Thanks to everyone for being patient while Need4Sheed was experiencing technical difficulties. You may see me tweak the layout a bit, but for the most part the move from blogger is behind me. Thus the very lengthy Around The Way for the week or so I wasn’t able to update you

• Amir will start in Miami on Sunday night when The Pistons kick off the pre-season. This one isn’t broadcast but you can listen to it live at NBA.com.
• The Shock up 2-0 in the WNBA Finals.
• The D is back.
• Rasheed Wallace had a few things to say about …Flip to WDFN’S Stoney and Wojo. (Audio)
• Observations from open practice.
• Detroit hopes Tayshaun will Dominate.
• Walter Herrmann shined.
• Great interview with Matt of DBB over at Empty The Bench about all things Detroit Pistons.
• PistonNationBlog interviews Will Bynum.
• Empty The Bench also asked me a few questions about Detroit, Sheed and the website.
• Some have asked me to go into a little more detail about the background behind the site, well Patrick Hayes of the Flint Journal made sure you found out a bit more in his interview with me.
• ESPN’S John Hollinger’s Pistons forecast: “Biggest Weakness: Star power”
• Rip bashes Flip.
• Michael Curry doesn’t like it when you say he’s inexperienced.
• Pistons add Alex Acker to the roster.
  Joe Dumars talks to The World According to TD (a Cleveland sports bog).
• One of my fellow bloggers, Ryan from HoopsAddict is trying out for the D League. Can’t wait to see how he does.
• Katlin Urka the General Manager of WOLV-TV in Ann Arbor interviews Kwame Brown on media day as well as Chauncey Billups and Arron Afflalo. Walter Sharp wanted and edit and didn’t get it.

This post is courtesy of a member of Team Need4Sheed as a Need4Sheed Guest Writer.

In JOE D. WE SHOULD TRUST
By Rashid S. Umar
Pistonfan1@yahoo.com

Piston fans are angry, and most importantly Joe Dumars is angry and that’s a good thing. After another half-hearted performance which, led to another premature exit in the Eastern Conference Finals, the “prez” has decided he’d seen enough.

After announcing that the team had relieved Flip Saunders of his coaching duties, Joe D. made it clear that he was open to making more then a few tweaks going into next season. And after losing conference finals for the third straight year who could blame him, he should look rid the team of any elements detrimental to the “Hardwork” mantra that is was once famous for.

But giving some of his past transactions (drafting Darko, hiring Flip Saunders and now Michael Curry as coach) there are those that question whether or not he can do what he once expected of this team, and that is “get it done.”

And by “getting it done” the “prez” means only expected one thing… a championship, and with that the way the season has concluded recently it is apparent that this group is not longer up to the task. The recent years of disappointment has demonstrated action of a team that is aging, constantly losing focus too much contentment for big game situations so perhaps it’s better to shift gears now.

The favor pariah of Piston fans has been the much maligned Rasheed Wallace, and after his lackluster performance that led to end of another disappointing season, most would consider him the first to go. But Joe let is be known that no one is untouchable and by that I would interpret: any of the starting five, i.e. (Wallace, Billups, Rip, Tayshaun, or McDyess)

I honestly believe in Joe and Pistons’ fans should too. One thing that is certain, when changes need to be made Joe D. isn’t afraid to pull the trigger. If you look at his track record of hiring and firing coaches, missed draft picks, and free agent signings and only can point out what wasn’t done then you are missing the point completely.

The fact that Joe has been the architect behind the franchise’s most successful decades (minus one championship) and while staying championship competitive isn’t by accident. He gave Rick Carlisle his first head coaching job; jumped at the chance to hire Larry Brown; found Flip Saunders, who had one hell of a three year run (at least for him); and now has tabbed former teammate Michael Curry, a disciplinarian type to pace the sidelines.

