Update:

Final Score:
Pistons103 Magic 110

Due to a lack of time and technical difficulties I’m not recapping this one but after reading Patrick Hayes over at MLive I would have to say I agree with him for the most part.  Good to see Charlie V finally put it together and impressed with Day and Jerebko.  Also just like Patrick, waiting on Chris Wilcox to prove me right on my X-Factor pick of the season.

Oh, and let’s talk about giving up 40 first quarter points to the Magic…that was a mess I didn’t think they were going to pull themselves out of.

Highlights from the game:

A win for Detroit tonight would make it six in a row against the Magic.

With all the success Dwight had in Detroit he decided to sponsor Need4Sheed by promoting his new business venture on the website.
Listen to the commercial for

Dwight Howard’s 17 minute Chicken Shack.

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Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton will not play again for Detroit and Vince Carter may not play for Orlando. John Kuester’s starting lineup will likely be Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon in the backcourt, with Jonas Jerebko, Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace up front.

Tip off is at 7:00 PM and will be locally broadcast on Fox Sports. Can’t catch the game on television? Tune into the radio at 97.1 The Ticket or follow the game on line of at NBA.com.

UPDATE:
Pistons 114 Timberwolves 122 (Box Score)

Defense…. We knew it was going to be a problem, and I know it’s the preaseon, but when you score 114 points that is usually an indication that you won the game.

Video Highlights

The 3-3 Pistons host their last preseason game a tonight at 7:30 PM at the Palace of Auburn Hills tonight against (YES) Bill Laimbeer and the 1-5 Minnesota Timberwolves.  Yes I know Bill’s not the head coach nor is he playing, but it’s nice to mention his name whenever I can.  Check out his return video interview at Pistons.com.

The game isn’t on television, but you can listen to it from your radio on WWJ AM 950 or follow the gamecast over at NBA.com.

And if you cant do either…make sure you read a little on one of my favorites Antonio McDyess (Ice 4Dyess).

The season is right around the corner and PISTONS WEEK starts this Sunday at FSN!
CLICK HERE for the Full FSN Schedule.

Could the current configuration of  this Pistons team be a stepping stone to future championships (EFC’s and the NBA)  like in 2001?  Well we do have Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace back so who knows.

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Video Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons

On another note, those may be the best highlights I have ever seen from Jon Barry, someone needs to let him know.

Jamie Samuelsen,Jamie Samuelsen,

• “Deron is just tipping his talent in regards to how good he can become,” coach John Kuester said.” Deron Washington has potential.
• My Pistons X-Factor pick for the season Chris Wilcox is excited with the new atmosphere.
• Yahoo  previews the Pistons over at Ball Don’t Lie. A little preview (Prediction: 40-42)
• Great first Start for Austin Daye.
• Dallas -- Pistons Highlights

• Chris Bosh is a hero off court for a number of NBA players including Tayshaun Prince and Charlie Villanueva.
• “Here’s what I don’t like so far: the guard play. I still just don’t see how John Kuester is going to balance this thing out and find the right combinations.” Jamie Samuelsen at the Free Press in his article: Backcourt gives reasons for hope and worry.
• Jerebko learned to be a “Bad Boy” in Sweden.
• Kwame Brown is looking good and Stuckey was impressive in Dallas.
• Another non televised game tonight (Saturday)  in Memphis.  Good news, Charlie Villanueva is slotted to take the court  possibly with the (toe) slightly still  injured Tayshaun Prince .  Bad news, we won’t see it.
• You will see this from CV-TV.. A great piece on who Charlie is and what he had to overcome to be what he is today.

It’s rare that I post something like this, but I know that many of you appreciate Pistons memorabilia and if this isn’t a wonderful cause I don’t know what is.

HELP MICHIGAN UNDERGRADS BATTLING CANCER:

“From now through the end of the 2009 Michigan football season, the Bernard “Pat” Maloy Cancer Scholarship Online Auction will be open for bidding at http://www.umich.cmarket.com . Two hundred items, most of which are autographed University of Michigan football, hockey, basketball, and baseball memorabilia will be auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the Maloy Scholarship which is given to Michigan undergraduate students who either have cancer or whose direct family members have been so affected.

The Maloy Scholarship is named after Professor Bernard “Pat” Maloy who taught at the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology from 1986 through his passing of esophageal cancer in 2001. The Scholarship was created in 2007 by a group of eleven of Professor Maloy’s former students (including Tyrone Wheatley, the former Michigan running back standout) and Professor Maloy’s widow Nora Maloy. In three short years the Scholarship committee has managed to raise nearly $175,000 and will have its first student attending Michigan on a Maloy Scholarship this fall. The goal is to be able to award a four year $5,000 scholarship every fall to a deserving student who has financial need.”

There are a few Pistons items, so if you want to get a Rasheed Wallace Autographed Jersey or a Rip Hamilton Signed Basketball here is your chance.

Add a Detroit Tigers page and a Red Wings page and Detroit Fans are set.

Dallas Mavericks

Mavs Moneyball | The Two Man Game | NBA Mate

Houston Rockets

The Dream Shake | Ballerblogger

Memphis Grizzlies

3 Shades of Blue

New Orleans Hornets

At The Hive | Hornets Hype

San Antonio Spurs

Pounding The Rock | Project Spurs

Bonus Links

See full schedule here | Also see SBNation preview storystream

The wait is over for starved Pistons fans who weren’t used to a short post season.  The first pre-season game is tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills against The Miami Heat .  For those of you who were wondering, this game will be televised on FSN Detroit, so make sure you catch it because besides the last pre-season game this will be the only time to watch what this new team can do before the regular season starts.

