• The officiating
• The hack a Ben Wallace fiasco that Pop pulled.
• The fact that Kuester left Ben in after 5 consecutive fouls.
• The almost fit of rage and the headband toss from Ben when when he finally was pulled with a little more than 2 minutes left in the game.
• The 10 point lead widdled down to one.
• The Manu flop.
• The Rip tech that could have cost the Pistons the game.
• Some clutch baskets by Stuckey.
• Ben Gordon coming to life.

I guess I really didn’t put anything aside, but here is the video I took of the reaction from the crowd when Antonio McDyess was introduced at the Palace with the Pistons Intros.

I have to say I am a bit disappointed that they didn’t make a bit more of Dyess’s homecoming.  In fact I felt that they almost cut off the cheers by starting the introductions.

Not only did I get to see Dyess, I’m still excited that thanks to my friend Dave, Antonio McDyess has an Ice4Dyess T-Shirt in his possession.

It was a great win, I’m anxious to hear your thoughts.

The 19-35 Detroit Pistons host the 31-22 San Antonio Spurs this evening at The Palace of Auburn Hills. This marks the first time Antonio McDyess will be back at the Palace after signing with San Antonio this season.

I know you may not believe this but, I’m more excited to see Antonio’s return than I was for Sheed’s. Dyess will forever hold a a special place with me for his character, will, determination, and most of all his heart.

Forget the Spurs Scouting Report, let’s pay tribute to Antonio.

Get your ICE DYESS

Tip is at 6 :00 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to 97.1 The Ticket or follow the action over at NBA.com.

I’ll take some Flip Video of Pistons fans reaction to McDyess. And for some reason if you see someone with an Ice4Dyess T-shirt…you know who it is.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

Key Points:

• I know everyone is pointing at the Pistons bench for the loss, but do you realize they only took 18 Shots.
• Tayshaun Prince is racking up minutes (42), and his defense is starting to creep back.  Prince with 12 points, 8 boards and 3 blocked shots.
• Ben Wallace pretty much contained Andrew Bogut by himself, while grabbing 12 boards, with a block, a steal and 3 points.
• Jonas Jerebko with 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting, 2 steals a blocked shot and 4 boards.  His game is maturing by the day.  Did anyone catch the guys with the sign that said Swedish Eagle?
• Rip Hamilton with a game high 29 points on 9-for-20 shooting with 3 assists, 3 boards and a steal.  It was a vintage Rip night.

Photo/Getty Images

• Charlie V never really got a chance this season to torch his former team.  Charlie with 2 points, 4 boards in 18 minutes.  His foul trouble and the turnovers, probably was the reason for the minutes.  I just hope he shakes off whatever is ailing him soon.

“Coming off that bench, we’ve got to play better,” Bynum said. “We had an eight- or 10-point lead when we got in in the first half. There’s no way we can play like that when the first team plays as well as they did in the first quarter. We’ve got to keep it going and I don’t think we did that tonight.” Via Pistons.com

• An odd game for Rodney Stuckey, he scored 13 on 5-for-10 shooting, but for some reason he looked uncomfortable out there to me.  Could it have possibly been because he was trying to keep up with the lightning quick Jennings?  He did turn the ball over 5 times.
• 1-for-6 from downtown.
• Maxiell with a vintage putback.

Video Courtesy of The NBA

• We really could have pulled it out in the last minutes of the game, but John Salmons, who is truly a Pistons killer no matter where he plays had the clutch three to put the Pistons away.
• I will never watch a Josh Hartnet movie again….Ilyasova with 16 points and 12 boards off the bench for the Bucks.
• Nice to see Stack still has it, he got us through some tough times here in the D.
• Just a frustrating game altogether…we were shooting lights out in the first half and losing.
• Let Austin Play!
• Board war lost 37-40.
• Gordon….1-for-6.  Is it the injury or is it what we were afraid of when the Pistons acquired him?  Rip and BG together on one team?
• I’m shaking this one off because I’m excited to see Antonio tomorrow evening at the Palace.  Ice4Dyess

I will never forget how he took that loss to San Antonio in the finals. Sitting there heartbroken on the bench when the Pistons let that trophy slip right out from under their fingers. Most people don’t know he didn’t even go to the locker room that night, he headed straight to his car in his uniform and drove home. That’s how hard it hit him.

His quest for a Championship continues, and I for one am pulling for him… No matter where he may be.

If you missed his interview with Greg Kelser before the Pistons game on Wednesday night, take a moment and watch it. If you can’t feel his emotion when he talks about Detroit then there is something wrong with you. He almost brought me to tears.

I will also never forget what happened when I took my nephew to the Pistons Season Ticket Holders Night and asked Dyess to take a picture him.

