'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 26

[nasty daddy]

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

It won't be an easy sell this Summer if Joe comes away empty handed, after bypassing the many deals for top tier players that are available right now.

[nasty daddy]

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

There is a story over at Pistons.com about how tough the economy is, particularly in Michigan, and how it is effecting the Pistons. So far, Piston management has been able to deal with the downturn effectively, but if the Pistons keep losing and the attendance at the Palace keeps decreasing, it will start having more of an effect.

[nasty daddy]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... ref=sircrc

There are more than two ambitious teams, in fact, but one thing they all appear to share in common is an interest in deals that cost them very little talent. Like the Pistons acquiring Rasheed Wallace

[nasty daddy]

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

Brett Ballentini of Slam Magazine has an interesting article about the Pistons, which ends with this.

A year ago, with the unflappable Flip at the helm and Captain Chauncey steering the ship, the Pistons were poised to punch another ticket to the NBA Finals. Cracks showed, of course, even then: Billups sleepwalked and Sheed yawned Detroit into a fall-from-ahead loss in Brewtown.But subtracting Billups, the closest thing the Detroit clubhouse had to a conscience, has proven a fatal error.

Dig the seeds up in haste, before the sun has had its chance to shine and the clouds conjure rains to nourish, and there is nothing left to harvest. Impatience breeds regret. Come April, Farmer Joe will wish he could rewind this failed, barren season--or fast-forward to the next. I don't agree with some of the aspects Brett writes about, but it's a very well written piece and NBA fans should give it a read.

[nasty daddy]

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

Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated still lists the Pistons as potential buyers before the trade deadline. Chad Ford agrees, giving Piston fans some hope of a possible move.

The Pistons also could become players. Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson have big expiring contracts. If Detroit lets them expire, it goes into the summer with $20 million or more in cap space, putting the Pistons in position to make a significant offseason splash.

But if a team can offer the Pistons something now that's better than what's available this summer, they'll have to take a long, hard look.

[nasty daddy]

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

Charles Barkley will be on the air on TNT again this Thursday night when the Pistons meet the Spurs, hours after the trade deadline expires. I won't comment on whether Chuck should be back or if he may have learned a lesson, but he is a pretty entertaining host and far better next to Kenny than Chris Webber has been.

Let's end with another TNT talking head being rightly told to go burn his suit and shoes by KG. MLive's Justin Rogers sent this to Full-Court Press and was laughing out loud.

Clip in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090217/S ... ling+Bucks

Central Division rivals kick off the second half of the NBA season tonight, as the Pistons welcome the Milwaukee Bucks to the Palace. Detroit entered the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak but is still second in the division standings, behind Cleveland. The Pistons are 14-13 at home this season.

Pistons center Rasheed Wallace is probable for tonight's game with knee tendinitis. Also, Antonio McDyess is expected to start at power forward for the first time this season. The Bucks are third in the Central standings and will try to match a season high of three straight wins. Milwaukee was plagued by injuries in the first half of the season and has been playing without guard Michael Redd, center Andrew Bogut and point guard Luke Ridnour. Redd is out for the season with a torn ACL, and Bogut is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his lower back. Ridnour will be out for some time after suffering a broken right thumb late last week.

The Bucks, who have scored at least 120 points in three straight games, will try to work on their 10-20 road mark this evening. Detroit is 3-0 against Milwaukee this season and has won nine of the previous 10 meetings.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... sto_3.html

Blakely on The Huge Show: Pistons could pursue Chicago's Ben Gordon in offseason
Pistons beat writer A. Sherrod Blakely joined Bill Simonson on "The Huge Show"

to talk about the second half of Detroit's season and also mentioned a player the Pistons may look to sign in the offseason.

"The more I watch him play, the more I could see Detroit making a run at him this summer, and that's Ben Gordon of Chicago," Blakely said. "If you look at the guys Joe Dumars has brought to Detroit, they're in their mid-20s and they're in need of a new home. And they seem to thrive in Detroit."

Listen to the entire audio interview in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://content.usatoday.net/dist/custom ... 4888.story

The Sacramento Kings have acquired veteran guard Sam Cassell from the Boston Celtics for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2015.

The 39-year-old Cassell hasn't played this season for the Celtics, who acquired him in early March before their run to the NBA title. He essentially served as another assistant coach this season with Boston, which also sent cash considerations to Sacramento in the trade.

