seed. 122 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:20.320 And in the words of Bob Seeger, Blank, I've known that for a 123 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:26.000 long time. He's got the Eagles three, Packers four, Cowboys five, 124 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:35.000 Rams six, Tampa seven, and Chicago eight. Interesting that three of the 125 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:41.000 top teams in the conference, three of the top sixteen teams in the conference 126 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:48.240 are in the NFC North. About on the hour, James Edwards joins us 127 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:52.840 from the Athletic We'll talk NBA and more your phone calls and your texts on 128 00:09:52.879 --> 00:10:00.960 the other side on Exis and Bros. On the Michigan Port with Tickerson, 129 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:05.279 step up to the play that Ego Casino in Sports, the mobile sportsbook app 130 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:09.600 that you can bet on all your favorites all year round, including of course, 131 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:13.320 our national pastime. So download the app and start winning today at Ego 132 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:16.840 Casino in Sport, Made in Michigan, Made for Michigan. Must be twenty 133 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:20.559 one years or older and in Michigan to play. It's so fun to watch 134 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:22.960 a young player come up from the minor leagues and make an impact, especially 135 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:26.240 one who assigned seven years ago, was once a top prospect, lost the 136 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:31.240 prospect status, then regained it a couple of years ago. Wentcil Perez is 137 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:33.679 that player, and he's doing something every game to impact this Tiger's team. 138 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:37.759 He's arguably the Tiger's best base runner and infielder by trade. He's learning to 139 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:41.360 play the outfield and he's getting better, in better, He's already made some 140 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:45.000 fine running catchers to the gaps and oh yeah, he can hit a little. 141 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:48.399 Parah has only got the call to Detroit because of some injuries, but 142 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:58.799 it sure looks like he's here to stay. Imagine this a day filled with 143 00:10:58.919 --> 00:11:05.879 indulgence, bursting with excitement, impacts for extraordinary moments that build memories to last 144 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:11.960 a lifetime. Today there's unmistakable universe at the place. There's undeniably spectacular, 145 00:11:13.879 --> 00:11:18.840 whether you're winning big, dining lavish stool, or relaxing oh so comfortably. 146 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:48.759 It's your getaway reimagined. It's soaring Eagle Casino and Resort A came after the 147 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:52.559 hour. Welcome back x Es and Bros. Monday through Friday six till five. 148 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:56.679 We're out throughout the great state of Michigan. Traveris, City of Utowsky 149 00:11:56.720 --> 00:12:00.840 and Charlie Boyd were at Midland, Sagada, a Base City, at Graving 150 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:05.879 at Gaylord wanting Cadillac and Flint and Grand Rapids. Of course, we're glad 151 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:09.720 you've taken time out of your Thursday to spend some time with this. Here 152 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:13.919 on Axes and Bros. The Meyer Hotline eight sixty six eight three eight forty 153 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:18.080 eight forty three. A reminder if you want to call it. It doesn't 154 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:22.799 require what we're talking about. If there's something you have had on your mind, 155 00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:28.919 something you noticed last night that we may have missed, something that took 156 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:31.120 place during the day, a story you want to share, that's what we're 157 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:35.519 here for. The Meyer Hotline eight six eight three eight forty forty three, 158 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:39.080 or you could text us Tech Sports Radio to twenty one thousand, Ben. 159 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:43.039 I know we had a caller earlier couldn't hold through the brake, that's right. 160 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:46.039 What's on their mind? Are people complaining about Trout because of him getting 161 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:50.399 hurt or because of his contract? And that's Breton Grand Rapids. That's a 162 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:56.399 great question. That is a great question. The bigger contract you have, 163 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:03.000 the more is expected. So are you getting your money's worth? Excellent question. 164 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:09.639 Don't know the answer to it really is up to you to decide on 165 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:15.600 whether or not that place a factor. I think you'd be lying to yourself. 166 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:18.279 And I like Mike Trout a lot. I think he's an incredible player. 167 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:26.720 I think look, the numbers speak for itself. Sometimes I don't even 168 00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:31.879 get involved in the All Star stuff because it's oftentimes a popularity contract contest. 169 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:35.080 But if you're a three time MVP, you're a nine time Silver Slugger, 170 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:39.759 you're a two time All Star Game MVP, you're a Rookie of the Year, 171 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:43.679 you're the player of the year, you lead the league in all those 172 00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:48.399 categories, and so on and so forth, you're a hell of a player. 