It was two teams looking to turn things around Wednesday night and it was the Pistons that came out on top over the Toronto Raptors. Detroit is trying to work through chemistry issues and for now, Richard Hamilton who came off the bench is saying all the right things about sacrificing for the team. We'll see how long it lasts, although if the Pistons are winning Rip will have to bite his tongue if his role is diminished. Currently, there is a lot of talk in Detroit of Hamilton playing the role of a great Piston sixth man from years past in Vinnie Johnson.
Speaking of which, I must say I'm impressed with Roko Ukic's sense of NBA history. I'm chatting pre-game with him while he is stretching on the baseline waiting for the rest of his warm up group to come out and get their shots up, and he starts talking about old time NBA players. Ukic, who was all of about four years old when the Pistons were in the midst of their glory years in late 80's says while looking up at the banners "Detroit had the microwave, Vinnie Johnson right? Do you think he was as good as the other guy in Boston Dennis Johnson?" It caught me off guard that he was aware of both players and what they accomplished in the NBA.
According to Pistons assistant coach Dave Cowens, Allen Iverson has become a better team defender since coming to Detroit. He is doing a better job of not getting caught watching the ball in Cowens' eyes. "Big Red" also talked about the contributions of Antonio McDyess saying that since he has returned he has probably been responsible for about five wins with his experience and defensive play.
Rasheed Wallace and Jermaine O'Neal are close friends from way back but that didn't stop "Sheed" from yelling from one end of the floor to the other at JO about warming up with the now familiar two coloured panel ball resembling the one from the ABA. Wallace was yelling something to the effect, "what are you doing with that ball, I didn't know you played in the ABA." Wallace himself was sporting a pair of baby blue kicks (of course - he's a Carolina guy) with the image of a player rebounding on them. I'm told he designed them himself and the rebounder is him, because if Michael Jordan can have the "Jump-Man", he's got to have something.
The losing streak is at seven for the Raptors following Wednesday's 95-76 defeat in Detroit. The seven game slide is the longest losing skid since the 2005-06 season when Toronto dropped nine in a row to start the season. The good news for the Raptors is Jose Calderon taking part in practice Thursday in Chicago and going being able to participate at full speed. He will see what the recovery is like and how he feels tomorrow morning before a decision is made regarding playing against the Bulls. Kris Humphries returned to Toronto following the game with Detroit. Humphries was diagnosed with a fractured right fibula. The Raptors will go back to the drawing board and try to get a win against the Bulls in Chicago Friday night.
Bulls GM John Paxson is not pleased with how his team is performing and gave an assessment of his squad that was less than glowing. But at least one writer, Steve Roesenbloom, has a much harsher evaluation of Paxson and head coach Vinny Del Negro.
