[hova-'s] Pistons - Stopped

[hova-]

So finally I am back with a Dynasty. Not for live this time though. But with 2k9 I think it should be even more exciting. So why did I choose the Pistons? Well, I think after the Iverson deal this team is just so fun to play with. You can score with everybody on this team and I have always been a fan of team basketball. With tough defense I think they can win it this year, and so I want to bring them the title in 2k. So for me the season starts with the training camp and AI will play for me like he was an "offseason acquisition".

So here is what you can expect:

29 games season
3-3-3-3 playoffs series
my own roster (will be up to date at the day I start the dynasty)
my own realistic sliders
realistic trades
hopefully an enjoyable report of my dynasty

The only thing I expect:

I would love to see you posting in case that you like something or you think something should be better. I will put some effort into it, but still this is fun to me ... so I cannot update everyday. But if you read this one please post comments to let me know that you like it

hova

[hova-]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)



Flashy news from the Detroit Pistons. The team today announced that team owner William Morse Davidson, J.D decided to give up his engagement with the Detroit Pistons due to health reasons. Joe Dumars will be his successor and take over the ownership. The 84 year old Davidson was the teams potent owner from 1974 until the last 07/08 season. "His retirement was and is a tough issue for us", Dumars said. Davidson, a successfull chairman of a manufacturing corporation and a multiple billionaire did not postulate any money in return although he will stop to put money into the Pistons as long as he will fight his disease. "The Pistons have been my love for many years now and they will ever be, but I am getting older and have to take the consequences", he is quoted. Davidson also ends his financial support with the WNBA team of the Detroit Shock and his former Stanley Cup winning team of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Davidson was the only owner who ever managed to win the Stanley Cup and the Larry O'Brien Trophy in one year (2004).

The new General Manager of the Pistons will be Chris Hov. Well known from his position as a Knicks, Hawks and Clippers GM but so far not for his success. "We really liked the deals he finalized during his career, and think he can help us to get better, financially and on the court", Dumars said. Hov was really enjoying his step into the NBA spot light and is looking forward to a great season with the Pistons. As a Knicks GM Hov went to a 7-22 record but managed to finalize a deal that helped the Knicks to get rid of Steve Francis. With the Atlanta Hawks Hov only remained a half season which began promising. With the Clippers Hov never really got on the right track and also ended his job before the end of the season. "But with this Pistons roster", he thinks, "We can really have a shot at the title after four long years"

[buzzy]

Nice stuff so far, you know I'm definitely looking forward to it!

[The X]

Yep, Pistons probably got a lot more fun to play with. Let's hope Stuckey can win 6th man of the year

[Seraph]

So far the readinf is really interesting, I will keep an eye, though Im not a big Piston fan

[hova-]

Pistons add four to their preseason roster
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)



The Detroit Pistons today announced the addition of four player to their trainingscamp/preseason roster. Jamal Sampson, Dwayne Jones, Derrick Byars and Adrian Griffin will take part in their preparation for the 08/09 season. "We know that we still have to add players to our roster to stay competitive in such a long, tough season. You know, the East is tough. We need everybody at 100% and thus we have to get more depth to our roster", Chris Hov, newly acquired General Manager of the Pistons said. The pickups of the Pistons are two C-PFs since Detroit lost depth in the post with Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb being involved into the AI-Billups blockbuster. The other additions, two SGs namely Adrian Griffin and Derrick Byars shall help to give more breaks to Rip Hamilton who is the only pure two-guard on the Pistons roster.

Griffin went undrafted after leaving Seton Hall University in 1996, and began his NBA career in 1999-2000 with the Boston Celtics, having spent the previous three years in Italy (playing 8 games for Cordivari Roseto from July to October 1998) and the CBA. He has played for the Rockets, Mavericks Bulls, Sonics and Bucks so far in his career.

In his senior season at Vanderbilt (2006-07), Byars was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by the league's coaches, who also unanimously selected him to their All-SEC first team. Byars was chosen 42nd overall in the 2007 NBA Draft in the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers. His rights were then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers but he was not signed.

