Arron Afflalo traded along with Walter Sharpe to Denver for a future 2nd rounder, clearing $1.8 million in cap space. Via Adrian Wojnowski of YahooSports

Good luck Arron, give Chauncey our best.

As the cleaning of house keeps rolling something tells me a big deal is on the horizon.

Most of you, including myself, aren’t very happy with the prospect of Glen “Big Baby” Davis donning a Pistons uni, but the chances of it just went up.  We wait again…. in what has turned out to be one of the craziest offseasons I can remember.

“Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg posted on his Twitter account that former Hokies standout Deron Washington has signed a guaranteed contract with the Detroit Pistons, who selected him 59th overall (second round) in the 2008 NBA draft.” Via Daily Press.com

Now there is more….. Our guru Dave Dial gives us the juice.

“Moves like that(signing players like Washington to guaranteed contracts) are often made when one team has to send back a certain amount of money back in a trade. For example, if Detroit is $4 million under the cap after signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva and were to get involved with the Hornets in a trade for Tyson Chandler, the Pistons would have to send back a certain amount of salaries in order to make it work.

Chandler makes $12.2 million dollars, and the Pistons might be $4 million under the cap so a straight salary dump couldn’t work. Stay tuned…

{Update: I’ve been informed that there is a 30 day waiting period when you sign a second-round pick before that player can be traded.}”

Detroit Bad Boys adds even more….suggesting Rip could be on his way out.

Now with the quickness in which this is all happening a girls’ head is spinning. I can’t even sleep without waking up to some rumors or possible trades.  I have been locked to Twitter for the past few days to send out the info as quickly as I get it no matter where I am, so do some following.

I will be Twittering and Live Blogging the NBA Draft on Need4Sheed from the Pistons Practice Facility tonight. Make sure you join me.

I’m bringing the camera with me, so I’m sure I can stir up a bit of trouble.  Depending on what’s going on, and who I see, I may even take requests.   If you are going to be there too, make sure you stop by and say hello.

The Amir Johnson experiment is over in Detroit.  Joe Dumars made a with his one time right hand man John Hammond that sent Johnson for the newly acquired Fabricio Oberto, of The Bucks.

“The Pistons have traded power forward Amir Johnson to Milwaukee for center Fabricio Oberto, who was acquired by the Bucks from the Spurs earlier today, according to a person familiar with the trade negotiations.

Oberto averaged 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 54 games for San Antonio last season, although it appears he will never suit up for the Pistons. Yahoo! Sports reports that the Pistons are expected to buy out the remaining year on Oberto’s deal.

Thus, it appears the Pistons can add the $3.6 million Johnson was scheduled to make next year to the roughly $20 million of salary-cap room they already had to spend when they can start negotiating with free agents July 1.” Via The Detroit Free Press

A Sherrod Blakley has a little different take then the Free Press. Detroit will waive Oberto…

“The Pistons are putting the finishing touches on a three-way trade involving San Antonio and Milwaukee that will send Johnson, a former second-round pick by Detroit, to San Antonio and then on to Milwaukee.

The key principles in the trade are Bucks guard/forward Richard Jefferson, who will be sent to San Antonio in exchange for Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas.

Meanwhile, the Pistons will send Johnson and cash to San Antonio in exchange for Fabricio Oberto who is expected to be waived by Detroit.

By waiving Oberto, that gives Detroit a little more salary cap flexibility this summer to go out and sign a pair of impact players.” Via MLive

Good Luck to Amir, let’s hope the potiential we know he has can flourish for a different team.  We will all remember him for his first two NBA points

And personally I will always remember him for this.

Thanks to all of you quick on the Email, text massage and the special phone call to make sure we got the news quickly. Too bad I was enjoying my dinner when it all broke…Thank goodness for Twitterberry. If you’re not following me on Twitter…you should be.

I’m sure we will be talking about this more, plus what happens leading up to Thursday’s Draft…which I will be live blogging at the Pistons Draft Party.  Stay Tuned!

It seems as though we have a Ben Gordon to the Pistons rumor.

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.

I know it’s been slow as far as Pistons news goes but you MUST head on over to ESPN and read the great piece Tom Friend wrote on Chauncey Billups. A must for any Pistons fan.

Disposable Superstar

Thanks to Max, Jeff, Michael, El Patron Himself, Stephen and all the others who made sure I didn’t miss this one. And all of you….pass it on. Go Chauncey!

Will Tayshaun Prince play in Game Three tonight?

