[Dave Bing]

Hey, this is survival of the fittest...

[ghandi]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hause

Don't get me wrong, I like the picks, but they aren't brilliant moves or anything, they were just BPA. If they don't work out, I wouldn't blame Joe -- it was just the luck of the draw.

I do blame him for Darko. He wasn't BPA -- he just wasn't scouted enough. He was taken as a high-risk gamble that blew up in Dumars' face...

I remember when we got the 2nd pick in the lotto and everyone was saying how great Darko was going to be....Then I saw some film on him and was not impressed one iota....He was about as soft of a player (offensively) as I had ever seen...There was no chance the soft stuff he throws up was going to survive in the NBA yet Joe took him anyway.

[Santos]

About picking Monroe not being more than expected, it is fair enough if you consider the players left. But I remember that there were all sorts of people in this forum demanding Joe to trade for a better pick so that we could have this or that player and when he took Monroe, a huge part of the forum was cursing him for not having pulled a draft day trade.

[tin mad dog]

Really? I thought the general sense was that people were happy.

[Dave Bing]

I, for one, welcomed our new overlord.

[ThaMaestro]

I think most wanted to trade up, but when that didn't happen I think Monroe was who most wanted 2nd. I know more than a few were excited when GSW drafted Udoh.

[Dave Bing]

I was thrilled. Remember, Udoh has a long neck. He also ran in wet grass. WET GRASS!

[RugbyPike#11]

I remember being pretty pissed that we didn't trade up for Cousins, but then I got over it when Monroe fell to us. At the time, I think I would have preferred to get Cousins, but now I'm thrilled we have the guy with the higher floor rather than the guy with the higher ceiling.

[tin mad dog]

Yeah. That's pretty much how I felt. I thought Monroe was a very good consolation prize for not getting Cuz.

[whoDean]

Same here, but the rumor that Joe D once again wouldn't part with Prince to acquire better young talent was infuriating.

[hack]

Echo whoDean's feeling. I at that point just wanted Joe D to get his man, as evidence that he was capable of that sort of thing. I don't recall Bing exactly FORSHING Monroe (also, Bing, just fuck off OK?), but he certainly was an advocate. Jangul came in a few days before the draft and lectured us all for getting draft fever, and he certainly turned out correct.

[FadedMario]

HOUSTON (AP) -- A charter flight bringing the Detroit Pistons to Houston for a game against the Rockets had to make an emergency landing at Hobby Airport on Monday afternoon.

Team spokesman Kevin Grigg says everyone on the plane was OK.

A Houston Airport System spokesman says the crew of MD-80 displaying the Pistons team logo reported problems with the hydraulics operating the aircraft's left-side landing gear and declared an emergency.

Airport spokesman Joshua Agunag says the aircraft with 44 passengers aboard landed without incident at 5:45 p.m. Monday and was able to taxi to a private air terminal, where passengers were let off.

The Pistons were arriving to play the Rockets Tuesday night after losing to the Golden State Warriors, 99-91, in Auburn Hills, Mich., on Sunday.

Pistons' plane makes emergency landing

[Mel Kiper Jr]

Originally Posted by Santos

About picking Monroe not being more than expected, it is fair enough if you consider the players left. But I remember that there were all sorts of people in this forum demanding Joe to trade for a better pick so that we could have this or that player and when he took Monroe, a huge part of the forum was cursing him for not having pulled a draft day trade.

Yep. I remember people were mad when we selected Afflalo too...

People were calling Monroe, Slo-Mo and complaining how unathletic he was and complaining that we didn't trade up for Cousins...

[B.I.G.]

I'm the first to admit that I was pissed we didn't land Cousin and got Monroe. Its blowing up in my face big time. Still wishing for Cousin for some strange reasons. Hey I was mad Joe trade Stackhouse for Rip. Mad because he signed Billups instead of Jeff Mcginnis, mad we drafted Tayshaun Prince. The only transaction I was happy with at the time was acquiring Rasheed Wallace. I could never be GM..LOL

[Kstat]

The McGinnis vs Billups thread is one of my top 5 all-time favorites. Tragic it was lost.

[B.I.G.]

LOL. I know!!!

[hack]

There was a third PG that year we considered.

I'll take credit for being among the first to advocate moving Stack on anticipation that he'd want too much for what he brought. Hause mocked me for about two years on that one. I was totally delighted when the Stack-Rip trade went down. I liked Rip in college and he was clutch in that Final Four. I think he hit a game winner in the 8s or in the seminfinal.

[Kstat]

That was against Washington the year before.

[Billl]

"There was a third PG that year we considered."

Travis Best, I believe.

[Hobbs]

Yeah, it was Best. The same guy that Joe Dumars used to post up repeatedly until they subbed him from the game in shame. Dumars wore that kid out every single possession.

