February Pistons articles *Updated Daily* - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

Zoso · #1 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 07:36 AM

February 1st -

~ Detroit News ~

Nets 91, Pistons 84
Nets stop Pistons' win streak at 11
Detroit tries to rally in fourth quarter, but 36.6% shooting leads to this sixth loss
By Chris McCosky

This was bound to happen.

Sooner or later, the shots weren't going to fall, the defense wasn't going to be as stout and the opponent was just going to be more desperate.

Sooner or later, the Pistons weren't going to be able to flip the switch and make a team go away.

It happened Tuesday night at Continental Airlines Arena.

The Nets, riding a four-game losing streak and losers in eight of their last 11, built a 10-point lead late in the third quarter and held off a wild Pistons rally in the fourth.

"For whatever reason, we just weren't as mentally alert," coach Flip Saunders said after the Nets held on for a 91-84 victory, ending the Pistons' 11-game win streak.

Pistons: Notebook
Billups unsure of U.S. Plans
commitment to team depends on schedule of guard, whose wife will give birth this summer
By Chris McCosky

In just a couple of short years, Chauncey Billups has gone from a vagabond player bouncing from team to team, to NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP, to most likely his first All-Star appearance this season and now, perhaps, a U.S. Olympian.

Not bad work.

"It's crazy, man," Billups said after shoot-around Tuesday. "It just shows that I've come a long way. It's an unbelievable honor to have that opportunity, and really to be in a position to be considered, it's great. I am loving it."

Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the U.S. men's national basketball team, told The News on Monday that there is a spot on the team for Billups and the only question is finalizing the commitment.

Fantasy sports
Top rebounders enhance a team's playoff chances
By Sean Baligian

Take a look at the top scorers in the NBA -- it's the usual suspects.
You see Kobe, AI, and LeBron all averaging more than 30 points.
Scoring is one thing, though.

Rebounding now that's another source for pounding your chest any week during fantasy play.

So, if you're in a league that rewards the big hands, here are a few names to look at...

~ Detroit Free Press ~

Snagged by Nets
Kidd is the key in ending Pistons' 11-game win streak
By Shannon Shelton

Two streaks ended Tuesday night at Continental Airlines Arena.

The New Jersey Nets broke their four-game losing streak, 91-84, and ended the Pistons' 11-game winning streak that dated to Jan. 10.

The Pistons (37-6) shot 36.6% from the field, well below the 46.4% in their previous games.

They also failed to follow the rule that usually results in victories against New Jersey (23-20) -- never let Jason Kidd get too many good looks at the basket.

Billups puts baby before basketball
By Shannon Shelton

Chauncey Billups said he wouldn't play in the world championships this summer in Japan if it meant he wouldn't be around for the birth of his third child.

But Billups said he would consider it if the selection committee made an exception that would allow him to be with his wife, Piper, as she approaches her August due date. That remains a possibility.

The world championships will be Aug. 19 through Sept. 3, and the team that competes in 2006 would represent the United States in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

~ Booth Newspapers ~

Pistons off in loss to Nets
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Flip Saunders has been around the Detroit Pistons long enough to see them play just about every way imaginable.

However, Tuesday night's 91-84 loss to the New Jersey Nets was something he has rarely seen.

The 37-6 Pistons, whose 11-game winning streak came to an end, showed a lack of focus and an inability to make big plays down the stretch when the game was up for grabs.

"The way we were playing," said Saunders, in his first season as Pistons coach, "I thought we'd be down by 15."

Despite loss, Pistons had a great January
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Despite Tuesday's 91-84 loss against New Jersey, the Detroit Pistons finished January with one of the best months in franchise history.

Detroit's success will likely result in head coach Flip Saunders being named the Eastern Conference's coach of the month for the third consecutive month, something no NBA coach has ever done.

The Pistons had a 13-2 record in January, tying the franchise record for most wins for that month.

~ The Oakland Press ~

Can't win 'em all
Detroit goes cold (except for Billups) in sluggish loss to Nets
By Dana Gauruder

Hold the 70-win talk for a while.

The Pistons can't do it every game. Some nights, they can even look like an ordinary team.

Their 91-84 loss to New Jersey on Tuesday night is a prime example.

