Since the Carmelo rumor’s legs didn’t strengthen we’ve got a new and more interesting deal, in my opinion, to mull over today. Check out the noise coming out of Bay Area this morning:

Joe Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, gave notice after losing the Eastern Conference finals that no one on his veteran-laden team would be safe, and the source said Detroit is willing to divest itself of longtime stars Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups.

Wallace, like Davis an unrestricted free agent after ‘08-09, would give the Warriors their best true power forward since Chris Webber’s first stint in 1993-94 and has 3-point range that coach Don Nelson would love.

[…]

Since Wallace and Billups will combine to take home nearly $25 million in 2008-09, the Warriors would need to add more salary ballast to Davis in order to make the salary-cap numbers work.

One possibility in that role would be forward Al Harrington. A source close to the 10th-year forward said he is currently leaning toward requesting a trade from the Warriors this summer, although he will not make a final decision until after the draft.

I like this deal. If we have to part with guys this deal sounds fun. Baron is very similar to Chauncey in that he’s a big bodied dominant guard. I think Baron is a little better going to the rim than Billups. Chauncey may have the better long range stroke, but Davis is no slouch. Plus, this gives our PG of the future, Rodney Stuckey, one more prime time floor general to learn from.

I like Harrington’s game as well. Like Rasheed he can go inside and outside, although he didn’t get to show to much of his post game under Don Nelson.

Our engine is overdue for an oil change. This deal could help get some of that built up sludge out. I say DO IT JOE!

We we know Dumars at least put a worm on the hook and cast it towards the Nugget’s Carmelo Anthony. Just to recap, Joe Dumars offered up Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince for Carmelo Anthony and Denver (at least for now) is content with keeping their high scoring forward. That much we know.

Even though this deal at this point in time seems to be merely a suggestion I do have some thoughts on it.

On Chauncey: It just seems odd to think that one summer after Mr. Big Shot is made the richest Piston in history that he’s on the trading block.

This implies to me that Joe A) sees Chauncey on the decline. Much like his foresight with Ben Wallace two summers ago. And B) Joe and co. seen enough in Rodney Stuckey to give him Chauncey’s spot if they had to part with Big Shot.

It be tough to see Chauncey go. He’s the present face of the franchise. After bouncing all over the league his tenure in Detroit is all-in-all is a great story and it would be nice to see him finish here, but the bottom line is that as GM Joe’s job is to put trophys in on the mantle.

On Tayshaun: Joe said no one is untouchable, but I just though that was jargon for “it’s time for Rasheed to go”. I guess I never really thought about the possibility on parting with the Palace Prince. Unlike the other four starters Tayshaun was drafted by the Pistons. We watched him progress into the player he is today. He’s the reason we don’t already have Carmelo Anthony.

Tayshaun always has a great attitude, whereas Carmelo’s attitude and character have come into question over the years. It would be a tough contrast to get used to as far as how we view “Pistons” to be character guys.

Tayshaun Prince will join the United States men’s basketball team in Beijing. U.S. Coach Mike Krzyzewski calls Prince “the ultimate team player and a star“. The team starts training on June 28th in Las Vegas, the Olympic games will begin on August 8th.

Drew Sharp says not dismiss the chances of the Pistons trading for Carmelo Anthony, believing both sides can come out a winner in the deal.

Joe Dumars’ son Jordan, has committed to the University of South Florida. Jordan Dumars is a 6′6″ 230 lb. swingman and played his high school ball at Detroit Country Day.

George Blaha tells WDFN that Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton are probably the two Pistons starters who are least likely to be moved.

Pistons’ legend Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson will join a slew of big names at taking part in tomorrow’s Buick Open pro-am golf outting in Grand Blanc.

The Pistons have the 29th & 59th picks in Thursday’s draft. ESPN’s mock draft has the Pistons selecting Kansas State’s Bill Walker.

At 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, Walker could bring upside to the Pistons big men, who are looking to add someone in the middle. As a freshman, he averaged 16.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 31 games next to teammate and potential top draft pick Michael Beasley. - Detroit Free Press

Sorry for the hiatus PN. We’ve got a new head man.

After one year of being an assistant Michael Curry has been fast tracked to the Pistons head coach. A lot of us expected Curry to eventually be the man, but this was quick especially considering Curry’s very little experience and the Pistons recent string of high profile head coaches. Curry is expected to sign a three year deal worth 7.5 million.

Curry is Dumars’ guy. We know he’s on board with Joe’s vision, let’s just hope he’s not just a “yes man”. This team needs some one to get on their asses and not be afraid of being unpopular. I’m personally tired of the excuses for lack luster play. No more life time achievement free passes for guys playing below what’s expected from them.

I personally didn’t think Curry was the optimal choice for the Pistons, but I’m willing to give him a chance to prove himself.

Looks like he and Joe Dumars now need to get to work assembling a staff:

Nothing has been settled yet with Curry’s staff. Reports that Lindsey Hunter will be one of the assistant coaches are either inaccurate or premature. Hunter hasn’t yet decided what he wants to do next season.

