'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 63

[nasty daddy]

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

Karen Davidson: I'm looking into selling Pistons
If you have a half-billion dollars to burn, Karen Davidson probably would like to talk with you. Davidson, the Pistons’ owner for nearly a year, confirmed Wednesday night that she was thinking about selling the franchise that won three NBA championships for her late husband.

[nasty daddy]

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

Unloading Pistons might be tough sale for Karen Davidson
When Pistons owner Karen Davidson decides to sell the team, she doesn't have to be involved in any of the negotiations if she selects a broker to handle the transaction.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2010/1/22 ... baby-fined

Morning Shootaround: Big Baby Fined, Kuester Optimistic, and Midseason Grades
MLIVE Pistons midseason grades
Deadspin Glen Davis And The $25,000 Magic Words
SI.com Pistons coach John Kuester tries to keep optimistic outlook
Detroit News Pistons players, coach say talk of sale not a distraction
Freep Allen Iverson voted to start NBA All-Star Game (what a joke)
Crain's Detroit Business Palace president: Joint arena with Pistons and Red Wings is ‘logical'
Freep Rasheed Wallace: Return to Palace was cool, wonderful
MLIVE Ben Wallace gets his digs in after Pistons beat Rasheed Wallace and Celtics
Full Court Press - MLIVE Rip Hamilton not afraid to claw his way to victory
Detroit News Pistons might be tough sale for Karen Davidson
ESPN Boston First impressions: Pistons 92, Celtics 86
Piston Powered Game Review: Anything is possible for Detroit Pistons
Roto World Fantasy Basketball: Charlie Villanueva
Need4Sheed The Past and The Future
ESPN Indiana Pacers vs. Detroit Pistons - Preview - January 22, 2010
CBS Sports Pacers-Pistons Preview - Jan. 21, 2010
Detroit4lyfe Lebron James staying in Cleveland 'Forever'?

Links to each headline in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3306 ... eing-broke

Oops, I Guess I Was Wrong About the Detroit Pistons Model Being Broken
In an earlier article, it appeared that the Detroit Pistons' model for success was broken. At the beginning of the season, it seemed like the old Big Ben Wallace had reappeared as the new, but same old Big Ben Wallace. My criticism, then, was that four players who have some offensive ball skills, cannot compensate for Wallace's lack of offense. This was despite the fact that in the championship season, those players were able to win without Wallace contributing much to their offense. Now, after watching the way the team beat the Boston Celtics Wednesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, where the "Bad Boys" used to play, but the current edition of the team is starting to play, I've had to reassess my opinion on their future prospect of winning some games this season.What has caused this personal reevaluation has been the recent play of two cogs in the Piston machinery. For one thing, Ben Wallace does have some offensive game or abilities that I hadn't seen before.

Secondly, Wallace's energy level seems to be as good as it used to be back in the championship days. Additionally, I was wrong about the offensive skills of Chris Wilcox. He has the ability to dunk with the best of them in the league. I wish I had been wrong about Kwame Brown, but he still makes one wonder what Michael Jordan was thinking when he drafted him for the Washington Wizards. He has trouble catching passes in the post, where he should, and does, attempt to play. Another issue for him is that he doesn't appear to utilize his height very well. When he goes up for a shot, he hardly ever, gets an "and one" opportunity because he doesn't take the contact and finish the play too well. What impresses one most about this current Pistons roster is that they have great guard play, which makes sense because Joe Dumars, the general manager, was a great two-guard; he would be better at stocking that type player. His assortment of big men has not been the best, but his strategy has been built around the play of his guard rotation. This team is not easy to assess, because they have not had a healthy rotation of players, since the season began. If and when they get their players back in the game to game rotation, then perhaps it will become apparent just how good they could be.

One of the guards who was not successful with the team is now being discussed in the media in the same sentence as the words "starting in the All-Star Game," and that would be Allen Iverson. I liked A.I. when he was in Detroit because I thought with him coming off the bench, sort of like Vinny Johnson did back in the "Bad Boy" days, the opposing team would be exhausted every night trying to chase down Richard Hamilton and then Iverson when he came in.In fact, Ben Gordon's game involves utilizing picks and screens too. Those three guards could have been great, but Iverson doesn't do windows, i.e. come off the bench. It is still hard to accept idea of him starting in the NBA All-Star game since he's played so little this season. But the fans pay the freight, and they should be able to see who they vote in for that game. Iverson better enjoy that game because he said he had come to Detroit to win a championship, and now that he's back in Philly where his career began. It's beginning to look a lot like that's where his will end, and championship doesn't appear too likely for him at this point in his career.

[nasty daddy]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop

Jason Quick of The Oregonian: "In every sport there are tricks of the trade to provide an advantage. In football, offensive lineman grab a certain spot under the armpit to mask holding. In baseball, pitchers sometimes bite the ball to raise the seams, allowing for easier grip to throw breaking pitches. And, apparently, in basketball some players grow out their fingernails to serve as a weapon. 'It’s an advantage at times,’ said Trail Blazers guard Andre Miller, an 11-year veteran. 'I did it a couple of times just to irritate somebody. I think every player has thought about that, letting them grow and possibily getting a couple scratches in and irritating someone.’ Miller said the most notorious nails in the NBA are from Detroit guard Richard Hamilton, a notion that Martell Webster seconds. 'Yeah, I’ve seen his. They are nasty,’ Webster said. The Blazers play Hamilton and the Pistons on Saturday in Auburn Hills, Mich., and you can bet Miller isn’t thrilled. 'Richard Hamilton has some nails,’ Miller said. 'I get scratched up every time I play him. Everywhere.’ "

