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 – Introduction and rundown 1:25 – Pistons in the NBA Draft 11:12 – Trading Bruce Brown 17:52 – Concerns in free agency 21:08 – Fred VanVleet? Who can they target in free agency? 22:48 – Russell Westbrook? It's possible. 24:50 – Wrap-up and deuces See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rod & Real

Episode 10: Pistons NBA Draft, free agency and trades

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 Draft Lottery 6:31 -- Tank talk 12:37 -- Pistons targets with the No. 7 pick 20:13 -- Bubble 2 in local markets 22:49 -- Looking ahead to next season 24:46 -- Did someone say cheesecake? The 24th Cheesecakerie did. 26:17 -- Wrap-up and deuces

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

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 League affiliate moving to Detroit. Here's a breakdown of Episode 8: 0:00 -- Introduction and rundown 1:35 -- The Orlando Bubble 12:26 -- Potential for a Chicago Bubble 15:20 -- The NBA draft, lottery and free agency 34:31 -- My NBA postseason awards ballot 42:55 -- Look ahead to next season 44:21 -- Pistons' new G League team 49:39 -- Wrap-up and deuces

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

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 timeline leading up to the NBA suspending the season 17:40 -- Two weeks of self-isolation 23:23 -- Where the Pistons stand in the hiatus 26:47 -- Hip-hop and rap album brackets in the 1990s 35:00 -- Wrap-up

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

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 move before the deadline? 15:48 -- What's going on with Sekou Doumbouya 18:46 -- Outlook for the rest of this season 20:14 -- Deconstructing and reconstructing the roster 22:35 -- Sacrifices of choosing sports writing as a career 26:18 -- Wrap-up

Episode 6: #PistonsTradeSZN

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 like. Here's a breakdown of Episode 5: 0:00 -- Introduction and rundown 1:20 -- Andre Drummond trade talk with Atlanta Hawks 6:21 -- Other potential destinations for Drummond 12:27 -- Thoughts on Pistons owner Tom Gores' comments on pivoting  15:04 -- Other Pistons pieces that could be traded 18:46 -- Rookie Sekou Doumbouya gets his first career start 21:37 -- Playing the young guys to help future direction 23:37 -- Wrap-up

Episode 5: Drummond trade talk and Pistons' future direction

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 of Episode 4: 0:00 -- Introduction and rundown 1:09 -- Breaking down the Pistons' 11-20 start 6:00 -- Assessing trade value for some of Pistons' assets 17:15 -- Christmas wishes for each player and Dwane Casey 27:03 -- Wrap-up

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

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 report card 17:46 -- How to enjoy this season's Pistons squad 28:06 -- What's Andre Drummond's fit and future? 30:08 -- Chat with Pistons center Andre Drummond 38:28 -- Top 5 NBA cities 47:15 -- Top 5 Favorite Albums 53:40 -- Pistons overview for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) 56:42 -- Wrap up

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 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 roster breakdown 15:11 -- Chat with Pistons senior advisor Ed Stefanski 22:03 -- NBA Western Conference preview 30:57 -- NBA Eastern Conference preview 37:10 -- Pistons overview for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) 42:49 -- Road stories: The best #Startwriting ever / SVG 48:11 -- Wrap up

Episode 2: Pistons/NBA Season preview

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 -- Andre Drummond's contract situation 21:18 -- Daily Fantasy Sports 27:42 -- Road stories 30:13 -- Writing as a craft

Episode 1: #StartCasting

Detroit News sports writer Rod Beard is the point guard for a weekly podcast covering the Pistons, NBA and other sports topics. Other topics will include NBA daily fantasy sports (DFS), writing and an occasional diary from various NBA road trips.

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Rod & Real

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