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Detroit Pistons: A work in progress

2009-10-17T20:31:00.001-07:00

With the start of the NBA season less than two weeks away, it's time to take a look at how the Detroit Pistons may fare this year after the dismal showing they put on last year.

Not much is expected of the team this year since they are clearly in a rebuilding phase with a new rookie coach in John Kuester and eight new players. However, so far in the preseason there have been a lot of positives.

Rookies Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko have been playing well and DaJuan Summers and Deron Washington have put on decent showings.

Guard Will Bynum had flashes of brilliance last year and so far this season he has stepped up averaging a team-leading 18 points a game in 24 minutes. He's also leading the team in assists and steals.

Kuester's offensive mindedness has worked out okay and the team's strong defense hasn't been pushed aside. His 3-guard offense has been running well and his four guards have all been getting play time.

On the other hand, Tayshaun Prince has continued to be a non factor and Rodney Stuckey's shots still are a bit shaky.

It's still way too early in the season to decide how all of these things will pan out but the preseason has shone some light on how the team will perform this year.

I think that Bynum is going to end up being the best move that the team has made in the last couple of seasons. He's small but he's quick and his playing style has a lot of aspects that made Isiah Thomas the star that he was.

Bynum had that standout 20-game series last year where he averaged 12 points in 21 minutes but then he kind of faded the rest of the season. Because of that, he spent the Summer losing weight and working on his game.

The weight loss and practice has made him quicker and improved his shot.

The jury is still out on Coach Kuester but he already seems to be reading his player's abilities better than Coach Michael Curry ever did. He seems to have a knack for maximizing his player's strengths and for finding their spot in his lineup.

He's been playing Stuckey at small forward, something that surprised everyone, but the move has worked out well.

Kuester seems to understand that he needs to adapt to his team rather than trying to force his own philosophies upon them, a mistake that Curry made the entire season.

As for the team's move toward a focus on offense rather than their defense, I don't think that it's going to hurt them. With Wallace back in the middle and Kwame Brown, Chris Wilcox, Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva joining him, I don't think the team needs to worry about a lapse in defensive strategy.

So far in the preseason, the Pistons remain ranked high in all defensive stats.

The 3-guard defense is nice in that it allows all of the guards to get some heavy playing time but I think that down the line Kuester is going to have to decide who he wants to be the front runner. When it comes time for big games, constantly changing guards is going to stall any momentum the team may have.

As for Stuckey and Prince's struggles, I think that Prince is the main concern. Stuckey was pushed too much too fast last year when he was thrust into Chauncey Billups' role before he was ready.

I think this season with less of the spotlight on Stuckey he will find it easier to relax. As a result, his shots should settle down. He is already shooting 43 percent in the preseason.

Prince is the main concern because he should be the team's star player going forward. Hamilton and Wallace won't be around forever and Prince is the only young player with championship experience.

In the past, Prince has been one of the Pistons' toughest and greatest players. Who could forget that infamous block on Reggie Miller? Unfortunately, injuries and shooting droughts have taken their toll on his game the last couple of seasons.

Hopefully, with a more well rounded team, Prince will be able to get more rest this season which should help him stay healthy.

I don't see the team heading very far in the playoffs this year but I think they have a shot at making the playoffs again.

General Manager Joe Dumars has gotten a lot criticism for his moves lately but he has proven over and over that he knows how to put together a team with odd parts that seem to fit perfectly together. Hopefully, the team that he has assembled this time around will once again help the Pistons become a powerhouse in the East.

Detroit Pistons use Summer to reshape team

2009-08-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

As the Summer has moved on, Detroit Pistons General Manager Joe Dumars has continued to make moves to hopefully make his team a contender for the NBA championship once again.

After a lackluster season that ended in a early exit in the first round of the playoffs, it was time for a change.

Dumars began the season with the questionable hiring of first time Coach Michael Curry and then went on to complete the disasterous Chauncey Billups/Allen Iverson trade. By the time the season ended, it was obvious that the Pistons team was lacking big players in the middle and needed some younger, fresh blood in order to be able to compete at the level they had been used to.

Dumars started the offseason by drafting forwards Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko. Although none of them are powerhouse players they've played well during the Summer league and show promise.

Dumars went on to pick up shooting guard Ben Gordon and power forward Charlie Villanueva in the free agency market and traded for forwards Fabricio Oberto and Chris Wilcox. Dumars then went on to fire Coach Curry and hired another first year coach in John Kuester.

The hiring of Kuester was met with a lot of protest, particularly since Dumars had stated he was looking for more experience. The team's talks with Avery Johnson stalled after he asked for more money and guarantees than they were willing to part with.

Although Kuester's hiring was questionable, it does make sense. Kuester is known for his strong offense and previously worked as an assistant coach for the Pistons. He has a strong releationship with the Pistons top players and he understands Dumars vision.

After hiring Kuester, the Pistons made the surprising announcement that Brian Hill would become an assistant coach. Hill is an ex-head coach and Kuester used to be his assistant.

Around the same time that Kuester was hired, both Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace chose to sign with other teams, leaving two huge holes in the Pistons lineup. However, this week the Pistons resigned former center Ben Wallace, which will hopefully help fill those holes.

Wallace has had his offensive issues in the past but he is still a strong presence in the middle. His defensive strength will also be a huge benefit to the team.

Many of Dumar's moves haven't been very popular but when you look at the big picture, the Pistons look a lot stronger than they did last year. With eight of the team's 14 roster spots occupied by new players it should be a interesting season.

Week of Change for Pistons

2009-07-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

After a lackluster season that saw the Detroit Pistons fall in the first round of the playoffs, they needed to make some changes.

After the Chauncey Billups/Allen Iverson trade the Pistons were left with plenty of cap space and because of their early playoff exit they ended up with the 15th pick in the NBA Draft. With these things in place, General Manager Joe Dumars spent the draft week working on a new vision for his team.

The Pistons started out the week by acquiring San Antonio forward Fabricio Oberto in a three team deal with San Antonio and Milwaukee. The deal sent Pistons' forward Amir Johnson to Milwaukee. Oberto was a member of the San Antonio Spurs 2007 Championship team and a member of the gold-winning Argentinean Olympic team in 2004.

Two days later, Detroit used their 15th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft to select Gazaga forward Austin Daye. Daye's size and play have been compared to Tayshaun Prince's style which has increased rumors that Prince may be on the trading block.

In addition to Daye, the Pistons' also picked up three other young forwards in DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko and Chase Budinger. However, they later traded Budinger to the Houston Rockets in return for a future second round draft pick.

A few days after the draft, Dumars made the surprising announcement that Michael Curry had been relieved of his coaching duties due to the Pistons' new direction. The firing was surprising since Dumars had previously stated that Curry would be back for his second season as Head Coach.

Fan grumblings and the Pistons' season struggles were certainly key factors in the change. The fact that former Detroit Pistons' player Bill Laimbeer had resigned as Head Coach of the WNBA Detroit Shock to pursue a NBA job seemed to also be a factor but Dumars has stated he is looking for a new coach with experience. The current front runner for the job seems to be former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson.

At the same time that the coaching change talks were going on, the Pistons' signed free agent Chicago Bulls' shooting guard Ben Gordon for five years at $55 million. They then signed Milwaukee Buck's power forward Charlie Villanueva for five years at $35 million.

With all of the changes it is obvious that Dumars is determined to reshape his team into one that get back to a championship level. Unfortunately, they still have not shored up the Center position that has been lacking for a few seasons now. It is also unclear how Gordon and Villanueva will fit into the lineup. Dumars has said that he sees Gordon as a sixth man but why would anyone pay out that kind of money to have a player come off of the bench?

With all of the money that the Pistons' had this year many felt that they would take the time to acquire a big name player. Detroit is still lacking a number of pieces they need to be at the level they once were.

It certainly appears that free agent forward Rasheed Wallace is going to sign with another team but no decision has been made about Antonio McDyess' status. There is speculation that the Gordon and Villanueva pickups are just the first movesin Dumar's plan for his team. Time will tell if it will be enough.

NBA Draft Preview: Detroit Pistons

2009-06-19T15:41:00.001-07:00

With about a week left until the 2009 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons have some major decisions ahead of them.

For the first time in six years, the Pistons did not make it to the second round of the playoffs and it appears that some major changes to the team will be ahead.

After last season’s Chauncy Billups/Allen Iverson trade with the Denver Nuggets, the Pistons were left with quite a bit of cap space as well as four picks in the draft.

The Pistons’ position with the 15th pick in the first round has guaranteed that the team has gotten a chance to visit with a number of the top players heading into the draft. General Manager Joe Dumars told Pistons.com that the team has brought in more than 50 players for individual workouts.

Over the last week, a number of rumors regarding the Pistons draft and trade possibilities have been making the rounds.

The most prominent rumors have been that they have narrowed their 15th pick down to four players and that when the July 1st trade deadline kicks in, they will be looking to sign free agent Ben Gordon at a reported $11 million.

