Around the Way…..The what a glorious weekend edition.

• To start off my weekend I ran into Steve Yzerman at Starbucks, and can you believe the place was packed and nobody but myself realized it was him? Besides my stalking charge it made for a beginning of a great few days, especially after two Wings wins!
• Thank you Dwight for not only being a joy to watch, but taking down those awful Cavaliers.  Seeing the Magic stun the World and send the Cavs fishing was just the medicine that this Piston fan needed.
• LeBron….a spoiled sport taking after those Bad Boys . I noticed him bolt off court right after the buzzer sounded and thought the same thing. “It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” James said. (Hat Tip Matt Watson)
• Pistons are the front runners for Carlos Boozer? “Apparently, rising free agent-of-choice Carlos Boozer is telling confidants he’s either going to Detroit or New Jersey — only way the capsized Nets pull that off is by doing a sign-and-trade. Word has it Jersey will have but three assistants next season and all must take pay cuts.” The New York Post (it is coming from Peter Vecesy so take it as strictly RUMOR)
• If the Pistons actually pick up Boozer, can Arnie keep him in uniform all season long?
• Sorry Chauncey.
• Ben Wallace to Retire?
• Walter Herrmann might return to Spain?
• Great Pre-Draft roundup from Dave Dial over at MLive.

The Pistons may be in the “spot” they are not used to, but at least they are in one.  With Detroit’s 100-93 victory over the Nets Friday night at the Palace, Detroit secured their playoff spot.  What spot they will end up in is still up in the air with Detroit are tied with Chicago for the 7th spot and are just a game behind Philly, who are currently in the 6th spot.

Key Points:

• Detroit started the game off solid hitting their first seven shots.
• Sheed was knocking down three’s from the start and finished with 15 points, 4 boards, an assist and two blocked shots.  Sheed sat out the fourth quarter. We even saw a patented throw down dunk from Ra.
• 46 points from the Pistons bench, who surprisingly finished the game up. With just a 6 point lead and plenty of time for the Nets to come back, Curry left Will, Kwame and Maxiell on the floor.
• Defense looked great.
• The Nets Chris Douglas-Roberts was making circus shots and Ryan Anderson went 5-for-8 from downtown and was mostly responsible for the Nets comeback.  Impressed with rookie Brook Lopez, but why the sour face all the time?
• The key to this one, Detroit stopped Devin Harris. He was held to just one points and 2 assists on the night in 20 minutes.  He left the game early in the third and didn’t return due to shoulder soreness.  Defensive shutdown was nice to see after Devin had his way with Detroit this season, especially AI.
• “You know me and Stuck (Rodney Stuckey) put it on ourselves because it has been killing us and we just wanted to go out there and try to be as aggressive as possible on him (Devin Harris) on the defensive end and put more pressure on him on the offensive end.” Will Bynum via Pistons.com
• Another great game from Will Bynum, who led the Pistons with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting with 4 assists and a board in 27 minutes.  As far as the Palace crowd goes….he’s the new Herrmann.

Photo/Getty Images

• Rob, Pistons fan from Australia and fellow blogger, was at the Palace for the first time ever last night. This is what being a Pistons fan is all about.
• With the season winding down, Curry may be resting the starters a bit more. “If everything is secure (with the playoff seed), maybe we won’t play Dyess in Miami on Wednesday,” Curry said. “The practice (Tuesday) will be aimed more toward the playoffs than just that Miami game.” Via The Detroit News
• Solid Kwame again with 7 points and 7 boards in 18 minutes.  Is there something in the water over there at the Palace? Kwame is tearing things up (in Kwame terms), Will is Bynumite, Dyess is playing like a teenager and Herrmann’s hair is shinier than ever.
• Detroit shot 53% from the floor and outrebounded the Nets 41-31.
• Jason Maxiell always seems to be in the right place at the right time and this putback jam that he took out of Anderson’s hands may be one of his most impressive. Maxiell finished with 11 points, 6 boards, a steal and a blocked shot in 23 minutes.

• Detroit has made the playoffs for eight consecutive years, and 32 times in franchise history.
• Six Pistons in double figures.
• Walter scored just 2, (with 6 boards) but he was out on the floor when the Pistons pulled away in the second.
• 10 for Stuckey, 10 for Rip, 8 for Tay and 11 for McDyess.
• Wondering how Curry will deal with the rotation come playoff time, well there is this from Joanne C. Gerstner of The Detroit News

“Most coaches like to shorten their playoffs rotations, often going to as few as one or two key reserves.

