Donyell Marshall is so rusty after being out the whole season with injury that he forgot you need to be wearing a team issued jersey before you check into an NBA game.

That was the highlight for the LeBron-less Cavs who lost to the Sonics 101-95

Roll film…


It was brought up on the PN message forum that Isiah and Joe didn’t even go to three straight all-star games together like Rip and Chuancey will do this year.

Yes and no.

Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars were named to the all-star game 4 straight years together from 1990-93. Isiah though couldn’t play in the 1991 game in Charlotte because of a (wris, I believe) injury. But, he was still voted on as a starter, therefore making the roster.

Extra credit: Bill Laimbeer joined Isiah for three straight all-star games from 1983-85.



[box score] The Pistons came into the game rested and energized. At times in the first half it looked as if they might run away with the game but the Lakers showed the poise of one of the leagues top teams this season. Los Angeles was looking to put an end to an eight game Palace losing streak that dates back to the 2002-03 season despite being without their dominant big man Andrew Bynum who’s out with a knee injury.

The Pistons were looking to get a get bit of pay back from their loss in L.A earlier in the season when they were short handed.

The Pistons were really flowing in the first quarter and halfway through the second where they lead by as many as 17 points. They were getting great energy from the likes of guys like Arron Afflalo (10 pts, 2/2 3ptrs) and Amir Johnson (4 pts, 9 rbs, 13 min) off the bench. They were pressuring Laker ball handlers and then getting out and running when L.A. would turn the ball over. The Pistons shot an excellent 56% in the first half.

All the sudden though, the Pistons started turning the ball over themselves (10 in the second) coupled by referee Jack Nies’ itchy trigger finger and the door was open for a Laker run. The first half seen the Lakers go to the line 22 times compared to the Pistons 2. The best way to cut into a lead is to score the ball with the clock stopped. The Lakers got right back into the game. L.A. went on a 17-4 run to end the quarter and cut the Piston lead to 7, 45-52.

The Lakers caught up and took the lead in the third. From then it was a back-and fourth affair, but the Lakers seemed to be moving into the driver’s seat and Kobe Bryant (39 pts, 10 rbs, 5 asts) started to take over despite a career high 11 tuurnovers.

In the fourth quarter Rodney Stuckey (10 pts, 4/5 FG) provided a spark subbing for Chauncey Billups (16 pts, 7 asts). It was probably Rodney’s best performance to date as he continues to best find ways to tailor his game to the NBA and this team.

With the Lakers up 89-87 the stage was set for a dramatic finish. Chaucney Billups rebounded a Rasheed Wallace (4 blks) miss. Chauncey penetrated drawing two Laker defenders and kicked it out to a wide open Tayshaun Prince (22 pts) who was set up in the left corner for a game winning three pointer which he knocked down to put the Pistons up by one with 4.4 seconds to go.

The Lakers had a chance to win but with excellent Piston ball denial on Kobe Bryant, their plan B, Lamar Odem air balled the potential game winner much to Mr. Bryant’s annoyance.



The game probably shouldn’t have come down to a last second three point attempt at home against a Laker team that was with out Bynum and Luke Walton. 17 turnovers is very uncharacteristic for this group who seemed to get a little rattled by the officiating. The Pistons were whistled for 24 fouls compared to the Lakers 18.To the Pistons credit though, the Laker played hard looking to get their nine game road trip off on the right foot. The Pistons played some pretty aggressive on-ball defense as 17 of the Lakers’ turnovers were Piston’s steals. They also got good contributions from the bench who accounted for nearly 1/3 of the team scoring.

On a side note, the Lakers really need Bynum back. There’s a significant drop off when they go to Kwame Brown. Kwame continues to be one of the biggest #1 overall busts in NBA history. He cannot finish around the rim, he can barely get off the ground despite only being 25 years old . In his 29 minutes on the court he gave the Lakers 3 points and 6 boards. He was the only Laker starter with a negative +/- stat. They might want to see if Fletch wants to come out of retirement. Granted he’s only 6′5″ (6′9″ with the afro) but he’s all heart and grit.