General: Who's next in Detroit?

Over the last 20 years, Detroit has had a major sports team consistently near the top of the standings.

There have been a few gaps here and there, but one of our Big 4 has just about always been in the mix.

It's been a couple years, however, since a Detroit team has won it all... so somebody is due, but who?

With the recent turmoil with the Lions and Tigers, and the early departure of the Wings from last year's playoffs, it seems hard to comprehend that Detroit has always had at least one competitive team in one of the four major sports -- but it is true.

Let's start off in the '80s.

1984 -- Detroit Tigers, World Series Champions

While the Tigers were on top, the other Detroit sports teams were struggling. The Pistons were barely a playoff team. The Red Wings were a joke. The Lions? Same old, same old.

1989, 1990 -- Detroit Pistons, NBA Champions

The late '80s and early '90s seemed to be bringing a new era in Detroit Sports. The Pistons were on top. The Lions were rebuilding with a magnificent new running back. The Tigers had hope in a new home run hitter, and the Wings had finally made it out of the cellar and into upper mediocrity.

1991 -- First Lions' playoff win in almost 40 years

The Lions, in an emotional run, were just one game away from the Super Bowl. Some said that they were a year away from being the next big thing in the NFL. The Pistons, meanwhile, had fallen apart. The Tigers had plummeted. The Red Wings, however, still showed signs of life.

Late 1990s -- Red Wings' Stanley Cup Champions in 1997 and 1998

The Lions had come full-circle, and were about to self-destruct completely. The Pistons showed promise, once again. The Tigers had vanished from radar.

2002 -- Another Red Wings' Cup.

The Pistons win Central Division title. Is there even a need to mention the Lions and Tigers?

2003 -- Pistons in East Finals

If not for a first-round upset, the Wings would have been in contention for another Cup title. Meanwhile, the Lions and Tigers had nearly the same number of wins.

Now, the 2004 sports season (already ending for the poor Tigers) is about to start.

Those observing would seem to think the Pistons will be the next team to win a championship for Detroit.

They were just one step away from the NBA Finals last year, and they've had a year to learn, grow and improve.

Makes sense, but how accurate is that theory?

Taking a look at the four Detroit teams, the Pistons may or may not be the next team to take it all.

Detroit Tigers

No offense to the Tigers, but is there really a point in asking the question "Are they next?"

This team is in danger of being named the worst team to ever pay baseball. Ernie Harwell even said that it will be at least six to seven years until they can compete with the rest of the Majors.

I know Alan Trammel can put this team back together, but it won't be soon.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are nearly as dead of an issue. The difference with them and the other Detroit teams is that we have already seen some signs of life.

Bringing in Steve "Mooch" Mariucci was a fantastic move. He was the absolute best coach available, and he has proven his ability to rebuild troubled teams.

Add Mooch into the mix of a young, promising QB (Joey Harrington), plus a rookie playmaker (Charles Rogers), and you have the foundations for a quick recovery.

The Lions will not be the next team to win a title in Detroit, but their rebuilding is well under way.

With a base of Mariucci, Harrington and Rogers, the future is bright.

I would go as far as to say that the Lions are a threat to represent the NFC in the 2006 Super Bowl, which will be played at Ford Field.

Wouldn't that be nice?

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have become popular again in the state of Michigan.

With the best record in East during the 2002-03 season, they claimed home-court advantage through the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Joe Dumars, who had resurrected the team over the last two years was named GM of the year.

The roster boasted a back-to-back Defensive Champion in Ben Wallace, and a core of young unsung heroes and future stars like Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince.

This year, they add in the number two draft pick (Darko Milicic), a veteran center in Elden Campbell and a Hall of Fame coach in Larry Brown.

The struggles that will keep the Pistons from being the next team to win it all, however, are large and daunting.

For one thing, there's the Nets, who are as strong as they were last season, and many would argue that they are stronger.

Even if the Pistons can get past the Nets this season (which would not be an easy chore), there still remains the issue of the Western temas.

The Western conference is stronger than ever, and any Eastern team that gets to the finals would be an underdog against one of the top four or five teams from the West.

The Pistons are close, no doubt about it. but there are still some trades to make, and some free agents to sign... and neither of those tasks can tear apart the core we already have.

It'll be a tough road for Dumars, but it will get done -- and soon.

Detroit Red Wings

That brings us to the Detroit Red Wings, the team to most recently claim a title for Motown, and who will, in my opinion, also be the next team to bring home a title... and it will likely happen this year.

I know we lost Sergei Federov. I know Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan are all a year older.

However, I base my prediction on two things:

1. Federov is gone.

2. Dominik Hasek is back.

The Wings have just the right blend of talent and youth this year and the truth was, there was not enough puck to go around last season.

That's a risk you take with five future Hall of Famers on your roster.

This year, with the departure of Federov, the Wings will be a more comfortable team. The offense will flow more fluidly, and the defense will be as strong as it's been in years.

The return of Hasek, with the addition of Derian Hatcher ensures that.

This team is primed to bring the Cup back home to Hockeytown.

The future of Detroit sports is as bright as it's been in a decade.

There are two Motor City teams that could realistically compete for their respective championships this year, and that is something to get excited about.

As for the two teams that aren't at the top, it's always fun to watch the climb.