Hopefully, the Gordon rumor will not come to fruition. In his years with the Chicago Bulls Gordon has had his moments but overall he is a weak player. He has little drive and has a hard time playing defense. He is known to be a ball hog; which is something that does not fit into the Pistons team oriented play as was witnessed with Iverson. It is also unclear why the Pistons would want yet another shooting guard.

Over the last few seasons, the Pistons have struggled in the middle. They haven’t had a true center since the losses of Ben Wallace and Corliss Williamson. The lack of strength in the middle has been a major factor in their failure to win another championship.

There are a number of good quality centers in the draft this year and hopefully a few of them will be left when the Pistons get their first pick.

North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough would be an ideal pick. His relentless play, rebounding capabilities and strong jump shot would fit in well with the Pistons style.

Ohio State Center BJ Mullens would also be a good fit in Detroit. Often compared to big man Chris Kaman, Mullens has the size and length the Pistons need under the basket.

If Detroit picks up a Center in the draft, they could then look to fill another role in the free agent market. Power Forward Carlos Boozer’s name has been brought up a number of times and I think he is the team’s best option.

Boozer has had success with the Utah Jazz and has been their go to guy down the floor night after night. Some injuries have hampered his play but when he has played he has been consistent on both ends of the floor. During the 2008 season, he was among the league’s top five performers in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.

The Pistons have two of their big men up for free agency in Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. Wallace’s poor play over the last couple of seasons should make him the easy option to let go. McDyess on the other hand may have a chance at getting resigned.

With Wallace gone that leaves Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton as Detroit’s biggest options for trades.

Hamilton was one of the few bright spots in the Pistons’ lineup last year and I would hate to see him leave. Prince is still young and has many years ahead of him but he has failed to produce when it counts. His small frame and inconsistent offense have hurt the team and make him the smart option to shop around.

Still, no matter what the Pistons do in the free agency market and in the draft, the biggest obstacle they had last year was in their coaching staff. Although Michael Curry got along with his players, he failed to inspire any kind of enthusiasm in them. From game to game he kept changing the lineups and seemed lost and confused during the first round of the playoffs.

Unfortunately, Dumars is determined to stick with Curry this season. It’s a shame since former Pistons’ player Bill Laimbeer recently quit his head coaching job in the WNBA with the to pursue a NBA coaching job.

5 Questions Facing the Detroit Pistons This Offseason

2009-05-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

It was a rough season for the Detroit Pistons.

The team underwent a series of changes including a new Coach and a blockbuster trade that sent team star Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Allen Iverson.

With chemistry problems and numerous injuries Detroit missed going to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in six years and ended up being swept in the first round of the playoffs by Lebron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers.

After having been a Powerhouse in the East since their surprising 2004 Championship year, it was a shock to see the Pistons struggle this season. Now in this off season team GM Joe Dumars has a number of questions facing him. These are just 5 of the most pressing ones:

5. Has this Pistons team finally reached their limit? Is it time to rebuild from the ground floor up?

The aging Pistons team had begun to show some wear and tear over the last couple of seasons with veterans Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince struggling in the playoffs. They both were non-existent in the series against Cleveland.

Richard Hamilton and Antonio McDyess have continued to play at a high level but it wasn't enough to help Detroit advance.

Over the last couple of seasons Dumars has begun to bring in some young talent like Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum who are guaranteed to be the team's future but the question is whether or not he should ditch all of his veterans and start from scratch.

I think that the team needs to bring in some more young talent but I would like to see Hamilton stay on in the role that Dumars played on the team after the Bad Boy years: the talented veteran who helps mold the younger talent.

4. Should the Pistons make a strong attempt to keep Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess?

Both Wallace and McDyess are free agents this Summer and will be looking for the best deal available. The Pistons have the cap room to give them the money they'll be looking for but is either player worth it?

Since Wallace came to the team in '04 Detroit has sunk or swim based on his play. On nights when he is energetic and scoring the team usually wins and on nights when he seems to disappear and can't score a basket the team usually loses.

Wallace's poor play is a large factor in the Pistons poor playoff performance this year and has been a issue in past post season play. His numerous technicals have also hurt the team in key moments.

On the other hand, McDyess has been key in keeping the Pistons afloat. Despite his age, he continues to play his heart out every night on both ends of the floor.

After the Pistons traded McDyess to Denver, he turned down other offers and took a pay cut to return to Detroit despite the fact that he could have gone to a winning team.

In the end, I think Dumars should let Wallace go and make an attempt to keep McDyess. Wallace is past his prime and has become a hindrance to the team while McDyess can still play at a top level and brings a sense of urgency to the team when he is on the floor.

3. Can Detroit continue to win without a major superstar? Who should they draft/trade for this Summer?

For years the Pistons have played without any major superstar players. The team is famous for it's underdog status and true team effort.

Back in '03 Dumars put together a hodgepodge of underachievers that turned into a championship caliber team together. All of the puzzle pieces fit. Unfortunately, that strategy hasn't been working for a few seasons.

This off season Dumars will have to decide if he wants to continue with what has worked in the past or pursue a major player. He has the cap space to do it but do the Pistons really need a Lebron James?

Personally, I don't think they need a standout player to win again. The team has been missing a true center since the departures of Corliss Williamson and Ben Wallace and I think that is what they should concentrate on in the draft.

There will be a number of good players on the trading block this Summer and the Pistons should do their best to obtain a couple of them. Carlos Boozer would be a nice fit here.

2. How can the Pistons get back to playing with the same strength and urgency that they have been known for?

There were times this season when it was almost impossible to watch the Pistons. The team has always prided itself on it's heart and strong defense and both were missing throughout the year.

One of the questions facing Dumars in this off season is how to get his team back to that style of play. There were flashes of it when the second squad was out on the floor and both Hamilton and McDyess had moments where they played with some urgency.

New coach Michael Curry does not seem to be able to inspire his team like many past Pistons coaches. The team came out again and again with no drive which brings us to the final question.

1. Should the Pistons stick with Michael Curry as their coach?

Dumars has already stated that Curry will be returning next season but I think he needs to sit down and take a closer look at the situation.

There were many reasons for the Pistons poor play this season but many of them lead back to Curry.

Previous coach Flip Saunders was fired because of his poor playoff performance but he managed to get Detroit to the Conference Finals every season that he was here. Curry barely got them into the first round.

It was well known that Saunders had a hard time relating to his players and that Curry is more player friendly but in the end, you can't be their friend; you have to be their leader. Larry Brown was a tough coach and under his watch the Pistons thrived and won a championship.

One of the most interesting things to watch this season was the revolving player lineups. Curry changed lineups weekly causing frustration amongst the team and adding to the chemistry problems.

In the beginning of the season Curry stated that he wanted to use his entire team but by mid season half his bench wasn't getting any play time. Players like Bynum, who started out the season on a high, found their time dwindle until they were suddenly put back in the lineup in the playoffs. Bynum ended up being one of the few highlights.

Leaving Curry in the coach's chair for another season is a huge mistake. Anything Detroit does this Summer will be overshadowed by the fact that they have a coach who doesn't know what he is doing.

Detroit Pistons Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Daly Dead at 78

2009-05-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

The basketball world and the Detroit Pistons organization were dealt another blow today with the death of Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Daly. He had been battling prostate cancer for awhile. Earlier this season the Pistons lost longtime owner William Davidson who was responsible for hiring Daly.

Daly came to the Pistons in 1983. At the time they were a team struggling to find their identity but under Daly's guidance they became a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference and went on to win back to back championships in 1989 and 1990. The team, known around the league as the "Bad Boys", became known for their rough play, intensity and strong defense. Daly was able to take a team filled with strong egos and make them a cohesive unit.

Daly was able to form close relationships with all of his players and never took himself seriously. Former Piston John Salley gave him the nickname "Daddy Rich" for his impeccably tailored suits after the media began to make a big deal about them and his well groomed hair.

Former Piston Isiah Thomas had this to say after learning of Daly's death this morning,``I can't explain in words how much he gave me as a player and a man.''

Daly retired after nine seasons in Detroit and two coaching for the New Jersey Nets, but he remained a vital part of the Pistons organization. Over the years he was there to lend his point of view and guidance to the various Pistons' coaches who followed him.

Daly returned to the bench in 1997 with the Orlando Magic and coached them two seasons, then retired at the age of 68. He later joined the Vancouver Grizzlies as a senior adviser.

Each playoff season Daly was on hand to provide commentary, often appearing with local Detroit Pistons' broadcasters George Blaha and Greg Kelser.

His presence has been sorely missed this year as The National Basketball Coaches' Association created pins with the initials ``CD'' that many coaches and broadcasters are wearing dedicating the postseason to him. The organization also established the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be given annually.