They shot poorly, got outhustled and suffered defensive lapses at crucial moments as their 11-game winning streak, an NBA season high, was halted.

Chauncey Billups scored 30 points, but they still came up two games shy of their franchise record for consecutive wins.

~ New York Daily News ~

For Nets, no Place like home
bounce back to stun Pistons
By Ohm Youngmisuk

A tense fourth quarter was winding down and Chauncey Billups was in his element.

"Mr. Big Shot" had just buried his fifth straight shot and fourth three-pointer of the fourth quarter to cut the Nets' lead to one with 1:44 left.

"With them, crunch time is the best time," Vince Carter said of the Pistons.

Except last night, the Nets gave the Pistons a taste of their own formula for success.

Jason Collins drew a huge charge before Jason Kidd answered Billups with a three-point dagger with 48.3 seconds that lifted the Nets to an inspired 91-84 victory at the Meadowlands.

~ New York Times ~

Not settling for less, than Nets beat the best
By John Eligon

The rivalry between the Nets and the Pistons — fueled by fierce playoff battles — subsided the past season and a half. Detroit has dominated the N.B.A. this season, so there was not much of a showdown to speak of heading into Tuesday's game.

But that intense battle was renewed at Continental Arena, and the Nets showed that, though they may not be as consistent as the Pistons, they have the tools to compete with them.

Thanks to a late 3-pointer and two free throws from Jason Kidd, the Nets ended a four-game losing streak, 91-84.

The loss was only the Pistons' sixth in 43 games this season, snapping their 11-game winning streak. Detroit (37-6) still has the best record in the league. The Nets improved to 23-20.

~ New York Post ~

Surging Pistons are Flip side of Knicks
By Jay Greenberg

THE PISTONS, who were uptahere with Larry Brown, nevertheless thank him. Just as the Knicks may do some day, when Eddy Curry becomes Shaq, Isiah Thomas admits to a single mistake and pigs fly.

Of course, by then Brown will be long gone, as he was from seven NBA teams that each benefited from his presence, though they still felt he shouldn't let the door hit him on the way out.

Personnel losses are measured by replacements — in Detroit's case, the capable Flip Saunders.

~ The Washington Times ~

Everything pointing to two-man MVP race
By Tom Knott

The NBA's MVP race is the two-person undertaking of Steve Nash and Chauncey Billups.

The others -- Elton Brand, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki -- are distant candidates at the midway point in the season.

Nash has provided a stirring encore to his tirelessly debated MVP acquisition last season. It comes in the absence of Amare Stoudemire, the team's No. 2 player who has yet to score a point or snare a rebound this season. His injury was expected to cripple the Suns, Nash or not.

If not Nash, then Billups

Now Billups is the essential element on a team that is flirting with the 70-win mark.

His assist/turnover ratio is third in the NBA. He is ranked in the top 20 of 15 statistical categories.

At age 29 -- late by NBA standards -- Billups has emerged as a genuine star who relishes taking the big shot.

The choice between the two is apt to require a coin flip.

roscoe36 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 10:03 AM

~~NBATV~~

Maurice Evans interview *VIDEO*

~~Detroit BadBoys~~

What team do you hate the most?
by Matt Watson

Let me tell you a secret: even though the Pistons have lost to them twice this year, I actually really like the Jazz. I'm still a Memo Okur fan, and watching Andrei Kirilenko is just plain fun. Plus, I love Jerry Sloan's old school approach, and his teams always play hard.

And while most fans will say the Pacers are our biggest rival, I can't muster up the energy to care about them now that Ron Artest is gone. I'll even go so far as to say that I like Jermaine O'Neal, and I admit that if you really look at the tape, he was probably justified for KO'ing that fan on the court last year.

But the Nets? Holy crap do those guys annoy me. [more...]

Pistons drop the clutch in New Jersey
by Matt Watson

Now, I freely admit that I was able to watch all of (the last) five minutes of this game, but after one quick glance at the box score I can't help but think I know what went wrong: Rasheed Wallace went 1-of-11 from beyond the three-point line. 1-of-11! And he only attempted 14 total shots! The shot chart is just depressing, especially considering he didn't attempt a single, boring, old two-pointer after halftime.

