February 1st -


~ Detroit News ~


Nets 91, Pistons 84
Nets stop Pistons' win streak at 11 (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/SPORTS0102/602010434/1127)
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 (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/SPORTS0102/602010375/1127)
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 (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/SPORTS0102/602010341/1127)
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 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/SPORTS03/602010484/1051)
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 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/SPORTS03/602010406/1051)
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 (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113879223185770.xml&coll=1)
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 (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113879230885770.xml&coll=1)
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 (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/020106/spo_2006020112.shtml)
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 (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/387574p-328899c.html)
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 (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)
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 (http://www.nypost.com/sports/61237.htm)
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 (http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20060201-124059-2346r.htm)
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.

~~NBATV~~


Maurice Evans interview *VIDEO* (http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/nbatv/mauriceevans_pistons_06130.asx)


~~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...] (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-01/man-do-i-hate-the-nets/)


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...] (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-01/pistons-drop-the-clutch-in-new-jersey/)

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

http://www.nba.com/news/coaches_ofthe_month_january_060201.html

Carlos Delfino Interview (en Espanol).

**LINK** (http://www.nba.com/espanol/eeuu/entrevista_carlos_delfino_060123.html)

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

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.

Billups named Eastern player of the month

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/cbillups_pom_060201.html

~ Detroit News ~


Pistons 90, T'Wolves 74
Pistons tattoo Timberwolves (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060202/SPORTS0102/602020329/1127)
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
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060202/SPORTS0102/602020366/1127)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 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060202/SPORTS03/602020584/1051)
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 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060202/SPORTS03/602020661/1051/SPORTS)
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 (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1138878610237240.xml&coll=1)
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 (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/020206/spo_2006020211.shtml)
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 (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/13770128.htm)
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 (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-02-01-midseason_x.htm)
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
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11122737/)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.

~~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...] (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-02/pistons-show-timberwolves-whos-the-alpha-male/)

~ Detroit News ~


Joe D.'s reconstruction company (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060203/SPORTS0102/602030328/1127)
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 (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060203/SPORTS0102/602030363/1127)
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 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060203/SPORTS03/602030413/1051)
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 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060203/SPORTS03/602030409/1051)
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 (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113896501514260.xml&coll=1)
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 (http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=69112&tid=25)
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? (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1138920612861&call_pageid=969907729483&col=970081562040)
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 (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060203/SPORTS0403/602030479/1088/SPORTS04)
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 (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ara.tOnKooZEO0IFxhqixV.8vLYF?slug=second halfpreviewcruisec&prov=tsn&type=lgns)
Save for a couple of speed traps, the road to The Finals appears smooth for the Spurs and Pistons.
By Sean Deveney

~~Detroit Bad Boys~~


Is Joe Dumars fit to run the Pistons?
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-03/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] (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-03/is-joe-dumars-fit-to-run-the-pistons/)

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

~~Detroit News~~



Pistons stop shorthanded Sixers
(http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060204/SPORTS0102/602040418/1127)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
(http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060204/SPORTS0102/602040415/1127)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
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060204/SPORTS03/602040407/1051/SPORTS)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
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060204/SPORTS03/602040344/1051/SPORTS)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
(http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1130843425187600.xml&coll=1)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
(http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1139051405294000.xml&coll=1)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 (http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_16005.shtml)
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
(http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/13790422.htm)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
(http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/basketball/nba/13790380.htm)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
(http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/basketball/nba/13790381.htm)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.

~~ The Indianapolis Star ~~



Assembly required (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060204/SPORTS04/602040423/1004/SPORTS)
Pistons build model team with spare parts, castoffs
By Mark Montieth

The path the Detroit Pistons have taken to NBA supremacy might be depressing for Indiana Pacers fans, who not so long ago viewed their team as an equal force.

But it offers hope, too.

Through insight and fate, Pistons president Joe Dumars has assembled a team that is chasing history. The 39-6 record they take into tonight's game at Conseco Fieldhouse puts them in the same conversation with the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team that finished an all-time best 72-10.

Am I the only person a little uncomfortable with an Indy writer mentioning that the Pistons could be a blueprint for the Pacers? Welcome to Bizzaro world. - micro

~~The Oakland Press~~

Grind it out
(http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/020406/spo_2006020409.shtml)Pistons don't have usual jump, barely put away Iverson-less Sixers
by DANA GAURUDER

PHILADELPHIA - The All-Star break is just two weeks away. From the looks of it, that breather can't come soon enough for the Pistons.

Their energy and intensity levels have dipped noticeably in their last two road games. A matchup against the Philadelphia Sixers without Allen Iverson smelled of a blowout but instead reeked of heavy perspiration. The Pistons won for the 13th time in 14 games, but their 87-80 victory at the Wachovia Center was much too close for comfort.

Am I the only person a little uncomfortable with an Indy writer mentioning that the Pistons could be a blueprint for the Pacers? Welcome to Bizzaro world. - micro
All the praise is getting me nervous, because it can change so fast. I remember when the Pistons were modeling themselves after the Orlando Magic - who promptly turned their back on the Bo Outlaw model of scrappy underachievers and spiralled downward into Steve Francis hell.

~ The Detroit News ~

Pacers outhustle Pistons (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060205/SPORTS0102/602050303/1004/SPORTS)
It seemed the tank might have been running low when Chauncey Billups yawned during pregame introductions. When the Pacers got 14 offensive rebounds in the first quarter, you knew the teams were playing with differing levels of intensity.

Carlisle says don't cry for me (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060205/SPORTS0102/602050384/1127)
.... "There will always be challenges with this," he said. "And right now, our challenge is to get healthy. We feel like, if we can get our whole team together, we can make a run and we have to do it with the guys that are available.
....
Darko Milicic met the team in Indianapolis Saturday. He missed Friday because of a flu-like virus that's running through the team. The latest to be afflicted, media relations man Kevin Grigg.

Carlos Arroyo missed the team flight to Philadelphia. He had to fly commercial and was expected to be fined by the team. He is believed to be the first Piston to draw a disciplinary fine since Richard Hamilton, who missed a flight during the 2004 playoffs.


~ The Indianapolis Star ~

Pacers rise to occasion (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060205/SPORTS04/602050513/1004/SPORTS)
Before all the injuries, before the trade and before Detroit opened the season with a dead sprint toward history, this was a game that loomed like a heavyweight bout. Instead, it was merely an opportunity for the Indiana Pacers to display the sort of performance they once assumed would be the norm.


~ The Associated Press/Foxsports.com ~

Rip scores 31 in Pistons' loss (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5307612)
Just by playing, Stephen Jackson showed the Pacers the toughness they needed to beat Detroit. Jackson shook off a recent injury that sent him to the hospital to score 20 points and grab seven rebounds, and Indiana upset the rival Pistons 93-85 Saturday night.


~ MLive.com ~

Pacers hand Pistons 93-85 loss (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113913781993430.xml&coll=1)
INDIANAPOLIS -- With the Detroit Pistons threatening to challenge the record for most regular-season wins in NBA history, and the Indiana Pacers fighting just to make the playoffs, Saturday night's matchup didn't quite have the intrigue the series has the past couple of seasons. That didn't matter, as the Pacers got one of their biggest wins of the season in defeating the Pistons a 93-85.



Prince will withdraw from Olympic team consideration (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113913780393430.xml&coll=1)
.... "Who knows if we (the Pistons) go all the way (through the playoff) to June, and a couple of weeks after we finish, this starts up," Prince said. "If you think about playing for a gold medal, of course, you'll be like, `yeah, I'm for that.' You want to represent your country and USA basketball. But, we're trying to win a title every year."

