Detroit Pistons Rumors / Trade Rumors + News + Blog + Draft 2012: Pistons Mix

The Silver Lining

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:53:00 +0000

Despite the Pistons depressing the sh*t out of me, G-Money is getting some well-deserved love from the national media.

http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2012/01/13/big-man-greg-monroe-has-quietly-become-a-force-in-detroit/

Mad love.

http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2012/01/breakneck-slow/

The divorce was messy, but remember the good times?

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Imagine how much can happen in a nine-year relationship, the peaks and valleys, the emotional rewards and consequences. In many ways, a city, team, and its fans have this type of relationship with its favorite athletes.

When Richard "Rip" Hamilton returns to the Palace tonight, it'll be a lot like running into your ex-girlfriend. Not some one-night stand (Allen Iverson) or a girl you went out with for a couple of years (Mehmet Okur), but like a looooong-time girlfriend-- maybe even an ex-wife.

It's going to be awkward.

First, the rush of blood and heat to your face. Then, the clumsiness as you try to play it cool. And finally, the first words, "Um, hi..."

(An example of such an exchange at the 1:03 mark of the following video.)

What's worse is if you run into her and she's with another guy, as Rip will be tonight when he'll show up holding hands with the Chicago Bulls. You might feel hurt and inadequate or angry and jealous.

No matter how it unfolds, it's going to be strange seeing Rip at the Palace playing against the Pistons. Initially, your mind will race to the last few years-- the fighting, the arguing, the resentment. There will be those that will boo and jeer him-- after the ugliness of the last two seasons, that's natural. But, don't forget about the good-- sometimes great-- times. The reason it will be so difficult seeing Rip with another team is because we did share ~~good~~ great times with him. After all, he is Detroit's all-time playoff scoring leader. He was part of the group that went to six straight Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals, and one glorious mountain top in 2004.

The divorce was messy, sure, but we got the house (the Palace), custody of the kid (Tayshaun), and even rekindled another past love affair (Ben Wallace).

Rip's moved on and he's happy in his new relationship with the Bulls.

We spent nine (mostly) wonderful years with him. Push past the bitterness, anger-- the bad memories, and just give the guy a hug.

Yessir.

DeMarcus Cousins is not worth the baggage

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 02:09:00 +0000

You crane your neck just to catch a glimpse of her from your desk as she enters the crowded office every morning. You want to talk to her, but you end up spilling coffee on yourself as you desperately hope a natural disaster occurs at that instant to level your building, so that you do not have to endure any further embarrassment. She's so sweet, though, she doesn't ridicule you-- in fact, she hands you a napkin to clean up with, and that's when you see it.

She's married. Not that it matters. She's so unbelievably smart, funny, beautiful, sweet, fashionable, and just plain cool there's no way she could have been single, or even remotely interested in you even if she was. You assume she's married to some dashing doctor with a heart of gold; Some perfect dude with J Crew looks, writes poetry and loves to cook, but is still masculine enough to build a cabinet and scratch your face with his five 'o clock shadow. You imagine they live in a beautiful house together with a big yard and dogs. They have a Architectural Digest subscription, go for long walks by the water, and wake up Sunday mornings and do the crossword puzzle together. They are simply perfect.

Then she walks into your company's Christmas party with Charlie Sheen, half a fifth of vodka, a puke-stained Ed Hardy bag, and a black eye.

We all know that girl. She's the one that is hopelessly attracted to the bad boy, the asshole, the douche bag. She could be that girl in your office, a classmate, your dog-walker. Maybe she's a friend of a friend or even your sister. Regardless, you know at least one such girl, and you absolutely cannot for the life of you figure out why she is wasting time with jerk after jerk.

Well, as strange as it seems, this unexplainable phenomenon occurs in the sports world, too. Teams can become so intoxicated with a player's talent or potential that it blinds them from some serious red-flags.

The Bengals of the 2000s have been that girl. The infamous Portland "Jail Blazers" of the late '90s and early 2000s fit the bill. And the University of Miami football teams of...any decade, really, are basically the Sandra Bullock of recruiting.

Right now, the Detroit Pistons are that girl and the douche bag is DeMarcus Cousins.

You're probably thinking, "How can the busted-ass Pistons possibly be the hot chick in this thinly constructed analogy?" Well, say what you want about the Pistons of the last few years--I sure have-- but the fact of the matter is that Detroit is looking pret-ty good from across the crowded office floor.

They finally have some organizational stability with new owner Tom Gores. They have a coach in Lawrence Frank who's experienced and a straight shooter. And believe it or not, they have a pretty nice core of youngsters --Greg Monroe, Jonas Jerebko, Rodney Stuckey, and Brandon Knight-- to build around.

Are they going to suck this year? Yes.

Are they going to suck next year? Probably.

Are they ever going to not suck and inch their way back into contention this decade? Maybe.

Not exactly a resounding endorsement, but that "maybe" turns into an "almost certainly not" if Pistons GM Joe Dumars does what many Pistons fans are clamoring for: Trading for DeMarcus Cousins.

There is no doubt that Dumars has been enamored with the talented, but emotionally volatile, center. He worked hard to try and trade up in the 2010 draft to acquire him. Cousins's laundry list of behavioral shortcomings, questionable work ethic, and numerous run-ins with coaches, teammates, referees, and trainers date back to his high school days. If Joe D wasn't scared off by the litany of red-flags a year and a half ago, he certainly wouldn't balk today.

But he should.

There is no question that he is doing his due diligence now that Cousins has requested to be traded from the Sacramento Kings. A near-seven-footer under 22 years old that is as talented as Cousins becoming available is definitely worth a phone call or two. However, Dumars would be wise to press the pause button on his love affair with reclamation projects.

Yes, it's worked in the past. The Rasheed Wallace of 2004 was basically in the same situation as Cousins is in today. Both 6'11" with unique skill sets, both burning the bridge with teams that took chances on them. There are some key differences, however:

1. Wallace had spent eight productive seasons in the league (one with Washington, who pulled the plug very quickly, and the other seven in Portland) and had developed a reputation as an unselfish teammate. His problems were largely off the court or with referees. Cousins doesn't seem to get along with anyone. His petulance transcends technical fouls and Lithuanian teammates, and is nearing TO levels-- without the production or track record.

2. The 2004 trade that brought Wallace to Detroit came at a time when the Pistons had strong veteran leadership in the form of Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace. They also had a Hall of Fame coach in Larry Brown that happened to be from Wallace's alma mater (UNC), and whom he had tremendous respect for as a coach and as a man. Cousins had problems with Rick Pitino, an accomplished and respected coach himself, during his one year at Kentucky. It is doubtful Cousins even knows that his current coach with the Kings, Paul Westphal, had a long and successful career as an NBA player and a decent run as a head coach with the Suns in the 90s.

3. Because of the coaching of Brown and the veteran presence of Billups and Ben Wallace, the Pistons of 2004 were on the verge of being serious championship contenders. They were looking for that one extra piece, and could afford to take a gamble on Rasheed Wallace. This year's group of Pistons are far from championship contention, and are looking for a major piece to build around. Would you put your franchise's future in the hands of DeMarcus Cousins?

4. The Rasheed Wallace trade was completed with Detroit giving up little more than some spare towels and a bag of balls. If the Pistons were to make a move for Cousins it would cost a lot more than that. Sacramento would presumably require one or more of the following to even begin talking: Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight, or a first round pick. Monroe and Knight are class acts that have loads of potential, great attitudes, and are very coachable. Next year's first round pick could very well net the Pistons a big that is as good as Cousins is (Jared Sullinger, anyone?).

