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[Sit]

Pistons Add Depth To Wing
20 August 2012
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The Detroit Pistons signed swingmen Josh Childress and Rudy Fernandez to three year contracts with both deals a result of the influence of new front office member Robert ‘Bobby’ Jones. Jones has come from Europe and used those ties to get in contact with Fernandez. His own contacts also convinced him that Childress was a player worthy of an NBA contract.

Fernandez had originally committed to returning to play in Europe for Real Madrid. Jones, a former player Barcelona and in the same league as Real Madrid, reached out to some friends of his and convinced all parties to side on a deal to release Fernandez from his contract so that he may return to the NBA.

It was not all steady sailing as Fernandez demanded to know that he had a set role with the team. The 27 year old shooting guard is expected to be an important bench player but with the prospect of starting in the near future. The Spanish guard averaged 8.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.4 apg in 31 games played for Denver last season. He had played for the Portland Trailblazers for the three preceding seasons and will be reunited with teammate Greg Oden.

Childress was an easier catch but the Pistons only pursued the 29 year old after he was recommended to Jones. Childress spent time in Europe and impressed one of Jones’ closest friends in the Greek league.

Childress struggled last season as he finished with 2.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg in 34 games played with the Phoenix Suns. He is hoping to return to form in the NBA and Pistons fans will be hoping he gets closer to the 13 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 spg that he averaged back in 2008-09 with the Atlanta Hawks. That was the season before he went to play in Europe.

“We are happy with our moves,” Pistons GM Joe Dumars addressed reporters, “We were a fringe playoff side last season and I think that we are a possible seven or eight seed with these moves.”

[mrmoves20]

Pistons Add Depth To Wing
20 August 2012
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The Detroit Pistons signed swingmen Josh Childress and Rudy Fernandez to three year contracts with both deals a result of the influence of new front office member Robert ‘Bobby’ Jones. Jones has come from Europe and used those ties to get in contact with Fernandez. His own contacts also convinced him that Childress was a player worthy of an NBA contract.

Fernandez had originally committed to returning to play in Europe for Real Madrid. Jones, a former player Barcelona and in the same league as Real Madrid, reached out to some friends of his and convinced all parties to side on a deal to release Fernandez from his contract so that he may return to the NBA.

It was not all steady sailing as Fernandez demanded to know that he had a set role with the team. The 27 year old shooting guard is expected to be an important bench player but with the prospect of starting in the near future. The Spanish guard averaged 8.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.4 apg in 31 games played for Denver last season. He had played for the Portland Trailblazers for the three preceding seasons and will be reunited with teammate Greg Oden.

Childress was an easier catch but the Pistons only pursued the 29 year old after he was recommended to Jones. Childress spent time in Europe and impressed one of Jones’ closest friends in the Greek league.

Childress struggled last season as he finished with 2.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg in 34 games played with the Phoenix Suns. He is hoping to return to form in the NBA and Pistons fans will be hoping he gets closer to the 13 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 spg that he averaged back in 2008-09 with the Atlanta Hawks. That was the season before he went to play in Europe.

“We are happy with our moves,” Pistons GM Joe Dumars addressed reporters, “We were a fringe playoff side last season and I think that we are a possible seven or eight seed with these moves.”

Nice pickup with Rudy.

[Sit]

CHAPTER 2

“I am very excited to be signing with the Detroit Pistons. I hope that my comeback will work out because if it doesn’t, I am most likely going to retire from the NBA,” Greg Oden addressed the media in an introductory press conference.
Oden was a little surprised at the modest turnout of reporters. He had only agreed to the deal a few hours earlier. He remembered when he was an up and coming NBA prospect and the rooms were always packed with reporters. Five years on and things just had not gone his way – all of the attention went with it. He was a battler now and an underdog out to make something out of his once ‘promising’ NBA career. That’s why he chose to sign with the Pistons. Joe Dumars and Bobby Jones had made an exciting pitch to him about how he fit in with the defensive culture of the franchise.
“You will fit in fine with our front court,” Dumars had told him, “We want you to help solidify the paint. We’ve had a few great teams here in Detroit and you could be part of the next one.”
It all sounded great to Oden who had promised them that he would work hard to get back to full health.
“We understand your health issues and we understand that you have not been playing a lot of basketball for a while. We want you to come back into all of this slowly because we don’t want you to hurt yourself,” Jones the Englishman said, “Our training staff here will be always on standby for you Greg.”
It was pretty soon after that when Oden extended his hand to both gentlemen and agreed to sign a one year deal with the Pistons. The lure of a NBA Franchise willing to roll the dice on him and a basketball culture that he would fit into was more than enough to entice him not to sit out the season as he had originally planned.
“Greg, please tell us about your initial plans before signing to play for Detroit?” a reporter asked him.
Oden smiled and replied, “I was going to be a gym teacher and take a year off.”
The inevitable question came, “How do you think your body will cope? Are you going to be healthy next season?”
Oden had answered this question many times over the years, “I am confident that I will be playing basketball by the New Year. I am feeling good about it. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have signed a contract here today.”
“How are you so confident?”
Oden laughed at this one, “I got the same as Kobe did in Germany. It’s funny how Kobe gets surgery and it’s breaking news. I get surgery and no one cares until months later.”

