The Awkwardness of Last Nights Retirement

Blkbrd671 · Post #1 » by **Blkbrd671** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:29 am

NORMALLY, when players jersey's are retired, its a sense of remembrance of all the great times, players and moments the players and fans shared together. But the entire ceremony i couldn't stop thinking about WHAT IF?

I feel , because of the way things ended(trading CB), that our core group of players are "Outsiders". Magic, Ewing, Malone, and all other great players are almost considered still part of their teams organizations and welcomed back at anytime, where as last night it almost seemed that it was the first time our team was actually welcomed back at the Palace. From Gores speech its obvious he has no clue who they are, and from LB's speech and Ben's there was a sense of "walking gingerly". It almost felt like breaking up with your ex gf , to tell her 10 years later how much you loved her and wished you never left.

Did anyone else feel that distance?

*Disclaimer: I AM NOT SAYING last night wasn't awesome, because it was. I am saying that it seems that there's still "awkwardness" between players that meant so much to our franchise and vice versa. Also if you haven't watched Big Ben's Interview! Absolutely awesome

Pugz · Post #2 » by **Pugz** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:38 am

i didnt feel that way but i get what you mean. at the same time, this is a completely different team now. the whole front office is changed out. ownership is different. this is the first time any of them; aside from tayshaun, have been back in years. it was expected. to me, it felt like ben was honoring the whole championship team, rather than accepting his honoring. thats what felt a little weird to me. i loved it though. it was awesome to see them all.

Han Solo · Post #3 » by **Han Solo** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:40 am

The 03-04 team and Larry Brown supposedly stayed and offered advice to ALL our guys. Coolest thing ever in my opinion.

joedumars1 · Post #4 » by **joedumars1** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:45 am

Han Solo wrote:The 03-04 team and Larry Brown supposedly stayed and offered advice to ALL our guys. Coolest thing ever in my opinion.

If this really happened that is sweet and hopefully our guys listened and took it all in

Han Solo · Post #5 » by **Han Solo** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:49 am

joedumars1 wrote:
Han Solo wrote:The 03-04 team and Larry Brown supposedly stayed and offered advice to ALL our guys. Coolest thing ever in my opinion.

If this really happened that is sweet and hopefully our guys listened and took it all in

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/17/detroit-pistons-larry-brown-billups-wisdom/78936774/

joedumars1 · Post #6 » by **joedumars1** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:11 am

Han Solo wrote:
joedumars1 wrote:
Han Solo wrote:The 03-04 team and Larry Brown supposedly stayed and offered advice to ALL our guys. Coolest thing ever in my opinion.

If this really happened that is sweet and hopefully our guys listened and took it all in

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/17/detroit-pistons-larry-brown-billups-wisdom/78936774/

Awesome. Would've been cool to hear Ben give Dre some Defensive lessons

haulerch · Post #7 » by **haulerch** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:14 am

The only awkward thing was Gores' speech. He seemed drunk or just didn't prepare at all.

A lot of those guys left on bad terms with Dumars which is why they didn't exactly come around much. Then when Stan came in, he declined Billups option and fired Sheed... I think we are going to see the healing process take place now and those guys will all probably be around more.

I won't be surprised if Rip and Sheed have their jerseys retired in the next couple of years.

MotownMadness · Post #8 » by **MotownMadness** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:15 am

What was awkward was Tom Gores opening his mouth lol

gusman · Post #9 » by **gusman** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:17 am

Larry said something to the effect of I know I am on a clock.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

Post #10 » by **Snakebites** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:19 am

The only awkwardness I felt was from Gores who had no role in that group at all but spent a huge amount of time talking.

How much awkwardness SHOULD there be? Larry Brown and Richard Hamilton both left under the old regime, whatever bad blood there might have been there wasn't with any current coaches or management.

Tay, Ben, and Billups all returned to the team as players after the big breakup and both Billups and Ben played their final NBA games with the team after signing with the team for that purpose. Rasheed also worked for the team after his departure, and his leaving the team wasn't personal, it was the result of the coaching change that took place. I didn't get much of an awkward vibe at all, other than what I said previously.

DetroitSho · Post #11 » by **DetroitSho** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:21 am

joedumars1 wrote:
Han Solo wrote:
joedumars1 wrote:If this really happened that is sweet and hopefully our guys listened and took it all in

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/17/detroit-pistons-larry-brown-billups-wisdom/78936774/

Awesome. Would've been cool to hear Ben give Dre some Defensive lessons

I sincerely hope you're not referring to his speech during the ceremony. Because that is not the time for that and I hope no one would expect such a thing.

DetroitSho · Post #12 » by **DetroitSho** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:24 am

haulerch wrote:The only awkward thing was Gores' speech. He seemed drunk or just didn't prepare at all.

A lot of those guys left on bad terms with Dumars which is why they didn't exactly come around much. Then when Stan came in, he declined Billups option and fired Sheed... I think we are going to see the healing process take place now and those guys will all probably be around more.

