The Denver Nuggets are 5-1 since acquiring Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson.  They’re playing some good team ball, with noticeable betterment coming on both sides of the ball.  Yes, the Nuggets are now playing defense. Listening to the Nuggets it seems as if AI was the problem, not the answer:

“There are less bad plays, more solid plays,” Karl said. “I think the wasteful, cheap possessions that we used to have 10 to 15 a game, they don’t exist very much anymore.” […] “We have contested-shot charts, bad-shot charts and cheap defensive possessions,” Karl said. “I would say that when A.I. was here, we had most games in the teens of contested, tough shots, sometimes in the 20s. And I don’t think we’ve had a double-digit one since (Billups has) been here.- Denver Post

AI is a special talent, but he’s never been a coach’s fave, so going from Iverson’s erratic play to Chauncey’s careful precision so you can understand why it seems George Karl is saying what he is here.

Kenyon Martin has benefited a great deal from C-Bills coming on board.  He’s getting back to the kind of game he had when teamed with Jason Kidd in New Jersey.

“We’ve got a great point guard now who gets his teammates involved, doesn’t mind passing the ball, and that’s what he’s done throughout his career. He’s a general on the court. He gets his teammates the ball, get his team in the offense quickly and gets the ball to his teammates in the right places.” -Hoops World

Take the quotes as you like, but it’s clear that the Nuggets are better and it’s a direct result of Mr. Big Shot. Carmelo Anthony and Nene’s numbers are also benefiting from Chauncey’s arrival.  I don’t think the Nuggs dislike Iverson, but I do think as they continue to thrive they’re realizing that Iverson wasn’t right for them.  Hopefully it’ll be different here.

Michael Rosenberg got a chance to talk to Chauncey Billups while he was in Cleveland yesterday. He reflects back on the trade that sent him to Denver in exchange for Allen Iverson.

I’ve higlighted a few things from the article, but I STRONGLY recommend you click on over and check read the whole thing for yourself.

On whether he’d have signed his contract knowing then what he knows now: “No way,” he said. “No way. I don’t think anybody would. If anybody told you that if hindsight was 20/20 and they knew a year later they were going to get traded from the place that they signed, they wouldn’t sign.”

Seeing his jersey with Iverson’s name on the back: “I will admit, that shocked me,” he said. “It’s kind of surreal when you first get traded. But when I saw that No. 1 on TV with a different name, that’s when I said, ‘It’s official.’ ”

The results of the team’s discord with Flip Saunders: “I think that cost us at least one championship.”

What could have been: “I felt like if it’s not for my injury, (even) with Flip, we win the championship last year,” he said. “I think we win it all and that No. 1 has still got BILLUPS on the back of it.”

The timing of Rip’s extension announcement: “If Rip would have knew that this deal was going on, I just don’t know that he would have signed that extension,” Billups said. “It was kind of funny to me that they announced this trade the same day that he signed. I really don’t know. … It just seemed weird to me. He signed that extension three days before the trade. … I think it might have been a little different if all this was exposed early.”

The interview really drove home the human element of the trade.  While reading it I never thought to myself, “yeah, but what about the money we’ll save”.  Even with all the time this squad had to get it done it still feels like one more shot wouldn’t have been too much to ask.  But, I guess that’s maybe the one draw back of having management won’t settle for just being “good”.  Joe has a job to do.

Detroit Free Press: Chauncey Billups talk about the trade, Flip

Yesterday we were hearing that the Nuggets intended on buying out Antonio McDyess rather than forcing the hand of a player who didn’t want to be a part of their team. Again, we in Pistons Nation really feel for McDyess because we’ve seen his dedication to winning a ring in a Pistons jersey and the outward disappointment when it didn’t happen year after year. Rather than signing with any other contenders who’d happily welcome his addition Dice made it clear that he only wanted to contribute to a championship here.

How can we not want Denver to buy him out?

Well, wow Nuggets’ vice president of player personnel Rex Chapman is saying Denver plans to hold onto McDyess. Let’s just hope that this is some posturing on the part of Champman and the Nuggets.

If Denver does buy out Dice he’d be free to immediately sign with any team that isn’t the Pistons. For that he’d have to wait 30 days.

