Interview With: Bob from Detroit4Lyfe
After a while of not being able to get anyone under my clutches, err, anyone to interview here on The Fifth Corner, I am back with another edition of “Interview with:” and this time I talk to Bob from Detroit4lyfe (part of the Bloguin network), who can also be followed on Twitter. If you like any and all sports from The Motor City this is the blog to check out on a daily basis. Of course I check it out because one of the ex Tar Heels from the Dean Smith era, Rasheed Wallace, plays for the Pistons. Of course I asked about Sheed to Bob, both about his past in Motown and his future (in Detroit or not). Then we hit the topic of the NBA Draft, both in general and more specific about the four Tar Heels in it. All of this and much more in a great interview by a great blogger…
A.E.M.: Being a fan of Detroit sports I have to ask, how would you describe the years of Rasheed Wallace with the Pistons?
Bob (D4L): Rasheed has had an interesting stint with the Pistons. If we don’t trade for him in 2004, we don’t win the NBA Championship. However, it was all bitter sweet there on out. He’s been great at times and at other times, he’s killed us. In 2005, he was good but he’ll always be remembered for leaving Robert Horry open in the NBA Finals. His technical fouls and subsequent blow ups will always hang over his head too. It’s tough to accurately put it.
A.E.M.: Still talking about the ex pupil of Dean Smith, he is now looking to sign a new deal. Do you think he will do so with Detroit, or is Wallace going to be wearing another uniform come next year? And of course, what would you prefered happen.
Bob (D4L): I think no chance he’s a Pistons next year. Rumors are swirling that he wants at least $8 million, so even if the Pistons wanted him, there is no way they will put that kind of money into him. The Pistons are looking to create a fresh look for 2009-2010 and Rasheed doesn’t appear to be a part of that new look.
A.E.M.: Switching from a Tar Heel that is in Detroit to ones that might become Pistons, what do you think of the four UNC players from Chapel Hill? If you had to choose one of the four (Hansbrough, Lawson, Ellington or Green) which one would you want to be a Piston?
Bob (D4L): I would choose Hansbrough, but I would prefer not to have him at the No. 15 spot. I don’t think he’ll fall to the 2nd round, by any means, but I like him the most. His work ethic and physical play fits right in with what the Pistons have embodied in the past decade. The only thing that has me skeptical of him is his size, but he had no problem finishing down low in college and I think he’ll have plenty of opportunities to cash in on his above average FT percentage at the NBA level, too.
A.E.M.: Being a bit more general, what do you think of this year’s NBA Draft? Weak, strong, middle of the pack?
Bob (D4L): I’d say weak. Other than Griffin and Curry, I don’t see many guys that are “for sure” stars. Even Curry is a question mark to a lot of critics.
A.E.M.: Of this group of college and overseas players who is the one that ten years from now I am going to say “this was the best of the 2009 Draft”, and of course, which one is going to be the one that I say “wow, he was that bad!”
Bob (D4L): B.J. Mullens for “wow, he was that bad,” and Stephen Curry for “this was the best of the 2009 draft.” I think because Griffin is so highly touted in this draft class, it’ll be tough for him to exceed expectations. Stephen Curry meanwhile has everything going for him. He has just enough people saying he can’t do it that when he does do it, it’ll be a pleasant surprise. Look at my Mullens piece for my reasoning on why I think he’ll be a bust.
A.E.M.: Now, as I ask to everyone that talks basketball, what do you think of the “one and done” rule. Would you keep it, tweak it, or take it out altogether?
Bob (D4L): I don’t really know. That’s a tough debate and one that I could discuss in many pages. Does the one year really make a difference? I’d implement something similar to the MLB, minus the high school draftees. If you’re going to make them go to college, make them go for at least 2-3 years depending on their age.
A.E.M.: And finishing with the question I ask all of the bloggers that I am fortunate enough to interview: where do you see blogging going? Both compared to main stream media, as well as the single blog compared to the blog community.
Bob (D4L): Blogging is blowing up. I do think it’ll hit a plateau at some point, though. Anyone can start up a blog and with the right networking and promotional work of that blog can get their voice heard above some of the “smarter” bloggers. There needs to be some kind of credibility, but at the same time a lot of these bloggers are just as intelligent, if not more so, than some of your “big time” journalists. It’ll be interesting to see how it evolves over the next few years.
Once again what can I say but thanks for Bob for doing such an excellent job in answering my questions. I threw hard at him and he came right back swinging at each and every one, never pulling punches, never avoiding the question. Make sure you check out Detroit4Lyfe’s web page or you can follow them on Twitter.
