Deron Washington finally signs

It’s all about the Washingtons. Dunk on Shaq and Lebron, then go after the Celts.

Deron reminds me of James Singleton. High flying energetic kid with a developing jumper.

I really like the type of player he is, but I remember he was a bit of a thug at VT. Exhibit A.

Watching Washington shoot free throws is like watching Big Ben shoot free throws. I’m interested in seeing who has the lowest %…

I think it’s reasonable to state that you need two All-Stars to be a contending team. With that assumption in mind…

POLL QUESTION:

How many (and which) of these 27 and under Pistons do you think will make an All-Star team?

Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko, Deron Washington, and Will Bynum

(You may include Kwame Brown, Jason Maxiell, Chris Wilcox and Trent Plaisted if you are so inclined)

Washington’s free-throw shooting is indeed ugly…kind of like Shaq’s game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNOnwWGxeEs (starting at 3:29)

POLL QUESTION

Damn, that’s a tough question. Brown, Bynum, Jerebko, Maxiell, Plaisted, Summers, Washington, and Wilcox almost certainly won’t. Gordon, Stuckey, and Villanueva could…maybe…in a weak East. Daye has potential next decade.

QD:

Good question, I pretty much agree with PS overall. Gordon probably has the best chance because he’s the most well-known and the most prolific scorer, which is the most likely stat to be rewarded with all-star appearances. I’ll say he makes one or two of them as a Piston.

I hope Stuckey improves enough to be in the all-star conversation (and he’s lucky to be playing in the East, in the West he’d never make it), but Rose, Devin Harris, Rondo, and Jameer Nelson are all currently better than him, and (more importantly) have higher profiles. I’d put the odds of him making it even once at less than 50%, but it’s definitely not impossible to imagine.

I think CV has a solid chance; he scores a lot, and if the team eventually becomes even a low-level contender (45-50 wins), he’ll be given a significant chunk of the credit because of his ppg’s. Basically a carbon copy of Antawn Jamison’s career; solid player who makes 2 all-star teams and scores a lot of points from the PF position.

After that, Daye’s probably the only other player with a somewhat realistic all-star level ceiling, but it’s tough to guess how he’ll develop.

Detroit had but one all-star in 2004…

<blockquote<Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko, Deron Washington, and Will Bynum

Gordon has the most realistic shot, because the All Star team is generally composed of guys who can score a lot of points.

Stuckey had one good stretch last season, in which he scored 40, but other than that stretch, he’s yet to demonstrate he’s even a start, much less an all-star.

CV doesn’t score enough points for that stat to carry him; he’ll have to up his rebound average to get there.

Bynum, Summers, Jerebko, Washington, and Bynum? Um, right.

It’s way too early to know anything about Daye. If his ceiling is as high as we think it is, then he’s a little bit better than Tay. So maybe garbage minutes for Team USA is in his future.

html fail.

Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko, Deron Washington, and Will Bynum

Rip should have made it last year. I’m sure if we’re doing reasonably well in the standings Rip will get the nod, even if his PPG go down into the 16-17 range. Benny G has a chance too, but it’a hard to make it from the bench. Tayshaun just doesn’t put up any type of numbers that will ever justify an all-star appearance (even though it shouldn’t be based solely on numbers). Stuck has a chance, IF we’re really good. Take a look at Jameer Nelson’s numbers from last year— don’t tell me Stuck isn’t capable of 16/5.

Anybody else think we won’t have any 20ppg scorers this year? I see Rip, BG, and CV putting up around 18ppg, Stuck and Tayshaun around 15ppg, and probably MFWB around 10+. Realistically, we could have 6-7 guys averaging double figures.

CV, Stuckey and BG are probably the best bets. I really like Daye’s potential as well down the road.

Anybody else think we won’t have any 20ppg scorers this year? I see Rip, BG, and CV putting up around 18ppg, Stuck and Tayshaun around 15ppg, and probably MFWB around 10+. Realistically, we could have 6-7 guys averaging double figures.

Joel,

Where are the minutes going to come from that would allow Gordon, Rip, Stuckey, and Bynum to all score double figures.

I think they are all capable of scoring that much given the minutes; I just don’t think there are enough minutes to go around.

Of course, we could play Gordon, Stuckey, and Rip out of position — which will give them their minutes and allow them to get their points — but playing them out of position will hurt the team more than it will help. (Langlois suggested this week that Stuck could even see some minutes at SF — ugh).

Tayshaun gets his first. Maybe. Okay, probably not.

I agree with Joel about Rip. That guy is an all-star, last year was just a fluke.

POLL QUESTION:
IMO Stuckey, Gordon, and Vill will make one all-star game in their careers. Every year there are guys that get into the game that you don’t really consider a top 30 NBA player. Wally Szczerbiak played in 2002… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NBA_All-Stars

Somehow the only person I see capable of being a perennial all-star is Daye. The other guys just seem too close to their ceiling. Daye is so raw right now that nobody knows his ceiling. It could be HOF for all we know.

Daye is so raw right now that nobody knows his ceiling. It could be HOF for all we know.

Whoa, now. Let’s just cool our jets.

So, Big Ben is back in a season where it’s not unlikely that another of his 2004 buddies is traded at some point during the season. If that did happen, could he again act like the pouty bitch he did at end of his first Pistons tenure?

Here’s a new nickname for Sheed: “Green T”

Can you dig it?

@TDP: Good Call. As for Ben, I don’t think he’ll have enough pull this year even if he’s mad. I think he realizes that too.

I think Ben is coming back to our ‘stons seeking vindication from the fans. He’s always said that Detroit made him, not the other way around.

Rip and Tay still being around are bonuses, not the primary motivating factor.

I just saw where the Cavs will sign Leon Powe… If that guy is healthy this year. then I think we can collectively say Joe dropped the ball on this one.

scntfc:

Ugh. I was crossing my fingers that Jod might still give Powe a minimum contract (that’s apparently all he’s getting). If Powe comes back healthy, he’s going to be a ridiculous bargain.

Playing the Lebrons is not going to be fun next season, even if Shaq doesn’t work out for them. They addressed the biggest weakness their roster used to have (other than Lebron, they lacked size/versatility on the wing) by adding Moon and Anthony Parker. If Powe gets added to the mix around the all-star break, that team is going to be scary.

Does anyone have advance knowledge of when the Pistons tickets will go on pre-sale? I saw that the Bobcats already have tickets available tomorrow at 10 am.

i usually find jamie samuelsen’s posts on the freep pretty useless but i think he hit the nail right on the head today with big ben.

TDP,

Does anyone have advance knowledge of when the Pistons tickets will go on pre-sale? I saw that the Bobcats already have tickets available tomorrow at 10 am.

For some reason, I doubt you’ll have to worry about getting tickets for any game on the calendar this season …

Signing Leon Powe to a minimum deal seemed like the most obvious low risk, high reward move of the off-season. I don’t get why there wasn’t more interest in Powe.

