I refuse to us a cheesy title like “The Pistons can’t stand the Heat” or “Detroit gets burned by the Heat.”  The truth is, the Pistons team that took the floor Wednesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills was not the one we have seen this season.

With the Detroit in control, and with the lead most of the game the Pistons allowed the Heat to go on a 15-0 run to start the fourth quarter. The Pistons saw their 8 point lead turn into a 7 point deficit as Kuester scrambled to take a time out after defensive mishaps so he could put his started back in the game.  Though as hard as they fought, they just couldn’t get over the momentum change and the advantage the Heat gained to start the fourth quarter.

Not even Rodney Stuckey’s POSTERIZATION of Chris Bosh could bring them back in their 100-94 loss to Miami.

Key Points

• Once the Heat took over in the fourth the best the Pistons could do was get with 4 points of the lead.
• Sad that this one had to come down to a bad fourth quarter of defensive blunders and substitution issues.  Detroit really could have pulled it out.
• I don’t care if we lost, they played hard and it was nice to see the Heat shocked by this team that they took for pushovers.   And the Stuckey dunk helped.
• In the fourth when Charlie Villanueva was quickly pulled for Tayshaun, it seems as though he wasn’t too happy with the change as reported by Vince Ellis of the Free Press.

Kuester: “The matchups – that’s exactly what happened, they went small and we went with our normal second group. It was tough for AD and Charlie to match up with their shooters, so you have to make a decision.”

• After shooting 60% for most of the  first half and 59.6 % through three quarters, the Pistons slumped to a  21%– 4 of 19 in the fourth quarter.
• Leading by eight points to start the fourth quarter the bench unit of Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey, Austin Daye, Charlie Villanueva and Jason Maxiell on the floor went 0-for- 6 with two turnovers on their first eight possessions.
• What vitamins has Chris Wilcox been taking and why didn’t he start taking them like two seasons ago?
• Yes, and then there is Greg Monroe with another double-double (his 17th of the season) with 14 points and 12 boards in 35 minutes on the floor. Do you really still want DeMarcus Cousins? Like we need more drama on this team.
• Video Recap via Pistons.com

• I still hate everything about the Heat and will root for any other team that they go up against.
• Rip Hamilton led Detroit with 27 points om 9-for-16 shooting with 4 assists and 2 boards. Even Blaha was wondering was this the Hamilton of old. It sure looked like it.
• Four Pistons in double figures.
• Sometimes I actually forget that Jason Maxiell is on this team.
• Ben Gordon 11 minutes and just one shot. This is truly not what he signed up for.
• Detroit won the battle of the boards 37-34.
• Detroit had 38 points in the paint while giving up 40 and their biggest lead was 9.
• Sometimes a loss can be enjoyable to watch, especially when your team is fighting to win and giving it their all.
• Seriously though, the Stucktacular Dunk (link to the video below) brought the house down!
• Now we get back to the games on the schedule that they should really win. Take a look they really could get almost all of them, we did beat Boston this season remember.

Check out this video of Rodney Stuckey’s emphatic DUNK over Chris Bosh

Video courtesy of the NBA and the Detroit Pistons

With new potential Pistons owner in the building the Pistons gave Tom Gores a great show. Detroit gave the best team in the NBA a run for their money Tuesday night, but just couldn’t pull out the victory. The final score 100-89 final score doesn’t reflect the battle on court in an impressive performance for the Pistons despite the loss.

Key Points:

• Rip Hamilton – OUT with a groin pull. We want Rip chants surfaced at the Palace again.
• Rodney Stuckey back on court after missing 5 games.
• Heartbreaking triples from the Spurs every time the Pistons got close. Spurs 55% from downtown.
• 7th double-double of the season for the real deal Greg Monroe. Greg with 14 points, 13 boards and 2 assists. Add one heck of a pass to Rodney Stuckey who couldn’t convert the layup in crunch time.
• Will Bynum was the spark plug in this one, matching his season high with 21 points. Will carried the team in the fourth quarter with an impressive performance down the stretch. Will added 6 board, an assist and a steal in 23 minutes. The highlights speak for themselves.
• BYNUMITE DUNK Highlights

Video courtesy of the NBA and the Detroit Pistons

• I thought Blaha was going to blow a gasket again…”Will Bynum off the HIGH HIGH Glass!”
• Will Bynum scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarterSix Spurs in double figures.

Antonio McDyess “I always love coming home…I consider this my home”

• Im rooting for the Spurs to win it all ICE4DYESS.
• DeJuan Blair added 18 points and 12 rebounds for San Antonio. He could have been our DaJuan.
• What’s up with Charlie Villanueva? Just 12 minutes? He was 2-for-3 for 5 points.
• Jason Maxiell sighting!
• This one was tied 13 times with 15 lead changes.
• The Spurs are pain good.
• Tay struggled shooting going 5-for-15 for 12 points.
• T-Mac with 7 and 3 assists.
• Dear Chicago Ben Gordon, please come to Detroit…PLEASE!
• Another one Wednesday in Cleveland.

