The Pistons win a tight one last night in Milwaukee 95-93 (Box Score). If you take a look at the box score Detroit’s rotation was probably close to what we are going to see on Wednesday when the season begins.
Austin Daye started again for the injured Tayshaun Prince with Ben Wallace at center and Charlie Villanueva as the PF.
Highlights of the Game

Wednesday can’t come soon enough, but I’m a little more excited to see just how this new team gets the crowd going at the Palace on Friday night. What kind of reception will Ben Wallace get, how will Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva respond and what does coach Kuester have in store for us.

A season of questions and if the defense doesn’t pick up we know what will be on top of that list.

Team Name: The Detroit Pistons

Last Year’s Record: 39-43

Key Losses: Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, Amir Johnson, Arron Afflalo, Chauncey Billups (does that still count), head coach Michael Curry (a good loss) and possibly the best loss in Pistons history, the end of Allen Iverson in red, white and blue.

Key Additions: Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Chris Wilcox, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko and Ben Wallace.

1. What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?

The Pistons haven’t had a significant change to a start of the season since Joe Dumars took over as GM. Dumars started cleaning house well before the season started by trading away the Pistons cherished point guard Chauncey Billups for the expiring contract of Allen Iverson. The Iverson experience was a train wreck and by the end of the season it was obvious that big changes were coming.

Dumars started in late June with the firing of head coach Michael Curry. He traded Amir Johnson to the Milwaukee Bucks for Fabricio Oberto who was later waived. With the 15th pick in the NBA Draft Detroit selected Austin Daye of Gonzaga University and later took DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko in the second round.

Dumars then shipped out Arron Afflao for more cap space to secure the free agents he was coveting. Dumars wasted no time in bringing Ben Gordan and Charlie Villanueva to Detroit. On July 1, 2009, the Pistons reached an agreement with the former Bulls guard on a 5 year/$55 million contract, as well as an agreement with Charlie Villanueva on a 5 year contract worth $35 million.

They picked up plenty, but they also lost two of their key players in Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. On July 5, 2009 the Pistons Sheed to free agency. Wallace signed a two year, $5.58 million contract with the Boston Celtics. Following the departure of Wallace, former Antonio McDyess signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs for the mid-level exception. Though Pistons fans were probably ready to see Rasheed say goodbye, McDess heart and desire will be missed at The Palace.

In dire need of big man, Dumars picked up Knicks power forward Chris Wilcox to do some damage down low. And a surprise that Pistons fans were hoping for, the return of Ben Wallace to Detroit. Wallace, who was waived by the Phoenix Suns signed for the veterans minimum to play for the Pistons this season.

2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?

This current configuration of Pistons should have no problem putting the ball in the basket. With Ben Gordon coming off the bench and Charlie Villanueva added to the starting lineup Detroit will be able to put up points.

They also got younger and faster this season with rookies Austin Daye and DaJuan Summers. Put them in the lineup with Stuckey or Will Bynum at the point and this team will get out and run, something we rarely saw from the Pistons half court style of play.

3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?

DEFENSE!

The most glaring and obvious weakness for Detroit is the “D”. Always known for defense first, the Pistons now have an offensive mined squad and a lack of established big men.
The Pistons new addition down low, Charlie Villanueva has a reputation to be allergic to rebounds and has been called “soft.” Look for Jason Maxiell, Chirs Wilcox and Kwame Brown to do most of the dirty work for the Pistons this season.

4.What are the goals for this team?

Better than 39 wins will be just fine for this Pistons team. If Detroit can pull off a winning season, than what happened last year can be somewhat forgiven.
If new coach John Kuester can get this team together they have the talent to do much better than expected.
Will they make the playoffs? Probably.
Will they go far? Unlikely.

5. Will the roster likely stay the way it is?
You can bet that Joe Dumars is working on trying to make a few more moves. The most valuable and likely to go is Rip Hamilton. He’s got value on the market and with Ben Gordon on the team, his offense wouldn’t be missed that much putting Ben in the starting lineup to replace him. If there is a move to make Dumars will do it, we saw it last year with Billups, don’t count anything out at this point.

One thing is sure, they may not be slotted to make the ECF like they used to, but this Pistons team is going to be fun to watch.

Projected Finish: 46-36

Something has come over me today, my devious side (The Sheedburgler) has decided that it was time to give away something via my  Twitter account again. No Details on the exact……Pistons themed prize until Noon Wednesday August 26th via a Twitter message from my new alter ego.

It could be something the Sheedburgler took from my personal Pistons collection, it could be a bobble head or it could be a limited edition T-Shirt. You just never know what the Sheedburgler is up to.

You can Follow me Here.

To find out what you could win be sure to Toon into my Twitter account.

Good thing is you can enter now by tweeting this exact (just copy and paste it) message via Twitter.

www.Need4Sheed.com , so good there really is NO NEED FOR SHEED. All others are just cheap imitations! @Need4Sheed_com #SheedBurgler

Team Need4Sheed member Christian Russe is at it again with another Pistons Video mix. What should we expect from our boys this season…..

Fennis – well, maybe he was not a household name but a really original one.

Here I go with another blast from the past.

Life was simple….mullets, acid washed jeans and florescent clothing were acceptable and the Bad Boys ran the show.

The most fabulous Old School blast from the past Pistons video. Anytime you have Fennis Dembo, Scott Hastings and Chocolate Thunder in a single video clip it’s sure to be an instant classic. Enjoy your old school Friday.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

As you know things are slow in Pistons land, so what do I do?  I search through old videos I have collected to try to get trough the day.

