Think of Detroit’s road trip out west like a great big meal: Wednesday’s game in Sacramento was the appetizer, last night’s game at Golden State was the dinner salad, and tonight’s game against the undefeated Lakers is easily the main course.
And not just any entree, either — we’re talking about the “Ole 96er”, right out of The Great Outdoors. Can the Pistons eat the whole thing, right down to the gristle and fat? We’ll find out. If they do, they won’t win free t-shirts for the whole family but will grab the attention of everybody in the league.
It’s another late one, but hey, you’re not working tomorrow, right? The ball tips at 10:30 PM on ESPN — join your DBB brethren by leaving your thoughts (and random John Candy references) in the comments.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/212131/the_great_outdoors_1988/
oh good god!
I was never a Candy fan, but I remember this as a kid:
http://www.retrojunk.com/details_articles/23/
This is the first game in years where I’ve felt confident of a big Piston’s loss. The Laker’s are peaking and the Piston’s are, um, valley-ing.
spread’s 9.5 tonight btw. i’d be surprised if we don’t lose by double digits. i’ll be shocked if we win the whole damn thing.
lakers play much zone?
I say we play up to the competition and make a game out of it. But I don’t know if I can make it to 1:30 am again. Oh who am I kidding? Of course I can.
They do now. Phil Jackson is the best coach in the game (he is– get over it with your “he had superstars” shit) and you can be damn sure he saw how much the zone flustered us.
“I’m a mog. Half man, half dog.”
The team can’t afford godawful quarters like it’s had in the last few games if it wants to stand a chance. We’ve had strong moments but it would probably take four quarters of sustained play to get the win tonight. The Lakers have been ridiculous.
“Larry Bird doesn’t do as much ball-handling in one night as you do in an hour!”
Man these guys are good. Hopefully prince d’s kobers up like it’s june 2004. And ai steps over small bitchass guards after he j’s in their face like it’s 2001.
Four of our 3rd quarters from last night would do it, but I don’t expect that to happen for at least a couple of months.
Man Chauncey just took out one angry-lookin turkey. Go Nuggs, go CB!
This game is the start of a brutal 4 game stretch. At LA, at Phoenix, home Cav’s, at Celtics. If we can go 2-2 in that stretch I’ll be pretty happy.
Now this Denver win tonight? That’s impressive.
Were those Celtic fans chanting “Let’s go Lakers?”
They were chanting, “We want Samb!”
Go Chauncey!
WOW, Nuggets kicked some Celtics asses tonight. Miracles does happen. Let see if the Pistons can beat L.A.
Great start!
Great shot by Kobe. He didnt even let Rips standing still with his arms straight up and not touching him while shooting stop him!
Nice start for the Pistons. Bad start for the officiating.
wow great start by the pistons… first time ive said that in a while lol… lakers are catching up, but that’s expected… they’re a great team… but at least pistons put the pressure on the lakers to play catch up and not the other way around
and the defense is looking nice… have no idea how nice that is to say again… let’s hope they keep it up
Sheed’s holding in “3 seconds!” yells right now
Kobe getting away with everything while Rip picks up 2 quick fouls for nothing.
Nice pass Stuckey.
Sweet shot AI!
Great shot AI
WOW… big steal and shot by iverson to end the quarter
man that is probably the sweetest shot ever made IMO. Go AI.
For one quarter we outplayed the mighty Lakers, only five games into the AI era, on the second night of a back to back, and on the road. I declare the evening a success!
That running one handed floater to beat the 1st quarter buzzer by AI was awesome.
I loved that posession where AI fed Sheed in the post. When the double came he kicked it to the opposite corner, who kicked it to Stuck, who fired it in to the Kwamster who managed to lay it in. Awesome ball movement.
Sheed is awesome
Free Amir!
sheed be killin it… i give him the green light to shoot the 3 when he’s facing a centre like bynum… force him to come out and guard u… that being said i hope he doesnt fall TOO in love with it… cuz 3-pointers will eventually average out to a lower percentage shot
but that’s the strength of sheed, he’s spreads the offense… get the bigs out to guard him when he’s hot from the 3-point line, which will then open up the middle for the like of will bynum, iverson, and stuckey… all good drivers
so much fun to watch. I have been the biggest AI homer for years. now that he is in pistons blue I can’t help myself. I just love what joe d has done. imagine signing him to 4 years with a 5th year option for like 40m… he will average 20 a yr until he is 38…
Rasheed can shoot as many open threes as he wants. I just don’t care for the step-backs and the covered threes.
