Detroit Pistons, Sinking...As Expected.

[flounder]

Frustration, and time for the 'Blame Game'. When team president, Joe Dumars, (with the blessing of team owner, Bill Davidson), traded all-star guard Chauncey "Mr. Big Shot" Billups to the Denver Nuggets offering the 'lame' excuse of "Chauncey wanting to play before his home peeps", Dumars forgot to add that it was really a desire to 'dump' a huge contract. His asking price? Allen Iverson.. a headache for a seasoned veteran coach (AKA, many), 'death' for a rookie coach (AKA, Curry), and a 'stranger' to all. Nugget coach, George Karl, couldn't agree fast enough. He even helped A.I. pack his luggage and lunch. He was heard uttering, 'whew, now he's Detroits' problem. With Chauncey we're certain to make the playoffs'!

Detrot is currently experiencing an 8-game losing streak, thanks to the New Orleans Hornets 90-87, led by CP-3 and crew, After being blown-out by the Cavs (99-78) this past Sunday (for its 6-straight loss), Iverson was quoted saying, " We stunk (really?) the gym out. We usually play together on the road, but we acted like strangers".

The game resembled a scrimage, especially with former Piston Ben Wallace lobbing the games first shot from 16-20 feet. It glanced harmlessly off the backboard, but the tone and 'message' was there, i.e., 'you guys (Pistons) are not a threat, and we (Cavs) don't take you seriously'.

Rip Hamilton as 'sixth man"? Stranger than fiction! He probably did it as a favor to Curry--who probably felt too intimidated to ask A.I. to come off the bench. But now Hamilton is voicing his 'frustration'. "I said that I would come off the bench as long as we win. But we've been losing. We are 4-12 (since his new role began) with me coming off the bench. Something's got to give".

Rasheed Wallace received two more techs, and tossed a towel at the referee, which should invite League suspension. What else is new? Maybe this was his way of reminding the San Antonio Spurs of his desire to be added to their 'playoff' roster. After all they had another player who threw a towel during the game, and he succeeded (Robert Horry had a semilar temper tandrum during his short tenure with the old Phoenix Suns, when Danny Ainge was coach). It worked for him. San Antonio picked him up later from the Lakers. Maybe Wallace is on to something. Hmmmm.

The Pistons may not make the playoffs, this season. And if lucky enough to do so they'll be one-and-done. The problems facing this team seem like those that befell "Humpty Dumpty".
Joe Dumars is going to have a tough off-season trying to put this team back together.

They currently occupy the seventh slot in the Eastern Conference, only 1-game ahead of both Milwaukee and Chicago. The Bulls are poised to overtake them. The Knicks...the surprise Knicks--may even overtake them all! Don't laugh.

 

[ajc921]

he (dumas) has pretty much destroyed that team w/ that trade. i dont expect curry to be there long w/ that team....iverson is a certified headache to hall of fame coaches, so with curry there in his first year, he will destroy his first head coaching gig...

 

[RunawaySlave]

Once it gets to this point, I have nothing more to say. Proof is out there for all to see now.
Ironically, the Pistons swoon may help save Lawrence Franks' job in New Jersey (and the fact
that the little idiot is FINALLY using his 2nd best big man again)



Meanwhile.....down in Denver

 

[Thothprod]

Yep
Here in the "D" the jaws are real hard....coming out the gate this season IMO they had the strongest and deepest team in the NBA....Then that Fucked up trade......The Floor general,The chemistry and the morale of the team just plummeted....We held up hope that AI would integrate.....all in vain.....There have been times at the palace year that Joe D. had to leave his booth because the crowd was on his case...

I understand the salary cap thing....but Stuckey was not ready to take over the point and they are going to be hard pressed to find ANY PG that can deliver like Chauncey.....Joe is a Guard and I got to believe that most of this bullshit was instigated by The owner Davidson in his zeal to get a "Superstar"...a move that was mos def against the grain of The Pistons team philosophy....Other teams have peeped this and swarmed on it like hungry sharks

They are still my team....but they fucked it up in one fell swoop with that trade.....even if they are able to get somebody like Chris Bosh or Booxer ( who imo is too injury prone)...it will be for naught without a bonafide PG

Miracles do happen but not often....like I said they are still my boyz....but right now I have NO real expectations for sucess...
BTW Chauncey was crushed by the trade...and I don't believe the rest of the team ever recovered...it was unexpected.....so good luck to him ....but since the trade this has been a Gigantic Cluster Fuck!!