Curry is taking a different tack, planning on using as many as nine players in the postseason.

His logic is simple. He likes having two big men, center Kwame Brown and power forward Jason Maxiell , play. Bynum is the main reserve at point guard.

And depending on the team and game situation, he’d like to give forward Walter Herrmann and guard Arron Afflalo some time, too.

“It’s almost like we said coming out of training camp,” Curry said Friday. “We definitely expect to play nine guys every night.”

• NBA Highlights of the Game

• “Just because the Pistons now know there’s life after 82, they can’t pause to catch their breath just yet. So far all they’ve locked up is finishing no worse than eighth in the East, but if the cards fall their way, they can still climb a few rungs in the standings.” Matt Watson Fanhouse
• A win tonight in Indiana would be great, especially with the Bulls coming to town on Monday.

The Pistons went on a 10-0 run to start things off in Madison Square Garden Wednesday night and never looked back. Detroit’s rare rout could be just the thing to ease them into what they have in store for them come playoff time. The win 113-86 victory puts Detroit in a tie with Chicago for the #7 spot in the East playoff race.

Key Points:

• An impressive 56 points in the paint for Detroit while shooting 53.8% from the field on the night.
• This game brought back memories of “The Pistons”, you know that team we have come to know that dominates games and goes to six consecutive ECF’s. A pleasant flashback if you watched this one.
• Mr. McDyess just doesn’t realize that he’s in the second half of his career. He had about 90 (8 to be exact) rebounds in the first quarter alone and finished with a double-double with 13 points, 16 boards an assist and 2 blocked shots in 29 minutes.
• Rip didn’t get ejected in this one, for some reason Rip’s temper gets the best of him in New York. He had been ejected in 4 of the last 6 games at the Garden.
• Great ball movement from Detroit, who took advantage of the Knicks small lineup.
• Hamilton led the team with 22 points, adding 7 assists and three boards in 32 minutes.  No two points prettier than when he took it left handed to David Lee for the layup.

Photo/Getty Images

• All five starters in double figures.
• 57-33 edge on the board for Detroit.
• Play of the game, a Rasheed behind the back block to Tayshaun for an uncontested dunk. You can see it in the NBA Highlights.

• The Big Men – Dyess and Sheed combined for 27 points and 28 rebounds.
• The Pistons never trailed in this one and led by as much as 32 points.
• Jason Maxiell can wow just about any crowd and putbacks are a specialty. Jason put up 6 points and 6 boards in 18 minutes.

Photo/Getty Images

• The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is one.
• “Whoever is going to play (the Pistons) in the playoffs is going to have some trouble,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said. “They’re big. They’re strong. They run. And our guys got overwhelmed.” Via The Detroit News
• Everyone played in this one, even Walter Sharpe who went 0-for-2 and one of those I’m sure he will be hearing about today from his teammates. Teammates can be brutal when you throw up an air ball.
• A better game for Rodney Stuckey, who looked very comfortable running the floor and making the most of the openings he saw to get the ball to open teammates.  Stuckey finished with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting with 7 assists, a steal and one board while turning the ball over twice.
• “Three or four times we got the rebound and he pushed the break, didn’t have anything, and he pulled it out and ran a set,” Curry said. “That’s big. That’s game management. That’s the next step in his progression as a player, as he keeps learning how to manage the game. We’re going to need that from him.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• Amir Johnson, 4 points in five minutes with one board.  I know it has been said before about Amir, but not being able to box out when the Knicks are on the foul line and losing a rebound to your man that a resulted in a three point play for the Knicks is a flaw that Amir needs to work on.
• Tayshaun Prince had quite a few easy dunks finishing with 15 points on 7-for-14 shooting with 3 boards, 2 assists and a blocked shot in 27 minutes.  It was nice to see Prince have an easy time of it for a change.

