Author: brian wallace

Detroit sports fan for life!!
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Why Monty Williams Return As Detroit Pistons Coach Is Intriguing

Monty Williams has been the bane of Detroit Pistons fans after all, Williams led the Pistons to the worst season in franchise history at 14-68 putting Detroit 50 games back in the standings. New president of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon has indicated Monty Williams will return as head coach.
UNIONDALE, NY – FEBRUARY 27: New Orleans Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon in attendance for the Erie Bayhawks v Long Island Nets NBA G-League game on February 27, 2020 at NYCB Live! Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)

First of all the sky is not falling and Langdon might be right in bringing Williams back, no really. The Pistons roster last season was not good and performed as such. The team hired shooting guru Fred Vinson who has worked with a who’s who of NBA players helping shooting.

So what seems to be the thought process, improve the roster, improve shooting, and start making a move in the standings. With the No. 5 pick in the draft and $65M in cap space, Langdon can improve the roster.

The reason Williams should have another chance is simply because a better roster and a highly regarded assistant coach could very well make a big difference for a Pistons team desperate to gain traction on a rebuild.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 01: A Wilson brand NBA official game ball is pictured before the game between the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies at Little Caesars Arena on April 01, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Detroit has not made the playoffs since 2018-19 and this was not going to be a quick fix given the mess Troy Weaver left. Owner Tom Gores said that he would eat the rest of Williams’s $80M contract if that is what Langdon wanted but Williams who enjoyed some success with the Phoenix Suns appears to have been given a longer leash.

Trajan Langdon does not like talking to the media so it is difficult to fully grasp what his thought process is by retaining Williams. But there does seem to be a plan in place.

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The Detroit Pistons News And Notes

The Detroit Pistons are starting over, again. The Pistons hired former New Orleans Pelicans GM, Trajan Langdon as President of Basketball Ops, , Langdon was viewed by many to be a very good hire. In what became very clear, very quickly Langdon and the Pistons announced they were cutting ties with GM, Troy Weaver. Now the Pistons have a clear direction.

 

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 11: General manager Trajan Langdon of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at the Smoothie King Center on October 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Trajan Langdon did a good job of building the Pelicans roster into a playoff-contending team. Unlike Detroit, the Pelicans boast perhaps the NBA’s best foursome of wings (SG/SF.) The Pistons also lack a defensive center and a strong bench. Needless to say, Langdon has a lot of work to do.

It is being reported Detroit is prepared to offer star Cade Cunningham a max contract. Langdon did say that he plans to build around Cunningham. The team in four years under Troy Weaver never put a player on the court who complimented Cunningham.

Monty Williams had a disastrous first season as Pistons head coach. So much so that owner Tom Gores said he would be willing to eat the $80M left on Williams’s contract if Langdon chooses to move on and bring in his coach. I was announced the team is now evaluating Monty Williams’s status.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – MARCH 19: The NBA brand logo is pictured before the game between the Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena on March 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Again for a Pistons basketball team that has lacked a clear-cut direction that is what Trajan Langdon brings to the organization. Detroit is in good shape with around $60M in cap space. They will need it as the roster needs a nearly full overhaul.

Langdon said he wants to get the Pistons back in the playoffs soon. Now is when the real work will start.

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The Detroit Tigers need seasoning

While it appears the Detroit Tigers rebuild is nearing the end, one thing remains, the team needs seasoning. This season the Tigers must show more in the win column than the loss. That means a season of young pitchers grasping the strike zone and hitters grasping the strike zone. Which means good days and bad days.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 4: Kerry Carpenter #30 of the Detroit Tigers in action against the New York Mets during game two of a double header at Citi Field on April 4, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

For the young Tiger hitters like Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter, and Riley Greene, they can look good on a bat and lost the next. Pitchers adapt, shoot baseball is a game of adaption. For Torkelson who hit 31 home runs and drove in94 RBIs last season, he should expect pitchers will approach him differently this season The same for Carpenter and Greene.

This is part of the next steps in becoming a competitive team. Situational hitting and understanding belt-high fastballs are not coming your way as often this season. Once the young hitters adjust the offense will become more balanced.

DETROIT, MI – APRIL 05: Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers looks on while batting during the Opening Day game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park on April 5, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the A’s 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Tigers young trio has struggled in the early part of this season. But they have shown better at-bats in the past few games. The good news is it is early and there is time to improve.

Detroit Tiger pitchers have been pretty consistent led by Cy Young Award hopeful Tarik Skubal. The Tigers bullpen has shown up in most games and is a dependable group.