I’m not from the Detroit area, so I’ve got to plan ahead. Give me a break, Mr. Blockquotes.

TDP,

don’t you hate it when your simple question receives a douchey answer?

I’m real ProJoe, I don’t know why he’s passing on these guys we keep discussing here in the forums, I’m just hoping he has a plan. He’s stockpiled some promising rookie talent, but he’s let what I consider some valuable names slip away since the end of the season.

@patthepat:
i usually find jamie samuelsen’s posts on the freep pretty useless but i think he hit the nail right on the head today with big ben.

I found his take on Wallace just as useless as the rest. My response to dude would be this, plain and simple: “$1.3 million, relax”.

Boney,

don’t you hate it when your simple question receives a douchey answer?

Don’t you hate it when your douchey retorts receive douchier repsonse?

TDP,

Thanks for the new nickname. Given that you’re not from the area (which I didn’t realize), it was my experience by mid-season last year that tickets could be had for next to nothing via stubhub for almost any game left on the calendar.

Does Washington have a higher upside than Afflalo? They both are SG’s that defend.

Apparently, Washington has no shot, but he can jump. Afflalo was the most athletic guy, but had a shot.

Honestly? I’m sorry. I’m still pissed about Afflalo being traded for a some used jersey’s.

Erm… Afflalo was NOT the most athletic guy, that is.

Big Z,

Afflalo was traded for some used jersey’s ________?

brgulker,

not really, thanks for asking!

Unnecessary exclamation points are douchey.

I’m with you, Big Z, and I’d make the same argument for Amir.

not to agree with bgrulker, but when I was home for the holidays, there were courtside seats available for $120 at the free-throw line extended…combared to the $500+ I paid to see the Pistons play the blazers in Portland…I’d say that’s next to nothin.

Unnecessary would’ve been inserting 2. Since I inserted only 1, I was expressing my excitement in responding to your pithy comment

on stub hub that is.

off topic here…

If you click the link regarding “James Johnson steps on the floor at rookie camp”, you’ll see Austin Daye in the background. The guy doesn’t seem to look all that bad in the Pistons uni. He fills it out for the most part, which is more than Tayshaun does.

I guess it’s only a matter of time before we see him on the court. But the early returns look ok

Not to agree with Boney, but what highlights and numbers I did see from summer league make me very anxious to watch our rooks.

I don’t remember the last time we had 4 rookies on the roster, and any one of them had a legitimate chance to break the rotation. I’m particularly excited about Daye’s long-term potential. It will be fun to watch.

Daye looks 2 years and 20 lbs away from being offensively unstoppable. Plus he seemed to rebound extremely well, especially defensively, for how frail he was at Summer League. I think he was top 5 for the entire league. 6’11", probably still growing, great jump shot, quick release, range out to three, high ft%, surprising court vision and great passing skills— there’s not a whole lot not to like.

It was Fox Sports that did a “redo the Lottery” column a few weeks back, and in revisionist history they had Daye going 5th overall.

we won’t ask you to procure those stats brgulker, we know you’re too busy following me around being an absolute douche…

Joel,

Did FoxSports also lead us to believe that if the draft were done over again that Amir would be a lottery pick in his draft and Stuckey would be one in his too?

I don’t put much stock into what some pencil pusher who reads stats all day tries to tell me about a guy who hasn’t tried to guard an NBA seasoned small forward

@ Boney:

Rodney Stuckey went 15th overall in 2007. That’s one draft slot away from being a lottery pick.

@ Brgulker.

My sentiments exactly.

You’ve gotta think that with all of the offensive weapons that we have. that one or more of our rookies are really going to breakout defensively/rebound wise. You know that minutes are not going to be giving to them freely. I am almost willing to wager that one or more of those guys exceed all expectations in that regard. I imagine it being a situation where Coach says we, are not going to draw up any plays for you, just get out there and hustle and lets see what happens… Thats why the resigning of Ben is so huge, because he built a career from that very premise.And then we never really had 3 rookies on the Roster bsicly competing for playing time when they all bring basicly the same thing to the table. "steel sharpens steel" One of those guys are going to shine this year.

“Steel sharpens Steel” – Pistons basketball 2009/10

“Did FoxSports also lead us to believe that if the draft were done over again that Amir would be a lottery pick in his draft and Stuckey would be one in his too?

I don’t put much stock into what some pencil pusher who reads stats all day tries to tell me about a guy who hasn’t tried to guard an NBA seasoned small forward."

For what it’s worth, the article was an interview with four scouts that said that they would have Daye rated higher after seeing him in the Summer League

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9833162/Summer-league-exposure-hurt-some-lottery-picks

5. Austin Daye, power forward, Gonzaga (Reality is No. 15 by the Detroit Pistons): Three of the four panel members admit being surprised by the upgraded Daye’s willingness to mix it up. The fourth did a lousy job of convincing me he saw that quality in Daye before the draft.

“He won’t win the dunk contest,” one scout said, “but we still have a place for guys who can shoot and pass.”

i think ben gordon will play very well for us this year, and will split time between shooting guard and point guard… i think he’ll be the best on the floor with stucky, where they can both play as guards… stuckey can dish and drive to the basket (with ben stretching the defense) and stuckey can guard two-guards while ben can guard point guards
rip and stuckey can also play pretty well with each other… i’d just not want to see ben at pg and rip at sg, doubt that’d work well
as for our frontcourt… i think we’ll be able to get a good rotation going between tay, charlie v, wilcox, kwame, maxiell, big ben, washington, daye, summers and jerebko… that’s a lot of options and potential there

and i didnt even mention will bynum… hope he gets playing time in our strong backcourt… we may very well have one of the best backcourts in the league

@ PS

Some asshat penned an article about Stuckey being taken in the top 5 if the draft he was in was done again. I realize #15 is just outside the lottery.

@ QD

As I watched the NBA’s version of the combine, the commentators were calling Daye the best shooter in the draft, a “certain lottery pick”. I was surprised he was available when Detroit came around. Anytime you can get a 6’11 guy who can stroke it, you take it.

some Ben Gordon interviews when he was still with the Bulls (it’s summertime, and gotta get my bball fix somehow):

Point Guard or Shooting Guard? – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcDXsh0TZow

Picking the Jersey Number – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM7rBkpMJHY

Starter or 6th Man? – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GI3wEON8QU

New Guys, Old School, and … Peanut Butter – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc5wIP-AnCs

Anytime you can get a 6′11 guy who can stroke it, you take it.

You would, Boney.

@ Boney:

Rowr!

Haha. Dick jokes!

@TDP:
You said “Dick”! Haha!

I’m not sure I buy the “steel sharpens steel” idea. It seems to me that it is a bit of an optimistic rationalization. Drafting three guys that play the same position and have similar skill sets is generally not a good thing. Depth is good, but redundancy is not.

@Birdman:
So you’re saying my “all 2’s and 3’s” fantasy team isn’t going to win this year? Curse you, assists, steals, rebounds, turnovers, blocks and field goal percentage!

