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

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4260921

FRONTCOURT: Despite being mentioned in numerous trade rumors over the past year Prince remains one of the NBA's most unheralded stars. The defensive- minded Prince is a very stealthy kind of player and opposing teams must know where he is on the court at all times. Perhaps the best defender in the Eastern Conference, the slashing Prince is also a duel threat, with his ability to drive the basket and knock down jumpers from 15 feet out.

Villanueva can be brilliant at times but is also inconsistent. One day Villanueva can be a productive, hard-working player and the next he may not show up. Kuester will earn his money if he can figure out how to tap this talent on a daily basis.

Kwame Brown has been a huge bust as a former No. 1 overall pick. The only thing he really offers is size and the Pistons will start him, hoping to get a few productive minutes. Brown, who has been tagged with the uncoachable label, has no chance of earning minutes down the stretch of games.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4260921

BACKCOURT: He's no Chauncey Billups but Rodney Stuckey is an emerging player at the point. His average of 13.4 points and 4.9 assists per game last year was OK for a first year starter and the Pistons expect him to be a more consistent ball-handler this season. Kuester also like Stuckey's upside as a defender.

"He's got the potential to be an outstanding defender because of his size, strength and his quickness," Kuester said. "He could be very special in that area."

Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring last season with 18.3 ppg, and still has the ability and conditioning to run opposing defenders around screens for 48 minutes. He didn't like deferring to Iverson and coming off the bench last season but that shouldn't be a problem now since Gordon is comfortable in a sixth man role.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4260921

BENCH: Gordon is often compared to Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson, and now he's a member of the team that Johnson won two rings with in 1989 and 1990. A superlative shooter, Gordon can heat up like few other players but doesn't offer all that much in other areas. Backup point guard Will Bynum played a little over 14 minutes a game last season and usually contributed mightily, averaging 7.2 points and 2.8 assists An improving player, Bynum should continue to offer quality minutes in 2009-10. Up front Kuester has a pair of bangers at power forward in Chris Wilcox and Jason Maxiell. The Pistons also added a pair of solid prospects during the draft in DaJaun Summers and Austin Daye, who both showed promise in summer league.

Summers is an interesting wing player that needs to develop a more consistent jumper while the 6-foot-11 Daye is extremely thin and made need a couple seasons to develop an NBA body. "I am just trying to do what coach wants," Daye said. "We want to share the ball, get it to Rip and those guys when they are open. They are so good at getting open. So, that helps a lot and makes the offense run good."

The defensive-minded Wallace flirted with retirement but returns to the scene of his greatest success. Wallace has seen his better days but he can still clean the glass with the best of them and be an intimidating weak side defender. Offensively, "Big Ben" is a liability and it's tougher and tougher to justify having him on the floor in the final two minutes of a close game because of his poor free throw shooting.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4260921

COACHING: Kuester wasn't a sexy pick but will almost surely prove to be a better mentor than Curry. Learning at the feet of Brown means Kuester has a defensive mentality but he was also in charge of Cleveland's offense as Mike Brown's lead assistant last season. Since the Pistons big additions are far more offensive-minded. It remains to be seen if Dumars is trying to force a square peg in a round hole again.

"The thing that has to happen from day one is we're going to have to really preach what it's going to take to be a great defensive team," Kuester said. "That's going to be our main goal right from the get-go."

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4260921

STEVE SCHWARZ'S FANTASY FOCUS: Despite what looks like a role as the team's sixth man, Gordon appears to be a solid fantasy player in 2009-10. He'll be a much better fit than Iverson was. Hamilton and Villanueva are also "fantasy- worthy" while Stuckey and Prince are borderline.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.motownstringmusic.com/2009/1 ... tons-bucks.

