The Engine Room

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

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

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

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

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

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

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