@ Birdman. I dont believe in the redundacy theory for the simple fact that you cant point to a situation where it has happened. I mean we have 3 rookies duking it out for playing time. all for the same position.and each guy brings a different upside to the table. I am willing to go as far and say that the type of “environment” this situation creates, should produce a player better than Tay. And if we have one out of the three that sticks with the frnchise longterm. and meets or exceeds Tay’s productivity. then we can declare this draft a winner

Dick sharpens dick.

@scntfc:
and meets or exceeds Tay’s productivity

I’m pretty sure that I could meet or exceed Tay’s productivity in our playoff-ending series the last three years. In a wheelchair.

I dont believe in the redundacy theory for the simple fact that you cant point to a situation where it has happened.

First, what? Second, I would still take DeJuan Blair over Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace. I’m happy with the latter signings, but I would take that coin toss on a MONSTER that fills our prime needs even if he has less cartlidge than a box of rox. So you’d rather have “three rookies duking it out” for minutes we don’t have instead of filling a hole so big it makes Langlois question god?

Point being, arguing FOR redundancy has got to be some kind of performance art or something. Especially when the alternative, ya know, drafting for needs, seems like the right fucking thing to do.

(granted, I was furious at the Daye pick and am thrilled with just how wrong I might have been, but I’m still going to suggest that arguing for redundancy is redundantarded, given the above points)

Side Note: I don’t even know where to begin with this. I wanted to say something about hookers and jump shooting aliens, but am kind of at a loss for words…

http://www.tmz.com/2009/08/11/reggie-miller-alex-von-furstenberg-ali-kay-texting-flirting-skywriting-malibu/

(as if Mike Payne needed a reason)

Why is it that whenever Joe D doesn’t sign someone we like (ex. Leon Powe), we say he “dropped the ball”? Hello, dumbasses, Joe D wasn’t the only GM in the league who didn’t sign him. only one team can sign him. the other 29 can’t. it’s that simple.

@Cody:
Why is it that whenever Joe D doesn’t sign someone we like (ex. Leon Powe), we say he "dropped the ball"? Hello, dumbasses, Joe D wasn’t the only GM in the league who didn’t sign him. only one team can sign him. the other 29 can’t. it’s that simple.

Thank god for your help with the math, man. It wasn’t all straight in my head until you explained it. Just so we’re straight, two teams CANT sign the same player?

Note: I’m not killing Joe Dumars for not signing Powe.

I just think it’s curious that NBA GMs are so quick to give up on solid injured players with a proven work ethic for potential. The bet on an injured McDyess paid off huge for Detroit and the cost of a Powe bet is that much lower. I thought that would make it more likely that Dumars was the GM to take a chance but there are only so many roster spots and I like the moves Jod has made this off season (roster spots for so many rookies, Wilcox, the FA signings, return of Big Ben).

@JoeJoeJoe

way to kill two birds with one stone.

I just think it’s curious that NBA GMs are so quick to give up on solid injured players with a proven work ethic for potential.

clearly a situation where it is low risk High reward. Its kinda Ironic that Blair sorta kinda falls into that category as well. Good point Mike Payne. but after watching summer League I am glad that we still got Daye/Summers. now if Blair was still avail. then I would question the JJ pick. but Joe anounced his strategy before the draft. “going for talent, stock piling assets” even still at this point not many are willing to call Blair an asset. He is a low risk high reward player.

Summer league stats

Chase Budinger 17.8ppg 2.2rpg 1 stl 68%

Austin Daye 17ppg 8.8 rpg 1ast 1.4stl 47%

Dajaun Summers 18ppg 5.4 rpg 44%

Dajaun Blair 16.3ppg 8.7rpg 53%

after seeing thoselevels of productivity I am still happy with who we have. although I would like to add that Houston might of “came up” with the Budinger pick. I know you guys don’t give a damn about this… but the listing here is In the order that I got them from the source, Which claims that all 4 shoulda been lottery picks.

respectively 3,5,8,10

@ Cody. I am the alleged “dumbass” that you speak of. your argument is valid

 only one team can sign him. the other 29 can’t. it’s that simple.

The Pistons coulda’ been that one team.

Powe would take time away from the rookies who would play PF and then you have Maxiell. How many energy guys do we need? You need those kinds of guys when you’re an old team. I’d rather have Ben or Wilcox playing C for us then adding another PF. I’m not sure I like Powe for us anyway after reading this:

“he injured his right knee five games later, sat out the next 12 games, then returned for the final two games of the 2008-09 regular season before tearing up his left knee (which had already undergone previous reconstructive surgery) in the playoffs against the Bulls.”

from:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4392457

I do like him as a player though. Maybe if we didn’t have both Summers and JJ?

BTW, is there any info on how to quote other’s posts or bold/italicize text? Is it the same as other forums? I never tried since there isn’t an edit option (at least not one that I’ve noticed)

OT

How about Porcello with the sweet reverse takedown on Youkalis last night? What a bitch. Youk gets beaned by Edwin two nights ago and doesn’t do SHIT (because Edwin would have broken him like a child), so the next night he charges a 20 year-old and throws his helmet at him, only to get bodyslammed and pinned on his back. Incredible. If that doesn’t seal the deal for Rookie of the Year I don’t know what does. Read the comments on the ESPN story about them both getting ejected— Porcello made himself a SLEW of new fans. At least all of Yankee Nation and anybody else who roots for a team other than the Bosox in the East.

Joel…I was thinking the same thing last night. This is the first time that Youk has ever charged the mound even though he’s been one of the league leaders in getting beaned the last 5 years. Next time you watch the replay, try to find Edwin…he was probably more pissed then any other Tiger and I bet he had similar thoughts that Youk should have charged him and not a 20 year old kid who’s two years out of high school.

Hm. I saw Porcello running away and just swinging Youkilis down. Then again, I’m a White Sox fan so that might explain the different perceptions…

No, it was a picture perfect Greco-Roman takedown. No matter who you’re a fan of, you have to hand it to a 20 year-old for making a fool out of one of the douchiest characters in all of baseball. Shitty part is that he clearly wasn’t trying to bean him on purpose— it was just a horrible pitch. You can even tell by his immediate reaction of disgust after the pitch, and then once Youkalis charges Porcello’s got the “are you serious? that was an accident!” body language. Of course they both get bounced and then our horrible bullpen gives away the game. Fair.

I’m just hoping that DeJuan Blair has a career-ending injury a week into the pre-season, so Dumars is justified. (Although I expected us to take him, I was never a huge fan of his.)

Also, I hope the Celtics and Cavaliers planes crash into one another mid-air. Yeah, I’m that guy.

No matter who you’re a fan of, you have to hand it to a 20 year-old for making a fool out of one of the douchiest characters in all of baseball.

True. Very true.

OT:

Austin Daye needs to talk to this guy.

Of course they both get bounced and then our horrible bullpen gives away the game.

