'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 27

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 50358/1127

Former Piston Cheikh Samb is expected to sign with the Knicks.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 50411/1127

Heat drop Pistons under .500
Losing record is Detroit's first since 2002, and current futility streak is seven. This was written on the board in the Pistons locker room: "The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender." The Pistons did not surrender here Tuesday, but they still lost. Dwyane Wade showed what a superstar player looks and act like, scoring 31 points with 16 assists to lead the Miami Heat to a 103-91 victory over the Pistons. For those keeping score at home -- Pistons have now lost seven straight -- their longest losing streak since 2002-03. They are under .500 (27-28) for the first time since 2002. They haven't had a losing record this late in a season since 2000-01. They have now lost 16 of 21 since Jan. 10. Allen Iverson, the only starter who made himself available to the media right after the game, was frustrated on two fronts.

About the erratic offense, he said, "We don't have any consistency of how we are going to play night in and night out. We play different ways. We have to find an identity for ourselves on how we are going to play every night and stick to it. We have to live and die with it."But his main beef was about the defense. "We can't stop nobody," he accurately pointed out. "The way we played, we would have to shoot 60 percent to have a chance to win a basketball game. Everybody looks at our offense, but I thought we scored enough to win. We can't get stops consistently and we can't get stops when we need them. It seemed like they scored every time down the court." Wade had a lot to do with that. The Pistons threw different defensive looks at him all game and none fazed him. Whenever they played him straight up, he beat them with a jumper or a drive. When they switched to a zone or a trap to get the ball out of his hands, he passed off to open wing shooters. Daequan Cook (16 points), Jamario Moon (12) and Yakhouba Diawara (seven) were a combined 8-for-14 on 3-point attempts. "He has the ball in his hands so much and he puts so much pressure on the defense," said Iverson. "Even when we did take away his drives to the basket, he knocked it out to an open shooter."

Wade was especially brilliant in the final quarter. With the Pistons trying to rally, Wade either scored or set up 21 of the Heat's 23 points. He never let the Pistons get closer than six points. Iverson had 22 points and Tayshaun Prince 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Antonio McDyess had 17 points. Missing in action, though, were Rasheed Wallace (six points, six rebounds, 2-for-7 shooting in 36 minutes) and Rodney Stuckey (eight points, no assists, two turnovers in 31 minutes). "I thought the guys fought and had a concentrated effort on what we were doing," coach Michael Curry said. "We just have to play better. We have to come up with the loose balls, the stops and the buckets when we need them." Iverson twisted his back midway through the third quarter. He got twisted up with Jermaine O'Neal, who blocked his shot. Iverson finished the game, but was in obvious discomfort afterward. His status will be evaluated before the game in New Orleans tonight.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11722

Knicks Waive Stephon Marbury
The New York Knicks and disgruntled guard Stephon Marbury have reached terms on a buyout, and Marbury was formally waived buy the Knicks shortly thereafter. The Knicks released the following statement: "A comprehensive agreement was made this afternoon between the New York Knicks and Stephon Marbury. Under its terms, the grievance has been resolved and the Knicks have requested waivers on Stephon. No additional terms will be disclosed."

The NBA's waiver process takes 48-hours in which any team with enough cap space to absorb Marbury's contract could make a claim to his rights, or he then becomes an unrestricted free agent. The deal was reached this afternoon during a scheduled lunch break, from today's grievance hearing. It is believed that Marbury not only waived his grievance but caved to the Knicks demands of more than $2 million in contract concessions. Exact terms are not clear at this point, as Knicks sources close to this situation have conflicting stories on what was actually agreed to.