Final Preseason Game: Pistons @ Bucks [Game Thread]
NBA Preseason
Game 8
@
3-4 (0-2 away)
3-4 (2-0 home)
Bradley Center
Bucks Blog: Brew Hoop
TV: FSD Radio: 950 WWJ
Probable starters:
Rodney Stuckey PG Brandon Jennings
Richard Hamilton SG Michael Redd
Tayshaun Prince SF Carlos Delfino
Charlie Villanueva PF Kurt Thomas
Chris Wilcox C Andrew Bogut

Detroit will end their preseason with a the second of a back-to-back against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. The end of the preseason brings about somewhat of a bitter-sweet feeling. Of course, we're all excited for the regular season to start (and for all games to be viewable), but the Pistons definitely have work to do. It's unrealistic to believe they were going to work out all the kinks before the season, seeing as they are predominantly a brand new team. However, it wouldn't hurt to have a few more "dry runs" before results started to count in the standings. Pistons played the Bucks in the second game of the preseason and really showed off their offense in a 113-104 victory at the Palace. The Bucks starting lineup is going to look different than the lineup we saw October 7th, with three different names taking the floor for tip off. Detroit will have two different names with Villanueva most likely starting at PF and Wilcox starting in the middle for Kwame Brown, who is listed as questionable with a sore left hand.

There is no word on the status of Ben Wallace for tonights. He had been seeing limited time in previous games, if any at all, because Coach Q saw no reason to push the older man in the preseason when his role could very well be set in stone. He did not play on Thursday night because he bumped knees with a teammate during practice this week. Tonight's game will be aired on Fox Sports Detroit, so hopefully, some of you will come share your thoughts regarding tonight's game and the state of the team heading into the season opener on Tuesday night in Memphis. I plan on posting a thread for commenters to introduce themselves over the weekend/Monday, so be on the lookout for that if you're interested in being apart of this community, but need a little nudging to get your foot in the door. Go Pistons!

[nasty daddy]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... and_white/

Thunder Exercise 10-11 Options On Durant, Green, Westbrook And White
The Oklahoma City Thunder exercised their fourth-year options on forwards Kevin Durant and Jeff Green and third-year options on guard Russell Westbrook and forward DJ White it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Durant and Green were both acquired during the 2007 NBA Draft. Durant was selected second overall while Green was acquired via a draft day trade with the Boston Celtics. Westbrook and White joined the Thunder during the 2008 NBA Draft. Westbrook was selected with the fourth overall pick and White was acquired via a draft day trade with the Detroit Pistons.

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/CV31

good food at cubanitas, getting my mind right for the game, last preseason game, must build momentum, lets whoop milwaukee

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/Adaye5

Chillin in my hotel room gettin room service and about to take a nap before the game http://bit.ly/3J1RKc

[nasty daddy]

http://pistonsnationblog.com/2009/10/23 ... hankfully/

Final preseason game (thankfully)
The Pistons take on the Bucks in Milwaukee for their eighth and final game of the preseason. Good news Nation, we’ve got TV coverage! That’s right, local fans can tune into Fox Sports Detroit for the 8:30 tip. Or you can also listen to the game on 97.1 FM. It’s also worth noting that starting on Sunday Fox Sports Detroit starts their “Pistons Premiere Week” to get the geek out started.

The preseason got off to a promising start with 3 consecutive wins, but after that came 4 consecutive losses that low-lighted the team’s defensive short comings. Hopefully the Pistons can address problem areas and finish the preseason on a winning note.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4589879

Wolves waive veteran Daniels
The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived veteran guard Antonio Daniels.

He was acquired from New Orleans in September in a cost-saving move. The Timberwolves gave permission to Daniels to seek a trade and did not play him in the preseason.

Since no deal could be completed, the young and rebuilding Wolves waived the 12-year veteran. Daniels is in the final year of his deal that will pay him $6.6 million this season.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/10/23/dura ... index.html

Thunder exercise options on Durant, Green and Westbrook
The Oklahoma City Thunder have exercised fourth-year contract options on Kevin Durant and Jeff Green.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti said on Friday that the team also exercised third-year options on guard Russell Westbrook and forward D.J. White.

The franchise drafted Durant and Green in 2007 and Westbrook and White in 2008. NBA rookies get two-year contracts with teams having the option to pick up a third and fourth season. With the team exercising its option on the players, all four are now under contract with the Thunder through the 2010-11 season.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/10/23/wolv ... index.html

Wolves waive 12-year veteran guard Daniels
The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived veteran guard Antonio Daniels.

