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.

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.

That team of journeymen who soared to great heights over accomplished according to NBA standards. Chauncey, Rip, Wallace X2, Prince, Memo, Elden, Corliss etc… started something that didn’t suddenly come to an end.  A little bit of that special something died when the Pistons lost to the Spurs, when it looked like they were going back to back.  A little more so when Ben Wallace bolted for Chicago and the final straw was the Chauncey Billups trade.

We should have seen right then that it was over, but that’s what we do as fans.  We root and hope and we stand by our team even though we know the ship is sinking.

I remember another sinking ship called The Bad Boys.  It first started taking on water when the Pistons lost to the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs after winning back to back championships.  The release of Vinnie Johnson started the take down, and the rest is what it was, the end on an era in Detroit Basketball history. This video will bring it all back….

As we hope NOT to repeat history of years of mediocrity, we have a common thread that may keep us afloat.  Joe Dumars was there through it all, let’s hope he will do whatever he can to right wrongs and start a new trend instead of following an old one.

We don’t have much longer to wait to see just what we as Pistons fans have to look forward to.

All good things must come to an end and this Pistons era as we know it just has. We saw the signs, we knew it was coming, it’s difficult, but we will be just fine.  Just ask any fans from “Bad Boys” era.

We watched this bunch grow in front of our eyes and accomplish things we most never thought they could. A team with a traveling point guard that never found a home until he landed in Detroit, a ‘Froed defensive menace that couldn’t knock down a free throw to save his life, a masked man who didn’t fulfill his potential until he landed in the Motor City, a skinny undersized small forward who wasn’t supposed to be an “NBA” because of his body and a “technical” big man that wore out his welcome out West.

Add a coach with a past, a “Memo”, someone Big and Nasty, Elden down low, a Hunter, Mike James (the non lyrical one), and the Human Victory Cigar.

With that….we got this.

Who would have thought?

Pistons Fans!

So maybe they should have won more than just one ring, does that make it any less special?

And so what if those who were left of that special bunch didn’t go out on their best foot, they still made this city proud.

We look forward to new beginnings.

And we feel for those who gave more than their heart.

Photo/Getty Images

Thank you Boys, you have done this city and all its fans proud, whether you get the recognition you deserve as an Easter Conference Powerhouse or not, we appreciate you.

Good Times……

Key Points:

• Pistons again blew a big (17 point) first half lead to make this a close one.
• Bynum was 6-for-6 from the field and 14-for-16 from the line in the fourth quarter.
• Bynum’s 26 in the fourth quarter is a new franchise record, topping the old mark of 24 held by Isiah Thomas and Jerry Stackhouse.
• Bynum scored 12 in the first 6 minutes of the fourth.
• Bynum carried Detroit with his 32 points on 9-for-15 shooting with 7 assists, 4 boards, a steal and just one turnover in 26 minutes on the floor.

Photo/Getty Images

• Bynum Highlights

• From Will Bynum’s locker room interview when asked about his performance. “It’s really not me, it’s my teammates and the coaching staff. I don’t deserve all the credit, it was pretty much them, those guys out there setting the screens and the coaching staff believing in me. That’s who gets the credit for it.”
• No points for Kwame Brown who has been playing great ball in Sheed’s absence, but he did grab 9 boards and blocked a shot in 18 minutes Sunday night.  We don’t need him to score, but we do need him to do what he has been doing.  Nice to see Kwame making the most of the role he’s been put in.
• Pleased and surprised that Curry didn’t substitute the starter Stuckey for the hot Bynum in the closing minutes. “I like to get Stuckey back at about the six-minute mark,” he said. “The way things were going tonight … it was a unique night. Twenty-six points, the most ever by a Piston player in a quarter.” Via Pistons.com
• The win puts the Pistons into a tie with the Bulls for seventh in the East.
• Rip Hamilton ejected after being assessed a second technical foul in the third quarter after scoring 13 points with 3 assists.  With the importance of the game and Detroit’s playoff predicament, I’m disappointed that Rip couldn’t control his temper. It’s bad enough we lost Sheed for the Philly game, but I come to expect a little more from Rip.
• An absolutely SHEEDtastic turn and shoot long range three pointer from Sheed in the second quarter with the shot clock running down. Sheed finished with 12 points on 4-for-12 shooting, with 3 steals, 6 boards and a blocked shot in his first game back in his starting role since his injury.

