'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 63

[nasty daddy]

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... s_res.html

PistonPowered: A couple of Pistons writers may have been sitting a bit too close together at a game last week, with hilarious consequences.

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http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... s_res.html

Empty The Bench: Is Rip Hamilton's contract one of the worst in the NBA right now?

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http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... s_res.html

Life on Dumars: Why can't Jason Maxiell make plays like this more often?

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4849736

West breaks finger on shooting hand
First, Mo Williams. Then, Delonte West.

The Cavaliers' backcourt woes worsened Friday when the team learned that West broke his left ring finger in Thursday night's win over the Los Angeles Lakers. West's injury to his shooting hand came in his first start since replacing Williams, who could miss up to six weeks for the Eastern Conference leaders after spraining his left shoulder in a game Tuesday against Toronto.

West will miss Saturday's game against Oklahoma City, but the Cavs do not yet know how long he will be sidelined. Doctors need a few days for the swelling to go down before they can complete their evaluation.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100122/S ... stons-game

Portland star Brandon Roy will miss Pistons game
Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will miss four games because of a right hamstring injury. Roy re-injured the hamstring late in the first half of Portland’s 98-90 victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday night. The two-time All-Star was originally hurt during the third quarter of the Blazers’ 120-108 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 13.

Roy is averaging 23.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and five assists. The Blazers say he will be re-evaluated Thursday. The Blazers visit the Celtics tonight before playing at Detroit on Saturday. Jerryd Bayless is expected to start for Portland in Boston, at least. Roy’s injury is the latest to strike the Blazers, who have lost centers Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden to season-ending knee injuries.

Recently, Portland saw the return of forward Rudy Fernandez, who missed 19 games because of a back problem. Forward Nicolas Batum, who was supposed to start but had shoulder surgery just before the start of the season, could return as early as Monday’s game against the Hornets at the Rose Garden. The Blazers, who made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2003, have gone 26-17 despite the injuries, matching their pace last season when they won 54 games. Portland was 2 1/2 games back of Denver in the Northwest Division going into tonight’s game.

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/DetPistons

Looking forward to hosting the Pacers tonight. Second game of a six-game home stand. Potential to make up some ground. http://bit.ly/78vpIe

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http://twitter.com/DetPistons

Reminder -- Tomorrow is Golden Bobblehead Night. If you're one of the first 5,000, you get a CV bobble. And, ten... http://bit.ly/6ger5R

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http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/ga ... na-pacers/

Game Preview: Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers
Essentials
Date: Jan. 22, 2010
Time: 8 p.m.
Television: Fox Sports Detroit
Records
Detroit: 15-26
Indiana: 14-28
Probable starters
Detroit:
PG SG SF PF C
Rodney
Stuckey Richard
Hamilton Jonas
Jerebko Chris
Wilcox Ben
Wallace
Indiana :
PG SG SF PF C
Earl
Watson Brandon
Rush Danny
Granger Troy
Murphy Roy
Hibbert

Las Vegas projection
Spread: Detroit -3.5
Over/under: 199
Score: Detroit wins, 101-98
Statistical projection
Detroit offensive rating: 103.4 (24th)
Detroit defensive rating: 108.7 (21st)
Detroit pace: 88.7 (29th)
Indiana offensive rating: 101.2 (27th)
Indiana defensive rating: 106.8 (16th)
Indiana pace: 97.7 (2nd)
Score: Tie, 98-98

Outlook
Doesn’t this just feel like a win? I know I probably jinxed it, but Detroit is at home, has won 4-of-5 and is favored for the first time since a Jan. 9 game against the 76ers.
The Pistons are league’s second-slowest team, and Indiana is second-fastest. This game will be a good gauge of whether the Pistons are truly committed to running more.
I’m excited to watch Jonas Jerebko cover Danny Granger. It will be a good test for the rookie, but not impossible — like when he had to guard Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.
If you missed it earlier, my mid-season grades are up.
Check out today’s trade idea. It’s with the Pacers, so you can do some scouting tonight.
I won’t be around, but head to Daily Dime Live to chat during the game.

[nasty daddy]

http://lifeondumars.com/2010/01/22/pist ... half-full/

Piston’s Glass Half Empty or Half Full?Posted by: toasterhands
I really can’t answer that question, but I will say the Boston victory was very satisfying, and, why can’t Maxiell play like that more often?