Marbury was seen "skipping and dancing" as he left the Times Square office building in which the grievance hearing was taking place, and posed for New York area papers. Marbury is expected to sign with a new team almost immediately, and it's expected the Celtics will be the front runner for Marbury as the Knicks, according to sources, did not force an "Eastern Conference exclusion" clause in the buyout agreement.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... W10671.htm

Final Score: Miami 103, Detroit 91
One game after setting a career-high with 50 points, Dwyane Wade notched another career mark with 16 assists to help the Miami Heat snap a six-game losing streak to the struggling Detroit Pistons, 103-91, at AmericanAirlines Arena. Wade also dropped 31 points for the Heat, who have alternated wins and losses for the past eight games. Daequan Cook added 16 points on 4-of-8 three-point shooting. "This is the time of the season where you got to turn it up," said Wade. "We need wins. Some nights my shot is not going to be going but I've proven I can do other things." Udonis Haslem recorded his 15th double-double of the season for Miami with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jermaine O'Neal had 14 points and Jamario Moon 12 in the win.

Allen Iverson poured in 22 points for the Pistons, who continued a season-long seven-game losing streak. The club is now under .500 (27-28) after 55 games for the first time since they were 21-34 in February of 2001. Tayshaun Prince flirted with a triple-double, recording 18 points, nine boards and eight helpers. Antonio McDyess offered 17 points and Jason Maxiell 11 in defeat. Leading by eight late in the game, Michael Beasley knocked down a jumper to make it 94-84. Prince then answered with a hook shot and went 1-of-2 from the line to close it to 94-87 with 3:22 showing on the clock. The visitors failed to get any closer down the stretch as the Heat held on for the victory. "I think we played hard enough tonight, we gave effort," said Iverson. "That is something to feel good about. We just didn't get it done." The Pistons held a slight 25-24 lead after the first quarter but the Heat battled back for a 52-51 advantage heading into the break.

The score stayed close in the third period before Moon drained a three, Haslem went 2-of-2 from the charity stripe and O'Neal had a layup to make it 69-62 with 5:20 left in the frame. Moments later, Wade's three from the left wing and long-range jumper gave Miami a 12-point cushion, 77-65. Miami was in control, 80-68, heading into the final 12 minutes. Down by 14 early in the fourth stanza, Iverson hit a fadeaway and then produced a three-point play before McDyess had a three-point play to cut it to 82-76 with 10 minutes left in the tilt.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... W10671.htm

Miami hit 50 percent of its shots, while Detroit hit 44.9 percent of its shots...The Heat outrebounded the Pistons, 44-34...The Pistons will also visit the Hornets, Magic and Celtics on their grueling five-game road trip...Detroit fell to 13-13 away from The Palace of Auburn Hills...The Heat sport a 19-10 record at home this season...Despite the loss, the Pistons have still won nine of 11 and 17 of the past 21 meetings with the Heat.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/games/20090225/DETNOH/preview.html

The New Orleans Hornets unceremoniously traded Tyson Chandler at last week's deadline for financial reasons, only to have their starting center sent back to them after he failed a physical. If the Hornets can continue to play like they did in Chandler's return, ownership probably won't feel too badly about having his contract back on the books. Playing in New Orleans for the first time since the botched trade, Chandler and the Hornets look to build on a solid performance Wednesday night when they meet the reeling Detroit Pistons, hoping to avoid their first eight-game losing streak in more than 14 years. Chandler was a key member of the Hornets' breakout season in 2007-08, when he made a career-high 79 starts and averaged a double-double for the first time in seven NBA seasons to help New Orleans set a franchise record with 56 wins. Despite Chandler's impact, New Orleans (33-22) was ready to part with him in a trade with Oklahoma City last week before the deal was rescinded because of medical reasons.

