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

[nasty daddy]

http://www.971theticket.com/pages/3824327.php

Allen Iverson not likely to play against Pistons in opener
Memphis Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson says he feels no pain in his left hamstring, but added it's a "longshot" he'll play in Wednesday's season opener against Detroit.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.971theticket.com/pages/3824327.php

Detroit Pistons Launch Season-Long Giveback Initiative Benefiting Community Orga
The Detroit Pistons will recognize one cause per month with a home game devoted to raise funds and awareness beginning with the team’s 2009-10 regular season home opener vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, October 30 at 8 p.m. The opening night program, “Let’s Go To Work For A Cure,” highlights breast health awareness and will benefit breast cancer research programs at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

[nasty daddy]

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

Pistons Lose Scorefest to Timberwolves
The Pistons were missing Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace Thursday night but, their presence may not have helped. The Stones dropped a 122-114 decision to the Timberwolves in preseason action at the Palace that didn't feature much defense.

After the game, Pistons guard, Ben Gordon admitted that right now the "defense is terrible." It's only preseason but the Pistons are showing that they're going to be a vastly different team than they've been in the past. Here is the game wrap from The Sports Network.

Final Score: Minnesota 122, Detroit 114
Oleksiy Pecherov scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, as the Minnesota Timberwolves took down the Detroit Pistons, 122-114, in preseason action. Corey Brewer added a team-high 21 points for the Timberwolves. Ryan Gomes ended with 19 points and seven boards. Ryan Hollins and Wayne Ellington added 14 and 11 points off the bench, respectively, for Minnesota, which finishes the preseason versus Toronto on Friday. Rodney Stuckey had a game-high 25 points for the Pistons, who end the preseason against Milwaukee on Friday. Richard Hamilton finished with 21 points while Charlie Villanueva added 17 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/ ... hats-that/

Defense? What’s that?
Looking at the 122-114 final score, you’d think the Pistons and Wolves played five quarters, not four. And looking at Detroit’s 58.6% shooting (40% from three and 90% from the line), you’d think they’d win this game going away. Unfortunately, as good as the Pistons were on offense, they struggled to find any cohesion on defense or with the refs. Check out the box score and cue the highlight reel …

The Pistons led by as many as 10, but a brutal third quarter (in which Minneosta shot 16 free throws to Detroit’s four) helped turn the tide. Is blaming the officials an excuse? Absolutely. But there were 77 free throws attempted in this game, literally 30 more than your average Pistons game featured last season. [Another excuse is the fact that Detroit lacked both Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace, ostensibly two-thirds of their starting frontcourt, but that’s barely worth mentioning considering Minnesota was without Kevin Love and Al Jefferson, as well. And let’s face it, a starting front court of Ryan Gomes and Oleksiy Pecherov shouldn’t kill you — ever — but it did, combining for 39 points and 17 boards. I don’t know about you, but that kind of takes the thunder out of Charlie Villanueva’s (17 points, 10 boards) night. Given Charlie’s rep, let’s hope that’s an anomaly and not a trend.]

Taken as a whole, Detroit’s four-game slide after their 3-0 start has tempered expectations, but let’s hold off the doomsday talk until the regular season and regular rotations (and, to be honest, regular refs) take effect. This team has the potential, but it’s also still getting used to playing with each other and with the coaching staff.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.examiner.com/x-13383-Detroit ... eason-ball

A fourth straight loss moves the Pistons to 3-4 in preseason ball
Even with a small lead at the half (again), the Pistons turned in yet another forgettable defensive performance in the second half against on Thursday night. Despite posting preseason highs with 114 points and 58.6% shooting, Detroit's defense allowed Minnesota big men Oleksiy Pecherov and Ryan Gomes to literally have a field day under the basket. How bad was it? The not-so-menacing duo combined for 39 points and 17 rebounds on 16-22 shooting. Yikes. Maybe it's a good thing that Al Jefferson sat this one out.

If you happened to glance at the ever-growing injury report before last night's tip, you saw two significant names: Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace. Love them or hate them, these are currently Detroit's top two interior defenders. Having both guys on the sidelines last night can't be an excuse for the shaky defensive effort, but it does help us make a little more sense out of the fact that a guy named Oleksiy Pecherov just blew up for 20 and 10. Remember, Chris Wilcox and Charlie Villanueva are power forwards, not centers. As much as Wilcox's size and athleticism makes him seem ideal to play the five, his defense and rebounding just aren't up to par. Give him a spot start on the inside and those deficiencies will become evident very quickly.

