If God Himself Created a Basketball Player

The article is a few weeks old, but I hadn't seen it until today.

Isiah still has soft spot for Pistons
Once-icy relationship between Thomas and the organization has thawed.
by Terry Foster

AUBURN HILLS-- Isiah Thomas kept telling himself not to cry. But when he saw images of himself during a video tribute at The Palace earlier this month, he choked up, left the arena and broke down.

"Don't do it," he kept telling himself.

But it didn't work.


Defense still Pistons' forte
Despite better offense, team can still shut down opponents
by Chris McCosky

Q. The Pistons played a strong defensive game against the Spurs but they are still giving up more points than they did last season. Don't you think that is going to be a concern later in the season?

A. No I don't, nor do I think the Pistons have somehow sacrificed their defensive identity because they are playing at a faster pace and scoring more points......


Spotlight misses Pistons
Where's national love for team that's off to 22-3 start?
by Chris McCosky

AUBURN HILLS-- Can anyone explain to me why the Pistons' 22-3 start hasn't generated more buzz around the league?

There have only been three better starts in NBA history. Last year, Phoenix bolted to a 22-3 start and was a national story all season. Three Suns were picked to the All-Star team. Steve Nash was named league MVP.

The Pistons can't even get a player-of-the-week honor.


Alley oop to Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter
by Joanne C. Gerstner

Q. Best sports movie of all time?
A. That's a hard one, there are a couple I like, but I'd have to say right now "Remember the Titans". That ranks at the top because it's so good.
Q. Because of the emotion? It's really a movie even nonsports fans could like.
A. Exactly.



PISTONS CORNER: Teamwork, Big Ben lead to win streak
by Krista Latham

The Pistons haven't lost a game in two weeks, not since a bad second half against the Utah Jazz did them in on Dec. 12.

Since then, they have won seven straight games, and only one -- the double-overtime thriller against Memphis -- was really close.



As Big Ben goes ...
Pistons' universe still revolves around the man in the middle
By Dana Gauruder

AUBURN HILLS - Chauncey Billups can make all the right decisions. Rasheed Wallace can point all of a hostile crowd's taunts in his direction. Richard Hamilton can pound out an endless drum beat of 15-foot jumpers. Tayshaun Prince can exasperate one high scorer after another with his length and quickness.

While all those elements are major components to their success, the Pistons know that their universe still revolves around the man in the middle. Ben Wallace's boundless energy and uncompromising tenacity separates the team from the rest of David Stern's galaxy.



Pistons veterans will be ready when called on
by A. Sherrod Blakely

AUBURN HILLS -- Patience.

As NBA players get older, it becomes more of a necessity in order to stick around.

Detroit Pistons center/forward Dale Davis knows this all too well.



For Spurs, welcome road leads home
by Johnny Ludden

As Tim Duncan started to leave the visitors' locker room Sunday at the Palace of Auburn Hills, he looked back at a slower-moving teammate.

"Let's go, French Boy," Duncan said. "I want to get home."

Tony Parker quickly wrapped up his interview, allowing the Spurs to jet home for Christmas dinner. Unlike their previous stopovers, they get to stay a while this time.

__________________
Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

"French Boy" ?

Notebook: 'Sheed's schedule
By Chris McCosky

'Sheed's schedule

Eventually, Rasheed Wallaceis going to have to fly to Philadelphia to tend to the funeral for his cousin, Tyree Wallace, 22, who was shot and killed last week.

"Yeah, I don't know when yet, though," he said.

The Pistons were off Monday and play host to Toronto today and Miami on Thursday.

"We will just have to wait and see what happens," coach Flip Saunderssaid. "Maybe he won't have to miss any games, but we don't really know."

Joanne C. Gerstner's Top 5: Scoring from afar
five of the top scoring international players in the NBA

Basketball 101: Larry Bird exception
By Chris McCosky

For the most part, it's a fairly straightforward wrinkle in the rules governing the salary cap in the NBA.

The Larry Bird exception allows teams to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own free-agent, up to the maximum salary level. Players who played with that team for parts of three season are eligible.

Ben Wallace will fall under this umbrella when he becomes a free agent this summer.

Here's where it gets a little tricky, though.

Take the case of Seattle's Vladimir Radmanovic.

He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and he is a very happy camper with the Sonics. His playing time has diminished, which is greatly affecting his leverage for a new contract.

Slam Dunks

Next Five Games




Saunders' adjustments have Pistons playing their best
By David DuPree

This has been the season of the coach as much as any in NBA history with the return of Phil Jackson and Pat Riley and 11 teams making changes since the end of last season. But the coach who has done the best job is Flip Saunders of the Detroit Pistons.

Saunders came in and tweaked an already great team, adding a zone defense and a more open offense to keep things fresh while not completely overhauling things.

He exudes calm and confidence on the sideline, and his team plays the same way. The Pistons show little outward emotion and are always coolest in the hottest of situations.