Now I’m not professing that Joe D. hasn’t had any misses, but they are far outweighed by the hits. I mean for every Darko, Rodney White, and Mateen Cleaves drafts there were Mehmet Okur, Tayshaun Price, and Rodney Stuckey. You much also look at free agent signing such as: Chauncey Billups, ‘Dyess, and Ben Wallace (who agreed to sign with Detroit as a free agent before being signed and traded for Grant Hill).

Bottom-line; expect the Pistons to look different next season with an injection of youth, athleticism, and most importantly unselfish players who are hungry to win a championship. As long as Joe D. is in charge the organization will be run “The Piston Way.”

The Pistons, coming off a big win in Boston, would love to extend their winning streak to four tonight against the 8-and-17 Grizzlies. Watch out for Rudy Gay, who has easily been the Grizzlies best player this season. Maybe Darko can put up big numbers this time out at The Palace.

Tipoff is at 8:00 PM and is being broadcast locally on FSN Detroit. Remember it can always be followed online at NBA.com.

Chris Webber back in the D?

Now your votes helped Need4Sheed get out of the first round of the Best Sports Blog tourney… Need4Sheed needs you again. Looks like N4S is down some votes, so make sure you show your support for Natalie and Need…. and get this baby on the the Final Four.

And while your at it get going on those Pistons votes, they need some love too.

Stuckey cleared for Practice!

RaSteve (Not the Steve that did great Boston Recap)

Waiter, I’ll take the check….reality check. This version of the Detroit Pistons is over. When the roof keeps caving in year after year, knock the damn thing down and start with a new foundation. You can only patch up the holes so many times before the waters rush in…the Pistons had too many holes and Saturday night and the world watched them sink. Dumars is already planning his trip to Home Depot to return some items, let’s just hope he saved his receipt.

Ever since ‘04 we have all been living on fantasy island. Anytime the Pistons lost a game, we blamed it on the refs, we said they weren’t playing hard enough, we convinced ourselves, despite seeing them choke year after year, that they were unbeatable and guaranteed the Championship to anyone who would listen….but they lost…again and again. Let’s take off our Blue and Red colored glasses and examine what’s really going on. The edge is gone. They were hungry a few years ago and they ate like Kobayashi on the 4^th of July. Our Pistons became too full; they weren’t worried about their next meal…but now that next meal is not guaranteed, and its time to eat again.

We all have a lot on our minds today. This is what’s on mine:

*Is Cleveland is going to beat San Antonio in 7.
*Cleveland and Chicago are going to make the East brutal next year.
*Detroit is going to make a MAJOR trade and replace Saunders.
*Every media source is reporting Dumars is going to go after former Spartan Zach Randolph.
*Is Daniel Gibson the real deal?
*Lebron James is really a robotic android built by Taiwanese children in a Nike sweatshop.

The countdown for next season starts now and things can only get better from here. Good luck Mr. Dumars, we are counting on you. Don’t be afraid to shake things up, that is what we need. Get ready for a whole new face of Detroit Basketball. Hard work pays off, but superstars win Championships. Here you go Mr. Dumars, this should help you get started:

Take a look at the 2007 NBA Free Agent Class

Remember one thing Piston fans:

The sweet wouldn’t be so sweet without the sour.

*Billy Billups

Congratulations to Tayshaun Prince, this summer he will be playing for the the USA Basketball team. Injuries to some key players forced manager Jerry Colangelo to make a couple roster moves. Along with Tay, Jason Kidd, Mike Miller, teammates Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams, and Tyson Chandler will be new additions to try out for the team. Also the predicted 1st and 2nd pick of the 2007 Draft, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant will be trying out for the team.

Great Job Tay, your finally getting recognized for your amazing talent.

Joey D.

For the 7th straight time this season the Pistons have beaten the number eight seeded Magic. The final score was 93-77.Now the Magic are in a deep deep hole down 3-0 in this first round series. Like the two games before this was a well balanced attack by the Pistons with all five starters in double figures. This time the Pistons never let them back into the game, they got themselves a good lead and managed to hang onto it until the clock hit triple zero’s.