[Mel Kiper Jr]

Originally Posted by B.I.G.

I'm the first to admit that I was pissed we didn't land Cousin and got Monroe. Its blowing up in my face big time. Still wishing for Cousin for some strange reasons. Hey I was mad Joe trade Stackhouse for Rip. Mad because he signed Billups instead of Jeff Mcginnis, mad we drafted Tayshaun Prince. The only transaction I was happy with at the time was acquiring Rasheed Wallace. I could never be GM..LOL

Sometimes you are better off taking the unknown guy with potential over the known guy with limited potential. Some of it is luck too.

Look at a guy like Bill Polian. He looks like a genius when Peyton Manning is playing...then Manning gets hurt and he is ousted.

[B.I.G.]

Agreed. You got to have some luck. Spurs is a good example when they got Tim Duncan.

[hack]

Really, it was best? Lol.

[FadedMario]

Rose Royce - I Wanna Get Next To You - YouTube

The Detroit Pistons today announced the entertainment lineups for three theme nights this winter -- which will bring music luminaries Rose Royce, Morris Day and Vanilla Ice to the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The theme nights begin with “Super ‘70s” night for the Memphis game on Friday. The first 10,000 fans will receive a Greg Monroe poster and enjoy halftime entertainment from Rose Royce, which will perform its 1976 No. 1 hit “Carwash.”

The club will host “I love the ‘80s” night on Jan. 27, coinciding with a game against the Atlanta Hawks. The giveaway item is a Jonas Jerebko poster, and the halftime musical entertainment will be Morris Day.

Finally, “Totally ‘90s” night Feb. 3 will feature a Ben Gordon poster and a halftime performance by Vanilla Ice.

Vanilla Ice, other retro artists to perform at Pistons games | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

[FadedMario]

Piston games have become full-blown circus acts with the frequent concert.

[King Mob]

Gores is bringing his Hollywood sensibilities to the blue collar milk-drinkers of Detroit. I, for one, fully support his bid to make Detroit the Paris of the Midwest once more.

[Stefan S]

I will drink to this
(not to mention a puff from a water pipe).

[Mel Kiper Jr]

Vanilla Ice? I thought he was a contractor who did renovations now? Maybe they are sprucing up the locker rooms?

Remember back when we were making our title run...they had William Hung there for the playoffs.

[ghandi]

William Hung should never be allowed to sing another note again...That guy is an embarrassment to the music industry (and that is saying something!).

[Mel Kiper Jr]

That seems to be the acts we target...

Vanilla Ice?

[tin mad dog]

It should have been MC Hammer. After all, "u can't touch this" was the theme song of our 1990 repeat run.

[FadedMario]

Originally Posted by tin mad dog

It should have been MC Hammer. After all, "u can't touch this" was the theme song of our 1990 repeat run.

start it at 5:45 - -

1989-90 Detroit Pistons: Pure Pistons Part 6/6 - YouTube

[FadedMario]

Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside:

The NBA Development League likes to tout that it’s the fastest way to get to the NBA and, on Thursday night, that motto proved true. The Detroit Pistons decided to make their first first foray into the D-League, according to a source close to the situation, when they decided to call-up Walker Russell from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants …

It’s unknown exactly why the Pistons decided to call up Russell at this juncture since it sounds like Will Bynum will be able to return from his three game absence due to injury this weekend, but he should have a few weeks to prove himself. Russell will be signed to a non-guaranteed deal, meaning he’ll likely have until at least Feb. 10 — the league’s cutoff date to guarantee contracts — to show he belongs in the big show.

Schroeder is the man on all things D-League, so I trust his sources, but I haven’t seen this reported elsewhere yet (see update below). Russell was with the Pistons in the preseason, but barely played. Schroeder points out that he did, however, show out at the recent D-League Showcase in front of NBA scouts, including a 19-point/19-assist performance in one game.

Russell is very well thought of in the D-League and seems to be deserving of this opportunity, but unless the team is unsure of Will Bynum‘s status or unless they want to get some rest for Rodney Stuckey either re-aggravated his groin injury or needs to rest it, I’m not sure how they’re going to find minutes for another point guard. Another possibility could be a trade (commence getting crazy with ideas in the comments), although that seems unlikely since Stuckey can’t be traded until March 1 and it would be odd for a team to trade for Bynum considering he’s missed games with an injury and hasn’t returned yet. We’ll update if either a confirmation or denial of the report comes out.

UPDATE (that was quick): Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News:

#Pistons source confirm they’re calling up Walker D. Russell Jr from Ft Wayne…probably a sign Will Bynum isn’t very healthy

Report: Pistons call up Walker Russell Jr. from D-League PistonPowered

[FadedMario]

Joel Anthony is beating Greg Monroe in the All-Star fan voting
By Patrick Hayes • 3:28 pm • January 19, 2012

The second returns for NBA All-Star fan balloting are in and check out how the center race in the East is shaping up:

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orlando) 1,161,797; Joakim Noah (Chicago) 141,683; Tyson Chandler (New York) 107,735; Joel Anthony (Miami) 67,210; JaVale McGee (Washington) 41,249; Al Horford (Atl) 35,860.

