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 & Real Podcast

Episode 5: Drummond  trade talk and Pistons' future direction

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 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 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

YouTube Audio Library

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 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

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.