'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20091127/S ... -to-retire

Larry Brown doesn't want Allen Iverson to retire
Former Pistons coach Larry Brown has a message for former Piston Allen Iverson: Don’t give up. Iverson’s former coach with the 76ers said today he thinks the 10-time All-Star “still has a passion to play” and shouldn’t retire. An online report this week indicated Iverson had decided to end his career after receiving little interest from NBA teams. Brown, who coached Iverson in Philadelphia when he was voted league MVP in 2001 while leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals, said he has been trying to get in touch with him. “Anybody that knows him understands how much he loves to play,” said Brown, now coaching the Charlotte Bobcats.

Commentator Stephen A. Smith published a statement on his Web site Wednesday attributed to the 34-year-old Iverson that said he planned to retire. It came after the Memphis Grizzlies waived Iverson on Nov. 17 amid a dispute over Iverson’s role with the team. There was also friction between Iverson and the Detroit Pistons last year because he didn’t want to come off the bench. The New York Knicks briefly discussed signing the 6-foot Iverson but decided against it. Brown said he wouldn’t be a good fit in Charlotte because of the team’s abundance of guards. Brown believes Iverson is “a little embarrassed,” and the retirement talk might come from frustration. “Think about it: You’re an MVP in the All-Star Game and an MVP in the league, scored over 20,000 points,” Brown said. “You still know you can play, and to not have everybody jump up, it’s a pretty humbling thing. But he can play.”

Brown says Iverson could get opportunities later in the season. He pointed to Jan. 10, the date contracts are no longer guaranteed for the season, and the trade deadline a month later when several teams may reshape their rosters. “Some teams might think they aren’t as good as they thought,” Brown said. Brown has maintained a close relationship with Iverson despite their famous disputes in Philadelphia, including Iverson’s “We’re talking about practice!” rant after the 76ers’ exit from the 2002 playoffs.

[nasty daddy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4693439

O'Neal expected to play vs. Bobcats
Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal participated in the morning shootaround Friday and is expected to play against Charlotte.

Coach Mike Brown said O'Neal "will probably play" unless he has a setback before Friday night's game. O'Neal has sat out the past six games with a strained left shoulder. Brown said O'Neal will be limited to between 24 and 26 minutes against the Bobcats and again Saturday against Dallas as he works his way back into game condition.

Bobcats forward Boris Diaw aggravated a left ankle injury that he had from the summer, but went through shootaround Friday and said he'll play.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14483

L.A. Clippers @ Detroit Pistons: After a surprisingly solid 5-4 start to the season the Pistons have lost six straight games. The defense is solid, but the offense has been anemic. The Clippers are just 2-5 on the road this season.

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

Pistons hope to snap skid vs. Clippers
The Detroit Pistons hope to put an end to their six-game losing streak tonight, when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

[nasty daddy]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx? ... id=4269787

Pistons hope to snap skid vs. Clippers
The Detroit Pistons hope to put an end to their six-game losing streak tonight, when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit suffered its sixth consecutive defeat with Wednesday's 98-88 setback to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opener of a three-game homestand. Rodney Stuckey ended with 25 points and six rebounds for the Pistons, who will also host Atlanta on the residency. Charlie Villanueva had 19 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.

The Pistons were without guard Ben Gordon for the second half after he sustained a sprained left ankle in the opening half. Gordon had nine points before leaving the contest, and is expected to miss Friday's game. "I thought that the first half we allowed them to feel too comfortable and what I mean by that is that they brought the ball up and there was no pressure, we were just trying to get bodies-on-bodies," said Detroit head coach John Kuester. "I wasn't happy with our offensive execution."

Los Angeles had its brief two-game winning streak cut short with Wednesday's 86-73 loss to the Indiana Pacers, as Baron Davis led all scorers with 25 points and Marcus Camby netted a game-high 21 rebounds to go along with 15 points for the Clippers. "Overall we did a pretty good job defensively, but offensively we kind of let ourselves down," Clippers center Chris Kaman said. "It was frustrating tonight not making shots I normally make, shots other guys normally make, and not finishing plays down the stretch." Detroit went 2-0 against the Clippers last season and has won 13 straight and 22 of the previous 26 meetings in this series. Los Angeles is winless in its last eight trips to The Palace.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/chat.asp?stat ... ICS_ID=623

scott in Sydney, Australia:
With all the injuries the Pistons are dealing with do you think once those players return they can turn things around?