This is the next step for the young Tigers. Start winning games. It is not the expectation but the natural progression in the rebuilding process. The Tigers currently own the #5 ranked farm system in MLB so there is more talent coming. But the parent team has enough talent to be competitive in the division.

This season is worth tuning into even when the team hits a losing streak. To see if they can figure it out.

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Star Wars The High Republic

Brace yourselves, Star Wars The High Republic content is coming to show format. So what exactly is The High Republic?

The High Republic
Artist-
YihyoungLi

With the live-action miniseries The Acolyte set to come out this summer, it fits into the High Republic. So let’s dive into what Obi-Wan Kenobi described “For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.”

During The High Republic, the Jedi were at the peak of their power. It is around the end of the High Republic when things begin to shift and Darth Bane enters as well as The Acolyte to disrupt the peace in the galaxy.

Worth noting, that it is also around this time when Darth Plagueis is introduced and could be killed by Darth Sidious. But it would be Plagueis who would be mostly in charge during this timeframe.

DENVER, CO -NOVEMBER 10: The costume of 900-year-old Jedi Master, Yoda, is on display at the Star Wars and The Power of Costume exhibit at The Denver Art Museum, November 10, 2016. The upcoming exhibit will open November 13 and run through April 2nd. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

There are some great opportunities for Disney+/ Lucasfilm to crack wide open and dive into a pretty cool area of Star Wars. It is a time to win fans back and The Acolyte could be the springboard to do just that.

Early reviews suggest the show is solid. Releasing June 5, 2024, will be the test. If done right as The Mandalorian and Bad Batch (for the most part) have been then fans will not only be happy, but interested. 

The show holds a lot of promise and hopefully delivers. With Lucas Games redoing The Knights Of The Old Republic, a popular video games the tie-ins could be very good and could lead into some good Star Wars content.

That is the hope Star Wars fans have. 

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The Acolyte Is Reportedly Releasing This Summer

A new report has surfaced and it seems Disney/ Lucasfilm is set to resume new Star Wars content as The Acolyte will reportedly release this summer. Not only does it end the Star Wars slowdown but The Acolyte gives fans the first look at The High Republic era content.

The Acolyte is said to be a mystery-thriller that will take fans to emerging powers of the dark side. Star Wars fans have long wanted to see Darth Bane in live-action and that could very well be the case as the Sith is around during The High Republic timeframe.

The show’s focus will be on a Jedi Master and Padawan investigating the coming of the dark side of the Force. The High Republic takes place 100 years before the events of Star Wars Episode I, The Phantom Menace.

While fans are clamoring for Darth Bane it should be noted that the main villain could be another fan favorite Darth Plagueis was about 115 when he was killed by Darth Sidious.

Another fan favorite is alive during this era of Star Wars, Jedi Master Yoda. Will he make an appearance? The great Jedi very well could and it should be to the surprise of no one if he does.

Early reports from insiders (not affiliated) with Disney/ Lucasfilm suggest that The Acolyte is very solid and promising. They say it is as good as Andor which is the best Disney/Lucasfilm streaming show to date. So for insiders to say The Acolyte is as solid as Andor should not be ignored.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 30: Diego Luna attends the Emmy FYC screening for Andor at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles, California on April 30, 2023. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

It was somewhat surprising when news broke The Acolyte would release this summer as many thought it would be in later 2024. Will it live up to early hype the way Andor lived up to its early hype? That remains to be seen.

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Just Pursue It

This is NOT to toot my own horn, this is to encourage you to try something.

 

I have been writing for some years now. When I started it was to get thoughts swirling in my head out. Then came offers, SideLion Report, The Octopus Thrower, and GBM Wolverines from FanSided. I took positions and did so on a short-term basis. To learn how others ran their sites and to learn from great editors. Then I moved to Inside The Rink which was the next step and very helpful.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 05: The Columbus Blue Jackets logo is shown before a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 5, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

Being asked by The Undrafted News to cover the Columbus Blue Jackets with media credentials from the press box has been incredible and helpful also it has been a blessing to be able to talk with other sports journalists and learn from them.

Now I will be covering both the Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings for The Undrafted News. So why am I telling you this? Why should you believe I am not tooting my own horn?

I am telling you this because I believe everyone has special gifts and talents that not everyone has. I also strongly believe that many do not work and put effort into growing and refining the talents they have.

