Episode 10: Pistons NBA Draft, free agency and trades

Rod Beard, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, discusses the Pistons' options at pick No. 7 in the NBA Draft, trading Bruce Brown and how general manager Troy Weaver is putting his mark on the roster, along with how free agency might play out. Here's a breakdown of Episode 10: 0:00 – Introd…

Episode 9: Draft lottery, bubbles, draft targets and cheesecake

Rod Beard, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, discusses the NBA Draft Lottery, tanking, the Pistons' targets in the draft and what the timeline for the rest of the offseason and next season could look like Here's a breakdown of Episode 9: 0:00 -- Introduction and rundown 2:13 -- The NBA Dra…

Episode 8: The NBA Bubble, draft and free agency and postseason awards ballot

Rod Beard, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, discusses the NBA restart in the Orlando bubble, the Pistons' potential for playing in a Chicago bubble and how the Pistons can approach the draft and free agency. There's more about his ballot for NBA postseason awards and the Pistons' new G Lea…

Episode 7: Inside a 2-week self-isolation, Pistons and hip-hop album brackets

Rod Beard, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, discusses how the league and the world has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including a period of self-isolation after direct contact, with no symptoms or isues. Here's a breakdown of Episode 7: 0:00 -- Introduction and rundown 2:20 -- My ti…

Episode 6: #PistonsTradeSZN

Rod Beard, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, discusses the upcoming NBA trade deadline and how the Pistons could be one of the more active teams, looking to reshape their roster. Here's a breakdown of Episode 6: 0:00 -- Introduction and rundown 1:34 -- Which Pistons trade pieces could mov…

Episode 5: Drummond trade talk and Pistons' future direction

Rod Beard, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, discusses the recent trade talk around Andre Drummond, plus team owner Tom Gores' comments about possibly pivoting toward rebuilding the roster. Also, rookie Sekou Doumbouya makes his starting debut and what the future of the roster could look li…

Episode 4: Assessing the season and trade possibilities, plus Christmas wishes for each player

Rod Beard, Pistons beat writer for The Detroit News, hosts the special holiday edition of the "Rod & Real" podcast, assessing the season after 31 games, the outlook for the trade deadline and Christmas wishes for each of the players and coach Dwane Casey on the periodic series. Here's a breakdown …

Episode 3: First impressions and top 5 cities & albums

Rod Beard, beat writer for The Detroit News, hosts the "Rod & Real" podcast, with a look at the season the Detroit Pistons' slow start and the rest of the NBA, along with other topics on the new weekly series. Here's a breakdown of Episode 3: 0:00 -- Introduction and rundown 2:16 -- Early-season r…

Episode 2: Pistons/NBA Season preview

Rod Beard, beat writer for The Detroit News, hosts the "Rod & Real" podcast, with a look at the season preview for the Detroit Pistons and the NBA, along with other topics on the new weekly series. Here's a breakdown of Episode 2: 0:00 -- Introduction 2:38 -- Blake Griffin injury 9:52 -- Pistons r…

Episode 1: #StartCasting

Rod Beard, beat writer for The Detroit News, hosts the premiere of the "Rod & Real" podcast, a look at the Detroit Pistons, NBA and other topics on the new weekly series. Here's a breakdown of the first episode: 0:00 -- Introduction 2:10 -- Background 3:10 -- Pistons roster breakdown 15:01 -- Andr…