~~The Oakland Press~~


Loss for the weary
(http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/020506/spo_2006020510.shtml)Despite absence of Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers upset Pistons
by DANA GAURUDER

INDIANAPOLIS - Better to have a few fresh bodies than a bunch of weary ones.

It's not as snappy a phrase as Fernando's "Better to look good than to feel good," but it aptly described the Pistons' plight Saturday night. They were running on empty playing for the fourth time in fi ve nights in four different cities. Those dead legs gave the depleted Indiana Pacers the opening they needed to sneak past their most heated rival.


Pistons make Carlisle see stars
(http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/020506/spo_2006020511.shtml)by DANA GAURUDER

With Billups playing at that level, Carlisle is not surprised by the Pistons' league-leading record. He also believes they are much deeper than many people suspect.

"They don't have a weakness," he said. "One of the weaknesses they don't have is the fact they don't rely completely on one or two players to carry their team. They really have great balance. They have a bench that fits their roster situation very well. When you've got Dale Davis sitting over there, who has played 46 minutes all year, if he was here, he'd have played that in our last game and a half."

~~ Detroit Bad Boys ~~


No mo Arroyo?
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-05/no-mo-arroyo/)by Ian Cameron

Mitch Lawrence reports in today's New York Daily News that the Pistons may be shopping for a new backup point guard.

Even after rolling off 37 wins in their first 42 games, the fourth-best start in league history, the Pistons still feel they have a weakness. They've had internal discussions about getting a veteran backup point guard to spell Chauncey Billups for 10-12 minutes per night. They don't feel their current backup, Carlos Arroyo, gets everybody involved enough.


“Winners should be rewarded. Losers should be cast aside.” (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-04/winners-should-be-rewarded-losers-should-be-cast-aside/)
by Ian Cameron

If current Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy were back with the Knicks–in the Eastern Conference–the Piston starters' chances of being named reserves for the East's All-Star squad would probably be improved by a vote.


No good excuses for this one: Pacers top Pistons
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-05/no-good-excuses-for-this-one-pacers-top-pistons/)by Ian Cameron

Yes, they were playing their second game of a road back-to-back, but don't accept that as a valid excuse. The Pistons–with their full compliment of players–should always be able to beat a Pacers team without the services of Jermaine O'Neal, Austin Croshere, and Jamal Tinsley, regardless of how tired their legs may be. Instead, despite the best efforts of Rip and Sheed, the Pistons slept their way to a 93-85 loss to the Pacers last night.

~ Detroit News ~


Bumps, bruises, hamper Billups (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/SPORTS0102/602060331/1127)
Pistons might bring back hunters sooner to spell guard, who has thigh and hand injuries.
By Chris McCosky

If they haven't already done so, Pistons president Joe Dumars and coach Flip Saunders will discuss the possibility of speeding up Lindsey Hunter's return to active duty.

The hope was to have Hunter ready after the All-Star break, but the Pistons might not be able to wait that long.

Chauncey Billups is beat up right now. He is taking daily treatment on a bruised left thigh, which he injured against the Lakers on Jan. 29. In Saturday night's loss at Indiana, Billups suffered some minor tissue damage to his right hand.


~ Detroit Free Press ~


Practice can help team regain legs (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/SPORTS03/602060373/1051)
By Krista Latham

Today the Pistons will return to a place they've missed in the past few weeks -- the practice facility.

It has been more than a week since the Pistons held an official team practice. The last one was Jan. 28, the day before the team embarked on a week that included five games in seven days in four cities.

In the past two weeks, Detroit had three practices.

"Man, we've been playing a lot of games," said shooting guard Richard Hamilton, the sole Piston who looked rested in Saturday's 93-85 loss to the Pacers in Indianapolis.

As durable and consistent as the NBA-leading Pistons (39-7) have been, they couldn't withstand that schedule and keep up their winning clip. Detroit lost twice in that five-game span, including Tuesday night in New Jersey.


~ Booth Newspapers ~


Inside the Pistons (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1139224262121160.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

A look at the Pistons heading into this week:

Who's hot: In four games last week, Richard Hamilton averaged 25.3 points, six rebounds and five assists per game while shooting 46 percent from the field.

Who's not: Reserve Maurice Evans missed 10 of 13 shots from the field in the four games.

Play of the week: In a 90-74 win against Minnesota last Wednesday, Ben Wallace grabbed rebounds off three consecutive Detroit missed shots before passing to Hamilton, who made a 3-pointer


~ New York Times ~


Pistons' Milicic Undergoing Long Process Of Maturing (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/sports/basketball/05hoops1.ready.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin)
By Liz Robbins

As the Detroit Pistons rush to dispense with the regular season and return to the finals for the third consecutive season, one of their players, Darko Milicic, has been virtually invisible.

Milicic, the No. 2 pick in the 2003 draft, was chosen ahead of players like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. He entered the weekend averaging 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.8 minutes and has not been able to break into the Pistons' well-oiled rotation.

Detroit holds the option for his fourth season, and Joe Dumars, the team president, has become more active in trade discussions.

But it is hard to ascertain Milicic's value because he rarely plays. Milicic, a 7-footer and only 20, is aware of a trade possibility, but Dumars has also turned down offers to develop his talent.


~ New York Daily News ~


Pistons talking point (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/388475p-329632c.html)
By Mitch Lawrence

Even after rolling off 37 wins in their first 42 games, the fourth-best start in league history, the Pistons still feel they have a weakness.

They've had internal discussions about getting a veteran backup point guard to spell Chauncey Billups for 10-12 minutes per night. They don't feel their current backup, Carlos Arroyo, gets everybody involved enough.


~ Sacramento Bee ~


As a team, Pistons just can't lose (http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14155258p-14983313c.html)
By Martin McNeal

There are observers who believe it was a travesty that none of the Detroit Pistons was voted by the fans to an Eastern Conference All-Star Game berth.

However, the team with the NBA's best record actually received the ultimate endorsement of its collective method of success when the fans bypassed its best players for others with gaudier individual statistics.

And there is a thought process first publicly mentioned by Boston coach Doc Rivers that the entire starting five should be voted onto the All-Star squad.

Unquestionably this season, the Pistons have been the model for team play, led by point guard Chauncey Billups, who has been mentioned as a serious Most Valuable Player candidate. Or is it center Ben Wallace, who consistently makes his mark as perhaps the NBA's most effective and impact team defender?


~ PhillyBurbs.com ~


Stability key for Pistons (http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/100-02042006-608264.html)
By Dom Cosentino

New season, new coach, no problem for the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons came to the Wachovia Center on Friday night to play the 76ers having won 13 of 14 games, and their 39-6 record has them on pace to challenge the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls for the best record in NBA history at 72-10.

The season began in November, but Pistons forward Ben Wallace suggested it actually might have begun for Detroit back in June, back when they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

"Game 7 was all the motivation we needed," said Wallace before Friday's game. "We felt like if we would have had Game 7 in our building, maybe the outcome would have been a little bit different. That's what we're playing for right now - regardless of who's coaching."

~ MLive.com~

Here's ASB's latest thoughts (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/weblog/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_pistons/archives/2006_02.html#109413)from his blog.


~ Fox sports.com ~


Fox sports.com's Mike Kahn hands out midseason awards in his article (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5301640)today.


~ SI.com ~


SI.com's Marty Burns looks into (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/02/06/notebook/index.html)the mysterious side of Chris Anderson's dismissal from the NBA.

~ MSNBC.com ~

Pistons might be greatest 'team' ever (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11201876/)
No band of five has ever played as unselfishly as Saunders' squad
By Mike Celizic

The Super Bowl is gone, but Detroit’s super team is right where it has been for what’s going on three years now — at the Palace in Auburn Hills, home of the Pistons.

