The Pistons would like to keep the pre-season perfect as they take on The Bucks tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  Tip off is at 7:30, but unfortunately this one won’t be broadcast on television.  If you want to catch the game you will have to tune into 97.1 The Ticket where of course Matt Dery will be on the pre and post game to take your calls and Ticket Texts (text 97136 from your mobile phone). To Listen online go to NBA.com.

Notables/Injuries

Charlie Villanueva is not expecting to play tonight against his old squad while he nurses his sore hammy.

Too bad Pistons fans can’t see what Carlos Delfino does against his former team.

Follow the game online or on the radio at 97.1 and leave your thoughts in the comments.

Matt asks the questions we want to hear from Rip…are you happy to be back? Iverson…. How unhappy were you last year….Great interview from Matt, Listen UP!

Richard Hamilton Interview

Matt with Charlie Villanueva on Twitter, defense, Detroit, Joe Dumars and more.

From our Pistons Insider Matt Dery at 97.1 The Ticket

“97.1 The Ticket has learned that the Pistons are bringing back guard Chucky Atkins. The veteran point man, recently released by Minnesota, will receive a non-guaranteed tryout with Detroit. Atkins has been invited to the team’s training camp, which opens Tuesday”

He’s BACCCCCK…

“Detroit is still exploring ways to make a deal for Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer(notes), but the most likely scenario centers around the free-agent signing of Drew Gooden, or distantly, Boston’s Glen “Big Baby” Davis.”

Take into account that I got word from our Pistons insider Matt Dery of 97.1 the Ticket that Joe isn’t looking to pick up Boozer and he was right about the Afflalo move, so I trust what he’s got to say.

Head over to 97.1 The Ticket and listen to the embedded audio under top headlines.

Thanks to Matt for always keep us up to speed.

Sam Smith,who’s been writing for and about the Bulls for quite some time says the Pistons have promised Ben Gordon 11 million dollars.

“I haven’t heard they are, and General Manager Gar Forman has not come off his stance that he wants to bring Gordon back. But I also heard that Gordon’s agent allegedly has been saying he has an $11 million promise from the Pistons.

This could go with the promise I received to play giving me a chance to win the lottery. I’ve never fully understood the supposed Pistons interest. Not because teams don’t like Gordon. But because the Pistons have Rodney Stuckey, not a true point guard, and Richard Hamilton. Though the rumors supposedly are the Pistons would trade Hamilton. Though why trade a 6-7 shooting guard to accommodate one maybe a half foot shorter? Though I never say never in the NBA, as Phil Jackson taught me. And Michael.” Via Bulls Blog

As for the Rip Hamilton mention, it’s been whirling around that Detroit is shopping Rip.  Though all this is just speculation and rumor, I keep hearing that Rip is on the block.

While I’m not sure Ben Gordon is the ansewer, he’s(26) a lot younger than Rip (32). If the Pistons are trying to build young, this may have some truth to it.

UPDATE:

Our good friend Dave Dial over at MLive makes an interesting point:

“One more reason that could be the one that would tip the scales in favor of replacing Hamilton with Gordon is that Joe Dumars could use Rip as an asset in a trade to grab a big man that the Pistons will need next season.

Hoops World points out that it’s not legal for the Pistons to contact Gordon or his agent until after July 1st, but theorizes that Dumars may have had conversations last summer while Gordon was a restricted free agent and looking for a raise.

What’s not clear in Smith’s report is if the ‘promise’ is for a contract starting at $11 million dollars(doubtful) or if it will average $11 million dollars over the course of 5 seasons. If it’s the latter, and that seems most likely, then the contract would start out at under $9.5 million dollars. In that case Joe Dumars would still have enough cap space to sign another big name free agent, and then could make a trade involving Rip Hamilton.”

UPDATE:
Our Pistons insider Matt Dery of 97.1 The Ticket just shot me this email.

