Saturday’s “Battle of the Suck”, between Indiana and Detroit, resulted in a rare win for Detroit, although an unwelcome one at this point. Come on, let’s get us a decent draft pick here.

However, Ricky Johnson, via a Yahoo contributed story, believed differently:

Really, did anyone truly believe that the Indiana Pacers were going to defeat the Detroit Pistons? I understand that the Pacers are running a better record and season, but that is just mere coincidence and time and chance. As a fan that has been watching Detroit for a long time, Saturday’s night game on March 26, 2011, went pretty much exactly how I expected it to go.

[...]

The Pacers are a decent team, and played fairly well. What is lacking is, well, talent. They could also use a little more hunger and vision for where they want to be. Until then, maybe they will have better fortune in the next game (I doubt it).

Pretty good deal, if you ask me (you are asking me, right?).

There’s been a lot of negative chatter on the efficiency of this move, but from one Dumars critic to another, I’m just not buying much of it. Offer McGrady anything above the veteran’s minimum, and my tone might be a bit different. The truth is, the Pistons are gambling pocket change for a guy who just might stay healthy/keep a positive attitude this time. If he turns into a drama queen in December, dump him. If he’s having back spasms by January, then he’ll probably retire. But the Pistons lost next to nothing in the process.

I’m thinking of it as a low-risk, low-to-mid-reward scenario, if that makes sense. If Rip doesn’t get traded, then he’ll make an efficient backup at the two or three. Keep him healthy, and he’ll probably upstage Tayshaun on a regular basis. But the “but” lies therein – McGrady comes with the dubious health. Curse those knees/legs/back!

Enter Arnie Kander . . . result: optimistically unknown.

So far now, I have faith in T-Mac. He comes with a fraction of the baggage that Iverson came with, and we’re not swapping anybody important, or potentially important for him. In fact, we’re not swiping anybody at all. If there’s any has-been superstar that has the lowest amount of team-related risk attached to him, I’d say it’s Tracy McGrady.

Now let’s get a damn big man already.

From freep.com:

Free agent big man Ben Wallace has agreed to a two-year deal at $1.9 million per season to remain with the Pistons. The Pistons will use their bi-annual exception on Wallace.

The deal still isn’t official but is expected to be completed later this week. Wallace, 35, told the Associated Press that he agreed to the deal earlier this week after being contacted by several teams. It became apparent late in the season that despite the Pistons’ woeful 27-55 record, Wallace would return. He had fun last season after several injury-marred campaigns.

Wallace was a mainstay on the 2004 world championship team, and he has been named Defensive Player of the Year four times.

Wallace said he’s confident he’s not coming back to a losing team.

“When we’re healthy, we’re pretty good,” he said. “If we stay healthy and improve, I think we’ll be able to compete.”

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I will resume pistonpost.com posts in the second week of Janurary.

Happy holidays and Go Pistons!

Vince Ellis/DFP:

For now, the remedy is rest for the ruptured disc in Tayshaun Prince’s back, but possible surgery to correct the problem hasn’t been ruled out.

The team announced after Saturday’s practice that the seven-year veteran will be out indefinitely because of the back injury that ended his streak of 436 consecutive starts with Tuesday’s home game against the Magic.

The Pistons realized the seriousness of the problem Tuesday and he underwent treatment immediately to help ease the problem. His back responded at first and felt better, but things haven’t gotten better since.

So Prince is continuing treatment and he isn’t expected back in the foreseeable future.

Former Piston Rick Mahorn suffered a similar injury in the preseason of the 1987-88 season and it caused him to miss two weeks in March of that season. He eventually had surgery that July and recovered in time for training camp the following season.

If you want in, drop me an e-mail at pistonpost@gmail.com with the e-mail address you want the invitation sent to.

Like I said, only 8 more available spots. Of course, this is 100% free — first come, first served!

If you post a comment now, you should have no problems whatsoever. In the rare occasion that you do, please let me know ASAP via the “Contact” tab near the top of the page.