Photo/Getty Images

• Walter Hermann had quite a few highlights himself in this one, it really does amaze me when he goes up for one of his one handed floaters. Walter finished with 6 points and 6 boards in 15 minutes on the floor.
• Sheed started off things right from the start going 4-for-4 with two triples for 10 points. Wallace finished the game with 14 points and 12 boards, adding 2 blocks in 28 minuts on the floor.
• From team N4S member Ryan Collins who was at the game last night: “Lots and lots of Pistons fans in the house. Matter-of-fact, the only time you really heard Knicks fans give it up was when Nate Robinson did something, which wasn’t too often, unfortunately (i love that lil fella.). I know you watched all this on FSN Detroit, but it was a great night to be at MSG (unlike our unfortunate December meeting…) Right when Maxey went in, he had a HUGE dunk that missed, but i wanted you to know that it silenced the entire arena. Even without the points, his presence was felt.”
• Great D from Detroit, who held the Knicks to 36% shooting on the night.
• Kwame Brown still making the best of the role he has been put in. Brown put up 6 points with 8 boards and a blocked shot in 14 minutes on the floor.
• “In five months, Iverson accomplished what Flip Saunders couldn’t in three years. The Answer turned the six-time Eastern Conference finalists into a hanging-by-a-string, eighth-place playoff qualifier.” Jason Whitlock – AI Was Never The Answer
• Get in on your own Playoff Madness over at Pistons Online, where they are giving away a $500 NBA Store gift card to the winner!

Here’s the April 2009 Pistons Schedule Wallpaper with the home games in red and the away games in blue.
Download the April schedule wallpaper in

1024 x 768 -1280 x 800 – 1280×1024 and 1680 x 1050 resolutions.

When Antonio McDyess puts up 21 points and a career high 22 rebounds, the man deserves a victory. With Rasheed Wallace out, McDyess has Detroit’s first 20-20 game in over 11 years, but it just wasn’t enough for the man who gives his all night in and night out.   A foul by Rip Hamilton on Larry Hughes sent him to the line for three free throws with 10 seconds left on the game clock that tied it up, and sent Detroit into overtime. An overtime in which they were outscored 15-10 for a tough 116-111 loss to the Knicks.

Key Points:

• Someone please wake up Antonio McDyess from his nightmare. If there was an award for heart, it would be named after Antonio.
• Antonio McDyess – 21 points, 22 boards, 2 assists a steal and a blocked shot. The man was the epitome of “stepping up,” but then again hasn’t he done it all season long?
• This is about the point in my recap that I would put up a very special Antonio McDyess highlight reel of the first Piston 20-20 game since Bison Dele. Sad news about that Pistons fans….. FOX Sports put the kibosh on me and my videos for you. You may have noticed that the older ones aren’t working, and don’t expect to see any more from ME on N4S. They asked me nicely to take them down and stop using them, so I’m going to have to find them for you on YouTube like everyone else. It was fun while it lasted.
• Seriously, how do you lose a game when you outrebound the other team 64-39?  Dyess says “You just have to look at all the positives you did and build off that and take it into the next game. It is really disappointing for us as players to come up short like we did because it was right for us to win it.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• I love ya Amir….but you let little Nate beat you on a jump ball.  You must redeem yourself for that one.
• Pistons squandered a 10 point lead going into the fourth quarter.
• The Pistons shot 29.2% in the fourth quarter.
• First half fire for Mr. Hamilton.  Yes, Rip led the Pistons with 22, but 8 turnovers from one player? I can’t remember a stat like that…..ever. Rip had more turnovers that the Knicks did all game. Knicks had just 3 all game long, Detroit 15 total. The last one by Stuckey to close out regulation was a killer. A chance for the last shot with the game tied….ugh.

Photo/Getty Images

• Hamilton was a board away from a double-double.
• Lets put it this way…the Pistons gave this one away. Detroit led by as much as 12, the Knicks’ biggest lead was 5.  Now look at the final score.
• Four Pistons starters put up more than 20 points.
• Arron Afflalo could use more than .08 seconds on the floor. That’s all I’m saying. At least Curry’s utilizing Walter and Will.
• I still think Jack Nies has a vendetta against Detroit.
• NBA.com Highlights of the Game.
• Is it just me or is Jason Maxiell way more productive coming off the bench? Three points, 2 boards and a turnover in 26 minutes.
• Class act, Pistons lower season ticket prices.
• Why not to be an ESPN fan, no love for Maxiell.
• A double-double for Tayshaun Prince with 25 points and 10 boards.