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://lifeondumars.com/2010/01/22/pist ... half-full/

Some links from Pistonland as well as the entire NBA
■Free Darko guest post regarding Rasheed Wallace (link)
■Some insightful tidbits from Celtics Hub about the Pistons-Celtics game… (link)
“The Pistons TV crew did their best to make it seem like the Palace crowd reacted strongly to Rasheed Wallace’s return to Detroit. They didn’t. If you think they did, you’ve forgotten how the fans—and the Pistons organization—reacted to the return of Chauncey Billups last season:” “The differences are striking. Sheed got a separate intro, but it was nowhere near as enthusiastic and loud as the one for Chauncey. And there is no comparison in the crowd response. Some of this is due to the fact that the Pistons were still decent last season when Billups returned, and that unexpected trade ripped Billups away from his team and fans while Sheed left for cash. But this also has to do with the difference between someone who always plays hard and cares most about winning and someone who sometimes puts his own temper above his team and dogged his last season in Detroit.” Toasterhands agrees 110%.

■Also, within that same Celtics Hub post, a pretty funny point is made about the Arby’s promotion… “Ok, Arby’s, let me see if I understand this: Some fast food chains give home fans a free chalupa (or chalupa-like food product) every time their team scores 100 points. You give some lucky Detroit fans a free small order of french fries when a Detroit player records a triple-double? Why not just give out a free cup of ice whenever Ben Wallace hits a three-pointer? Or two free ketchup packets if Chucky Atkins hits double digits?”
Toasterhands agrees again.
■Dan Feldman of Piston Powered gives the players their mid-season grades. Ben Wallace, Jonas Jerebko and Rodney Stuckey earn A grades, Austin Daye checks in with a C (link)

■Natalie Sitto about the past and the future of the organization (excuse me while I fetch a tissue) (link)
■A FanPost on DetroitBadBoys about acquiring Kings talented (but shot chucker) guard Kevin Martin (link)
■Patrick Hayes of Mlive has a story about the loyalty of Pistons fans (link)
■For more Pistons news, check out MyPistonsNews

[nasty daddy]

http://lifeondumars.com/2010/01/22/pist ... half-full/

Around the NBA
■Enough is enough, NBA ‘fans’ shouldn’t be able to vote for All-Stars (link)
■The NBA’s Dream Team of bench players (Amir Johnson sighting!) (link)
■Kings decline Mavs offer to trade Josh Howard, Drew Gooden and JJ Barea for Kevin Martin and Andres Nocioni (link)

■Cavs complete sweep of Lakers without Maurice Williams. For now, anyways, Cleveland rocks (I loved this show) (link)

■Andy Varejao and Pau Gasol pic–the eras (link)
■Stephon Marbury made a smart decision? (link)
■Interesting story about DeJuan Blair (link) hat-tip Fresno Beach

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://pistonsnationblog.com/2010/01/22 ... to-pacers/

Pistons play host to Pacers
Posted by pistonsnation
The Pistons (15-26, home 11-9) will be hosting the Indiana Pacers (14-28) tonight at 8 pm est from the The Palace of Auburn Hills and can be viewed locally on FS Detroit. The game can also be heard on 97.1 fm.
Pacers’ Snapshot
Road record: 4-18
Last game: 01/20 (Weds) L 89-109 @ Magic
Last 10: 4-6
Streak: Lost 3
Injuries: Tyler Hansbrough (questionable: inner ear infection)
The most obvious thing I’m looking for tonight is the Pistons avoiding a let down after the hard fought and emotional win over the Celtics on Wednesday. This game has to be considered the most winnable game of the 6 game homestand but the Pistons should not take any team lightly at this juncture. The Pistons and Pacers are Central Division cellar neighbors at the moment but both are showing encouraging signs of life going into the second half of the season. Although the Pacers are currently on a 3-game skid they’ve had two big 20+ point comeback wins against the Raptors and Suns.

Guarding Granger:
Granger (23.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg) recently missed more than a month with plantar fascia in his right heel, but has been back to form since returning on January 8th. Maybe because he plays for the Pacers is why Danny Granger continues to be one of the league’s lesser talked about stars, but this guy can flat out get it done. He was particularly effective last season against our Pistons averaging 30.8 ppg on 46.8% shooting. If Tayshaun cannot go it’ll be yet another big test for the Swedish rook Double J.
Injuries:
Chucky Atkins (sternum) and Chris Wilcox (back) will be able to play tonight. Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon have been upgraded to game time decisions. Will Bynum may be out of action until February with ankle injuries. Thrill last played back on December 29th.