Will Bynum on the possibility of being the team that Cleveland beats: “We won’t be.”

A good thing (if there can be one) to take away from the Pistons loss to The Raptors,

Full Video

 courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

You knew this one was coming too!  Terrico White, the Detroit Pistons dunking sensation is has  been tooned.

T-Mack, Greg Monroe and now Terrico.  Unless Dumars makes some moves soon these may be it as far as new toons for the Pistons season.  Unless we get a great new owner and I feel the need to toon them.

If you missed what White did during the Rookie photoshoot, here it is.

Will Bynum, as always was kind enough to do something special (besides dunking on 7 footers) for Pistons fans.  I put a call out to for you to to “Ask Will” a question.

You asked, and he answered.

We originally thought we were going to do a podcast, but due to technical difficulties we did it the old fashioned way.

So here we go…

From Damien Washington
Time to go down memory lane: The Bobcats are in town. 5:24 left in the 2nd. You looking over the shoulder of Gerald Wallace, Stuckey sets a screen for Charlie, you burst to the baseline….

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?!

Actually 2 or 3 plays before, we ran the exact play and twice I came off the pick, got into the paint, and got an assist and (I think) a basket,or foul. I knew Gerald Wallace was a gambler on defense, so I faked the pick and roll and went baseline..I saw Tyson Chandler and there it was….

(In other words: What made you decide, “You know, I wanna dunk” and then pull off said dunk against Tyson Chandler?)
The opportunity presented itself.

Photo Getty Images

From Ziga Kranjec (Slovenia, Europe)
Will if you could go back in time and play against any NBA player, who would you most want to dunk on?

Bill Russell. Because I think he is one of the greatest defenders of all time.The ultimate defender. He made blocking shots an art. Not only did he block a lot of shots he altered just as many. I think the challenge of dunking on him would be a lot tougher and extremely exciting.

Photo Courtesy of The NBA

From Mike Brouty
Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life as far as motivating you to get you from where you were years ago to where you are now as a pivotal player on the Detroit Pistons?

I don’t think it was a particular person but many things and people have motivated me over time. My upbringing… the things I’ve seen and lived, competition, believing that I’m just as good as the best player. I believe that God has blessed me with an amazing talent level and I know my full potential can only be reached by outworking the next person and that fire alone motivates me to succeed…on top of being in love with mastering the game.

From Wade Saari
Will, what has been your favorite moment in a Detroit Piston uniform?

Making the playoffs my first year. The atmosphere of the playoffs and being a part of that would be my best moment.

From James Steven (Austrailia)
Are you ok with coming off the bench? Would you prefer to start?
What have you done this off-season to prepare for next year?

I would definitely prefer to start but I’ve been through so many things and in so many situations and played so many roles that I can adjust to any role and be successful.

This year, I’m training under Tim Grover at Attack Athletics..I’m making 300 to 500 3′s a day, doing physical therapy on the ankles, defensive drills, improving my conditioning, hip strengthening and breaking down film on myself and the strengths and weaknesses of league point guards.

From Fariduddin Muhammad (Chicago)
Being a native of Chicago, how has Chicago shaped you as a man and ball player?

The things I’ve been through in Chicago made me who I am today. It helped me to be able to appreciate the opportunity at hand and to NOT let it pass me by.When I go home and look into the kids’ faces and see the hope, despite the circumstances… is when my desires burn to be great….that was me. I have to be at my best for them. I have to show them that the dream can become a reality.

From Ollie (North Carolina)
Will, have you seen the film Black Dynamite? If not I highly recommend it. If so, have you thought of asking the folks at the Palace to play the DYNA-MITE jingle modified of course to BYNU-MITE whenever you have one of your incredible dunks?

LOL…no, I haven’t seen it. But I’m sure it’s probably funny.

From Chris LaPensee (Ann Arbor) and Me!
When are we going to see BYNUMITE in the Slam Dunk Contest?!?!

Hopefully next year. If the good Lord continues to bless me with great health I would love to be in it!

From Janae Richardson (Chicago)
I am a single parent raising boys in Chicago. I read about your upbringing and wanted to know what did his mother say to him to keep him away from the trouble? How was he encouraged to NOT join in with everyday street thugs? What can I tell my boys? Ages 13 and Tell him also how much Chicago loves and needs him to BE an example. The youth are watching,listening and hoping.

