Detroit Smallball invades our nation’s capital
by Kevin Sawyer on Dec 9, 2008 4:43 PM CST
496 comments
By Kevin Sawyer
Wizards: 3-15 (2-8 home)
Margin: -4.8 ppg (-5.6 home)
Last 10: 2-8 (margin -1.1)
Pistons: 11-8 (6-4 away)
Margin: -0.2 ppg (-0.2 away)
Last 10: 4-6 (margin -4.7)
Oppo research:
The Wizards aren’t as bad as they look, having nearly beaten the Lakers and Trail Blazers during a recent homestand. Without Gilbert Arenas, the loss of Brendan Haywood seems to have been some tipping point into the abyss. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison continue to play like the all-star reserves they are but this team is short-staffed. That said, they’ve arguably outplayed the Pistons over the last ten games.
For Washington, the problem is at the low end of the rotation. DeShawn Stevenson has no business earning 30 minutes per game. When your starting two is shooting 33%, you’re not winning games. Nick Young has done more than enough to earn the starting gig, and he torched us for 25 points in our last meeting, so I’m content to let him ride the pine.
Flint native Javale McGee has been a revelation, but has lost minutes in recent games for no apparent reason. Andray Blatche (the Wizards’ answer to Amir) has played well, but Etan Thomas (the Wizards’ answer to Kwame Brown?) has struggled to regain his pre-injury form.
I suppose you could say that the Wizards are an up-tempo team, but they have found a way to lose at any tempo. That’s happen when you don’t play defense. Washington ranks 3rd from the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency.
The Drama:
McDyess is back! Oh, and Juan Dixon was on our team for awhile.
Keys for Detroit:
Get off on the right foot: Washington is a terrible defensive squad, but the Pistons aren’t scoring on anyone if they begin like they did against the Knicks. Rodney Stuckey should be able to pick apart this defense, and should do so early. There is not excuse for a shooting slump against a team that allows opponents to shoot 48%.
Don’t sleep on the young guys: Jamison and Butler can have a huge night, and Washington can still lose. Young, Blatche, and McGee can put together big nights if left unattended, and Washington is a much different team when they do so.
Make ‘em beat you from outside: Washington shoots 32% from three point range on the season. If Curry has a zone defense in his back pocket, now would be the time to introduce it. One thing Washington doesn’t do is turn the ball over. Playing the passing lanes allows them to get to the basket, where they are much more effective. Stay in front of them, and you’ll stop them.
Question of the game:
Can McDyess make an instant impact? Dyess’ return potentially addresses a number of pressing issues, including rebounding and mid-range scoring. Here’s hoping he’s been staying in game shape.
0 recs |
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I don’t want to sound like a blindly optimistic homer or anything, but maybe the Pistons’ personnel have been in limbo, also waiting for Dyess to come back? Like if your wife goes out of town on business for a week or two, the first little bit is fine and you get lots of cool stuff done, but as it gets closer to her return date you just kind of stop doing stuff and wait for her to get home. Maybe?
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 4:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
lol i like the concept.
Dyess is a big factor, he will work very well with AI, and getting Rasheed some rest will be awesome.
Not to mention Mcdyess attacks the glass so much harder then Sheed.
by Rban on Dec 9, 2008 4:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I had a similar thought Garrett. I mean, Curry had his roster disrupted after only a few games. Maybe he thought, “Well, so much for all the work we put in so far. Why bother working hard when now it’s changing again in 30 days? Let’s hope no one notices.”
by Greg on Dec 9, 2008 5:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OT: Dwyane Wade is playing OUT OF HIS MIND this season.
(but I still don’t like him)
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 5:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Tonight will be the night (or morning) where all the stars align. Dice is back, the kids and wife are out of the house and Im wearing monkey pyjamas.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 5:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
WOW, that’s an empty building! Maybe it’s fashionable to show up late.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 6:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
http://www.justin.tv/pats4lyfe
…………is the Cavs/Raps. :D
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
http://albaaa.altervista.org/watch.php?id=601
Maybe not the best, but it puts some moving pictures with some audio and if you squint you can maybe make out who’s who.
Go Stones!
by PDXPistonsFan on Dec 9, 2008 6:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This lineup scares me. I dont get why were leaving Rasheed in. Hes my favorite player, so Im 100% behind his game, but with small ball? Wouldnt we be more effective at running the court with Amir in? Sheed likes to lag after the opening minutes and sometimes works by trailing play.
It just feels like were going 95%, or (more than) half-assing it.
by Lucas on Dec 9, 2008 6:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dude. One night I watched a camera pointing at some guy’s TV. This feed looks fine to me!
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
http://www.ppnba.com/tv/714.html
code: andromedanet.com
by Krasimir on Dec 9, 2008 6:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks guys, I can stop watching the cavs/raps now.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else think we should bench AI and have him help lead the 2nd unit?
by Lucas on Dec 9, 2008 6:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Only 2 refs for the game tonight? I thought they always had a backup on hand.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sheed, thats exactly what I want to see.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The first two plays? Sheed in the post, 2 for 2. That’s more like it.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Finally a crowd that sounds worse than ours.
by Lucas on Dec 9, 2008 6:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Tayshaun is on pace for 700 rebounds this game!
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
No problem guys, everything looks good so far.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sheed has come to play. Take that rookie!
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thats the trailing Sheed play I was talking about
by Lucas on Dec 9, 2008 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
9-0 start…can’t ask for much better then that.
by Jim on Dec 9, 2008 6:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This small lineup sucks. Tay can’t rebound. We’re getting destroyed….
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 6:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
by Martin on Dec 9, 2008 6:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We should bottle this start and open it up like a fine vintage come playoff time.
by PDXPistonsFan on Dec 9, 2008 6:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Get your logic and facts outta here Mike Payne!
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
by Granges on Dec 9, 2008 6:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Im living in a fairy dream land where we lead 9-0 early in the 1st. Oh wait…
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
magee chould read tje scouting report, SHEEED CAN HIT THE THREEEE!!!!
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 6:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Late for the party.
As I said in the previous post, the only logic I see in using small ball is to force the team to get out to quick starts a la Phoenix. Thats the only pro to it, cause when used in close games or when the game’s close it crushes us.
As we see its working here, but then again there was no way that even this team loses to the Wizards….right?
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else worried that Curry (the Davidson player) will join the Knicks with Lebron and have a tainted (in the sense that we have to hate him) NBA career?
by Lucas on Dec 9, 2008 6:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Oh snap@ the Gieco Gecko getting screentime on the court.
/randomized
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
cheap books is where u go to get cheap books, cheap books is where you go
dam i hate tht commercial, lol stuk in my head
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 6:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
As long as we get Patrick Mills or some other random Australian, I dont really mind :)
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
On the subject of random foreign draft picks, why is Darko so tough OFF of the court?
by Lucas on Dec 9, 2008 6:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I just don’t GET Darko. I just want to sit him down, and say “what’s your deal?”
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 6:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The only Australian I want on our team is Laughton.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 6:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Washington timeout soon. They getting beat up.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
nothin but net! RRRRRIIIIIICCCHHHHARD RRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP HAMILTON wait were in washington, i hate away games …..
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 6:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
To be honest, the small ball game isn’t looking too bad we are scoring again and playing decent defense. But then again, like Kevin mentioned it’s a team that is letting teams score at 48% a night and it only 32% at shooting the three-ball.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The only move I got is unstoppable. Dribble drive with a mega no altitude jump finger roll off the top of the backboard.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
altan – Im with you, I cant wait to her Mason do McDyess’ intro
by Lucas on Dec 9, 2008 6:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i never saw andray blatche hit a shot in my whole life
haha
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 6:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
actually, the small ball game is only working couz its…….washington, lol, yah they suk tht much
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 6:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Laughton:
we need that type of style off the bench.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 6:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Open looks ALL over the place. The Pistons really needed to beat up on somebody, and I don’t care whether it’s a decent opponent or not.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 6:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I know it’s only Washington, but after this last week and the line up change, I’m really really happy to see this start.
by Jim on Dec 9, 2008 6:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Diablo
Sure, but you really cant use this game against Worsehington to judge this new experiment. Still sometimes playing a bad team is all you need to boost confidence
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
*…they are only shooting at 32% with the three-ball. :)
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Keegan: Amen. We need to POUND Washington into the ground. That will build chemistry.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Garrett:
We’ve seen twice Boston crush our small ball(s). It still wont work against the Celtics
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hope we get to see McDyess in after the time-out!
by Jim on Dec 9, 2008 6:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yep, it’s understandable. It’s good that we are testng stuff out against a team that can hardly tie their shoe laces, than to go into Boston or LA and thinking they will take it easy but instead get our asses handed to us.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
1st Q going well, I just hope that the 2nd continues the punishment.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
55% from the field! Rip is out of his slump! The sky is rising! Hooray!
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This calls for a Canadian Club. Free Herrmann!
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Whoa Garrett, don’t jinx the thing. The sky is still falling okay?
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Laughton: Hmm. That’s true. What I MEANT to say was, “Fire Curry! Bench AI! Free Amir!”
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The way Washington is playing defense, anyone could get out of a shooting slump.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Is Herrmann’s name really pronounced Err-MON? I’ve always just said Herman.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m surprised the Wizards haven’t tried to expose AI on defense yet, he’s been guarding someone a full foot taller than him the whole game.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
good to see McDyess on the floor
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, it’s imperative that when Bynum is out there, so is our other point guard. Why.
by Greg on Dec 9, 2008 6:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I like this line-up…Bynum, Stuckey, Afflalo, Herrmann and McDyess.
by Jim on Dec 9, 2008 6:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Diablo:
Wizards expose AI? They couldnt expose a nude streaker rushing through the court.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I find it funny when a lot of yall say AI has been playing bad defense, but most of the time he gets scored on, it’s on bad pick and roll defense. He’s actually been playing pretty good lately.
by EntityAbyss on Dec 9, 2008 6:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ball movement is really poor. Players seem lethargic. Fire Flip!
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
McDyess and Herrmann with the double block on Dixon! Welcome back, Dyess!
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
still no maxiell, amir or kwame— STILL playing small ball, STILL working. the Wiz are making it easy, but this is interesting to watch.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 6:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
P_P, It’s still weird seeing this team, this terrible. And at one time, they were considered the “dark horse” of the Eastern Conference.