Man are we good?
Am I allowed to say I called it at 7:39 pm?
Stuckey with the hustle!
Garrett you stayed up? I’m shocked
i absolutely love what im seeing… the diving for loose balls, they look like they’re out to prove a point
Gasol is on top of Stuckey. Get a room you two.
Garrett, it’s 11:22pm right now on the East. DAMN YOU and your west coast time.
I like what I see, but there’s a long way to go with this game. I hope our boys can keep it going!
Haha, yeah, the wife went to bed and I’m huddled around my computer with a Diet Coke and some photos to edit. Yee haw Friday nights at the Elliott house hold!
HB: Nope, it’s 11:22 pm here too. I’m near Toronto.
Zzzzz…
THAT’S the Jason Maxiell I know.
JMax is a brutal, brutal man. He just threw the Plymouth Rock at Kobe
He just ate Kobe’s baby. And he also took a small bite out of Odom’s baby.
Whoa. Michael Curry and Maxiell are about the same height?
Pistons basketball easily keeping me awake…5.30am over here
Three seconds anyone?
This is a great game of basketball from an objective point of view. These two teams are battling. This is freakin’ awesome.
Rasheed’s defense on Gasol has been just outstanding. He is so good against guys who can’t athletically overwhelm him, b/c no one can out-technique him on the block. I’m looking at you Duncan and Gasol.
Rip is slackin, if he keeps this type of play up, stuckey should be getting more minutes.
Clearly that NBA2K commercial is completely fabricated. KG is controlling Detroit.
And how does Gasol have just one turnover and one BA? Sheed has stoned him multiple times.
“Here’s a quarter. Why don’t you go downtown and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face.”
Pistons playing well on a back to back but they are livin off the J right now. I can’t see them sustaining 62 percent all game.
okay…so AI passed it to Kwame, who predictably muffed the pass. Then…how did AI get the ball back??? That was amazing, the Pistons did NOT have anyone quick enough to get possession of their own flubbed pass before the trade. Crazy!
Also, Rip is terrible.
It’s nice to see the refs let them play a little. I’m so used to seeing an automatic foul called any time someone jumps near the rim in a crowd of people, this is a welcome change.
Tayshaun totally padded his stats on that play. Great hustle and long arms!
Excellent half, let’s do another one just like it
Couldn’t ask for a much better half then that.
Good half……and….Rip is terrible.
Did ya’all heard Wallace? He said he’s not looking forward to Sunday. That’s no way to talk about the Suns. WTH Wallace?
Rasheed just yelled “yo mama” at someone in the crowd. He remains my idol.
also, this is the year:
http://pistonsnationblog.com/2008/11/01/obey-tayshaun-for-all-star/
Maxiell is much better at eating babies than Kwame Brown. Curry needs to let him munch on Bynum’s unborn babies for a bit in the second half.
Kwame Brown has worse hands than Braylon Edwards.
The same Rip who is the primary reason Kobe is 5-13 sucks? Really? I understand he’s shot poorly for a few games early in the season. But let’s give our perennial All-Star more than 8 games before we turn on him; he’s a unique offensive player getting used to a new system. Rip’s underhandedly extended contract is stronger than your doubt!
(Moreover, he’s 0-2, not 0-10 — his offense is not helping or hurting that much today).
I hope all those DBBers who were saying “I dunno, I think the Lakers are going to kill us tonight” are shaking in your panties.
It is FAR too soon to celebrate, especially against a team that has continuously overcome large half-time deficits. I am guardedly optimistic, but if this keeps up, I’m going to start searching for crow recipes for a handful of fairweather fans here…
Those who predicted a Piston’s win are only two good quarters from being geniuses, and I am only two good quarters from being a very happy fool. So far this game has not even been as close as the score would indicate.
Ok, I have just got online after being stuck out with the wife and kids. Recap?
