The Pistons ran a great halftime special on The Thrill.   Will shares with us what he had to go though to achieve  his dream of being in the NBA.

On another note, Mr. Blaha has now adopted Bynumite…..my work is done. (Sorry Will)

In what looked like a replay of Tuesday night’s game in Los Angeles, the Motown Sound was reduced to a whisper and a 20 point deficit after three quarters, then after a furious late rally (which cut the lead to one) fell short to the Blazers in Portland 87-81. Rodney Stuckey led the team with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and, 5 assists but shot a horrible 6-21. Charlie V seemed poised to erase his nightmare performance against the Lakers but picked up 2 quick fouls in first quarter. The Pistons will have two days off before continuing the trip in Utah on Saturday night.

Key points of the game:

• The Blazers led by 4 after one, then 10 at the half, before stretching it to 20 after 3.
• The Pistons used all three rookies in the fourth to mount the furious comeback which included a 10-0 run and outscored Portland 31-17.
• With the Blazers leading 78-77 with over a minute to go, the Pistons couldn’t secure a rebound which landed in Steve Blake’s hands. He would later in the possession hit a three to put the Blazers up 81-77, which put the Detroiters to bed.
• Someone tell Rodney Stuckey that he doesn’t have to force the action for himself all the time. It’ll be nice to set table for others every now and then.

Photo/Getty Images

• Pistons used a “tall ball” line-up to make the Blazers sweat this one out.
• Ben Wallace had a quiet 12 rebounds.
• I’m starting to come around to the thought that maybe the offense is better with Bynum on the floor.
• Charlie V scored 20 points, including a huge three and layup late to cut the lead to one, despite picking up some cheap fouls early. However, he could’ve kept that turn and fade-a-way three point attempt with 10 seconds.
• Hey another DaJuan Summers sighting!
• The Blazers got 20 apiece from stars Brandon Roy and LeMarcus Aldridge.
• Michigan Wolverines Fab Fiver Juwan Howard is still in the league?? Wow. Dude is just stealing money now. I wonder if Mike Peplowski, Orlando Woolridge, or Rafael Addison are available.
• Jay-Z made a song titled: Death to Auto tune, I proposed one: Death of Small Ball.
• Charlie V put up 20 with 3 boards in 16 minutes.

Photo/Getty Images

• The three guard lineup of Stuckey, Ben Gordon, and Will Bynum leaves the team with defensive deficiencies.
• Late in the game the team implored a full-court trap that yielded positive results.
• Austin Daye made a nice contribution with his shooting and defense late.
• I swear Greg Oden looks like Lebron James’ older uncle. Anyhow the future career solid starter had 6 points, 10 boards, and 3 blocks.
• When’s Rip coming back?
• Pistons resume action Saturday night in Utah where they haven’t won since I was a natural blond (kidding but it’s been a long time).

Highlights of the Game Via NBA.com

After a promising start, the Pistons were overwhelmed by the Champion Lakers, but put on a late rally before falling 106-93. The Pistons were led by Will Bynum’s 24 points and 6 assists, while Kobe Bryant scored 40 to help stop LA’s two-game losing streak. Detroit falls to 5-6 on the young season and head to Portland Wednesday night.

Some key points:

• Despite a strained groin, Kobe takes advantage of the smaller Piston guards en route to 40 points (including an unnecessary three pointer late).
• For all the people who think that the team should trade Tayshaun or Rip, don’t you think they would have made a difference tonight?
• Lakers were without Pau Gasol and Luke Walton.
• Ben Gordon gets up there.
  

Photo/Getty Images

• Tayshaun made the trip. Rip talks retirement.
• Did Charlie V suit up tonight? I’m just asking.
• Big Ben Wallace tried his best but was outdone by LA’s low post offense.
• Living in LA, I had to watch the Lakers broadcast which made me angry, so I decided to mute the television. DirecTV blacked out the Fox Sports Detroit channel during due to the local broadcast, bummer.
• Lamar Odom nearly had a triple-double with triple 8’s.
• Hey a Dejuan Summers sighting!
• Another Bynumite night, we clearly had the Better Bynum!

Photo/Getty Images

• Austin Daye looked lost, while Jonas Jerebko seemed to agitate Kobe.
• Ben Gordon seemed to get frustrated so he decided to take it out on the rim with a rim rattler.
• Too many turnovers in a short period of time during the second quarter led to a ridiculous Lakers rally.
• While Ben Gordon was able to get off to a fast start, he was later neutralized while trying to defend Kobe.
• Pistons fell behind by as much as 28 points, then coach Kue went to a line-up of Bynum, Jerebko, Summers, Kwame, and Maxiell.
• Will Bynum block was nice but the rejection of the night goes to Jason Maxiell, who also got a tech for mixing it up with the other Bynum.

• Pistons have lost 2 in a row and look to avoid another “L” tonight in Portland.

Recap via NBA.com

The boys also answered some of your questions and comments you left for them last week. Best of all we have a few new unbelievable sponsors!

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

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The 4-4 Pistons take on Flip Saunders’ 2-6 The Wizards in Washington.  This will be the first time that Flip will face the Pistons since his termination in 2008.