Right now, the Pistons-- or at least their fans-- are indeed that hot girl in your office. It'll be different with us. He can change. I know he's done nothing to prove it, but deep down he's a good guy. Ok, I admit it, he's a royal douche bag, but he's just so darn cute-- I mean, talented!

I know-- I said those same things last June when Dumars tried to draft him. But it's been less than two seasons and he's already been sent home by the Kings? The Pistons don't need that type of abusive relationship. Although there are going to be some growing pains over the next season or two, I'd much rather wake up to breakfast in bed with Greg Monroe, work on the crossword with Brandon Knight, and take a long walk on the beach with Jonas Jerebko and Rodney Stuckey, than to be stuck cleaning up DeMarcus Cousins's puke.

It Could be Worse, Detroit Fans--You Could be in Cleveland

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:17:00 +0000

Antawn Jamison and the Cavs can't seem to find an answer.

Whew!

Breathe easy, Pistons fans, we made it out of Cleveland last night without the dubious distinction of ending the Cavaliers' NBA-record losing streak. While the national pundits (and possibly the Cavs themselves) circled this game on their calendars as the day this ridiculously long losing streak would come to an end, the Pistons held on for a nine-point victory, 103-94.

Honestly, I was nervous. The Pistons have been as inconsistent as any team in the league. They've beaten good teams, such as Boston, Orlando, New Orleans and Dallas. But they've also fallen against really bad teams, like Toronto, New Jersey, and Minnesota. Quite frankly, it's difficult to predict which Pistons team is going to show up on a nightly basis. This has certainly been as up and down a season as I can remember, but it hasn't been as bad as Cleveland's, which has been almost exclusively down.

The 8-45 Cavs had their losing streak extended to an NBA-record 26 games against Detroit. They have not won a game since December 18, and have also lost 36 out of their last 37 contests. The Pistons have had a tumultuous season, but these numbers are absolutely unfathomable. The Cavs stand one more consecutive loss away from having the longest losing streak in American professional sports history. They will get their next chance to avoid infamy Friday night against the LA Clippers.

As I mentioned, 2010-2011 has been a difficult time to be a Pistons fan. Obviously with the controversy that surrounds Rip Hamilton and John Kuester, the endless lineup shuffling, and the inconsistent play, frustration among Pistons Nation has been at an all-time high. But, not having won in damn-near two months is ridiculous. Most sports fans are pissed if their team loses two games in a row.

My heart goes out to the fans in Cleveland, but not only for their incompetent basketball team. Do you realize that the city of Cleveland has not celebrated a professional championship in 46 years? 46! That is 15 years longer than I have been alive! It also happens to be the longest such drought for a city with at least three professional franchises. The city's last champ came in the form of the 1964 Browns, which captured the pre-Super Bowl NFL title five years before the f*cking moon-landing! Do you understand how long ago 1964 was? That is four years before Lebron James's mother was born...

I really didn't want to bring up you-know-who, but it is impossible to discuss the Cavs plight without mentioning him. It really is hard to imagine what one man meant to an organization, a city, and frankly, the entire state of Ohio. Think about this for a second: The Cavs had the best record in the NBA the previous two seasons having won 66 and 61 games, respectively. They are currently on pace to lose 70 games this year. Yikes. Despite what you think of James as a person, his impact on the court is undeniable. The player who took his ~~talents~~ ego to South Beach last summer represented the Forest City's best chance at ending their professional championship drought.

Detroit, on the other hand, has celebrated many championships in the time since Jim Brown led Cleveland to the '64 NFL title. The Tigers won the '68 and '84 World Series. The Pistons, of course, won 'chips in '89, '90, and 2004. The Red Wings have captured the Stanley Cup four times in that span. (Let's not spoil a good thing and talk about the Lions.)

Not only do we have past championships to smile upon, but the struggling Pistons are better prepared than their Cleveland counterparts for future success. With promising young players such as Rodney Stuckey, Greg Monroe, Jonas Jerebko, and Austin Daye, Detroit is primed--believe it or not--for a possible resurgence. The Cavs boast a lineup of D-League players and Antawn Jamison, who happens to be 35 years old.

The Tigers are ready to roar after reloading over the winter, while the Indians are seemingly always in cost-cutting mode. The Red Wings are first in their division and are ready for another long playoff run. Poor Cleveland doesn't even have a pro hockey team, although nearby Columbus has the Blue Jackets, but they are six points out of the playoffs as of today. Even the lowly Lions seem ready to build off of an encouraging season, and actually finished one game better than the dysfunctional Browns.

So, chin up, Detroit fans. It could be a lot worse-- we could have all grown up in Cleveland.

Posted by: Andy Fung
February 10, 2011

The Return of the Jedi

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:48:00 +0000

Do you remember what a mess Luke Skywalker was by the end of The Empire Strikes Back? By the time those horns start blowing to signal the end-credits to roll, Luke has learned that his buddy Han Solo has been suspended in carbonite, found out that Darth Vadar is his father, and he's just had his f*cking hand cut off-- by his newly discovered lord-of-evil father no less! A grim ending for sure...

Ah, but you knew it couldn't end like that, could it? Of course not. Luke makes his triumphant return to Tatooine to rescue his frozen friend dressed from head to toe in black and sporting a fresh robotic hand. The image of him walking confidently down Jabba the Hutt's corridor with his hood up and the sunlight behind him is so gangster, it's a wonder why the Empire didn't just give up right then and there.

A similar scene occurred last night in Milwaukee, as the Pistons' Rip Hamilton made a triumphant return of his own.

Rip's Empire drama has been well-documented, so there is no need for a detailed recap. However, it should be noted that, only one night before, he had been deactivated for a game against the Nets without explanation. To further muddy the waters, Detroit didn't dress Rip despite being short-handed due to injuries. Afterwards, he told reporters that he felt as if he had played his last game as a Piston, and speculated that a trade was imminent. Hamilton hadn't played since being benched nearly a month ago. If his benching was his Luke-finding-out-that-Vadar-was-his-father moment, then his deactivation was him getting his hand chopped off.

This mess had become so sordid, many wondered how Rip would respond after such an emotional roller-coaster ride. Had he played his last game as a Piston? How long can he remain professional? Can he still play? Would he crack under the psychological strain? Is the Force still with him???

Ah, the perfect set-up for the most unlikely of events. Cue the theme music...

With about a minute and a half left in the first quarter of last night's game against the Bucks, coach John Kuester summoned his old Jedi from the bench, and Rip made that trek down Jabba's corridor.

Sporting black sneakers and donning his trademark mask, Rip Hamilton, against all odds, took to the court for the first time since January 10. He promptly committed an offensive foul, missed a shot, and then fell to the floor during a scramble. Hardly the way he imagined his return, but hey, Luke didn't plan on falling through a trap door and having to face the monstrous Rancor either!

Like Luke, Rip settled down and eventually scored 15 points on 7-14 shooting in 20 minutes of action. He hit a couple of clutch shots down the stretch, and helped the Pistons conquer the Bucks, who played the role of the Rancor on this night. Afterwards it was all smiles, but with the unpredictability of this journey it's difficult to project whether or not Rip will get his chance to help save Endor and destroy the Death Star.

Hamilton could very easily be traded at any moment. He could just as easily, and more likely, return to the end of the bench once Rodney Stuckey returns from an injured shoulder. No one knows for sure what is going to happen. The Jedi mind tricks will undoubtedly continue between the Pistons and Hamilton, but for one night, Rip was able to remind the galaxy that he still wields a light-saber and he still knows how to use it.

Posted by Andy Fung
February 6, 2011

Shouldn't It Be Titled "Swedish Made"?

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:32:00 +0000

Optimist's lead-in:

Nike has produced a video series featuring one of the NBA's up and coming stars. An interesting look at his unlikely journey from Sweden to the Detroit Pistons.

