'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 68

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Kwame Brown allowed 2 easy layups by misreading screen and rolls. That’s what Kwame is here for right? Defense?

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Will Bynum was quiet and could not establish a rhythm all night as the paint was locked down and Rondo, as mentioned earlier, was basically wearing his jersey all night.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Richard Hamilton played with what looked like 0 enthusiasm all night. He was a team worst -22 in +/-.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

You know, I didn’t really want to say anything but… DaJuan Summers was likely the only one who played solid basketball off the bench tonight. He scored 12 points on 4-5 from the field (2-2 from 3), and played solid D against Pierce and Garnett. I’ve been personally calling for DaJuan to get some minutes the entire season.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Paul Pierce played 17 minutes and had 15 points. With Tayshaun out early, and the game out of reach as well, Boston was able to sit their starters for over half the game (except Rondo).

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Old man Michael Finley bested his career ppg numbers (14.7 ppg in 36 minutes per game) against the Pistons by scoring 15 tonight in 14 minutes of action.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Kendrick Perkins picked up his 15th technical on the season by getting tangled up with DaJuan Summers in the first half. Nate Robinson picked up a technical for hanging on the rim at the end of the game after a dunk. No techs for Sheed though.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Coach Q speaks (from AP): “They were good. We were bad. It was one of the few games that our energy wasn’t the way it should be, and I’m disappointed with the way we played.” – I’d say that of the 3 games I’ve guest written for, that all 3 games had the same amount of energy or less.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

No reason for Tony Allen to throw a lob off the glass to Nate Robinson when up 20+, with a minute to go in the game. Nate picked up a tech for hanging on the rim, but they both would’ve picked up a forearm shiver in the throat if the old Bad Boys had any say in it.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

This team is bad. This team needs a few pieces, and to build a new identity. Right now there’s nothing. They’re one of the worst offensive teams, one of the worst teams defensively, they’re a shell of their former selves.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

Game Recap from NBA.com, where you can also she how Tay went down.

Video in the link above^.

[nasty daddy]

http://need4sheed.com/2010/03/beantown-blowout.html

I’m sorry if I’m like the Grim Reaper of the game recaps, I don’t mean to pick games that Detroit will get blown out in. I figure by picking an Indiana, New York and struggling Boston team that they would’ve won at least 1 of the games. Tonight’s game reminded me of those old Harlem Globetrotter highlights against the Washington Generals. Aside from Jonas Jerebko’s 2 sorta highlight worthy fast break dunks, none of the Pistons did anything that will jump off the highlight reel or stat sheet. It’s hard to even really say the talent is there at this point, because without the backcourt having a big game night in and night out, guys like Jerebko and Maxiell can’t produce in the paint. Unless the effort is there on the defensive end, they simply can’t outrun and outgun teams for some reason. The names on the score sheet have put up solid ppg stats their entire careers, but for some reason this season it just hasn’t clicked even when they’ve all been healthy.

[nasty daddy]

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

Pistons guard Will Bynum makes statement as starter
The Pistons' Will Bynum has faced quite a gamut of point guards since he replaced Rodney Stuckey in the starting lineup.

[nasty daddy]

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

Hot-shooting Celtics rout Pistons
Paul Pierce was one of three Boston players to record 15 points and the Celtics surged to a big halftime lead before beating the short-handed Detroit Pistons, 119-93, at TD Garden.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.emptythebench.com/2010/03/16 ... revisited/

Jonas, Rip, and Tayshaun Revisited
From out of the unbearable murk that has become the Detroit Pistons 2009-10 season, three updates on three Pistons covered in this space earlier this year:- A little over 2 months ago I called out Tayshaun Prince for pulling an Ewok on the Pistons on the team’s youth movement and rebuilding process. I suggested that the team’s most vital, versatile glue player during the franchise’s most-recent glory years had morphed into a high-plains drifter, a man searching for a concrete role where one no longer existed. Maybe I was too harsh. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve long been one of Prince’s biggest fans. (In the interest of full disclosure, for those not paying attention the last 3 years, I was born, raised, and remain a fierce Pistons’ supporter no matter what how the wins-and-losses column reads.) I don’t particularly enjoy reading what I see as the writing on the wall for Prince (and Rip Hamilton, below), and of course wish he could forever be that beguiling 25-year-old talent with a flair for dramatic defensive stops and, most importantly, for winning. But while we can all forever appreciate what our aging heroes accomplished, only the delusional can dismiss the notion that Prince, now 30 years young, now has his better NBA days behind him. That doesn’t have to mean, however, that he can’t stave off the inevitable a little bit longer than some might anticipate. Before the All-Star break, Prince was limited to just 19 games due a ruptured disc in his back, and his production during that stretch tumbled to near-career lows. Funny thing about injuries, though, is that even after they’re “healed”, they can still detrimentally impact performance.

