Detroit in Play

Three Metro pro teams are all vying for glory at once. The Tigers, the Red Wings, and the Pistons are giving Detroit something to cheer about, certainly. Of the three sports, only pro basketball really provides the firepower and fast pace that can keep me riveted, and the Pistons are at the top of their game this year, give or take a few slumps. Of the three teams, the Pistons also have the best and clearest shot at winning another championship.

For me, baseball and hockey are more suitable as background to other tasks or socializing, but basketball when done right requires fuller engagement. Call me biased, but that's my choice. Still, for the sake of the Metro area, I hope all three teams continue to do well.

Last night, the Pistons fired up to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks, winning the first game of the playoffs 92-74. Rasheed Wallace was totally on and scored 22 points; Rip Hamilton followed closely with 21. Ben Wallace muscled 17 rebounds and overall, the Pistons contained the Bucks' offense very nicely by game's end. Second game picks up on Wednesday at the Palace. The Tigers and Red Wings both play tonight, but I'll leave those games for others to enjoy at their own pace.

Besides the Pistons, of course, The Sopranos and Big Love were fabulous -- and thank God for HBO on demand. So many good lines, such great stories! Tony's quip still has me cracking up because it applies to so many: "It's common knowledge the guy's retarded."

And always with the cautionary tale, I'm reminded to keep quiet in any situation that holds the danger of escalating, especially if the other person has impulse control problems and a violent nature. Always with the mouth! Even understanding the wisdom of holding back and choosing battles carefully, though, I still find myself acting out from time to time. Bad me! And far more so for many of The Sopranos guys -- which is one of the elements that makes it so entertaining. Tony has his hands full constantly reminding everybody this is a business. Let's hope Artie Bucco can see the light before something worse happens to him. I'm just saying. . . . .

Finally, let's note that Italy seems to have just barely gotten rid of Bush's little buddy Berlusconi. He and Blair may not be far behind in this evenly divided political world.

Arrivederci!