Allowing 122 points to a team that many are predicting as lottery-bound just shows how the Pistons have really come full circle this preseason. That oh-so-magical 3-0 start, where everybody was scoring points and staying healthy, evaporated weeks ago. Now we've got a club that has stumbled four straight times, and has serious problems with injuries and defensive inconsistency. I'll give John Kuester all the credit in the world for giving us a team that can score 110 points on a given night, but what good is that if you can't even play defense? The Pistons close out the preseason tonight on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

Wizards’ Jamison out longer with sore shoulder
Antawn Jamison’s(notes) ailing shoulder will take much longer to heal than expected—keeping him off the court well into the regular season.

The Washington Wizards revised their estimated recovery time for Jamison’s injury Friday, announcing he’s likely to miss eight to 13 games in the regular season.

The two-time All-Star forward partially dislocated his shoulder trying to block a shot in an exhibition game against Cleveland on Oct. 14. The Wizards originally ruled him out for the rest of the preseason. But team president Ernie Grunfeld said Friday that Jamison is expected to be out three to five weeks.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2 ... 30&prov=ap

The Grizzlies (3-5) lost point guard Mike Conley(notes) when he re-injured his troublesome right ankle in the first quarter in the game, which began at 10:30 a.m. and was played in front of more than 16,000, high-spirited middle school students.

“I’m just glad nobody else got hurt and we got through training camp unscathed,” coach Lionel Hollins said.

Iverson avoided the noise by staying in the locker room during the game. Iverson did work out before tipoff but said it’s a “long shot” he’ll be cleared for the Grizzlies’ season opener Wednesday against Detroit.

[nasty daddy]

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

Wizards' Jamison (shoulder) will miss start of season
Antawn Jamison's ailing shoulder will take much longer to heal than expected -- keeping him off the court well into the regular season.

The Washington Wizards revised their estimated recovery time for Jamison's injury Friday, announcing he's likely to miss eight to 13 games in the regular season. The two-time All-Star forward partially dislocated his shoulder trying to block a shot in an exhibition game against Cleveland on Oct. 14. The Wizards originally ruled him out for the rest of the preseason. But team president Ernie Grunfeld said Friday that Jamison is expected to be out three to five weeks.

The news is another blow for a franchise that has had three straight seasons marred by injuries to marquee players.

[nasty daddy]

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

Iverson says he's a 'long shot' to play in Grizzlies' opener
That means the 10-time All-Star could miss Memphis' season opener Wednesday against his former team, Detroit, as he recovers from a partly torn left hamstring.

While upbeat and pain-free after a workout before sitting out the Grizzlies' exhibition finale Friday against Charlotte, Iverson indicated there's a good chance the Grizzlies' medical staff won't clear him for the opener because of fears he's not completely healed. "They're saying it's a possibility, but it's also a long shot," Iverson said on playing against the Pistons. "You know that's one of the ones I definitely want to play." Iverson said he won't be out long, however, as his rehab progresses well from the injury suffered in a scrimmage Oct. 4. While he sat out all eight exhibition games, he started more involved workouts this week. After not traveling with the team to Miami, he joined the club in Charlotte Thursday night.

Iverson said he feels great, has no pain in his leg and can run and cut without trouble. But he also said he's going to listen to the advice of others because the 34-year-old has never had this injury. "I guess for one time in my life when it comes to my body, I'll listen to somebody else," Iverson said. "Usually I go off of my instincts. This time, I'll make sure I listen to the professionals."

[nasty daddy]

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

Rockets cut roster to 15, waive veteran guard Barry
The Houston Rockets have waived guard Brent Barry, a move that trims their roster to the required 15 players.

The 6-foot-7 Barry signed as a free agent with the Rockets before last season and averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 assists in 56 games.