Jones was signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves on August 26, 2005, as an undrafted rookie free agent. He would be assigned to the NBA Development League's Florida Flame on November 4, 2005. He later was traded to Boston and ended up playing for the Cavaliers. In his first full season as an NBA player, Jones averaged 1 point and 2 rebounds in 56 games during 2007-08, plus 5 postseason contests.

Sampson attended the University of California, Berkeley, playing only one season, and was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round (47th overall) in the 2002 NBA Draft, and was traded to the Orlando Magic. The Magic then traded Sampson to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was later selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the expansion draft in 2004, and signed as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings in 2005-2006. On July 28, 2006, Sampson signed with the Denver Nuggets.

So the Pistons' Preseason roster goes like this:



Further the Pistons announced three preseason games for October:

Oct. 12th Detroit Pistons @ Boston Celtics

Oct. 14th Cleveland Cavaliers @ Detroit Pistons

Oct. 18th New York Knicks @ Detroit Pistons


thx guys for showin some love

X, about Stuckey, I am still not too sure about my starting five, but maybe Maxiell will be my sixth man just because my Bigs need more rest than Iverson or Hamilton. So I should not give Stuckey the hope to play too much.

[Fresh8]

Nice article. One thing dude, I think you should play Stuckey. He's good! However, you might want to do what the real life Pistons might do and make Rip your sixth man?

Also, just because it's semi-related to this, I played my brother with the Pistons. AI had 32 and 10 and Rip had 22... we lost to his Rockets by 6 but it was really fun to play with AI on Detroit.

[[LAKERS4EVER]]

hova-, Ja man Augsburg Jung' oder???? Willkommen Bruder!! Ich bin auch aus Augsburg, schreib nur München hin weil das die meisten kennen... Naja, würdest du vll. ein paar Pics reinstellen??? nicht viele, zwei drei Stück, nicht mehr....

[hova-]

Fresh, Yeah Ive been playing a bit in tutorial mode and noticed that Stuckey is really good. Suprisingly I can hit shots with him better than I do with AI. Rip coming off the bench is a nice idea, but Im not too sure if he might be comfortable with it. I am still rolling up my mind what rotation I play with. thx for your interest

[LAKERS4EVER], naja ich mach schon noch pics, aber ich spiel ja auf ps3. Mal sehn wie ichs handhabe. Thx for your interest

[hova-]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)

Today we had a look at the Pistons training camp media day. The main focus of the media was clearly on new acquired superstar Allen Iverson and on the new head coach Michael Curry. Aside of those two guys there were only well known faces on the 2nd day of the Pistons training camp. But who was this one guy with this wildly knotted tie standing in the corner throwing his main focus on the players working out and not the ones standing between the flashy lights of the media or among the five dozen of reporters. An assistant coach who tries to look serious? Or maybe a player agent? This must be an agent ... man those guys look so sleazy. No, it is the new General Manager of the Pistons, Chris Hov. Despite having assistant coaches and scouts all around Hov likes to take care of the team on his own. "It is said that he is more like Curry's assistant, he has always been keen on having influence on the coach and his decisions", a Detroit Newspaper reporter says. And he is not so wrong, Hov really is known for his impact on the team's rotations. He might have had an eye on his four trainings camp additions Dwayne Jones, Adrian Griffin, Jamal Sampson and Derrick Byars.



But he also tries to find out who has improved, who is in shape, who needs to get better this season. The Pistons will only have three preseason games to find a rotation. Tayshaun Prince (Olympic Games rest), and Rasheed Wallace (bad shape/rest) will not play in the first two of these games. Can the Pistons really find a rhythm? According to Hov they can. "We just will not change many things. We do not need to find ourselves since we only have to get Allen integrated. There won't be any changes in our starting five." Still Hov showed many love for Rodney Stuckey just like Michael Curry does. He may see huge minutes of the bench. Same goes for Jason Maxiell who shall try to give Rasheed Wallace some minutes to rest. This also means that former number one pick Kwame Brown will start at the center spot for the Pistons. "He has been convincing so far, this time he really wants to proove himself. We give him a chance and he knows he has to use it", Hov said.



