Need4Sheed Guest Writer:
Rashid S. Umar

After a promising start, the Pistons were overwhelmed by the Champion Lakers, but put on a late rally before falling 106-93. The Pistons were led by Will Bynum’s 24 points and 6 assists, while Kobe Bryant scored 40 to help stop LA’s two-game losing streak. Detroit falls to 5-6 on the young season and head to Portland Wednesday night.

Some key points:

• Despite a strained groin, Kobe takes advantage of the smaller Piston guards en route to 40 points (including an unnecessary three pointer late).
• For all the people who think that the team should trade Tayshaun or Rip, don’t you think they would have made a difference tonight?
• Lakers were without Pau Gasol and Luke Walton.
• Ben Gordon gets up there.
  

Photo/Getty Images

• Tayshaun made the trip. Rip talks retirement.
• Did Charlie V suit up tonight? I’m just asking.
• Big Ben Wallace tried his best but was outdone by LA’s low post offense.
• Living in LA, I had to watch the Lakers broadcast which made me angry, so I decided to mute the television. DirecTV blacked out the Fox Sports Detroit channel during due to the local broadcast, bummer.
• Lamar Odom nearly had a triple-double with triple 8’s.
• Hey a Dejuan Summers sighting!
• Another Bynumite night, we clearly had the Better Bynum!

Photo/Getty Images

• Austin Daye looked lost, while Jonas Jerebko seemed to agitate Kobe.
• Ben Gordon seemed to get frustrated so he decided to take it out on the rim with a rim rattler.
• Too many turnovers in a short period of time during the second quarter led to a ridiculous Lakers rally.
• While Ben Gordon was able to get off to a fast start, he was later neutralized while trying to defend Kobe.
• Pistons fell behind by as much as 28 points, then coach Kue went to a line-up of Bynum, Jerebko, Summers, Kwame, and Maxiell.
• Will Bynum block was nice but the rejection of the night goes to Jason Maxiell, who also got a tech for mixing it up with the other Bynum.

• Pistons have lost 2 in a row and look to avoid another “L” tonight in Portland.

Recap via NBA.com

Our good friends Bennie and Jeff are back with their first Podcast of the season.  Did you miss their Top five lists, because I did.

We even have a new Sponsor for the program so make sure that you visit our new sponsor “Dwight Howard’s 17 Minute Chicken Shack”

Don’t forget please leave Bennie and Jeff your thoughts in the comments. They are waiting to hear what Team Need4Sheed has to say and “get your flava with Villanueva.”

Team Need4Sheed Podcast – Breaking down the New Pistons

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It’s rare that I post something like this, but I know that many of you appreciate Pistons memorabilia and if this isn’t a wonderful cause I don’t know what is.

HELP MICHIGAN UNDERGRADS BATTLING CANCER:

“From now through the end of the 2009 Michigan football season, the Bernard “Pat” Maloy Cancer Scholarship Online Auction will be open for bidding at http://www.umich.cmarket.com . Two hundred items, most of which are autographed University of Michigan football, hockey, basketball, and baseball memorabilia will be auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the Maloy Scholarship which is given to Michigan undergraduate students who either have cancer or whose direct family members have been so affected.

The Maloy Scholarship is named after Professor Bernard “Pat” Maloy who taught at the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology from 1986 through his passing of esophageal cancer in 2001. The Scholarship was created in 2007 by a group of eleven of Professor Maloy’s former students (including Tyrone Wheatley, the former Michigan running back standout) and Professor Maloy’s widow Nora Maloy. In three short years the Scholarship committee has managed to raise nearly $175,000 and will have its first student attending Michigan on a Maloy Scholarship this fall. The goal is to be able to award a four year $5,000 scholarship every fall to a deserving student who has financial need.”

There are a few Pistons items, so if you want to get a Rasheed Wallace Autographed Jersey or a Rip Hamilton Signed Basketball here is your chance.

Add a Detroit Tigers page and a Red Wings page and Detroit Fans are set.

Team Name: The Detroit Pistons

Last Year’s Record: 39-43

Key Losses: Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, Amir Johnson, Arron Afflalo, Chauncey Billups (does that still count), head coach Michael Curry (a good loss) and possibly the best loss in Pistons history, the end of Allen Iverson in red, white and blue.

Key Additions: Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Chris Wilcox, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko and Ben Wallace.

