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Just a little reminder for those of you waiting to but Pistons Tickets for these select games.
Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 25
Denver Nuggets on Dec. 10
Boston Celtics on Jan. 20
Orlando Magic on Jan. 31
San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 21
Boston Celtics on Mar. 2
Cleveland Cavaliers on Mar. 16
Click on the link to purchase up to 8 full price tickets to the biggest Pistons games this season. This presale runs from Tues., Sept. 15 at 10 am until Thurs., Sept. 17 at noon. Plus, you can receive up to 4 free tickets to the Oct. 30 Home Opener (one for each regular-price ticket you purchase).
I know it’s been slow as far as Pistons news goes but you MUST head on over to ESPN and read the great piece Tom Friend wrote on Chauncey Billups. A must for any Pistons fan.
Thanks to Max, Jeff, Michael, El Patron Himself, Stephen and all the others who made sure I didn’t miss this one. And all of you….pass it on. Go Chauncey!
And what a class act Billups is. Watch his post game comments and then tell me you don’t appreciate and miss his leadership and his attitude. In red white and blue or light blue and yellow…he’s Ron Burgundy classy.
The Pistons take on the 39-21 Denver Nuggets at home for the first time since Chauncey Billups was traded from Detroit. Billups acknowledges it will be emotional to play at The Palace for the first time as an ex-Piston, but I can only imagine how he feels one the fans welcome him back.
“It will be fun to get back to that city that I love so dearly, the fans that I love so dearly,” Billups said. Via NBA.com
My guess is there will be a few tears shed in the building.
I’m also hoping for a CHAUNCEY B-B-B-BILLUPS from our good friend Mason.
We have Iverson fans as well as Billups fans and no matter which side of the fence you sit on, there is no denying what Billups meant to this team or it’s fans.
Sorting though one of my first videos I did on N4S, I found this one i titled Chauncey for MVP, I thought you might enjoy it today.
The Good/The Bad and More
No Carmelo Anthony for Denver -- “The Denver Nuggets have suspended Carmelo Anthony for one game for an “in-game transgression” Sunday against Indiana. “There is a code of conduct that we take very seriously, especially from a leader and co-captain,” Rex Chapman, vice president of player personnel, said Monday. “Carmelo knows this and regrets what happened. He is a very competitive person and made a poor decision in the heat of the moment. We look forward to having him back on Thursday and will have no further comment at this time.” Via ESPN
“It’s going to be amazing,” Prince said. “I can tell you one thing: It’s going to be a packed house. I’m pretty sure the ovation he’s going to get is one we haven’t seen in a while. People know how we’ve been playing since he’s been gone and the importance that he meant to our ball club.” Via MLive
Tip off is at 7:30 at The Palace of Auburn Hill and if you’re headed out, make sure you get there early so you don’t miss a thing. The game will be locally broadcast on FSN PLUS and as always Tim Bryant from FSN was nice enough to send us the channel listings just in case you’re not sure what number your Fox Sports Plus is on. If you can’t watch the game listen live on WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game on NBA.com
ESPN is reporting that Allen Iverson will NOT be dressed in Piston red, white and blue for the third straight game. Remember, he returned to Detroit with “back issues” to get a doctor’s opinion after his MRI following Detroit’s 87-90 loss to the Hornets. He also was MIA in Boston and now that the team is back in Detroit ……AI is on his way (or is already in) D.C. to see his own specialist.
I had mentioned a few days ago that I thought something was fishy with this whole back injury since AI is like the Energizer Bunny. My thinking was the injury would help him save face with his new bench role. But after Curry put his foot in his mouth today, Iveson has got to be ready to explode somewhere.
“Maybe Allen comes in and plays a lot of time at Will Bynum’s spot,” Curry said.
Iverson still has not spoken publicly since learning of his demotion following the Pistons’ loss at New Orleans on Wednesday. He returned to Detroit to have an MRI on his back, and he likely will remain silent Monday since Curry is giving the Pistons the day off following an eight-game road trip.
If he has something to say about his demotion (and he sure had a lot to say the last time a coach tried to bring him off the bench, as Chris Ford will testify), it’ll have to wait another day or two.
Not that what Iverson has to say is going to change anything, though.
For now, and for the rest of this season (barring injuries), Iverson is coming off the bench.
“That’s going to be the last move,” Curry said. “It’s nothing against how Allen has played. It’s just with Rip in that first group, it seems more guys in that group play better. I knew Rip could play off the bench because he’s an efficient scorer; he can score right away.
