Bill Davidson, Dick Vitale, & Adrian Dantley go into HOF together

Some 28 years ago, Pistons owner Bill Davidson fired coach Dick Vitale and would later say that hiring the former University of Detroit coach was one of the worst mistakes he’d ever made.On Monday, both were announced as new members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The rest of the Class of 2008 includes former Piston Adrian Dantley, along with Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, coach Pat Riley and women’s basketball pioneer Cathy Rush.

Big Herm retires from international ball’n:

BUENOS AIRES (Olympics) - Argentina have suffered another setback in their bid to retain their Olympic gold medal as Walter Herrmann has told coach sergio Hernandez that he is retiring from international basketball.

Herrmann helped the South Americans win the title in Athens and also played at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan when the team finished fourth.

His decision comes soon after veteran guard Pepe Sanchez announced his retirement from the national side.

SLAM compares the Memphis Tigers to the ‘04 Pistons:

The ‘04 Pistons were, of course, known as an amazing defensive team that was lucky to score 40 points a game. In fact, they had arguably the most efficient offense in the League: A sturdy, clever, super-clutch point guard who was happy to set guys up but could also drop 30 when needed; a relentless mid-range Reggie Miller clone at the two who seemed incapable of missing from 18 feet; a freakishly long three who killed with athleticism and spot-up….

Flip Saunders on Lindsey Hunter being ready for the post season:

“We’re kind of seeing where we’re at with these other guys right now,” Saunders said. “We know where he’s at. … We’re not talking about a guy who has to come out and play 20 minutes in a game. Right now, this is how (team president) Joe (Dumars) wants to deal with it.”

The Pistons are cost effective:

SI.com ranks the Pistons among the NBA’s most efficient franchises, based on their player payroll and winning percentage. They are expected to spend $1.14 million per win this season, tied with Orlando for third-best in the league.

FORMER PISTONS PRESS CLIPPINGS

• Allan Houston works out with the Suns, but not in a trying to make the team way
• Isiah says he’ll take any job to help the Knicks
• Mateen Cleaves was named D-League player of the month for March
• Vecsey: Doug Collins turns down Bucks GM position
• Larry Brown is pulling for Memphis despite being a former Jayhawk

Rip has missed 6 of the last 7 games due to a sore hip and as a fan that worries me. Here’s an update on Rip’s hip from Chris McCosky’s Detroit News blog:

The problem is the joint that connects the left hip and groin. Hamilton said he was encouraged, said that he could feel it getting better, finally, the last couple of days. Physical therapist Arnie Kander said the rest will do Hamilton a world of good, giving him fresh legs for the playoffs.The plan, for now, is to have Hamilton play Wednesday at Philly.

Hmmm? That’s not an injury that is all that common to the best of my knowledge. Kinda sounds like a groin pull more than a hip injury. Usually when you talk about hip injuries it’s on the outside, like a hip pointer. But what do I know. I’m no Arnie Kander, actually just the opposite, I hate seeing injuries.

I just hope it’s not more than they’re leading on. He seemed fine in the Cleveland game.

If he is indeed feeling better I hope he gets 20-25 minutes over the last six regular season games. Rip is a rhythm shooter and will need those minutes to stay on the rest side of the rest vs. rust argument. Remember how long it took him to get into rhythm at the beginning of the season after a series of events kept him in and out of the line up? Remember it even had some calling for Rippers benching? It’s one thing to work through a slump to start a season, but an entirely different animal to do it to start a playoff run.

I did my due diligence and watched this one but I’m having a hard time recapping the action. One game against the Heat, ok. But, another one 10 days later on a beautiful Sunday is a bit much. So, here’s what I recall:

I remember Stuckey getting some nice open court steals. I also remember him shattering Daequan Cook’s ankles on a cross over and the Pistons bench going wild. Even the hundreds of Heat fans that attended the game ewwed and ahhed at that. Looking at the box score it looks as if the Rodney Stuckey roundball evolution is still in full effect. He led the Pistons scoring with 19 and had 4 helpers.

The Heat have a center named Joel Anthony that, if kept in the league, can put the versatile big man movement back 20 years. What a stiff.

No Rip. He was still dealing with that hip thing. Dice got the night of so J-Max got some extended rim rocking minutes.

Walter “Big Herm” Herrmann got some PT and he was swooping every which where, cradling the ball in his monster mitts like it was a soft ball. I remember seeing that.

I seen Amir Johnson in there skying for boards. He and Maxiell tied for Pistons rebound leader with 7 a piece. Amir also blocked four shots. No surprises there. I could have perked up a little more for this one if Amir was doing work on the offensive end. That’ll come though he’s still so young. It’s just with all the preseason build up and the contract I think a lot of us in the Pisotns fan Nation were expecting to some Dwight Howard stuff from Amir. That’s not to say Amir has been a disappointment, no I wouldn’t say that. He’s seems like a great kid with a awesome work ethic. He’ll get his and reward us all for being behind him from the start. Bet on that.

Our boy Cheikh got some burn. He didn’t put much in his stat line but it’s just fun and intriguing to see the big fella from the Senegal out there. With that mask he looks like Rip’s lanky younger brother.
photo credits: NBA/Getty Images

Fill in all the stuff I missed in comments, and for more in depth coverage check out:

• Slam Dunk Central: Stuckey Helps Pistons Stick It To Heat 91-75
• Sun Sentine: Pistons 91, Heat 75
• Detroit News: Hamilton sits again; Pistons clinch no. 2