Yannis Koutroupis:
I'm not sure if they're going to be good enough defensively even when they get healthy to win enough ball games, Scott. The East is pretty tight once you get past the big three and teams like Milwaukee, Indiana, and Toronto just have more upside in my opinion. That's not to say that they can't come together and get in one of the final slots, but I'm expecting them to be a lottery team this season.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.motownstringmusic.com/2009/1 ... s-clippers

Game 16: Los Angeles Clippers @ Detroit Pistons
NBA Regular Season
Game 16
@
6-10 (2-5 away)
5-10 (3-3 home)
Palace of Auburn Hills
Clippers Blog: Clips Nation
TV: Fox Sports Detroit Radio: 97.1 The Fan
Probable starters:
Baron Davis
PG Rodney Stuckey
Eric Gordon
SG
Austin Daye
Al Thornton
SF Jonas Jerebko
Marcus Camby
PF Charlie Villanueva
Chris Kaman
C Ben Wallace

Do I need to say much else other than "the Pistons desperately need a win"? They are currently on a six game losing streak and this is their best chance to put an end to it with the Hawks in town on Sunday before traveling to Chicago for a game next Wednesday. If they don't win tonight a nine game losing streak is a very realistic, and sad, outlook. Although the Clippers are a much improved team this season, Detroit has had their number in the past. They are currently on a 13 game winning streak against the Clippers and have won 22 of the previous 26 meetings. The Clippers are also on an eight game losing streak at the Palace.

The Pistons will have to make do without their best scorer, Ben Gordon. He will miss tonight's game with an ankle injury he suffered on Wednesday night when he stepped on Lebron James' foot driving the lane. We should know more about the extent of his injury by tomorrow. And maybe Gordon could have gone tonight, but resting him is by design. As Clips Nation points out, the Clippers are not so great at beating depleted teams. Last year the Pistons were without Rip, 'Sheed, Iverson, and Stuckey one game; and the Pistons still beat the Clippers by 18. This year already the Clippers have lost to the Hornets and Pacers without their best players (Chris Paul and Danny Granger). Here's to carrying on that awesome tradition. Scouting report via Pistons.com. Tip off is at 8 PM EST. Eat some leftover turkey and join the game thread. We've had a poor showing from you so far this season. I've learned that fandom and a team's performance goes hand-in-hand. I'd love to hear your thoughts throughout the course of the game.

video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=291127008

Clippers-Pistons Preview
The Detroit Pistons haven't had much luck keeping their best players healthy and their schedule over the past two weeks didn't do them any favors either. As they try to snap their six-game slide, the Pistons hope to change their fortunes by earning their 14th straight win over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. During its losing streak, Detroit has faced five teams that have won at least 11 games. The one that didn't, Utah, needed overtime to beat the Pistons (5-10) on Saturday night. They have also faced four division-leading clubs, including two in the past two games. Detroit shot 39.2 percent in its 98-88 defeat Wednesday night in Cleveland, but suffered a bigger loss in the first half when leading scorer Ben Gordon exited with a sprained left ankle. The severity of the injury is unknown for Gordon, who has scored 19.8 points per game after signing a five-year deal worth $55 million in July. Detroit is already missing its two leading scorers from last season, Richard Hamilton (right ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back), who have played a combined four games this season. "It's tough. Man, it seems like injuries have been a factor all season," forward Charlie Villanueva said. "We can't get a break. Hopefully, it's not that bad of a sprain. Hopefully, he can recover quick, but I don't know how serious the injury is."

Gordon had averaged 19.3 points in his last three meetings with the Clippers, but was held to 11 on 4 of 12 shooting in a Jan. 28 win for Chicago at Staples Center. If Gordon is out, the Pistons could move Will Bynum into the starting lineup. Rookies Austin Daye, Jonas Jerebko and DaJuan Summers could also see more playing time. "This is when Jonas, DaJuan and Austin find out this isn't the summer league," coach John Kuester said. Bynum has averaged 13.5 points but scored four during a 1-for-13 performance against the Cavaliers. Rodney Stuckey broke his shooting slump to score a team-best 25 points Friday. He connected on 30.3 percent of his shots during a four-game Western road trip but was 8 of 16 against Cleveland. The Pistons have had plenty of strong performances during their winning streak against the Clippers, which dates back to Feb. 5, 2003. The 13-game run is tied for the NBA's longest active win streak by one team over another.