This town is crazy about them, as it has been for years and as it should be. So far in the 2005-2006 season, there’s no better team in the NBA. But you get the feeling there’s a definite national respect lag for what this remarkable outfit has been doing, which is merely threatening to match the 72-10 regular-season record set by the 1995-1996 Chicago Jordans.

Take the All Star voting. Detroit is the best team in the league and has one of the best shooters, guard Richard Hamilton, one of the best defensive centers, Ben Wallace, and a point guard, Chauncey Billups, who’s one of the best floor leaders in the game. Yet the fans didn’t vote one Piston to the starting Eastern Conference All Star Team...

~ The New York Times ~

Pistons' Milicic Undergoing Long Process Of Maturing
As the Detroit Pistons (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/sports/probasketball/nationalbasketballassociation/detroitpistons/index.html?inline=nyt-org) rush to dispense with the regular season and return to the finals for the third consecutive season, one of their players, Darko Milicic, has been virtually invisible.

Milicic, the No. 2 pick in the 2003 draft, was chosen ahead of players like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. He entered the weekend averaging 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.8 minutes and has not been able to break into the Pistons' well-oiled rotation.

Detroit holds the option for his fourth season, and Joe Dumars, the team president, has become more active in trade discussions.

But it is hard to ascertain Milicic's value because he rarely plays. With the team 39-6 entering last night's game at Indiana, the Pistons are in no hurry to make a deal. They made their blockbuster deadline trade for Rasheed Wallace two years ago; other than gaining depth, they need little but salary relief or draft picks.

Milicic, a 7-footer and only 20, is aware of a trade possibility, but Dumars has also turned down offers to develop his talent.

Milicic's agent, Marc Cornstein, explained his client's approach.

"On one hand, he has tremendous loyalty for Joe, for John Hammond, for the management of Detroit," Cornstein said Friday, referring to Hammond, the Pistons' vice president for basketball operations. "They've really been in his corner.

"That being said, it's two and a half years, and like any player, he'd like to play. He's happy as long as it's a situation where he's given the opportunity to play, and I can't see why a team acquiring him would not want to give him that immediately."

~~ Chicago Tribune ~~


Loving themselves, not this game
(http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/printedition/cs-060206smith,1,4570528.column?coll=cs-sports-print&ctrack=1&cset=true)Today's All-Stars a far cry from days of MJ, Bird, Magic
by Sam Smith

The NBA All-Star starters were named last week, and the full teams will be announced Thursday. There's not much any league can do with all-star games, though at one time the NBA's was by far the best, the most competitive and most fun.

But the announcement of the starters and the skills contests pointed out a big part of the league's problem: The NBA cares, but its players often don't.

and this little nugget (sorry fans, it's all the Darko mention you will find in this GREAT piece on today's players lack of caring for the league)

The talk is a top-10 draft pick will give you a shot at Detroit's Darko Milicic

~ Detroit News ~


Pistons Rap
Perfect timing (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070390/1127)
Hunter will bring energy for hectic schedule stretch
By Chris McCosky

Lindsey Hunter could not have picked a better time to return to active duty.

Hunter, out all season after left ankle surgery, traveled with Detroit to Atlanta and is expected to make his debut tonight -- smack-dab in the middle of a stretch in which the Pistons are play 10 games in 10 venues over 17 days leading into the All-Star break.

"He's a big ball of energy," Ben Wallace said. "I am going to be happy to see him out there. Not only to help the team, but for him.

"I know it had to be eating him up sitting on the side and watching. It's great for him, and it's great for us."

Burning Questions
Prince mulls committing to U.S team (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070388/1127)
By Chris McCosky

Burning questions as the U.S. attempts to restore its tarnished international glory:

Q. Has Tayshaun Prince removed his name from consideration for the U.S. national team?

A. No, he hasn't, and he was quite surprised to learn it was reported he had.
"I ain't said nothing about it," Prince said. "It's still an option."
Prince is weighing the three-year commitment against the strain of playing 100-plus game seasons year after year.

Sonics owner wants action (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070389/1127)
Schultz to state: Update KeyArena, or he could move
By Chris McCosky

We may not have the "Seattle" SuperSonics to kick around a whole lot longer.

Owner Howard Schultz has issued an ultimatum to the Washington state legislature -- help us bring KeyArena into the modern era, or we're out.

"We are in a situation where we believe that if March 9 comes and goes, and we do not get the type of support that we deserve, the type of respect that we are asking for we are going to have to seek other alternatives," Schultz said.

"And it might mean that the Sonics will either have to move or be sold."

Bottom of the second: Around the sports world (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0106/602070342/1127/SPORTS0102)

Alley oop to former Piston John Salley (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070380/1127)

Joanne C. Gerstner's Top 5: Aces at the line (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070381/1127)

Detroit News NBA Power Poll (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070391/1127)

Pistons: Looking ahead (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070387/1127)

Slam dunks (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS0102/602070379/1127)


~ Detroit Free Press ~


Hunter, Davis might burn minutes (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/SPORTS03/602070375/1051)
By Chris Silva

Chasing history could come with a hefty price for the Pistons: fatigue.

That's why the 70-victory talk might be off the mark. What the Pistons are chasing is home-court advantage throughout the playoffs -- no matter how many victories it takes.

Seventy victories would be quite a feat. The NBA record is 72, by the 1995-96 Bulls. But the Pistons would have to win 31 of the remaining 36 games to reach 70, and that likely would mean more minutes for the starters.

And that doesn't seem to fly with coach Flip Saunders. He intends to cut back on some of the starters' minutes, particularly for Chauncey Billups, who has a sore finger and sore thigh. In the past five games, Billups has averaged 37.6 minutes.

History event to come to Pontiac
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060207/NEWS03/602070364/1005)By Gina Damron

High school students have opportunities this month to learn more about Michigan's civil rights leaders and to win scholarship money.

As part of Black History Month, the Detroit Pistons and Rock Financial are sponsoring a five-stop tour, called Know Your Local Black History.

The next stop: Thursday at Pontiac Central High School.

Former Pistons player Rick Mahorn and the Detroit Shock's Swin Cash are among the scheduled speakers. They'll talk to 1,300 students about civil rights leaders from Michigan and around the country, including Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.



~ Booth Newspapers ~


Hunter back in nick of time, to spell Billups
(http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1139310605287940.xml&coll=1)By A. Sherrod Blakely

The amount of playing time Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups has logged this season has started to take a toll.

Fortunately for him, help is on the way in the form of Lindsey Hunter, who is expected to be in uniform tonight for the first time this season.

Hunter, 35, had arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle before training camp and wasn't expected to return until the middle of January.

The ankle has been healthy enough so that Hunter could have played sooner than now, but the Pistons chose to let him mend for a couple more weeks.


~ The Oakland Press ~


Pistons welcome Hunter
(http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/020706/spo_2006020710.shtml)By Dana Gauruder

By the Pistons' standards, two losses in four games qualifies as a cold streak. It's time to wind up the teams energizer bunny.

After missing the first 46 games of the season, Lindsey Hunter is expected to be in uniform tonight when the Pistons play the Atlanta Hawks. Hunter underwent surgery in October to clean out loose particles in his left ankle and has been rehabilitating the injury the first three months of the regular season. He suffered the injury during the NBA Finals, and it failed to heal during the summer.


~ The Gloucester County Times ~


Pistons content to rule NBA (http://www.nj.com/sports/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1139303907192480.xml&coll=8)
A.I., Kobe, LeBron, K.G. and Shaq.

Today's NBA markets itself around these marquee players who can be recognized by one name or their initials.

Chauncey, Richard, Tayshaun, Rasheed and Ben?

Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?

But if you're looking for the best basketball, the latter group is the answer.