Pessimist's take:

How are pathetic are the Pistons this season? Nike has produced a video series featuring a player who has yet to play a minute this year.

The Trailer:

Episode 1:

Episode 2:

Episode 3:

Episode 4:

Posted by: Andy Fung

February 4, 2011

Updated: February 25, 2011

More Burning Bridges

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:53:00 +0000

In response to this response:

"Not sure how this relates to Isiah Thomas, Andy. You say Rip hasn’t handled this with an ounce of class or dignity, but can you elaborate on what he’s done wrong? He hasn’t said anything negative about the coach, the gm, the players or the organization to the press. There’s a lot of hatred aimed at Rip right now, but what isn’t based on hearsay doesn’t have a factual base.
I’m really amazed at how quickly fans have turned on Rip, and I’d love to see an objective reasoning on what he’s done wrong publicly. to elaborate, when I say “I’m amazed at how quickly fans have turned on Rip” I don’t mean that fans shouldn’t desire more on court. I’ve wanted dude moved since before he signed the extension after the Billups trade. What I mean by fans turning on him is how quick they are to blame him for this mess, and how they point at him for handling it poorly. Thus far, he’s complained that he’s not playing, but he hasn’t said anything negative about Kuester, Dumars or anyone else. He’s been more graceful than I would be, I tell you that. If I was in his shoes, I’d be farting curses and throwing chairs. Dude has handled himself with a lot of class in this situation, I have to admire that in him as much as I want his contract off of this roster." -Mike

There is no doubt Rip has handled the situation ok publicly, Mike. You are correct about his refusal to overtly express his feelings to the media. (However, he did offer his initial “disrespected” comments unsolicited.) My disappointment lies in his refusal to discuss his plight with his own coach or boss. It amuses me that he wouldn’t meet with Kue because he didn’t like who was sent to summon him. It all seems very immature and childish to me– by both sides. These are grown men and professionals that spend more time with each other than their own families– yet, they can’t sit down and talk for ten minutes? I certainly don’t hate Rip, in fact I’ve written extensively in my own blog about how much love I have for him. My comparison between Rip and Zeke was made to illustrate how ugly endings often leave the most lasting impact on public perception.

I’ll always remember Isiah’s glory days, his unbelievable talent and will. But, the image that will forever be seared into my consciousness is how the Pistons ship began to sink, the Bad Boys-era doomed to enter Davy Jones’ locker, and how its captain tried to take everyone down with him. Thomas alienated his owner (who viewed him as a son), his teammates (whom he had gone to war with countless times), and fans that were not of the casual variety. He seemed unwilling to help teach or develop younger players (I know, not his job, but imperative to the team’s transition, and frankly, a nice thing to do), caught up in the past and self-entitlement. Don’t you think it’s strange that Zeke retired unceremoniously and without much fanfare by the organization? It’s greatest player ever?

To me, there are some parallels here. Rip, for all his service and triumphs with Detroit, is burning a similar brand into my mind’s eye. He clearly wants no part of this rebuilding effort, and seems to only care about how he can be better served and not how he can better serve the team. All the b.s. about starting/not starting– who cares, you make millions upon millions to do what the club asks of you! Disrespect? Which part is more disrespectful, Rip, the part when they gave you a 3 yr/$30 + million extension, or when you were given countless opportunities to earn a spot in the starting lineup and then eventually the rotation even when you were clearly the worst option? Rip feels entitled due to past glories and cannot handle the truth that he has lost his mojo, and, whatever you say about it, has handled it like a baby. (Where is Rip, by the way? At home with the flu? For over a week???)

I don’t think he’s handled it gracefully, as you insist–not horribly, but certainly not gracefully. And I also question whether or not he has said anything negative about his coach, g.m., or organization publicly. Look, Rip is not Rasheed Wallace–he’s not going to hit you over the head with his opinions. He is, however, a master at shooting thinly-veiled darts through the media dating back to the Curry/Iverson fiasco. Class, to me, is not pouting about minutes or being removed from the rotation. Dignity is excepting your limitations and having respect for yourself and for your teammates. Like it or not, this ugly divorce will be the lasting memory many Pistons observers will have of one of our all-time greats.

And you’re absolutely right about all of this being based on hearsay. All of this is based on hearsay–even the Feldman/Langlois report. Everything that we cyber-commentators write is based on hearsay. None of us (except Langlois, in this case) are in that locker room, or on the team plane, or at practices or hotels with these guys. We can only form our opinions based on the limited and filtered information that trickles down to us. Every one of these comments is based on speculation– but that’s what makes it fun! We are the Sports Illustrated/ESPN equivalents to the People Magazine/TMZ crowd.

By Andy Fung
February 2, 2011

Burning Bridges

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 22:21:00 +0000

In response to a posting by Dan Feldman on the Piston Powered blog, in which he reports that Richard Hamilton has refused to speak to John Kuester or Joe Dumars:

Chauncey Billups recently said that Rip was "Pistons royalty". Correction, Chaunce: Rip could have been Pistons royalty. No one doubts that this is a difficult situation for a player to be in, but if Rip had handled it with an ounce of class or dignity-- like Chaunce did when he was actually traded-- his legacy as a franchise great would have been preserved. Instead, he has taken the route Isiah Thomas once did when he ended his run as a Piston. Zeke, if you remember, burned every bridge within the organization before bowing out, including publicly discussing private arrangements he had with Bill Davidson and breaking his hand while sucker-punching longtime teammate Bill Laimbeer. Thomas will forever be regarded as the greatest Piston ever, but sullied his image by allowing his childish persona to be the lasting image fans remember. Hamilton certainly has not reached the depths of his backcourt predecessor, but it appears he has resigned himself to turning his back to the organization and community that once prized him as a prince. Sad, sad, sad...

By Andy Fung
February 1, 2011

History Repeats Itself

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 22:26:00 +0000

It seems strange that two people sitting three
feet away from each other every single day
haven't spoken in weeks.

By Andy Fung
January 26, 2011

When John Kuester was hired to take over as Pistons head coach expectations were modest, but at least optimistic. Kuester was an assistant on the 2004 Championship team, he was a disciple of coaching legend Larry Brown, and he ran a very successful offense for Cleveland before landing his first head coaching gig. He had the pedigree and he had the experience. Perhaps he would follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Brown, and be more teacher than coach while Detroit tried to bridge the gap between one generation and the next. Well, as the Rip Hamilton saga rolls on, it has become increasingly clear that he may have much more in common with three other former Pistons coaches.

And what do Rick Carlisle, Flip Saunders, and Michael Curry all have in common?

They were all fired for reasons that had little to do with what was happening on the basketball court: People skills and communication.

Much like Kuester, Carlisle was an unheralded, but highly regarded, assistant when Joe Dumars hired him to help resurrect his struggling franchise. Carlisle was a great X's and O's coach, coached to the strengths of his team at the time, and emphasized a defense-first attitude. That led to two straight 50-win seasons, an Eastern Conference Finals, and a return to basketball relevancy for the red, white, and blue. What was his reward? He was fired. Why? Because he didn't treat people right. He coached his charges as if they were robots, and made no effort to get to know them on a personal level. Carlisle wouldn't even say hello to Palace personnel during his time in Motown. He lacked the people skills to make a good team great-- something that his replacement, Larry Brown, was a master at.

