Originally Posted by booggerg Interview with Billups on IGN

Chauncey Billups: We're all the same. We have the same background. That's our common denominator…people gave up on us. Now we're back to bite everyone in the a%%.

I keep it in my office (the championship belt) with all of my other trophies and collectibles. Check out this bobblehead. [Chauncey points to a Ben Wallace bobblehead with the 'fro out.] That's crazy right there.

IGN Sports: Anything your videogame character can do in Ballers that you wish you could do in real life? Chauncey Billups: Jump. I ain't got no hops. I look at all these videogames and I'm dunking and flying through the air and it makes me jealous. When I was in high school, I could jump, I could do a lot of that stuff, but I ain't got no hops anymore. I'm a land lover. [laughs]

~ Detroit news ~

Billups' 3rd try trips Grizzlies
Pistons need two OTs to pull out victory over young Memphis team
By Chris McCosky

You don't give Chauncey Billups three chances to win a game in the final seconds.

"Three for a dollar,” joked Rasheed Wallace after Billups drained a 16-footer over Damon Stoudamire with .3 seconds left to give the Pistons a thrilling and hard-earned 106-104 double-overtime win Monday over the Memphis Grizzlies.

It was the Pistons fourth straight win, their 10th in the last 11, and it raises their record to 19-3. They are an incredible 12-2 on the road.

It's been a feast on the east
Drama stalks pursuers of Pistons, who silence doubters
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

Ah, how quickly things change.

It was three months ago, during the NBA preseason, when national pundits openly questioned if the Pistons could remain a top team.

Many believed the Miami Heat would roll. Others put strong faith in the Indiana Pacers or New Jersey Nets to overtake the Pistons.

But a quarter of the season is over, and a truth has been revealed: The Pistons, 19-3 following Monday night's 106-104 double-overtime victory in Memphis, are running away with the East, and the rest of the conference is running a distant second.

Burning questions
Pistons' best is yet to come
A lot of traveling is done, and wrinkles on offense loom
By Chris McCosky

Q. Do you think it's wise for the Pistons to keep three rookies this season?

A. Yes, and here's why.
The Pistons won't have a first-round pick in the next draft. They gave that up for Carlos Arroyo. So, president Joe Dumars stockpiled some rookies in the last draft to compensate.

It's another example of his proactive management style.
Even though Amir Johnson, Alex Acker and Jason Maxiell technically will be in their second seasons, they will be, in essence, rookies with an edge next season.

Ben Wallace set free
By Chris McCosky

In the past, it would have been on Ben Wallaceto guard Memphis' leading scorer, Pau Gasol, Monday night. And, no doubt, Wallace would have to take a turn on him throughout the game.

But, for the most part, coach Flip Saunderswould prefer that Wallace guard a less offense-minded Lorenzen Wright.

Saunders likes to use Wallace as a sort of free safety, allowing him the freedom to wreak havoc all over the floor.

JoAnne C. Gerstner's top five: Mr. big game
Guard Chauncey Billups is having an All-Star-caliber season. Here are five games that show why:

Shaq vs. Lakers? It's huge
Buss' comments add fuel to fire for Christmas game
By Chris McCosky

Only six more days until Christmas, so you know what that means.
Time to start pumping the hype for Shaq vs. Lakers. Never mind the undercard on Christmas Day features the NBA's best teams -- the Pistons and Spurs. If you were to watch ABC's promos, you would be hard pressed to know there was an early game.

But, hey, this is what the league wants -- Heat vs. Lakers. Shaquille O'Neal vs. Kobe Bryant. Pat Riley vs. Phil Jackson. The fact the teams have muddled about for most of the season is irrelevant.

Alley oop to Pistons mascot Hooper
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

Since Hooper doesn't speak English, his stable boy, Taylor Griswold, served as translator for this interview.

Q. Part of the Pistons' home pregame tradition involves the starters bumping into you. Do you ever get hit hard?

A. It's not bad until the end, when Ben Wallace knocks me to the floor.
I never know how far I am going to travel from his bump. He hits me hard.

Basketball 101: Technical fines
By Chris McCosky

If the Pistons are being whistled for fewer technical fouls this season -- and they are, but only slightly -- it's because the cost has gone up.

