Ken Haddad's Blog

The Pistons agreed to terms with guard Ben Gordon (5yr, $55Mil) and big man Charlie Villanueva (5yr, $35Mil).
The Pistons roster is, dare I say it, empty?
Rasheed Wallce, Antonio Mcdyess, Allen Iverson and Amir Johnson.
All gone.
Michael Curry fired.
Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, and Tayshaun Prince all the subject of trade rumors.

There are many questions left for Joe Dumars to adress.
Who will play point guard? Who will coach? Will Ben Gordon come off the bench? Who's playing center?
I'm feeling some kind of a trade. Possibly something like a Tyson Chandler, or a David Lee. I would give my opinion on how I think these signing's will work out, but its way too early, and the outlook is far to uncertain.
Stay tuned.

TOOOOOO SICK

Michael Jackson, The King of Pop, died yesterday afternoon after suffering from cardiac arrest.
It was arguably the most famous musical death ever. Although Elvis and John Lennon were big too.
Michael Jackson was the King of Pop for a reason. He has sold over 750 Million albums worldwide.
His #1 Album, Thriller, has sold over 100 Million copies. The most albums sold by a solo artist all time.
13 Grammy Awards
13 #1 Singles
The most creative music video's ever made. Basically jump started MTV.
He invented the Moonwalk.

And most of all, he was the best musician to ever grace the mic. Michael Jackson should be remembered as a man that influenced artists for decades, and inspired millions. Although he had his ups and downs in life, his music will always live, it will always be played, and it will always be remembered.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson

1) Notorious B.I.G.
2) Jay-Z
3) A Tribe Called Quest
4) Rakim
5) Eminem
6) Ice Cube
7) Tupac
8) Common
9) Kanye West
10) Nas

1) Shawty Lo
2) Hurricane Chris
3) Soulja Boy
4) Clipse
5) Fat Joe
6) Ya Boy
7) Ron Brownz
8) Trick Trick
9) David Banner
10) Nas

In my mind right now, this is not historical. Present time.

1) Eminem
2) Kanye West
3) Lupe Fiasco
4) Jay-Z
5) Fabolous
6) Mos Def/Talib Kweli
7) Twista
8) Kid Cudi
9) Wale
10) Charles Hamilton

Why must it feel so wrong when I try to do right, soaring through paradise when I'm closing my eyes

In the last few months, the sports headlines have been filled with stories of recruiting violations from both college football and college basketball. Top programs like USC, UCONN, Alabama, Tennessee, Memphis, and Florida State. I personally have always thought the NCAA recruitment standards, and special benefits rules are completely out-dated. To think a coach can't text a recruit, or buy him dinner in this day and age is ridiculous. One thing the NCAA does is vacate victories, or in some cases championships. The Michigan basketball program was hit hard a few years back, when they're final four appearances with the Fab Five was vacated because of "special benefits" given to Chris Webber. It's things like this that make me angry, like for some reason we're all going to forget Michigan's run to the final four that year? Like we can just erase it from our memory. The NCAA needs to review its rules, make it more flexible. They're is so much technology, ways to communicate these days. It's hard not break a rule, even if you don't mean to.

GM Bankruptcy

Today is a sad day in America. General Motors, the biggest U.S. Automaker filed for bankruptcy this morning, probably causing plants to close, and more people to lose their jobs. It's still sad to see how the rest of America thinks this wont affect them. It's like Detroit is in a bubble, and no one is touched by our problems. That is a false perception. When will the American public realize how important the Big 3 is to the backbone of this country's economy? Perhaps soon...


Red Wings vs Penguins--Stanley Cup Finals

The Red Wings went up 2-0 last night with their second straight 3-1 win. Osgood played stellar, and the youngin' Justin Abdelkader lit up the net for his second NHL goal, both coming in the finals. The Wings are looking relentless in their quest for Lord Stanley. Wings in 5.



Lakers vs Magic--NBA Finals

Both teams are coming off of a hard fought series. The Kobe vs LeBron dream NBA Finals will not happen courtesy Dwight Howard. I'm on the bandwagon. Andrew Bynum will be dead weight by the end of this one...Rashard Lewis lives. Magic in 6.






Church

I've been in church a lot recently because of the passing of my grandfather. Lately I have been very skeptical of church, and religion as a whole. This time was no different. As I sat and watched the priest/deacons do the ceremony, I couldn't help but think, these guys are just well...guys. It's not like God chose them to lead this particular church. So why do we respect men of the cloth? What makes them special? And what about church's? What makes a building with pictures, and crosses a holy place? Did Jesus himself bless the building? I could build a large building and call it a church. I just can't grasp the concept. It all seems like a big joke. I'm sure there is something watching over us, but I'm just not sold on the whole church concept.