 

[flounder]

he (dumas) has pretty much destroyed that team w/ that trade. i dont expect curry to be there long w/ that team....iverson is a certified headache to hall of fame coaches, so with curry there in his first year, he will destroy his first head coaching gig...

My feelings, exactly! Sad, damn sad. I initially thought Joe Dumars was going to bring a little pride to the franchise. But, it's the same-o, same-o!

 

[flounder]

Yep
Here in the "D" the jaws are real hard....coming out the gate this season IMO they had the strongest and deepest team in the NBA....Then that Fucked up trade......The Floor general,The chemistry and the morale of the team just plummeted....We held up hope that AI would integrate.....all in vain.....There have been times at the palace year that Joe D. had to leave his booth because the crowd was on his case...

I understand the salary cap thing....but Stuckey was not ready to take over the point and they are going to be hard pressed to find ANY PG that can deliver like Chauncey.....Joe is a Guard and I got to believe that most of this bullshit was instigated by The owner Davidson in his zeal to get a "Superstar"...a move that was mos def against the grain of The Pistons team philosophy....Other teams have peeped this and swarmed on it like hungry sharks

They are still my team....but they fucked it up in one fell swoop with that trade.....even if they are able to get somebody like Chris Bosh or Booxer ( who imo is too injury prone)...it will be for naught without a bonafide PG

Miracles do happen but not often....like I said they are still my boyz....but right now I have NO real expectations for sucess...
BTW Chauncey was crushed by the trade...and I don't believe the rest of the team ever recovered...it was unexpected.....so good luck to him ....but since the trade this has been a Gigantic Cluster Fuck!!

Joe played the 'cap space' beautifully his first 5-6 years, and it worked perfectly for the Pistons. Like you said, hell, everybody does it now. Unfortunately, they do it better than Detroit.

As far as getting a bona fide "Superstar"? That's iffy,at best. Maybe an 'almost' superstar, but nothing on ther level of a Labron James or D-Wade. CP-3? Out of the question. Also, their 'team system' limits the type superstar they could get.

It seems like the team is destine to draw a lot of 'supporting type' players.Except for a few years, the Pistons basketball formula has always been the same..... as long as we 'compete', qualify for 7th or 8th ranking in the East, keep the Palace full to capacity, etc, etc., etc.

The Detroit Pistons have gradually become the Detroit Lions of the NBA. Perennial 'also-rans'. If they can get a Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, Isaiah Thomas, the rest can be anybody!

 

[RunawaySlave]

Damn, as usual the blame gets thrown all over the pace. Except where it should be directed. We've been through this dance before.
In Philly AND in Denver....

If that man's name was Marbury, y'all would be lining up to take ya potshots at him

 

[Thothprod]

Damn, as usual the blame gets thrown all over the pace. Except where it should be directed. We've been through this dance before.
In Philly AND in Denver....

If that man's name was Marbury, y'all would be lining up to take ya potshots at him

I ain't lettin AI off the hook....He did not come with his A game and probably still don't know the playbook...sometimes you really cannot "teach an old dog new tricks"
Still he could not have fucked things up without the help of the front office....If Joe was doing anything but following orders he got blame in it....actually from the git I was not comfortable...The team started to be billed as AI and his Pistons...ain't dat a bitch.....No way could that have sit well with the rest of the team...especially those wit rings....and his ass having none.....disusting!!

 

[j_jarette]

Frustration, and time for the 'Blame Game'. When team president, Joe Dumars, (with the blessing of team owner, Bill Davidson), traded all-star guard Chauncey "Mr. Big Shot: Billups to the Denver Nuggets offering the 'lame' of excuse "Chauncey wanting to play before his home peeps", Dumars forgot to add that it was really a desire to 'dump' a huge contract. His asking price? Allen Iverson.. a headache for a seasoned veteran coach (AKA, many), 'death' for a rookie coach (AKA, Curry), and a 'stranger' to all. Nugget coach, George Karl, couldn't agree fast enough. He even helped A.I. pack his luggage and lunch. He was heard uttering, 'whew, now he's Detroits' problem. With Chauncey we're certain to make the playoffs'!

