[box score] The Pistons dropped their second straight preseason game in as many nights. Like to the prior night’s loss to the Cavs, The Pistons were in control for the first half of the game. Like that game Rasheed Wallace drew the ire of the refs whistles. Rasheed picked up his second technical (3rd of the preseason) with 1:50 left in the third for barking at the refs with of course means automatic ejection.

This game was called tight from the start, and even more so after the half. The Pistons were short two big men from the outset Amir Johnson (ankle) and Nazr Mohammed (calf), and the ones who were suited up all got into foul trouble resulting in extended minutes for Cheik Samb (18) and Ronald Dupree playing power forward. The foul trouble was half the trouble the other half, the more troubling half, was the rebounding disparity. Too many second chance points for Utah who is known for being physical and working the boards. The Jazz outrebounded the Pistons 55/38, with 19 coming on the offensive boards. I beginning to think we never beat Utah again…

GAME NOTES:

• Samb collected 5 boards, scored 6 points, blovked a shot and fouled out in his 18 minutes of play
• Stuckey had 11 pts, 7 assists
• Sheed 12 pts, 3 blks
• McDyess with 10 points, 8 boards
• Jarvis Hayes led the Pistons’ scoring with 16, shooting 54%, to go along with a team high 31 minutes
• Sammy Mejia saw 12 miuntes, but didn’t have much stat wise to show for it
• The Pistons led by 12 at the half, but Utah used a 35 pt 3rd qtr & a 31 pt 4th to pull ahead
• 59 total fouls were called, Utah (25) Det (34)
• 71 free throws were shot Utah (41) Det (30)
• Lindsey Hunter and Gerald Fitch both had DNP’s
• Carlos Boozer didn’t play for Utah (personal reasons), Matt Harpring either (rehab injury)

QUOTES:

Chauncey on 2nd chance points:

“That’s something we are going to have to keep our fingers on all season long,” Pistons guard Chauncey Billups said. “We can’t keep letting teams have two and three shots in a possession.”

Saunder’s on Maxiell’s lack of defensive rebounding:

“The concern I have right now is with Maxey,” Saunders said. “I tell him every day and Joe (Dumars) tells him every day, he’s got to defensive rebound. If he can’t defensive rebound, then he really hurts himself.”

Maxiell on his lack of defensive rebounding:

“I know I am undersized, but I have to use my quickness,” he said. “I have to put my body on him and get to the ball before he does.”

Billups on whistle-fest ‘07

“No flow,” Billups said. “Preseason, refs are always working on something, so they’ve got to blow whistles somewhere. It’s tough, especially when you’ve got two physical teams like us and the Jazz, two really good defensive and physical teams. You can’t really get anything going in a game like this.”

MORE RECAPS:

• Keith Langlois: All That Jazz
  
• Chris McCosky: Rebounding lags on defensive end for Pistons
• Matt Watson (DBB): Pistons fall flat against the Jazz

Team Name: Detroit Pistons
Last Years Record: 53-29
Key Losses: Dale Davis, Chris Webber, Carlos Delfino
Key Additions: [Draft picks] Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Sammy Mejia [FA signing] Jarvis Hayes

1. What significant moves were made during the offseason?

Probably the team’s most significant move was the lack of player movement. After the Pistons failed to get past the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year the call went out from media and fans alike to blow up a team perceived to be at the end of its run. Joe Dumars stood pat. Joe took a look at the landscape of the league and more specifically, the Eastern Conference and knew that the current roster was still one that could contend for the spot in the NBA Finals.

But what did happen…

Carlos Delfino was traded on June 15th to the Raptors for two future second round picks (2009,2011). This move was thought by many done to make room for Grant Hill’s return to Detroit, which if that was the case backfired when Grant decided that Phoenix was his best shot at winning.

On June 29th former Piston Michael Curry was added to the coaching staff. Curry replaced Ron Harper who had a 2 year deal with the team that wasn’t renewed. The Pistons also added Jeff Weltman as Director of Basketball Adinistration. In early July we lost Director of Player Personel Scott Perry to Seattle where he became their assistant GM.

Joe Dumars took a trio of guards in the NBA Draft. Rodney Stuckey at #15, Arron Afflalo at #27, and Sammy Mejia at #57.

On August 16th the Pistons signed free agent Jarvis Hayes from the Washington Wizards. The Pistons think they finally have a suitable back up for Tayshaun Prince in Hayes. Hayes is a perfect example of a typical Joe Dumars signing. He’s a guy who hasn’t been able to catch on on the league and has something to prove.

Will Blalock’s days as a Pistons came to an end when the team didn’t tender a qualifying offer making him an unrestricted free agent. The team did tender a qualifying offer for Alex Acker however making him a restricted free agent.

Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell both received contract extensions locking up their future front court. They also seen enough in Cheikh Samb to purchase his contract in hope of developing him. On the subject of player development, the Pistons got a new D-League affiliate in the Ft. Wayne Mad Ants.

And lastly, free agent Chris Webber has fielded offers from several teams and even a super offer from Olympiacos of Greece, but says he only wants to play in Detroit. A deal still may be done once the roster is trimmed.

2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?

Experience/chemistry. Four of the five starters have a championship ring in common from ‘04. They know each games and tendencies on the court. This is what gives them their edge night in and night out. When the game is on the line they know what they can expect from each other which usually translates into wins.

3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?

Complacencey. Joe Dumars has vowed to address this by infusing new blood into the rotation. The Pistons have often been their own biggest opponent. Not taking teams seriously enough and buying into the magical switch they’re just supposed to be able to flip after lack luster efforts.

4. What are the goals for this team?

Simple. Another NBA crown. Division and conference championships aren’t enough. Anything less than a title is a let down.

5. What’s the wild card for this team?

I think you have to look at Flip Saunders’ willingness to use his bench, and also the young second unit’s ability to execute and play together. Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell, Jarvis Hayes, and Rodney Stuckey have to be able to come in and contribute to scratch Flip’s itchy starter finger. Fatigue has been a factor in the last two title runs.

Predicted Record: 52-30

** Special thanks to Jeff Clark from Celticsblog.com for organizing this collective blogging effort!