Quarterback Jared Goff has been formally announced by the Detroit Lions as their 2024 nominee for the coveted Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The award highlights the tremendous influence NFL players have via charitable giving and community involvement, and it honors an NFL player for his performance on the field and in the community.

In addition to being a vital leader for the Lions on the field, Goff is well-known for his commitment to assisting people off the field. Goff has been actively involved in a number of community projects during his tenure in Detroit, promoting educational opportunities, youth programs, and humanitarian activities that enhance the lives of others.

One of the league’s most sought-after awards, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, highlights the unselfish efforts that athletes like Goff make to their communities. Goff’s nomination demonstrates his dedication to changing the world and his personification of the altruistic spirit that the prize stands for.

Goff’s nomination for this prestigious award highlights not only his quarterbacking prowess but also his leadership and commitment to the Detroit community, as the Lions continue to make progress on and off the field.

The Pistons should give four players additional playing time as a reward for their diligence.

All of the Detroit Pistons’ new coaches have made the same declaration: Detroit basketball will return!

Including current head coach JB Bickerstaff, they have all pledged to develop around defense.

He has supported it, unlike his predecessors, as the Pistons have progressed. However, following a three-peat of blowouts, they are now ranked 17th in the league for defensive rating, which is not bad but certainly not outstanding.

The Pistons’ tendency to switch up the intensity according to their needs is part of the issue; this won’t work against top teams that already have a talent edge.

It begins with effort and providing the players who put in more minutes if the Pistons are to genuinely develop a defensive identity.

To be fair, part of the reason Isaiah Stewart is playing two fewer minutes a game than Jalen Duren is due to his own inability to avoid foul trouble.

Although Stewart is by no means a flawless player, he always puts out effort, and given that the Pistons are superior on both ends of the court when Stewart is playing, I would like to see that rewarded with a starting position.

After starting the game as a substitute, Stewart consistently changes the intensity and energy. Since the Pistons have struggled with bad starts, why not use that enthusiasm straight away?

For five-minute bursts, Jalen Duren looks amazing, but his effort is utterly inconsistent. Stewart always puts out effort, even if his results aren’t always consistent.

Thompson, Ausar

Thompson’s moment is rapidly approaching.

Since coming back, he has been increasing his playing time, and eventually, I anticipate seeing him return to the starting lineup and rank among the team leaders in minutes.

Although Tim Hardaway Jr. has been fine, he is the NBA’s weakest starting small forward and offers little more than sporadic bursts of explosive shooting.

Thompson is the team’s greatest defender and, like Stewart, his effort never falters. As soon as he’s ready, his current 15 minutes per game must be doubled.

Second Ron Holland

Ron Holland II, another player who puts in a maximum amount of effort and plays 15 minutes a game, is another example of a #5 pick who is coming off the bench in favor of Tim Hardaway Jr.

Although I still don’t think Holland is ready to start, I give him starting THJ early in the season. Nevertheless, even though his 3-point shooting isn’t working, his defense and effort should earn him more playing time.

Instead of the supposed spacing that THJ’s 35 percent 3-point shooting offers, I’d rather watch the Pistons try to run with these three on the floor and fly all over on defense. Do we play defense or not?

Reed, Paul

Does Reed always appear to make plays when he enters the game, or am I mistaken? Although he lacks Duren’s skill, he possesses a never-ending motor and occasionally infectious energy.

Given that Duren and Stewart combined for an incredible seven points and seven rebounds in almost fifty minutes last night, would it have been worth a shot?

The easiest approach to persuade Duren to play hard all the time could be to limit his minutes to about 20 per night, with some run going to Reed and a few more going to Stewart.

The Pistons’ defense has been the main factor in their progress this season; despite playing a lot of floor spacers, their offense has remained poor and is only scoring slightly more than it did the previous campaign.

By rewarding the guys who are playing hard all the time—the only thing that will change this culture—they might as well embrace it.