Jennings says it would be 'embarrassing' if the Pistons miss the playoffs

As the Detroit Pistons keep finding ways to lose games they find themselves in a very dangerous position. Miss the playoffs and also lose their top 8 protected draft pick in what is being called a loaded draft. Or they can come on down the stretch, make the playoffs and be cannon fodder for the Miami Heat or Indiana Pacers.

Right now the Pistons are 23-35 and are sitting 3 1/2 games behind the free falling Atlanta Hawks for the East's final playoff spot.

On paper the Pistons were thought of as playoff contenders after adding Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith in free agency and rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the draft. Things seemed to be looking up and it looked like the Pistons would end their four year playoff drought. Instead the Pistons have found ways to blow fourth quarter leads and piled up some head scratching losses which resulted in Maurice Cheeks being fired.

Jennings, who was brought in to help change the Pistons' fortunes says that it'll be "embarrassing" if the Pistons miss the playoffs.

"With everything going on, you know, it's kind of like now we keep slipping out of the playoff race, and you get a little worried," Jennings said.  "We've only got, what, 20-something games left?  So time is ticking, man.  We keep talking about we want to take the next step and turn the corner, but we keep giving up games and losing games, it's going to get real tough."

"If we don't make the playoffs, it'll be very disappointing," Jennings said.  "It'll be very disappointing and kind of embarrassing, the fact that with myself coming over here, and Josh coming over here, and us making these moves, and we don't get it done -- it's going to be real disappointing.

"We've still got time.  But it's not going to be easy.  I'll tell you that much, it's not going to be easy.  We've definitely got to start making our push.  And it's got to be tomorrow if we want to get there, because other teams keep losing and we just keep slipping."

To be honest I don't think it would do any god for the team to make the playoffs at this point. I wouldn't be convinced that it would unless they went on a massive winning streak. I hate to say it but the team might be better off  trying to save the draft pick and hope to land in the top 8 of the draft. If that doesn't happen it could result in a roster shakeup in the offseason.




 

Rodman: 'I'm not an an alcoholic'

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman recently checked himself into an alcohol-rehabilitation center, but according to Rodman it wasn't for alcoholism.

Rodman says he entered rehab to reevaluate his life, not to give up drinking. Rodman says he's not an alcoholic.

“I needed to decompress from all the things I was going through,” Rodman said Friday by phone from Miami. “I was trying to get this game going and get everything going in North Korea.

“I don’t need to drink,” Rodman said. “I don’t need to do anything. I went to rehab just to sort things out. That’s it.”

My school of thought was that if you went to a treatment center that you had a problem with what you went in for. That just doesn't apply on Rodman's world.

“I’m not an alcoholic,” he said. “An alcoholic drinks seven days a week. I don’t drink seven days a week. When I drink, I don’t hurt nobody, I don’t have no DUIs, nothing like that.

“I didn’t go to rehab for drinking. There aren’t too many people who quit drinking going to rehab. Not too many people can do that.” 

Rodman said he will return to the rehab center every six months "to see where I'm at."

Maybe Dennis doesn't drink seven days a week but I'm pretty sure that he drinks more than the average person in three days than they do in seven. Rodman needs to recognize he has a problem, but knowing him it'll never happen.
  

Charles Barkley says the Pistons 'have a bunch of idiots' on the team

While watching Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond participate in the NBA Rising Stars challenge, a game in which Drummond won MVP honors, TNT's Charles Barkley took time to rip his Pistons teammates.

Barkley said the Pistons 'had a bunch of idiots on that team' when he spoke about the Pistons.

“He’s a terrific player who’s playing with those other idiots up in Detroit. And they’re not going to win,” Barkley said.

When the rest of the “NBA on TNT” panel, including Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith, questioned that statement, Barkley continued: “They’ve got some idiots on that team. They’ve got some talented players who are not going to ever get it.”

In my opinion that was a shot to Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith. While the duo is talented they still possess the knucklehead factor and aren't winning players. The team lacks cohesion which is displayed when the team has many of it's 4th quarter collapses.

Barkley's talking about the lack of team play,"buddy ball in the back court", and no leadership on and off court. He's right this team doesn't understand good shots and mental toughness. Making the playoffs would help teach about possessions and finishing games.

Coaches that should be candidates for the Detroit Pistons head coaching job

Maurice Cheeks was surprisingly fired as coach of the Detroit Pistons on Sunday after 50 games. Cheeks was 21-29 and was replaced by assistant John Loyer on an interim basis for the rest of the season.