Let me be clear, I absolutely love Rasheed's inside-outside game — it makes him one of the most indefensible big men in the game. But it's simply inexcusable to completely forget to, you know, play the post. When he did play down low, he made two of three shots. [more...]

Abe Froemen · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 05:34 PM

Flip gets East Coach of the month again!!!!!!

http://www.nba.com/news/coaches_ofth...ry_060201.html

roscoe36 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 06:32 PM

Carlos Delfino Interview (en Espanol).

**LINK**

My rough translation follows... (caveat, I am lousy at Spanish, so it's google with some fixes I could apply afterwords).

Quote:

In His Words: Carlos Delfino (Detroit Pistons)
MIAMI, Florida (23 of January, 2006) - the Argentine player fulfills his second season with Detroit and their numbers reflect a good campaign. After a year of adaptation and injuries, Delfino returned for a very positive season with the Pistons, that has the best record of the league, a solid team that needs a prepared group of substitutes who heads the santafesino. This is a conversation with number 20 of Detroit:

How goes the season?
Personally well, of minor to greater, as it waited for it, since the year had begun. I am calm, little by little the coach is to me more using every day and treatment to take advantage of the minutes and to demonstrate the maximum that I can give. It is not easy because I came from a very long time without playing due to the injury and little by little I am taking the rate and confidence in my same one.

Detroit does not let surprise and counts on the best record of the NBA, what do you think of all this?
The starting five are playing very well. I am one of whom that thinks it is the best five of the league, I believe that all along that they take playing together and the form to be reconciled causes that the team at the present time is playing the level that is doing it. We, from the bench, whenever we left we tried to maintain the same level, to help them to give them to rest and the idea it is to arrive whole at playoffs.

Before initiating the season nobody spoke of Detroit, now all know that it is the favorite...
I believe that it was spoken much of San Antonio, that was reinforced, etc. Whereas our team was not practically touched and that is one of the causes of the level that we are playing this height. Although there were no drastic changes within the group, I believe that the only great change was the one of the coach, who has added us many things to the offensive subject, the defense has not been touched and before the defense of this team was great the strong one. For that reason everything has been multiplied. Now people begin to speak of us, everything changes because there were players who more were known as net defenders but today they are playing the attack and they make the things very well.

How the things with Flip Saunders go, how you you take it with him?
Either, he is very good person and it works much with the young people, he was Barbarian his arrival to the team and the fact that we began winning and that the consolidated record or this or now gives a much more ample margin us of error. I feel comfortable and each party I am gained plus the confidence of him and also confidence in me. Also I more am adapted and a little more small change at the time of speaking English and that learning that I had the year last has served me much for this season.

Think that Chauncey Billups can get to be the MVP of the season?
I believe that still he is very early to say it but I believe that is making the things very well, are nights that that demonstrates truely if it is the type of player whom there is to follow and who it makes play better the others, then surely that go to be within the candidates. For us he is a referring one and hopefully it continues playing this level, by or ours and by or of him so that that prize can be won, I believe that if follows therefore it is going it to obtain.

How you see Manu, Chapu and Oberto?
Sight I believe that Manu is or, was something stopped by its injury, but after that, returned playing or and a great rate. It follows with the intensity of always and producing much for the time that plays. Chapu, on the other hand, is holding fast every day more. I say that Chapu is like a "bull", that way leaves enters, sometimes plays much other times not as much, but he continues producing and mental as much as I physically see it very well and adapted to the NBA. Within his team it is a fundamental pillar for the system, I create can be in the Game of Stars in the match of triples, I believe that he would be Barbarian for him because I believe that is deserved it. Fabricio finihes arriving and is in the team champion. He is a very intelligent player and its process of adaptation is going to happen very quickly.

How you have seen this season Carlos Arroyo?
Good, Carlos is playing very well, for the minutes that he has within the team and he has good statistics. The problem is that, that does not have the sufficient space, by the great player whom it has ahead (Billups), and nonsingle he, the five holders of the team are in a great level, you I say it by personal experience. It is not easy "to rob" minutes to him to those players and as the team is well, that way he is better not to touch to the starting five. For that reason Arroyo suddenly is undergoing that part as we are undergoing all those of the bench, but independent of that, he is working very well, is training to thousands, is like everybody hoping the opportunity to demonstrate the talent. The few minutes that are playing he does well, hopefully that when he has the opportunity and they just a little bit give him more of space continues demonstrating his level like until now.