In a season where Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has scored 81 points in a game, Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy resigned to make way for Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley to return and volatile superstar Ron Artest was traded to the Kings twice, the amazing accomplishments of the Detroit Pistons have gone virtually unnoticed.


~ Black Athlete.net ~


Remembering Dave Bing (http://www.blackathlete.net/artman/publish/article_0479.shtml)
By Tony McClean

He was a standout guard in a era that was dominated by three future Hall of Famers. Despite that, Dave Bing carved his own special niche in the NBA, overcame his own obstacles, and would make that same trip to Springfield on his own merits.

Playing against the likes of Walt Frazier, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry West, Bing was a high-scoring guard who triumphed over injuries and went about his business for 12 seasons in the NBA.

He then quietly went on to off-court success in the business world as a self-made industrial magnate.

In nine seasons with the Detroit Pistons, followed by two with the Washington Bullets and one with the Boston Celtics, Bing amassed 18,327 points in 901 gamess (20.3 ppg). His efforts earned him a spot on the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.


~ Philadelphia Daily News ~


All-Stars obviously not about winning (http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/13809573.htm)
By John Smallwood

The other day, New York Knicks coach Larry Brown said he would put all five starters for Detroit Pistons on the East team.

I wouldn't go that far, but the Pistons are more likely to be underrepresented than overrepresented on the All-Star team.

For Detroit, guards Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton, center Ben Wallace and forward Rasheed Wallace all deserve All-Star berths, and it wouldn't be hard to include forward Tayshaun Prince.

But Billups, who is playing like an MVP candidate, and Ben Wallace, who is second in the league in rebounding, are probably the only locks to make the East reserves.

~~ Detroit Bad Boys ~~


Lindsey v. Carlos: Six v. a half-dozen
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-07/lindsey-v-carlos-six-v-a-half-dozen/)by Ian Cameron

So Lindsey Hunter is back, and the Pistons are hoping that he can give Chauncey the rest that Carlos Arroyo was apparently unable to.

The knock on Arroyo–he of the exceptional ball-handling and 'And 1' passing style–is that he is limited defensively. And despite his proven ability to distribute the ball (he's still averaging over 10 assists per 48), he doesn't have the jumper or finishing skills to make his drives as effective as you'd like.

~ Detroit News ~


Saunders still refining offense (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS0102/602080330/1127)
Pistons coach's deep playbook is a source of endless midseason tweaks and additions.
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

Pistons coach Flip Saunders calls it the "evolution."

Others simply call it his ever-growing and changing playbook, the very definition of a work-in-progress.

By his own estimate, Saunders has only deployed half of his playbook, leaving a nice stash of new sets and variations on old stuff for the second half of the season.

Saunders is known for his offensive creativity, which hasn't been dulled by the Pistons' relatively easy cruise through the first half of the season.

Fantasy sports
Just use the Pistons factor when selecting your team (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS0102/602080335/1127)
By Sean Baligian

Sometimes we all need to stop and smell the roses to realize what we have witnessed with the Pistons the past two-plus seasons.

Face it, sometimes you have to look twice when scouring the NBA standings and you see the Pistons' record. It's hard to imagine any lineup doing better. Or is it?

In the fantasy realm, you could use the Pistons Factor to your advantage.

Let's see if we can be the Joe Dumars of the fantasy world and put together a lineup based solely on guys with Pistons connections.

Hawks 99, Pistons 98
Pistons lose 2nd straight
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS0102/602080427/1127)Lowly Hawks take advantage of overconfidence, fatigue
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

Perhaps it was overconfidence.
Maybe it's a midseason case of mental and physical tiredness.
Whatever the excuse, Tuesday's final result can't be ignored.

The Hawks beat the Pistons 99-98 at Philips Arena. It is the first time the Pistons have lost back-to-back regular-season games since March 23 and 25, 2005 -- a 60-game span.

The Hawks and their sparse crowd celebrated as if they had just won the NBA championship.

And the Pistons (39-8) wondered aloud about the root cause of their first losing streak of the season.

Pistons: Notebook
Saunders' concerns prove to be accurate (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS0102/602080426/1127)
Coach worries about energy levels, and then his team comes out flat in 99-98 loss to Hawks.
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

Maybe Pistons coach Flip Saunders had a bad premonition before Tuesday's game against the Hawks.

He discussed his concerns over the team's energy level, hoping it would find a way to ramp things up.

He was right to be concerned.

The Pistons were flat in a 99-98 loss, and the players agreed with Saunders' concerns.

"We had poor execution down the stretch, we missed free throw, we failed to put the game away," Ben Wallace said. "I don't think we really played with the heart and desire we usually play with. We didn't impose our will. We came out and kind of coasted."


~ Detroit Free Press ~


Going South
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS03/602080497/1051)Pistons lose two straight for first time this season
By Krista Latham

The Hawks celebrated their 99-98 victory Tuesday night over the NBA-leading Pistons in a bustling, jumping, head-rubbing group hug under the basket, knowing that as one of the league's lowliest teams, this was likely their moment of glory.

A few seconds earlier, Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups and small forward Tayshaun Prince misread each other on an inbounds pass with 0.8 second left, causing Billups to lose his footing, the ball, and the Pistons' final chance to win the game.

THE PISTONS' SPIELBERG?
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS03/602080438/1051)Davis moonlights as producer for W.A.R. company
By Krista Latham

Pistons reserve forward Dale Davis won't fly to Houston next week to play in the NBA All-Star Game.

But he will head to the Texas city to attend to a different career milestone -- the release of his first movie.

Substitute a red carpet for the hardwood, a power suit for a jersey. Davis has gone Hollywood.

The movie, inspired by life as he has known it in the NBA, is called "Playas Ball." The red-carpet premiere is Feb. 16 in Houston, three days before the All-Star Game. The film's public debut is the following day. "Playas Ball" is scheduled to hit Detroit soon, although a date hasn't been set.

Hunter ready to help spell achy Billups
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS03/602080432/1051)By Krista Latham

He wasn't sure how long -- or if -- he'd actually play. But before tip-off of the game against the Hawks on Tuesday night, Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter knew one thing: He was back.

Back on the road, back on the floor for warm-ups, and back on the active list.

"Ready to go," he said.

After missing the first 46 games of the season recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, Hunter was deemed healthy enough by the Pistons staff, and coach Flip Saunders declared the team's need big enough to bring the veteran back a few weeks early.

AL TOBY: Working OT (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS03/602080440/1051)

HOT TOPICS (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS03/602080442/1051)

PLANNER (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS03/602080443/1051)

Pistons Stats (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060208/SPORTS03/602080439/1051)


~ The Oakland Press ~


Now it's official: Pistons in slump (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/020806/spo_2006020807.shtml)
By Dana Gauruder

Open up the think tank and let the theories pour in. They're mentally fatigued. They're worn out. They're cocky. They're unfocused. Perhaps they're all of the above. Whatever the case, the Detroit Pistons have finally hit their first slump of the season.

Their first losing streak of the season and their first loss to a bad team came on the same night, as they found a way to fritter away a game to the 15-32 Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night. Joe Johnson's bank-in layup with 7.6 seconds remaining gave the Hawks, who got blown out by the Pistons by 28 points less than three weeks earlier, an improbable 99-98 victory and created a whole lot of head-scratching in the Pistons' locker room.

"I thought tonight we came into the game a little too overconfident," Chauncey Billups said. "I think we came into this game feeling like they can't beat us and those the games that are most dangerous. This team has a lot of great young talent and playing against us, that's their season. This makes their season."

Flip says he'll cut starter minutes (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/020806/spo_2006020809.shtml)
By Dana Gauruder

Flip Saunders believes that his starters haven't looked all that lively in recent games. For that, he blames himself.