173 00:13:48.600 --> 00:13:52.320 I bet you Bred will say that too. He brings up a very 174 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:58.480 valid point, though, When you're making thirty seven million dollars, I think 175 00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:01.919 is what he's making a year, right, and he's going to make that 176 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:09.159 until twenty thirty. Yeah, I know, I feel the same way. 177 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:13.000 I'm shaking my head too, right along there with you. He's thirty two 178 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:20.120 right now. They've got him until he's thirty eight. It's a Miguel Cabrera 179 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:28.000 type situation. And remember it can go, it can go quickly. You 180 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:33.759 see what happens with Josea brew Did you see what they did? They pulled 181 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:37.919 with him? What they what Toronto did with Alec Manoa. Manoa started the 182 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:43.120 All Star Game a couple of years ago, and then what happened he was 183 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:52.799 he was sent down. And you're sent down because you're struggling to the Complex 184 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:58.159 League. That's what happens with Josea bre You. They optioned him to the 185 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:09.600 Florida Complex League after an April that saw him hit below one hundred and he's 186 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:13.840 thirty seven. I'm not saying that's going quickly. I'm just telling you those 187 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:20.519 things, those things happen, and when it comes and it comes quickly, 188 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:22.759 you're just like, oh man, that's not how I want to see him 189 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:26.320 end his career. Ose Bray, you third all time in Chicago White Sox 190 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:30.320 history in home runs. This is a guy who is He's an absolute hell 191 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:37.399 of a player. He's been a hell of a pro. But it's gone, 192 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:39.440 at least for now it is. I don't think that's my trout yet, 193 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:45.080 but I love that perspective from Brent. Yeah, thirty seven million bucks, 194 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:46.720 you expect them to be out there more often than he is. I 195 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:52.559 think that's fair. Got another caller, Yeah, we got Paul and g 196 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:56.960 R. All right, Hey Paul, how are you today? Hell you? 197 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:00.360 What's up? Champ? How are you? Good man? I hope 198 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:03.120 your Thursday goes well? What's up? Oh you? You as well? 199 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:07.399 First of all, I want to give a big shout out to Friday the 200 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:11.279 Pizza Man three one three on Twitter. I went to his pizza joint yesterday 201 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:15.759 and man, it is the best pizza I've had ever had in my life. 202 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:18.000 And I've been to Italy. So I just want to give a big 203 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:21.679 shot out to that guy. I know he's a fan of the show. 204 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.759 I know he calls in all the time. I want him to know I 205 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:26.720 appreciate it. That's really cool, that's really cool of you. He's got 206 00:16:26.759 --> 00:16:30.799 great I mean, I think his food is outstanding. I just got back 207 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:34.600 from Italy in the fall. I just got back from Italy in the fall. 208 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:40.240 The food there in Italy best food I've ever had in my life. 209 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:44.279 But I love going to Freddy's place because he's got great stuff. You're right. 210 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:47.399 Good for you, Thank you for that go ahead. I still think 211 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:51.720 his pizza is better than the stuff in Italy, but I digress. So 212 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:55.320 yeah, I just want to talk a little. Tigers man. I think 213 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:59.080 they look a lot better than what I expected this year. You know, 214 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:02.879 I figured we'd be pretty good. I figured. I think I still think 215 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:06.000 we're gonna win the Central. But I mean, it's so exciting and it's 216 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:10.119 so nice to finally just see it come together, you know, and yeah, 217 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:11.759 well why they why are they better than you thought? What I mean, 218 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:17.240 I'm interested to know what you're what you thought they were going to be 219 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:21.680 number one and number two? Where are they better? In what regard? 220 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:27.839 Uh? The bullpen is is so good. And you know, Riley Green 221 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:32.079 up to this point is doing much better than I actually thought he would. 222 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:33.960 I mean, dude, he's already got seven home runs. And you know 223 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:37.519 we're seeing guys like once Gio Orchella comes back. He was a nice addition 224 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:41.680 by Scott Harris. I really love Mark Canna, and not only like you 225 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:47.519 know he has He's just a professional hitter. You know. He every single 226 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:51.160 at bat from Mark Canna seems like a professional at bat. And it seems 227 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:55.000 like the younger guys are learning from that. Krek Scoogle, I mean, 228 00:17:55.920 --> 00:18:00.359 man, he is good. He's I figured he would be in the running 229 00:18:00.359 --> 00:18:03.079 for the cy Young this year, but man, I didn't know he was 230 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:06.960 going to be this good, Like he is best in the MLB good right 231 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:10.759 now. And you know, we got we just got a dominant Moulten and 232 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:14.319 I figured we'd be around five hundred you know the rest, you know, 233 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:18.359 for April and May. But you know, five games over five hundred is 234 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:22.240 awesome. So you know, I think they're I don't think they're overperforming. 