Even though Loyer is auditioning for the job himself it's doubtful that he'll land the job permanently. The job won't be filled until the off-season and here are a list of candidates that should be in play to be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons.

Lionel Hollins- Hollins is the hot name right now for the job right now. He led the Memphis Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals last season with a roster that was similar to what the Pistons have now. Hollins has expressed interest in the Pistons and is the odds on favorite to land in Detroit.

Bill Laimbeer- Laimbeer is the fan favorite based on his playing days with the Pistons. The problem is that Laimbeer's coaching experience is limited to the WNBA and one year on the sidelines with the Minnesota Timberwolves. If Laimbeer coached the Pistons, I could see a fight breaking out with one of the players, but he could make the Pistons interesting.

George Karl- Karl has won everywhere he's been. Karl has also worn out his welcome everywhere he's been. He was the coach of the year last season and has led five different teams to the playoffs. I don't think the Pistons have a roster for Karl's preferred style of play.

Jeff Van Gundy- It's a long shot, but when your in the position the Pistons are in it's worth a try. I don't see Van Gundy leaving ABC anytime soon. He seems too comfortable next to Mike Breen.

Phil Jackson- This is an absolute pipe dream. Only if Tom Gores gave him part ownership, a star player and a boatload of cash.

Stan Van Gundy- I think Stan is comfortable in semi retirement. He could come back if the right team came calling. He's never had a losing record.

Nate McMillan- The former Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics coach interviewed three times during the Pistons’ last coaching search, when the job went to Cheeks. He’s now an assistant with the Indiana Pacers.  

Former NBA star, Clifford Robinson, to appear on 'Survivor'

Former NBA forward Cliff Robinson will be on the upcoming season of reality series Survivor.
On Wednesday, CBS announced Robinson would be a cast member of Survivor: Cagayan, which premieres Feb. 26.

“It’s a challenge to come out here and see if I can one, play the game, and maneuver through the game at 6-10,” Robinson said in a bio video for the show.

The 46-year-old Robinson, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and was named an All-Star in 1994, cited his reason for being on “Survivor” on his bio: “The challenge of the show being so tough, and the million dollars.” And why does he think he’ll win? “I think I would do well in challenges. I also have a good ability to make people feel comfortable with me.”

Robinson played 1,380 games in the NBA with the Portland Trailblazers, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, and Golden State Warriors, averaging 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Washington Wizards possibly interested in Pistons' Greg Monroe

The Washington Wizards are reportedly interested in acquiring Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe.  Washington plans to pursue the big man in either free agency or before the NBA trade deadline, Alex Kennedy of BasketballInsiders.com reports.

With Detroit sitting with a 17-24 record, the team may look ahead to the future and entertain trade offers for Monroe.

"One player who has been mentioned in trade rumors throughout this season is Greg Monroe, the young power forward who will be a restricted free agent this offseason since he couldn't agree on an extension with the Pistons," Kennedy wrote on Monday.  "...It's possible that Detroit moves the valuable Monroe to upgrade another position and slide (Josh) Smith over to power forward.     

"One team is interested in Monroe is the Washington Wizards, according to multiple league sources.  It's becoming clear that Washington is planning to pursue (Monroe), either through trade or free agency."

Kennedy added, "How the team performs in the coming weeks could determine what the (Pistons') front office does next, similar to what's occurring with the Toronto Raptors right now."

The frontcourt of Monroe, Smith and Drummond hasn't worked out as expected when Detroit made Smith their big free agent signing in the summer.  Trading Monroe would net Detroit assets — picks, young talent or expiring contracts — to use in the future.

Although Washington has only $43.1 million on the books for next season, the team is expected to re-sign Trevor Ariza and Marcin Gortat when their contracts expire in July.

Nene currently starts at the 4-spot for Washington and is under contract through 2016, but he's struggled staying healthy throughout his career.

Monroe, the 2010 No. 7 overall draft pick, is averaging 14.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

If I'm Joe Dumars I make the deal if I can get another team involved or get the Wizards to give up Otto Porter or Bradley Beal and I don't see the Wizards giving up Beal.

The Pistons are desperate for a bonafide wing scorer and peddling Monroe might be the only way the team can get one, but the problem is that Dumars has a tendency to overvalue his players and I can see him holding on to Monroe.

