The League...

The Pistons tacked on another loss Friday, after losing to Dallas 112-91 at The Palace.

With half the season left, you can't call the Iverson-Billups trade a failure for Detroit just yet. But, damn; something is clearly wrong. I'll admit, I was a huge fan of the trade when it went down. In Iverson, Detroit would finally have that feisty player to mix things up and take the initiative on the offensive end - exactly what they had been missing in their empty playoff runs of recent years. 

However, that's clearly not what has happened. Instead, in recent days, Rip Hamilton has become a sixth man for just the second time in his Piston career, while Denver has gone 27-12 since acquiring Billups and sits atop the Northwest Division. The Pistons, on the other hand, have been on a roller coaster ride and are just 20-18 since Iverson's arrival. His era in Detroit started with the Pistons going 5-5, included a 7-game win streak at the end of December, but are 5-7 in the New Year.

Iverson has the lowest scoring average of his career, at 17.6 points per game. In addition he's seeing the fewest minutes os his career, clocking just under 38 minutes per night. (Yet, he's starting in the All-Star Game......hmmm???)

First, the problem was just finding chemistry. Then, the blame was on the bigs. Now, the lineup shuffles are in effect. But now, there aren't many excuses left. I think Joe Dumars pulled the trigger on this trade too early. I mean, they did start the season 4-0 before trading Billups. Detroit became so used to the steady hand that was Billups, that they took him for granted, and are now feeling the effects. 

Other Highlights: 

King James had 32 to go along with 9 boards, 8 assists, and hit a 20 foot game-winner - the first of his career. Timmy D had 30, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks. Devin Harris had 27 and 4 steals. Eric Gordon put up 41. Kevin Durant went for 46, including 24 from the foul line, and 15 rebounds. And my man Danny Granger had 25, 6 boards, 5 dimes, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Again, he better be playing Feb. 15.

Scores From Around The League...1/24/09

Mavs 112, Pistons 91

Rockets 102, Pacers 107

Suns 76, Bobcats 98

Bucks 87, Hawks 117

Grizzlies 88, Knicks 108

Hornets 108, T'Wolves 116

Raptors 114, Bulls 94

Nets 91, Spurs 94

Cavs 106, Warriors 105

Thunder 104, Clippers 107