He did not talk about any further signings but decisions about the unsigned trainings camp additions will be awaited after the preseason, which starts with tomorrows game against the Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston. So far stay tuned on Inside the Pistons as we will breakdown the Pistons roster when the final cuts are made after the preseason


No sweet pics, my own TV sucks (my parents have HD -.-) and I used my cell phone cam ^^ but I will take season ingame screens via screenshot.

[Fresh8]

Nice recap man! Loving it! And at least u got pictures I used my mobile to take mine

[hova-]

Celtics spoil Pistons in first test run
Pistons 70, Celtics 85


Oct. 12th, Boston (AP) - Celtics win defensive-minded game behind 15 points and 16 rebounds from Kevin Garnett.

It was a typical preseason game night in the TD Banknorth Garden. A game dominated by heavy rotation and tactical corrections, some tweaking here some fine-tuning there. Thus it was not suprising that the Celtics and the Pistons combined for a inacceptable .37% from the field and .27% from the three point line. While the Pistons gave a rest to their two veteran starters Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince, the Celtics brought their best players on the court and took the early lead in the first quarter with Ray Allen scoring 8 points.
The Pistons were able to comeback but showed some deficites on the glass, especially allowing the Celtics too many 2nd chance points. "That is what happens if you do not box out properly. We surely missed (Wallace) and (Prince) on those defensive boards but that is no excuse right about now", an irate Michael Curry said afterwards while glancing on the stats sheet.
The Pistons were outrebounded 35-50 allowing the Celtics to grab 15 offensive rebounds. Subtracting Dwayne Jones' 11 boards the other 11 Pistons only managed to grab 24 boards. Kedrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett combined for 30(!). But despite allowing those 2nd chance buckets the Pistons were always able to keep the margin to about 5 points until the 4th quarter. Credits for that mainly go to preseason addition Derrick Byars who scored 17 points on a 7 of 9 shooting, and newly acquired Allen Iverson, who tried his best to fight the Celtics scoring a game-high 19 points but also needed 18 shots (6-18). But in the 4th quarter Kevin Garnett scoring 8 points and nice defense sealed the deal for Boston.
The Pistons had no player playing less than 13 minutes while the Celtics had their well known rotation from last year.
The Pistons will play their next preseason game in two days hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James.

Key Stats

Allen Iverson: 19pts, 6-18FG, 3-4 3PT, 4ast, 2st
Derrick Byars: 17pts in 14min, 7-9 FG, 1-2 3PT
Rip Hamilton: 13pts, 6-19, 1-6 3T
Dwayne Jones: 17 mins, 11rbs, 1bl
Rodney Stuckey: 10pts, 2ast, 4-6FG

Ray Allen: 19pts, 6rbs, 2ast, 7-25FG, 3-10 3PT
Kevin Garnett: 15pts, 7-13 FG, 16rbs, 2bl
Paul Pierce: 13pts, 3-18FG, 5-6FT
Kedrick Perkins: 12pts, 14rbs, 6-12FG, 3bl
Rajon Rondo, 6pts, 7ast, 0-3FG


thx for your interest Fresh
I may do better recaps for the regular season but I think for preseason this ones okay

[Sam The Man]

You should play the players you feel most uncomfortable with the most minutes in preseason, so you get a feel for their shot and game types. Its good to have a championship contender association instead of most of these rebuilding teams.
Stuckey is a really good driver and scorer in the game, and has the potential to be a poor man's Wade, he should defiantly see over 20 minutes per game.

[Fresh8]

Good recap dude. AI did not shoot very well for Detroit though...

[Seraph]

Good recap of the pre-season, I hope the season start better for you

[cocobee]

Looks like Iverson is leading the team in scoring but they are losing? Kind of like real life Pistons.

[The X]

Good recap dude. AI did not shoot very well for Detroit though...

just like the real life AI

[Fresh8]

My thoughts exactly X

[hova-]

Good recap dude. AI did not shoot very well for Detroit though...

Well he got blocked about three times. I still overrate his slashing a bit. 3-4 from downtown was nice though.