Because of Daly's success with the Pistons' that led USA Basketball to tab Daly to coach the 1992 “Dream Team” at the Barcelona Olympics. The team boasted the likes of Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird and easily led the way to a gold medal. The gold medal win was perhaps Daly's greatest achievement. There has not been a team as good since.

``He handled that team and its talent as well as anybody could. He treated us all with respect and had us all vying for the same goal.'' said Bird.

Despite his success, Daly never won the Coach of the Year honors but was on hand to present the trophy to former Pistons' coach Rick Carlysle in 2002.

The Pistons retired No. 2 in 1997 to honor Daly's two NBA titles.

Pistons' Playoff Run Ends In First Round Sweep

2009-04-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

"Rough Season."

These were Rasheed Wallace's only words after his scoreless game in the Detroit Pistons' sweep in the first round of the NBA playoffs Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The losses came after Detroit had made six straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and two trips to the NBA Finals including a 2004 championship. It was also Detroit's first opening-round playoff defeat since 2000.

The defeat was just one more disaster in a season full of injuries, in-fighting, personnel changes, lineup changes, and personal losses.

Cleveland Cavaliers 102-Pistons 84 (Round 1 Game 1)

The Pistons opened the playoffs with a strong offensive first quarter. Detroit had 25 points in the first shooting at 56 percent. They made their first four shots of the second and were within a point of the Cavaliers before things started to fall apart.

Cleveland went on a 9-1 run late in the second and took a 57-45 lead into halftime. The second half was all Cleveland as the Pistons struggled to make a basket and their defense broke down allowing Lebron James to end up with 38 points. The Pistons bench put up a good showing and Rodney Stuckey finished with 20 points.

Cavaliers 94-Pistons 82 (Round 1 Game 2)

Unlike the first game where the Pistons came out on fire, they opened the second game missing five of their first six shots. They struggled through the first three quarters before their bench was able to get things going.

Will Bynum and Aaron Afflalo turned the game around with Bynum scoring 13 and Afflalo scoring all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter and making it an eight point game. Unfortunately, after 14 unanswered points by Detroit, James returned to the Cavaliers lineup and helped his team to the win.

James ended up with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

Detroit struggled with foul trouble including two technicals from Kwame Brown and Amir Johnson.

Cavaliers 79-Pistons 68 (Round 1 Game 3)

This was Detroit's best shot at getting back into the series on their home floor and for three quarters they played strong but it wasn't enough. With both Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince struggling offensively, they had no answer for James.

James scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Cleveland's Joe Smith had a career high 19 points.

Cavaliers 99-Pistons 78 (Round 1 Game 4)

Detroit continued the inconsistent play that has been a staple this season. Rip Hamilton, Wallace and Prince, the only remaining Pistons members from the '04 championship, were just 2 for 16 from the floor.

The only shining moments of the game was the stellar play from Stuckey, Antonio Mcdyess and Will Bynum. The trio were responsible for 62 of Detroit's 78 points.

Mcdyess who showed loyalty in resigning with the team after he was traded to Denver was understandably upset, “It was written in stone before we stepped on that court."

Pistons Make Playoffs But Continue to Struggle

2009-04-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

For the eighth straight season the Detroit Pistons will be heading into the post season. Unfortunately, their poor play has landed them in the eighth seed in the East meaning they will have to face the league leading Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. The Pistons will have to play at the top of their games to even have a chance at knocking off the strong Cavs.

76er's 95-Pistons 90
Looking to clinch their own playoff spot the Philadelphia 76ers took a win over Detroit on their home floor. The other AI (Andre Iguodala) had a season high 31 points and had the game's final point. The Pistons led by 12 in the second and had a shot at closing the game out but some late fouls led to the loss.

Pistons 104-Bobcats 97
In a necessary win on their playoff hunt, Detroit's Will Bynum led the way setting a franchise record of 26 points in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 32 points and seven assists. Not bad for someone who wasn't even in the league last year. Bynum stepped up after the Pistons 17 point lead slipped away in the third and guard Richard Hamilton was ejected.

Pistons 113-Knicks 86
In a all-around team effort, the win helped the Pistons move into a tie for the 7th spot in the East. Hamilton contributed 22 points, Rasheed Wallace had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Antonio Mcdyess had 13 points and 16 rebounds. The win was their biggest victory of the season.

Pistons 100-Nets 93
Detroit clinched their eighth playoff seed with the win over New Jersey. The Pistons starters shot 70 percent in the first and then watched as the reserves increased the lead to 19. Once again Bynum led the way with a team high 20 points.

Pacers 106-Pistons 102
Coming off their two strong wins the Pistons attempt to climb up in the playoff standings was stalled by the Indiana Pacers. Indiana's Danny Granger had 24 points while Detroit's Hamilton had 24.

Bulls 91-Pistons 88
The loss to Chicago cemented the Pistons place as the eighth seed as the Bulls moved up in the standings. The game was uneven at best. The Pistons seemed tired and frustrated and didn't put up much of a effort. It is Detroit's first season below .500 since 2000-2001.

Heat 102-Pistons 96 (OT)
The Pistons finished their disappointing season with a loss in overtime to the Miami Heat.

Pistons Plagued By Injuries

2009-04-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

It was a rough month for the Detroit Pistons team. They started it out with a huge win over the defending champion Boston Celtics but quickly fell into a skid that has left them clinging on to the last playoff spot in the East. In the midst of it all they had to deal with the death of their long time owner Bill Davidson and learned that former coach Chuck Daly is fighting cancer.

After Richard Hamilton's return it looked like the team was finally moving in the right direction but then Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace and Rodney Stuckey all suffered injuries of their own. To make matters worse Hamilton reaggravated his injury and had to miss some games.

At first the team seemed to thrive despite the losses. The young bench players really stepped up and the team was playing with a lot of energy but this week the starters returned and once again the team is in a free fall.

Pistons 105-Celtics 95

After breaking their 8-game losing streak in Orlando the night before the Pistons headed into Boston with a little more confidence and managed another improbable win. The win was the Pistons' first against the Celtics this season after three previous losses. The team played with high energy on both ends of the floor and Will Bynum and Walter Hermann had strong games off the bench. Richard Hamilton put up 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds. The win helped put Detroit back in the playoff race as they once again reached the .500 mark.

Pistons 100-Nuggets 95

Former Piston Chauncey Billups scored a season-high 34 points in his homecoming at the Palace but it was Detroit who walked away with the win. The Pistons came back in the third quarter from a 11-point deficit and never looked back. Iverson was on the injury list so couldn't help carry his team to the win over his former one. Antonio Mcdyess was the star of the game putting up 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Pistons 108-Warriors 91

The Pistons gained their fourth straight win against a 8-man Warriors roster due to multiple injuries and illness. Coach Michael Curry used the game as a breather for his starters lowering their minutes and allowing his bench to take over. Jason Maxiell, in particular, seemed to thrive on the extra playing time.

Hawks 87-Pistons 83

It was a rough game for the Pistons. Over and over they would gain a sizeable lead over Atlanta but then they would come right back and tie it up. Detroit's 13 turnovers came back to hurt them late allowing the Hawks' to get the win. The game was Wallace's 1000th game but ended with him coming down onto Mcdyess' leg and twisting his ankle.

Pistons 98-Magic 94

Wallace left the game early with a strained calf but Kwame Brown stepped up in his place and helped Detroit get the win. He tied his season high of 10 points while Hamilton had a career high 14 assists and Mcdyess had a season high 18 rebounds.

Knicks 116-Pistons 111

It was a hard played game on both ends of the floor but the Pistons saw the game slip away from them in overtime. Detroit's 15 turnovers hurt them and the loss of Wallace really hurt them on the three point end. New York's Nate Robinson drew a number of fouls and ended up with 30 points.

Pistons 99-Raptors 95

Another game, another overtime but this time the Pistons walked away with the win. Hamilton once again broke his assist record with 16 and put up 24 points. Both Hermann and Aaron Afflalo put up solid games off the bench. After the game the team was rocked by the news of the death of owner Davidson.

Grizzlies 89-Pistons 84

The night began with a moment of silence for Davidson and the Pistons sporting black arm bands in his memory but unfortunately ended in another rough Sunday loss. After the loss the Pistons fell to 2-11 on Sundays. With the death, the injuries and back to back overtime games the Pistons came out with no fire and seemed to sleep walk through the game. The game was Brown's best of the season though with his six points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

Mavericks 103-Pistons 101

It was the Will Bynum/Arron Afflalo show in Dallas with Hamilton missing the game due to injury. Bynum had a career high 19 points and Afflalo put up 16. Unfortunately the game came down to the final seconds and ended in the loss.

Houston 106-Pistons 101

This time it was a double-overtime game that resulted in a loss for Detroit. The loss saw the Pistons once again drop below .500 and threatened their playoff position.

Pistons 108-Clippers 90

With Stuckey fighting the flu the Pistons were down to a nine-man roster but still eked out the win. Bynum once again stepped up and had a career high 22 points and six assists. Mcdyess had a season high 24 points and 17 rebounds while Tayshaun Prince had a career high 12 assists and Brown added a career high 14 points.

