'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 31

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/ ... -telecast/

FOX Sports Detroit’s dual telecast
This press release from FOX Sports hit my inbox yesterday, and it looks interesting: For the first time, FOX Sports Detroit’s collection of channels will present simultaneous telecasts of the same game, but from two different perspectives, when the Pistons take on the Los Angeles Lakers at the Palace on Thursday, March 26. The traditional game coverage will appear on FOX Sports Detroit and in high-definition on FOX Sports Detroit HD. Meanwhile, FOX Sports Detroit PLUS presents a “Match-up Cam” telecast, with a devoted camera isolating on key battles throughout the game among the many stars on each team. “We are looking forward to this unique, creative and compelling use of our PLUS service,” said Greg Hammaren, Senior Vice President/General Manager, FOX Sports Detroit. “We hope fans that are enjoying the traditional high-quality telecast on our main service will be intrigued to sample PLUS to see an isolated view of just how hard these great athletes work during the course of a game.”Coverage on all channels begins at 6:30 PM with Pistons Insider, followed by PISTONS LIVE at 7:00 and the game at 7:30. Game audio will be the same on all channels with play-by-play announcer George Blaha, analyst Greg Kelser, along with sideline reporters Ryan Field and Eli Zaret. Field hosts PISTONS LIVE pregame, while Mickey York hosts the postgame edition.

I think it’s awesome idea, and I hope it’s deemed a success so we can see this happen more often in the future. FSN Plus is simply off the air whenever there’s not a conflict with a Pistons and Red Wings — why not do this every game? It reminds me of the online offering that TNT has done in the past when they simulcast their regular broadcast with four different camera angles online, including a match-up cam that fans vote on. One of the coolest things about those alternate views is that they don’t feature any announcing but rather ambient arena noise, as if you’re actually at the arena. No offense to Blaha and Kelser, but that would be a cool experiment — especially when the Pistons are on the road and NBA fans in Michigan are treated to a glimpse of the fan experience in other cities.

While we’re on the topic, what Pistons fan wouldn’t fork over money to watch and listen to an uncensored/mic’d up Rasheed Wallace for a game? It’d be a pay-per-view sensation. Earmark the proceeds for charity and the Pistons would raise more money than they did in their recent telethon.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/ ... to-things/

Easing back into things …
Since starting this site, I’ve tried to read every single comment posted by a reader, even if it took me a couple of days to catch up. But now, after returning from my Vegas financial nightmare vacation, I’m staring at over 1,000 unread comments (and counting). Hopefully there aren’t too many flame wars that require intervention, links to brilliant articles that deserve posting or anything else important that I’ve missed, because it’s going to take me a while to get my rhythm back.

In the meantime, here’s one of the NBA’s new commercials that all Pistons fans can appreciate, as seen on UATGsports.ca:

Enjoy it now, because at the rate things are going, we might not get a chance once the postseason starts. By losing seven of their last 10, the Pistons have just a three-game buffer between their current No. 7 seed and Larry Brown’s Bobcats, who are currently on the outside looking in with the No. 9 seed but are making a push by winning nine of their last 13.

Clip as well in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://stats.mlive.com/nba/preview.asp? ... e=8&vis=13

Lakers-Pistons Preview
Armed with a big lead early in their last game, the Los Angeles Lakers emptied their bench and put their depth on display. The injury-depleted Detroit Pistons haven't had many chances to do that lately. The Lakers look to take advantage of the Pistons' ongoing injury woes and win at The Palace for the first time in more than seven years Thursday night. Los Angeles (56-14) has the best record in the Western Conference, due largely to an MVP-caliber season from Kobe Bryant and the consistent contributions of fellow All-Star Pau Gasol. The Lakers, though, also boast solid role players throughout their lineup, as evidenced by the balanced production they got in Tuesday night's 107-89 win at Oklahoma City - their sixth in seven games. Bryant and Gasol helped build a 17-point lead after one quarter and six Lakers scored in double figures as the team used all 12 active players.

Josh Powell had 14 points and Luke Walton added 11 to lead the reserves, who have helped ease the burden on the team's star players as the postseason approaches. "I just think towards the end of the season we have to take each one of these games and start thinking about the playoffs and gearing ourselves towards that," Powell said. "Every game is important, and we're just trying to do what we can do to sustain the effort." The Lakers' depth could be particularly valuable against the struggling Pistons (34-36), who have lost five of six while dealing with injuries to three of their starters. Allen Iverson is sidelined indefinitely with a sore back that has kept him out of 14 straight games, Richard Hamilton has a nagging groin injury that's forced him out of the last five and Rasheed Wallace has sat out eight in a row with a strained left calf. Iverson isn't expected back soon, and the statuses of Hamilton and Wallace for Thursday's game are uncertain.

