Here are the starting lineups for the 2005 MLB All-Star game.

National League
1 Bobby Abreu RF
2 Carlos Beltran LF
3 Albert Pujols DH
4 Derrek Lee 1B
5 Jim Edmonds CF
6 Aramis Ramirez 3B
7 Mike Piazza C
8 Jeff Kent 2B
9 David Eckstein SS
SP Chris Carpenter

American League
1 Johnny Damon CF
2 Alex Rodriguez 3B
3 David Ortiz DH
4 Manny Ramirez LF
5 Miguel Tejada SS
6 Vladimir Guerrero RF
7 Mark Teixeira 1B
8 Jason Varitek C
9 Brian Roberts 2B
SP Mark Buehrle

Well, now we have the final 2005 MLB All-Star Game rosters. Each manager had a difficult time narrowing down the players for the final all-star team, but there were a few more players there should have been room for this year. There weren't a lot of them but these are the 10 biggest overlooks for the all-star team.

National League: Player, Position, Team AVG HR RBI / W-L ERA SV
Carlos Delgado 1B, Florida .288 16 66
Adam Dunn OF Cincinnati .239 23 52
Cliff Floyd OF, New York .287 22 55
Jose Guillen OF Washington .310 18 51
Trevor Hoffman RP, San Diego 0-4, 3.45 25

American League: Player, Position, Team AVG HR RBI / W-L ERA SV
Jeremy Bonderman SP, Detroit 11-5, 3.99
Eddie Guardado RP, Seattle 1-1 1.45 21
Travis Hafner DH, Cleveland .319 18 63
Torii Hunter OF, Minnesota .271 14 54
Hideki Matsui OF, New York .320 14 70

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Starters
Position--Player, Team AVG HR RBI
C -- Mike Piazza, New York .260 9 36
1B -- Derek Lee, Chicago .378 27 72
2B -- Jeff Kent, Los Angeles .304 15 60
SS -- David Eckstein, St. Louis .284 2 24
3B -- Scott Rolen-inj., St. Louis .251 5 26
3B -- Aramis Ramirez-7, Chicago .298 19 57
OF -- Carlos Beltran, New York .266 10 44
OF -- Jim Edmonds, St. Louis .272 16 51
OF -- Bobby Abreu, Philadelphia .307 18 58
DH -- Albert Pujols, St. Louis .337 22 69

Reserves
Position,Player, Team AVG HR RBI
C -- Paul Lo Duca, Florida .286 2 34
2B -- Luis Castillo, Florida .331 2 17
SS -- Cesar Izturis-imj., Los Angeles .275 1 20
SS -- Felipe Lopez, Cincinnati .304 14 48
SS -- Jimmy Rollins-3, Philadelphia .273 7 23
3B -- Morgan Ensberg-6, Houston .290 24 65
OF -- Moises Alou, San Francisco .316 12 41
OF -- Jason Bay, Pittsburgh .299 16 44
OF -- Miguel Cabrera, Florida .333 17 62
OF -- Luis Gonzalez, Arizona .283 12 51
OF -- Andruw Jones, Atlanta .272 27 67
OF -- Carlos Lee, Milwaukee .268 22 76

Pitchers W-L ERA SV
SP -- Roger Clemens, Houston 7-3 1.48
SP -- Chris Carpenter, St. Louis 13-4 2.51
SP -- Livan Hernandez, Washington 12-3 3.48
SP -- Pedro Martinez-2, New York 10-3 2.72
SP -- Jake Peavy, San Diego 7-3 3.14
SP -- John Smoltz, Atlanta 9-5 2.81
SP -- Dontrelle Willis, Florida 13-4 2.39
SP -- Roy Oswalt-1, Houston 12-7 2.45
RP -- Chad Cordero, Washington 2-1 1.13 31
RP -- Brian Fuentes, Colorado 1-3 2.41 12
RP -- Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis 0-1 1.78 25
RP -- Brad Lidge, Houston 3-2 2.43 20
RP -- Billy Wagner-4, Philadelphia 2-1 2.18 20