Former assistant Terry Porter was officially named the head coach of the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Dave Cowens is not expected to return. Igor Kokoskov, who has been on the Pistons’ bench since 2003, is exploring head coaching options in Europe as well as with the Serbian national team. - Via Detroit News

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We’ve all heard expression that insanity can be defined as doing the same thing but expecting different results. By that definition the Pistons past three seasons have been marred by insanity. Using the same group of players with the goal of winning a world’s championship. Each time it’s ended the same way, a flame out in the Conference Finals. Each time failing to live up to the lofty expectations set by the play of the regular season.

You can’t really blame Joe Dumars for standing pat. We’ve had arguably the best starting five in the league for this time period. Multiple all-stars in the first unit. But, there’s hasn’t been enough in reserve. (Although that’s changing with a promising young core)

Joe has given the guys enough chances to prove their desire and hunger to bring another championship to the Motor City. They’ve let him and us down, and I don’t think that’s a harsh thing to say. They’ve created a culture of winning. A culture where good isn’t good enough. It’s the trophy or bust. And they’ve burst.

Now it’s time for Joe Dumars to look to overhaul. The process has already begun with Flip Saunders being the first casualty of perennially inept efforts. It’s also a safe bet we’re going to part with one or more of the five starters that have become like family to our fanbase. Age, salary liability, and complacency is what Joe will be faced with if he doesn’t. Insanity. It’s time for this team to meet the business end of the sport. The most likely candidate is Rasheed Wallace.

I like Rasheed Wallace. I believe Rasheed Wallace is a revolutionary talent and all around great guy. I also think the Rasheed Wallace side show has run its course here. I ‘m in total agreement with Mitch Albom when he wrote the other day that the Pistons owe Sheed gratitude for his services, and you can thank a player by letting him go.

If these NBA Finals are any indication Joe D. needs to make a splash in the trade/free-agent market to stay at the top. Should be one of the more landmark offseasons of the Dumars era. Stay up.

So the first shot has been fired, or should I say the coach has been fired. If you read the first line of the linked Detroit News article it’s a mandate straight from Bill Davidson, who apparently is lucid enough to name a scapegoat. This is sure to be the first of many changes for this team. Expect some player accountability to come.

As for a replacement, are we to assume Michael Curry is the front runner?

Lindsey (and apparently Rip Hamilton) are saying what many fans have been saying about all the “love” between Rasheed Wallace and Kevin Garnett during these Eastern Conference Finals. We love Sheed, but there’s a time and place for that stuff.

The Pistons looked like they were going to blow the game open in the second quarter but they weren’t able to keep Boston off the boards or the whistles off their back dropping game 5 102-106. [Box Score]

This series continues to go back and forth with no team able to win consecutive games. You got the feeling early that it’d be the Pistons who’d finally do it by stifling defense. But, the Pistons couldn’t keep Boston off the glass. It doesn’t matter how good defensively you play, you get out rebounded 42-25 you’re going to lose more often than not. Credit Kendrick Perkins (16 rbs) for really hurting the Pistons on the glass despite how much of a doofis he may look like.

Another troubling thing is that the Pistons good agressive defense was rewarded with a lot ticky-tack fouls. A lot of guys had to play with foul trouble which also helped Boston back into the game. Boston attempted 25 of it’s 30 free throws in the second half. Rasheed Wallace, who is one technical away from suspension after picking up his 6th last night, had some strong words on how the game was called:

“All that bull (bleep) calls they had out there, with Mike (Callahan) and Kenny (Mauer) — you’ve all seen that (bleep),” Wallace spewed afterwards. A lot of them phantom calls, cats are flopping and falling all over the floor and they’re calling that (bleep). That (bleep) ain’t basketball out there. It’s all (bleeping) entertainment. You all should know that (bleep). It’s all that (bleeping) entertainment.” - ESPN

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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The Pistons and Celtics resume their best of seven Eastern Conference Finals tonight back at Boston’s TD Banknorth Garden with the series tied at 2 game a piece. The game tips at 8:30 EST and will be a nationally televised ESPN game.

Eighty-three percent. That’s how often the winner of game five goes on to win a series after being tied at two games a piece.

With the way the first four games of the series have gone who knows how the Pistons will come out? I would like to see the Pistons treat it like an elimination game, that’s how Paul Pierce and the Celtics are approaching it. You can expect that Boston’s big 3 are going to look to redeem themselves after all the heat they took for being canceled out by Detroit’s defense, especially Kevin Garnett.

Quite simply the Pistons need to play Detroit Basketball for 48 minutes. They need to defend like a mother. They need motion in the offense. They need solid contributions from bench guys like Maxiell, Stuckey, Hunter, & Ratliff. Flip needs to make substitutions that make sense. Pull out all the stops. Hell, get Gisele Bundchen court-side front and center. And if they do need any more motivation than magnitude of the game this might help.

Dice played with so much heart and purpose on Monday. Hopefully it’s contagious. Sheed is due for a big game, why not tonight? Chauncey doesn’t need to be spectacular, just steady. Same goes for Tayshaun, he needs to stay at home at Pierce and pick his spots on the other end. As for Rip just keep taking it to my new favorite Piston.

GO PISTONS!

(Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

It would seem that the OH-BEAST, Jason Maxiell (6′7″), is determined to deny Kevin Garnett (6′11″) Free Chili every chance possible. Here’s three great baby munching blocks for Pistons fans to enjoy!

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