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

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/video/games/bucks/20 ... index.html

Bynum to Wilcox
Watch as Detroit's Will Bynum finds Ben Wallace at the rim for the easy flush.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... or-Detroit

Rodney Stuckey comes through in stretch for Detroit
Rodney Stuckey scored all nine of the Pistons' points over the final 4:21 and finished with 16 as Detroit held on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-93 on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. Ben Gordon added 15 of his 19 points after halftime, giving Detroit exactly the type of performance the Pistons hoped for after signing him to a $55 million, 5-year contract earlier this summer. Detroit (4-4) had an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee (3-5) took a 90-89 lead on a free throw by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

Stuckey took over, making a driving basket in the lane, hitting a 13-footer and adding two free throws with 7.7 seconds to play. Will Bynum had 13 points, Richard Hamilton added 12 and Ben Wallace, who returned to Detroit after three years, had 14 rebounds. Michael Redd scored 23 points in a preseason-high 37 minutes for the Bucks as he returns from two torn ligaments in his left knee. The Bucks got another strong performance from Andrew Bogut, who had 10 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes. The former overall No. 1 pick missed 43 games last season, including the final 31, with a stress fracture in his lower back.

Ersan Ilyasova scored 16 points and Carlos Delfino added 11 for the Bucks, who had a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter before the Pistons whittled it to 66-65 to start the fourth. Gordon hit two 3-pointers to start the quarter to erase it. The Bucks had plenty of chances down the stretch, but Ilyasova missed a 3-pointer with 1:10 to go, rookie Brandon Jennings missed a 10-footer and Roko Ukic missed a layup with 8 seconds left. Detroit returns on Oct. 31 for Milwaukee's home opener and has had success against the Bucks everywhere recently, going 9-2 against them since 2007.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/video/games/bucks/20 ... index.html

Maxiell with the Jam
Some nifty passing finds Jason Maxiell open on the baseline for the two-handed flush.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/video/games/bucks/20 ... index.html

Pistons vs. Bucks: 1st Half
It was all tied up 38-38 at halftime between the Pistons and the Bucks.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.nba.com/video/games/bucks/20 ... index.html

Pistons vs. Bucks
Ben Gordon leads the Pistons with 19 points as they outlast the Bucks 95-93.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

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

Stuckey comes through in stretch for Detroit
Ben Gordon said Rodney Stuckey can get anywhere he wants on the court. Stuckey just wanted to make sure the Bucks weren't getting to the basket. The burly point guard scored all nine of the Pistons' points over the final 4:21 and finished with 16 as Detroit held on to beat Milwaukee 95-93 on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. "He's just a bulldog, plain and simple," Gordon said. "Rodney's probably one of the strongest point guards in the NBA, if not the strongest." Still, Stuckey wasn't happy about the defensive effort in a 122-114 loss to Minnesota on Thursday, Detroit's fourth straight, and helped shut down Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings, who finished 2 of 9 from the field and had six points. "We can't be letting teams like Minnesota put 122 points on us. We're not going to let that happen again," Stuckey said. "No more 122-point games." Gordon added 15 of his 19 points after halftime, giving Detroit exactly the type of performance the Pistons hoped for after signing him to a $55 million, 5-year contract earlier this summer. "We can fight back, that's definitely encouraging," Gordon said. "We're not throwing our hands up and celebrating because we won a road game, but it's definitely good mentally just building some momentum going into the season."

Detroit (4-4) had an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee (3-5) took a 90-89 lead on a free throw by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Stuckey took over, making a driving basket in the lane, hitting a 13-footer and adding two free throws with 7.7 seconds to play. "Obviously my first option is to look at my wings, my bigs, but if the shot clock's running down, I've got to create something," Stuckey said. Will Bynum had 13 points, Richard Hamilton added 12 and Ben Wallace, who returned to Detroit after three years, had 14 rebounds. Detroit shot 65 percent from the field in the second half. "I think we set the tone defensively, and that all started with the play of Ben Wallace," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "He was a bear defensively." Michael Redd scored 23 points in a preseason-high 37 minutes for the Bucks as he returns from two torn ligaments in his left knee. "I felt good, I felt sharp," Redd said. The Bucks also got another strong performance from Andrew Bogut, who had 10 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes.