Hey, it’s Juan Dixon! And he’s getting his stuff swatted by 4 different Pistons.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn’t it be awesome to see a lineup of Bynum, Stuckey, Herrmann, Maxiel, and Amir?
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well when you lose your all-stars and were never a good defensive team to begin with, its not a suprise Diablo
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Stuck’s nicely devloping a top of the key J
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Those socks are so high I thought they were tights.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 6:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Who have they really lost? Brendan Haywood and Gilbert Arenas?
If I’m not mistaken they were still very competitive in past seasons, when they have lost Gilbert for more than half a season.
It’s more than just losing their all-stars, that have made this team so terrible.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 6:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hasnt Jamison been kinda on and off as well though?
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 6:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It’s nice to see the refs let them play. I wish more games were like this.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 6:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
even when they had there big 3 arenas butler and jamison they still suuked to tell u the truth,there bad at clutch too witout arenas
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 6:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Haywood’s pretty solid, especially on defense, which is where they’re suffering the most this year.
by Paul M on Dec 9, 2008 7:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’d love to see Herrmann cover Antawn Jamison. It would be the battle of the spazzes (offense vs. defense).
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Vintage Sheed. Loose concentration in the post. Get embaressed by the inferior gaurd. Bitch to the ref. Tech
Story of your sad ass Career Roscoe.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You know what we need right now? Jerome Williams.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 7:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is what I was worried about. Damn it all to hell.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 7:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I cant believe they’re gettong psyched out by the Wizards and blowing this…..
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Man, Kwame, Amir, and Max are completely froze out.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 7:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What a sad quarter. I almost thought we’d at least have the last word. Guess not.
by Greg on Dec 9, 2008 7:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow, how did they let Butler get that layup to end the half?
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Mike Payne:
Tell that to the team.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LMAO@ The Washington analysts messing up the halftime analysis and them cutting to commercial.
“Ugh, can we do that again?”
LOL!
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think the problem is that Curry needs to close the quarter out with the group that is playing well. Momentum seemed to change when the lineups did. No problem though. We have the depth and talent. I will say no more.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 7:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@prophecy:
I was talking about this:
“Story of your sad ass Career Roscoe.”
really?
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 7:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
so if we lose this……i made a bet lol, im gona be broke
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
WTF? He did it again
I know Im not the only one seeing this….
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Haha! How many times can they re-do that segment?
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I might be off with this, but it seemed like a lot of that mini-collapse happened near the end of the half when AI and Rip were the only guards on the court… There has to be a third guard on the court with those two.
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 7:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
dang prophecy , iwas watching fsnD i never saw somone mess up on live tv lol
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Mike Payne
Shit yes. As good as he has been, the story has always been if he concentrated he could have been better. And you know it. He could been a regular All-Star and a dude who could have been mentioned legitamitley with KG and Duncan because of his skillset but he never was disciplined.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Gabe
The Washington Analysts halftime report collapse>>>> Our Collapse
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yah, many may disagree but rasheed wallace could have been the best player at PF , he was a beast in highschool and college in the paint
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LOL…..there still on commercial. Granted this is League pass but still.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@PP- I’m watching Detroit feed, what happened with their broadcast?
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 7:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Is the feed coming back or did the Washington commentators break it?
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Gabe:
Basically they showed the two halftime presenters courtside doing the usual analysis of the 1st half and the second guy starts explaining how Washington came back and then as he was explaining it, in mid sentence he was like “Uh….Uh…Can we do that again”
Cut to Clone Wars commercial.
Then when they came back, he was speaking again and then AGAIN he was like “Uh…uh…grrrr” getting mad himself for messing up and now league pass has blacked out the halftime show
Major LOLZ!
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
prophecy_projectz: The best was how he went, “ARRRRGH!”
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
we somone to upload the halftime somwhere!!!?
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@PP:LOL, I can’t imagine that ever happening to Blaha. Eli Z. on the other hand….
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 7:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Their half-time analysis guy can’t get his act together on Live TV, so they keep cutting him off with commercials.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 7:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Garrett:
You know Stern and the execs aint gonna let a local feed embaress themselves on his package (pause) lol!
Which begs the question, when he finally gets around to watching Tuesday nights on NBA TV with Ahmad, C-Webb and GP, will he have a heart attack.
Seriously they are overtaking even the great TNT lineup of Charles, Kenny and Ernie.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LOL@ the second guy who kept messing up mysteriously dissappearing from the courtside team.
LOL!
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
PP: I like GP. He’s the new Barkley for sure.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
nice pass SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Im calling it. I dont care anymore, I have a feeling in my bones.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 7:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nice 3, Sheed.
See, I don’t mind if he takes those 3’s because he started the game in the post, and he started the 3rd quarter in the post, too. And now he’s making nice passes.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Garrett:
The roasting they put on Luol Deng last week was funny.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hey, wait a minute. Our lead is only 6. Wha happen…?
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Its actually Tough Juice vs Detroit. No one else is doing much for the Wiz.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 7:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Garrett:
Im not sure, the halftime analysis would have helped….
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
G2 is the smart choice for athletes, MY MOOMMA LIK IT, I LIK IT!
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Someone should make an NBA commercial that says, “Where being a douche happens,” and then show KG doing something douchey.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 7:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yah, Kg guarding calderon and he taunts lmao on youtube
Garrett " WHere Garnett (douche) Happens"
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
hers link garnett guarding calderon hes acting so gay
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
ye we need maxiell, we need his “Eat that baby and a foul” plays aha
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
omg, i just saw something that’s amazing, and i a sign. Allen (that’s right Allen) Iverson got low on defense. He got in a better defensive position than he usually does. They’re teaching him defense. Please, someone tell me they peeped it.
by EntityAbyss on Dec 9, 2008 7:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
KWAME WITH SOM PAYBACK ON BLATCHE man i love this game
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Also just adding to the Maxiell talk. Does Curry hate him or something? I find he’s been getting less playing time. I cant believe he hasnt played in his game
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
At this rate, the new starting lineup will all be playing 40 minutes.
by Greg on Dec 9, 2008 7:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What an amazing comeback…is anyone else witnesses this?
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 7:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i dont think he undrates him
well wiz have big PF and C so Maxiell- 6"7 not good matchup, but i would lik to see Maxiell get More than 6 mins of time at least
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This honestly sucks. We could still win this game, but this formula does not have a chance of succeeding over the long haul.
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 7:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY FUCKING SUCKS
by andyfrombrooklyn on Dec 9, 2008 7:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Altran:
Maxiell is undersized in general but he never plays like that and he gave the Wizards hell the last time they played. I mean for god’s sakes even the Washington commentators (who cant even put together a cohesive halftime show I stress again) have been saying there suprise that he hasnt played in this game. Hes the baby eater for god sakes
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This was a give me game. There was no way we were suppose to lose this game. What the hell?
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dyess, knocking some heads around.>>
He is a cool -20.
by Mike on Dec 9, 2008 7:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sheed’s not even in a position to shush the crowd. You 17 point lead blowing chump
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
when you are in a fee fall there are no give mes. this is a team that was down thirty to the knicks immediately and blew a late 15 point lead to the sixers.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Dec 9, 2008 7:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Smh@ Sheed getting counter-Ethered/Pwned by the Wiz
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 7:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
the wheels have come flying off the curryball mobile
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 7:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Curry’s on the hot seat 20 games in.
by american slappy on Dec 9, 2008 7:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I also think Max should be getting some burn. How about Kwame as well? Curry needs to coach the game as it happens and not stick to preconceived brilliant plans.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 7:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i should go back to FSND comcast is making pistons do bad lmao, last year i went to TNT from FSN D and pistons lost by lik 100
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Dyess, knocking some heads around.>>
He is a cool -20."
Productivity maybe not but when I posted that comment, he pretty much threw two Wizards to the hardwood, hence the comment I made.
But some one is going to have to step up and get this momentum back because the Wizards have got everything going for them at the moment.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 7:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know why Sheed just did that, but I don’t care.
by Greg on Dec 9, 2008 7:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i think Joe D is, hes always on his dam cellphone
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Blatche. The sound I make when Im sick in my mouth.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 7:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OK, let’s start making excuses. I’ll go first.
It’s going to take the team a few games to gel with Antonio.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 7:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So now with McDyess back, which big man are we trading?
by TDP on Dec 9, 2008 7:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
we can trade all of them because they’re never gonna play
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 7:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
my excuse is eveer since i went ot comcast we started losing . so now im on FSN D
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think my name speaks for itself.
F.I.R.E. C.U.R.R.Y.
by Fire Curry! on Dec 9, 2008 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
ill be watching, im turning off computer im watchin off tv , comp has bad quality
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i am going to quit on them for awhile
by andyfrombrooklyn on Dec 9, 2008 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
this really sucks….
to see your team throw away a 17 point lead
by Granges on Dec 9, 2008 8:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Curry’s gotta go. This team has talent but hes not using them right. And at some point some people also need to quit kissing his ass and just hold Joe D accountable. He traded the wrong all-star at the start of the season.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 8:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
curry does not seem to be able to shift game tempo or equation of who is on floor so as to avoid these devastating momentum changes but enough i hope they can turn things around but right now following them right now is masochistic
by andyfrombrooklyn on Dec 9, 2008 8:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
My excuse would be, the team was up late last night drinking some “CC” with President Elect Barak Obama at the Lincoln Memorial.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 8:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ok so I didn’t watch the whole game…but how is Dixon +30?
by Primosh on Dec 9, 2008 8:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Can anyone name another team in the NBA with this much talent that is playing as embarassingly shitty as we have been this last 10 games?
by PDXPistonsFan on Dec 9, 2008 8:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Seriously if we lose to the freaking 3-15 Wizards, it’s time to make some changes.
HINT HINT.
by Fire Curry! on Dec 9, 2008 8:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have tickets for the February 1st game against the Cavs at the Palace. I am having a hard time not using that insurance and getting that money back…
by TDP on Dec 9, 2008 8:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I take the blame for this performance. I called it too early slaps forehead
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Great offensive board, C’MON PISTONS.
by Fire Curry! on Dec 9, 2008 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Laughton: The Wizards don’t do tricks; they do illuuuuusions, Michael
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Ok so I didn’t watch the whole game…but how is Dixon +30?”
He’s Juan Dixon! You know the catalysis of the Pistons success through out the whole last half of last season.