Photo/Getty Images

• The Pistons Feed The Children Telethon was a rousing success, Pistons raised more than $440,221 thanks to generous Pistons fans.
• Never much cared for Quentin Richardson (his 3 point horn antics always got under my skin) but the fact that mid game he pulled a donation envelope and dropped 1000 dollars in it redeemed him….until he knocked down that three late in the game.
• 58 paint points for NY
• Got Milk?
• Rodney Stuckey scored 23 on 9 for 20 shooting with 8 assists and a steal in 41 minutes.
• The McDyess stat line was huge, but the shot he knocked down with 23 seconds left in regulation to put Detroit up 99-96 should have been the dagger.
• “We played hard and just came up short,” McDyess said. “I think we shouldn’t have put ourselves in that situation in overtime. I think we kind of ran out of gas. We couldn’t get shots and we were missing shots, but the effort was there.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• 21-22

Things have really changed around here when we are celebrating a two game winning streak. The Pistons closed out their tough five game road trip with a solid win in Boston against the World Champion Celtics. The Celtics were without Kevin Garnett, but Detroit’s 105-95 road victory was impressive regardless of the former league’s MVP absence (2004). Remember, the Pistons were without their former MVP Allen Iverson (2001).

Key Points:

• Detroit started the game off strong and went on plenty of runs throughout the game.  What changed in this game was Detroit didn’t let the runs that Boston went on get out of hand.
• Remember when we used the word poised when describing the way Detroit played? Well this is the first I’ve seen of it all season long.
• Detroit had lost five straight regular season games to the Celtics and 9-of-11 including a six-game Eastern Conference final.
• Detroit is back to playing .500 ball and has the same record as the Sixers. They are currently holding on to the 7th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Get this….16.5 games back of Cleveland.
• Detroit played a solid 48 minutes.
• Rip Hamilton once again led this team to victory with 25 points, an assist away from a double-double. He added six boards in 39 minutes, while shooting 50% from the floor and went 11-for-12 from the line.  Is he trying to emphasize the fact that he should have never lost his starting job?  If he is, and this is the outcome we get…..keep it up Rip.

Photo/Getty Images

• Rip Hamilton’s post game comments. (video)
• “We played our type of basketball,” Hamilton said. “That’s the thing for me with Tayshaun, Rasheed (Wallace) and (Antonio) McDyess, I always know they’re going to be at all times.” Via NBA.com
• Thank you NBA Referees, we bitch when you’re wrong (like when you missed Rip getting mauled at the end of the game) so it’s only right when we thank you for your fine work. That’s just how we roll in Detroit.  Detroit made a season-high 34 free throws, in 40 attempts.
• Sheed 15 points, 6 boards, 2 blocked shots and a steal. Solid defensive game for Sheed. I still wonder if he thinks he can make some of the crazy threes he jacks up.  Maybe it should be Jack ….instead of Roscoe?
  
• Outrebounded 35-31.
  
• Iverson still questionable for Tuesday’s game against Denver.
• Tayshaun Prince again asserted himself in a big game.  Prince scored 15 with 8 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals. How about the kind bounce on the three in the third quarter…nice.
  

Photo/Getty Images

• NBA.com Pistons vs Celtics Video Recap.
• God love Hubie Brown and his pronunciations.
• Pistons led at the half 55-47 and didn’t give the lead up at all until Boston went on a run. Boston led 85-81 when Rasheed hit a tree pointer with 7:04 left to start a 13-4 run that left the Pistons ahead 94-89. They never looked back.
• Maxiell making clutch free throws with under three minutes left in the game.
  
• Rodney Stuckey held his own Sunday afternoon with 10 points, 5 assists, 3 boards, a rebound and just one turnover.
• Will Bynum made a bigger splash and is making a case for more playing time with 9 points, 2 assists, and 3 steals in just 12 minutes.  The takeaway from Marbury that lead to a layup was a thing of beauty, not to mention hard work.
• I will never understand the head tattoo.
• How about Detroit’s determination to come back and regain the lead in the fourth quarter and close the game out?
• 40 points in the paint for Boston to 18 for Detroit.
• Can we just say all hail to The Mighty THOR!  Walter Herrmann was a huge boost for Detroit making 4 of his 5 shots for 11 quick points for Detroit.

Original Thor Drawing/Marvel Comics

• Say what you will, but that inbound pass he tried at the end of the half still has me laughing.  Remember MIGHTY THOR!

• 15 lead changes and this one was tied 20 times.
• Defense…the Pistons had 8 steals  and 3 blocked shots
• 15th technical foul for Rasheed Wallace.
• Stat line of the night, just 6 turnovers for Detroit.
• Look I’m usually not one to bash other teams or their fans, (except Varejoke) but I think Celtics fans have it coming. I can’t tell you how many vile comments I deleted all day by the classy people of Boston. So when I saw this picture of Glen “Big Baby” with that look on his face I found it quite amusing that even the fans reacted with the cry big baby dramatics.

