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

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... n-knows-it

Selling Pistons is right thing, and Karen Davidson knows it
As the Pistons enter a period of unprecedented flux, on the court and off, give owner Karen Davidson credit. She recognizes the enormity of the challenge and the price of competition, and she's willing to admit the task probably isn't right for her. No fake bravado here, no forced passion about the big business of basketball. She's not hiding from the reality of the situation, which is why she confirmed she'd like to sell the team, the Palace and other properties founded by her late husband, Bill.

As she sat courtside Wednesday night watching the Pistons grab an impressive 92-86 victory over Rasheed Wallace and the Celtics, Davidson was straightforward when asked why she wants to sell one of the NBA's long-time successful franchises. The Pistons (15-26) are entering a difficult rebuilding period, and firm, committed ownership will be needed. "You'd always want a real engaged, enthusiastic owner, I think that's the primary concern," she said.

Asked if that's not her, she shrugged. "I wouldn't want an absentee owner, I don't think anybody would," she said. "I love basketball, I came to every game with Bill. But I would have had a good time with Bill anyhow. It's Bill's baby, what can I say?"

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... n-knows-it

Tough climate
So there will be more huge changes at the Palace, maybe not immediately, maybe not until the economy brightens a bit. She said no definite decision has been made, but it's clear what's happening here. This was her husband's baby, not hers, and she has no problem acknowledging it.

She spoke for several minutes and was light-hearted, friendly and seemingly content. She said she wasn't involved in the discussions, but suggested people in her organization have talked with the Ilitch family about the Red Wings possibly playing at the Palace during a transition period. The Wings' lease at Joe Louis Arena is due to expire June 30. "There is an ice rink under here, right?" she said, tapping her foot on the Palace floor. "I haven't talked to the Ilitches, no. I'm sure there is talk, I'm just not part of it."

It still will be extraordinarily difficult finding the right buyer and the right price, and Davidson joked that it's in the lawyers' hands. She said she'd "absolutely" expect a new owner to keep the Pistons at the Palace, but it would be hard to make any stipulations. A lot would depend on how much of the empire is sold. "I personally can't imagine that the team would move out of here," she said, looking up at the stands. "I don't know anybody that would build an arena that could compare to this one, or a municipality that would build an arena for an owner. In today's business climate, it doesn't seem possible.

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... n-knows-it

Terrific legacy
In today's business climate, nobody knows what's possible anymore. Davidson just put her Colorado ranch on the market for $47 million. The Pistons also sold their WNBA franchise, the Shock. Most people knew things would change after Bill Davidson's passing, but it has escalated dramatically since he died last March at the age of 86. With the help of NBA Commissioner David Stern -- whom Karen Davidson called a friend -- the Pistons are trying to navigate an incredibly rocky path. There aren't many sellouts at the Palace anymore, and when Wallace returned with the Celtics on this night, he was a smiling remnant of a rollicking past that keeps slipping farther from view. There were some boos, some cheers and a few nostalgic bursts of "Sheeeeed!" from the crowd. It was mixed and muted, yet another reminder how different everything is -- and how different it yet will become.

The string of six straight Eastern Conference finals appearances is over, and the three championships won under Davidson's ownership -- 1989, 1990, 2004 -- will be as much a part of his terrific legacy as the Palace itself. Everything runs its course. The Pistons have some promising pieces and a strong leader in Joe Dumars. They have an outstanding history and a solid fan base. They still should be attractive -- for the right price, for someone who has passion for sports and competition.

Karen Davidson, 61, isn't sure that's her, which is why a franchise recently valued at $480 million is on the block, facing an uncertain future. "We're looking into deciding if it's something we want to do," she said. "My guess is, nothing happens quickly. If there's ever a decision to be made, I'm sure there'd be offers with and without (all the properties) -- with furniture, without." Fair enough. There's no sense keeping a team in the cutthroat world of professional sports if you're not wildly passionate about it. Yes, it's true. Davidson's baby needs someone to cherish it as much as he did.

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... nd-victory

Amid sales talk, Pistons begin home stand with grand victory
Oh yes, there was a Pistons game Wednesday night, too. Amid talk that owner Karen Davidson is selling the team, the Pistons played the Boston Celtics, and played extremely well. The Pistons defeated the Celtics, 92-86, opening a six-game home stand in grand fashion. Charlie Villanueva sank a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left, giving the Pistons an 88-81 lead and effectively clinching the outcome. The Pistons trailed, 76-71, with seven minutes left in the game when former Piston Rasheed Wallace sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

But that seemed to ignite the Pistons, who went on a 13-0 run, taking an 84-76 lead.The Pistons trailed, 56-48, at halftime but completely owned the second half, thanks somewhat to a zone defense. "(Assistant coach) Brian Hill put that zone in the other day and we had talked about using it," coach John Kuester said. "We had a chance to practice it the other day and it was important to get this win. It enabled us to contest a lot of their shots." Rodney Stuckey led the Pistons (15-26) with 27 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Villanueva added 19 points and Jason Maxiell 12 as the Pistons bench outscored the Celtics (27-13) reserves, 43-12.

