Pistons Give New Meaning to "Bad Boys"

"DEEEee-TRRROIIIT BASSSKKEET-BAAALLL" used to echo throughout the Palace of Auburn Hills as a single phrase encompassing what the packed house was feeling: there's nothing better than watching your team win.

This year, though, Pistons fans have had very little to cheer about, as five games into the season Detroit is still looking for their first win. That's not to say that the games haven't been exciting, with two of the five loses coming by three points or less. Piston fans will also say the games have been winnable, pointing to the leads the 'Stones have had in the fourth quarter in four of their five loses. Four of their five opponents also played in a post-season series last year.

So Detroit Hoops-hopefuls are keeping their heads up? The Piston Faithful riding out these early season jitters with their eyes on the upcoming light at the end of the tunnel, right?

Not so fast.

The "DETROIT" chant still echoes throughout the arena, but for a different reason now: No one's showing up. A big-ticket opponent like the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics drew just 15,000 fans, 7,000 less than a capacity crowd.

In fact, the chance at winning free season tickets wasn't even enough to put butts in the seats. In an attempt to create a more lively atmosphere at the somewhat damper Palace, the Pistons organization held tryouts to find the rowdiest Piston supporters. The 50 fans that showed the most emotion would receive free season tickets, on the stipulation that they would attend each of the team's 41 home games this season.

300 people registered for the tryouts. 11 showed up.

There's no typo here, people, you read that right: The Pistons literally can't give away season tickets.

And unless these Pistons can turn some fourth quarter leads into wins, the Palace will continue to feel less like a arena and more like a warehouse.