Chandler's teammates, who were critical of the trade in the first place, were glad to have him back Monday night. The 7-foot-1 center scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and added 10 rebounds in a 112-105 victory at Sacramento. New Orleans shot 50.6 percent, recorded 25 assists on 40 field goals and outrebounded the Kings 46-35. "It's good to be back," Chandler told the Hornets' official Web site. Chandler hadn't played since Jan. 19 because of a sprained left ankle and then the trade fiasco. The Hornets, who went 7-9 in his absence, hope his return helps them reclaim their status among the Western Conference's elite. "(The trade) was something that doesn't happen every day," said All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who had 27 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and three steals Monday. "But we got our big fella back. He is a guy that knows the system and we know what to expect from him night in and night out. We welcomed him back with open arms." The Pistons (27-28) look like they'll have a harder time climbing back toward the top of the East. A conference finalist each of the last six seasons, Detroit has lost seven in a row for the first time since Feb. 21-March 2, 2003. The team hasn't suffered a longer skid since it dropped eight straight from Dec. 21, 1994-Jan. 8, 1995.

Tuesday night's 103-91 loss at Miami dropped the Pistons under .500 for the first time since they were 4-5 on Nov. 17, 2006. After falling to the Heat, Allen Iverson said the Pistons "have no consistency," then elaborated on their recent defensive struggles. "We can't stop anybody," Iverson said. "The way we're playing we have to shoot 60 percent to win a basketball game. Everybody's always going to look at the offensive end and scoring points. We scored enough points to win the basketball game. But we just can't get stops consistently. We can't get stops when we need them." That was Detroit's problem in its 91-85 home loss to New Orleans on Jan. 17. The Pistons took a two-point lead with 4:48 remaining, but got outscored 12-4 the rest of the way. The Pistons, though, have won their last four road games against the Hornets, including two that were played in Oklahoma City while New Orleans was in the early stages of its recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Pistons guard Richard Hamilton is averaging 24.8 points and shooting 55.6 percent from the field during that winning streak.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11718

Mikki Moore Signs With Celtics: The Celtics have won out on the Mikki Moore sweepstakes according to Marc J. Spears of the Boston Globe, Celtics' president Danny Ainge confirmed the deal this afternoon saying "He was very excited to come to Boston. He was recruited by every contending playoff team. He really wanted to come."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11718

Will Joe Dumars Make A Coaching Change? Michael Curry has received a harsh dose of reality of late: he's feeling the heat. Could his first season as head coach of the Detroit Pistons also be his last? It's a valid concern, one that a few media outlets are discussing.

Detroit has lost six-straight and could be out of the playoffs in the East once they return from their five-game road trip suggests Frank Zicarelli of the Toronto Sun. "This is a tough time," Curry said about the Pistons struggles and .500 mark. "The first time they're experiencing tough times in the regular season."

If Joe Dumars decides – regardless if it is once the season has concluded - Curry is not the right choice after all, will he opt for someone on the other end of the coaching spectrum – a veteran coach who can motivate rookies and vets alike. Paul Silas' name comes to mind. Despite not having coached since the 2004-05 season in Cleveland, he remains among the top of the long available coaching list that includes Terry Porter, Eddie Jordan, Maurice Cheeks, Sam Mitchell and ESPN's own Jeff Van Gundy. Firing a head coach always seems to be the first solution to help right the ship. Ask the guys names above. In Curry's case – much like it was with Porter in Phoenix - one season isn't nearly enough time to make an impact as a head coach on a team.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/aroundtheassociation/

Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace is within two points of 15,000 in his career.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/orl ... picgallery

Pietrus won't play until Friday against Pistons
Magic SG Mickael Pietrus said he doesn't expect to play in tonight's game in New York against the Knicks, but would attempt to play Friday when the club hosts the Detroit Pistons.

Pietrus sustained a sprained right wrist Friday in Charlotte, N.C., against the Bobcats after falling on the court. He missed Tuesday night's game against the Chicago Bulls and last Sunday's home game against the Miami Heat. "It's feeling better, just stiff," he said. It has been a nightmarish season for Pietrus because of injuries. Acquired as a free agent last summer from the Golden State Warriors, he has played in just 31 of the team's 56 games.