• Four minutes for Walter Herrmann who made the only shot he took, a second quarter three pointer.
• Looks like we will see Will next season at the Palace, the Pistons can keep him for next season by picking up his $825,000 option.
• Charlotte trailed by just 3 with 13.3 seconds left before Bynum knocked down free throws to seal the victory.
• Nine boards for Antonio McDyess, who finished with eight points in 25 minutes.
• 14 points for Tayshaun Prince who played solid down the stretch with Will Bynum.
• NBA.com Highlights of the Game.

Photo/Getty Images

• Great to see Will put up a game like this especially after his recent fourth quarter struggles.
• Great play from Afflalo with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting in 24 minutes. Forget about the big baskets, it’s his defense that always shines when the Pistons need a stop. “It’s been a two-year thing, playing when available,” said Afflalo, who made each of his four shot attempts and three 3-pointers. “Mentally, trying to stay tough and smart with the whole situation to where I’m in a situation where the minutes are more stable.” Via Mlive
• You can thank Maxiell for his lock down defense in the fourth quarter, leaving the Bobcats scoreless on six straight possessions in the fourth quarter.
• Detroit won the board war 41-38 and shot 49.4% on the night to Charlotte’s 40.7%.
• The Pistons’ next one, a road game against the Knicks Wednesday night.

As Pistons fans it’s hard to image that a late season game with the Charlotte Bobcats would weigh so heavily on Detroit’s future, but it does. The Pistons host the Bobcats today at the Palace of Auburn Hills and as much as this game means to a struggling Detroit, Charlotte will be fighting for a win to help them reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

If the Detroit cannot beat the Bobcats today, Charlotte will pull within a game of the eighth place Pistons with just five games to play left this season. The (34-42) Bobcats have won six of eight to get themselves back in the playoff race.

Yes it’s that big, and don’t think for one minute that Larry Brown wouldn’t be more than happy to serve Detroit a loss tonight.

And yes…an early evening Sunday game just adds to the way things have gone for Detroit this season.

Tip off is at 6:00 PM and will be locally broadcast on FSN. If you can’t watch it, listen live on WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game through your computer at NBA.com.

UPDATE:

BYNUMITE!

Bynum scored a franchise record 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead Detroit to a 104-97 win over the Bobcats. Will scored the final 13 points for the Pistons and finished with a career high 32 points.

Like it or not it’s going to happen, whether it’s successful or not is another thing. The true test of Michael Curry’s coaching abilities will come if this new/old/new starting lineup fails….how long will it take for Curry to make a change? If he’s “hard nosed” and he gets respect from his players like we are told, then a quick change will be no problem.

Benefit of the doubt…that’s up to you.

We know what Rip had to say about a possible bench role.  In fact, he did not even speak to the press today.

UPDATE: Rip seems to have changed his tune, saying he would come off the bench if it means winning:

“Whatever makes us win, I’m going to go ahead and do it … You can ask anybody who plays the game; nobody wants to come off the bench … I want to win. Everybody here wants to win. That’s what we’re all in this for…” Via Mlive. (Thanks to Chris in the comments for the link)

Iverson on the other hand “says” he wants to win and will do what he’s told.

Video courtesy of Channel 7 Detroit

Larry Brown takes a back seat in this one considering the current Pistons coach is making more waves than the former.  Thinking about what LB would do in the situation? I know I was, and I’m certain I know the answer.

Rip is back and Sheed will probably see limited action after re-aggravating his foot injury against the Jazz.

Tip off is at 7:30 P.M. and will be locally broadcast on FSN . If you can’t watch the broadcast, tune into 1130 AM WDFN The Fan, with pre-game coverage starting at 6:30 P.M.. Can’t do either? Follow the game on NBA.com.

Comment Away!

Key Points:

• First off I have to point out the debate that has been going on amongst Pistons fans about why Detroit’s leading scorer of the night, Allen Iverson, sat in the fourth quarter. He, along with the starters, was pulled for the second unit after Detroit mounted a huge lead. They let it slip, and Michael Curry didn’t sub back in the starters (minus Iverson) until they were in the Danger Zone.