We didn’t re-sign him, so now we’re having chemistry issues.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 8:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Actually the 2001 Phoenix Suns were like that.
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 8:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nothing like getting owned by Darius Songaila.
by kevin s. on Dec 9, 2008 8:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Curry should have sent himself to the locker room in the second half.
by TDP on Dec 9, 2008 8:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m not a doom and gloomer. I promise you. But these guys are ripping my heart out.
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 8:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow.
What is AI useful for? I thought he was supposed to be this herald All-Star that takes over the game?
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 8:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Curry absolutely sucks. Anyone know why Maxiell hasn’t played today?
by Fire Curry! on Dec 9, 2008 8:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Cleveland looks like they’ll be winning again… by 20.
by TDP on Dec 9, 2008 8:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And Curry’s great play out a timeout is a contested 3 by Walter Hermann – WHAT?
by Fire Curry! on Dec 9, 2008 8:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, Michael Curry can f-ing go to hell. The pistons game broadcast, before they went to commercial, had a shot where you could see Amir, Max, and Kwame. The look on all their faces was not a happy one.
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 8:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That was the play coming out of the timeout? Holy crap, Iverson hasn’t even made an impact driving into the lane the whole game…and they expect the defense to bite on that?
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 8:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with others – where was Maxiell tonight (among others)?
by espanolsrs on Dec 9, 2008 8:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Curry absolutely sucks. Anyone know why Maxiell hasn’t played today?”
You answered your question before you asked it.
This is some of the worst coaching I’ve ever seen.
Can we get Flip back? We’re still paying him anyway.
by kevin s. on Dec 9, 2008 8:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well hopefully smallball ends with this loss. We have good bigs, Max and Brown would have helped and certainly stopped that white dude in tights. Curry needs to set a roster and stop changing it up all the time. If he continues to lose these winnable games it will be his only year as a coach.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 8:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The other day I said “this team does not suck.”
I would like to take that back, this team does suck. It sucks to watch.
I’m not a doom and gloomer, either, but these games are getting awfully difficult to sit through. Something is clearly wrong. I’d like to fast forward to March.
by Other Matt on Dec 9, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I still have faith in this team, Iverson and Michael Curry but games like this, the 76ers, and Knicks really make it hard for me to believe in these guys.
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So Max, Amir, and Brown are in the doghouse?
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’ve never looked forward to the postgame interview so much in my life.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 8:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And I’m out for the night with an important message.
FIRE CURRY.
by Fire Curry! on Dec 9, 2008 8:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
McDyess and Herrmann a combined -36 in 37 minutes.
No Maxiell and no Amir
Not bad
by Mike on Dec 9, 2008 8:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have a 2003-2004 season retrospective saved on my DVR. I’m just going to watch that over and over for a while.
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 8:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
When the idiot Wizards announcers are second guessing your coach, and they’re actually correct, you might have a major problem. I’m starting to sour on Curry. This is not pretty.
by Other Matt on Dec 9, 2008 8:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I too am not a doom and gloomer, in fact I would say that I can be blindly optimistic at times. However, when a coach performs as badly as Curry has and you start mumbling to yourself that you could manage the roster better, well, either you are the next Bill Simmons or your coach sucks.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 8:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Here’s a serious hypothetical: If you somehow gave Michael Curry and John Beilein teams with exactly the same amount of talent, whose team would win?
I know that I would bet every dollar of my own, and every dollar that I could borrow on Beilein’s team.
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 8:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I can’t wait for the Pistons company men; i.e. McClosky, Ellis and Langlois praise Dyess in his return because he had 9 points and 6 rebounds.
by Mike on Dec 9, 2008 8:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Laughton – I don’t see how anyone could disagree with you at this point.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
man all those games before we lost today, i put them behind me, but when its consecutive games, to bad teams, and what else…. hmmm its pretty hard to watch pistons for me ever again, and not just consecutive gaems , even other games lik timberwolves, but hey HOW Thew hell we beat los angeles
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
im really confused on pistons beating GOOD teams and losing against bad teams
i see we win when were on national TV agree everyone?
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So, Max didn’t play. MAX? Max kills the Wiz. Kills ‘em. Plus, he plays well at basketball. What was the last DNP he got? Why did he get a DNP-CD today? Should it be DNP-MCIAFI? You can figure out what that means. I’m about to get all PG4L here and get seriously pissed. Goddammit. DAMMIT. I can’t stand this. When do we make the transition… to lottery team? Why? Why?
The magic is gone… will it ever return? Does anyone remember laughter?
DAMMIT!
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We struggle in the playoffs because we lack size. Curry brilliantly goes small and we struggle against a three-win team. Why does he still have a job? Seriously, I’m a little tired of the guru Joe thing. And it’s coming to an end.
The Pistons are no longer a great team. Their just another team. What sucks about all this, is that we’re losing and we don’t even get the Iverson show that would have made the whole thing at least interesting.
by JBump on Dec 9, 2008 8:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
detroit has the worst problem at losing leads, im telling you… were a good team but were crap at same time , knw wht i mean?
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Of course they will also say how small ball is a work in progress.
by Mike on Dec 9, 2008 8:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
detroit pistons have official turned into NOOBS,,
dam i wander wht kind of embarassment im gona get tmrw for pistons losing to the wiz
shit,,,,,
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
No comment. I think you guys pretty much covered it.
by Quick Darshan on Dec 9, 2008 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“we don’t even get the Iverson show that would have made the whole thing at least interesting.” EXACTLY. I might be able to handle the transition to irrelevance if it were accompanied by superstar-caliber play out of one player. Why not? We’ve done the “team” thing for 6 years or so, and we won a ’ship and did well, but the core aged… so why not do the star thing for a bit while we wait on Stuck et al? But no. We get this lethargic, demure, lackadaisical incarnation of one of the greatest scorers in league history. The Pistons… where superstars come to go supernova.
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Funny, my hair looks just like Ryan Fields’ does tonight.
by TDP on Dec 9, 2008 8:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Lets just forget this game (and team) and collectivley watch our Dark Knight DVDs k guys….
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 8:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Atlan, we’re not just losing leads. We’re playing from behind too. We’re just losing.
Last year Billups made a great comment. He said there are a lot of great players in the NBA, “but not a lot of great teams.”
Look at us. A lot of great players. Not a great team.
by JBump on Dec 9, 2008 8:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Should it be DNP-MCIAFI? "
This should be a t-shirt.
by kevin s. on Dec 9, 2008 8:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
After that game, I am 100% convinced Curry has no clue why we were a good team last year or any other year. He has basically ignored what our teams strengths were in the past, and has turned those strengths into huge, gaping, horrible weaknesses.
And I don’t want to hear the f-ing phrase “work in progress” that is b.s.—-> a work in progress would be losing this game because of youthful mistakes from Amir or Stuck or something, that would be something we could expect would get better, i.e. “progress,” what we just saw was not a “work in progress,” what we saw was a f-ing disaster.
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 8:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
ya comign behind from a 8 point lead from wiz while wizards are coming from behind uuhh lik 21,
ya were making a comeback Jbump
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Again, they must get rid of Iverson. If they can’t get anything for him, deactivate him. He destroys the Pistons’ chance to win every moment he is in the game, and he destroys team chemistry every moment he is in the locker room. He is absolutely washed up.
Fire Curry, and install Rasheed as a player-coach. Or bring in Laimbeer. Or thaw out Chuck Daly and wheel him in. Anything.
Also, Dumars should be put on notice. His mistakes now outnumber his successes. The dude is a very average G.M.
by Bill on Dec 9, 2008 8:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Your sarcasm is duly noted Bill….
by prophecy_projectz on Dec 9, 2008 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Gabe, you summed up how I feel in that second paragraph.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 8:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m with the other non-doom-and-gloomers above, Other Matt and Laughton specifically. I’m also with Kevin S. and others. If anything has failed thus far this season, its the man at the helm.
I never wanted to say it, I had nothing but hope for Michael Curry, but I lost any dignity in defending him tonight.
As a relentless optimist, I remain bullish on the pieces of this team. I remain certain that a championship was out of reach BEFORE this trade. But if I am Joe Dumars, I’m looking through my mobile phone to see if I have Avery Johnson’s number. If Curry can’t connect-the-dots in the next 10 games, its time to look elsewhere to bring in a chief who can prove himself before Joe spends his pocket monies on a superstar in 09 or 10.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Weren’t the Wizards one of the teams this ridiculous lineup was supposed to work against? Predictably, players were out of their element defensively and we lost the battle of the boards. This gimmick better not last.
by Paul M on Dec 9, 2008 8:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@bill:
“Also, Dumars should be put on notice. His mistakes now outnumber his successes. The dude is a very average G.M.”
The fact remains that the last squad wasn’t getting it done, Dumars had to make a change for the future and the cap room alone will make this team’s future. Anything else remains a bonus. You’ll be singing a different tune on the day we sign FPCB or otherwise.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 8:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I supposed what surprised me was not just one (Kwame, Max, or Amir), but that ALL of them, got the DNP-CD.
by Keegan on Dec 9, 2008 8:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
really guys want to know why we lost….?
well ill tell you , its the RED jerseys
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well, Kawme didn’t play… that is a positive right?
by Joe on Dec 9, 2008 8:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Paul M – Per Langlois, there’s a whole slew of teams that smallball can work against. He named pretty much every damn team in the league. Smallball. Small gawdamned ball. My rec team plays small ball. Why? WE’RE ALL SMALL. But they don’t call this the “Big League” for nothing. NBA PLAYERS ARE BIG. WE HAVE BIG PLAYERS. PLAY THEM.
Again: Max was DNP? whywhywhywhywhy
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 8:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’ll jump on the “I’m not a doom and gloomer but I want to fire Curry” bandwagon. I’ve never been a “trade this guy, fire that coach” kind of fan, especially 20-some games in when we are still adjusting to new personnel. But, to not play Amir, Maxy, or Brown AT ALL???
Plus, sure Rip made some good plays on offense and he tried on defense but he’s TOO SMALL to guard the SF position, which is why Caron Butler lit us up. Which is the completely f’n obvious problem with the three guard starting lineup.
Detroit has just lost three straight to bad teams. Up to now I’ve been patient with experimenting. But tonight wasn’t experimenting, it was the biggest “WTF are you doing, coach?” moment I think I’ve ever had watching the Pistons. And I’ve been watching them since before the Bad Boys era.
by Toledo Joe on Dec 9, 2008 8:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bill, you’re right about Dumars. He put a good team together. He got lucky and found himself with a team that surpassed all expectations.