235 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:26.680 I think they're they're right where they should be. Yeah, you think this 236 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:30.079 is who they are? This is who they are right now? Interesting? 237 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:37.319 Okay, that's great, love, go ahead? Oh yeah, sorry man, 238 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:41.240 Sorry, so yeah, I know right now. I still think they're 239 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:44.400 going to win the Central this year. Yeah, I agree with you, 240 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:45.839 you know, and thank thanks for the phone call. Sorry, we're almost 241 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:48.160 up against it and James Edwards is going to join us. I'm with you 242 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:52.799 on that. I said when I started doing this show, I said before 243 00:18:52.799 --> 00:19:03.440 the season they should win the Central period and that was my expectation. So 244 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:06.880 I'm sure not surprised at the back end of the bullpen or the bullpen in 245 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:11.480 general. It was really good a year ago. I am still worried about 246 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:18.319 the offense. They still don't score enough runs for me anyway, but it'll 247 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:22.480 come as the weather heats up. I'm sure that will come all right, 248 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:26.400 because I think Spencer Torkolsen is not going to be this kind of hitter right 249 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:30.880 now at two nineteen or whatever. I think Colet Keith will get adjusted a 250 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:33.880 little bit so I'm with you on that. I think they could use another 251 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:37.799 stick. Quite honestly, I still don't think they have the home run power 252 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:45.319 that I would like to see, and I am slightly concerned about the defense. 253 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:49.119 But I do like their pitching an awful lot, and I love their 254 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:56.200 bullpen. Despite what happened with Shelby Miller the other day, I think they're 255 00:19:56.240 --> 00:20:00.440 the best team in the division, and I think Tigers fans should be have 256 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:03.839 that expectation. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Ben. 257 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:07.599 We got a text or two, I believe, before we get to James 258 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:11.759 Edwards from the Athletic Yeah, Ken Griffy Junior is a better center fielder than 259 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:15.640 Mike Trout in my opinion, it's not even close. Get rid of both 260 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:18.839 players' injuries, and if they never missed a game, it still wouldn't be 261 00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:25.400 close. And Trammell got robbed of the MVP in nineteen eighty seven, right, 262 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:32.799 George Bell was the MVP that year. That was super frustrating. Never 263 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:36.759 said that Mike Trout was better than Ken Griffy Junior ever, Nope, Ken 264 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:41.440 Griffy Junior is one of the greatest players of all time. Smooth, fluid, 265 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:47.599 phenomenal player. Ten gold gloves. You know you have as many gold 266 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:53.559 gloves as al Kline. You know you're saying something there because that's incredible. 267 00:20:56.759 --> 00:21:00.119 Yeah, I didn't think so. I was just using that as a so 268 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:06.240 I hope that wasn't misleading in any way we were. I was just bringing 269 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:12.880 up certain names that Mike Trout was on track for with war wins above replacement, 270 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:21.720 because that is a that is a I really believe that is it's a 271 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:26.920 statistic that more and more people are, especially voters for the Hall of Fame. 272 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:32.799 Look at now they if they did, they would they would pay more 273 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:40.160 closer attention to uh, Tolew Whitaker because he should be there. But Ken 274 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:42.440 Griffy Junior, like I said, is to me, one of the greatest 275 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:48.039 players of all time. His war wins above replacement is right around eighty four. 276 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:52.880 All right, it's at eighty three point eight. Mike Trout's got a 277 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:57.799 higher war That doesn't make him a better player. I'm giving you a perspective 278 00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:03.880 there. So when you say it's not even close, Mike Trout led the 279 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:12.400 league in war for five consecutive years. He led the league in offensive war 280 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:19.799 five consecutive years and seven out of eight he had some of the more dominating 281 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:26.440 seasons in history. Quick time out and when we come back, James Edwards 282 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:30.279 from the Athletic joins us on Exus and Bros. After this, we're teaming 283 00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:37.039 off our tenth year at the Meyer LPGA Classic for simply gives. Get ready 284 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:41.480 for the best who are yet to help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, 285 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:45.839 food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield Country 286 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:51.680 Club for fabulous food, discoveryland for kids, and of course elite women golfers 287 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:56.240 from around the world competing to help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets now 288 00:22:56.359 --> 00:23:15.400 at Meyer LPGA Classic dot com thirty five after the hour. He's as good 289 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:18.720 as it gets and what he does, James Edwards writes for The Athletic. 