When speculation began about an existing NBA franchise moving to Las Vegas, it was natural, I suppose, the Pistons' would be mentioned if, for no other reason, they are clearly being sold. But the chances of the team moving from the Detroit area - even before the organization issued a statement saying they were not being sold to the rumored Las Vegas investor - were very remote. The Palace of Auburn Hills remains a state-of-the-art facility. And it is paid for - free and clear. Other teams considering movement, especially in a larger media market like Detroit (11th nationally), usually have arena issues - like Seattle when the franchise was moved to Oklahoma City. The NBA does seem fascinated by Las Vegas and all its glitz and glitter, despite the obvious drawback of it being a gambling Mecca. And it is the 33rd largest media market in the nation, just ahead of Orlando. It is also bigger than NBA markets in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Memphis and New Orleans. It is roughly the same size as San Antonio, Salt Lake City and Cleveland. Detroit's media market is more than double the size (roughly 3.8 million people) of any of the above-mentioned markets. The combination of The Palace and market size makes it highly likely the Pistons will be moved. And while the economy is still sputtering around these parts, it's not much different than the rest of the country these days.

My latest column in The Oakland Press: Five reasons the Tigers won't fade this time - http://tinyurl.com/3yhkdhr

Those thinking Allen Iverson should be coming off the bench instead of Richard Hamilton - assuming the Pistons go back to a "big" lineup - are missing the point.
The reason it makes sense for Iverson to remain in the starting lineup is because he and Rodney Stuckey have been playing so well together. Hamilton was totally out of sync when he and Iverson were the Pistons’ backcourt, and he hasn’t blended in as well with Stuckey or the three-man backcourt.
Stuckey has controlled the ball most of the time. He is the Pistons’ best player. Iverson has been effective playing off guard with him. The Pistons have benefitted greatly defensively by adding more size to their front court. It’s the bottom line.
Is it fair to Hamilton? No, given his status as an All-Star and a Piston - and because he would be losing his job because he got hurt. Should he be upset about it? Absolutely. A player of his caliber isn’t going to take not starting lightly - even if he does play a lot of minutes. The same issue would be there with Iverson.
But what’s best for the team? Right now, it’s starting the bigger lineup. Right now, it’s Amir Johnson starting and Hamilton off the bench. It could also change as time goes on.
How he handles this is a huge test for Pistons’ coach Michael Curry. It’s also for Joe Dumars. He has to back his coach.
It isn’t a matter of whether Hamilton would be upset about the sixth man role. It would be whether he played hard in the role. If put in that situation, and if he doesn’t play hard, Dumars would have no choice but to try to trade him - even considering Hamilton’s contract extension. Dumars is the one who put Curry in this situation. He can’t expect him to pull off making Hamilton feel good about going into the sixth man role.
It has to be made clear what’s best for the team is what’s best for the team. That’s comes from the top. When it comes to the Pistons basketball operations, that’s Joe Dumars, not Michael Curry.
The only hammer the Pistons have is the possibility of trading Hamilton. And it’s in Dumars hand.

Random Thoughts

- My Hall of Fame ballot this year included: Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice, Bert Blyleven, Alan Trammell, Jack Morris, Lee Smith and Andre Dawson. Just couldn’t bring myself to vote for Mark McGwire. Not sure I ever will.

- If I were to rate potential Lions head coaches at this point, I would go: 1. Jim Schwartz. 2. Ron Rivera. 3. Todd Bowles.

- The 49 shots the Red Wings surrendered during Monday’s loss at Dallas were the most since 1991. I didn’t think they could possibly play that poorly defensively. Chris Osgood played one of his better games. If he hadn’t, the Red Wings would have allowed double digits in goals.
- My Hall of Fame ballot this year included: Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice, Bert Blyleven, Alan Trammell, Jack Morris, Lee Smith and Andre Dawson. Just couldn’t bring myself to vote for Mark McGwire. Not sure I ever will.