“I’m still not sure how well A.I. can play off the bench, and that’s what we’re going to have to find out. He’s been in a tough situation all year, and so has everyone else. But this is the team we have, and if we can find ways for guys to do it together — and willingly do it together — we’ve got a chance to be pretty good.”
So it looks like we won’t see Allen Iverson off the bench for Detroit against his former team and the man who truly should have been the only #1 in a Pistons uniform (yes, I’m still upset about that).
Right now we have to keep an eye out for the entire situation, someone’s not talking and someone is talking a bit too much.
The Pistons won their first game against their old friend Chauncey Billups in Denver. With Denver leading the entire game it was Tayshaun Prince’s hook in the lane with 20 seconds on the clock that gave the Pistons their first lead of the night. Tayshaun started it and Arron Afflalo’s clutch free throws to end the game sealed it.
Key Points:
Chauncey was at his finest with a game-high 30 points on 11-for-19 shooting with 4 assists and just one turnover. Rodney Stuckey tried to keep up but a sore back held him to just 30 minutes and nine points. Miss Chauncey? I do, but it’s clear he’s doing well with his new team, taking them places they haven’t been in quite some time.
Billups had 20 points by halftime and 26 at the end of three quarters. That’s when Prince told Pistons coach Michael Curry he wanted to guard Billups down the stretch. Billups managed just four points in the fourth quarter as Prince’s long arms and size bothered the hot-shooting Billups.
“There was nobody on the court at the time that knows Chauncey’s game like me,” Prince said. “When you have a 6-foot-9 guy like myself that’s pretty quick off my feet, I’m able to contest Chauncey’s three, plus keep enough space because he’s so fast where I can back up a little bit.” Via The Detroit Free Press
Had Chauncey been as hot down the stretch as he was to start, no way the Pistons win this one. Also thank Detroit’s defense for clamping down on Billups so he had to defer to Smith who turned over the ball on a Antonio McDyess strip.
It’s not business as usual for the Pistons as they are set to go against their longtime teammate Chauncey Billups for the first time since the trade for Allen Iverson tonight in Denver.
Chauncey has put his new team (2nd) in a place where they haven’t been in a while… the top half of the Western Conference. Denver (25-12) is on a 5 game winning streak even without the help of Carmelo Anthony, who is sidelined with a broken hand.
Now we all had thoughts about the trade before it happened and now. So The Nugg Doctor and I sat down for a little word association therapy session, his thoughts on Chauncey and mine on Allen Iverson.
N4S: Likes
ND:I’m not going to bore you with stats because we both know what each man brings to his team every night so what I like about Chauncey Billups is the steady hand he brings. The Nuggets are a team that in recent years could give you a heart attack on any given night, but this year things are a little bit different with Billups. The Nuggets are undefeated when entering the fourth quarter with a lead and are also undefeated this year when Chauncey reaches double-figures in assists. This is a testament to the change in basketball culture within this team that Billups brought. Chauncey’s presence, with his leveling of the emotions and contagious focus on the moment, has silently put a killer instinct back in the Nuggets regardless of the few sizable leads they have given up to a few questionable teams.
N4S: Dislikes
ND: It could just be the honeymoon feeling lingering, but I can’t really think of anything I don’t like about having Mr. Big Shot back in Denver. He’s a hometown hero that’s quickly becoming a Cinderella story. Nobody thought the Nuggets would be second place overall in the Western Conference at practically the midway point in the year, but yet here we are at 25-12 and with only the Lakers out to a better start in the West.
N4S: Changes he brought
ND:The biggest change in the Nuggets that I’ve seen directly attributed to Chauncey Billups is a change in basketball culture. The Nuggets have been a bit of circus sideshow the last few years with a ton of statistical and individual anomalies as well as other honors, but that hasn’t added up to a hill of beans come playoff time. Barring ANOTHER serious injury, that shouldn’t be the case this year. The main reason I believe this is in addition to the steady hand I’ve already mentioned the fact that Chauncey has won a championship ring, and a Finals MVP award, and that has guys listening with their ears perked when Chauncey has something to say. Before the trade, I felt that this was kind of a me-for-me basketball team, win or lose, made up of individuals who were going to try and fill their own agendas often times at the detriment to the team. This year, Chauncey’s leadership and championship resume has been a focal point based upon his team-first style of play and the Nuggets have bought into that and it’s been paying off.