Raptors are easy prey
Detroit plays complete game and dominates Toronto in every facet, running record to 23-3.
by Joanne C. Gerstner

AUBURN HILLS -- It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out this outcome.

The Pistons outshot, outrebounded, outmuscled and had more assists than the Raptors Tuesday at The Palace.

And yes, the Pistons steamrolled the Raptors, 113-106.


Pistons bench players answer their critics
Evans scores 13 and McDyess 12 to help quiet Detroit's critics in a decisive win over Toronto.
by Joanne C. Gerstner

AUBURN HILLS-- Despite the Pistons' NBA-best 23-3 record, fans and analysts continue to search for flaws.

The popular target has been the Pistons bench, with the peanut gallery questioning its offense.




DETROIT 113, TORONTO 106: No relaxing vs. Raptors
Pistons rack up 63 first-half points
by Chris Silva

Credit the Toronto Raptors for pushing the Pistons to the end, for keeping up with them even when the game seemed to get lopsided.

This was the team with the worst record in the league facing the team with the best mark.



PISTONS CORNER: Peterson is an iron man for Raptors
by Chris Silva

The last time he wasn't on the court for the Toronto Raptors was more than three years ago.

The former Michigan State star played in his 417th game as a Raptor against the Pistons on Tuesday, tying him with Alvin Williams for the most games played in franchise history.

Peterson, who was the 21st pick of the 2000 draft, has seen it all on the only professional team for which he's played.



Ben requires stitches, but could've returned
By Danny Knobler

AUBURN HILLS Ben Wallace got hit on the face. He hit the back of his head, too. He needed five stitches.

Don't worry. He's fine.

Wallace missed the last 14-??nutes of Tuesday night's 113-106 Detroit Pistons win over Toronto, but he could have played. And he will play Thursday night, when the Pistons host Shaquille O'Neal and Miami.


Pistons match pace with 96 Bulls for best record ever
By Danny Knobler

Next game Thursday night vs. Miami, 8. TNT-TV.

AUBURN HILLS Now all they have to do is keep winning until February.

Or until June.



Stay the course
Pistons continue their roll in rout of Raptors
By BILL ROOSE

AUBURN HILLS - Big wins can often - to a coach's chagrin - produce even bigger disappointments.

And following a huge nationally televised win over San Antonio on Christmas Day, Pistons coach Flip Saunders was anxious to see just how his troops would respond Tuesday to a lesser opponent than the defending NBA champion Spurs.

Fret not.


Peterson becomes senior Raptor
By BILL ROOSE

AUBURN HILLS - He already holds a number of Toronto records. On Tuesday, former Michigan State swingman Morris Peterson tied another: most games played in a Raptors' uniform.

In his sixth season, Peterson, who graduated from Flint Northwestern in 1995 and helped the Spartans win the 2000 national championship, has played 417 games for Toronto, tying guard Alvin Williams for most games in franchise history.



Raps get a lesson in how to win
Pistons show why they lead league
Bosh scores career-high 37 points
by Doug Smith


AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—The final score once again flattered the losers — the game was over long before the final minutes ticked away as the Raptors found out last night what a really good NBA team plays like, looks like and acts like.

Hammered in a second quarter that was little more than a display of men against boys, Toronto suffered a 113-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons, a verdict that underscored just how far the Raptors have to go to even be competitive on one night against the top team in the league.


NBA Notes: Mitchell's a Billups booster
Piston played for Rap boss in Minny
Rose draws crowd at hometown game
by Doug Smith

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—There are few people in the NBA Sam Mitchell is closer to than Detroit Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, so it makes the Raptors coach feel good to see his protegé doing so well.

"Just to see Chauncey evolve, he gets it," said Mitchell, who coached Billups in Minnesota.

"He's kind of figured out the toughest thing for a point guard: when to shoot and when to pass and when to try to take over a game."



Raps get Darko calls
Bosh's career-high 37 points not enough
By STEVE BUFFERY

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell will not respond to catcalls and insults from hostile crowds.

But did he ever have to bite his tongue last night.

As the Raptors fell further behind the defending Eastern Conference champions at the loud and intimidating Palace of Auburn Hills, a group of well-lubricated fans near the visitors' bench began laying into the coach.

The most devastating jibe came from one courtside comedian who yelled: "Sam, you guys are so bad, the Pistons are going to put in Darko Milicic!"

-

Target practice: Spurs, Pistons set the standard

Having defined the team concept, Detroit and San Antonio are franchises to emulate in 2006, writes Steve Kerr.

2006 resolutions

Pistons going 70? Not so fast
By Royce Webb

It's the hottest question in the NBA that doesn't involve Ron Artest: Can the Detroit Pistons, now 23-3, win 70 games?

An even spicier question: Can they match or top the greatest regular-season team in history, the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who were not only the first team to win 70 games but finished at an almost untouchable 72-10?

It sounds a little preposterous, considering this same Pistons squad won only 54 games each of the two years (before making two amazing runs to the NBA Finals, winning it all in 2004).

