Chauncey Billups’ Palace introductions March 3rd 2009

What a night to be at The Palace!

And what a class act Billups is. Watch his post game comments and then tell me you don’t appreciate and miss his leadership and his attitude.  In red white and blue or light blue and yellow…he’s Ron Burgundy classy.

Chauncey Billups Post Game Comments Video

Dyess will be back on Tuesday against the Wizards, but besides the fact that Antonio may get the nod, is Stuckey in line to start?

If you’re like me, any change right now may be what this team needs to get things on track.

Key Points:

• The Palace had quite a different atmosphere in comparison to Wednesday night’s opening. The crowd was really into the game, it could have been the fact that it was Kids Night, or the flow of the game, but if I had to put my money on it I would say it was Walter.
• The Walter Herrmann chant from the crowd late in the fourth was great.
• Curry scored a point with me by leaving the hot Walter on the floor the whole fourth quarter when he was getting the job done. Last season that wouldn’t have happened.
• Herrmann mystified the crowd with this hustle, circus shots and clutch three pointers. Herrmann finished the game with 16 points off the bench with 7 boards, 4 assists and a steal and the play of the game.

• Walter Herrmann’s highlights. I think a ton of people have jumped on his bandwagon already, and you can’t really blame them after his showing the past two games. Put Hermmann in the rotation last season and who knows what could have happened in the playoffs.
• Walter Herrmann’s post game interview.
• The Wizards’ Nick Young (taken right after Rodney Stuckey in the 2007 NBA Draft) put up 23 off the bench and looked great. Stuckey on the other had 11 points for Detroit. The Wiz are happy with their pick and we all know how Detroit and the rest of the league feels about Stuck. Well drafted for both teams.
• Detroit shot 53.2% to Washington’s 51.9%.
• It was a high scoring fun game to watch except when Detroit squandered two 17 point leads in the first half letting Washington hang around all game long.
• Detroit owned the boards ripping down 49 to The Wizards 24.
• NBA.com Video Highlights.

• Rasheed was a monster putting up his first (of many I hope) double-doubles of the season. The man was dangerously close to a triple double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 6 blocked shots. The man just couldn’t be stopped.

• Poor Songaila, Ra stuffed him every chance he could. That’s got to do something to a baller’s confidence level. Like I said, couldn’t be stopped.

Photo/Getty Images

• I don’t know if Curry is going to make it a habit, but he played 11 players again on Saturday.
• Huge bench numbers, Detroit’s bench put up 55 points. Deep.
• As for the big lead the Pistons squandered, they went on one of “those” droughts that we all hate. Detroit handed the Wizards the entire lead plus some in the closing minutes of the second quarter. They went six minutes without a field goal and made six turnovers. Miserable to watch.
• Amir and Stuckey both got into foul trouble. Amir logged just 10 minutes with five fouls and 2 points.
• Chauncey struggled with his shot going just 2-for-8 but made all 10 for his free throws allowing him to finish the game with 12 points and 8 assists. It was almost a multiple double-double Piston night.
• Maxiell’s teammates need food. Maxiell meanwhile put up 11 with 7 boards in just 16.
• My new friend Kwame Brown inked his first points as a Piston, going 4-for-4 for 8 points and a board against the team that drafted him.
• Rip led the Pistons with 24 points on 9-21 shooting with 7 boards and 3 assists. Looks like Rip wants to remain the Pistons leading scorer this season.

Photo/Getty Images

• No matter what Affllalo does he make good with his time. Three minutes, three points.
• Detroit is lucky to come away with the win after turning the ball over 17 times. Good thing they owned the boards.
• Glad to see the Chat Room is a hit.
• Detroit hits the road for three games at Charlotte, Toronto and New Jersey. The Pistons start with the Bobcats on Monday. Next home game….The Celtics on Sunday!