December 1st:

~ The Detroit news ~

Pistons overtake Nets (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051201/SPORTS0102/512010317/1127)
Detroit's offense gets aggressive at the right time, preserving the best record in the NBA.
Chris McCosky

Coach Flip Saunders doesn't have the Pistons completely figured out yet, but there's one thing he knows for sure.

"My take on this team is that it needs challenges," he said after the Pistons hammered out a hard-earned 93-83 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night. "That's what motivates them. Sometimes it seems like they get into games and get bored. But when they do lock in, it's like a curtain goes up and you can see it in their faces as they go from fifth gear to sixth gear."

The Pistons saved their best work for the final six minutes, improving their NBA-best record to 11-2 -- the second-best November in their history, behind the 13-2 start in 1990-91 -- and their road record to 7-1.

Billups' road secret: We play like we're at home (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051201/SPORTS0102/512010409/1127)
Guard says keeping poise and not changing styles are the keys to team's 7-1 away record.
Chris McCosky

The secret to the Pistons' road success? Continuity and poise.
At least that's how Chauncey Billups sees it.

"We are a good road team because we play the same way on the road," Billups said after the Pistons beat the Nets. 93-83, Wednesday night to improve their road record to 7-1. "A lot of teams play with more confidence at home, or they play a different style and maybe run more when they are home. We play the exact same way everyplace we go."

~The Detroit Free Press ~

Pistons cut down the Nets (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051201/SPORTS03/512010552/1051)
by Krista Latham

The Pistons weren't perfect Wednesday night, but even Detroit's average game is good enough.

Good enough to win despite a bad night -- as in six points -- from the bench.

Good enough to win despite a combined 47 points from New Jersey's Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson.

Good enough to push Detroit's road record to 7-1.

Rip, Billups argue over post-up games (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051201/SPORTS03/512010518/1051)
by Krista Latham

Many opponents have come to the same, often ill-fated conclusion this season as they've searched for a way to slow down the backcourt of point guard Chauncey Billups and shooting guard Richard Hamilton.

That plan, though, rarely has worked. Billups, at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, still has the power to get his shot wherever he wants, especially when he exploits the shooting guards' lack of experience in pick-and-roll defense.

And Hamilton, a jump shooter, has turned to the post, taking his size advantage inside for easy baskets in the paint.

~ The Oakland press ~

Evans is still learning the routine (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120105/spo_2005120109.shtml)
by Dana Gauruder

The one-handed putback slams, like the one he had against Denver last week, come easy for Maurice Evans. The routine plays, like making the correct defensive rotations, can cause confusion.

The most significant newcomer on the Pistons, Evans has made a dazzling array of dunks and athletic plays and even shown surprising ability to shoot from long range. But there are still times when Evans drives his coach crazy.

The troubles start, according to Saunders, when Evans worries if he's doing the right thing instead of relying on his instincts.

~ Booth Newspapers ~

November closes on high note, Pistons claim they can improve (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1133449156214120.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Championships are not won in the month of November.

But they sure can lay the foundation for a successful playoff run, which the Pistons hope is the case after capping off one of the most successful Novembers in franchise history with a 93-83 win at New Jersey.

Pistons counter Nets' inside game with 10 3-pointers in 93-83 win (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1118765402253260.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Tayshaun Prince wasn't talking about mismatches before Wednesday's game against New Jersey.

Instead, he was talking about the matchups you wouldn't want to miss - him versus Richard Jefferson, and teammate Richard Hamilton against Vince Carter.

"It ain't going to be no 2-on-2 action," Prince said before the game. "But it's gonna be some good offense and good defense played tonight."

Usually when that happens, the Pistons win.

~ The New York Times ~

Pistons Asking, Larry Who? (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/01/sports/basketball/01pistons.html)
By LIZ ROBBINS

Renowned for their defense under Brown, the Pistons have embraced Saunders's system - one that flourished for 10 years with the Minnesota Timberwolves - to become one of the top offensive teams in the league.

"We haven't heard that around here for a long time," point guard Chauncey Billups said with a laugh.

Flip, he's an offensive genius. For the last three or four years, that's the one thing - the only thing - about our team that was predictable. And I think it hurt us at times, us not being able to score points."

Style Points Fall Short of Scoring More Points (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/01/sports/basketball/01nets.html)
By LIZ ROBBINS

The glittery first-half image of Vince Carter slicing through the Pistons' defense and finishing with a finger roll faded in the second half like an early winter sunset.

Carter had some dazzling moves, but he and the Nets could not get past the substance of a balanced and experienced Pistons team, owner of the best record in the N.B.A.

~ The New York Daily News ~

Pistons await return of the wanderer (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/370636p-315281c.html)
By Mitch Lawrence

As Larry Brown was busy at the Garden taking another crack at solving the Knicks, his former players were across the Hudson, delighting in the fact that they are through answering questions about their coach's plans and just about everything else pertaining to their old leader.

"It's better and it's different than last year," Chauncey Billups said yesterday. "When we come in now, we don't hear about nothing like we did last year. We just hear about playing the games. There's nothing else going on. It's just winning and losing."

Brown's status as yesterday's news in Auburn Hills changes tomorrow, when he brings the Knicks into the Palace. There, he will brace for what could be the rudest reception a returning coach has faced since Pat Riley came back to the Garden.

Home groan for Nets (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/370654p-315293c.html)
Fall to Pistons in return to Swamp
BY OHM YOUNGMISUK

The Nets returned from their West Coast Thanksgiving trip with a renewed confidence and a two-game winning streak.

Both lasted about as long as it took Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton to launch jumpers. In a game they wanted to use as a benchmark, the Nets lost, 93-83, to the Detroit Pistons at the Meadowlands.

~ The New York Post ~

BILLUPS: LB WILL GROW ON KNICKS (http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/58704.htm)
by Brian Lewis

Before the Pistons stifled the Nets 93-83 last night — and with Larry Brown returning to Detroit tomorrow — Chauncey Billups said Brown's job saga became a sideshow last year, Detroit is better offensively under Flip Saunders, and he knew the Knicks would struggle adjusting to his demanding ways.

But Billups also said Brown gave the team everything he had last year. And the Piston guard learned from personal experience that growing pains under Brown are more pain than growth for a while, but was certain if the Knicks subjugated their egos, he'll eventually make them a better team.

NETS RIP-PED
(http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/58703.htm)by Fred Kerber

The Nets looked at this as a test.
They failed.

They looked at it as a measuring stick.
They didn't measure up.

At least for now, they say.

"Right now, they [the Pistons] are the better team," Richard Jefferson said after Detroit emerged with a 93-83 victory at the Meadowlands. "But I think we showed we're going to be OK.

JEFFERSON TAKES HIGH ROAD
(http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/58708.htm)by Fred Kerber

The last time Richard Jefferson was on a basketball court with Chauncey Billups, he was undercut, landed on his left wrist and saw his season essentially ended by a ruptured ligament. Jefferson subsequently called it a dirty play. Billups, naturally, disagreed.

~ New York - Newsday.com ~

Pistons bury Nets from deep (http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/ny-spnets1201,0,6544644.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines)
BY ANTHONY RIEBER

Nets coach Lawrence Frank called last night's game with the Pistons "a great challenge, a great opportunity."

In their first game back from a 2-3 Western swing, the Nets weren't up to the challenge and didn't take advantage of the opportunity. Of course, the Pistons had a lot to do with that.

Behind Richard Hamilton's 30 points, Detroit improved to an NBA-best 11-2 with a 93-83 victory at Continental Airlines Arena.

Flip getting the nod :nod:

http://www.nba.com/news/com_051201.html

~ The Detroit News ~

Back & Bitter (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051202/SPORTS0102/512020363/1127)
The Pistons front office? Don't get him started
By Chris McCosky

As Larry Brown was walking off the court at the SBC Center in San Antonio last June, trying to process the heartbreaking loss to the Spurs in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, all he could think about was coming back the next season and winning back the championship that had just slipped his grasp.

Six months later as Brown, now coaching the New York Knicks, makes his first return to The Palace tonight, he knows that his ouster from the Pistons was already in motion as he was walking off that court in San Antonio.

Parker: Boos for Brown? Just think about that, then refrain (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051202/OPINION03/512020359/1004/SPORTS)
By Rob Parker

To:Pistons fans
From:Rob Parker
Re:Larry Brown's return to Detroit
Don't boo.

Not even a little bit.

In fact, Pistons fans at The Palace tonight should show a lot of class by standing and cheering Larry Brown.

The longer and louder, the better.

Sure, Brown left for the New York Knicks last summer after parting company with the Pistons, whom he coached for two seasons. Without question, it could have been handled better, especially in Brown's case. He said one thing and did another. Then again, a divorce is never pretty.
Still, you should remember the good, not the bad, on this night.
The reality is, he did everything this organization could have asked him to do.


Thomas, Brown share spotlight (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051202/SPORTS0102/512020365/1127)
Former Pistons great will see his name put on court the same night his coach returns to Palace.
By Joanne C. Gerstner

The marquee event at The Palace tonight will be the return of Larry Brown, who will face the Pistons for the first time since he ceased being their coach and joined the Knicks.
But there is more emotion on tap than simply a redux of "playing the right way."

The Pistons will honor their Hall of Fame point guard, Isiah Thomas, now the Knicks' president of basketball operations. Thomas' retired No. 11 and name will be placed permanently on the sideline of The Palace court.

~ The Detroit Free Press ~


Doing things the right way tonight (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051202/SPORTS03/512020367/1051)
by Mitch Albom

Did you hear? The circus is in town. Tonight's the night Larry Brown comes back to Detroit.

First, right off the bat, let's say the Pistons and their fans owe Brown a nod of thanks. He did help bring the team a championship.

But Larry's with the Knicks now, which makes him the enemy on several levels.

No hard feelings, just good memories (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051202/SPORTS03/512020390/1051)
Brown brings Knicks to the Palace
By Krista Latham

Tonight, Brown will make his first appearance at the Palace since he was fired last summer and replaced by Flip Saunders. By joining the Knicks, he left one of the NBA's elite teams for one that should be happy reaching .500.

The Knicks started 0-5 and are 5-9 today. The Pistons are the NBA's hottest team. But Brown said the whiplash of moving from a championship contender to rebuilding mode has been minimal.

Saunders gets coaching award (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051202/SPORTS13/512020375/1051/SPORTS03)

Flip Saunders of the Pistons on Thursday was named Eastern Conference coach of the month for November.

Saunders, in his first season as coach of the Pistons, led the team to an 11-2 record, and became the first coach in Pistons history to start his tenure at 8-0.


~ The Oakland press ~

Brown back in town (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120205/spo_2005120207.shtml)
No matter how he left, players appreciate what Brown did for Pistons
by Dana Gauruder

Listen to Larry Brown, and he'll claim he never wanted to leave. Listen to the Pistons organization, and they'll claim he never wanted to come back.

Listen to the fans, and they'll voice many passionate opinions, most of which Brown doesn't want to hear. Listen to the Pistons players, and they'd rather focus on getting another win.

Brown returns to The Palace tonight for the first time since he was either fired or quit, depending upon one's point of view. Brown was last seen here during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, but his two-year stint as the Pistons' head coach came to an end in July when he and Pistons owner Bill Davidson bitterly parted ways.


