It seems as if Gilbert Arenas took a couple of jabs at Pistons new comer Jarvis Hayes. Gilbet has said that Wizard’s rookie Nick Young is better than Jarvis and that the Wizards now have a second unit that can score. To which Jarvis hit back with:

“I was talking to a couple of the guys earlier, there’s a difference to being used and feeling being used.

“A lot of times, over the past few years, I felt like I was getting caught up in what’s going on with other players in D.C. This is different, more so being involved in the offense.”

I don’t think Jarvis should get caught up in a war of words, especially with Gil. He should let his contribution to the Pistons success this year do his talking for him. I figure if this continues though you might want to buy a ticket to the Apr 11th game when the Wizard make their only regular season appearence at the Palace as I’m sure Arenes will look to put up 60 against Jarvis and Co.

Hello PN readers. Sorry I haven’t been running around the ‘net collecting all possible Pistons’ related news in the last few days. I’ve been busy creating a new identity for the site. One of the reasons I like doing this site is that it’s a creative outlet for me, which includes the overall look & feel of the site. I’m not a pro as you can tell, but I’m ok I think. I’ve changed the main logo because there’s more that I can do with the new one for the site. I got some flack about the previous logo because it uses the Pistons’ official typeset and the jersey had the NBA’s logo on it. So, I went back to the ‘ol drawing board, errr paint shop program.

You’ll notice the new “PN Man” is grey. He’s not sad though. He represents all Pistons fans and players with his non-descriptness. He’s neither black nor white, he just is. I didn’t want to use players on the banner because they don’t all remain Pistons, so then you have to go back and crop them out. I’m a firm believer that if you’re a fan of a certain team you’re cheering for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. The overall look of the logo is a combination of the current Pistons’ logo and the one they used in the Bad Boys days.

I was hesitant to make a post about the logo change because the site shouldn’t be bigger than the team it covers. In the perfect situation it’s 50/50 and that’s what PN will strive for. Anyways I figured some people might notice the changes and want to know what’s going on. If you’d like let me know what you think of the new logo in comments, good or bad.

There’s still some minor things I want to do, but I wanted to get this out of the way before the start of the season.

Detroit Basketball is FINALLY back as the Pistons cruise past the at the Palace Heat in their first preseason game.  Unfortunately it was a faux Miami team that they faced.  The Heat were without Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, and Alonzo Mourning who all stayed back in FLA with injuries.  On top of that Udonis Haslem, Smush Parker, Antoine Walker, and Anfernee Hardaway all got DNP’s.

GAME NOTES:

• Dice did indeed start at PF alongside Sheed at C
• Lindsey Hunter and Amir Johnson (sprained ankle) both got Coachs Decision DNP’s
• 6 Pistons scored in double digit: Prince (13), Hamilton (11), Billups (12), Maxiell (11), Stuckey (15), Hayes (11)
• Samb got 5 minutes of game time.  Fitch and Mejia got 3 a piece.
• Jason Maxiell had a double-double.  11 points & 10 rebs.
• Arron Afflalo was perfect from the line 5/5
• The Pistons mounted a 26 point lead by half time
• The Heat’s preseason roster has 20 players on it

QUOTES: (via Pistons.com)

Rodney Stuckey on being aggressive in the bonus:

“That’s one of the things the other guys tell me,” Stuckey said. “When it’s the bonus, you’ve got to be more aggressive because it’s two free throws every time. It was great. I felt good out there. Being around Chauncey (Billups) and all these guys at practice, when it comes game time you’re feeling comfortable already.”

Jarvis Hayes on his first game as a Piston:

“I feel like a rookie again,” said Hayes, a fifth-year veteran who got squeezed out in Washington by a loaded cast of perimeter players. “I can’t stop smiling. I was a little anxious at times and missed a few open shots, but overall I thought it was great. It was just good to be out there playing with these guys.”