If you want in, drop me an e-mail at pistonpost@gmail.com with the subject line “Fantasy” and the e-mail address you want the invitation sent to.

Like I said, only 15 more available spots. First come, first served! Don’t miss out on six months of relentless head-to-head fantasy basketball!

The circumstances are sad (in regards to JR), but Arron Afflalo will likely be allowed to take advantage of them.

Afflalo is the favorite to start in Smith’s spot during his suspension, according to the Denver Post.

The loss of Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza left a pretty damn big gap in the Nuggets rotation, especially defensively. Guess who fit right in? Our own Mr. Afflalo, who Karl practically picked up by saying ‘please’ with those big puppy eyes of his.

If you were with me earlier this summer, you may recall my “Please Joe, don’t give Arron away” rant that was posted about three hours prior to Afflalo’s departure. And wouldn’t ya know it, but everyone in Denver just loves the kid.

In almost a sick, twisted reversal of fortune, George Karl raves about Arron, calling him “tremendous” and saying that “the coaching staff loves him.” And of course, Chauncey had to throw his two cents in too, just to make it sting a little more.

Ugh, more depressing news from the Piston Post. I’ve gotta start popping Prozacs before I post or something.

The next post will be a happy one, I promise.

Sincerest apologies for the lack of posts as of late, I’m out of town for a few weeks. Don’t lose hope though! “Business as usual” will resume on September 5th.

See you then!

Until then, here’s an open thread for everything Wilcox. Consider it a test run of my new “thumbs up thumbs down” comment rating system.

Respect.

PS – If you’re the RSS update type (which I highly recommend), add our live feed here.

This could also open the door to signing the Mavs’ forward Brandon Bass.

It’s a shame we had to lose another veteran to another team that I absolutely hate. At this point, however, I really don’t blame him for leaving.

By: Steve Kyler – HoopsWorld

Former Piston forward Antonio McDyess has agreed to join the San Antonio Spurs. Word is he’ll sign a three-year deal with two years fully guaranteed and a third non-guaranteed year. McDyess coming off the market also changes the path of Brandon Bass, rumor has it that New Orleans and Orlando are the strongest suitors for Bass, however sources close to Brandon’s camp say with McDyess leaving Detroit, the Pistons who have a little bit of change left under the salary cap after deals with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva will pursue Bass.

All of it may be futile, as it’s believed the Dallas Mavericks have told Bass to find his best deal and they would likely match it. Bass is unrestircted so he can choose any team he likes, but if the Mavericks will top the best offer he receives, he may be a free agent ghost.
Magic GM Otis Smith is expected to take the entire seven days before making a final decision on restricted free agent Marcin Gortat, with an informed sources saying Otis intend to play Gortat against Bass, saying to Bass if he does not make a decision on Orlando the team would match Gortat. It’s believed Antonio McDyess was the second name on Orlando’s wish list.

By Chris Mannix, SI.com

The Detroit Pistons have agreed to terms with Cavaliers assistant coach John Kuester to be their new head coach, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told SI.com.

Another league source said the contract was for two seasons with a team option for a third year.

The Pistons zeroed in on Kuester on Monday after contract negotiations with ESPN analyst and former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson broke down over the weekend. Kuester, a former Pistons assistant coach under Larry Brown from 2004-06 and an NBA assistant coach since 1990, is considered to be one of the most qualified lieutenants in the NBA, having been an assistant for six NBA teams and having worked under top coaches such as Brown and Cleveland’s Mike Brown. Kuester is a former head coach at Boston University and George Washington.

A formal announcement will come later this week.

Can’t really put this one on Joe Dumars either, if Avery was really demanding a long-term contract at $4-5 million a year, it doesn’t really fit into the rebuilding equation.

It looks like the position will now be between Cavs’ assistant coach John Kuester and Celtics’ assistant Tom Thibodeau. Hope those assistant coaches don’t turn out like the last assistant coach Detroit hired.