~ Booth Newspapers ~

Brown looks forward to return to Palace (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113352181034870.xml&coll=1)
(http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113352181034870.xml&coll=1)By A. Sherrod Blakely

Facing a former employer is nothing Larry Brown, now coaching his eighth different NBA team, hasn't experienced before.

However, Brown's return to The Palace tonight with his new team, the New York Knicks, will be different than most of his previous reunions.
The teams Brown left behind in the past often struggled during the first season after his departure.


~ The New York Times ~

For Brown, a Trip With Much Baggage (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/02/sports/basketball/02knicks.html)
By Howard Beck

Larry Brown is returning to his previous place of employment, a ritual as inevitable and predictable as his compulsion for leaving jobs in the first place. When one has coached eight N.B.A. teams over three decades, there is always a homecoming on the horizon.

Detroit, however, is another matter entirely.

Brown has gone home many times in his career, but never to a place that has held such a strange mix of memories and emotions as those that reside at the Palace of Auburn Hills.


~ The New York Daily News ~

Motown reunion (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/370954p-315539c.html)
Larry's health an issue as he returns to Detroit
By Frank Isola

The uncertainty regarding Larry Brown's health, a major factor in the Detroit Pistons' decision to sever ties with the Hall of Fame coach last July, could become a troubling issue for the Knicks.

On eve of his emotional return to Detroit, Brown revealed that he'll need additional surgery to correct a bladder condition and that he has decided to postpone the procedure until after the season. Brown added that he's "pretty confident" he'll be healthy enough to coach all 82 regular season games but he wouldn't guarantee it.


~ The New York Post ~


Pistons primed without Larry (http://www.nypost.com/sports/58164.htm)
[/URL]
by Peter Vecsey

HOOP DU JOUR: REGGIE Miller caught me by surprise Thanksgiving. Out of nowhere he reminded TNT's viewers how the Pacers failed to make the playoffs under Larry Brown his last season and that Indiana won 59 games (58-24, actually) the next marking period under rookie Larry Bird.

Switching to the pristine Pistons, Miller offered us his before-and-after appraisal of Brown. It was nothing we haven't heard before from mere commoners. Instead of taking his opinion to an intuitive level and going up strong with it, Miller pulled up at the 3-point line. Instead of coming out from behind his freshly transplanted Happy Face, he poured softener on his fabric.

[URL="http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/58163.htm"]Motown Emotions (http://www.nypost.com/sports/58164.htm)
(http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/58163.htm)By Mark Berman

Never has anyone sounded so fine about being fired. Meet Larry Brown.

Brown isn't on course for a third straight NBA Finals appearance like the Pistons team he used to coach. By late April, Brown's first season with the Knicks could be finished.

But when Brown makes his riveting return to The Palace of Auburn Hills tonight, he harbors no regrets that it ended ugly. He holds no bitterness about not being wanted back by Pistons crusty owner Bill Davidson, tired of his coach being a drama queen.

Pistons Honor Thomas (http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/58156.htm)
by Mark Berman

One Knick will be honored tonight by the Pistons and it won't be Larry Brown. Knicks president Isiah Thomas, who, just like Brown, had a tiff with Detroit owner Bill Davidson, will be feted at halftime at the Palace as part of the Pistons' "Flashback Fridays."

A ceremony will unveil Thomas' name and the No. 11 he wore for the Pistons, permanently secured on the sidelines of the court. (Thomas already has had his jersey retired to the rafters). Also, 10,000 commemorative figurines of Thomas will be distributed and a video tribute will be played. Thomas also is expected to address the crowd.

Nets down play lost to Pistons (http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/58154.htm)
(http://www.nypost.com/sports/nets/58154.htm)By Nick Parish

Accent the positive.

That's the vibe coming from the Nets following Wednesday's 93-83 loss to the Pistons. That loss, featuring missed layups and blown defensive coverages, put the team under .500 (7-8) and soured the cream of a homecoming after a successful West Coast swing — if you see the glass as half-empty.

The Nets don't, though, and won't dwell on the loss. The Pistons, they said, have their game together, with a starting five that's well established. New Jersey, still developing, did plenty right to hang with them most of the game.



~New York - Newsday.com ~

Flip the SCRIPT (http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/ny-sppiston024535941dec02,0,6312303.story?coll=ny-basketball-headlines)
Instead of grinding, Pistons having fun
By Barbara Barker

Larry Brown is a hugger, and there's no doubt that when he walks into The Palace of Auburn Hills tonight, a few of the Pistons will embrace him. Many more will shake his hand and fondly recall their trips to the past two NBA Finals under Brown.

All of them, however, will breathe a liberating sigh of relief when Brown eventually walks over to the Knicks' bench.

Larry's health still a concern (http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/ny-spknix024535944dec02,0,5593653.story?coll=ny-basketball-headlines)
by Greg Logan

Once again, it's all about Larry Brown in Detroit.

The former Pistons coach revealed yesterday in a conference call with reporters that he expects to have more bladder surgery following the season, and he also indicated that he was compelled by Detroit management to return to the bench sooner than he might have liked following a bladder operation early last season.


~ The New Jersey Star-Ledger ~

Saunders is still a fan of Marbury (http://www.nj.com/knicks/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1133505414139580.xml&coll=1)
By David Waldstein

New Pistons coach Flip Saunders has been watching the tapes and has come to the conclusion that his former point guard, Stephon Marbury, is starting to grasp Larry Brown's system.

"You know, he's had a lot of coaches in the last few years, and that's tough on him," Saunders said. "The biggest thing is, he'll adjust. He's already done that. Looking at the film over the last week, he's playing a lot better."

Brown is facing off-season surgery (http://www.nj.com/knicks/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1133505510139580.xml&coll=1)
By David Waldstein

Larry Brown's uncertain health status was the principal reason he is coaching the Knicks and not the Pistons, and now, on the eve of his first game back in Detroit with his new team, concerns over his health have arisen again.

While discussing his much-anticipated nationally televised return to The Palace for tonight's game against the Pistons, Brown revealed on a conference call that he will likely require surgery after the season to address lingering complications from hip surgery a year ago.

ALERT: Must-Read Article Below

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=wojnarowski_adrian&id=2244541

Finally, a national article on Joe Dumars that isn't the usual skimpy stuff. The guy gets it.

~ The Detroit News ~

Pistons show Brown love, then hold off Knicks (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS0102/512030434/1004/SPORTS)

(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS0102/512030434/1004/SPORTS)Hamilton hugs Brown, then goes off for 40 points.
By Dave Hogg

Now the Detroit Pistons can get back to just playing basketball.
After Friday's 106-98 victory over Larry Brown, err, the New York Knicks, the Pistons are looking forward to a quiet visit to Chicago.

"I"m so happy this game is over,” said Chauncey Billups, who finished with 11 points and 11 assists.

Brown gets warm welcome from players, lukewarm from fans (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS0102/512030435/1004/SPORTS)
Isiah Thomas has his name and number honored alongside court.
By Dave Hogg

As always, Brown walked onto the court a few moments before the introductions, and was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos. The boos grew louder when he was introduced by Mason, but the mood changed when Rasheed Wallace started a parade.

Wallace went over to the New York bench to hug the coach that helped the Pistons to two Finals appearances and an NBA title in 2004.


~ The Detroit Free Press ~

Flip 1, Larry 0 (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS03/512030367/1051)

Pistons top Knicks, former coach the respectful way
By Krista Latham

Sure, they respect Larry Brown. Most players still call him a friend. All of the starters greeted him with a hug, and even the fans, for the most part, showed their appreciation with applause.

But after playing nice with the New York Knicks -- Brown's new team -- for the first half Friday night, the Pistons made their point loud and clear. They held the Knicks to a turn-your-head-away-and-don't-watch 3-for-17 shooting performance in the third quarter and took over what had been a tie game.

Despite the boos, he got hugs he wanted (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS03/512030366/1051)
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS03/512030366/1051)By Mitch Albom

He chose pinstripes, a New York thing, with a stiff white collar and a charcoal tie, and the moment he came onto the floor there were boos and photographers and more boos and more photographers. He strode to center court like a presidential debater and shook a firm hand with Flip Saunders, the man who replaced him, then retreated to his new bench on the visitors' side.

And when his name was called during introductions -- "Welcome back to the Palace ... Larry Brown" -- the boos really rained down and only Isiah Thomas stood beside him, his arm around the old coach's shoulder, smiling impishly, whispering something in his ear.

Zeke floored by new honor (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS03/512030344/1051)
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/SPORTS03/512030344/1051)By Krista Latham

In many ways, Friday night's Pistons game was less about the basketball and more about the basketball legend who spent his glory days in Detroit and now works in New York.

Not Larry Brown. His boss, Knicks president Isiah Thomas.

The Pistons honored Thomas, the point guard that led the Bad Boys to back-to-back titles, at halftime by unveiling a portion of the floor where his name and No. 11 are now embossed.


~ The Oakland Press ~

Flip bumps into LB at restaurant (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120305/spo_2005120311.shtml)
(http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120305/spo_2005120311.shtml)by Dana Gauruder

On the way to The Palace, Flip Saunders had a strange thought.
"Let Larry coach 'em both," Saunders said with a smile.

It's not that Saunders didn't feel like coaching his team Friday night. He simply got caught in the massive traffi c jam on I-75 heading to the arena. His usual 20-minute drive from his Birmingham condo took nearly two hours. He didn't arrive until an hour before tipoff.

Though Saunders had no time to visit Brown after he finally arrived, the coaches had a chance encounter Thursday night. Saunders was having dinner with assistant coach Ron Harper at Cameron's Steakhouse in Birmingham when he spotted Brown in the restaurant. Saunders asked Brown about his family and his health but little about the upcoming game.

The book on LB is not yet closed (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120305/spo_2005120307.shtml)
(http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120305/spo_2005120307.shtml)by Keith Langlois

The boo-birds had the more urgent agenda. So right after introduction of the New York Knicks' starters, those with an ax to grind took up the cause.

But they were soon overcome, if not overwhelmed, by the cheers of those who'd rather let the Larry Brown saga go, and others uncertain the 2004 title would be theirs without him, and still more who were aware ESPN was piping this game to the nation and didn't want to provide another reason to dump on Detroit.


~ Booth Newspapers ~

Brown gets cheers, jeers (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1133449142214120.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

It's always been like this for Larry Brown.
Some people love him.
Others don't.

That was certainly indicative of the cheers and jeers the former Pistons coach received from the fans in his first return to The Palace as the New York Knicks head coach on Friday.

Play was uneven, but Pistons show Brown what he's missing (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1133368803117770.xml&coll=1)
By Danny Knobler

Believe it or not, it wasn't all about Larry. And not every reaction was mixed.

On the night former coach Larry Brown returned (and heard more boos than cheers), the Detroit Pistons turned an uneven performance into a fan-pleasing 106-98 Friday night win over Brown's New York Knicks.

It wasn't a perfect night for the Pistons, not even close, but it was a win, and at least the emotions and the heavy focus of Brown's return to The Palace are finally in the rear-view mirror.