The former overall No. 1 pick missed 43 games last season, including the final 31 with a stress fracture in his lower back. "Those are good signs, both of those guys being healthy, for sure," Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles said. Ersan Ilyasova scored 16 points and Carlos Delfino added 11 for the Bucks, who had a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter before the Pistons whittled it to 66-65 to start the fourth. Gordon hit two 3-pointers to start the quarter to erase it. The Bucks had plenty of chances down the stretch, but Ilyasova missed a 3-pointer with 1:10 to go, Jennings missed a 10-footer and Roko Ukic missed a layup with 8 seconds left. Detroit returns on Oct. 31 for Milwaukee's home opener and has had success against the Bucks everywhere recently, going 9-2 against them since 2007. "It was good being back here in Milwaukee," said Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva, who left the Bucks and signed a 5-year, $35 million contract in Detroit. "I'm definitely looking forward to October 31, it's a date circled on my calendar."

[nasty daddy]

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

NOTES: Detroit opens its season at Memphis on Wednesday. ... Milwaukee opens its season at Philadelphia on Friday. ... X-rays on Detroit C Kwame Brown (left hand) were negative. ... Ilyasova (bruised cheekbone) wore a mask as a precaution after taking an inadvertent elbow in practice. X-rays were negative. ... Pistons F Tayshaun Prince (right toe) did not play, but is expected to be ready in the opener.

[nasty daddy]

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

Rodney Stuckey comes through in stretch for Pistons in 95-93 win against Bucks
Ben Gordon said Rodney Stuckey can get anywhere he wants on the court. Stuckey just wanted to make sure the Bucks weren't getting to the basket. The burly point guard scored all nine of the Pistons' points in the final 4:21 and finished with 16 as Detroit held on to beat Milwaukee 95-93 on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams."He's just a bulldog, plain and simple," Gordon said. "Rodney's probably one of the strongest point guards in the NBA, if not the strongest." Still, Stuckey wasn't happy about the defensive effort in a 122-114 loss to Minnesota on Thursday, Detroit's fourth defeat in a row, and helped shut down Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings, who finished 2-of-9 from the field and had six points. "We can't be letting teams like Minnesota put 122 points on us. We're not going to let that happen again," Stuckey said. "No more 122-point games." Gordon added 15 of his 19 points after halftime, giving the Pistons the type of performance they had hoped for after signing him to a $55 million, five-year contract earlier this summer."We can fight back, that's definitely encouraging," Gordon said. "We're not throwing our hands up and celebrating because we won a road game, but it's definitely good mentally just building some momentum going into the season."

Detroit (4-4) had an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee (3-5) took a 90-89 lead on a free throw by Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Rodney StuckeyStuckey took over, making a driving basket in the lane, hitting a 13-footer and adding two free throws with 7.7 seconds to play."Obviously, my first option is to look at my wings, my bigs, but if the shot clock's running down, I've got to create something," Stuckey said. Will Bynum had 13 points, Richard Hamilton added 12 and Ben Wallace had 14 rebounds. Detroit shot 65 percent from the field in the second half. "I think we set the tone defensively, and that all started with the play of Ben Wallace," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "He was a bear defensively." Michael Redd, who returned after tearing two ligaments in his left knee, scored 23 points in a preseason-high 37 minutes for the Bucks. "I felt good, I felt sharp," Redd said.

The Bucks also got another strong performance from Andrew Bogut, who had 10 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes. The former overall No. 1 pick missed 43 games last season, including the final 31 with a stress fracture in his lower back. "Those are good signs, both of those guys being healthy, for sure," Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles said. Ersan Ilyasova scored 16 points and Carlos Delfino added 11 for the Bucks, who had a 12-point lead midway through the third quarter before the Pistons whittled it to 66-65 to start the fourth. Gordon hit two 3-pointers to start the quarter to erase it. The Bucks had plenty of chances down the stretch, but Ilyasova missed a 3-pointer with 1:10 to go, Jennings missed a 10-footer and Roko Ukic missed a layup with 8 seconds left. Detroit returns Oct. 31 for Milwaukee's home opener and has had success against the Bucks everywhere recently, going 9-2 against them since 2007. "It was good being back here in Milwaukee," said Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva, who left the Bucks and signed a five-year, $35 million contract in Detroit. "I'm definitely looking forward to October 31; it's a date circled on my calendar."

