• Jason Maxiell lent a hand for breast cancer awareness. Organizers for the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign distributed Maxiell masks at Wednesday’s game in Grand Rapids with the forward wearing a pink Pistons hat.
• Fans in Grand Rapids have mixed reactions about the Pistons entering the Kobe sweestakes. I think we’d have to give up so much that we would a) no longer be a serious contender & b) lose our team’s whole indentity. It’s fun to debate, but I just don’t think it’s realistic.
• Empty The Bench gets big ups for snagging an interview with new Pistons Jarvis Hayes. Definately worth checking out!
• Amir Johnson probably won’t play until the last preseason game Vs. Washington
• Some footage of Alex Acker’s Barcelona debut (blue jersey #30)



FORMER PISTON hook up:

• Mr. Dribbles, Carlos Arroyo scored 25 points leading the Magic to a win over a Chinese All-Star team (sans Yao & Yi)

TRADE TALK - A. Sherrod Blakely is reporting that the Pistons have been talking to the Nuggets about a Flip Murray for J.R. Smith deal. One snag seems to be that the Pistons want to include Ronald Dupree which the Nuggets may not want.

As Blakely also points out is J.R. Smith has his baggage. I like what I’ve seen so far from Flip Murray this preseason and really wouldn’t be interested in bringing J.R. Smith to the Motor City. He’s had some run ins already this year with coach George Karl. Very talented guy, but not worth the risk.

Update: from Chris McCosky’s blog:

As intriguing as it may have sounded, the Pistons are not trading Flip Murray and Ron Dupree to Denver for J.R. Smith. Just talked briefly with Joe Dumars. The Nuggets are trying to move the oft-troubled Smith, and they had mentioned Flip Murray. But the Pistons aren’t doing the deal. Smith has well-documented issues both on and off the court (character issues and basketball IQ issues) that far overshadow his occasional offensive productivity. The Pistons don’t feel like that have to take that kind of risk right now.

Also confirmed by Free Press’ Krista Jahnke (via DBB)

Here’s a fanalyzation vid on questionable reffing of the 2006 ECF game 2 between the Pistons and Heat.

Roll film…