Rod Beard
@detnewsrodbeard.bsky.social
Senior Sports Editor, @ajc. Former Sports Editor, The Detroit News. Former Detroit Pistons and Michigan basketball beat writer. Avid tennis player and Executive Director, Academic Games Leagues of America (AGLOA). Purveyor of #StartWriting. ΑΦΑ
Some news: I’ve accepted an amazing new role as Senior Sports Editor at @AJCsports. It’s bittersweet, leaving after 23 years at The Detroit News, my first and only newspaper home, and Michigan, the only state where I’ve ever lived. It's an immense blessing and I'm excited for new opportunities.
April 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Some news: I’ve accepted an amazing new role as Senior Sports Editor at @AJCsports. It’s bittersweet, leaving after 23 years at The Detroit News, my first and only newspaper home, and Michigan, the only state where I’ve ever lived. It's an immense blessing and I'm excited for new opportunities.
Three #Pistons players suspended for roles in altercation vs. Minnesota:
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Three Pistons players suspended for roles in altercation vs. Minnesota
Three Pistons among five NBA suspensions for incident against Minnesota
www.detroitnews.com
April 1, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Three #Pistons players suspended for roles in altercation vs. Minnesota:
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
BIG3 basketball league unveils Detroit team nickname, head coach: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
BIG3 basketball league unveils Detroit team nickname, head coach
The BIG3 basketball league, founded by rapper Ice Cube in 2017, will be transitioning to a city franchise model for 2025.
www.detroitnews.com
March 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
BIG3 basketball league unveils Detroit team nickname, head coach: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Watch: #Pistons' Jaden Ivey showcases his progression from broken left fibula: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Watch: Pistons' Jaden Ivey showcases his progression from broken left fibula
During Monday's practice, Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey demonstrated his continued recovery from a broken left fibula.
www.detroitnews.com
March 24, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Watch: #Pistons' Jaden Ivey showcases his progression from broken left fibula: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Making the case for #Pistons' Cade Cunningham for All-NBA: 'He has been the best guard':
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Making the case for Pistons' Cade Cunningham for All-NBA: 'He has been the best guard'
Cade Cunningham's game-winning basket vs. the Miami Heat adds to his candidacy for All-NBA honors.
www.detroitnews.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Making the case for #Pistons' Cade Cunningham for All-NBA: 'He has been the best guard':
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Another one: Michigan State's Tom Izzo wins Big Ten coach of the year
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Another one: Michigan State's Tom Izzo wins Big Ten coach of the year
In a year filled with records and accolades for MSU's Tom Izzo, add the conference’s top coach to the list.
www.detroitnews.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Another one: Michigan State's Tom Izzo wins Big Ten coach of the year
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Horsepower: #Pistons revving up the wins in historic turnaround: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Horsepower: Pistons revving up the wins in historic turnaround
This Pistons' turnaround is historic, as they already shattered expectations and have improved from a franchise-worst 17% win percentage last season to 57%.
www.detroitnews.com
March 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Horsepower: #Pistons revving up the wins in historic turnaround: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Before the season, if you would have told me that on March 4, the #Pistons (35-27) would have a better record than the Heat, Magic, Warriors, Kings, T'Wolves, Mavs and Suns ...
March 4, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Before the season, if you would have told me that on March 4, the #Pistons (35-27) would have a better record than the Heat, Magic, Warriors, Kings, T'Wolves, Mavs and Suns ...
Beard: From No. 5 pick to possible No. 5 seed, #Pistons turnaround unexpected, making it all the more fun to watch: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Beard: Pistons turnaround unexpected, making it all the more fun to watch
With about seven weeks left in the regular season, the Pistons are likely going to the NBA playoffs and they have a candidate for Coach of the Year.
www.detroitnews.com
February 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Beard: From No. 5 pick to possible No. 5 seed, #Pistons turnaround unexpected, making it all the more fun to watch: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
The #Pistons are firmly in the No. 6 spot in the East, by 3.5 games. They are 1.5 games from the No. 4 position.
With 24 games left, they have a shot of HOSTING playoff series.
There were no typographical or factual errors made in the production of this post.
With 24 games left, they have a shot of HOSTING playoff series.
There were no typographical or factual errors made in the production of this post.
February 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The #Pistons are firmly in the No. 6 spot in the East, by 3.5 games. They are 1.5 games from the No. 4 position.
With 24 games left, they have a shot of HOSTING playoff series.
There were no typographical or factual errors made in the production of this post.
With 24 games left, they have a shot of HOSTING playoff series.
There were no typographical or factual errors made in the production of this post.
The #Pistons currently have a 0% chance at getting the No. 1 pick (and the pick position is 19th, anyway).
Their only pick in the draft would be No. 35 (from TOR). Soak it in, folks ... this year is different.
Their only pick in the draft would be No. 35 (from TOR). Soak it in, folks ... this year is different.
February 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The #Pistons currently have a 0% chance at getting the No. 1 pick (and the pick position is 19th, anyway).
Their only pick in the draft would be No. 35 (from TOR). Soak it in, folks ... this year is different.
Their only pick in the draft would be No. 35 (from TOR). Soak it in, folks ... this year is different.
#Pistons (29-26) have the 18th-ranked (of 30) strength of schedule in their remaining 27 games. If they go 14-13 the rest of the way, they'd finish 43-39 and possibly be in the playoffs.
February 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM
#Pistons (29-26) have the 18th-ranked (of 30) strength of schedule in their remaining 27 games. If they go 14-13 the rest of the way, they'd finish 43-39 and possibly be in the playoffs.