Rocky Moutain News via Detroit Free Press

HOT DAMN!  Chauncey and Dice (and Samb) for Iverson…

Wouldn’t you know it.  I planned on not blogging today to spend time with my Mom on her birthday, a milestone birthday at that.  Then I get a call from a friend asking me what I thought about the news and asking if I was joking when I replied “what news”?  But, I guess I can’t call myself a Pistons blogger and let the biggest news in quite awhile go unmentioned.  So, here are some initial reactions I’m having…

First off, I’m shocked.  When I made mention of this trade yesterday from the Boston.com article I was under the assumption this was something discussed over the summer and not something immanent.

Does this make the Pistons better?  Gosh, I really can’t say for sure at the moment.  It does for the free agent market this summer, that’s a given.  But, are we as much of a title contender as before the trade went down?  That’s what I’m not quite sure about.

If winning the whole thing is still the goal and Joe doesn’t want to make any lateral or regressive moves from that goal, is this trade concomitant with that?  We’ve seen how poor our offense can be when C-Bill is not running the show.  I’ve never seen A.I. as much of a PG.  Iverson needs the ball and he needs minutes.  Can this offense flow with two shooting guards on the floor with Rip and Iverson?

How are we going to get over when Denver could not with A.I. ?  In Denver teams could not key in on him because of Melo.  We don’t have that luxury.  This is a team concept squad we’ve got going on here.

Does Iverson have Piston DNA?  He’s certainly not the first guy I’d point to and say “that dude’s a Piston”.  He’s tough, no doubt about that.  He’s got that whole pound-for-pound thing on lock.   But I’ve never seen him as a real good defender.  There’s been a question or two about the guy’s character.  Then there’s the “practice” thing.  We know what a stickler Curry is for preperation.  Ironically I mentioned Iverson when we were reading about the importance Curry has placed on having good practices.

What about Dice?  I feel for Dice.  Who doesn’t love Antonio McDyess?  The word is he’ll retire before suiting up for Denver.  I feel for the guy.  He’s put everything he’s got into trying to get a ring here since joining the team in ‘05.  He’s been down since day one.  He could have gone anywhere and chased a ring, but he came back year after year to try and get that ‘Ship with his band of brothers.

There is talk that Denver will buy out Dice and he’ll return to Detroit (ala Lindsey Hunter in ‘04).  Hopefully that’s true.

I wish I had more time to get into this trade.  Cruel, cruel fates.  If any of you want to weigh in on the plethora of things I haven’t gotten into feel free to hit up the comments.

Should be interesting tonight against Charlotte.  We’ll be at it again tomorrow morning to figure this thing out.

Saw this and couldn’t help but chuckle (and photoshop).  I’ve noticed, as I’m sure many of you have, Rip seems to like to keep long fingernails, but I didn’t think it had anything to do with  competitive advantage.  I’m cool with it if it means slicing up Celtics.

Celtics guard Ray Allen joined Michael Jordan and several other NBA stars, including Rip Hamilton, in Las Vegas before training camp to take part in promotional work for Jordan’s Jumpman brand. Allen said he talked to Hamilton about his fingernails, which prompted Allen to wear an arm sleeve against the Pistons in the playoffs last season. “He was saying how when he saw me come out the next game with an arm sleeve on, they started laughing about it,” said Allen. “And then I said, ‘Look, man, I’m wearing an arm sleeve because . . .’ And then I picked his hand up and looked at his nails. And his nails were way out. He said, ‘Man, I didn’t know I cut people up like that. People tell me all the time that I need to cut my nails, but I don’t know what I’m doing.’ I told him, ‘Come on, dog, you know why you’re using them.’ ” -Boston.com

Also in the same article a mention of the Nuggets wanting to send Allen Iverson over for Billups, but the Pistons would have to include but the Pistons would need to come up with about $10 mill more in contacts to make up the difference between C-Bill and A.I.’s contracts.

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.

Newsdays reports that the Pistons (as well as the Cavs) are monitoring the play of the Knicks’ Zach Randolph.  Dave Dial of Mlive suggests that the Pistons might be looking to deal Rasheed for Z-Bo.

I wouldn’t like that deal myself, short or long term.  Randolph just doesn’t fit the Pistons mold.  He’s an impact player but he doesn’t make those around better like a Rasheed Wallace.  He’s often out of shape and is a below average defender.  Plus, he’s owed $48 mill over the next three seasons.