Rudy Fernandez and Josh Childress were the next two players to be signed by the Pistons. Bobby had coached against both of these players before whilst in Europe. He remembered Fernandez as the young star that was destined to be one of the great Spanish players. A young Fernandez was already so good in the ACB. Jones felt bad that he did not pan out in the NBA. Bobby came across Childress during an exhibition game and did not come away impressed with him. However, he had a friend who told him to reconsider. He was told that Childress was hard working, dependable, and a jack of all trades.
“It’s all about getting onto a team and being a good fit for each other,” Bobby explained to Dumars, “I know that you understand this but I need to make it clear. Rudy Fernandez should be a star in the NBA. He has the talent but just has not been on the right team.”
“And you think that we are the right team?” Dumars asked.
“Yes,” Bobby said, “I think that he would be a valuable piece either as a sixth man or maybe even a starter. It will just take time – maybe a season.”
After days of consulting, Bobby finally convinced Dumars to take a gamble with Fernandez. He had convinced him that even if Fernandez did not turn out to be a star, he was at least going to be a dependable scoring option from off the bench. He had convinced him that it was all about giving him an opportunity and then infusing him with confidence. Bobby saw this all the time with his imports back when he was a coach. He had Americans who couldn’t make it in the NBA and who came over with low confidence and had to adjust to culture shock too. Bobby could have been a part time counsellor with the way he handled these guys. He gave them a chance to play and made them feel like they could achieve greatness. That’s why Bobby was a Euroleague champion as a Head Coach on two occasions.

Bobby walked from the restaurant back to his hotel. He still didn’t have a place in Detroit. He was hoping he would soon. He had heard a lot of stories of the local economy and its struggles. He felt for the people because he could relate. Being from Europe, he knew how many people felt about having no hope for the future. He knew of many young people taking their own lives in different parts of Europe because there was just no financial security anymore.
“You are lucky to be making a living from playing basketball,” Bobby had said to second year guard Brandon Knight when he met the team for the first time, “I have seen people your age commit suicide because they can’t get a job.”
Bobby wanted to bring this message to the States and saw his new job with the Pistons as a way for him to do so. It seemed ironic that he had signed with Detroit considering its history as an NBA team as well as for the city’s current state. Perhaps it was ironic but not a coincidence. Bobby knew what it was like to be an underdog. He knew what it was like to struggle. This led him to believe that he could inspire a whole city through sport and to make everyone believe in something again.
“We need to cut ticket prices,” he tried to convince Dumars the other day.
“We need the revenue,” Dumars retorted.
“The city needs us,” Bobby said.

* * *

“Jones!”
Bobby looked up the bench at his coach in the dying moments of the Euroleague quarter-final. Barcelona was down by double digits and there were four minutes left in the game. There was no way coming back. There was not going to be a fourth title in a row for Bobby and his team. The Barca fans were silent as the other team scored another bucket.
“I want you back out there!”
Bobby didn’t want to go back out there. He had received a call before the game about signing a 10-day contract for the San Antonio Spurs. He would be flying out the following week thanks to a clause in his playing contract.
“We’re not in this anymore,” he defiantly told his coach.
“I know we’re finished but I want you in so these people get what they paid for.”
Bobby knew there was no point arguing and he entered the game. The next possession had him collect the ball from halfway. He called for a screen. He timed the pick to perfection and came off of it dribbling towards the hoop. Bobby didn’t know what happened next but before he knew it, he collided with a defender. Bobby went sideways as his leg knocked into someone else’s. He landed awkwardly before the same defender fell on top of him.
“Argh!” Bobby was in agony.
The defender had landed on Bobby’s left leg. Bobby was lying uncomfortably on his side and felt the pain in his left knee. He heard the referees blow their whistles to stop play. The other player had gotten up and was kneeling down to see if Bobby was ok. Bobby didn’t want to move an inch because it was killing him. He clenched his right fist and hit the ground a couple of times. He was yelling out in pain. The tears were welling up in his eyes because it was so unbearable. Bobby could see his career flash before his eyes.