By VINCE ELLIS • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • July 7, 2009

Pistons president of operations Joe Dumars confirmed this afternoon that Avery Johnson is no longer in the running for the Detroit Pistons head coaching vacancy.

The announcement was made after the two sides could not come to terms on a contract.

It is widely believed that Cleveland Cavaliers assistant John Kuester is now the favorite to get the job, but Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau remains under serious consideration.

Johnson, currently an ESPN studio analyst, has a career winning percentage of nearly 75% and was once two wins from an NBA title. It was believed that type of resume made his asking price a bit steep. There were also reports that Johnson, 44, wanted a say in personnel matters, something Dumars was unlikely to be open to.

It now appears that Dumars will turn to Kuester, 54, a longtime assistant who has never been a head coach at the professional level but was a member of Larry Brown’s staff in 2004 when the Pistons won the title.

I’m actually pretty surprised he signed with Boston, considering his playing time will be considerably lower compared to signing with the Magic or Spurs. The Celtics will likely use their mid-level exception and sign him for two years. $5.6 million is a bargain for Sheed will probably do when he’s on a Boston roster that actually motivates him.

I will remember Sheed like I remember Michael Jackson: blocking out all the “questionable” things he did in his career. I guess that includes signing with the Boston Celtics. Guess I should’ve seen it coming.

From Boston Globe:

An NBA source said tonight that Detroit free agent forward Rasheed Wallace has committed to sign with the Celtics on July 8 when free agents are able to sign. Wallace is expected to get a two-year deal using the mid-level exception (expected to be about $5.6 million to $5.8 million). Celtics All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, owner Wyc Grousbeck, coach Doc Rivers and president Danny Ainge met with Wallace last week. Wallace turned down overtures from Orlando and San Antonio to commit to Boston.
The Celtics also have interest in Suns free agent forward Grant Hill. Despite a Fanhouse report that Rivers was to meet with Hill today in Orlando, its uncertain if he did and Rivers declined comment. All Boston can offer is the $1.9 million bi-annual exception.

It’s a good thing this happened after the Gordon signing, because this move give Joe Dumars a smidgen if his reputability back. I have always liked Villanueva and believe he is grossly underrated. $7 million a season is fair for Chuck’s talent level and will be a bargain when he continues to improve. Really, the guy’s a potential all-star.

But Ben Gordon, not so much. And yet his contract entails $20 million more over the 5 years. I’m confused at Dumars’ logic…and that’s saying it politely.

Yahoo Sports:

Gordon will receive a five-year contract worth around $55 million while Villanueva’s five-year deal is expected to be worth about $35 million.

Gordon and Villanueva, who played together for a year at UConn, traveled to Detroit on Wednesday morning to meet with Detroit president Joe Dumars and other Pistons front-office officials. They took a tour of the practice facility in Auburn Hills, had lunch with management and both ultimately came to terms on an agreement. Gordon agreed first and Villanueva followed soon after.

From Yahoo! Sports:

The Detroit Pistons have reached agreement with free-agent guard Ben Gordon(notes) on a five-year contract worth around $55 million, a source with knowledge of the talks told Yahoo! Sports Wednesday evening.

The Pistons are continuing to negotiate with forward Charlie Villanueva(notes).

July 8 is the first day free agents can sign contracts.

Gordon and Villanueva, who played together for a year at UConn, traveled to Detroit on Wednesday morning to meet with Detroit president Joe Dumars.

From mlive.com:

AUBURN HILLS – The never-ending carousel of coaches for the Detroit Pistons continues with the announcement that head coach Michael Curry has been fired.

“This was a difficult decision to make,” said Joe Dumars, Detroit’s president of basketball operations. “I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change.”

Curry went 39-43 in his first season as Detroit was swept out of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The news of Curry’s dismissal was just reaching players Tuesday morning.

“I just found out about 10 minutes ago,” Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey said in a phone interview.

“It’s always sad to lose a coach,” Stuckey said. “But like I always say, this is a business and in this business, you have to be prepared and ready for anything.”