~ The Grand Rapids Press ~

Cheers, boos rock The Palace (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1133608675280420.xml&coll=6)
By David Mayo

The mad scientist struck a pose as familiar to the Pistons as it is part of their past, fingertips lightly scratching his forehead, while he pondered the question.

Both sides have moved forward despite the irresistable temptation to look back.
Yet their interpretation of history continues to differ greatly.

"Did it work out for me? No, it didn't work out for me," Larry Brown said, hours before his most dreaded road game of the season. "Yeah, I'm doing what I love to do. But I felt like this was my last stop."


~ Espn.com ~

By design, Dumars a quiet success (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=wojnarowski_adrian&id=2244541)
By Adrian Wojnarowski

The visionary for this Detroit Pistons championship renaissance stays in the shadows, satisfied with letting everyone else take the bows for a run that has never sufficiently saluted his genius. Joe Dumars runs a franchise upstairs, the way that he played downstairs. So unassuming, so good, sometimes it's easy to mistake his greatness for good fortune.

The Pistons could stand losing Larry Brown, but never Dumars. Once the glue of a Pistons championship glory, always.

"It's incredible what Joe has done in Detroit," Nets president Rod Thorn says. "And he's always going to do it in a low-key manner, never wanting to draw any attention to himself."


~ The New York Times ~

Mixed Feelings, Clear Result (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/03/sports/basketball/03knicks.html)
By Howard Beck

If two years is enough to establish N.B.A. residency, then two and a half hours was easily enough for Larry Brown to become horribly homesick Friday night.

Skipping across the court, making the right passes and most of the big baskets, were Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups and a lot of other guys whom Brown not long ago publicly expressed his love for. The Detroit Pistons are no longer the object of Brown's affection, but they still model the "right way" philosophy that Brown, now the Knicks' coach, holds dear, and they showed it in a 106-98 victory.


~ The New York Daily News ~

Visit is no good for Brown's health (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/371278p-315897c.html)
By Mitch Lawrence

No matter if you think Larry Brown ran out on the Pistons or got fired or left because of a medical condition that now is suddenly the Knicks' very interesting problem, there was something fundamentally sad about last night's game at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The sad part came when Brown talked an hour and a half before tipoff about his sense of "dread."

There will be arguments forever around here about just how much he meant to the 2004 Pistons. But there is no denying that he did guide them to a championship. It was his crowning achievement as an NBA coach, in a distinguished Hall of Fame career. It gave him the rarest daily double in basketball circles: the only coach to win an NCAA title and also pose with the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Larry shown love and loss (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/371270p-315891c.html)
(http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/371270p-315891c.html)Cheered as Knicks fall in Detroit
By Frank Isola

The old coach was booed, cheered and in a moving display of class and affection, the same Detroit Pistons' starting five that gave Larry Brown an NBA championship walked over to the Knicks' bench and hugged him.

"It was pretty emotional for him," said Rasheed Wallace, who was the first to embrace Brown before tipoff. "He's a pretty emotional cat. So I think it was something that he enjoyed. I was just paying my respects."


~ The New York Post ~

Motown Put-Down (http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/58921.htm)
By Marc Berman

Larry Brown emerged from the tunnel leading to the court 20 minutes before tip-off, flanked by security, his assistants and a gaggle of cameras befitting a prime minister.

Cheers mixed evenly with boos filled the sold-out Palace. Everyone inside the arena was stamding, watching the bespectacled 65-year-old Knicks coach head to the visiting bench for the first time in three years.

But during introductions, the boos significantly drowned out the cheers as expected.

Larry Gets Isaiah Support (http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/58920.htm)
By Marc Berman


Isiah Thomas stood by Larry Brown on the bench last night for moral support during player introductions, his arm around his coach as most of the Palace fans booed him.

"He said he's going to stand next to me," Brown said beforehand. "I told him you have to be silly."

Ironically, Thomas was then in a different position, at halfcourt at halftime, honored in a loving ceremony in which his jersey number "11" and name "Thomas" was embedded onto the red sidelines.


~ The New Jersey Star-Ledger ~

Knicks give Brown a reason to be proud (http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1133591174326090.xml&coll=1)
By David Walstein

It isn't often that Larry Brown is cheerful or upbeat after a loss, but last night amid a swirl of emotions, memories and reunions, even he couldn't complain.

On a night in which he was booed by his old fans, hugged by his old players and monitored at every turn, he was also rewarded with some inspired play from a new group of undermanned neophytes.

The Knicks, on the verge of being swept away by the defending Eastern Conference champions (and the best team in the NBA so far) on their home court, almost overcame a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit while making it a game at the end.


~ New York - Newsday.com ~

No happy return for Brown (http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-sbknix034537681dec03,0,84036.story?coll=ny-knicks-print)
Knicks give good effort, but in the end, Pistons have too much
By Greg Logan

Somewhere in The Palace of Auburn Hills, Pistons owner Bill Davidson was laughing Friday night as his former coach, Larry Brown, suffered through an ignominious return to the site of his greatest victories.

The team that gave him his only professional title two years ago hit the Knicks with a crushing 27-6 second-half run and held on for a 106-98 victory in the Pistons' "unwelcome home" party for Brown.

~ The Detroit News ~


Minutes dry up for erratic Milicic (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051204/SPORTS0102/512040418/1127/SPORTS0102)
Bench has its struggles, so Davis, who played well against the Knicks, might get on court more.
By Chris McCosky

Nobody in the Pistons organization is giving up on Darko Milicic, be clear on that.
But after yet another erratic performance by Milicic on Friday, coach Flip Saunders' patience may be wearing thin -- to the point where he might elevate 15th-year pro Dale Davis into the rotation.

"I have that saying, 'You want to give guys as much responsibility as they can accept as long as they keep improving,' " Saunders said before the Pistons played the Bulls on Saturday. "If they take a step back, then you back off."

Wojo: It would be wise if Millen studied Dumars, Holland (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051204/OPINION03/512040352/1127/SPORTS0102)
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051204/OPINION03/512040352/1127/SPORTS0102)Emotional style of Lions president contrasts with that of Wings and Pistons GMs.
By Bob Wojnowski

Millen's common theme is exposed when he's contrasted with Dumars and Holland. (We're not including Dave Dombrowski of the Tigers because, as sharp as he might be, he hasn't shown it here yet.)

Dumars and Holland are bright, cool leaders who seldom are swayed by emotion.
Millen might be bright, but he's always swayed by emotion.

Pistons pull away from Bulls (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051204/SPORTS0102/512040419/1127)
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051204/SPORTS0102/512040419/1127)Strong third quarter helps wipe out early deficit, propel team with NBA's best record.
By Chris McCosky

Remember in the mid-1990s when the Bulls were the reigning kings of the Eastern Conference and the Pistons were the young, scrappy upstarts trying to knock them off their throne?

Remember how Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen would toy with the Pistons, letting them hang around for a while in games, only to crush them in the end?

What we have here is a serious case of role reversal.


~ The Oakland Press ~


Milicic might lose playing time (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120405/spo_2005120410.shtml)
by Dana Gauruder

Darko Milicic is making it more difficult for Flip Saunders to keep Dale Davis stashed at the end of the bench.

Milicic has not delivered during most of his stints this season and hit a new low against New York Friday night with a mistake-filled, fiveminute outing. Saunders says he'll start using Davis as the team's fourth big man, depending upon the opponent.


~ Booth Newspapers ~


Pistons rally to 92-79 victory over Bulls, improve record to 13-2 (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1133694603141710.xml&coll=1)
By Danny Knobler

If it's not Richard Hamilton, it's Rasheed Wallace. If it's not a furious fourth-quarter run, it's a thriller in the third.

One way or another, the Detroit Pistons get you, as they got the Chicago Bulls Saturday night.

Down 15 points in the first half, the Pistons turned it up and raced to a 92-79 win. A night after Hamilton scored a season-high 40, Rasheed Wallace led the way Saturday with 26 points.



~ The Chicago Sun-Times ~


Pistons' win a real laugher (http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bull042.html)
by John Jackson

The Bulls were playing for the fourth time in five days, but coach Scott Skiles wasn't about to use fatigue as an excuse for his team's second-half woes in a 92-79 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night at the United Center.

''Not the way that it happened,'' Skiles said. ''We stopped doing what works. Our defense just got really soft in the mid-to-late second quarter. We stopped moving the ball, and we stopped guarding. It carried over to the second half, and we paid for it.''


~ The Chicago Tribune ~


Beasts of the East smiling in victory (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-0512040230dec04,1,1840699.story?coll=chi-sportsbulls-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true)
Wallace gets under Bulls' skin as Pistons rampage in 2nd half
by Fred Mitchell

The joke was on the Bulls Saturday night.

Rasheed Wallace could not conceal his cynical grin on the court as the recalcitrant Pistons forward bullied the young Bulls before a crowd of 21,875.

The Detroit Pistons (13-2) whipped the Bulls (8-7) for the 11th straight time at the United Center 92-79.

"When we see [Wallace laughing on the court], somebody has to step up or hard-foul him, let him know that we're still out there," Bulls guard Ben Gordon said. "He got away with that tonight.

"We just have to learn from that as a young team. Next time we can't let guys be in there laughing at us."

Beasts of the East show how it's done (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-0512040231dec04,1,2233916.story?coll=chi-sportsbulls-hed)
Pistons run away from Bulls after trailing by 15 in 2nd
by Fred Mitchell

The Bulls should be thinking playoffs, even though the postseason is half a year away. After all, victories early in the season count the same as those during the so-called playoff run in March and April.

But sobering reality showed up Saturday night when the Bulls took on one of the NBA's elite. The Detroit Pistons (13-2) whipped the Bulls for the 11th straight time at the United Center, 92-79.

"San Antonio and Detroit, to me, are the two best teams," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said of the teams who have won the NBA's last three titles.

~ The Detroit News ~


'Tis the season to rest the legs (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051205/SPORTS0102/512050382/1127)

(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051205/SPORTS0102/512050382/1127)Five-day break gives players time to heal, but they don't want to disrupt momentum.
Chris McCosky

And on the 33rd day of the season, the Pistons rested … and on the 34th day, the 35th day, and all the way through the 40th day they will rest.

In an odd scheduling quirk, for which they will pay with a barrage of games in the final three weeks of this month, the Pistons find themselves with five full days between games. They don't play again until Friday, when they start a tough three-game road trip at Golden State, Los Angeles (Clippers) and Utah.


~ The Detroit Free Press ~


Pistons earn a little rest, relaxation (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051205/SPORTS03/512050392/1051)
by Krista Latham

Instead of grinding through another day of practice today, the Pistons will sleep in, relax and clear their minds at home.

Coach Flip Saunders gave the team Sunday and today off, and even with that well-deserved vacation, the team will have three days of practice uninterrupted by games this week.

The Pistons don't play until Friday, when a three-game West coast trip begins at Golden State.

"Training camp begins Tuesday," Saunders joked.



~ Booth Newspapers ~


Davis knows his time with Pistons is coming (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113378102794500.xml&coll=1)
By Danny Knobler

Eventually, the Detroit Pistons are going to need Dale Davis.
They know it, he knows it and it's true, even though Davis has scored exactly one point as the Pistons have won 13 of their first 15 games this season. The Pistons haven't needed the 14-year NBA veteran yet, but they will.

