Matt Watson
- So you like sports, eh? Which one is your favorite?
I don’t remember much about Detroit’s World Series win 1984 except that I was six years old and liked firetrucks. But I vividly remember watching the Tigers lose in 1987, and I’ve hated the Twins ever since. As for football, I grew up in the Wayne Fontes era, which taught me never to take football, or the Lions, too seriously. Barry Sanders was fun to watch, but we were losing to the Buccaneers back when they still looked like Creamsicles. Hockey? Hardly. The only way to enjoy a hockey game is to see it in person, and the only tickets I ever had to the Joe while growing up were the free ones handed out at Gilbralter Trade Center to see the Jr. Wings.
Basketball, on the other hand, was the game to play in my neighborhood. Plus, the Pistons were smack dab in the middle of the Bad Boys era when I was in elementary school. I took it seriously — I cut out articles from the newspaper and saved them, I had the Bill Laimbeer/Rick Mahorn poster on my wall, the lifesize Isiah Thomas growth chart on my door, and I wore the Bad Boys t-shirt to school twice a week during the playoffs.
I will admit that I fell asleep during Game 4 of the 1989 NBA Finals when the Pistons won their first title. It was a late game and I was only 10 years old, but to be honest, I never really forgave myself until watching the Pistons win it all in person at the Palace in 2004.
- Matt Watson… sounds familiar. Have we met before?
It’s possible, but I’ve been published both online and in print, so maybe you’ve just read my work before. I started this site in October 2005, but I’ve also worked for The Roto Times and the Fantasy Hot Sheet since 2000.
For a few years I had a fantasy baseball and football column that also appeared online at USA Today, and in 2005 the Fantasy Sports Writers Association named one of my columns the Best Fantasy Football Article in Major Media.
I’ve also been asked to appear on numerous sports talk radio shows and podcasts across the country, and in December 2006 I started writing for the AOL Sports NBA FanHouse.
- Wow, I’m impressed. Can I hire you?
If you’re an editor looking for an experienced freelance sports writer, let’s talk. You can reach me at matt@detroitbadboys.com. I can provide a resume upon request, but go ahead and peruse this site and some of my past columns to get an idea about my ability.
Ian Cameron
Who are you and what are you doing writing here?
I joined Detroit Bad Boys in January of 2006 after being invited aboard by Matt. I’m a fellow University of Michigan grad and I lived in the Detroit area my entire life until moving to Washington, DC for work and law school.
- What qualifies you to write for Detroit Bad Boys?
Honestly? Nothing. Like most of you, I’ve been an avid fan of the Pistons since I was old enough to know the difference between “good” and “evil.” My favorite Piston of all time is Bill Laimbeer. And I get teary whenever I hear “The Final Countdown.” I’m your standard, hardcore Piston fan.
But when it comes to sports journalism, Matt is the pro in this operation. What you’ll get from me is sarcasm, attempted wit, and always my honest opinions. I like to think that whether we agree or disagree, our steadfast support of the Boys in Blue is the common denominator.
- What’s your favorite Piston moment?
Look, I’m sentimental over all things Bad Boys and those battles against Larry, Magic, and Michael were great, but Tayshaun’s block on Reggie Miller in ‘04 was probably the most excited I have ever been as a Piston fan. I much prefer to remember that Pistons/Pacers moment than the incidents that came the following fall.
- And your most disappointing Piston moment?
There have been a few. Isiah being left off the original Dream Team, purportedly because of Jordan. The Larry Brown saga. Rick Mahorn being selected by the T-Wolves in the expansion draft. The brawl. Never winning a playoff series with Grant Hill. The Celtics taking Paul Pierce one spot before the Pistons drafted Bonzi Wells…
I don’t think people realize how difficult Piston fandom has been at times. But the Boys in Blue have rewarded us for our loyalty again and again.
