It’s a tough time for sports fans in Detroit.
As with the city’s midtown and downtown areas, professional teams are working on their respective Renaissance reconstructions. Waiting for it feels like waiting for the construction of the I-75 and I-275 roads to be completed.
As we gear up to turn the calendar to 2023, it’s a good time to reflect on the last 12 months, but it’s also a time to look for positive feelings for the new year. Maybe doing yoga or starting a meditation routine got me thinking about good ideas rather than lamenting the state of my local sports team.
No matter how you ring in the New Year, whether you’re singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ over a drink, eating a plate of collard greens and cowpeas, or just having fun at home with family and friends, here’s what you can expect: There is a thing Looking forward to 2023, I have a request for my local sports team.
The piston is somewhat clear and with any luck
Above all, it takes a few things for the young Pistons to have their way. Cade Cunningham’s season-ending injury is a temporary setback for rebuilding, but anyway, this was never going to be a playoff or play-in year.
To keep things simple, we ask general manager Troy Weaver and coach Dwayne Casey for clarity. Casey and Weaver must organize their roster to determine who is included in their long-term plans. Early signs point to the list including rookies Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey — and former first-round pick Cillian Hayes, who seems to be finding his way as well. may be included.
Would you like to make a 2 to 1 wish? Maybe the Pistons will get their lottery luck once again and finally win his first overall again and 6-foot-15 prodigy Victor He picks Wenban Yama. The franchise has historically not had much luck with international imports, but the soon-to-be 19-year-old could change all that.
Let’s revisit this conversation next December, when the outlook will change dramatically.
Lions Win Important Game
A midseason surge has helped the Lions revive a dying season and bring hope to a playoff-hungry city.
The conservative hope is that the regular season finale against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field will make a difference.It would demand a lot for the Lions to participate in the game When Beat Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. But 2023 is not just the year to achieve the potential, impossible.
one thing at a time.
These aren’t the same old Lions… at least not this year. Oh, and a draft pick from the Rams, put it in the top five if you’re greedy.
Tigers’ Harris wears helmet
The Tigers are another team in the process of rebuilding, but it looks like new team president Scott Harris has found an architect. It will take a while to rebuild the roster the way he wants it – he’s already overhauled his coaching staff – but patience is key.
The injury monster wreaked havoc on the pitching staff last season, so just turning the corner is a step in the right direction for next season. Wishes would be worth adding to the list.
Finally, Miguel Cabrera should spark excitement in the final season. He had his ups and downs during his tenure with the Tigers, but nonetheless had more Cabrera jerseys in his stand than any other player.
Some of the criticism of Cabrera seems to come from his contract. Put it in the former front office — Cabrera didn’t make that offer himself.
Red Wing returns to normal
As with any team, just making the playoffs would be a big win for the Wings. These aren’t your parents’ Red Wings teams whose spot in the postseason was a foregone conclusion before the season even started. Yzerman and coach Derek Lalonde seem to be leading the team through a rare dark period.
They might be able to get Jakub Vrana and Robbie Fabbri back on the ice, which could help, but they have a lot more work to do to get their winning ways back. Wishing you good health and a spot into the postseason though.
As with the Pistons, this season is one of roster consolidation, and making it to the playoffs will give some of their young players valuable experience to carry over into the next season.
Michigan to win
What about national titles? of course. The Wolverines are having a great season and his TCU victory in the Fiesta Bowl and championship would be the first title a team here has won in a while.
But let’s make this a 2-for-1 special.
First, it gives Michigan its own national title. Not a shared title like 1997. Defending his champion Georgia It doesn’t really matter whether it’s against his Bulldogs or against longtime rival Ohio State. important provisions.
Tied to the wish is that Michigan fans (both alums and select fans) maintain humility throughout the year.Of course it asks a lot Several Wolverines are loyal, but if that doesn’t happen, Michigan State University fans will have to use another wish to endure their unbearable friends and colleagues who bark all day, every day.
Maybe they (humbly) become leaders and end up being the best leaders.
Michigan recovers
While other teams are doing better, Spartans are in a similar situation. They survived a tough football season with their rivals winning most of the headlines and a wheel falling off mid-season. The tunnel accident at Michigan Stadium didn’t do any good, but it’s good for everyone to have Mel Tucker his coach reset his mind and get a chance to get over the ugly accident.
The intra-state rivalry is always more fun when both teams excel, and it could quietly eat up the patience of Spartan fans no matter what Michigan does in the college football playoffs.
Perhaps you’re wishing Tom Izzo the best of luck in the NCAA Tournament. A team that doesn’t have the same identity as his other team, but has shown a flash early in the season.
Rod Beard@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @detnewsRodBeard