Avery Johnson’s voice belongs in the basketball hall of fame
Hey Laughton — stuck out with the wife and kids? Don’t they know the game is on? http://www.justin.tv/boxerfacejr
I see your point but……Rip is terrible.
Get your priorities straight Laughton!
Laughton - best sustained D we’ve played all season, AI playing great within the offense and generating several steals, Rasheed getting open threes due to penetration and locking down the paint on the other end. Only concern is jump shot luck evening out - it’s not like we’re never getting in the paint, but it does feel like we’ve been lucky with shooting. Several Tay covered jumpers as the clock wound down come to mind. Lead would be bigger if Amir were protecting the defensive glass.
Garrett: Cheers mate, but I’m already watching that one!
Shinons: I did, I just dragged everyone home after cracking the shits
Recap: We’re finally shooting well, AI’s all over the place, Sheed from three, Maxiell eats babies.
Sweet. Looking forward to the next half. Go Stones!
What time is it in Australia?
I love watching that clip of Shaq pushing guys all over the court. What a goon.
@Garrett:
“He just ate Kobe’s baby. And he also took a small bite out of Odom’s baby.”
Totally brutal, man. My sense of humor is as dark as it gets, but I’m going to guess you haven’t heard about Odom’s son…
Wow MP I had never heard that, just googled it. That’s awful.
Mike Payne: Nope. What happened?
Also Rip is still daydreaming about those crisp chest passes from Chauncey.
Ah, also just Googled it. Brutal.
kobe is gonna come out much stronger in the second half, he’ll try to bring the lakers on his back… being the best player in the world, he can do that… so pistons need to the collectively be the better team, and withstand whatever onslaught kobe has in store for them… mentally they’ll have to take the crazy shots and assists he makes… and gut out a win
Stuckey has been effective in the the game at driving to the lane, Rip is just not making smart basketball play, Im not saying give up on Rip forever obviously im just saying Stuckey has been more effective give him the minutes along with afflalo.
Also, its nice to see Sheed hit last year’s season average in one half…
It is 1:49pm here in Albany, Western Australia.
G’day, throw another baby on the barbie eh?
Also, not to be talking smack, but DBB fantasy league watch out. Mike D’Antoni has turned my boy Jamal C into a badass. Consider yourselves pwned.
@Garrett, Forty:
I know, Jason Maxiell is an asshole…
/went there, ticket seat to hell please.
Avery Johnson sounds like my grandma.
Daytime Pistons sounds awesome
@Forty,
I ain’t scared ‘o you unless you drafted Tayshaun Prince. He’s a fantasy STUD this season. STUDDDDDD. I’m actually considering trading Dirk Nowitzki for him in another league.
How often do you think Avery is going to watch Devin Harris over the next few years and slit his wrists? What an awful, awful trade.
It’s only awesome when not working or on weekends. Or even when not shopping with the wife and kids
I’ll just say that I’m pleased with Dwight Howard’s basketball playing abilities.
GDay Laughton! what exactly is a “barbie”?
Just kidding.
Shinons: I was just thinking about Dwight as I watched the highlights. Imagine if he was on our team? We’d be like 2004 only scarier.
“I hope all those DBBers who were saying “I dunno, I think the Lakers are going to kill us tonight” are shaking in your panties.”
Nope, and IMHO that’s the fucking problem…
The Pistons are beating the UNDEFEATED LAKERS by 9 at the half and I honestly don’t give a flying f*$k….
I hate this version of the team so much that I don’t even care if we’re winning. They are devoid of soul, jerky, impossible to watch, Rip isn’t even trying, Sheed is pissed, I think the new coach is an idiot, I hate how Iverson’s game mixes with out starters (see not at all), Dyess is Gone, Smooth is gone, the idea that my “Team” was somehow better than the NBA system of putting “Stars” and “Roleplayers” together is gone, and now Kwame Brown is our starting fucking Center… let me repeat, KWAME BROWN IS OUR STARTING CENTER…
So I wish I were shaking in my panties… I really do… but I’m not, I can’t summon up the will to give a flying f*$k….
Yay!
Did Kwame start?
Tracy Morgan can really crash the offensive glass!