N4S: Surprises
ND: I’ve been most pleasantly surprised by Chauncey’s defense. AI was way too much of a gambler on defense for me personally and after watching the way Chauncey more discriminately picks his opportunities on defense it was an area of improvement that the Nuggets desperately needed.
N4S: Expectations
ND:I’d settle for a first round win in the playoffs, but honestly I’m expecting more than that with this year’s Nuggets as long as they can all stay healthy. Kenyon Martin is having a fantastic year, Nene is true inspiration after fighting cancer, and with the gusto of Carmelo and the guidance of Chauncey there is no reason why this team couldn’t make it to the Western Finals. Denver’s also has a great cast the role players with Dahntay Jones, Linas Kleiza, J.R. Smith, and the “Birdman” Chris Andersen bringing their wildly different but effective games every night makes this a very special crew.
Thanks go out to Nick Sclafani, AKA The Nugg Doctor, for giving us some Denver insight. Remember to head on over to The Nugg Doctor for my thoughts on Iverson.
Chauncey Says:
“I’m looking forward to seeing my guys. It’s going to be fun,” Billups said.
But he’s not out to prove anything about anybody giving up on him too soon.
“I’m good. I’ve proved everything I could in that city. I’m doing it now here,” Billups said. “I’m just looking forward to seeing my dudes, competing, playing, having a fun game. That’s all.” Via NBA.com
A quick Hello to Chauncey, a few days later he was gone.
Tip off is at 9:00 P.M. and will be locally broadcast on FSN . If you can’t watch the broadcast, tune into 1130 AM The Fan. Can’t do either? Follow the game on NBA.com.
Chauncey Billups spoke to The Detroit Free Press’s Michael Rosenberg before his game against Cleveland last night. Chauncey had plenty of good things to say about Detroit as well as his teammates but after he opened up I can’t help but feel for him.
“It was the hardest two or three hours that I’ve had in a long, long time in my life,” Billups said. “We just couldn’t believe that it’s over. It’s over. That’s the thing that’s so tough about trades. No matter what happens, it’s over. So those two or three hours were crazy.” Billups talking about what happened when Rip and Tayshaun heard the news of the trade.
Most interesting is the fact that Rip Hamilton signed his extension BEFORE the trade went down, and Chauncey believes (as do most of us) that Richard may not have been so quick to sign the extension had he known the trade was going down.
“What if Hamilton had known that Billups was going to be traded? The normally affable Hamilton was so upset by the trade that he didn’t talk to the media for several days. Would Rip have signed his contract extension without Chauncey on the roster? Did the Pistons wait until the contract was signed before making the deal?
“If Rip would have knew that this deal was going on, I just don’t know that he would have signed that extension,” Billups said. “It was kind of funny to me that they announced this trade the same day that he signed. I really don’t know. … It just seemed weird to me. He signed that extension three days before the trade. … I think it might have been a little different if all this was exposed early.”
It’s not like we all didn’t know Sheed had problems with Flip, but Chauncey thinks the tension between the coach and players cost the team a Championship.
“’Sheed was just vocal and visual about his (frustration),” Billups said. “I can’t say it was all Rasheed or it was only Rasheed. But even with that, I just still feel like that should have never come into play. I feel like no matter what the coach is doing, how you feel or whatever, you can’t cheat your teammates and not give maximum effort because you’re mad at the coach.
“I think that cost us at least one championship.”
Really? Which one?
“At least one,” he said.
Billups also said “don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming anybody.” He didn’t take sides and didn’t really defend Saunders. His point was that the Pistons let their differences with their coach get in the way of their ultimate goal.
“I don’t point fingers,” he said. “I just think problems, and maybe disbelief in Flip on a player or two’s behalf, cost us in some different series that I thought, had we been locked in, we could have won.”
I implore you to head over to The Free Press and read the whole piece. I know we all thought these things, but Chauncey telling us makes it a bit different.
The Iverson trade has only brought the Pistons one win so far but it did do one thing for Pistons fans and that’s bring the team some national attention. Tonight’s late night match up was picked up by TNT as soon as the trade was announced. The 3-5 Warriors host the Stuckeyless (again) Pistons.
If Allen Iverson and Tayshaun Prince put up the same kind of numbers they did against The Kings, Detroit should do just fine. Watch out for Stephen Jackson (the Warriors’ leading scorer), Kelenna Azubuike and Andris Biedrins who always seems to have a good night against Detroit.