“I will give whatever I can give,” he said. “It felt better today (Thursday), but at the same time, I didn’t go at game speed. I am not the type of person to give excuses about injuries because I know both Rasheed and Rip (Hamilton) played hurt for us this season.

“But this is the pivotal game, so if I am not getting anything going early, I will let Arron (Afflalo) and those guys take the load.” Via The Detroit News

Read into this if you will, especially considering all that’s been going around regarding Prince’s playoff non production.

He’s not injured enough to not start (remember the streak), but if he’s not productive he will let Afflalo play (injury or not). Sounds a bit like an excuse is already in play for Prince.

I don’t know about you, but I would love for Tayshaun to have  huge game, we need him to, but with the injury and how he’s been playing lately I wouldn’t mind Afflalo and Herrmann for that matter to try to see what they can do.

Could Tayshaun be worried about being moved in the offseason? He may not be untouchable anymore.

Still the real deal from Park Hill………………Chauncey BA BA BA Billups!

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

The Pistons take on the 39-21 Denver Nuggets at home for the first time since Chauncey Billups was traded from Detroit.  Billups acknowledges it will be emotional to play at The Palace for the first time as an ex-Piston, but I can only imagine how he feels one the fans welcome him back.

“It will be fun to get back to that city that I love so dearly, the fans that I love so dearly,” Billups said. Via NBA.com

My guess is there will be a few tears shed in the building.

I’m also hoping for a CHAUNCEY B-B-B-BILLUPS from our good friend Mason.

We have Iverson fans as well as Billups fans and no matter which side of the fence you sit on, there is no denying what Billups meant to this team or it’s fans.

Sorting though one of my first videos I did on N4S, I found this one i titled Chauncey for MVP, I thought you might enjoy it today.

The Good/The Bad and More

• No Carmelo Anthony for Denver -- “The Denver Nuggets have suspended Carmelo Anthony for one game for an “in-game transgression” Sunday against Indiana. “There is a code of conduct that we take very seriously, especially from a leader and co-captain,” Rex Chapman, vice president of player personnel, said Monday. “Carmelo knows this and regrets what happened. He is a very competitive person and made a poor decision in the heat of the moment. We look forward to having him back on Thursday and will have no further comment at this time.” Via ESPN
• Pistons fans feeling the loss not more than ever.

• “I’m going to give him a couple of flagrant fouls”  Sheed on Chauncey’s return.  Via The Detroit Free Press
• Iverson will be back in Detroit on Wednesday.
• Charley Rosen of Fox Sports tells it like it is about Iverson and it isn’t pretty.
• The Basketball Jones on Detroit Basketball.
• “It’s going to be amazing,” Prince said. “I can tell you one thing: It’s going to be a packed house. I’m pretty sure the ovation he’s going to get is one we haven’t seen in a while. People know how we’ve been playing since he’s been gone and the importance that he meant to our ball club.” Via MLive
• Is Dumars Shady?
• Bill Laimbeer…Iverson isn’t a good fit in Detroit.
• The Denver side, over at The Nugg Doctor.

Tip off is at 7:30 at The Palace of Auburn Hill and if you’re headed out, make sure you get there early so you don’t miss a thing. The game will be locally broadcast on FSN PLUS and as always Tim Bryant from FSN was nice enough to send us the channel listings just in case you’re not sure what number your Fox Sports Plus is on. If you can’t watch the game listen live on WDFN 1130 AM or follow the game on NBA.com

I expect it all in the comments.

ESPN is reporting that Allen Iverson will NOT be dressed in Piston red, white and blue for the third straight game.  Remember, he returned to Detroit with “back issues” to get a doctor’s opinion after his MRI following Detroit’s 87-90 loss to the Hornets.  He also was MIA in Boston and now that the team is back in Detroit ……AI is on his way (or is already in) D.C. to see his own specialist.

I had mentioned a few days ago that I thought something was fishy with this whole back injury since AI is like the Energizer Bunny.  My thinking was the injury would help him save face with his new bench role. But after Curry put his foot in his mouth today, Iveson has got to be ready to explode somewhere.

From Chris Sheridan of ESPN

Iverson is the new Will Bynum!

“Maybe Allen comes in and plays a lot of time at Will Bynum’s spot,” Curry said.

Iverson still has not spoken publicly since learning of his demotion following the Pistons’ loss at New Orleans on Wednesday. He returned to Detroit to have an MRI on his back, and he likely will remain silent Monday since Curry is giving the Pistons the day off following an eight-game road trip.