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... ng-lockout

NBA, referees agree to deal, ending lockout
The real referees will work the real games. The NBA and its referees union agreed on a two-year contract Friday, ending a lockout of more than a month and saving the league from using replacements when the regular season starts. The officials ratified the deal that was reached earlier this week in a vote Friday night. No details of the vote were provided, nor were terms of the agreement. "We are pleased to reach this agreement," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "The negotiations extended further than either side had hoped, but when our regular season tips off on Tuesday we'll have the best referees in the world officiating our games." The referees union did not comment. The referees will begin a three-day training camp Saturday and be ready when the regular season starts Tuesday. The league had been using replacement officials during exhibition play. The contract between the league and the National Basketball Referees Association expired Sept. 1, and the league announced its was locking out the officials on Sept. 18, saying they had rejected its final contract offer. The NBA decided to go with replacements late last month after the referees rejected a deal the league said its negotiators had already agreed to.

That raised the possibility of the league starting the season with replacement officials for the first time since 1995. But progress was made in a meeting this week at league headquarters that included Stern, who had previously pulled out of the negotiations after referees lead negotiator Lamell McMorris criticized the commissioner's behavior. Stern rejoined the talks this week at the request of the referees. "It was always our intention to make a deal and our hope. I thought that perhaps the rhetoric had gotten a little bit too heated and it would be better for me to withdraw," Stern said earlier Friday during a conference call. "But it was requested by the other side that I return and that they were coming in to make a deal and they asked me to be there, and I thought I owed them out of my respect to them to honor that request." The referees' contracts have usually been for five years, but the NBA consented to a two-year deal at the request of the union, which hoped it could renegotiate sooner with the economy hopefully in better shape. The sides agreed on a salary structure that would give the refs a slight raise in the second year, but they remained apart on proposed changes to the referees' pension and severance packages, as well as a plan to develop younger officials by having them work in NBA games. Negotiations broke down multiple times. Stern angered the union when he abruptly ended one negotiating session, feeling the officials were reneging on previously agreed upon items.

The league later accused the union of doing that again after the full roster of referees rejected a deal that had been reached in principle. McMorris pulled out after that collapse, though he also returned and took part in the meeting this week. The league used a roster of 62 replacements, mostly from the NBA Development League and WNBA, during the lockout. Stern said the backups "responded very well" and predicted that many would referee NBA games again. "We of course knew we have to provide them with extra support, coaching and training, but they've responded very well," Stern said during the conference call. "We're very pleased with the effort, and we know you'll be seeing many of the people who you've seen on our court as future NBA referees. The replacement officials were criticized for calling too many fouls, though the amount decreased later in the exhibition season, which ended Friday night. "As the preseason went on, they were better," Houston coach Rick Adelman said. "I don't think they were arrogant, or anything like that. They gave the explanations and they were doing the best they could. "The first couple (games) were just foul after foul and call after call and there was no rhythm to the games," Adelman added. "After that, I thought it settled down fairly well. They just called things differently than the normal officials. They're pretty much going by the book." Some of the replacements likely will get another chance. The current staff includes 17 referees who started as replacements during previous work stoppages.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... itter-game

Charlie Villanueva maintains his Twitter game
In the last 10 days, Charlie Villanueva felt weird going back to Milwaukee, expressed his love about being in Detroit, cleaned his house, wondered aloud what there is to do while in Dallas, expressed frustration with his 2K10 NBA video game, and wondered who will win the World Series. He also kept everyone updated on his hamstring injury and passed on some Pistons promotional news. Everyone knows all this because Villanueva is on Twitter. And few players in the NBA are as good at Twittering as Villanueva or, better yet, have the following Villanueva has through the social networking site. "Twitter is all fun and games," said Villanueva, screen name CV31, who has become one of the more high-profile NBA players to tweet. "It's just a way to stay connected with the fans. The fans deserve that." The connection between Villanueva and NBA fans worldwide certainly is there. He had 60,629 followers as of Friday and has posted 2,129 tweets. "It's something I enjoy to do," said Villanueva, 25.

His celebrity status, interestingly, can be traced to one legendary tweet. Go back to last March, when Villanueva still was a member of the Bucks. Using his mobile telephone, he tweeted from the locker room at halftime of a game against the Celtics. Villanueva wrote: "In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We're playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up." Little did he know those few sentences would make him a media topic for weeks on end. "People who didn't know who Charlie Villanueva was, they do now," he said.For what it's worth, Villanueva did "step up" his game. He had a team-high 19 points as Milwaukee wound up defeating Boston, 86-77. But the publicity afterward was something Villanueva never could have imagined. "I didn't even mean to get that much attention," he said. "I don't know how it happened. Coach (Scott) Skiles called me into his office and I was like, 'How did he know that?' Everybody picked it up, all the media people."