Manager
Tony LaRussa, St. Louis


AMERICAN LEAGUE
Starters
Position--Player, Team AVG HR RBI
C -- Jason Varitek, Boston .301 13 36
1B -- Mark Teixeira, Texas .290 25 73
2B -- Brian Roberts, Baltimore .345 15 49
SS -- Miguel Tejada, Baltimore .329 19 62
3B -- Alex Rodriguez, New York .317 23 72
OF -- Manny Ramirez, Boston .275 20 80
OF -- Johnny Damon, Boston .343 4 42
OF -- Vladimir Guerrero, Anaheim .335 15 50
DH -- David Ortiz, Boston .314 21 75

Reserves
Position--Player, Team AVG HR RBI
C -- Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit .292 6 32
1B -- Paul Konerko, Chicago .249 20 55
1B -- Mike Sweeney, Kansas City .318 11 44
2B -- Alfonso Soriano, Texas .275 21 56
SS -- Michael Young, Texas .333 14 47
3B -- Melvin Mora, Baltimore .298 15 47
OF -- Garret Anderson, Anaheim .304 11 65
OF -- Gary Sheffield, New York .298 17 68
OF -- Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle .311 6 32
OF -- Scott Podsednik-1, Chicago .294 0 17
DH -- Shea Hillenbrand, Toronto .302 9 42

Pitchers W-L ERA SV
SP -- Mark Buehrle, Chicago 10-3 2.58
SP -- Matt Clement-5, Boston 10-2 3.85
SP -- Bartolo Colon, Anaheim 11-5 3.42
SP -- Jon Garland, Chicago 13-4 3.37
SP -- Roy Halladay-inj., Toronto 12-4 2.41
SP -- Kenny Rogers, Texas 10-4 2.54
SP -- Johan Santana, Minnesota 7-5 3.98
RP -- Danys Baez, Tampa Bay 5-2 2.68 13
RP -- Justin Duchscherer, Oakland 4-1 1.49 4
RP -- Joe Nathan, Minnesota 1-3 3.43 25
RP -- Mariano Rivera, New York 4-2 1.01 20
RP -- B.J. Ryan, Baltimore 1-2 2.52 19
RP -- Bob Wickman, Cleveland 0-2 2.73 23

Manager
Terry Francona, Boston

Umpires
Home Plate -- Joe West
1st Base -- Tim Welke
2nd Base -- Eric Cooper
3rd Base -- Mike DiMuro
Left Field -- C.B. Bucknor
Right Field -- Andy Fletcher


1 - WON MLB FINAL VOTE
2 - selected, declined invitation
inj.- injured
3 - replaced Cesar Izturis
4 - replaced Pedro Martinez
5 - replaced Roy Halladay
6 - replaced Scott Rolen
7 - replaced Scott Rolen in starting line-up

In game 3 of the 2005 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons decided to make a series of it. From the opening steal, jam, and three point play by Ben Wallace the Pistons meant business. The Pistons played hard, smart, and together as a team. A lot was on the line last night. The Pistons needed a win and the Spurs wanted the chance at a sweep. The will of the Pistons prevailed 96-79.

The Pistons swept the three games at home last year to win the championship over the Lakers, and they needed a shot in the arm in this year's series against the Spurs. Meanwhile the Spurs are still trying to forget the 2004 NBA Playoffs when they were up 2-0 over the LA Lakers, and lost the next four games to get bounced out of the playoffs. Last night was a night of firsts and worsts. The first win in the series for the Pistons, the first NBA Finals with the first three games decided by 15 or more points, the Spurs worst defensive effort in surrendering 90 points to an opponent for the first time in their 3 trips to the Finals, and Tim Duncan's worst shooting night in the Finals (5-15 from the field).

The Pistons as a team forced 18 turnovers, had 12 steals, 10 blocks, 22 assists, 17 offensive rebounds. Ben Wallace was a major contributor to a lot of those stats with 15 points, 11 rebounds (6 offensive), 3 steals, 5 blocks, and an assist. Once Big Ben got started the rest of the Pistons followed in with 24 from Rip Hamilton, 20 points and 7 assists from Billups, 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists from Tayshaun Prince, and 8 points 7 rebounds from Rasheed Wallace. The great defense of reserve Lindsay Hunter as well as the 12 points off the bench for Antonio McDyess displayed a complete team effort from the Pistons.