If he has something to say about his demotion (and he sure had a lot to say the last time a coach tried to bring him off the bench, as Chris Ford will testify), it’ll have to wait another day or two.

Not that what Iverson has to say is going to change anything, though.

For now, and for the rest of this season (barring injuries), Iverson is coming off the bench.

“That’s going to be the last move,” Curry said. “It’s nothing against how Allen has played. It’s just with Rip in that first group, it seems more guys in that group play better. I knew Rip could play off the bench because he’s an efficient scorer; he can score right away.

“I’m still not sure how well A.I. can play off the bench, and that’s what we’re going to have to find out. He’s been in a tough situation all year, and so has everyone else. But this is the team we have, and if we can find ways for guys to do it together — and willingly do it together — we’ve got a chance to be pretty good.”

So it looks like we won’t see Allen Iverson off the bench for Detroit against his former team and the man who truly should have been the only #1 in a Pistons uniform (yes, I’m still upset about that).

Right now we have to keep an eye out for the entire situation, someone’s not talking and someone is talking a bit too much.

As all of you know by now Joe Dumars and the Pistons stood pat at the trading deadline, so beyond the firing of a certain coach it looks like this team will probably stay just the way it is.  Oh wait…it can get worse, did anyone take a look at the next block of games?

Tonight vs San Antonio
Sun 22 @ Cleveland
Tue 24 @ Miami
Wed 25 @ New Orleans
Fri 27 @ Orlando
Sun 01 @ Boston
Tue 03 vs Denver

With the Pistons on a four game losing streak going into tonight’s Nationally televised game against the 35-17 Spurs if they can actually pull off the win tonight maybe, just maybe they can get some confidence going into the next stretch of difficult games.

Just think, if things go the way they have been, by the time Chauncey returns to the Palace the Pistons could be out of the Playoff picture.  I can’t believe I just said that.

Good/Bad News and More

• Curry is still in charge but he did manage to play Zone in the loss to the Bucks and go figure, it worked.  We may see it again.
• Ginobili is out got two to three weeks.
• The Spurs have lost their last two games.
• Don’t get overexcited for Chris Bosh.
• Don’t forget to try to win DIME MAGAZINE featuring Rodney Stuckey.  Leave the word STUCKTACULAR in the comment section of DIME with your correct email address.

Tip off is at 8:00 PM and will be Nationally televised on TNT.  If you can’t catch the broadcast you can listen locally at WDFN 1130 AM or follow/listen to the game at NBA.com.

Leave them in the Comments.

I will start this post with my apologies for the hiccups on the site the past two days. It seems as though the server had issues, but I think I’m back up and running at about 80% right now. Now on with my analogy.

I came to the conclusion last night that the Pistons are like a blind date.  Just bear with me here.

As Pistons fans (some say) we are spoiled. Our team has enjoyed great success over the past few years and quite frankly we aren’t used to dealing with them struggling (other than in the playoffs).

• Blame it on Dumars.
• Blame it on Curry.
• Blame it on a new DAILY lineup change.
• Blame it on Allen Iverson for stealing our floor general and captain.
• Blame it Rasheed for his technicals and three point affinity.
• Blame it on the rotation or lack thereof.
• Blame it on Rodney Stuckey for being put in a position to run the team when he’s just learning how to be a point guard in the NBA.
• Blame it on chemistry.
• Blame it on Kwame Brown, who hasn’t seen enough time to make it count or not count.
• Blame it on turnovers.
• Blame it on David Stern.
• Blame it on the Officials.
• Blame it on Amir Johnson, who hasn’t had the chance to develop in the helter-skelter thing we would call “a system.”
• Blame it on the lack of play of Jason Maxiell.
• Blame it on Walter Herrmann’s hair.
• Blame it on Flip Saunders (who right now is probably enjoying all of this).
• Hell blame it on Darko…..

Lay the blame wherever you want, but it will do you no good. It’s a free fall that none of us were prepared for when this season started.

Photo/Getty Images

As Pistons fans, do yourself a favor. Go into each game like you would if you were going on a Blind Date.  Expect the worst and if your date ends up with teeth, no unpleasant, unidentifiable odor,  no visible open sores and the ability to speak the same language that you do it’s a plus.  And if they actually turn out to be nice, normal and not a stalker….it’s like putting a W in the win column.

Expect nothing and when you find your Prince Charming/Cinderella it makes the win that much better.

This lesson brought to you by Need4Sheed.com. You can thank me later.