Pistons win … but lose Rodney Stuckey

by Matt Watson on Oct 25, 2007 2:45 AM EDT

You know how everyone always used to talk about Detroit's knack for avoiding injuries the past few years? Ah, the good old days ... Lately, it seems no one can stay healthy. Amir Johnson missed all but 15 minutes of the preseason with a sprained ankle, Nazr Mohammed missed five games with a calf injury, Rip Hamilton missed the last three with a sprained ankle.

In hindsight, those were minor annoyances that did little more than disrupt the flow of training camp; the real pain happened Wednesday night when Rodney Stuckey busted up his left hand. X-rays were positive, revealing a break. No one knows how long he'll be sidelined, but when they do figure it out, it'll be measured in weeks, not days, which is disheartening with the season opener just seven days away.

Here are some of my other thoughts on the game, though Stuckey's injury is obviously the most important story line that emerged. I see the venting has already commenced. Feel free to continue, just be grateful that Flip Murray is still on the roster.

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well the god thing about it is : 1. He can move his fingers, so he won’t be out for too long (6 weeks max.)2. Flip/Mejia/Dupree/Afflalo NEED 2 STEP UP!!!!!!!!!!!! because this is a huge loss for us. So i’m very upset, but i believe he would bounce back wuick and …WAIT WE HAVE ARNIE KARNDER!! so he’ll be back so, i hope

LET"S GO PISTONS AND LET’S GET THAT SHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2007-2008 IT’S OUR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL BOUT DETROIT BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by DetroitGirl4life on Oct 25, 2007 8:26 AM EDT reply actions

sorry i meant “good” third word in paragraph

LET"S GO PISTONS AND LET’S GET THAT SHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2007-2008 IT’S OUR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL BOUT DETROIT BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by DetroitGirl4life on Oct 25, 2007 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

this sucks because it slows down stuckey’s development but its not the end of the world. there are still three solid/servicable backup guards on the roster. its not like Lindsey Hunter is 50 years old. he’s still capable of being the 3rd PG

by JesseC on Oct 25, 2007 8:47 AM EDT reply actions

I hope this rash of ankle sprains, Nazr sore calf, and now Stuckey’s broken finger are not a preview of how our season is going to go. Good thing he broke it now. That gives us one week of healing before the season even starts. Maybe sitting for a few weeks and studying the play of Chauncey and others will have some benefits. You have to find some silver lining in the cloud somewhere. I though Flip said Amir was going to get some serious burn. I read in the Freep that Arnie wanted to limit him to 15 mins. Damn, are we ever going to get to see this cat man.

by E-Double on Oct 25, 2007 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

It looks like everyone minus Stuckey should be healthy for the regular season. Rip might get reduced minutes the first game to play it safe. Trying to look at it the best way, at least Stuckey looked like he finally got his game down before he broke his hand. With it not being his shooting hand helps some to, as it shouldn’t affect his shot much. Broke his hand in 3 places though, ouch.

Nazr, Maxiell, Amir, Hayes, and Murray still make a pretty good bench. Afflalo looks pretty good once he gets warmed up. Mejia starts off kind off sloppy, but once he gets some minutes in he starts looking better. I like his effort, he looks like a scrappy player that would run down tired players late in the game. While Mejia doesn’t light up the scoreboard, he seems do whatever it takes to win. I’d still take Mejia over Dupree in a heartbeat.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Maxiell trading starting spots with McDyess either. I think it would be good for both of them. It looks like the pressure of starting is already showing McDyess. I feel bad for McDyess, when his shots weren’t falling you could tell by the look in his face he was disappointed in himself. The guy is so hard on himself.

by Matt C. on Oct 25, 2007 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Stuckey was looking great, he looked good enough to be a starting point guard on a lesser team. Being a rookie is tough enough, but to be a rookie point guard, right behind Billups is a big spot to fill. He looked comfortable as can be, I was really impressed. Just imagine him come this spring. Looks like Billups took a cue from Stuckey and Murray to drive to the basket, which worked out pretty good for him. I complained a lot last year about the lack of going to the basket(let alone getting in the paint), so I hope he keeps it up.

by Matt C. on Oct 25, 2007 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

That officially sucks alot. Trying REALLY hard to avoid the sneaking feeling this is going to be a rocky start here…

by PistonsGirl4Life on Oct 25, 2007 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

Losing a guy who can get teams into foul trouble and easy points at the line with that huge road trip to start the season is going to be suck. And I am glad that its his left hand not the right and that it happened now and not later.

by Matt Gibson on Oct 25, 2007 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

oh another positive:
Stuckey didn’t have to be taken off by a wheelchair because of his injury.

by Matt Gibson on Oct 25, 2007 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully it doesn’t hurt his game mentally more than physically. You never know how a guy is going to respond to a set-back like this, especially a rookie. Physically he can rehab and work to strengthen his hand, but I’d hate to see him lose his edge driving to the hole.

I’m being pretty dramatic for “just” a broken hand!

by Garrett on Oct 25, 2007 7:41 PM EDT reply actions

Garrett— fortunately for us, Stuckey happens to be on a team with some once-injured veterans… like Antonio McDyess… I have a feeling he’ll find some spiritual guidance with his teammates ;)

by Mike Payne on Oct 26, 2007 1:48 AM EDT reply actions