The deal on Tuesday also decreases Boston's luxury tax obligations for the season.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketba ... deal_N.htm

Chandler was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday in a trade that brings veterans Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox to the Hornets and could give New Orleans some cap room next season heading into the first year of Paul's new four-year, $68 million contract.

New Orleans also got the rights to DeVon Hardin, a second-round pick out of California in last year's draft who never signed with Oklahoma City.

"We were able to get great depth, leadership and experience by making this trade," Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said in a statement. "We felt we needed to increase our overall play of the front line and Chris Wilcox is a young, athletic player that can score and fit well in our system. We will be able to take advantage of his athleticism and style of play. "Joe provides us with much needed depth and someone who can be an integral part of our rotation."

[nasty daddy]

http://stats.mlive.com/nba/recap.asp?g= ... e=8&vis=15

Richard Jefferson scored 29 points and Ramon Sessions added 17 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 92-86 on Tuesday night. The Bucks overcame 24 points and 14 rebounds from Antonio McDyess to pull within two games of Detroit in the Eastern Conference standings. Malik Allen added a season-high 14 points for Milwaukee, which won its third straight.

Richard Hamilton had 22 points for the Pistons, who have lost four straight and seven of their last eight at home. Detroit coach Michael Curry juggled the starting lineup again, putting McDyess in place of Amir Johnson, but it didn't help in the first half. Milwaukee led by as many as 17 on their way to a 50-37 halftime lead. Jefferson had 19 points in the half. The Pistons continued to struggle offensively in the third quarter, but were still within 11 points until Malik Allen's buzzer-beating jumper gave the Bucks a 74-61 lead going into the final period.

Milwaukee had a double-digit lead with 8 minutes left, but the Pistons pulled within 80-79 on McDyess' three-point play 2 minutes later. Sessions, who had 44 points against the Pistons on Feb. 7, helped Detroit by missing two free throws, but Jefferson kept Milwaukee in front with a three-point play and a 3-pointer. McDyess made it 88-86 with a minute to play, but Jefferson made one free throw at the other end.Stuckey missed a short jumper, and the Bucks clinched the game from the line.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20090217/S ... Buck+trend

The All-Star break didn't help the Pistons cure their home woes. Richard Jefferson scored 29 points as the Bucks beat Detroit, 92-86, at the Palace tonight. Antonio McDyess, in his first start since last season, led the Pistons with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 41 minutes. Richard Hamilton added 22 points off the bench. The Pistons fall to 27-25 and 14-14 at home. Detroit has lost four straight and seven of their last eight at home.

Detroit trailed, 9-2, in the first four minutes of the game, and were down, 50-37, at halftime. After trailing by 13, 74-61, after three quarters, the Pistons cut it to a one-point game, 83-82, with 4:22 to play. But a three-pointer by Jefferson, followed by a Malik Allen (season-high 14 points) jumper pushed the lead to six with 2:33 to play.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3914674

Los Angeles Clippers forward Zach Randolph was ejected for throwing a punch at Phoenix's Louis Amundson in the first quarter on Tuesday night.

Amundson and Randolph became tangled up while going for a rebound late in the first quarter. Randolph knocked Amundson to the floor with his left elbow, then glared down at him. When Amundson stood to face Randolph, the Clippers forward threw a punch with his left hand and connected with a solid blow. He was immediately ejected.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290480228

Trevor Booker had 11 points and 14 rebounds to lead No. 13 Clemson to a 93-64 victory over Maryland on Tuesday night.

Terrence Oglesby led Clemson with 16 points and Demontez Stitt added 15. Six Tigers scored in double figures.

Landon Milbourne scored 13 points and Greivis Vasquez added 12 for the Terrapins (16-9, 5-6), who could be on their way to missing the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in five years.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290480269

Wesley Matthews scored 24 points and Marquette (No. 11 ESPN/USA Today, No. 10 AP) opened the second half with a decisive run to pull away from Seton Hall for a 79-67 victory Tuesday night.

Lazar Hayward added 14 points for the Golden Eagles (22-4, 11-2 Big East), who trailed by three points at halftime but outscored the Pirates 16-3 coming out of the break -- and then Marquette got to shoot six straight free throws after a personal foul and two technicals were called on Seton Hall.