Now he’s got a problem. He’s got a team with no chemistry and a coach thats trying to put a puzzle together with a blindfold on.
Rasheed as a player-coach? Why not? At least it would give ticket sales a bump.
by JBump on Dec 9, 2008 8:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i say trade A.I., even if he will EVENTUALLY (obviously not yet) just no, there are teams that can you use him, and right now we dont need him.
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thank you Rob G. That will help the pain some.
by Laughton on Dec 9, 2008 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I only saw the first 4 minutes of the game, then had to leave us up 9-0, just got back and see we lost big… Did Iverson play as bad of defense as he did in NY? I saw him fall on his ass before the other team got it past halfcourt once…
by Restructer_It on Dec 9, 2008 8:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
want to know why rasheed wallace should be player-coach, just search up
Professor Wallace on youtube and you’ll see why.
he already knows the playbook better than curry
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 8:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“NBA PLAYERS ARE BIG. WE HAVE BIG PLAYERS. PLAY THEM.”
Thank you Rob G., I will be using that line at work tomorrow.
by JBump on Dec 9, 2008 9:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Someone mentioned lottery the other day….the Pistons sure as hell seem like they’re headed that way with their recent play.
Pathetic.
by Fadel on Dec 9, 2008 9:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why should I care about two years from now? The Pistons won’t have Rasheed by then, because the hubristic Dumars won’t re-sign him, and Rip and Tayshaun will be older and slower. Stuckey is a serviceable starter but almost certainly not an all-star in the making. The other young guys are role players and nothing more. Maxy has a champion’s heart but a bench dude’s size. Amir is way too thin to play PF effectively for major minutes long-term. Afflalo is the only young guy apart from Stuckey who someday could be an effective starter. The Pistons in 2010 will be significantly worse than they are today. Why should Bosh or anyone else ever come to Detroit, a city that no NBA guy wants to live in anyway, when he won’t even have a chance to win there? The Pistons had the “we’re a family, we’re different, we care about the players” thing before, but the Chauncey trade killed that, it was handled so completely unprofessionally.
The Pistons caught lightning in a bottle with their core guys and had a chance to be a dynasty. Dumars blew the Darko pick—that will haunt me till the day I die—and then he let Mehmet (an all-star!) get away after 2004 when he could have had him long-term for cheap, and then he picked a couple of bad coaches and made a number of other bad, panicky moves. (Remember Carlos Arroyo?) By trading Chauncey, Dumars has destroyed the core, the players he stumbled into who made him look like a genius, under the baseless notion that somehow cap space and a totally different set of players will put them in contention again.
That won’t happen. The good free agents will go to situations where they can win, and that won’t be Detroit, because the players that Dumars is tossing away like trash ARE THE ONLY REASON DETROIT WAS AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION IN THE FIRST PLACE! Now they’re vanishing. Stupid, arrogant Dumars.
Even if Bosh did come to Detroit, why would the Pistons, who are jettisoning all their best players, be any better than Toronto is now? There is absolutely zero logical reason to think they would. Calderon is better than Stuckey. Bargnani is better than any of the Pistons’ young bigs. I could go on.
I swear to God, I feel so bad for Rasheed and Tay and Rip. The looks on those guys’ faces during the last timeout tonight were heartbreaking. They are champions, and they know what they’ve lost.
At least we’re not inexplicably throwing away two years where we could be legitimately competitive so that we can fail to sign players who anyway wouldn’t be enough to carry the Pistons to another championship! At least we all have that.
by Bill on Dec 9, 2008 9:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
wooaaaah bill if i wrot tht much i would not have any fingers left
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yes, EVERYBODY lets all give thanks that we are in the eastern conference
THANK YOU GOD
by altan on Dec 9, 2008 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Toledo Joe. Everything about the coaching in this game was baffling. It was clear that Rip couldn’t handle Caron, and there’s this guy, I think you may have heard of him. He has a predilection for newborns, and he ate many a baby in his last game against the Wizards (he also dropped 28/8 in 28 minutes against them last year). Where was he tonight? On the bench for no discernible reason. Benching your best reserves for no reason isn’t really the formula for success, and neither is failing to change lineups that are clearly failing.
I’ve been all about patience with Curry thus far, but his experimentation hasn’t had any real progress, and I’m not giving him any more passes if he keeps making patently stupid decisions.
by Paul M on Dec 9, 2008 9:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bill makes a lot of good points. The only positive I can think of is that a number of Pistons really do know what it takes to win, or at least get to the ECF. And they have a lot of good players. They just have — as I’ve been saying here recently — a lot of good players that are horribly mismatched. And a coach that seems to make a troubling situation worse.
Seriously, I wonder if they could make another trade. I’m not sure I want to lose the cap space for the future, but there might be some way to get pieces that fit together better in legit equal value trades.
Oh yeah, and a new coach. You know, I NEVER said “Fire Flip,” even though obviously I was disappointed in the ends of the Flip years. But Curry? I really don’t get it.
by Toledo Joe on Dec 9, 2008 9:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t want to do a told you so thing, but if you check my comments, I was as much a Flip Fan as Kelly Dwyer. And I miss that goofball now more than ever.
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 9:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m with all of you tonight. I have tried to stay positive. After tonight, Dumars better be searching for a new coach that knows how to run an offense with all this talent. Was it just me or did we get our asses handed to us by the Wizzard bench in the 4th quarter?
by Isaac on Dec 9, 2008 9:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI off the bench. I think Curry is fighting that idea because he wants this free-flowing no real point guard thing to work. EARTH TO CURRY: ITS NOT WORKING… GO BACK TO PG, SG, SF, PF, C (NOT PG/SG, SG, SG, SF, PF)
by Brad on Dec 9, 2008 9:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Isaac: The Wiz won quarters 2-4. Take out the 1st and the final score would be 65-93. Almost makes you think the first quarter was a fluke …
by Matt Watson on Dec 9, 2008 9:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Almost makes you think the Lakers game was a fluke…
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow. I skip the second half because my wife wants to “talk” about “stuff” and we implode. Sad. Grim. Pathetic.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Welcome back to DBB, Garrett. Here, you can join us as we “talk” about “stuff”… stuff like our team suckin’
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 9:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think Curry is fighting the idea of having to ask/tell AI or Rip to come off the bench. I also think he doesn’t have any real confidence in any big that’s not ‘Sheed or maybe Dyess. Those are at least somewhat defensibe concerns, although he should be doing better with the cards he’s been dealt. But I also worry that, on a fundamental level, he doesn’t really know how to “coach.”
by Toledo Joe on Dec 9, 2008 9:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And the whole Curry situation is just so…..weird. I mean, yeah, he’s a first-year head coach but he WAS on our STAFF last year. It’s not like he skipped all the meetings and didn’t get to see/hear/learn from Flip in action. Plus, he PLAYED the game (and under some decent coaches), which has to count for something too. And yet, he just makes the strangest decisions. Not only that, but he was supposed to be “their guy” — the one they respected and listened to. Losing to Washington (and New York) is inexcusable with the amount of talent we have.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 9:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
To help soothe the pain of this loss I’m going to fire up NBA Live and DESTROY the league with a lineup of Sheed, Dyess, Tay, Rip, and AI.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 9:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, Garrett. Did Curry watch the games last year and then listen to Joe over the summer, and somehow conclude that the best idea would be to play Amir and Maxy LESS? I know losing Chauncey and getting AI is getting thrown for a loop, especially since the team now has no true, experienced point guard. And maybe the young bigs haven’t been progressing as fast as he would like.
But how can Curry have the experience he has and think that starting three guards (and not even really big guards), a long but thin SF, and a center who only occasionally plays offense in the post is going to work on any kind of regular basis in the NBA? And how could he think not playing any of his young bigs AT ALL would work AT ALL?
by Toledo Joe on Dec 9, 2008 9:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think I’m done “ventring my anger”, and I’m back on the positive bandwagon.
-We got Dyess back today
-Walter Herrmann played
-Did anyone see Dyess?
-Joe Dumars was at the game
-Had a nice comedy show at half-time
-What do you guys think about Dyess?
by Diablo on Dec 9, 2008 9:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Matt,
I know they killed us after the 1st quarter. I don’t get to watch the games on TV. I have to sit here and stare at the gamecase score. I just noticed 4 players that I haven’t heard of in the 4th quarter running our stars. Just frustrating the hell out of me. May have to stop watching so I can enjoy my evenings….
by Isaac on Dec 9, 2008 9:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Poor Antonio. He should have run screaming from this train-wreck. In Dumars World, no act of loyalty goes unpunished.
by Bill on Dec 9, 2008 9:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Uh…yeah, I missed this one because happy hour and mountain time zone. On the bright side, we’ve been beaten by more points by shittier teams this year. I guess the downside is that the past three teams that have beaten us are Washington, NY, and Philly and our average loss margin on the year is now a pretty 14 points.
by Shinons on Dec 9, 2008 9:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone able to catch any interesting post-game interviews? Like, for example, Curry saying, “Wow! What was I thinking?! I’ll never do THAT again! Sorry guys! lolz”
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 9:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t agree with the sentiment of his post, but I think Bill is spot on about capspace and free agency. We can’t pretend that it doesn’t matter if we play poorly this season because of our future capspace. If the Pistons don’t remain in at least the semblance of contention, there’s basically no reason for any of the high profile free agents to flock to Detroit over most of the other teams with capspace. The one thing that the Pistons could offer (before this spate of awful play) to free agents that most other teams couldn’t is the prospect of joining a team with a winning pedigree and a chance for that FA to take the team over the top. We’re not going to be able to make much of a free agent splash if we just Curryball our way into the lottery.
by Paul M on Dec 9, 2008 9:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I believe in this team. I believe in Allen Iverson. Stuckey succeeds because he comes off the bench.
I saw 2 things today that I don’t think anyone else did. I saw Allen Iverson and Rip Hamilton finally connecting. Allen got 3 or 4 assists off Hamilton. I see him gettin better at it. The other thing I saw was him playing legit defense. I saw him for the first time get down in a real defensive position. For most of the game he was guarding people who didn’t want to score, but when he did guard someone looking to score (one of the point guards on the wizards), he played pretty good defense.