1. What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?

The Pistons haven’t had a significant change to a start of the season since Joe Dumars took over as GM. Dumars started cleaning house well before the season started by trading away the Pistons cherished point guard Chauncey Billups for the expiring contract of Allen Iverson. The Iverson experience was a train wreck and by the end of the season it was obvious that big changes were coming.

Dumars started in late June with the firing of head coach Michael Curry. He traded Amir Johnson to the Milwaukee Bucks for Fabricio Oberto who was later waived. With the 15th pick in the NBA Draft Detroit selected Austin Daye of Gonzaga University and later took DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko in the second round.

Dumars then shipped out Arron Afflao for more cap space to secure the free agents he was coveting. Dumars wasted no time in bringing Ben Gordan and Charlie Villanueva to Detroit. On July 1, 2009, the Pistons reached an agreement with the former Bulls guard on a 5 year/$55 million contract, as well as an agreement with Charlie Villanueva on a 5 year contract worth $35 million.

They picked up plenty, but they also lost two of their key players in Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. On July 5, 2009 the Pistons Sheed to free agency. Wallace signed a two year, $5.58 million contract with the Boston Celtics. Following the departure of Wallace, former Antonio McDyess signed a one year contract with the San Antonio Spurs for the mid-level exception. Though Pistons fans were probably ready to see Rasheed say goodbye, McDess heart and desire will be missed at The Palace.

In dire need of big man, Dumars picked up Knicks power forward Chris Wilcox to do some damage down low. And a surprise that Pistons fans were hoping for, the return of Ben Wallace to Detroit. Wallace, who was waived by the Phoenix Suns signed for the veterans minimum to play for the Pistons this season.

2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?

This current configuration of Pistons should have no problem putting the ball in the basket. With Ben Gordon coming off the bench and Charlie Villanueva added to the starting lineup Detroit will be able to put up points.

They also got younger and faster this season with rookies Austin Daye and DaJuan Summers. Put them in the lineup with Stuckey or Will Bynum at the point and this team will get out and run, something we rarely saw from the Pistons half court style of play.

3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?

DEFENSE!

The most glaring and obvious weakness for Detroit is the “D”. Always known for defense first, the Pistons now have an offensive mined squad and a lack of established big men.
The Pistons new addition down low, Charlie Villanueva has a reputation to be allergic to rebounds and has been called “soft.” Look for Jason Maxiell, Chirs Wilcox and Kwame Brown to do most of the dirty work for the Pistons this season.

4.What are the goals for this team?

Better than 39 wins will be just fine for this Pistons team. If Detroit can pull off a winning season, than what happened last year can be somewhat forgiven.
If new coach John Kuester can get this team together they have the talent to do much better than expected.
Will they make the playoffs? Probably.
Will they go far? Unlikely.

5. Will the roster likely stay the way it is?
You can bet that Joe Dumars is working on trying to make a few more moves. The most valuable and likely to go is Rip Hamilton. He’s got value on the market and with Ben Gordon on the team, his offense wouldn’t be missed that much putting Ben in the starting lineup to replace him. If there is a move to make Dumars will do it, we saw it last year with Billups, don’t count anything out at this point.

One thing is sure, they may not be slotted to make the ECF like they used to, but this Pistons team is going to be fun to watch.

Projected Finish: 46-36

So it’s Rasheed’s Birthday today and since he’s history as far a as Pistons fans are concerned I’m giving away a Sheedesque prize for the occasion.

It’s easy to win.

Follow me on twitter and RT this to enter.

No Need4Sheed on Sheedday  #NoNeed4Sheed @need4sheed_com

A random winner will be picked from all the entries (enter as many times as you wish). I will announce the winner Tuesday

September 22nd and there is even a a second prize. I you don’t get the T-Shirt, you may be the lucky winner of a William Bedford Detroit Pistons Basketball card. In all honestly,  I know most of you think the Bedford card should be the grand prize, but since it’s Sheedday you understand.