That ruptured disc no longer seems to be a factor: in 15 games since the break, Prince has shot 50% from the field and is averaging 15.8 points, 5.9 boards, 3.9 assists, and almost 1 block and steal per. Though a small sample size, those would all be career highs if they were on the season. He’s become as aggressive on offense as I’ve perhaps ever seen him, shooting the ball with confidence, backing down overmatched defenders without hesitation, and essentially competing with Rodney Stuckey to become the team’s second-best scoring option behind Hamilton. Trade Tayshaun Prince? Yes, sadly, I still think it can and should happen. Fortunately for the Pistons, his trade value this summer or next season has gotten much, much higher than it was at this year’s trade deadline, especially since he’s on the books for just one more season at $11.1 million. Quick takes on Rip Hamilton and Jonas Jerebko after the break… With Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace both gone, who was going to be the Pistons’ most marketable player this season and moving forward? Free-agent additions Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva? Stalwart veterans and reminders of better days Hamilton and Prince? Former face of the franchise Ben Wallace, back after a few seasons spent adrift elsewhere? Or, maybe, emerging star Rodney Stuckey? Five months ago nobody would have guessed the answer would be Swedish-born rookie Jonas Jerebko, who was taken midway through the second round of the draft and was not expected to contribute much this season. What a pleasant surprise to see Jerebko defy expectations and quickly make a name for himself in the league and endear himself to Pistons fans.

Since I announced his arrival back on December 1, all Jerebko has done is get better, and better, and better, cementing a job in the starting lineup at power forward over Villanueva and becoming one of the league’s premier irritants and hustle-stats guys. During Wallace’s heyday, fans flocked to the Palace donning afro wigs and went nuts for gongs of the Big Ben clock after a rebound, blocked shot, or alley-oop dunk. The clock still gongs, but it’s the blow of a viking horn recognizing a plus play from Jerebko that we’re hearing more and more. The wigs, too, have been replaced with viking horns. And with good reason: Jerebko has been electric since the All-Star break (when he participated in the annual Rookie-Sophomore Challenge), averaging 11.5 points (51% FG), 6.8 boards, and 1.3 steals. Those aren’t huge numbers, but consider that he gets very few plays designed for him to score, and hey, numbers aren’t everything: the immeasurables are there, believe me, a fact reinforced by him becoming the first Detroit Pistons rookie to be named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (in February) since Zeljko Rebraca was honored back in 1992. Logic said that the Pistons weren’t planning to pay Ben Gordon $55 million over the next 5 seasons to back up incumbent starting SG Richard Hamilton. Given the team’s dearth of quality big men, it made sense to assume the team would immediately begin exploring any and all trade options for Hamilton; maybe they did, maybe they didn’t, but as the season wore on, and as Hamilton spent much of the first few months watching from the bench and nursing a severely sprained ankle, it became clear that his trade value had plummeted to as low as it’s probably ever been since his ascension to perennial All-Starish status. He became so difficult to watch, in fact, that I had to call him out for having one of the NBA’s worst contracts, which he actually does: he’ll collect an excess of $37 million, every penny of it guaranteed, over the next 3 seasons. Hamilton was pressing post-sprained ankle, taking nearly 17 shots per and making them at just a 39% clip before the All-Star break. But considering how much criticism I’ve leveled his way this season, his improved play over the past month or so deserves mention. The old Rip Hamilton we’ve all come to appreciate has, mostly, resurfaced. His shooting has improved, his decision-making has improved, and like Prince, he’s done his best to put on a happy face despite mounting losses and increased his effort level, which was flagging for awhile there. And, guess what, he’s also outplaying Gordon and making him look like the superflous piece, not the other way around.

