OT: Orlando Magic fire Jeff Van Gundy, GM Otis Smith
OT: Orlando Magic fire Jeff Van Gundy, GM Otis Smith
They should have done the latter a long time ago, but personally I'm chapped that the team sided with the superstar that has a foot and a half out of the door anyway. Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 21 May, 2:16pm
We Already Are The Next Indiana Pacers, As Long As We Don't Screw It Up
The Indiana Pacers are the best story in the playoffs. Yeah, we all love seeing Timmy dominate the Clippers, but who didn't see that coming. Same for Kobe and the Lakers melting down and the Celtics continuing to win games. The most interesting thing about the Pacers-Heat series isn't why Spoelstra and Wade are fighting or whatever. It is about how far the Pacers have come and how good they are going to be. Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 20 May, 2:16pm
NBA Awards: Brandon Knight places 8th in Rookie of the Year voting
Detroit's Brandon Knight has placed 8th in rookie of the year voting in a list honoring its winner, Cavaliers' guard Kyrie Ivring. Knight received 21 votes of the 1072 cast by a panel of 120 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout North America. Irving was far-and-away the clear winner, taking home 592 votes including 117 for first place honors.
Rookie, Team
1st
2nd
3rd
Total... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 15 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semi-Finals Preview
While we're slightly behind in the previews thanks to the wonky playoff schedule, I think it is still appropriate to take a look at the semi-finals matchups for each conference. First up, since they've already got two games in the books, the Eastern Conference.
Nobody could have predicted that Derrick Rose would go down and take the top-seeded Chicago Bulls with him in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Otherwise, things played out how they were supposed to: Miami, Indiana and Boston all advanced. Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 14 May, 2:18pm
Pistons interested in Cavs' Alonzo Gee
File this one under "Whaaaa?"
Courtesy of Piston Powered, it seems that the Detroit Pistons are hot for the services of small forward, Alonzo Gee, a restricted free agent.
Gee, in case you're unaware is a bruising shooting guard/small forward. I say shooting guard only because he stands 6-foot-6 (he certainly can't shoot), I say brusing because, well, he'll put a hurt on you. Gee made hardly anything outside of the painted area last season but at least was smart enough not to take too many jumpers. He likes to bull his way... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 14 May, 2:18pm
Dumars: Pistons want Jason Maxiell back after his 'best year'
Jason Maxiell has a player option for $5 million next season. Prior to this year many Detroit Pistons fans thought it was a foregone conclusion that the out-of-shape, under-performing Maxiell would exercise his option, cash in on his last big pay day and probably fall off of the NBA radar.
Whether it was a new coaching regime or the fact that it was essentially a contract year but Maxiell played hard, played well (enough) and earned a permanent spot in the starting rotation and consistent minutes.
Now the foregone conclusion has been replaced by intrigue and fear. Intrigue because if Maxiell opts out and... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 9 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Wednesday's First-Round Open Thread
Last night, the Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks refused to let their seasons end (not so much Orlando, thanks for playing, though). Tonight, we have two more possible elimination games. Can the Knicks prevent the inevitable again? And the Grizz look to stay alive in a series they could easily be leading 3-1 against the formidable Clips.
Read Detroit Bad Boy's official Eastern Conference and Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 9 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Tuesday's First-Round Open Thread
It has been an uneventful first round of the playoffs unless you're a Chicago Bulls fan and in that case I just hope you don't jump off a bridge. We have already said goodbye to the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz, and every other series sits at 3-1. In some ways it is exciting because that means every future game is an elimination game. However, almost none of the series have been particularly competitive at this point so really any underdog that wins seems to be delaying the inevitable.
Read Detroit Bad Boy's... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 8 May, 2:17pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Monday's First-Round Open Thread
Over the weekend the Knicks staved off elimination, the Mavericks weren't so lucky, and the Bulls, Nuggets and Hawks were put on the brink of elimination. The first round has gone down largely as planned with the exception of the Bulls being decimated by injuries. But for most of these series round 2 is right around the corner.
Read Detroit Bad Boy's official... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 7 May, 2:17pm
John Hollinger still ignorant about 2004 title, PistonPowered defends him
After suggesting that the Detroit Pistons' 2004 championship deserves an asterisk for "key injuries" to players on the Nets, Pacers and Lakers, John Hollinger doubled-down on his comments in a follow-up tweet: Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 5 May, 2:16am
Greg Monroe finishes fourth in Most Improved Player voting; Magic's Anderson wins award
Detroit Pistons standout center Greg Monroe placed fourth in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award.Ryan Anderson, the stretch four for the Orlando Magic, finished first.
Monroe garnered 10 first-place votes, nine second-place votes and 19 third-place votes to finish with 96 points, tying him for fourth with Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 4 May, 2:17pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Friday's First-Round Open Thread
After last night's boring blowouts and precursors to possible sweeps, tonight's playoff action is much more intriguing. While the Lakers look like they'll have an easy go of it against the Nuggets, the other two series featured tonight are full of intrigue.
Read Detroit Bad Boy's official Eastern Conference and Western Conference playoff previews and laugh about how wrong we'll probably get it.
So what does tonight's games have in store for us? Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 4 May, 2:17pm
Tayshaun Prince: Ben Wallace still undecided about retirement
Maybe our poll is paying off after all.
According to longtime teammate Tayshaun Prince, future hall-of-famer Ben Wallace might just be putting off his induction by a year, as Prince says Wallace is undecided about whether to go through with his retirement or not.