Saunders, who ironically is one of the club's most successful coaches, is probably one of the least liked in team history. He possesses, at .715, the team's top regular season winning percentage, led Detroit to three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, and was the architect of the smoothest Pistons offense that I can remember. So, how can a man so decorated be considered a failure by so many? Well, the most obvious reason to the public is that despite his many successes in both the regular season and postseason, he was never able to get to the BIG dance, the NBA Finals. In and around Detroit at that time, that was viewed as failure. But, what may be lost on the average basketball observer was Flip's lack of a backbone and communication skills. His first year in the Motor City was marked by his apparent disrespect towards Ben Wallace. Wallace, who was the emotional leader of the team, has never been blessed with any semblance of offensive skills. He was a defensive and rebounding wiz that did all of the dirty work. However, Brown, the coach Saunders replaced, was smart enough to run one or two plays a half for Wallace, just to keep the big man happy and interested. Saunders failed to see this, and never ran plays for his workhorse. In fact, Saunders often seemed frustrated with his offensively inept center seemingly ruining his well-oiled offensive system. Wallace was never shy about his own frustrations at not having a chance with the ball, eventually tuned out his coach, and promptly left for Chicago. Rasheed Wallace, who was never easy to please, very rarely saw eye to eye with his coach, would not participate in huddles, ignored his coach's instructions, and flat-out called Saunders the "worst bleeping coward" he'd ever seen.

Curry was, without a doubt, the worst of this personality-flawed bunch. When Curry was hired to replace Saunders, it was his rapport with the players that seemed to be his strength. He had zero head coaching experience and he had served only one year as an assistant, but he had been the president of the Players Association and had acted as a union rep for several seasons, as well. He was a smart and gritty player for the Pistons and other teams, and seemed to be well respected by players around the league. At the time he seemed like the anti-Saunders-- just what that veteren laden group needed. However, opinions changed quickly. Curry initially relied heavily on the leadership of Chauncey Billups. Billups was highly respected among his teammates, but unfortunately was also traded two games into the season. And with that, the wheels came off. Curry alienated both Pistons stalwart Rip Hamilton and newcomer Allen Iverson by seemingly pitting one against the other. Curry benched Hamilton in favor of Iverson with nary a word. He also allegedly promised Iverson he would never have to come off the bench, and reneged on that without explanation. Both players agreed that the nightmare season could have been a success if Curry had been better prepared and more straightforward with his team.

It is obvious that communication has been an attribute prized by the organization, which makes Kuester's recent behavior even more puzzling. He recently stated that he had "reached out" to Rip, but was rebuked. Hamilton claims that Kuester's version of reaching out was sending the head of team security to tell him that Kuester wanted to see him, a request that Rip admits turning down. This "overture" to use Kuester's word, was allegedly made on January 22, or exactly 10 days after Rip had been benched. I have never been in an NBA locker room, and I don't pretend to know what goes on in the day-to-day life of an NBA team, but to not speak to a player in over a week seems a bit strange-- to send a third party to request a meeting seems even stranger. It appears as if Kuester is destined-- and content-- with following in the footsteps of his predecessors, and doomed to repeat the mistakes that he should have learned from.

The Best Laid Plans...

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:16:00 +0000

We're all waiting for
the other shoe to drop.

By Andy Fung
January 20, 2011

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." - Robert Burns

Well, there goes that idea! It appears that the proposed three-team deal that would have sent Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey is dead, and so too are the chances that the Pistons will shed Richard "Rip" Hamilton, his disgruntled disposition, and his outrageous contract. It appears that for the foreseeable future, Detroit and Hamilton are stuck with each other.

I wanted to write that that is not entirely a bad thing, but who am I kidding? It's a terrible thing. Terrible with raisins in it, to quote Dorothy Parker. No matter how many different scenarios I imagine unfolding, there is simply no happy ending to this fairy tale-- except for, of course, Rip being traded asap.

And therein lies the problem. With two years and roughly $25 million still owed to the Pistons legend (and he is a franchise legend), Detroit is going to find it extremely difficult to move him this season. No team in this year of collective bargaining purgatory is going to take on his unreasonable contract-- certainly not in exchange for salary cap relief, as the Nets were offering. That ship, unfortunately for Pistons fans, and I suppose for the NJ faithful, has sailed.

New Jersey, in their desperate attempt to acquire Anthony, had simply succumbed to agent Leon Rose's demands that Anthony be united with Hamilton. Rose, predictably, represents both of these wayward players. The Nets, with their obvious crush on Melo, were willing to take on Rip's contract if it meant they would land the unhappy Nugget. The major stipulation was that he would agree to an extension before the trade was consummated, and the best way to coax a financial decision like that was to appeal to the player's agent. There had been reports that Carmelo himself required a union with Hamilton to make a deal work, but I don't really buy it. He strikes me as someone who doesn't really care who he's playing with, as long as he gets his 25 to 30 shots a night. Maybe he thought, with Rip shooting at basically a career-low clip, that would mean more shots for himself. But, no, this was clearly New Jersey's way of appeasing the most influential person--from a business standpoint-- in Carmelo's life. Rose, in his defense, was/is trying to do the best thing for his clients: Rip clearly wants out of his current situation, and Melo-- well, I think we know what he wants.

And that brings me back to what Pistons fans really care about, and that is the future of Richard Hamilton. It will be almost impossible to trade him now that he has been benched in what has been his worst statistical and emotional season in Detroit. Nobody is looking for an aging two-guard with near career-low numbers, a salary cap killing contract, and enough baggage to make Diana Ross blush. Nobody. Not a contendor, such as Chicago, who is one playoff veteren away from really making some noise, and not a team rebuilding, such as Cleveland, looking for a semi-marquee name to keep fans interested. Taking on Hamilton at this point would be financially crippling to any team.

Next year is a different story, however. Assuming the Player's Association and the League iron out a new CBA, there may be several teams looking for a player near the last year of his contract that would equal the savings Rip's contract will when it finally does expire. Two seasons from now, when Rip is actually in the final year of his deal, Detroit will be fighting back teams with a stick. But that leaves the little detail of what happens until that time. Rip, who many think was benched to avoid an injury that would negate the potential deal, is not going to forget what has transpired. Pistons coach John Kuester, who insisted his benching was a rotation decision, will be caught in a catch-22: If he plays Rip, he's a liar, and if he continues to bench him, he's a villain.

We've heard a lot from Hamilton and we've heard a little from Kuester, but we haven't heard anything from Pistons president Joe Dumars, who happens to be at the controls of this runaway train. I don't blame him! Dumars has made his bed, and now he must lay in it. It was his decision to give Rip that insane extension the same day he traded the player he probably should've kept, Chauncey Billups. I understand his thinking: Hamilton, whose game is predicated on conditioning and a tight half-court set, would continue to produce while the bridge from one era to another was constructed, and at the same time he would reward his franchise's all-time leading playoff scorer with a rich contract. It seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, but what is that expression about 'the best laid plans'?

Pistons Never Needed the Melodrama

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Fung) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 01:05:00 +0000

The drama that played out in Athens would have been
10-fold if Carmelo Anthony and Larry Brown had been
united in Detroit.

By Andy Fung
January 19, 2011

Unless you have spent the last six months living in a cave, then surely you are aware that Nuggets "star" forward Carmelo Anthony wants out of Denver. It has been almost impossible to avoid the constant rumors and daily reports that have bombarded basketball fans relentlessly since the end of last season. I had done my best to ignore the speculation and hearsay up until the latest rumor that revealed the Pistons involvement in a potential three team trade that would send Melo to New Jersey.

There are certainly a lot of interesting subplots surrounding this alleged agreement (reports indicate that the three teams involved-- the Nets, Nuggets, and Pistons-- have agreed in principle and are simply waiting for Carmelo's blessing). Among them: Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton, longtime teammates in Detroit, would be reunited in New Jersey, Billups would be callously dealt by his hometown team, Rip would be discarded by the team for which he is the all-time leading playoff scorer, and, of course, Melo would return to his "roots" in, eventually, Brooklyn. (By the way, am I the only one who thinks it's weird that he refers to New York as his hometown when in fact he left Brooklyn--not New York City-- when he was eight years old, and then spent his formative years in Baltimore? I'm just saying...) But, the most intriguing of all the subplots that swirl around this possible deal is the fact that Detroit could have drafted Melo in the 2003 draft, and instead is now, almost eight years later, a key facilitator in his possible move back to the East coast.