[dare]

Blame that coach for Jones supposed to be NBA career. Nice write man.

[hova-]

Good chapter, Bobby should have a lot of motivation and anger in him after this injury ending his career. He should use this anger to build a new era with the Bad boys.

CHAPTER 2



Bobby walked from the restaurant back to his hotel. He still didn’t have a place in Detroit. He was hoping he would soon. He had heard a lot of stories of the local economy and its struggles. He felt for the people because he could relate. Being from Europe, he knew how many people felt about having no hope for the future. He knew of many young people taking their own lives in different parts of Europe because there was just no financial security anymore.

Dunno about that though. People in Europe killing themselves because of the financial crisis? I don't know, at least not in Western Europe.

[Sit]

Hova... only from what I heard from my friends mom who is from Malta and she said its really bad in Greece.

[Valor]

Hova... only from what I heard from my friends mom who is from Malta and she said its really bad in Greece.

I think it's only that bad in Greece though, cause it's where the financial crisis is worst, by far

[Lamrock]

There have definitely been a couple reports of suicides due to the sorry state of the economy in the EU, though I'd imagine the same for Detroit, which was almost post-apocalyptic four years ago. It's an interesting angle.

Like the moves you've made. Rudy and Oden will be great.

[Sit]

L-Train, I thought you would like the moves. Two former Blazers right there.

[Sit]

Do YOU WANT MORE POINTS? Well - check out the newest challenge!

DUE TO LOW RESPONSE - THE REWARDS ARE HIGHER. YOU WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC FIRST ROUNDER IN THE UPCOMING DRAFT

Please make me a signature and banners to use for this story. Themes that could help inspire your designs for the sig may include underdogs, economic downturn, detroit pistons basketball, bad boys.

For the banners, I need the following:

- Trimester Recap
- The Story So Far
- Detroit Pistons Basketball (for my recaps and articles)
- Rookie Blog

I will let the readers vote for the winner so please PM me your entries!

Points will be distributed as follows:

Participation: +1
2nd place: + 5
1st place: + 7

Deadline is extended to 12 November!

[Sit]

Pistons Open Season Against Rockets
Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons: 82-86
Preview | Boxscore | Recap | Highlights



October 31, DETROIT (AP) – The Pistons opened the season with a strong defensive performance against the visiting Rockets in Jeremy Lin’s debut for Houston. The Rockets’ prize signing found it difficult to get a groove on offence but was able to get his teammates involved as the game wore on. The Pistons may have led from start to finish but just could not keep the pesky Rockets away.

Rodney Stuckey led the Pistons with an efficient 23 points. He kept the Pistons in the lead for much of the game. Detroit opened the season with an early burst, which saw them leading by 10 points midway through the first quarter. The Rockets cut that lead by halftime and kept it close for the third period.

The Pistons tried to shake off the Rockets with a scoring run that pushed their lead to 12 points in the final quarter. Lin and Kevin Martin led a furious 15-5 run that closed the gap to 82-80 and the Rockets trailing with 53 seconds left in the game. The run was capped by a Lin layup.

Second year guard Brandon Knight then stepped in and delivered a pass to Greg Monroe for an easy bucket with 37.3 seconds left. New Rockets big man Omer Asik scored a put back on the other end but it was Knight who iced the game with two free throws with 8 seconds left in the game.

“It was good to get this game out of the way,” Lin spoke of his debut, “I had a tough time out there against a great defensive team.”

Knight was praised by Coach Lawrence Frank after the game for his poise down the stretch, “He has really improved a lot over the offseason. We told him at the end of last season that he had to work on his playmaking ability and to be confident in himself on both ends of the floor. I am very happy with his progress.”

