• A Chris Webber update courtesy of Keith Langlois’ Pistons.com mailbag:
  

  Della (Detroit): Where is Chris Webber?
  Langlois: Not on anyone’s NBA roster, Della. Webber has said publicly he only wants to play for the Pistons but the Pistons have no room for him now. The door is slightly ajar to a Webber return at some point during the season, but a roster spot would have to open somehow for that to happen.

• If you have fond memories of Dennis Rodman from his Bad Boy days then don’t click here
• Kobe to Detroit won’t seem to go away…
• Rick Mahorn has a Sirius satellite radio gig
• Chris McCosky has some bloggers feverishly compiling their retorts to his “blogger aren’t jouranlists” article. My thoughts…eh? I’d rather talk Pistons than debate the credentials of bloggers talking Pistons. Moving on.
• Dumars wants the Pistons’ names out of the mouths of Kobe trade rumor talkers.
• Wondering why Amir Johnson didn’t get in the game last night? He’s fighting for minutes with Maxiell, who’s not doing him any favors with performances like he had off the bench vs. Atlanta.
• Someone ganked Flip Saunders’ coat
• Rodney Stuckey is impatient. Your time will come Stuck, don’t rush it.



FORMER PISTON hook up:

• Ben Wallace’s contract not popular with teammates? You deceide:


  [Ben Gordon on not getting paid like he’d like] “If the worst guy on the team is making more than the best guy on the team, does that make sense?”

• Carlos Deflino gaining coache’s praise in Toronto
• Darvin Ham was the #3 overall pick in D-League draft? He must really have the jones?


AROUND THE LEAGUE hook up:

• Chicago, Miami, & Washington are all 0-3

[box score] It took a late Chauncey Billups free throw, but the Pistons sent their home opener crowd home with a win and improved to 3-0.

The game was close most of the way with Atalnta enjoying slim leads most of the second half. The Pistons were able to close the gap in the fourth and were ahead by three late when Josh Smith drew Rasheed Wallace foul while in the act of shooting behind the three point line. Smith hit all three tying the game at 91. Chauncey Billups attacked the rim on the Pistons final possession forcing the Hawks Marvin Williams to foul him. Chauncey hit the first of two free throws. The Hawks tried a last second desperate heave that was way off giving the Pistons the one point victory.

The Hawks may not be ready to contend in the East, but they are ready to give the contenders fits with their youth, length, and athleticism. Atlanta provides matchup problems with their many guys who can play multiple positions. They also have an emerging superstar in Joe Johnson. It was the Pistons poise late that enabled them to aviod what would have been the Hawks second early season upset.

Overall it was a fun game to watch. The Pistons were causing turnovers and getting out on the break, showing flashes of what’s sure to be an exciting season of Detroit Basketball. You also had to love the the defense down low. Jason Maxiell and Rasheed Wallace combined for 7 blocks ensuring no free chili was given to Atlanta’s young bucks.

GAME NOTES:

• Rip played well in his first game of the season (despite fouling out) 21pts (10/15), 5 asts, 4 rbs
• Chauncey was solid: 22 pts, 5 asts, 3 rbs
• add ‘em up the backcourt combines for 43 pts (53% fg), 10 asts, 7 rbs
• Jason Maxiell Jason Maxiell Jason Maxiell!! 15 pts, 8 rbs (4&4), 4 blks off the bench
• Nazr & Sheldon “The Forehead” Williams got dual techs in the second for jawing at each other
• No Amir; DNP (I’d liked to have seen him matchup with some of ATL’s young guys)
• McDyess is still struggling to find his rythm as a starter. He only attempted 4 shots making 2 of them. He did however grab a team high 9 boards
• There was talk during the game that Rodney Stuckey has already started rehabbing his left hand. Don’t rush it Stuck, it’s a long season.
• Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson combined for 45 pts for the Hawks


QUOTES:
Chauncey on the last Piston possession:

“He darned near clothes-lined me,” said Billups, who hit one of two free throws to give the Pistons a hard-earned 92-91 victory in their home opener Sunday. “He (referee Kevin Fehr) didn’t want to call it, either. He waited a long time.”


OTHER RECAPS:

• Detroit News: Pistons get last call
• BDD: Pistons inch past Hawks