So, we didn’t quite make the splash Cleveland did (see below) but here’s what we did do. The Pistons sent Priomz Brezec along with cash considerations to the Raptors in exchange for Juan Dixon (6′3″, 165 lbs.). I didn’t quite get why the Pistons would pick up another guard and trade away our only true center. Then it was cleared up a little for me after reading this on Pistons.com:

The Pistons have the option of cutting one of their spare guards and adding a big man currently a free agent. The likeliest scenario? Flip Murray, who hasn’t played in two months, could be bought out of his contract at little cost – it’s due to expire at the end of this season – and Dale Davis, who played for the Pistons last year and is free to sign with any team, could be signed as veteran big man insurance.

My wish for the Pistons was to pick up a large foul eating big man. Not so much for the East, but whom ever we might meet out of the West in the Finals. While I love Double D, I wonder what he’s got left in the tank? He hasn’t played since last season and even then it looked like he really labored up and down the court.

Juan can be a nice guy coming off the bench especially in favor of Flip Murray who is just too free lancing for our team. Dixon has not come close to the collegiate success he enjoyed leading Maryland to the 2002 NCAA Championship and being named the Final Four’s MOP. This season he’s averaging 4.3 ppg, 1.8 apg in 12 minutes per, with career averages of 9 ppg and 1.7 apg. The Pistons are the 4th team for Dixon since being drafted 17th overall in 2002 by the Washington Wizards, yes, ANOTHER Wizard’s retread. Juan, like Brezec, is in the last year of his contract. If we end up re-signing Dixon, Joe D. must go after Desmond Mason, the marketing possiblities would be through the roof!

Ben went where??

The Cavs were involved in a 3-team, 11 player deal that netted them former face of the franchise Ben Wallace. They also got Wally Sczcberbiak, Delonte West and Joe Smith. They sent Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, and Shannon Brwon to Chicago. And, Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall to Seattle.

Dan Gilbert’s Piston’s envy knows no bounds.

LBJ wanted some turnover and he got it.

When I first heard about the deal I just heard Ben Wallace & Drew Gooden and I was happy because it was another chance to get back at Ben for bolting, and the Cavs, already hurting for someone not named James to score a bucket, just down graded. But, then there’s Delonte West..solid, Wally Longlastname…solid, Joe Smith…savvy thorn in the Pistons’ side solid. All the sudden the Cavs have nice complimentary pieces to take some scoring pressure off Elvis.

Who would have thought the Bulls could move Ben’s contract? Maybe the same people who thought the Cavs could move Hughes’ big bank.

The rivalry just got a little more raw. You think Chi figured if they couldn’t overthrow us they’d help Cleveland do it? I’m not looking forward to seeing Ben in that nasty Cavs jersey. While I’ll miss hating that big gumpy mouth breather Drew Gooden, I think Delonte West is plenty ugly enough to get under my skin.

Buckle up Pistons Nation.

….Oh, also, former Piston pit bull Mike James was traded from Houston to New Orleans.

So much for retiring a Piston. I’m kinda sad to see the borderline out of control hot chocolate craving accessory whoring Slovenian gangsta go.  I wish him well, also, it looks as if all the connections between us and Toronto has led to a new trading partner, poor scorned Orlando.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors acquired center Primoz Brezec and cash from the Detroit Pistons on Thursday for guard Juan Dixon.

Dixon was averaging 4.3 points and 1.8 assists in 36 games with Toronto this season, his second with the Raptors. (via: ESPN)

Admittedly this is a crappy time to have shitty limited internet access, so I’ll have more on the days events tomorrow when the connection is stronger.

Via Detroit News:

Brezec wants to stay with the Pistons for the long haul. His contract expires after this season. He is moving his wife and young daughter to Detroit, at least for the rest of the season, starting Monday.

“I can’t wait until I sell my house here in Charlotte,” Brezec said. “It’s time for me to move on. Detroit is my home. I hope 10 more years. I hope to retire here.”

Detroit’s secret weapon for keeping Brezec?

Snow. Really.

“We love the snow,” Brezec said. “It is like being at home in Slovenia. We have snow there, too. We like seeing it.”

