Our good friends Bennie and Jeff are back with their first Podcast of the season.  Did you miss their Top five lists, because I did.

We even have a new Sponsor for the program so make sure that you visit our new sponsor “Dwight Howard’s 17 Minute Chicken Shack”

Don’t forget please leave Bennie and Jeff your thoughts in the comments. They are waiting to hear what Team Need4Sheed has to say and “get your flava with Villanueva.”

Team Need4Sheed Podcast – Breaking down the New Pistons

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The Pistons did their best to try to pull out another game without Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, but the Raptors didn’t cooperate with Detroit’s plans. Detroit went down 99-110 in Toronto after another gutsy effort.

Key Points:

• Another start for Jonas Jerebko and his first NBA points.  Hustle from Jerebko and defensive effort turned into 2 blocks, 3 boards and 8 points.
• Though not a 20 point night, Rodney Stuckey put up a solid double-double with 10 boards, 13 points and 4 assists.
• We have to face facts, it’s clear that Detroit desperately needs front court help.  They can’t count on the guards to do all the scoring.
• I’m getting Ben Wallace DeJa vu.  He’s as closer to the Ben that left to go to Chicago than I could have ever imagined.  Now Kuester needs to limit his time a bit more so this lasts all season.  Wallace finished with 9 boards and 6 points.
• Toronto became the first team this season to score more than 100 points against Detroit. Does that mean the “D” is officially back?  Probably not, but it’s a refreshing surprise.
• Another heroic effort from Will Bynum, who did his best in the fourth to get the Pistons back in it. He tied the game up with this drive and finished the game with16 points, 6 assists and a steal in 33 minutes. I know he prefers “The Thrill” but I can’t help screaming Bynumite, when he does something spectacular like this…

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Austin Day looks a lot like Tayshaun on court, especially when he’s blocking people with those long arms. Daye logged 16 minutes, blocking 2 shots, with 3 boards and 5 points.
• Jason Maxiell got 10 minutes of floor time and added a bit of a spark. A nice putback with 3 boards with 4 points.
• By the way….how many “trade rumor” stories did you read after the Orlando game?
• 20 trips to the line for Bosh, that’s big.
• How much do you enjoy watching Ben Gordon? I’m sure I’ll be writing this again but… Ben Gordon put up a career high in a Pistons uniform while leading the team with 30 points. He’s truly putting this team on his back with Rip and Tay out. Oh and I’m enjoying the fact the Bulls fans are sick about it.

Photo/Getty Images

• First official NBA time for DaJuan Summers who saw 40 seconds.
• Pistons shot well, shooting 45% for the game, but needed to get some stops down the stretch and couldn’t.
• Charlie Villanueva played his best game as a Piston against the team that drafted him. A pretty good stat line in all departments with 16 points, 7 boards a steal and a block. He’s looking better in red, white and blue every night.
• Tough to play a back to back shorthanded, especially after the battle against Orlando. You could clearly see the effort, but they just fell flat mid fourth quarter.
• A little more Ben

• Good to see Amir Johnson get some time on court.  He really helped Toronto when the Pistons started making a run in the third.
• A day of rest and a tough rematch in Orlando Friday night. I hope someone bring some more Kryptonite.
• My good friend Ryan over at HoopsAddict got the inside scoop in the Pistons locker room last night.  I’ll quote him, and then send you over for the audio. “Tonight the Pistons locker room was pure jokes, hence Rip Hamilton free styling before the game about “pimpin’ ain’t easy fo’ sheezy” Pre and post game audio over at Hoopsaddict.com

The Pistons are in Milwaukee tonight, hopefully to bounce back from the pretty ugly home opening loss against the Thunder last night.

Richard Hamilton will not be in uniform again for the Pistons.  Without Rip in the lineup last night the Pistons shot 37.1 percent from the field, but Ben Gordon filled in and scored 25 points while starting  Rip’s spot.

Tip is at 8:30 pm and will broadcast on FSN. If you can’t catch the game on television, tune into the call on AM 950 wwj or the game cast over at NBA.com.

Since it’s Halloween…I’ll wish you a Happy one,  and add this image I pulled from The Pistons.com splash screen.  Hmmmm…. Does any of that look familiar?  It’s Stuctacularly Bynumite if you ask me.

As always, The Detroit Pistons 2009-2010 Detroit Pistons Introductions followed by a very heartfelt dedication to Pistons owner and Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame Bill Davidson.