"I know I can be of value to this team,'' Davis said the other day.

His chance could be coming. Davis didn't play at all in the Pistons' 92-79 Saturday night win in Chicago, but neither did Darko Milicic, who seems to be falling out of favor with coach Flip Saunders as quickly as he did with former coach Larry Brown.



~ Knight Ridder Newspapers ~


Spurs, Pistons look like elite of NBA (http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/dec/05/commentary_spurs_pistons_look_elite_nba/?sports)
by David Aldrich

One month into the NBA season, what do we think and what do we know?

We think ...

... that the Spurs and Pistons have already separated themselves from the pack in their respective conferences.

San Antonio has a record that’s much better than the Spurs usually post in November. It’s gotten to the point where coach Gregg Popovich isn’t sure whether he should yell at his guys or just let them be.

Detroit doesn’t have a great bench, but its starting five is so good that it doesn’t matter. And with the Pacers and Heat both struggling, the Pistons are primed to get the top record in the East — and any seventh game in the East playoffs on their home floor.

Pistons Continued Success Masks Defensive Deficiency (http://www.courtsidetimes.net/articles/254/)

It’s no secret that Detroit’s success from the past two seasons has come from their defense. The Pistons ranked 3rd in the league on defense last year & 2nd the year before. With Detroit starting off a red hot 13-2 this year, many people have just assumed that their defense that has carried them to the best record in the league.

CORRECTION: Here is the working link (http://www.courtsidetimes.net/articles/254/) for the above article.

~ The Detroit News ~


Believe his five rings (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/SPORTS0102/512060351/1127)
Teasing spurred Pistons assistant to great heights as a player
By Terry Foster

The notes Ron Harper took in class went beyond the reading and arithmetic assignments teachers gave him.

He kept close tabs on everybody who made fun of his stutter when he raised a hand to answer questions. He heard the snickers and giggles, and they hurt, even though Harper was the star basketball player at Kiser High School in Akron.

Harper didn't curse his antagonists. A part of him actually enjoyed the teasing because he was certain he'd get his revenge -- during afternoon pickup basketball games.

Prince is a versatile guy (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/SPORTS0102/512060352/1127)
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/SPORTS0102/512060352/1127)By Chris McCosky

'Most versatile'

Flip Saundersis finding out what Larry Brownknew last season -- taking Tayshaun Princeout of a game is tough.

"I knew he was good, but I didn't really know how good," Saunders said. "That's why you see all the minutes he's playing."
Prince, averaging a career-best 16.4 points and shooting a career-best 49 percent, has played more minutes than any other player (570).

"From afar, you don't notice all the little things that he does," Saunders said. "He's so versatile, and he understands the game so well. And this year, I think you are seeing him be more aggressive offensively."

Delfino sits for a reason (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/SPORTS0102/512060340/1127)
Prince, Hamilton get most of the minutes
By Chris McCosky

Q. What's going on with Carlos Delfino? He seems to be out of the rotation.

A. Well, he has been out of the rotation, but that hasn't been a reflection on his play. His benching has been a function of the excellent play of Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton.

Pistons president Joe Dumars and coach Flip Saunders have talked with Delfino about his situation. They have assured him his time will come and encouraged him to stay ready.



~ The Detroit Free Press ~

Saunders' substitution pattern baffles reserves (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051206/SPORTS03/512060369/1051)
By Krista Latham

On most NBA teams, it might classify as full-fledged frustration.
On the Pistons, the grumbles coming from the bench players are laced with understanding and acceptance.

More than anything, they're happy the team is winning, with a 13-2 record being the best in the NBA. But they also admit they're often baffled by coach Flip Saunders' rotations.



~ ESPN.com ~

Here's how East will finish . . . (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-051206)
By Greg Anthony

The balance of power has gone from West to East. The East is deeper and better at the top with three of the top four teams in the league residing in the East. Here's how I see the East seedings come playoff time.

~ The Detroit News ~


Saunders' practice is rigorous after unusual two days off (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS0102/512070384/1127)
With next game not until Friday against Golden State, coach went to Minneapolis.
By Joanne C. Gerstner

Everything was back to normal at the Pistons practice facility Tuesday.
Players were sweat-soaked but smiling. The sound of bouncing basketballs echoed everywhere, punctuated by occasional yells, laughs or whistle blasts.

It was time to go back to work, after a rare two-day break of not practicing. The Pistons do not play again until Friday at Golden State, so coach Flip Saunders gave everybody a break.

Saunders made sure his team wouldn't get rusty, working it hard in the two-hour-plus practice.



~ The Detroit Free Press ~


FORGET ME NOT: Why Tayshaun Prince might be the most important Piston (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070386/1051)
By Krista Latham

There are flashier players, bigger muscles, crazier hairstyles, brighter smiles, and higher scorers in the Pistons' starting lineup.

But he's the Elmer's. He's the boring ol' roll of Scotch tape, so easy to look past, you forget he's there. Yet he's totally necessary.

Irreplaceable.
Nothing sticks without him.
His teammates know. They call him the silent assassin.
Because he'll kill you while you're looking the other way.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Terry Tyler (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070383/1051)
By Bill Dow

How we remember him: Hometown heroes Terry (Thunder) Tyler and University of Detroit teammate John (Lightning) Long were drafted in 1978 by new Pistons coach %%%% Vitale, their U of D coach. Tyler was one of the most dependable and rugged forwards in franchise history, and he quickly became a fan favorite at the Silverdome. His exceptional leaping ability helped him set the franchise record for blocked shots (1,070), a mark broken last year by Ben Wallace. No. 41 never missed a game in his seven years with the Pistons, and he still holds the team record for consecutive games played (574).

Ben Wallace blocks out aches, pains (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070372/1051)
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070372/1051)By Chris Silva

Ben Wallace's feet still hurt.
Maybe the five days off between games will help.
But even if the time off doesn't help, Wallace will be out there taking the jump ball against centers who are anywhere from two inches to a half-foot taller. And Wallace will continue to scrap and box out under the basket against big men who weigh more than he does.

It's no secret that Wallace, 6-feet-9 and 240 pounds, gives up a few inches and pounds as an NBA center. Even so, teammates expect him to give the Pistons a bully's mentality in the paint in every game.

Few bumps in the road for this team (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070387/1051)
By Krista Latham

What a week. In New Jersey, the Pistons discovered the land behind that mysterious arc and hit 10 threes; Larry Brown returned to Detroit to a very mixed chorus of boos, jeers, hugs and cheers, and Rasheed Wallace got silly in Chicago.

The best part for the Pistons? Three games, three more wins.
So what's more impressive? The Pistons' 13-2 record or their 8-1 mark on the road?

Just Blog it! (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070384/1051)
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070384/1051)By Mark Francescutti

What is a blog? Blog is short for Weblog. A Weblog is a journal or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the Web site. It's also a great place to read what other Pistons fans are saying. And you can often add your own responses.

NBA Ticker (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070314/1051)
by Al Toby

Out to pasture?
Lindsey Hunter isn't the only Piston recovering from an ankle injury.
Turns out Hooper, the Pistons mascot, suffered an ankle/hoof injury while practicing a dunk late last month.

You can send Hooper a get-well e-card on pistons.com.

In the team's "Workin' Blog," Hooper said, "This crazy horse isn't going to be turned into glue. Fortunately, our wonderful Pistons trainers here at the Palace fixed up my leg just right. I am happy to report that I will be good as new in a few more weeks."

Hot Topics (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070390/1051)
Early vacation

What's up with the long break between games? The Pistons' contest Friday at Golden State will be their first since Saturday's victory at Chicago. It seems like we're at the All-Star break. Perhaps we're pouting because it has given us more time to wallow in the misery of the Lions.

Soundoff (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070369/1051)

By the numbers (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070392/1051)

Pistons planner (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070391/1051)




~ Booth newspapers ~


Big Ben plays over injuries (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1133910604160950.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Sooner or later, battling taller, heavier players every night will take its toll on any man, even Ben Wallace.

The Detroit Pistons' seemingly indestructible one has had his usual share of early season injuries -- most recently, a sore left ankle and a sore right foot -- but they haven't had much of an impact on his play.

He's averaging a team-high 11.5 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth in the league. He's also averaging 8.7 points and 1.73 blocks per game while playing 35.1 minutes per game, which ranks third on the team.

Just Blog it! (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070384/1051)
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/SPORTS03/512070384/1051)By Mark Francescutti

What is a blog? Blog is short for Weblog. A Weblog is a journal or diary on the Internet that is frequently updated. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the Web site. It's also a great place to read what other Pistons fans are saying. And you can often add your own responses.

I love how newspapers feel they must explain the Internet to consumers who are light-years ahead of them technically and creatively (cf. those prize-winning Pistons blogs at detnews.com).

I love how newspapers feel they must explain the Internet to consumers who are light-years ahead of them technically and creatively (cf. those prize-winning Pistons blogs at detnews.com).
Yes however, they did give some nice props to two very good blogs (I am unfamiliar with the third one). iamme from various Pistons boards (including this one) runs Pistonsbball and that DetroitBadBoys site usually has great content as well.

~ The Detroit News ~

Pistons are wary of Davis (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051208/SPORTS0102/512080330/1127)

(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051208/SPORTS0102/512080330/1127)Warriors point guard, averaging 15.7 points, is similar to Billups in importance to his team.
By Joanne C. Gerstner


The Pistons have been doing their homework, preparing for another test Friday.
The pest, er, test will come in the form of Warriors point guard Baron Davis.


The Pistons play at Golden State that night, and contending with Davis is the top assignment.

They already have a pretty good clue how to play Davis. All they have to do is check out their own dominant point guard -- Chauncey Billups.

~ The Detroit Free Press ~

Davis golden for Warriors (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051208/SPORTS03/512080511/1051)
By Chris Silva


The Golden State Warriors' resurrection this season can be traced to one man: Baron Davis.
Davis, whom Golden State acquired from New Orleans at the trade deadline last season for Speedy Claxton and current Piston Dale Davis, has given the Warriors a new look and a huge spark.


The Pistons face Golden State in Oakland on Friday night, and the Warriors are actually winning. After perennially residing in the basement of the Western Conference's Pacific Division, the Warriors were 12-6 heading into Wednesday night's game against Phoenix.

~ Booth Newspapers ~

With Davis, Warriors become a force (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113399880479810.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely


Good point guard play is usually crucial for the most successful NBA teams.
That has certainly been the case in Golden State, where all-star Baron Davis has catapulted the often bottom-dwelling Warriors near the top of the Western Conference standings.


"As he goes is how they go," said Pistons coach Flip Saunders, who coached Davis during the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. "A guy like him, as dynamic as he is, has the ball in his hands and can make plays and has no fear in late-game situations. He's the big difference, there's no question."

~ WoodTV8.com ~

Ex-Pistons star Bing gets NBA players to invest in Detroit (http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4212701&nav=0Rce)
A/P

Detroit Pistons star-turned-businessman Dave Bing says he's recruited several current and former N-B-A players to invest in a Detroit housing business.


Bing says they are Isiah Thomas, Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Steve Smith and Derrick Coleman.


He's seeking other athletes as well.

Bing says he plans to raise five (M) million to ten (M) million dollars from about eight current and former athletes and form the company within 60 days.

