'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 54

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http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/trueblu ... 91022.html

Kuester said before the game that it was time to tighten the rotation with just two preseason games left before Wednesday’s season opener at Memphis, but the absence of Brown and Wallace clouded what that meant for the frontcourt. On the perimeter, Austin Daye didn’t get off the bench, perhaps an indication that Kuester will predominantly spread the minutes at the three spots – point guard, shooting guard, small forward – among Prince, Stuckey, Will Bynum and Rip Hamilton (21 points in 38 minutes), which would mean Hamilton would spend a big chunk of his minutes at small forward.

But Kuester said not to read anything into Daye’s inactivity. Deron Washington played five minutes, hitting a 3-pointer, and DaJuan Summers played the final minute.

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http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/trueblu ... 91022.html

Kuester played in one of the most memorable and dramatic NCAA championship games ever, the 1977 title game at The Omni in Atlanta when Marquette’s legendary Al McGuire, coaching his final game, won his only national title. Carolina had a great team, which included Phil Ford, and Marquette was led by Butch Lee and Bo Ellis.

But Carolina almost got knocked out in the second round of the tournament that year by a Notre Dame team that featured someone who sat on the opposite bench at The Palace on Thursday – Minnesota assistant Bill Laimbeer. “That was a huge win for us – you can remind him,” Kuester joked before the game. “I’ll never forget – there were certain games you remember. We were down 10 with 14 minutes to go, playing on St. Paddy’s Day at Maryland. It was the only time we ever played him.”

A buzzer-beater by Marquette’s Jerome Whitehead carried the Warriors past UNC-Charlotte and Cedric Maxwell in the national semifinals, or else the Heels – who beat Reggie Theus and UNLV in the other semi – would have been playing their little brother school in the title game. “It was the first time we ever lost a game that year when we went to the Four Corners (offense that featured Ford handling the ball while the four other players – as the name suggests – stood in the four corners of the half-court),” Kuester said. “And everybody second-guessed it. It’s one of the most disappointing times of my basketball career.”

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http://www.nba.com/pistons/video/2009/1 ... index.html

Bill Laimbeer Returns as Assistant Coach
Former Bad Boy and Shock head coach Bill Laimbeer returns for the first time since joining the Timberwolves.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... m-s-effort

Coach John Kuester happy with team's effort
All that time the Pistons spent working on defense this week didn't help much. They still gave up points easily and often, losing 122-114 Thursday to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Detroit (3-4) closes out the exhibition season tonight in Milwaukee before opening the regular season Wednesday in Memphis.

Defense was the concern about this Pistons team heading into this season. "Very concerning," coach John Kuester said. "We have to defend to win and we're not doing that right now. "We've done in it in spurts, but we have to be a consistent defensive team that has to be relentless."The difference was the Timberwolves outscoring the Pistons, 25-8, to end the third quarter and take a 93-85 lead. "I've got to get more energy and effort on a consistent basis from our group," Kuester said.

Rodney Stuckey scored 27 points for the Pistons, Richard Hamilton 19 and Charlie Villanueva 17. Corey Brewer led Minnesota with 21 points and Oleksiy Pecherov had 20. The Timberwolves scored 27 points off 15 Pistons turnovers and were 37-of-46 from the foul line. The Pistons were sizzling offensively, shooting 58.6 percent (41-of-70) from the field and 90.3 percent from the foul line (27-of-34).

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... m-s-effort

Wallace, Brown out
One reason for the disappointing defensive effort was the absence of Ben Wallace and Kwame Brown .

Wallace was slowed in practice this week, Kuester said, after bumping knees with another player. Rather than risk any further discomfort with the regular season beginning Wednesday, the Pistons rested Wallace. Villanueva (17 points, 10 rebounds) took Wallace's spot in the starting lineup.

Brown (left hand) was expected to play, but sat as a precaution. Kuester said the team hadn't gotten test results for Brown's left hand. Brown had x-rays Thursday morning for his hand, which he said Wednesday had been feeling steadily worse.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... m-s-effort

On to the season
Kuester felt the coaching staff, and the players, got everything out of training camp and the exhibition season it could. "From a practice standpoint, they've given me everything they have," Kuester said. "I'm so pleased with their attention to detail and trying to get things done. But it's a work in progress."