At least you don’t have Kevin “The Second G is for Shitty” Gregg.

Awesome link, PS. Sign Austin Daye up for Jiu Jitsu on the double!

“Second, I would still take DeJuan Blair over Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace.”

@MP: Isn’t he exactly the kind of player you don’t like? A power forward that plays like a Center? And isn’t The Wrong DaJuan a Power 3 like you wanted?

RE: Powe/Blair

I’m sure Dumars checked in with Kander on both of these guys. I trust Kander. He could tell me to euthanize my Grandmother and I would do it.

Plus, wouldn’t Powe add to the whole “redundancy” problem?

“He could tell me to euthanize my Grandmother and I would do it.”

I laughed.

Maybe Tayshaun can benefit from martial arts too. Or perhaps at his age he should consult with Jack LaLanne.

QD: <em>MP: Isn’t he exactly the kind of player you don’t like? A power forward that plays like a Center?

Not as a backup.

And isn’t The Wrong DaJuan a Power 3 like you wanted?

Yes— but his deal ends when Tay’s contract expires— so he’ll never see starting minutes unless we trade Tay. (not to mention that he’s competing with Daye for minutes, whom I’d rather start at this point)

Cody,

As one of the original “We should sign Powe” guys here, I have backed off my original stance, after reading another commenter who compared signing Powe to Joe D signing Dyess.

Dyess was a #2 overall pick, and has averaged 20 and 10 and has been an all star in the league. If/when his game falls off, he’s still a capable player unless his knee just totally blows out and he can’t play. When we got Dyess originally I was expecting him to produce what he did, 8 to 10 a night, 6 to 8 boards off the bench. I was surprised by his defense, because he was more of a Amare Stoudemire type when he was in Denver.

Powe is not a #2 pick. He’s undersized. He doesn’t have a jumper. The only thing I like about Powe, honestly, are his free throw shooting ability and his motor. If Jason Maxiell had this guy’s motor, I never would’ve wanted Joe D to sign him. PLUS… Dyess was healthy, finally, after the years of knee issues whereas Powe seems to have had many more knee issues than Dyess ever had. There’s only so many reconstructions or ACL replacements a guy can have before the arthritis and scar tissue starts to eat him up.

OT:
From The Block to The CockBlock.

Reggie should go after a real challenge: Lesbians. Watch out, Rosie!

Is there any video of Big Ben talking to the media after he signed today?

Does anyone else want to see Daye and Tay play a game of one-on-one entirely in the paint?

Sort of like the irresistible force meets the immovable object. I mean, the opposite of that.

@Boney: I wanted to sign Powe, too. I wasn’t one of the first ones to suggest it, but i thought it was a great idea. we could use 4 bigs to start the season, and our rookies and Tay can play the 4, as well. Powe would be back at midseason, and we could see how he played. Win-win situation. I just think it’s dumb to say our GM made a mistake by not signing a guy. I also totally agree with you about how people are comparing it do the McDyess signing. Like you said, he was a perennial all-star. Powe is a 3rd or 4th big man at best. Not that big of a deal.

@MP: are you ever gonna jump off it dude? you are the definition of a smart ass. It’s funny at first, but when every other one of your posts are like that, it gets really old and really annoying.

@brgulker: you know Tay would kick his ass. lol

Cody: <em>MP: are you ever gonna jump off it dude? you are the definition of a smart ass. It’s funny at first, but when every other one of your posts are like that, it gets really old and really annoying.

That’s only true when I’m drunk, which is most of the time. But when you call people here “dumbasses”, I’m gonna talk shit even if I’m sober.

ok, got me there. sorry. Just sick of people saying Joe D messed up when he doesn’t sign a player, like he’s the only GM in the league who didn’t sign him.

Cody, if you pay attention to all of my posts. I have never been overly critical of Joes moves. even this summers. for the most part I am pleased and excited for the season to begin. I can clearly say that someone drops the ball because I have no problem admitting when i do so. The most attractive thing about this site is the fact that most can come together and share their take on things in a very opinionated way. and usually because of the wealth of opinions someone is eventually always proven right.but the name calling was without merit. next time at least be a little more creative/sarcastic, ie Boney. so we can get a chuckle out of it.

i wasn’t aiming that whole post at you. Like i said, just sick of people dissing Joe D when he doesn’t sign someone. Sorry for the dumbass part, tho. It’s great to share opinions and wish we would make this move or that move. When we don’t though, we have to move on and suggest different moves. We can’t change anything, so i just accept it and think of other dumb and crazy ideas that would help us lol

Yeah I feel you. I am occasionly guilty of dwelling on the past. but for the most part I aint one of those shoulda,coulda woulda’s My point of the whole post is that Cleveland looks even more menacing now. I would of liked to have screwed them just because we need to be able to do it however/whenever we can.

I actually think that Powe just didn’t fit the needs of this team. If you believe freep and mlive that Joe doesn’t like filling all of his roster spots in order to keep himself open for trades (which would be even more important this year), then it makes perfect sense. You have one spot for a big man, in a roster that is going to require a lot of early frontline help. Why would you sign Powe when he will only be available after the big man rotation is set and hopefully stable? The team really needs someone who can contribute early in the season and allow younger players to segue into their roles. Pretty much the opposite of Powe. Hopefully what Ben Wallace will give us.

Also, Porcello is apparently out for five games. Does this mean he misses his next start, or his next five starts?

Drew, it’s just five games, not his next five starts. It basically just means his next start is pushed back a day.

Fuck Leon Powe. He’s the enemy… and always has been.

Someone asked if there was a video posted since Ben signed. It’s over on pistons.com. the article is by Langolis but the interview is by Zaret.

Langlois is hinting that Big Ben is going to take #6. Flip Murray’s number? God damn. Ben is #3.

If the league won’t approve changing numbers this late into the summer, there’s got to be a loophole.

Here’s what I’d do: Retire #3. Stuckey has to pick a new number. Un-retire #3 as a tribute to the guy we just re-signed.

Then, tell David Stern, Adidas and NBA Shop to suck a cock.

6 is a multiple of 3.

/stathead

Well, yeah… Langlois article said Wallace would “add up the front and back and see what’s left.”

Quentin Richardson might be traded AGAIN.

From the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

“On Tuesday, [Wolves’ GM David] Kahn said there was a chance Richardson will be moved before the end of the week. That would make him the second player — joining Etan Thomas — to be both acquired and traded by Kahn.”

What’s the record for one off-season?

I just had an epiphany that brings us both defense and BETTER OFFENSE…we start the following squad:

- Bill Bynum
- Deron Washington
- Tayshaun
- Ben Wallace
- Kwame Brown

Bill Bynum and Tay would put up 20 for the quarter, while the other 3 would combine for 6, with 5 of those coming from Deron. Meanwhile, they’d hold any team to a stingy average of 7.3 points.