But the Pistons are on a 73-win pace, so it's time to take a closer look

Loss leaves Heat with empty feeling
Chauncey Billups scored 30 points, including a number of clutch, fourth-quarter shots, as the Pistons handed the Heat a 'frustrating' loss.
BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - With the outcome all but decided, Udonis Haslem was kicking and punching the air, yelling at no one in particular and releasing a fit of rage normally reserved for postseason and must-win games.

This game against the Pistons didn't feel like a normal regular-season game for Haslem or any of his Heat teammates. That's why Thursday's 106-101 loss to the Pistons at the Palace easily was the most aggravating loss of the season.



Heat goes cold against Pistons
By Michael Cunningham

Auburn Hills, Mich. · This didn't look anything like the Eastern Conference finals.

In fact, the Heat-Pistons rematch Thursday didn't even look like a playoff preview, assuming the defensive intensity will crank up like usual in the postseason. The Pistons didn't pull away until they finally answered the crowd's chants of "Defense!" for more than one or two Heat possessions at a time.



Denial in Detroit
By Chris Perkins

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — They did it again.

The Detroit Pistons, the team that eliminated the Heat from the playoffs last season, defeated the Miami 106-101 Thursday at The Palace of Auburn Hills in a playoff-quality atmosphere.

And the Pistons (24-3) did it once again with Heat center Shaquille O'Neal not being a big offensive factor late in the game. O'Neal finished with 26 points but he was just 2-for-3 from the field in the fourth quarter.


Pistons' win streak hits nine
Detroit shows the Heat who's hottest team in NBA
By Chris McCosky

AUBURN HILLS — The coaches are different. There are a couple of new faces on each bench and maybe a few more points on the scoreboard.

But when you get right to the guts of it, nothing really has changed.


Harper likens Pistons to 72-win Bulls team
Assistant who played on '95-96 Chicago team says Detroit has chance to reach that plateau.

AUBURN HILLS — Ron Harper is rooting for the Pistons to challenge his 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls record of 72 victories. No, really, he is.

“I tell these guys to take it one game at a time and anything can happen,” said Harper, who was a starting guard opposite Michael Jordan on that legendary Bulls team. “And if it happens, I will be happy. Because that would mean that I did it twice — once as a player and once as a coach.”



DETROIT 106, MIAMI 101: Same result
Pistons deliver in Eastern rematch
BY KRISTA LATHAM

It was a late December game masquerading as a playoff game, with a Palace crowd so frenzied that even Pistons coach Flip Saunders wished he had been sitting in the stands.

And here's betting it won't be the only closely contested, intense battle between the Pistons and the Miami Heat this season.


Pistons might be on to something truly special
BY DREW SHARP

They keep rolling along, pushing aside their flirtation with history with their words, while their actions keep pulling them a little closer to something truly remarkable.

The Pistons now are 24-3.

Let that rattle around in your imagination a little bit.


PISTONS CORNER: Billups, Rip lagging in balloting
BY KRISTA LATHAM

The second round of fan voting for the NBA All-Star game released Thursday shows that the Pistons' backcourt stars still have a ways to go if they're to earn starting nods for the game in Houston in February.

Point guard Chauncey Billups had 258,106 votes and ranked No. 5 among Eastern Conference guards, behind Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, Vince Carter and Jason Kidd. Pistons shooting guard Richard Hamilton had 192,200 votes and was eighth on the list. Iverson had 1,144,250 votes and Wade had 827,913.



Pistons top Heat 106-101 in a game with playoff feel
By A. Sherrod Blakely
AUBURN HILLS - Moments before Detroit stepped on to The Palace floor to host Miami on Thursday, Ben Wallace pulled a red mouthpiece out of a small case.

"I normally don't wear it until the playoffs," he said.


Pistons' bench plays pivotal role in victory
By A. Sherrod Blakely
AUBURN HILLS - As the media clustered around Detroit starters Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince following the Pistons' 106-101 win over Miami, it was as if Antonio McDyess, who was seated in the middle of the crowd, was non-existent.

Being overlooked has become a common trend for McDyess and the rest of the Detroit Pistons bench, a unit that played a pivotal in the Pistons extending their winning streak to a season-high nine in a row on Thursday.



Despite start, Pistons not chasing Bulls' 72
By DANA GAURUDER

AUBURN HILLS - Mention the NBA record for most victories and the Pistons shrug their shoulders. They are not thinking at all about the 1995-96 Bulls, who won a record 72 regular-season games.

Though the Pistons are off to a franchise record start, keeping pace with those Bulls would be nearly impossible. Both teams had 23-3 records after the first 26 games, but Chicago followed that with an 18-game winning streak. Just to stay even, the Pistons needed to finish out December with wins over Miami and Cleveland, sweep their 15 games in January and defeat Minnesota on Feb. 1.

__________________
Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

I like that Michael Cunningham game account in the Sun Sentinel. Tough, objective view of where both teams excelled and fell short.