“I talked to a Pistons source today who told me that they are denying this story about Ben Gordon and they add that it is illegal.. and not how it works.”

We know it’s illegal, but something tells me this one might be true. Stay tuned.

• A beautiful day in Michigan, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and Orlando took down Cleveland at home.
• Terrance Williams works out with Detroit and Matt Watson of Detroit Bad Boys interviews the possible Piston.
• Our good friend Matt Dery of WXYT is reporting that the Pistons are working out Gonzaga’s Jeremy Pargo.
• How many Mock Drafts can you really read? SI thinks Detroit will use their #15 pick to snatch Ohio State Center B.J. Mullens. All for a big man, but is Mullens proven after just one year in college?
• Possibly a PG with the pick?
• I wouldn’t mind TY Lawson.
• Will Rodney Stuckey have a breakout season?
• I’m so close it hurts.
• I need Pistons fans help with this one! I got an email from an Old Schooler like myself who needed a hand with some Bad Boys Pistons trivia. “There is a song from back in the day when the bad boys won the 89-90.  It is not One Mission, but it was a Rap song that had Laimbeer, Thomas, Mahorn’s name in it.” Now I remember the song vaguely but for the life of me I couldn’t tell you who did it or what the name of it was. Here is where you guys help us out if you can.  It’s going to bother me until we get the answer!
• Don’t forget about the Kimmel Show Friday night…someone has to win the limited edition EMINEM shirt.
• FYI, I added a feature in the comment section of the site. You can now directly reply to a specific comment in the section and it will appear right below it.
• Great YouTube Tribute to Daddy Rich.

Matt Dery is the afternoon sports anchor at 97.1 FM The Ticket.  He recently left WDFN Radio after 12 years there.  Dery has been the Pre-Game, Half-Time, and Post-Game host on the Pistons radio network the past eight seasons.  Matt is also the radio play-by-play voice of the University of Detroit Mercy mens basketball team.

Need4Sheed: You had a chance to get quite close to Michael Curry last season when he was an assistant coach, were you surprised that Dumars put him in charge of the team?

Matt Dery: First off, thank you Natalie for the opportunity to be featured on thee best Pistons fan site in Detroit.

I did get close to Michael last season when he was an assistant and I knew it was only a matter of time before he got the job. I think he has been put in a difficult spot this season, and has had to deal with a lot of changes and obvious problems with this club. He is not blameless though. No way. Mike did not handle a few situations very well and at times seemed to lose the team during the regular season. End of game execution was flawed in big spots at home, and that is on both him and the players. He demands more from the guys in terms of accountability than Flip did, and I like that. He was told the team was being handed over to Rodney Stuckey, yet, he still coached to win and if that meant playing Will Bynum more, than so be it. I respected that.

Need4Sheed: Its been a season of mostly downs for Detroit, being someone who’s close to the team what did you expect once the Iverson/Billups trade was made? From the inside, could you see a difference in Chemistry once the dynamic changed when Iverson arrived?

Matt Dery: I understood the Iverson trade when it happened and I love the fact that Joe has cleared a ton of space this summer.  With that being said, the chemistry and identity of the team changed and it changed for the worse.  Gone was a defensive mindset (because the dude couldn’t guard Hooper) and a team concept offensively.  Swinging the ball became non-existent, but to Iverson’s credit, he did try hard and got to the rim, he just could not finish.  Check the stats, his missed layups cost the team a ton of games.  He’s under the basket, and his teammates were flat footed trying to get back on defense.  Forget about it.

Need4Sheed: Do you think Detroit’s 39-43 record is an indication of what they can actually do on court?

Matt Dery: This team underachieved.  39 wins is unacceptable and Joe and Scott Perry will tell you the same thing.  Michael Curry said before the season that he thought Tayshaun would have an All-Star season and he didn’t.  Rasheed Wallace aged and when they needed him toward the end of the season, he got hurt, and then served a one game suspension for picking up a silly over-the-number-limit technical.  The front office thought that Amir and Jason Maxiell would both come into their own and that didn’t happen.  Very disappointing.  To me, the two best players this season have been Antonio McDyess and Bynum.  Rip can still ball and I think will have a huge year if he is back next season.