That’s all good, but I saw something else. Although the pistons shot 51%, they didn’t get to the foul line much (Allen Iverson needs to attack looking to score more. He’s mostly scoring on jumpshots. He needs to be himself at times). I saw at times, terrible pick and roll defense where the ball handler was not stopped. Rather, he’d be let in the paint and caused a lot of problems. The ball handler must be stopped in a pick and roll. That is the number one rule. The rest of the problems were obviously caused by size. Too many post ups. Big men taking over. They only lead in the first quarter, because it took a while for the size issue to catch up to them. AI is on this team, and he’s going to have to start. As that much of a scorer, he’s going to inevitably be on the court at times with Rip. He’s gettin better at it, and he’s going to have to get really good before this team goes places. Same with defense. Saying that he’ll do good with the second unit ignores the fact that he’ll be with Rip Hamilton a lot in the game regardless.
I say let AI start, cuz i see that he does want this championship. Fix the pick and roll, cuz AI is gettin picked on because point guards are scoring a lot. They’re using picks a lot. Study the games and you’ll notice that. Also, make Rasheed do more in the post. He should post up more, and be aware of how many times he’s taking threes. He shooting be shooting them that much. Last but not least, put kwame brown back on the line-up and work with him, cuz when they face teams like cleveland, la, and boston, small ball will get destroyed.
by EntityAbyss on Dec 9, 2008 9:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Also on the bright side:
Rip: 29 points.
Stuckey: 10 points, 11 assists.
Sheed: 19 points (with a bunch in the paint), 6 rebounds.
by Garrett on Dec 9, 2008 9:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Also, since I missed it and all, is Yahoo lying to me or did Amir and Max seriously DNP tonight?
by Shinons on Dec 9, 2008 9:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Shinons – click here – same is true of Amir and Kwame
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 9:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I dunno how everyone can be getting upset at basketball during the Jimmy V. Classic today…
by Restructer_It on Dec 9, 2008 9:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes Garrett, those things are certainly good. Only thing though, I was hoping Sheed’s +/- wasn’t so good so I can still bitch about him. Oh well.
Re: us not getting free agents because we suck – I’m pretty sure Bosh and Boozer haven’t forgotten that we’ve made it to the ECF for the past 86 years in a row.
by Shinons on Dec 9, 2008 9:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rob – You’re quite the Photoshop hand. I’m guessing the MCIAFI, and I thiiiiiiiiink I’ve got it…
by Shinons on Dec 9, 2008 10:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“We can’t get better just with cap space”
See Boston Celtics filling out 12 roster spots with solid rotation guys.
We don’t need to get the all-stars, just guys who play hard.
by Restructer_It on Dec 9, 2008 10:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Garrett: I would go so far as stealing him.
by Restructer_It on Dec 9, 2008 10:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
In a game where the refs are letting everything go and rewarding (to the point of absurdity) aggression, we can’t find any minutes for Jason Maxiell? Really? The guy plays like a psychopath.
Michael Curry is awful. It’s nice that he’s willing to think outside the box. But he’s just become an overreactive clown. This game is 100% on him. I’m with whoever said we need to get Avery Johnson’s number ASAP. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a game where it was so obvious a team was suffering from their head coach’s incompetence. I mean this was just insane.
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 10:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hey,….isnt flip still looking for some employ?
by Phil Saunders on Dec 9, 2008 10:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
In a game where the refs are letting everything go and rewarding (to the point of absurdity) aggression,>>
Even those these were experienced Refs tonight there were only two officials on the court. The other one was sick in his hotel room.
So a lot of calls will be missed when officials are used to a team of 3 and have to go with a team of 2.
I didn’t notice any bias one way or another.
I do agree that Maxiell should have gotten Herrmann’s minutes and Amir should have gotten at least half of Dyess’s minutes.
by Mike on Dec 9, 2008 10:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
On another note, how often do we really, truly get to evaluate an NBA coach fairly? How many coaches of bad teams get fired without ever getting to demonstrate what they’d do with a good roster?
We have the rare opportunity to witness Michael Curry actively destroy a solidly above average NBA roster. And it’s not even some x’s and o’s mismanagement that the casual fan could have trouble recognizing. Tonight we saw an NBA coach play a rotation that my girlfriend could watch and say “what the hell is he thinking?”
On some level, you just have to marvel.
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 10:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Michael Curry is awful…But he’s just become an overreactive clown. This game is 100% on him.
Nice. That seems to be the exact same thing I write after every game I actually watch. No, wait, every game I watch that we lose. No, wait, it was right the first time. The crazy thing is sometimes he’s actually non-responsive when he should be, watching like a deer like the Portland game…
by Shinons on Dec 9, 2008 10:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We need David Lee!>>
Well we need Lebron too.
We ain’t going to get either one one of this year or next.
by Mike on Dec 9, 2008 10:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Boston pretty much proves Bill wrong 100%: the city sucks, the team sucked (see: 22 losses in a row), and a big move changed their fate completely.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 10:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hope the 10 people who still go to the Palace chant Fire Curry at the next game. I’m done. I’ve completely snapped and am off the reservation. The only thing that could push me further over the edge is an AI4L rant about how this is actually all Dumars’ fault for trading Billups so Curry could DNP Amir and Maxiell, with a little blame for Rich Rodriguez sprinkled in for not recruiting running quarterbacks to Michigan before he arrived.
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 10:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Mike, I’m sorry, but I don’t see your point.
First, Boston has among the highest property values in the U.S., which indicates that the market thinks the city doesn’t suck. Evidently lots of people want to live there.
Much more importantly, though, Boston did not achieve success through cap space and free agency. Rather, the Celtics stockpiled assets through a long series of lottery picks—in particular, they had Al Jefferson, one of the most promising young big men in the game—and traded them for one big player, Garnett, in a once-in-a-decade deal for which they happened to be in the right place at the right time. Nothing about that trade was planned. Danny Ainge had no real direction in mind for the team at the time, as any Boston fan will tell you.
Enticing free agents to come to your city when they have lots of attractive choices on the open market (keep in mind that lots of teams are clearing their books to make a run at the big guys in 2010) is a completely different game from making a trade for one big name who was desperate to leave his miserable situation and who had no other remotely attractive options that would have worked financially. To win the free-agent game, especially when everyone can pay the max and extra-especially when you’re not a warm-weather city, you’d better be competitive on the court.
by Bill on Dec 9, 2008 10:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So I was looking at elite college football recruits that are long-shots to go to Michigan in order to cheer up (some people “talk” about “stuff” – others ignore their girlfriend and read Rivals articles). But I just keep getting reminded of the Pistons – seriously, how much does this guy look like Chauncey?
http://www.bastropenterprise.com/sports/x1196580356/Randle-among-finalists-for-national-award
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 10:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Forty and Shinons: You guys perfectly summed up what I have already come to hate about Curry.
The only thing I would add is that what is remarkable about him is in his mixes of extreme moments of overreaction and moments of under-reaction there is never an identifiable pattern. From game to game you never no which way he’s gonna go, over or under, or both in the same game! Also, his instincts seem to be almost universally and inherently (/comically) wrong.
I feel like he could watch a game where the problem is numbingly obvious, say; poor P&R defense, or defensive rebounding, or any number of things- and I can count on him doing exactly the opposite of what the situation calls for. The best example of this was Philly game where they put D. Marshall in game in 4th quarter. Curry quickly responds by going small, rather than grabbing the easier advantage of playing traditional bigs who can outmuscle/outrebound Marshall (and wouldn’t struggle covering him… because he’s old, slow, and sucks).
Curry justifies going small, because other teams have smallish line-ups. How F’N stupid do you have to be to realize that means you will have an advantage by playing a traditional “big” line-up on most nights!
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 10:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Michael Curry: “I just don’t like that we’re a team that when things aren’t going well, we lose our composure and unravel a little bit…”
Oh, you mean like not playing a real PF until the 4th quarter? Or benching a young player for no reason who was arguably the 7th man on an ECF team? Or inexplicably singling out Tayshaun Prince in a game when all the starters sucked? Or telling the media that you think Amir needs to start and get consistent minutes to develop, only to start him for a few games and then jack his minutes around like a capricious idiot? Or saying that you want Rasheed on the block more, then letting him float around the 3 point line as much as he pleases (first quarter of this game excepted)?
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 10:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Forty – each of your points is right on and they each of them kill me a little bit inside
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 10:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Guess what I find out. I was hearing all this stuff about wanting Chauncey back, and that Iverson’s defense is the problem. I saw the stats for the first 4 games of the season (2 of which Chauncey played) and there was bad defense in those games too. Bad teams had good shooting percentages against them. The problem is not Iverson. It’s Curry. Many of you will say I’m late, but the first few games support that. Why’d was Flip fired.
by EntityAbyss on Dec 9, 2008 10:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The thing that gets me the most is this notion of accountability; the idea that no one’s role on the team is sacred. It’s been such a sham. The only starting spot that is “held accountable” is the Amir/Kwame/Stuckey spot. The one advantage of Curry – that he is apparently willing to do things most coaches would not – is almost a moot point. Our core 4 players start no matter what. It makes sense to put Iverson in the second unit and minimize his time on the court with Hamilton. But we’ll never see that. Oh but Walter Herrmann can sure get himself in the doghouse. I wonder if he missed a layup in practice? Bench him forever OMG OMG, right Curry?
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 10:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Forty:
+1,000,000 on the rant.
(oh, and it was yours truly who mentioned Avery Johnson’s number. would you expect anything less? :)
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 10:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, this sucks. I’m slowly moving towards the “oh my God, we’re all going to die” side of the fence. There’s no reasonable explanation for what’s happened the last couple of games.
I did what anybody would do after this game, fired up NBA 2K9 and went nuts. It sorta helped, but then I come back here and read everybody else’s thoughts and the horrible-ness comes rushing back. I think maybe we should all take the next week off, come back and maybe Curry will be gone.
by Other Matt on Dec 9, 2008 11:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
stop with all the flukes! three flukes in a row! avery or van gundy would sure be a nice to have replacing Curry. Especially gundy, I like his humour…MCIAFI
by Bananas on Dec 9, 2008 11:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The worst thing of all is that this season will still be a referendum on the Iverson trade. At present, that makes about as much sense as switching Big Brown’s jockey for the Belmont to a drunk 5 year-old, and then saying he didn’t win the Triple Crown because he couldn’t handle the extra quarter mile.