The Pistons have come under a lot of fire for passing up Anthony with the second overall pick in the aforementioned draft to select Darko Milicic. That fire has burned even brighter since the Pistons, who are simply dumping salary when they eventually dump Rip, have become linked to the anticipated trade involving ~~Brooklyn's~~ Baltimore's finest. The basic sentiment being that we should be in control of Carmelo's future rather than being a mere patsy in this proposed deal. Look, I, as many Pistons fans have, absolutely abhorred the drafting of Milicic, but the simple truth of it is we would be sitting exactly where Nuggets fans are now-- only we probably would have taken our seats three years earlier. Let me explain...

Let's rewind back to that fateful summer in 2003 when the Pistons had just lost to, ironically, the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals, but had the luxury of owning the Grizzlies' first round pick due to an Otis Thorpe trade made back in 1998. That trade was finally consummated during the draft lottery of 2003 when it was the Grizzlies logo that turned up as the lucky team that drafted second (if it had been first, Memphis would have retained the pick--sorry Lebron fans). I remember running into work that day singing "Mellow Yellow" to anyone that would listen, as the thought of Carmelo Anthony, fresh off of an NCAA title with Syracuse, donning the Pistons' red, white, and blue danced through my head. I was, like everyone else except Joe Dumars, expecting the Pistons to add the high-scoring forward to a team that was already on the verge of the NBA Finals. Half a dozen Championship trophies had successfully paraded across my mind when something funny happened on the way to the draft in June: Dumars fell in love with a 7-foot Serbian who was 17 and a bench warmer for his European club. What?!

Ok, ok, we won't relive the painful details any longer, although we did end up capturing the 2004 crown, which I suppose trumps anything else that may or may not have happened. But Darko only lasted two and half seasons in Motown, and Carmelo was lighting up the scoreboards in the Mile High City, which only fueled the cantankerous mood of Pistons fans as their team lost year after year in the Eastern Conference Finals. But consider Detroit's coach at the time. Larry Brown, who loathes young players almost as much as Melo apparently loathes Denver, was at the Pistons' helm. We need only look to the 2004 Athens Olympics to catch a glimpse of how LB and Carmelo would have gotten along. Larry benched him, along with Lebron James, due to his apparent refusal to adapt to a team-oriented concept and, frankly, his refusal to be coached. Now imagine Melo, clad in Pistons' colors, sulking on the bench as he backed up Tayshaun Prince, and --gasp-- had to actually earn playing time. No matter how I spin it in my mind, the Larry Brown-Carmelo Anthony marriage almost certainly would have ended in divorce. If you think things would have improved under Flip Saunders, then I implore you to find Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace and ask them what they thought of the man who replaced Brown.

The simple truth, Pistons fans, is that Anthony never would have resigned with Detroit after his rookie contract expired, and I think that is evident with the melodrama playing out everyday now in Colorado. Yes, he signed a three-year extension with Denver, but that was done under presumably bad advice from his former agent, and after four years of being treated like a god by the Nuggets. In Denver, Melo had the opportunity to join a struggling team, be handed the keys to the franchise, jack up 25 shots a night, and generally do whatever he wanted. He almost certainly would not have been afforded the same treatment on the veteren Pistons who were competing annually for a title. He would have pouted, demanded a trade, or simply bolted at the first opportunity. Do you think the Pistons of the 2000s really needed that poisonous element?

Those teams were built on unselfishness and hard work. Sure, there were flare-ups and egos definitely clashed, but for the most part everybody played for the team and not themselves. With what has transpired throughout the past few months, I cannot confidently state that about Carmelo Anthony. Simply put, he plays for himself. He refused to sign another extension with Denver last summer, and then publicly pined for the Knicks. Then he proceeded to answer every question about the situation, including speaking openly about playing for other teams and his possible plans if he hits free agency. This was followed by rumor after rumor, which has culminated with the reported New Jersey/Detroit deal, and his public comments regarding it. After which, he claimed regret over Billups's name being dragged into trade talks, only to promptly follow that up with an exclusive interview with ESPN, in which he gushed about how playing in NYC would be a dream come true. Did I mention he is still under contract with the Denver Nuggets? Did I mention that he has 14 teammates that have to deal with the unending questions about their teammate's future? Did I happen to mention that Denver is coming off of three straight 50-win seasons and had championship aspirations coming into this campaign? Carmelo is a joke-- a living parody of the modern athlete, and we as Pistons fans should consider ourselves fortunate that Joe Dumars crushed so hard on Darko Milicic, thus sparing us the pain and disappointment Nuggets fans are assuredly experiencing right about now.

Whew...if you want to climb back into that cave, I totally understand...

Look at the Pistons draft options

noreply@blogger.com (John Stroba) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:35:00 +0000

June 24, 2010

John Stroba-Writer

It is only 18 hours or so from the NBA Draft, and this draft is absolutely critical for the Pistons in their rebuilding/reloading efforts. The Final Mock Drafts are up now and it is time to take a look at the different possibilities out there for the Pistons should the draft fall a certain way.

nbadraft.net: John Wall/Evan Turner/Wesley Johnson/Derrick Favors/DeMarcus Cousins/Ekpe Udoh

This would not be too bad for the Pistons. Greg Monroe would be the very likely selection here. Monroe is a very good passer and can operate out of the high post which does unclog the lane for the Pistons to slash to the basket. It would also pull out the starting C most times and most centers are not comfortable defending in the high post. At times he can be passive though, and that is something that other Pistons (Tayshaun Prince comes to mind) can struggle with. Like most college players, Monroe is not ready defensively for the NBA.

draftexpress.com: John Wall/Evan Turner/Derrick Favors/Wesley Johnson/DeMarcus Cousins/Greg Monroe

This is one of the worst possibilities that the Pistons face. All indications do indicate that Dumars would probably select Ed Davis here if he decides to keep the pick. Davis is a bit of a project. He does bring a lot of good defensive qualities with him, but his offensive game is hamburger meat raw. He does have a very nice Basketball IQ along with a great wingspan those are things Dumars is known to covet.

Yahoo: John Wall/Evan Turner/Derrick Favors/Wesley Johnson/Greg Monroe/Epke Udoh

A lot of Pistons fans would be popping corks and kissing their ex-wives if the draft does go down like this. There is no doubt that Dumars would draft DeMarcus Cousins at this spot. Cousins can come in and give balance to the Pistons offense. There is very little doubt that he can score and is a very good low post scorer. That is something that Dumars absolutely knows that his jump shooting team needs, and that is why Carlos Boozer was going to be in Detroit until Karen Davidson nixes that deal. Cousins does have some questions around him though. Such as his weight, although reports keep talking about how he is losing weight and fat though he still does have a ways to go. Cousins brings a serious passion to the game and that is something that the Pistons do lack at times. He could be really special.

Chad Ford/Bill Simmons: John Wall(Ford)/Evan Turner(Simmons)/Derrick Favors/DeMarcus Cousins/Greg Monroe/Wes Johnson

ugh. If the draft goes this way, I think Dumars is on the phone talking to Minnesota about Al Jefferson the 16 and 23 in this draft. That would be a very nice haul for the Pistons. If they stay here though it is probably Ed Davis though.