Looks like Iverson is leading the team in scoring but they are losing? Kind of like real life Pistons. Mr. Green

Yes, but I am not planning to get Iverson more shots than Rip or Sheed. Hes more an equal player than hes ever been so far in his career at least in my dynasty

Good recap of the pre-season, I hope the season start better for you

Thank you, well I have to preseason games left against the Cavs and the Knicks. I hope I can do better then.

thx for your interest guys

[hova-]

Rip, AI lift Pistons past Cavs
Cavaliers 83, Pistons 90


Oct. 14th, Detroit (AP) - Allen Iverson and Rip Hamilton combined for 45 points in Tuesday's overtime win.

Second preseason game for the Pistons and home debut for Allen Iverson as Detroit hosted Cleveland. Detroit was off to a slow start and had a tough time defending the Cavs inside. JJ Hickson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas managed to make some damage scoring 10 points. The Pistons never found their rhythm on offense but managed to defend better later in the first and thus only fell behind by 1.
In the second quarter the Cavaliers played atrocious defense. Led by Ilgauskas who swatted two shots the Cavs kept the still Prince- and Wallace-less Pistons scoreless on four consecutive possesions. They built their lead to seven at the half.
After halftime the Pistons' offense started rolling for the first time in the preseason. Allen Iverson showed his court vision and Rip Hamilton his classic midrange game and both harmonated very well with Hamilton coming of screens. "This is what we want to see. (Iverson) sharing the ball finding our potent scorer we simply have. We gave a lot of minutes to both tonight to see how they come along, it was a good first step", Coach Curry said. But the Cavs still were able to score especially with Delonte West who shot 3-5 from downtown. Furthermore they managed to keep their turnovers cut (only 5 TO in the game) and LeBron kept everybody involved since he could not find his shot all game long. Leading with 9 the Cavs started the 4th quarter with James' first of two threes in the game. But the Pistons were simply on fire answering back with 5 threes in the 4th, two by Hamilton (who was 3-3 from 3pt), two by AI and one by Walter Herrmann who showed his touch with a shot from way downtown.
With 14 seconds left the Pistons had overtaken a 2-point lead. The Cavs took a timeout and gave the ball to LeBron on the top of the key. His 16 footer was off but Big Z luckily grabbed the board and made the putback lay in with 3 seconds left. AI could not hit the buzzer beater and the game went to OT. But the Pistons had gained momentum and with 5 points from Rip they achieved their first preseason victory. Next and last preseason game will be in two days at the Palace against the new formed Knicks.

Detroit 18 12 21 27 12 90 - - - .40% FG .47% 3PT .88% FT
Cleveland 19 18 23 18 5 83 - - - .37% FG 5 TO

Key Stats

Rip Hamilton: 23pts, 11 rbs, 9-22 FG, 3-3 3PT
Allen Iverson: 22pts, 8ast, 6-17 FG, 3-5 3PT, 7-8FT
Rodney Stuckey: 8pts, 5 ast, 15 mins
Kwame Brown: 4pts, 9rbs
Dwayne Jones: 5rbs, 2bls

LeBron James: 19pts, 10rbs, 4ast, 5-16FG
Delonte West: 15pts, 6-20FG, 3-5 3PT
Boobie Gibson: 11pts
Ben Wallace: 11pts
Maurice Williams: 10pts

[Chabalaba]

Nice job limiting James to only 5-16 shooting. What is your starting line-up?

[hova-]

Pistons blow out Knicks at home
Knicks 56, Pistons 104


Oct. 16th, Detroit (AP) - Detroit demolates struggling Knicks with a 48 point win at the Palace