Is the Josh Smith-Maurice Cheeks relationship on thin ice?

The Detroit Pistons caught a 106-82 beatdown at the hands of the Washington Wizards last night. The team as a whole didn't play well. As a result coach Maurice Cheeks benched rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and big money acquisition Josh Smith.

While the benching of Caldwell-Pope may have gone unnoticed, the benching of Smith made a lot of noise. This was the second time this season that Cheeks has sent Smith to the sidelines for a perceived lack of effort.

Cheeks benched three of the starting five after halftime of last night's game. Cheeks admitted that he would've benched the entire stating five.

He admitted he would have liked to bench the entire starting five to begin the second half.”If I could have, yeah,” Cheeks said, when asked that question.  “The way the first half went, yeah.  But the way the first half went, I really couldn't.”

“I just felt I wanted to make a change and stay with the guys I went with,” Cheeks said. “It wasn’t just those two, they had bigs on the floor, so I had to stay with Greg (Monroe) and Andre (Drummond).”


Caldwell-Pope took the benching in stride, but was that a ploy to make it look like Cheeks wasn't singling Smith out? No one knows except the players and coaches in the locker room, but Smith didn't like the fact he was sent to the bench once again.

“I live to play this basketball game,” Smith said in the Verizon Center visitor’s locker room. “It’s an honor for me to play it. When anybody challenges or anything about the fact about me not wanting to play I take real offense to it.

“Whatever decision that somebody makes beyond my control I can’t control it. It’s a question you have to ask somebody that has that power.”  

“I mean it’s unfair because as I told you before I play this game hard each and every day,” Smith said. “When I younger I would play this game for free year round. This is what I love to do so why wouldn’t I want to come out here and try to put my best foot forward every time I step out on the court.”

Cheeks won't admit to saying that he wasn't pleased with Smith's performance but that's what it looked like if you ask me. Smith scored four points, shooting 2-7 from the field and grabbed four rebounds. Not what you want out of a player you signed to a $54 million contract.

Cheeks is right, this game wasn't about Josh Smith. This was a total team effort. But the rift between Smith and Cheeks bears watching. If Smith is in one of his floating, "I don't give a damn" moods like we've seen when he played in Atlanta, this could sink a season in which the Pistons can gain a little ground in a hobbled Eastern Conference.

This isn't a consistent team and if Cheeks is looking for consistency maybe he should stick with his big guns a little longer. If they can't get the job done it's his job to find the right combination. He shouldn't try to make an example out of one or two players. Caldwell-Pope maybe, Smith I'm about 50/50 because I've seen his act in Atlanta.

Smith says he doesn't hold grudges but we'll have to see how he comes out and plays in Monday's rematch against the Wizards.

“I don’t know. To me it’s over with, but some people hold grudges longer than others. I’m not saying he does,” Smith said. “I’m not the type of person that really likes to go into the coach’s office and have sit-downs. I’m more of a team-morale guy, what we can do as far as teammates are concerned to make ourselves better.”

If Smith decides to be a bigger man then he'll come out and have a performance like the one he had against the Indiana Pacers. If not then the season could be on the verge of blowing up.

Brandon Jennings says he has no confidence in his shot

As a NBA player you have to exhibit confidence. If you don't the game will eat you up.

Detroit Pistons point guard Brandon Jennings has always been a confident player but has struggled with the game recently. It's to the point where Jennings says he has no confidence in his shot.

“I’m just going to tell it like it is,” Jennings said. “I think that’s why my shot isn’t where it is right now,” he said. “I don’t have any confidence in my shot right now. That’s the reason I’m missing, because there’s just no confidence there.”

Jennings went 4-16 in Friday night's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He missed four three pointers and committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter.

“I feel like I’m just shooting when people are telling me it’s time for me to shoot,” he said. “I gotta want to shoot. I’m so into passing that I kind of forget I can score sometimes.

“My confidence level isn’t high.”

Here's a solution for Jennings. Help the team in other areas of the game, like on defense. The Pistons could definitely use an improved effort.

It's still early in the season and at some point Jennings will get his groove back. He never was the best shooter in the game so it doesn't surprise me when he has moments of being an inefficient chucker.

He needs to get his head back in the game because the Pistons really need him to put forth his best effort.

Rasheed Wallace fails to pay unpaid taxes

Rasheed Wallace owes an Oregon county more than $150,000 in unpaid property taxes. Multnomah County is still trying to collect money on a house Wallace owns in the Portland area.