Barry had not rejoined the team in the preseason.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/power-rankings.shtml

InsideHoops NBA Power Rankings
1: Los Angeles Lakers
2: Cleveland Cavaliers
3: Orlando Magic
4: Boston Celtics
5: San Antonio Spurs
6: Denver Nuggets
7: Dallas Mavericks
8: Portland Trailblazers
9: Utah Jazz
10: Atlanta Hawks
17: Detroit Piston

[nasty daddy]

http://www.insidehoops.com/power-rankings.shtml

17) Detroit Pistons (39-43) - In with the new and out with most of the old. The Pistons are now built around returnees Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey, and they welcome shooting guard Ben Gordon and power forward Charlie Villanueva. The new guys aren't known as defenders, though. Look for the Pistons to be decent, but not great. They're in transition.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4589517

Rockets cut veteran guard Barry
The Houston Rockets have waived guard Brent Barry, a move that trims their roster to the required 15 players.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4589401

Jamison out longer than expected
Antawn Jamison's ailing shoulder will take much longer to heal than expected -- keeping him off the court well into the regular season.

The Washington Wizards revised their estimated recovery time for Jamison's injury Friday, announcing he's likely to miss eight to 13 games of the regular season.

The Wizards originally ruled him out for the rest of the preseason. But team president Ernie Grunfeld said Friday that Jamison is expected be out three to five weeks.

[nasty daddy]

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

For all of you TV-starved Detroit Pistons fans
The lack of preseason basketball has been a sore subject among FCP commenters (what, don't act like you haven't enjoyed the Air Race World Series or the ACIS Intramural Championships ... I know you have), but tonight's final preseason game in Milwaukee at 8:30 p.m. is televised and Fox Sports Detroit is rolling out some major Pistons coverage starting Sunday.

Check the link for the full schedule, but highlights include specials on Chuck Daly, Bill Laimbeer, Grant Hill, Dave Bing, Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton, as well as a season preview special that airs throughout the week and a summer league recap. Happy viewing, finally.

[nasty daddy]

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

Bill Simmons still hates the Detroit Pistons
I'll admit it, I used to be a Bill Simmons fan, but at some point the over-the-top Boston love got to be too much. In his NBA preview column for ESPN.com, Simmons, who clearly still harbors hatred for Pistons stemming from his days cheering against Bill Laimbeer and Isiah Thomas from the cheap seats, has plenty of negative things to say about this year's squad.

First he reminds his loyal readers that he thinks Joe Dumars is a poor general manager. I was rooting for Detroit to bring Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon off the bench this season, just so I could make the "any time you can pay $94 million and lock up your cap space for two bench guys, you gotta do it" joke. But the Pistons foiled me by starting Villanueva. Still, they dumped Chauncey Billups and effectively tanked last season for cap flexibility; now that flexibility is gone, only they look like a mortal lock for the lottery. (You realize their "big men" are The Artist Formely Known As Ben Wallace, Kwame Brown, Villanueva and Chris Wilcox, right?) And this was a good plan … how? Some day you'll have to explain this whole "Joe Dumars is a good GM" thing to me.Then Simmons sides with Allen Iverson after last year's debacle of a season. I remain an Iverson fan. He's my No. 1 choice for a magazine feature. I thought he got a raw deal in Detroit.

We've already discussed this story ad nauseam, but I don't see how anyone thinks Iverson didn't bring last season's misery on himself. The amount of attention Iverson received as a free agent says it all. Simmons' final shot comes in his projected 2009-10 standings. Simmons picks the Pistons to finish an awful 31-51, behind the Knicks and Bobcats in the Eastern Conference. That's rough, almost as rough as Simmons' cliché pop culture-laced humor and homer-fueled analysis that pervade his every column.

[nasty daddy]

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

It's still easy to root for Antonio McDyess
Bring up former Pistons Rasheed Wallace or Chauncey Billups and there's still segments of fans who are glad they're gone. Antonio McDyess, on the other hand ... no one wanted him to leave, but I think everyone understood why he had to. McDyess came to Detroit, was the one guy who's effort could never be questioned, solely in pursuit of a championship. With the team rebuilding and him a free agent, it was clear he wouldn't get that title in Detroit, but he's still the same guy in San Antonio, talking to the Sporting News about what that elusive title would mean:

“When I first signed here, they made it clear,” he said. “They told me, ‘We are going to prepare to win a championship.’ So it’s all about the big picture here. I had some long years in the middle of my career, those injuries, where I was putting myself on that floor when I wasn’t ready. Everything I went through in my career, to know at the end of the day that I can walk away with a ring …”

Here, McDyess’ voice tails off. He pauses, and again, you’ve got to root for him a little. He finally says, “In that case, I’ve done everything.” Even the most ardent Pistons fans have to admit, it would be kind of cool to see the Spurs win it this year, solely for Dyess.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20091023/S ... s.-Pistons