Tip is at 10:30 on TNT and just in case you didn’t know game one of the TNT double header is Denver vs. Cleveland, so if you want to catch Chauncey Billups (who’s doing a heck of a job) here is your chance. As always you can catch it on the radio at WDFN 1130 AM The Fan or stream it live at NBA.com.
One of my favorite bloggers just so happens to pen a blog about The Nuggets, so when this whole thing went down and our favorite teams swapped players The Nugg Doctor and I decided to ask each other some questions about “The Trade.”
N4S: When you heard of the rumors did you think the deal could actually go through?
The Nugg Doctor: I’m glad you asked this question. During the summer, there was a rumor going around that Denver and Detroit were essentially going to switch a vast majority of each team’s respective starting five and I was all for it. The way I looked at it was the Pistons are a team that have enjoyed quite a bit of success over the last few years while Denver hasn’t yet been out of the first round of the playoffs since drafting ‘Melo. Unfortunately, that trade never materialize, but evidently both teams still stayed in contact. As for the Nuggets trading AI for Chauncey, I hadn’t really heard much stirring about the deal before it was all but agreed upon which is pretty much par for course with Nuggets brass being so tight lipped. However, I am extremely happy that Denver’s native son is coming home.
N4S: Denver finally got their PG, was Chauncey always at the top of the list because he heard rumors of a deal this summer involving Carmelo and Billups?
The Nugg Doctor: I do think Chauncey was always high on our list, if not the top choice. He’s from Denver. Denver would love to see him back in a Nuggets uniform considering how pitiful we were when he was a Nugget previously in his career. And, I think it would be nice for Billups to finish his career in Denver as a capstone to an otherwise spectacular career. However, due to their age discrepancy I do not think the Nuggets would have ever done a deal that would have sent Carmelo Anthony to Detroit.
N4S: We know AI, but tell us something you were not expecting to see and did when he landed in Denver?
The Nugg Doctor: One thing that Pistons fans have to look forward to is a warrior night-in and night-out. Sometimes we hear that kind of description thrown around for this player or that player, but with AI there really isn’t anyone who can compare to what he brings every night. He’ll play hurt, tired, and sick without any excuse or not playing hard. He will fit right in with the city of Detroit’s blue collar style, and hopefully with the Pistons style of play.
N4S: Chauncey was the Pistons captain, do you see him taking on the roll in Denver?
The Nugg Doctor: I think he’ll have to. ‘Melo is not much of a vocal leader and with the departure of Camby over the off-season, and AI now gone, Chauncey’s veteran leadership is going to be invaluable to Nuggets. Additionally, the acquisition of Billups is going to be tremendous to the continued development of J.R. Smith. Plus, Billups has been to the NBA promise land and tasted the fruits of an NBA championship which is also going to be tremendous for the psyche of this franchise.
N4S: Does Billups get Denver out of the first round of the Playoffs?
The Nugg Doctor: Let’s hope so! Along with your Pistons, the Nuggets are one of only four teams in the NBA to have made the playoffs in the last five consecutive years and the only one not to make it to the conference semis even once. There is certainly going to be a lot of pressure on him to make the difference that AI never could, but if there is one thing that “Mr. Big Shot” is capable of it’s seizing the opportunity and rising to the occasion.
Thanks to The Nugg Doctor for taking the time to fill in the blanks for Pistons fans. You can see my answers to his questions over at The Nugg Doctor!
It’s been quite a ride for me over at Need4Sheed as it has been for 99% of Pistons fans. I can’t tell you how surprised (and not surprised) I was with the deal Dumars pulled off in the early hours Monday morning. I’ll miss Mr. Big Shot, he was a gentleman on and off the court who did so much for Detroit, and Dyess…I’m hoping that he’ll be back so I will set the sentiment aside until it’s final.
I let a couple of days pass before I put things down about what went down. So let’s do this Need4Sheed style.
Key Points of this trade:
We just got the Superstar this town has been yearning for since Grant Hill donned a Pistons uni.
The Pistons just got a lot faster.
You give up a Big Shot and in return you get “The Answer”.
Dumars locked Rip in to make sure his back court (Hamilton and Stuckey) is secure for the future.
Something was going to happen and all things considered (Sheed and his contract) Chauncey was Joe’s biggest bargaining chip.
The enormous amount of Cap Space Dumars has to play with after the season is over, no matter if he uses it in 2009 or 2010 when the free agent crop is a shopping list of Superstars.
Believe it or not, it just made The Pistons relevant. As many times as they have reached the ECF in the past few years they will always be overlooked because of the lone Championship.