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 11:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Bill,
You ever been to Boston, guy?
I don’t think its worth arguing about- while I agree with a few of your general points, you’re quick to sell the team up the river based on some hasty estimations.
Dumars jettisoning away our best players? He moved Chauncey— who is my favorite Piston but wasn’t getting it done. Bargnani better than our young bigs? He’s the biggest 1st pick failure sense, well, Kwame Brown. Give me Maxiell. Players not picking Detroit because of the lack of sand, sun and solid nightclubs? Money talks- and another $2 mil/yr. in Detroit is more attractive to your average NBA ego than a discount in Miami.
My whole point- its far too soon to slit wrists or bang our heads on the padded walls. Chauncey was not getting it done- we moved him to earn ourselves the biggest budget for the biggest free agency, well, ever. Would you rather have Chauncey in 2010, who would be like a 2007 version of Sam Cassel?
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 11:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m a web guy, so its in my nature to think “hey, that’d be a fun website”.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 11:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wait, I know how to solve everything – we need to practice more on holidays!
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 11:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
By the way, I’d like to take a pass on Avery Johnson. That’s the most startling thing to me, that we’re in a situation where Avery looks like a better option than the guy we currently have. We are talking about Avery, the guy who screwed up a would-be champion so bad that he was fired and Rick Carlisle looked like a better option. I’d rather have Flip.
by Other Matt on Dec 9, 2008 11:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What the heck is going on? I’ll make a deal with you FHVMC (Future hotdog vendor Michael Curry), you can lose on Sundays as long as you win EVERY GAME MONDAYS-SATURDAYS! I think the DBB nation should collectively coach. Text in your starting lineup for each game and we will tally the votes. Real-time substitutions texts may also be sent in. There is no charge for this service, and we will all split his three year, 2.5 million dollar salary. I’m all for it.
by Big Mike on Dec 9, 2008 11:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Forty:
We’re talkin’ ‘bout— …fuck it, I don’t even have it in me.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 11:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OM – I think van gundy would be my top choice
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 11:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Other Matt:
re: Avery
I couldn’t agree more. Avery was a failure- but compared to Curry, a known commodity. I’d take JVG as well. And yes, I’d take Flip back.
by Mike Payne on Dec 9, 2008 11:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Mike Payne: I agree with most of what you’re sayin, I just think the phrase “Chauncey was not getting it done” isn’t quite right. I think by almost any definition he (individually) was “getting it done” more than any other player on the team. It’s true, he was the team leader, so other players performances do reflect on him. So yeah, he does take a chunk more of the blame for playoff crap-outs. Still, especially last year, we did not lose that series in the backcourt, we lost because our frontcourt was demolished and Sheed pooped out one of the all-time worst playoff eggs. To use the “wasn’t getting it done” to justify moving Billups just seems a bit too much like pointing the finger at the player who I think was pretty clearly the central reason for our teams success the last few seasons.
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 11:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MP – can’t blame you man, I don’t have it in me either. Michael Curry has sucked out my soul.
Also, one more quip on Curry’s postgame comments: “it ain’t the same team.” You know, he’s right! How could it be the same team when you bench all the big men?
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 11:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The good news is if things get worse under Curry and we end up in the lottery, you know Joe D is going to just kill it with a high pick.
To quote Garrett, I kid, I kid!
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 11:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t have the, ahem, privilege of watching the game, but obviously something’s wrong. I have no clue as to what is going on with the rotations.
I’m willing to give it a little more time, because the reality is who is Curry going to play that maximizes the team’s chemistry? And who would you have replace Curry? Avery Johnson? No, thank you.
The worst case scenario is happening-the trade has completely blown up the team’s chemistry. The worst part is small ball doesn’t win championships. I still don’t necessarily disagree with the trade, although I’ve always perceived AI as a guy who will never win a championship, but it doesn’t make sense to me that the team gets off to a great start and deals Chauncey. Dumars obviously felt that we couldn’t get it done this year with the old core. What we get out of this next year and 2010 will decide how good this deal was.
by V on Dec 9, 2008 11:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If Michael Curry had explained his gameplan to me before the game, I think my response would have gone a lil’ somethin’ like-ah this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEkWH8DB7b0
MW – Pistons nation is a wayward flock in need of your leadership. Where should the righteous stand re: Curry? And can you fly to Washington and get the Pistons access to the TARP? We need a bailout.
by Forty on Dec 9, 2008 11:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Forty: after games like this, I tend to do two things:
1) pour a nice, big glass of bourbon;
2) wait until the bourbon wears off before posting.
But for what it’s worth, the link to Rob G’s Maxiell pic is my Google Talk status message and I tend to agree with 85% of the comments here.
I think I need to repeat step 1.
by Matt Watson on Dec 9, 2008 11:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Alright here’s a random (unlikely?) trade idea:
AI to Kings for Brad Miller and either Mikki Moore or Kenny Thomas
This would give Curry another of his beloved “shooting” big men in Brad Miller, and Miller, Moore, and Thomas’s contracts all have 2 seasons left—> so they’ll be expiring contracts next year when expiring contracts are gonna be freakishly valuable, or we can hold onto them and just let them expire and still have the same space we’re gonna have now.
by Gabe on Dec 9, 2008 11:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I second Forty. We need a Matt W. column on Curry. Take a stand. We’re doing it here in the trenches…
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 11:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, I posted that right as MW was weighing in
by Rob G on Dec 9, 2008 11:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Gabe:
There are a lot of people to pin last year’s failures on. And the season before. And the season before that. When a team fails to get the job done, it ultimately rests on the coach (fired) and the captain (traded).
Last playoffs, Billups’ performance was indicative of the switch mentality that failed us season after season. Play horrible for three games, then try to rectify it with our backs against the wall. Fortunately for him, it worked against Philly after Miller schooled him for three games. Against Boston, he tried it again- and we were too late…
You’re right, though— Chauncey can’t be squarely blamed for not getting the job done. But that C on his chest put a lot of blame on him in Joe’s eyes, which led to the situation we’re in now.
If Chauncey had played like an all-star in all 15 of his playoff games last season, not just 9, would we be having this conversation?
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 12:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe some holiday cheer will help me feel better about tonight’s loss.
by Garrett on Dec 10, 2008 12:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Matt Watson:
Find “bourbon” replace with “Club Canadian”. Fixed that for you. :)
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 12:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good call! Especially since CC ended up mailing me a bottle of that 30 y/o I raved about. That’s for celebrations only, though, not drowning sorrows in December.
by Matt Watson on Dec 10, 2008 12:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Curry can’t manage a game at all. Seven point leads turn into 13 point leads and he still won’t call a timeout.
I remember Rick Carlisle would always call timeouts when the other team even hinted at going on a big run.
Like Shinons said, it’s like “watching like a deer.”
by Fadel on Dec 10, 2008 12:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Alright, time for me to hit the sack. Know this Michael Curry – you are Amaker-level fail.
by Forty on Dec 10, 2008 12:12 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Mike Payne: What you’re saying is definitely fair, and I agree that chauncey did bring it on himself by having that stupid attitude and not always playing all-out. I also think his [over]confidence in himself is part of what makes him a great player, and (not to get too overly subjective) I thought it was important to the teams psyche—> but it definitely contributed to the team lacking urgency, which bit us in the a$# over and over.
With the “flip switch” though, IMO, I always thought that had as much to do with Sheed, he wasn’t the captain, but he’s a strong personality and I don’t think there’s a single person (other than maybe L. Brown) who consistently knew the destination of Sheed’s on/off switch.
by Gabe on Dec 10, 2008 12:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Especially since CC ended up mailing me a bottle of that 30 y/o I raved about. "
Holy crap. I did a buzz marketing campaign for them, and they sent me a $7 coupon for a free bottle. They refused my efforts to redeem the coupon, however, since I bought the one liter version, whereas the fine print clearly stipulated I buy the 750 ml.
These same skinflints are peddling 30 yo premium stuff for free? Ugh.
by kevin s. on Dec 10, 2008 12:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
“The only thing that could push me further over the edge is an AI4L rant about how this is actually all Dumars’ fault for trading Billups "
In fairness, that trade isn’t looking so good, yah?
by kevin s. on Dec 10, 2008 12:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Would you rather have Chauncey in 2010, who would be like a 2007 version of Sam Cassel?”
That’s a bold prediction, given that he is presently blowing the 2005 Cassel out of the water.
by kevin s. on Dec 10, 2008 12:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is random, and might not be indicative of anything in particular, but I just checked stubhub.com for tickets (yay for going home), and am kinda shocked at how cheap they are. There are a bunch of tickets in the $2-$5(!) range for the next few games.
by Gabe on Dec 10, 2008 12:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Kevin S.:
Would you want a 34-year-old point guard running this team in 2010?
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 12:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
After having some time to think about this and allow the rage inside to settle, I have found the answer. Curry is losing on purpose. He is actively removing all prior mentalities of being good and building a new underdog persona. Of course he knows how to coach! Its all part of the plan, lose the first few months then turn it on and win everything. I should never have doubted him, it is a fool proof plan. Last year I went to Iraq. Before Team America showed up, it was a happy place. They had flowery meadows and rainbow skies, and rivers made of chocolate, where the children danced and laughed and played with gumdrop smiles.
Sometimes… believing is all we have.
by Laughton on Dec 10, 2008 1:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Detorit is an excellent team that is not playing to their ability, plain and simple. for me, these types of problems are on the coach. Michael Curry is one of the most unintelligent coaches in the history of the NBA, the fact that the man has a job is incredible. This guy couldnt put together a decent line up if his life depended on it. The current starting line up offers absolutely no post play, its basically like 5 guards, jacking up jumpshots. I hope nobody continues to put this off on AI. the guy has completely thrown his natural game out the window to compensate for his new team, for heavens sake let the man play his game. why trade for a prolific scorer to only let him shoot the ball 10-13 times a game? thats like getting D-Wade and telling him not to shoot the ball. it makes absolutely no sense. The problems Detroit is currently having were a long time coming. On a good note, rip has finally gotten over his boyfriend leaving the team and is playing excellent ball. and i dont care if sheed had a good game. he comes to play about 1 and every five games, and whenever he has a good game, its because the 3 pointers are falling. This is frustating to say the least. Sorry i sound irritated. BTW this site is great site and i love the enthusiam everybody has, and the hundreds of posts every game, its great.
by bill on Dec 10, 2008 1:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
With the talent on this roster its ridiculous that we aren’t smashing teams, especially the likes of New York and Washington. Detroit has prided itself on TEAM ball during their years atop the East, so why not have someone step up and come off the bench? At the beginning of the season this team was talked about as being so deep there might not be enough time to go around, and now what? Little to no Amir, Max or Hermann. I like Stuckey as the starting PG, but why not move RIP to the bench while still giving him ample time? You basically have to All-Star 2 men with only one rotation part, but the solution isn’t sticking them both out there together.