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Detroit Pistons mid-season grades
Ground rules: Grades are based on how much each person has contributed to the Pistons this season. So, injuries will lower a player’s grade.
Grades are curved toward expected roles. For example, if a starter and bench player perform equally, the bench player would get a higher grade.
A ‘C’ is average.
Rodney Stuckey: A-minus
The rest of these are in alphabetical order, but I moved Stuckey to the top. I original had him pegged at a ‘B,’ but looking closer, I don’t think we’ve appreciated his season enough. Although his defense was better earlier in the season, it’s been solid overall and might be the area he’s improved the most. Stuckey is averaging 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Just nine other players are averaging at least 18, 4 and 4:
LeBron James
Kobe Bryant
Dwyane Wade
Monta Ellis
Brandon Roy
Gilbert Arenas
Joe Johnson
Tyreke Evans
Chris Paul
Few would argue each of those nine are among the NBA’s top players. And the way Stuckey has played this year, he deserves a lot of credit. I’m not quite ready to include among the league’s elite, though. He barely meets the targets, when most of the others crush them. His field-goal and free-throw percentages are easily worst on the list, too. But here’s the best part – Stuckey is the second-youngest player on the list. (Stuckey is 23, and Tyreke Evans is 20). I think Stuckey is growing up right before our eyes. He hasn’t reached the next level yet – but he’s getting close.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Chucky Atkins: B
He was supposed to help in practice and maybe dress for the occasional game. Instead, he’s been pretty reliable as the Pistons’ only true point guard. When Atkins is on the court, Rodney Stuckey plays his best — a real asset to this team.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Kwame Brown: D-minus
What happened to the talk of Brown starting? He was a solid inside defender and rebounder last season, and that’s a role the Pistons definitely need filled when Ben Wallace goes to the bench. Now, he’s just piling up DNP-CDs.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Will Bynum: C
His efficiency numbers are down, but he’s playing more minutes. So, that should be expected. He looks like a better all-around player this season, but I’m not sure if he’s played enough to know for certain. He would have received a higher grade if he hadn’t missed 14 games.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Austin Daye: C
He’s basically been what was expected: bursts of talent mixed with inconsistency, brilliant shooting and defensive lapses, decent ball handling and weakness going for rebounds.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Ben Gordon: C
His field-goal, 3-point and free-throw shooting percentages are down, and he’s missed 16 games. But he’s still better than most sixth men. It’d be nice if he finally gets in a groove in the second half.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Richard Hamilton: D-minus
This might be a little generous because Hamilton has played in just 14 games and probably deserves an ‘F’ just because of that. But he was really good in his only game prior to injury (25 points against the Grizzlies in the season opener). And now that he’s getting back in shape, his movement away from the ball has done wonders for the offense.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Jason Maxiell: D
His production and, not coincidentally, his minutes have been dropping the last few seasons. He just doesn’t look as hungry on the court.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Jonas Jerebko: A
What a pleasant surprise. Jerebko has become a fan favorite with his rebounding and defense. Besides DeJuan Blair, he’s probably the best second-round pick of the last draft.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Tayshaun Prince: F
He’s barely played, and when he has, he hasn’t been productive. It’s a limited sample size, so this grade is undoubtedly lower than a player of Prince’s caliber would typically receive. But like I said above, injuries will lower a player’s grade.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

DaJuan Summers: C-minus
There were decent hopes for Summers after his strong summer league play. But even Austin Daye, who was expected to be a multi-year project, is playing ahead of him.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Charlie Villanueva: C-minus
It’s been a frustrating first half for Villanueva. He’s battled injury and poor play. He hasn’t become a fixture in the starting lineup, like many were hoping. He’s shown enough glimpses to be effective, but he could be more consistent. It would be nice to see him defend, even when his shot isn’t falling.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Ben Wallace: A-plus
Ben Wallace is Detroit basketball this year. He’s one of just four players to lead his team in offensive and defensive rating (minimum eight games):
LeBron James, Cavaliers
Troy Murphy, Warriors
Marcus Camby, Clippers
I think Wallace is actually playing better than he did his last year in Detroit. He had slipped a little bit then. But now, he almost looks like Big Ben in his prime. Almost.
He wasn’t supposed to be anything more than frontcourt depth. But he’s the team MVP, easily.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

Chris Wilcox: C-minus
He’s scored double digits just four times and grabbed at least seven rebounds just twice this season (one game overlaps). By comparison he reached those marks 18 and 15 times last season (nine overlapped). I knew he’d be boom or bust. It’d be naive to expect differently. I just thought there’d be a few more booms.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.pistonpowered.com/2010/01/de ... on-grades/

John Kuester: B-plus
With all the injuries, it certainly hasn’t been an easy year to coach. This is a flawed team, anyway. Chucky Atkins is the best pure point guard, and the only trustworthy center is 35. But the Pistons play hard, and that’s a credit to Kuester. He hasn’t been shy about tweaking the lineup to find the right fit. The younger players have seen the court and improved, too. Still, he’s made enough curios moves (can’t Kwame Brown get a chance?) to not warrant a higher grade. For a first-time NBA head coach with a team facing much more uncertainty than he ever expected, Kuester is doing a heck of a job. Consider this the Michael Curry curve.