Posts tagged ‘Rodney Stuckey’

by Mike Watson

Let’s just remember the good times! LOL

Seriously, where did the 40 point Rodney Stuckey go??????

Got a question for Pistonscast.com? Send it to John W. Davis. And for Pistonscast news and updates follow John on Twitter.

-Special thanks to Mike Watson for the great video!

D Wade shines as Miami pulls ahead in the standings.

by Eric Woodyard

The act of getting a pregame interview with Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is like seeing Bishop Magic Don Juan sporting anything but green and gold (…it just doesn’t happen much!). I found this out when Wade and the Heat made their visit to the Palace of Auburn Hills to take on the struggling Detroit Pistons yesterday.

I came into the arena with high hopes! For what it’s worth, it was an ESPN/ABC nationally televised game, a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and Wade’s a humble dude so I knew that I could be lucky enough to pull of this feat. Wrong! Not only was I unable to get an interview with him, I was unable to even see the MVP candidate until about 10 minutes before the tip off. Despite my failed attempt with the Flash, I was successful in my other efforts. The actual game was action-packed but most of the real action took place before and after the exhibition. Here’s what happened…

Pregame

Upon entering the arena, ESPN cameramen were everywhere and I spotted a few familiar faces even before visiting the team’s locker rooms. The first person that I encountered was NBA legend turned analyst, Mark Jackson, who was friendlier than most. The New Yorker was engaged in casual conversation with another person from the media when I briefly interrupted him for a short interview. After quizzing me about my background info and asking me if I knew SLAM Editor-In-Chief, Ben Osborne, he agreed to answer a few questions.

SLAM: How do you feel about being here today watching DWade take on the Detroit Pistons here in Motown?
Mark Jackson: Well it’s gonna be a lot of fun. You’re talking about getting the opportunity to watch arguably the best player in the game and a guy that has a legit chance to win MVP so it should be a very entertaining ball game.

SLAM: Your (analyst) style is pretty creative, you’ve got your own punch lines like “Mama there goes that man,” and things like that. How do you come up with those types of things?
Mark Jackson: Well it’s really New York talk. It’s something I grew up with playing basketball on the playgrounds of New York City, playing with family and friends, [and] no matter what I’m doing all day everyday, I’m a trash talker and I’m having fun. So it’s just an extension of me calling the game almost like I’m sitting on the couch with my family just having fun with it. So I’m trying to put my own spin on it.

SLAM: We have a guy here in Michigan by the name of Rodney Stuckey. A lot of people like to compare him to Dwyane Wade, what’s your take on that?
Mark Jackson: It’s really not fair to compare him to a guy that has ultimately won a championship and is a guy that is one of the top-three players in the world today. But Rodney Stuckey is a phenomenal young basketball player and you can see the similarities in both players and you can see how bright his future’s gonna be. Outstanding scorer, tremendous strength and a bright head on his shoulders.

SLAM: Who’s your MVP? Do you feel DWade should be considered for it despite his team’s record?
Mark Jackson: Well his team is in the Playoffs so he certainly should be considered but when you’re talking about the MVP, I think it’s a toss up between Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. It’s awfully tough to pick one of those guys. I think the rest of the season is going to tell who separates themselves.

From there it was off to the locker rooms. The Heat’s side was pretty dead as most of the players took part in shoot around. Mario Chalmers listened to music while Luther Head and Udonis Haslem had their eyes fixed on film of the opposition.

On the Pistons’ side, Rodney Stuckey munched on a pre-game meal after taking a few pre-game shots and signing autographs to the rowdy fans. Stuckey was cool, calm and collected as he too was watching film of his basketball idol Dwyane Wade while sitting at his locker. There was also an Allen Iverson sighting as he stretched in the training room looking as if he would take part in action.

After peeping the scene for a little while longer, I decided to step into the media room where breakfast food was being served. Without trying to be too much of a pest, I decided to approach former Bad Boy Rick Mahorn who was stern but fair.

“What’s up Mr. Mahorn?” I asked as he ate.

“If you mess with me while I’m trying to eat I’ll kill you,” Mahorn said smirking.

“Oh OK,” I said not knowing whether to take him serious or not.