Houston Rockets (19 – 23 – 19 – 21 – 82)
Detroit Pistons (26 – 20 – 22 –18 – 86)



SG Kevin Martin: 25 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl, 11-28 FG, 3-9 3PT
PG Jeremy Lin: 10 pts, 8 reb, 9 ast, 2 stl, 5-14 FG
PF Patrick Patterson: 12 pts, 6 reb
C Omer Asik: 5 pts, 8 reb



SG Rodney Stuckey: 23 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast, 11-15 FG, 1-2 3PT
SF Tayshaun Prince: 18 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 8-13 FG
PG Brandon Knight: 15 pts, 8 reb, 14 ast, 2 stl, 6 to, 6-13 FG
C Greg Monroe: 12 pts, 9 reb, 6-11 FG
PF Jason Maxiell: 10 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast

[Martti.]

I can make some simple banners like last time.

Good win to open things up! I see you don't have the Harden trade, you should do that anyway with trade override.

[Lamrock]

^ Second the James Harden deal. I'm in January in mine, but I plan on making it happen.

Nice win to take the opener. Is there a template or is it too early/late to send in an NLSC profile?

[Valor]

Was hoping you'll go 0-82 but oh well, +1 for the Kevin Martin trade too, makes it more realistic since you just started the season anyways

[dare]

Do that Harden trade

[Sit]

All of you guys are jerks. Do you really think I would miss the Harden trade?

It has already been done!

EDIT:

L-Train - you need to buy in to be in the draft so once you have earned enough points, you can enter the draft!

[Sit]

Pistons Surprise Star-Studded Lakers
Detroit Pistons (3-0) at LA Lakers (2-2): 101-82
Preview | Boxscore | Recap | Highlights



November 4, LOS ANGELES (AP) – “Wow” was all Kobe Bryant could say after the Western Conference favourites dropped to 2-2 following a three point shooting clinic from the streaking Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are now 3-0 and playing fluid team basketball.

Rudy Fernandez dropped a career high 29 points, previously 27, from off the bench as the Pistons were red hot from behind the arc (17-29 3PT). Corey Maggette also came off the bench to score 19 points while Rodney Stuckey finished with 17 and Brandon Knight had 13 points and 9 assists.

Knight was in early foul trouble with the Pistons trailing by double digits. His exit coincided with a 15-4 run to end the quarter. Fernandez was shooting well from the start and finished the quarter with back to back threes, the second of which came at the buzzer. Coach Lawrence Frank kept Fernandez on in the second quarter and allowed Stuckey to take over point guard duties. Fernandez finished the half with a game high 17 points.

Tayshaun Prince began the second half with a corner three and the Pistons built their biggest lead of the game during the third period. The away side cruised to the win in the final period with Maggette scoring 15 of his 19 points. “Everyone was shooting well,” Fernandez said after the game, “I am lucky that my coach had faith to put me in the game.”

Coach Frank praised Fernandez who was signed over the summer, “We know that he works hard every day and he is capable of this kind of production on a nightly basis.” The same could not be said for fellow Pistons newcomer Josh Childress who continues to struggle and shot 0-10 from the field for this game.

Detroit Pistons (23 – 24 – 24 – 30 – 101)
Los Angeles Lakers (20 – 21 – 14 –27 – 82)



SG Rudy Fernandez: 29 pts, 11-17 FG, 5-7 3PT
SF Corey Maggette: 19 pts, 5 reb, 6-10 FG, 6-9 3PT
SG Rodney Stuckey: 17 pts, 8-17 FG
PG Brandon Knight: 13 pts, 9 ast, 5-7 FG
PF Jason Maxiell: 11 reb, 6 ast



SG Kobe Bryant: 26 pts, 4 ast, 3 stl, 12-26 FG
C Dwight Howard: 13 pts, 11 reb
PG Steve Nash: 10 pts, 8 ast
PF Pau Gasol: 7 pts

[newc]

Wow indeed. Rudy Fernandez ballin'!

[Valor]

3-0 Pistons and a 20 point win over the Lakers!? You need to turn up the difficulty lmao

[hova-]

3-0 Pistons and a 20 point win over the Lakers!? You need to turn up the difficulty lmao

That.