Besides, we’ve reformed one Jailblazer, does Joe really want to press his luck?

Came across this post from The Fresh Prince of the blog theorizing that Rasheed is on his way out of the door due to the fact that it seems as if you can no longer get a Rasheed Wallace jersey in the team store.

I plugged in Rasheed Wallace into the search (investigative journalism!) and there are technically Sheezy jerseys to be had.  You can choose from the pink fem-jerseys or the baseball style jerseys (not a fan).  So yeah, there’s no authentic, swingman, or replicas to be had.  For good measure I checked Tay, Chauncey, and Rip and the Locker Room store still offers a full line of their jerseys.

IF a trade is in the works I can see why the Pistons would take his gear out of the store and leave him up on the main site.  For one, if he’s being traded you don’t want fans bumping around the online store and shelling out full full price for a guy who’s no longer on the team.  For two, you take him off the main site and that’s a dead giveaway.  Whereas you just start plucking his jerseys from the store and it’s more of a stretch and more explainable.

I guess it’s something to chew on since there’s no actual confirmed news on our ‘Stonz.  If nothing else you now know you can pick up a Ben Wallace penant for $0.15.

UPDATE: There also seems to be a shortage of Rasheed Pistons-centric gear at the NBA Store site? Maybe, just maybe…

Since the Carmelo rumor’s legs didn’t strengthen we’ve got a new and more interesting deal, in my opinion, to mull over today. Check out the noise coming out of Bay Area this morning:

Joe Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, gave notice after losing the Eastern Conference finals that no one on his veteran-laden team would be safe, and the source said Detroit is willing to divest itself of longtime stars Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups.

Wallace, like Davis an unrestricted free agent after ‘08-09, would give the Warriors their best true power forward since Chris Webber’s first stint in 1993-94 and has 3-point range that coach Don Nelson would love.

[…]

Since Wallace and Billups will combine to take home nearly $25 million in 2008-09, the Warriors would need to add more salary ballast to Davis in order to make the salary-cap numbers work.

One possibility in that role would be forward Al Harrington. A source close to the 10th-year forward said he is currently leaning toward requesting a trade from the Warriors this summer, although he will not make a final decision until after the draft.

I like this deal. If we have to part with guys this deal sounds fun. Baron is very similar to Chauncey in that he’s a big bodied dominant guard. I think Baron is a little better going to the rim than Billups. Chauncey may have the better long range stroke, but Davis is no slouch. Plus, this gives our PG of the future, Rodney Stuckey, one more prime time floor general to learn from.

I like Harrington’s game as well. Like Rasheed he can go inside and outside, although he didn’t get to show to much of his post game under Don Nelson.

Our engine is overdue for an oil change. This deal could help get some of that built up sludge out. I say DO IT JOE!

We we know Dumars at least put a worm on the hook and cast it towards the Nugget’s Carmelo Anthony. Just to recap, Joe Dumars offered up Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince for Carmelo Anthony and Denver (at least for now) is content with keeping their high scoring forward. That much we know.

Even though this deal at this point in time seems to be merely a suggestion I do have some thoughts on it.

On Chauncey: It just seems odd to think that one summer after Mr. Big Shot is made the richest Piston in history that he’s on the trading block.

This implies to me that Joe A) sees Chauncey on the decline. Much like his foresight with Ben Wallace two summers ago. And B) Joe and co. seen enough in Rodney Stuckey to give him Chauncey’s spot if they had to part with Big Shot.

It be tough to see Chauncey go. He’s the present face of the franchise. After bouncing all over the league his tenure in Detroit is all-in-all is a great story and it would be nice to see him finish here, but the bottom line is that as GM Joe’s job is to put trophys in on the mantle.

On Tayshaun: Joe said no one is untouchable, but I just though that was jargon for “it’s time for Rasheed to go”. I guess I never really thought about the possibility on parting with the Palace Prince. Unlike the other four starters Tayshaun was drafted by the Pistons. We watched him progress into the player he is today. He’s the reason we don’t already have Carmelo Anthony.

Tayshaun always has a great attitude, whereas Carmelo’s attitude and character have come into question over the years. It would be a tough contrast to get used to as far as how we view “Pistons” to be character guys.

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.