As for tonight’s matchup:

“Arenas played even though he’s battling a calf injury. Wizards guard Randy Foye sprained his right ankle in the second quarter and his status is uncertain.

Washington is also without starting forward Antawn Jamison (shoulder) and guards Mike James (finger), Javarris Crittenton (foot).

“We just need some rest time,” Saunders said. “I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve lost three point guards.” Via NBA.com

Still no word on Rip, but we do have Will! (I have now watched those dunks well over 100 times, something is wrong with me)

Scouting Report via Pistons.com

Tip is at 7:00 and will be televised on FOX Sports Plus (FSN PLUS).. for the Channel numbers in your area please click here. For the radio broadcast tune into 950 AM WWJ or follow the action on NBA.com.

Key Points:

• Nothing was more Key than this Dunk that really started the Pistons on their way to the rout.  All I have to say quite frankly is WOW!  If you are a regular visitor of Need4Sheed you know how I feel about Mr. Bynum, but I’m seriously thinking of paying homage to him in my memorabilia area… Where is my Bynumite Bobblehead? Do you realize he dunked on Tyson Chandler too?!

Video Courtesy of The NBA, FSN and The Detroit Pistons

• Will, was clearly the fan favorite putting up 16 points, with 4 assists, a blocked shot and a board. Would it be wrong in saying that he’s our new spark plug?
  And it was not ONE but TWO crazy dunks, one following a Bynum Block..yes I said it, a block.  I am sorry for all of you who didn’t see this one because you don’t get Fox Plus so this Will Bynum reel should do you just right!

• Just because this one was out of hand doesn’t mean it wasn’t close in the first half.  The two teams exchanged leads 9 times.
• First NBA points from DaJuan Summers, who scored 2 in 11 minutes.
• 26 assists for the Pistons -- much, much better than the eight they put up the other night.
• Big Ben Wallace still acting like it’s 2004 with 9 boards, 3 steals and 3 blocks. I think he’s earned his measly pay check after 8 games.  I am really beginning to think Arnie Kandor has mythical powers.  Now all he needs to do is help Rip and Tay.
• Board war may have been only won by a board, but for a team who I thought was going to have big troubles they are doing ok.
• Something new we are starting as Pistons fans thanks to a great idea from The Fluidics (longtime team N4S member).  When Jonas Jerebko has the ball we scream SWEEEEEEEEDE! How great is that?
• Jonas is also a fan favorite, we like hard work in the “D” so Jerebko fits right in.  Jonas scored this dunk and added a three on the next possession, finishing the game with 5 points. No I’m not changing the site’s name to Need4Swede, but it sounds good doesn’t it?

Video Courtesy of The NBA, FSN and The Detroit Pistons

• Surprisingly Ben Gordon didn’t lead the way for the Pistons thanks to Charlie V. When you score 22 for your team like Ben did and add 8 assists and a steal and you don’t lead the team….things are going right. Another stellar performance for Mr. Gordon.
• Stuckey scored 16 on 6-for-10 shooting with 7 assists and just 2 turnovers. Great night for Stuckey, let’s stop worrying about his assists while we are winning, give him some credit; he had a team-high a +31 in the box score.
• Can’t take anything away from Charlie Villanueva, who had his breakout game and career high as a Piston, scoring 30 points without playing a minute of the fourth quarter. He lit up the Palace in the third quarter like it was Times Square. @CV31 was showing us moves I didn’t think he had and having fun on the floor. The man was 13 for 17 from the floor, 2 for 4 from downtown adding 4 boards and a block. Convinced yet?

Photo/Getty Images

• Kwame Brown, yes Kwame, is still playing his heart out. He had a great and-one finishing with 3 points and 5 boards.
• Hustle from Austin Day whose two points came on a nice Dunk.
• John Kuester is a happy man today, it’ s nice to beat your mentor.
• Clearly Children were harmed here by Jason Maxiell. Seriously, that looks like it hurts.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, FSN and The Detroit Pistons

• Nice job holding Gerald Wallace to only 12 points.
• Defense! We really do have it, don’t we? Or do the Bobcats just have a tough time scoring?
• I knew this season would be fun, but it’s turning out better than expected especially considering the absence of Rip and Tay.
• First back to back wins for Detroit.
• I have been asked so I will answer this question here to end my very exiting recollection of a very fun game at the Palace. What do you think of Ben and Charlie?
  I knew they both would be good, but they are both showing me more than I ever thought they would. I knew Ben was a pure shooter, but him carrying us while the Rip and Tay are out for the count…I never saw that coming. As for Charlie V, he’s working his way to fitting into “Detroit Basketball” very nicely.
• Just a little FYI about the new layout here, the top rotating image with the Schedule Calendar, Intro Video and now the Will DUNK is click-able.  When you see the image you are interested in, click it and you will go to the post or video.
• I’ll add a thanks to the Troops for all that they do for us.

You got DUNKED on Tyson Chandler!