Prince made the comments while serving as an analyst for NBA TV. Prince's comments, according to the Detroit Free... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 3 May, 2:16pm
John Hollinger: '04 Pistons got lucky, championship should come with an asterisk
ESPN's John Hollinger, the D-League of NBA statisticians, has suggested that the 2004 Pistons won their championship thanks to a string of key injuries to the Pacers, Nets and Lakers. Hollinger's comment related to an article by Bill Simmons about NBA champions whose success was impacted by key injuries to playoff competitors. Simmons premise is that whoever wins the 2012 championship should have an asterisk on their title mentioning Derrick Rose's ACL. Simmons listed 20 teams that have benefited from injuries like this... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 3 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Draft: John Henson called a 'perfect fit' for Pistons
This seems to be the week of John Henson news. First, the latest ESPN mock draft had Henson going to the Pistons with the No. 9 pick. Next, Vincent Goodwill at the Detroit News wrote a column talking about Henson being a match for what the Pistons are looking for.
The latest Henson-Detroit lovefest is from ESPN analyst David Thorpe. In a Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 3 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Thursday's First-Round Open Thread
Tonight's 2012 NBA playoff slate is light with only two games on the schedule -- not that the majority of us (or at least me) have access to the NBA TV ghetto anyway. Tonight's games include what might end up being the playoff's least competitive and most competitive series. I'm sure you can tell which is which.
Read Detroit Bad Boy's official Eastern Conference and Western Conference playoff previews and laugh about how wrong we'll probably get it.
So what does tonight's games have in store for us? Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 3 May, 2:16pm
Greg Monroe considered for Team USA, but reportedly won't be added to roster
Due to the injuries to Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge this season, Team USA's in the market for a big man and the Detroit Pistons have a great one in Greg Monroe. Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 2 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Wednesday's First-Round Open Thread
Tonight's 2012 NBA playoff slate includes the Jazz trying to make it a series, the Magic trying to prove the rumors of their death were greatly exaggerated and the Grizzlies trying to regroup after clutching defeat from the jaws of victory in game 1. Why study for finals when you can be staying up late to watch basketball!
Read Detroit Bad Boy's official Eastern Conference and Western Conference playoff previews and laugh about how wrong we'll probably get it.
So what does tonight's games have in store for us? Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 2 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Awards: Greg Monroe received third place vote for Defensive Player of the Year
It was announced today that New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler has won the 2011-2012 Defensive Player of the Year award. If you look at the overall results, you might be surprised to see Greg Monroe's name make an appearance near the bottom of the pecking order with a single point. It was surprising to ESPN's John Hollinger, too:
Holy crap ... Greg Monroe got... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 2 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Tuesday's First-Round Open Thread
Don't get angry. Certainly don't punch your hand through a glass case and force yourself to miss your team's next game for sure and possibly the rest of your first-round contest. Besides, just because the Detroit Pistons didn't make the playoffs (again) doesn't mean there isn't a bunch of terrific basketball on tap.
Definite H/T to Kriz for posting this in Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 1 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Draft: John Henson to Pistons in latest ESPN mock
After a couple iterations where the Detroit Pistons were tabbed to select Jared Sullinger the latest first-round mock draft (Insider) from ESPN has Detroit selecting North Carolina big man John Henson.
Even though I'm hoping the Pistons can grab an impact defensive presence with their No. 9 pick, I am not sure how I feel about the development.
Here is what writer Chad Ford had to say about the... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 1 May, 2:16pm
Tayshaun Prince will be guest analyst on NBA TV Tuesday night
Here's an addendum to Sean's Tuesday's First Round open thread from the real Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News: Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 1 May, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Monday's First-Round Open Thread
The 2012 NBA playoffs are under way and their beginnings certainly didn't lack for drama. Not when one game featured a season-ending injury of the reigning MVP, another featured an unbelievable comeback from 25+ down, another featured an incredibly difficult game-winning shot, and another featured the ejection and Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 1 May, 2:17am
2012 NBA Free Agents: Tayshaun Prince thinks Pistons should sign veteran PG
In the same Detroit News article which had Jonas Jerebko's guaransheed that the Pistons would make the playoffs next year, Tayshaun Prince said, "I know what this team needs, but it's not my decision to make." I just assumed he meant Anthony Davis or a quality big man to complement Greg Monroe, like everyone else had been saying, but it turns out that Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 30 April, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Preview Round One
Oklahoma City Thunder (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)
Regular Season Series: OKC Leads 3 - 1
One of the league's most exciting young teams faces off with the defending NBA champions in what is destined to be a dramatic playoff series. If you're the champions, this is the last team you want to face in the opening round. The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering the playoffs with the regular season's third best record, built on the MVP-caliber play of Kevin Durant, the superstar-caliber play... Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 28 April, 2:16pm
2012 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Preview
Philadelphia 76ers (8) vs. Chicago Bulls (1)
Two of the NBA's best offenses square off to open the 2012 NBA season. But offensively there is no comparison. Especially in the second half of the year the Sixers offense has been dreadful and it doesn't seem that playing the league's best defense will be the cure that Philadelphia needs.
Both teams are incredibly deep, with benches that could best the starting five for many nonplayoff teams. For the Sixers to make any progress in this series it is going to need to win the battle of the benches by a hefty margin. Lou Williams, Read more...
Detroit Bad Boys, 28 April, 2:16pm