Heat 101-Pistons 96

The Pistons led the game through the first 46 minutes but then let their lead slip away. A questionable foul on Stuckey resulted in Coach Curry being ejected and allowed Dwayne Wade to continue his scoring run. He ended with 39 points. Stuckey returned with 24 points.

Bulls 99-Pistons 91

The Bulls took an early 11-point lead and never had to worry from there. Detroit struggled offensively and allowed Chicago to creep up on them in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Lakers 92-Pistons 77

L.A. paid the Pistons back for the previous loss with Kobe Bryant putting up 30. The Pistons kept coming back thanks to Bynum's career high 25 points and 11 assists but the stronger Lakers team were able to shut them down. It was Detroit's third straight loss.

Pistons 98-Wizards 96

Hamilton made his return and carried his team to the win. His 31 points stopped their losing skid and helped the Pistons inch closer to Chicago for the seventh playoff spot.

Pistons 101-76ers 97

Iverson made his return but it was once again Bynum who took over the game scoring 13 of the Pistons 22 points in the fourth-quarter points. After the game Iverson spoke about his new role, "I thought about the big picture and that’s helping my teammates get a win and the more I thought about that, the more I relished the challenge of having to come off the bench.”

Cavaliers 79-Pistons 73

For awhile it looked like the Pistons would once again put a stop to Cleveland's winning streak but then the game fell apart. Detroit turned the ball over four times in the fourth quarter and their shooting went cold. They do a good job of slowing down Lebron James but let him take over late. Wallace made his return and then proceeded to argue a late foul call resulting in his 16th technical foul of the season which guaranteed a game suspension.

Nets 111-Pistons 98

After the late loss to Cleveland the Pistons didn't even seem to try in New Jersey. Missing Wallace because of his suspension and struggling to adjust to having Iverson coming off the bench the team played sluggishly throughout the loss. The game could easily be the one that costs them their playoff spot.

Pistons Break Eight Game Losing Streak

2009-02-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

Last night the Pistons finally managed to stop the 8 game losing skid that they've been on since before the All-Star break. Game after game they have continued to struggle with chemistry issues and injuries. Since Coach Curry made the change to have Richard Hamilton come off the bench Detroit has gone 4-12. Rather than let his team play the way they are capable of he has stifled them both offensively and defensively. Last night the old Pistons team was visible. Allen Iverson was out due to injury and Hamilton had to start. Rodney Stuckey has been struggling for a few weeks now but with Hamilton running the offense again he looked refreshed and put up a solid game. I think it's obvious that Iverson should be the one coming off the bench on a regular basis. His energy and drive will be key late in close games and this will allow Rip to take back control of the team that he should have been leading in the first place.

Spurs 83-Pistons 79

The Pistons put up a good fight in this one bringing the game right down to the wire. Iverson put up 31 and dished out seven assists. Antonio Mcdyess has thrived since being put back into the starting lineup and he ended up with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Unfortunately, both Iverson and Rasheed Wallace missed a couple of late threes that allowed the Spurs to maintain the lead and capture the win.

Cavaliers 99-Pistons 78

This one was easily the Pistons most embarassing loss of the season. The Cavaliers went on a 20-5 run in the first quarter and never looked back. Detroit looked confused and their lackluster play kept them from even having a chance at the win. Wallace's frustration with his foul calls were just one of many low points in the game. It is obvious that the team has become frustrated with Coach Curry and his directionless style of play.

Heat 103-Pistons 91

The loss in Miami pushed the Pistons under .500 for the first time in eight years. The 7-game losing streak was their longest since 2002. Iverson, Mcdyess and Tayshaun Prince had solid games but it was the Heat's Dwayne Wade who stole the show with his 31 points and his career high 16 assists.

Hornets 90-Pistons 87

The Pistons put up a good fight but still lost their eighth straight game in New Orleans. Iverson had to leave the game in the first after he injured his back and Wallace was ejected in the fourth. Hamilton had 24 points and six assists and Prince had a good game but the losses hurt their comeback chances.

Pistons 93-Magic 85

Watching last nights game in Orlando was like watching the Pistons of old. They dominated on both ends of the floor and completely shut down Dwight Howard. Still they were trailing 51-43 at halftime and had to come out and dominate in the third going 28-14. Stuckey had his first great game in weeks with 22 points and Hamilton in his first start since January 19 put up 31 points and six assists.

Afterwards Hamilton talked about the win, "“This is what I do. There is no added pressure. This (being in starting lineup) is my comfort zone. Coming off the bench is not my comfort zone. It is what it is and we got a win and that is a great thing.”

Pistons Pick Up Where They Left Off After All-Star Break

2009-02-18T18:58:00.000-08:00

The Pistons continue to struggle as they head into the second half of the season. Coach Curry remains determined to tinker with his lineup this time inserting Antonio Mcdyess into his starting lineup. The new lineup did not stop them from losing their first game back last night continuing their four-game losing streak. This is particularly unsettling since their next seven games are against potential playoff teams.

Pistons 126-Bucks 121

Allen Iverson and Richard Hamilton led the comeback against Milwaukee. Iverson had 9 assists and Hamilton had Detroit's last five field goals in overtime. Hamilton ended with 38 points in 36 minutes off the bench, the most points in franchise history by a reserve. Antonio Mcdyess also went 5 for 5 in the fourth.

Suns 107-Pistons 97

Rodney Stuckey's shooting woes due to injury continued as he missed 9 of his 10 shots. Phoenix guard Steve Nash helped lead his team to victory with his 21 assists, the most by a Pistons opponent in 23 years. Hamilton continued his hot shooting finishing with 27.

Bulls 107-Pistons 102

Bad shooting and turnovers led to another loss against Chicago. The Pistons had control of the game in the third with Hamilton putting up another 30 and Rasheed Wallace putting up 20 but the game quickly turned around due to sloppy play. Iverson missed the game due to the flu.

Hawks 99-Pistons 95

The Pistons did a good job of containing Atlanta's key young players but it was former Pistons Flip Murray who helped lead his team to the win. Wallace had to leave the game in the third because of tendinitis in his knee. Iverson returned and had a solid game.

Bucks 92-Pistons 86

It was the Pistons' fourth straight loss and their first after the All-Star break despite having Mcdyess in the starting lineup. He finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds but the rest of the team was sluggish at best. Stuckey was non-existent finishing with only 3 points.

Phoenix Hosts Historic All-Star Game

2009-02-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

Phoenix played host to this year's 58th Annual NBA All-Star Game. This year the West took back control of the game beating the East 146-119. The game started out unusually competitive with both sides playing tough defense but by the third quarter the intensity of the game began to slow down. The East tried to stay in the game by shooting triples but they ended up missing 26 of their 34 attempts and were never able to catch up.

The game was highlighted by the return of the Shaq/Kobe/Phil Jackson show. The game was the first time since 2004 that the former teammates/rivals/champions have played on the same side. Shaq had to sit out last year's game so he was more than ready to prove that although he has gotten older that he is still capable of taking over a game. Before the game even began he was entertaining the crowd by performing with freestyle dance group Jabbawockeez. He went on to combine with Bryant for 44 points and ended up becoming Co-MVP's. The award was the third for each tying them with Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan. They are one shy of Bob Pettit.

The entire weekend was a huge success beginning with Friday night's Rookie/Sophomore Challenge. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant set a record with 46 points leading the Sophomore squad to a victory 122-116. The next day Durant competed in the first ever HORSE competition and took home top honors. All-Star Saturday night was exciting from start to finish with Chicago's Derrick Rose taking the Playstation Skills Challenge honors, Miami's Daequan Cook beating former champion Jason Kapono in the Three-Point Shootout and team Detroit picked up the win in the Shooting Stars contest. The highlight of the weekend, however, was the Slam Dunk Contest. Orlando's Dwight Howard and New York's Nate Robinson both returned this year and once again did everything they could to impress the fans. In the end "Superman" Howard helped Robinson win the contest allowing the small Robinson to jump over for him for a dunk.

NBA Eastern Conference Mid-Season Review

2009-02-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

As the second half of the NBA season kicks into gear, it’s time to take a look back at the first half. Here’s a look at each division and which teams have excelled, defied expectations and disappointed in the East:

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics (44-11): The defending champions picked up where they left off by setting a NBA record for the best start at 27-2. They had a small misstep in the New Year with a string of losses but they’ve righted themselves and continue to lead the league. Their stellar defense has them poised for another championship run but they have to keep an eye out for the Lakers who’s victory over them last month gives them home court advantage in the Finals.

Philadelphia 76ers (27-25): The Sixers season started out slow after last year’s playoff surge with a 2-5 record. The young energetic team that everyone was expecting looked stagnant and seemed to have trouble inserting their free agent pickup Elton Brand. In the last month after a coaching change and Brand’s season ending shoulder injury the team is once again in the playoff hunt.

