I saw this and thought it would be an interesting read to pass along to all the members of the Piston Nation clamoring for Chris Webber to once again to wear the red #84.

Former 76ers coach Jim O’Brien (now coach of the Indiana Pacers) has finally, after 3 years, fired back at Chris Webber for Chris’ public denouncement of O’Brien and his system.

Via - Delaware Online:

“In one of the first conversations I had with Chris Webber, I said, ‘This is one of the ways we’re going to use you offensively [down low with Kyle Korver on the outside],’ ” O’Brien said. “And he said, ‘Coach, I don’t do the low-post thing anymore.’

“We just made a major trade to bring in this 6-[foot]-11 guy and he said, ‘No,’ and I said, ‘Yes, you do.’ ”
[…]

“Webber didn’t practice at all that year prior to coming to us,” he said. “I think he was just at the point where he didn’t necessarily feel he was in need of practice, or could practice. It became apparent that he was not going to give the Philadelphia 76ers everything that we had hoped for.”

Everyone knows he didn’t want to be in Philly so these allegations aren’t all that shocking. I’m sure he wasn’t like that here (although he did attempt to throw Flip under the bus after the Cleveland series) because he seemed to be truly happy about the prospect of competing for a championship, especially in his hometown. But, this does speak very little to his character, something that’s supposed to be at a premium on this Pistons’ team.

[Box score] Did Rashard Lewis didn’t know the Magic aren’t supposed to beat the Pistons? Like all good things the Pistons 9 consecutive win against the Magic streak ended which extened the Pistons losing streak to a season high 3 straight games. Also falling was the Pistons 18-0 mark when scoring one hundred points. But, to be fair they didn’t reach 100 until Chauncey Billups (18 pts, 5 ast, 3 stls, 4 to’s) hit a miraculous 3 pointer way behind the long line with 3.6 seconds left in the game to tie the score. Unfortunately that left enough time for Rashard Lewis to get get off a 12-foot shot that he banked in for the game winner.

The Pistons came out with more fight than they’ve had in the previous two losses but they didn’t execute up to their standards (only 14 assists). The played with a lot of energy to start the game and jumped all over the Magic, but then they let Orlando back into the game by the second quarter when they were outscored 19-29.

Even though Rashard Lewis (16 pts, 6 rbs) won the game for the Magic the game ball should go to Hedo Turkoglu (26 pts, 8 asts) who pick-and-rolled the Pistons to death with Dwight Howard (23 pts, 8rbs). Particularly in the fourth quarter. Hedo was aggressive going to the hoop off that play and burned the Pistons with 9 points off of it in the quarter.

The bench, out side of Jason Maxiell (11 pts, 7 rbs / 4 off ), continued to struggle. Jarvis went 0/4 from the field while picking up 4 fouls in 12 minutes of play. Stuckey too continued to struggle matching his point output (2) with his turnovers.

Until further notice they’re NOT the “Zoo Crew”, they’ve been playing more like the animal shelter.

Rasheed Wallace finally came to life after being dormant for two straight games. Sheed had a 15 point 15 rebound double-double to go along with 5 steals. He played as good as anyone could play defensively guarding the super freak Dwight Howard (23 pts, 8 rbs, 3 blks).

The Pistons had 6 players score in double figure led by Richard Hamilton with 2o, followed by Tayshaun with 20. Antonio McDyess added 11.