The timing of Dumars’ decision — on the eve of free agency — could be just a coincidence, or it could speak to some concerns that potential Pistons targets and their representatives were having with Curry as the head coach.

While it’s unclear who the Pistons will hire as the team’s next head coach, former Piston and Detroit Shock coach Bill Laimbeer’s name will surely come up in discussions.

However, Detroit will likely look to bring in a more experienced coach like Avery Johnson, who as the Dallas Mavericks coach, won 100 games faster than any coach in NBA history. However, his struggles during the playoffs — sound familiar? — ultimately led to the Mavericks firing him in April of 2008.

You can even view our Twitter feed from the right sidebar of this site, just above where the Poll is located. Looking forward to starting a Pistons community with all of you!

Oberto didn’t even last 24 hours with Milwaukee, of whom he had just been dealt as part of the Richard Jefferson swap.

Oberto probably won’t be much of a step-up from Amir, who was the dictionary definition of “going nowhere” with the Pistons. Oberto did show signs of decency a couple seasons ago, but I only know that because he was on my fantasy squad.

Best of luck to Mr. Johnson, maybe the kid can catch a break in a different town.

Okay, now they’re just rubbing it in.

I will, however, lobby that Rip Hamilton should have received at least one or two votes, despite his sub-par first 20-30 games.

Last season, Chauncey, Sheed, Rip, and Tayshaun all received votes, as well as future Piston Allen Iverson. Chauncey received 38 votes and Sheed tallied 22. Doesn’t take long for things to take a turn for the worst does it?

If you have any comments on the new layout, leave a comment on this post or drop me a line at pistonpost@gmail.com.

Keep checking back for more updates! Hopefully our new website will turn out better than the Pistons’ playoff “run” did…

P.S. Make sure to vote in the latest poll!

Go Pistons!

From what I’ve seen in interviews, it looks like it.  The veteran has said numerous times that he wants nothing else than to win a ring with Detroit.  Dumars said he was “bouncing off the walls” with excitement.

“I’ve done so many things in this league as far as being an All-Star, scoring champion, first-team All-NBA and things like that. But I haven’t accomplished my No. 1 goal and that’s to win a championship. Like I was telling Joe earlier today, I’m willing to sacrifice whatever I’m willing to sacrifice to get it done. I’ve tried it my way plenty of times. I’ve tried it different ways and it hasn’t been done,” Iverson said.

As long as Chauncey, Dice, and Cheikh pass their Denver physicals today, The Answer will indeed be playing in Pistons’ blue tonight.

His offseason promise to shake the Pistons core has been fulfilled, and a trade deal has been finalized that will send Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to the Denver Nuggets in return for one of the league’s premiere (but aging) point guards: Allen Iverson.

There’s word that Cheikh Samb may also be heading to Denver as well.

I wholeheartedly give my stamp of approval to this trade.  Allen Iverson fits much, much better into the scoring style that Michael Curry has delivered.  AI and Rodney Stuckey could develop into a beautiful relationship.

So long, Chauncey and Dice- it’s been fun…

I’ll keep you up-to-date.

Join myself and Piston Post visitors from around the world Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. EST as we conduct the first-ever LIVE BlogCast of Opening Night! Chat with other Pistons (and Pacers) fans as we talk about the game as it happens!

I’ll meet everyone back here at around 7:45 p.m. EST…see you there!!

Click the “play” icon (under ‘Watch Now’) to start.

As part of Kids’ Opening Night on Saturday, November 1 when the Pistons host the Washington Wizards, twelve kids, between the ages of 10 and 14 will get the opportunity to experience the life of an NBA star.

Enter here!

To sign up for a chance to announce the lineup, click here.

For those of you who want to join the annual Piston Post fantasy NBA league, it’s that time of year again!

To join, visit http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba and log in with your Yahoo ID.  After logging in, go to the “Sign Up Now!” tab.  Go to the “Join League” tab, then click “Join Custom” on the next page.

In the “League ID” box, type in 77535.  In the password box, type in curry.

The live draft will be held this Sunday, October 19 at 3:00 p.m. EST.

