Key Points:

• How do you lose a game when you have 30 assist on the night? It’s rare, trust me.
• No Ben Gordon or Will Bynum.
• Tayshaun Prince in the starting lineup, JJ off the Bench.
• If you didn’t know it by now there is a Need4Swede at All Star Weekend.
• Tayshaun showing some signs of life with 12 points, and three boards on 6-for-15 shooting in 33 minutes. Should he really be playing 33 when he’s clearly not 100%.
• Austin Day – Did not play.
• Combined 21 assists between Rip and Stuckey.

Photo/Getty Images

• Rodney led the Pistons with 17 points, 11 board, 2 steals and 5 boards. Stuckey had just on turnovers on the night, but 2 bad passes in the closing seconds of the game that could have given the Pistons a chance to tie the ball game.
• But this…this in your face dunk will make it all better.  Well maybe not all better, but it was pretty sweet.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

See it again and again and again, full clip of the Stuckey Dunk. Gotta love the Blaha call.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• A very sparse crowd at the Palace.  I’m talking pretty empty.
• Let’s just praise Ben Wallace for grabbing 9 boards and putting up 14 points, and adding 2 blocks.   His tip in for 2 points in crunch time was probably the play of the game.  How he keeps surprising us with his play is just short of miraculous.
• The most Jason Maxiell has contributed in a ball game to actually make a difference in at the last 50 games he played in. Maxiell sparks the Pistons fourth to tie the Grizzlies and take the league.  Jason finished  with 12 points in 17 minutes  with 4 boards and a steal.  Why he wasn’t in the game (of JJ for that matter) at the end of the game was surprising.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Charlie Villanueva with 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting with 7 board s and 3 blocked shots on the night.  He was the only Piston with + (5) besides Maxiell for the game.
• Good game from Rip, who really is impressing me with his assist totals lately.  Rip put up a double-double with 16 points, 10 assists and just one turnover.
• This is why Jonas Jerebko is in the Rookie Challenge..because he’s everywhere all the time and it’s more than rare that a play ever gets called for him. If I’m coaching, I make sure this guy stays in the starting lineup. The Swede finished with 8 points and 7 boards in 20 minutes on the floor.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Chris Wilcox started and put up 1 point in his 13 minutes.
• Anyone else remember the last time Kwame was in there?
• Outrebounded 44-39.
• Zach Randolph had 23 points and 19 rebounds, what got into him this season?  I remember when he played this well then things just fell off.
• Free throws cost us in this one, Detroit was 11 for 19 at the line.
• Another one on Friday at home against the Heat.  Want to go with me? You have till 11 AM tomorrow to enter for the pair of tickets.

Iverson made his debut for Memphis on Monday night returning to the court after a partial left hamstring tear, AI put up 11 points in 18 minutes in the Memphis’ 127-116 overtime loss.

“I had no problems (with the hamstring),” Iverson said afterward. “I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That’s the only thing I got a problem with. Yeah, I’ll be disappointed (if he’s a sub this season),” Iverson said. “I’m not a reserve basketball player. I’ve never been a reserve all my life and I’m not going to start looking at myself as a reserve. … To answer the question, ‘No, I’m not a bench player. I’m not a sixth man. Go look at my resume and that will show you I’m not a sixth man.” Via Fanhouse

Karma…AI, Karma.

I hate to post AI stuff anymore, but I love to say I told you so.
Hat Tip Detroit Bad Boys

Key Points:

• The Defense?  Well it didn’t look that bad, holding the Grizz to just 74 was a nice way to start.
• I mentioned before that Charlie Villanueva was a little (and that’s being nice) lax on playing “D” but he looked like he was really trying to step it up before he got into very early foul trouble. Let’s hope that’s not an issue.
• Coach Kuester started his tenure with Detroit the right way.
• This was the team I was hoping to see this season.
• First official points from Ben Gordon as a Piston… leaning glass gunner with the shot clock expiring. Four point play,  followed by a buzzer beater at the quarter. Ben impressed with 22 points on 7-12 shooting in 25 minutes on the floor.

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• You know how it feels for Pistons fans to see Sheed on the hated Celtics. Well just bask in the glory that Bulls fans are killing themselves right now watch Ben Gordon don the red, blue and white!
• Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon’s first Pistons points – triples.
• I love the George Blaha (don’t we all?) poster in Memphis…priceless
• Bynum is really trying to cement this whole point guard position. Bynumite with 5 points, 5 boards and 7 assists in 23 minutes.
• Rip tweaked his ankle late in the game after a very impressive performance. Hopefully he will be just fine. I was worried about him as the game started as well as the preseason but he looked great. He loses his ducktail and he gets his shot back, coincidence? I think not.
• Ben Wallace back to his “Big Ben” status? Fear the fade?