Third and last preseason game for the Detroit Pistons and this time they totally lost consciousness beating the New York Knicks by a huge margin of 48 points. The Knicks could not find their shooting touch all game long and totally deserved this devastating loss, also because they showed no signs of fighting spirit."It is always tough to take such a blow, but this was the right time to take the hit, we need to stand up now and analyse what we can do better, especially on defense. But I cannot understand why we did not show the right effort today.", Coach Mike D'Anton said after the game. The Knicks shot only 27% in the game and only scored 8 points in the 2nd quarter after keeping it close in the first with 18-25. Allen Iverson and Rip Hamilton once again did their best to keep Detroits offense fluing, but the surely profited from the first preseason game of Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince. Wallace, often berated for his finesse game was unstoppable in the 2nd quarter scoring 8 of his 14 points and 6 in a row on post fadeaways. Prince showed his versatility which makes him so important for the Pistons."It's something you don't know before you come here. You hear it in the media sometimes, maybe. But you can't believe it .. (Prince) is the MVP of this Pistons team. It did not took me long to notice that.", Allen Iverson said, maybe a bit too enthusiastic. But giving the ball to Tayshaun is never wrong, he once again showed it. The Pistons gave a lot of time to their bench after leading by 20 at the end of the 2nd. Amir Johnson showed great effort scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Rodney Stuckey added 14 while Jason Maxiell grabbed 8 boards.
The Pistons will have their first game of the season @LA meeting the new formed Clippers.

The Pistons also made official that none of the four training camp additions will be signed for the 08-09 campaign. Many expected at least another big man signing but the Pistons and C-F Dwyane Jones could not agree on a deal which in the end failed because of financial issues.



Key Stats

Amir Johnson: 16pts, 12 rbs
Allen Iverson: 13 pts, 6 ast, 5-13 FG
Tayshaun Prince: 19pts, 6rbs
Kwame Brown: 2pts, 9rbs
Rasheed Wallace: 14 pts, 3bl

David Lee: 8pts, 10rbs
Quentin Richardson: 8pts, 1-6 3PT



I am currently playing with this lineup

C Brown
PF Sheed
SF Prince
SG Hamilton
PG AI

[Rta]

so far nice man..

[cocobee]

it looks like AI is fitting in well, just like in real life.

[hova-]

After three games games for preseasonal issues the Detroit Pistons are now looking forward to a highly anticipated 29 game NBA season. The regular season has been released and and will send the Pistons to L.A. for their first game visiting the Clippers. They will then head back to Detroit for three consecutive games before playing @Milwaukee and @Houston:


Nov. 8th - DET @ LAC
Nov. 17th - MIN @ DET
Nov. 21st - CHA @ DET
Nov. 26th - MIA @ DET
Nov. 27th - DET @ MIL
Nov. 30th - DET @ HOU

The Pistons also made their own announcem
ent of the roster for the 08-09 campaign as they did not sign any new player during preseason and summerleague and thus go into the season with the following roster. Take a look at the INSIDE THE PISTONS breakdown below for further information of your favourite players.






Center

Kwame Brown
Kwame Brown is supposed to be the starting center of the 08-09 Pistons. He does not need a lot of touches and tries to do his work on the boards. He will surely try to give his best since he is in a contract year (with a player option for a further year). Brown needs to show more effort to survive in Detroit. His ups are his rebounding and his ability to score near the basket. Coach Curry and GM Hov do not expect Brown to score much. Could loose his spot as a starter if he does not perform right but he benefits from the fact that he is the only "real" C on the Pistons roster.

Power Forward

Rasheed Wallace
Another Pistons' starter in a contract year. Sheeds contract expires after the season and neither the Pistons nor Wallace have showen any intentions to talk about his future. Wallace will try to give his best to get on a championship team next season if the Pistons will not win it all. Sheed has made himself a name as a streaky shooter from everywhere on the court (Remember this one?) and a nice low post threat but has shown signs of decline on D and on the boards. Still he is very useful for this team and should see huge minutes when needed.

Jason Maxiell
Jason Maxiell has just signed a contract which keeps him on the Pistons team for another 5 years after showing great effort as an energizer off the bench. He will remain a bench player and is the Pistons sixth man for this year in case that Kwame performs right. Maxiell is the focus of the Pistons coaching staff since he has still lot of room for improvement especially on offense. His power and athleticism allow him to play above the rim but he still has to learn a finesse game on offense. Has a nice timing on blocking shot and is a good post defender.

Amir Johnson
Amir Johnson is the youngest player on the Pistons squad although he is in the league for three years now. Being a "D-leaguer" for his first two years Johnson has improved a lot and is expected to see nice time off the bench for the Pistons. His athleticism, rebounding and inside scoring is getting better and better. He is the perfect bench player to bring energy into the game. His contract runs for the next two years and the Pistons are quite pleased with his progress.