Beard: NBA All-Star Weekend format falls flat for a 1-star review: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Beard: NBA All-Star Weekend format falls flat for a 1-star review
The NBA has some choices to make about its All-Star Weekend. What once was a signature sporting event that was a ratings goldmine is now a farce.
www.detroitnews.com
February 17, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Beard: NBA All-Star Weekend format falls flat for a 1-star review: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
This ain't it, NBA ...
* If the teams play to a total, make it 100
* If it has to be a tournament: Three teams, three-game round-robin format. Let point differential be the tiebreaker
* Eliminate the commercials and ad-lib standups
* Less talk ... more basketball.
* If the teams play to a total, make it 100
* If it has to be a tournament: Three teams, three-game round-robin format. Let point differential be the tiebreaker
* Eliminate the commercials and ad-lib standups
* Less talk ... more basketball.
February 17, 2025 at 2:27 AM
This ain't it, NBA ...
* If the teams play to a total, make it 100
* If it has to be a tournament: Three teams, three-game round-robin format. Let point differential be the tiebreaker
* Eliminate the commercials and ad-lib standups
* Less talk ... more basketball.
* If the teams play to a total, make it 100
* If it has to be a tournament: Three teams, three-game round-robin format. Let point differential be the tiebreaker
* Eliminate the commercials and ad-lib standups
* Less talk ... more basketball.
Pregame reading for tonight's NBA All-Star Game, where Cade Cunningham will make his long-awaited debut:
Through hard work, tragedy, #Pistons' Cade Cunningham has earned All-Star moment: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Through hard work, tragedy, #Pistons' Cade Cunningham has earned All-Star moment: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Through hard work, tragedy, Pistons' Cade Cunningham has earned All-Star moment
Cade Cunningham, in his fourth year with the Pistons, is distinguishing himself, earning his first All-Star selection, this weekend in San Francisco.
www.detroitnews.com
February 16, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Pregame reading for tonight's NBA All-Star Game, where Cade Cunningham will make his long-awaited debut:
Through hard work, tragedy, #Pistons' Cade Cunningham has earned All-Star moment: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Through hard work, tragedy, #Pistons' Cade Cunningham has earned All-Star moment: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Q&A: Michigan athletic director Manuel on Big House advertising, Sherrone Moore, revenue sharing and more: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Q&A: Michigan athletic director Manuel on Big House advertising, Sherrone Moore, revenue sharing and more
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, a former Michigan football player and athletic department administrator, has been in the role since 2016.
www.detroitnews.com
February 11, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Q&A: Michigan athletic director Manuel on Big House advertising, Sherrone Moore, revenue sharing and more: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Did Eagles' Super Bowl prove #Lions need Myles Garrett to bolster pass rush?: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Did Eagles' Super Bowl prove Lions need Myles Garrett to bolster pass rush?
Philadelphia's defensive line wreaked havoc in Super Bowl LIX. Did that prove the Lions need Myles Garrett? Let's tackle both ends of that argument.
www.detroitnews.com
February 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Did Eagles' Super Bowl prove #Lions need Myles Garrett to bolster pass rush?: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
A step-by-step guide to the Detroit Lions' 2025 offseason: Part I: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
A step-by-step guide to the Detroit Lions' 2025 offseason: Part I
Over the next three days, we'll be taking you through the entire Detroit Lions offseason, step by step, through the first week of training camp.
www.detroitnews.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A step-by-step guide to the Detroit Lions' 2025 offseason: Part I: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
February 10, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Wojo: #Pistons got better at the deadline, and positioned themselves for playoff push: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Wojo: Pistons got better at the deadline, and positioned themselves in playoff push
It’s not a huge step, but a necessary step. For the Pistons, it’s another steady step in the right direction.
www.detroitnews.com
February 7, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Wojo: #Pistons got better at the deadline, and positioned themselves for playoff push: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
#Pistons add veteran point guard Dennis Schroder ahead of trade deadline: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Pistons to add veteran point guard ahead of trade deadline
It took some time for the dust to settle with the Pistons' moves ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
www.detroitnews.com
February 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
#Pistons add veteran point guard Dennis Schroder ahead of trade deadline: www.detroitnews.com/story/sports...
Happy NBA Trade Deadline Day, for those who celebrate.
Something to keep an eye on today with #Pistons: They've added three players (Martin, Richardson, Waters) and three second-round picks ... still some work to do and may be rerouting some or all of those additions today.
Something to keep an eye on today with #Pistons: They've added three players (Martin, Richardson, Waters) and three second-round picks ... still some work to do and may be rerouting some or all of those additions today.
February 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Happy NBA Trade Deadline Day, for those who celebrate.
Something to keep an eye on today with #Pistons: They've added three players (Martin, Richardson, Waters) and three second-round picks ... still some work to do and may be rerouting some or all of those additions today.
Something to keep an eye on today with #Pistons: They've added three players (Martin, Richardson, Waters) and three second-round picks ... still some work to do and may be rerouting some or all of those additions today.
My understanding of the cap gymnastics that have to be done is that if the #Pistons use their $14M in cap space first, then the KJ Martin move can be done with the room MLE ... so I'd expect something else is coming before the trade deadline.
February 5, 2025 at 4:00 PM
My understanding of the cap gymnastics that have to be done is that if the #Pistons use their $14M in cap space first, then the KJ Martin move can be done with the room MLE ... so I'd expect something else is coming before the trade deadline.