And the Losses keep coming...

Well, what really is there to say after this latest lost to OKC, the worst team in the NBA. I can't seem to figure this team out. It certainly seemed like they were playing better while Rip was out. I just think that having Rip and Tayshaun continue to play out of position is not the "Answer," if you will. In fact, I don't know if the "Answer" is the the answer. The fact of the matter is that I really think that as Pistons fans we need to be honest with ourselves and accept this year for what it is; a transition period. I think we can all agree that this team has no chance at competing for an NBA title, and will probably struggle to grab a top 4 spot in the Eastern Conference. Several factors contribute to this:

1. Michael Curry is a rookie head coach - I really like MC's attitude, but it's going to take him some time to get acclimated to this role. I can't remember the last time a rookie head coach guided a team to a title, if it's ever happened. If it has, let me know!

2. Rodney Stuckey is a rookie floor leader - I certainly love Stuckey's game! He has the makings of a super star in this league. He can simply dominate a game when he chooses too. However, I think he too is learning on the fly to be a floor general. The day will come when he will be a perennial all-star. I think he needs a season or 2 to get there.

3. Supporting Cast - Let's face it, Sheed, AI, and Dice, all guys you need to lean on to win a championship are all past their prime. If you threw those 3 together 5 years ago, watch out, you might have had a dynasty on your hands. They all have come together at probably the wrong point in time unfortunately. AS for the young guns, this is really the first season they've seen significant playing time. And like Rodney Stuckey, they just need time to grow.

Unfortunately this adds up to some frustrating times for us die-hard Piston fans. But don't worry Piston faithful, brighter times are ahead.

Can you see Amare Stoudemire in Piston Red, White and Blue come next summer? I sure can, and it's a nice view. Here's hoping!

Tonight's the Nite!

Tonight I will get a chance to have the Pistons experience of a lifetime. If you recall a few weeks back, I wrote about a contest being put on by Natalie over at Need4Sheed and the Detroit Pistons. The contest winner would have a chance to enjoy the Pistons experience of a lifetime. Well, low and behold, I was chosen as one of the winners! I will be arriving to the game this evening against the Kings at 5pm. I'll get a chance to tour all of the Pistons facilities including the locker rooms. I'll get to sit on the bench while the players take warmups. I get to sit in a suite at the Palace to enjoy the game accompanied by the championship trophies. I'm sure this experience will be more than I could possibly imagine at this time. I'll be bringing by camera and taking TONS of pictures. I'll be sure to post some of them to hopefully share and convey some of the excitement that the night is sure to bring. My thanks go out to Natalie and the Pistons organization for such an awesome opportunity.
Oh yeah, tonite's game is against Sacramento at 8pm and will be broadcast on FSN Detroit. As always, Go Pistons!

Also, make sure to head over to the need4sheed website as they are having another amazing contest with the winner receiving an autographed Rasheed Wallace Jersey!

Pistons are in Flight; Afternoon Delight

In the words of a great song which I fondly remember from a memorable scene in the Will Ferrel classic, "Anchorman;" "when it's right, it's right, why wait until the middle of the cold dark night." Right now, things are right with the Pistons. Even in a new years matinee that saw them without Rip, Dyess, and losing Sheed early on to an ankle injury; the Pistons persisted to a fifth straight win. Iverson stepped up is scoring in the second half to help lead the Pistons. Prince continued to be consistent as did Stuckey. Amir Johnson came in and locked down defensively on Lopez when the Pistons needed it most down the stretch. AA also was a spark off the bench. It's nice to see this team finally stringing some wins together and starting to look more like the Pistons we've known these last few seasons.
The Pistons can look forward to one more home game this Friday against Sacramento before heading out a west for a 4 game trip, and 7 of their next 9 away from the Palace. Let's keep this win streak going and gain momentum for that west coast trip. Go Pistons!

Free Pistons Tickets!

Would you like a chance to have the ultimate Pistons experience for free! Head on over to need4sheed.com and check out the contest Natalie has going for all of us Pistons fans. If you have a great Sheed impression, you just might win!

Finally back in the W Column

The Pistons finally got back on the right track last night against Indiana. This team shouldn't be tough to beat when you look at the Pacers record, but anytime a player on the opposing team goes for 40+, in this case Danny Granger, it can be a long night. Granger has really emerged as a premiere player this season. Especially when he plays against Detroit. He had 33 against us on opening night and went for a carereer high 42 last night.
Rodney Stuckey continued to impress me last night with his all around game. It's ibvious he's been working on his shot as well. He was 4 for 5 from behind the long line. And when he wasn't dropping bombs from downtown, he continued his relentless assault on the rim, driving to the lane and finishing. If we could just get some more consistent defense every night, I think this team will be fine. Hopefully, they are coming out of those growing pains.

3 losses and counting...

I'll say it again, what is happening to this team? Ever since the trade for Iverson, this team has looked nothing short of terrible. The offensive flow is gone, the defense is lax, and the intensiy that was brought by Billups is gone. We have now lost 3 games in a row. They have all come to losing teams in the Eastern Conference. These are teams that the rest of the league is dominating, and we were supposed to be one of those top 5 elite teams. I have never doubted Dumars decision making in the past. I find it very hard to believe this team can contend for a championship. Unless, this move clears the cap space for next season and lands the likes of LeBron James or Amare Stoudemire, you may have taken this teams last chance at championship glory away for many years to come...

A Much Needed Win!

The Pistons got a much needed win on the road against the Spurs last night. It still is very tough to figure this Piston team out. Some nights they look great, other nights, totally out of sorts. The one exciting thing to see is the continued emergence of everyone on the bench. The energy that Stuck, J-Max, AA, and Amir bring to the floor is very exciting to watch. They still have their growing pains moments, but when they get out in transition, you better look out if you are the opponent or you are bound to end up on a poster, and not in a good way. The continued stellar play of Rodney Stuckey has me wondering if maybe he should start and have Iverson come off the bench. I know it probably wouldn't sit well with Iverson, but if he wants to win as badly as he says he does, he'd probably come around to it eventually. He would still get 30-35 minutes a night, but if he was out there with the second unit, it would provide a lot of open looks for those other guys.

On a side note, we are only 4 more days away from the return of Antonio McDyess! I'm sure that Dyess will definitely add a spark back to this team as well.