The Pistons did their best to try to pull out another game without Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, but the Raptors didn’t cooperate with Detroit’s plans. Detroit went down 99-110 in Toronto after another gutsy effort.

Key Points:

• Another start for Jonas Jerebko and his first NBA points.  Hustle from Jerebko and defensive effort turned into 2 blocks, 3 boards and 8 points.
• Though not a 20 point night, Rodney Stuckey put up a solid double-double with 10 boards, 13 points and 4 assists.
• We have to face facts, it’s clear that Detroit desperately needs front court help.  They can’t count on the guards to do all the scoring.
• I’m getting Ben Wallace DeJa vu.  He’s as closer to the Ben that left to go to Chicago than I could have ever imagined.  Now Kuester needs to limit his time a bit more so this lasts all season.  Wallace finished with 9 boards and 6 points.
• Toronto became the first team this season to score more than 100 points against Detroit. Does that mean the “D” is officially back?  Probably not, but it’s a refreshing surprise.
• Another heroic effort from Will Bynum, who did his best in the fourth to get the Pistons back in it. He tied the game up with this drive and finished the game with16 points, 6 assists and a steal in 33 minutes. I know he prefers “The Thrill” but I can’t help screaming Bynumite, when he does something spectacular like this…

Video Courtesy of The NBA and The Detroit Pistons

• Austin Day looks a lot like Tayshaun on court, especially when he’s blocking people with those long arms. Daye logged 16 minutes, blocking 2 shots, with 3 boards and 5 points.
• Jason Maxiell got 10 minutes of floor time and added a bit of a spark. A nice putback with 3 boards with 4 points.
• By the way….how many “trade rumor” stories did you read after the Orlando game?
• 20 trips to the line for Bosh, that’s big.
• How much do you enjoy watching Ben Gordon? I’m sure I’ll be writing this again but… Ben Gordon put up a career high in a Pistons uniform while leading the team with 30 points. He’s truly putting this team on his back with Rip and Tay out. Oh and I’m enjoying the fact the Bulls fans are sick about it.

Photo/Getty Images

• First official NBA time for DaJuan Summers who saw 40 seconds.
• Pistons shot well, shooting 45% for the game, but needed to get some stops down the stretch and couldn’t.
• Charlie Villanueva played his best game as a Piston against the team that drafted him. A pretty good stat line in all departments with 16 points, 7 boards a steal and a block. He’s looking better in red, white and blue every night.
• Tough to play a back to back shorthanded, especially after the battle against Orlando. You could clearly see the effort, but they just fell flat mid fourth quarter.
• A little more Ben

• Good to see Amir Johnson get some time on court.  He really helped Toronto when the Pistons started making a run in the third.
• A day of rest and a tough rematch in Orlando Friday night. I hope someone bring some more Kryptonite.
• My good friend Ryan over at HoopsAddict got the inside scoop in the Pistons locker room last night.  I’ll quote him, and then send you over for the audio. “Tonight the Pistons locker room was pure jokes, hence Rip Hamilton free styling before the game about “pimpin’ ain’t easy fo’ sheezy” Pre and post game audio over at Hoopsaddict.com

The Pistons win a tight one last night in Milwaukee 95-93 (Box Score). If you take a look at the box score Detroit’s rotation was probably close to what we are going to see on Wednesday when the season begins.
Austin Daye started again for the injured Tayshaun Prince with Ben Wallace at center and Charlie Villanueva as the PF.
Highlights of the Game

Wednesday can’t come soon enough, but I’m a little more excited to see just how this new team gets the crowd going at the Palace on Friday night. What kind of reception will Ben Wallace get, how will Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva respond and what does coach Kuester have in store for us.

A season of questions and if the defense doesn’t pick up we know what will be on top of that list.

Detroit lost their matchup Saturday night with the Memphis Grizzlies 115-94. Bynum led the Pistons with 19 points on 6-8 shooting, and Ben Gordon scored 13.

“They did a wonderful job of transition, taking care of the basketball and sharing the basketball,” Pistons coach John Kuester said. “What we have to do as a team is to become better in our transition defense. We also need to be better at on-the-ball defense. We really struggled.” Via NBA.com

Notables:

• Charlie Villanueva, who played his first game as a Piston, had 12 points.

Photo/Getty Images

• Jonas Jerebko started the game and scored 12 points in 17 minutes with 4 boards.
• Tayshaun Prince missed his second straight pre-season game with a cut toe.
• Rodney Stuckey scored 11 with 3 assists in 30 minutes, he was a -20 for the game (ouch).
• I still think Chris Wilcox will play a larger roll than we thought going in, like I mentioned before he’s my X-factor pick.
• A little worried about the production (or non-production) of Jason Maxiell.  I know it’s only the preseason, but he really hasn’t shown much of anything yet.  It could be his playing time, but come the regular season we will see if he take a leap forward like I had hoped.
• DNP (coaches decision) for DaJuan Summers, while Chucky Atkins, Washington and Baston each played 3:47.  I’m sure Kuester is trying to make his decision on the final roster spots.
• Highlights of the game

The Pistons 113-104 victory last night over the Bucks last night at the Palace was a little interesting.  Not only does the box score show you Gordon, Stuckey and Bynum had great games but the recap at NBA.com show that the players need to help out the replacement refs.