Need4Sheed: A lot has been said about Detroit’s young talent, especially Rodney Stuckey. His talent is obvious, but did he take a step back this season by asking him to run this team so early in his career, especially with the shoes he had to fill?

Matt Dery: I saw a change in Rodney Stuckey in the first pre-season game in Miami and I thought he was ready to take off to a new level.  He had a confidence and cockiness and looked ready to run the team, even as the third guard.  I don’t know what happened to him during the regular season, but the team needs to determine if he’s a legit point guard or just a scoring guard or combo guard who may be best suited as a Vinnie Johnson or Ricky Pierce type player.  He needs to stop dribbling so much in the half court.

Need4Sheed: Biggest surprise of the year?

Matt Dery: Will Bynum.  The guy did it all the last few weeks and solidified a spot on the roster next season.

Need4Sheed: Biggest let down of the year?

Matt Dery: The home record.  21-20.  The Pistons have had amazing crowds and amazing support and yet for some reason the team laid some bad eggs on their home floor.

Need4Sheed: With all the cap room Dumars has going into next season, do you see him trying to change things with a free agent after the season or does he wait until the mother load in 2010?

Matt Dery: Joe hates to lose.  He’s beyond upset over what has transpired.  No way he waits until 2010.  No way.  This team has GOT to go get a low post threat and somebody who can change the game in the paint on both ends of the floor.  Opposing teams drive the ball to the basket with ease now, why?  Because they know they can.

Playoffs:

Need4Sheed: We know you’re from Cleveland and we don’t hold that against you (I don’t think), so who are you rooting for as a fan?

Matt Dery: I really wasn’t too pleased that the Pistons drew the Cavs.  I think this is thee best Cavaliers team I have ever seen and I was there for 91-92 when they made it to the East Finals and I loved that team.  I am dodging your question because I still root for the Pistons and I have too many friends in the organization to cheer against them.  But C-town needs a title so bad and my Indians are off to a lousy start.

Need4Sheed: What does Detroit have to do to win their first round matchup with Cleveland?

Matt Dery: Pistons need to play together if they want to beat Cleveland.  Thats what the Cavs do, they have an amazing togetherness right now.  Plus, if Sheed gets fired up to play against Z and Andy, he can be a difference maker.

Need4Sheed: Who will take the series?

Matt Dery: I say Cavs in Five.  Cleveland is on a mission.  Pistons have been through too much this season to overcome the Cavs.  It is just not clicking right now.

Need4Sheed: Matt, you’ve been painfully absent during Pistons broadcasts lately, tell us what you’re up to.

Matt Dery: What have I been up to?  A lot of nothing.  I had a crazy schedule for a long time at WDFN and a ton of responsibilities.  To be honest, it has been nice to come home and just hang out with my girlfriend or get some extra days with my kids.  My life schedule has revolved around the Pistons and work and U of D for a long time, I’ve just sort of been catching my breath.  To be honest, I do miss the Palace and the games and a lot of amazing people up at 5 Championship Drive.  I’ll hopefully be back in my seat on press row (5th from the left) next season when Deeetroit Basketball heads to 97-1 The Ticket!

Need4Sheed: Lastly, what is you’re most memorable (good or bad) Pistons memory?

Matt Dery: June 15th (and 16th) 2004.  Being able to be court side for the Championship and going until 6 AM the next day on the air with the post-game show was incredible!

I would like to thank Matt again for taking the time out to talk to me, he’s one of those staples at Pistons home games that makes my trips to the Palace that much more special.

And by the way, you got to love Matt for the simple fact that in the picture he sent me to put up for this peice he’s wearing an Indians t-shirt. Just click it to supersize.