Saunders feels he's gone too long with his starting unit at times, particularly in close games. He plans to ride his bench - even if it might cost the team a chance to win 70 games - to prevent his starters from wearing down before the postseason.

"When we have great energy, we're tough to beat," he said. "What I'd like to do is play more guys and loosen the minutes of some of the (starters). If you can loosen five minutes a game for each of them, over 40 games, you're talking 200-some minutes. You're talking about seven games of actual leg time."


~ Atlanta Journal-Constitution ~


Johnson pulls out another win
(http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/hawks/stories/0208hawks.html)By Sekou Smith

The true measure of this Detroit Pistons team won't be clear until the summer, when an NBA champion is crowned.

But in the meantime, with the league-leading Pistons winning at a wicked clip — they're on pace for 60-plus wins and a third straight trip to the NBA Finals — the conversation is worth having.

Just how good is this Pistons team? Not 70-wins, among the greatest teams of all time good, as some predicted when they stormed to a 37-5 start. But they're still about as good as a team can get in this era.

Tuesday night, though, they ran into a Hawks team looking to jumpstart its own trek toward destiny.

Joe Johnson's knifing layup past the outstretched arm of Ben Wallace with 7.5 seconds to play was the final dagger in the Hawks' 99-98 come-from-behind thriller that stunned the basketball world, not to mention the 17,033 screaming fans at Philips Arena who served as eyewitnesses to the slaying of the league giant.

~~ Detroit Bad Boys ~~

So much for that wake-up call: Hawks (?!) top Pistons
by Ian Cameron

Being the consummate homer, I didn't want to admit this, but here goes. The Pistons are not the clear-cut best team in the NBA anymore. Sure, they were atop their game–and the league–for the first half of the season, but now, reality is setting in and/or the Mavs and Spurs are stepping up.

[click to read more...] (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-08/so-much-for-that-wake-up-call-hawks-top-pistons/)

~~ Associated Press ~~


Pistons' Billups to participate in 3-Point Shootout
(http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/sports-16/113943415713630.xml&storylist=newsmichigan)The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Pistons is headed to Houston for the NBA All-Star Weekend, even if he isn't named to the Eastern Conference team.

Billups is one of six players scheduled to participate in the league's 20th annual 3-point shootout on Feb. 18 at the Toyota Center.

Also see

Denver Post Article (http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3488216)

Chauncey is from Park Hill, a Denver Colorado neighborhood.


~~ Sports Illustrated / SI.com ~~



Mahoney on Basketball: Should all Pistons starters be All-Stars? (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/nba/wires/02/08/2030.ap.bkn.on.basketball.picking.the.pistons.0783/)
by Brian Mahoney (AP)

Detroit Pistons coach Flip Saunders is going to the All-Star game. So how many of his players will join him?

The reserves for the Feb. 19 game in Houston will be revealed Thursday, and some people think every Detroit starter should get chosen - a reward for helping the Pistons roll to the NBA's best record.

The Pistons certainly wouldn't object.

~~ Detroit Bad Boys ~~


Pistons sink Clippers (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-09/pistons-sink-clippers/)
by Matt Watson

For a few moments on Wednesday night, Pistons fans were left wondering if the season's first losing streak would stretch to three games. Elton Brand scored nearly as many points in the first quarter (17) as the Pistons (18), giving the Clippers a seven-point cushion entering the second quarter. But Detroit outscored L.A. 30-15 in the second, and never trailed again for the rest of the game.


NY Daily News: Chauncey, Rip, and Ben are All-Stars
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-08/ny-daily-news-chauncey-rip-and-ben-are-all-stars/)by Ian Cameron

According to the NY Daily News, Chauncey, Rip and Ben will be named to the Eastern Conference All Star squad when reserves are announced tomorrow. Still no word yet on whether Sheed will replace injured Jermaine O'Neal in the lineup; check it out:


~~ Detroit Free Press ~~



Clippers' Hack-A-Ben strategy fails -- again
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060209/SPORTS03/602090602/1051/SPORTS)by KRISTA LATHAM

After two meetings with the revived Los Angeles Clippers this season, one thing is certain.

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy isn't too proud to use a Hack-A-Ben strategy if the game is on the line in the fourth quarter.


PISTONS CORNER: Report: 3 starters will be All-Stars
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060209/SPORTS03/602090548/1051/SPORTS)by KRISTA LATHAM

The official NBA All-Star reserve voting results are announced tonight, but Wednesday, the rumors started flying.

The New York Daily News, quoting an anonymous league source, reported that Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton and Ben Wallace were all voted in. The source didn't know whether power forward Rasheed Wallace would get onto the team via commissioner David Stern's extra pick as the fill-in for injured starter Jermaine O'Neal.


~~ LA Times ~~



Detroit Ends Losing Streak With Clipper Defeat
(http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-clippers9feb09,1,4454551.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-clippe)Players remain upbeat after ending a successful 4-2 trip with a 97-87 defeat at Detroit.
by Jason Reid

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- It wasn't the closing act the Clippers wanted for a winning trip, which ended here Wednesday night in a 97-87 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The Clippers said a victory against the formidable Pistons would have provided the capper to a trip among the best in franchise history, and helped in their efforts to prove they're for real.


~~ Orange County Register ~~



Clippers lose 97-87
(http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/abox/article_990807.php)by ART THOMPSON III

AUBURN HILLS, MICH. – The two-time NBA finalist Detroit Pistons were in dire pursuit of a victory Wednesday.

The Clippers' six-game trip ended at The Palace of Auburn Hills as the Pistons snapped the Clippers' four-game winning streak with a 97-87 victory.

~~ Detroit News ~~


Pistons back on track, grab 40th victory
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060209/SPORTS0102/602090328/1004/SPORTS)Two-game losing skid is history as Detroit halts the Clippers' four-game win streak.
by Chris McCosky

AUBURN HILLS -- The All-Star break -- any kind of break, for that matter -- can't get here soon enough for the Pistons.

Completing their fourth set of back-to-back games in the last three weeks, the Pistons had just enough to thwart a red-hot Clippers team, 97-87, Wednesday night.


Pistons lineup might make All-Star team
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060209/SPORTS0102/602090434/1004/SPORTS)Four Eastern coaches, including Larry Brown, say they'll vote to add Detroit's starting five.
by Chris McCosky

AUBURN HILLS -- Pistons coach Flip Saunders hasn't canvassed his coaching brethren, but he has a feeling he will be coaching almost his entire starting five in the All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 19.

"From talking to coaches, I think we have a good chance to get three and quite possibly four players on the team," he said. "A lot of them have said they were going to vote for all five of our players. To get four or even three players selected when none made it on the fan voting is unbelievable."


Win Pistons tickets
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060209/SPORTS0102/602090440/1004/SPORTS)
Be your sweetheart's prince on Valentine's Day. Enter to win four tickets to the Pistons-Nets game Feb. 14 and four Tayshaun Prince jerseys.


~~ Booth Newspapers ~~


Prince points the way in Pistons victory, but Dunleavy shoves them (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113948343363140.xml&coll=1)down the road
by Danny Knobler

AUBURN HILLS -- Another sluggish night. Another game where the Detroit Pistons were struggling to put away an injury-weakened team.

Tayshaun Prince came to the rescue. So did Mike Dunleavy.

Mike Dunleavy?


Pistons await All-Star announcement (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113948341963140.xml&coll=1)
by Danny Knobler

AUBURN HILLS -- They haven't always looked like All-Stars for the last week, but a 40-8 record tells you the Detroit Pistons have plenty of All-Stars this season. Exactly how many they'll find out tonight, when the NBA announces the full teams on TNT's pregame show before the Miami-Dallas game.

The Pistons expect to have at least three players named to the team for the Feb. 19 game in Houston, and maybe more than that.