Dallas has also won 13 in a row over Minnesota and San Antonio has beaten New Jersey 13 straight times. Los Angeles (6-10) enters Friday's game trying to avoid a fourth straight road loss and comes off its worst offensive performance of the season. After back-to-back victories, the Clippers shot 32.2 percent in Wednesday night's 86-73 loss in Indiana. Leading scorer Chris Kaman (19.8 ppg) scored 10 on 3 of 19 shooting, and forward Al Thornton was 2 of 15 during a five-point night. Baron Davis, however, matched a season high with 25 points. "It was an awful loss," coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We can't get this one back, so we have to move on." The Clippers, 2-5 on the road this season, have also dropped eight straight in Detroit and earned their previous victory there in overtime on Feb. 19, 2001, their only win in 16 visits since 1992-93.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2009/11/the-pisto ... ers-2.html

The Pistons vs. The Clippers
The 5-10 Pistons will face the 6-10 Los Angeles Clippers at the Palace to try to end their 6 game losing streak. No Ben Gordon for the Pistons, who’s listed as day to day after his ankle sprain during the Cavaliers game on Wednesday.

My hope was to have Bynum start at point guard and move Stuckey over to the two, but it looks like Austin Daye will take Ben’s place in the starting lineup. The Clippers won’t have Blake Griffin, the number one draft pick, on court because of injury, but they do have Chris Kaman, who’s averaging 22 points per game this season.

Tip is at 8:00 pm EST and will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit. For the radio broadcast tune into wwj 950 AM or follow the action on NBA.com. For those of you who missed the chat room, it’s back! You can again talk Pistons during the games.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/detpistons

Austin Daye starts in place of Ben Gordon tonight. Good news: Gordon's ankle sprain isn't as serious as Rip Hamilton's More in a few.

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http://twitter.com/detpistons

John Kuester on injuries: This is going to make us a stronger team as time goes on. ... We're going to be fine before it's all over.

[nasty daddy]

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

Pistons' starters against Clippers very different than last year's lineup
The Detroit Pistons' starting lineup for tonight's game against the Los Angeles Clippers at The Palace of Auburn Hills includes just one member from last year's team: point guard Rodney Stuckey.

An injury to guard Ben Gordon has further depleted the roster. The Pistons (5-10), losers of six in a row, will start center Ben Wallace, re-signed in the offseason, forwards Jonas Jerebko and Charlie Villanueva and guards Austin Daye and Stuckey against the Clippers (6-10).

Gordon, their leading scorer, went down with a sprained right ankle Wednesday night. He joins guard Richard Hamilton (right ankle sprain) and forward Tayshaun Prince (ruptured disc in lower back) on the sideline.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20091127/S ... -vs.-Clips

Pistons desperate for win vs. Clips
The Detroit Pistons hope to put an end to their six-game losing streak tonight, when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Palace. Detroit suffered its sixth consecutive defeat with Wednesday's 98-88 setback to Cleveland in the opener of a three-game home stand. Guard Ben Gordon sustained a sprained left ankle in the opening half and will miss Friday's game.

Los Angeles had a two-game winning streak cut short with Wednesday's 86-73 loss at Indiana. "Overall we did a pretty good job defensively, but offensively we kind of let ourselves down," Clippers center Chris Kaman (Central Michigan) said. "It was frustrating tonight not making shots I normally make, shots other guys normally make, and not finishing plays down the stretch."

Detroit went 2-0 against the Clippers last season and has won 13 straight and 22 of the previous 26 meetings in this series. Los Angeles is winless in its last eight trips to the Palace.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291127014

Antawn Jamison scored 24 points, Nick Young added 22 and the Washington Wizards beat the Miami Heat for the first time in seven tries, 94-84 on Friday night.

Dwyane Wade had 18 points while struggling for Miami, which was without small forward Quentin Richardson for a fourth straight game. Jermaine O'Neal had 19 points and 13 rebounds, his fifth double-double of the season, with Michael Beasley adding 14 points.

Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler scored nine apiece for the Wizards, who have won two straight since owner Abe Pollin died.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291127020

Jamal Crawford scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, Mike Bibby added 21 and the Atlanta Hawks snapped a two-game losing streak with a 100-86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

Josh Smith scored 20 and Al Horford had 15 for the Hawks, who responded with a road win one night after falling 93-76 to the Orlando Magic.