My moms focus everyday of working and supporting the family spoke for itself. I use that same focus and approach in life, with whatever I’m doing. I have two brothers who went in the gang and street direction early on and I learned from their situations what to do and what NOT to do. The streets have NO future. On top of that, I always played basketball and the neighborhood knew and respected that, for the most part. I would suggest you tell your children that it’s okay to be different and to say no. It’s okay to set goals and chase your dreams and that the only way to achieve it is through hard work and discipline. And to never be afraid of working hard at whatever they decide to do. I hear you Janae.

From Jacon St. Pierre
My question is how much of an adrenaline rush do you get when you fly over guys that are almost twice the size of you?

I get a calm rush looking at the fear on the facial expressions of the opposing teams, the coaches and the fans at away games and at home games it gives me a big rush and makes me want to do it again…and size doesn’t matter..lol

From Joanne Ross
McDyess was famous for his superstitions. Any unique pre-game rituals?

I pray…everything else is personal

From Danny Bohnlein

Is there any fear when you take the ball to the rim and elevates when a 7 footer goes up with you to block the shot?

No fear, none whatsoever!

Will loved all your questions and unfortunately his favorite was on that I had asked him, but he did pick a runner up of the Limited Edition BYNUMITE T-Shirt.

The Winner is…Janae Richardson (Chicago)

I would like to thank Will again for taking the time to answer our questions, but I’m even more excited that we get to see  him in a Pistons uniform for the next three seasons.

Not back to the question I asked Will…
I know you prefer Will The Thrill, but I have been contemplating a name change here at Need4Sheed.com, would it be so bad if I changed to BYNUMITE.com?

LOL..Natalie, I’m with that. I’d love that..It would be an unmeasurable honor!

I choose yours…Natalie…lol.. But if I have to choose one I choose Janae Richardson’s.

Now with that, I leave you with this.

I think it’s probably time to change the site’s name. I have a handful to choose from, but I may just put it to a vote. Stay TOONED.

Will Bynum against the Hawks.  As Special K  said….and that’s without a trampoline.

Full Clip

Video Courtesy of  The Detroit Pistons and The NBA

Five foot nothing Will “The Thrill” Bynum, put more thunder in the Palace than I can remember in quite some time. The first one brought the house down and the second one that started with a block, just added Will to legendary status.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7rL7ONw6a4

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!

The Pistons 113-104 victory last night over the Bucks last night at the Palace was a little interesting.  Not only does the box score show you Gordon, Stuckey and Bynum had great games but the recap at NBA.com show that the players need to help out the replacement refs.

“The replacement referees caused confusion in the first quarter. Ersan Ilyasova was fouled while shooting a jumper and awarded two free throws. During the next timeout, more than 90 seconds later, the officials decided he had been taking a 3-pointer, and gave him another shot.

He made it, but Prince pointed out that the error was only correctable within 24 seconds, so the point was taken away from Milwaukee.”   Via Dave Hogg at NBA.com

More from the Free Press on the issues with Replacement refs.

“The refs called a whopping 19 fouls in the first quarter — including 12 on the Pistons. The two teams combined for 68 fouls in the game. Add those to the 59 that were called in Monday’s exhibition opener and it’s apparent these guys have quick whistles.

For the second game in a row, a Pistons rookie was ejected during the waning minutes of the game. Austin Daye got tangled with former Piston Carlos Delfino when Delfino appeared to hit Daye in the chest. Daye swung his arms and the officials tossed both. Fellow rookie Jonas Jerebko was ejected Monday night against the Heat.”

Let’s hope the lockout gets settled soon, you know how we like to get on the officials. Imagine if we have to go into the regular season with the replacements. Heck, I look good in stripes, it may as well be me out there.

Nice Dunk by Gordon who led the way with 24 points.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohwmbAjm_F0

Thanks to Need4Sheed reader Jay for the video.

Feel free to comment on the game, especially if you happened to be there since it wasn’t televised.

Remember, Jason Maxiell will be at Meijer in Waterford (4200 Highland Road) on Thursday, October 8 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., along with the Year-Round Hoops Truck, where you can get a voucher for a free ticket to a preseason game at The Palace.

And… Open Practice is this Saturday.

Finally it’s a pleasure for the Pistons to be on a list.

Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo Sports picks Jason Maxiell the 4th best Dunker of the decade.  And FYI Lebron #5!

I went through the Need4Sheed archives for you….in no particular order enjoy a little Baby Eating.

A – Jason Dunking on The Spurs

B – Jason Dunking on Boston ECF

C – Jason Dunking on The Sixers

D – Jason Tomahawking The Hawks

E – Jason Dunking on The Nuggets

F – Jason HL night Dunking on The Raptors

G – Jason Dunking on The Celtics

H – Jason Dunking on The Cavaliers

I – Jason Dunking on The Knicks

J – Jason Dunking on The Bucks

Vote Away!

Videos courtesy of the NBA and the Detroit Pistons