"We've had a lot of coaches that said they would vote for five,'' coach Flip Saunders said, before Wednesday's 97-87 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. "Even if three make it, without anyone voted in by the fans, that would be pretty unbelievable.''


~~ The Oakland Press ~~


Pistons slip Clips
(http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/020906/spo_2006020906.shtml)Detroit manages to avoid three-game skid
by BILL ROOSE

AUBURN HILLS - Early on, it appeared the Pistons' season-high losing streak would get bumped to three straight.

But how could this be?

After all, the Pistons were hosting the Los Angeles Clippers, one of the worst franchises in the history of professional sports, right?

Not so easy anymore.

~~ Detroit Bad Boys ~~



DIME magazine — cheap!
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-09/dime-magazine-cheap/)
Dime Magazine is selling one-year subscriptions for just 81 cents , apparently in honor of that one game that everyone talked about last month where Mamba had two assists.


NY Post: Four Piston All-Stars
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-09/ny-post-four-piston-all-stars/)by Ian Cameron

Not to be outdone by the NY Daily News, the NY Post's Peter Vecsey has revealed the entire Eastern Conference All-Star lineup ahead of today's announcement. Piston fans will be happy to know that in addition to Chauncey, Rip, and Ben, Rasheed Wallace (whom Chauncey calls the team's MVP) has also made the squad.

Note to Lurkers. The terrible mind that is Roscoe is concocting more hoops for non-posting members to jump through to get their daily news fix. Why not start posting today and save us all the drama? We want you to participate (it keeps the site going) and you want the news, so compromise is in order... You can start by introducing yourself here (http://www.pistonsforum.com/green-room-forum-lounge/274-introduce-yourself-welcome-pf-com.html). ;)

Pistons could use some kind of boost (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/020906/spo_2006020909.shtml)
By Pat Caputo

Tired - that's the first impression the Pistons presented Wednesday.

They've hit the wall. The dog days of February are their demon. Forget 70 wins. Just getting it back together and maintaining a stranglehold on home-court advantage throughout the playoffs is the adjusted, more realistic and necessary goal.

That's why their 97-87 victory over the improved Clippers, although hardly scintillating, was nonetheless important.

It didn't matter how or against what team or where - the Pistons needed a win.

~ Detroit News ~


Pistons will have four All-Stars (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/SPORTS0102/602100367/1127)
Billups, Hamilton and Wallaces are selected as reserves for game in Houston on Feb. 19.
By Chris McCosky

Talk about your dream team. When Flip Saunders goes to his bench during the All-Star game in Houston on Feb. 19, he will be able to summon four of his own players.

Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton were selected as Eastern Conference reserves by a coaches' vote.

Boston's Paul Pierce, Toronto's Chris Bosh and New Jersey's Vince Carter were also selected.

Saunders said he will play all four together.

"It's only fitting that the first time those guys step on the floor, they step on the floor together," Saunders said.

Pistons' hurricane relief: I do (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/SPORTS0102/602100412/1127)
Most people are nervous on their wedding day, but Denis Davis and Courtey Green probably will have a few more butterflies than most when they tie the knot Tuesday on Valentine's Day.

The two will exchange vows before more than 19,000 at halftime of the Pistons-Nets game at The Palace.

Davis, 28, who grew up in Taylor, and Green, 26, were victims of Hurricane Katrina and lost everything in their Biloxi, Miss.-area home, including everything for their upcoming wedding, Pistons.com reported.


~ Detroit Free Press ~


Pistons: 4 on floor for All-Star (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060210/SPORTS03/602100448/1051/SPORTS)
NBA names two guards, Wallaces as East reserves
By Krista Latham

Chauncey Billups was the point guard who shot too much, who couldn't run a team and who bounced through four other NBA teams before he found stability and respect.

Now he has respect at the highest level. He's an All-Star.

Richard Hamilton was the shooting guard deemed too skinny and too soft to withstand the brute physicality of the NBA. Then his childhood idol, Michael Jordan, traded him, the ultimate dishonor.

Now, he's an All-Star, too.

For those two Pistons -- and the Wallaces -- Thursday was a day of honor, as the NBA named Billups, Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace as reserves on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.


~ Booth Newspapers ~


Four Pistons, coach headed to All-Star game (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1139569817277150.xml&coll=1)
By Danny Knobler

Perhaps the fans didn't notice, but the coaches sure did.

The Detroit Pistons, shut out in fan voting for the NBA All-Star Game starting lineup, got their reward for a 40-8 record Thursday, when four of the five Piston starters were named as Eastern Conference All-Star reserves. Coaches in each conference voted for the seven available reserve spots.

Chauncey Billups will be an All-Star for the first time, as will Richard Hamilton. Ben Wallace will go for the fourth time and Rasheed Wallace for the third (first as a Piston). Only Tayshaun Prince was left out, and there's still a chance he could be named by commissioner David Stern as an injury replacement for Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal.


~ The Oakland Press ~


Pistons get four All-Stars (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/021006/spo_2006021006.shtml)
By Dana Gauruder

Even when the Pistons finally get individual recognition, the team concept comes first. Upon entering this season's All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference on Feb. 19, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups will walk onto the court at Houston's Toyota Center as a unit.

"It's only fitting that the first time those guys step on the floor," coach Flip Saunders said, "they step on the floor together."

In a display of respect and admiration for the Pistons' current 40-8 record and consecutive trips to the NBA Finals, the conference coaches selected fourfifths of Detroit's starting unit as All-Star reserves. It's the first time in franchise history that four of its players have made the All-Star team in the same season. The results of the coaches' balloting were revealed Thursday evening.


~ DetroitPistons.com ~


Pistons.com January Fan Awards. (http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/january06_fanawards.html)
Pistons.com chose January's nominees, and you decide who wins!
Pistons fans can vote on the player, sub and photo of the month.


~ Orlando Sentinel ~


Pistons firing on all cylinders this season (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-magic10a_206feb10,0,1579934.story?coll=orl-magic)
By Tim Povtac

The Detroit Pistons aren't going to win 70 games -- the magical number that would assure a lofty place among the greatest teams in history -- but they aren't going to miss by too much, either.

Don't let this latest little blip spoil the show.

None of the Pistons (40-8) were voted by the fans onto the starting lineup of the NBA's Eastern Conference all-star team, but four of their starters became all-star reserves Thursday because the league coaches certainly recognize what they have done.

"They know what it takes to win,'' said Magic Coach Brian Hill, whose team is struggling. "They know what's important.''

Detroit may have lost three of its past six games, effectively silencing that 70-win talk, but it easily remains the best team in the East and still has a better record than any West team.

Hill may return this weekend (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-mnotes0906feb09,0,85323.story?coll=orl-magic)
By Brian Schmitz

Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill, who has missed the past 12 games, could play this weekend, according to Assistant General Manager Otis Smith.

Hill said he was "close, real close.''

The Magic face the Detroit Pistons on Friday night in Orlando and the Celtics in Boston on Sunday.

Hill is in his second rehab stint since undergoing sports hernia surgery Oct. 31.


~ CBSSportsLine.com ~


Sad truth: If an All-Star doesn't fit, somebody must sit (http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9220853)
By Tony Mejia

Detroit has certainly been impressive, but four All-Star spots is just excessive.

I apologize for channeling the ghost of Johnny Cochran, but it's kind of fitting, as this reaction piece to the NBA All-Star reserves is going to deal with making a case -- a case for the snubbed.

The premise: Though the Pistons' 40-8 start is the top story in the league this season, it's not exactly unprecedented.

How about the teams just a couple of games behind the Pistons this year? San Antonio and Dallas are both 38-10. How many players did the Spurs land? Two. Tony Parker and Duncan. The Mavs? Just Dirk Nowitzki.