Stuck, AI, Prince, Amir, Sheed starting with
Rip and Aaron to spell AI
Dice for Sheed
Max for Amir
Bynum for Stuck
Hermann for Prince
That second unit is quiet talented and can give valuable rest to the starters while allowing Rip and AI to be on the court for some of the same time.
This team is too deep to be losing games like this. If you’re trying to win a Championship, no more excuses. Man up, play aggresive D, don’t whine about the calls, and execute down the strtch. I only hope that they start to get offended at people talking trash about their game and relish the underdog role, even though elite teams don’t need to dig themselves in a hole to play well, they just do it because they know there the better team on the court, and play like it.
Here’s to hoping they right the ship, and soon!!
by Jake on Dec 10, 2008 4:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@RobG – this losing streak is bringing out the best in you. that “DEE-TROOOOIT BAAAASKE – a fu*ck it” cracked me up
Also, I’m getting tired of getting up in the morning, checking NBA.com and seeing us lose to some bottom feeding team. All I can hope for is that we are pulling a “san antonio”, meaning we are starting really low and rusty and will gear up towards the playoff with some crazy 25-0 run and win it all. Yeah. I’m sure that’s exactly where we’re headed. Yeah….NOT
by ohad on Dec 10, 2008 4:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Cassell is a pretty poor choice if you want to insinuate that Chauncey will suck when he’s 34. When ET was 34, he and Garnett went to the Conference Finals, and they might have beaten the Lakers if not for ET’s injury. Freakish as his disgusting alien head and Gollum face may be, Cassell was productive in his mid 30s, playing a big part in the Clippers playoff run in the process. He’s a smart PG who relies on shooting ability rather than jets. Those players tend to age very well (with the main concessions being on the defensive end). Examples include Billups, Nash, and Stockton.
The PGs whose careers fall off cliffs in their 30s tend to be ones who were great at getting to the basket in their youth, but don’t have the requisite speed and athleticism to get to the basket anymore and never developed a consistent jumpshot.
by Paul M on Dec 10, 2008 6:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dunk shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnBf6HTizYc
by Restructer_It on Dec 10, 2008 7:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
IMO Curry and the players deserve equal blame right now…the lack of effort and defense at times is mind boggling to see from a Pistons squad. That is partly the coaches fault, but to me, lack of effort is mostly on the players. Do all of us have huge swings in our effort at work under different bosses? The Knicks game is a prime example…we get torched for 59 in the 1st half and play good defense in the second half. The coaches said there was no defensive assignment/alignment changes made at half time. The only thing that changed was the players effort on defense.
I was ok with the small ball starting line-up (it wasn’t my preffered line-up though), but to only bring one true big off the bench and play small ball the whole game is rediculous.
I’ve tried to stay optimistic, but these last 3 games have been brutal. I really hope this is rock bottom.
by Jim on Dec 10, 2008 8:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I know I’m not the first to say this, but Curry needs to go. Teams with no real expectations (Toronto, OKC, Washington) have dropped their coaches because of their teams’ underperformance. And now our perennial title contender looks like a lottery team— I think it’s time. If we drop one more in this horrid streak, I’m officially done with this team until I hear somebody in management—either Joe D or Curry— say that they fucked up. Big time. Just admit it. That’s all I want. But this high-horse “everything will work itself out” bullshit is just that— bullshit. So far curry has looked as inexperienced and unprepared as I’ve ever seen a professional coach for any team in any sport. Whoever said it was spot on— we need Avery Johnson’s number and FAST.
And I’m official done with Iverson. Seriously, 34 years old and at the end of his career, you’d think he could find the maturity to try to fit in with a team once in his life. But no, we’re supposed to “let AI be AI.” Let’s do it— on the Phoenix Suns, in a swap for Amare. Throw in Amir, I don’t give a shit. I gave him a chance, but he’s just a cancer. Plain and simple. Denver is laughing all the way to the bank.
by Joel on Dec 10, 2008 8:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good God after reading these posts am I glad I had clients in for dinner last nite and missed the game. I’d have thrown a brick thru my new wide-screen yesterday. We go up by 15 in the first and then circle-jerk from that point forward? Micheal: Call a G-D time out and substitute or something.
I’d like to have Curry hold a press conference and tell us fans WTF he’s got planned. By making him do that maybe he’ll come up with one. And as for his line of roughly “I don’t like to see us lose our composure when we fall behind or hit a rough patch.” Attention coach Curry: That’s part of your job to not let that happen and that’s a sorry ass excuse for letting it happen.
We get out rebounded 39-34 and Max, Kwame & Amir are DNP-CD? WTF? That’s almost 21 feet of length and these guys are sitting on the bench?
Dyess: You’re owed an apology.
Pick up the ##@$% phone JOE!!
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 9:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Michael Curry NEEDS TO GO. We need a true defense first coach like Avery Johnson. How stupid does a coach have to be to NOT EVEN PLAY Maxiell and Amir all night long???
Hiring Curry is JoeD’s worst move – even worse than selecting Darko as the #2 pick.
by Jack on Dec 10, 2008 9:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Jack. Agreed. Bring in Avery.
Pick up the ##%$@ phone Joe
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 9:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why do I have a feeling this road is going to end with MC in a press conference after a 25 point thrashing in March saying “Playoffs?! Don’t talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I’m just hoping we can win a game!”
by Shinons on Dec 10, 2008 9:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Man, that d’antoni guy in NY sure seems to be able to get his players to play, even after the roster sucked and has been shuffled a few times. Vinny del Negro? what? As Ron Burgundy would say “Curry was a bad choice!”
by Craig on Dec 10, 2008 10:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Shinons: Yeah, I definitely see one of those coming soon to a post game near you.
Also, it’s kinda amazing, we’re only in December and already Curry has basically called the team soft. Reminds me a lot of Skiles, just the difference being that Skiles actually brings some coaching ability to the table that somewhat counter his drawbacks. Curry=Skiles, but without the plusses, just the bad parts.
And here’s where the writing should have been on the wall for Curry:
Langlois: “As you prepare to be a head coach and look back at the roughly 13 years since you first came to the NBA on a 10-day contract, who are one or two or three of the people who have most shaped the way you’ve come to look at the NBA today?”
Curry: “I think Doug Collins has been really good. He was a guy I was around that really understood the game and really could teach the game. That’s one of the things I make sure, that I’m always a teacher of the game…
…And I think my time in the league office, working for Stu Jackson. Stu, the position that he’s in, he doesn’t make all the decisions, but he gets all the blame. You have to be really strong and strong-minded to be able to handle that type of situation.”
Is it possible to have two worse mentors than the guy responsible for NBA officiating, and Doug Collins?
by Gabe on Dec 10, 2008 10:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
couldn´t watch the game because of work..
i just saw the box score right now and – what the fuck??
max, amir, kwame DNP? 33 points in the fourth foor the wiz?
i could jump on the fire curry bandwagon really soon
it´s unbelievable what you can do to a very solid team, when you rip out it´s heart and soul and give it to a rookie headcoach.
oh, and bringing in a pure scorer, who suddenly thinks he has to do everything besides scoring a shitload of points, might help as well
by jj on Dec 10, 2008 10:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
See what happens when you don’t trade for Willie Green in the offseason?
I really don’t know what to think about this team, to be honest. I’ve never seen them play so poorly. It’s a shame, really.
by Boney on Dec 10, 2008 10:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
"The only thing that could push me further over the edge is an AI4L rant about how this is actually all Dumars’ fault for trading Billups "
I called it then, I called it now, you’re a fing Girlscout….
Seriously Matt, why hasn’t my account been deleted yet?
by PistonsGirl4Life on Dec 10, 2008 10:22 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Note, for clarity I’ve actually ADMITTED TO LOW IMPULSE CONTROL being the only reason I post here.
This is the team the people on this board deserve IMHO, this is EXACTLY what I saw coming the first couple games after AI, I don’t see it getting ANY better and yes this entire season is a wash…
I just wish I had the self control to stop playing “BatTheIdiot” with people like Ya’ll…
Sadly I don’t but I’ll be fing DAMNED if I’m going to listen to some little shit tell me how I’m STILL wrong while the team is falling apart…
WE LOST TO THE FUCKING BULLETS…. Explain that away asshat.
by PistonsGirl4Life on Dec 10, 2008 10:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
to me its just ridiculous to give up on a team this this far away from the allstar break.
by Rban on Dec 10, 2008 10:32 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Shinons: Agreed.
Playoffs: two four letter words that shouldn’t even be uttered in the Piston lockeroom.
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 10:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Lose by 20+ to the Wolves.
Get our ass kicked by ~30 after the first quarter against the wiz.
This ain’t players, it’s coaching.
Anybody here for Dave Cowens taking control? We won’t have an effort problem.
Pick up the ##$%@ phone Joe.
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 10:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
There is still time for the team to turn it around and for Curry to magically figure out how to run a team. But he’s just been so bad to this point that I don’t see it happening. We’ve lost 9 out of 20 games and by an average of over 14 points. Several of those games were winnable, such as the Portland game (which was when I officially lost it on MC), but were lost because of incomprehensible rotation moves by MC.
I was in Indy during the Isiah coaching era there, and the two remind me a lot of each other as coaches – can’t put together a rotation, talk big but don’t back it up, players’ coaches that don’t seem respected, first time coaches, no real system or philosophy. Isiah had a talented squad; Artest, Reggie Miller, Jermaine O’Neal, young Brad Miller, Al Harrington, good Jammal Tinsley. Pretty good squad, right? Well, they went 56-26 the year before Isiah came in. Then Isiah led them to two seasons at 41-41 and 42-40. After a first round exit, he was finally fired and Carslisle promptly won 61 games.