Eminem Album--Relapse

The new Slim Shady album dropped last week, Relapse. According to Rap Basement he sold approx. 609,000 copies in his first week. Adding another number one album to his resume. The album is great, it's vintage. Eminem was getting a little commercial, but he's definitely back. Some people are saying he's talking to much about his drug problem, or his mom. But people need to realize that's his life. That's why I fell in love with Slim, because he spoke from the heart.

Charles Hamilton- Album Release June 25th "This Perfect Life"


I'm so excited for the Charles Hamilton album. Charles, for some unknown reason, doesn't have the respect of the rap community yet. People find his style of rapping different, but I call it lyrical genius. Don't sleep on Charles, his album is bout to be hype.

Hey World, I'm here to tell you about the one, the only, the legend himself, Stevie Soul.

Do you need a web page designed? Do you need a beat boxer for your daughters 17th birthday party? Do you know Ken Haddad? Well boy, Do I have the man for you. Stevie Soul can help out with all of your needs.

Just visit www.steviesoul.com

Experience the Soul.

Mr. Hudson is a new artist signed by Kanye, he's from the UK.
Mr. Hudson ft. Kanye West - Supernova | Audio | Rap Basement

Eminem isn't the only one on a comeback. Pharrell, one member of the hit producing and hip hop group The Neptunes, says they are plotting a comeback. "We got a lot of new treats," Pharrell says. With fellow members Shay and Chad Hugo nodding in agreement Pharrell says "I know I’ve been out doing the rock n’ roll thing, but know that the empire strikes back."

First, The Neptunes has the new Clipse album "Till The Casket Drops" coming out which Pharrell says he produced a "sizable amount" of the beats, including the collabo with a certain Harlem rapper. "The feature with Cam’ron is pretty serious," said Shay, breaking his silence, with Pharrell agreeing, "Cam blacks on that."

Pharrell went on to talk about the new N.E.R.D. album stating "If you were to ever go on the road with us, and see 80,000 people jumping at festivals, you’d know that there’s room for a hip-hop element — but those kids wanna jump," finishing "And we’re absolutely hooked on it." [watch here] When asked about the trio's more rock-oriented sound" he replied "It’s got more steroids in it, but hip-hop is definitely one of the shots."

Source- www.rapbasement.com

It's October. The MLB Playoffs are in full swing. The Pistons and Red Wings are getting their seasons started. But what fills the headlines? The Detroit Lions, the Michigan Wolverines, the Spartans. More than anything...it's football season. Detroit is often regarded as "Hockeytown". But it seems to me, unless its playoff time, Detroit is more obsessed with football than hockey. Lets think for a minute. Every Saturday during football season, we gather around our televisions and watch our college football. Every Sunday, we gather around our televisions and watch our beloved Lions, no matter how bad they are. And during the weekdays, all we talk about is the next weekend of football games! Fantasy football teams, who's starting, who's sitting. The only times Detroit's other sports are in the main limelight is when its playoff time. Football in Detroit is a playoff atmosphere every week, and hey, if the Lions make the playoffs, or the Wolverines go to a bowl game, its just an added bonus.

Stats:
Lions 2008 Attendance:
Even though there were a few games blacked out, the Lions still managed to pull on average about 55,000 per game, in a building that holds 65,000. The team went 0-16. (Averaged 61,000 in 2007)

Red Wings 2008 Attendance: Avg- 18,870 per game, Joe Louis holds 20,000. The Team won the Championship.

Detroit Lions estimated value- $917 Mil, estimated 2008 revenue- $204 Mil
Detroit Red Wings value- $ 303 Mil, "" --$110 Mil

Some people say, oh well its the economy. Then why did the Lions draw 55,000 per game, with the average ticket price being $78.00, and the team being the worst team the NFL has EVER seen? And the Red Wings average ticket price being $57.00. Can't sell out a hockey game, in Hockeytown? Because its not.
We can fill stadiums that hold 100,000 people to watch a football game every Saturday, but we can't fill an arena that holds 20,000 to watch a hockey game? What kind of hockeytown are we living in exactly? One that has been downed by hard times, and job loss? Or one that is turning to football, and has turned to football as a more entertaing way to spend money and time? I think so. The Pistons, Tigers and Red Wings all get their time to shine, if they make the playoffs. But as far as pure passion about the whole sport, and a whole season, football wins.

Ladies and gentleman. Welcome to FootballTown.