He has missed games because of bruised ribs, a torn ligament in his right thumb and a sprained right wrist (twice). Pietrus returned to the starting lineup after returning from his fractured wrist, but was replaced in the lineup last week by rookie Courtney Lee before his latest injury.

[nasty daddy]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... index.html

18 Last Week: 16 Detroit Pistons (27-27)
The wheels have officially come off the wagon. "They are bad," an Eastern Conference assistant coach said. "They may not even make the playoffs." The Pistons have dropped six straight games, including a 21-point drubbing in Cleveland on Sunday, and are 6-16 since Jan. 6.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=3580

Wade’s big night leads Heat past Detroit, 103-91
The AP reports: Not only did Dwyane Wade continue his run of career highs, he sent the Detroit Pistons to a new low. Wade scored 31 points and set a personal best with 16 assists, leading the Miami Heat to a 103-91 win Tuesday night and handing the Pistons their seventh straight loss—Detroit’s longest slide in more than seven years… Daequan Cook scored 16 points, Jermaine O’Neal added 14 and Jamario Moon had 12 for the Heat, who took control with a 22-8 run to close the third quarter. Allen Iverson scored 22 points and Tayshaun Prince added 18 for the Pistons (27-28), who fell under .500 this late in a season for the first time since 2000-01. Antonio McDyess shot 8-for-10 and scored 17 for Detroit.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=17006

Suns G Nash returns to game after ankle injury
Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash left Tuesday's 112-102 win over Charlotte Bobcats in the third quarter after apparently spraining an ankle.

But after having his ankle taped, Nash returned to the game with 8:41 left in the fourth quarter. "It is a little swollen and sore but if I had to guess it is not going to be a long-term thing just be careful for the next 48 hours," Nash said. Nash hit a 3-point shot and came down awkwardly on his right ankle. He was helped to the bench by teammates and sat there for a few minutes before hobbling to the locker room. Nash had 19 points and five assists in 24 minutes before leaving.

He returned to hit another shot from long distance but quickly headed back to the bench. "I thought I would give it a shot but when I got out there I had no strength," he said. "I could have hurt us at both ends of the floor. I felt I wasn't going to help us anymore and thought I should get out there before I do more damage." Nash credited luck for the 3-point shot he hit after returning from the injury. "That was luck," he said. "They left me on a post-up and I kind of willed it in because I didn't get much lift."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.slamdunkcentral.com/2009/02/ ... in-103-91/

You Go Michael Curry!! Keep on coaching with your gut instincts, it will take you places! Like the unemployment line at the end of the NBA season. The once proud and mighty Detroit Pistons, are now below mediocrity, as they fell to the scalding hot Miami Heat Tuesday night 103-91. Dwyane Wade recorded a double-double to lead the Heat wave. Detroit is now below .500 for the season, and looking like the old Bob Lanier era Pistons when they were one of the Association’s whipping boys. You are not supposed to kick a guy when they are down. If the Pistons fall from elite status was due to injury you would read no criticism from this corner. But when it is due to incompetence, sorry I am piling on! The team from “Motown” have no one to blame but themselves!

Both teams played well in the first half, but the contest was determined in the third quarter. Detroit would hold a 25-24 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Miami would grab the upper hand at the half taking the same tiny lead at 52-51. Detroit however would hit a bump in the road in the third quarter, and get derailed as the Heat pulled out to a 80-68 lead at the end of the period. The Pistons never could recover in the final 12 minutes of play. Dwyane Wade recorded a double-double, 31 points, he dished out 16 assists, and had 7 rebounds, while Daequan Cook came off the bench with 16 points, and 4 rebounds. The new Miami center Jermaine O’Neal has 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal, Jamario Moon came off the pine with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. Rookie Michael Beasley scored 11 points, 7 rebounds, and had 1 block, while Udonis Haslem registered a double-double, 10 points, 11 boards, and 2 assists.