The Wolves have a similar agreement with veteran center Mark Blount, who will be waived if no trade is completed before final rosters are due on Monday.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4589995

Korver to miss beginning of season
The Utah Jazz say forward Kyle Korver will have surgery on his left knee and will miss the beginning of the regular season.

The team says Dr. David Altcheck in New York City will perform the surgery on Tuesday. Korver has been bothered by inflammation in his left knee. He has appeared in just one preseason game. He had two points and three rebounds against Real Madrid on Oct. 8.

Last season he appeared in 78 games for the Jazz, averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He made a team-high 103 3-pointers last season. The team plans to provide an update on Korver following the procedure.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4589879

Wolves waive veteran Daniels
The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived veteran guard Antonio Daniels.

He was acquired from New Orleans in September in a cost-saving move. The Timberwolves gave permission to Daniels to seek a trade and did not play him in the preseason.

Since no deal could be completed, the young and rebuilding Wolves waived the 12-year veteran. Daniels is in the final year of his deal that will pay him $6.6 million this season.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20091023/S ... son-finale

Pistons play preseason finale
Follow the game as the Pistons wrap up their exhibition schedule tonight with their game at Milwaukee.

The Pistons are coming off a 122-114 loss Thursday night at the Palace. They open the regular season Wednesday against Memphis.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/10/23/bull ... index.html

Bulls hold Rose out of preseason finale against Wizards
The Chicago Bulls held Derrick Rose out of their preseason finale against the Washington Wizards because of a nagging ankle injury.

The NBA's reigning Rookie of the Year, Rose has an inflamed tendon behind his right ankle. He practiced Thursday and was hoping to play Friday night for the first time since the preseason opener, but the Bulls took a cautious approach. He expects to be ready for the season opener against San Antonio on Thursday.

The Bulls also held out guards Kirk Hinrich (left elbow) and Jannero Pargo (lower back).

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20091023/S ... in-stretch

Stuckey comes through late
Rodney Stuckey scored all nine of the Pistons’ points over the final 4:21 and finished with 16 as Detroit held on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-93 on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams.

Ben Gordon added 15 of his 19 points after halftime, giving Detroit exactly the type of performance the Pistons hoped for after signing him to a $55 million, 5-year contract earlier this summer. Detroit (4-4) had an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee (3-5) took a 90-89 lead on a free throw by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

Stuckey took over, making a driving basket in the lane, hitting a 13-footer and adding two free throws with 7.7 seconds to play. Michael Redd scored 23 points for the Bucks.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4590031

NBA refs to return for regular seasonCo
It's a done deal: The regular NBA refs will be back for the start of the regular season. A nearly monthlong lockout of the league's 57 referees effectively ended Friday night when the referees approved the collective bargaining deal that was agreed to in principle Tuesday on a voice vote. "We are pleased to reach this agreement," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "The negotiations extended further than either side had hoped, but when our regular season tips off on Tuesday we'll have the best referees in the world officiating our games."

Approval was expected after Stern and referees' lead negotiator Lamell McMorris, both of whom had previously withdrawn from the talks, re-entered the negotiations and brokered the final settlement in a meeting at the NBA's New York headquarters. The referees will conduct a brief training camp in New Jersey this weekend before receiving their assignments for the start of the regular season, which begins Tuesday night with four games. A crew of replacement referees wearing triple-digit jersey numbers officiated the entire preseason after talks between the refs' union and league officials broke down.

The NBA believed it had a deal on the eve of the preseason when McMorris shook hands on a tentative agreement and said he would urge its approval, but the refs voted 43-14 to reject the deal after one member of the referees' executive board, Bill Spooner, switched his vote to swing a 3-2 executive board recommendation that the agreement be rejected. Following that vote, McMorris -- who also is currently negotiating a collective bargaining agreement for Major League Baseball's umpires -- announced he was withdrawing from the negotiations.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/video/games/bucks/20 ... index.html

Pistons Play
Ben Wallace gets the steal and the Pistons get the ball ahead to Charlie Villanueva who can finish

Video in the link above^.