I believe he did say that Rasheed was the most highly motivated and he implied it was to avenge the lost rings (rather than, as Wojo cut in to ask, because of Game 5). He said Rasheed was 20 pounds lighter than he was this time last year, according to those that had been around last year. Looks like everybody is going to get what they want - a motivated Rasheed! who intends to, in Flip's word's, "be more aggressive"

Did he really say that last part or am I making that up? someone who listens to iamme's recording please clarify. I don't want that to be just wishful thinking.

GREAT NEWS!

I told many people that Rasheed is not turning to his "Portland ways". He's a Piston now, and the pistons work hard every night. Seriously a lot of people have been talking to much BS about Sheed' over this summer.

After last year's championship, Sheed came into camp fat and out of shape, he was rewarded by the Pistons with a nice healthy sized contract that summer. I know that I felt like Sheed should have "cared" a bit more than it seemed he did. He is paid over 10 million a year to be in shape and watching him play his way into shape for the first two months of the season grated on me last year. It's his job to be in shape.

It also bugs me and I know other Pistons fans to see Sheed not aggressive. He is very lackadaiscal at times and just sort of floats through some games. It's obvious to all Pistons fans that the Pistons are at their best when Sheed is aggressive and plays hard.

It's great to hear that Sheed is in better shape and wants to be more aggressive. But I know for one fan, "the proof is in the pudding" and "actions speak louder than words". I want to see Sheed play like he is telling Flip he will. If he does, I don't see anyone who can beat the Pistons this year, SA included.

IMHO, If Sheed has that aggressive attitude and is serious about winning this year, There is NO BETTER TEAM than the Detroit Pistons.

And like I have been saying, all the critiscm he's getting has probably determined Rasheed to win, and I mean win BIG, REAL BIG.

Interesting stuff.

Flip seems to be more open to going big. Having Ben at the ( 5) Dice at the( 4 )and Sheed at the (3). Flip also said that the players will dictate who plays by what they do on the court.

Flip also said that he will not make a guy do something he is not comfortable with. He wants guy's to play and play hard and not think too much.

cool, Low, thanks.

I thought Flip did well and should be impressed with the quality of questions posed to him by Detroit fans. There was a lot of Flip love, which is to be expected for what was a sanctioned "meet the coach" interview.

I wasn't terribly impressed with some of the things he said, and at the same time I am not going to jump off of any bridges because of that. It should be obvious to all that Flip is a completely different coach from Carlisle or Brown. He has his own concepts and ideas making 2006 a new start to some degree.

One thing bothered me if you read between the lines. By not making players step outside their comfort zone, you limit their growth. Ben may be ugly in the post trying to score, however a large part of our success was attributed to making Ben more involved on offense. By taking Ben "out of the offense" (because honestly, he doesn't really have any offensive comfort zone) will put us in more 4 on 5 half court situations. Just because it is not comfortable for him, does not mean that Ben should not get his touches.

The philosophy may work with Darko because of his need for confidence but some of the established players could end up regressing without the push to make them be complete players. Hopefully Flip has the strength of character to challenge his players and push them to great heights rather than settling into narrow roles.

Bottom line, I'll be a huge Flip fan if he has the entire team wearing pink leg warmers and candy bracelets enroute to a title. I just want wins and could care less how he gets them there.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

That is the same thing I was thinking. You can't have everyone doing what they feel comfortable doing. Sometimes you have to push a guy out of his comfort zone. Like you said with Darko let him play his game but with the rest of these guy's you to challenge them. It is a team and someone has to sacrifice and do some of the dirty work. I remember guy's getting talked to last season about helping Ben on the boards because for about 3 or 4 games no one else was on the glass and we were getting killed.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

Think about it that would be great agaist the Spurs. Sheed posting up Bowen so that he can be less of a threat defensively, and if they throw Duncan on him than who's going to gaurd Dyess? Mohammed, Rasho, Horry? I don't think so.