He is still the “Answer“ but the question in Detroit is to what? Allen Iverson led the Pistons with 22 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound, while Tayshaun Prince scored 18 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks. Antonio McDyess had another strong game 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist, while Jason Maxiell came off the pine and added 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal. Miami improves to 30-26, Detroit is now below mediocre at 27-28.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=16997

Spurs' Duncan sits out vs. Mavericks, to see doctors Wednesday
San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan missed Tuesday's 93-76 win over the Dallas Mavericks with a sore right knee.

It was the first game Duncan sat due to injury this season, though the seriousness of the knee problem is unclear, especially since the star forward was feeling well just hours before the game. "He'll see the doctors (Wednesday morning), and we'll see what they say," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His knee didn't have any strength and he couldn't get it warmed up, he couldn't get it loosened up. It's very strange ... he was good this morning, but this evening he couldn't move it. So we sat him."

A perennial All-Star, Duncan leads the Spurs in scoring (20.7) and rebounding (10.7).

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=17001

Dwyane Wade scored 31 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 103-91 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. Wade scored 21 points in the second half, including 11 in the third quarter, when the Heat outscored the Pistons, 28-17, to take an 80-68 lead. Daequan Cook scored 16 points off the bench and Jermaine O'Neal added 14 for the Heat, who snapped a six-game skid against the Pistons. "The last three games teams were doing a lot of scouting on me," Cook said. "Not to say that Detroit didn't scout, but they were playing a sagging zone and when Dwyane would drive, he would kick it out to me."

Allen Iverson scored 22 points for Detroit, which has lost seven straight. Wade added 16 assists and seven rebounds while shooting 11-of-20 from the field. He got it going after the break and helped the Heat close out the third with a 22-8 run to take control of the game. "Finally in the third quarter we made a concerted effort to make it tougher for them," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I thought we contested a majority of their shots which helped." "It is the best defense that we have played so far. We turned it up," Wade said. Tayshaun Prince scored 18 points and Antonio McDyess added 17 for the Pistons (27-28), who fell below .500 this late in a season for the first time since 2000-01.

With Wade clicking on all cylinders - he scored 50 points on Sunday - Miami (30-26) has its win total from last season and is two games behind Atlanta for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. ""It's going pretty good after the break. This is the time of year to turn it up and need to win," Wade said. "Knowing that I was coming off scoring 50 points, they will be looking for you. I was just looking for my teammates." Wade iced the game with a jumper at the two-minute mark to make it 98-87. He added a three-point play a minute later to extend the lead to 101-87. "Our whole thing is not on the offensive end. We just cannot stop anybody," Iverson said. "With the way we are playing we are going to have to shoot 60 percent to have a chance to win a basketball game. It feels like they were scoring every time down the floor. "We got enough scorers that we can put the ball in the basket. We have to concentrate mainly on stopping people. Until we do that, we are going to struggle."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090225/S ... ne+defense

HERRMANN IN: Curry plans to turn to backup small forward Walter Herrmann in the coming days to add some outside shooting. Herrmann has played sparingly this season, but teams have packed it in to stop Iverson and Stuckey driving to the basket, so Curry will counter with Herrmann. Curry can use him at either forward spot. He hasn't shot well since starting the season strong, but maybe the lack of time will serve as motivation.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090225/S ... ne+defense

Michael Curry relying on zone defense
Coach switches from man-to-man. It's hard to say whether it's a positive development, but the Pistons have tried an old method to play better defense against the bane of most NBA defenses -- the pick-and-roll. It's against coach Michael Curry's nature, but he had employed the zone defense more and more during the six-game losing streak entering Tuesday night's game against the Heat. One reason is obvious, as the team has struggled all season guarding the pick-and-roll in the middle of the floor.

