according to this recap, rip probably sits more and that means more starting for AA.ESPN - Cleveland vs. Detroit - Recap - March 29, 2008

Do you remember when big ben here had back spasms?

I don't, why?

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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

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YouTube - Jack McCloskey Banner Raising - Mar 29 2008
The better parts of the Jack McCloskey banner raising at halftime.

Without Jack, there is no Rodman, and possibly no Dumars. He might be the single most important person in franchise history, that only the most diehard fans know about. This is the man who drafted built the Bad Boys, brick by brick from coach to 13th man.

Last night, Daddy Rich, The Microwave, John Long, Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars amongst others paid him tribute.

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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

cuz he has been out lately and left from the game again because of that.

Thanks for posting the video, Roscoe. That was a great tribute. I learned all about McCloskey from this book about the '89 championship season. It discusses the background of almost everyone on that team, players and coaches, but the real "protagonist" of the book is McCloskey.

Wow did I love those Bad Boy teams.

Is there anyway Chuck Daly could come out of retirement and coach this current Piston team?

The camera angle last night caught Daly glancing at Flip, I wonder what Daddy Rich was thinking? If looks could talk I believe he was saying, "you ignorant SOB!. I would have won at least one ship with this group, but you seem to be coaching with your finger in your #$%"

It was a very good half time tribute. Usually I do not like those kinds of things but they did a good job presenting it and McCloskey is a very good speaker. Dumars said that he modeled his style after his which is about a good of compliment that he could have gave.

It was a pretty enjoyable game too. At the start I had a feeling that the Pistons were going to make it a statement game, they had this serious attitude about them that you knew they meant business.

They also had some cooroperation from Lebran as that was one of the worst games that I ever saw from him. Not only the bad shooting but he could not make a pass either. When James is off it really exposes the rest of his team for who they really are. I still can't believe we lost to those guys last year.

- Cavs missed some shots early they usually make but even those wouldn't have helped all that much.

- Darn, Sheed was on the good end of a bad call for once.

- Ben is still though by and large the only guy in the league who can seriously slow Sheed down on the block. He was having a solid game until the back caught up with him.

- I really like Stuckey's attitude. He just loves to pick on skinny little guards.

- Rip on LBJ. Got a lot of help, but that was impressive, and Tay hounded Pavolic into 0-6 when it counted.

- Sure am glad Herrmann found some industrial strength hair gel and can forego the headband and tieback. I've been concerned about this since he got here.

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"But first, are you experienced? Or have you you ever been experienced? Well, I have."
Jimi

Great game.

Rip/AA were good defensively. AA should continue to get 15-20 min even when Rip is fully back. I was impressed with his defense on Lebron. I remember him getting lit up (granted it was pre-season). Quickness seems to be the way to go with Lebron. He doesn't seem to like posting up.

Also Rip's hip has killed his shot. He needs to sit if neccessary. These last games aren't that important.

Stuckey is great. There are times i want him in the game over Chauncey. Although Chauncey has gotten so much better with attacking (extra rest helps). Stuckey's blow-by against Lebron and pass to Theo was fantastic. Kid's a stud.

Tay/Sheed were solid.

Dyess played well and coincendentally played less. He's so much more effective that way.

Amir didn't get in, but Theo was needed on Z. Everytime the defense broke down though, Theo could not recover. It's a catch-22. You need Amir in when we're allowing dribble penetration, but if we're not Theo is fine. We stopped the Cavs, but at the same time they weren't very agressive. Flip's got to be able to adjust in a series, and switch it up if neccessary.

Max was effective.

Pushing up the ball helped alot. The Cav's are not a good transition defense team.

Also, seeing Ben on the floor hunched over was unnerving. I don't remember him looking that vunerable ever. Theo was frustrating the hell out of him in the rebounding department as well.

I want to see how we match up against a healthy Cavs team. Delonte West particularly.

Not only Stucky, it was amusing how Billups and Rip just took it to Damon Jones whenever he was left guarding them one on one. No respect at all for Jones's defense. They have no one left who can play any defense in their backcourt.