Ben Wallace with a HUGE ovation and being there I can tell you that he had to have felt the love in the building.  Ben Gordon, who started in place of the injured Richard Hamilton got a nice ovation, but overall I was impressed by the love for Will Bynum….BYNUMITE.

No Sheed, no post intro dance, that I missed.

Straight off their opening night win in Memphis, The Detroit Pistons take the court tonight at The  Palace to take on the Oklahoma Thunder in their first home game of the season.

Forget the fact that Kevin Durant will be in town, Pistons fans have other things to worry about, the 2009-2010 Palace introductions.  We don’t know what they will have in store for us, but you can bet the crowd will go crazy as soon as the lights are dimmed and the fire begins to pulse.

I’m pretty sure they will be a lot different from the 2008-2009 season intros.

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And I’ll bet that Ben Wallace will have a hero’s welcome.

We also don’t know if Mason will be announcing Ben Goooorrrrrrdon (Ba Ba Ben is already reserved for Wallace) during the intos with Rip being questionable after his ankle sprain that occured late in the game on Wednesday night in Memphis.

“That’s the crazy part about it,” Hamilton said. “I think I’ve had three (ankle sprains) my whole life. So I know when I do it, twist my ankle, I know it’s pretty bad.”
After the game, Detroit’s medical officials opted to keep Hamilton’s right ankle taped up in hopes of compressing the swelling.
“I’ve been locked up all night since it happened,” Hamilton said. “We haven’t really taken the tape off to get a good look at it. We’ll see.”
If Hamilton can’t play, the most likely replacement in the starting lineup would be Ben Gordon, who scored 22 points in his Pistons debut Wednesday. Via MLive

Tip off is at 8:00 PM with the festivities starting on FS Detroit at 7:30 with the pre-game show.  If you can’t catch the game on television, tune in on the radio at 9.71 The Ticket or follow the game at NBA.com.

I’ll be in the building for my 10th consecutive home opener for the Pistons (yes I count, and I missed 1998 because of the flu).  You may even get a few game Tweets from me inside the building, so make sure you follow me on Twitter.

The rest I will leave to you in the comments.

DEEEETROIT BASKETBALLLLL!

The new players impressed and the seasoned ones did the rest. The Pistons pummeled the Memphis Grizzlies in the season opener 96-74, led by 25 from Rip Hamilton while Ben Gordon added 22.  The big question has been could the two exist together, and I think they answered that one emphatically with 47 points between them.

Key Points:

• The Defense?  Well it didn’t look that bad, holding the Grizz to just 74 was a nice way to start.
• I mentioned before that Charlie Villanueva was a little (and that’s being nice) lax on playing “D” but he looked like he was really trying to step it up before he got into very early foul trouble. Let’s hope that’s not an issue.
• Coach Kuester started his tenure with Detroit the right way.
• This was the team I was hoping to see this season.
• First official points from Ben Gordon as a Piston… leaning glass gunner with the shot clock expiring. Four point play,  followed by a buzzer beater at the quarter. Ben impressed with 22 points on 7-12 shooting in 25 minutes on the floor.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• You know how it feels for Pistons fans to see Sheed on the hated Celtics. Well just bask in the glory that Bulls fans are killing themselves right now watch Ben Gordon don the red, blue and white!
• Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon’s first Pistons points – triples.
• I love the George Blaha (don’t we all?) poster in Memphis…priceless
• Bynum is really trying to cement this whole point guard position. Bynumite with 5 points, 5 boards and 7 assists in 23 minutes.
• Rip tweaked his ankle late in the game after a very impressive performance. Hopefully he will be just fine. I was worried about him as the game started as well as the preseason but he looked great. He loses his ducktail and he gets his shot back, coincidence? I think not.
• Ben Wallace back to his “Big Ben” status? Fear the fade?

Photo/Getty Images

• Wallace not only started for Detroit, but he was very impressive making his defensive presence felt while making it contagious to his teammates. Ben finished with 9 boards, a blocked shot and 3 points in 28 minutes.  Pleasant surprise…
• Rodney Stuckey 12 points on 6-for-10 shooting with three assists and two boards.  I’m hoping his assists are better this season, but either way I think he’s going to be substantially better than last season.
• Tayshaun Prince looked good with 14 points, 5 boards and 3 assists in 31 minutes.
• Will rebounds be a problem? Probably – Pistons outboarded 39-49.
• I was thinking that Rip’s ego might be a little bruised by Ben Gordon but the fact that Gordon scored the coveted Dr. Rahmani commercial was like writing it in stone.  That’s Rip’s gig, my man.
• Rip started slow but totally stole the show with 25 points on 10-for-19 shooting with 4 assists and 3 boards.  Great start for Rip who was looking a little confused during the preseason.