Then we bring in:

- Stuckey
- Gordon
- Rip/Daye
- Maxiell/Summers/Jerebko
- CV 31

And score an average of 48.2 points per 2nd quarter for the season.

BAM ROASTED.

@ James B.

LOL!

From SLAM Online, a brief interview with Daye, Summers, and some other guys who are apparently rookies in the NBA:

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/08/any-given-sunday/

Summers is a MAN.

Hollinger is back at hating on the Pistons. He groups the NBA teams by how they’d be listed on a menu (Umm.. okay?). Yes, literary genius.

He lumps the Pistons with the Sixers, Bobcats, Pacers and Bucks.

Group IV: Can I Send This Back?

Sure, they look like decent appetizers at first glance. But once you have a few bites, it turns out there’s something half-baked about each of these clubs.

Detroit: Are we sure Joe Dumars is still the one calling the shots over here? Trading Chauncey Billups? Extending Richard Hamilton? Signing Kwame Brown and Chris Wilcox? Trading in coaches like they’re eligible for the “cash for clunkers” program? Does this sound like the guy who was two steps ahead of everybody else in the league for half a decade?

The Pistons have four guards who can score and none who can pass. They have two centers who might not shoot .800 from the line … combined. Their starters at the 2, 3 and 4 would have trouble bench-pressing my laptop. They have another new coach, and maybe he’ll make this all work somehow, but I’m not holding my breath.

Fuck Hollinger , I wish ESPN would can his ass I never liked the biased sob in the first place.

I just read the relevant slam interview portions with Summers and Daye (thanks Garret) and an article on Ben Wallace (Freep?) and this post has made me recall an earlier Wilcox article about coming to Detroit. All four people say the number one player they are talking to is Prince. The sample size might not suit Hollinger, but 4/4 is telling.

Stuckey may be telling the reporters he is going to be the team leader, but it looks like Prince who is doing the leading.

Motherfuck ESPN. Das Deutsches.

Uh-oh. NOH just traded away their starting shooting guard. and they now have Emeka Okafor…just sayin’.

It looks like Tayshaun was instrumental in getting Big Ben to sign with the Pistons. (Rip helped too.)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4393937

Interesting suggestion, Cody, but the Hornets don’t seem to have anybody on their roster who (1) Detroit wants and (2) New Orleans would be willing to give up in order to improve their salary situation.

PS:

It’s not sexy and we don’t want him, but one trade that would work salary-wise is Rip for Peja, straight up.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cfdfx5

We’d be free of Peja’s contract after 2010-2011, Rip’s goes for another 2 seasons after that.

@PS: Rip for Emeka?

Hey Garrett, you gonna come and see some games with me? You doppleganger you. All of you cats should come and see either; Cavs, Clips and Hawks. Then you can buy me beer, aiight!

@ Gabe:

Is there a Quentin Richardson section in the Trade Machine now?

Laughton: I’ll definitely try to make it. My calendar is pretty clear for November so I just need to figure out the logistics!

Cody: NOH did that for lux tax. They were ~10M over when the summer began and are now around 4M over. If they did want to make that trade, who does NOH have at the 5 behind Okafor?

Nice idea, but I don’t think it’ll happen.

I no longer think Rip is getting moved. I think Dumars wants to team to play the right way and shoot for 40 odd wins on the way to 50 wins, with a defensive ethic that could make noise in the playoffs. Rip helps with all those goals.

One deal I could see going down is Rip for Manu Ginobili if Ginobili gets hurt. San Antonio has a small window left and an injured Ginobili (a good chance) hurts their chances a lot. Rip would slide nicely into their SG spot and Detroit could either get another $10M in cap space next year or keep Ginobili, a player who does better in reduced minutes.

Detroit: Are we sure Joe Dumars is still the one calling the shots over here? Trading Chauncey Billups? Extending Richard Hamilton? Signing Kwame Brown and Chris Wilcox? Trading in coaches like they’re eligible for the "cash for clunkers" program? Does this sound like the guy who was two steps ahead of everybody else in the league for half a decade?

The Pistons have four guards who can score and none who can pass. They have two centers who might not shoot .800 from the line … combined. Their starters at the 2, 3 and 4 would have trouble bench-pressing my laptop. They have another new coach, and maybe he’ll make this all work somehow, but I’m not holding my breath.

LOL!

I normally don’t think Hollinger knows more than a sack of potatoes … but he makes some good points.

Not a lot of love for the Pistons franchise over at ESPN.

joejoejoe

That’s generally true, I think, because ESPN makes its money off of covering star power. The Pistons (at least when we’ve been good) haven’t had star power.

Fuck Hollinger.

Kwame’s a bargain at 4M as is Wilcox at 3M. You can’t get a stud for 7M (Kwmae/wilcox combined).. . . not when Lee is seeking 10M and boozer is looking for 14M and bosh/Amare want max money.

Trading Billups? Hollinger would be the first to say “the pistons are getting old/slow” and then a year later say ‘well, billups contract really ties them up. They can’t trade to get younger and nobody in the league has the money to absorb that contract . .yada, yada, fucking yada pinata."

Hollinger = Fucktard.

joejoejoe, I suggested that Rip/Ginobli trade a while back. With Ginobli’s contract expiring, the Pistons can resign him for less money (7 or 8mil). That would save 5mil off Rip’s contract.

Plus, Ginobli gives you another ball handler. And I think he can play in a backcourt with Gordon because he can make plays for others with the ball in his hands.

But, it’s hard one to pull the trigger on. Ginobli has to be hurt enough for the Spurs to want to play it safe and trade for Rip, but healthy enough for Pistons to want to take him and keep him.

I thought Hollinger was all about Austin Daye?

This is pathetic:

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/08/13/nets-giving-away-celtics-jerseys/

Isn’t there a No Ginobilis shirt on here you can order? I’d get behind him if he was on our squad, but for now I hate his guts. And I’d hate to make San Antonio better by giving them Rip…

Cody

OMG Y HAVNT WEE TRADID 4 OKUH4 YET!!! WTF IZ JOD DINKING?

New Jersey Nuts

I don’t see why SA would deal Ginobili, especially for Rip, and especially since they’re the best-manged team in the Association.

But if they’d do it … well, it’s a no-brainer.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=%27Manged

I’m interested in some opinions here. I seem to be the minority on this but I think our squad is pretty decent right now, maybe a 5-6 seed in the east.

I think that we are currently one good center away from being contenders. If we lose Rip or Tay (but not both) and end up with, lets say Bosh. Would you guys think that would propel us up to elite status?

Admittedly so, I’m more a homer than not. I even think the Lions might win 5-6 games this year and surprise some folks. The koolaid always tastes better early in the year.

I don’t see why we would want Ginobli for Rip — the big hole on this team is still Quality Big.