The standard fine for technical fouls used to be $500. Now it's $1,000 for the first five, $1,500 for technicals six through 10 and $2,000 for 11 through 15. Every technical foul thereafter costs $2,500.

Slam Dunks

Next five games

~ Detroit Free Press ~

Double trouble
Mr. Big Shot Billups hits another clutch winner
By Krista Latham

Give the Memphis Grizzlies this -- they almost pushed the Pistons to their breaking point.But that point just keeps growing more distant, more difficult for other teams to reach.

And the Pistons should thank Chauncey Billups.

After a long night of drama, Billups, who missed buzzer-beaters at the end of regulation and the first overtime, rectified his reputation as Mr. Big Shot by nailing his final game-winning attempt. His 16-foot jump shot over Damon Stoudamire with .3 seconds left Monday gave the Pistons 106-104 double-overtime victory at Memphis.

Delfino gets more time off the bench
By Krista Latham

Little by little, thanks to his professional attitude and consistent production, Carlos Delfino's minutes on the court have increased.

Finding time for the backup small forward is difficult considering how well Pistons starters Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton have played. Factor in a brutal march of defensive assignments at small forward -- Paul Pierce, Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony, to name a few biggies -- and it's easy to see why coach Flip Saunders felt more comfortable keeping Prince, an excellent defensive stopper, in games for long stretches.

~ The Oakland Press ~

3rd try's a charm
By Dana Gauruder

Once, twice, three times Chauncey Billups had the ball in his hands in the closing seconds. On the last try, Billups finally buried the pesky Memphis Grizzlies.

Billups, who missed shots at the end of regulation and the first overtime, dropped in a 15-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds left in the second overtime session to give the Pistons a hard-earned 106-104 victory Monday night.

"We had some good chances at it," said Billups, who finished with 30 points and nine assists. "I know I did. We just couldn't get it to go, but you know how we do it; we just keep sticking around, keep sticking around. Keep giving us chances and we'll take it."

Delfino making most of time
By Dana Gauruder

Carlos Delfino decided before training camp this season to let his play do the talking. The unspoken statements he's made thus far demand that he see more action.

Delfino's rookie season was a washout. Though his playing time has been inconsistent in his second year, he feels refreshed playing under coach Flip Saunders. Delfino, a 6-foot-7 swingman, has made good use of his limited minutes backing up Tayshaun Prince. Against Chicago and Charlotte over the weekend, Delfino produced a combined 13 points, seven assists and eight rebounds.

~ Booth Newspapers ~

Unshakeable Pistons escape Memphis with a 106-104 win in double OT
By A. Sherrod Blakely

The Detroit Pistons said before Monday's game that the Memphis Grizzlies, in many ways, remind them of themselves.

But there is one difference.

The Pistons, regardless of the score and regardless of who the opponent may be or where the game's being played, just don't get rattled.

~ Detroit News ~

Hamilton rescues Pistons
He scores eight straight at end of game to help his tired teammates rally and beat Trail Blazers.
By Chris McCosky


Flip Saunders came over to the scorer's table in the third quarter and said, "I should have been a dentist."


Why not, as much teeth-pulling as he had to do Tuesday night trying to get his mentally and physically drained basketball team to respond.


And, again, the Pistons somehow found the wherewithal to do so.
Richard Hamilton, who had missed nine of his first 13 shots, scored eight straight points and the Pistons erased a five-point deficit in the final five minutes to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 93-89, before the 94th straight sellout crowd at The Palace.

Billups' growth makes him NBA's best point guard
How can you argue with the Pistons' record?
By Rob Parker

In years gone by, it was easy to overlook Chauncey Billups.
Oh, he was good. It's just that other point guards were better.
Hence, a trip to the All-Star Game was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Until this season, that is.

Not only does Billups, the Pistons' starting point guard, deserve to be an All-Star, a case can be made that he also should be voted an Eastern Conference starter by the fans.

Wallace was a key to victory
Ben's defense held Gasol to four points in OTs after the Grizzlies forward scored 28 in regulation.
By Chris McCosky

So much happened through the course of the Pistons' 106-104 double-overtime victory in Memphis on Monday; and so much was overlooked.

