Let’s be honest people, Detroit isn’t the sexy city that can woo free agents.  We need gritty hungry players that will do whatever it takes to win.  The stuporstars aren’t waiting in line to come to the D to play and spend their weekends hanging at the local Coney Island (and that’s not a knock on Lafayette or Leo’s by any means).  A lot of things would have to fall in place for a player like D Wade or Bosh to want to sign with the Pistons.

Aren’t we used to that by now?

Surely you didn’t want Joe to make a trade for the sake of making a trade did you? It’s not like we are in the hunt for the title. I used to think I had a handle on how Joe worked, but after he traded away our rock for the anti Piston, anything could happen.  I will say with some kind of certainty that Joe was probably trying to move both Rip and Tay.  He had to, but he doesn’t have fire sales.

So we wait this season out, hope for some action around the NBA draft, and hope for the best.  The whole organization is in transition, and so are the fans. Hold tight, it’s going to be a bumpy, turbulent filled trip on the Roundball (3), let’s just hope we all make it out one piece.

One last thing, cross your fingers that this never happens again.

The 11-17 Pistons are hosting the 13-17 Toronto Raptors for the second game of a back to back. One thing that is on the Pistons side is that they have won 11 straight home meetings against the Raptors. Things not on Detroit’s side…injuries.

Injury Repot

” Ben Gordon has been put on the active list for tonight’s game with Charlotte! If he’s really good to go, that’s huge.”  Via @DetPistons

Well that was last night…lets hope hes good to play tonight!

• No official word on the status of Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince at the moment.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Be on the lookout for our good friend Amir Johnson who’s been dubbed as Mr. Hustle in Toronto and has quickly become a fan favorite.

Tip is at 7:30 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Plus (click here for you local channel numbers). For the radio broadcast tune in to 950 AM , or follow the action over at NBA.com.

I’m heading to the game with our West Coast Pistons fan and guest writer Rashid Umar, so if you follow me on Twitter you may get a few inside tweets from the Palace of Auburn Hills.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

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

This is the surely a time when Detroit has to buckle down for a more desirable spot come April.

Rasheed is doubtful for tonight’s game and the Pistons will know more about the status of Allen Iverson in a week or so.

“I’m in no rush,” Wallace said a few minutes ago prior to Detroit’s morning shootaround. “I’m taking it day to day.” Via MLive

With the game Dyess played on Wednesday….he deserves more than this tribute mix, but that’s all I have for you right now.

The Good/Bad and More

• Toronto has lost six straight, a slide during which Chris Bosh has averaged 25.5.
• Toronto has the East’s second-worst record.
• The Pistons close the season with a favorable schedule.
• Maxiell with start again for Rasheed.
• The Bench brings the energy.
• Juiced Sports Blog talks to Bill Laimbeer.
• Doug Collins on his deep admiration for Daddy Rich.
• You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone -- Blaha on Sheed

Tip off is at 7:00 PM and will be locally broadcast on FSN. If you can’t watch it you can listen in locally on 1130 AM WDFN, or follow the game with a live feed on NBA.com.

Keep and eye and ear out for the abundance of Pistons fans in the crowd in Toronto. The comments are yours…

“Chris Bosh reportedly informed Toronto Raptors GM, Bryan Colangelo, that he will not re-sign with the team in 2010, according to Stephen A. Smith.

Bosh can become an unrestricted free agent in 2010.

“He has no desire to remain in Toronto,” said Smith, during a Feb. 1 interview.

Smith mentioned Miami and Dallas as possible destinations” Real GM

Thanks to Team Need4Sheed Vin Richitelli for the quick info.