Wallace's wife tried to make a $35,000 payment online but when the county tried to collect the money it was told the account is not valid.

That means Wallace is still on the hook for the roughly $150,000 property tax bill, plus a 16 percent penalty for not paying on time.

Dave Austin with Multnomah County told KGW as a result, a $25 returned check fee will be added to the $150,000 bill.

Wallace is a former Portland Trail Blazer who is now an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons.

Pistons' Josh Smith says he isn't upset about benching during loss to Golden State

Detroit Pistons forward Josh Smith says he was not upset at his noticeable lack of playing time in Tuesday's loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Smith, who signed a $54 million deal to join the Pistons in the offseason, scored just two points in a season-low 19 minutes Tuesday. But Smith insisted he did not take the benching personally.

Josh Smith played a season-low 19 minutes in the Pistons' 113-95 loss Tuesday at Golden State.

"I just got to cheer my teammates on," Smith told reporters, according to the Detroit Free Press. "You can't really focus on the decisions that people make higher than you. You just have to be able to adjust around it.

"As long as I've been in this league, that's what I've been willing to do."

Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks said he was disappointed in the team's effort against the Warriors, who raced out to a 35-16 lead after the first quarter and led by as many as 29 points.

Smith was subbed out with 1:39 remaining in the first quarter and did not return until midway through the third quarter. But Cheeks said he was not trying to deliver a message to the high-priced forward.

"It's about trying to change some things up," Cheeks said, according to the Free Press. "It wasn't about sending a message; just trying to change some things up to see if we could get some things going."

When asked whether his lack of playing time was meant to send a message, Smith told the website mlive.com, "You never know."

"You can't really let it affect your thought process," Smith told the website. "You just have to roll with the punches.

"I'm not a selfish player, so I'm not going to go in there and demand plays be ran for me. I just kind of look around and see what in the game is being forced my way, or given my way, and just work my way around it."

Despite his low output Tuesday, Smith has averaged 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the Pistons (2-5), who are mired in a four-game losing streak.

"I think I can be effective offensively but, you know, it might be somebody else's night," he told the website. "You never know what it is. Like I said, I can't focus on things that I can't control."

Is Chris Webber a Hall of Famer?

The Basketball Hall of Fame debate seemed to start earlier this summer, when a couple of former superstars who had brief stints with the Detroit Pistons ended their careers: Allen Iverson (reportedly) and Tracy McGrady.

An ESPN writer has added one more name to the debate, and not only is he someone who’s eligible for voting next year, but he’s someone we watched grow up, literally.

The person under grantland.com scribe Zach Lowe’s microscope is Chris Webber. The former Mr. Basketball/Fab Five star/No. 1 overall pick/ex-Piston (again, briefly) was, and still is, a divisive character. In fact, Lowe alludes to this, but mostly crunches the numbers to say C-Webb is a Hall of Famer.

“Here is the total list of players who piled up at least 17,000 points and 8,000 rebounds, while averaging at least four assists per game with a career PER (player efficiency rating) above 20: Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Bird and Webber. There's some unfair cherry-picking there, since Webber barely exceeds all those thresholds. But cutting the criteria still produces a ridiculously elite list of just 11 guys, all current or future Hall of Famers — plus Webber.”

Lowe goes on to concede that Webber’s shortcomings include his lack of a world championship — though he was the best player on those early-2000s Sacramento Kings that nearly knocked off the Lakers. And he mentioned, more in passing, his short, yet dazzling, culturally impactful and tainted college career as a Wolverine.

Also presented in Webber’s case file was the fact that his numbers tended to decline a bit in the playoffs. But much of Lowe’s argument hinges on Webber’s talent level, especially as a passer.

If you haven’t yet, read Lowe’s analysis and his 17 stray thoughts, mostly on his NBA career. And no, none of his half of season in 2007 with the Pistons, where he averaged 11.3 points and 6.7 assists on a bad knee factor into this Hall of Fame equation.

Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks cleared after police investigate dispute

Detroit Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks was cleared of any wrongdoing after Birmingham police were called to investigate a dispute.

Officers say they were called to an address along Woodward Avenue late Friday night after someone inside called police.Cheeks was never arrested or booked, but was brought into the police station for questioning and later released.

Police have said they have sent the results of their investigation to the prosecutor for review.

Let's just hope that this isn't any kind of domestic abuse.