Thaddeus Young scored 22 points, Andre Iguodala added 16 and Jason Smith had 14 for the struggling Sixers, who have dropped five in a row and seven of the past eight. Rodney Carney also had 13 off the bench.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291127030

Gerald Wallace had 31 points and 14 rebounds while outplaying LeBron James, and the Cleveland Cavaliers looked disjointed in Shaquille O'Neal's return from injury in a 94-87 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.

The surprising Bobcats won their third straight game following a seven-game losing streak behind Wallace, who beat James in numerous 1-on-1 matchups in the post. Wallace topped 30 points for the second straight game, while James scored 25 points.

O'Neal recovered after missing five of his first seven shots to finish with 11 points and eight rebounds. He had missed the past six games with a strained left shoulder, and Cleveland fell to 6-4 when he plays and 5-1 when he's out.

[nasty daddy]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291127002

Ray Allen scored 20 points, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins had 18 apiece, and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 116-103 on Friday night.

Rajon Rondo had 12 points and 11 assists as the Celtics won their third in a row for the first time since opening the season with six straight victories. Rasheed Wallace scored 15 points as a reserve, hitting three of his first four 3-point attempts.

Chris Bosh had 20 points and 13 rebounds, Hedo Turkoglu also scored 20 points and reserve Jarrett Jack added 18 for Toronto. The Raptors have lost six of their last eight games, including a 116-81 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday night that was the worst in franchise history.

[nasty daddy]

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

Clippers' Chris Kaman starting to feel more like his old self after illness
Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman had the best stretch of his six-year NBA career interrupted because of illness earlier this month. In the midst of scoring 20 or more points in six consecutive games, he contracted a virus that has left him feeling tired and sluggish on the court.He’s feeling better, though, after a trip home for Thanksgiving. The former Wyoming Tri-unity Christian High School and Central Michigan star spent Thursday following a road game against the Indiana Pacers feasting on mom’s cooking in Grand Rapids. “It was good to be home,” Kaman said of sharing the holiday with family members. “I ate a whole pumpkin pie -- a little here, a little there. Actually, I got another pumpkin pie in my hotel room.”

He still has a slight case of the sniffles. Kaman said he’s starting to feel like his old self again -- more like the same person who earned Western Conference player of the week honors for Nov. 2-8 after leading the Clippers to three consecutive wins. “I’m just now getting over it,” he said of the lingering virus. “I’m still a little tired, but my energy is starting to pick up. It just dragged me down. It wasn’t enough to keep me out of the (lineup), but it was enough that it sapped my energy. I’m starting to feel better. I’m just trying to pick up where I left off.” Kaman, 27, is off to the finest start of his NBA career. He entered Friday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills leading the Clippers in scoring at 19.8 points per game while averaging 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

His shooting percentage, however, has suffered as a result of battling the virus. He scored 10 points on 3-for-19 shooting Wednesday.Kaman didn’t miss a game because of the illness, but the Clippers did send him home for one day two weeks ago as a precaution until it was determined he did not have the H1N1 flu virus. “I know it wasn’t the swine flu because I got the vaccination for that,” he said. “It’s been a struggle shooting the basketball lately. I haven’t had the most energy for the last month, but I’m not making excuses. “I just got be a little smoother with my shots.” Kaman left 22 tickets for family and friends who attended Friday’s game.

[nasty daddy]

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

All-star candidates
It’s not like the Pistons were a threat to dominate the voting for the 2010 NBA All-Star game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Three of the team’s five players on the ballot, however, are sidelined with significant injuries.

Ben Gordon (sprained ankle), Richard Hamilton (sprained ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (ruptured disc-lower back) are out indefinitely. The other Pistons listed on the ballot are Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva.

Voting began Wednesday and concludes Jan. 18.

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http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291127011

Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

Nowitzki, who entered the night sixth in the NBA at 26.9 points per game, made 10 of 14 field goals and 11 of 13 free throws. Jason Terry scored 17 and Kris Humphries added 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks (12-4), winners of five straight road games.

Danny Granger, who missed Wednesday's victory over the Clippers with a sprained ligament in his left knee, finished with 20 points for the Pacers (6-8). Indiana guard Mike Dunleavy returned from a right knee injury and scored 13 in his season debut.