Detrot is currently experiencing an 8-game losing streak, thanks to the New Orleans Hornets 90-87, led by CP-3 and crew, After being blown-out by the Cavs (99-78) this past Sunday (for its 6-straight loss), Iverson was quoted saying, " We stunk (really?) the gym out. We usually play together on the road, but we acted like strangers".

The game resembled a scrimage, especially with former Piston Ben Wallace lobbing the games first shot from 16-20 feet. It glanced harmlessly off the backboard, but the tone and 'message' was there, i.e., 'you guys (Pistons) are not a threat, and we (Cavs) don't take you seriously'.

Rip Hamilton as 'sixth man"? Stranger than fiction! He probably did it as a favor to Curry--who probably felt too intimidated to ask A.I. to come off the bench. But now Hamilton is voicing his 'frustration'. "I said that I would come off the bench asd long as we win. But we've been losing. We are 4-12 (since his new role began) with me coming off the bench. Something's got to give".

Rasheed Wallace received two more techs, and tossed a towel at the referee, which should invite League suspension. What else is new? Maybe this was his way of reminding the San Antonio Spurs of his desire to be added to their 'playoff' roster. After all they had another player who threw a towel during the game, and he succeeded (Robert Horry had a semilar temper tandrum during his short tenure with the old Phoenix Suns, when Danny Ainge was coach). It worked for him. San Antonio picked him up later from the Lakers. Maybe Wallace is on to something. Hmmmm.

The Pistons may not make the playoffs, this season. And if lucky enough to do so they'll be one-and-done. The problems facing this team seem like those that befell "Humpty Dumpty".
Joe Dumars is going to have a tough off-season trying to put this team back together.

They currently occupy the seventh slot in the Eastern Conference, only 1-game ahead of both Milwaukee and Chicago. The Bulls are poised to overtake them. The Knicks...the surprise Knicks--may even overtake them all! Don't laugh.

thats show how good billups really was. All it takes is 1 thing to sink a team to the bottom sometimes like the pistons. It was a business move. They still could be winning if the traded any 1 but billups.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Damn, as usual the blame gets thrown all over the pace. Except where it should be directed. We've been through this dance before.
In Philly AND in Denver....

If that man's name was Marbury, y'all would be lining up to take ya potshots at him

Not at all. But the peoples mistake is that they want him to be a PG. He can run the point or defend quick PGs. It was a bad trade.

I was having the sense that A.I. didn't care about this year anyway. He is a F/A so he can go where he wants next year. He can't HONESTLY believe the Denver squad he was on was worse than the Pistons squad.

That being said, Detroit is too small and doesn't rebound..no team defense.

 

[RunawaySlave]

He cannot defend ANYBODY. Or rather he won't because he is too worried about "getting his". If he was at the 2 position, then we'd be talking about how he can't defend bigger guards either. Yet I've heard his name mentioned in the same sentences as Isiah and Tiny as the greatest little man to ever do it". So now he can't compete with little men after all?? To me, those excuses are just copouts

 

[keysersoze]

I think Alexw said it in another thread, the biggest mistake of Joe Dumars was letting Ben Wallace go...

made the Pistons too small, especially with Rasheed Wallace thinking he is the Reggie Miller reincarnated... I mean, who is the low post is Sheed is on the perimeter - skinny arms T Prince, going at it alone against the other teams big men for rebounds??

That's where they messed up... AI has nothing to do with the fact that Pistons are small/weak at the PF and C position.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

He cannot defend ANYBODY. Or rather he won't because he is too worried about "getting his". If he was at the 2 position, then we'd be talking about how he can't defend bigger guards either. Yet I've heard his name mentioned in the same sentences as Isiah and Tiny as the greatest little man to ever do it". So now he can't compete with little men after all?? To me, those excuses are just copouts

That is not a copout at all.. That is actually well know that he gets steals by playing passing lanes and has ALWAYS been a defensive liability.

The difference beween him and Marbury is that no one has really tried to force Marbury to change his game. Every coach has tried to turn Iverson into something he wasn't. The last full season he was in Denver and the year Larry Brown coached him was his most effective, because he bought into the system.

The HARDEST two positions to replace are Center and PG. You can't replace what Chauncey brings to a team.

 

[orange roughy]

The Detroit Pistons have gradually become the Detroit Lions of the NBA. Perennial 'also-rans'. If they can get a Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, Isaiah Thomas, the rest can be anybody!

man, not even close. Maybe the Lions of the 90's.
But the have won 1 championship, played for another, and have been in teh final 4 or final 8 numerous times. The lions have never been shit since 1957, so this is really piling on.