~ Inside Bay Area ~

Pests are gone, now Warriors get NBA's beasts (http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_3286531)
By Monte Poole

With his team on the cusp of the NBA's version of manhood, he is rounding into shape at the practically perfect time, as the pests are departing and the beasts arrive.
Here is where we begin to get an idea of how far Baron Davis can lead the Warriors.

Twelve of their 13 games remaining this month will come against teams who were in the 2005 playoffs. Only five of those games will be in Oakland, beginning with defending Pacific Division champ Phoenix tonight, followed on Friday by defending Central Division champ Detroit.


~ Contra Costa Times ~

J-Rich zeroing in on All-Star berth (http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/13347728.htm)
(http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/13347728.htm)But Richardson has plenty of competition for a spot on the West team
By Marcus Thompson II

There's little question that Warriors guard Jason Richardson is playing at an All-Star level. To date, he's been the best player on one of the Western Conference's best teams.

He's averaging 22.5 points per game; among West guards, only Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant (32.1) and Seattle supersonic Ray Allen (23.9) average more. Richardson's also averaging 6.5 rebounds per game; among West guards, only the Sacramento Kings' Bonzi Wells (7.9) averages more. Only point guard Tony Parker's San Antonio Spurs have more wins than Richardson's Warriors.

~ Detroit news ~


Western swing won't be a snap (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051209/SPORTS0102/512090336/1127)
McDyess notes Warriors, Clippers and Jazz are better than last season.
By JoAnne C. Gerstner.

The West used to be a scary place for the Pistons.
Losses in all forms invariably occurred at faraway places deep in the night. But that's ancient history.

This crop of Pistons seemingly has no problems playing two or three time zones away, as shown by a 3-0 swing last month.
The Pistons go west for three more games, beginning tonight against the Warriors, followed by the Clippers and Jazz.


~ Detroit Free Press ~


Warriors, Clippers no doormats (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051209/SPORTS03/512090409/1051)
By Chris Silva

This trip out west won't be the same as the last.
The Pistons beat Sacramento, Phoenix and Portland in a span of four days in November, but of those teams, only the Suns now have a winning record.

This time, the Pistons face Golden State, the L.A. Clippers and Utah over four nights, and the Warriors and Clippers are playing their best in years.


~ Oakland Press ~


Davis has Warriors in thick of it (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/120905/spo_2005120912.shtml)
By Dana Gauruder

Sometimes, one player can make all the difference for an NBA franchise. Shaquille O'Neal has turned the Miami Heat into a serious title contender. Steve Nash has done the same with Phoenix.

The Golden State Warriors have not reached that level yet, but, after 11 losing seasons, they finally have the look of a winner. That can be attributed to the trade-deadline acquisition of point guard Baron Davis last season.

Considering Davis' salary and health issues, the Warriors took a big risk. It's the type of gamble that a desperate club has to make to change its losing culture and, thus far, it has paid off. The Warriors have a 30-17 record, including 12-7 this season, since they dealt Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis to the New Orleans Hornets for Davis.



~ Booth Newspapers ~


Richardson riding high as Warriors off to good start (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1134126603121510.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Winning games and scoring a lot of points is the kind of basketball Jason Richardson is used to.
And now, apparently, that's the brand of game for the Golden State Warriors (12-7), who are off to one of their best starts in years.

While point guard Baron Davis has been given most of the credit for the Warriors' turnaround, the 6-foot-5 Richardson has also been an important cog in the team's race to get to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

~ The San Francisco Chronicle ~

Warriors looking to get on board (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/12/09/SPG26G5GK61.DTL)
By Janny Hu

As much as the Warriors needed Troy Murphy's rebounding late in Wednesday's game against the Suns, logic suggests they'll need him even more against the smash-mouth Pistons.

Golden State's top two rebounders now are listed as game-time decisions for tonight's anticipated matchup with Detroit. Their tentative status makes an already unpleasant task of guarding the Pistons frontcourt even tougher.

Without Murphy and Foyle, the Warriors would lose a combined 16 rebounds per game and be forced to thrust reserve big men Andris Biedrins and Ike Diogu into greater roles against Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace.

~ The Contra Costa Times ~

The NBA's best backcourt? (http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/basketball/nba/golden_state_warriors/13367594.htm)
Comparing Warriors' Davis-Richardson to the Pistons' Billups-Hamilton
By Marcus Thompson II

The question: Which is the better backcourt, the Warriors' Baron Davis and Jason Richardson or Detroit's Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton.

They face off tonight as the Warriors host the Pistons at 7:30, meaning the two best guard tandems in the league, arguably, will be on display at the Arena.

Richardson and Hamilton are perhaps the two most underrated guards in the game. And the point guards are so respected they're on first-name status: All you need to say is Baron or Chauncey, and praise just pours out.

Warriors are still trailing the elite (http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/columnists/eric_gilmore/13367596.htm)
By Eric Gilmore

Two nights after losing 118-110 to the reigning Pacific Division champion Suns, the Warriors play the defending Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons tonight at the Arena.

New Pistons coach Flip Saunders took the team that Larry Brown built and, remarkably, made it better.

Detroit owns an NBA-best record of 13-2 and is winning at a .867 clip. The Pistons are on pace to finish 71-11.

~ Detroit News ~


Two Pistons might join national team (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/SPORTS0102/512100354/1004/SPORTS)
Hamilton and Prince are being considered for U.S. Olympic men's team
By Chris McCosky

Pistons Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are two of at least 35 players being considered for inclusion on the next U.S. Olympic men's basketball team.

"A couple of people asked me about it, but I still haven't got back to them," said Hamilton. "I haven't really had time to sit down and think about it."

Jerry Colangelo, the new head of Team USA, wants to choose the team from a long list of players. He has already contacted, besides the two Pistons, Gilbert Arenas, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Soon, he plans to have discussions with Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire. LeBron James is also believed to be on his radar.

It's all about 'Sheed as Pistons continue to roll (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/SPORTS0102/512100438/1004/SPORTS)
(http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/SPORTS0102/512100438/1004/SPORTS)Former MSU star and Saginaw native Richardson scores 36
By Greg Beecham

Rasheed Wallace has been the consummate team player ever since he joined the Pistons, providing offense, defense and attitude in whatever doses were necessary to keep Detroit on top.

The Pistons needed everything Wallace had to offer on Friday night, and it was barely enough to hold off the Golden State Warriors.
Wallace scored 10 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, also making a key steal and a heady length-of-the-court pass for Ben Wallace's clinching dunk in Detroit's 106-103 victory.


~ Detroit Free Press ~


Pistons hold off Warriors (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/SPORTS03/512100376/1051)
By Krista Latham

The Golden State Warriors are on their way up in the NBA. Should the young team keep improving, they could soon be one of the league's elite.

But they're not there yet.

The Pistons hung around in front of the Warriors' second sellout crowd this season and waited for Rasheed Wallace to take over in the fourth quarter Friday night and lift the Pistons to a 106-103 win and 14-2 record.

Hamilton ready to serve country (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051210/SPORTS03/512100346/1051)
By Krista Latham

The feeling-out calls from Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo are starting to trickle in to potential Olympians' voicemails, and one Piston has received the message.

Shooting guard Richard Hamilton needs to return a call to Colangelo, who has begun working on the roster for the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2006 World Championships. ESPN.com reported that Tayshaun Prince also received a call, but he said Friday that he hasn't.

If it came, he'd take it, and as for Hamilton, he is certainly interested in being considered for the team, despite a lengthy commitment.


~ Booth Newspapers ~


Pistons had easier time getting better because of earlier success (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1134159002263960.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

When you see the Detroit Pistons playing so well, it's hard to imagine that five years ago they were one of the worst teams in the NBA.

Developing a culture of winning was not easy, even for a franchise such as Detroit, which had won NBA titles in 1989 and '90 before winning a third in 2004.

Just imagine the challenge for perennially bad teams like Golden State, which played Detroit on Friday, and the Los Angeles Clippers, who will host the Pistons on Sunday.


~ San Francisco Chronicle ~


Warriors just miss (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/12/10/WARRIORS.TMP)
Vaunted Pistons slip away in final minute
By Janny Hu

No matter how much coach Mike Montgomery downplayed the importance of Friday's meeting with Detroit, a sellout crowd wanted to see the Warriors' response to their disheartening loss against Phoenix.

They wanted to know if Golden State could avoid losing two games in a row for the first time this season. If the Warriors could somehow defend their homecourt against the NBA's best team. If Jason Richardson, in the middle of an All-Star campaign, could come up with another clutch shot and carry the Warriors to an upset win.

Richardson did all he could, sinking a 3-pointer with 12.3 seconds left to bring the Warriors within one point of the Pistons. But Ben Wallace had an uncontested layup on Detroit's final possession and Derek Fisher's desperation 3-pointer banked off the rim at the buzzer.


~ Inside Bay Area ~


Not quite measuring up (http://www.insidebayarea.com/warriors/ci_3297289)
But Warriors test well in narrow loss to Pistons
By Geoff Lepper

For Warriors coach Mike Montgomery, the second week of December is still way too early in an NBA season to discuss litmus tests or yardsticks or barometers or any other fancy name you can think for a way to measure yourself against the competition.

It's too bad, because Golden State's meeting with the Detroit Pistons — two-time NBA finalists and owners of the league's best record — on Friday night sure had that vibe.

It felt like a litmus-test game when Michigan native Jason Richardson unleashed an incandescent performance against his hometown team, dropping a season-high 36 points, plus six rebounds and two blocks.

~ Detroit news ~

Pistons dismiss any accomplishment with 14-2 start (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051211/SPORTS0102/512110377/1127)
At this point, all they are concerned about is the next game (in this case, against Clippers).
By Chris McCosky

The Pistons don't seem overly impressed with themselves despite their NBA-best 14-2 record, which also is the best 16-game start in their history and includes the best road record in the league (9-1).

"Nah, not really," Rasheed Wallace said when asked if the start might be getting a little exciting. "We just take each game as it comes. We can't worry about the two or three games down the road. We just have to worry about the next one and just come out and play."

Roy Tarpley's long road back (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051211/SPORTS0102/512110343/1127)
Ex-Michigan star, 41, is driven to return to NBA
by Terry Foster

Once, Tarpley was a millionaire living the big life as one of the Dallas Mavericks' star players. He was not only the life of the party, he was the party.

But the fast life brought him to his knees. It resulted in two NBA substance-abuse suspensions, a divorce, jail time, bankruptcy, and ultimately a lifetime ban from the league.

He has lived with that ban for 10 years, but is fighting to return.

~ Booth Newspapers ~

CMU grad big part of Clippers improvement (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1134299405163610.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

The Los Angeles Clippers didn't get a whole lot of attention when they drafted Chris Kaman three years ago.

And now, as the Clippers continue to prove they are one of the better teams in the NBA, little attention has been paid to the impact the 7-foot center has had on their success.

~ Detroit news ~

Intentionally fouling Ben Wallace backfires on Los Angeles (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051212/SPORTS0102/512120417/1004/SPORTS)
By Chris McCosky

It doesn't work. It has never worked.

But that didn't stop Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy from deploying a hack-a-Ben strategy for the final six minutes Sunday -- intentionally fouling Ben Wallace on every possession.