Key Points:

• Jason Maxiell, who didn’t play a minute in the Pistons lost to Dallas, started in place of Jonas Jerebko and finished with 5 points, 2 steals and 7 boards . I for one was surprised with the change.
• Nice to see McDyess smiling again, even if it’s not with The Pistons.
• Rodney Stuckey, who finished with 13 points, 4 boards and 0 assists in 24 minutes. Stuckey tweaked his knee early in the game and didn’t play much of the fourth. No word yet on his status.
• Rip Hamilton led Detroit with 29 points om 12-22 shooting with 2 assists a steal and one board.

Photo/Getty Images

• Recap with Greg and George

• Tayshaun still looks hurt, but he did have a nice block.
• 14 for Charlie V in 23 minutes.
• The final score didn’t really tell the tale of this game, Detroit really did have a chance until mid fourth quarter.  I knew it was over after a really bad Ben Gordon turnover with about 6 minutes to go.
• Seriously, when is Ben Gordon going to get his groove back? 4-for-12 shooting with 11 points and 5 turnovers. Not good, not good at all.
• I have to cut the recap short for this one, but feel free to add more in the comments.
• Where is the D?  The Spurs shot 58% for the night.
• Ok, can we really (seriously) start talking about tanking yet?
• I will leave you with the NBA.com low lights.

The 11-22 Pistons are in San Antonio tonight on the second game of a back to back to take on the 20-12 Spurs.

Just to put things into perspective, Detroit has not had a losing streak this bad since dropping 13 straight to conclude the 1993-94 season and finish 20-62. And for those of you not in the know….they went straight to the Draft lottery and chose Grant Hill.

Detroit has only won three games this season on the road and The Spurs have won six of their last seven at home.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

At least we get a chance to see Antonio McDyess, right?

Cheer up Pistons fans… Jonas Jerebko the Steal of the NBA Draft?

Not to mention the epic YouTube tribute to him.

Tip is at 8:30 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune in to 97.1 The Ticket or follow the action over at NBA.com .

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

Key Points:

• We thought the key to their success was going to be putting up points since the acquisitions of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva… We play D!
• They play Defense, but let the Jazz get to the line 44 times.  Detroit just 25 attempts at the stripe.
• Never liked Boozer, but it’s got to be rough to get booed by your own fans.
• Nice outing by the rookie DaJuan Summers, who scored 5 points and assist and a really nice block.
• Austin Day played just a minute twenty seven.
• Wilcox still too much noting.
• Another game another filling of the box score by Ben Gordon, who lead all scorers  with 25 points in 47 minutes of play.  Add 5 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals and I dare anyone say this man was overpaid with a fat contract.

Photo /Getty Images

• I am surprised every night at the Points in the paint stat.  You would think that since we don’t have Sheed or Dyess or a solid center that Detroit wouldn’t be able to score down low.  Our guards, plus CV31 had 44 down low.  Shame on you Rasheed Wallace for living outside the three point arc, Boston fans still think you’ll play in the paint (silly Celtic fans).
• Fun to see Ben Wallace with so much passion again. Ben scored 8 with 9 boards.
• Detroit looked sharp all the way through, sharing the ball, executing played and playing good D.  This was a tough loss, but when you watch this team play with the heart that they do, you still come away happy.  Thanks boys!
• Sweeeeeeede with 4 points, 6 boards in 19 minutes.  If he can get a little better on the defensive end, he’s going to make Dumars look like a hero.
• Rodney Stuckey scored 18 points, and Charlie Villanueva had 17 points.  Both played well, unfortunately we missed Charlie in OT after he fouled out.
• You would think we had a chance last night, Utah dressed just 9 players and our old friend Memo wasn’t one of them.
• Bynum continues his stellar crunch time play.  Will scored 16 points in 32 minutes with 2 assists, 6 boards and 4 turnovers. Bash me all you will but Will should be the starting point guard in my opinion.  That doesn’t mean I don’t think Stuckey is great, it just means I think Will plays the PG position better.

Photo/Getty Images

• Curse you AK47, your clutch shots won the game for your team.
• We continue to win the board wars. Detroit is out-rebounding almost every team the play 40 to 34 in Utah.  Another reason why we are in just about every game.
• Utah has a VERY big center Fesenko, who started in place of Memo.  This 300 pound plus player looks more like the kid down the block that wears shorts in the winter than he does an NBA player.
• With the score tied at 90, Milsap had a chance to win it but missed his jumpshot to send it to OT.
• Highlights of the game Via NBA.com

• Rip and Tayshaun back on court doing light practice.  Still timetable when they will return.
• They have to bounce back quickly to play the Suns tonight in Phoenix.  What a trip!

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.

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

Despite the fact that this video was put together pretty recently, it seems like lifetime ago.

Video courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and myTV20 Detroit

I would like to get your take on the matter…does it put a smile on your face or cause you pain over what was, and maybe what could have been if things didn’t go the way they did last season?