Thursday, December 30, 2010

Michigan's Forcier Ineligible For Gator Bowl

I don't advocate cheating in sports. But if your a "student-athlete" how the hell do you become ineligible. That's always been a question I've asked myself. You know there's always at least one person out there who just wants to be your "friend" and will do anything to help you get by.

The reason I bring this up is because Michigan's Tate Forcier is academically ineligible for Michigan's Gator Bowl date with Mississippi State on New Year's Day. Forcier is the backup quarterback to Denard Robinson. If Devin Gardner got the redshirt that Rich Rodriguez requested, the Wolverines are screwed if Robinson gets hurt. I don't know if he got the redshirt or that he can pull it. 

Back to Tate's ineligibility. How does he screw up in the classroom. Granted, I've never been on a college campus, so I'll never know how hard the classes actually are. But for an athlete they give them classes that aren't too hard. Forcier explained that he has never been the greatest student. Well we know that now don't we. He also said that he was street smart, but not smart clasroom-wise. Didn't know you were from the mean streets Tate.

Like I said, I don't know how hard being a "student-athlete" in college can be. But they do give you resources to succeed. And if you have a hard time acheiving in the classroom, there's always someone there to "help".   

McGrady Looked Like His Old Self

There were a few why's when the Detroit Pistons signed Tracy McGrady. Some felt he had nothing left and his game was shot. I never questioned the signing, citing this as a classic risk reward deal. It was for one year and didn't cost the mid-level exception. When Joe Dumars made this signing it made me think of the Antonio McDyess signing that paid off handsomely for the Pistons. This could pay off the same way in one form or another. Maybe not a playoff run, but maybe in a trade of some kind. But we know that Dumars' hands are tied in that category.

McGrady showed flashes of his old self last night against the Boston Celtics. This was a good test for someone that wasn't 100 percent entering the season. Considering the Celtics are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA it was good to see McGrady go for 21 points, shooting 7-11, and sharing the ball notching 8 assists. This is in a starting role since Rodney Stuckey is out with the stomach flu.

Everyone still has their mind stuck in the past about T-Mac. He's not the same player he was five years ago and he knows it. Some still expect that out of him. I always said for him to continue to have a job in the league he would have to change his game. He can still go to the hoop, but not with the force and explosion he used to. He has to rely more on guile and experience these days. He also looks like he sharpened up his jumper. With more time on the court he's looking more comfortable.

I thought he would be a lock to sign with the Chicago Bulls, but when that fell through and the Pistons signed him I was anxious to see how he would do with a team that most figure to go nowhere. If he keeps playing like he did last night it'll be tough to get him out of the starting lineup. It also may be tougher to resign him. Who knows, maybe he'll have a show of loyalty like McDyess had for rescuing his career.