Still very good to see your acquisitions work out properly. I like how you finally have a story with really good pics (just because 2k13 looks better than 2k9 )

[Lamrock]

While I agree with the calls to raise the difficulty, Rudy Fernandez's rise to prominence is fun to watch.

[Cavs4872]

Following, even though not commenting. The recaps are great.

[Sit]

Jeremy Lin Injured
3 November 2012
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The Houston Rockets’ prized signing, Jeremy Lin, has been sidelined for up to 2 months with a broken ankle. Lin broke his ankle in just his third game for Houston as a result of a cringe worthy fall. The Rockets’ starting point guard is averaging 17.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.3 apg and 1.3 spg this season.

Andre Drummond Called Back
7 November 2012
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Pistons rookie forward Andre Drummond will make his NBA debut soon thanks to an injury sidelining veteran small forward Tayshaun Prince.

The Pistons (4-1) dropped their first game of the season and also lost Prince during their 104-95 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Prince was diagnosed with a bruised hip. He is expected to miss up to 2 weeks. Prince is averaging 12.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.8 apg and shooting at .375 from the three point line.

Pistons Head Coach Lawrence Frank confirmed that Drummond would be on the Pistons’ bench instead of staying with their D-League affiliate side.

[Sit]

Pistons Can't Stop Defending Western Conference Champs
Oklahoma City Thunder (6-2) at Detroit Pistons (5-3): 106-81
Preview | Boxscore | Recap | Highlights



November 13, DETROIT (AP) – The Pistons’ crowd was silent as their side seemingly handed the Oklahoma City Thunder the game on a silver platter. Russell Westbrook shot the lights out and the Pistons failed to make any adjustments. Detroit sure paid the price for it.

By the end of one half, this early season game was already out of sight. Westbrook scored 37 points while Kevin Durant had an easy 18 point outing. James Harden came off the bench to contribute out a double double (13 points and 13 assists) for his side.

“This team is scary,” Pistons coach Lawrence Frank praised the Thunder, “I think they can win it all provided that they keep the team in-tact.”

Rodney Stuckey led the Pistons with an efficient 25 points but saw little of the basketball in the first half. Brandon Knight played terribly when matched up against Westbrook. The second year guard made some questionable decisions with the basketball and bore the brunt of most of the ‘boos’ aimed at his team.

Oklahoma City Thunder (23 – 31 – 29 – 23 – 106)
Detroit Pistons (9 – 21 – 31 –20 – 81)



PG Russell Westbrook: 37 pts, 4 ast, 17-24 FG
SF Kevin Durant: 18 pts, 6 reb, 8-14 FG
SG James Harden: 13 pts, 13 ast



SG Rodney Stuckey: 25 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 10-15 FG, 3-3 3PT, 2-2 FT
C Greg Monroe: 16 pts, 5 reb, 8-13 FG
PF Andre Drummond: 7 pts, 5 reb, 3-6 FG
PG Brandon Knight: 6 pts, 12 ast, 3-9 FG

[Dmastawwe]

Oh and sit I'll create those banners when I get my stuff later on today

[hova-]

Stuckey's still rollin, but the Thunder were simply too much (as they should be for your team). Good to see updates comin' frequently.

[Lamrock]

Tough losses, but it's good to see Drummond playing.

[Valor]

damn, Westbrook took 10 more shots than Durant?! This is pretty realistic

[Sit]

Wow indeed. Rudy Fernandez ballin'!

That's what we all like to see.

3-0 Pistons and a 20 point win over the Lakers!? You need to turn up the difficulty lmao

3-0 Pistons and a 20 point win over the Lakers!? You need to turn up the difficulty lmao

That.

Still very good to see your acquisitions work out properly. I like how you finally have a story with really good pics (just because 2k13 looks better than 2k9 )

Are you the same guys who panic about the Lakers after 3 games to start the season?

I think it was a fair win v LA - any team that shoots 17 threes in a game is probably gonna win the game no matter who the opposition is! So difficulty will stay as is because my record does pan out later in the virtual month!

While I agree with the calls to raise the difficulty, Rudy Fernandez's rise to prominence is fun to watch.

Now that you see us utilizing Rudy properly - Do you have any bold predictions for Oden?

Following, even though not commenting. The recaps are great.

Thanks man!

