Here’s one that didn’t make it into the former Piston update bullet of yesterday’s press clippings; Mateen Cleaves’ basketball career  is still alive!

Mateen is signing a one-year nonguaranteed minimum contract with the Denver Nuggets.  Cleaves is getting another shot in the league via another former Piston, Chucky Atkins, having to miss the first six weeks of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.  And, according to the Rocky Moutain News, Mateen has a shot to start in Denver.

The last we heard Mateen was in the NBDL playing for the Bakersfield Jam where he earned player of the month honors in March.  He also played in Greece last season after being waved by the New Jersey Nets.

Mateen was drafted 14th overall by the Pistons in 2000 after leading Michigan State to the National Championship and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

• The Free Press’ Michael Rosenberg throws JOE D’s name into the mix for a Matt Millen replacement as the Lions GM.
• TAYSHAUN’S hs coach, Russell Otis, is being investigated for criminal misconduct
• Sportslines position rankings: BILLUPS #7 PG, RIP #7 SG, TAYSHAUN #14 SF, RASHEED #6 C
• The Pistons will be holding their annual OPEN PRACTICE at Oakland University on Thursday, October 2nd
• One of the Pistons most memorable names, FENNIS DEMBO, is honored at DBB
• Former Piston updates: ALLAN HOUSTON, 37,  is attempting another comeback with the Knicks…CHUCKY ATKINS (Denver Nuggets) will miss six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee…JUAN DIXON has signed with the Wizards…

PN Press clippings are back with a vengeance! Joe may not be making any big moves but there’s stuff and junk going on.

• Gilbert Arenas like our Kwame Brown pick up, Agent Zero even goes as far to say that this will be “Kwame’s year”. He also seems to be campaigning to get Juan Dixon back in a Wizards uni: “I’ll take him back in D.C. right now.” and Bullets’ Wizards’ fans are in accord.
• Kwame understands that his key to being a productive member of the Pistons is going to lie in his ability to defend:
  

  “A lot of people don’t take pride in their defense and don’t tip their hat to guys that go out and stick their nose in there and play hard on defense,” Brown said. “I think I’ve been one of the underrated defensive players in the league. I think on this team I’ll have a chance to shine and that’s exactly what this team needs.”

• SI writer Marty Burns ranks the Pistons 6th in the East:
  

  Logic says they should be ranked higher, since they suffered no significant losses (other than coach Flip Saunders) from a team that won 59 games last season. But even president Joe Dumars seemed to think this present group had run its course at the end of last season and needed some new blood. Kwame Brown isn’t likely to light a fire under anybody. And how will all those Pistons vets react to hearing their names in trade talks all summer? Unless Dumars has something else up his sleeve, the Pistons just seem like a team headed for a decline.

• Pat Sullivan is Über happy to be back in Detroit.
• Rasheed’s pre-game huddle dance is maketable
• Rip’s former agent is accused of stealing $500k for Hamilton. Even for a millionaire that’s a pretty penny.
• Could the Pistons use a 18 ppg scorer off the bench? Ah, nah never mind. Rodney Stuckey.
• Remember Rodney White? No? Joe D took White #9 overall in 2001. Still no recollection? Perhaps that’s why Matt Watson has him at #3 on the biggest busts of the 00’s list over at Fanhouse. Last December, if you recall, we found out Rodney was averaging 36 ppg…over in Asia. He’s since landed on a very good Maccabi Tel Aviv roster (now w/ Carlos Arroyo).
• “Super Dupe” is still hoping to find the right situation in the league and would like to return to Detroit and play for coach Michael Curry
• A Jazz fan dreaming up a trade to bring Darko Milicic to Utah to back up Memo
• Tayshaun and the U.S. Redeem Team continue their quest for Olympic bling by crushing the current World Champion Spanish team 119-82. Check out this Beijing Q&A with “Big Daddy Rich” Chuck Daly at NBA.com
  
• So you want entertainment? Check out Baron Davis and Steve Nash’s Step Brothers parody. Clas-sick!
  

Long time no post…since it’s been a relatively quiet summer for Joe D. and the boys (Kwame freak’n Brown?) here’s a look at where some of our former Piston’s players have gone this past summer.