New Jersey Nets (24-30): The Nets have continued to struggle to stay afloat in their division. They’ve got good bench production but the team does not seem to have a plan. Star Vince Carter’s play is erratic at best. If the team can find a way to play consistently they still have a chance to make the playoffs.

New York Knicks (22-31): The Knicks finished the season with a six game losing streak. They have had a hard time closing out games. Their sloppy defense has usually been behind the losses so if they can find a way to control it they may finally be able to bring playoff basketball back to New York. With Lebron possibly heading their way next year some playoff experience would be nice.

Toronto Raptors (21-35): The Raptors have struggled to get above .500 this season but this weekend’s trade with Miami may be a step in the right direction. Jermaine O’Neal struggled to fit into the Raptors’ run and gun offense and should fit in better in Miami and Shawn Marion’s play should fit in well in Toronto.

Central Division

Cleveland Cavaliers (41-11): Well after setting a franchise record for reaching the 40-win mark it is obvious that the Cavaliers and Lebron James have turned into one of the premier teams in the league. The team still needs to work on it’s defense but they have a amazing bench and Mo Williams is James’ perfect sidekick. It’ll be interesting to see if Cleveland can take the Celtics.

Detroit Pistons (27-26): After spending the last five years at the top of the Eastern Conference it seems that the Pistons may have finally run out of steam. After making the biggest and most controversial trade of the season, Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson, it seemed that the team was poised to make another championship run but team chemistry problems and injuries have plagued the team. New coach Michael Curry seems to be lost and has been playing musical chairs with his team’s lineup. The Pistons can still get themselves back in the playoff race but they have a lot of work to do.

Milwaukee Bucks (27-29): After trading Mo Williams the team has continued to take a downward slide. Richard Jefferson has been playing well but the Bucks are inconsistent at best. They have also been plagued by injuries. They may have a chance to sneak into the playoffs but until they find the consistency that they need they’ll continue to not get anywhere. With Andrew Bogut out for the season they did make a trade with Orlando and picked up shooting guard Keith Bogans which will help shore up the hole that Bogut left.

Chicago Bulls (23-30): A couple of years ago it looked like Chicago was finally moving in the right direction with a host of young talented players but once again the organization has taken a turn for the worse. The team struggles both offensively and defensively and struggle with closing out games. Today’s trade with Sacramento, Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni for John Salmons and Brad Miller, may be a step in the right direction but it may be too little too late.

Indiana Pacers (22-34): The Pacer’s continue to struggle but despite being so far down in the standings they are the only team in the league to beat the Lakers, Cavaliers, Magic and Celtics. They have a good nucleus but struggle to beat the teams that they should. If they can find a way to stay in every game to the end they might have a chance at moving up in a struggling conference.

Southeast Division

Orlando Magic (39-13): After struggling a bit in the start of the season Orlando quickly took control and has become one of the powerhouses in the East. Led by “Superman” Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson the Magic had their best start in franchise history. Unfortunately, Nelson, who was playing the best basketball of his career, was injured before the All-Star break. Orlando just made a trade sending Keith Bogans to Milwaukee and picked up point guard Tyronn Lue who should fit in well with Howard and will hopefully keep the team on it’s winning path.

Atlanta Hawks (31-22): With numerous injuries and a tough early schedule the Hawks have managed to have a successful first half of the season. The Hawks have a nice mix of veteran and young players but their lack of depth may hinder them in the playoffs.

Miami Heat (28-24): The Heat perhaps had the biggest trade during the All-Star break picking up Toronto star Jermaine O’Neal who should fit in well with Dwayne Wade. The Heat have struggled for a couple of seasons because of their lack of a center so O’Neal’s presence in the middle will be huge. The Heat have a tough schedule to end the season and will have to stay consistent in order to have a playoff run.

Charlotte Bobcats (22-32): After struggling all season, Charlotte began to put a fight just before the All-Star break but it is unlikely that they will be able to contend with the other teams in the East. With no real stars to turn to Coach Larry Brown has his work cut out for him.

Washington Wizards (12-42): What to say about Washington. Year after year their franchise player Gilbert Arenas gets injured and their playoff hopes go up in smoke. Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler are both great players but neither is a leader and that is what this team needs. It may be time to scrap the lineup and rebuild from the bottom up.

Pistons Struggle to Find Their Identity

2009-02-05T13:50:00.001-08:00

Over the last couple of weeks Pistons' Coach Michael Curry has continued to shuffle his lineup around making it difficult for the team to find any semblance of continuity and chemistry. Having Richard Hamilton come off the bench seemed like the solution and it has provided the team with some nice bursts of energy and a couple of wins but there still seems to be something missing.

Whenever a unit seems to be playing well together and the team develops a comfortable need, Curry takes them out. It's understandable that he wants his entire team to have playing time but when something is working you don't mess with it. Team egos are supposed to be set aside in the interest of the team and the goal of winning a championship. Unfortunately, while the team continues to search for it's identity, they are playing themselves right out of a playoff spot.

Pistons 95-Raptors 76

Hamilton's first game off the bench led to a win over Toronto despite his offensive struggles. The new lineup move spurred Jason Maxiell to his best game of the season including a dunkfest in the first. Tayshaun Prince also had a great game and the entire team shot 50 percent from the field and combined for 25 assists.

Mavericks 112-Pistons 91

This one was all Dallas from the start. They put up 31 points in the first half on the heel of the Pistons' 13 turnovers. It was a particularly rough game for Rodney Stuckey.

Rockets 108-Pistons 105

It should have been a win against the visiting Rockets who were playing without Yao Ming. The Pistons shot 56.4 percent from the field and had 31 assists. They limited their turnovers, scored over a 100 points and had more points in the paint. All of the building blocks for a win were in place but they only led twice the entire game. Hamilton had his best game since returning to the lineup putting up 27 points and Rasheed Wallace contributed 22 points. Unfortunately, Detroit's shoddy defense and struggles from the free throw line led to the loss.

Pistons 98-Timberwolves 89

The Pistons opened strongly making their first six field goals but once again let their lead slip away before halftime. Minnesota was up by 11 in the third but Wallace took over the game. Wallace scored seven consecutive points to the end game with help from Antonio Mcdyess and Hamilton. Both Wallace and Mcdyess ended up with double-doubles.

Celtics 86-Pistons 78

The third time wasn't the charm for Detroit as they dropped their third loss to Boston this season. Unlike the first two games the Pistons did put up a fight. They started the fourth quarter strong thanks to the team of Hamilton and Maxiell. Unfortunately, Maxiell and Celtic's Kendrick Perkins got into a struggle under the basket leaving Maxiell with a technical foul and Perkins tossed from the game. The incident took the fire out of the Pistons and the Celtics went on 8-2 run to finish the game.

Cavaliers 90-Pistons 80

For 36 minutes the game was all Detroit: they shot better, rebounded better and had fewer turnovers. They led 66-58 heading into the fourth quarter and then things fell apart. They missed five of their first six shots and struggled from the free throw line. Although they had done a good job of keeping Lebron James contained, the rest of the team went 15-2 while he was on the bench. Once James came back in he went on a run of his own and ended up with 33. Allen Iverson had a solid 22 point game and Hamilton put up 16.

Pistons 93-Heat 90

After losing six of their last seven home games, the Pistons needed a win; especially since they are now battling Miami for the last Eastern conference playoff spot. Detroit led most of the game but once again found it hard to close out the game. With a under a minute left the game was tied and Stuckey ended up putting up a awkward shot that went in for the win. Five Pistons were in double figures including Stuckey who finished with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.

2009-01-20T19:44:00.001-08:00

Pistons’ Losing Streak Ends as Coach Curry Makes Changes

After the numerous injuries that the Pistons have had to contend with lately it was nice to see the team begin to find a rhythm with both Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton sidelined.

Detroit had a nice 7-game winning streak going with Amir Johnson in the starting lineup and Wallace stepped back into things with no problems. Unfortunately, Hamilton’s return threw the team into chaos. The small ball lineup led to five losses which led to Curry’s announcement today that Richard Hamilton will now be coming off of the bench.

Trail Blazers 84-Pistons 83

The Pistons took an early double-digit lead and kept it until the middle of the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, some shooting issues allowed Portland back in the game. It came down to a final Allen Iverson possession which clanked off the basket ending the Pistons’ seven-game winning streak.

Pistons 93-Denver 90

In the Pistons’ most important and emotional game of the season thus far, they managed to win one over former teammate Chauncey Billups’ Denver Nuggets.

The game was an exciting with both teams playing their hearts out.

Billups and the Nuggets took a early first-half lead and Billups put up 20 but Iverson scored 20 in the second keeping his team in the thick of things. The game came down to a tying Billups 3-pointer that didn’t make it in.

The win broke Denver’s five-game winning streak and was done without Hamilton, Wallace and Stuckey who was out with back troubles.