Photo/Getty Images

• Antonio McDyess 10 points, 5 boards and a blocked shot while Jason Maxiell had 8 points in 17 minutes.
• For the second game in a row the ball movement was flowing and the team looked in sync. Be careful to judge these two games as “the Pistons are back,” in fact it may be more difficult once Allen Iverson is back from injury and the rotation issues become prevalent. The problems haven’t disappeared just because of a big win. If the egos can handle what’s going on and they commit to playing the way they did the last two games then they just may have a chance to become respectable again.
• 30 Bench points for Detroit.
• “You can tell they’re playing the system they played before Iverson got there,” said Celtics forward Paul Pierce, who scored 26. “When Iverson is out there they’re still trying to figure out how to use each other, how to all be successful. But that group that’s out there is definitely comfortable because they’ve played together for years.’‘ Via NBA.com
• I’m loving the Blind Date comparison in the comments of the game thread. Feel free to keep them coming.

There were two big stories in Orlando Friday night. Richard Hamilton returned to the starting lineup for the Pistons and they won. It was a familiar and cohesive looking Pistons team that took the floor and didn’t back down until the job was done. The 93-85 victory over a strong Orlando team on the road could be just what the Pistons need to get them into gear and try to salvage what’s left of this season.

Key Points:

• Tayshaun Prince started things off for Detroit from the tip. He looked to score in this one and he did, finishing with 17 points on 7-14 shooting in 41 minutes on the floor.  He played the role of scorer and defender last night, just 2 assists for a Tayshaun Prince who’s had to run this offense a lot this season.
• Just three Pistons in double figures, while all five of Orlando’s starters scored 10 or more.
• If you were watching the game you saw something quite familiar that we have come to know and love as Pistons fans. DEFENSE! Dwight Howard scored 21 but not many of them came easy.  And holding Lewis to 10 and Turkoglu to 13 was just what the Pistons needed to to to get the job done.
• Rasheed, Maxiell, McDyess and, yes, Kwame Brown did a nice job defending Howard.
• 15 Turnovers for Detroit really would have stuck out more had they lost this one. Ten of those came in the first half.
• Richard Hamilton led all scorers with 31 points on 11-for-18 shooting in 41 minutes on the floor.  Rip was aggressive and looking for his shot all game long.  He added 6 assists and a board and him coming off screens and hitting his shot was a thing of beauty.  Richard Hamilton Highlights.

Photo/Getty Images

• Hamilton again reiterated the comments he made the other day and said he wasn’t cool with coming off the bench unless his team was winning. Something had to change and it did, Rip made sure of it. I think he made it clear by his words and his actions that that’s not going to happen again anytime soon.
• Allen Iverson returned to Detroit to get his back evaluated and wasn’t even in Orlando for the game. He will not be in Boston for tomorrow’s game against the Celtics either. This is just the way my mind works so bear with me. Anyone else think the “injury” (not saying he doesn’t have one) to his back may help him save a little pride going to the bench? Think it may be milked more to help AI make the transition? It was just the first thing that popped into my mind because AI seems to take a lickin’ and keep on ticking, so the fact that he wasn’t in Orlando and won’t be in Boston just made me wonder. I always used to say the only way to stop him from playing was a bullet hole, and my guess is if it was superficial he’d still take the court.
• Chris McCosky – “Curry, who gave Iverson the news Thursday night, said Iverson wasn’t happy but that he expects him to handle it like a pro.” “He’s been trying to play hurt and he’s been frustrated with that,” Curry said. “He didn’t react any different than Rip did when I talked to him about coming off the bench earlier.” “It’s nothing on Allen,” Curry said. “He’s a guy that needs the ball, and because of that it reduces the time Rodney Stuckey has the ball in his hands. That has taken away some of Rodney’s aggressiveness.” Via The Detroit News
• Will Bynum and Walter Herrmann saw extended time, but it was the hustle of Jason Maxiell that stood out most. He may not have filled the stat sheet, but Maxiell made his presence felt. Just ask Dwight.
• Amir Joshnson – DNP
• BALL MOVEMENT!
• Rodney Stuckey looked like the he did the first half of the season.  Whether this game helps him get out of his rut remains to be seen but he looked great in the Pistons’ win.  Stuckey scored 22 on 9-15 shooting with 6 1 assist in 40 minutes.  Great game for Stuckey, besides his 4 turnovers. Rodney Stuckey Highlights.