Allen Iverson and Rodney Stuckey aren't exactly making a case for the all-defensive team with their on-the-ball defense, which starts the whole process of guarding the pick-and-roll.The zone tries to hide individual defensive shortcomings, but there can be confusion if players aren't communicating. So Curry has turned to the zone, mainly because the team hasn't communicated effectively in man-to-man sets. "Any zone, when you communicate, it helps you on the defensive end," Curry said Tuesday at the morning shoot-around. "For us, communication is the key. A lot of times in the past a core group has played together and they kind of knew each other's tendencies easily because they knew all the sets. "But when you add new guys to the mix as we have this year, communication becomes that much more valuable. The zone forces us to communicate and help each other out." The Pistons have had some success with the zone, catching teams by surprise with personnel that might not be as effective attacking a zone. Don't expect it to become more than a change-of-pace defense, however.

Curry hangs his hat on a strong man-to-man and will keep trying to get better there. But it can be an effective change for opponents. "A zone helps at any time to have a different defense," Tayshaun Prince said. "To play it for a couple of possessions here and there or to just kind of get a team out of its rhythm ... I think that's what a zone does." And with the Hornets' Chris Paul and the Celtics' Rajon Rondo following the Heat's Dwyane Wade in the next few days, the Pistons probably will need a little zone.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090225/S ... ne+defense

Tonight: Hornets
Matchup: Pistons 27-28; New Orleans 33-22.
Tip-off: 8, New Orleans Arena.
TV/radio: FS-Plus; WDFN-AM (1130).
Line: Hornets by 7 1/2 .
Overview: The Pistons lost to the Hornets, 91-85, on Jan. 17 at the Palace. The Hornets are 19-9 at home and are trying to solidify their position in the Western Conference playoff race. New Orleans is led by All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who had 27 points, 13 assists and six rebounds in Monday's 112-105 win at Sacramento.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090225/S ... below+.500

Dwyane Wade's night knocks Pistons below .500
31 points, 16 assists for Wade. The fall to below .500 is complete. The Pistons lost to the Heat, 103-91, to fall to 27-28 -- the latest the franchise has been below .500 at this point in a season since 2000-01. "It's disappointing that we're on a streak like this," coach Michael Curry said. "You got to fight and continue to push them hard and hold them accountable on the court." But of even greater concern is that the team dropped its seventh straight, falling victim to the wondrous talents of All-Star guard Dwyane Wade. The MVP candidate dominated with 31 points and a career-best 16 assists. "We know he is going to make shots, and we know he is going to have the ball in his hands a lot, and he had a great game," Curry said.

Whenever he was guarded man-to-man, he would take the shot. Whenever he was doubled, he would find an open man: Daequan Cook (16 points, four triples) and Jamario Moon (12 points) were the beneficiaries. "I thought we did a good job of getting the ball out of his hands," Curry said of Wade. "What hurt us was when we weren't in position and we gave Cook wide-open threes." Wade really got it going in the second half when he scored 21 points and added nine assists. He got the jumper working; the Pistons tried different looks but nothing worked. With the Pistons leading, 60-58, early in the third quarter, the Heat closed the quarter on a 22-8 run for an 80-68 lead. The Pistons pulled within seven in the fourth, but the outcome was never in doubt.

"All-Star," Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey said of Wade. "He was making his shot tonight. "It's hard to defend him when he's doing that." As for the Pistons, it's hard to see things getting better. They face the Hornets, Magic, Celtics and Nuggets over the next week. Allen Iverson scored 22 points and Tayshaun Prince 18 for Detroit. Michael Beasley scored 11 points, and Udonis Haslem finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds for Miami. Antonio McDyess shot 8-for-10 and scored 17 for the Pistons. Playing for the first time since Sunday's career-best 50-point outburst at Orlando, Wade missed his first four shots before getting on track. He had his 70th career double-double before the third quarter was done and finished 11-for-20 from the field, getting 10 points in the final 12 minutes to keep the Heat in front. His jumper with 2:02 left gave Miami a 98-87 lead, sealing the outcome that provided the Heat with a much-needed boost in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They moved to within two games of Atlanta for the No. 4 seed.