wow rob parker way to give us the scoop on o'brien, nice 'moles', even though we said over a week ago (maybe even two) that we knew he wasn't returning to coaching this year...

Rob's moles = PF.com posters

Pistons to Sign Murray: Detroit Online News:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...DATE/607150416

[NBA.com]

RICK KAMLA: Living Las Vegas
.... If you’re anything like me, you were watching the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft wondering what the Pistons were doing when they traded Maurice Evans to the Lakers for the draft rights to center Cheikh Samb (pronounced Check). Well, I’m here to say that Joe Dumars and his staff may have unearthed a legitimate player from the Senegal with the 51st overall pick.

Samb goes 7-1, 195, which is a good news-bad news scenario, but the 21-year-old with exactly one year of professional experience can play the game on both ends. Samb closed the VSL with his best game of the tourney, dropping 10 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks on the Celtics.

All five of Samb’s field goals came on baseline jumpers, including a pretty 15-foot fadeaway and a clutch J late in the fourth quarter. Samb finished the VSL with averages of 7.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks, and he opened a lot of eyes in the process.

Yes, he needs to live in an Italian restaurant for the next two years, eating nothing but pasta drenched in cream sauce, and yes, the Pistons could probably save on air fare by faxing him back to Detroit, but I saw the birth of a future shot-blocking freak at the 2006 Toshiba Vegas Summer League.

Maxiell, Acker make progress for Pistons
Maxiell dropped 15 pounds before camp opened by cutting junk food, bread and other carbs out of his diet. He did so without any specific orders from the Pistons; he simply wanted to better his game, get quicker, jump higher and prove he might help fill the void that Ben Wallace left when he split for Chicago.

Hammond said Maxiell, like the other young players, still has more work to do before he can be assured playing time. One big key for him in particular will be free-throw shooting. He struggled last season when he did get playing time, and he wasn't any better in Vegas, averaging 44.4%.

But he took a small step toward improvement in the final game, Friday's loss to Boston, when he shot 9-for-12 from the line.

"I shot 20 more free throws at practice the day before," he said. "I need to keep working on that this summer, and I plan on doing that."

Acker isn't even assured a roster spot, much less playing time, but he made a strong case for himself in Vegas. He averaged 18.4 points (but shot 36.4%) and played his natural position of shooting guard after a year of trying to play point guard.

"We needed to replace a point guard last year, and we put him into an unfair position," Hammond said. "But we needed that, and he fulfilled the role. But he's much more comfortable at the two."

That move alone seemed to liberate Acker, who has received a qualifying offer from the Pistons and is a restricted free agent. But after agreeing to a two-year deal with free agent guard Ronald (Flip) Murray, the Pistons might not have room for him on their roster, no matter how much the team likes him.

[MLN: The Raw Feed]

Ron Moore Head Coach of ABA Newark Express

MLN Newswire - Newark, NJ. The ABA Newark Express are proud to name Ron Moore as Head Coach. Ron grew up in Brooklyn, NY where he attended Thomas Jefferson HS and became an All City player. He then attended West Virginia State University. While there, he became an All Conference and All American player. Ron was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1987 and then traded to the Detroit Pistons, playing there from 1987 to 1989. Ron played for the Phoenix Suns from 1989-1990 before continuing his professional playing career in Europe, playing in France, Switzerland, Greece and Argentina.

Parker's facial moles talk to him at night. Austin Powers of the mole.

USA Today article on the Pistons acquiring Flip & Nazr. Pretty good article.

added by roscoe:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baske...d-murray_x.htm

Pistons bring back Dupree
By A. Sherrod Blakely

AUBURN HILLS -- When Rasheed Wallace or one of his Detroit Pistons teammates cracked jokes during training camp last year, chances were pretty good that, at some point, they would be directed at Ronald Dupree.

The 6-foot-7 forward was well-liked by his teammates in Detroit.

Apparently, the Pistons front office also feels pretty good about him because Dupree is back in Detroit, with a two-year contract that includes a player option after next season.




The Game of Catering to Rich
To pump up revenue, pro sports franchises and facilities create new spaces and ways to pamper those in the elite seats
By Greg Johnson

The Detroit Pistons converted storage lockers beneath the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills and built "bunker suites" there. Although patrons can't see the live action from these suites, it's a short walk between the suites that resemble private clubs and courtside seats. The suites lease for more than $350,000 a year.

Interesting take on the earnings from facilities. The Palace of course is an anamoly in American sports because it was built with 100% private money (no help from the municipality), and at the time it opened, was one of the most revolutionary arena designs. Rumour has it that when new arenas are built, architects and marketers pick the brain of the Palace front office for tips and ideas to improve upon the original "modern arena".

Pistons Sign Center Nazr Mohammed
Tuesday, July 18, 2006

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed center Nazr Mohammed to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.



Max Appeal
Monday, July 19, 2006

For someone who grew up idolizing Michael Jordan, one would at least think that Jason Maxiell’s game would possess a little finesse and grace. Not so for the second-year Pistons forward who’s becoming known for his rim-rattling dunks and physical play.

“I just love to play aggressive,” said Maxiell. “I only know how to play hard and I love to attack the rim.”



Pistons Sign Guard Ronald “Flip” Murray
Tuesday, July 18, 2006

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed guard Ronald “Flip” Murray to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.





Pistons introduce Mohammed, Murray
By KRISTA JAHNKE

Maybe it’s just spin. Or maybe the Pistons really believe they can be even better next season than the Ben Wallace-led squad that won 64 games last season.

Either way, the Pistons had plenty of positive things to say as they introduced their newest two teammates — center Nazr Mohammed and guard Flip Murray — at a press conference Tuesday morning.

Team president Joe Dumars and coach Flip Saunders both stressed that the two free agent signees are “Piston types,” in that they’re good people, first and foremost.