Photo/Getty Images

• The Pistons outrebounded the Magic by 10, 38-28.
• Haven t heard George Blaha this excited on a broadcast in quite some time. Boy was he animated down the stretch when it looked like the Pistons weren’t going to give this up in the final minutes.
• The Pistons outscored the Magic 28-14 in a dominating third quarter that helped Detroit put the game away.
• FSN Highlights of the Game by quarter.
• All heart from Antionio McDyess who did the dirty work in the Pistons’ win. Dyess scored 8 with 13 boards and a blocked shot in 40 minutes.
• Sheed, 10 boards, 8 points and 2 steals.
• “One thing with Orlando is that if we continue to play Dwight straight up with Rasheed there, it allows us to stay on their 3-point shooters,” Prince said. “And if we can eliminate that, then we put ourselves in good position to get the game.’‘ Via NBA.com
• Friday Rasheed Wallace was fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing a towel into the stands and another in the direction of referee Bill Kennedy.
• Maybe this is a solid answer to who is really running the show. This is what Rodney Stuckey had to say. “My teammates were getting on me,” Stuckey said. “When the boss man’s getting on you (Joe Dumars, Detroit’s president of basketball operations), you know you have to change something.” Via MLive

The Detroit Pistons just dropped below .500 basketball with their seventh straight loss, 91-103 to The Miami Heat.  With the loss Detroit fell into a tie for sixth in the East with Philadelphia, and needs to win in New Orleans today to avoid matching the franchise’s longest skid since 1995.

Key Points:

• Should we look past the Teal Era and dub this the Black and Blue Era?
• The Pistons’ seven game skid is their longest losing streak since 2002-03.
• If this quote by Allen Iverson doesn’t speak for a ton of what Pistons fans have been complaining about all season I don’t know what does. “We don’t have any consistency of how we are going to play night in and night out. We play different ways. We have to find an identity for ourselves on how we are going to play every night and stick to it. We have to live and die with it.” It’s actually quite funny to hear Iverson complain about playing defense when, well he’s know not to play any.  “We can’t stop nobody,” he accurately pointed out. “The way we played, we would have to shoot 60 percent to have a chance to win a basketball game. Everybody looks at our offense, but I thought we scored enough to win. We can’t get stops consistently and we can’t get stops when we need them. It seemed like they scored every time down the court.” Via NBA.com
• At least they scored 42 paint points….right?
• It ultimately was a cold third quarter in which Detroit was outscored 17-28 that did them in.
• This is not your Detroit Pistons team.
• You could see the frustration on the players’ faces throughout the game.

Photo/Getty Images

• Allen Iverson led Detroit with 22 points on 8-for-18 shooting with 2 steals, a rebound and 2 assists. Can’t forget the pretty layup that was the play of the game.
• You know Rodney Stuckey is struggling when Kwame Brown has 2 more assists than he does. Stuckey had 8 points, 0 assists, 0 rebounds, and 2 turnovers. Is it a wall or is it the system?
• Antonio McDyess once again played his heart out for a team that truly looks like it has given up. Dyess kept Detroit in the ballgame putting up 17 on 8-for-10 shooting.
• The Pistons shot 12% from downtown.
• Missing in action….Rasheed Wallace. Can’t win when Sheed puts up 6 points and 6 boards. Detroit needs him to dominate when they struggle.
• Rip wasn’t around either, just 9 points on 4-11 shooting.
• Tayshaun Prince came close to a triple – double with 18 points, 9 boards and 8 assists. Is Tay doing Rodney’s job better than he is?

Photo/Getty Images

• Keep Curry, put Iverson in check?
• A Walter sighting, whom Curry vows to utilize.  Kwame Brown saw some action too.
• FSN Highlights by Quarter.
• Outrebounded by 10.
• Raise your hand if you wanted to see Detroit at least try to play zone when they were in trouble. I guess he will try anything because I can remember not so long ago that he didn’t want to play zone D at ALL.
• To make things worse, how obnoxious is Wade’s band-aid which reads FLASH with a lightning bolt on it?  I don’t care who you are, a display like that is ridiculous.  Can you see Antonio with a face band-aid with dice on it?  Yes he’s a great player, but get over yourself.
• Matt Watson – The Pistons are Tumbling Into Oblivion.
• Think twice before you put all the blame on Allen Iverson.
• Tonight in NO will be tough.  A back to back on a seven game slide facing Chris Paul.

