I know it’s been slow as far as Pistons news goes but you MUST head on over to ESPN and read the great piece Tom Friend wrote on Chauncey Billups. A must for any Pistons fan.

Disposable Superstar

Thanks to Max, Jeff, Michael, El Patron Himself, Stephen and all the others who made sure I didn’t miss this one. And all of you….pass it on. Go Chauncey!

Still the real deal from Park Hill………………Chauncey BA BA BA Billups!

Chauncey Billups’ Palace introductions March 3rd 2009

What a night to be at The Palace!

And what a class act Billups is. Watch his post game comments and then tell me you don’t appreciate and miss his leadership and his attitude.  In red white and blue or light blue and yellow…he’s Ron Burgundy classy.

Chauncey Billups Post Game Comments Video

The Pistons take on the 39-21 Denver Nuggets at home for the first time since Chauncey Billups was traded from Detroit.  Billups acknowledges it will be emotional to play at The Palace for the first time as an ex-Piston, but I can only imagine how he feels one the fans welcome him back.

“It will be fun to get back to that city that I love so dearly, the fans that I love so dearly,” Billups said. Via NBA.com

My guess is there will be a few tears shed in the building.

I’m also hoping for a CHAUNCEY B-B-B-BILLUPS from our good friend Mason.

We have Iverson fans as well as Billups fans and no matter which side of the fence you sit on, there is no denying what Billups meant to this team or it’s fans.

Sorting though one of my first videos I did on N4S, I found this one i titled Chauncey for MVP, I thought you might enjoy it today.

The Good/The Bad and More

• No Carmelo Anthony for Denver -- “The Denver Nuggets have suspended Carmelo Anthony for one game for an “in-game transgression” Sunday against Indiana. “There is a code of conduct that we take very seriously, especially from a leader and co-captain,” Rex Chapman, vice president of player personnel, said Monday. “Carmelo knows this and regrets what happened. He is a very competitive person and made a poor decision in the heat of the moment. We look forward to having him back on Thursday and will have no further comment at this time.” Via ESPN
• Pistons fans feeling the loss not more than ever.

• “I’m going to give him a couple of flagrant fouls”  Sheed on Chauncey’s return.  Via The Detroit Free Press
• Iverson will be back in Detroit on Wednesday.
• Charley Rosen of Fox Sports tells it like it is about Iverson and it isn’t pretty.
• The Basketball Jones on Detroit Basketball.
• “It’s going to be amazing,” Prince said. “I can tell you one thing: It’s going to be a packed house. I’m pretty sure the ovation he’s going to get is one we haven’t seen in a while. People know how we’ve been playing since he’s been gone and the importance that he meant to our ball club.” Via MLive
• Is Dumars Shady?
• Bill Laimbeer…Iverson isn’t a good fit in Detroit.
• The Denver side, over at The Nugg Doctor.

Tip off is at 7:30 at The Palace of Auburn Hill and if you’re headed out, make sure you get there early so you don’t miss a thing. The game will be locally broadcast on FSN PLUS and as always Tim Bryant from FSN was nice enough to send us the channel listings just in case you’re not sure what number your Fox Sports Plus is on. If you can’t watch the game listen live on WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game on NBA.com

I expect it all in the comments.

A little Chauncey video to get ready for his return to the Palace Tuesday night.

Classic Chauncey never gets old.

Chauncey Billups spoke to The Detroit Free Press’s Michael Rosenberg before his game against Cleveland last night. Chauncey had plenty of good things to say about Detroit as well as his teammates but after he opened up I can’t help but feel for him.

“It was the hardest two or three hours that I’ve had in a long, long time in my life,” Billups said. “We just couldn’t believe that it’s over. It’s over. That’s the thing that’s so tough about trades. No matter what happens, it’s over. So those two or three hours were crazy.” Billups talking about what happened when Rip and Tayshaun heard the news of the trade.

Most interesting is the fact that Rip Hamilton signed his extension BEFORE the trade went down, and Chauncey believes (as do most of us) that Richard may not have been so quick to sign the extension had he known the trade was going down.

“What if Hamilton had known that Billups was going to be traded? The normally affable Hamilton was so upset by the trade that he didn’t talk to the media for several days. Would Rip have signed his contract extension without Chauncey on the roster? Did the Pistons wait until the contract was signed before making the deal?