At times, during the games, the Pistons have looked smooth. Other times, it's obvious they're still trying to get to know teammates and schemes. "It's a work in progress," Kuester said. "We're still young and learning the system and defensive schemes. Having said that, I've gotten a lot out of it (training camp)."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... m-s-effort

Pistons vs. Bucks
Tip-off : 8:30 p.m., Bradley Center, Milwaukee
TV/radio : FSN Detroit/97.1

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... gic-s-book

Isiah Thomas 'hurt' over Magic's book
Hall of Fame players Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson famously kissed each other's cheek moments before tip-off of Game 1 of the 1988 NBA finals. Today, the relationship clearly isn't anywhere near as close. In Thomas' mind, a 17-year-old wound has been reopened in a new book that Johnson and Larry Bird wrote with author Jackie MacMullan. In the book, Johnson says, among other things, that he played a role in keeping Thomas off the 1992 U.S. Olympic team. "I'm just disappointed and hurt," Thomas told The Associated Press on Thursday night before a promotional event for his men's basketball team at FIU. "I never thought it was him who kept me off the Olympic team. That hurt." Thomas' disappointment with aspects of the book were first reported by SI.com. In the book, which chronicles the careers of Bird and Johnson, the former Los Angeles Lakers great who retired from basketball in 1991 after being diagnosed with HIV said Thomas questioned his sexuality and that several players did not want him on the original "Dream Team" that easily won Olympic gold. "Isiah killed his own chances when it came to the Olympics," Johnson said in the book, an advance copy of which was obtained by The AP. "Nobody on that team wanted to play with him. ... I'm sad for Isiah.

He has alienated so many people in his life, and he still doesn't get it. He doesn't understand why he wasn't chosen for that Olympic team and that's really too bad. You should be aware when you've ticked off more than half of the NBA." Thomas said he declined a chance to be interviewed for the book. According to its index, he appears on at least 26 pages. "I wish he would have called me," Thomas said. "I always believed that our friendship was good and close enough that we wouldn't have to talk about this stuff in such a public venue." When Thomas was not on that 1992 Olympic roster, there was widespread speculation that Michael Jordan tried to keep the Detroit Pistons guard off the team. Jordan denied those claims, Thomas said he took the Bulls star at his word, and tried to get past the slight. "I rooted for the USA because I wanted them to win," Thomas said. "You move on. But that was a big hole in the resume. It hurts me that he's taking credit for it." Thomas also denied questioning Johnson's sexuality. In the book, Johnson said the failed relationship with Thomas is "the biggest personal disappointment of my life ... nothing else is even close."

One passage has Johnson discussing how he called the guest quarters of his Southern California home "the Isiah Room," noting that he would leave house keys for Thomas at the hotel when the Pistons came to Los Angeles. "He was like my brother," Johnson said. The comments by Johnson are the latest salvo in a strained relationship, once made famous by the pre-finals kiss and a pair of crowd-pleasing 1-on-1 battles in the final moments of the 1992 NBA All-Star game. But even during those 1988 finals, Johnson and Thomas let their competitive sides boil over, jostling with each other after physical play later in the series. In Johnson's words, he and Thomas are now "cordial. That's about it." Last fall, Johnson said he would not recommend Thomas for any other NBA jobs, after Thomas' stints with both the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks were rocky at times -- particularly so in New York. Johnson said he "separated the personal from the professional" when telling Knicks officials that they should consider Thomas to coach their team. The book, "When the Game Was Ours," is to be officially released Nov. 4.

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... gic-s-book

Personnel dept.
The Trail Blazers signed forward LaMarcus Aldridge to a five-year contract extension. Terms were not announced

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... gic-s-book

... The Knicks waived guard Joe Crawford (Detroit Renaissance) and forward Chris Hunter (Michigan).

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... gic-s-book

... The Jazz waived forward Ronald Dupree , a former Piston, and guard Paul Harris .

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... -dream-gig

Bill Laimbeer padding resume for dream gig
Bill Laimbeer didn't stop by his favorite fishing hole or sit in his easy chair. He no longer calls Detroit home. He has houses in Florida and Minnesota, so he stayed in a hotel like the rest of the Timberwolves prior to Thursday's exhibition at The Palace.

Once Laimbeer left this summer -- resigning as head coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock, then signing on as a Timberwolves assistant coach -- he pulled up all ties from his home of 18 years.

He still, however, showed his true colors as a Tigers fan. "I was rooting for them," he said laughing, having gone to the Tigers-Twins one-game tiebreaker at the Metrodome. "Too bad they choked."

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... -dream-gig

Paying his dues
Laimbeer, 52, still is the direct-to-the-point guy who won two NBA titles as a player with the Pistons and three as head coach of the Shock. He no longer is the lead voice, though. Laimbeer is just another voice, hoping this apprenticeship under Kurt Rambis puts himself in position to be the head man again. Laimbeer didn't want to become an NBA assistant, but it became apparent he needed this final piece on the resume in order to land his dream job: head coach of an NBA team.