Skiles told Villanueva afterward he didn't want him to tweet during games, thus giving the impression Bucks players weren't focused or serious. Villanueva didn't have another tweeting incident the remainder of the schedule. Before training camp began this season, the NBA announced it would ban players, coaches and other personnel associated with the league from using Twitter or other social networking sites before, during, and even for a short period after games. But that's obviously not going to deter him when he isn't around the court. "It doesn't hurt me at all," Villanueva said. "The more attention, the better. You have to brand who you are. The Pistons are hoping Villanueva's exploits on the basketball court will match the Twitter attention.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2009 ... itter-game

Pistons 95, (at) Bucks 93
Rodney Stuckey scored all nine of the Pistons' points over the final 4:21 and finished with 16 as the Pistons held on to beat the Bucks on Friday night in the final exhibition for both teams.

Ben Gordon added 15 of his 19 points after halftime for Detroit (4-4), which had an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Michael Redd scored 23 for the Bucks.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.motownstringmusic.com/2009/1 ... -milwaukee

Pistons buckle down in Milwaukee to end preseason with victory, 95-93
What a difference a Ben Wallace can make. Ben Wallace, who was starting for the injured Kwame Brown after missing last game (coach's decision), was all over the place, making things happen just as one would have expected from the 2004 Ben Wallace. In just over 33 minutes, he corralled 14 rebounds, had four steals, and two blocks. But his efforts go far beyond the box score. In the first half, he was clearly the most active Piston on defense, contesting shots nearly every possession, forcing bad passes, and taking charges. We can't give all the credit to Big Ben, but we can give him most of it, and he's a very big reason why the Pistons won and were able to hold their opponent to 29 less points than they allowed last game. Despite Wallace's stifling defense, the Pistons really didn't capitalize and flip the switch on offense until late in the third quarter when they trailed by as many as 12 points. At that point, Bynum and Gordon took control combining for 12 points in the final four minutes of the third to help the Pistons pull within one going into the fourth.

The Pistons then carried that momentum into the final quarter, jumping out to as large as an eight point lead. Detroit led in the fourth for all, but a minute thirty seven of action and most importantly, held on as the final buzzer sounded. As we'll see on most nights, the offense was carried by the four guards. Ben Gordon finished with 19 points on 7-12 shooting (3-3 from downtown). I swear every shot he made ripped the nets and elicited that sweet, sweet string music that George Blaha often speaks of. Stuckey came on strong in the second half and finished with 16 points and six assists. Bynum had 13 points and four assists. Hamilton contributed 12 points and thieved his way to five steals. It wasn't all gravy for the Pistons, as they still had their perimeter problems on defense and saw a less than desirable showing from Charlie Villanueva.

Chuck had eight points (3-8 shooting) and six rebounds in 25 minutes. He also had three pretty bad turnovers and was negative-19 when on the floor. Normally, I don't consider that stat an indication of poor individual play, especially since Ben Wallace's was the second worst at negative-14, but that's exactly what it is for Charlie tonight. He was by far the worst Piston on the floor and looked dazed on defense. It probably wasn't exactly the return to Milwaukee CV31 was hoping for and it's not the type of effort us Pistons fans are hoping for during the regular season. To be fair, he just came back from an injury and it could take some time for him to get acclimated.Detroit also struggled with their perimeter defense. The Bucks shot 40% from beyond the arc, but too many times a Milwaukee player was given an open look from downtown. Milwaukee's 27 three point tries should be a pretty clear sign of that. Overall, tonight's game was a good way to end the preseason. Going into the regular season with the confidence of a win will hopefully carry over when they open the season against three underwhelming teams, including these same Bucks, before playing the Magic (8-0 preseason). It's going to be an exciting season, one that I'm eager to get rolling. Next Wednesday can't come soon enough.