290 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:22.680 You can fall him on X at Jail Edwards the third he writes about the 291 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:26.000 Pistons, about the NBA, and there's a lot to write about going on 292 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:32.359 right now after some finals in the NBA Playoffs that we'll get to coming up 293 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:34.880 at. James Edwards joins us here on XES and brows across the Great state 294 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:38.559 of Michigan, throughout the state of Michigan, in the various markets Flint and 295 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:42.200 Cadillac, Grand Rapids, Grayling, Gaylord, Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, 296 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:45.920 Pataski, Charlevoy, Traverse City. That's where we are and that's where 297 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:51.759 we can bring you this coverage of a little NBA talk with James Edwards. 298 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.960 James, good to have you, buddy, Glad that we're back talking again 299 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:59.960 about the Pistons a little bit and as we look forward to the NBA, 300 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:03.039 it seems like we say this an awful lot. Tell me where you think 301 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:06.880 this franchise is in. If you want to call it a rebuild, go 302 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:10.839 ahead, but where are they in the process of trying to get better in 303 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:14.279 your mind? Good to hear from you, too, Matt, appreciate you 304 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:18.759 having me on. I think they're in a vulnerable state. It's a situation 305 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:26.039 that I don't think anybody could have imagined, whether that's the fans, whether 306 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:30.559 that's the players, the front office, the ownership, the coaches. It 307 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:37.400 is a very vulnerable state, and usually out of vulnerability, big decisions are 308 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:44.079 made. And I think this team has to do something of great significance. 309 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:49.480 It cannot afford to allow all of these young guys to continue to develop and 310 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:53.640 hope that they get better. They tried that last year, it very clearly 311 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:59.920 presented the worst season in franchise history. So I think they're at a very 312 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:04.160 vulnerable and almost franchise alter in summer, and I think they're going to have 313 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:11.160 to shake things up across the board in order to try to one try to 314 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:15.400 build back optimism within the fan base, and two to get back on track 315 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:21.680 in this rebuild and show that there is progress and that these things aren't always 316 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:26.200 linear. What's an example of shaking things up? Yeah, I mean, 317 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:30.519 I don't think they can afford kind of as I mentioned, like, I 318 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:33.000 don't think they can afford to have as many young guys as they have. 319 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:37.400 You look across the NBA, and you look across you look at these teams 320 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:41.559 that are contending and in the second round or still fighting in the first round. 321 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:45.799 The majority of them have made moves that made a trader two, that 322 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:49.880 gave up young players to get better players. You look at Minnesota with Rudy 323 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:56.400 Gobert, You look at somebody like Denver gave up picks and Gary Harris to 324 00:25:56.400 --> 00:26:00.240 get Aaron Gordon. A few years ago. You look at Boss and in 325 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:03.359 the moves that they've made throughout the years to try to build this roster. 326 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:07.400 Obviously, all that stuff starts with drafting well and getting a guy or two 327 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:12.279 that you can build around. I think credit to Detroit, like I think 328 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:15.960 Kate is that guy, and the hard part is done. You've got a 329 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:22.319 guy that got better in the midst of the worst season ever while coming off 330 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:30.079 season ending injury with a metal Rodney's leg, and he walked away. I 331 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:33.240 think if you didn't believe that Kate was the guy, I don't see how 332 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:34.960 you don't walk away from that now. Despite the records, I don't think 333 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:38.640 a lot of it was his fault. So they got the hard part done, 334 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:41.640 They got the guy to build around, and how it's time to go 335 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:45.880 build around him. I just think that they should highly consider moving on from 336 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:56.839 one or two young guys. James Edwards joins us here on XS and Bros. 337 00:26:56.839 --> 00:27:00.599 You can fall on Twitter on X J L. Edwards. I'm with 338 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:03.599 you on that, especially with the young guys you mentioned teams getting better og 339 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:07.799 On and ob going to New York is a really good example of that too. 340 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:11.000 I continue to be amazed by a guy like Jalen Brunson. I could 341 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:14.559 talk to you all day about this, but I mean a second round pick 342 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:17.880 and how good he has been. When you say shake things up, I'm 343 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:19.200 with you on that. Does that mean I don't want to read too much 344 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:23.680 into it? So I want clarification. Would