Oh and sit I'll create those banners when I get my stuff later on today

Thanks bro! Looking forward to it

Stuckey's still rollin, but the Thunder were simply too much (as they should be for your team). Good to see updates comin' frequently.

I am finding Stuckey really good to play with. Also enjoy controlling Knight and Prince. Josh Childress is giving me nightmares - I have buyer's regret.

Tough losses, but it's good to see Drummond playing.

I forgot to mention that the OKC game was his NBA debut. He was decent.

damn, Westbrook took 10 more shots than Durant?! This is pretty realistic

Sure is. Westbrook raped Knight. Was so frustrating!!!

[Sit]

November 15, 2012
Greg Oden Sighting!
By Willard Smith



Pictures say a thousand words and the two above must be saying a lot to the 29 NBA teams who did not sign Greg Oden last Summer.

Who can blame them though for not signing the former first round pick given Oden’s record of ill health? Oden and his knees were always going to be an extremely high risk investment and one that is seen as most likely to result in no reward.

Despite all of the issues, the Detroit Pistons rolled a die with the 7 footer. This week, the Pistons’ faith has been rewarded as the first encouraging and positive sign from Oden’s rehab have revealed itself to the public. Oden participated in five on five drills and even a scrimmage. His teammates called his movement fluid and Tayshaun Prince was even quoted as saying 'Oden had about five dunks in the one scrimmage'. Someone within the Pistons’ PR team posted the pictures that we have onto Twitter and as you can see - one of those five dunks was captured on film.

Yes - there is proof that Oden may still have hope of playing in the NBA again. This is huge considering that Oden himself admitted to pondering retirement after the Portland Trailblazers decided not to extend him an offer to stay with them. (For the record, if I were the Blazers, I wouldn't have offered Oden a contract either because he did nothing for them over five seasons.)

Oden got the same surgery on his knees that Kobe Bryant in Germany. He has spent months to get back onto the court and was lucky to get a 1 year deal in Detroit. It’s great to see him playing and I am excited to see whether he will make an impact if he gets back onto the court in an NBA game. The Pistons did set a targeted return date for Oden in January 2013.

Now that we have made our first Oden sighting, all we can do is play the waiting game.

[dare]

Less Oden more Drummond please.

[Valor]

More Oden less Drummond please.

corrected

[mrmoves20]

Haven't followed for a while but nice season going on so far. Really 'WOW' for blowing out the Lakers haha.

[mpac]

Rudy playing well! Good luck with this ill be following any locker room drama happening yet?

[Justine.]

Will follow mine. Once I installed my Photoshop, I'll try to make those banners, headers, etc.

[Sit]

Haven't followed for a while but nice season going on so far. Really 'WOW' for blowing out the Lakers haha.

Thanks man - hope you continue following.

Rudy playing well! Good luck with this ill be following any locker room drama happening yet?

Rudy had one breakout game and has disappeared again.

As for locker room drama - stay tuned.

Will follow mine. Once I installed my Photoshop, I'll try to make those banners, headers, etc.

Yessir.

[Sit]

CHAPTER 3

The Pistons took to the court for the first game of the 2012-13 season at the Palace. Bobby and Joe watched on as Rodney Stuckey led his teammates out onto the court. Bobby looked around the Palace to see how packed it was. The arena was full of cheer as it was packed up to the bleachers. Joe had agreed that it would be nice to drop prices to allow everyone in to see the team play. Bobby had appealed to him that the team could do something special and give the people of Detroit something to cheer about. In return, the team would hopefully get one of the NBA’s best crowds. The team would play better to a responsive and supporting group of fans than a half empty stadium.
“Haven’t seen this place buzzing like this since the malice,” Joe said to Bobby, referring to the infamous brawl between the Pistons and the Pacers from years ago.
“This is amazing,” Bobby replied.
It was Bobby’s first ever NBA game that he would be watching in person. He never made it to this stage during his career. He had promised himself that he would never step foot in an NBA arena ever since the last snub in 2000. However, he was breaking that promise to himself at this moment. He finished off his beer and thought about what it would have been like to have played in the league.
“I need to say thanks again for everything,” Bobby said to Joe, meaning every single word.
Joe laughed at the ever polite Englishman, “I’ve already said man – no problem. Just make sure you help me do a good job around here. We have a long season.”