Jazz 99-Pistons 82

It was yet another loss in Utah for the Pistons. Detroit has dropped seven straight to the Jazz and haven’t won since November 2002.

It was all Utah from start to finish. The Jazz jumped out with a 14-2 lead but the Pistons bench put up a good fight. Arron Affalo contributed 9 points and was strong defensively. Unfortunately, the Pistons had a hard time holding on to the ball. The team was obviously tired after having been on the road for seven straight games.

Bobcats 80-Pistons 78

Rip Hamilton finally made his return after missing eight games but the Pistons could not pull the win out.

Detroit led the entire second half but the Bobcats scored the game’s last nine points. Stuckey and Iverson combined for 31 but the Pistons lackluster defense and poor bad handling gave the game away.

Pacers 110-Pistons 106

It was another game that came down to the final possession for the Pistons. They had a late lead but missed their last seven shots of regulation. Indiana’s Danny Granger sent the game into overtime.

The Pacers never trailed in OT as Wallace missed two 3-pointers. Stuckey put up 30 but had no points in OT. The loss broke the Pistons’ eight-game win streak over the Pacers and broke their season streak of holding opponents below 100 points.

Thunder 89-Pistons 79

In a embarrassing loss to the league’s last place Oklahoma Thunder the Pistons allowed their lead to unravel in the fourth. The Thunder scored 13 unanswered points in the beginning of the fourth with the Pistons’ defense and scoring lacking.

Continuing the Pistons bad luck this season Tayshaun Prince had to leave the game with his own groin injury.

Hornets 91-Pistons 85

“We’ve just got to get this monkey off our back-that’s it!”-Allen Iverson after the loss.

Hamilton and Jason Maxiell finally had strong games but late foul trouble put the hurt to the Pistons’ lead. Iverson had to sit out the third quarter after banging his knee on the floor in the beginning of the second half.

Pistons 87-Grizzlies 79

Before the game in Memphis Monday night, Coach Curry said that he was looking at changing up his lineup. Since Hamilton’s return fans have been calling for him to come off the bench as a Sixth-Man. It has been obvious that the small ball starting lineup was not working. Despite the Pistons win over the Grizzlies Curry announced today that Hamilton will be coming off the bench permanently.

Iverson scored 12 in the first quarter and Hamilton put up his own 12 in the second quarter with the second unit. The game was a preview of what he may be able to do coming off the bench.

Lucky Number 7

2009-01-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

A week into the new year and the Pistons are in the middle of a seven-game winning streak despite being plagued by injuries. After losing their first six Sunday games this season, the Pistons managed to squeeze out a win last Sunday in L.A. giving them their seventh straight win. The win kicked off their latest four-game West Coast trip that continues tonight in Portland.

Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince and Allen Iverson have continued their stellar play including a 38 point game from Stuckey that earned him NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors. The bench has also stepped up in the face of injuries. Richard Hamilton has been out for 5 games with an injured groin and doesn't look to be back anytime soon. Rasheed Wallace has been out for two games with a sore foot and Antonio Mcdyess was out for a couple of games with thigh and rib injuries but made his return in Sunday's game against the Clippers. Despite the losses, the team has found a way to continue winning.

Pistons 90-Thunder 88

It was the Iverson show at the Palace the day after Christmas. Fans have been clamoring to see a true Iverson finish and after finding themselves with a slight lead over the league's last place Oklahoma Thunder the Pistons turned to him to close the game out. The move was surprising in the fact that Iverson was nursing his own groin injury and had been a non-factor early in the game. Living up to his "The Answer" nickname Iverson pushed through his injuries in the fourth quarter and found his shot scoring 12 of the Pistons first 14 points and made the winning shot with .03 seconds left. In the double overtime loss to Utah Iverson was widely criticized for passing up the game's final shot and passing to Stuckey who missed his shot. This time around the lively Palace crowd got what they wanted.

Pistons 87-Bucks 76

The Pistons started out slow in Milwaukee missing their first four shots but their stellar defense kept them in the game. They entered the fourth quarter with a 18-point lead. Iverson continued to play strong and Amir Johnson played a solid 35 minutes with 8 points and 11 rebounds. This was the Pistons first game without Hamilton.

Pistons 88-Magic 82

The Pistons trompled Orlando in what should have been the toughest game during this stretch of the season. The Piston's defense neutralized Magic star Dwight Howard who did not have a field goal in the first half. Mcdyess took a rough shot to the ribs but had his best game of the season finishing with 8 points and 11 rebounds.

Pistons 83-Nets 75

The Pistons closed out the New Year with a win against New Jersey without Hamilton and Mcdyess. By the middle of the second quarter Wallace had to leave the game because of his sore foot and Jersey star Vince Carter was ejected after arguing with referee Danny Stafford. The Pistons bench compensated for Wallace's departure with Arron Afflalo and Kwame Brown stepping up.

Pistons 98-Kings 92

Still missing 3 of their key players the Pistons managed to lead Sacramento the entire game. 10 days after his 40-point game, Stuckey put up another 38 in front of the most raucous crowd the Palace has seen this season. As the crowd chanted his name, he missed his final final shot that could have given him another 40 but it didn't matter because in the eyes of the fans he had truly arrived. Yesterday he was named Player of the Week and his name is already being thrown around for All-Star consideration.

Pistons 88-Clippers 87

The Sunday curse almost struck again in the final moments of the Pistons game against the Clippers. Iverson's final shot didn't go in but the refs felt it was on it's way calling a goal tend against L.A.'s Al Thornton. Call it luck, call it divine intervention or call it good timing on Iverson's part but whatever it was it not only broke the curse but gave the Piston's their seventh straight.

Stuckey Takes Control

2008-12-26T14:35:00.000-08:00

Things have begun to look up for the Pistons over the last couple of weeks. They've gone 4-2 with one double overtime loss that could have gone either way.

Since Coach Curry rearranged his lineup the team has looked more together and seems to be getting more comfortable as a unit. Inserting Rodney Stuckey into the starting lineup was a great decision and has allowed his teammates to open up their own games while improving his own. In his seven starts Stuckey is averaging 18.4 points and 7.4 assists and he can only get better from there. His 40 point game against Chicago on Tuesday is already starting All-Star discussion.

The Pistons still need to work on getting back their defensive intensity but I think that will come with time. Allen Iverson has never been a defensive minded player and it's going to take awhile before it comes naturally to him.

Pistons 114-Pacers 110

It was another rough start for Detroit but they turned on the defense at the end of the game and managed the win. Rasheed Wallace's late 7 was key in the victory after the Pistons' slow offensive fourth quarter start.

Pistons 90-Bobcats 86

Curry's small ball lineup came out on fire and had a 18 point halftime lead. Unfortunately, Detroit's play once again collapsed in the fourth and almost blew the win. Wallace's late triple averted the loss.

Pistons 88-Wizards 74

Iverson led the way in a easy win over the Wizards. Iverson scored 28 despite having to leave the game for awhile after a knee collision. After the game he said that this was the first time he'd felt like he was in a real groove.

Jazz 120-Pistons 114

The Pistons loss streak against the Jazz continued with this seventh straight loss. Both teams played their hearts out in this double overtime game. Detroit's Iverson put up 38 and Richard Hamilton put up 30 and Utah's Deron William's finished with 29.

Hawks 85-Pistons 78

The Pistons still have not won a Sunday game this year. They started out making their first seven shots but it was all downhill from there. The game also marked the Pistons eighth straight game with a technical foul. Both Hamilton and Wallace picked up one with Hamilton getting ejected.

Pistons 104-Bulls 98

Stuckey continued his stellar play going toe to toe with Chicago's rookie star Derrick Rose. Stuckey had 17 points in the first half and bailed the team out in the second half when they once again let their lead slip. By the end of the game he'd scored 40 breaking his own career high record and the Pistons' season high which had been held by Iverson's 38.

“I just don’t like the fact that right now we’re a team where if things are not going good, we sort of give in to it."-Coach Curry

2008-12-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

It's been another rough couple of weeks for the Pistons team. Grumblings amongst the players about playing time and Coach Curry's tactics, a last minute Thanksgiving practice that Iverson did not show up for and continuing identity problems have plagued them. Some games they're brilliant offensively and defensively and other nights nothing they throw up is going in and they can't hold onto the ball. Hopefully some of the energy they've been lacking will be restored with Antonio Mcdyess' return but after last night's loss to Washington he even said this is not the same team he left just a month ago.

Chauncey Billup's recent success in Denver has fans complaining about the Allen Iverson trade but to be fair any team would have a hard time after going through the changes the Pistons have this season. Losing Billups and gaining Iverson certainly threw the team's chemistry off particularly for Richard Hamilton but both he and Iverson have begun to adjust to the change and at times have been brilliant. I think the team's two main problems are ones they've been dealing with for a few years now: lack of drive and a lack of a true center.