Walter Sharpe
Actually listed as Small Forward the Pistons plan to bring Walter Sharpe as a Power Forward. His explosiveness and aggressiveness make it possible and his outside game is his biggest weakness. He is nice to watch, can dunk the ball and jump high but as a rookie he should not expect too many minutes. A talent that needs to assert or he won't be resigned after the 2009-2010 season.

Small Forward

Tayshaun Prince
Prince is the sould of the Pistons team next to his buddy Rip Hamilton. Going into his 7th year with the Pistons Prince should once again deliver a solid season and see many minutes. His shot, his discipline, his defense is everything the Pistons needs. And time to time he can get unstoppable on offense and help winning close games. Has a contract until 2011 and has a secured future in Detroit. Tay is Detroit.

Walter Herrmann
Next Piston in a contract year, but maybe the cheapest. The Argentinian Goldmedalist Walter Herrmann is only getting 740k this season but is more important off the bench than his salary lets you assume. Herrmann is a deadly mid-range and three-point shooter and also knows how to rebound. He is quite experienced for a third-year player (aged 29) and will play for a new contract and he would love to play for the Pistons.

Shooting Guard

Rip Hamilton
Another constant next to Tayshaun Prince, Hamilton is giving his best for Detroit for six years now. Known as the best mid-range shooter in the NBA he will again have an impact by running around screens and hitting 18 footers as well as going to the basket playing hard and good team D. Hamilton has two years left on the contract and it would be a shame to see him leaving anytime thus the Pistons and Rip have already agreed orally to to stay together when his contract expires. Rip will start at shooting guard and see a lot of minutes due to his nice stamina. Expect him to be the top scorer on this balance team many times.


Arron Afflalo
Arron Afflalo has just been team-optioned by the Pistons throughout the 2010 season and is definitely a player for the future of Detroit basketball. His perimetre D and his athleticism make him a tough defender and allow him to go to the hoop. He will work hard this season to see more minutes as the SG backup but he has to improve his offense. Still the Pistons will try everything to improve this guy since he has shown the right attitude as a rookie.


Alex Acker
Acker is an offseason signing to boost the thin SG spot of the Pistons. He showed in the Euro League that he can play especially on offense and if Afflalo does not deliver Acker will get his chance as a SG backup. As he want to remain in the NBA and is in a contract year Acker will do everything to get some love from the Pistons. But will he get enough minutes?


Point Guard

Allen Iverson
Oh yes, they did it. Allen Iverson is listed as a Point Guard in Detroit. He has shown throughout his career that he can handle the point despite taking many shots. The Pistons have a well-balanced attack and thus AI does not need to shoot the lights out every night. With Prince, Wallace and Hamilton he has a lot of firepower next to him and can try to distribute the ball more than ever before in his career. Oh and I totally forgot. AI is the next Piston in a contract year. His 21mill$ salary will be off the books next year and the Pistons have not made any statement on keeping AI or not. He hasn't , too. Looks like both parties want to see how it works out. AI will get enough minutes to do so, for sure.

Rodney Stuckey
The Pistons pulled their option on Rodney Stuckey which keeps him in Detroit for three years and it is clear that they want Stuckey to improve and take over Detroit. But he will have to wait at least another year since he has AI in front of him in the backcourt. Stuckey has a nice body, is quick and can handle the ball as well as pass it. He still needs to work on his shaky jumper and on his defense though. The Pistons will give their best to make Stuckey better and better. He has the future in Detroit and should see nice playing time even this year.

Will Bynum
Another addition from the Euro League. Will Bynum has shown that he is a good scorer but he is not a good distributor. The Pistons gave him a one year 700k$ contract to boost their backcourt. But don't expect him to be resigned or even playing!



So hey guys I hope you like my lil breakdown before the season. I am looking forward to face the Clipps. So I have a lil prediction game. You should post my November record. Right tendency will give you one point. Completely right will give you 3 points. Wrong is wrong, zero here. The best 5 will be in the draft as lottery picks. Feel free to post your record prediciton.(6 games) Thax for your interest.