It’s really nice to hear that our opponents biggest half time adjustment is to stop our dribble penetration. That would never happen pre AI.
@Garrett - You mean you’d take Howard over Kwame??
Note, I probably shouldn’t have read that Chauncey interview before turning on the gamecast… I realize this now but too late.
@PG4L - At least there’s still the Lions and Wolverines.
Fellas, please. Don’t let them back into it.
Shinons……owch
Kobe is good. LBJ might be better now, though.
Shinons: Who needs Howard with that Kwame Brown finesse move for the And-1?
Graceful basketball at its finest! The POISE of Kwame Brown, able to make the finish under duress!
Tayshaun!!!!!!
Nice Dunk Tay!!!
Kwame is playing well-ish.
That was an awesome dunk. Amir, take note (and also read Boney’s 47-page laminated brochure about taking it to the rim).
Look at Kwame! That body! That skill! Able to get into the lane! He has to be the greatest top draft pick of all time! throw it down!
nasty jam byu prriiiiiiiince
AI has me sold. I like is Nice! High Five!
I do enjoy our team getting superstar calls. Peace to PG4L, but that is certainly helpful.
That call AI just got is one that Rip would never get in a million years.
Rob, peace back man, I really REALLY want to feel better about this…
I keep hoping it’ll happen because obviously they aren’t going to Veto the trade on my behalf…
So much peace in return brother, let’s hope I find a way to come around before the Playoffs…
Cool?
I wish I could switch places with Kwame for a day, like Fred Savage and Judge Reinhold in Vice Versa (sticking with the old school theme). I’d score 60 points on 30 dunks against anyone.
@Michael: That call AI just got is one that Rip would never get in a million years.
Rip would have goten the call…a charge.
PG4L: Michael Curry has done only one thing wrong this year - we need more luscious locks in the lane!
joe dumars must be smiling wide right now
if they can keep uo the defensive intensity, this could be a very good pistons team… and could go down as a great trade for both teams (denver cleary much much better since they acquired billups)
the offense i knew they could figure out, what worried me the most about this trade if the perimeter defense they lost… but this game iverson seems to be doing a pretty decent job… lakers isnt a team that relies on its PG offensively, as they use the triangle… the defense looks great cuz of sheed and tay guarding kobe and gasol so well… the pistons will be tested again when they face teams with pgs like tony parker, chris paul, devin harris…
Kwame’s doing great.
We should trade Amir for Thaddeus Young, while Amir’s value is still high.
Look, PG4L. I love the Temptations with David Ruffin. Hated ‘em with Dennis Edwards. But it happened. I know how you feel.
Sometimes, I listen to “Papa was a rollin’ stone” and smile, though. Things might not be so bad.
Lakers are indeed stacked. I hate them. I hate them?
Is this a night of magic?
SHEEEEEEEEED!
Kwame has looked great in pnr d today…
no way Sheed!!
LOL at sheed and his 3… loved his smile after haha
Love Tay’s aggressiveness.
Is it wrong that I always get a bit nervous when Kwame makes a nice defensive rebound and then turns to outlet the ball to someone?
Kwame with the block on Gasol! Take THAT, Los Angeles!
@Garrett, no, because he throws it too far. Kwame with the block! Damn!
Fuck Yeah! I am enjoying this shit right now!
Wait are we good? Does Michael Curry understand more about rotations than we do? A douchebag once said: “ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE!”
Kwame is playing pretty well tonight…just had a nice block on Gasol. I thought he would play terrible tonight.
Why be nervous? Kwame’s channeling Dikembe Mutombo right now, are you kidding me?
Man does not fly……..in the house of Kwame.
kwame playing well in front of his former team tonight… he also played well in front of washington haha… i see a pattern
Do you mean near double double in 24 minutes Kwame Brown?
Wasn’t it ‘Anyone can cook?’
Hang on, thats from a movie. Anyway Kwame is cooking a big old baby cake for Gasol.
@Keegan - Kwame’s holding up one butter-covered index finger and wagging it!
Your team is playing with great spirit and confidence. It just shows that any team with some defensive chops and patient, efficient offense can compete with these overhyped Lakers.
This is a night of magic.