After one season and average in the NBA, what is what it becomes difficult to you more in the adaptation?
I believe that the subject that having so many followed parties, he is something that not yet I adapt although nongame too many minutes. The subject blotch and tells new from a day the other is not so easy, but I believe that that you it gives the time it playing. Suddenly that is what it needs to me since the last year I am called on myself to see much the game from outside, this year I have participated much more, in that point for my has been like being of novice, since I make more part of the rotation of the team, I must again continue learning and giving examination every day.

As they are your plans with the Argentine selection for the 2006?
If they call to me I am going to play, until they have not called to me now, but I believe that they have not done it with any, I believe that it is not time still. I think to be to disposition of the coach to be part of the establishment. I believe that Argentina at the present time has the luck to have near 20 or 25 players of high disposition to represent the country to play the world-wide one. I will try to continue giving the best of me day to day to be here at the level in the selection. I believe that we have a very great possibility, an important group of players and with the subject of the drawing, I do not say that we have it easy, but if something favorable to make the things affluent.

Your father always is tie to your race as much inside as outside the fields. Which is its greater legacy?
I believe that he is the one that knows me more, as far as my temperament or personality in the field, follows close by my statistics very. Outside sport the friendship that we have he is incredible, I had the luck to grow when he played professional level and to see it, that way we have the same love by this sport, then we shared things and more than father he is a friend. In my house always there has been an atmosphere with much sport and hardly it is spoken of another thing that is not sport, very we are united by that side.

Some message for the followers of Detroit in Latin America who are pending of you and of the team?
Good as I say whenever the followers of Detroit are 1% because the rest is of San Antonio (laughter). He sent a very great greeting to them and hopefully that is very contentments by the level of the team in this season and which we pruned to crown it with the ring that did not occur the previous year us. I am very proud of being a Latino representing them within a wonderful team.

Abe Froemen · #5 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 09:57 PM

Billups named Eastern player of the month

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/cbil...om_060201.html

Zoso · #6 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 07:17 AM

~ Detroit News ~

Pistons 90, T'Wolves 74
Pistons tattoo Timberwolves
Hamilton scores 21, Wallace controls rebounds in second half and Detroit bounces back from loss.
By Chris McCosky

Pretty good night all the way around for the Pistons.

Earlier in the evening, Chauncey Billups was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month (the first Piston so awarded since Grant Hill in January of 1997) and Flip Saunders became the first NBA coach to be named Coach of the Month three straight months.

Then, with large contingents of Steelers and Seahawks players sitting courtside, the Pistons ran the Minnesota Timberwolves out of The Palace, spanking them, 90-74, before the 108th straight sellout crowd, which gave standing ovations first to Jerome Bettis, then to Ben Wallace, whose energy exasperated the Timberwolves and enlivened his teammates and the crowd.

NBA: Roundup
Warriors exec fired over e-mail
PR manager apologizes for sending a racially insensitive message to team's media outlets.
Detroit news wire services

The public relations manager for the Golden State Warriors was fired Wednesday for inadvertently sending out a racially insensitive e-mail titled "Ghetto Prom" to the team's entire media distribution list.

Eric Govan, the No. 3 person on the Warriors' media relations staff, sent the e-mail featuring 17 photos, many depicting scantily clad African-Americans in formal attire and commentary on the outfits.

The e-mail went to dozens of newspaper reporters, columnists and sports editors, as well as television and radio stations.

"I can assure you that the contents of this e-mail -- or any unsaid presumptions -- do not represent the values and beliefs of the Golden State Warriors organization," team president Robert Rowell said in a statement.

~ Detroit Free Press ~

Finally, NBA recognizes top Pistons
By Krista Latham

A few weeks ago, the Pistons felt slighted that despite their league-best start, no player had been singled out for any NBA honors.

Then shooting guard Richard Hamilton was named Eastern Conference player of the week.

Now point guard Chauncey Billups has been named Eastern Conference Player of the month for January.