Key Points:

• Chauncey lead us from the beginning, he finished with 21 points 6 rebounds and 3 assists and went 2-3 from behind the arc.
• Dwight got a couple monster dunks, other then that he was silent with 11 points but 12 rebounds.
• There were 5 tech’s thrown out tonight, 4 going on guys in the Piston blue.
• The Pistons went 8-13 from 3-point territory.
• On the other hand the Magic hit only three 3-pointers, while only taking 8 of them.
• McDyess had a monster block on Carlos Arroyo late in the game.
• From the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th we hit 5 straight 3’s, three coming from Tayshaun who had 23 points, and Rasheed had two.
• McDyess may not be hitting all of his shots, but he’s still doing everything else collecting 11 rebounds 2 assists and 2 blocked shots.
• Grant Hill was just off tonight going 2-12 with only 8 points.
• Jameer Nelson was the Magic’s high scorer with 27 points going 10-19 from the field and the Magic’s only three 3-pointers.
• The Pistons out-rebounded the Magic by 8, 47-39.
• Every time the ball left Chauncey’s had i thought it was going in.
• That’s all for tonight, tune in Saturday at 3:00 to see if the Pistons can complete this sweep, I’ll have my broom at my side waiting.

Yours Truly,

Joey D.

The Pistons blew out the sinking Clippers 98-80 Sunday afternoon. Although the game was played at 3:00, it wasn’t aired anywhere in Michigan until 7:00 for some odd reason. If anyone knows why this happened let me know because it’s one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard of. I mean it was nice knowing that we already won when i started watching the game, but it just took all the fun out of it. Plus i had my stupid brother calling me all the time telling me sweet things that happened in the game because he was reading the play-by-play.

Key Points:

• Rip was on fire today going 10 for 12, enough said.
• I feel like Mcdyess read my post from the Denver game, coming up big in this game with 17 points, 6 rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal along with going 5-5 from the free throw line.
• The Pistons beat up on them in the paint 48 to 28.
• I don’t know why Maxiell doesn’t dunk those alley-oops he gets rather then just laying them in.
• Chris Webber is looking like our most solid all around player right now.
• Not having Sheed today didn’t even look like a problem.
• Rip nailed his first 8 shots.
• It took the Clippers 6 and a half minutes to score their first point of the 3rd quarter.
• Chauncey is steadily getting his stroke back, that 3 to end the half reminded me a little of the shot against the Nets in the ‘04 playoffs to tie the game at the end of regulation.

• Maxiell did pretty good stepping in for Sheed adding 9 points, and 4 blocked shots.
• It’s looking like the Mavs are going to win their 17th straight, i hope they keep it up just so we can end their streak next Sunday.
• The Pistons are the first team in the Eastern Conference to reach 20 road wins.
• Clipps’ coach Mike Dunleavy got ejected for getting two two techs early in the 3rd quarter.
• Whoever said Chris Webber can’t dunk anymore should punch themselves in the face right about now.
• The Clippers got it to within 10 late in the game but the Pistons just light ‘em up with a 10-0 run.
• You knew Rip was feeling it when he threw up that prayer with no time left on the shot clock and hit nothing but net.
• Chauncey has had 12 or more assists in two out of the last three games.
• Chris Webbers’ baby hook shots are so pretty.
• I wish Delfino could be more consistent.
• I can’t wait for Lindsey to come back, I’m not too fond of Flip Murray and I’m sure most Detroiters agree with me.
• Natalie should be taking back the site within the next day or two.

Yours Truly,

Joey D.

As of 5:32 this afternoon Sheed was officially suspended for Sundays game against the Clippers. Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace has received an automatic one game suspension without pay after receiving his 16th technical of the 2006-07 season, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

A player or coach receives an automatic one-game suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul. Every other technical foul beyond 16 (18, 20, 22, ect.) will also result in a one-game suspension without pay. –NBA.com.