Cartoon AI
The Palace will have it’s first legitimate Sell Out of the regular season in a long time. I know, I have been there -- don’t let that sellout streak banner fool you.
Will it make them better this season? It certainly won’t make them worse, but it’s sure going to make things different.
Should we worry about what Iverson will do with Sheed in the same locker room? I think both really have settled down personality-wise. Sheed has been a model citizen since landing in Detroit and Iverson isn’t talking about Practice anymore, or is he?
More Rodney Stuckey. Iverson will start at the PG, but really doesn’t like to play it. You will probably see a small lineup out of Detroit. Honestly the rotations are almost limitless.
Not that Chauncey wasn’t but Iverson is beyond HUNGRY.
AI doesn’t even sit for a bullet wound. Expect to see him out there unless he’s in the ICU.
This is a deal for now and the future.
If Chauncey went anywhere, I’m glad it’s home.
Can Iverson’s game work with the Pistons’ system of team ball? Not that way he plays now, but from his talk at the presser he knows that and sounded quite sincere when he professed he would do whatever it took to make things work. Let’s see if he makes good on it.
It was really evident that something needed to change, if it didn’t we would have at least 3 trophies out of this bunch.
With Amir, Stuckey and Maxiell on the court with AI… make sure your DVRs are up to par because you can bet we will have some serious highlights coming.
He’s not the Iverson from 5 years ago, so don’t expect it. He’s still one of the best in the league.
Chauncey’s #…..I wasn’t too excited they gave him Chauncey’s digit, but it’s not the end of the world. Surprised mostly.
This makes Joe D look really good in my eyes. Cap room, a superstar, room for building on the future, keeping the team in contention, not giving up too much (considering Dyess may still return), and the SPOTLIGHT.
Will it make the Pistons chances for a trophy any better? Probably, because it was painfully obvious that unless something changed they weren’t going to win this season.
Joe D locked up Rip, extended Maxiell, is probably bringing Dyess back and may be shopping someone else. At this point, look out for anything.
Let’s give AI the benefit of the doubt before we pass judgment. I for one never really liked his character, but how can you not love his game as well as his heart?
Iverson makes his debut tonight in Toronto against the Raptors, but his true unveiling will be on Sunday at home (for the first time) against Boston. And for those of you who have asked for the Iverson intros at the Palace, no need to ask. If they broadcast them….you know where to come.
“The Rocky Mountain News reports that Nuggets vice president of player personnel Rex Chapman said Denver intends to keep forward Antonio McDyess after acquiring him in a trade today” Via The Detroit Free Press
The notion for the return of McDyess to Detroit was too good to be true. We all know that Dyess wears his heart on his sleeve so the idea of his return to Detroit seemed plausible. Matt from DBB recalls a moment he experienced while in the Pistons locker room last season when Boston eliminated Detroit.
“I can’t say I was surprised — I was in the Pistons’ locker room after they were eliminated from the Conference Finals last year, and I saw McDyess fight back the tears while admitting to reporters that he already asked himself, “Hey, should I just retire?”
He added, “I don’t want to be no ring-chaser, I don’t want to be moving team to team being a ring-chaser. I can’t do that. If I have to do that, I would definitely give it up. I mean, if I stay on this team another couple of years, we still have a chance, we just got to put our heart into it and do it.”
That was May 30th. Four and a half months later, he’s just been dealt to another team, albeit a familiar one — McDyess was originally drafted by the Nuggets, and following a trade to the Suns he re-signed with the Nuggets in 1998 before his series of horrific knee injuries. He’ll probably be greeted as a prodigal son more so than just a hired gun, but still, at this point in his career, is McDyess actually willing to make yet another move while going to a team no one considers a serious contender?” Via Fanhouse
“Antonio McDyess will not have a homecoming with Billups. Although the Nuggets kept talking Monday about McDyess’ future with the team, there will be none. His contract will be bought out, and he probably will re-sign with Detroit. Huh? He was included in the deal to make the salary numbers equitable.”
We may just have to wait this one out. It’s been nuts the last couple of days, but I can’t help but keep thinking of McDyess. I still would like him to get his Ice.
Need4Sheed.com is not with Rasheed Wallace, The Detroit Pistons or the NBA. All images, videos, and audio are property of their respective owners. Copyright Natalie Sitto 2005-2009 Site Powered by Wordpress & designed by Skeleton Key Media
ESPN is reporting that Allen Iverson will NOT