Iverson "longshot" to play in opener vs. Pistons
For the first time in his career, Allen Iverson vows to take the advice of others instead of listening to his body. That means the 10-time All-Star could miss Memphis’ season opener Wednesday against his former team, Detroit, as he recovers from a partly torn left hamstring. While upbeat and pain-free after a workout before sitting out the Grizzlies’ exhibition finale tonight against Charlotte, Iverson indicated there’s a good chance the Grizzlies’ medical staff won’t clear him for the opener because of fears he’s not completely healed. “They’re saying it’s a possibility, but it’s also a longshot,” Iverson said on playing against the Pistons. “You know that’s one of the ones I definitely want to play.”

Iverson said he won’t be out long, however, as his rehab progresses well from the injury suffered in a scrimmage Oct. 4. While he sat out all eight exhibition games, he started more involved workouts this week. After not traveling with the team to Miami, he joined the club in Charlotte Thursday night. Iverson said he feels great, has no pain in his leg and can run and cut without trouble. But he also said he’s going to listen to the advice of others because the 34-year-old has never had this injury. “I guess for one time in my life when it comes to my body, I’ll listen to somebody else,” Iverson said. “Usually I go off of my instincts. This time, I’ll make sure I listen to the professionals.” Iverson said because of the layoff he’s yet to learn all the Grizzlies’ plays, the system, and the tendencies of his teammates. After an ugly departure from Detroit after last season, he had little interest from the free-agent market before agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Grizzlies in September.

He will be asked to fit in with a young core led by Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo. “I’m usually getting treatment during practice time and they’re out there running plays. But once I get back into practice and just watching the plays for a couple days, I’ll pick it up like that,” Iverson said. “But as far as styles and everything, I just know how to adjust." The former league MVP who’s scored more than 23,000 points feels he’s got something left— and will prove it once the training staff lets him. “I feel 100 percent, but they’ve been telling me with this injury, that’s the way it is,” Iverson said. “You feel well and then you go out there and try to take it fifth gear and it can tear again. That’s my whole dilemma right now, but I feel good.”

[nasty daddy]

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

2009-10 Detroit Pistons Preview
Pistons president Joe Dumars is coming off a disastrous year in which he jettisoned underrated coach Flip Saunders for the untested and unproven Michael Curry and compounded that mistake with the ill-conceived Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson trade. Gone was Detroit's legendary balance, defensive prowess and chemistry, not to mention the run of six straight trips to the Eastern Conference finals. Detroit slipped to the eighth seed in the East and failed to advance to at least the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001-02. Needless to say, this is a big year for Dumars.

He admitted his mistake with Curry and changed gears, hiring Larry Brown disciple John Kuester as the team's head coach. Meanwhile, trading for the expiring contract of Iverson did give Dumars plenty of cap space and the team was able to steal Chicago sharp-shooter Ben Gordon and Milwaukee forward Charlie Villanueva from division rivals. "Detroit definitely has a great backcourt with Richard Hamilton and Ben Gordon and those guys are real tough to guard especially coming off of those down screens,"

Dallas swingman Quinton Ross said after facing the Pistons in the preseason. "With those guys you really have to get on them early and try to contest their shots." "It's a blessing, adding him to our team," Hamilton said of adding Gordon. "It takes a load off me with scoring and things like that." Whether that's enough to make Detroit a serious contender in the East again is up for debate but the Pistons do look like they are headed back in the right direction.

[nasty daddy]

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

2008-09 Results: 39-43, third in Central; Lost in first round of playoffs to Cleveland.
ADDITIONS: F Austin Daye, G/F DaJuan Summers, F Jonas Jerebko, F Charlie Villanueva, G Ben Gordon, F Chris Wilcox, F/C Ben Wallace
SUBTRACTIONS: G Allen Iverson, F/C Rasheed Wallace, F Antonio McDyess, F Amir Johnson, G Arron Afflalo, F Walter Sharpe, F/C Fabricio Oberto
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE: PG- Rodney Stuckey SG- Richard Hamilton SF- Tayshaun Prince PF- Charlie Villanueva C- Kwame Brown
KEY RESERVES: G Will Bynum, F Austin Daye, G Ben Gordon, F Jason Maxiell, F/C Ben Wallace, F Chris Wilcox