"We played with a lot of passion and energy down the stretch and we got stops when we needed them," Villanueva said. "I was into the game. I was fired up. I wanted to win this game very badly." Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo scored 21 each for the Celtics. Wallace scored 16 in his first return to The Palace since leaving as a free agent last summer. The reaction for Wallace was mixed when he was announced, boos largely to begin with, but later changing to cheers. Wallace, though, was booed each time he touched the ball during the game. Already without Tayshaun Prince (knee), Ben Gordon (ankle) and Will Bynum (ankle), the Pistons lost Chucky Atkins for most of the first half with a bruised sternum. Atkins did return in the second half.

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... nd-victory

Rasheed returns
"It was cool, wonderful," Wallace said of returning to the Palace. "The fans still love me as a player. It was pretty cool."

Wallace, one of the better trash-talkers in the league, had a running dialogue with several of the Pistons during the course of the game.

"Just messing with guys, past teammates and coaches," Wallace said. "Just letting them know we're still cool."

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... nd-victory

Great memories
Even six years later, Kuester remembers the details vividly of when then-Pistons coach Larry Brown told him the organization had just acquired Wallace. "I told him, 'You just got yourself a chance to win a championship,' " Kuester said.

He proved to be prophetic. Wallace turned out to be a key contributor in the Pistons' 2004 NBA championship. "He was hungry," Kuester remembers.

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... nd-victory

Rasheed fined
Evidently Wallace hasn't curbed his habit of criticizing officials.

He was fined $35,000 before the game for publicly criticizing officials Monday after the Celtics' 99-90 loss to Dallas.

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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2010 ... nd-victory

Hamilton's value
Richard Hamilton returned to the lineup after missing Monday's game in New York because of a stomach ailment and had 12 points.

"He's huge," Ben Wallace said. "When Rip's out there, he's one of those guys who doesn't need the ball to make plays."

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... Celtics-86

Pistons 92, Celtics 86
What happened: The Pistons won their fourth of five by taking their first contest against the Eastern Conference power. After a shaky first quarter, the Pistons were tough defensively with spectacular blocked shots from Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace. The offensive star was Rodney Stuckey with 27 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Charlie Villanueva scored 19, and Maxiell was a spark offensively with 12 points.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... Celtics-86

The big number: 9 -- the number of Pistons turnovers after they committed eight in the first quarter.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... Celtics-86

The other side: Former Piston Rasheed Wallace scored 16 points in his return to the Palace; Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce scored 21 each.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... Celtics-86

Injury report: Tayshaun Prince (left knee bruise), Will Bynum (left ankle sprain) and Ben Gordon (strained right groin) were out for the Pistons. Chris Wilcox played sparingly because of a sore back, and Chucky Atkins suffered a bruised sternum in the first half. He returned in the second half. Kevin Garnett was out for the Celtics with a knee strain.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... Celtics-86

Up next: The Pistons host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... Celtics-86

Two cents: Those caught up in the issue of Pistons ownership missed a good game.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... ces-return

Stuckey, Pistons spoil Rasheed Wallace's return
Pistons coach John Kuester frequently cites Rodney Stuckey's triple-double potential. And on a night where questions about the future of the franchise swirled and Rasheed Wallace returned to the Palace, Stuckey gave fans a glimpse of what he is talking about.

Stuckey had 27 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals to lead the Pistons past Eastern Conference power Boston, 92-86, on Wednesday night. "It seems like when Rodney Stuckey rebounds and gets to the boards ... really we don't have great size ... it makes a huge difference for us," Kuester said. "He played such a gutsy game, but he played a passion game for me for 48 minutes. "There was a passion the entire game for him, and I was so impressed with the way he played."

Stuckey attacked from the opening tip and kept attacking throughout the game despite what he thought was a lack of respect from the officials on physical drives to the basket.The Pistons also benefited from a zone defense implemented by assistant coach Brian Hill that held the Celtics to 30 points in the second half. "I thought the zone slowed them down a little bit," Stuckey said. Wallace scored 16 points for the Celtics (27-13).