"That's a great, great honor," Billups said. "I've never got that before. I've been player of the week, but player of the month is a lot tougher to get because you have to do it over the course of four straight weeks."

Add another Eastern Conference coach of the month award for Flip Saunders -- he has swept the first three months, a franchise first -- and it's clear the old we-don't-get-no-respect line isn't going to fly far this season.

Pistons bounce back
after rare loss, Detroit dominates
By Krista Latham

Save the losing streak for later.

Sure, it'll come. Just not yet.

The Minnesota Timberwolves had the perfect opportunity Wednesday night to heal their frustrations from a 24-point loss to the Pistons last week. The Pistons had traveled home from New Jersey late Tuesday night and were in a rare position -- coming off just their sixth loss of the season.

Lot of good that did. The Pistons (38-6) attacked in the second quarter and won, 90-74, as half of the NFL -- or so it seemed, anyway -- watched from the pricey seats on the Palace floor.

~ Booth Newspapers ~

Ben Wallace's rebounding sets tone for Pistons win
By A. Sherrod Blakely

The Detroit Pistons were looking to rebound from a rare loss Wednesday night, so who better to set the tone than their best rebounder, Ben Wallace.

He out-hustled the Minnesota Timberwolves on the boards to set the tone for the Pistons' 90-74 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"He was huge," said Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince, who had 20 points. "Rebounding, blocking, steals . . . he does it all defensively and obviously, getting offensive rebounds. He did some great things for us tonight."

~ The Oakland Press ~

Back to business
Pistons respond from a rare loss with easy win over Timberwolves
By Bill Roose

Coming off one of their worst shooting performances of the year, which helped end the NBA's season-high 11 game winning streak, the Pistons returned home Wednesday and begin a new streak.

The Pistons were unstoppable, turning huge offensive surges into an impressive 90-74 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at The Palace.

Richard Hamilton scored a game-high 21 points, Tayshaun Prince added 20 points and six assists, and Ben Wallace had 17 rebounds, four steals and three blocks as the Pistons avoided losing back-to-back games for the first time this season.

~ St. Paul Pioneer press ~

An XL loss to a super team
this to show their stuff to Steelers, Seahawks
By Rick Alonzo

Trade or no trade, the Timberwolves still can't compete with the NBA's best team.

Not yet, anyway.

It's unrealistic to expect a team playing its fourth game after a major trade to be able to defeat a team like the Detroit Pistons, who put on a show during a 90-74 blowout Wednesday night in front of a sellout crowd at The Palace of Auburn Hills that included several Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks.

The Wolves never recovered from a 20-2 Pistons run in the second quarter. The game wasn't as close as the final score.

"Avalanche," Wolves coach Dwane Casey said. "Offensively, our execution was bad. That's one problem you have against a team defense like that. They turned up the juice, and we couldn't execute."

The score was 27-27 when the Pistons seemed to sense they had an audience that could be shown why they carry an NBA-best 38-6 record.

~ USA Today ~

Pistons, Kobe lead NBA way at season's midpoint
By John Denton

The most significant number in the NBA so far this season? No, not Kobe Bryant's 81 points or even that wacky 93 that Ron Artest chose for his new duds in Sacramento.

It's 70 — as in how many wins the Detroit Pistons are on pace to achieve this season. They have been so dominant, wiping out everything in their path, even the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs — victims of 85-70 and 83-68 drubbings — have been no match.

A record of 35-5 carries great weight in Detroit because that's the stunning mark the 1984 Tigers put up on their way to the 1984 World Series. But the Pistons easily surpassed that mark in the midst of a league-best 11-game winning streak. Next in their sights could be the Chicago Bulls' 72-10 mark of 1995-96.

~ MSNBC.com ~

Is 70 to save? Pistons have shot at wins record
But catching 1995-96 Bulls will be difficult for Saunders, Detroit
By Bob Harkins

Second-Half Look Ahead

72 or bust for the Pistons?
In case you hadn’t noticed, the Detroit Pistons don’t seem to be missing Larry Brown very much.

When the well-traveled coach wheeled and dealed his way out of Detroit in favor of his hometown Knicks, Detroit simply turned to Flip Saunders, who had been shown the door in Minnesota after 10 solid-but-unspectacular seasons.