MONTREAL, CANADA – DECEMBER 02: A closeup view of the Detroit Red Wings logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on December 2, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

I can tell you that the more effort you put in, the more doors will open for you. If you are miserable in your job and/or life, perhaps it is because you were designed to do something different.

Even when you do not feel like practicing, do it anyway. Over and over and keep chipping away at it. Once you feel somewhat confident look for areas you want to try. Then take the step, do not listen to anyone else including yourself. Let go and do it.

There is profound freedom in going down another path. I am trying to get out of “Corporate America,” I have taken steps and am currently on a trajectory to do that. When? Whenever God opens that door, which could be very soon.

Get out of your head and comfort zone start the work and trust the process.

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What Is Going On With The Mandalorian Season 4

Much like the on Rey: New Jedi Order movie, off New Jedi Order movie, on again New Jedi Order movie, The Mandalorian is seeing a pattern that is similar. The Mandalorian Season 4 was said to be six episodes with Jon Favreau’s Mandalorian movie being the season finale. It is now being circulated that The Mandalorian is moving to the big screen a move that could be permanent.
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 01: Actor/writer/director Jon Favreau is photographed for Variety Magazine on December 1, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. PUBLISHED IMAGE. (Photo by Dan Doperalski/Variety via Contour RA by Getty Images)

The plan was seemingly solid, a six episode Season 4 with a movie to help push the story ahead. Then it was said that Jon Favreau’s Mando-verse movie would come out first pushing Season 4 back coupled with the fact Dave Filoni is also going to make a Mandalorian film. Scripts had already been written before the writers strike of 2023. A time in which Disney took to reevaluate future Star Wars projects.

Needing to get Star Wars back into theaters it seems Disney will use Favreau’s film with the widely popular Star Wars characters Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) and Grogu and hope it is enough to get back in the Star Wars fan base’s good grace’s given the lackluster films Disney/ Lucasfilm has put up with the exception of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Also known is Dave Filoni is co-writing The Mandalorian and Grogu film with Favreau. With the movie taking precedence over the next Season it feels like this could be permanent if the film find traction at the box office. If that happens Season 4 as formatted for T.V. would never happen and The Mandalorian will be exclusively released in theaters.

WINTERHAVEN, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 15: Star Wars Mandalorian cosplayer Trevor Newton as Din Djarin poses for photos at Buttercup Sand Dunes on January 15, 2022 in Winterhaven, California. Buttercup San Dunes was the location of several iconic scenes filmed for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

Is it a gamble for Disney/ Lucasfilm? Yes, anytime to take a successful commodity and essentially rebrand or reformat there is risk involved. But, the group involved feel by rolling the dice they could hit paydirt.

This is a time for Disney/ Lucasfilm to show they can make good Star Wars movies and gain back some fans who will surely show up if for no other reason they are hooked on The Mandalorian.

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The Star Wars Rey’s New Jedi Order movie has been shuffled

Back at the 2023 Star Wars Celebration, Rey was said to be getting her own movie that could pave the way to more. A new Jedi Order, now it seems with the announcement of a Jon Favreau directed Mandalorian movie that is set to being filming soon the Rey movie has either gotten lost in the mixed or is being reshuffled to a later date.

Before The Mandalorian film had been made public, actress Daisy Ridley had said back in November she had not seen a script for the Rey New Jedi Order film. That seemed odd because at Celebration her movie was touted as the next film to be made. One insider with a lot of information said that the Rey movie has not even been written yet.

STAR WARS REBELS – “Steps into Shadow” – The critically-acclaimed animated series “Star Wars Rebels” returns SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (8:30 p.m., ET) and introduces new characters Grand Admiral Thrawn and Bendu during the season three one-hour premiere event, “Steps into Shadow” on Disney XD. (Disney XD/Lucasfilm via Getty Images)
EZRA, SABINE

The informant went on to say that does not mean it’s not going to happen, just nothing has happened to this point. That could be because with another Mandalorian film this one being directed by Dave Filoni has characters like Ezra Bridger, Sabine Wren and others who could be part of The New Jedi Order if that is the way Favreau and Filoni want to go.

When the Rey film was announced it was met with lukewarm response from the fan base. Disney/ Lucasfilm is attempting to get back in the good grace’s of the fans and could be taking a slightly safer path by releasing the widely popular Mandalorian film first. That remains to be seen.

CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 14: Director/executive producer Dave Filoni (L) and Writer/executive producer Jon Favreau attend “The Mandalorian” panel at the Star Wars Celebration at McCormick Place Convention Center on April 14, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/WireImage for Disney)

It has been revealed The Mandalorian film will be the finale of Season 4, the rest will be released in six episodes. This is an interesting time for Star Wars,  Favreau and Filoni, as they push Star Wars in a new direction while linking it to all other areas.

Dave Filoni also stated that they will use all aspects including things that are not cannon if it helps and paints a bigger picture.

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The Mandalorian is coming to theaters

The Mandalorian and Grogu are coming to the big screen! You may recall, I posted about if Season 4 would be a movie. We now have word and it will not be Season 4, not entirely but it will tie in, let’s just dive in and piece it together. After all this could help Disney/ Lucasfilm gain trust with the Star Wars fan base.

Season 4 of the widely popular Mandalorian show is said to be six episodes, as in they will be streamed on Disney+. It is now said that finale will be The Mandalorian movie directed by Jon Favreau who is writing the film with Dave Filoni.

Meanwhile, Ashoka Season 2 has been green lighted and Dave Filoni will also be directing a Mandoverse movie that will release after Ashoka’s second season. This is fueling speculation that a Mandalorian trilogy will be born out of Favreau’s movie and Filoni’s movie.

STAR WARS REBELS – “Steps into Shadow” – The critically-acclaimed animated series “Star Wars Rebels” returns SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (8:30 p.m., ET) and introduces new characters Grand Admiral Thrawn and Bendu during the season three one-hour premiere event, “Steps into Shadow” on Disney XD. (Disney XD/Lucasfilm via Getty Images)
GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN

Fans wonder (for good reason) if this will lead to Heir of the Empire-(Thrawn trilogy), the widely popular books from author Timothy Zahn. Some say it could be a loose version of the story Zahn wrote and it has been reported Zahn and Filoni have been working together.

For Star Wars, the fan base has been less than thrilled with the Disney lead movie projects except for “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” By allowing Favreau space to do his own movie and Filoni space to do his own movie this is a positive step forward.

Two people who created The Mandalorian and began to restore faith in the fan base have the ability to further unite the fans by putting out solid movie content as they have done on the show.

While some fans will be hesitant to return to theaters this is actually good strategy by Disney/ Lucasfilm, to take something that has brought fans back to Star Wars and bring it to the theaters.

D23 EXPO 2022 – The Ultimate Disney Fan Event presented by VISA – brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event, which takes place September 9, 10, and 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center, provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, series, games, theme parks, collectibles, and celebrities. (The Walt Disney Company via Getty Images)
Dave Filoni, Jon Favreau

Fans need to be reminded Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni are the right two to be able to pull this off. Let’s hope the Force is with them.

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The Mandalorian Season 4, a movie?

It will be a movie. It will not be a movie. The day-to-day rumor mill concerning Disney +’s The Mandalorian Season 4 is enough to make you sit back and take a swig of blue milk. As it stands right now the movie rumor seems a bit more far fetched but not completely. Let’s dive in.

 

STAR WARS REBELS – Executive Producer Dave Filoni, Steve Blum, Taylor Gray, Tiya Sircar, Freddie Prinze Jr, and Vanessa Marshall from “Star Wars Rebels” attend Star Wars Celebration in Orlando on Saturday, April 15, 2017. (Todd Anderson/Disney XD via Getty Images)
DAVE FILONI

During Star Wars Celebration 2023, Lucasfilm President, Kathleen Kennedy said there was going to be a Mandalorian crossover movie directed by Dave Filoni, the man who heads up both The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.

Why a movie makes sense: Season 3 of The Mandalorian was met with some fan backlash. Even though the season was pretty much all filler material.  A Mandalorian Season 4 movie would bring fans out as Star Wars fans forgive easily until the next failure.

Why a movie does not make sense: First and foremost there has been zero statement from Lucasfilm Season 4 would be a movie. Even though one is coming. Disney and Lucasfilm are in damage control. To mess with a winning formula might not be the wisest at this time. As The Mandalorian Season 3 was the most streamed show.

WINTERHAVEN, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 21: Star Wars cosplayer Shawn Richter as Din Djarin poses for photos at Buttercup Sand Dunes on February 21, 2021 in Winterhaven, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

Conclusion: While a Mando-Verse movie will be made, I do not believe Season 4 will be that movie. The smarter thought is if Filoni connects The Mandalorian, Ashoka, The Book of Boba Fett and perhaps a splash of The Bad Batch to further push the story forward.

This only an opinion, but with nobody in power saying Season 4 will be a movie perhaps silence is golden.