Someone in Midland, Michigan, created this corn maze to commemorate the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 NBA Championship… Pretty cool! This picture was featured on the Pistons official website.

For the next few weeks, I’ll be playing in a soccer league at the SoccerZone in Grand Blanc. We played one game last week, and we have five more, including one tonight. We’re not a very experienced team, but it’s still fun. It’s a lot of running, so I’m looking to get into shape a little more!

I previously mentioned that the U.S. should have a tryout for its men’s basketball team. It looks like USA Basketball is actually considering holding tryouts for players in the NBA, college, and other leagues. They even mentioned how it would show who has the heart to participate, just like what I said!

I was finally able to watch the U.S. Men’s Basketball team play in the Olympics, and they just lost to Argentina in the semifinals. I was not impressed at all with how they played. I have to say that I haven’t paid close enough attention to them know what’s wrong. It might be that the other teams are much better than they used to be. It might be that the U.S. team lacks experience. I’m not sure. All I know is that in this game, the U.S. players did not seem to play with the heart that other U.S. Olympians have.

Well, I have a simple idea that might help bring out the best of a U.S. team… Gather the best players who want to be in the Olympics, both college and pro, and have a tryout. Forget about what each player has done in the past. Allow the players themselves prove that they have the heart to compete in the Olympics. The coach could help make the decision of who to cut and who to keep on the team. That way the players know that they will need to work hard to make the team, and the coach will also have a say in who he will be coaching.

The NBA Champion Detroit Pistons look to get even better next season. They’re almost ready to re-sign Rasheed Wallace and sign Antonio McDyess. They’ve just signed last year’s draft pick Carlos Delfino (who they’re saying should be real good). Take a look at the possible roster:

(Players in bold will probably be on the team)

• Ben Wallace (PF)
• Rasheed Wallace (F/C)
• Tayshaun Prince (SF)
• Chauncey Billups (PG)
• Richard Hamilton (SG)
• Antonio McDyess (PF)
• Carlos Delfino (F/G)
• Lindsey Hunter (G)
• Mike James (G)
• Corliss Williamson (SF)
• Darvin Ham (F) or Elden Campbell (C)
• Darko Milicic (F/C)

Jacob Koczman, an old neighbor of mine who moved away about 8 years ago, tried out for this year’s Olympics and got 8th place in the 800-meter. He won’t be in this year’s Olympics, but he is going to aim for the 2008 Olympics. Check out the article I came across.