After Detroit’s 104-92 loss to the Knicks on Sunday, Michael Currey alluded to a change in the starting lineup after he again called out his starters for not bringing the energy at the start of games.

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.

No need for Allen Iverson to start this one, Rodney Stuckey did just fine bringing this Pistons team out on the floor. Stuckey got the team going out of the gate and Jason Maxiell’s high flying heroics didn’t hurt. Walter Herrmann capped off the night by scoring 13 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter in the Pistons’ 107-97 win over Milwaukee.

Key Points:

• Rodney Stuckey was big in this one, 12 points with 5 assists, 4 steals and just one turnover. Stuckey starting over Iverson….success. My whole thing with Stuckey playing is that he’s getting Rip the ball where he needs it.
• Rip, still not quite there but not that bad. Hamilton was 4-for-11 on the night with 12 points.
• Kinda nice having Allen Iverson come off the bench and work with the second team.
• Rebounding problem, Detroit lost the battle of the boards 41-47.
• Stuckey’s steal and Alley Oop was Amirzing

Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN

• I had a chance to enjoy the game with The Fluidics, who was nice enough to share his prime seats with me. Best part of the night, the guys behind us who screamed PRACTICE every time Iverson shot the ball.
• Six Pistons in double figures.
• 14 turnovers for each team.
• Didn’t like the fact that Walter Sharpe came into the game in the closing minutes and jacked up two shots on consecutive possessions to get in the books when his teammates were open and Milwaukee was still within 10.
• Best thing Kwame Brown has done as a Piston. Well besides this.
• Jason Maxiell brought the house down all night long. Jason had 6 blocks, 8 boards and 13 points with highlights galore. Jason has truly stepped his game up and it shows the minute he gets on the floor.

• The Jason Maxiell show, second clip was the Play of the Night. Watch how Villanueva wants none of the Maxiell jam.
• Allen Iverson led Detroit with 17 points on 4-for-10 shooting. He really is trying to dish the ball to his teammates and play Detroit’s style. Sometimes I wish he’d just be Allen, but no complaints here.
• A quiet 10 points for Tayshaun who played a bit of the point last night.
• I don’t like Richard Jefferson, he’s always got that pouty look on his face and it was as clear as day when he picked up a technical in the first half.
• NBA.com Highlights of The Game.
• Walter was truly the man, 5-for-6 from downtown for 16 points. He made the Palace erupt into a WAL-TER chant. It was great!

Photo/Getty

• “He shot the ball so well and he made it so much easier for everybody else,” Iverson said. “He played a hell of a game, especially coming off the bench and not playing as much and coming in and contributing like that. … It says a lot about his preparation.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• I know Tayshaun has been playing great, but Walter is a fantastic backup….utilize him more Michael.
  Solid night for Amir, 8 points, 3 boards and 3 blocked shots. That kid couldn’t get a call to save his life.
• Detroit led 62-49 at the half, but the Bucks still remained in the game in the second half.
• Detroit shot 48% on the night. Great shot selection.
• Sheed 3 for 9 on the night for 8 points and 5 boards.
• Two Walters in the game at one time is confusing.
• Dyess jerseys back in the Palace Locker Room Store (Thank Goodness).
• On a funny note, they had an advertisement running on the screen that circles the Palace. It was eyes only, and I could swear it was Dyess….Nope, an advertisement for a Brian McNight show at the Palace. They really do look alike.
• Sunday afternoon game against Portland should be great.

The Pistons started off November with a 117-109 win against the Wizards at The Palace thanks to Sheed, Richard Hamilton and the clutch play of fan favorite Walter Herrmann. Even though the season is in its infancy Detroit’s two victories give them a nice cushion as with some tough road trips coming up.

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!

Rookie head coach Michael Curry started the Pistons off with a win in a different manner than we are used to seeing. Coach Curry utilized his bench early and often playing 11 Pistons, eight of which put up points in the first half alone. Detroit started slow but once they took the lead early in the first half they remained in the drivers seat the rest of the way to a 100-94 win over The Pacers.