Saunders was smart enough to realize that a veteran Pistons team that had made consecutive trips to the NBA Finals didn’t need a whole lot of changes. A mere tweak here and there changed the focus a little bit away from Brown’s defensive minded philosophy.

roscoe36 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-02-2006, 09:12 AM

~~Detroit Bad Boys~~

Pistons show Timberwolves who’s the alpha male
by Matt Watson

The resilient Pistons bounced back from a tough loss in Jersey on Tuesday to blow out the Timberwolves at the Palace on Wednesday. It wasn't the prettiest game in the world — Minnesota was actually leading by one after the first quarter — but Detroit clamped down with their trademark defense to hold the T-Wolves to just 15 points in each of the next two quarters.

It's not often that a guy who failed to score a single point can be singled out as a game-changer, but Ben Wallace was phenomenal with 17 rebounds (including eight offensive boards), four steals and three blocks. [click for more...]

Zoso · #8 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 07:18 AM

~ Detroit News ~

Joe D.'s reconstruction company

Dumars wrote his own rules to build an elite franchise
By Chris McCosky

There must be days when Pistons president Joe Dumars looks out from his suite at The Palace, in the din of yet another sellout crowd, his basketball team the absolute scourge of the NBA on the court and the toast of it off the court, and thinks, "No way this can be happening."

Two years ago, the Pistons were champions. Last year, they fell one game short. Today, they are 38-6 and marching steadfastly toward a third straight NBA Finals appearance.

The Pistons are a model of efficiency, the league standard in terms of team building, salary-cap management, marketing and community service.

Yao is tops in voting by fans
Rocket edges Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal makes it to his 13th straight All-Star game.
Detroit News wire services

Yao Ming outpolled Kobe Bryant as the top vote-getter in fan balloting for the 55th NBA All-Star game, and Shaquille O'Neal became the fifth player in league history to earn 13 consecutive selections for the game.

Yao and Tracy McGrady give the host Houston Rockets two starters in the Feb. 20 game, it was announced Thursday. They were joined on the Western Conference squad by Bryant, San Antonio's Tim Duncan and reigning MVP Steve Nash of Phoenix -- who will be a first-time All-Star starter.

Cleveland's LeBron James was the top Eastern Conference vote getter, beating O'Neal by 15,155 votes. It's the second straight All-Star trip for James, who says he's still drawing motivation from being snubbed during his rookie season.

Philadelphia's Allen Iverson, Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal and first-time All-Star starter Dwyane Wade of Miami rounded out the East's starting five.

~ Detroit Free Press ~

No All-Star starter spots for Pistons

By Krista Latham

The votes are in. The Pistons are not.

Despite the team's league-best 38-6 record, no Piston was voted to start for the Eastern Conference for the Feb. 19 NBA All-Star Game.

The closest to make it were Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, who each finished one place back from an assured trip to Houston.

Results of the final fan voting were announced Thursday night.

Long-range bombs add to Arsenal
By Krista Latham

Last season, this situation would have been hard to fathom.

The down-and-dirty Pistons, relying too much on three-pointers?

File it in the strange-but-true category. In some games this season, outside shooting has become something of a crutch.

It's a touchy subject. On one hand, three-point shooting has saved or won games for the Pistons. Surprisingly, they are the best three-point-shooting team in the NBA, hitting 40.1%.

Even in Tuesday night's loss at New Jersey, when 8-for-27 three-point shooting seemed to doom the Pistons, it also kept them in the game.

~ Booth Newspapers ~

Dumar's talk 2 years ago has helped Pistons on road

By A. Sherrod Blakely

There was a time when the Detroit Pistons didn't care much about how they won, or by how many points they won on the road.

That changed two years ago in Philadelphia when president of basketball operation Joe Dumars criticized his players following a lackluster win against the 76ers.

The Pistons allowed a struggling Philadelphia team to keep that game close, the kind of thing championship-caliber teams don't allow to happen.

The message hit a home as the Pistons won seven of the next eight road games -- all by at least 12 points -- en route to the NBA championship.

~ Covers.com ~

Pistons at 76ers

A/P

The Detroit Pistons showed they can respond to a tough loss. The Philadelphia 76ers might have a hard time doing the same without Allen Iverson when they take on the league`s best team.