~~ Orlando Sentinel ~~


Pistons firing on all cylinders this season
(http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-magic10a_206feb10,0,1579934.story?coll=orl-magic)by Tim Povtak

The Detroit Pistons aren't going to win 70 games -- the magical number that would assure a lofty place among the greatest teams in history -- but they aren't going to miss by too much, either.

Don't let this latest little blip spoil the show


~~ Detroit Bad Boys ~~


Four plus Flip going to Houston (http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-09/four-plus-flip-going-to-houston/)
by Matt Watson

Just as Peter Vecsey reported earlier, four Pistons were named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as reserves. Ben Wallace is making his fourth trip, Rasheed Wallace his third, and Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton are going for the first time.

~~ Slam Magazine ~~


Rip Hamilton :: Motor City Motivation (http://slamonline.com/magazine/features/Rip96/)
by LANG WHITAKER

It’s not so much the numbers. Even though he was averaging a career- high 21.8 points on better than 50 percent shooting through early January, what really makes Richard “Rip” Hamilton a key piston in the Pistons’ drive for a third-straight NBA Finals appearance is how he goes about compiling those figures.

His relentless running and better-than-you-thought range makes him Detroit’s most consistent midrange and perimeter threat, and gives Chauncey, Tayshaun, Big Ben and Sheed that bridge between the interior and the arc.

~ Detroit News ~


Pistons 84, Magic 73
Pistons show their magic to Orlando (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060211/SPORTS0102/602110373/1127)
Detroit's four All-Stars contribute to 41st win
Travis Reed/AP

The Orlando Magic could have used a few All-Stars of their own Friday night. Instead, they were all playing for the other team.
Rasheed Wallace scored 26 points and Richard Hamilton added 23 as the Detroit Pistons cruised to an 84-73 victory.

Chauncey Billups had 11 points and 14 assists, while Ben Wallace contributed 10 rebounds for the Pistons. A night earlier, those players made Detroit the first team with four All-Stars since the Lakers in 1998.

Around the NBA
Arenas picked as replacement for All-Star game (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060211/SPORTS0102/602110433/1127)
Bobcats still bitten by injury bug
A/P

Gilbert Arenas is headed to the All-Star game after all.

The Washington Wizards guard was picked Friday by NBA commissioner David Stern to replace Indiana forward Jermaine O’Neal, who was voted in as an Eastern Conference starter but is injured.

“It’s an honor. Thank you, David Stern,” Arenas said before Friday night’s game against Cleveland.

Arenas was perhaps the biggest omission on the East team when reserves for the Feb. 19 game in Houston were announced Thursday night. He ranked fourth in the league with an average of 28.2 points per game.

NBA: Notebook
Dunleavy on Clippers: 'We're not a fluke'
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060211/SPORTS0102/602110320/1127)Brian Mahoney A/P

The Los Angeles Clippers can't say it any more clearly.

"We're not a fluke," coach Mike Dunleavy said earlier this week.

Though the Clippers just came back from a strong road trip and are in second place in the Pacific Division, there remain plenty of doubters.

After all, this is a franchise that has made just three playoff appearances since moving to Los Angeles and is usually considered among the biggest losers in sports.

But Dunleavy said that time has passed.

"We don't have to say that we're good because all you have to do is look at our record," he said.


~ Detroit Free Press ~


Star power
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060211/SPORTS03/602110375/1051)All-Stars take over vs. Magic
By Krista Latham

When the Pistons play their normal game, the one that has propelled them to a 41-8 record and four All-Star berths, the game takes a familiar pattern.

Everyone fills his role. The defense starts warm and gets hotter.

At some point, the offense starts rolling and the Pistons get a sizable lead. The bench provides a spark at just the right moment.

And then superior talent takes over, and the Pistons win as they did Friday night, beating the Orlando Magic, 84-73.

All-Stars giddy over selection (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060211/SPORTS03/602110349/1051)
By Krista Latham

Lips spread into toothy grins.

Giddy laughter in the locker room.

Camera mugging during the first photo shoot in their red, white and blue All-Star jerseys.

It seemed Friday that All-Star euphoria had descended on the Pistons one day after the team learned that four of its starters -- point guard Chauncey Billups, shooting guard Richard Hamilton, power forward Rasheed Wallace and center Ben Wallace -- would be East reserves.

While preparing for Friday night's game in Orlando, they couldn't contain their happiness for themselves, their teammates, their team and the city of Detroit.


~ Orlando Sentinel ~


Defense fuels Pistons' power (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-mside1106feb11,0,3789862.story?coll=orl-magic)
Detroit's all-stars left Orlando star-struck, clamping down on the Magic's scoring.
By Tim Povtak

The team with all the all- stars didn't play like an NBA all-star team Friday night.

They played better than that.

The Detroit Pistons (41-8) left no doubt why they have the best record in the NBA, returning to their textbook brand of defensive basketball, using the Orlando Magic like tackling dummies in an easier-than-it-sounded 84-73 victory at TD Waterhouse Centre.

"It was good to get back to playing the way we play," said Pistons guard Chauncey Billups. "That was Pistons' basketball."

Four Pistons starters were named Thursday to the Eastern Conference all-star team -- the most for any one team since the Lakers in 1998 -- and it wasn't because they were individual stars.

It was because they mesh so well together, putting the Pistons on track to make their third consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. On Friday, they only reaffirmed what they have showed all season: No one is better.


~ Rocky Mountain News ~


Billups is likely to be point man for U.S. (http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_4456082,00.html)
By Chris Tomasson

Kobe Bryant is in. LeBron James is in. But who's going to pass them the ball in Beijing in 2008?

Try Chauncey Billups.

USA Basketball selection czar Jerry Colangelo all but confirmed Thursday the Detroit Pistons point guard and Denver native is the third player with a bid secured for the national team being picked to play in this year's World Championships and the 2008 Olympics.

Billups' wife, Piper, is due to have the couple's third child in August, but Colangelo expects to give Billups a waiver if he chooses not to participate with the team this year.

~~ Detroit Bad Boys ~~


So much hair gel; so little sense
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-10/so-much-hair-gel-so-little-sense/)by Ian Cameron

Pat Riley–apparently still dizzy from the %%%%%-slapping the Mavs gave the Heat on TNT last night–had this to say to the Palm Beach Post about about the perceived All-Star snub of Alonzo Morning by the Eastern Conference coaches...


(Almost) Everybody loves a winner
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-10/almost-everybody-loves-a-winner/)by Ian Cameron

If you think the folks here in DC are up in arms about Gilbert Arenas being left off the EC All-Stars in favor of Rip Hamilton, think again. Perhaps they were withholding their rage until after David Stern named Jermaine O'Neal's injury replacement (rumored to be Arenas), but for the most part, sentiments on sports talk radio here are similar to those of Michael Lee of the Washington Post, who recently wrote the following...


JV game is over; bring on the Heat
(http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2006-02-11/jv-game-is-over-bring-on-the-heat/)by Ian Cameron

No offense to the Orlando Magic, who have some of the most likeable players in the Association (including Grant Hill and Dwight Howard, the Eastern Conference's answer to Amare Stoudemire), but Friday night's Piston win was simply a warm up for Sunday's much-anticipated matchup with the Heat.

~~ The Oakland Press ~~



Detroit All-Stars glad they'll have company
(http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/021106/spo_2006021111.shtml)by DANA GAURUDER

ORLANDO, Fla. - Ben Wallace won't feel like a stranger at the All-Star Game this season. He was the Pistons' lone representative the past three seasons at the league's annual midseason showcase. He'll have plenty of company next weekend in Houston with Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton also being selected to the Eastern Conference team. Billups and Hamilton are fi rsttime selections while Rasheed went twice while playing for Portland, most recently in 2001.