“The replacement referees caused confusion in the first quarter. Ersan Ilyasova was fouled while shooting a jumper and awarded two free throws. During the next timeout, more than 90 seconds later, the officials decided he had been taking a 3-pointer, and gave him another shot.

He made it, but Prince pointed out that the error was only correctable within 24 seconds, so the point was taken away from Milwaukee.”   Via Dave Hogg at NBA.com

More from the Free Press on the issues with Replacement refs.

“The refs called a whopping 19 fouls in the first quarter — including 12 on the Pistons. The two teams combined for 68 fouls in the game. Add those to the 59 that were called in Monday’s exhibition opener and it’s apparent these guys have quick whistles.

For the second game in a row, a Pistons rookie was ejected during the waning minutes of the game. Austin Daye got tangled with former Piston Carlos Delfino when Delfino appeared to hit Daye in the chest. Daye swung his arms and the officials tossed both. Fellow rookie Jonas Jerebko was ejected Monday night against the Heat.”

Let’s hope the lockout gets settled soon, you know how we like to get on the officials. Imagine if we have to go into the regular season with the replacements. Heck, I look good in stripes, it may as well be me out there.

Nice Dunk by Gordon who led the way with 24 points.

Thanks to Need4Sheed reader Jay for the video.

Feel free to comment on the game, especially if you happened to be there since it wasn’t televised.

Remember, Jason Maxiell will be at Meijer in Waterford (4200 Highland Road) on Thursday, October 8 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., along with the Year-Round Hoops Truck, where you can get a voucher for a free ticket to a preseason game at The Palace.

And… Open Practice is this Saturday.

I was lucky enough to see this one coming last night at the Palace during the Pistons 87-83 win over the Heat.  The Princeesque  block by Austin Daye on Dwyane Wade.  This one gave instant rep to Austin at the Palace especially after they replayed it on the big screen multiple times.

Thanks to Need4Sheed reader Jay for the Video.

Due to time restrictions, I am unable to post a full recap of the game so I would like to hear your thoughts in the comments.  One word from me, impressed.

Two little tidbits from the game that you may not have heard on the broadcast.

• A put Chucky chant started in the late fourth quarter
• And when Jonas Jerebko and Jamaal Magloire got into their little scrum…the crowd started chanting DEEEEETROIT BASKETBALLLL.  See, we always keep that “Bad Boys” mentality.

FYI to Austin Daye Fans

“Pistons rookie Austin Daye will be at Meijer in Allen Park (3536 Fairlane Blvd.) on Tues., Oct. 6, from 4:30-6:00 p.m., along with the Pistons Hoop Truck, where you can get a voucher for a free ticket to an upcoming preseason game at The Palace.” Via Pistons.com

Your thoughts in the comments.

Finally it’s a pleasure for the Pistons to be on a list.

Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo Sports picks Jason Maxiell the 4th best Dunker of the decade.  And FYI Lebron #5!

I went through the Need4Sheed archives for you….in no particular order enjoy a little Baby Eating.

A – Jason Dunking on The Spurs

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B – Jason Dunking on Boston ECF

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C – Jason Dunking on The Sixers

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D – Jason Tomahawking The Hawks

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E – Jason Dunking on The Nuggets

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F – Jason HL night Dunking on The Raptors

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G – Jason Dunking on The Celtics

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H – Jason Dunking on The Cavaliers

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I – Jason Dunking on The Knicks

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J – Jason Dunking on The Bucks

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Vote Away!

Videos courtesy of the NBA and the Detroit Pistons

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.

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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?

Here is a great YouTube video of Charlie Villanuava’s Top 10 plays of the 2008-2009 Season.

What prompted the @CV31 video?  This tweet he posted last night of this delightful video

“For those of ya that listen to reggaeton, check me out doing the Pepe dance: http://bit.ly/Lcfzt — LOL too funny!!!”

and ….it’s a hint to what the Sheedburgler is giving away over on my twitter accout.

Fennis – well, maybe he was not a household name but a really original one.

Here I go with another blast from the past.

Life was simple….mullets, acid washed jeans and florescent clothing were acceptable and the Bad Boys ran the show.

The most fabulous Old School blast from the past Pistons video. Anytime you have Fennis Dembo, Scott Hastings and Chocolate Thunder in a single video clip it’s sure to be an instant classic. Enjoy your old school Friday.

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The Pistons made it Official with Ben Wallace and Eli Zaret does a nice job interviewing him for the Pistons.

Is Ben Pro FRO? It doesn’t sound like it from the interview but he does seem happy to have come full circle back to the place that made him so famous he’s got his very own plastic blow up doll.

I was getting ready to toon a Froless Ben Wallace when I thought to myself…

What was he thinking when he cut it off….

His Fro is Magic!

UPDATE: Just fixed this video…If you watched it before make sure you watch it now… and you will know why Ben’s From is Magic!

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Personally I think he needs to GROW the FRO back, it will be like the fountain of youth for him on the basketball court and give him the ability to do things like this again.

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If you’re in, Leave a comment in this post or Vote or Both. This will serve as a petition to Big Ben that we are  PRO FRO!

And if you are a twitterer… I’m starting a #GrowTheFro movement.

Let’s do this!

If you didn’t know by now Ben Wallace will be back in a Pistons uniform come seasons start.

The Pistons are signing Ben Wallace for the veteran’s minimum of 1.3 million dollars. Such a bargain that he turned up on Taco Bell’s Value Menu.

Don’t believe me….Click Here to Check it out.