For some inexplicable reason the team's veterans tend to play on a come and go basis. Rasheed Wallace in particular tends to only get up for certain games and the rest of the team usually follows his example. Both Wallace and Jason Maxiell's defensive intensity have been down during most of the Piston's recent losses. As Hamilton and Iverson's speed has begun to mesh there is no reason that the team should not be pulling out more wins.

Although I still believe that Curry was not the right man for the job, I don't think that he is the main problem here. He has experimented with a number of different lineups trying to find the right fit for his team and I think he has found it with the latest addition of Rodney Stuckey as a starter. Moving Tayshaun Prince back to the power forward position will not only help him be more comfortable but will open up the floor for the rest of the team.

The value of the moves was apparent in the first half of last night's loss when the Pistons had an early 15-point lead. In the coming weeks we will have to wait and see if it pays off in the win column. Unfortunately, while we're waiting the team is falling further and further in the Eastern Conference standings and may find themselves with a huge hole to climb out of going into the All-Star break.

Timberwolves 106-Pistons 80

The Pistons continued to play with no energy after their Boston loss and lost another one to the Timberwolves. This time it was on their home floor. Once again they were out of the game before the fourth quarter even began falling down 28 points with Iverson and Hamilton going 5 for 22.

Pistons 110-Knicks 96

Still reeling from their back to back losses and two strenuous practice sessions, the Pistons took out their anger on the struggling New York Knicks. This was Richard Hamilton's first big game since the Iverson trade and three of the Pistons starters were in double figures before halftime.

Pistons 107-Bucks 97

Allen Iverson led the team with 17 but it was the bench who were the stars of the game. They put up 63 points with Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell leading the way on the boards.

Trail Blazers 96-Pistons 85

The Piston's continued their Sunday loss streak dropping another one to Portland. Once again the second unit tried to turn the game around but found they couldn't get out of the hole the starters had dug for them. After the game Coach Curry was not happy with his veterans, "“As a coach I should haven’t to search to find where I’m going to find my energy. I coach the game, I can’t coach the energy.”

Pistons 89-Spurs 77

The Pistons headed out to San Antonio and once again the energy that was lacking against less talented teams was there against their old rivals. Detroit's physical play and aggressiveness lead them to the win with Wallace leading the way with three triples in the fourth.

76ers 96-Pistons 91

Allen Iverson and the Pistons found themselves on the losing end against Iverson's former team who were playing without star Elton Brand. Detroit played most of the game ahead but collapsed down the stretch and gave up in the final minute of the game and made some key mistakes like Maxiell's late technical foul. Curry's lack of a timeout at the end of the game was also rather questionable.

Knicks 104-Pistons 92

In the low point of the season the Pistons were trampled by the Knicks in New York. The Knicks started out 10-0 and never looked back. Tayshaun Prince's 23 was the only highlight in a miserable game. The Pistons continued to struggle behind the arc.

Wizards 107-Pistons 94

The Pistons started out with lots of energy and a 17 point lead that showcased the brilliance of their new lineup. Sadly, by the end of the first half they let Washington make a run to get within 3. The second half was all Wizards as the Pistons offensive struggles led to a let down in their defense. Mcdyess made a strong return with 9 points and 6 rebounds in twenty-six minutes.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: The Pistons' Long Week

2008-11-22T13:10:00.000-08:00

Pistons 100-Kings 92

The Pistons began their 4 game West Coast trip with a nice win in Sacramento. Once again Stuckey was unavailable and the team started the game sluggishly. Allen Iverson stepped up and went to work putting in 30 points and helping his team cruise to the win. Both Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace continued their shooting slumps.

Pistons 107-Warriors 102

The team repeated their sluggish start at Golden State the next night. They were trailing by 12 midway through the third quarter but the Pistons closed the quarter strong leading by seven. Rasheed Wallace's late triples had a lot to do with the comeback and the subsequent win. Kwame Brown started the game up front with Wallace instead of Amir Johnson. Later, Michael Curry said he sees that as the most viable option for the future in order to compete with the other large centers scattered throughout the league.

Pistons 106-Lakers 95

The Pistons' win over the undefeated Lakers was the first glimpse of what this new lineup may be capable of. Rasheed Wallace's superb coverage of Pau Gasol and the team's ability to limit Kobe Bryant's shots were behind the win. All five starters scored in double figures and Iverson looked as if he'd always been playing with them.

Suns 104-Pistons 86

Phoenix spoiled the Pistons' shot at sweeping their West Coast trip. Despite the fact that Shaquille O'Neal was ejected after a hard foul on the returning Rodney Stuckey, the Pistons were never able to gain control of the game. Amare Stoudamire scored 29 and Steve Nash kept hitting his infamous threes. The only bright spot was that Richard Hamilton seemed to finally find his shot again and Kwame Brown turned in another solid outing as a starter putting up 10 points, three rebounds and a blocked shot.

Pistons 96-Cavaliers 89

This was another hard fought win as the Pistons returned home from their West Coast trip. The Pistons were once again down at halftime but put up 58 points in the second half leading to the win over Cleveland. Iverson, in his first Palace win, scored 23 points with Rasheed Wallace right behind him with 21. The struggling Rodney Stuckey ended up having a nice game down the stretch along with Arron Afflalo.

Celtics 98-Pistons 80

The score on this one was actually closer than it should have been. Boston had control of the game the entire way through led by Rajon Rondo's 18 points. The chemistry that seemed to be building between Detroit's starting lineup was noone to be seen on Thursday night. Boston clogged the lanes and forced the Pistons to take bad jump shots while offensively taking charge. Boston's bench managed to dominate Detroit's as well. It's still early in the season and Detroit is still trying to find it's identity but it appears that Boston may still be too much for them.

Celtics 88-Pistons 76

2008-11-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson's home debut against the champion Boston Celtics on the Pistons floor started out great. Rip Hamilton included him in his usual pre-game warmup and the raucous Palace crowd welcomed him with open arms. He quickly scored the night's first basket amid the loud cheers as the Pistons quickly took an early lead. Both teams seemed to be over excited early as they played sloppily on both ends of the court but in the second quarter Boston found their footing and never looked back. With Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace going 0-11 in the first half and Rodney Stuckey leaving the game after a dizzy spell, the Pistons had no chance of catching up. Boston's Tony Allen shot the lights out and their entire bench was contributing throughout the game. Iverson had some flashes of brilliance but seemed hesistant to take over the game trying for more assists than shooting the ball himself, something I think will come in time as he and his teammates get used to playing together. Hopefully the team will have a more solid identity next week when they play the Celtics in Boston.

As of today doctors were still checking Stuckey out and he was not on the plane to Sacramento this morning. For the moment he is listed as day to day.

Antonio Mcdyess was officially released from Denver today. Rumor has it that Boston is now looking at acquiring him so I guess he has a choice to make.

2008-11-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

New Jersey 103-Pistons 96

It was not quite the debut Allen Iverson was looking for last night. Although he scored 24 points and had 6 assists, the Pistons just couldn't compete with the Net's Devin Harris who had a career best 38 points. The Pistons looked great in the first half of the game feeding off of the energy Iverson brought with him. He and Richard Hamilton quickly took control of the game but as soon as they sat down, things began to stall. Rodney Stuckey had his first rough night starting since Chauncey Billups was traded and Rasheed Wallace had a off night from the start, shooting long threes that just kept bouncing off of the rim making it impossible for the Pistons to take back control of the game. The game was their first loss of the season.

Pistons 100-Raptors 93

Wednesday night's win over the Raptors was overshadowed by all of the Iverson trade talk but the game marked an outstanding night for often overlooked Tayshaun Prince. He finished with 27 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

Today the Denver Nuggets bought out Antonio Mcdyess' contract spurring talk that he may be making his way back to Detroit in a similar vein to what they did with Lindsay Hunter a few years ago. Having Mcdyess coming back off the bench can't hurt so hopefully the rumor is true.

Welcome To The D...

2008-11-04T17:14:00.001-08:00

“It’s all about winning, it’s all about being in the big dance at the end of the year and those are his goals along with ours."-Joe Dumars on Allen Iverson

“I know the sky’s the limit for us.” -Allen Iverson

"“I knew it was possible I could get traded, but when you think about that, you’re always thinking the worst. When he told me what team it was, I had to ask him to repeat himself."-Iverson

“He brings a certain stature with him that only a handful of guys can bring.” -Dumars

And So The Big Trade Finally Happens...

2008-11-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

AI is coming to the D!!!!!