• Flip Murray, who last season with the Pacers after being released by the Pistons back in February, has signed on with Atlanta. He’ll be joined in the Atlanta backcourt by fellow former Piston swingman Maurice Evans. Atlanta picked up Evans to fill the void left when Josh Childress took a very lucrative deal to play overseas in Greece.
• While on the subject of players that have sought greener pastures across the Atlantic former Pistons Carlos Delfino and the Serbian Gangsta, Primoz Brezec, both inked deals overseas. While the Childress signing may have caught many off guard these should not. Both Brezec and ‘Los were constantly whining about not getting run here in the States and threatening to go Euro.
• Carlos Arroyo also spurned the Association for Europe. Arroyo is expected to lead Maccabi Tel-Aviv in dribbles per possession.
• Jarvis Hayes signed on with the Nets. There’s a guy you might have expected to go overseas. Loves to hoist, can’t defend.
• Damon Jones (Bucks) and Joe Smith (OKC) were part of a three team trade that brought Buck’s guard Mo Williams to the Cavaliers. You know what that means? It means since DJ is now on the Bucks roster we’re guaranteed to meet them in the Playoffs.

Even though there’s been no major waves like expected, here’s a couple ripples from the Pistons pool. Everyone’s favorite 12th man Walter “Herrmannator” Herrmann is being brought back, after a strong summer league showing Will Bynum earned himself a two-year deal with the club, Detroit also added a second Walter, second round pick Walter Sharpe …

…What’d I miss??

Via Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

“They were kind of loud at the beginning,” he said. “But a lot of these fans are bandwagon jumpers trying to get on this now. I played here last year, too. And I didn’t see three fourths of them. They’re for the team now and they might get a little rowdy but that’s about it.”

When asked if he thought they were fair-weather fans, joining the party only after the Celtics’ offseason trades that brought Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to town, Bibby didn’t hesitate to pour more gasoline on the fire.

“You could say that,” he said. “I remember them having bags on their heads [last year]. It’s a different look. I guess that’s what happens when you win.”

Bibby and Josh Smith were the most noticeable targets of a small section of fans at TD Banknorth Garden Sunday. They got into a verbal sparring match with some of the crowd as they left the floor at the end of Game 1.

“It’s good that they know I’m here,” Bibby said. “It was just a little confrontation to get them involved a little bit. But they are fair-weather fans if you ask me.”

Mike Bibby is right, but what do you expect? The Celtics have not contended since before-before. That’s what happens when the home town team pulls off the biggest one season turn around in league history. The axles on the bandwagon really get a work out.

We seen a little of that around here when the Tigers went to the series two years ago. It happens. People like to align themselves with winners and it’s the die hards who’ve been there all along who have to suffer.

Boston has a pretty good rep of being a passionate and loyal sports town, but I have noticed a certain level of obnoxiousness creeping out of the Harbor this particular season. Hopefully the C’s can stay good for a few years so their fans can act like they’ve been there before.

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

ESPN: Time is apparently up on Chris Webber’s basketball career.Sources close to Webber told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the 35-year-old has decided to retire from the game and end his comeback with the Golden State Warriors after more problems with a surgically repaired left knee that has plagued him for the past half-decade.

He’ll probably never get the recognition he deserves as one of the games best big men in recent memory. It’s too bad things didn’t work out better for C-Webb here, it would have made for a much better ending to his career than him joining a Warriors team that had no more to offer him than some cheesy full circle articles.

Good luck Chris and thanks for the memories.



Some more former Pistons things I’ve been meaning to get to:

• Chucky Atkins deals with wheels
• Derrick Coleman is injured on Pro Vs. Joes
• This Toronto fan has taken a real liking to Primoz Brezec
• Isiah, while in Indy passed up drafting Tayshaun Prince in favor of Fred Jones
• Rick Carlisle to be Chicago’s next coach?

Ben Wallace on Rasheed Wallace’s “B.S.”:

Talking to Ben Wallace before the game, a radio reporter asked him if the key to dealing with the Pistons is handling “Rasheed Wallace’s BS.”

“What is the BS?” Ben Wallace said. “Big shots?”

The key to the Cavs success is focusing Chauncey Billups:

In the last four games at Quicken Loans Arena — three Eastern Conference finals games last season and the Pistons’ 89-73 loss Wednesday — Billups has shot an icy 34.6 percent (17-for-49) and has had more turnovers (11) than assists (10). Those are bad numbers for a guy who has ranks in the top three in assist-to-turnover ratio the past three seasons.

There’s not a huge rush to bring Lindsey Hunter back:

The problem, Dumars said, is there’s no reason to risk injury. Hunter, 37, incurred minor injuries in his two most important stints of the season — at Boston Dec. 19 and at San Antonio Jan. 10. He has sat since that Jan. 10 game.