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... -wonderful

Rasheed Wallace: Return to Palace was cool, wonderful
It wasn't surprising. Rasheed Wallace was in a joking mood in the Celtics' locker room Wednesday, before returning to the Palace floor as an enemy for the first time since he signed with Boston last summer after 5 1/2 years with the Pistons. He called a Detroit news media member by a nickname he gave him last season. He boasted how his beloved Kansas City Chiefs probably cost the Pittsburgh Steelers a playoff spot with a late-season upset. But he just laughed and walked away when asked if he could spare a few moments for the Detroit media. His custom of no pregame interviews hadn't changed.

So the media had to wait to talk to Wallace, but the fans had their chance to greet Wallace in the pregame introductions when he was the first Celtic announced. As expected, he received the familiar chants of "Sheeeeeed!!!!!" as well as a smattering of boos, perhaps by some who remembered his penchant for controversy and technical fouls. "It was cool and definitely wonderful," Wallace said after the Pistons' 92-86 victory. "It let me know that the fans here still love me as a player. "It was pretty cool." Wallace was playful with former teammates and the Pistons' coaching staff during the game. "Just messing with guys," Wallace said. "My ex-teammates and coaches ... just letting them know that we still cool."

Former teammate Ben Wallace blocked a Rasheed shot emphatically during the game, but he was definitely a part of the good-natured trash talk. Ben Wallace said the Celtics and Rasheed Wallace make a good fit. "He's always talking and telling guys where they need to be," Ben Wallace said of Rasheed's defensive prowess. "He's just always talking, always letting you know where the help is coming, where to send your man so you can get help -- just communicating out there."That's a great fit for him. It takes a lot of attention off him so he can go out there and do his thing."

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... -wonderful

FINED: Wallace's mouth got him in trouble again with the league. He was fined $35,000 on Wednesday for his comments made after Monday's loss to the Mavericks.

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http://www.freep.com/article/20100121/S ... dson-said-

What Pistons owner Karen Davidson said
Pistons owner Karen Davidson addressed reporters during halftime of Wednesday's game for the first time since deciding to explore the possibility of selling the Pistons. Some highlights:

On the team leaving Detroit: "I personally couldn't imagine that the team would move out of here. I don't know anybody who would build an arena that could compare with this one or a municipality that would build an arena for an owner in today's business climate. It doesn't seem possible. There's bigger things that need to be built by cities and municipalities."
On the emotion of a possible sale:
"It's Bill's baby, what can I say?
He loved it (like it) was his stamp collection."
On whether a sale would be a quick process: "I wouldn't know, but I would guess that nothing happens quickly."
On whether she could sell the team separate from Palace Sports & Entertainment: "It would depend on the offer. If ever there will be a decision to make, there will be offers for with or without."

Joking about the possibility of the Red Wings moving to the Palace: "There's an ice rink under here, right?"
On whether she has talked to the Wings about moving to the Palace: "I haven't talked to the Ilitches, no. Not me. ... I'm sure there is talk, I'm just not a part of it."
What Bill Davidson said
Bill Davidson, Karen's late husband and the former Pistons owner, told Free Press columnist Mitch Albom before his 2008 Basketball Hall of Fame induction the team would always stay in the family.
Question: Have you thought about or made plans for the Pistons after you're gone?
Answer: Yes. We'll keep it in the family. It will always be in the family.
Q: And is it your hope your relatives will run it?
A: I've already set up the method in which it's gonna be run.
Q: By your family members?
A: Yeah.

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http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/30406

Joe D (Detroit)
You think I could trade Rip/Will Bynum for Morrison/Farmar/Vujacic ....why did I extend Rip again?

John Hollinger (12:52 PM)
The Hamilton extension is one of the most baffling personnel moves in recent annals -- it basically was the same decision Golden St made with Stephen Jackson, but the Wrriors were lampooned as idiots for it while the Pistons barely drew a hint of criticism. Just to be clear, both decisions were terrible. Not sure Lakers would have a need for Rip -- their current shooting guard seems to be working out OK -- but I agree that Hamilton is their most tradeable commodity given Prince's health issues.

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

About Last Night: Boston Celtics look to be suffering 'flip-the-switch' mentality
Austin Daye's all-around performance and Charlie Villanueva's late three-pointers were key in the Pistons win over the Celtics.Former MLive.com beat writer A. Sherrod Blakely recently wrote a column discussing how Rasheed Wallace is bringing a swagger to the Boston Celtics that helped the 2004 Detroit Pistons win the NBA championship.

After watching the Celtics jump out to a 12-point lead in the first half only to fade in the fourth quarter and fall to the Detroit Pistons, it seemed the Celtics have more in common with the 2006-07 Pistons, who struggled to put away opponents on what felt like a nightly basis.

That's not to take anything away from the Pistons' performance. Detroit played with great energy, made excellent adjustments at the half and got some spectacular individual performances to earn the victory over one of the NBA's best teams.