I’m THRILLED that Will Bynum is getting the media attention and the recognition he deserves.  Pistons fans found out last season what a gem he was and now the word knew as soon as he did THIS.

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)

Need4Sheed Guest Writer:
Rashid S. Umar

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
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The 5-6 Pistons are in Portland to take on the 8-4 Trail Blazers.  The Trail Blazers will  look to rebound from their first loss in seven games  tonight when they face Detroit who will try to avoid its first three game losing streak of the season.

The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

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Tip is at 10:00 pm EST and will be televised on FOX Sports PLUS (that’s a programming change so take note). For the radio broadcast tune into 97.1 The Ticket or follow the action on NBA.com.

For those of you who missed the chat room, it’s back! You can again talk Pistons during the games.

NEED4SHEED GAME CHAT

The 5-5 Pistons are in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers to start a very difficult stretch of games. The reigning NBA Champions are 7-and-3 on the season and will look to bounce back on their home court to avoid their first three game losing streak in nearly two years.

Stuckey is good to go, but still no word on Rip

The Lakers game, plus Tayshaun talks about him making the road trip out West with Detroit  via Pistons.com

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The Scouting Report via Pistons.com

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Tip is at 10:30 pm EST and will be televised on FOX Sports in HD. For the radio broadcast tune into 97.1 The Ticket or follow the action on NBA.com.

Our good friends Bennie and Jeff are back with their Second Podcast of the season. Did you miss their Top five lists, because I did. Along with the Top Five Front Court Players, we have Tayshaun talk, trade talk, Kaman talk an the Need4Swede.

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.

Team Need4Sheed Podcast – Top Five Front Court Players

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Despite huge games from Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum, the Pistons lost a thriller Sunday night to the Dallas Mavericks 95-90. The Pistons leading scorer Ben Gordon, had a chance to tie it up with a three pointer with just 5 seconds left on the game clock, but the attempt was just off the mark giving Dallas the win.

Key Points:

• A rare game when Gordon was really off his game, Ben was just 1-for-16 from the field scoring just 5 points, 2 assists, a board and 4 turnovers.  Those games are few and far between for Gordon, lets hope he bounces back quickly for the Western trip.  He’s a little under the weather battling a cold right now.

“They didn’t feel good and they didn’t look good, either,” Gordon said of his jumpers. “You’ll have games like that every once in awhile. I’ve just got to bounce back.”  Via NBA.com

• What more can I say about Ben Wallace? The guy really is playing like he was when he was in his prime and you have to say that if it weren’t for him the Pistons would be in big trouble with Rip and Tay out of the lineup. Just like before he’s doing things that don’t always show up in the stats, but help the team immensely. Ben grabbed 10 boards, 2 assists, 3 blocked shots, 9 points and a steal.
• Absolutely the best game from Rodney this season who couldn’t miss in the first half. He was dodging through the lane like a formula one driver driving in Manhattan. He didn’t care who was in the lane, he was taking it to the hoop and making it. Stuck put up 28 on 12-for-20 shooting, with 4 boards and 2 assists.

Photo/Getty Images

• 13 turnovers for Detroit to just 7 from Dallas. I’m not spoiling Rodney’s night but he was accountable for 5 himself.
• Another DNP for Chris Wilcox.
• Jason Maxiell played 13 minutes and had 2 boards and 2 points.   How in the world are we in games when Ben and Charlie are the only big guys doing it?  It’s probably the little things that Kwame Brown is doing.
• 42 points in the paint thanks to Rodney and Will.
• Stuckey sat out the last 4 minutes of the game with cramps, possibly from playing 44 minutes the night before in Washington. Not before doing this all night long though.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, FSN and The Detroit Pistons

• Jonas Jerebko and Austin Day both with 5 boards and 2 assists.
• Henrik Zetterberg in the house to support his fellow countryman Jerebko.
• If you need a guard on your fantasy team….go pick up Rodrigue Beaubois, my goodness this kid didn’t miss.  Best part about it was hearing Eli Zaret trying to pronounce his name on the broadcast.
• Bynum was responsible for  8-0 Pistons run to tie the game at 78.
• Will was the Spark again igniting the Pistons offense they were down. Bynum got Detroit right back in the game, something I have been repeating it seems like every day. Bynumite is clearly on track for Sixth Man of the Year. Seventeen of his 27 points came in the fourth quarter on 11-for-16 shooting on the night.

Photo/Getty Images

• Win or lose this game was fun to watch, I am amazed each night how the guards are contributing. Anyone else notice we play well when we go small? I’m not even bringing up last season.
• 55 points put up by Stuckey and Bynum.
• Dirk Nowitski led the Mavs with 25 but he had to take 27 shots to do it.
• Charlie Villanueva put up a double-double with 13 points, 10 boards, a blocked shot and an assist. Some points just come easy when you get a good dish from a teammate.

Video Courtesy of The NBA, FSN and The Detroit Pistons

• Despite the fact that Ben Gordon was cold all night, I had no problem with him taking the last shot for the tie.
• Bynum and Stuckey Highlights

The 5-4 Pistons take on another old coach today at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  The Pistons face their third consecutive former head coach this evening when Rick Carlisle brings his 6-3 Mavericks into town for their only visit this season to Detroit.

Dallas has won four of the teams’ last five meetings, so this one wont be easy.

Still no word on Rip, but he’s got a thing or two to say about what Detroit has done without him in the lineup. Thankfully Ben Gordon is making us miss him less than we thought we would.