If the dunk wasn’t good enough, the reaction from George Blaha makes it even better. You also have to appreciate the bench’s reaction and Will’s when he saw the replay on Palace Vision.

How many more times can you scream BYNUMITE? Will is making it almost mandatory at this point.

Thanks Will!

Larry Brown and the 3-4 Charlotte Bobcats are in town to take on The Pistons tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Kuester to meet up with his old friend tonight:

“Coach Brown has meant so much to my life,” Kuester said after Tuesday’s practice. “He’s been very special, not only to me, but my family.

“I’m very appreciative of everything he’s done for me. I’m looking forward to seeing him.”

Kuester was a part of the staff in 2004 and comes from the same coaching tree started by former legendary North Carolina coach Dean Smith.

Besides being a close friend to Kuester and his family, Brown was a cheerleader in getting the longtime NBA assistant an opportunity to lead a team. And the lessons he learned under Brown — attention to detail during practice and improving players — are things that Kuester tries to apply every day. Via The Detroit Free Press

Still nothing new on the status of Richard Hamilton.

Scott Perry with the Bobcats scouting report from Pistons.com

Tip is at 7:30 and will be televised on FOX Sports Plus (FSN PLUS).. for the Channel numbers in your area please click here. For the radio broadcast tune into 950 AM WWJ or follow the action on NBA.com.

Great video look at my favorite point guard Will Bynum.

Key Points:

• Ben Wallace had an amazing 16 boards on the night, 11 of them coming in the first half, which is a Pistons record.  Either he loves being back in Detroit, or Arnie has got some secret anti-aging fountain of youth voodoo drink concoction he’s giving him.  If it’s the later….I’ll take some please.
• “I knew Ben would be an asset talking to our bigs,” head coach John Kuester said. “I never imagined the impact he would have playing. Right now, he looks like the old Ben. He’s leading by example” Via NBA.com
• An impressive 51 rebounds for the Pistons.  I attended the matinee and all I kept thinking was, boy are they ever gobbling up boards -- especially on the offense (21).  I had no idea the number would add up like that.
• Did I mention Mr. Wallace also blocked 3 shots and added 3 steals!
• SWEDEtastic!

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Is Jonas Jerebko making good of  his time on court of what?  This kid is pure hustle who knows a golden opportunity when he sees it. Jerebko scored 10 on 5-for-10 shooting, with 5 boards in 22 minutes. The putback jam was tops, but all his highlights are solid.

• More minutes for Jason Maxiell who scored just 2 with 2 boards in 20 minutes on the floor.
• Iguodala got hot quickly for the Sixers and led all scorers with 24.  It’s usually Tay who plays him tough, so he had an easier time Sunday afternoon.
• Boy is Charlie Villanueva starting to warm up. It looked like the Pistons tried to draw plays for him in the first quarter to help him get off to the right start early in the game. CV31 finished with 16 points , 5 boards and a blocked shot in 27 minutes on the floor and was showing some sweet moves in the post all weekend long.
• All Daye long…Nice spin move from Austin in the post after a dish from Bynum.  Daye, who’s also making the best of an awful situation (T-Prince’s injury) scored 7 points in 14 minutes on the floor.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Fourteen assists for the Pistons.
• Though Detroit led most of the game, they let the Sixers take the lead in the fourth quarter, but went on a 16-6 tear to finish the game.
• DNP for Wilcox who’s not living up to (my) expectations.
• Great job by Stuckey holding Iguodala to 1-4 shooting in the fourth quarter.  Rodney finished the game with 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting, 5 boards, 3 assists and a steal
• BYNUMITE stats of the night 8-8-8 ! Boards, assists and points. Not to mention the sweet dish on NBA.com.  I have a soft spot for Mr. Bymum and cross-court bounce passes.

Photo/Getty Images

• My apologies to Will for starting this whole BYMUMITE thing…it seems to have really taken on it’s own life. Not only was it on Pistons.com, but I’ve heard it on the radio broadcasts a few times now. Sorry “Will the Thrill”.
• What’s more of a surprise, Pistons fans:
  The play of the rookies, Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko?
  Ben Wallace?
  Or AI’s mess in Memphis?
• 42 points in the paint, that’s a great stat for Pistons team that has struggled in that department.
• Can we please talk about Kwame Brown. I have said it before, this guy really puts in the effort. He may not put up 20 a night but he’s doing just what he came here to do. We need him to produce and hustle and he’s doing just that. He finished with 7 points, 8 boards and a steal in 18 minutes. Give the guy some credit please.
• Ben on Ben: “Seems like he’s at home here in Detroit,” Gordon said. “Playing for (Chicago and Cleveland) the last few years, it never seemed like he was at home. You can tell Big Ben is definitely at home here.” Via NBA.com

Photo/Getty Images

• Another stellar game from Ben Gordon.  I think he’s definitely showing management and fans that he was well worth his contract. Once again BG led the Pistons with 23 points on 9-for-19 shooting with 2 boards, 2 assists and a steal. The highlights are mounting and the Pistons have only played seven games.

• Great day for an afternoon game in Michigan and it was nice to walk out of the Palace drenched in Sunshine and a Win!