I decided to wait until February before i chipped in my thoughts. Clearly Ben and Chauncey were the champs on the team, the rest were role players. Both the big dogs are now gone, so we gotta replace them with some grind it out defensive guys. Coach was not ready for this, it's clear. Maybe down theline, but certainly not now, not here.

Really nothing to watch around here for me. Not into Hockey, and don't give a shit about baseball. Rough times for Michigan fans too...

so, good luck other teams. I hope that at least a few upsets creep into the playoffs this year.

OR

 

[RunawaySlave]

Ummmm....

Orlando AND Boston??
I ain't replyin no more

 

[Thothprod]

Ummmm....

Orlando AND Boston??
I ain't replyin no more

Yea The Fat Lady mos def has not song!!

 

[orange roughy]

New life for the Pistons with AI on the bench/IR?? Seems that they found their swagger again. Hope it lasts to the Playoffs...

OR

 

[Ruff Ryder]

The Pistons had a good run with a bunch of nobodys and got a championship out of it.

Now its time to rebuild, big deal.

I just want them to move back to the city, its a damn shame you gotta drive 40 minutes north of Detroit to see a Pistons game.

 

[4 Dimensional]

I know that the Pistons are not having a good season at all. But never underestimate the of champions. If the play-offs was to start now I think they would be playing the Magic. Detroit always beat the Magic even this year.

But Detroit is 9-1 [4-0 with Billups; 5-1 no A.I.] this year w/o Iverson. They play better without Iverson point blank. He is coming back from injury at some point. Nevermind.............

It over for the Pistons. I tried to give them some hope. Looks kind of bad.

 

[flounder]

The Pistons had a good run with a bunch of nobodys and got a championship out of it.

Now its time to rebuild, big deal.

I just want them to move back to the city, its a damn shame you gotta drive 40 minutes north of Detroit to see a Pistons game.

You and I KNOW that ain't about to happen. Joe Louis arena or Cobo Hall could increase their seating capacity four-fold, but it will always be easier having a substantial 'fan' flow going North, than South!! When I was there, the fans were going to the Pontiac Silverdome. And if Davison hadn't engineered the Palace, fans would strill be going to Pontiac.!

The man's making money, big money. Why even think about changing. As the saying goes, "...build it and they will come".

 

[Spectrum]

Man... the silverdome used to be the shit for the Pistons game..those were the real fans... I hated it when they moved to the Palace.... it priced the real fans out and it was boring as hell in there watching the game...my fam had season tickets during that time

 

[FreshDoug]

I think the demise of the Pistons is quite premature. Get rid of AI and they will be alright. Just keep watchin come playoff time. I see it aint no real Pistons fans in this thread. NO FAITH. Spoiled asses.

 

[FreshDoug]

And dont believe AI is comin back. If he cant sit on the bench and support his team while he`s injured.( Doctors orders ). Then why can he sit his ass in a casino chair for 8 hours at a time. I work at the casino he stays at, so answer that one. He aint comin back unless its off the bench. Maybe not at all. Mark these words. THE PISTONS AINT GOING NOWHERE. All of yall cryin about this or that. Bookmark this shit!

 

[Ruff Ryder]

The man's making money, big money. Why even think about changing. As the saying goes, "...build it and they will come".

True,

Bill Davidson has that old school thinking about crossing 8 mile, but it would be nice to see a Pistons arena downtown next door to Comerica Park and Ford Field.

Remember when Monaghan owned the Tigers and said that suburbanite fans would not come to the city to see a game and the Red Wings were selling out every game at Joe Louis.



Anyway back to the original topic,

I figure Joe D. is gonna shake A.I. and Sheed after this season and that will free up a lot of money for future endeavors.

 

[Thothprod]

Man... the silverdome used to be the shit for the Pistons game..those were the real fans... I hated it when they moved to the Palace.... it priced the real fans out and it was boring as hell in there watching the game...my fam had season tickets during that time

Actually IMO their best Spot was when they played @ Cobo Hall...Then The Folks from the Hood could just catch a bus to the games...Thats where Dave Bing and Bob Lanier played....right in the heart of Downtown Detroit....But Davidson got to croak for that to even be a ideal ....and I think that mofo is a Nosferatu (The Undead)

 

[flounder]

True,

Bill Davidson has that old school thinking about crossing 8 mile, but it would be nice to see a Pistons arena downtown next door to Comerica Park and Ford Field.