The Pistons won the first two games of the season before coming up against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers started quickly at home and it was not before long that the Pistons were trailing by double digits. Brandon Knight picked up his second foul quickly and Lawrence Frank yanked him from the game.
“Shoot if you are open,” Frank grabbed Rudy Fernandez by the collar before pushing out into the fray.
Knight took a seat on the bench and wiped his face with a towel. It was not the start that he had wanted. Kobe Bryant was happy to see Rudy though and welcomed him into the game.
“Good to see that you decided to keep playing with the big boys,” Bryant teased Fernandez for nearly staying to play in Europe.
Rudy just smiled at Kobe and Kobe said to him, “Don’t worry Rudy, I will go easy on you. Just don’ fall over or you might end up like Ricky.”
Play resumed and Rudy hit his first shot. It was an open jumper from the wing off of a Stuckey pass. He closed the quarter off with back to back threes including one at the buzzer that had to be reviewed by the officiating crew. Rudy’s play engineered a 15-4 run that put Detroit ahead after the first quarter 23-20. He then finished with 17 points in the first half. The Pistons then proceeded to shoot the Lakers down from behind the arc. The team finished with 17 three point shots and even Coach Frank had no idea what had gone down. Rudy was asked to be interviewed on the court after the game, having scored a career high 29 points.
“How was it to have a performance like that against the Lakers?” Rudy was asked.
“These guys are maybe number one team in NBA. It’s always good winning against best teams and tonight we won game against best team. It’s very nice,” Rudy said in his broken English.
“You guys are still undefeated – coming into the season, did you see this as possible?”
Rudy was honest with his answer, “We have been lucky that we are shooting well so we have all wins. We are not strongest team so maybe we are performing better than we should. Maybe we can keep this up.”
“Thanks Rudy.”
“Thank you,” Rudy said and left to join his teammates in the dressing room.
The win against the Lakers was a fulfilling one and the Pistons did continue strongly with some solid performance in the next handful of games. However, they were brought back down to Earth in a drubbing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The defending Western Conference champions embarrassed Detroit at the Palace. Russell Westbrook was unstoppable and the only bright spot for Detroit was that Andre Drummond made his NBA debut. The raw talent put up 7 points and 5 rebounds in his first NBA regular season match.
“We are going to have a tough season,” Coach Frank told a columnist afterwards, “We might make the playoffs but it’s going to be a struggle.”
Coach was trying to manage expectations. The season may have started out well but the loss to the Thunder confirmed to everyone that a few wins to start the season was not going to be a reliable sample size to project the team’s success over 82 games.

“That’s right! Great job! Work it down low!” Coach Frank shouted out at his players.
“Damn! Did you see that Coach?” Stuckey was excited.
Tayshaun Prince, out with an injury, had both arms in the air, “Sick!”
Greg Oden had just dunked on Brandon Knight and was high fiving everyone who was surrounding him. The dunk had brought a halt to the scrimmage. It was Oden’s first full court action since he had joined the team. He had been practising on and off with the team, getting extra rest days just to be cautious in regards to his knee.
“Didn’t know someone as old as my dad could get up like that,” Greg Monroe laughed and patted Oden on the back.
Stuckey was still shaking his head, “Good job old fella! Looks like your knees are better.”
Oden was feeling good and was really enjoying his time with the Pistons. His knee rehab was coming along. He finished the scrimmage as the top scorer for his team as his teammates kept trying to get him touches. Oden had been embraced by everyone in the organisation and Bobby smiled as he watched on. He was ecstatic that Oden was making a full recovery – after all, Bobby was the one who convinced Joe to make a full push to sign the former number 1 pick. Bobby waited for practice to be over so that he could deliver some good news to Oden.
“You’ve been cleared to practise full-time,” he said, “We just got the doctor’s approval this morning.”
Oden was beaming, “That sure beats rest days every second day.”
“Get some more rest then.” Bobby asked.
“Yes sir!” Oden, still beaming, exclaimed.
Bobby knew everything that Oden was going through. He had gone through it himself.