See ya there!

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Pistons have re-signed forward Walter Herrmann.

Terms were not disclosed.

Team president of basketball operations Joe Dumars says in a statement issued Monday that the 29-year-old Herrmann “is a player with tremendous work ethic and showed last year that he is a player that can contribute” to the team.

The 6-foot-9, 229-pound Herrmann was acquired by the Pistons in 2007 along with Primoz Brezec in a trade that sent Nazr Mohammed to the Charlotte Bobcats.He played in 28 games with Detroit and averaged 3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game.

Herrmann was undrafted and signed with Charlotte as a free agent in 2006. He played six seasons in his native Argentina and four seasons in Spain.

In case you weren’t around at the deadline, Brown was dealt in part for that blockbuster trade the Lakers pulled off for Pau Gasol.  He was picked #1 overall in ’01, but has lived up to his early picking about as much as Darko did back in the day (although not quite that bad).  At 6’11″, Washington drafted him for his athleticism, which hopefully can be squeezed out of him, considering he averaged under 4&4 in his 15 games with Memphis last season.

The guy hasn’t really put up decent numbers since 2004, I can only hope that the steep price tag pays off (yes $4 million is steep).  He’s getting paid slighter more than Amir Johnson is, and I honestly see exponentially greater potential in Amir.  Granted, he did get paid $9.1 million last year, but that’s just ridiculous.

Looks to me like Joe D is banking a little too heavily on the whole “diamond in the rough” mentality.

Former Piston Carlos Delfino has signed a three-year deal with BC Khimki according to Eurocup Basketball. Delfino played four seasons in the NBA, three with the Pistons and one with the Toronto Raptors. Last season with the Raptors, Delfino averaged 9.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.The Pistons had been rumored to be interested in the 6-6 shooting guard earlier in the free agent signing period.Delfino played in Europe prior to his four years in the NBA.

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Virtus Roma pulled off another big signing on Sunday with the announcement that center Primoz Brezec will join the club. Brezec (216, 29) arrives from Toronto of the NBA. He returns to Europe after seven seasons in the NBA, spent with Indiana, Charlotte and Detroit before joining Toronto. He played in the Euroleague with Union Olimpija before heading to the United States. Brezec’s best season overseas came in 2004-05, when he averaged 13 points and 7.4 rebounds in 72 games for Charlotte. His career averages in the NBA are 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 321 regular season games.

Judging from a disturbing trend of former Pistons flourishing on their new teams, I have no doubt that Hayes will shine in Jersey.  I didn’t like how he was benched the entire playoffs, even when we needed his catch-and-shoot the most. I would want to leave too if I were him, even if it was mainly too to Flip Saunders’ decision-making. I still think that Jarvis Hayes is one of the most valuable 3-point shooters in the league when you’re in need of the points- I guess the Pistons disagreed.

The only justifiable action in this scenario would be the re-acquisition of Carlos Delfino, who is currently speaking with the Pistons on a potential signing. Delfino, although not as good a spot up shooter as Hayes, was more mobile and could work wonders around the basket. Very underappreciated- especially by Pistons fans, but it would be great to see him back without the Saunders drama this time around.

The Pistons have been in contact with several free-agent swingmen around the league, and one name is particularly interesting.

Former Piston Carlos Delfino is among the free agents the team is considering signing. Tomorrow is the first day NBA free agents can sign contracts, although they can agree to deals earlier.

Delfino, a 6-foot-6 forward from Argentina, averaged nine points per game in 82 games for the Toronto Raptors last season, his fourth year in the NBA.

A restricted free agent, Delfino received a qualifying offer by the Raptors in June, which means Toronto has the right to match any offer he gets.

But the Raptors have a glut of swingmen and might be reluctant to match.

Tayshaun Prince earned a spot on the USA Basketball team for the Beijing Games, a person in the NBA told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Dwyane Wade will join Prince on the team barring a last-minute change for the Miami Heat guard, according to a person familiar with the decision.