Remember when Monaghan owned the Tigers and said that suburbanite fans would not come to the city to see a game and the Red Wings were selling out every game at Joe Louis.



Anyway back to the original topic,

I figure Joe D. is gonna shake A.I. and Sheed after this season and that will free up a lot of money for future endeavors.

Bad example! Monaghan was crap, as evidenced by the way the Tigers performed under his crappy watch. Even his pizza tasted like crap! Mike Illich would be a much better choice. At least Mike put his money where his mouth is. The Tigers had never seen that kind of money invested in both players and team. Hell, if Monaghan was still the owner, they'd still be playing in the old Tiger stadium.

The fans gladly come from the suburbs to see the Red Wings because the Red Wings ALWAYS win or contend. They know that they'll always see a top product....making the Joe special.

The Copa's the same way. It's fan friendly, and the players are a lot better than those of the past.

I agree with your assessment about both A.I. and Sheed. You can also throw Kwame in there with them. Joe should have sent Sheed packing two years ago when he had a little trade value.

 

[Spectrum]

Actually IMO their best Spot was when they played @ Cobo Hall...Then The Folks from the Hood could just catch a bus to the games...Thats where Dave Bing and Bob Lanier played....right in the heart of Downtown Detroit....But Davidson got to croak for that to even be a ideal ....and I think that mofo is a Nosferatu (The Undead)

That was a bit before my time... I heard about it though..yeah..right downtown must have been hot... man..how old is Davidson.. He's over 90 right?

 

[Spectrum]

That was a bit before my time... I heard about it though..yeah..right downtown must have been hot... man..how old is Davidson.. He's over 90 right?

Thothprod,

damn..crazy timing



AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson, a noted philanthropist who was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame last year, has died. He was 86.

Services are scheduled for Tuesday at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, according to the Ira Kaufman Chapel Funeral Home. A cause and location of death were not immediately known.

Davidson became majority owner of the Pistons in 1974. He also owned the WNBA’s Detroit Shock and Palace Sports & Entertainment, comprising The Palace of Auburn Hills and DTE Energy Music Theatre.

Forbes magazine had ranked the Bloomfield Hills billionaire as one of the richest people in Michigan, tied for 68th in the country.

Nicknamed “Mr. D” and occasionally spotted courtside at Pistons home games, Davidson shied away from the limelight. He granted only a handful of interviews and turned down requests for dozens more while three of his pro sports teams were winning league championships over an 8-month span in 2003 and 2004.

“I just don’t want to be a public figure,” he told The Associated Press in 2004. “I don’t see any point in it.”


Davidson was chairman and president of Guardian Industries Corp., a major manufacturer of glass products for the construction and automotive industries and fiberglass insulation products. He also was an honored philanthropist, giving away more than $80 million in the 1990s alone.

Spurned in his bids to buy the NFL’s Detroit Lions and NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, Davidson became majority owner of the Pistons in 1974 and acquired the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1999, spending lavishly on both teams.

Davidson bought Roundball One for the Pistons, making them the first pro sports team with their own airplane. He built a state-of-the-art practice facility for the club, and used it himself to work out.

The Palace, located less than a half-mile from Guardian Industries headquarters, was built for $90 million—all of it Davidson’s money—and won instant acclaim as a sports and entertainment venue when it opened in 1988.

The Lightning and the Pistons won the NHL and NBA titles eight days apart in June 2004, making Davidson the first owner of concurrent champions in major North American team sports.

The Shock had won the WNBA championship eight months earlier, having risen from last place and the threat of folding in 2002 to first place and league-leading crowds the following year. The Shock also won the league championship in 2006.

Davidson sold the Lightning last year.

Davidson was born Dec. 5, 1922, in Detroit. He ran track at Michigan, played football in the Navy during World War II and was an inaugural inductee into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Davidson earned a law degree from Wayne State University in 1949. He practiced law for three years before taking over a wholesale drug company and rescuing it from bankruptcy. He did likewise with a surgical supply company and then with his family’s Guardian Glass Co., Guardian Industries’ predecessor.

In 1997, the Council of Michigan Foundations honored Davidson for his lifelong philanthropic efforts locally, nationally and internationally.