Lol TripleOT, you’re not biased here are you
if this game was coached by flip saunders everyone would be on his ass for keeping amir in the dog house lol… funny no one has mentioned that (at least from what i saw) amir hasn’t played yet… double standard with michael curry
but yea i think he’s showing amir some tough love… making him prove himself back into rotation… hopefully will only make him better rather than discourage him
I want to hear Final Countdown!
TripleOT: Get outta hear with your “defensive intensity” and “brotherhood” and your “intensity”! We don’t need it around here! Gon n git!
lol
Finger Wag for Kwame! +10,000 to whoever made the Dikembe comment!
Kwa-Me!
KWAME BROWN WITH THE D?!??!>!?11231243
Kwame seriously just wagged the finger!!! No you di’in’t, Kwame!
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
SHOWBE IN THE HIZZY GOTTA KEEP TYPING IN CAPS!!@!111!!!
Anybody else see Afflalo and Kwame both talking the entire time to AI to let him know when the pick would come? We are communicating on D, making great weakside rotations, helping the helper, insert defensive cliche here. I know it’s a better matchup for our D b/c they are more triangle, less pnr. But still a really positive performance through 3.
TripleOT: what’s the word in Boston about McDyess? We want him back; is he still being pursued there? Are fans chanting his name? You can’t have him!
COME ON KWAME!!!!! GET THAT SHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mannie, you may get your Amir appearance yet.
The Pistons own the Lakers like the Celtics own the Pistons.
Keegan: I lol’ed at that.
If we win this year, does Jod D get exec of year for the Kwame signing? There may have been a few other personnel moves, but that’s the one that’s standing out.
Yay! WDFN “slappy” reference in a user name! Get the cornbread!
“We look human tonight.” Yes, the gods are being challenged by these upstart “Pistons”
Kwame has morphed into a basketball player.
I think the Celtics are still the best team in the NBA - I’d take the C’s in 5 or 6 over these guys. And New Orleans or Utah could get them too IMO.
This is indeed a night of magic.
1 more board and Kwame has a double double… Seriously, WTH?
Rob G.
I hear that Cassell is in contact with Dice, and KG is making noise about how much he’d like to play with him and now they share an agent, Andy Miller, and Miller’s clients are like a family.
Now that the Cs bench bigs have strung a few sub par performeances together, the Dice pursuit might heat up. I heard Ainge on sports radio this week, and although he wouldn’t speak about dcie specifically, he said ‘the Celtics will pursue aggressively any FA that they think will help the club.”
Vujacic is that annoying guy at the Y who you hate to play against because you’ll probably land on his foot and sprain your ankle.
I can see LawyerBoy walking around, chest puffed up, wagging his finger at us all tomorrow.
TripleOT: I don’t know if you have Ainge’s email but tell him about the bum knees and also Dice is a Republican. Boston wouldn’t want him.
Put it away Max. Its empty.
Vujacic is the kind of guy at the Y who you hate to play against because you’ll probably trip on his skirt and sprain your ankle.
Ugly few minutes for Vujacic there
After this game Sasha will vow to not wear anything with the colors blue, white and red in it.
I hate Vujacic so much.
Look at our box score and tell me we have a superstar. We have a balanced attack tonight.
Put the foot down and blow these chumps out. I want Hollinger to explain this bitch with numbers!
I like the chick in the front row who’s sitting, literally, 1′ from the court… getting irritated at the basketball player that lands in her lap. If you dont’ want front row seats… I’ll take em!
Iverson has significantly outplayed Kobe…
Brad - I thought EXACTLY the same thing when I saw the replay. I was like, oh pardon him for playing the sport your rich boyfriend paid to watch.
Brad - she’s irritated that sexy, sexy Herrmann isn’t in her lap
Vuja-bitch
Lamar Odom flavoured bullshit. Mmmm Delicious!
What the hell was that?
Vujacichk is the Western Conference version of Varejoaow
Vujacic used his spaz powers to sprain his own ankle! Unprecedented!
Header don’t lie
Garrett +1
Dagger!
TTTTTTTAYSHAUN!!!!!
Tay is much less of an emotionless robot, which is wonderful to watch! Awesome 3.
@ Rob G - like Andy V but without actually getting all the stupid calls. Varejao got away