The result was an 11-4 run for the Pistons that effectively sealed their sixth straight win, 109-101.

The Pistons are now 15-2 overall and 10-1 on the road. It was just the second home loss for the Clippers.


~ Detroit Free Press ~

Pistons cut down Clippers (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051212/SPORTS03/512120406/1051)
Bench shines in 10th road win
By Krista Latham

The wins keep coming for the Pistons, against good teams and bad, on the West Coast or the East Coast, at home or away. And with Ben Wallace making or missing free throws.

The Clippers -- make that the Pacific Division-leading Clippers -- decided with six minutes left Sunday night that they couldn't stop the Pistons without resorting to a Hack-A-Ben philosophy.

They sent Wallace to the line 10 times in the fourth quarter, killing their momentum from an 8-2 run that brought them within eight points. And the plan backfired.


Foul strategy works well down the stretch (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051212/SPORTS03/512120388/1051)
By Krista Latham

There's an age-old question in the NBA, and it's not the one about where Larry Brown will find his next paycheck.
To foul or not to foul (with a three-point lead late in the game) -- that is the question.

The Pistons ran into that scenario against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Warriors guard Jason Richardson hit a three-pointer with nine seconds left that brought Golden State to within one; Chauncey Billups followed with two free throws to put Detroit up, 104-101.


~ The Oakland Press ~

Saunders tips To Cassell (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121205/spo_2005121208.shtml)
By Dana Gauruder

Flip Saunders had a hunch that the Los Angeles Clippers would be much improved this season.

He felt point guard Sam Cassell, whom he coached in Minnesota, would have a major impact on the perennially downtrodden Clippers. With Cassell running the offense, the Clippers were off to a 14-5 start heading into Sunday night's game against the Pistons. Cassell, a 13-year veteran, was dealt to the Clippers in August.

Artest loves swimming in controversy (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121205/spo_2005121207.shtml)
(http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121205/spo_2005121207.shtml)By Pat Caputo
There are headlines. Then there are cries for help. This headline was posted on ESPN.com during the weekend: "Artest says Pacers better without him."
It was a scream for help.
At initial glance, the statement is preposterous. Artest is 6-feet-7, weighs 250 pounds and is one of a handful of truly gifted players in the NBA. He can drive to the basket. He can score from outside. When he decides to rebound, Artest owns the boards. When the mood moves him to clamp down on someone defensively, they can't breathe.
But Artest also is correct. The Pacers would be better off without him.



~ Booth Newspapers ~


Fouling strategy backfires as Pistons down Clippers (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1134385811170940.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Los Angeles Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy apparently didn't get the memo.

Resorting to the Hack-a-Ben Wallace strategy never works.

Dunleavy's decision to start fouling Wallace intentionally in the fourth quarter -- despite his team being on a 10-3 run at the time -- killed the Clippers' momentum.
And in the process, it gave the Pistons just the incentive they needed to pull away for a 109-101 win.


~ Los Angeles Times ~

Clippers Not Quite There Yet (http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/clippers/la-sp-clips12dec12,1,5775529.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-clippe)
L.A.'s aspirations of joining the NBA elite get a reality check in a 109-101 home loss to the Pistons, the league's best at 15-2.
By Jason Reid

Elite status in the NBA is difficult to achieve, and the Detroit Pistons have been among the game's best for a while.

The Clippers strive to join the club and say they're moving closer toward the door, but it appeared they still weren't ready to enter Sunday night after a 109-101 loss to the Pistons at Staples Center.

Detroit (15-2) committed only four turnovers, the fewest in the NBA this season, never trailed and led by as many as 16 points early in the third quarter. And Piston reserves outscored their Clipper counterparts, 29-16, in the team's sixth consecutive victory, including five on the road.


~ LA Daily News ~

Pistons give L.A. dose of reality (http://www.dailynews.com/clippers/ci_3301491)
By Joe Stephens

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy dubbed his squad "a good basketball team" and called the Detroit Pistons "an elite team" before they met on Sunday night.

The Pistons showed there is a world of difference between being elite and merely good by ending the Clippers' four-game winning streak with a 109-101 victory before a sellout crowd of 19,060 at Staples Center.

The closest that the Clippers got in the second half was trailing by eight points with 5:59 left. That's when Dunleavy and the Clippers employed their "Hack-a-Wallace" defense, sending Ben Wallace to the free-throw line in an attempt to stop the clock.

~ Detroit news ~

Pistons' streak ends at 6 wins (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130403/1127)
Okur, Kirilenko power Jazz past Detroit, which is outscored by 17 points in the fourth quarter.
By Chris McCosky

The tank ran dry, frustration boiled over and the Pistons six-game winning streak ended.

All in all, it was another typical night at the Delta Center for the Pistons.

Behind 24 points and 12 rebounds from former Piston Mehmet Okur and 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots by Andrei Kirilenko, the Utah Jazz (9-12) put a 92-78 spanking on the Pistons Monday.

Home at last (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130369/1127)
After a journey, Evans finds happiness as stimulus off bench
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

All Pistons forward Maurice Evans has ever wanted is a chance. Just the simple opportunity to show what he can do, some precious minutes of playing time.

His quest to make it has taken him on an unlikely path, from the NBA to Europe and back to the NBA.

But it's all been worth it. Evans believes he has found a home with the Pistons, and the Pistons like the way he plays off the bench.

Burning questions (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130375/1127)
Billups deserves USA spot
Colangelo is way off to show interest in Kidd, Hinrich
By Chris McCosky

Q. Why wouldn't Chauncey Billups be considered for a spot on the U.S. national team?

A. I don't know, but it's mind-boggling. As far as we can figure out, Jerry Colangelo (czar of Team USA) has expressed interest in point guards Jason Kidd and Kirk Hinrich.

Is he joking? The Olympics are in 2008. Kidd is slowing down visibly. He might need a walker by 2008. By the way, Billups has had Kidd's number the last two seasons. And Hinrich? Come on.

Blessed backcourt (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130368/1127)
By Chris McCosky

Isn't it odd the Pistons have the best record in the NBA, were 10-1 on the road before Monday, and still not one team member has been honored by the league?

Richard Hamiltongot 100 points in a week, shot 50 percent, the Pistons won all four games and he wasn't named player of the week.

Chauncey Billups has been at the top of the assist-to-turnover charts all season, had a week in which he scored 64 points (with 29 assists and five turnovers), outplayed Mike Bibbyand Steve Nashand then embarrassed Sebastian Telfair. The Pistons won all three games, on the road. And he wasn't named player of the week.

Basketball 101: NBA fashion police (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130361/1127)
By Chris McCosky

In the NBA, Big Brother is always watching.

The league has stationed paid observers in every arena. And, the omnipresent NBA Entertainment cameras are always on.
What they're trying to expose are violations of the NBA dress and uniform codes. They even monitor players' deportment during the national anthem.

After a rash of fines levied against teams and players for wearing game shorts too long -- 13 players have been fined $10,000 apiece since the season started -- the NBA Players Association has started to fight back.

Alley oop... to Pistons assistant coach Sidney Lowe (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130371/1127)

Joanne C. Gerstner's top five - Feeling the heat (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130381/1127)

Slam dunks (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS0102/512130367/1127)


~ Detroit Free Press ~

Pistons hit skids versus Jazz (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS03/512130417/1051)
By Krista Latham

Some games are so ugly they belong in a dust-covered box tucked in the corner of a grimy basement.

Out of sight and out of mind, hopefully forever.

Such was the Pistons' 92-78 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.

By the fourth quarter, the sound of the officials' whistles elicited sarcastic smiles from the Pistons, smiles that said something along the lines of "un-be-lieve-a-ble." The teams combined for 52 personal fouls, with each team getting 26.

Ben expects better play from himself (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/SPORTS03/512130355/1051)
By Krista Latham

Ben Wallace has a lot of pride. He isn't one to accept anything but the best from his teammates -- or himself.
That's why Wallace hangs his head and stares at the floor in front of his locker some nights, even after victories, as he did Friday night at Golden State.

Sure, he's happy with the team's record -- 15-3 after Monday night's loss against the Jazz.
He just wishes he had a little more to do with it.

"I'm totally frustrated with my game," said Wallace, after scoring 13 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, dishing five assists and blocking two shots Sunday against the Clippers. "I'm just not really happy with what I'm bringing to the table right now."



~ Booth Newspapers ~


Former Piston Okur rallies Jazz past Detroit 92-78 (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1119348601305830.xml&coll=1)
(http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1119348601305830.xml&coll=1)By A. Sherrod Blakely

The streamers came pouring down from high above, just moments after Utah's 92-78 surprising win over the Detroit Pistons.

That's what happens when you're a bad team, and you just so happen to beat the team with the best record in the NBA.

"They were more aggressive," said Detroit coach Flip Saunders. "Usually the team that's more aggressive gets loose balls, gets calls, a lot of things fall their way."

Turmoil swirls around Eastern Conference foes, Pistons remain stable (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1119283800147380.xml&coll=)
By A. Sherrod Blakely


Catching up with the two-time Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons was the focus for both Miami and Indiana when the season began.

As it turns out, both of those teams have bigger issues to contend with these days.
Their troubles may result in Detroit's path back to the NBA Finals being a bit smoother than anticipated.


~ Deseretnews.com ~


Back to life: Homecourt advantage returns in Jazz victory (http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635168467,00.html)
By Tim Buckley

Carlos, Gordan, Deron and Big Rob all were out, and Greg left early.
But The Boss was back.
No, not George. No, not Bruce.
Larry.

With Jazz owner Larry H. Miller back in his usual Delta Center courtside chair for the first time since leaving that very seat to berate his club for its pitiful performance during a Nov. 14 loss to the New York Knicks, the Jazz merely beat the best team the NBA currently has to offer.
Utah's 92-78 victory over Detroit not only handed the 15-3 Pistons just their second road loss of the season, but also restored a little bit of the luster the Delta Center has lacked since lads named John and Karl endeared themselves to Jazz fans in first-name fashion.

~ The Oakland Press ~



Pistons endure a rare unraveling in 3rd loss (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121305/spo_2005121306.shtml)
by Dana Gauruder

So many things have gone right for the Pistons this season, it's almost surreal to watch them unravel.

On an odd night, Chauncey Billups' 3-point attempts clang off the rims. Shot-blocking attempts by Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace turn into goaltending violations. Tayshaun Prince can't make a free throw and Richard Hamilton's pretty runners get returned to sender.

That's how ugly it got for Detroit in the second half against the depleted Utah Jazz on Monday night. Playing for the third time in four nights, the Pistons let a 13-point halftime lead evaporate and then got outscored 29-12 in the fourth quarter of a 92-78 loss at Delta Center.

Arroyo tries to stick it to his former team (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121305/spo_2005121309.shtml)
(http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121305/spo_2005121309.shtml)by Dana Gauruder

Carlos Arroyo left the Utah Jazz bitterly disappointed about the way Jerry Sloan treated him last season. He came back to the Delta Center looking for payback.

"Definitely," Arroyo said. "It's something when you play against your old team, you always want to beat them. You try to make a statement."
Arroyo didn't hold any animosity toward his ex-teammates or Jazz fans. He was happy to be back in the place he called home for 2 1 /2 seasons.