Breaking down the Pistons

noreply@blogger.com (John Stroba) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:03:00 +0000

June 11, 2010

John Stroba- Writer

The Pistons do have a lot of options heading into the offseason, their worst contract belongs to Rip Hamilton (3 years left around 38 million) and even that could be unloaded this season. To do that some teams are going to have to swing and miss for the cream of this year's FA crop, but that is certainly possible. Before the draft takes place in a couple weeks, it is a good idea to look at everyone still under contract (and Ben Wallace) and see what their future might hold for them.

Rodney Stuckey G: No other way to put it, Stuckey did have a very bad year last year. He does not much range beyond the arc (.228 from deep last year). While his scoring did increase (3 points in 3 more minutes per game last year), his field percentage was a very bad .405 overall. He did not take that next step to be a 6-7 assist guy last year either putting up only 4.8 dimes. His turnovers stayed the same though. Stuckey did go to the line a lot more (nearly 5 times a game) last year. While he does not have much range on his outside shot, he does have a pretty good mid range game. Not like Rip Hamilton's but it is solid enough. Dumar did make a point about Stuckey having 3 different coaches in 3 years, and to a degree I will buy that does stunt some of his growth. The reality is that Stuckey and Rip Hamilton just cannot coexist in the same starting lineup. They duplicate too many of the same skills. Stuckey could be dealt, but Dumars surely would prefer moving Rip Hamilton instead. More than likely Stuckey is going to be the starting point for the Pistons next year.

Tayshaun Prince SF: I think that Dumars would really prefer keeping Prince if he does have a choice between him and Rip. Prince is still a glue guy, solid defender though not what he once was and good enough scorer with a nice touch on the deep shot. He also does have an expiring contract that is going to make him very attractive to a lot of teams that miss out in FA. There are also options in Austin Daye, Jonas Jerebko and a possible draft pick would (in theory) make Prince's loss easier to take. If Dumars wants to clear house, I think Prince could very easily be moved on draft night for like the Clippers #8 pick. Of course, I think that deal only comes if they move up in the draft to grab Favors.

Rip Hamilton SG: I like Rip and what he brings to the table. However, it is time for Hamilton to go. He just does not mesh well with this group at all. The Pistons are committing to Stuckey as their starting point, and Hamilton just duplicates too many of those same skills. Now moving Rip is easier said than done, because he does have 3 years remaining on a contract that is pretty big (almost 38 million), so that contract is not going to get much back but a bad contract in return. Even with that being the case if the Pistons could bring someone in that can play down low (like Elton Brand), their roster would be much better balanced. And in the long run be better for them. With Rip gone then, Ben Gordon can move into the starting lineup and all of a sudden there is a major deep threat. In addition, to a high level scorer that can win games himself just by scoring. Making it harder to move Rip is the fact that he is coming off a season marred with injuries and career low in shooting percentage (.409), worst 3ball in 6 years (.297). It is going to take a coach that really does love what he brings to the table (Doug Collins in Philly fits that category) to make a deal for him.

Ben Wallace C: Ben does show that last year he still does have something left in the tank. He is a Free Agent, and Dumars wants him back. The question is Ben going to be retiring. Dumars recently said that Ben and Charlie V. have been in the gym the most this offseason. So it sounds like Ben is going to be coming back. If/When he does come back, it is still not clear what his role is going to be. Dumars says he wants a tough team out there on the court and Ben is certainly that. Ideally though, the Pistons would be like Ben to come off the bench. While still a very good rebounder and solid defender, Wallace is not the player he once was and shaving a few minutes off his average would not be a bad thing at all.

Jonas Jerebko F: Jerebko is one of the few bright lights in a rather dismal Pistons season last year. He hustles after everything which makes him a fan favorite. Probably not big enough to be 4 full time. He does have a decent enogh shot(.481) that does have a bit range on (.313 beyond the arc). If Prince gets dealt then he will be in the mix for a starting 3 spot (depending on what Detroit does in FA). However, those hustle qualities (and his small contract) make an attractive trade piece, and Jerebko could be traded if it brings in a much bigger piece for the Pistons.

Ben Gordon SG: A very down year for Gordon, he never seemed to get over that early season ankle injury. And as a result of not starting and injuries proceeded to go on to worst year as a pro. Make no mistake though this guy is the starting 2 guard for the Pistons (maybe as soon as this season), because Gordon can really light it up when he gets the minutes (21.1 ppg in 17 starts). Not the defender that Rip Hamilton is, but a much more explosive scorer with excellent range on his shot. At this point that is what the Pistons really need. Not going to be dealt this offseason. Probably the starting 2 guard next year.

Will Bynum PG: It is not saying much, but probably the best pure point on the Pistons roster these days. He can score a good bit. Decent enough but not a great playmaker. He is small and can be taken advantage of on the defensive end. A free agent, but probably back with the Pistons if he does have a small contract for depth reasons.

Charlie Villanueva F: Without a doubt a very bad season that Charlie V. is turning during his first year in Detroit. He can stretch defenses with the 3 ball when it is working, but he really needs a guy down low that can score to play off of. He does not bring great defense or rebounding to the floor, so if he is not hitting then there is little else there. Not going to be traded this offseason, but he really needs to show something next year.

Jason Maxiell PF: Maxiell is what he is at this point. He rebounds pretty well (especially on the offensive glass) and can make the spectacular dunk. He is very aggressive and a beast in the paint. However, due to being undersized he struggles defending players that have good length. His contract is solid though not a bargain (5 million per the next 2 years and a player option at 5 as well), and its mid size could be used if Dumars is making a trade. Maxiell is probably back in Detroit though how big and what his role off the bench is yet to be seen.

Austin Daye F: He is a project but does show some flashes throughout last season. Too slight to be playing the 4 on a consistent basis. Does have some range on his shot and is a good and willing passer too. Should Prince get dealt then he is going to be competing with Jerebko for the starting 3 spot.

Pistons offseason preview

noreply@blogger.com (John Stroba) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:49:00 +0000

June 9, 2010

John Stroba- Writer

In arguably the worst season under Joe Dumars watch, the Pistons are going into the offseason looking to get tougher and refind their identity. To be fair though, this mess during the season is not what he did envision. Recent talk from guys like Drew Sharp and Matt Shepard on WDFN are saying that Karen Davidson, Bill Davidson's widow, is that Davidson did nix part of the Dumars plan last offseason.

The plan did look like this. Utah and Detroit did have an agreement for a trade to take place after last year's Free Agency. Detroit would deal SG Rip Hamilton to Utah for PF Carlos Boozer. That would give the Jazz a shooting guard they really needed and a very good player for Boozer who they are definitely going to lose for nothing this offseason. The Pistons would get a very good inside player that would put up a consistent 20/10 for them. In addition, the inside scoring would make Ben Gordon (who would move into the starting lineup) and Charlie Villanueva much more effective players. Villanueva would get a bigger boost because he cannot create his own shot like Gordon can. If the Pistons decide that Boozer is not going to work out for them, then they would not resign him and his huge contract would come off the books at the end of the season.

Karen Davidson, supposedly, did let the Gordon and Villanueva signings happen, but then does nix the Rip/Boozer deal. The best guess is that is because she is afraid of paying a guy like Boozer a long term deal. Dumars does not have a recourse after the nix happens and what fans got is that mess this year. Given Karen Davidson's inability to run the Pistons on what looks to be anything but the cheap, that casts doubt over what Dumars can do this summer. An opportunity does exist for the last bits of the Championship team to be moved this offseason. One thing is clear though that at least one of Rip Hamilton/ Tayshaun Prince needs to be moved this offseason.