Pistons still showing interest in Rajon Rondo

Despite the fact that the Detroit Pistons have recently traded for point guard Brandon Jennings, reports are that the team still hasn't cooled on Boston Celtics point man Rajon Rondo.

From Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:  Just because the Pistons acquired Brandon Jennings in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bucks doesn’t mean they’ve lost interest in Rajon Rondo. In fact, they could eventually use Jennings as a trade chip and seek to acquire Rondo. There are going to be several interested parties in Rondo, and that number could increase when he shows he’s fully recovered from anterior cruciate ligament surgery .

It appears that Joe Dumars is happy with the acquisition of Jennings but if he can find a way to pry Rondo out of Boston he'll do it in a heartbeat.

The only way this happens is if Rondo gets so disenchanted with the losing in Boston that he becomes a force so detrimental to the team that he has to be traded. Also Jennings would have to be the same player he was in Milwaukee, clash with head coach Maurice Cheeks and ruin the Pistons' chance at a playoff spot.

I don't know if it'll happen but i'm sure Dumars has Danny ainge on speed dial if a deal is to be made.

Brandon Knight believes he's the 'best man' to be the Pistons' point guard

Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Knight has probably heard the howling about how the team should trade him and upgrade the team's point guard position.

He definitely heard it around draft time when many fans felt the Pistons should have taken Michigan point guard Trey Burke. To Knight's credit he hasn't started popping off to the media about how good of a player he is or hasn't complained. But he does believe he's the 'best man' for the Pistons at point guard.

“I don’t really pay attention to that stuff; you hear it here and there. It’s expected,” Knight said. “Trey Burke, being from Michigan, it’s expected. It’s all good, it’s all motivation for me, though.”

In fairness to Knight, he did only play one year of college basketball followed by a lockout shortened season which stunted his development as a NBA point guard.

“If you think about it using common sense,” said Knight, who averaged four assists and shot 37 percent from 3-point range last season. “First year (2011-12) was a lockout, didn’t have that summer. Next year, played half the year (at point guard). I pretty much played it for a full year. Some of the best point guards don’t take a year to develop into what they are. They are given an opportunity to develop. Using common sense, I played it (around) 80 games.”

“A lot of great PGs, first they’re given an opportunity then have time to grow into that role.”

That is very true but many see it as a crutch. In Detroit many fans believe this year is now or never for Knight. Knight uses all the chatter as motivation, but if he doesn't prove it on the court it's all for nothing.

Memo to Knight: Don't talk about it be about it. Let your game do the talking and prove that you can be the player many thought you were coming out of college.

Pistons sign Josh Smith to a four year deal

The Detroit Pistons have landed their first free agent of the offseason as Josh Smith has agreed to a four-year deal that will pay him $56 million, a source has confirmed to ESPN.com.

Smith was one of the first players the Pistons targeted when they were able to begin speaking with free agents this week.

The 6-foot-9 Smith will join Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond in Detroit's front court and is expected to add a little bit of everything to the Pistons' lineup while providing some much-needed scoring punch.

In nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Smith averaged 15.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 blocks.  He's a career 46-percent shooter.

Last season, Smith averaged 17.5 points 8.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 blocks.

Smith, 27, was the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He was a second-team selection to the 2004-05 NBA All-Rookie team and made the All-Defensive second team in 2009-10.

Smith explored other options but there didn't seem to be too much of a market for him.

I have my reservations about the signing since Smith has a tendency to want to take too many jumpers, but I'll let it play out before saying it won't work out

Teams can't sign free agents until July 10.

Report: Pistons offer Stuckey and Villanueva to the Raptors for Rudy Gay

Josh Smith and Andre Iguodala aren’t the only small forwards the Detroit Pistons may be going after.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com says the Pistons offered Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva, both expiring contracts, to the Toronto Raptors for forward Rudy Gay, according to sources.

The Raptors are trying to clear their books following the 2013-14 season, Windhorst says, and Gay has two years left on his 5-year, $82.3-million contract. The Raptors already traded big man and former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani to the New York Knicks.

However, according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard this afternoon, the Raptors are not looking to trade Gay.

Gay, 26, averaged 18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season. He was traded to Toronto from the Memphis Grizzlies near mid-season.

The advantage for the Pistons in this scenario would seem to be the two years left on Gay’s contract. Signing free agents Smith or Iguodala would likely require a long-term deal, making it more difficult to also retain the young core of Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight and Andre Drummond down the road.