Jeremy Hazell scored 23 points for the Pirates (14-11, 5-8), who have lost two straight games to top 10 teams after having their five-game winning streak snapped by No. 1 Connecticut on Saturday.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290482509

JaJuan Johnson scored 17 points to lead Purdue (No. 21 ESPN/USA Today, No. 19 AP) over Michigan State (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 6 AP) 72-54 on Tuesday night and move the Boilermakers within one game of the Spartans in the Big Ten standings.

E'Twaun Moore scored 13 points and Robbie Hummel added 11 for Purdue in his first start since missing three games with a hairline fracture in his lower back. The Boilermakers (20-6, 9-4), who have five games left, won their third straight.

Kalin Lucas scored 14 points and Durrell Summers added 11 for Michigan State (20-5, 10-3), which had won three in a row. The Spartans tied a season low for points.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... _late.html

Milwaukee Bucks fend off late rally to send the Pistons to fourth straight defeat
Richard Jefferson scored 29 points and Ramon Sessions added 17 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 92-86 on Tuesday night.

The Bucks overcame 24 points and 14 rebounds from Antonio McDyess to pull within two games of Detroit in the Eastern Conference standings. Malik Allen added a season-high 14 points for Milwaukee, which won its third straight.

Richard Hamilton had 22 points for the Pistons, who have lost four straight and seven of their last eight at home. Detroit coach Michael Curry juggled the starting lineup again, putting McDyess in place of Amir Johnson, but it didn't help in the first half. Milwaukee led by as many as 17 on their way to a 50-37 halftime lead. Jefferson had 19 points in the half.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/hornets/news/Hornets ... 63-31.html

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired forward Joe Smith, center Chris Wilcox and the draft rights to center Devon Hardin from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for center Tyson Chandler. “We were able to get great depth, leadership and experience by making this trade,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “We felt we needed to increase our overall play of the frontline and Chris Wilcox is a young, athletic player that can score and fit well in our system. We will be able to take advantage of his athleticism and style of play. Joe provides us with much needed depth and someone who can be an integral part of our rotation.”

Smith, a 13-year veteran, has averaged 6.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 19.2 minutes of play in 36 games (three starts) with the Thunder. The former 1st overall pick from Maryland, has career averages of 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks over 929 games (615 career starts).

Wilcox, a six-year veteran, has averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 19.4 minutes over 37 games (six starts). During his three-year stint in Seattle (2005-2008), Wilcox averaged over 13 points and grabbed at least seven rebounds in each of the three seasons, including career-high’s of 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds during the 2005-06 season. “First off, I want to wish Tyson the best of luck in OKC, he is an outstanding person and we thank him for his service as a Hornet.” said Hornets Head Coach Byron Scott. “I am excited to be able to get more frontcourt depth in bringing Chris and Joe in, they are experienced NBA players who will be able to step right in and help us. In addition, we get a promising young post player in Hardin.” Hardin, the 50th overall pick out of the University of California in the 2008 draft by the Thunder, averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks last year as a senior for Cal. He finished as the school’s second all-time leading shot blocker (132).

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizz ... 90217.html

For the second time this season, the Memphis Grizzlies have assigned center Hamed Haddadi to the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards, the club’s D-League affiliate, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

Haddadi will return to Dakota after posting 6.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.55 blocks in 17.7 minutes in 11 games (seven starts) after being assigned to the Wizards on Nov. 24. Memphis recalled the 7-2, 280-pound center on Dec. 24.

The Ahvaz, Iran native recorded two points and one rebound in four minutes in his NBA debut on Dec. 30 vs. Phoenix, becoming the first Iranian-born player to appear in an NBA game. Haddadi has averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 3.5 minutes through four games in his rookie season.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.mlive.com/sportsflash/index. ... ichigannba

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will miss Tuesday's game at the New York Knicks because of a sore right ankle. Ginobili was not with the team in New York. His injured ankle is not the same one he had surgery on last summer, forcing him to miss the first 12 games of the season.

Ginobili is the third-leading scorer for the Spurs, averaging 16.1 points off the bench.

The Spurs will leave New York to play at Detroit on Thursday and at Washington on Sunday to wrap up their eight-game road trip.