The radio broadcast is online, via NBA.com, for anyone who wants to listen in.

Tayshaun still didn't have a good shooting game. Delfino's jumper is still very off. Chauncey had 5 assists in the first quarter which is good. The Pistons did bad on the boards, but hopefully that's because Nazr didn't do well because of Ramadhan. Sheed stayed in the paint on both sides of the court. J Max was a big force again as well. Pistons won 90 to 85. Will Blalock did a good job keeping the Pistons on top. He subbed in the 4th quarter when the Pistons were only up by 2, but he stuck with his man and scored some points too.

__________________
"That's the end, man." Rasheed Wallace

Game Summary:

Brahma Stampeed.

wasn't this game on TV? no one saw it? well i was at the game so i'll give a report. first of all the game lasted way too long and i was dozing off...WAY too many stoppages of play and fouls called. i don't remember seeing too much zone, and there was plenty of sloppy play to go with good play. the pistons definitely gave a conscious effort of playing inside the 3-point line, and only had 6 3-point attempts not counting delfino's 5. i guess i'll just give a rundown of everyone:

Tayshaun Prince - completely took the night off heh. lazy effort,

Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, Lindsey Hunter - worked on getting everyone else involved. chauncey worked on getting to the line

Nazr Mohammed - took advantages of opportunities and played very well offensively, but had trouble pulling down some boards and had 2-3 early turnovers before settling down.

Ronald Murray - didn't take as many random shots as we saw in the 1st preseason game. has a nice crossover move and worked on getting quality shots off and driving the lane. nice to see a player with this ability and using it. as long as he concentrates on this, he'll be more helpful than hurtful. ran the mid-court trap well with lindsey and maxiell. started off the game very well with a driving layup and a steal that he returned for another.

Rick Rickert - you said you weren't looking at euro leagues and such, but might wanna start...
Will Blalock - ran the offense pretty well to close out the game and get the win. made a couple nice shots that were unexpected (a runner and mid-range jumper). can definitely see lindsey hunter in him defensively - quick feet, quick hands, stays on his man, and is rather pesky. with experience he'll improve.

Carlos Delfino - not his best night. perhaps it was hard to look for his defense when everyone cringed every time he jacked up a shot. i think he figured that if he kept shooting, the ball would have to go in sometime. he played GREAT in transition and that's where he got his 3 baskets - he shines when he's driving and making moves. not like his other 8 shots, which were spot-up jumpers, and it is VERY obvious that this is not his game. if he can't fix it within the next couple of games he should think about not doing that at all.

Jason Maxiell - i'm not going to give him extra praise because he's a favorite of mine or because i have an agenda...i'm going to give him extra praise because he's earning it. the team had a LOT of trouble grabbing and holding onto rebounds (or just getting them in general), but maxiell really stepped up and grabbed a few away from utah's taller players and just sucked them in. there were times that he couldn't keep his hands on it, or was out of position, but the whole team was having this problem as well.

he was like a wrecking ball tonight - either you fouled him or he scored on you. the part you like the most, is that he goes for those monster jams, and goes all out EVERY time. he just plays hard non-stop. he had 2 put backs in the span of a minute or so, and the second one was simply phenomenal - he rose up, grabbed the ball above the rim, and then jammed it so fast in the net that it looked like fast forward.

he also had 3 nice blocks, including a ben wallace-type late in the 4th quarter. he leaped way into the air and swatted the ball back to midcourt. plus he did a great job of fronting his man in the post on defense and getting in position.

free throws were hit or miss...6 for 12. he's either on...or off. he's basically forcing flip to give him minutes because his presence can't be denied. he was the first big off the bench instead of dyess tonight, and he played extended minutes (the most of any player besides flip).

how was his FT shooting?

Gotta chance to see a good portion of the game tonight. A few points
1) Don't miss Ben (yet). We were not going to win another ring with Ben, I'm not saying that losing Ben will help, but that team was no longer good enough to win a ring, and honestly don't know if this one is, alot of that rides on Tayshaun taking the next step.

2) Nice to Sheed in the dang paint.

3) J-Max, man I'm pulling for this guy. He can easily give us what Corliss used to give us, that we really missed when he left. Say what you will, but we'renot/are not a very physical team; Ben and Rasheed weren't/aren't soft but they aren't bangers either. J-Max seeks out contact and tries to buly people, ya' gotta' love that.

4) I really like Will Blaylock, I believe he's a perfect fit for what we need. I don't think that he needs to go to the NBDL right away, I think he can be one of the best backup pg's in the league (after barbosa and devin harris) sooner than we think. As a former PG, I'm telling you he really knows this position, PG's are born not made and he was born to run the Point, I really like the kid.

5) Would have liked to see more from Delfino, not a good game, but not a poor game. Wouldn't be surprised to see him traded, not saying he's going anywhere, just that if he did......it wouldn't be a surprise. I can't put my finger on it but he just seems to be distant and disconnected from the rest of the team, but it could very well be my imagination.

__________________
Play hard, Play smart, Play together, share the ball, have fun....Play the right way!!!!!!

um. the pistons could easily be in the running for a ship with the team we have now.

He said win a ring. This team will contend, but if they want to win it all every Pistons needs to play there best in the playoffs not before it.

Great report Warthog.


I can't get enough of the Brahma. I'll be very disappointed if this doesn't translate into at least a few regular season minutes. He is so much fun to watch.

Nice recap Warthog.

You are back on my xmas card list.

__________________
They are the archetype for dominance. They are the gatekeepers of the conference. They are the Detroit Pistons.