The Pistons also have talked to the Boston Celtics about guard Rajon Rondo, who’s signed through the 2014-15 season amid a 5-year, $55-million contract.

Steve Smith doesn't see Phil Jackson's role with the Pistons as a natural fit

When Phil Jackson was hired as a consultant by the Detroit Pistons many figured that there was more to it than just being an unpaid consultant.

Some think it might be a ploy to undercut current Pistons president Joe Dumars and take over the front office role himself. The question I have is, why is Jackson helping the Pistons?

NBA TV analyst Steve Smith has the same thought going through his mind. Smith, like myself remembers  Jackson being a mortal enemy of the Pistons while he coached Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Smith says that Jackson's role with the Pistons doesn't look natural.

Remember when he said the Pistons were bad for basketball? Or when he disregarded them as champions after the Pistons beat down his Lakers in 2004. No, this isn't natural at all.


"His experience, because of the years he's been around the league, championship pedigree, all the rings and big games he's been apart of," Smith said. "(But) I'm still scratching my head, why, other than the obvious."


"It doesn't look natural from a Pistons perspective," Smith said. "I'm thinking as a Pistons fan before I was in the NBA, from MSU. I'm old school. (Seeing someone) from the Bulls or Celtics, the old-school rivalries."

Many in the Detroit area still feel Dumars should get a chance to rebuild the Pistons into a contender. Many think that this is a way to ease Dumars out of the front office.

What does owner Tom Gores do if Dumars wants one guy and Jackson suggests another?

We'll just have to let it play out and see what happens.

Pistons will interview Lindsey Hunter for coaching job

The Detroit Pistons might look to another former player to coach the team.

Reports say that the Pistons will interview Phoenix Suns interim head coach Lindsey Hunter for the vacant coaching job. The Pistons asked the Suns for permission to interview for the opening.

I know Hunter was a long time Piston (1993-2000, 2003-08) and has family in the Detroit area but I don't like the idea of Hunter coaching the team.

For starters look at his record in Phoenix (12-29). I know the Suns didn't have the best team but when you have a player (Michael Beasley) say that he plays better when he's not listening to the coaches, that's an indictment on the coach and his staff. The Suns finished with the worse record in the Western Conference.

Secondly, it would be Joe Dumars being loyal Joe. The last time the Pistons hired a former as coach was the Michael Curry experiment which lasted only one season. Hunter doesn't have much experience in the coaching ranks and if Dumars hires Hunter the Pistons will be looking at another season in lottery land.

The very last thing this team needs is another former Piston as Head Coach. I have great respect for Lindsey Hunter and Joe Dumars but it would be a mistake to appoint him as the next coach.

John Kerry says Dennis Rodman is no diplomat

Former Detroit Pistons star, Dennis Rodman recently made a trip to North Korea and took in an exhibition basketball game with dictator Kim Jong Un.

No matter what Rodman says, that trip was far from a political junket even though he spent time with the reclusive leader,something not many get to .

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, didn't seem to thrilled with the trip and didn't give Rodman any credit for his so called breakthrough.

Kerry said today that the former Bad Boy “was a great basketball player, and as a diplomat, he was a great basketball player.”

“That’s where we’ll leave it,” he told NBC News in an interview in Qatar.  

I know our government is at odds with North Korea, but Kerry should loosen up a little.

Kobe Bryant passed on a trade to join the Pistons in 2007

According to a report by yahoo.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Kobe Bryant was very close to becoming a Detroit Piston back in 2007.

At the time the Los Angeles Lakers were a mess and Kobe was on one of his get me out of here rants. The late Jerry Buss had a meeting with Bryant at Buss' home and was informed that a deal was on the table.

Bryant would have had to waive his no trade clause and Detroit wasn't on his list of destinations. The reported deal would've had Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson, Richard Hamilton, and a first round pick going to Los Angeles for Bryant. The Pistons denied the rumors at the time.

Bryant says that he wouldn't have left the Lakers for anywhere.

“It hit me that I didn’t really want to walk out on Dr. Buss,” Bryant said Monday, adding it probably wouldn’t have mattered if it was Chicago, Dallas or New York either.  

It would've been interesting, but I don't think Bryant would've stayed in Detroit too long. Not a knock on the city, but I just couldn't see Bryant meshing well with what the team had at the time. Also what would have Bryant done once he hit free agency?

We can play the 'what if' game with that scenario.