The AP reports: A new-look starting five did the job for the struggling Toronto Raptors. Chris Bosh scored 21 points and T.J. Ford had 13 points and nine assists in his return to the starting lineup as the Raptors beat the Detroit Pistons 89-82 on Wednesday night… Rasho Nesterovic had 15 points and Jose Calderon 13 as Toronto won for just the fourth time in 15 games. The Raptors avoided falling below .500 for the first time since a loss at Cleveland on Nov. 24 dropped them to 6-7… Chauncey Billups scored 24 points, and Rodney Stuckey tied a career high with 16, including 14 in the fourth… The Pistons were without leading scorer Richard Hamilton (sore left hip) for the second consecutive game.
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Mar. 24: Pistons 110, Suns 105
The AP reports: With Richard Hamilton sidelined with a sore hip, rookies Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo stepped up to help the Pistons end Phoenix’s seven-game winning streak with a 110-105 overtime victory Monday night… Phoenix was unhappy with the officiating all night—Amare Stoudemire picked up a technical in the first quarter—but it was especially disappointed in some late calls… Rasheed Wallace had 23 points and nine rebounds for Detroit, while Stoudemire led Phoenix with 33… InsideHoops.com Stat Notes: Steve Nash had 23 points and 9 assists, Grant Hill had 15 points and 9 rebounds, and Shaquille O’Neal had 12 points and 10 rebounds. For the Pistons, Chauncey Billups had 32 points and 6 assists, and Rodney Stuckey took 12 shots for 13 points.
Wizards-Pistons team connections
Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was selected 4th overall by Washington Bullets in the 1995 NBA Draft, and averaged 10.1 points per game for the Wizards in 65 games during the 1995-96 season.
Wallace and Antonio Daniels were teammates during the 2002-2003 season with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Pistons guard Richard Hamilton was selected 7th overall by the Wizards in the 1999 NBA Draft, and averaged 15.6 points per game in 212 games for the Wizards from 1999-02.
Pistons guard Juan Dixon was drafted with the 17th overall pick by Washington in the 2002 NBA Draft, and averaged 8.2 points per game in 176 games as a Wizard from 2002-05.
Pistons swingman Jarvis Hayes was selected 10th overall by the Wizards in the 2003 NBA Draft, and averaged 8.9 points per game in 226 games for Washington from 2003-07…Pistons rookie guard Rodney Stuckey was drafted by Detroit with the 15th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, one spot before Washington picked Nick Young with the 16th overall selection.
Wizards center Brendan Haywood had a career-high 23 points vs. Detroit on November 29, 2003.
Pistons to honor George Yardley March 9
The Detroit Pistons announced today that the club will honor George Yardley during Sunday’s home game vs. Chicago at The Palace of Auburn Hills. That day, March 9, 2008, marks the 50th anniversary of Yardley’s historic 2,000-point season. He scored 26 points against the Syracuse Nationals to become the first player in NBA history to tally 2,000 points in a season on March 9, 1958.
Palace Sports and Entertainment and Pistons President, Tom Wilson, will present a special plaque to Yardley’s son, Rob, during the first quarter of Sunday’s game.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, the six-time all-star averaged 19.2 points per game over seven seasons with Fort Wayne, Detroit and Syracuse. Yardley was the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in one season, averaging 27.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in 1957-58. He earned All-NBA First-Team honors and set NBA records in free throws made (655) and attempted (808) that season. He averaged 20.3 points per game in 46 playoff contests during his career and led Fort Wayne to two NBA Finals appearances.
Pistons sign Theo Ratliff
Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed center Theo Ratliff.
“We are pleased to add Theo Ratliff to our roster,” said Dumars. “Theo will give us a solid veteran presence in the locker room and add depth to our front line. Having started his career here in Detroit, he understands the culture of our organization and what is expected.”
Ratliff was waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 29. In his first year with the Wolves, he appeared in 10 games (six starts) this season and posted averages of 6.3 points (.511 FG%), 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 21.4 minutes per game. He missed 45 games due to soreness in his right knee, and underwent arthroscopic surgery on Dec. 18.
The 13-year NBA veteran began his career in Detroit, playing two-plus seasons (1995-97), averaging 5.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 175 games. In 689 NBA contests with Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Portland, Boston and Minnesota, he has career averages of 8.0 points (.497 FG%), 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
Pistons to honor Jack McCloskey
Jack McCloskey, General Manager of the Detroit Pistons from 1979 to 1992, and the architect of the Bad Boys’ two World Championship teams in 1989 and 1990, will be honored in a retirement ceremony at halftime on March 29 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. A banner with his name will be raised to the rafters that night, the team announced today.
McCloskey, nicknamed “Trader Jack” for his many astute trades during his tenure as the clubs’ GM, assembled the Pistons’ teams, which brought two NBA World Championships here in 1989 and 1990. Jack’s banner will join Owner Bill Davidson, Coach Chuck Daly, and players Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Vinnie Johnson and Joe Dumars from that era who previously were honored. From earlier Pistons’ teams, both Dave Bing and Bob Lanier had their numbers retired.