[nasty daddy]

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2010/3/16 ... en-tragedy

John Kuester has seen tragedy
It was a scary moment when Rodney Stuckey collapsed in Cleveland two weeks ago, but for John Kuester, it truly hit close to home. He hinted as much to the media after that game but refused to elaborate. In today's Free Press, Vince Ellis connects the dots:

In September, 1982, Kuester was an assistant for a young Rick Pitino at Boston University, just under three miles from the Celtics' home arena. During a preseason workout, a senior point guard named Arturo Brown went down after contact with a teammate and was having trouble breathing. Someone else started CPR, but Brown started convulsing and vomiting, forcing that person to stop. Kuester then tried to continue resuscitation efforts. But it was for naught and Brown, the 21-year-old team captain, was pronounced dead at the scene when medical personnel arrived. An autopsy later revealed that Brown died of a heart attack. His heart was twice the normal size because of scar tissue. The second incident had more notoriety. More than 10 years later, Kuester was the video guy with the Celtics and was taping Game 1 of a first-round playoff series against the Charlotte Hornets when budding Celtic superstar Reggie Lewis collapsed. That was the first glimpse at the heart defect that would later claim Lewis' life on July 27, 1993, at the age of 27. Kuester declined to talk at length about the two incidents after Monday morning's shootaround at the Garden, except to say it was hard for him to talk about Brown and Lewis.

Stuckey, who's been cleared by doctors and can resume practicing as soon as he feels up to it, may practice Thursday and play Friday when the Pistons travel to Indiana. But if he chooses to take another week off, I don't think he'll hear any complaints from the coaching staff.

[nasty daddy]

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

Pistons Struggles Continue, Lose to Celtics 119-93.
Paul Pierce was one of three Boston players to record 15 points and the Celtics surged to a big halftime lead before beating the short-handed Detroit Pistons, 119-93, at TD Garden. Ray Allen and Michael Finley also scored 15 as the Celtics won for the sixth time in nine games and bounced back from an 11-point loss at Cleveland Sunday afternoon. Kevin Garnett notched 14 points and eight rebounds, while Glen Davis scored 13 for the Celtics, who shot 62.2 percent from the field. That included an incredible 13-of-15 effort in the fourth quarter. "We were a totally different team today, came in with a lot more energy, a lot more aggressive," Garnett said. "We had five guys who were aggressive. I thought that our bench was aggressive also. We had to talk amongst each other, and we just game out and played." Boston, which also received 11 points from Kendrick Perkins and Marquis Daniels, is a half-game behind idle Atlanta for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference. Detroit center Ben Wallace missed his seventh straight game due to a sore right knee. The team, which is also playing without Rodney Stuckey, lost forward Tayshaun Prince to a back injury in the first quarter.

Will Bynum had 16 points and seven assists for Detroit, which lost for the ninth time in 11 games. Jason Maxiell chipped in 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who have dropped seven in a row on the road. "They did a great job of exploiting and we didn't react tonight," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "It was one of the few games that our energy wasn't the way it should be and I'm disappointed with the way we played." With 4:53 remaining in the opening quarter, Prince went to the hoop and collided with Perkins. As he was falling down, Prince's back hit the knee of Maxiell. Prince remained on his stomach in obvious pain for a few minutes before finally being helped to his feet and to the locker room. He did not return to the game. The Celtics sparkled with a 16-1 burst in the first quarter, a period dominated by Pierce's 12 points -- all of which came during the run for an 18-7 lead. The flurry helped Boston to a 31-15 lead after 12 minutes. "We obviously are really working to try to re-establish him," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "And like I said before the game, it's coming around. It's still not there, but, I mean, that was great to see. He looked explosive." Allen's three-pointer ended an 11-2 flurry for a 55-29 cushion with 3:35 left in the half, and it was 64-35 at intermission. Even though the Pistons shot 12-of-17 in the third quarter, they still looked up at the scoreboard through 36 minutes, trailing 89-70. The Celtics then put the game away by scoring nine straight early in the fourth for a commanding 102-72 margin following a Finley jumper inside eight minutes remaining.

Game Notes
Boston has a better road record (22-12) than home mark (20-12) this season...Detroit fell to 7-26 on the road...The Celtics won the season series, 2-1...Bynum was in the starting lineup again for Stuckey, who missed his fifth straight game after collapsing on the bench during a loss in Cleveland on March 5...Richard Hamilton had 14 points for Detroit...Boston converted 18 Detroit turnovers into 27 points.