Without all three players Tuesday night, Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum scored 20 points apiece, but Detroit couldn't keep up with Chicago in the second half of a 99-91 road loss. "We really need those guys back," said Prince, averaging 18.7 points but shooting 43.1 percent over his last nine games. "But at the same time, while they're not here, we've got to figure out a way in the situation we have. We almost have to play perfect basketball to come out with a win." Detroit is 13-25 since a season-high seven-game winning streak from Dec. 23-Jan. 4. "We need to stay the course and try to control what we can control," coach Michael Curry said.The Pistons have controlled their home court against the Lakers lately, winning nine straight meetings at The Palace since a 121-92 loss Jan. 8, 2002. That streak that includes three victories during the 2004 finals, won by the Pistons in five games. Bryant has played in eight of those losses in Detroit, averaging 23.9 points but shooting 37.7 percent from the field. Bryant had 29 points but shot 12-for-30 in the Lakers' first meeting with the Pistons this season Nov. 14. Wallace and Iverson scored 25 apiece and Prince added 18 as Detroit won 106-95 in Los Angeles.

[nasty daddy]

http://postingup.2dogs.com/member/blogt ... q=1&page=0

pistons vs lakers
It has been a tought 5 games for the pistons, we only won one ought of the five. Injuries have been the problem. We have lost our main offensive weapons, rip and A.I., and our main deffensive weapon sheed. With all three of those people out there is not much hope for the pistons when they play the lakers on thursday night. We need all these people to shoot well: stucky, prince, dice, hermon, bynum, and aeron. The chances of all these people shooting well are small, and I don't think they can do it. Its a good thing this game is not on national TV because we would be humilated in front of everyone. WE NEED THIS WIN!!! (does anyone know when sheed and rip are coming back?)

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325019

Howard had 24 points and 21 rebounds as the Magic (53-18) bumped Boston (54-19) by percentage points for second in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland. Orlando remains five games back of Cleveland for the conference lead with 11 games left. The Magic took the division title with Atlanta's loss to San Antonio.

Rashard Lewis had 21 points, and Hedo Turkoglu added 13 points for the Magic, who nearly blew a 16-point lead before holding on for their fourth straight win and 11th in their past 13 games. The Magic were held to just 14 points in the final period.

Pierce had 26 points, and Ray Allen added 16 points for the Celtics, who snapped their four-game winning streak.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325001

Parker scored 42 points and the Spurs ended the Atlanta Hawks' eight-game home winning streak with a 102-92 victory on Wednesday night.

Joe Johnson had 30 points, including Atlanta's first 11 points of the fourth quarter, but he had too little help as the Hawks suffered their first loss at Philips Arena since March 1.

Roger Mason had 18 points and Michael Finley added 13 for the Spurs.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325005

James scored 22 points with 11 assists and made all the right moves in the closing minutes as the too-tough-at-home Cavaliers set a franchise record with their 58th win -- and 10th straight -- by beating the New Jersey Nets 98-87 on Tuesday night.

Vince Carter scored 20 and Jarvis Hayes 18 for the Nets, who are running out of time to make the playoffs.

Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mo Williams scored 16 apiece and Delonte West had 13 points with nine rebounds for the Cavs, who again showed they are much more than James.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325011

"I thought it was [going in] for a quick second, then I saw he shot it a little to the left and that's why it rolled out," said Danny Granger, who led Indiana with 28 points. "Fortunately, he missed it."

Haslem finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds, and O'Neal had 13 points and three blocks but only two rebounds.

Ford added 20 points and Jarrett Jack 13 for the Pacers. Jeff Foster, starting in place of injured Troy Murphy, had a season-high 16 rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325020

Young scored 29 points and Andre Miller had 15 to lead the Sixers to a 96-88 win over the revamped Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

Rodney Carney stuck it to his former team with 21 points and Craig Smith had 20 for the Timberwolves, whose new lineup couldn't help them avoid their sixth straight loss.

Iguodala, who scored 15, hit the go-ahead 3-pointer early in the fourth for a rare bright spot in an otherwise horrid game from the floor. Ivey made back-to-back 3-pointers for a 76-69 lead and the Sixers started to pull away from the lowly Timberwolves.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325027

"We didn't want to be the first," said Nick Young, who scored 23 points for Washington. "Players, captains, Coach -- everybody was talking about it."

