Chad Ford interviews Joe Dumars

by Matt Watson on Dec 16, 2006 1:53 AM EST

I'm just about the last one to comment on this, but Joe Dumars was recently a guest on ESPN's Chad Ford podcast.

The two cover a variety of subjects, starting with how Dumars was this close to pulling off a trade for Allen Iverson back in the summer of the 2000. How close is this close? Close enough that Dumars had already called Roundball One's pilot to meet him at the airport in two hours to pick up Iverson. The proposed four-way deal, which would have cost Detroit Jerry Stackhouse and Jerome Williams, fell apart at the last second when Matt Geiger, of all people, refused to re-work a trade kicker for the deal to work within the salary cap.

Dumars said he was looking to make a deal that would give the Pistons, who were just 42-40 in 1999-2000, some sort of identity -- and it's hard to argue that a 25-year-old Iverson wouldn't have done just that. Iverson went on to win the MVP in 2001, leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals with an otherwise hodgepodge roster. (Of course, what wasn't mentioned in the interview is that Dumars accomplished that task with another deal that summer -- the Grant Hill for Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins sign-and-trade.)

Dumars goes on to say that not only has he not entertained the notion of jumping into the Iverson sweepstakes but that it's too early to consider a trade of any sort. He points out that the Pistons had just 26 games remaining when they acquire Rasheed Wallace in 2004, whereas they barely have 20 games in the books right now.

The whole interview runs about 16 minutes, so if you have the time I recommend checking it out. As Henry Abbott pointed out, it's obvious Ford and Dumars have a very good rapport, which results in a more natural back-and-forth than some interviews.

Joe Dumars talks with Chad Ford [ESPN.com]

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Matt, Ian …. where are you guys?

by Tim on Dec 17, 2006 7:58 PM EST reply actions

Probably off watching Jason Maxiell rebound, score, stop the Nazis, destroy the Communists, and save the free world!

by anonymosity on Dec 17, 2006 8:29 PM EST reply actions

Here’s my best Ian and Matt impression…

Baby Eater Chows Down!

Pistons grind one out at the palace tonight to defeat the not so Supersonics (no Ray Allan) 97 – 93. Coming off a tough back to back in NJ the starters came out with a combination of fatigue and sub-five-hundred-itus to the tune of a ten point deficit. Flip went to his bench early, and just like in NJ, they delivered. During the second quarter Jason "Baby Eater" Maxiell and Dale "Fountain of Youth" Davis dominated the glass at both ends coming up 1 offensive rebound short of a single quarter team record.

As a result of incredible rebounding from the bigs, the pistons finally got free in the open floor. The Pistons went into the half with a one-point lead, and a gaggle of points in the paint.

The bench continued their excellent play in the second half when Dale and Max entered the game half way through the third. Baby Eater reminded me of another undersized athletic player that relies heavily on heart and hustle. Time and again Max and Dale gobbled up every loose ball eventually racking up a combined 25 boards, and an amazing 16 offensive boards. On the offensive end Rip and Billups attacked the basket exposing Seattle’s woeful internal defense.

Rip had 24pts, 4ast, and 2tos while Billups finished with 21pts, 8ast, and 3tos. Oh yea, not to be forgotten, Tay finished with a 11pts, but also had 8 rebounds.

The game came right down to the wire with Jason Maxiell hitting a huge 11-foot jumper to put the Stones up two with under six seconds to go. The Sonics wouldn’t score again and the Pistons walked away with a win to extend their record to 15-8 and take the lead in the central. They also continued their bizarre habit of winning the second half of back-to-backs.

Max finished the game with 17pts, 12reb, 8orebs, 2stls, and 2asts in 32 minutes to give him his first double-double in a reg. season game. – Half way through the third he looked liked he was going to pass out.

Dale finished with 13rebs, and 6pts in only 23 minutes.

Max and Dale weren’t the only bench guys to make an impact. Blalock and Carlos also contributed with their energy and timely steals (Thumbs). Flip "#1 option" Murray also threw in 11 point on 3 for 8 shooting, and his usual horrific defense.

McDyess continues to struggle finishing with a donut on 0 for 5 shooting. He also turned the ball over left and right even though he was only credited with one. He mishandled passes, lost easy rebounds and generally looked out of sync.

These last two games without Ra have put the bench on display for extended periods for the first time this season. I think you may start seeing a lot more of Jason and Dale out on the floor together. They give our frontcourt a physicality and work ethic missing since the departure of you-know-who. Blalock proved that he can handle the offense and stay under control to give Billups a rest. He’s not a scorer but he makes good decisions, stays in front of his man, and pushes the ball (three things you can’t say about Flip).

I can’t wait to see the new "we have a heart" Pistons play again. Too bad their next game isn’t until after the all-star break!

-Tim

by Tim on Dec 17, 2006 9:40 PM EST reply actions