you not take advantage of the 345 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:27.599 top five pick your due in the upcoming draft? What if you got number 346 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:32.880 one overall? Or would you trade that to try and get a stabilized veteran 347 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:37.400 force that might help some of these young guys along. I'd trade it. 348 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:40.839 I would trade it as one, two, three, four or five, 349 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.400 whatever it ends up being, I would trade it. You talk to people 350 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:48.680 around the league, this draft is not a desirable draft at the top. 351 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:52.759 Obviously, every year there are Hall of Famers or as soon to be Hall 352 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:56.440 of famers selected in drafts. So there will be one in this draft, 353 00:27:56.519 --> 00:28:00.559 don't get me wrong, like that's just the way things shape out. But 354 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:04.400 you talk to everybody across the league, and they don't know where that player 355 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:08.640 will be picked. That player could likely be picked at seventeen like he's picked 356 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:14.440 at one. I've been told that there are executives in the league that think 357 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:19.119 picks one through three could have some value in a trade, but I think 358 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:22.960 a lot of teams would probably be afraid to have the number one or two 359 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:26.720 pick in this draft because there is a little bit more margin for error in 360 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:32.039 comparison to previous years in previous prospects. So I think there is value. 361 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:36.160 I think, and I had a piece on Scuzer last week or earlier this 362 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:41.680 week where talk to my colleague Sambasini, who is massive in draft coverage and 363 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:45.480 one of the best. And a lot of teams also see the number one 364 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:48.720 pick this year as like four or five, six in a normal draft. 365 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:52.839 So I caution fans that if the pisans gets the number one pick, don't 366 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:57.880 think that this is like Lebron or Victor Winbinyamo or even kid. This is 367 00:28:57.960 --> 00:29:04.200 more like I would say, like Anthony Bennett type stuff. So I was 368 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:07.720 one hundred percentury to pick, and I'd even package it with a young player 369 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:11.920 or two to try to get because I don't know how much value. I 370 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:15.920 don't know if those a couple of young guys like an Ivy or during if 371 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:18.720 they're peak value right now after this season. But if you have the number 372 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:22.160 one pick to that it can kind of enhance that, and you could probably 373 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:26.920 get a good piece or two or three from a team that's maybe looking to 374 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:32.359 get a little bit younger. One hundred percent agree, one hundred percent with 375 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:34.440 you. I'm so glad you said that. But a couple of other things 376 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:38.599 you bring up kid Cunningham, and for good reason. I think he's a 377 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:42.519 solid ball player, I really do. What kind of leader do you think 378 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:47.480 he is? Because I think sometimes we get that thrown around an awful lot. 379 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:51.359 It can be challenging for a young guy to lead a team, especially 380 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:55.880 through navigating these difficult waters like he's had to. What kind of leader? 381 00:29:55.920 --> 00:30:00.279 How would you describe him as such? Yeah? I think Kate is a 382 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:03.759 is a legitimate leader. I know it's probably hard for people to see that 383 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:07.640 just giving their record, but you know, I hear stories about him talking 384 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:12.759 to halftime, stepping up and speaking. I hear stories about him at practice. 385 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:17.000 I hear stories about him sitting with guys on the plane to talk. 386 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:21.839 This guy is somebody that all of his teammates respect. I think one thing 387 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:26.920 that's important to remember is cade was that guy coming up through the high school 388 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:30.160 and college ranks. So all of his teammates who are similar in age are 389 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:34.160 very, very familiar with him, and they all saw him as the guy 390 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:38.880 as such, and there's a big respect for what he did and who he 391 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:41.440 is as a player, and even more so now as their teammates for him 392 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:44.759 as a person. I think people who haven't been around Kate, I think 393 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:47.759 the best way to describe him is like, you can just tell he was 394 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:51.039 raised right, like his parents did a great job. He's very polite, 395 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:56.079 he's very just aware, he's not there's no diva to him. I think 396 00:30:56.119 --> 00:31:00.559 he's very real, and I think it comes across with his teammates. I 397 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:04.039 think they genuinely appreciate that. I also think that you hear stories, like 398 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:08.519 for somebody like Simonie Fantechio as soon as he got to Detroit, they're in 399 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:12.000 the middle of a West coast trip and we're out there and he tells the 400 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:15.920 story of Kate comes up to