I won't be surprised if Rip and Sheed have their jerseys retired in the next couple of years.

The only player that left on bad terms under Dumars was Rip.

joedumars1 · Post #13 » by **joedumars1** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:28 am

DetroitSho wrote:
joedumars1 wrote:
Han Solo wrote:http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/17/detroit-pistons-larry-brown-billups-wisdom/78936774/

Awesome. Would've been cool to hear Ben give Dre some Defensive lessons

I sincerely hope you're not referring to his speech during the ceremony. Because that is not the time for that and I hope no one would expect such a thing.

LOL. Did you read the article? Had quotes from LB telling the team to bring this type of play and energy every game. Had CB telling RJ to bring it everynight not just against the Champs. Had Rip giving KCP advice didn't have Ben quoted at all, so not sure he talked with Dre.

DetroitSho · Post #14 » by **DetroitSho** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:31 am

joedumars1 wrote:
DetroitSho wrote:
joedumars1 wrote:Awesome. Would've been cool to hear Ben give Dre some Defensive lessons

I sincerely hope you're not referring to his speech during the ceremony. Because that is not the time for that and I hope no one would expect such a thing.

LOL. Did you read the article? Had quotes from LB telling the team to bring this type of play and energy every game. Had CB telling RJ to bring it everynight not just against the Champs. Had Rip giving KCP advice didn't have Ben quoted at all, so not sure he talked with Dre.

Naw I actually just read what you said. I mean you did say "hear".

haulerch · Post #15 » by **haulerch** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:32 am

DetroitSho wrote:
haulerch wrote:The only awkward thing was Gores' speech. He seemed drunk or just didn't prepare at all.

A lot of those guys left on bad terms with Dumars which is why they didn't exactly come around much. Then when Stan came in, he declined Billups option and fired Sheed... I think we are going to see the healing process take place now and those guys will all probably be around more.

I won't be surprised if Rip and Sheed have their jerseys retired in the next couple of years.

The only player that left on bad terms under Dumars was Rip.

Tayshaun was extremely mad at Dumars about his trade to Memphis. And really until like two years ago, Billups and Joe hadn't spoken since his trade to Denver. Even then you could still tell Billups was salty at his press conference in 2013.

joedumars1 · Post #16 » by **joedumars1** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:35 am

DetroitSho wrote:
joedumars1 wrote:
DetroitSho wrote:I sincerely hope you're not referring to his speech during the ceremony. Because that is not the time for that and I hope no one would expect such a thing.

LOL. Did you read the article? Had quotes from LB telling the team to bring this type of play and energy every game. Had CB telling RJ to bring it everynight not just against the Champs. Had Rip giving KCP advice didn't have Ben quoted at all, so not sure he talked with Dre.

Naw I actually just read what you said. I mean you did say "hear".

Not really sure how else I would've put it, maybe that I didn't read Ben gave Dre any advice sounds weird tho, lol.

mattao313 · Post #17 » by **mattao313** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:42 am

Han Solo wrote:
joedumars1 wrote:
Han Solo wrote:The 03-04 team and Larry Brown supposedly stayed and offered advice to ALL our guys. Coolest thing ever in my opinion.

If this really happened that is sweet and hopefully our guys listened and took it all in

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/17/detroit-pistons-larry-brown-billups-wisdom/78936774/

WOW nice, it said Larry Brown couldn’t stop raving about the team. Thats pretty encouraging to hear.

DetroitSho · Post #18 » by **DetroitSho** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:45 am

joedumars1 wrote:
DetroitSho wrote:
joedumars1 wrote:LOL. Did you read the article? Had quotes from LB telling the team to bring this type of play and energy every game. Had CB telling RJ to bring it everynight not just against the Champs. Had Rip giving KCP advice didn't have Ben quoted at all, so not sure he talked with Dre.

Naw I actually just read what you said. I mean you did say "hear".

Not really sure how else I would've put it, maybe that I didn't read Ben gave Dre any advice sounds weird tho, lol.

All good

Blkbrd671 · Post #19 » by **Blkbrd671** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 4:38 am

haulerch wrote:The only awkward thing was Gores' speech. He seemed drunk or just didn't prepare at all.

A lot of those guys left on bad terms with Dumars which is why they didn't exactly come around much. Then when Stan came in, he declined Billups option and fired Sheed... I think we are going to see the healing process take place now and those guys will all probably be around more.

I won't be surprised if Rip and Sheed have their jerseys retired in the next couple of years.

Ben Wallace at his presser said "You think you could make room for #6 in the rafters? What you think about that!?" as he got up and left.

Blkbrd671 · Post #20 » by **Blkbrd671** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 4:40 am

you guys keep saying different regime etc. Except that BWall and LB were talking about how it was so nice to come back and see ppl from off the court (referring to FO staff). i just think today was our actual first step towards healing. and i am so stoked to hear about our young guys learning from our older. VALIDATE THIS WIN. PLAY LIKE THIS EVERY GAME. differenc between playoff team and contender . consistency