I’d love to play poker with Primo. I really like how much Brezec loves being a Pistons and I think he’s really going to endear himself to the fans but he might want to dial it down a notch. At this rate Joe D will be able to re-sign him for ball boys salary and an autographed Rip mask.

Speaking of Rip Hamilton…

FSN is doing a 30 minute special on the Pistons sharp shooting guard entitled “In My Own Words” hosted by FSN’s John Keating. It debuts tonight following the Pistons/Knicks game at 10 p.m.

Watching the game yesterday for the second time (yeah, I watched it twice) I noticed the “borderline out-of-control gansta” about as geared up as he could be. He had on a black arm sleeve on each arm, sweatbands on top of those, a head band, and a breathe right strip across his nose. All that was missing were some Kurt Rambis sexy specs. This guy cracks me up. He reminded me of Marlon Wayans’ character “Bugaloo” from Above the Rim when they were hooping in the park and he had as much gear on as humanly possible plus about a mountain of talcum powder “it’s all about the grip“.

Via Detroit Free Press:

“He’s high-energy, he’s very enthusiastic, he plays hard — he’s borderline out-of-control at times,” coach Flip Saunders said. “… But you’ve got to like his enthusiasm. He’s really well-liked by the players.”[…]

Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace said the only nickname he’s come up with for Brezec so far is “gangsta.”

Told that Brezec was seen jogging through the streets of Indianapolis during the time when most players are just waking up from their afternoon naps, Wallace said, “See, that’s gangsta.”

Turns out Brezec just wanted to get to a nearby Starbucks for a hot chocolate before the first bus left for Conseco Fieldhouse.

I don’t know about you, but I like this guy!

Damn, I guess Sheridan is the truth. We’ll have more on this tomorrow.

Via Detroit News:

AUBURN HILLS — The Pistons traded reserve center Nazr Mohammed for Bobcats center Primoz Brezec and forward Walter Herrmann before Friday’s game against the Hawks.

The Pistons also requested waivers on forward Ronald Dupree.

The move accomplishes two things: The Pistons free up more than $20 million in salary by trading Mohammed and pick up two front-court players with expiring contracts.

“The financial ramifications of this are pretty significant for us,” Dumars said Friday night. “It allows us great financial relief, it’s a deal just from a financial standpoint that you have to make. But the fact that we’re getting two players that we like, makes it even better for us. …

“It’s a win-win situation for both sides.”

Brezec is making $2.75 million this season, while Herrmann will get $1.9 million.

Dumars said the trade talk started Friday afternoon, with the Bobcats calling the Pistons about Mohammed. The Pistons have been interested in Herrmann, inquiring about him earlier this season. Dumars had talked to the Bobcats last season about acquiring Brezec.

The Bobcats have been on the search for another big man, unsuccessfully trying to get Cavaliers power forward Anderson Varejao in the past two weeks.

The two sides quickly agreed on the trade, and it was deal done before the Pistons played the Hawks on Friday night.

Brezec, 28, a native of Slovenia, has been in the NBA for six seasons. He stands 7-foot-1 and weighs 255 pounds. He’s averaged 8.1 points and 4.3 rebounds over his career.

Brezec has a good shooting touch and can score from the outside.

Herrmann, 28, hails from Argentina. He’s 6-9 and 281 pounds. He’s in his second year in the NBA, with a career average of 7.8 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Dumars said he likes his energy, as well his ability to shoot 3-pointers.

Mohammed, 30, was signed as by the Pistons to a five-year contract during the 2006 offseason. It had been hoped he would somewhat fill the role of Ben Wallace, who left that offseason for the Chicago Bulls.

Things didn’t work out that way, as Mohammed proved to be a bit slow and clunky in the faster-paced Pistons offense.

Mohammed soon fell out of the main rotation. He wasn’t happy with the reduced role, but to his credit, did not complain or sulk.

But it was clear he had hoped to be a more integral part of the team. The Bobcats told Dumars they anticipate making Mohammed their starting center.

“He’s a good man, and he deserves to play some minutes,” Dumars said.

Dupree has been little-used, only appearing in one game this season.