I’ve gotta say I’m really relived that Sheeds suspension came on one of the three games against below .500 teams on this road trip. I just hope that he doesn’t get two techs in the next 3 games, or that means another suspension for either the Suns or Mavericks game. I’m gonna start praying tonight cause if that happens, my TV is going to be broken from me throwing my remote control at it.

Yours Truly,

Joey D.

The Pistons defeated the Nuggets and started their road trip exactly how they wanted, with a W. The final score ended up being 95-82, which makes Denver 0-21 when they score less then 100 points. Rasheed and Rip both picked up technical fouls, that’s number 16 for Sheed so don’t expect to see him on the bench Sunday against the Clippers. Although they called up Will Blalock today, he was in street clothes for the game.

Key Points:

• Marcus Camby couldn’t handle Chris Webber in the 2nd half.
• It was a tie game at halftime, after that Denver just couldn’t score.
• Even though Melo had 17 points he shot a grimy 28% from the field, with 7 turnovers
• The Pistons were out-rebounded 43-44.
• Chauncey shot a little better from the field but still can’t sink his 3’s if his life depended on it, he went 0-5. All i gotta say is keep shootin Chauncey.
• Melo couldn’t get anything going in the 2nd half. In the 4th quarter he had two straight offensive fouls late in the game when they were only down 6.
• Sheed had a double double again with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and a blocked shot.
• When Sheed got his tech late in the 2nd quarter he looked like he was about to tear someone’s head off, all i gotta say is the refs better watch their back around Sheed from now on.

• The Pistons went on a 21-8 run to start the 3rd quarter.
• Flip Murray sighting in the 2nd half, he went 1-3 with 5 points and an assist.
• This was one of Sheeds best all-around game i’ve seen in a while.
• Chris had 20 points shooting 9-11 in the game with 9 rebounds and 3 assists.
• Who would have thought in the beginning of the seasons that AI and C-Webb would be playing against each other instead of side by side on the 76ers.
• The Nuggets only shot 37% for the game.
• The Nuggets got within 6 points at one point in the 4th quarter.
• Tay was the only starter not in double figures, it’s ok though because he was playing some good D on Melo.
• This was the loudest i’ve ever heard Sheed scream at himself during the game.
• I think i heard more people cheering for the Pistons then they did for their hometown team.
• People were definitely screaming “SHEED!!” whenever he touched the ball.
• Mcdyess is going to have to step up Sunday in Sheeds absence.
• I knew Melo and AI couldn’t share the ball.
• Even though Sheed is out next game i expect a W considering all the injuries the Clippers have.

Yours Truly,

Joey D.

Please don’t let us lose to the dreaded Miami Heat. You know that premonition I had before the series started, the one about us going down 3-1… I remember it well. 5am, woke up in a sweat… Did you really implant such a dream in me, a loyal pistons fan since before I could walk? I told everyone, the feeling I had before this series started… the unease, the sick feeling. I knew it was a sign of things to come.

The fact that the Pistons have turned into the product of our usual dominance = a bickering, finger pointing bunch is more than a shock… It’s a travesty. Where was the Guaransheed for game 4, where was the passion? In one short week, the media has gone from Motown bandwagon to the journeyman for hire bandwagon of South Beach… It’s sickening. But…. But I say, there is a remedy. Yes! A remedy!

And here it is: The 5 keys to turning this series around and accomplishing the improbable.

1. Don’t whine, just play. Take notice: REFS IN THE NBA SUCK. They do every year, every series, and every playoff. They miss calls, they are inconsistent, and it seems there is an agenda… SO… SO WHAT!? Play harder. LeBron, Shaq, and DWade are going to get every single call there is to get – what’s the answer? Instead of taking pull up shots from the perimeter, drive the lane and get to the line…. which brings me to my next point.