Detroit had won 11 in a row before losing 91-84 at New Jersey on Tuesday, coming up two victories shy of the longest win streak in team history.

It was just the sixth loss of the season for the Pistons. Every other team in the league has at least 10.

One night after shooting a near season-low 36.6 percent from the field against the Nets, the Pistons bounced back to shoot 45.5 percent and easily beat Minnesota 90-74 on Wednesday. Richard Hamilton scored 21 points and Tayshaun Prince added 20 as Pistons coach Flip Saunders beat his former team for the second time in nine days.

Detroit has not lost consecutive regular-season games since a three-game skid from March 22-25.

~ Toronto Star ~

Are Pistons the best ever?

They don't have a Michael or a Scottie, but the Pistons can match the 1995-96 Bulls' 72-win season, Doug Smith says

There's really not much drama to the NBA's Eastern Conference these days, unless you're trying to figure out what sub-.500 team might scrape into eighth place or whether the league will do the right thing and revoke the New York franchise.

But there is one compelling story that's going to play out in the final three months of the season: Can the Detroit Pistons win 72 regular season games and match the all-time single-season record of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls?

At 38-6, and despite a hiccup in New Jersey this week where they had an 11-game win streak snapped, the methodical Pistons are on track to equal that mark. And since they should have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs wrapped up by about March break, chasing that record should keep Detroit interested through the final month of the regular season.

~ Indianapolis Star ~

All-Star idea: Pistons vs. NBA

Who is best: East? West? Detroit? Top team slighted, may be able to take them both
By Mark Montieth

Just what the rest of the NBA needed. Another reason for Detroit to feel slighted.

The Pistons, like the city they represent, carry a chip on their shoulder as it is. Now that none of their players has been selected by fans to start in the Feb. 19 NBA All-Star Game, they'll only have more reason to claim that disrespected feeling teams love so much.

Chauncey Billups. Richard Hamilton. Tayshaun Prince. Rasheed Wallace. Ben Wallace. Any one of them ranks as a legitimate All-Star selection.

Prince would be a bit of a stretch, but nobody who saw him sprint downcourt to block what appeared to be a gimme Reggie Miller layup in Game 2 of the 2004 Eastern Conference semifinals would argue much.

~ The Sporting News ~

Second-half preview: Cruise control

Save for a couple of speed traps, the road to The Finals appears smooth for the Spurs and Pistons.
By Sean Deveney

roscoe36 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-03-2006, 05:55 PM

~~Detroit Bad Boys~~

Is Joe Dumars fit to run the Pistons?
by Ian Cameron

At the conclusion of the 2001 season, where the Pistons finished 30-52 with an overmatched roster full of expiring contracts (Billy Owens, Dana Barros, Joe Smith, Corliss Williamson, et al), frustration was mounting. As a recap of the season, McCosky published an article that must still keep him up nights given the Pistons subsequent run of success. This story about Joe was nothing like those mentioned above. The article actually questioned whether Joe D was capable of running the Pistons. [read more]

{micro: this is a great read, make sure you check out both of the linked articles by McCoskey}

roscoe36 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-04-2006, 09:47 AM

~~Detroit News~~

Pistons stop shorthanded Sixers
Without Iverson, 76ers provide no match for Detroit.
by Dan Gelston / Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA-- The only frustrating part of the night for Rasheed Wallace was filling all the ticket requests.

Once the hometown fans had their seats, Wallace and the rest of the Pistons gave them their money's worth.

Richard Hamilton scored 30 points, Wallace added 20 and the Detroit Pistons held on to beat the feisty, short-handed Philadelphia 76ers, 87-80, Friday night.

Wallace cooled after a strong first half, but hit a couple of big baskets in the fourth, delighting the Philly fans who came to cheer on the nearby Simon Gratz High graduate.

Look of Pacers-Pistons rivalry changes without Artest
by Cliff Brunt / Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS-- Indiana vs. Detroit.

The mere mention of those teams brings visions of flying beer, haymakers and of course, Ron Artest. But now that the league's number one bad boy is out West with the Sacramento Kings, some of the focus will return to basketball as the teams play each other for the first time this season Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Two seasons ago, the Pistons knocked off the top-seeded Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals on their way to winning the NBA title. Last season, the Pistons beat the Pacers in the second round of the playoffs to send Reggie Miller into retirement.

