In anticipation of tonight’s game between the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons, I present a quick Q&A with Matt from the excellent Pistons blog, Detroit Bad Boys.

[UPDATE]: Check my answers to the questions of Detroit Bad Boys

1) Over the summer, Joe Dumars said that no one was ‘untouchable’ and then did not make any major moves. How satisfied were you with what the Pistons did in the off-season coming into this year?

At first I was disappointed, but once it became apparent that Amir Johnson was going to start and Rodney Stuckey was expected to average 25-30 minutes, I got excited. Not a lot of team can undergo a youth movement while staying in contention, but I think the Pistons have a chance to pull it off. I’ve been dying to see Johnson get a fair shake the last two years and Stuckey looked like a future All-Star at times in the playoffs, so if all the pieces come together, it’ll be like the Pistons added two impact players to their rotation without giving anything up.

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Sometimes these game blogs get way too long. At times, it becomes difficult to temper my enthusiasm. When the Wizards do well, I’m just typing away as a result of the abundant offense (usually). If they are playing poorly, I got words too. Tonight, I’m really going to concentrate on selectivity. D’oh! Forgot this is a Triple Play…..Wizards on the main feed, Caps playoff game #1 on the left. The strugglin’ Nats on the right. Oh well, we will see.

I got a preview/run-down of all (some) things Wizards here. Laters.

Also, check out the Bullets Forever game thread for comments.

Previously on Ready to Die.

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The Wizards Run-Down

• The anti-Eddie Jordan crowd has ceased their crowing lately. Tuff Juice gives Eddie his full support, as he has done all year, and Ivan Carter of the Washington Post does well to drum up some support.
• Support came from Slam magazine giving some link love to the Washington Post’s touting of Jordan. (Byron Scott seems to be the favorite among the commentors)
• So Michael Lee on Wizards Insider starts the east-coast Coach of the Year argument with four great cases, but gives no answer.
• Lez Bullez also talks about others in the conversation.
• The DC Pro Sports Report has Eddie’s back and cites the valid criticism.
• Me? Right Now: Mo Cheeks 1, Eddie Jordan 2 – but there’s a lot of important games left.
• To the West Coast Swang with the Pradamaster from Bullets Forever:
  My guess is that if the trip is a microcosm of the entire season, like it was last year, we’re in good shape. This year’s team doesn’t have nearly as much talent, but they’re more organized, play better defense, and have better coaching.
• Good thing the Wizards took Monday off to get a head start to Portland.
• Awww….Somebody bald has a crush. [PTI]
• VOTE FOR GILBERT OR DIE!
  
• Know what I’m sayin’?
• It’s game night people.
• Game #9 blog vs. Trailblazers
• Catch tonight’s game blog on Bullets Forever
• [And here is the link to that game #70 blog versus the Portland Trailblazers.]
• GO WIZARDS!

Recapping those Pistons:

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First game of ’08 and I’m liking that the Wizards have a chance to show what they’re made of in a match-up against ESPN’s #1 Power Ranked team. Bullets Forever thinks this ranking is silly in their extensive run-down of tonight’s game….in which a good point is also made about the defensive ability of Tayshaun Prince and what Caron Butler will be able to do against him. Tonight will be a good measure of the growth for Tuff Juice.

The Pistons are the model of consistency and balance for which the Wizards should strive. Chauncey Billups is the ultimate game manager…but he’s also known as Mr. Big Shot. You just don’t find this combo in an NBA point guard too often.

Now, Gilbert Arenas will never be the point guard that Billups is, and the Wizards will never win in the manner that the Pistons do. However, that’s not to say that Washington doesn’t have the potential to win as much in a balanced and consistent manner. Gilbert has proven that two all-stars, two big-time scorers, can successfully play alongside him — but now, he needs to up that to a team scale level. But that’s down the road — not to mention, remaining to be seen when he does come back.

The key is tonight is the fact that the General, Antonio Daniels, is back in the lineup. Now let’s start the show…..

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