Scouting Report via Pistons.com

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Tip is at 6:00 and will be televised on FOX Sports in HD.   For the radio broadcast tune into 950 AM WWJ or follow the action on NBA.com.

The Pistons are now on a three game winning streak after beating the Washington Wizards 106-103 on their home court.  Another stellar night for the newcomers Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon, but it was again Will Bynum who sparked the team when they looked like they were going to fold.

Key Points:

• This one looked like it was going to be a pretty easy win over the injured Wizards when Detroit took the lead early.  But one of my favorite non Pistons Earl Boykins, who was playing for the first time this season (a new acquisition for Washington), was on a mission to show his new teammates what he could do.  He scored 20 off the bench, getting his team right back in the game by the half.
• 54 points combined for Charlie V and Ben Gordon.
• From what I hear from a few members of team N4S that went to the game, there were plenty of Pistons fans cheering them on in Washington.
• I know many people are putting a mini Sheed label on Charlie V, something I don’t quite agree with (yet), he sure looked a lot like him when he was knocking down threes like they were layups. 12 of his 25 points game from long range.  Villanueva added 7 boards, 2 steal and 2 blocked shots before fouling out late in the fourth.

Photo/Getty Images

“It is a good opportunity. It’s an unfortunate situation that our top two players are out (Hamilton and Prince) but no one is going to feel sorry for us so we have to keep playing hard. It creates opportunity for other guys and they are taking on the challenge. I feel like we are going to win games by playing good defense.” Via Pistons.com

• It’s safe to say Charlie V is in a groove and is fitting in just fine with Detroit’s style of play.
• Just 2 from SWEEEEDE (Jerebko), but his hustle and defense does wonders in the starting lineup.
• Rodney Stuckey scored 17 in 44  minutes of play on 5-for 13 shooting with 9 boards, 4 assists and a steal.  He turned the ball over 4 times but his help on the boards along with the other guards cemented the Pistons com back win.
• The Wizards may have scored over 100, but do you realize that this Pistons team is 5th in the league in Defense.
• Bynum just doesn’t drive the lane to score you know!

Video Courtesy of The NBA, FSN and The Detroit Pistons

• This team showed heart and determination scrapping out a win after the Wizards took the lead in the fourth quarter. In the past they might have just laid down and took one, but they did everything they could to pull it out.
• Will Bynum put the team on his back in the third quarter and got then right back in it.  I know that many of you think I’m on a Bynumite kick, but I’ll  stand up to anyone who says it’s not well deserved.  We knew what he could do last season, it was just a matter of him getting a chance.  Will scored 20 off the bench for Detroit in 31 minutes with 8 boards and 6 assists.   Did anyone see him take just about everyone on the Wizards off the dribble last night?  He was great last night!
• Hate to say it,  but had MC been coaching last night this team probably would have lost.
• My stat of the night, 42 points in the paint for Detroit. I hated the fact that in the past few seasons when we had Sheed and considerable size that we didn’t put up enough easy buckets, they really have surprised me with their work down low.
• The Pistons led early by as much as 13 and the Wizards mounted a 10 point lead late. This one was truly a game of runs, thankfully Detroit went on a big one late in the game to pull it out.
• DNP for Chris Wilcox, who I wish would be contributing more when he gets time on the court.  It’s understandable why he’s not playing considering the numbers he’s put up, but he’s got to step it up, we know what he can do.
• Our leading scorer Ben Gorden had another fantastic night leading all scorers with 29.  Does anyone even question him when he puts up as shot?  It seems like he makes everything he puts up.

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• Anybody worried about Jason Maxiell? Our spark plug is loosing his spark. I know he had a nice block the other night, but I’m still waiting for him to be a consistent force the Pistons can count on. Jason played 14 minutes and scored 5 with 4 boards. He needs to start taking after Wallace 2.0.
• DaJuan Summers and Austin Day each logged 4 minutes without scoring.
• Why Ben Wallace ditched his headband early in the game we will never know, but his contributions to this team have surpassed everything this Pistons fans thought he could do. The man had just as many assists (4) as our starting point guard. Take a look at this scrappy assist…..

Video Courtesy of The NBA, FSN and The Detroit Pistons

• Wallace 2.0 finished the game with 5 points on 2-for-2 shooting with 7 boards a steal and 2 blocked shots. Can he play 30 minutes a night all season long is the question.
• Still no timetable on Rip of Tayshaun.
• Bynumite tried to wow the Wizards crowd with another jaw dropping dunk over a big man, but the had to foul him to stop him.
• Kwame Brown had to hear the boos from the Washington crowd. It’s unfortunate but he’s kind of similar to Pistons fans relationship with Darko. Kwame finished with 3 points and 3 boards in 9 minutes.
• Highlights of the game via NBA.com

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• Detroit has another one  today against the Mavs and a tough road trip out west this week.

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.

The Pistons did a little more than win Wednesday night at the Palace, they massacred the Bobcats 75-98 in one of the most exciting games at the Palace of Auburn Hills in a while. Not only did Will…thrill, Charlie Villanueva put up 30 points without even playing the fourth quarter.

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.

What better way to get you though a day when the Pistons don’t play? A  little  BYNUMITE brighten your day.

Great video look at my favorite point guard Will Bynum.

The Pistons won their first Sunday game of the season, taking down the Sixers 81-88 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  Another game without Rip Hamilton and of course Tayshaun Prince, but this time it was our old friend Ben Wallace who put on a rebounding clinic on his familiar floor.

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!