* * *

Bobby worked hard to get back onto the basketball court. It took two years for him to make his comeback. He always came across obstacles along the road to recovery. Every time he thought he was ready, he would tweak his knee. Bobby was always impatient about making his comeback and it took his head coach a heart to heart to convince the former superstar of Europe to sit out until the coaching staff were certain that Bobby could return.
“That knee injury has taken two years away from me,” Bobby said in an interview, “And quite frankly, it has robbed me of my career. I won three titles in a row and I miss those days.”
“Is that what keeps you motivated to make a comeback?” he was asked.
Bobby replied, “I want to be back on the court again. I don’t know how I will be but I don’t want the last image of my career being me on the floor in that Euroleague game.”
“Will you be the player you once were?”
“I’ve never been an athletic player,” Bobby admitted, “I don’t think this will affect my game.”
“When will you be back?”
“I hope soon.”
Bobby was indeed back a few months after the revealing interview. Barcelona was happy to keep him on the roster all of the time that he was in rehab. He was a legend of the game for Barcelona and they rewarded him for his loyalty to the club and the titles he brought with him. Unfortunately for Bobby though, he was not the player that he once was. He did not have the same passion as he did pre-injury. He did not have the authority that he once had over his teammates. He did not have the same trust. Bobby never started a game again for Barcelona. That said though, Bobby was just happy to have made a comeback to the game.

* * *

“Paul Pierce hits the three to tie the game!” the commentator yelled as the Celtics-Pistons game was being broadcast.
Pierce had come through in the clutch again and the game looked like it was heading into overtime. Detroit called a timeout with 1.2 seconds left in the game. There would only be time to draw up a play to get one shot to win it. Coach Frank was sending Monroe, Maxiell, Fernandez, Stuckey and Knight out onto the court. He wanted the latter three to be options to take a jumper to win it. Maxiell was going to inbound the ball for Detroit.
“We have one shot! Let’s make it a good one!” Frank shouted out above the noise of the crowd.
The players out their hands into the middle of the huddle and collectively yelled out “Pistons” before the designated five players returned to the game.
Kevin Garnett was furiously barking orders at his teammates out of the time out. The veteran was pounding his chest so hard with his fists that Stuckey was worried he would give himself a heart attack.
“Chill man,” he shouted at KG.
KG glared at him and responded, “Shut the fuck up!”
The last play of the game was swift. The ref blew his whistle and handed the ball to Maxiell. Monroe set a screen for Knight and Fernandez set one for Stuckey. Knight ran towards halfcourt to the ball. Stuckey aimed for the top of the key. Fernandez had rolled off of the screen towards the wing. Maxiell threw the ball to Stuckey. Stuckey caught it and turned quickly one motion to face towards the hoop. He squared up and launched a three pointer at the buzzer. Splash.
“Stuckey wins it! Stuckey wins it! Boston goes down to Detroit!” the commentator was going crazy.
Detroit had won the battle but not without any casualties. Jonas Jerebko joined Tayshaun Prince on the injury list after breaking his toe during the game. He would later be assessed as being out for up to two months.

“Should we risk it?” Coach Frank asked Joe and Bobby.
“I think so,” Joe stated.
“I think he’s ready,” Bobby affirmed.
“I guess we have no other option. We’re getting thin,” Coach Frank conceded.
Greg Oden had been called to the Coach’s office after practice. That’s when he received the good news. Coach Frank was brief and to the point, with Joe and Bobby both in the room.
“Greg, you’re playing in tomorrow’s game.”

[SuperHueyNewton]

First thought, "Dang KG"
Second thought, "Can Greg Oden come out and play?"

[dare]

Greg Oden will get injured in the 1st

[Dmastawwe]

Internet people finally came. Now i can officially do the banners

[Sit]

First thought, "Dang KG"
Second thought, "Can Greg Oden come out and play?"

Was hoping someone would say something about KG

Greg Oden will get injured in the 1st

Don't jynx him!

Internet people finally came. Now i can officially do the banners

Sweet - can't wait man!

[Sit]

PREDICTION GAME

Guess how many rebounds Oden grabs in his Pistons debut.

2 points for correct answer, 1 point if you are + 1 or - 1 from the correct answer

[dare]

5 boards

[Martti.]

3 as he'll get injured after 5 minutes.

[hova-]

10 boards for Oden. He will be the hero of your story. Good job giving the veterans a headache (KG, Kobe).

[Dmastawwe]

My prediction is 7

[Valor]

8 boards

[mrmoves20]

8 rebounds for him.

[Thierry •]

Six boards.

[newc]

I predict 11 boards for Oden, somehow I feel he'll have a great first game for you.