[nasty daddy]

http://smokingpistons.com/2009/10/23/nb ... edictions/

NBA Season Predictions
With the season starting next week, it’s time to make some predictions.
Atlantic
1. Boston (65-17)*
2. New York (43-39)*
3. Toronto (41-41)
4. Philadelphia (38-44)
5. New Jersey (32-50)
Central
1. Cleveland (61-21)*
2. Chicago (44-38)*
3. Detroit (38-44)
4. Indiana (36-46)
5. Milwaukee (28-54)
Southeast
1. Orlando (65-17)*
2. Washington (49-33)*
3. Atlanta (48-34)*
4. Miami (42-38)*
5. Charlotte (36-46)

Northwest
1. Utah (55-27)*
2. Portland (54-38)*
3. Denver (46-36)*
4. Oklahoma City (42-40)
5. Minnesota (20-62)
Pacific
1. Los Angeles Lakers (64-18)*
2. Los Angeles Clippers (46-36)*
3. Phoenix (43-39)
4. Golden State (38-44)
5. Sacramento (19-63)
Southwest
1. San Antonio (62-20)*
2. Dallas (54-38)*
3. New Orleans (50-32)*
4. Houston (35-47)
5. Memphis (32-50)

[nasty daddy]

http://smokingpistons.com/2009/10/23/nb ... edictions/

NBA Finals: Boston Celtics over San Antonio Spurs
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin
Most Improved Player: Chris Douglas-Roberts
Sixth Man: Rasheed Wallace
Coach of the Year: Mike D’Antoni
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
MVP: LeBron James

[nasty daddy]

• The Lakers will start the season 21-0.
• Kevin Durant will win the scoring title.
• Andris Biedrins will lead the league in rebounds per game.
• The biggest expiring contracts that will be traded will be Jermaine O’Neal, Amar’e Stoudemire, and maybe Chris Bosh.
• Richard Hamilton will also be traded.
• DeJuan Blair will have the best per minute numbers of any rookie.
• Marreese Speights will start for the Sixers by the end of the season.
• D.J. Augustin will lead the Bobcats in scoring.
• Gilbert Arenas will play at least 70 games.
• Brook Lopez and Andrew Bynum will both be all-stars.
• Greg Oden will not play 60 games. Tracy McGrady and Mike Dunleavy will not play 42 games.
• Sean May will play in more than 10 games.
• Joe Johnson will regret turning down his four-year, $60 million extension.
• The Kings will seriously threaten to leave Sacramento at some point this season.
• Jay Triano (Raptors) will be fired by February.
• The Sophomores will beat the Rookies by 50 over the All-Star break.
• John Wall will not be the No. 1 pick next summer because the worst teams already think they have their “point guards of the future.”

[nasty daddy]

http://smokingpistons.com/2009/10/23/nb ... edictions/

All-Rookie Team
Blake Griffin
Tyreke Evans
Jonny Flynn
Toney Douglas
DeJuan Blair
* Brandon Jennings – will be blackballed as the NBA tries to discourage high-schoolers from going overseas.
** Yeah, Toney Douglas.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... W12893.htm

Final Score: Detroit 95, Milwaukee 93
Ben Gordon scored 19 points to lead the Detroit Pistons past the Milwaukee Bucks, 95-93, in the preseason finale for both teams.

Rodney Stuckey added 16 points and six assists for the Pistons, who open their regular season on Wednesday in Memphis. Will Bynum and Richard Hamilton ended with 13 and 12, respectively.

Michael Redd had a game-best 23 points for the Bucks, who open their regular season next Friday in Philadelphia. Ersan Ilyasova added 16 points and Carlos Delfino donated 11. Andrew Bogut totaled 10 points and nine boards in the setback.

[nasty daddy]

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

Former Kings guard Bobby Jackson retires
Bobby Jackson(notes) is retiring from the NBA.

The 12-year veteran guard, who spent six seasons with Sacramento, made the announcement Friday night before the Kings’ preseason finale against the Utah Jazz.

Jackson averaged 9.7 points per game in his career. He was the league’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2002-03 with averages of 15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

[nasty daddy]

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

Jazz say Korver will have knee surgery next week
The Utah Jazz say forward Kyle Korver(notes) will have surgery on his left knee and will miss the beginning of the regular season.

The team says Dr. David Altcheck in New York City will perform the surgery on Tuesday. Korver has been bothered by inflammation in his left knee. He has appeared in just one preseason game. He had two points and three rebounds against Real Madrid on Oct. 8.

Last season he appeared in 78 games for the Jazz, averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. He made a team-high 103 3-pointers last season.

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/CV31

Well, preseason over, have tomorrow off, then first game against Memphis, let's go piston, sleepers, don't sleep on us