PistonsNationBlog.com - Detroit Pistons News & Views

Being that this is the 20th anniversary of the 1988-89 Bad Boys team that won the franchise’s first NBA title why not have the current Pistons wear the Bad Boys throwbacks?

We’ve worn the lightning bolt jerseys of the late 70’s and the 1957-58 mockups last season paying homage to 50 seasons of Detroit Basketball.  So why haven’t we done something for the jerseys that actually started the Pistons’ winning tradition?

In those jerseys we’ve retired four numbers, made three consecutive trips to the Finals (resulting back-to-back NBA crowns), two HOF enshrinements, not to mention Kelly Tripucka’s mullet.  Respect.

Our current jerseys are nice, but I still think the Bad Boy threads are the best.  I prefer “Pistons” across the chest of the road unis as opposed to Detroit.  I know they Pistons represent the city but they play no where near it.  I’m even fond of the  screen printed block letters/numbers.  It just looks classic.

So, am I the only one who feels this way? Or are there others out there in Pistons Nation that would love to see these rocked on Hardwood Classic Nights? (the Bad Boy warm-ups would be sweet too, but I don’t want to push it).

Had I seen this as a child. It’s actually a good thing I never did because there would have been no way my parents would have been able to take to even if they wanted to, and I would have hated them for it.

Just before the deadline we’ve locked up the OH-BEAST! through the 2012 season.

AUBURN HILLS — He took it nearly to the wire, but Jason Maxiell on Thursday accepted a contract extension that will keep the power forward with the Pistons through 2012.

Final language was being worked out Thursday afternoon between Pistons president Joe Dumars and Maxiell’s agent Richard Katz, but the two sides have agreed on a deal for four years at $20 million - Det News

That’s right Pistons Nation, no RFA for Maxy.  He’s getting more than the reported 3yr / $15 mil deal we originally heard about so that must make him and his agent happy. Glad to see someone’s making the cheddar in this flumped up economy.  I bet Joe threw in a few lightly seasoned new born babies to sweeten the pot.

Like I mentioned, I was cool with any team that wasn’t the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series.

The Rays would have made a great worst-to-first story, but just as well.

So kudos go out to the Phillies who took the Series in 5 (albeit controversial) games against the Rays.  Congrats to the grumpy self hating Philly fans.  They’ve been waiting since 1980 for the baseball team to win the whole enchilada again with a heart breaking 1993 Series in between.  Oh, and on a side note… (more…)

(photo: getty)

It wasn’t the Pistons hitting on all proverbial cylinders, but it was a win to open up their 2008-09 campaign. {box score}

It’s supposed to be a new era in Detroit basketball but the Pistons found themselves committing one of the cardinal sins of the all to recent years gone by.  They played up to their potential for stretches building big leads but would let down their guard letting the Pacers go on runs to get themselves back into the ball game.

Runs happen in the NBA and it is the first game of the season, so it’s not the end of the world.  I’m willing to do what Chauncey has asked, that is give the ‘Stonz 15-20 games before we judge them.  That’s not too much to ask in my opinion.  That’s not saying they’re going to be playing .500  for the first couple month’s of he season.  I think he’s saying that we’re not going to see a truly polished product until new coach Curry and the young guys all have a dozen or so games under them to truly be in sync with the core-four and Dice.

I’m sure we’d all have liked to see the Pistons not let the Pacers back into the game the way they did, but there was plenty of positives to draw upon. Key areas that we’ve been looking forward to did manifest themselves last night in Michael Curry’s coaching debut.

Tayshaun Prince did assert his will on the game.  Tayshaun led the way for the Pistons with 19 points on 8/15 shooting.  Tay’s 15 shots attempts was tops for the Pistons, something that we’ve not seen a lot from Tayshaun over the years as he usually prefers to let the offense come to him.  Tay got into the offense early by scoring 8 first quarter points and it was also Tayshuan hitting the big buckets in the fourth quarter when the Pistons needed them.

“Tonight, I got off to a good start,” Prince said. “Obviously, there are going to be situations where the roles are going to be reversed and Chauncey or Rip or Rasheed are going to hit those shots first. And I will have to find a rhythm after that. But tonight’s game was a situation where I got off to a great start and guys were looking for me throughout the game.” -mlive

I thought Amir Johnson did a real good job last night playing within his role.  Amir recorded 6 points, 6 boards, and 3 blocks.  Better yet he only committed one personal foul in his 21 minutes on the court.  Like I had mentioned before about Amir, his stats aren’t going to necessarily jump out at you right now.  He’s out there to work hard and supplement the efforts of the vets.

Another big bright spot was M.C.’s use of his bench.  Within two minutes into the second quarter 11 different Pistons had gotten into the game, plus Curry kept his starters under 35 minutes. The Pistons bench outscored the Pacers 38-18.  The biggest contribution coming from Walter Herrmann who hit a couple of deep balls in a hurry.  The Herrmannator scored 10 points in 16 minutes of the Pistons bench.

GAME NOTES: The Pistons don’t play again until Saturday vs. the Wizards … Chauncey’s line: 13 pts, 7 asts, 5 rebs, 5 TO … Will Bynum was the only active Piston not to enter the game … DBB: Pistons pace Pacers … Danny Granger was high in the game with 33 … Pacers turned the ball over 21 times … Pistons scored 23 or more in each quarter … The Pacers have lost their last 7 games against the Pistons … ICR: Strong effort, tough loss …

If you’re any kind of Pistons’ fan at all then the intro to “The Final Countdown” by 80’s hair metal group Europe sends chills down your spine.  I know me and a buddy of mine looped it and would use it to get hype before we would go hoop.

Well, as we wait for the season opener to tip off, here’s a different take on that song using a combination piano / ukulele / kazoo:

And here’s the more familiar version

As revealed by Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News (via TruHoop) Joe Dumars and Warriors’ GM Chirs Mullin had ongoing talks over the summer about shipping Tay out to the bay area in exchange for Stephen Jackson.

How bananas would that be to have Jackson in the Pistons’ red, white, and blue?  Remember what a lunatic Jackson was during that brawl as a member of the Pacers?  He just wanted to fight anyone he could get close enough to swing on.  I was more outraged with his act than Ron Artest.

As a fan I would have an easier time accepting the focal point of that brawl, Ron Artest (who previously talked about playing for the Pistons), than Jackson.  For one you can make a case for Artest defending himself during that whole melee, whereas it was pretty clear that Jackson just wanted to fight.  And two Artest is a top tier talent.  Jackson, while very good, is second tier at best.

If it’s all the same I’ll keep Tay and his expanded role under Michael Curry.

Thankfully though the Warriors president Robert Rowell is giving Jackson a big ‘ol contract (3 yrs, $27 mill) that will effectively squash any further talks on the matter between Joe and Chris Mullin.