Toledo Joe, Ginobli’s contract is up after this year so that sets us up with money to spend the year after for a quality big. You guys think Bosh would take $12 mil a year to play for JoeD? :D

The pre-season schedule is up on Pistons.com:

Monday, Oct. 5 – Miami (Palace), 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 – Milwaukee (Palace), 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11 – Atlanta (Palace), 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Washington (Grand Rapids), 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15 – at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 – at Memphis, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22 – Minnesota (Palace), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23 – at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

ZOMG WAI HASUNT JOE DOOMARS SYNED EMEKUH OKAF4!!!! ZOMG WFT!!!

Haha, if you guys don’t stop with these trade scenarios I think Boney might have an aneurysm.

53 days to go.

You say that like it’s a bad thing, Garrett.

Zing!
http://www.instantrimshot.com

Hey, if there’s a trade scenario out there, i’m gonna post it on this website. I’m gonna laugh my freaking ass off if we trade for Okafor this season. It’s not gonna happen, but it’s kinda my job here. lol

I suggested the Manu for Rip trade before as well, but instead of a straight up trade, we get Tiago Splitter from SA as well.

I can’t see SA throwing in Splitter.

@brgulker: Like I wrote in my post, SA would probably trade Manu for Rip if they felt that Manu would not be completely healthy this year. Their window is shrinking.

We could always throw in a 1st rounder. Splitter is def. worth around another 15th overall pick.

I’m interested in some opinions here. I seem to be the minority on this but I think our squad is pretty decent right now, maybe a 5-6 seed in the east.

I certainly think we’ve leapfrogged Philly. They’ve only signed Ivey thus far. And Chicago didn’t get any better this off-season.

http://www.instantrimshot.com

No self-respecting Southerner uses instant rim shots.

My Cousin Vinny rules!

@TDP…yea i think we’ve passed philly, but still behind Chicago. The bulls pretty much traded BG for Luol Deng. Salmons and Deng play a little better defense than BG.

I disagree. Anthony Roberson, Jannero Pargo and Jerome James are not upgrades. Chicago got worse.

We just bought CHI’s best piece of Artillery. We edge the (312) out in my opinion.

God, I’m a dumbass. I forgot about the Larry Hughes trade. So, basically, Chicago ain’t done shit.

Now that I looked (which helps), Roberson was waived almost a month ago.

I feel pretty confident saying that these teams will not make the playoffs:

NY, NJ, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Indiana

and that these teams will:

Boston, Cleveland, Orlando

That leaves 7 teams to fight for 5 playoff spots.

Wow. bottom 5 in East are HORRIBLE. Think if Milkwaukee doesn’t resign Sessions. They would have lost their 3 best players, other than Andrew Bogut.

You’re forgetting Michael Redd, if he can come back from that torn ACL/MCL, he’s the Bucks’ best player, fan favorite, and face of the franchise.

Charlotte might have a chance to make the playoffs ,Larry Brown has done more with less ,but I think think your about the rest on that list QD.

I think your right about the rest , I mean

You can add Philly to the list of sure-thing playoff teams this season— they added Primoz Brezec today. Watch your ass, LA.

Hahahaha I texted all my friends about the Brezec signing. He has made the NBA whole again.

In NFL news, Mike Vick is Donovan McNabb’s backup.

Q-Rich traded AGAIN?!

Ha, I’ve always hated Q-Rich after he started jersey poppin’ after Phoenix beat Detroit once.

With Wade and Cook is he going to get any playing time? Maybe he’s a trade piece…

haha Garrett.. yeah, I like the thought of NOOCH trading Okafor to us for Rip. Then NOOCH is a team full of 6’7 guys, Chris Paul and that former Suns bloke.

Y HAVNT BEE TRADID 4 OKUH4 KWAMEE N RIP 4 OKUH4 WORK N MI FANTUSEE BASKITBALL LEEG!!!

BAYKE ID HAPPUN JO DUBARRS!!!!

Well, Miami says they’re keeping him…

@QD

Any way we can peel George Hill in a deal to give them Rip? Especially if Manu is out for like, the entire year? Buford isn’t dumb though.

I CAND BELEEV WEE HAVINT TRAYDID 4 ANUDDER BYG MANN DOO GUYZZ!!! BEE NEED ANUTHR BIG MAN!!! GO PISTUNS!!! GET DAT CHIP!!! WOOOOT!!!

Word, George Hill impressed the hell outta me last year

@Skylar: Wow…i did forget Michael Redd. How the heck did i forget him? lol. Boney, are you okay? Are you having a stroke? Quick! Get drunker and surlier! That will fix everything!

If Memphis would move Mayo to the point like he wants, and get a sweet-shooting SG, and a PF who isn’t Zach Randolph, they could be really dangerous in a year or two (after Randolph is gone).

Except that Mayo turns the ball over way, way too much to be a point guard. He can be their sweet-shooting SG (though they had one with Mike Miller). If Conley can become a good PG, then Memphis has a chance. They need several more pieces, though. I don’t think Rudy Gay and Mayo can fit together.

If Memphis would move Mayo to the point like he wants, and get a sweet-shooting SG, and a PF who isn’t Zach Randolph, they could be really dangerous in a year or two (after Randolph is gone).

That’s a lot of qualifiers.

I think Detroit could be a 5-6, given that the East gets pretty mediocre pretty quick. With all these new players and a new coach, there are a lot of unknowns. As to the upside, even if everything works out as well as it reasoably could, I don’t see this roster being as good as the Cavs, Celtics, or Magic. And there is a downside in which defensive and rebounding weaknesses combined with more small-ball experiments could really sink the team.

One issue I haven’t seen discussed — probably because we don’t have enough evidence to make a judgment — is quality of coaching. I don’t think Detroit was going to the Finals last year no matter what (after the AI trade), but I’m pretty sure Curry contributed to a number of extra losses. And this team will be a challenge to coach — a lot of new pieces, some of which don’t obviously fit together.

Here’s my east playoff standings. Maybe the order gets shuffled, but these teams most likely will top the east:
Cleveland
Boston
Orlando
Miami

The rest is up in the air, but I think that Washington, Toronto are almost playoff locks. I think Saunders will help Washington a bunch and they are healthy. Toronoto got stronger and maybe Bosh plays lights out being in a contract year.

Pessimistically, I guess at worst we can end up a 7th seed but I think we are good enough to win a close race for the 6th spot. Charlotte, Atlanta, and Philly are not threatening to me. Maybe Philly if Brand is back and healthy. The rest are not close unless Indy’s rookies tear it up or something unusual like that happens.

For some reason, I feel like Atlanta finishes better than Miami. We can’t count out Washington, though. IF they’ve got all their pieces in place, they’re a 4-6 team, too.

TDP, I brushed aside Atlanta too soon. For some reason, I thought Andre Miller played for them and not Philly. They really haven’t lost anyone really and they gained Jamal Crawford. They can outdo us, but I think Miami still has one up on them.

I see Boston, Orlando, Cleveland, Atlanta and Washington at the top. With Detroit, Chicago, Philly and Toronto battling for the other three spots.