Photo/Getty Images

• Wallace not only started for Detroit, but he was very impressive making his defensive presence felt while making it contagious to his teammates. Ben finished with 9 boards, a blocked shot and 3 points in 28 minutes.  Pleasant surprise…
• Rodney Stuckey 12 points on 6-for-10 shooting with three assists and two boards.  I’m hoping his assists are better this season, but either way I think he’s going to be substantially better than last season.
• Tayshaun Prince looked good with 14 points, 5 boards and 3 assists in 31 minutes.
• Will rebounds be a problem? Probably – Pistons outboarded 39-49.
• I was thinking that Rip’s ego might be a little bruised by Ben Gordon but the fact that Gordon scored the coveted Dr. Rahmani commercial was like writing it in stone.  That’s Rip’s gig, my man.
• Rip started slow but totally stole the show with 25 points on 10-for-19 shooting with 4 assists and 3 boards.  Great start for Rip who was looking a little confused during the preseason.

Photo/Getty Images

• I’m hoping Jason Maxiell really plays the way I think he can play. Maxi with 2 points, 6 boards and a ton of hustle in 14 minutes on the floor.
• 51% shooting on the nigh – WOW.
• Charlie V started the game and scored 7. A great dunk but he’ll have to watch the fouls.
• No Austin Daye or Jonas Jerebko, (The Second coming of Detroit Bad Boys) who were both suspended for their skirmishes in the preseaon.  Pistons dressed just 10 players.
• 37% for three.
• Highlights of the Game

• Nice way to make Pistons fans feel after the mess that was last season.
• I can’t wait to see what the crowd is like Friday night at the Palace. Ben Wallace with a serious ovation during the intros I predict.

This is what Pistons fans have been waiting for since Detroit’s early departure in the playoffs last season.  Let’s leave the mess behind us and get to the good stuff.

Detroit is in Memphis to take on the Grizzles for their season opener tonight at 8pm.  You’re opening night linup is.

• Rodney Stuckey
• Rip Hamilton
• Tayshaun Prince
• Charlie Villanueva
• Ben Wallace

Yes, Big Ben will be the Pistons starting center.

Tip off is at 8:00 PM and will be broadcast on FS Detroit with pregame festivites starting at 7PM.  Can’t watch live? Listen on the radio over at 9.71 The Ticket or follow the gamecast over at NBA.com.

I’m excited, so I’m sure you will get a few choice Tweets out of me during the game.

To an eventful and action packed season!  Leave em in the comments.

Mavs Moneyball | The Two Man Game | NBA Mate

Houston Rockets

The Dream Shake | Ballerblogger

Memphis Grizzlies

3 Shades of Blue

New Orleans Hornets

At The Hive | Hornets Hype

San Antonio Spurs

Pounding The Rock | Project Spurs

Bonus Links

See full schedule here | Also see SBNation preview storystream

From Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo! Sports

“Allen Iverson has agreed to terms with the Memphis Grizzlies and will sign a one-year deal by week’s end, a league source told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday.

He’s expected to sign a $3.5 million contract, with incentives to make more based on performance.

“God chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career,” Iverson wrote on his Twitter page on Wednesday morning. “I met with [owner Mike Heisley], [GM] Chris Wallace and my next head coach, Lionel Hollins.”

Iverson, 34, met with team officials on Monday in Atlanta, where they discussed his potential role with the team.

“I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that,” Iverson wrote on Twitter. “I feel that I can trust them.”

After a turbulent season with the Detroit Pistons, Iverson attracted marginal interest around the NBA this summer. Several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Bobcats, made inquiries, but only Memphis presented a serious bid.

No contending teams bothered to court the 10-time All-Star after he seemed unable to accept a complementary role.”

I was asked today on Twitter by a follower “does this give you closure”…my answer: If he comes off the bench for the Grizz.

That would be the definition of closure “Bad Boy” style.

The good news is not only do the Pistons look like the team we are accustomed to, they are starting to feel like it.

“Some games we do feel like the old Pistons,” forward Antonio McDyess said. “We’ve got each other’s backs, playing free and having fun. For a while it’s been that way, since we’ve had Rip in the lineup.”

McDyess wants Hamilton to keep his starting job even when Iverson returns.

“We’ve got to keep it the way it is,” he said. “We’ve only lost (two) games with him in the lineup. He’s been sharing the ball like a point guard, which is not his strength, and really scoring, also. With the energy he brings, it’s like we have more confidence in ourselves now.” Via NBA.com

Meanwhile Richard Hamilton is putting up monster numbers since his return to the starting lineup averaging 24.9 points and 7.6 assists.