"I just feel like we're headed in the wrong direction. We've got to get back on the right path, defensively and offensively," said Gerald Wallace, who led Charlotte with 21 points and 11 rebounds but missed the potential tying free throw with 6.5 seconds left. "I swear, I think this playoff thing -- you guys mentioning the playoffs -- is kind of messing with our heads."

"Both guys just rushed the shot," said Antawn Jamison, who scored 27 points for Washington. "They didn't realize they were going to be that open."

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325028

Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points, Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon had double-doubles and the Toronto Raptors beat the Bucks 115-106 on Wednesday night.

Bosh had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Calderon added 19 points and 11 assists to help the Raptors win consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 22-24. Shawn Marion scored 17 points, Anthony Parker had 15 and Jason Kapono 14.

Jefferson shook off a recent shooting slump, going 10-for-18 and scoring 22 points for the Bucks, who lost their third straight. Charlie Bell scored 20 points and Ramon Sessions had 18.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325018

Taylor more than doubled his career high with 35 points, Randolph added 33 against his former team, and Los Angeles outlasted the New York Knicks 140-135 in overtime Wednesday night.

Al Thornton scored 21 and Eric Gordon had 19 for the Clippers, who snapped a nine-game road losing streak. Seemingly on the way to being run off the floor while surrendering 44 points in the first quarter, they quickly erased a huge early deficit and ended two games worth of dismal offensive efforts, shooting 58 percent from the field.

Harrington finished with 38 points and Wilson Chandler scored 22 for the Knicks, who matched a season high with their sixth straight loss.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325003

Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and the Denver Nuggets beat New Orleans 101-88 on Wednesday night, snapping the Hornets' three-game winning streak.

Chauncey Billups scored 26 points, hitting four of his five 3-pointers in the second half to help the Nuggets pull away after the game was tied with a little over 7 minutes to go in the third quarter.

Chris Paul had 19 points and 13 assists, and David West scored 18 points for New Orleans (44-26), which dropped a game behind Denver (46-26) in the Western Conference standings.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325006

Nowitzki and Terry each finished with 26 points and Barea had 20 as the Mavericks shot 58.5 percent and scored their most points of the season.

Anthony Morrow was 10-of-11 for 29 points, his most since November, and Monta Ellis scored 22. Stephen Jackson scored eight points in the first quarter, but finished with 14.

The Warriors lost their third straight and fourth in five games. They've dropped seven straight on the road and were without second-leading scorer Corey Maggette, who hurt his head in a collision with a San Antonio player during a last-minute loss the night before. He's expected to also miss the game Saturday night at Denver.

[nasty daddy]

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

Reggie Miller accuses Allen Iverson of faking injury
During the Tuesday TNT broadcast of the Detroit Piston-Chicago Bull game, Reggie Miller seemed a bit out of sorts. Making biting, sarcastic remarks towards Michael Jordan, Vinnie Del Negro, Michael Curry, Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson. Miller's comments turned from sarcastic to personal with Iverson, as he accused the Piston guard of faking his injury.

"I've played a lot of games against Allen Iverson when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he is one of the toughest guys I've ever gone against," Miller said. "But having said that and knowing the information we know, what Arnie Kander is saying, it's almost like (Iverson) is holding this team hostage because he cannot accept the responsibility of coming off the bench. That's sad because he is one of the truly great little men we've ever had in the game." What Kander told TNT's Craig Sager is essentially the same thing the Pistons have been saying all along -- without Miller's commentary. Every test that's been run on Iverson's back has shown no structural damage. The Pistons just last week ran three different tests and they all came back negative. Still, Iverson has complained of pain and numbness, and doctors at Georgetown University have prescribed rest. Iverson told Booth Newspapers on Sunday that speculation that he's sitting out because he doesn't want to come off the bench was false.

If Kander relayed the same information that has already been in the press, then for Reggie to jump to the conclusion he did seems a bit strange. It's hard to tell what the exact situation is with Iverson and the Pistons, with no comments coming from Piston management or the Iverson camp in reaction to Miller's accusation. Add that to some recent writings in the Detroit media that the Pistons may not get the services of any of their three injured players before the regular season ends, and the possibility the Pistons may drop out of the playoff race altogether grows. The next Piston game is Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace have both been "ruled out" for that game and Rip Hamilton is doubtful. It's hard to believe that Allen Iverson is "faking" an injury, but Piston fans deserve a response to the accusations Reggie Miller made, from both Joe Dumars and Allen Iverson.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/03/25/warr ... index.html

Warriors F Maggette out with head injury
Golden State Warriors forward Corey Maggette missed Wednesday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a head contusion sustained the night before against San Antonio.