The two franchises have been among the league's best the past eight seasons. In that span, the teams have combined for a championship, three trips to the NBA Finals and seven Eastern Conference finals appearances.

~~Detroit Free Press~~

DETROIT 87, PHILADELPHIA 80: Home wreckers
Philly's favorite sons Rasheed, Rip combine for 50 points

by KRISTA LATHAM

PHILADELPHIA -- Early in Friday night's game against the Allen Iverson-less 76ers, the game plan seemed obvious -- find the open Piston playing in front of his family and friends and hometown, get him the ball, and watch the lead grow.

Again and again in the first quarter, Philadelphia native Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton, who hails from nearby Coatesville, found themselves catching a pass from Chauncey Billups and staring at open shots.

Flip says 3, maybe more are All-Stars
by KRISTA LATHAM

PHILADELPHIA -- None of the five players who brought team basketball back in vogue won enough fan love to start on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

But all's not lost. Now it's the coaches' turn to select reserves, and Pistons coach Flip Saunders wonders if they might select all five of his stars -- point guard Chauncey Billups, shooting guard Richard Hamilton, small forward Tayshaun Prince, power forward Rasheed Wallace and center Ben Wallace -- for the Feb. 19 game in Houston.

~~Booth Newspapers~~

Pistons 87, 76ers 80
by A. Sherrod Blakely

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia 76ers are a different team without Allen Iverson - and it's definitely not for the better.

That didn't stop them from giving the Detroit Pistons all they could handle, as the Pistons held on for an 87-80 victory over the undermanned Sixers.

Detroit (39-6) was in control most of the game, but that didn't stop the Sixers from making it interesting in the fourth quarter.

Looks like Rasheed will join teammates in All-Star Game
by A. Sherrod Blakely

PHILADELPHIA -- Rasheed Wallace isn't a big fan of individual accolades.

However, he has come to accept that he will probably be among the All-Star Game reserves selected by the Eastern Conference coaches next Thursday. If not, then he's likely to be chosen by NBA commissioner David Stern as a replacement for Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, who has a groin injury and will not play in the Feb. 19 game in Houston.

~~Hoopsworld~~

Motown Soundtrack: Goin’ back to Indiana
by Adriano Albuquerque

Now, however, what’s interesting about the game is to see how much both teams have changed since that fateful November 19th 2004 game, going back, as I said in a previous column, to that singular moment when Ben Wallace shoved Ron Artest away, shoving with him the entire Indiana Pacers team into oblivion. It’s interesting to see how that’s symbolic of everything that went on since then.

~~Philladelphia Daily News~~

In the end, Pistons prevailed, of course
by PHIL JASNER

JOHN SALMONS remembered glancing over at the Detroit Pistons in a timeout huddle midway through the fourth quarter. He didn't like what he saw, but he understood it. He definitely respected it. He might even have felt a measure of envy.

"I was getting upset," the 76ers guard said after last night's 87-80 loss to the 39-6 Pistons, generally regarded as the NBA's best team. "They'd get in the huddle, laughing and joking. They knew they were going to come out with the win. It was like, been there, done that. They just know how to win games. They're not worried."

~~Philadelphia Inquirer~~

A misfire against Pistons
by Joe Juliano

The 76ers did everything they could last night to defeat the Detroit Pistons. They shot a better percentage. They grabbed more rebounds. They kept the Wachovia Center crowd of 20,010 involved for most of the game.

But the Pistons never got flustered and played with the confidence that belongs to a team that owns the NBA's best record. Using that self-assurance and getting 30 points from Coatesville's Richard Hamilton, Detroit came up with an 87-80 victory over the Sixers to improve to 39-6.

Bob Ford | When you're losing, the news isn't always good
by Bob Ford

Allen Iverson says there is nothing but bad news in the newspaper. From the front page to the local page to the sports section.

He didn't mention "Hints from Heloise," but I admit I don't know if she continues dishing those out. And it doesn't seem as if Sluggo and Nancy can still brighten a day, either.

"The whole paper is like a book, 'Tales of the Dark Side,' or something," Iverson said earlier this week.

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