Rip's New Look - And No I Didn't Photoshop This

Photo/AP

Antonio McDyess - Perfect Southern Gentleman and Sheed Fan

This has got to be one of my favorite experiences interacting with one of The Pistons. I took my nephew to the Pistons season ticket holders crew party last season with video camera in hand. You know how Amir responded when I asked for a Need4Sheed shout out, but the experience I had with Antonio McDyess makes me smile to this day.

Keep in mind that Dyess is my nephew Joe's favorite Piston, as you can tell by his declaration while shaking his hand, but what comes next will make anyone a Dyess fan.

Seems Antonio and Maxiell feel just about the same about Sheed.

I can't believe I forgot I had this one in the vault.

Pistons 2008 Open Practice

The Detroit Pistons will host an open practice inside the Oakland University Athletic Center Arena on Thursday, October 2 from 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Admission is free for all fans and Oakland University students and doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

Detroit held their open practice at OU last season and from the feedback we got on N4S it was a big hit. It fills up very quickly so if you want to attend make sure you get there early.

Around The Way

• Patrick Hayes did some great interviews with Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo and Coach Curry. What I found promising was Curry's words on D. "I want to be a team, of course, that's really good defensively. We've been good defensively but I want to be good defensively consistently. Let's understand that our guys have been really good over the last six or seven years, but what we've had problems (with) at times is maintaining that consistency and playing at an extremely high level. What we have to do is make sure we do all the little things so we can play at that high level consistently and that's something we haven't done in the past. That comes with, I feel, being in great shape condition wise, taking care of all the little things offensively and defensively on a day-to-day basis and we have to do that as a staff and that is what we will enforce going into training camp." Rodney reiterates "We're gonna be picking up full court, trying to get back to our old ways of playing Bad Boys defense. That's something to look forward to this coming year."
• Sheed's Techs.
• Interesting comments from coach Dave Cowens.
• I had a chance to go to the Shock game yesterday. Unfortunately they couldn't finish off Indiana, but I did get a chance to see the improvements they made to the Palace this summer. From the new lighted section number signs to the extra large murals and pictures in the concourse, that building looks and feels new.
• Rodney Stuckey interview on WDFN'S Stoney and Wojo Show.
• Cowens likes Kwame.
• Curry on Sheed, "I know a lot of people talk about Rasheed getting down in the post and I talked to him a lot last year about it. We will call more plays for Rasheed - and not only Rasheed – to get down in the post. Getting points in the paint is going to be one of our main focuses, but it takes a lot of conditioning, especially as you get older, to get down in the post." Via True Blue Pistons
• Amir and Sheed side by side?
• MC thinks Sheed needs to look like this next season.

• Scott Perry on Sheed : "You make it a point of emphasis, and if you make something a point of emphasis with a player consistently enough and long enough, you can get results from it. Rasheed is a very smart basketball player. It's Mike’s job to hold everybody accountable to do what they need to get done to win. And Rasheed has always been about winning. It starts there the consistent stressing of it. That doesn't mean he won't take any more perimeter jump shots, because that's a weapon and a strength of his, as well. But I think Rasheed himself would be the first to agree with you - hey, whatever it's going to take to win. If you stress it and it makes sense to players, there's a tendency for them to follow along." Via Pistons.com
  
• I remember this like it was yesterday.

Dumars Says

WDFN's Sean Baligian interviewed Joe Dumars on WDFN 1130 AM. Joe talks about the whole "nobody's safe" comment, the EFC collapse, why he didn't make the big trade, the whole Carmelo rumor, and the prospects for the future. The interview is on Sean Baligian's Podcast page or the direct link to the interview right here. I had a problem streaming it live so I included the audio in the page for you just in case you had the same problem.

Happy SheedDay!

September 17th is the day we give thanks here at Need4Sheed.com

It's that time of the year again to with Rasheed Wallace a Happy Birthday. I was 34 years ago today that Sheed came into this word to spread cheer, threes and technical fouls for all to enjoy. We may have not been invited to the party, but that doesn't mean we can't wish him well.

Thank you Sheed for all the excitement, entertainment, passion and the pride you display every time you step on the hardwood. Thank you for being a team player and helping the Pistons become the elite team they once were. Thank you for all the Guaransheeds whether they come through or not, it just means we know you are going bust your ass to get us the win. Thank you for all the charity work you do even though you don't like to publicize it. Thank you for adding comic relief to a sport that can be at times a bit too serious. Thank you for wearing the throwback "short shorts" after you were fined by the league for wearing yours too long, (I can't tell you how hilarious that was). Thank you for calling people out no matter what the consequences. Thank you for This... This and most of all THIS!

I like to pay homage to the man in my own way. Some say it's an obsession, but if you know me I'm just a fan of the man, his skills and his passion. I wish him a happy, injury free, Championship Year (as long as he's still with Detroit come February).

Around The Way

• Detroit Bad Boys is getting ready for the season by doing a daily countdown. It's 45 days until the Pistons start the season and Adrian Dantley the focus today.
• Jones on the NBA enlisted NBA Bloggers to give their most memorable stadium experiences. I was supposed to have mine up already, but a flu bug has gotten the best of me this past week. It's in the works though.
• Interesting Q&A with Coach Curry. (Thanks to Mike Z for the Link)
• No Sheed Jersey's to be found...is this a sign? UPDATE : Detroit Bad Boys reports that Sheed went back to #30 so that's the reason why his jerseys are scarce at the moment.
  
• The Pistons are going on Tour this Wednesday.
• The Thunder sell out their season tickets in five days.
• Female athletes seem to encounter more road blocks then their male counterparts.
• Yahoo's Piston Team Report.
• A night to remember for Mr. Big Shot.
• Behind the scenes Piston pre-game.

Pistons Playoff Song - Circa 1990

One word.....
WOW

I'm sure Sheed would feel the same after watching this YouTube classic.
Your comments are welcome and encouraged.

The Dobber

I found a clip about The Dobber that I had from earlier this season. I was very young when Lanier played for Detroit, but I can remember his influence on the team and the league very well.

Lanier was drafted number one overall by The Pistons and was named to the All-Rookie Team following the 1970-71 season. He played for Detroit from 1970-79 before being traded to The Bucks. In his 14 NBA seasons, Lanier averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game shooting 51.4 percent from the field.

He's also one of the most memorable All Time 50 Pistons.

It's Bob Lanier's Birthday today (September 10th), so what better way to wish him well then to remember the legacy he left on the hardwood.

Get Sheed's Crib at a bargain price!

Even Sheed is having a hard time selling his home in Portland, he recently reduced the price to 4.895 million dollars. It's the Estate of The Day on Luxlist.com. (Hat tip to Ron Fisher for the Luxlist tip)

Photo/Luxlist.com

This is the house featured in the MTV Cribs episode.

Rasheed is #34 not #36

Tom Ziller of The Fanhouse ranks Rasheed Wallace #34 on his Top 50 NBA players. I am sure most of you would put him #1, but Tom is ranking him in basketball ability not in fan appreciation. Either way it's SHEEDtastic!

Bill Davidson's Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Pistons owner Bill Davidson's Speech at the Hall Of Fame.

Video Courtesy of ESPN and The NBA

It's long, which makes it a large file so be patient.