• Ben Wallace, the 3rd best defender of the decade.
• Bill Laimbeer is surprised he likes his new boss, and so am I quite frankly.
• Malice at the Palace no more – Ron Artest and John Green are the best of friends.
• Tom Wilson on how the Pistons organization has changed with the passing of Bill Davidson and the new roster changes.
• The Pistons will have three point guards when camp starts.
• New “D” in town?
• Vintage Pistons editorial Cartoons.
• Former Piston Alex Acker back in the Euroleague.
• The Pistons FINALLY make it to #1 on a list….and I am sure you will agree with this one.
• Love/Hate for Sheed over at Celtics Blog.
• Pistons Recharged – Finally something to watch on Television  it will run on  FoxSports Detroit -  Fri. Sept. 4 – 6:30 PM; Sat. Sept. 5 – 9:30 AM & 5:30 PM; Sun. Sept. 6 – 9:00 AM
• 90% of Pistons fans loath Michael Jordan and with the all MJ all the time coverage he’s (deservedly) getting these Jordan failures are sure to amuse.
• Pretty awesome idea – Drew Cieszynski decided he was going to go on Tour…with the NBA during the 2007-08 season. Not surprised that the Pistons treated him like Royalty and his stop at the Palace made the top of the list.  Also not surprised the the Celtics did not.   If that’s not enough..he’s going Big Ten. Good luck Drew.
• DaJuan Summers (@dsummers35) judging American Idol The Pistons National Anthem Auditions. (Video)
• The lessons of Coach Daly will live on.
• Saddened by the news that Ernie Harwell has incurable cancer. My prayers go out to his family.
• NBA Twitter guidelines.

Lastly…I had an unbelievable once in a lifetime experience (for me). Something I have been waiting to happen for about 23 years. If you Follow me on Twitter you would know what it was.  More on that later, but in the meantime FOLLOW me and Retweet this for another prize (you must follow me to find out what it is) I will be giving away next week.

Message to ReTweet (you can copy and paste):

If you are a Pistons fan you must Follow @need4sheed_com – Repping the “D” regardless of Sheed! #Need4Sheed #Sheedburgler

As you know I pass my offseason days by watching old Pistons videos whether they be epic playoff battles, championship glory or simple videos.  Today I was reminded of painful memories as a Pistons fan, something I care not get into on this beautiful day in Michigan.  Then I came across this video in my vault and if brought out joy and pain.

Despite the fact that this video was put together pretty recently, it seems like lifetime ago.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Video courtesy of The Detroit Pistons and myTV20 Detroit

I would like to get your take on the matter…does it put a smile on your face or cause you pain over what was, and maybe what could have been if things didn’t go the way they did last season?

As you know things are slow in Pistons land, so what do I do?  I search through old videos I have collected to try to get trough the day.

My find today, an old video of the top 10 Pistons buzzer beaters.

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Now if you noticed the tile of the post is Top 11, that’s because this video was put together before this. You tell me where you think it should be placed on list.

• Ben Gordon will do more in Detroit than just score. He’s also a giver.
• Sheed was spotted this weekend at the Woodward Dream cruise, I guess he’s in no hurry to stay in Boston.
• Delfino traded for Amir Johnson?
• The top 10 hits of Joe D’s off-season.
• No presser on Television for the return of Ben Wallace, but here is the Official Pistons release.
• A More Sentimental Than Productive Homecoming For Big Ben.
• Great Austin Daye and DaJuan Summer QandA.
• Always love when a song (by J Rus & Mark Pastoria) is entirely about Deeetroit Basketball but since this was a new find on YouTube it made me think that Those Pistons are a thing of the past.  Had I seen this 2 season ago I would be thinking a bit different.  Sadly that’s not a correct representation of Detroit Basketball as it stands today.  You be the judge.

You know I always catch something when it has to do with Sheed, so when this popped up in the Detroit Free Press this morning it had me asking this question.

Why Does Brian Scalabrine think he’s good at Basketball?

“I’m loving Rasheed Wallace,” Celtics small forward Brian Scalabrine said last week

“I’m incredibly psyched,” Scalabrine said. “Winning championships is something I want to continue to do.” Via The Detroit Free Press

Really Brian? Really?

Not only did he contribute less than nothing to the Celtics Championship run but he looks awful in green and the dude has no sock on…come on.

Maybe it’s the same reason Robert Swift thinks he hardcore.

Put it this way Pistons fans…it’s like saying Darko Milicic saying the same thing.

Literally…

I don’t know if you remember Sheed taking us on a tour of The Pistons newly renovated practice facility last season, here is the video just in case you missed it.

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One thing Rasheed failed to mention before the tour started was that you needed to leave your guns at the door. Lucky I left my glock at home that day or else I wouldn’t have been able to get inside the building. As I passed the sign the first thing I thought in my head was….was this here before Allen Iverson was? If you click on the picture to enlarge it….you can see the fine print at the bottom of the sign. Do they really need to have the sign…probably.  My guess is things got heated one day after a friendly game of H-O-R-S-E.

Though Sheed is gone, I still get a kick out of the video I made of Sheed vs. Stewie.

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We have to keep ourselves busy with something while Joe D is working on what this team is going to look like.