After all the talk about Joe Dumars keeping his aging team together, today he quietly made the biggest trade of the season sending Chauncey Billups and Antonio Mcdyess to Denver for Allen Iverson. This trade works in Detroit's favor for many reasons. Although Billups and Mcdyess have been integral in the success that the team has had these last 6 years, it's been obvious that Mcdyess' age is catching up with him and that Billups is not the true leader that the team needs. Billups' horrendous pass to the sidelines in the closing minutes of game 7 of the '05 playoffs in San Antonio cost us the championship. Since then, he has fallen apart in the playoffs again and again. He may well be Mr. Big Shot but when it truly counted, he was nowhere to be found. Billups is from Denver and should be a nice fit over there. Unfortunately, Mcdyess will probably end up retiring without the championship ring that he fought so hard for here. On the Detroit end, they are getting one of the best players in the league. Yes he's older and a bit slower but he can still score with the best of them and think AI has the hard working Detroit attitude. Come playoff time he will be able to create the shots that we've been missing year after year. Iverson is winding down his playing career and this could well be his chance to get that ring! In other news, it was great to see Jason Maxiell sign a 4-year deal with the Pistons earlier this week. It looked like he was going to opt for free agency this Summer so it was a nice surprise.

Pistons 117-Wizards 109
On Saturday the Pistons got their second win against a Gilbert Arena-less Washington team. Once again it was the Walter Hermann show. Hermann put up 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Rasheed Wallace had a strong game as well.

Pistons 101-Bobcats 83
Tonight the Pistons remained unbeaten this season against former Coach Larry Brown's Charlotte Bobcats. Short two players because of the trade, the 12 player rotation stepped up in a major way with all 12 scoring on the floor. Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace both scored in double figures and Rodney Stuckey, starting in Billups' place looked cool and composed.

2008-10-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

Pistons 100-Pacers 94

Last night the Detroit Pistons kicked off their season in Detroit against the Indiana Pacers. Over the last few seasons Indiana has begun to start over getting rid of their older talent including All-Star Jermaine O'Neal. Although they haven't yet found a rhythm, the Pacers team, who were one win away from last year's playoffs, have some strong young talent. The Pistons had control of the game from the start but Indiana kept hustling and they managed to keep it close most of the way through. The Pacers were strong on the defensive end and had control of the paint but in crunch time, it was the Pistons' older starters who calmly finished the game with a win. New Coach Michael Curry stayed true to his promise and made sure that his bench got some heavy playing time.

Opening Game Thoughts:

-Forward and new starter Amir Johnson seemed to be comfortable in his new role. He was strong on the defensive end in the first half including some nice blocks and produced more scoring in the second half.
-The reason the Pistons chose to keep Forward Walter Herrmann was clear after Indiana took a early 8-point lead and Herrmann calmly came in and hit a couple of threes.
-I like that Antonio Mcdyess is coming off of the bench again. He was out with the starters at the end of the game and looked well rested. This will come in handy against tougher teams down the stretch and will help keep him rested for the playoffs.
-Rodney Stuckey continues to be impressive. He's not ready to lead the team just yet but he will be filling Chauncey's role somewhere down the line.
-Michael Curry didn't have to do a whole lot of Coaching last night so the jury's still out. It is clear, however, that he has a good relationship with his entire team.
-Having a mike on Rasheed when he doesn't know it is not a good thing for live television, lol.
-Can't believe it's been 20 years since the Palace opened it's doors.
-Indiana's Danny Granger is going to be a great player. Very impressive!

2008-10-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

59-23. That was the Detroit Piston’s regular season record last year that left them in first place in the NBA’s Central Division and second overall team in the Eastern Conference. For the sixth year in a row, they found themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals and once again fell short of the championship. As Boston raised the trophy and threw a parade, the Pistons went back to the drawing board. Long time fans called for changes, the players began to publicly grumble and team owner Joe Dumars seemed to be gearing up to dismantle the team that won him a championship in 2004. After firing playoff struggling coach Flip Saunders, it seemed that a big Summer trade would follow. However, with most of their salary-cap dollars tied up until next year, Dumars decided to stick with what he knows: a team that has consistently been at the top of the league again and again. As the 2008-2009 season tips off, the question remains whether or not Dumars’ gamble was worth it and whether the teams veterans should have remained.

When Dumars took over as the Pistons President of Basketball Operations in 2000, he was taking over a team that hadn’t had any success since their Back To Back Championships in 1989 and 1990. Within a couple of year’s time he systematically worked to rebuild the team from scratch. Without the money to make any high profile trades, he quietly searched the league for players he felt epitomized the Detroit work ethic and would play as a team rather than for their own success. Guards Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups and Center Ben Wallace had been in the league for awhile with moderate success and no one expected them to produce in Detroit. Small Forward Tayshaun Prince was selected 23rd by the Pistons in the 2002 NBA Draft and once again was not expected to contribute much to the team.

In 2003 the Pistons squeaked into the first round of the playoffs against the Orlando Magic. Trailing 3 games to 1, Prince was inserted into the lineup and helped the Pistons rally back to win the series and continue on to the Eastern Conference Finals. Although they lost to the New Jersey Nets, it was obvious that the team was better than anyone had thought. In 2004, Dumars added acclaimed coach Larry Brown to his staff and his team really began to take shape. In the middle of the season when the team began to show some wear and tear Dumars surprised everyone by making a trade for troubled Power Forward Rasheed Wallace, a player who was known for his bad attitude. Once again fans questioned Dumars’ actions but as soon as Rasheed joined the lineup, it was obvious that something magical was taking place. The team’s starting five separately were nothing special but together they were untouchable. With Brown leading the way, the underdog team beat the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals and went on to face the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA Championship. To the league’s surprise, the hard working Pistons demolished the heavily favored Lakers and went home with the trophy.

In 2005, the Pistons were unable to recapture the championship. After losing in the Finals to the San Antonio Spurs, Brown decided to jump ship to the New York Knicks. Dumars quickly signed coach Flip Saunders. Although successful with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team performed horribly in the playoffs leading many to wonder why Dumars would bring him to Detroit. The Pistons also lost some key bench players in the off season and it seemed as if Dumars’ team’s time had come and gone. Once again they would prove the naysayers wrong starting out 37-5 and reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. However, they would lose to the Miami Heat falling short of their championship goal. Although the team did better than expected, Saunders remained unpopular with the players and fans.

During the 2006 offseason Ben Wallace signed with the Chicago Bulls reportedly because of his differences with Saunders. Dumars signed Power Forward and Detroit native Chris Webber, who at first seemed to be the perfect fit. He helped the team get back to the 2007 playoffs where they quickly swept the Orlando Magic and beat Wallace’s Bulls to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth consecutive time. For a change, the perennial underdogs were favored against the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers. To everyone’s surprise after winning the first two games, the team went on to lose 4 in a row and once again had to watch the Finals from the sidelines. Although injuries played some role in the series loss, it was clear that Saunders had no control over his disgruntled veteran team.

In the 2007 off season Dumars quickly surveyed his team and decided that his bench needed some work. His starting five had begun to age and weren’t able to play as many minutes as before. Signing Guards Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo in the 2007 NBA Draft to back up top prospect Amir Johnson seemed to be the burst of young energy that the team needed. At the beginning of the 2008 season, Rasheed Wallace became the Pistons’ new Center, a questionable move since Wallace had always been a Forward. Still, the Pistons marched right back into the Eastern Conference Finals where they faced the Boston Celtics, the early season favorites. In a replay of the previous season, the team who had been on fire up until that point began to once again show their age. The players began to publicly argue with Saunders and Wallace seemed to give up. For all intents and purposesm, the 2004 Championship leftovers seemed to be on their way out the door along with Coach Saunders.

In June, Dumars announced that first year Assistant Coach and former player Michael Curry would be taking over as the Pistons Head Coach. The move was criticized as pandering to the veteran players who are all friendly with Curry. The move was also curious since there were a number of experienced Coaches interested in the job. After Dumars announced that none of his players were untouchable, it certainly seemed like a high profile trade was likely but in the end, the only pickup was Center Kwame Brown, who came into the league with high expectations in 2001 but had gone on to play for three different teams where he was a disappointment on each and every one. What Dumars sees in Brown remains a mystery. How he will fit in to the Pistons lineup is still unclear.

In the end, Dumars chose not to do anything drastic in response to last year’s team meltdown. He chose to stick with his perennial All-Stars and to concentrate on the new talent that began to click as the season went on. He has stated again and again that the young guys will get more playing time this year allowing his veterans to get more rest. Unexperienced though he may be, Coach Curry already has his player’s respect, something Coach Saunders could never master. With a strong bench and the usual starting lineup, the team will surely be among the elite in the East again. Still, Dumars has not addressed the team’s need for a Center, a fact that was blatantly obvious in their loss to Boston.

So was Dumars’ gamble worth it? Will the Pistons be able to get over the Eastern Conference hurdle again and make it to the Finals? Like it or not, with all the criticism hurled at them year after year, it is highly likely that they will at least be in the race with a better lineup than most of the teams in the league. Again and again, Dumars’ ideas and moves have been criticized but he has consistently kept the Pistons at the top of the league. Whether they get over the hurdle or not the season will surely be one to watch and at the end of it, win or lose, the question will once again be whether or not their core has another run in them.