The Good/Bad and More

• The Grizzlies haven’t beaten the Pistons since a 101-79 home victory Jan. 6, 2005.
• The Grizzlies have lost four straight and 12 of 13.
• Darko can’t even get time on the Grizzlies although he did put up a double-double on Wednesday for them.

Tip off 1:00 PM at the Palace of Auburn Hills and will be broadcast locally on FSN Detroit. If you can’t watch the broadcast you can listen live on 1130 AM WDFN or follow the game audio or watch the live stats over at NBA.com.

A moment of silence for Mr. Davidson at The Palace he built.

An early 5:30 tip and a delayed flight left me unable to watch the Pistons win over the Grizzles until this evening.  So what does a person take away from a game they didn’t get to see yet? A lot!

From what most of your commenting, news reports and the box score it took just about all the Pistons had to beat the lowly Grizzles.  Yes they snapped the longest losing streak since the team acquired Rasheed Wallace, but that doesn’t make many of us feel any better.

• The three guard lineup still isn’t working. It’s almost tiring to keep saying it.
• Tayshaun isn’t productive when he plays out of position.
• Antonio McDyess is doing whatever he can to put us in the win column. Sixteen boards yesterday says it all.
• Rasheed can be invisible in stretches. He’s shooting too many threes, something that Pistons fans have been complaining about since 2005. Yes he looks tired, maybe it has something to do with the fact he’s got NO defensive help when he’s on the court.
• We are struggling on the defensive end and two of our best players in that department, Arron Afflao and Jason Maxiell, spend most of their time watching the game from the bench.
• Rip plays one of his best games all season scoring 14 points on 7-for-12 shooting.  Yes it’s great but is Rip happy taking a back seat on the team this year after being Detroit’s leading scorer for so long?
• Outrebounded consistently.
• Muscled in the paint on both ends of the floor.
• Losing to teams we should steamroll, and when we do win….it’s by the hair of our chinny, chin chin.

We can moan and complain, vent and verbalize our frustrations, try to keep sane and give our “dream lineups” that we think will change things for our beloved Pistons.  At the end of the day this thing is in the hands of Dumars, Curry and the players.

Panic in Detroit?  I would say yes, but things could be worse.  Oh no maybe they can’t …..the Cavs are in first place.

Is Rip really headed to the bench?  A. Sherrod Blakely says so.

Detroit Pistons coach Michael Curry hasn’t decided when he will make a lineup change.

But if a change is made — and there’s a very good chance of that happening — it will likely involve Richard Hamilton coming off the bench and Amir Johnson being re-inserted into the starting lineup.

Hamilton appears more concerned with the team’s success, regardless of what role he plays in it.

“We just want to win, bottom line. We want to win games,” Hamilton said. “Guys are coming out, trying to figure out a way to do everything possible to help the team win. That’s the most important thing right now — just try to win games.”

Curry said he and his staff will have conversations regarding the past 20 games which, not surprisingly, will include discussions about what changes, if any, will be made to the starting lineup.

“That’s the number one thing,” Curry said. “I haven’t hid from that, not one time.”

While Curry wouldn’t say that a change was definitely going to be made, he did say whatever decision that’s made will be “what’s going to be the best way to play for us to compete and be an elite team. Once we make that decision, we’ll kind of stick with that for the rest of the way.”

We will see, but I do know one thing, a picture can really tell a story.

Photo/Getty Images

Keith Langlois – True Blue Pistons

“Michael Curry stopped short of saying changes are in the offing – in fact, he specifically said there isn’t necessarily another lineup change coming – but he did broadly hint that if the Pistons don’t turn a corner in tonight’s game with New Orleans and Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. late afternoon tip with Memphis, all bets are off.

When Curry was asked about 90 minutes before the New Orleans game if he’s convinced the small lineup can defend and rebound well enough to give the Pistons a chance to be successful, he didn’t beat around the bush.

“I haven’t been totally convinced yet,” he said. “I think we’re good enough, whichever way we decide to play, but we haven’t played defense and rebounded the ball as well as I would have liked with that group.” And then …

“So we’re really looking at today and Monday to see how our performance is. I’m not saying after that we’ll make another decision, but I thought regardless of the lineup, I thought if we shared the ball a little more and took care of some fast-break opportunities … we’re not talking like we are now, because we would have beat Charlotte and we would have beat Indiana and a tossup how that game in Oklahoma City would have gone.

“We’ll see. We’ll look at everything.”

Should we be surprised?

Don’t forget this one starts early and will be televised nationally.

Tip off is at 5:30 P.M. and will be nationally broadcast on TNT . If you can’t watch the broadcast, tune into 1130 AM WDFN The Fan. Can’t do either? Follow the game on NBA.com.

Comments, Chat and CONTEST