PistonsNationBlog.com - Detroit Pistons News & Views

With the Pistons pushing towards the playoffs and possibly the top seeding in the East if they can over throw the Celtics it’s easy to forget about the 7′1″ center down in Ft. Wayne. Out of sight out of mind right? Well let’s take a sec to update some of Cheikh’s progress.

Cheikh’s currently averaging:
Min 25.7 FG% .477 FT% .756 Rbs: 6.9 Blks: 3.8 Pts: 10.5

In the Mad Ants last game, a 119-108 loss to the Austin Toros, Cheikh scored 15, collected 7 boards and blocked 8 shots.

There’s been some highs and lows for Cheikh so far. Samb got a triple-double (12 pts, 12 rbs, 11 blks) in his second game back with the Ants after getting a couple of his teeth knocked out (which he now wears a protective “Rip” mask for). Unfortunately the Ants lost that game which has been a theme for them as they currently sit at the bottom of the D-Leagues Central Division at 12-21.

Cheikh’s first coach, Kent Davidson, stepped down on Feb. 5th to take a coaching gig overseas. The team is now headed by Davidson’s assistant Jaren Jackson.

Fouls have limited Cheikh at times and forced the Ants to go small, ironically enough that’s led to a couple of their wins. In a game against the Utah Flash back on February 24th Cheikh fouled out in just 15 minutes of play. In a game against the Colorado 14ers on Feb. 2nd Samb had four fouls in less than four minutes in the first half and was fouled out before the fourth quarter.

Samb has started all twelve games he’s played in for Ft. Wayne.

[Box score] The Clippers proved to be the perfect elixir for the Pistons after blowing and 18 point lead to the Jazz in their previous game as the Pistons blew out L.A. by 30 handing the Clippers their 5th straight loss. The Pistons have now beat the Clips 11 straight, the longest current winning streak the Pistons have against any team.

Like he did at the beginning of the season when Rip Hamilton was out for the birth of his son, Tay stepped up his efforts for Chauncey Billups who’s back home attending to a personal matter. The Compton bred Prince matched his jersey with 22 points and handed out 10 dimes while playing the role of point-forward Saturday night.

“When we have a good player out, especially one of our main guys, it’s important that we depend on each other,” Tayshaun Prince said. “This was a great night where we did that.” (Detroit News)

Rodney Stuckey (9 pts, 2 asts) showed poise in his first NBA start. Stuckey got great help from the newest Piston Juan Dixon. Juan led the Pistons bench charge scoring 14 (6/7 FG’s) to go with 6 assists in 23 minutes. That had to be a welcome site to Lindsey Hunter whom the Pistons chose not to activate for the game.

Actually everyone from the Piston’s bench played really well. The bench combined for 41 points and 23 rebounds. As a result no Piston starter, besides Prince (33 minutes), played over 26 minutes. Everyone off the bench scored at least four points.

Rasheed Wallace scored on his first 7 shots on his way to scoring 17 points, rebounding 6 shots, and blocking 4. Richard Hamilton scored 14 points and assisted on 5 other buckets.

The Pistons racked up 28 assists making them a perfect 23-0 when finishing games with 25 or more assists. That just speaks volumes for execution being key to the team’s success.

This game concluded the Pistons four game road swing all though the Staples Center’s crowd seemed like a west coast Palace.

How big was the Detroit contingent?

Pistons reserve Walter Herrmann got a standing ovation for his four points in the closing minutes, and the crowd shouted, “Sheed!” practically every time Rasheed Wallace touched the basketball.

It was a successful trip at 3-1 but you know the Pistons are kicking themselves for letting the Jazz come back on them and not sweeping the trip.

The Pistons take on the Sonics at the Palace on Tuesday.

Also see: Clips Nation