Photo/Getty Images

• Pointing fingers will get you nowhere right now, but yes it is frustrating. Michael Curry even lashed out in his post game comments. The ongoing debate about Curry shows up in the comments, so join in or just observe. I have a feeling this is going to be an issue all season long.
• “Rip shouldn’t have had to play, Tay shouldn’t have had to play, ’Sheed shouldn’t have had to play, Allen shouldn’t have had to play. I didn’t want to play none of them.”…Yes they shouldn’t have to, but if our lead is slipping shouldn’t they, Coach Curry?
• “After the game he (Curry) explained to me that I had been out the whole quarter, and he didn’t want to have to put me back in,” Iverson said. “He didn’t think he should have had to. He felt the other guys should have been able to close it out. “Obviously, when the situation gets like that, being the competitor that I am, I wanted to get back in to help my teammates. But the thing about it is, we won the game. That’s the decision he made, and I have to live with it.”
• “Iverson stressed he wasn’t upset about Curry’s decision.” Via Chris McCosky The Detroit News
• Richard Hamilton looks like he’s back, he’s put up numbers against the Pacers and now the Bobcats. Rip scored 18 on 6-for-13 shooting in 34 minutes on the court. He may be having a hard time defending in his new SF role but at least his shot is back.
• Iverson led the team with 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting in 32 minutes. That was AI’s first 20 point performance in 11 games. Free AI?
• Crushed on the glass, 35-49.
• Rasheed waited to hit the stat sheet to save the day with 34 seconds on the clock. It’s been quite some time since he shushed the crowd. And trust me, there was no better time than this.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN

• Sheed didn’t pour in the points but it was his defense to start the game that set the tone all night long. Rasheed blocked 4 shots early in the game before he was pulled with fouls in the first quarter. Though he silenced the crowd with his three, it was his sky hook that blew the crowd away.
• Detroit only allowed the Bobcats 13 fist quarter points but then let them put up 30 in the fourth. Big problem.
• Another DNP for Johnson and Brown.
• 17 turnovers for Detroit, lucky the Bobcats had 18 and Detroit capitalized on them.
• Tayshaun Prince was just 4-for-11 for 8 points and 2 blocked shots, but it was his body and backboard shaking dunk that had me afraid for his safety. Did anyone notice he has missed 2 wide open dunks in the last two games?
• Rodney Stuckey was impressive with another double-double, 13 points and 10 assists with 3 takeaways. He’s learning his role on the job and he’s doing quite well at it. Here are some key Stuckey moments from the Detroit’s win over the Bobcats.

Photo/Getty Images

• “We can’t be doing this,” Rodney Stuckey said. “We’ve already lost three games like this. We won this one, but this is kicking us in the butt. Hopefully this is the last time something like this happened.” Via The Detroit News
• Detroit allowed the Bobcats 44 points in the paint.
• Another tech for Sheed, he’s already at 8. Remember 15 is when the suspensions start.
• FSN highlights of the game by quarter.
• Dyess, just 4 points in 17 minutes before fouling out in the fourth. It was his defense that helped the Pistons in Charlotte with 6 boards, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
• Keith Langlois talks to Joe Dumars – Q&A part 1 and Q&A part 2.
• I know it’s been rough and it’s hard to watch but the talent is there so that’s not the issue. It’s just the bumps in the road along the way that is hard for Pistons fans to watch.
• The Pistons have a break until Wednesday when the Wizards are in town.

Detroit has to rebound quickly after their (closer than we like) fourth quarter victory over the Pacers Friday night. Boris Diaw and Raja Bell will be in the starting lineup for their debuts as The Pistons roll into Charlotte.

Larry Brown’s 7-16 squad would love to put their five game losing streak to an end tonight against the Pistons and Detroit is desperate to start one of their own.

Tip off is at 7:00 P.M. on FSN. If you can’t catch or don’t get FSN tune into 1130 AM The Fan. Can’t do either, follow the game on NBA.com.

Here’s to some Detroit Defense!

Chat, comments and Contest!

After the shocking blockbuster went down this morning The Pistons will look very different when they take the floor against the Bobcats and former head coach Larry Brown tonight.

I’m leaving you little to talk about other than the reality of what just went down. The trade works and doesn’t on so many levels as many of you have already mentioned in the comments. Sure, some of our hearts may not be in it, but wishing Chauncey all the best as he goes back and plays for his home town team and a thank you for what he has done is all we can do as fans.

Is Iverson truly The Answer? We will get that question answered come June. Just think, the future is so bright we have to wear shades.

I’m sure you have been checking out Pistons.com all day long but just in case you missed it, check out the HUGE welcome AI is getting.

Tonight’s tip is at 7 PM and will be locally broadcast on FSN Detroit an NBATV. If you can’t catch it on TV you can always tune in to 1130 AM WDFN The Fan or stream it live through your computer at NBA.com.