“I’m for real! Naw but what can I help you with?” he said grinning looking up from his plate of pancakes, hash browns, and bacon.

“I work with SLAM, and I was wondering if I could get an interview?”

“Yeah, I’ll get you when I’m done eating.”

Instead of waiting around because he wasn’t nearly finished, I decided to camp out in the hallway to watch as the Pistons stormed their home court. Mahorn ran into me out there and said he’d get me after the game but I didn’t see him again. He wasn’t dodging me, but we were both very busy after the game and we didn’t cross paths.

In-Game

Logo, anyone?– Without A.I., Rip, and Sheed, Wade dominated as usual! 39 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks… including the game-winning swat on Stuckey that made me feel like a proud father as he did wonders for my fantasy league team.

– Stuckey held his own, though, as he chipped in 24 points, grabbed a board, and threw 3 dimes. The Pistons lead for most of the game but fell in the end, 96-101, moving three games behind Miami in the Eastern Conference standings.

– Rip was the only player from the injured trio to sit on the bench and support his team. A.I. and Sheed teased the fans as they came out during warm-ups and signed a few autographs before heading back into the locker room to watch the game.

– In the second quarter Rip even seemed amused as he and Kwame Brown watched himself on the scoreboard’s large screen in the “24 seconds with Rip” feature during a time out. When asked who his favorite actresses were he responded with “I have two, Halle Berry and Pam Grier. Only people from the old school know about Pam Grier… I have an old soul.”

Postgame

Following the game near the tunnel of the visitor’s locker room, I ran into another distinguished African-American actress who unfortunately didn’t top Rip’s list…Gabrielle Union. Caramel skin glowing, dimples glaring and looking as beautiful as ever, I wanted to spit a few words in her ear but I decided not to (…just kidding). I couldn’t say the same for the fans who bombarded hip-hop star, Flo Rida, before I reached Gabrielle Union. He seemed to enjoy the attention as he posed for pics and gave out his signature to just about anyone who asked.

This, minus the autographs and photos, was a lot like the media frenzy around Dwyane Wade in the visitor’s locker room as he sat at an unnamed locker and answered each question fired from reporters with grace and humility. Although I was unable to get a direct interview with the Flash, I can take credit as being the first person to show him a copy of his third appearance on the cover of the SLAM Magazine.

A video of this occurrence will be posted later this week on SLAMTV… Stay tuned!!

Peace,

Eric Woodyard

www.slamonline.com

(This article is comes to Pistonscast Courtesy Eric Woodyard and slamonline.com)

*For those who missed the Miami game on Sunday here is a local article recap.

———————————–

Pistons coach Michael Curry was ejected in the final seconds of Sunday’s loss to the Heat, and a few players commented on the officiating after the game.

Detroit was upset that a foul wasn’t called on Dwyane Wade as Rodney Stuckey drove to the basket on the team’s final possession.

“They were calling us for those same fouls all game long, riding Wade to the basket,” said Tayshaun Prince. “You can see why Coach Curry got thrown out the game because of that situation, and we felt what D-Wade did to Stuckey at the end of the game, they were calling us for those fouls on the other end over the course of the game.

“Obviously you know in late-game situations they are going to try to let us play, but I think you saw the inconsistency there when Stuck drove on that play and got rode all the way to the basket, and that was pretty much the game right there.”

Wade blocked Stuckey’s shot, but the Pistons felt as though there was significant contact.

“I guess the ref saw it different,” said Stuckey. “I thought I went to the basket aggressively while he had 10 of his fingers on me and they didn’t call the foul.

“He’s an All-Star so I guess you are going to get those calls.”

VIA DETROIT FREE PRESS

****Here an example of D Whistle Wade foul madness!

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here. Here is an experiment that I would like everyone to take.

Think back over this current 3-game winning streak and rank our Detroit Pistons starters from worst to best.

Here are the official Pistonscast Starter Rankings. (Worst to Best)

5. Rodney Stuckey
4. Tayshaun Prince
3. Rasheed Wallace
2. Antonio McDyess
1. Richard Hamilton

Luckily with Stuckey on the bottom of the totem poll we can expect alot of improvement from him.

