Alright I'll write my response in here to discuss how the practice went. There was a really good fan turnout - Darko, Davis, and Dice were working the counter while Delfino signed autographs out front. The intensity of the scrimmage was great, everyone scrapped for loose balls, played very tough defense, and everyone looked pretty good for the most part. Anyone trying to just run into the post and slam it over people got stuffed every time, the post was like a wall. it took awhile for the shots to start falling which is natural, but everyone looked in great shape. I didn't really see much zone defense, looked all man-to-man to me. People were missing a lot of easy shots, especially early on, but that's not really something to be concerned with.

Microwave, Sheed actually looked pretty darn thin, and Tayshaun was the same size - but had more facial hair (probably hasn't shaved in 8 months to get to that point ). The starting 5 + McDyess were fine, and Dale Davis didn't really play...not surprising, they know what to expect from him. Onto my observations and opinions of individual players (remember: just my opinion based on limited analysis).

I won't discuss Alejandro Sanchez / Todd Day (sp?) as they really didn't play. First, I'm going to disagree with Mercury on Glyniadakis...I thought he was pretty atrocious. He's really thin for his size, got manhandled in the post and committed fouls constantly, was very uncoordinated, ran funny (arms flailing), and couldn't handle the ball offensively in the post without losing control of it or getting beat up. He was quick but had 'happy feet' and looked pretty nervous. To say he looked more polished under the basket than Darko...I have to 100% disagree with that. On the plus side, he has good form on his shot (4/4 on free throws), but only when setting himself with no one defending him. In any case he's not NBA ready, and don't expect to see him past the preseason.

Maxiel is simply a beast. He blocked several shots, could hit the open ones, and pushed several guys around in the post. Most impressive was getting out of a double team down low, looked like they were going to wrap him up for a jump ball, but he managed to get away from it and pull off a nice fadeaway jumper (didn't go in but it was a good play). A putback slam after one of the plays was called dead was just sick...he slammed it down HARD.

Evans is ripped, the guy is strong. He looked pretty explosive, did well defending, and had no problems hitting the open shot when given to him.

Amir Johnson didn't play a *ton*, but he could definitely leap and was very athletic. He has a very funny release on his shot...kind of like a set shot.

Acker was serviceable at point, played good 1v1 defense on Rip, looked natural/comfortable, and didn't make mistakes. He was about 1/5 on 3-pointers, but the ones he missed were on-target, just an inch or two short. I can see why the Pistons want to keep him, but unless he can light up the 3-ball, I don't see him overtaking Hunter this year for the playoff run.

Arroyo did fine at point, made some sweet no-look passes, and should do well this year running the 2nd team, hitting Dice and Darko on the pick-and-roll.

Dupree was simply outstanding. Simply athletic and finished strong around the basket. It'll really be too bad if he isn't in the Pistons plans, because some team will get him for cheap and it'll be a steal. Same as mercury, would love to keep him but don't want to lose any of the draft picks.

Delfino offensively looked pretty good, had some nice cuts to the basket, the putback slam was awesome, and he really looks ready to play and contribute this year...jury's still out on whether he'll have the attitude problem in time, but so far he didn't look selfish and played pretty well.

As for Darko...I thought he played great. His first back-to-the-basket post play was a left hookshot over Ben that was undefendable...almost looked like something Shaq would do (no I'm not trying to compare the two players lol), and if he can develop that weapon - especially left-handed - look out. He got a bunch of rebounds, and actually charged to the basket to get them. He was much more assertive and no longer looked lost, although he still manages to be the last player on his team down the court. He had a couple solid dunks as well, and played solid defense. His length definitely bothered / altered some players jumpshots and he made guys miss them.

Most impressive though was his blocking ability and play from the weak side. A lot of his rebounds and blocks came from that side. He had an absolutely SWEET block on McDyess...Dice was on one side of the basket going to the hoop hard, Darko came from the other side of the paint and blocked it mid-air while spinning. It was a clean block but naturally he got called for the foul by some Asian Rob Schneider look-alike, which everyone playfully went NOOOOOOOOOO at. But the block brought some people to their feet, and when he completely stuffed Evans going hard to the basket a couple minutes later, people in the crowd were actually saying stuff like "better not go in that post, Darko's got it locked down." His play and the fan reaction should be good to maintain his confidence.

Overall a very impressive practice. It looks like the fierce competition for roster spots and playing time is really paying off, everyone is in great shape, playing hard defense, going after loose balls and hustling, and playing really well. Maxiel and Acker didn't look like rookies at all. Not only will we have an extremely deep team this year and give the starters more rest, but I really think we'll come out of the gates firing and win a LOT of games early in the season. I have a good feeling about our 2005-2006 Detroit Pistons.