Honestly, I know that fans continuously get it wrong in All-Star voting. I also know that Howard, deservedly, will not be beat out in the voting. But Joel Anthony fourth among East centers? I understand Noah second and Chandler third, even if they’re not deserving this year, they play in big markets and they are big names. I even understand Horford sixth. Even though he’s injured and possibly out for the year, fans have a tendency to vote for names they know. I’m surprised Yao isn’t leading West centers as a write-in candidate.

Greg Monroe shouldn’t be voted in as a starter in the game, I’m not making that case. But he is arguably deserving of making the All-Star team. He and Spencer Hawes would probably be choices 1a and 1b for the backup center spot with Noah and Andrew Bogut having down seasons and Al Horford injured. Even if he doesn’t stand a chance in the voting, it’s a massive fail by the Pistons that they aren’t touting his All-Star credentials all over their website. They should be sending out Monroe highlight reels and All-Star propoganda to media everywhere, encouraging fans to vote for him multiple times, etc. That would at the very least help make his candidacy for a reserve spot stronger (Kevin Love’s very successful promotional campaign last year is a great example).

We saw the same thing hurt Monroe last year. He plays on a bad team that doesn’t get any national media attention, and the team wasn’t very aggressive last year in promoting his candidacy for awards. Not surprisingly, with little buzz around his candidacy, Monroe got shafted in the All-Rookie voting. Despite his fantastic start to this season, he still toils in relative anonymity outside of Detroit. The team has a true, bona fide asset with the potential to develop into a franchise player in Monroe. It’s the first time since Grant Hill they’ve had a young player like that, and the Pistons should be going out of their way to make sure everyone recognizes that. Monroe has actual basketball credentials that are worthy of being touted. If Vanilla Ice is worth this kind of promotion, Greg Monroe certainly is.

And if you want to help Monroe not get crushed in the voting, here’s the link.

http://www.nba.com/allstar/2012/asb/..._mainNews&cid=

[Kstat]

Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes both go ahead of Monroe.


Also, who cares who comes in 5th in the all-star fan voting? Joel Anthony isn't close to making the team, either.

[Whiteman]

Stuckey and Bynum ruled out for tonight with injuries. Explains the walker move

[Whiteman]

Knight Barnes Monroe is a great core going forward. Would not be mind that at all.

[ghandi]

We have to realize that many of the fans in the NBA only know a handful of players and often players on bad teams get ignored despite their numbers......The Pistons will probably have to become at least a playoff caliber team before Monroe will get much love.....

[zdwtr]

Nobody mention how bogus CV injury was. He is really such a pain in the team. Let him and Maxiell go already. Get any tall NBDL player whose sole purpose in live is to eat the ball off the board

[tin mad dog]

zdwtr- How did you choose that name?

[Hobbs]

It was his mother's name.

[ThaMaestro]

He doesn't like it when people talk about his mama!

[mn3]

Pistons to Daye: Please Don't Take the Ball to the Basket - NYTimes.com

[joe servo]

Wow, I'm dumbfounded that the New York Times would waste an inch of their paper on Austin freakin' Daye.

[Kstat]

Even more dumbfounding is that newman is the one that found it....

[Money23]

Interesting piece, though.

[FadedMario]

The lebanese Tiger Fadi El-Khatib 33 points Vs Japan - YouTube

Is Fadi al-Khatib NBA material? It’s a question that has been continuously asked by basketball fans on the internet, considering his huge contribution to the success of the Lebanese national team over the past 10 years.

The answer to the question has come from the Detroit Pistons, who have recently been exchanging emails with Fadi, as “The Tiger” confirmed to The Daily Star in a phone call. A contract may be signed as early as this summer.

“It’s true. I have been exchanging emails with Joe Dumars [Detroit Pistons’ President], who has asked me to come in summer,” revealed Khatib, who is 32 years old.

He added: “I don’t know yet if I am going. Playing in the NBA is something professional players dream of, but I have a family and I am starting a new project here.”

THE DAILY STAR :: Sports :: Basketball :: Detroit Pistons in contact with Lebanon's Fadi al-Khatib

[diecast75]

it would be awesome to have an arab player on the pistons...think it would be good for local pr

[Stefan S]

His age worries me a bit. Even if he is good, how does he fit our rebuilding plans?

[Medz]

He was good when he was younger, but even in his prime, he was a borderline NBA player. There's no way we're looking to bring him in now, unless it's a gimmick to increase attendance. I doubt the story is true.