Dumars said Hunter, who keeps himself in superb shape and is fit to play, wouldn’t need more than a few games to get back into game shape.

If Hunter does return for the final 10 games, his first game back would be against Cleveland, March 29 at The Palace.

Congratulations are in order for Juan and Robyn Dixon:

Earlier this week, Juan Dixon was late to practice when he was involved in a minor fender-bender. Friday, he missed it altogether – but he had a pretty good excuse. Dixon’s wife, Robyn, gave birth to the couple’s first child. A boy, Corey Wade Dixon, was born near the couple’s Baltimore-area home at 2:36 a.m., checking in at 7 pounds 7 ounces and measuring 20½ inches. Sounds like a shooting guard.

Chris McCosky says hold players responsible as well in his latest blog.

FORMER PISTONS PRESS CLIPPINGS

• It looked as if Houston might be interested in Dale Davis for their playoff roster, but they went instead with Loren Woods:
  

  The Rockets had considered signing free agent center Dale Davis who worked out for Houston Monday but league sources told FOX the club decided to sign Woods. (source)

  On a Double D side note did you know he’s also answered to the nickname “D-Train” ? Gotta love that high-top fade!

Rip Hamilton agrees with PistonsNation about Big Ben’s new threads

“It’s just going to be so weird,” Richard Hamilton said. “Seeing Ben in that Cleveland uniform, it ain’t right.”

Juan Dixon prefers the term “comb-guard”

“I don’t want to be known as just a two-guard because I’m way too small,” said Dixon, who is listed as 6-foot-3. “I’ve been scoring the ball my whole life, but I want to learn to initiate the offense to keep the team in the right spots.”

Flip Saunders has been named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for February. Flip also got the award in December

FORMER PISTONS’ CLIPPINGS:

• 
• Flip’s first Pacer line: Min 7:54   FG 2/3   AST 1   STL 1   PTS 4
• It’s Toronto or bust for Primoz Brezec.
• Smush Parker and the Heat are at a buyout stale mate
• Dime has a nice write up on Derrick Coleman’s West Side Detroit Snyx Sneaker Boutique

Dale Davis or Magloire? Looks like Davis might be the more likely of the two. (What ever happened to P.J. Brown as a possibility?)

The Dallas Mavericks appear to be tops on the list for soon-to-be free agent Jamaal Magloire, according to NBA front-office sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the 6-11 center is strongly leaning toward signing with the Mavericks this week and that a binding decision could come as early as Tuesday, with the 29-year-old scheduled to clear waivers at 6 p.m.

SLAM is liking the ‘Stonz in their rankings

The team we all saw in Phoenix on Sunday was a straight juggernaut, a brick wall on defense and a relentless machine on offense. And you knew Rasheed would go off; he’s averaging 15 points (44% FGs) and 8 boards on the road this year, compared to 10 points (41% FGs) and 5 boards per at the Palace

Hey ladies, Flip Saunders’ is a biter

“You’ll notice I bite my lip a lot,” Saunders said. “I’ve got a lot of scars and stuff in there.”

That’s one result of having two rookies among the team’s top eight players. Go nine deep, and there’s forward Amir Johnson, who is technically in his third year but is getting playing time for the first time.

Former Piston Jon Barry knows what time it is

“Did I miss something, or does the West now get six teams in the NBA Finals?” Barry, who is an ESPN analyst, joked. “They’re only going to have to play one team from the West, I know the Pistons are going to match up well against any team. They can grind it out, they can play up-tempo, you name it. I don’t think there is anything this team (the Pistons) lack right now.”

FORMER PISTONS + AROUND THE LEAGUE

• The Celtics reportedly have some interest in Flip Murray’s services
• Primoz isn’t looking to sit for the Raps like he did here:
  

  “The first to the 15th guys make you feel like family. But no playing time, man. No playing time. I was just looking for a chance, and I didn’t get it. In a month-and-a-half, two months, all I got was garbage time. That’s not me man. I’ve been a starter in this league, I know I can play, so I’m not going to sit on the bench. I guarantee you that. I am not going to sit on the bench.”

• Mateen Cleaves has signed with the D-League’s Bakersfield Jam
• The Freep’s Michael Rosenberg says don’t be surprised if Ben Wallace helps Elvis and the Cavs past the Pistons
• Need another reason to be envious of professional atheltes? Check out D.J. Strawberry’s girlfriend /ex-girlfriend Nicole

• UPDATE: Yao Ming is done for the season, that’s gotta smart Houston fans. Sorry.