I’m going out on a limb and saying Miami doesn’t make the playoffs. It’s pretty amazing that Wade got that team last year into the playoffs, but I don’t see a lot of talent there unless they make a trade.

@QD
I’m going out on a limb and saying Miami doesn’t make the playoffs. It’s pretty amazing that Wade got that team last year into the playoffs, but I don’t see a lot of talent there unless they make a trade.

I’d say that’s a safe limb – it’s only been a year since Miami only won 15 games. If Wade gives up on the team, decides the grass will be greener in NJ, and packs in the season they’ll be right back in the dumpster.

I realize this isn’t going out on much of a limb but I see Detroit either in the 4/5 seed or seriously struggling to even make the playoffs depending on how the team comes together, etc.

If they hit that 4/5 seed, then I could see them willing their way back to the ECF depending on who they have in the 2nd round.

Whoa, really? I think Miami is more of a lock than Atlanta and Washington. Beasley has another year under his belt and Wade is an untouchable superstar. I think they’ll surprise people as much as I don’t like Wade.

Can you guys believe Jermaine freaking O’Neal is set to make 23 million this season? WTF!

Well, Dave Berri’s at it again, saying that the rockets are going to be a good team. I’ll give the guy (and his system) a ton of credit if he’s right.

http://dberri.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/does-houston-really-have-that-big-of-a-problem/

@Rami: Glad the Pistons never got caught up with that guy… Jermaine “Diminishing Returns” O’Neal.

Re: Miami making the playoffs, they just traded for Quentin Richardson, he may fit in well there, and I can’t write them off as easily as others. Never underestimate Dwayne Wade.

I don’t know if they’ll make the playoffs, but they still look like a pretty good defensive team, so that should count for something.

Just for Boney, how bout we trade Rip and Tay for Tracey “it feels good to be in the 2nd round” McGrady and then let him walk freeing up $22 million the next year to get Bron Bron! :P

I was referring to the rockets in my last post.

Skylar, no doubt man. I’d be pissed if he ended up a Piston.

That Houston prediction should be a good test of Berri’s system. He’s been accused of undervaluing shot creation (deforming the defense). Houston sans Yao has few guys that can create a good shot for themselves and even fewer that can do it for others.

Birdman, don’t let MFMP see you using that “D” word like that. I ain’t talkin about the Defense word neither.

From his new post on pistons.com, we get some real vintage Keith Langlois:

“The broad strokes applied to the gaping white space in what remained of the Pistons’ canvas came as June melted into July…”

Does he get paid extra to write like that?

“Broad” strokes, “gaping” white space, Pistons “canvas”, June “melted” into July… yeeesh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYTg1TIAjZY

a little gem of entertainment that I found. note the comparisons to Gerald Wallace in the comments. what do you guys think?

I think that if you have a choice between getting to have super long arms or super short arms, you should choose super long arms.

@Gabe:

Keith Langlois is now #1 on the MFMP list of people who need a nut punch.

Here’s where I see the East, right now:

1. Boston
2. Cleveland
3. Orlando
4. Washington
5. – 8. can be an interchangeable mix between

Detroit, Atlanta, Philly, Charlotte, Miami.

I have Washington rated so highly because of recent interviews with Flip saying he has seen Gilbert Arenas back to his old form in the Chicago Pro Am league.

I honestly believe Detroit is better than Philly (no PG), Atlanta (yeah ok) and are about on par with Charlotte maybe even better. I feel Detroit is definitely better than Miami, unless Miami somehow swings Q Rich into a post player who isn’t always hurt.

and if Washington’s defense doesn’t improve, I think they could struggle. I just see them putting up a lot of points, which is why I have them at 4

Langlois, you got the DBB Po$$e coming for you. Knuckle up, Buckle up, hoodie-hoo.!

I can’t see Charlotte being better than they were last year. I don’t think Chandler’s an upgrade and I don’t see a lot of upside in their young players.

ESPN news alert:

Longtime Pistons reporter Keith Langlois was savagely assaulted by a man late Friday evening outside a Detroit-area shopping center. Mr. Langlois suffered massive contusions to his nut area, as well as a chipped tooth, which occurred when his assailant—described by witnesses as “drunk and surly”—attempted to force-feed Langlois a copy of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. The inner cover of the book contained a mysterious, hastily-scrawled note that police investigators are still trying to decipher: To “Numb Nuts,” From MFMP.

@PS:
I’m innocent!

I’m innocent!

Doubtful!

scntfc: After watching that video, I approve of Deron Washington. I hope he doesn’t get Amir’d, though. They just need to turn him loose and let him do his thing.

Garrett, but Deron is athletic, not Amir-athletic.

Charlotte may not have improved the roster, but the new jerseys are an upgrade.

Kind of Magic-esque, though.

Haha… Sorry ’bout them pop-ups, yo.

Dunk videos always confuse the hell out of me. I may be, well, drunk and surly, but what kind of value does a dunk video prove in a player? If you watched the dunk championship that Nate Robinson won, you’d see the shitty 15 missed dunks he had. But if you watched that one dunk, you’d think he’s a rock star. Same for any other dunk tape. It’s like porn for Iverson fans. “Man, nobody better than AI, he’s the best finisher in the history of the league”. Oh, but he sucks at everything else.

With cynicism out of the equation, I totally get that it’s just entertainment. But if someone says to me “this guy is awesome, here are 10 of his dunks”. I’ll respond, “Can I show my boss my ten best reports of the year and ignore all the rest in my next review?”.

Oh, and it is for this reason that I hate watching game highlights. It’s like watching the queen get taken in a game of chess, but cutting out the strategy that got the winner there.

Poo, poo I say, on dunk tapes and highlight reels. Unless they’re really special. And Garrett, none of this was aimed at you, but it is still one of my favorite DBB pastimes to see you type the words “I Like Slam Dunk Shots”. That is far and above any shitty 50 cent dunk tape featuring Quentin Richardson.

Just for that I might have to get drunk and surly.

hahahahahaha

@Mike Payne,
Yeah I thought the music made it that much more powerful. but it sure as hell would be nice to see thunder dunks from someone other than Maxiel. Who we have witnessed miss a few.

Kyle Orton throw picks wherever he goes… three in a quarter-plus.

I prefer my dunk tapes to the soothing sounds of the Mega Man themes. Nintendo-core rules!

@scntfc:
but it sure as hell would be nice to see thunder dunks from someone other than Maxiel. Who we have witnessed miss a few.

Funny enough, I heard back from Roland at 82games.com yesterday after emailing him back in July. I asked if they would use their data to put together a list of the worst (and best) dunkers in the league by FG%. He liked the idea, so he’ll be publishing that list before the 2009-10 season. :)

Re: Orton

Denver got the short end of that stick, man. Cutler’s a pussy but much more of a threat than Orton will ever be, I’m pissed that the Bears brought Cutler to the Lions’ division.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4396967

He liked the idea, so he’ll be publishing that list before the 2009-10 season.

don’t get all “LawyerBoy” on us once your shit gets published MP… wtf

all of these fine comments have gotten to your head. Where is Shane Battier to keep us all in check?