him. They've never met, and he's like, 401 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:18.039 where do you like the ball? Where can I get you the ball? 402 00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:21.400 And Simona, He's like, nobody's ever asked me that before. And 403 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:25.039 you hear anytime Simone talks about him, it's as blowing as they gets so 404 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:27.480 I think he just handles people the right way. I think he speaks up 405 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:32.480 in an aggressive way when he needs to, but I think he also just 406 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:34.960 leads by example, and I think he has great respect in that locker room, 407 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:37.640 and I think he also has great respect from some of the star players 408 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:41.519 in this league. Yeah, thanks for sharing that. I think those are 409 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:45.279 important anecdotes. I know you've written it before, but it's still worth mentioning 410 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:48.799 because not everybody knows that. It's a great example of what kind of person, 411 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:52.799 not just a player, but kind of person. Kid Cunningham truly is 412 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:57.759 you mentioned the draft now? I was talking about this yesterday because Tyrese Maxi 413 00:31:57.880 --> 00:32:02.319 went off for forty six the other day. You saw it the most points 414 00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:07.400 by an opposed tied for the most points by an opposing player in a playoff 415 00:32:07.440 --> 00:32:10.079 game at Madison Square Garden. Ever with Michael Jordan. That says something. 416 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:15.519 He was in the same damn draft as Killian Hayes. Everyone talks about Tyrus 417 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:19.400 Haliburton, and I loved Haliburton coming out of Iowa State, but Max he 418 00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:24.400 was taking twenty first overall. Another miss by stan Van Gundy and the Pistons. 419 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:29.440 So many foreign players, James, that one that are mentioned, right, 420 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:32.160 what's that? That one was actually Troy? That was Troy's first draft? 421 00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:36.680 Well was that Troy's I'm sorry, you're right, Troy. But the 422 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:40.119 there's so many foreign players who are viewed near the top and not as many 423 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:44.799 college players. And this is tough for you because you see all these guys 424 00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:49.480 and you write it, but so many fans and usual members of the media, 425 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:52.160 we don't watch guys play in France. Okay, we don't know who 426 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:57.039 a lot of these guys are. Why do you think the league shift might 427 00:32:57.079 --> 00:33:01.400 be the wrong word, but has seen so much of an influx on young 428 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:08.160 players from foreign lands rather than college players. Are the college players just not 429 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:12.319 as good as we think when we watch them in the NC Double League Tournament. 430 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:16.759 What's your belief on that. It's a good question. I think that 431 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:22.440 some of it is intrigued, right, Like it's hard to equate their leagues 432 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:28.880 to the NBA, while I think historically the natural comparison for the NBA has 433 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:32.519 always been the college game, so there's some of that. I also think 434 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:37.240 that the Spurs and what they did early in the late nineties and early two 435 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:43.799 thousands with the likes of Tony Parker and Montagenobili started to have teams look more 436 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:45.240 European, and I mean, if we're being honest, the best players in 437 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:51.920 the league are not from here right now, Jokic, Luca Jannis. I 438 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:53.519 mean, you make a top seven list, those three are in there, 439 00:33:54.480 --> 00:34:00.000 Embeied, so there's four. I think there is a it's just been an 440 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:05.160 tapped historically, hasn't been as tapped dating back like twenty ish years as it 441 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:07.440 is now. And I think they're just trying to find diamonds in the rough 442 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:12.960 and they're trying to the game has just expanded so much globally. And I 443 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:15.239 also think, like I said, there's intrigue, like we're so able to 444 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:22.920 watch available college games that I think even scouts are like, Okay, well 445 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:27.599 I've watched this guy since he was twelve years old. Let me let me 446 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:31.480 see what I can see over here in these in these European state air countries 447 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:37.800 and see how I feel that this equates to our game. So I think 448 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.880 there's a little bit of it. I also think, like I said, 449 00:34:38.880 --> 00:34:45.920 there's been a lot of talented players coming from overseas, and but I think 450 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:53.079 primarily it's the intrigue in the ability to not necessarily know how it will translate. 451 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:57.239 But you see these skill sets, and I also do think European players 452 00:34:57.239 --> 00:35:01.199 are more fundamentally sound in most cases, but that is that is something that 453 00:35:01.239 --> 00:35:06.800 plays into it, for sure. That's interesting. You talk You've been in 454 00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:09.840 every NBA arena, every NBA city, talk to just about every NBA player. 