The two sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the roster will be announced Monday during a news conference in Chicago.Prince’s Pistons teammate Chauncey Billups pulled himself out of consideration for a spot on the U.S. team earlier this week. The All-Star point guard might have had a hard time making the team anyway because of available guards such as Jason Kidd, Wade, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

“Decisions like this are difficult to make,” team president Joe Dumars said on the team’s Web site. “However, at this time, I feel it is necessary to make a change.”Saunders was 176-70 in three seasons in Detroit and guded the team to three straight Eastern Conference finals. But the Pistons fell short of the NBA finals each time.

Cash in on the goods here.

At the Pistons’ shootaround Tuesday morning, Saunders was asked a standard question about what he planned to do while filling out the active roster for Game 1, and the coach gave his standard answer:

“Joe [Dumars] and I will talk about it,” Flip Saunders said.

After the chat, the Pistons decided to activate little-used forward Amir Johnson, who gives the team more depth in the frontcourt, and deactivate guard Juan Dixon, forward Walter Herrmann and rookie Cheikh Samb.

Johnson did not play in Game 1, as Saunders went to a nine-man rotation.

But just the fact that the Pistons have to sit down and make decisions regarding whom to activate for a playoff game proves that one of the organization’s main priorities last off-season — developing a deeper bench — has come to fruition at the most crucial time of year.

“When we signed some guys over the course of the summer and the draft, and as far as the trades we made,” Saunders said, “we had the ability to play a lot of different guys depending on the style of play we’re playing against, who we’re playing against and what we feel we need to do.”

I guess Dixon’s deactivation can be justified with Stuckey’s performance, but I would have liked to see at least an attempt to stick Walter Herrmann on Kevin Garnett.  Not only do I think his great defense on mobile big men could possibly shut KG down, but I’m not sure if KG would be able to guard such a versatile player such as Herrmann. Call me Walter-biased…

Pistons assistant coach Terry Porter was interviewed Thursday by Suns general manager Steve Kerr for the vacant head coach job in Phoenix, according to ESPN.

Kerr told ESPN that he flew in and out of the Detroit area Thursday to speak with Porter, who he played with for a few seasons in San Antonio.

Porter, in his second year as a Pistons assistant, was the head coach for the Bucks from 2003-2005. He posted a record of 71-92.

The Suns recently lost coach Mike D’Antoni to the Knicks.

Calling ALL fans of ALL NBA teams! David Stern threatens to take away our beloved pregame pyrotechnic displays and WE can help stop him!

Click here to be redirected to the petition.

After seeing this debacle from a “professional” newspaper’s website, I can officially state that the Orlando Sentinel has no class either.

All photos are from the Orlando Sentinel’s website.

 A bit over the top if you ask me, hard to believe a “professional” newspaper would publish this on their “professional” website.

Ehh, I’d say about $10,000 since that’s what I saw Stan Van Gundy paying to have Antonio McDyess fouled out of every game.

JJ? Who’s JJ? Ohhhh, J.J. Redick, that guy that always sits on the bench while the city of Orlando leans on the false hope that he’ll transform into the next Daniel Gibson.

Off topic, but is drinking lighter fluid an Orlando tailgate ritual?

I can’t believe I’m seeing signs like this one, not after seeing 95% of Magic fans holding signs about the shot clock fiasco in Game 2 (see below).

I’m used to seeing ample attacks on Sheed’s “whining”, but I don’t think he’s the one that needs to be quieted here. The sign should look more like this:

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Pistons forward Antonio McDyess returned to Detroit on Saturday and had surgery to repair the broken nose he suffered in Game 3 of their playoff series with Philadelphia.

Pistons coach Flip Saunders said McDyess’ availability for Sunday’s Game 4 would depend on how he felt after surgery. McDyess was injured Friday in the third quarter of Detroit’s 95-75 loss to the 76ers.

-AP

However, we are back up and running just in time for the Pistons-Raptors game.

Check back early tomorrow for the recap…

-Piston Post Staff

Check out the Photos section for all 21 photos!