[nasty daddy]

http://smokingpistons.com/2010/03/15/pi ... s-miracle/

Pistons Look For St. Patty’s Miracle
Detroit takes on the always lethal Boston Celtics on Monday in Boston. Detroit is coming off a loss against the Hawks, while the Celtics are coming off a loss against the Cavaliers. Boston is comfotably in the lead in their division over Toronto and New York, as well as with the 4th seed in the East. Boston last played Detroit earlier this March and beat them 105-100 in Detroit. This game belongs to the Celtics, but they’ve had a tough time consistently showing up for their games this year. They’re 5-3 this month with losses coming to the Grizzlies, Bucks, and aforementioned Cavs. Boston is healthy and their bench is playing well with the new edition of Michael Finley. Playing at home, it certainly is their game to lose.

Detroit is not the same team that faced Boston earlier this month. Rodney Stuckey is having serious health issues that prevent him from returning to the court, while Ben Wallace and Chris Wilcox are resting from the banging around they’ve done all season (Wallace more than Wilcox). Will Bynum has played streaky, setting a Pistons record with 20 assists and 5 points this last week and following it up with a 16 point 7 assist game against the Hawks. Jason Maxiell has been playing well in Wallace’s spot, but his presence as a starter really takes away from their bench. Kwame Brown has been called into action these last weeks, and his presence leaves much to be desired. Although Austin Daye and DaJuan Summers have been able to get on the floor more often since these injuries, their playing time usually means a Detroit loss.

Looking at the matchups, it’s clear that Rajon Rondo will be trying to take advantage of Will Bynum’s lack of experience. He along with Kevin Garnett, who’s matched up with the rooke Jonas Jerebko, will be the deciding factors for this game as each will be matched up against a less experienced counterpart. Rip and Tayshaun provide stability for this team, but their injury woes have plagued them on the court. Detroit managed only 12 points in the first quarter against the Hawks, although they were able to come back, that’s pretty pathetic for an NBA team. This happened earlier last week against the Jazz when they scored 14 points in the 2nd quarter, which pretty much sealed the deal. If Detroit gets off to a poor start, it could be a LONG game. They have beaten the Celtics before this season so it’s obviously possible, but the injury concerns just make too much to overcome. Detroit 90 Boston 105

[nasty daddy]

http://smokingpistons.com/2010/03/16/ta ... continues/

Tayshaun Prince Out, Losing Continues
Tayshaun Prince had to leave the game against Boston. Then it just got out of hand! The Pistons take on the surging Cavaliers tonight at the Palace. Detroit came off an old fashioned beat down by the Boston Celtics on Monday. The beatdown came after an injury to Tayshaun Prince. Jason Maxiell’s knee apparently went into Tayshaun’s back. He left and never returned to the game. Tayshaun’s status for the game against the Cavs isn’t known, but he probably won’t play today.

The Pistons are looking at another whooping tonight, especially with Prince out. Richard Hamilton is now the sole starter from prior seasons, and he is the unquestioned leader on the court. Too bad it’s with a bunch of young, inexperienced teammates. While Maxiell, Jerebko, and Will Bynum have all played well, their presence as starters takes away from the bench. Detroit’s desperate for some big men at this point. With Tayshaun, Wilcox and Ben Wallace all sitting, it’s looking like Kwame Brown will be called into extended action. That’s too bad considering when he gets on the court it’s in a desperate scenario. Hopefully this game will be closer than the game against Boston. The Cavaliers are a much stronger team than Boston and playing at a MUCH higher level. Lebron and Co are hungry for their first championship and won’t let a divisional opponent off the hook so easily. I expect this to get out of hand pretty quickly, probably after the first quarter. Cleveland’s last game was against Boston on Sunday, and they managed to win 104-93. That sounds a lot closer than it really was. I can’t see Detroit pulling this one out unless the Cavs decide to sit Lebron, and that’s not happening tongiht.

Detroit 80 Cavaliers 110
Reflections
At this point, the Pistons woes look to be more off the court problems. Injuries and inconsistent play have plagued this team since the start of the season. It’s not always a bad thing. Younger players like Maxiell, Jerebko, and Bynum are all getting their chance to shine, while better young talent is surely on the way. Detroit is looing at the 7th pick overall at this point, which gives them a real chance to turn things around next season. This summer is also the legendary free agent period, so there is hope that Detroit will be active in aquiring talent for next season. Things look a lot worse than they really are for Detroit. They just need to make it through this abismal season.

[nasty daddy]

http://twitter.com/DetPistons

No shootaround today, won't know more until Coach Kuester meets media around 6pm. RT @JustUndRSurface: @DETPistons Any news on Tayshaun?