Rank your Pistons Starters!

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Pistons.com Detroit v. New Orleans Quote of the Day:

Rip Hamilton…

On Playing Most of the Game Without Allen Iverson: “The way we’ve have been starting, is the way [head coach Michael Curry] wants. I’ve said I’m happy to come off the bench as long as we’re winning. But we’re losing. We’re now 4-12 with me coming off the bench. Something’s got to give. I’m all for doing whatever it takes for the team, but coming off the bench with us not winning, something’s got to change.”

(Thanks to Matt from the AU for all the great pics and the link.)

*Other Pistons Points to ponder…

 Stuckey will continue to start. I repeat he will continue to start.  (SIGH…)  Coach Curry says he’s not considering sending Stuckey to the bench.  Rip is obviously not happy coming off the bench and losing.  I know that Iverson is hurt right now with his back injury but could a starting lineup change be on the way?

Are the Pistons finally going take the reins away from Iverson?

 
What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here. It’s time for some drastic measures. I’ll get right to the point.

Here is the Pistonscast: Deven and John 3-point plan to salvage this season.

1. Let the young guys play every game. Afflalo, Amir, and Max need their playing time like Rip needs his mask.

2. Let AI lead. Simple enough. He wants to do it. At this point, we can’t get worse.

3. Rodney Stuckey: Don’t be afraid to sit him down to send a message to him. As super as Stuck was at the beginning of the season he is still a young player. Don’t be afraid to teach him a lesson.

Honorable Mention: Continue to let Rip Hamilton lead off the bench. Let Rip be Rip.

*Also listen to Episode 89 for a special edition of Calling Coach Curry.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on Pistonscast Posse?

What’s good everyone? The Pistons are trying to get it together. They are trying to find an identity. Matter of fact, they must find an identity pronto. With that said, I have a few questions for you.

-Who is your go-to Detroit Piston?

-Is Amare Stoudemire a good fit for the Pistons?

-Should Antonio McDyess start?

I’m really feeling good about our Pistons right now. I think we might be finally turning the corner!

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on Pistonscast Posse?

Times are hard. It’s a recession out there. People don’t have jobs. People don’t have retirement funds. People simple don’t have.

*Is it starting to seem that the Pistons might not have it this year?

*Why does Tayshaun Prince struggle against Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics?

*Is Rodney Stuckey going to be the player that Pistonscast knows he can be?

*Have you ever heard of Bruce Leroy? LOL

You know what to do!

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going Pistonscast Posse?

Oh where, Oh where is Rodney Stuckey’s aggressiveness?

That’s the question of the day.

Matter of fact, it’s the question of the week.

If we are going to beat Boston, we need the young Thunder Cat, Superstar version of Mr. Stuckey! Rodney, you have already proven that you can practically score at will. When you score 40 points in the NBA, you have ascended to the next level. However the next level means new responsibilities.

*Is Rodney Stuckey ready to dominate every game?……………………

Another question in my mind, is if the “new” 20 point and 10 rebound Rasheed Wallace for real? I sure hope so. He is playing out of position every night but he is so skilled that he gets it done when he wants to.

Its so frustrating but when Sheed is on, all of his past transgressions go out the window. When he is not playing well, they all fly right back into the window and bring our team down.  But you can’t blame Rasheed because we all knew he was this type of player before he came to the Pistons.

*Are we going to get Rasheed……………

or

Roscoe?……………………………………..

These are the question in my mind.

What are yours?

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World?

Rodney SST SST  SST Stuckey!!! Is this kid the man or what?  Episode 77 has some of your favorite Pistonscast features like A Pistons’ Prayer for our commander in chief. (Joe D)

*Is the D-League the best place for Acker and Walter Sharpe?  Shoutout to DBB for the shoutout!

*Which All-Star do you think Rodney Stuckey compares to?

*Special shoutout to Matt from Australia for the sweet Rip Hamilton picture.

*OH BABY! I NEED ALL MY GOD SONS AND GOD DAUGHTERS to Call-In! Leave a voice mail message for us at (313) 769-3287.  If its good, you’ll make an upcoming show.

Peace,

www.pistonscast.com