PistonPowered joins FanSided

Shortly after launching PistonPowered, I did a Q&A (that I don’t believe ever made publication) for the TrueHoop Network rollout. An excerpt:

"Q:We hear you don’t have many friends among Michigan’s wrestling team. How did that go down?A: Two summers ago, another writer and I reviewed the year of Michigan sports. I picked the wrestling team as the year’s most disappointing team. It wasn’t really a tough choice. The wrestling team had its worst record in 80 years and its worst-ever finish in the Big Ten.The next day, I woke up to an angry phone call from the wrestling coach (to be fair, it was noon)."

Yesterday, I woke up at 11:45 a.m. to write this.

We’re making progress.

PistonPowered has come a long way since its Jan. 2009 debut (when posts sometimes looked like this). Back then, I wrote in The Prestigious Stephen M. Ross School of Business. (I was there for the chicken fingers in the cafeteria, not the business degree.) Now, I’m standing at my very own table (and wishing I had chicken fingers).

While typing with un-greasy fingers is undoubtedly easier, I don’t want to completely shy away from new challenges. Our five-and-a-half years with the TrueHoop Network have been amazing, but it’s time for a new venture.

Today, PistonPowered joins FanSided.

What does that mean for you, loyal reader? Small improvements around the site, including a new layout and pictures on posts. More updates will come soon.

But brass tacks, you can still come to this URL and still follow us on Twitter and get the same Pistons coverage you’re used to receiving.

Fair warning, I’m going to thank some people you might not know. This portion of the post is admittedly self-serving, but I’m going to do it anyway. If you want to skip to the end, I don’t blame you.

• Henry Abbott and Kevin Arnovitz – your advice, support and friendship in these last six years has been invaluable. Thank you for believing in us and giving us this wonderful opportunity.
• Graham Simmington – without you, there is no site. Thank you for guiding me through all my inane technical questions and thanks to you and your family for giving us a name.
• Patrick Hayes – adding the best Pistons writer around to your staff does wonders. Thank you for taking this site to the next level.
• J.M. Poulard, Brady Fredericksen, Jameson Draper, Tim Thielke, Jakob Eich and Pardeep Toor – I was initially leery of adding new writers to the site. Thank you for proving my hesitancy was foolish.
• Everyone in the TrueHoop Network and everyone at ESPN who works with the THN – I’ve enjoyed all our interactions, especially the occasions we’ve gathered personally at Sloan, Blogs with Balls and elsewhere.  Thank you for the many great laughs, moments and friendships.
• Mom, Dad, Ruth and everyone who has supported me personally – I’m truly grateful. Thank you for always encouraging me to pursue what I enjoy.
• Joe Dexter – I’m incredibly excited to merge with what you’ve created. Thank you for quickly establishing Pistons Palace as a premier place for Pistons content.
• Adam Best, Zach Best, Matt Blake and Patrick Allen – I’m excited for our adventure together. Thank you for welcoming me to FanSided.
• Our readers – thank you for making all this possible. I hope you continue to stick with us as we take this next step.