The Pistons’ teams assembled by McCloskey made nine straight playoff appearances, with five straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, three NBA Finals, and those two World Championships.
In the draft McCloskey, would select a pair of future Hall of Famers in Isiah Thomas (1981) and Joe Dumars (1985). Then in 1986 he drafted both Dennis Rodman and John Salley. But his nickname “Trader Jack” was acquired because of the shrewd trades he pulled off with other NBA teams. Most notably, Jack traded for Bill Laimbeer and Vinnie Johnson. Later McCloskey acquired Rick Mahorn, James Edwards and Mark Aguirre, all via the trade route. That group of players would comprise the World Championship Teams of 1989 and 1990. McCloskey would hire another future Hall of Famer Chuck Daly in 1983, and he would coach the Bad Boys.
During the halftime ceremony on March 29 versus the Cavaliers, among those to honor the former Pistons’ General Manager will be, former coach Chuck Daly, current Pistons’ President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, WNBA Detroit Shock Head Coach Bill Laimbeer, Shock Assistant Coach Rick Mahorn, and the “Microwave” Vinnie Johnson.
Flip Saunders, Rick Adelman win Coaches of Month
The Detroit Pistons’ Flip Saunders and the Houston Rockets’ Rick Adelman today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in February.
Saunders guided the Pistons to a 9-3 (.750) month, which included wins over a trio of top Western Conference teams – Dallas, Phoenix and Denver. The Pistons recorded a 3.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio for the month, dishing out 20-plus assists in nine of 12 games and committing less than 15 turnovers in all 12 contests. The Pistons outscored their February opponents by 9.5 ppg. In a 90-67 win over Dallas on Feb.3, the Pistons held the Mavericks to 23 field goals. In a 116-86 win at Phoenix on Feb. 24, the Pistons recorded 26 assists on a season-high-tying 46 field goals.
Adelman led the Rockets to a perfect 13-0 record in February, marking the second time in team history that Houston recorded an undefeated month (14-0 in Nov. 1993). The Rockets are currently riding an NBA season long 15-game winning streak. The streak, which began on Jan. 29, ties the Rockets’ franchise record which occurred twice before (1992-93 and 1993-94). Houston outscored its February opponents by 12.6 ppg, while limiting them to a .414 field goal percentage.
Other nominees for the Coach of the Month were Boston’s Doc Rivers, Cleveland’s Mike Brown, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Phil Jackson, Philadelphia’s Maurice Cheeks, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and Utah’s Jerry Sloan.
Pacers sign Flip Murray
The Indiana Pacers announced Saturday they have signed free agent guard Ronald “Flip” Murray to a contract for the remainder of the season. Per club policy, no terms of the contract were released.
Murray, 6-4, 200-pound guard, played with the Detroit Pistons this season before being waived Feb. 22. He played in 19 games with Detroit, averaging 7.5 points, 3.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds. In five seasons prior, Murray played with Milwaukee, Seattle, Cleveland and the Pistons.
“This late in the season, we’re fortunate to be able to pick up someone who can contribute to our run for a playoff spot,” said Pacers Coach Jim O’Brien. “He’s a welcome addition to the Indiana Pacers.”
Murray will wear number 22. He practiced with the Pacers Saturday and will be available when the Pacers host Milwaukee, Sunday, March 2.
Pistons waive Flip Murray
Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has requested waivers on guard Ronald “Flip” Murray.
Murray, who signed as a free agent with Detroit on 7/18/06, averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 19 games this season (three starts). In his first season with Detroit a year ago, he averaged 6.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 21.4 minutes in 69 games (18 starts). The five-year pro has played in 309 NBA games with Milwaukee, Seattle, Cleveland and Detroit. As a collegiate player at Shaw University, Murray was named NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, Division II First Team All-America and CIAA Player of the Year during his senior season where he averaged 23.5 points per game and led the school to a 28-5 record.
Rasheed speaks on being named All-Star
Detroit Pistons forward/center Rasheed Wallace, who was named to the All-Star team as an injury replacement:
Q: What was your reaction when you heard you were selected for the All-Star Game?
Rasheed Wallace: Hot. But my wife was more hot than me. You know, she tried to act a little surprised or whatever, but hey, we had to come here. When I told her that, I thought she was going to beat me up.
Q: What are your thoughts now that you’re here?
Rasheed Wallace: I mean, it’s cool, seeing all these young boys out here being able to do their thing. It ain’t nothing new though.
Q: Did you miss Media Day yesterday on purpose or by accident?
Rasheed Wallace: No, no, no, it was a real [delay]. Yeah, it was a real [delay]. I wouldn’t have done that. I would have not come at all if I didn’t come yesterday. It was strictly an accident.
Q: What are the Pistons looking to do during the second half of the season?
Rasheed Wallace: Just to lock it down, buckle it up, and get ready for the playoffs. Let’s get into the transition where we can run everything smooth without really thinking, make it our second nature. Just go out there and do it ‘ keep doing what we’ve been doing these last couple weeks.