The Spurs were kind of lost in the second half. The Spurs scored 10 more points in the second half than they did in the first quarter. The game was so off for them that Duncan got a technical foul. When's the last time you saw that in a box score? Bruce Bowen scored 13 on his 34th birthday last night along with 14 points and 10 rebounds from Tim Duncan, 21 points from Tony Parker, and 7 points and 6 turnovers from Manu Ginobili. The Spurs will regroup and address a few things, and I bet we'll see a better effort from them in game 4.

Overall the series is now back to series status. I expect the Pistons to continue to win at home to take this series to six games. Detroit over San Antonio (4-2).

San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons
96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring vs. 93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring
88.39 PPG #1 in Defense vs. 89.46 PPG #2 in Defense
+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential vs. +3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential

Spurs lead 2-1
1. Thu, Jun 9 SA 84, DET 69 - Final
2. Sun, Jun 12 SA 97, DET 76 - Final
3. Tue, Jun 14 DET 96, SA 79 - Final
4. Thu, Jun 16 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
5. Sun, Jun 19 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
6.* Tue, Jun 21 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
7.* Thu, Jun 23 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)

All times are Eastern Daylight Time
* - If necessary

Head to Head
PG Tony Parker vs. Chauncey Billups
SG Bruce Bowen vs. Richard Hamilton
SF Manu Ginobili vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF Tim Duncan vs. Rasheed Wallace
C Nazr Mohammed vs. Ben Wallace

It appears that Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers atfer a one season hiatus. Jackson and the Lakers agreed on a three year deal that makes Jackson the highest paid coach in the NBA. Jackson was reportedly seeking $8-$12 million a year on his contract. Reportedly Jackson and the Lakers came to an agreement last week. With Phil Jackson's NBA record tying 9 titles, it is money well spent. During the coaching announcement, Jackson said that his returning to the Lakers was about "forgiveness, and a chance at redemption".

What remains to be seen is how well Kobe Bryant and Jackson get along, as well as how well the triangle offense will run given the Lakers talent. This offseason and the draft are going to be the only way the Lakers will get any better. With their current roster they will not make the playoffs. Stay tuned.......

Game 2 of the 2005 NBA Finals was pretty much the same as game 1. The San Antonio Spurs got out to a quick lead over the Detroit Pistons and won 97-76. The Pistons didn't guard the 3 point line on defense, missed a lot of short shots on offense, and just didn't play good defense all night. The Spurs had four starters (Ginobili 27, Duncan 18, Bowen 15, Parker 12), and their main reserve (Robert Horry 12) score in double figures.

After Tayshaun Prince's 2 quick fouls in the first quarter, the Pistons played less than their best on defense. Without Prince, the Pistons were sagging into the lane too late on defense, and not getting out to the three point line to defend shots. The Pistons stopped passing the ball, they settled for quick shots on offense.

The Spurs were 11-24 (45.8%) on 3pt shots, and 18-38 (47.4%) from the rest of the field for the game. If the Spurs didn't have a wide open three, then they had a wide open layup. After the third quarter, the game was hard to watch. The Spurs lead 79-63, had 21 assists on 27 field goals, and were 9-19 from three. The Spurs had it on cruise control from there.

Rip and Sheed need to contribute more points on offense, like 30-40 points a game between them instead of 25. The Pistons will make changes and you will definitely see a different Detroit Pistons team at home in game 3.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons
96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring vs. 93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring
88.39 PPG #1 in Defense vs. 89.46 PPG #2 in Defense
+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential vs. +3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential

Spurs lead 2-0
1. Thu, Jun 9 SA 84, DET 69 - Final
2. Sun, Jun 12 SA 97, DET 76 - Final
3. Tue, Jun 14 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
4. Thu, Jun 16 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
5.* Sun, Jun 19 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
6.* Tue, Jun 21 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
7.* Thu, Jun 23 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)

All times are Eastern Daylight Time
* - If necessary

Head to Head
PG Tony Parker vs. Chauncey Billups
SG Bruce Bowen vs. Richard Hamilton
SF Manu Ginobili vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF Tim Duncan vs. Rasheed Wallace
C Nazr Mohammed vs. Ben Wallace

Looking over the stats from game one of the 2005 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons have a few adjustments to make to win game 2. First, the Pistons need to get Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton involved on offense. Second, the Pistons need to play better defense, like they did in the first half of game one, against Manu Ginobili. Ginobili only had 4 points in the first half. Finally, the Pistons need to be a better defensive rebounding team to eliminate second chance points.