Could you see Ron Artest in Piston’s red, white and blue? He can. Chris McCosky of the Detroit News writes that you should expect Sacramento to trade Artest while he has value because he’s already talking about opting out at the end of the season and leaving the Kings empty handed. McCosky says that Ron told Indianapolis reporters that he sees Detroit being a potential anchorage for his services. Artest even claims he has a fan base here in the Motor City:

“Especially when you’ve got a lot of fans,” Artest said before Friday’s game. “I used to read a lot of the blogs and a couple people said they wouldn’t mind seeing me play in Detroit. That’s like a big turnaround from those days. That’s a big turnaround and you’ve got to be proud of that.”

Anyone have an idea which blog(s) he’s referring to? If he does have a fan base here they must not have been able to make the game last Friday because he still gets booed with every touch of the rock at the Palace.

There’s never been a question that Ron has the talent to be one of the very best players in the NBA. He’s a great defender with the offensive game to match. But, be honest, this guy is one of the biggest head cases in perhaps the history of professional sports. Who the hell asks for a month off to focus on producing a rap album when you’re on a team that is inline to compete for an NBA title? Then there’s the brawl which I don’t have to outline for anyone as to his involvement. He’s receives the longest non-drug, non-betting suspension in league history (73 games) for his part in the melee which basically killed the the Pacers chances for a title as he was an intricate part of that team. Then, fast forward to his return the next season, after his teammates welcome and accept him back with open arms he asks for a trade??

Since being traded to the Kings in ‘06 he’s ran hot and cold. He’s yet to go into anymore crowds but he’s had plenty of off the court misdeeds to keep his legend growing (like jokingly? threatening to kill teammate Bonzi Wells if he didn’t re-sign in Sacramento).

Would Detroit fans accept the “Tru Warier”? Depends. If he keeps his mind right and balls I think any fan base could warm up to him. For better or for worse we’re a very forgiving society. Remember this guy is a former Defensive Player of the Year (2004) and has a career averages of 15 points and 5 rebounds per. Who wouldn’t want that on their team?

My biggest concern in trading for him is guarding against meltdown. Artest makes $7.8 mill and and has a player option to bump that up to $8.4 next season. Also, he believes he’s underpaid, he might have a case if his name wasn’t Ron Artest. So, by my estimation you have to give up a key piece or a host or future key pieces. It’s easy to say package Brezec, Herrmann, and Murray, but would Sacramento even want them when they would surely field more lucrative offers from other teams.

If it works out the Pistons are holding the Larry O’Brien at season’s end and to this point Ron has just been misunderstood. If it doesn’t, well see the Pacers post Artest. Another thing that would play against it would be Flip Saunders. He’s not really got a reputation for tapping into player’s ardor for the game. He’s more a less a good coach, not a leader of men…but I don’t want to get off onto a Flip Saunders’ tangent.

It’d be a tough risk/reward type call for Joe to make. But I, for one, have complete and total faith in Joe if on any deal he pulls the trigger on. I’d say he’s earned it.

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.

Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com runs down a list of the 10 players most likely to be traded in the NBA. Flip Murray comes in at #6, which really shouldn’t be news to Pistons fans. I don’t think the Pistons will aggressively shop Flip until we get to see how Rodney Stuckey fits into the equation. He also goes onto say that the Pistons are looking to make a spot for Chris Webber (parting with Nazr Mohammed & Ronald Dupree) which is contrary to what we’ve heard from Dumars and his plans to commit to the team’s youth in the front court. We’ve been told that Joe Dumars is not looking to acquire veteran big men. This kind of sounds like a preseason relic when Nazr and Flip were all but traded in the media.

Then, when you scroll down to #8, Walter Herrmann, Sheridan reveals:

The Pistons are among the contending teams that would be willing to take a flyer on the forward who many remember as the difference-maker when Argentina defeated the U.S. in the semifinals of the Athens Olympics.

Herrmann really isn’t getting the minutes in Charlotte and his numbers reflect that. He’s a 28 year old 6′9″ forward. I’m not really sure how he figures into what the Pistons are doing. The only thing I an think of is maybe Dumars is looking to pick up a white guy so people can stop accusing him of being racist? Of course that’s in jest as I know that’s not the type of thing that determines personnel decisions with Joe D.