The obivous deal would be talking with the 76ers about Elton Brand and their #2 overall pick. 76ers Head Coach Doug Collins is a big Rip Hamilton fan and Rip is from Philly. Elton Brand is not the player that he once was before the injuries, but he is still a solid inside scoring/rebounding presence. Even, if Dumars does want Brand will Davidson sign off on a large contract that does have 2 years on it after next season? If Davidson does tighten the purse strings, then look for the Pistons to stay at #7 and be very dull in the offseason this year. However, let us assume that she does let Dumars do what he think is the best for the team. I could see the following trade happening for the Pistons.

Rip Hamilton, Chris Wilcox and the #7 draft pick to the 76ers for Elton Brand and the #2 pick

The 76ers know they are going to be very lucky to find a taker for Brand's contract, and that is why they are willing to package the #2 along with it. While Rip does not get them much in the way of cap relief they do get some in the form of Wilcox and they move down 5 spots in this draft, still very much able to get a quality player at that point.

With the #2 pick, the Pistons would take Derrick Favors a one and done player from Georgia Tech. Favors is a very good shotblocker, rebounder and defender. His athletic skills are very good as well, and he should be capable of playing the 5 spot sooner than later given his body type. Now the Pistons would have a couple tough down low players and one in Favors that some compare to a pre-injury Antonio McDyess as the best case possibility. Those that remember McDyess back then it makes the mouth salivate.

The next move that I could see the Pistons making is one that no one seems to be talking about, but it makes a lot of sense for both teams. Sitting at the #8 spot are the LA Clippers. The Clippers do have a lot of cap space (only 33 million dollars against the cap), but let us be honest here the chances of the Clippers landing one of the top Free Agents this offseason is only slightly greater than Oprah staying thin. It remains to be seen if the Clippers do see it that way. However, if they are willing to step back in FA this season and get a starter at the 3 then this deal might work.

Tayshaun Prince to the LA Clippers for the #8 overall pick.

While Tayshaun does say that he wants to stay in Detroit (and there is no reason to doubt that statement), going home to play(Prince is from Compton) is a nice consolation prize. And he does have an expiring contract as well, which makes teams covet him even more. The Clippers would be getting a starting SF as well giving them a little over 11.3 million to entice some more players to come and fill out their rotation. It is hard to believe that the Clippers are going to drafting someone at #8 that is going to have a large impact on FA decisions, and with so many teams having a lot of cap and not a lot creme FAs out there Prince might be a very nice investment.

Now, the question that remains (well besides if Davidson would go for any of this) is who would the Pistons be looking at with the #8 overall pick after getting Brand and Favors. Would Dumars be happy with a rotation of Favors, Brand, Maxiell, Villanueva and maybe Ben Wallace (if he comes back) down low. Villanueva could see some time at the 3 next year as well. If Ben does not come back then the Pistons might look for some more toughness and a defensive presence with Cole Aldrich. The other added benefit getting Aldrich is that now there is some nice depth down low, and it is a long time since Detroit fans could say that. It also opens some minutes at the 3 for Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye to fight it out in preseason. Again that depends on what Dumars thinks of those two. He could go out in FA and grab at 3 at the MLE.

At the #36 pick, Detroit should go BPA and let those chips fall where they may.

Piston Free Agents

The Pistons do have several FAs that they do have to make decisions on some of those are easier than others. It is hard to see the Pistons wanting Chucky Atkins or Kwame Brown back at all. That leaves Ben Wallace and Will Bynum. Indications are that Dumars does want Big Ben to come back for another year, and if Ben does not retire he will be coming back to the Pistons though it might be in a much more reduced role.

Will Bynum is an interesting case though. An ankle injury really does seem to impact his defense this year. Offensively he is a pretty good point though he does not have great range on his shot. Free Agency does not seem to have a great crop of points this time around. If the numbers are right I can see Bynum coming back, but almost certainly there will be another point signed to compete with him.

Time for change?

noreply@blogger.com (TigzFan4Life) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:34:00 +0000

By: Channing Cummins

Where do we start?

Tuesday: The Pistons were routed by the Knicks 104-87, giving them their 8th straight loss. Both teams entered the matchup at 11-19, 10th in the conference. Knicks' David Lee led all players with 30 pts and 12 rebs. Wilson Chandler's 23 pts and 9 rebs along with Lee's strong performance provided the Knicks with the formula for an easy win.

The Pistons on the other hand shot a weak 42% from the field. Gordon's 17 pts lead the team and not one player had double digit rebounds. So what's the problem? Poor offense, lack of defense and loss of heart. The team also lacks the most important ingredient of all, chemistry. You would think with a seven game lossing streak and your hometown crowd,the team would lay it all on the line for a win. It didn't seem like that's what we got Tuesday. Kwame Brown was the only Piston that didn't see the floor last night, Daye's 9 minutes was the least any other player had received.

There seems to be no formula for a win now in Detroit and we're left to sit here and draw up conclusions. What is the problem? Why don't we look like a winning team anymore? Where is that "Bad Boy" spirit that we are known for, something that we've gone out and earned? My conclusion, it's time for change.

I'm tired of watching the team struggle for wins and give us no hope each and every night. It's not fun to watch our team give up 104 pts to the KNICKS or put up a total of 64 pts against the Raptors at home. I understand the team has been hurt and that will always hurt your team. However, I don't think healthy players will solve much of anything for us. Tayshaun Prince had 2 pts and 3 rebs last night in, count em, 25 minutes. Our best players of late have been 35 year old Ben Wallace and 22 year old Jonas Jerebko? WHO? Yep J.J. himself in the living flesh. We do have names like Ben Gordon, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Charlie Villanueva, Rodeny Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince. Can I see one of them go for 40 one night? I'll even take a triple double or a night full of blocks. Right now, I won't even mind if they win, I just want a reason to keep watching.

CHANGE is all I want. It might be time to deal Rip or Tay, I'm sorry. We don't have that team anymore and I'm ready to let go. They have value and I feel the time is NOW, more than ever. In return I don't ask for too much, just a starting big man. How about a center? Yep, one that can go out there every single night and provide defense, rebounds and some points. It doesn't have to be a big name, just a reliable center.

Lets let Ben Gordon start one game and launch 40 shots at the net. I just want to see what can happen? He might struggle and manage 25 points, but he MIGHT even get 40-50. He just might... Since we can't play defense right now why not play some more fast paced basketball. I know it's not the solution and will never happen, so calm down. I just want a night where we do score 120 points and it's a high octane battle. Launch a hefty amount of three pointers, get some offensive boards and fire again. It will be fun to watch and it might boost some confidence into our players. A night like any of these might give us a spark, something we desperately need.

My answer is change and I want it. Until then lets continue to watch and see what happens. Glancing at our schedule I would recommend that no one holds their breath. There doesn't seem to be much hope for a turn around so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Hard, fast, and under control

noreply@blogger.com (The Mythic Group) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:51:00 +0000

by Ron Marshall

Sometimes the sizzle is the steak. Sometimes the style is the substance. As we slowly uncover the identity of this Pistons team, it's undeniable; they have style.

Despite the evidence of their travails and growing pains, it's a winning style. This week, the Pistons have endured two tough losses, one to a Rockets team that seems to consistently overachieve, the other to a Hornets team that ... doesn't. But the unifying factor is the sense that Detroit was simply overwhelmed, just sunk by making small errors that compound quickly when more than half of your team salary is unable to take the court due to injury. Of course, the Yao-less Houston Rockets have no reason to weep for you, but the facts are what they are: the Pistons need all of their guys to be able to beat any given team on any given night.

But, if the Piston's have all of their guys, they can likely beat any given team on any given night. With nice wins against Orlando, Atlanta, and Denver, they've shown that this team can show up and secure a W even when a combination of Will Bynum, Ben Gordon, Tayshaun Prince, and Rip Hamilton are absent.