My find today, an old video of the top 10 Pistons buzzer beaters.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Now if you noticed the tile of the post is Top 11, that’s because this video was put together before this. You tell me where you think it should be placed on list.

If you didn’t already know I scour the Palace Locker Room Store and the internet for original and exciting Pistons merchandise all the time. So when I found THIS, I though OK, but if it’s Player scented
as it is Clearly Marked on the package as PRO SCENT…I’m going to have to pass on this one.

Does that mean it smells like Rip Hamilton after he ran around screens all game long?

Since it is the number 00 it could also smell Like Hooper…who wears 00. As much as I love you Hooper, I’m not totally set on my car smelling like a horse or a man after he’s been in a horse costume for hours. Especially after I saw this!

A nice Vanilla would be just fine thanks, I would just hate for my car to smell like the Will Robinson Locker Room of Champions.

I told you I had a surprise for Pistons today and I wasn’t kidding.

To kick off the release of EMINEM’S eagerly anticipated CD Relapse today Need4Sheed readers are getting a chance to win a Limited Edition EMINEM Undrcrwn T-Shirt.

What proud Detroiter, Pistons Fan, EMINEM Fan wouldn’t want to have this one of a kind T with the Shady one clad in an old school set of Bad Boys Pistons warmups?

You can’t get this one in stores but Need4Sheed is give one away today! By no means do I consider my Toons works of art, so in comparison to this Undrcrwn shirt it puts my Eminem Toon to shame.

How do you win?

You have to be quick on the E-MAIL!

Not only will EMINEM be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight, he will also be performing on the show Friday May 22nd.

Be the first person to email me with the name of the song Eminem performs on Jimmy Kimmel Friday 22nd and you get the Limited Edition Undrcrwn Eminem T-Shirt.

And don’t worry if you’re not the first to shoot me an email, a few runners up will receive a copy of EMINEM’S new CD Relapse.

Send your entry with the subject line – EMINEM to:

need4sheedcontest@gmail.com

With your

• Name
• Age
• And most importantly your Correct Shipping address.

And for those of you headed to the EMINEM show tonight Tonight and at The Motor City Casino, it should be a good one.

GOOD LUCK!

So it may not have finished the way we would have wanted. It’s hard to watch your team go out like wounded soldiers with no fight left. It’s even harder to watch your enemy celebrate their victory in “Your House,” but you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

All good things must come to an end and this Pistons era as we know it just has. We saw the signs, we knew it was coming, it’s difficult, but we will be just fine.  Just ask any fans from “Bad Boys” era.

We watched this bunch grow in front of our eyes and accomplish things we most never thought they could. A team with a traveling point guard that never found a home until he landed in Detroit, a ‘Froed defensive menace that couldn’t knock down a free throw to save his life, a masked man who didn’t fulfill his potential until he landed in the Motor City, a skinny undersized small forward who wasn’t supposed to be an “NBA” because of his body and a “technical” big man that wore out his welcome out West.

Add a coach with a past, a “Memo”, someone Big and Nasty, Elden down low, a Hunter, Mike James (the non lyrical one), and the Human Victory Cigar.

With that….we got this.

Who would have thought?

Pistons Fans!

So maybe they should have won more than just one ring, does that make it any less special?

And so what if those who were left of that special bunch didn’t go out on their best foot, they still made this city proud.

We look forward to new beginnings.

And we feel for those who gave more than their heart.

Photo/Getty Images

Thank you Boys, you have done this city and all its fans proud, whether you get the recognition you deserve as an Easter Conference Powerhouse or not, we appreciate you.

Good Times……

Thought you missed out on Need4Sheed’s last Suite Night at The Palace Contest? Don’t worry, I have another chance for you to win the ultimate Pistons fan experience!

In honor of George Blaha’s induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame on Monday, February 9, 2009, I’m dedicating this Pistons ticket giveaway to him.

One of the most recognizable sports personalities in Detroit and the NBA, George Blaha will begin his 33rd consecutive season as the television and radio play-by-play voice of the Pistons in 2008-09.

The “Voice of the Pistons” is now the longest tenured play-by-play broadcaster in the state of Michigan.

If you know Pistons basketball, you know George Blaha.

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how much I adore the man, that’s why I would like you to honor the him for his knowledge, entertainment and the love for the Pistons he displays with every word he utters.

To win a pair of tickets to The Pistons.com Suite and an Ultimate Pistons Experience on Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 when the Pistons face Dwyane Wade and The Miami Heat, you have to do your best to pay tribute to George Blaha.

Do whatever it takes to honor George. You might win a pair of tickets to the game and maybe even meet the man himself.

Do your best Blaha play-by-play, write a poem about him, tell me why you appreciate him, or just surprise me.

Send your entries in by Sunday January 25th to – need4sheedcontest@gmail.com

All entries must have your submission with the following:

• Subject Line – George Blaha HOF
• Your Full Name
• Address
• Age
• Phone Number
• Email Address

Simple, right?

Thank You to The Pistons again for giving Pistons fans a one-of-a-kind opportunity.

FSN and The Pistons compiled the best plays of 2008. So good I supersized the Video!

Needless to say The Big Denial made the list.

After searching the internet for all things Detroit Pistons I realized there was a need for a Pistons Screen saver so I took it upon myself to make one.
Please feel free to download my Detroit Pistons Screensaver.

*All artwork was done by me, logo’s are the property of the NBA and The Detroit Pistons.