"It's nice to come back and see familiar faces and say hi to people that used to show you love," he said. "It's good to see my (ex-)teammates. I want to beat them, talk trash and have fun."

~ Detroit news ~

Frustrated Wallace unsure of role (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS0102/512140305/1127)
Piston hasn't been his usual shot-blocking, rebounding self, won't use pain as an excuse
By Chris McCosky

Beneath the happy surface of a 15-3 start, a potentially troubling issue is bubbling for the Pistons.

Ben Wallace has not been Ben Wallace.

When Kris Humphries of Utah dunks in his face, posterizes him without much resistance, something is wrong. When the Pistons get outrebounded for eight straight games, including a 55-27 drubbing by the Jazz on Monday night, something is wrong.

When the Jazz get 16 layups and dunks, the night after the Clippers get 19 layups and dunks and score 58 points in the lane, something is wrong.
Not all of that is on him, of course, but when Ben Wallace isn't in the top three in the NBA in rebounds and blocks -- well, he's not being Ben Wallace.

~ Detroit Free Press ~

The new Fab Five (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140395/1051)
Pistons' starters are most balanced, unselfish in NBA history
By Michael Rosenberg

Larry Brown, Flip Saunders, blah, blah, blah.
Coach? They don't need no stinking coach.

"There have been times with Chauncey where I'm getting ready to call a play," Saunders said, "and he calls the exact same play."

In the interest of protecting the Pistons' championship hopes, not to mention the Saunders retirement fund: There are some things the coach needs to do. Like send in a sub every once in a while. Yell at the refs. And, yeah, call some plays and stuff.

Rebounding, Ben's struggles could create drama (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140374/1051)
by Krista Latham

As the Pistons' main Eastern Conference rivals, Miami and Indiana, dealt with soap operas this week, the Pistons finished 2-1 on the West Coast, moved to 15-3 overall and almost seemed boring in comparison.

True, there's little drama in Detroit, although as coach Flip Saunders points out, there's always something if you want to find it.

"If you want, you can look for drama anytime on any team," Saunders said. "If you really want to, you can look for controversy, you can look for conflict."

OK, then, let's bite. There are two issues -- although small at this point. The first was clear in the Pistons' loss Monday, when the Jazz outrebounded them, 55-27. The second was on display in the locker room, when Ben Wallace said he was unsure what his role is on the team.

Rivals Pacers, Heat have all the drama (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140387/1051)
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140387/1051)by Krista Latham

Not a bad weekend, if you enjoy NBA drama.

First, Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest proved once again that his brain isn't wired straight. He went to the press with his request to be traded, saying things like, "I like coach (Rick Carlisle) as a person, I just don't like playing for him."

Then Miami president Pat Riley shocked no one when he succeeded suddenly family-focused Stan Van Gundy as coach of the Heat.

You'd think this could only help Detroit. While their rivals regroup, the Pistons can keep floating along, unhindered by strife.

Far cry from last season, ain't it?

CATCHING UP WITH ... Chris Kaman (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140384/1051)

GETTING PERSONAL WITH ... Jason Maxiell (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140385/1051)

Hot Topics (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140396/1051)

Soundoff (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140304/1051)


NBA Ticker (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051214/SPORTS03/512140366/1051)

~ Booth Newspapers ~

Pistons' board work leaves much to be desired (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1134558609202060.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Moments after the Detroit Pistons' humbling 92-78 loss at Utah on Monday, Carlos Arroyo passed a sheet of paper with the game's statistics to teammate Chauncey Billups.

Billups' eyes quickly gravitated to the rebounding numbers: 55 for the Jazz, 27 for the Pistons. Billups shook his head in disbelief.

He's not the only one dumbfounded by what has been the one kink in the Pistons' superb start this season.


~ SI.com ~

Central solid from top to bottom (http://www.pistonsforum.com/)
NBA's Central Division loaded with talent, potential
By Kelly Dwyer

The Pistons are on top with a 15-2 mark, they've won six straight and Chauncey Billups is playing out of his mind. Averaging 18.2 points and 8.3 assists in just 34 minutes a game, Billups is shooting 44 percent from the floor and relishing the freedom that Flip Saunders' offense provides.

Billups still appears to be the most "in-charge" player in the NBA, especially now that Tim Duncan grew his hair out. He exudes cool and confidence and should have no problem making his first All-Star team.

~ESPN.com~

The Big Score (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=neel/051213)
Twenty-two years ago, on Dec. 13, 1983, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime. It was, and remains, the highest-scoring game in NBA history.

Before they were the Bad Boys, Isiah and the Pistons were a high-scoring machine.

186-184. 370 total points.

(I remember seeing the game on TV, and I still don't believe it. Can you imagine? Both teams attempted a total of four three-pointers.)

~Detroit News~

Goggled Wallace sees way past Kings (http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/SPORTS0102/512150392/1127)
By Chris McCoskey

Ben Wallace was back and he was wearing red goggles.

"He looked like Blankman," Chauncey Billups joked, referring to the old Damon Wayans movie. "I don't know what that was about."

Well, according to Wallace, it was about energy.

"Magic glasses," Wallace joked. "They bring energy."


Wallace meets with Saunders (http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/SPORTS0102/512150432/1127)
By Chris McCoskey

Pistons coach Flip Saunders has spoken with Ben Wallace. He has heard his complaints. And, guess what? He agrees with him.

"He's not saying he doesn't know what his role is," Saunders said before the Pistons played the Kings Wednesday. "Everybody in this league knows what Ben's role is. He was frustrated with the way we played (at Utah Monday). We did not play (our game). We were unorganized. We played one-on-one basketball. We did not move the ball. That's not us.


BKN Kings Pistons (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BKN_KINGS_PISTONS?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)
-Associated Press

Chauncey Billups had just one thing on his mind after one of the best games of his career: What was the deal with Ben Wallace's clunky red goggles?

"I don't know what that was - he looked like Blankman,'' Billups said, referring to Damon Wayan's dorky superhero character in the movie of the same name.

Billups scored 28 points and a career-high 19 assists in the Detroit Pistons' 109-98 win over Sacramento Wednesday.


~Detroit Free Press~

Billups empowers Pistons (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/SPORTS03/512150580/1051/SPORTS)
By Chris Silva

Give Chauncey Billups the ball, and the Pistons will score.

That was the theme against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Billups had a golden touch. When he took a shot, chances were it would go in the hoop. When he passed to a teammate, chances were that player would score.


PISTONS CORNER: Ben Wallace boggles in red goggles (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051215/SPORTS03/512150541/1051)
By Chris Silva

Why in the world was Ben Wallace wearing red protective goggles Wednesday night?

"They bring me a lot of energy," was all Wallace said after his five-point, 17-rebound, five-block performance against Sacramento.

Wallace wore his trademark Afro for the first time this season, but he also donned funky red goggles that made him look a bit odd, to say the least.


~MLIVE~

Pistons cruise to win against Kings (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1134645003189450.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

When Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace wore some goofy-looking goggles during warm-up drills on Wednesday, you had a feeling the Pistons were going to have some fun.

Those feel-good vibes before the game continued throughout the night as the Pistons took control late in the first half while cruising to a 109-98 win against the Sacramento Kings.


Billups shows his ability as a passer with 19 assists (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1134645010189450.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Chauncey Billups has made it a point to become a better passer this season.

If there was any doubt about that, it should be put to rest after Billups had one of his best games ever in leading Detroit to a 109-98 win against Sacramento on Wednesday.


~SacBee~

Detour in Detroit (http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13981805p-14815459c.html)
By Sam Amick

On a tarmac runway in Minneapolis, the tiring of the Kings began.

They sat there for an hour late Tuesday night while their plane de-iced, a process not so different from what the Kings had experienced themselves. The ice-cold team had turned hot with a scintillating win over the Timberwolves, momentum returning alongside hope. And then came reality.


~Oakland Press~

Quite a spectacle (http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/121505/spo_2005121507.shtml)
By DANA GAURUDER

As owners of the league's best record, the Pistons have the right to look through rose-colored glasses. Still, seeing Ben Wallace donning oversized glasses with red frames made for a strange way to start a Pistons game.

Wallace shed the eyewear after a few minutes, but the Pistons had the look of a champion again, save for a bizarre field-goal drought during the first half. They responded to a streak-breaking 14-point loss to Utah two nights earlier won with a 109-98 win over the Sacramento Kings at The Palace Wednesday.

~ Detroit News ~

Chicago won't worry Wallace (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/SPORTS0102/512160419/1127)
Rasheed, who laughed at Bulls last time and scored 26 in win, has business-as-usual tone.
By Angelique S. Chengelis

More than likely, the Chicago Bulls have short memories.
It was nearly two weeks ago at the United Center when Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace, seemingly scoring at will in a 92-79 victory, openly laughed on court at the Bulls.

The Pistons play the Bulls tonight at The Palace.

"Don't matter to me," Wallace said Thursday after practice when asked if he thinks the Bulls will come in tonight remembering his laughter. "(I'm) still going out there to play. They can try to bring it, or do whatever. It don't matter to me."

~ Detroit Free Press ~

Salad days for state hoops fans (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/SPORTS03/512160400/1051)
By Michael Rosenberg

Although they had the nerve to actually lose a game, the Pistons have had a wonderful week.

Ron Artest dipped the Pacers into a vat of super-unleaded, then lit a match. Then Heat coach Stan Van Gundy resigned; he now gets to spend more time with his kids and less with Antoine Walker.

And this was all wonderful for the Pistons because it happened to somebody else. That's how they like it. No drama this year. No circus.
Except for all that winning, there is no reason for anybody to pay attention.
But you are anyway.

Rasheed gets last laugh at the Bulls (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/SPORTS03/512160386/1051)
(http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/SPORTS03/512160386/1051)by Chris Silva

The Chicago Bulls were irked by Rasheed Wallace's joviality and the smile he flashed nearly every time he scored in the Pistons' 92-79 victory Dec. 3 at the United Center.

And Chicago coach Scott Skiles especially took Wallace's actions to heart, saying after the game that if he were still playing, "I would have done something about it."

Well, if the Bulls are still bothered by his 26-point performance, they can do something about it tonight when the teams play at the Palace.


~ Booth Newspapers ~

Bulls have extra incentive after experiencing Rasheed's laughter (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113473140776890.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace has gotten under the skin of a few people.

The latest group peeved at Wallace are the Chicago Bulls, who were bothered by the way he continually laughed at them during Detroit's 92-79 win in Chicago on Dec. 3, even calling bank shots off the backboard before they went in.

"I would not have taken that very well as a player," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said after that game. "I would have done something about it."


~ Chicago Tribune ~

For Bulls, it's no laughing matter (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-0512160139dec16,1,7149129.story?coll=chi-sportsbulls-hed)
They must get tough, Nocioni needs to step up to topple Pistons
By Sam Smith

Ball don't lie! Ball don't lie!

That was the taunt of Detroit's Rasheed Wallace as the Pistons were blowing out the Bulls 92-79 at the United Center earlier this month.
Bulls players clanked free throws during a third-quarter meltdown and missed 17 in the game. Wallace wheeled in for a shot, yelled, "Bank!" and the ball went in. Wallace chortled loudly as he ran back downcourt.