Photo/Getty Images

• I’m hoping Jason Maxiell really plays the way I think he can play. Maxi with 2 points, 6 boards and a ton of hustle in 14 minutes on the floor.
• 51% shooting on the nigh – WOW.
• Charlie V started the game and scored 7. A great dunk but he’ll have to watch the fouls.
• No Austin Daye or Jonas Jerebko, (The Second coming of Detroit Bad Boys) who were both suspended for their skirmishes in the preseaon.  Pistons dressed just 10 players.
• 37% for three.
• Highlights of the Game

• Nice way to make Pistons fans feel after the mess that was last season.
• I can’t wait to see what the crowd is like Friday night at the Palace. Ben Wallace with a serious ovation during the intros I predict.

This is what Pistons fans have been waiting for since Detroit’s early departure in the playoffs last season.  Let’s leave the mess behind us and get to the good stuff.

Detroit is in Memphis to take on the Grizzles for their season opener tonight at 8pm.  You’re opening night linup is.

• Rodney Stuckey
• Rip Hamilton
• Tayshaun Prince
• Charlie Villanueva
• Ben Wallace

Yes, Big Ben will be the Pistons starting center.

Tip off is at 8:00 PM and will be broadcast on FS Detroit with pregame festivites starting at 7PM.  Can’t watch live? Listen on the radio over at 9.71 The Ticket or follow the gamecast over at NBA.com.

I’m excited, so I’m sure you will get a few choice Tweets out of me during the game.

To an eventful and action packed season!  Leave em in the comments.

We all know the season starts Wed the 28th, but here is your schedule wallpaper for the month of November with the Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon representing the D for the very first time.

Download the Wallpapers here and throughout the month of November on the sidebar of the site.

1024×768 | 1280×800 | 1680×1050

Technically the Pistons have three games in the month of October, but  making a special wall for three games just didn’t seem right, so here is the info for you:

1. Wed 28th @ Memphis 8:00pm FS Detroit
2. Fri 30th vs Oklahoma City 8:00pm FS Detroit
3. Sat 31 @ Milwaukee 8:30pm FS Detroit

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.

Detroit lost their matchup Saturday night with the Memphis Grizzlies 115-94. Bynum led the Pistons with 19 points on 6-8 shooting, and Ben Gordon scored 13.

“They did a wonderful job of transition, taking care of the basketball and sharing the basketball,” Pistons coach John Kuester said. “What we have to do as a team is to become better in our transition defense. We also need to be better at on-the-ball defense. We really struggled.” Via NBA.com

Notables:

• Charlie Villanueva, who played his first game as a Piston, had 12 points.

Photo/Getty Images

• Jonas Jerebko started the game and scored 12 points in 17 minutes with 4 boards.
• Tayshaun Prince missed his second straight pre-season game with a cut toe.
• Rodney Stuckey scored 11 with 3 assists in 30 minutes, he was a -20 for the game (ouch).
• I still think Chris Wilcox will play a larger roll than we thought going in, like I mentioned before he’s my X-factor pick.
• A little worried about the production (or non-production) of Jason Maxiell.  I know it’s only the preseason, but he really hasn’t shown much of anything yet.  It could be his playing time, but come the regular season we will see if he take a leap forward like I had hoped.
• DNP (coaches decision) for DaJuan Summers, while Chucky Atkins, Washington and Baston each played 3:47.  I’m sure Kuester is trying to make his decision on the final roster spots.
• Highlights of the game

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.

The 3-1 Pistons take on the 2-1 Mavericks tonight in Dallas.  Another non televised game for us, but those lucky enough to have HDNet or NBATV can catch a glimpse of the Pistons.  Tip is at 8:30 and you can catch it on 950 AM or stream it live through NBA.com.

It looks like Tayshaun will likely sit out with his toe injury and we probably shouldn’t expect to see Mr. Villanueva on court until Saturday’s game against Memphis.