If you feel anything like I do, today couldn’t have come quick enough. I am anxious to first off see how Ben Gordon gels with the team and excited to see how Kuester involves the rookies. This is a season of the unknown, many things can happen.

• The Pistons do what most of their fans and the media think, fall short of anything spectacular and just keep their heads above water all season long.
• They could be worse than people imagined and just not work in their new configuration.
• They can surprise and do better than anyone expected.
• They can be very frustrating.
• They can be very entertaining.

The list can go on…

Personally I am of the belief that this is going to be better than anything we experienced last season. I expect some excitement from our rookies, especially DaJuan Summers. I am always of the half glass full mentality, so I’m holding out hope for a fun and exciting season regardless of the Pistons final record.

One thing I do know is…when people have something to prove they usually do whatever it takes to make their point.

Look out for Bynumite, Ben Gordon, Charlive Villanueva, Chris Wilcox and the always hungry Jason Maxiell.

And Ben Wallace….that’s a different animal altogether.  I’m sure he wants to win back the fans in the city that made him.

As for the game:

Tip off is at 7:30 but tune in to FSN starting at 6:30 with Remembering Chuck Daly followed by the Pistons pre-game show.  When the action starts we can hear the familiar voices of George Blaha and Special K.

If you can’t watch the action, you can follow the game live on NBA.com or listen in at 97.1 The Ticket the new home for Pistons radio broadcasts.  The Ticket’s first Pistons broadcast will begin with their pre-game show at 7 p.m. and they will be taking calls post game as well as your texts.  Call into the station  (248-539-9797) where you can talk to my good friend Matt Dery or text into the station at 97136 (standard text message rates apply).

Notables/Injuries

Charlie Villanueva has been nursing a sore hamstring and is unlikely to play against Miami. Villanueva has missed a couple of practices this week with the injury but was able to do some light running on Sunday.

• Bynumite impressed coach Kuester “I went after him specifically to say how much I was impressed with him,” Kuester said. “He changed the complexion of the game with his energy and scoring.” This season, Kuester sees a similar role for Bynum, a “spark plug” type of player off the bench who can change the flow of a game. “A person that’s not going to sit and let the offense come to him but he’ll attack offensively and defensively,” Kuester said.
• Bynum looking to breakout in his contract year. I see good things to come from Will, who’s been such a pleasant surprise in the D.
• Kwame Brown on Ben Wallace “Anybody that can play defense like that, I’m going with the mind-set that I can learn from him and take something from his game and add it to my game.”
• More Allen Iverson Drama over at ESPN “They told me, straight up, ‘Allen we would never disrespect you or your career like that’ by making me come off the bench,” You know Allen, Pistons fans seem to recall a promise you made when you TOOK Chauncey’s spot and his number that you would do whatever it took to win a championship in Detroit.  If that’s skipping practice, bitching about playing time, and tanking your season when things didn’t go your way…..good luck to you in Memphis, you’re dead to us in Motown.
• Laimbeer getting used to being an NBA Coach. “It’s a good feeling to see the guys respond to what I’m saying,” Laimbeer said. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do. A lot has changed since I played, but it’s still basketball, and it’s still about responsibilities.”
• Dumars latest moves fall flat according to SI. Still talking about the cap space and 2010, did any of you think these moves would put us in Championship contention without another move made? Frankly I see it as a considerable upgrade to the mess last season.
• Kuester starts camp in the D with D.
• Daye, Summers and Jerebko fighting for playing time.
• Does anyone else get the feeling Rip is not happy to still be wearing a Pistons uni?  Did you see his face in the Media Day photo’s? That’s not a happy camper. Plus I have update his toon with the new fauhawk.

Photo/Getty Images

• Regardless, he took the time out to speak to Detroit area High School Students.
• More long range shots from the tall fellas?
• Great interview with Amir Johnson (audio) over at HoopsAddict.
• For those of us who remember him fondly…..A Fennis Dembo update.

Plenty of you have been asking “When will the Pistons Open Practice be held?”

So here you go.

The Detroit Pistons will host an open practice from 12:30-2 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Palace. Admission is free, and doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

To celebrate the start of the season and The Pistons Media Day today, I have an Austin Daye Detroit Pistons Desktop Wallpaper for you.

After to decorate your desktop with the Pistons 2009 first round draft pick Austin Day, make sure you stay tuned to Pistons.com all DAYE long to keep up with all the media goings on.

Ryan Pretzer will Live Chatting and Dave Wieme will be keeping us updated via The Pistons Official Twitter feed.

Austin Daye Detroit Pistons Desktop Wallpaper, located in the Wallpaper section of the website and available in a variety of resolutions.

1024×768 1280×800 1680×1050

So it’s Rasheed’s Birthday today and since he’s history as far a as Pistons fans are concerned I’m giving away a Sheedesque prize for the occasion.

It’s easy to win.

Follow me on twitter and RT this to enter.

No Need4Sheed on Sheedday  #NoNeed4Sheed @need4sheed_com

A random winner will be picked from all the entries (enter as many times as you wish). I will announce the winner Tuesday

September 22nd and there is even a a second prize. I you don’t get the T-Shirt, you may be the lucky winner of a William Bedford Detroit Pistons Basketball card. In all honestly,  I know most of you think the Bedford card should be the grand prize, but since it’s Sheedday you understand.