Key Points:

• The Palace renovations look great and considering that building is one of the oldest now in the NBA, it’s still one of the best.
• Very quiet crowd considering it was opening night.
• I don’t know if it was shown on the broadcast, but right before the tip Rasheed took the microphone to center court and thanked the crowd for coming out, especially during the hard economic times and reassured Pistons fans that they (the team) were out to prove something.
• The starters looked a bit rusty to start off the game but as soon as Curry started utilizing the bench Detroit made their push.
• Rip and Chauncey each shot 5-for-13.
• Four Pistons scored in double figures, and 10 played at least 13 minutes. Now that would never have happened last season under Flip.
• Rasheed has not shaken his pre-season shooting woes. He went 4-for-11 for 9 points but his defense was just fine. Sheed grabbed 7 boards, had 2 steals, a blocked shot and added 2 assists.
• Tayshaun Prince led the Pistons with 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting in 32 minutes on the floor. The jumpers weren’t going down to start but the dunks brought life to the crowd and the team.

• 14 turnovers for Detroit isn’t the norm but they really took advantage of Indiana’s 21.
• Rebound war won 41 to 38. It was nice to see them grab 14 offensive boards. I love that way Amir keeps the ball alive down low.
• Detroit shot 44% for the night to the Pacers 49.
• Lesson Learned – Leave Amir open and he’ll knock down a 20 footer.
• “It all started with preseason, when I was already shooting a couple of jumpers,” Johnson said. “I’m very confident in my jump shot. We work on it every day and I’m just going to keep shooting if I’m open.” Via The Detroit Free Press
• Great to see the Amir get introduced by Mason in the Starting Lineup.
  In my opinion Walter Herrmann AKA Rico Suave was the key off the bench for Detroit. Herrmann sank a couple of key three pointers in the second to help the Pistons take control of the game. He finished with 10 points and the best two came on this circus shot late in the fourth.

Courtesy of The Detroit Pistons, The NBA and FSN Detroit

• “Walter Herrmann came in and he’s shown everyone he’s a guy who can come in and give Tayshaun (Prince) a break,” Curry said. “He’s (Herrmann) a very capable player in this league. He’s an experienced guy.” “I was waiting for this opportunity,” said Herrmann, who saw limited playing time last season when arrived in a midseason trade from Charlotte. “This season maybe I can play more minutes. Michael Curry told me when I come to the court I have to play hard. That’s it. ” Via The Detroit News
• NBA.Com Highlights of the Game
• How did Danny Granger put up 33 points on Detroit, who was wasn’t guarding him? The kid couldn’t miss, I almost thought it was a mistake when I looked up at the scoreboard and noticed he had 30 late in the fourth.
• Come on people, I know there is traffic but there is no reason to leave the game with 6 minutes left when it’s pretty close. The building was almost empty when I left, and I always stay till the final buzzer sounds.
• The new look Pacers really like to run the floor, it made for a different looking Pistons approach that I’m not used to seeing from this team.
• You always miss things when your’re at the game but Team Need4Sheed Captain (Steve) made sure to text message me that one of the refs called Indiana’s coach “old man”. That’s the beauty of high quality microphones.
• Dyess just didn’t look like himself to start the game but eventually got into the groove. He put up 8 points with 5 boards. The thing about McDyess is….it seems like if he doesn’t make his first couple of shots to start the game he struggles. When he knocks down the first one, watch out!
• Scary isn’t it….Amir and Sheed down low. Did I mention Amir blocked 3 shots on the night?

• Solid effort for Arron Afflalo who had 5 points and 3 takeaways in 13 minutes.
• Stuckey looked solid and had a couple of nice cuts to the basket for layups.  Eight points with four assists in 16 minutes is a nice way to start the season. I do get a little scared when he drives the lane in traffic with no hesitation, reminds me a little too much of Wade (and his injuries).
• The Spare Tires dressed in appropriate gear passed out candy to the crowd and did one heck of a Thriller dance during one of the breaks in action.
• My goodness was it just me or was the officiating a little off? I know Detroit took too many jumpers but the foul discrepancy was big. Detroit had 16 chances at the line to Indiana’s 29. Jarret Jack slipped and fell and they called a foul on Prince.
• Chauncey’s three pointer with three minutes left was the nail.
• Either the Pacers are better than I expected or Detroit wasn’t quite on their game last night.
• Have to agree with Dave Dial on this one.
• For those of you in the chat room last night during the game I’m anxious to know how it worked out.
• Many of you asked, so I just want you to know that the November Pistons Schedule wallpaper will be up tomorrow.