ALSO OF NOTE: Pistons are a 3 1/2 point favorite … Pistons own a 5-game home winning streak against the Pacers … the Pistons and Pacers split last year’s series, Pistons have taken 11 of the last 15 against Indy … The Pacers give up 107.7 points on the road … Troy Murphy is averaging 14.1 ppg / 9.8 rpg for Indiana … Pistons’ fans rank 17th in loyalty? … Rodney Stuckey and Ben Wallace are the only two Pistons that have played in all 42 games this season … NBA fines “Big Baby” for potty mouth … Ben Wallace needs 7 more blocks to become the 19th player in NBA history to record 2,000 career blocks … Detroit’s bench is averaging 37.8 points in the past 25 games …

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

MLive: Joe Dumars shouldn't be afraid to use Detroit Pistons' potential lottery pick as trade bait: With the Memph... http://bit.ly/5e2d9r

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

Freep: Portland star Brandon Roy likely to miss Pistons game: PORTLAND, Ore. — Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy wil... http://bit.ly/8frXIF

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

FullCourtPress: Least fantasy basketball impact this season? The Detroit Pistons: If you took any Pistons in your ... http://bit.ly/4J7rO1

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http://twitter.com/detroit_pistons

FullCourtPress: Pistons Links: Larry Brown's resurgence and Allen Iverson the worst All-Star selection ever?: A lo... http://bit.ly/77vP7f

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15062

Indiana Pacers @ Detroit Pistons: The Pacers are in a free fall, one the Pistons would like to see continue tonight. No new injuries to report for this one, though a total of 8 players are listed as questionable with various ongoing injuries and illnesses.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=734

Scott in sydney, Australia:
Is there any truth to the rumor that surfaced yesterday Tayshaun Prince for Rudy Gay?

Travis Heath:
Not that I've heard. I wouldn't make that move if I was in Chris Wallace's shoes. First, the Griz are playing solid basketball... at least relatively speaking. Second, Tayshaun Prince is not the same player he once was after coming back from his most recent bout with injury. Not saying Tay won't return to form at some point, but it's not a play I make right now. I know the Griz could use some help on the defensive end, but I think you ride with what's working

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http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=734

Eric in MI:
how about the Pistons shopping Rip and their 1st rounder (top 3 protected) for something this year? wouldn't Tay have more value AFTER this season? the pistons need to rid themselves of both ASAP

Travis Heath:
Rip has more value than Tay right now, but neither has the kind of value Piston fans would like to believe they have. If they are willing to virtually give either player away in a salary dump, Detroit will certainly find a taker or two at some point. However, if they want to move either for significant value, Joe Dumars will have his work cut out for him.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15066

More Adversity For Cavaliers: As if the news about Cleveland Cavaliers starting point guard Mo Williams being out a month with a shoulder injury wasn't enough, guard Delonte West suffered a fractured left ring finger – his shooting hand – last night in the win over the L.A. Lakers. That means the Cavs are down to only one point guard in Daniel Gibson, which is hard to take when two days before you had three.

Gibson will become the team's starter – something he's excited about – but the Cavs could also look to add another player depending on how long West is out. He will miss at least Saturday's game, but beyond that doctors aren't sure yet because they have to wait for the swelling to go down before they can fully diagnose the injury. "The last couple weeks, I've been hoping to catch some minutes and it looks like now I got my wish," Gibson said. "I just want to go out there and have fun. That's going to be my biggest thing, just enjoy the moment. You get these opportunities and when they come you just want to take advantage of them."

Anthony Parker can also run the point in a pinch, but the Cavs are lucky they have the luxury of a talent like LeBron James, who can do anything. In fact, most of the offense runs through him anyway, which takes pressure off the point guards to initiate things. What the Cavs really need from their PG is minimal turnovers and good three-point shooting, which is something Gibson is capable of doing. "We may have to do it by committee," said Coach Mike Brown. "One, is how long is he [West] going to be out for? The second one is, knock on wood, what if Gib goes down? Nobody thought that Delonte would go down in the game after Mo. "We have capable ballhandlers."