Specifically, a valiant 56-minute, 14-rebound, five-block, four-steal performance by Ben Wallace was lost in the dazzle of dramatic buzzer-beating makes and misses.

"Ben was great," said Flip Saunders, and even that is an understatement.

~ Detroit Free Press ~

Pistons play survivor
They overcome fatigue, Randolph in victory
By Chris Silva

The symptoms were there.

There was little ball movement in the half-court offense. Too many guys stood still. And no one seemed to play defense.

All of these problems spelled trouble for the Pistons on Tuesday against Portland in the first of a five-game set at the Palace.

It wasn't Detroit basketball.

And there were times when the Pistons looked drained, still recovering from a double-overtime victory at Memphis on Monday.

Coach Flip Saunders said he was happy that the Pistons beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 93-89, but he wasn't pleased with how they played.

Homestand no relief to Saunders
By Chris Silva

The Pistons will be home for the holidays, and you would think they would feel great with five straight games at the Palace.

But, coach Flip Sanders said, "we never feel relieved."

Tuesday night's game against Portland started the five-game home stand, which will come in a 10-day stretch. After Tuesday, the Pistons will have played nine at home and 14 on the road. They're an NBA-best 12-2 on the road.

The marquee matchups will be Christmas Day against defending NBA champion San Antonio and Dec. 29 against Eastern Conference finalist Miami. Golden State plays Friday at the Palace; Toronto plays there Dec. 27.

Bruise brothers
Abdenours share all the aches, pains as NBA athletic trainers
By Chris Silva

Last week, the Pistons' athletic trainer, Mike Abdenour, was curious about what happened when the Golden State-Houston game went to overtime.

So he dialed up the Warriors' athletic trainer to get the dish.

"Mike's my respected colleague, my older brother and my best friend," said Warriors athletic trainer Tom Abdenour, Mike's younger brother by two years. "To have someone like that a phone call away 24/7 is great."

Arrival of Spurs, Heat holiday treat
By Krista Latham

The countdown is on. Four days until the big day.

Not Christmas.

The rematch.

This is the season for giving, and the NBA schedulers gave the Pistons plenty. They gift-wrapped a five-game homestretch that began Tuesday and sprinkled the Pistons' holiday season with a few big-name opponents.

The first comes Sunday, when the Pistons host the San Antonio Spurs in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals.

And the holiday fun extends until Dec. 29, when last year's Eastern Conference Finals opponent, the Miami Heat, comes to town.

The sole of the Pistons
by Krista Latham

NBA players might be second only to sorority girls as shoe aficionados. The most important piece of equipment an NBA player wears is the one he pulls on and laces up each day, the sole barrier between the hardwood and his million-dollar body. You've known shoes were a big deal since Michael revolutionized the field, right? Well, here are shoes from the Pistons' perspective.

Hot Topics

Q&A: How do you do your holiday shopping?

Soundoff

NBA Ticker

By The Numbers

~ The Oakland Press ~

Pistons are riding starting five
By Bill Roose

Riding five starters from opening night to the season finale of an NBA campaign is tough to fathom. A lot must depend on avoiding injuries and team chemistry.

So far this season, the Pistons have been fortunate that its Fab Five has remained healthy.

Detroit is the lone team in the Eastern Conference to stick with its regular starting five through the first third of the year. Coach Flip Saunders' previous team, Minnesota, is the only Western Conference team to have started just five players this season.

~ The Oregonian ~

Randolph's 37 points not enough for a win
Despite a career effort from the Blazers' forward, he is left fuming after a bitter 93-89 loss to the Pistons
By JASON QUICK

There will be debate as to when, and why, all this fell apart so unceremoniously on Monday.

But first, to understand the Trail Blazers' bitterness, their hurt, and their frustration with Monday's 93-89 loss at Detroit, it must be understood that everything was going so well.

Zach Randolph was having a career night. Ruben Patterson was abusing Rasheed Wallace underneath the basket. And coach Nate McMillan was confidently strutting down the sideline, pointing to assistant coach Dean Demopolous in recognition for diagramming a play that Jarrett Jack executed perfectly, resulting in a dunk by Joel Przybilla.

It was crunch time, and the unheralded Blazers had the vaunted, albeit tired, Detroit Pistons wobbly-kneed and ready for the knockout.

And then it all fell apart.