The Pistons flexing their muscle and confidence as early-season championship favorites?

Nothing of the kind. Once again, a team had decided to attack the Bulls' Andres Nocioni, who last season committed an ugly foul--the Pistons called it dirty--on Tayshaun Prince.


~ NBA.com ~

Flashback Fridays Celebrate Second Longest Tenured Owner in NBA (http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/flashback_fridays.html)

The Detroit Pistons will honor William Davidson, the team's majority owner since 1974, on Friday, December 16 when they host the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Davidson's name will be secured on the sidelines of the Pistons court as part of "Flashback Fridays."

~ The Oakland Press ~


Bulls could be gunning for Rasheed (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121605/spo_2005121606.shtml)
By Bill Roose

Rasheed Wallace often is seen as an irritant.
He revels in knowing that he can verbally get to opposing players, coaches and fans.

Yet Wallace, who is sometimes known more for his bad reputation than his 3-point shooting, believes he knows the boundaries when it comes to chatter on the floor.

"I don't talk about nobody's mom, wife or kids," Wallace said. "I just talk about, maybe that person and their game. There is a line, and I don't cross that line. Like I said, I don't talk about no one's parents or family members, kids, nothing."

Kinda goes back to LB's statement about Sheed being the most misunderstood player in basketball.

When I see Sheed laughing on the floor, I truly believe it's cuz he's having FUN with his teammates...not cuz he's trying to mock anyone.

~ Detroit news ~
Pistons win another laugher over Bulls (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051217/SPORTS0102/512170439/1004/SPORTS)
Rasheed Wallace scores 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting.
A/P

Rasheed Wallace was prepared for any defense the Chicago Bulls tried.
Wallace scored 10 of his 19 points in the third quarter and led the Detroit Pistons to a 110-82 victory over the Bulls on Friday night.

"I knew they were going to come at me," Wallace said. "I could see the double-teams coming, and I just got the ball to the open man."

Wallace even had time to take part in the crowd's "Fire Millen" chant during a late timeout, referring to Detroit Lions president Matt Millen.

"That was all in good fun," said Wallace, who jokingly offered to play quarterback for the Lions earlier in the season. "I hear there's going to be a big march on Sunday, but we'll be out of town."

~ Detroit Free Press ~

All business (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051217/SPORTS03/512170361/1051)
Pistons don't toy around in blowout of Bulls
By Krista Latham

When the Pistons played Chicago two weeks ago, Rasheed Wallace laughed the Bulls off their home court.

This time, as Detroit methodically picked apart the Bulls, levied a 32-point lead and dominated from start to finish, the Pistons kept smiles, taunts and trash talk bottled.

Why bother? This win came as easily as any.

Big Ben gets back armbands (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051217/SPORTS03/512170338/1051)
by Krista Latham

The NBA's new on-the-court dress code might have contributed to Pistons center Ben Wallace's many aches and pains.

The rules state that players can't wear armbands that extend three or four inches beyond their wrists. That means Wallace can no longer pull on the long forearm band he has worn the past few seasons.

But Arnie Kander, the team's strength and conditioning coach, brought the bands back out for Wednesday's game, rationalizing with the league that Wallace needs them as much as a player with a knee problem needs a knee brace.

~ The Oakland press ~

Detroit seeing increased road love (http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/121705/spo_2005121710.shtml)
By Dana Gauruder

The Pistons play just as well on the road as they do at home. Part of the reason is that opposing arenas are starting to sound more like The Palace.

Pistons fans have been following their team around, and Detroit also has gained new fans in other cities because of its style of play. Those extra cheers have helped them build a 10-2 road record.

"Last year, it was never like that," Antonio McDyess said. "They've jumped the bandwagon. After people watched how we played the last two years and showed how much effort we give on the court year in and year out, a lot of people have jumped the bandwagon."

~ Chicago Sun-Times ~

Bulls handed a Motown beating (http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bull172.html)
By Brian Hanley

Rasheed Wallace didn't so much as giggle.

But the Detroit Pistons still won another laugher over the Bulls on Friday, a 110-82 decision in front of a capacity crowd of 22,076 at The Palace.

"They basically, from the moment the ball went up, dominated us all over the floor,'' Bulls coach Scott Skiles said after his team's most lopsided loss of the season. "We had no answer for them early; they got all over the glass, second-chance points. We had one of the lowest-energy nights all season. And when they started playing well, we mailed it in. When you let that team start feeling good about themselves, you're in for a long night.''

~ Chicago Tribune ~

Nothing to laugh at (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-0512170196dec17,1,1442901.story?coll=chi-sportsbulls-hed)
Skiles dismayed by Detroit's dismantling of Bulls
By Marlen Garcia


At least Rasheed Wallace didn't laugh this time, at least not in the Bulls' faces

Wallace and the Detroit Pistons methodically ripped apart the Bulls 110-82 on Friday night in front of a sellout crowd of 22,076.

The last time the Pistons defeated the Bulls, on Dec. 3 at the United Center, Wallace chuckled as the Pistons reeled off a 13-point rout. This time they handed the Bulls their worst defeat of the season, a 28-point pasting.

By the fourth quarter, the Pistons' lead had swelled to 27 points, and soon Wallace no longer was needed to pummel the Bulls. He departed with 19 points to lead six Pistons in double figures, and he pulled down 10 rebounds.

~ Booth Newspapers ~


Pistons steamroll Bulls, sans laughter (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1119535801258950.xml&coll=1)
By A. Sherrod Blakely

Rasheed Wallace wasn't laughing at the Chicago Bulls like he did the last time the Detroit Pistons played them.

Most jokes aren't quite as funny the second time you hear them.
But the way Chicago played against Detroit was indeed comical, as the Pistons (17-3) had little trouble in defeating Chicago, 110-82.

~ Detroit news ~

Pistons steamroll through Charlotte (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/SPORTS0102/512180319/1127)
All five starters contribute double-digit scoring before the bench comes out to finish the job.
By Chris McCosky

There is just no let-up in these Pistons.

Playing in their third game in four nights against a Charlotte team that had been off since Wednesday, the Pistons took care of the Bobcats, 103-78.

Passive Milicic earns more time on bench (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/SPORTS0102/512180393/1127)
Frustrated Saunders: 'Sooner or later age isn't going to be an excuse' for 20-year-old forward
By Chris McCosky

Needless to say, Darko Milicic didn't win any favors with the coaching staff with his lackluster nine-minute effort in the 110-82 romp over Chicago on Friday.

What he did win, most likely, was more bench time.

"I noticed the same thing you noticed," coach Flip Saunders said, when asked about Milicic's 2-point, 2-rebound performance. "I told him and I have told all of our players -- nothing is given. You earn your minutes. You earn what you get. What we're going to do is put guys on the floor that are going to compete on a daily basis."


~ Detroit Free Press ~

Cruising Pistons throttle Bobcats (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051217/SPORTS03/51218003/1048/SPORTS)
A/P

Charlotte coach Bernie Bickerstaff thought the Bobcats would have to play a near perfect game to beat Detroit. When they came out flat, it was more than Bickerstaff could stand to watch.

Chauncey Billups had 21 points and 12 assists and the Pistons routed the Bobcats 103-78 on Saturday night to improve to an NBA-best 18-3 — the best 21-game mark in franchise history.

Richard Hamilton added 15 points and Ben Wallace had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons, 11-2 on the road.


~ Booth Newspapers ~


Extra rest doesn't help Bobcats against Pistons (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113490420339010.xml&coll=1)

By A. Sherrod Blakely

There are a number of things that might help teams defeat the Detroit Pistons. Plenty of rest, apparently, isn't one of them.

It certainly didn't do much to help the Charlotte Bobcats, who were soundly beaten, 103-78, by the Pistons on Saturday night.

"I thought we came out with great focus," said Detroit coach Flip Saunders.

The Pistons (18-3) were playing their second game in as many nights, while Charlotte (6-18) hadn't played since a 91-83 upset win at New Jersey on Wednesday.

Interview with Billups on IGN

http://sports.ign.com/articles/676/676682p1.html

Billupsm Pistons cruise past Bobcats (http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5176578)

Fox Sports. Also check the video link for interview with Ben Wallace.

Interview with Billups on IGN

"I wake up and eat bacon, eggs, and grits…no Fruit Loops. My wife cooks, I clean. Then I go to practice, come home and take a two hour nap. I wake up, shave my head, then it's time to ball."

Interesting article, a little different than we're used to. Thanks.

Great article/Q&A piece. Thanks a lot for posting it. :thumb:

I got a good laugh from these two comments. :)

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

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

IGN Sports: Anything your videogame character can do in Ballers that you wish you could do in real life?

Chauncey Billups: Jump. I ain't got no hops. I look at all these videogames and I'm dunking and flying through the air and it makes me jealous. When I was in high school, I could jump, I could do a lot of that stuff, but I ain't got no hops anymore. I'm a land lover. [laughs]
*snickers*

L.A. Daily News:
The same week Pat Riley stepped down from his president's office to take over the Miami Heat and Ron Artest demanded a trade from the Indiana Pacers, Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace and Pistons coach Flip Saunders watched the final moments of the Dallas Cowboys-Kansas City Chiefs football game together.


The Pistons are a tight group (http://dailynews.com/vincentbonsignore/ci_3320146)

~~Detroit News~~

Billups stays hot (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051219/SPORTS0102/512190358/1004/SPORTS)
by Chris McCoskey

It's almost unfair how well Chauncey Billups is playing these days.
"He's just playing with a great amount of confidence right now," coach Flip Saunders said.

Let's recap Billups' past three games.....



~~Detroit Free Press~~

Jazz loss a reality check for Wallaces, teammates (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051219/SPORTS03/512190381/1051/SPORTS)
by Krista Latham

The 92-78 loss at Utah a week ago apparently was a blessing wrapped in sloppy play.

The Pistons have dominated three opponents -- the Kings, Bulls and Bobcats, since dropping the unsightly game to the Jazz on Dec. 12.



~~Booth Newspapers~~

Despite NBA's best record, Pistons see room for improvement (http://www.mlive.com/pistons/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/113499061542830.xml&coll=1)
by A. Sherrod Blakely

If you look hard enough at the Mona Lisa painting, you'll find an imperfection or two.

That's how the Detroit Pistons (18-3) feel about themselves, despite being the most dominant team in the NBA.

While many see greatness, the Pistons see room for improvement.



~~The Oakland Press~~

Billups at ease with his game (http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/121905/spo_2005121909.shtml)
by Dana Gauruder

Chauncey Billups might sound cocky or even conceited. To anyone who has seen him play this season, he's merely affirming the obvious.

Billups heard Flip Saunders' comment to the media last week about Billups being the best all-around point guard in the NBA. Not only does Billups appreciate his coach's support, he embraces it.

~ Detroit news ~


Billups' 3rd try trips Grizzlies (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051220/SPORTS0102/512200424/1127)
Pistons need two OTs to pull out victory over young Memphis team
By Chris McCosky

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

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

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

It's been a feast on the east (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051220/SPORTS0102/512200365/1127)
Drama stalks pursuers of Pistons, who silence doubters
By JoAnne C. Gerstner

Ah, how quickly things change.

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

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

But a quart