The Pistons were in the lead to start the second half 37-35. In the third quarter the Pistons were a dismal 6-21 from the field and managed only 14 points. The Spurs were 8-18 from the field for 20 points in the quarter and lead 55-51 to start the fourth quarter. The third quarter showed how much the Pistons just stopped playing their team style of basketball. The Pistons stopped passing the ball, they settled for quick shots on offense and they didn't get back on defense in transition.

Rasheed Wallace didn't get started on offense he was 3-6 from the field for 6 points. He did have 6 blocks in the game on defense along with 8 rebounds. Rip Hamilton was an uncharacteristic 7-21 from the field for 14 points. Rip Hamilton scored under 20 points for only the second time the Pistons 18 playoff games this year. Hamilton and Wallace need to be more like themselves on offense and contribute 30-40 points a game between them instead of 20.

The fourth quarter got away from the Pistons. The Pistons were 7-16 from the field and scored 18 points for the quarter. Meanwhile the Spurs extended their lead. The Spurs were 12-20 from the field for 29 points. The Pistons had contained Ginobili to 11 points through the third. Unfortunately for the Pistons that changed. Ginobili was 6-for-6 from the field and scored 15 points in the fourth quarter. Whomever the Pistons have guard Ginobili on defense, they need to be in Ginobili's face at all times, and he needs to get help from good rotations on defense if he gets beat off the dribble by Ginobili.

The last adjustment the Pistons need to make is being a better defensive rebounding team. The Pistons did have 24 defensive rebounds, but they let the Spurs have 15 offensive rebounds. That many offensive rebounds lead to losses. The Spurs out rebounded the Pistons 49-35. The Pistons will make these changes and you will definitely see a different Detroit Pistons team in game 2.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons
96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring vs. 93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring
88.39 PPG #1 in Defense vs. 89.46 PPG #2 in Defense
+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential vs. +3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential

Spurs lead 1-0
1. Thu, Jun 9 SA 84, DET 69 - Final
2. Sun, Jun 12 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
3. Tue, Jun 14 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
4. Thu, Jun 16 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
5.* Sun, Jun 19 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
6.* Tue, Jun 21 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
7.* Thu, Jun 23 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)

All times are Eastern Daylight Time
* - If necessary

Head to Head
PG Tony Parker vs. Chauncey Billups
SG Bruce Bowen vs. Richard Hamilton
SF Manu Ginobili vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF Tim Duncan vs. Rasheed Wallace
C Nazr Mohammed vs. Ben Wallace

The 2005 NBA Finals is going to be a defensive chessmatch. The San Antonio Spurs are #1 in NBA Defense Points Per Game allowed, the Pistons are second. The Spurs beat running teams in the playoffs with good transition defense, low turnovers, and timely scoring. So far, the Pistons have accomplished the same thing in the playoffs . Two conference championship teams, two defensive minded coaches, one NBA champion. NBA Playoff basketball at its best.

There is a major difference in the NBA Finals than in the regular playoffs. Home court advantage is subjective. The regular playoffs use a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The home team enjoys an advantage with 2 of the first 4 games at home and 2 of the last 3 games at home. With the NBA Finals the format changes to 2-3-2. The home team enjoys the first and last two games at home. The road team has an advantage with this format. If the road team splits the first 2 games, and wins 2 of 3 games at home, then the road team has a 3-2 lead with 2 games left to win 1. This format change and the fact that Detroit wins on the road as well as they do at home to me gives them the edge in this series.

Head to head the Pistons and Spurs almost look like mirror images. Position by position they both have a quick PG that shoots from the outside well. They both have a long lanky SF that defends well and scores. They both have a PF that plays inside and outside with long range, and banging bruisers that defend and rebound at C. The only mismatch comes at SG.