“If Rip would have knew that this deal was going on, I just don’t know that he would have signed that extension,” Billups said. “It was kind of funny to me that they announced this trade the same day that he signed. I really don’t know. … It just seemed weird to me. He signed that extension three days before the trade. … I think it might have been a little different if all this was exposed early.”

It’s not like we all didn’t know Sheed had problems with Flip, but Chauncey thinks the tension between the coach and players cost the team a Championship.

“’Sheed was just vocal and visual about his (frustration),” Billups said. “I can’t say it was all Rasheed or it was only Rasheed. But even with that, I just still feel like that should have never come into play. I feel like no matter what the coach is doing, how you feel or whatever, you can’t cheat your teammates and not give maximum effort because you’re mad at the coach.

“I think that cost us at least one championship.”

Really? Which one?

“At least one,” he said.

Billups also said “don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming anybody.” He didn’t take sides and didn’t really defend Saunders. His point was that the Pistons let their differences with their coach get in the way of their ultimate goal.

“I don’t point fingers,” he said. “I just think problems, and maybe disbelief in Flip on a player or two’s behalf, cost us in some different series that I thought, had we been locked in, we could have won.”

I implore you to head over to The Free Press and read the whole piece. I know we all thought these things, but Chauncey telling us makes it a bit different.

It’s been quite a ride for me over at Need4Sheed as it has been for 99% of Pistons fans. I can’t tell you how surprised (and not surprised) I was with the deal Dumars pulled off in the early hours Monday morning. I’ll miss Mr. Big Shot, he was a gentleman on and off the court who did so much for Detroit, and Dyess…I’m hoping that he’ll be back so I will set the sentiment aside until it’s final.

I let a couple of days pass before I put things down about what went down. So let’s do this Need4Sheed style.

Key Points of this trade:

• We just got the Superstar this town has been yearning for since Grant Hill donned a Pistons uni.
• The Pistons just got a lot faster.
• You give up a Big Shot and in return you get “The Answer”.
• Dumars locked Rip in to make sure his back court (Hamilton and Stuckey) is secure for the future.
• Something was going to happen and all things considered (Sheed and his contract) Chauncey was Joe’s biggest bargaining chip.
• The enormous amount of Cap Space Dumars has to play with after the season is over, no matter if he uses it in 2009 or 2010 when the free agent crop is a shopping list of Superstars.
• Believe it or not, it just made The Pistons relevant. As many times as they have reached the ECF in the past few years they will always be overlooked because of the lone Championship.
• Cartoon AI

• The Palace will have it’s first legitimate Sell Out of the regular season in a long time. I know, I have been there -- don’t let that sellout streak banner fool you.
• Will it make them better this season? It certainly won’t make them worse, but it’s sure going to make things different.
• Should we worry about what Iverson will do with Sheed in the same locker room? I think both really have settled down personality-wise. Sheed has been a model citizen since landing in Detroit and Iverson isn’t talking about Practice anymore, or is he?

• More Rodney Stuckey. Iverson will start at the PG, but really doesn’t like to play it. You will probably see a small lineup out of Detroit. Honestly the rotations are almost limitless.
• Not that Chauncey wasn’t but Iverson is beyond HUNGRY.
• AI doesn’t even sit for a bullet wound. Expect to see him out there unless he’s in the ICU.
• This is a deal for now and the future.
• If Chauncey went anywhere, I’m glad it’s home.
• Can Iverson’s game work with the Pistons’ system of team ball? Not that way he plays now, but from his talk at the presser he knows that and sounded quite sincere when he professed he would do whatever it took to make things work. Let’s see if he makes good on it.
• It was really evident that something needed to change, if it didn’t we would have at least 3 trophies out of this bunch.
• With Amir, Stuckey and Maxiell on the court with AI… make sure your DVRs are up to par because you can bet we will have some serious highlights coming.
• He’s not the Iverson from 5 years ago, so don’t expect it.  He’s still one of the best in the league.

• Chauncey’s #…..I wasn’t too excited they gave him Chauncey’s digit, but it’s not the end of the world. Surprised mostly.

• This makes Joe D look really good in my eyes.  Cap room, a superstar, room for building on the future, keeping the team in contention, not giving up too much (considering Dyess may still return), and the SPOTLIGHT.
• Will it make the Pistons chances for a trophy any better? Probably, because it was painfully obvious that unless something changed they weren’t going to win this season.
• Joe D locked up Rip, extended Maxiell, is probably bringing Dyess back and may be shopping someone else. At this point, look out for anything.
• Let’s give AI the benefit of the doubt before we pass judgment. I for one never really liked his character, but how can you not love his game as well as his heart?
• Iverson makes his debut tonight in Toronto against the Raptors, but his true unveiling will be on Sunday at home (for the first time) against Boston. And for those of you who have asked for the Iverson intros at the Palace, no need to ask. If they broadcast them….you know where to come.
• A present to all of us from Wes, a member of Team Need4Sheed. CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN

After the shocking blockbuster went down this morning The Pistons will look very different when they take the floor against the Bobcats and former head coach Larry Brown tonight.