455 00:35:09.840 --> 00:35:15.079 I would guess, do you think there is a growing concern from American 456 00:35:15.880 --> 00:35:21.719 based basketball players and who want to play in the NBA and realize that there, 457 00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:23.960 you know, there's only sixty four times sugar sixty four spots to get 458 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:30.920 drafted. Do you think in general they're worried about the security that America has 459 00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:35.719 in that regard with more Americans playing in the NBA. I've never heard that 460 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:38.719 personally, all right, I've never posed the question either, But I mean, 461 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:43.320 you hear a lot of players talk about players like you don't find too 462 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:46.280 many that don't love Jokich, that don't love Giannis and Lucas. So I 463 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:50.920 mean maybe guys that are fringe roster guys maybe have concerns. They probably also 464 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:53.719 have concerns about the h the age limit in the NBA. But yeah, 465 00:35:53.719 --> 00:35:58.159 I haven't heard that directly. Yeah, fair enough. James Edwards joints to 466 00:35:58.199 --> 00:36:02.480 share on Exus and Bros foll him on Twitter. Jail Edwards third team president. 467 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:08.760 Why is it needed and what type of criteria does that person need to 468 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:13.800 possess in order to get the job. I think there's a couple of things. 469 00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:17.239 I think one that they just need a funneling of leadership. It needs 470 00:36:17.239 --> 00:36:22.519 to be one person who is everybody knows who they report to, everybody who 471 00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:27.880 knows that they are directed to, everybody, somebody that can make the right 472 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:32.880 player or the right call, the right shot. It's all about having one 473 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:38.119 voice be the final say. It's a position that the Pistons had since twenty 474 00:36:38.159 --> 00:36:45.480 eighteen. It is a common position an NBA franchise. I know a lot 475 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:47.039 of people like to say that there's too many cooks in the kitchen. I 476 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:52.000 understand that that critique and what it is. But if you look around most 477 00:36:52.280 --> 00:36:57.400 NBA front offices, there's an owner, there's a team president, there's maybe 478 00:36:57.440 --> 00:37:01.079 a vice president, there's a GM and then a coach. So there's usually 479 00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:06.519 three or four solid voices in an organization. It's just a matter of making 480 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:10.199 sure that everybody knows who's getting the final say, and who everybody is, 481 00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:19.679 who everybody's direct what's sort of looking for direct talk, who they're directly talking 482 00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:22.199 to, and who they're directly reporting to. I think that's a great importance. 483 00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:24.599 And then also I think, yeah, there just needs to be a 484 00:37:24.639 --> 00:37:29.119 little bit more structure. I think there needs to just be a different voice 485 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:34.079 and team building. I think those are the big things that they're looking for, 486 00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:37.039 and I think there's some big names that they're going to go after. 487 00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:40.039 Some of those guys are in the postseason now, which is why if there 488 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:44.920 are people who think that this Hobo search has gone on too long, it's 489 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:49.679 really only been two weeks. But there are protocols in place where if they 490 00:37:49.679 --> 00:37:52.079 want to go get one of the best guys, and one of those best 491 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:54.880 guys are they have a team still playing, they got to kind of wait 492 00:37:54.920 --> 00:38:01.119 out that process. So it's certainly as a the moving target currently, you're 493 00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:06.800 not just a basketball fan and a basketball writer who covers the Piston that you're 494 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:10.559 also a Detroit sports fan. You see the symmetry that the Lions have built 495 00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:16.880 that has made them so successful under Brad Holmes. Compare that symmetry to the 496 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:21.480 symmetry in the Tiston's front office, if there is one, and how far 497 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:27.719 they need to go. Can you I think that there, I think it 498 00:38:27.800 --> 00:38:31.199 seems like Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes are more on the same page then I'd 499 00:38:31.239 --> 00:38:37.000 say even a lot of president and head coaches, not even in the city, 500 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:42.400 but in the league. I think that's a big thing. I think 501 00:38:42.440 --> 00:38:46.079 that I think that's the big thing. I think that those two really seem 502 00:38:46.119 --> 00:38:50.199 to value the same types of players, the same type of the character. 503 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:52.760 That's the one thing that sticks out to me about them. And while I 504 00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:59.079 think in the NBA you can have different visions of how NBA you can play 505 00:38:59.199 --> 00:39:01.400 different styles basketball football you can, but at the end of the day, 506 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:06.400 it's still quarterback, drop back, handoff. Like it's still this it's pretty 507 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:10.800 universal. But basketball there can be different styles. Whether or not a style 508 00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:15.280 is outdated or not, that's another conversation. But I do think that in 509 00:39:15.360 --> 00:39:16.719 terms of how a team should be built, there seems to be a little 510 00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:22.960 bit of a disconnect there with the Pistons and maybe Steven Alliance. All Right, 511 00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:25.519 lastly, before I let you go, and I appreciate the time Monty 512 00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:31.000 Williams. How can he be better in year two along the Pistons bench and 513 00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:36.840 how much, say, will he have in personnel with this team moving forward? 