Maggette bumped his head in a collision with one of the Spurs players. Coach Don Nelson said Maggette probably also would miss Saturday night's game at Denver. Nelson said Maggette was with the team and would be checked out by the Mavericks' doctors.

Warriors guard Stephen Jackson started against Dallas, but was expected to have his ailing left big toe eamined by Houston Rockets' medical personnel on Friday. Jackson has been bothered by turf toe for the last year.

[nasty daddy]

http://wdfn.com/pages/DETROITPISTONS.html

Pistons Fall in Windy City
Kirk Hinrich scored 24 points filling in for the injured Derrick Rose, and the Chicago Bulls beat Detroit 99-91 Tuesday night to pull within a game of the seventh-place Pistons in the Eastern Conference.Ben Gordon scored 19, Tyrus Thomas had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Joakim Noah scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Bulls earned their fifth win in six games. More importantly, they now lead Charlotte by two games and Milwaukee by 2½ in the race for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot and are right behind seventh-place Detroit, which has lost five of six.Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum scored 20 each for the Pistons, who clearly miss injured stars Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton. Bynum also had nine assists while Antonio McDyess scored 16, but the Bulls simply pulled away in the second half.

Trailing by one early in the third, Chicago scored 10 straight to go ahead for good, 60-51, and broke it open early in the fourth. An off-balance Thomas started the final quarter by banking a short transition jumper and buried the free throw, and Hinrich followed with a jumper that made it 80-68. Another layup by Hinrich midway through the quarter made it 92-73, and while he certainly didn't make anyone forget about Rose, the veteran certainly did an admirable job filling in for the star rookie. His only failure was at the end, when he missed the second of two free throws and denied fans the free Big Macs that come when the Bulls score 100. They let him hear it during a postgame interview. Otherwise, they had plenty to cheer. Tuesday's game was the first of two remaining between these old rivals, who are jockeying for playoff positioning while dealing with injuries.

Rose's absence was a mild surprise for the Bulls, considering he wound up playing 39 minutes at Washington despite injuring the wrist on a dunk attempt in the second quarter. X-rays and an MRI showed no damage. Even so, he was in too much pain to play on Tuesday. The Pistons, meanwhile, have their injury issues. Iverson missed his 14th game in a row with a sore back, while Wallace (strained left calf) and Hamilton (strained left groin) missed their eighth and fifth straight, respectively. Clearly, the Pistons miss their stars. Then again, they weren't exactly rolling when they were healthy. They dropped eight in a row before Iverson went down, and after a four-game win streak, the losses started piling up again.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=290325021

Grant Hill scored 26 points, including a tiebreaking jumper in the lane with 31.5 seconds remaining, to lift the Phoenix Suns to their season-high sixth straight victory, 118-114 over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Matt Barnes, with 18 points in the second half, and Jason Richardson each had 21 points for the Suns. Steve Nash scored 12 and had 14 assists, while Shaquille O'Neal had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Deron Williams led Utah with 25 points and 10 assists. Ronnie Brewer scored 17, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver each added 15 points, and Carlos Boozer 14.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... yant++wife

Former housekeeper sues Bryant, wife
Kobe Bryant 's former housekeeper is suing the Lakers star and his wife, contending she was "harassed and humiliated," denied health insurance and forced to quit because of "intolerable" working conditions.

Maria Jimenez filed suit Friday in Orange County Superior Court.

The action seeks unspecified general, punitive and special damages, as well as back pay and overtime. The Bryants' attorney, Mark D. Campbell , called the allegations "totally unfounded and patently false."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... ll+missing

Pistons' injured stars still missing
Iverson, Wallace and Hamilton worked out during practice, but none will play tonight. The good news for the Pistons is that all three injured players -- Allen Iverson (back), Rasheed Wallace (calf) and Richard Hamilton (groin) -- were on the court during the off-day Wednesday working with physical therapist Arnie Kander. The bad news, it's still likely that none of them will play tonight against the Lakers. "I am just waiting on Arnie to give me the word," coach Michael Curry said. "I would think that the only one that has a chance of playing (tonight) is Rip."

The short-handed Pistons have lost six of their last eight and have a tenuous grip on the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. They are 3 1/2 games behind sixth-place Philadelphia and a game ahead of Chicago. The Bulls have a favorable schedule, playing seven of their last 10 at home and facing only two teams with winning records. The Pistons play seven of their last 12 on the road, five against winning teams.

The Pistons insist they aren't hearing footsteps. "You know us, we are just trying to play basketball," Tayshaun Prince said. "But if we start looking over our shoulders and worrying about the seedings, we will really make things difficult for ourselves."