Detroit Bad Boys

• Bethlehem Shoals, FreeDarko impresario and my FanHouse colleague, has penned his preview of the Eastern Conference, noting which story lines that he’ll be following, including …
  

  The New Look Pistons: Speaking of the Pistons, the consummate vet team will be a lot more lively this season. They’ll be laying the groundwork for the future while still trying to win–a seemingly obvious concept that only the most talented executives can actually pull off. Joe Dumars definitely falls in that category, so expect a refreshing blend of experience and youth, wisdom and fire.

  Look for increased contributions from any number of promising youngsters. FanHouse favorite Amir Johnson is the truth, a hyper-athletic, skilled big man whose enthusiasm and energy are already legend. Jason Maxiell eats babies, and could end up being a poor man’s Ben Wallace, but with more offense. Rodney Stuckey will bring aggressive, drive-minded guard play. Youth is knocking and will not die, this most prosaic of teams will have electricity in the house.

  Previews are a dime a dozen this time of the year, but the whole thing is worth your attention.

• A. Sherrod Blakely talked to Jason Maxiell about being a complete player:
  

  “People know about the great dunks, the shot blocks and that I’m strong,” Maxiell said. “But a lot of people don’t know what got me here. It was a jumpshot, a 15-footer, that got me to the NBA. In college, all I worked on was a 15-footer.”

• Rob Parker has an interesting column on Amir Johnson, though he didn’t get the memo about Johnson’s growth spurt: (emphasis mine)
  

  “I’ve been watching and learning for two years,” said Johnson, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward.

• Going to the game in Grand Rapids tonight? Take pictures and post them to the Detroit Bad Boys pool on Flickr.
• Since people have already started talking about it in the comments, I guess I’ll officially open the floor: Kobe Bryant is still disgruntled, Jerry Buss is willing to trade him, should Detroit go after him? Personally, I think the argument is moot since I just don’t see it happening in any way shape or form, but I’m sure other opinions exist, so feel free explain your stance in the comments.

Update: This late addition was actually posted five minutes after my post went up, but it’s definitely worth adding: PistonsNation has a Q&A with Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune about the Pistons-Bulls rivalry, Ben Wallace in Chi-town, and more.