This is Rambis' first full-time head coaching job, but his resume included a number of years as an assistant. Having watched Joe Dumars tap two assistant coaches in a row for the Pistons' top job, Laimbeer finally got the picture and is thankful for the opportunity to serve his time. He's already gained valuable experience coaching NBA players. "I have learned a lot. It's much more complicated," said Laimbeer, who took the Shock job in 2002. "The players shrink the court. They are bigger, faster and stronger. It's a little bit different. In the WNBA, you are defending five-on-five. Here, it's more taking away individual aspects of the game and the speed of the game is much faster."

Coaching the women helped because he understands how to manage a game. He left a lasting imprint with the Shock although the team is moving to Tulsa. He was saddened by the news earlier this week, but admits he saw signs of trouble on the job. But he said that's not why he resigned just three games into the Shock's season. "It was time for me to move on," Laimbeer said. "Not only for me but for the coaching staff that stayed behind. It was an opportunity for them."

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... -dream-gig

I remember when ...
What's he like as a coach? "He's a great coach," forward Brian Cardinal said. "What he does for us is he shows us how the game is to be played and how to be tough. He has a passion for it."

That said, there seems to be some dispute whether Laimbeer brings up the past too often. Al Jefferson lit the match, saying Laimbeer brings up his playing career more than any other coach. "Not true. Al was joking with a writer," Laimbeer said.

Minutes later, Cardinal was asked if players knew about Laimbeer's days as a player. "Oh yeah," he said. "And if they don't he will tell them." "What did you say?" Laimbeer screamed, laughing. "He is just trying to stir stuff up."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.971theticket.com/pages/3824327.php

2009-10 Detroit Pistons Preview
Pistons president Joe Dumars is coming off a disastrous year in which he jettisoned underrated coach Flip Saunders for the untested and unproven Michael Curry and compounded that mistake with the ill-conceived Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson trade.

[nasty daddy]

http://pistonspoint.blogspot.com/

Wallace out, Villanueva to start tonight
Ben Wallace will miss Thursday’s preseason game against the Timberwolves with what coach John Kuester said was a sore knee. Charlie Villanueva will start in Wallace’s place. Villanueva is playing his second game of the preseason, after missing the first five with a hamstring injury.

Kuester said both Kwame Brown (hand) and Tayshaun Prince (toe) will suit up. Brown had X-rays on his left hand Thursday, but Kuester said he had not seen the final results. Prince missed the Pistons last two preseason games with a sprained big toe and was unsure Wednesday if he was going to be able to go.

UPDATE: Chris Wilcox started in place of Brown Thursday night and Brown did not play. Kuester said he had not seen results for Brown's X-rays yet and he is questionable for Friday's game in Milwaukee. “One of the things that happened right before the game, Arnie (Kander) said … he would like to take one off,” Kuester said. “That’s fine because he’s been banged up. Kwame’s done a real nice job the entire preseason and it allowed Chris (Wilcox) an opportunity to play.”

[nasty daddy]

http://pistonspoint.blogspot.com/

Struggles continue for Pistons' defense
The questions about Detroit’s defense look to be legitimate after a fourth straight preseason loss, this time a 122-114 loss to the Timberwolves Thursday night.

The Pistons defense allowed Minnesota to shoot 53.4 percent and score over 100 points for the second time this preseason. “Right now we’re terrible man,” Ben Gordon said of the Pistons’ defense. “There is no ifs, ands or buts about it. We definitely have to improve in that area. I don’t think we can get any worse than we already are. Guys just got to buy into the system and got out there and try to execute every possession down, you can’t talk plays off because when we do that we have lapses. It’s just disastrous out there in the preseason.”

Detroit’s offense shot 58.6 percent from the field and had 21 assists, but also had 15 turnovers. Numbers that would normally result in a win. Charlie Villanueva said he felt the team was not on the same page defensively and have to get the kinks worked out with the season right around the corner. “That’s just not acceptable,” Villanueva said of the defensive effort. “We just have to pick it up on defense. Offensively you can see we didn’t have a problem at all. We just have to play together as a team. It seemed like in that third quarter we made a run and it just seems like they picked it up more, and we just kind of got away from what we was doing. That’s just unacceptable.”