How? Call it grit. Call it hustle. Call it that Piston's DNA that has a habit of repeating itself:

Whatever it is, this squad has it. Whether it's JJ playing three, four, five, or six positions a night (dy-no-MITE!), Rip coming back to play his first game in a month-and-a-half before he even had a chance to practice, or Bynum definitely eating his vitamins, these Pistons just seem to want it.

Even as they sort out their various health and personnel issues, they've played hard; they're fourth in the NBA in rebound differential per game and ninth in steal differential per game, regularly outhustling their opponents (despite the difficiencies in their lineup) with general team quickness and the strength of Ben Wallace. Like any good Pistons squad, they play D; they are fifth in the Association in opponent's points per game. It's a testament to Coach Kue that they are seventh in not turning the ball over despite their loose style. Discipline and defense are qualities that harken back to the Play the Right Way days of Pound-for-Pound Larry Brown, and though that style may grate on players in the long run, the Pistons could use some LBs. Especially Austin.

Are they world beaters yet? New Orleans just called to tell us no -- then David West scored again. But, they are on the hustle. Can we at least appreciate them for that?

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Ron Marshall is a freelance sports writer, blogger, entrepreneur, and fan of all things Detroit. He one day hopes to buy the Detroit Lions and guide them to their first Super Bowl. Until then, you can find him here and at fanchamp.net. You may contact him at ron@mythicgroup.com or www.facebook.com/ronmarshall.

Game recap...12/15

noreply@blogger.com (TigzFan4Life) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:34:00 +0000

By: Channing Cummins

On Tuesday night the Pistons put their five game winning streak on the line against the Houston Rockets. The streak would end in Houston as the Pistons fell to the Rockets 107-96. Poor shooting along with mediocre defense lead to a disappointing loss.

The story of the night was the return of Tracy McGrady, who was considered doubtful coming into the game. McGrady made his first appearance since Feb. 9, 2009 after suffering a microfracture on his left knee. He didn't have too much of an impact however, only playing a mere eight minutes and providing 3 points. The Rockets were also missing their second leading scorer, Trevor Ariza, who is serving his one game suspension. Ariza's suspension was handed down after elbowing Toronto's DeMar DeRozan.

The Rockets didn't seem to care as they held the mometum for most of the game. Aaron Brooks provided a strong performance with 23 points and 10 assists. Brooks provided a much needed boost for the entire game. Luis Scola also provided 23 points along with his 8 rebounds. Rookie Chase Budinger, Ariza's replacement, also had a key role in the Rockets win with his 16 points and 12 rebounds. This was Budinger's first career start and proved to be a memorable one.

The Pistons were lead by Richard Hamilton's 21 points, 17 of which came in the first half. Early on Rip seemed to be on pace for a huge night. He was shooting from virtually everywhere and the ball was dropping. The second half proved to be a different story for Rip, only managing to score 4 additional points. Poor 3 point shooting also lent a hand in the Pistons loss, with the team shooting 4-21 beyond the arc. A bright spot for the Pistons was their offensive rebounding, who are currently rank second in the league. Ben Wallace provided 5 of the teams 17 offensive boards. Wallace is currently 4th in the league when it comes to offensive rebounds, averaging 4.2 per game. Last week's Eastern Conference player of the week, Rodney Stuckey, managed to provide 17 points along with 5 assists.

When it came down to it, it was the Piston's lack of defense that lead to the loss. The Rockets were able to shoot over 54% from the field and the entire team seemed able to score. A majority of their baskets were from the paint and seemed to come with relative ease. The guards got to the basket without much contest and the bigs seemed to own the rim.

With the injuries to Bynum, Gordon and Prince the Pistons need to strive on defense if they plan to win many games. Currently sitting at 11-13 the team can not afford to lose many more games without providing wins in between. In order to do this they will need strong performances from their stars and more effort as a team on D. The Pistons look to bounce back Wednesday as they take on the New Orleans Hornets who currently sit 10th in the West with a 10-13 record.

Time for the Pistons to Complete the Circle of Life

noreply@blogger.com (The Mythic Group) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:02:00 +0000

By Ron Marshall
Pistons Columnist
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It was fun while it lasted.

Looking at today's Pistons squad, admiring their tenacity and grit as they go into games missing as many as four of their top seven players, one is tempted to think, "It was a good run," all the time realizing that it'll never be the same. And it was. And it won't be.

Gone are the days of the Mr. Big Shot taking playoff games into overtime, of 'Sheed popping for three, dancing, and hoisting a belt in triumph। Gone are the 19-footers from Antonio McDyess, baffling big men trying to guard him. Gone is Darko, the Human Victory Cigar.

Gone should be Tayshaun Prince and Richard "Rip" Hamilton.

And that isn't because they aren't the players they once were; on the contrary, Tayshaun has many productive years ahead of him barring injury, and Rip is still an impact player when healthy. The truth, however, is that they no longer have places as Pistons. The world has moved on, and it's time for yesterday's gunslingers to do the same. In order for the Pistons to be renewed, they must start anew.

Of course, it all started with the 'fro. More accurately, it started with Ben Wallace (alternating between the braids and the afro that would come to symbolize his dominating defensive prowess) and Chucky Atkins coming to the Pistons in the sign-and-trade deal for Grant Hill. Through that trial by fire, second-year front office executive Joe Dumars oversaw the phoenix-like emergence of the a new Pistons team from the flames. Forged by the Hammertime Bad Boys ideal that defense wins championships, they evolved into a versatile, D-driven juggernaut, becoming the first NBA team to go to six consecutive conference finals since the Showtime Lakers of the '80s. Though often lauded for achieving so much (including an NBA championship) without a "superstar", they boasted several All-Stars and made their presence felt again and again against more heralded opponents. It was truly a golden age of teamwork and Goin' to Work.

Now, those days are done. The team that set records for consecutive sellouts now plays before thousands of empty Palace seats. Chauncey has gone home, Rasheed and McDyess have both gone to the enemy (Boston and San Antonio, respectively), and Darko ... well, Darko will likely spend next year in Europe. But, Tayshaun and Rip still linger, currently injured but practicing, largely non-participants in the evolution that the team now undergoes. When they do come back, and they show that they are still valuable, effective NBA players, the time for tough decisions arises. When they prove to the league their trade value still remains, it's time for them to go. It's time for Joe to cement the team's transition and not look back.

Why? Again, they can still be effective players, put the time for players who have already reached their potential has passed for this team, at least for players with those two multi-year, many-million-dollar contracts. Tayshaun and Rip will make more than $21 million this season combined. The combined salaries of the entire team total a bit less than $60 million this year. One-third of the salary cap is too much to pay for two players who won't be around for your team's next championship run. Better to cash in those two particular chips and continue the process begun by the signings of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Get some draft picks and young players that can produce a bit now and more in a future that looks to be coming soon for this team.

After all, that's how we got here.

And where is "here" for today's Pistons? A combo guard that reminds some of a certain Miami Heat combo guard that Detroit passed over in the 2003 draft. A scrappy Swedish pro willing to take on whatever challenges, and positions, are put before him. Two young veteran players from division rivals able to contribute whether they start or come off the bench. A first-time head coach who learned lessons from Larry the last time Detroit fought for a Finals. A legacy to live up to, one that new players coming in must emulate and respect. And a rejuvenated Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins, helping these brave new Boys go to work.

Now, it's getting fun again.
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Ron Marshall is a freelance sports writer, blogger, entrepreneur, and fan of all things Detroit. He one day hopes to buy the Detroit Lions and guide them to their first Super Bowl. Until then, you can find him here and at fanchamp.net. You may contact him at ron@mythicgroup.com or www.facebook.com/ronmarshall.