Spurs SG Bruce Bowen plays physical defense, while the Pistons SG likes to run all the time and hits shots from anywhere and everywhere. Bowen may be a good defender, but Hamilton has scored 20 points or more in 16 of 17 Pistons playoff games this year. If Rip Hamilton gets going, then the Pistons score a lot.

The only other question is whether PF Tim Duncan's ankles are healed. Rasheed Wallace plays from the three point line to the paint. If Duncan has to chase Wallace around the three point line, and defend Wallace in the paint he needs to be 100%. When Rasheed Wallace has a good scoring performance it leads to Pistons victories as well. If Pistons SF Tayshaun Prince can't cover Spurs SF Manu Ginobili, then everyone on the Spurs gets involved on the offensive end. Those three matchups are crucial to winning the series for each team. Who will win? In the clash of the defensive titans the Pistons win in 6 games(4-2).

San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons
96.19 PPG #18 in Scoring vs. 93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring
88.39 PPG #1 in Defense vs. 89.46 PPG #2 in Defense
+7.8 #1 in Scoring Differential vs. +3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential

Series tied 0-0
1. Thu, Jun 9 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
2. Sun, Jun 12 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
3. Tue, Jun 14 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
4. Thu, Jun 16 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
5.* Sun, Jun 19 - at Det, 9:00 pm (ABC)
6.* Tue, Jun 21 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)
7.* Thu, Jun 23 - at SA, 9:00 pm (ABC)

All times are Eastern Daylight Time
* - If necessary

Head to Head
PG Tony Parker vs. Chauncey Billups
SG Bruce Bowen vs. Richard Hamilton
SF Manu Ginobili vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF Tim Duncan vs. Rasheed Wallace
C Nazr Mohammed vs. Ben Wallace

The Detroit Pistons accomplished something that hadn't happened in 23 years. The Pistons won game 7 on the road to clinch the 2005 NBA Eastern Conference Championship. The game was close until the Pistons closed the game with a 10-3 run to win by the final score of 88-82 over the Heat. The Miami Heat had solid performances from Shaq with 27, DWade with 20, Udonis Haslem added 13, and Eddie Jones had 10. DWade didn't score in the last 15 minutes that he played in the game, most likely due to his ribcage injury, and the Detroit defense staying with him all night.

The Pistons offense had contributions from Rip Hamilton with 22, Rasheed Wallace with 20, Chauncey Billups added 18, and Tayshaun Prince had 13. Last year's playoff experience of the Pistons down the stretch helped them go 6-6 from the free throw line to insure their win. The Pistons played the entire series like they were the underdogs. Detroit accels at winning when they feel like they have been underestimated. The Pistons now face the San Antonio Spurs in the 2005 NBA Finals.

Overall the Pistons had everything their way in the closing minutes of the game. The Heat lead quickly disappeared from 4:00 left in the game to 1:26 left in the game. The Heat were one consistent 15 point scorer and a defender away from being in the 2005 NBA Finals. DWade's injury had to play into him not being able to dominate as well. If Miami is able to resign some free agents, and the NBA labor agreement will go well this summer, then Miami should be able to compete in the eastern conference next year. This year the Detroit Pistons will strive to prove last year's title wasn't a fluke, and the San Antonio Spurs are looking to prove they are a consistent championship team.

#1Miami Heat vs #2 Detroit Pistons
(101.54 PPG #4 in Scoring) (93.32 PPG #24 in Scoring)
(95.02 PPG #8 in Defense) (89.46 PPG #2 in Defense)
(+6.52 #3 in Scoring Differential) (+3.86 #6 in Scoring Differential)

Detroit Pistons win series 4-3
1. Mon, May 23 - Det 90, Mia 81
2. Wed, May 25 - Mia 92, Det 86
3. Sun, May 29 - Mia 113, Det 104
4. Tue, May 31 - Det 106, Mia 96
5. Thu, Jun 2 - Mia 88, Det 76
6. Sat, Jun 4 - Det 91, Mia 66
7. Mon, Jun 6 - Det 88, Mia 82

Head to Head
PG Damon Jones vs. Chauncey Billups
SG Dwyane Wade vs. Richard Hamilton
SF Eddie Jones vs. Tayshaun Prince
PF Udonis Haslem vs. Rasheed Wallace
C Shaquille O'Neal vs. Ben Wallace