@Boney:
ain’t my shit, it’s Roland and 82games shit. now why would I get cocky about that? i’m just excited the data will be available. i think it’s really interesting.

besides, unlike lawyerboy, I don’t hype up my own record here on DBB. don’t compare me to that basement dwelling, litigious ankle humper.

Don’t be hating on basement dwelling. It’s not so bad, except for the time when I woke up with a spider crawling across my mouth.

@Birdman:
Don’t be hating on basement dwelling. It’s not so bad, except for the time when I woke up with a spider crawling across my mouth.

You’re not a man unless you have once accidentally eaten or smoked a spider. I have to submit that I’ve probably done both.

LawyerBoy got published? Link anyone?

speaking of hyping records of one self…I was one of the first to buy into the intelligent signing that was Kwame Brown…although would you rather still have Nazr who would have only been making a million more (I think?).

God I am so bored…the NBA needs to have like rookie challenges that are televised. They could just put the rookies through practices specific to first years and what not. Then we could at least watch something…god what am I talking about? That’s a terrible idea. Why can’t we have basketball right now?

JB

PS – I’m what some of you might commonly call in laymans terms…drunk.

Why can’t we have basketball right now?

We’ve got pre-season football.

We’ve got pre-season football.

Baseball? Or is it just Tigers fans already at peace with the bottom falling out…?

/baiting

Dudes, be glad you ain’t in Portland like me. They got the Jailblazers and that’s it. No MLB, No NFL. No Bueno. Just internets.

Haven’t posted in a while, so let me try and catch up:

I think Gordon, CV, RIP, Tay, and CV all have a decent shot at making an all-star game(especially rip since he’s already been there and is an established leader). I would also have to include all of the rookies(including Deron) just because you never know what you got til they step on the floor.

I think the East should end up something like this:

Boston, Cleveland, and Orlando fighting for 1-3
Atlanta, Washington, and Toronto fighting for 4-6
and the rest of the teams fighting for the final 2 spots.

My prediction would be:

Cleveland
Boston
Orlando
Atlanta
Washington
Toronto
Miami
Detroit

Unfortunately I think Detroit just squeaks in and we get beat in the first round again, but it would at least be a step in the right direction as opposed to a step backwards like last year.

The Tigers will be fine. I still think they will win the division and surprise some people in the post-season with the pitching staff we have. I think Porcello’s 5 game suspension was bullshit, but that’s just the league sucking on the major market’s nuts.

And I agree, we don’t have basketball yet because football is starting…here I come Fantasy Football Championships!

Oh, and the White Sox can suck my testicle

You only have one?

nah, they only deserve to suck on one of ’em

I’m glad you agree we don’t have basketball yet.

@MP…cmon man, lighten up…Langlois isn’t a journalist, he’s a PR flack masquerading as one. How can you take whatever he writes seriously, as it’s devoid of any independent thought?

Hmm… time for a new post.

@V:
How can you take whatever he writes seriously, as it’s devoid of any independent thought?

Because I earn my living as a writer/editor. The pr mouthpiece nonsense is one thing, but sentences like that are the cherry on top of the Langlois poop cake.

Looks like everyone’s favorite 2nd round draft pick is trying to catch up to Q-school on the trade front.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4404309

It’ll be like a top 5 draft pick for toronto!!!!!

Wait a minute, Delfino for Amir?

TRADE PREVIOUS DETROIT PROJECT PLAYERS NOW

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/61172/20090817/raptors_close_to_deal_for_amir_johnson/

Raptors are really shakin’ and bakin’ this summer huh!?

SHAKE!

AND BAKE!

That just happened!

Man, I just did a FF mock draft, and I just murdered it. My final team was as follows:

QB’s – McNabb, Hasselbeck
RB’s – MJD, Ronnie Brown, Kevin Smith, Larry Johnson, Cedric Benson
WR’s – Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, Vincent Jackson, Ted Ginn Jr., Josh Morgan
TE – Owen Daniels, Jeremy Shockey
K – Arizona
D – Chicago

Jesus I think I am ready for my drafts (or the other guys majorly sucked)

Kobina (Baton Rouge, La.): I find your Mailbags give fans a great insight to the team and its players, but I am forced to ask myself if I am drinking too much Langlois Brand Pistons Blue Kool-Aid by reading every single one?

Langlois: It’s powerful stuff, Kobina. As always, drink in moderation.

I like my Pistons Blue Kool-Aid with a side of Canadian Club.

Weird. I thought the Raps’ organization LOVED Delfino, but I guess they’d rather take their chances on Amir. That’s a surprising trade.

And no Plaisted for this year….I’m devastated.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090817/SPORTS03/908170368/1356/SPORTS/Report—Trent-Plaisted-to-play-in-Croatia-

Not too surprising when you consider they drafted Derozan who plays the same position as Delfino. Guess they would rather take their chances on a young PF than a redundant SG.

Aww man, Langlois didn’t show DBB any love. I sent him the question that someone brought up on here (I can’t rmemeber who) about Big Ben taking #30 so they wouldn’t have to change any jersey’s, and he cut out the whole DBB part!

@Jose:

“I’m guessing here, but I don’t think the chance to save a few dollars on jerseys was the reason Joe Dumars decided on Ben Wallace to fill out the frontcourt.”

No shit. lol. Nobody ever thought that, and it wasn’t at all part of your question.

lmao at another one of the posts on mailbag:
“Steven (Windsor, Ontario): Charlie Villanueva and Kwame Brown are the tallest players on the roster and those two are not so defensive-minded. My question is how will the Pistons do against some of the bigger teams in the league like Cleveland, which has Shaq and Big Z?”

Kwame Brown not defensive minded? What is he then? He sure as hell isn’t offensive minded. Or offensive anything, for that matter.

He defendeth the honors of fair maidens far and wide across the kingdom.

KronikJose, humor appears to be lost on Langlois.

These guys put some D in the NBA
by Charley Rosen

“Tayshaun Prince’s wingspan enables him to cover more ground on defense then a pair of normal-sized players.”

Tayshaun was the only Piston to make the list (what, no Jonas Jerbko?). He lays out the case against LeBron and D-How, though.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/9928972/These-guys-put-some-D-in-the-NBA

Man, Langlois never answers the question I pose every week: “Keith, why are you such a douchebag?”

One of these times, man. One of these times…

Amir for Delfino. Bizarro world!

someone above made reference to the charlie rosen columns—he is on our team (some of us anyway) about kwame’s value as a post-defense specialist…the fact that there are no stats for wing ball-denial or post defense that doesnt result in blocked shots—those things have been mentioned here before.

Offtopic, check out the new alternate jailblazers joints for 09-10.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Trail-Blazers-unveil-new-alternate-jerseys-for-?urn=nba,183365

those are frikin sweet. like the lightning bolt pistons ones a few years back.