2. MAKE A FREE-THROW. I thought I was hallucinating when I saw Mr. Big Shot miss 2 FT’s in the first half of game 4. Am I crazy or did we used to be one of the best FT shooting teams in the league?

3. KNOCK DWADE ON HIS ASS. Let him fly through the lane and he’ll put you on a poster. Flip Saunders please invite Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn to practice and have them lecture to these Pistons about protecting the lane. It shouldn’t come to that but what happened to hard nose ball. Take a Technical foul BEN! TAKE A FLAGRANT FOUL! It’s worth it if it will make AIR WADE think twice.

4. Don’t play timid. The Pistons that win are the Pistons that run. Where is the fast break? When did we become an isolation basketball team?

finally, and most importantly….

5. PLAY DEFENSE. Where is the pride? The 2 time Defensive player of the year has been clowned up and down the court, granted, he is playing against a 350lb gorrilla named Shaquile – but where is the help? Someone step up.

Rasheed Step up… get in the post and get dirty.
Tayshaun Step up… use your length on defense and stretch the court.
Rip Step up… Elbow DWade and the Glove in the face and come off a screen hard.
Ben Step up… Make a free throw and show us what defense is all about.
Chauncey Step up… You’re the team leader and the true heart of the Piston nation, you’re capable of putting up 30+ pts every night. Where is the heart?

Whether or not the Pistons win or lose this series there are going to be some serious shakeups in Motown. We have been exposed and it isn’t because of our exiled coach, or a superstar kid from Marquette, or a monster named Shaquille. We all know this team can beat Miami when they are at their best, we know it. WE KNOW IT

It’s simple really, down 3-1 because of we’ve lost HEART… and how do you find the strength to come back from the brink when nothing seems to work.

You play ANGRY. You play like the BAD BOYS you are. You knock ‘em to the ground early, and show us blood… Because all a heart needs to live is blood. If you don’t believe me, ask the Red Wings – when was the last time they bled?

__________________________________________________________
Eric Brown is a freelance writer born and raised in Detroit and currently living in Los Angeles, working in drama development at a major studio. He can be reached at e4seven@yahoo.com

Why does ESPN, an honorable sports broadcasting network, continue to allow Bill Walton, perhaps the most biased and belligerent commentator in the history of professional sports, to anchor NBA games. I was looking forward to the March 22 Heat Pistons match up for weeks, but when I tuned in and heard his awkward ranting, I knew it was going to be a long game. By the end of the first half, I was watching the game in mute. This man is so blatantly against the Detroit Pistons that it could not be more obvious. In the 4th quarter, I turned the volume back on and wrote down some true Bill Walton gems for you to enjoy. That guy needs to hang toilet paper from his neck, if you get what I’m saying. I will personally send a Need4Sheed.Com t-shirt to the first person that successfully starts a petition to get Walton prohibited from announcing any more Pistons games with at least 50 signatures, so let me know. Let’s take him down Pistons Fans!

Detroit closes off a big deficit, not one comment about the comeback. 62-60 Miami in the 4th:
“This is a DISASTER for Detroit. What are they doing? They need to inbound the ball!” (Awkward silence from co-anchor)

TIE game 64-64 in the 4th:
“Miami with a clear edge here, Antoine Walker is dictating the orchestra (Walker proceeds to throw up an air ball).” Silence from Walton and muffled snickering from co-anchor.

Pistons take biggest lead of night 70-66 in 4th:
“This is classic Detroit strategy, make Shaq play great, which he will, and make him pass to everyone else.” (No comment from anchor, Walton enters Guinness Book for saying dumbest, most incoherent comment of all time)

Need4Sheed reader Just Shu pointed out something Bill said that I missed when I had my TV on mute.
“You look at his body, Dwyane Wade, it’s as if Michelangelo sculpted it in a dream, he’s just so cut, and his posture, the rack upstairs with those shoulders, so broad.” Needless to say Just Shu wanted to puke, and so would I if I heard that one!

Billy Billups