514 00:39:37.599 --> 00:39:42.920 Yeah, if he's back next year, I think one way you can 515 00:39:42.960 --> 00:39:47.840 get better is is I think shortening the rotation, depending on what they do 516 00:39:47.840 --> 00:39:52.960 this offseason, if they're able to add two or three legitimate NBA players, 517 00:39:53.000 --> 00:39:58.079 maybe keep that rotation down to nine to eight. I think that's one way. 518 00:39:58.760 --> 00:40:04.880 I think maybe being a little bit more emphasizing the development. Obviously he 519 00:40:04.920 --> 00:40:09.239 comes from a program where he was coaching veteran players and and and maybe had 520 00:40:09.239 --> 00:40:14.079 a different type of emphasis. I think obviously this team is young and have 521 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:17.119 some young players, and that needs to be the focal point. But yeah, 522 00:40:17.119 --> 00:40:22.960 I think just certainly like how many players he plays, trying to understand 523 00:40:22.960 --> 00:40:25.719 who he has as a as a rotation, and if he needs has to 524 00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:29.320 whittle it down to try to give this team the best chance to win, 525 00:40:29.320 --> 00:40:30.360 I think that should be the case. But yeah, if he is back 526 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:35.159 next year, he'll have some things to clean up himself. All Right, 527 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:37.960 you said that twice. Then if he's back next year, why wouldn't he 528 00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:45.559 be Why wouldn't he be yeah, they just won fourteen games. There's definitely 529 00:40:45.599 --> 00:40:51.559 a chance. I think I think it'll be interesting to see. I don't 530 00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:57.519 I don't think it's as likely as people also as people think very interesting. 531 00:40:58.239 --> 00:41:01.039 We'll be watching and we'll be reading The Athletic with James Edwards. Thank you 532 00:41:01.079 --> 00:41:05.320 my friend, great stuff as always, appreciate your time very much and your 533 00:41:05.360 --> 00:41:08.239 friendship. Take care. Thank you, you got all right James Edwards Follow 534 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:14.360 him on Twitter. Jay Edwards the third rights for the Athletic. Fantastic stuff. 535 00:41:14.760 --> 00:41:16.760 If you missed any of that, We'll play tomorrow six thirty five. 536 00:41:17.400 --> 00:41:22.000 Really enjoyed that conversation. Could have gone on a lot longer because there's a 537 00:41:22.039 --> 00:41:23.519 lot of different things that we wanted to hit on. But maybe we'll do 538 00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:30.320 it at another time with James in talking pistons and the NBA. Thanks to 539 00:41:30.360 --> 00:41:32.840 Ben our producer, are Thanks to you for your text, your phone calls 540 00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:37.320 and James Edwards for his time. Hope you can join us again tomorrow here 541 00:41:37.360 --> 00:41:40.000 on exes and bros. Have a great rest of your Thursday. Everybody enjoy 542 00:41:40.760 --> 00:41:47.719 We're teaming off our tenth here at the Meyer LPGA Classic for simply gives Get 543 00:41:47.760 --> 00:41:52.480 ready for the best who are yet to help neighbors in need while enjoying golf, 544 00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:57.480 food and family fun. Join us June thirteenth through the sixteenth at Blakefield 545 00:41:57.480 --> 00:42:01.280 Country Club for fabulous food, discovery for kids, and of course elite women 546 00:42:01.320 --> 00:42:07.039 golfers from around the world competing to help feed our neighbors. Get your tickets 547 00:42:07.039 --> 00:42:13.360 now at Meyer LPGA Classics dot com. Bill Simonson here from my good friend 548 00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:17.519 Josh Garvey. Now he's a managing shareholder at Dorn Mayhew's Grand Rapids office. 549 00:42:17.760 --> 00:42:22.039 Their world headquarters are in Troy, Michigan, on the east side of the 550 00:42:22.079 --> 00:42:24.719 state, and they have locations all around the world. They have over five 551 00:42:24.840 --> 00:42:31.440 hundred and fifty motivated accounting professionals ninety years in business, and I mentioned the 552 00:42:31.519 --> 00:42:37.519 ten offices worldwide. So if you want to connect and partner with one of 553 00:42:37.519 --> 00:42:43.079 the top CPA accounting and business firms in the world, they're right here in 554 00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:46.000 Michigan, Dorn Mayhew's Troy office on the east side of the state, and 555 00:42:46.079 --> 00:42:52.320 Josh Garvey is a managing shareholder for their Dorn Mayhew gr office. Right there 556 00:42:52.320 --> 00:42:55.920 by the S Curve, you'll see the new Dorn Mayhew sign. You can 557 00:42:55.960 --> 00:43:00.360 find out more. Just google Dorn Mayhew. That's do E RI E N 558 00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:07.039 M A Y Hgwordorn dot com. They're one of Americas and the world's top 559 00:43:07.119 --> 00:43:14.960 CPA accounting and business firms. They're Dorn Mayhew. Hey Michigan, let's go 560 00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:20.280 baby. I'm harm and More Alliance all Pro Wide Receiver and I'm talking real 561 00:43:20.360 --> 00:43:23.840 big time winning on the hottest slots and table games on one incredible app. 562 00:43:24.320 --> 00:43:29.800 Eagle Casino in Sports. Sign up now and get up to fifteen hundred dollars. 563 00:43:30.039 --> 00:43:32.679 That's right, We'll match your deposit for up to fifteen hundred dollars and 564 00:43:32.960 --> 00:43:37.679 you'll get one hundred free spins. Eagle Casino in Sports Made in Michigan, 565 00:43:38.039 --> 00:43:43.360 Made for Michigan. Must be twenty winter over in Michigan to play. Roast 566 00:43:43.400 --> 00:43:47.079 Number is a farm direc coffee source from Central American farmers and roasted in Grand 567 00:43:47.199 --> 00:43:52.840 Rapids and also the Nitro coldbrew coffee is a convenient and healthy option for energy 568 00:43:52.880 --> 00:43:57.800 and no sugar additives. Look for it at your local retailer right Roast Number 569 00:43:57.840 --> 00:44:04.400 dot com. Freddy the Pizza Man Foundation is dedicated to providing support to families 570 00:44:04.440 --> 00:44:07.840 and Michigan schools touched by autism. We invite you to join us in supporting 571 00:44:07.840 --> 00:44:13.400 these families and schools by making a donation at Freddie Pizza Man dot com. 572 00:44:13.440 --> 00:44:16.360 With your donation, you can help provide essential resources that can make a real 573 00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:21.400 impact. Visit Freddiepizza Man dot com to make a donation and to learn more 574 00:44:21.400 --> 00:44:24.320 about the foundation's mission. That's f R E. D I the Pizza Man 575 00:44:24.400 --> 00:44:30.480 dot com. Together we can make a difference. Coming up later today at 576 00:44:30.480 --> 00:44:34.280 three on the Huge Show in the Michigan Sports Network, I'll deliver huge opinions 577 00:44:34.280 --> 00:44:35.639 on everything you're talking about.