I’m leaving you little to talk about other than the reality of what just went down. The trade works and doesn’t on so many levels as many of you have already mentioned in the comments. Sure, some of our hearts may not be in it, but wishing Chauncey all the best as he goes back and plays for his home town team and a thank you for what he has done is all we can do as fans.

Is Iverson truly The Answer? We will get that question answered come June. Just think, the future is so bright we have to wear shades.

I’m sure you have been checking out Pistons.com all day long but just in case you missed it, check out the HUGE welcome AI is getting.

Tonight’s tip is at 7 PM and will be locally broadcast on FSN Detroit an NBATV. If you can’t catch it on TV you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com.

“The Detroit Pistons have reached a tentative agreement to trade Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson. Neither player was at this morning’s shoot-around. Team officials said that more information would be forthcoming later today.”

A. Sherrod from MLive

UPDATE:

Justin in the comments just mentioned that “Ric Bucher just said Cheikh Samb also included.”

UPDATE:

Just heard on WDFN that Dyess will be waived so we can resign him in 30 Days.

“NBA sources said the Nuggets have inquired about obtaining Denver native Chauncey Billups from the Pistons for Allen Iverson. Because of Iverson’s lucrative contract ($20.8 million) it would take more than Billups ($11 million), though .” Via Boston.com

I am curious to see what you think about the “rumor”. Like mentioned, you would need to ship someone else with Billups in order to make the deal work. I personally don’t think Iverson has it anymore and is really the guy to get this team over it’s hump. DBB makes some good points that are worth thinking about. I’m leaving the comments open to you as well as a poll for percentage sake.

If you were in her shoes what would you be doing?

Watching it over again, was I too hard on her? Another great piece I caught on tape when covering the Pistons pumping gas for their fans. Wait until you see Rip in action.

With all the trade rumors lingering in Piston land and the declaration by Joe Dumars that everyone but Rodney Stuckey is available for trade, do you really think Rodney is ready?

I have read plenty of trade rumors and scenarios where Detroit could send Chauncey Billups packing. Words like Chauncey is “irrelevant”, or “expendable” now that Stuckey has emerged on the scene. Are they giving Stuckey too much credit or not enough to Chauncey?

Since when is it OK to expect a second year player with less than a half of a season, who is more suited for playing the two, be expected to take the place of an elite All Star point guard?

Don’t get me wrong, I love everything I have seen of Stuckey thus far, but I am not sold just yet with him running the point. No denying that he did a heck of a job during the Orlando Series when Chauncey was down as you can see from this video.

Are we really ready for a Piston team with Hot Rod at the helm?

I’m leaving this one up to you with a poll.

Don’t kid yourself Pistons fans, down 2-1 in the series after their loss at home Saturday, Detroit needs to win game four. We haven’t received a Guaransheed, but if I had to put money on something, I would lay it down on seeing a Detroit Pistons team that knows what’s at stake and one that will play like it.

Chauncey Billups is the key to the series and after his performance in Game Three, his injury may still be a huge factor, Arnie or not. The thing that may do us in is the fact that Billups and ultimately Saunders may have a struggling Billups out on the court rather than Rodney Stuckey. From what I have read today it seems the two are on opposite sites of the argument.

I was thinking about the whole situation during game three when Saunders substituted Stuckey for Billups late in the game when Rodney was clearly sparking the team. I’m not the only one who hopes Billups gets shut down if he plays the same in Game 4 as he did in Game 3.

I’m planning on being tied 2-2 by morning, but we still have a game to play confidence or not.

Tip off is at 8:30 PM and will be Nationally televised on ESPN. If you can’t catch it on the tube you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan, or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com .

The whole White Out deal threw off the mojo I had with my red Sheed jersey, so for support the new playoff gear (until we lose) is my throwback Chauncey Billups jersey. If you need to get pumped before the game, there is nothing better than watching this, let’s truly hope They’re Back……

The rest Pistons fans is up to you, leave ‘em in the comments.