Rookies could go to NBDL

Rookies Alex Acker and Amir Johnson could be sent down to Fayetteville (N.C.), the Pistons' Development League affiliate, after the All-Star break. Both have spent much of the season on the inactive list.

"If we do that, we'd probably send them together," coach Flip Saunders said.

Pistons team up for win
(http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/021106/spo_2006021107.shtml)by DANA GAURUDER

ORLANDO - To the naked eye, it seemed like Chauncey Billups had grown eyes in the back of his head.

How else could Billups have known in a split second that Richard Hamilton was racing down the right side on a fast break? Billups tossed a no-look, behind-the-back shovel pass that Hamilton grabbed in full stride and dropped through the basket.

Pistons have to be ecstatic Brown's gone (http://www.pistonsforum.com/Pistons have to be ecstatic Brown's gone)
By Keith Langlois

When you hit my age, either you curl up in the fetal position and wait to be hauled away or you learn to get through every day by constantly cultivating new sources of amusement.

So I'm trying real hard to cultivate those new sources of amusement.

And it's tough. But I've found one.

Every morning, I fire up the ol' laptop and search the Internet for the latest snapshot of the New York Knicks' destruction.

Charting the course of the Knicks' season is like watching the slowmotion replay of the implosion of the old Hudson's Building. You know it's going to end in a spectacular pile of rubble shrouded by an immense cloud of carcinogenic debris - but you can't tear your eyes away.

~ Detroit News ~


Pistons: Notebook
U.S. will accommodate expectant dad Billups
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060212/SPORTS0102/602120359/1127)Guard allowed to skip World games to be with his wife; he'll join team for summers of '07, '08.

It appears certain now that Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups will be on the U.S. Olympic team in 2008.

Jerry Colangelo, the managing director of the U.S. men's national team, has agreed to allow Billups to skip the World Championships in Tokyo this summer to tend to the birth of his third child.

"His wife (Piper) is having a baby and if there's a player or two who might get a pass (for 2006), he would," Colangelo told the Rocky Mountain News.

Billups will compete with the team in the summers of 2007 and 2008.


~ Booth Newspapers ~


Heat out to prove they're better than record indicates (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1139699404131340.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

One of Rasheed Wallace's favorite phrases after an opponent misses a free throw is, "The ball don't lie."

The same can be said about the Eastern Conference standings, in which Wallace's Detroit Pistons (41-8) have a decisive lead over Miami (30-20) for the conference's best record.

That's why the Pistons anticipate the Heat will try to show today that the gap between the two isn't nearly as wide as their records might indicate.


~ Miami Herald ~


SUNDAY FOCUS | RASHEED WALLACE (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/13852330.htm)
Unfinished business
Motivated by last season's Finals loss, Detroit's Rasheed Wallace has emerged as one of the NBA's best players.
By Israel Gutierrez

The reluctant All-Star stands sleepy-eyed in the Orlando Magic's TD Waterhouse Centre hallway holding his practice belongings in a fishnet sack and his large earphones resting just above his ears.

Rasheed Wallace isn't eager to answer questions this early in the day, minutes before his team hits the floor for a morning shootaround, even if most are regarding his All-Star selection, Wallace's first in the Eastern Conference.

In fact, the only emotion Wallace displays during this session is when the subject of his media responsibilities during All-Star Weekend arises.

''It's going to be terrible,'' Wallace says. ``I know I'm going to be sick of hearing those questions: `Can you guys win 70 games?'

"Goodness gracious.''

An early award look: Nash is still MVP
(http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/13849013.htm)By Israel Gutierrez

It's just past the midseason point and just before the All-Star break. What better time to predict this season's award winners?

MVP

Canadian and Suns point guard Steve Nash gives his homeland reason to celebrate, with national icon Wayne Gretzky potentially staining his name with possible involvement in the NHL gambling scandal. Nash should win his second straight MVP trophy, and this one won't be nearly as controversial as last year, when many thought the Heat's Shaquille O'Neal was more deserving.

The Suns have played the entire season without Amare Stoudemire and still lead their division. Nash's scoring average has increased by nearly four points from last season, his assists remained steady at 11 per game, and his shooting percentage is just a bit under 50 percent.


~ Miami Sun-Sentinel ~


No overhaul needed for Pistons' machine (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-heat12feb12,0,7154079.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat)
By Michael Cunningham

Ben Wallace flashes a sly smile and arches an eyebrow when discussing this new Heat team, a version so different from the one that pushed Wallace's Pistons near playoff elimination last spring.

"Interesting," Wallace said. "Not like the old one. Last year they had a bunch of guys around [Shaquille O'Neal] and Dwyane [Wade] who knew their role and were able to complement [the stars'] games.

Right now it is a struggle, like they still are trying to find themselves."

The Heat has meandered along as a good team that so far is unconvincing as a true contender for the NBA title, the goal since O'Neal arrived two summers ago. The Heat got close the first season with O'Neal, pushing the Pistons to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals with both he and Wade gimpy.

Trade chatter on rise under new CBA rules (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-ira12feb12,0,5432872.column?coll=sfla-sports-heat)
By Ira Winderman

In recent years, the days and weeks before the NBA trading deadline mostly have been about empty chatter.

This season, the Feb. 23 deadline could deliver more than idle talk.

Beyond the annual discontent of underachieving teams and the angst of those with injury-ravaged rosters, there is a tangible difference this year, the first under the NBA's new collective-bargaining agreement.


~ Palm Beach Post ~


Team unity vs. talent: Heat heavy on the latter (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/02/12/a1b_heat_0212.html)
Roster turnover may be why Miami can't beat top teams.
By Chris Perkins

Philosophies will collide today when the Detroit Pistons visit the Heat.

The Pistons, NBA champions two years ago and finalists last season, have taken the slow, steady ascent to the top. They have kept their nucleus intact for four years, developed chemistry with a no-superstar system and now, even with a new coach, have the best record in the league at 41-8.

The Heat has used blockbuster trades and free-agent signings to rebuild its foundation each of the past three seasons. Now Miami (30-20) has little on-court cohesion and regularly loses against the NBA's best, sometimes getting blown out.

Timing is everything for aging free agent (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/sports/epaper/2006/02/12/a7b_perkins_0212.html)
By Chris Perkins

You rarely think much about guys such as Orlando's Kelvin Cato. But think about this: As the 32-year-old Cato sits on the Magic's bench, his injured right foot in a protective walking boot, millions of dollars are flying out the window.

His career might follow soon.

Cato, a nine-year, rank-and-file player with average skills, is a free agent after the season. With this foot/ankle injury he can't showcase himself, and he can't be a part of helping a team win, therefore he can't make a case that any team needs him next season.


~ Salt Lake Tribune ~


3 of 4 Pistons deserve All-Star on (http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_3501352)
By Gordon Monson

Too bad, Utah, that your Jazz don't play in the Eastern Conference.

Consider:Four Detroit Pistons have been selected to play in the upcoming All-Star Game - only the second time in the last 23 years that has happened, by the way - yet the Jazz have already beaten this Dream Team twice.

Hey, if Utah and Detroit reach the NBA Finals, is there any doubt how Janet Jones will be betting?

Don't get me wrong: Detroit has a nice team. Joe Dumars has put together a group capable of winning another championship. The Pistons are better than two years ago, when they parlayed Karl Malone's knee injury and the exploding Shaq-Kobe feud into a Finals rout of the Lakers.

But four All-Stars?


~ SI.com ~


Heat seek turnaround against Pistons (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/basketball/nba/wires/02/11/2030.ap.bkn.reeling.heat.0660/)
A/P

One mi