[nasty daddy]

http://www.motownstringmusic.com/2009/1 ... hootout-to

Pistons lose shootout to Timberwolves, 122-114
In the last three games, Detroit's biggest weakness heading into this season has been glaring. While they have definitely shown that they can put the ball in the bucket, as we all assumed they could do, their defense has been suspect, at best, allowing an inordinate 116 points per game over their last three defeats. What's mind numbing is the fact that the Pistons probably could not have played any better on offense. They shot a scorching 59% from the field (40% from beyond the arc) and 90% (28-31) from the charity stripe. Despite their best offensive efforts, Minnesota countered with a 54% field goal percentage, which included an astonishing 58% from three point land. They also knocked down 37 of 46 free throw attempts.

Now, due to the preseason games not being televised, I wasn't able to watch the game to actually witness it. However, judging from the box score, every criticism we've heard seems to have been at work and on point during this game. Detroit's perimeter defense must have been incredibly weak to allow the T-Wolves to shoot 58% from there, although we should give them a lot of credit too for knocking the shots down. In addition, the starting bigs for the Timberwolves outscored the starting bigs for the Pistons 46-32.

What concerns me most is Coach Kuester said this would be a dry run of what to expect come the regular season. Everyone that played appeared to play the minutes you'd expect them to play had this game counted in the standings. Now, Kwame Brown, Ben Wallace, and Austin Daye did not play (listed as coach's decisions), but I think slight concerns about the defensive capabilities of this team are warranted, that is if they weren't already in existence. I'll have more to come about this game and the Pistons in general, but stew over this one for a minute. Leave your thoughts in the comments, because I want to know what you think. No reason to get all worked up, but I think it's worth discussing now that the Pistons have had three very poor defensive games in a row, even if it is just the preseason.

[nasty daddy]

http://detroit4lyfe.com/articles/detroi ... -then.html

Pistons Need to Put the "Deeee" in Deeeetroit Basketball; That'd be allllrighty then
Allowing 122 points is frowned upon. Allowing 122 points to the 1-5 in the preseason Timberwolves (who were without their two best players, Love and Jefferson), is downright criminal. Detroit has given up an average of 113 points in their last four games (all losses, shocker), and in those four games the opposition has shot 47%, 56%, 53%, and 53% (58% from downtown) respectively. Unless you're fielding the Dream Team in a video game on rookie level, you're not going to win many games allowing opponents to shoot and score like that. It should probably also be noted that the Wizards, Grizzlies, and T-Wolves were miserable teams last year. Yes, they are better this year, but there is no excuse for allowing them to put up those types of numbers.

Of course, we all knew this was going to be the issue coming into the season, which starts on Tuesday against Memphis. Detroit's sore spots are defense, inexperience, defense, and defense. Coach John Kuester has been stressing it all preseason, but the Pistons have actually taken major steps backwards in their last four games. IF there's a silver lining to getting humped while on defense every time down the court, it's that the Pistons were without some of its best defenders on Thursday night -- Ben Wallace, Kwame Brown, and Tayshaun Prince played limited minutes.

With or without those guys, the Pistons as a unit need to man up and play some effing old school defense. Roll up their knee socks, put on the headbands, throw in the mouth pieces, and play some prison rules defense, like your local cable guy : Good defense always leads to transition dunkaroos: Sticking with the Jim Carrey movie theme here with this post, the Pistons could extract a key lesson from the following clip for their perimeter defense (pointing out the obvious: it's the first line of the movie).

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

Okafor isn’t winning over new teammatesEmeka Okafor has yet to play in the preseason after suffering a toe injury on his right foot. Less than a week before the start of the season, the New Orleans Hornets still don’t know what to make of new center Emeka Okafor(notes). He has yet to play or even practice with them, and his prolonged absence has some team members privately shaking their heads.

Okafor has missed all seven of the Hornets’ preseason games because of a strained toe on his right foot. He isn’t expected to play in Friday’s preseason finale against the Los Angeles Clippers and his status for Wednesday’s season opener against the San Antonio Spurs remains in doubt.

An NBA source told Yahoo! Sports that Okafor was cleared to play by the Hornets’ medical staff two weeks ago and by his own doctor a week later. Most of Okafor’s teammates know he has been cleared and are eager to see whether he works out with them for the first time over the weekend. “He better practice Sunday or he could lose some guys,” one Hornet said. Prior to the Hornets’ shootaround on Thursday morning, Okafor acknowledged he has been medically cleared to play “based on how I feel.” He said he hopes to practice on Sunday. “He might have been cleared medically, but from a mental standpoint he is not cleared,” New Orleans coach Byron Scott said. “In his mind, he says he’s not ready. When you have a guy that says he is not ready, the worst thing you can do is force him to get out there.”