There’s a lot of talent on this team. If Curry doesn’t improve, it’s better to pull the plug on him early than to throw this season down the toilet. There’s a lot of good, experienced coaches out there, most notably Avery.
by Shinons on Dec 10, 2008 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
If what it appears might be true, the AI trade aside, that the majority of the stones’ troubles right now center on Curry’s inconsistent line-ups and his purported inability to make solid in-game strategy adjustments, I’m on record as saying “Bring me Isiah Thomas.”
He’d garner respect from the players, knowing of his career with the Pistons and his legacy with Joe D… and, if given the reception the Palace crowd gave Zeke last year at the Pistons 50th anniversary deal, most of the fan base would welcome him back home.
So…does it work that now i say:
Pick up the ##$%@ phone Joe.?
by wolf blitzer on Dec 10, 2008 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
This may have already been said – I’m not sifting through 437 comments to check – but here was my highlight of the night:
The ‘kiss cam’ made its way to Walter Hermann with Kwame. Walter caught on and reached over to Kwame’s chin with a cupped hand. Kwame immediately jumped away when he realized what was happening. The crowd got a great laugh out of it.
by Bloomen on Dec 10, 2008 11:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Do not bring in Isiah Thomas. He has the anti-Midas touch. Everything he touches crumbles into dust and blows away in the wind. I like Jeff Van Gundy.
by Garrett on Dec 10, 2008 11:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
As per the game, it can easily be summed up as ‘Smallball Fail’. Grow a pair and put AI on the bench.
by Bloomen on Dec 10, 2008 11:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
what I want for christmas: Jeff Van Gundayyyyyyyyy, or Avery Johnsonnnnnnnnnn
by Bananas on Dec 10, 2008 11:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Garrett: Fantastic choice: Jeff Van G, baby. I like that ALOT!!
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 11:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RjmjejukO0
Don’t make Avery angry. You wouldn’t like him when he gets angry.
by Garrett on Dec 10, 2008 11:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I dunno. Our roster is pretty easy to figure out and with these coaches you get them trying to show what good coaches they are. I vote that we hire Forty’s girlfriend as coach. That way the decisions aren’t based on…well, whatever it is that MC bases his on, but basic general observations.
“How come there’s only their guys trying to get the ball when we miss it? Amir jumps high, maybe he can get more of them. Amir! Get in there for Sheed!”
“That little guy keeps running past AI. Afflalo! Get in there for AI!”
“I think Herrmann should get to play more. Gee, I wish I could do something about it. Wait a minute, I’m the coach! Walter! Go play!”
“We’ve been getting killed since this lineup went in. Maybe I should make a change.”
by Shinons on Dec 10, 2008 11:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Don’t look now but Ben Wallace is having a fine season in Cleveland with a +/- per minute just shy of LeBron James. If we’re going to be second guessing Joe Dumars on the Billups/Iverson trade we may as well go back one step further and ask if Big Ben was really the one to let go. I know he was awful in Chicago but no more awful than rest of the Pistons are today.
by joejoejoe on Dec 10, 2008 12:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Shinons:
I hereby second the notion of Forty’s Girlfriend for Coach.
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 12:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
First the Tigers implode. Then I suffer through an unimaginable UM football season. I throw up every time I watch the Lions play. And now I gotta put up with this?? I’ll take Flip, Chaunce and an ECF appearance any day over this train-wreck in the making. I can’t remember the last time the Pistons put up three stinkers in a row like this.
This guy is looking more and more like he’s in over his head. How in the world does Max get a DNP-Coach’s Decision? Ever? Whatever happened to stopping all the ref-bitching?
I know it’s early and no way am I bailing on this squad but this sh%t’s gotta end.
by JustMaz on Dec 10, 2008 1:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI and Sheed for Shaq, Grant Hill and Dan Majerle’s throwback back and knee braces
do it
by Boney on Dec 10, 2008 1:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
JustMaz, I hear ya man….
Maybe we can talk Johan Franzen into getting some killer tats and cornrows…?
I can dig the winning, but not so much with the Swedish guys who have no personality….
by PistonsGirl4Life on Dec 10, 2008 1:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
jesus
Rip and Amir for Odom would leave the team with like way too much salary cap space
by Boney on Dec 10, 2008 2:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Is it ironic that I’m kind of expecting HB to come here and talk us all down from the ledge, “its gonna be okay, this squad will come together, Curry will excel”.
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 2:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
HB = Keith Langlois
Alex Acker for Andrew Bynum.
MC for Hubie Brown.
by Keegan on Dec 10, 2008 3:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure if anybody noticed this, but Prince walked off the court and was already half way to the locker room with about 10 seconds left in the game.
He’s pissed like hell.
by Fadel on Dec 10, 2008 3:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI for Marion. One expiring contract for another.
Stuckey, Rip, Tay, Marion, Sheed works for me.
by Jim on Dec 10, 2008 3:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Keegan:
That’s a high percentage suggestion.
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 3:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Avery is who I wanted as soon as Flip and him were both fired. I’m surprised some people dismiss him outright and claim that they’d prefer Curry. That’s just stupid. Avery has something around a .675 winning percentage. Has won a NBA championship as a player. Has been to an NBA championship as a coach. I though he should have beat the Cavs, but I thought some other team should have beat them that same year as well. Who was that again? He took the leftover pieces from the Don Nelson era after losing Finley and Nash and made the team more competitive then they ever were. Plus, his experience would be directly beneficial:
-Dampier and Diop. One of these guys were always in the starting lineup. Were there more talented players on the bench? Yes. But those were the two centers he had on his roster. Avery understands that you have to rebound the basketball and defend the interior using the personnel you have in those positions (even if they kinda suck). -1 Curry.
-Nowitski. Avery came in and changed the offensive system. He made it flow through their best offensive weapon, Dirk. This system is what made Dirk from being a big that could shoot 3’s to an MVP. The same sort of system that the Pistons need to develop around their personnel, specifically Allen Iverson. Avery know how to take the talent he has and maximize it. -2 Curry
-Stackhouse. Granted, he’s not of Iverson stature – but he is of Rip Hamilton fame. When Stackhouse got moved to the bench over the likes of newcomer Josh Howard it was in the name of developing new talent while putting a stable reliable scoring threat on the bench. Exactly what everyone thinks should be done with the current Pistons team. -49 Curry
-Terry/Harris. Not true point guards. Harris more so than Terry, perhaps, but both are score first, pass second guards. Avery was able to use both of these guys and adapt their games and skill set to make them decent distributors. Curry doesn’t know what a point guard is. -765 Curry
-As a player Avery played with David Robinson. Curry played with Zeljko Rebraca. -345,689 Curry
by Juicebox on Dec 10, 2008 3:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI for Lebron and Mo Williams (this actually works salary cap-wise)
by Gabe on Dec 10, 2008 3:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Juicebox: Awesome post :) I laughed and cried, and all your examples are spot on.
by Gabe on Dec 10, 2008 3:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why would Miami trade for AI?
Mario Chalmers is holding it down!
We could do:
Amir and AI for Beasley and Marion
heh
by Boney on Dec 10, 2008 3:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
From McCosky:
“Curry also made it clear that neither Amir Johnson nor Jason Maxiell is out of the rotation, though neither played in Washington.
‘That was just a matchup thing,’ Curry said. ‘It just happened that way.’"
Really? We really needed to play matchup shenanigans with Washington?
by Keegan on Dec 10, 2008 4:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
‘That was just a matchup thing’ – bullshit. We didn’t need anyone to rebound the basketball and/or dunk it through the basket? We had shotblocking covered? Really?
by Rob G on Dec 10, 2008 4:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure which is worse: That Curry could have planted Max/Amir on the bench because they’re in his doghouse, or that he somehow thought the “match-ups” against Washington favored not playing them.
by Gabe on Dec 10, 2008 4:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Keegan: I hear ya. Why are we trying to match up with a 3 win team (because at 3 wins, it doesn’t appear anyone else is trying to) when we should be making them match up with us. Not to mention we got outrebounded 39-34.
Are the matchups that bad that we need to adjust our overall talent pool to match up with a 3 win team? I’d rather have Carron Butler lose sleep the nite before thinking about how he’s going to get his shot up and over Tay than dream about abusing Rip all game long. (PS: I didn’t see the game, this is an assumption of rip on carron).
Perhaps Max or Hermann on Butler, even just for a moment coach curry? The guy shot 14-14 from the line, 8 for 11 excluding 3 point attempts and 9 of 15 overall. Whatever Curry was trying wasn’t working.
Pick up the ##$%@ phone Joe.
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 4:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Keeping Kwame, Amir, AND Max all on the bench doesn’t “just happen.” That’s not one of those things that strikes me as just kind of happening. And for the love of God, can’t one of these reporters ask tough questions of anyone in this organization?
Here’s mine:
“Isn’t it reason for concern that you’re allowing Washington to dictate your match-up strategy?”
“How do you explain Washington’s bench dropping 59 points on your team?”
“How do you feel when you see Rasheed Wallace allowing Andray Blatche to throw it down uncontested, right in Rasheed’s face, without Rasheed doing so much as raise an arm? Which time? Well, whatever one you’d like to address.”
“Did it strike you at all during the game that there were three players on your bench that might have been able to prevent that?”
by Keegan on Dec 10, 2008 4:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
by the way, Garrett, that Avery vid is classic, golden even. The best video since, well… practice…
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 4:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Miami would go for AI for Marion. Then they could just play Chalmers, AI, and Wade all at the same time.
by Shinons on Dec 10, 2008 5:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Shinons: One problem with Chalmers, AI and Wade at the same time. Curry’s not their coach. But I think that’s what you meant.
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 5:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Shinons – before we go too far down the Marion for AI road, I’d like to point out that my girlfriend doesn’t actually know who Shawn Marion is. And I think after I explain it to her (“wait, he didn’t like playing with Steve Nash?”) she’s not going to like him. I’m just saying, if we’re bringing her in as HC, we need to make sure she’s got Forty’s Girlfriend personnel to work with. Rich Rodriguez thinks that’s a good idea.
by Forty on Dec 10, 2008 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Suns just acquired J. Rich and Dudley for Bell, Diaw and Singletary.
by Jim on Dec 10, 2008 6:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m watching WWE 24/7, and I’m absolutely convinced we would win more if Walter Herrmann rocked the Ravishing Rick Rude PowerMullet.
And he could chastise fans at other arenas for being out of shape!
by Keegan on Dec 10, 2008 6:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Better yet, we go with AI, Stuck, Rip, Bynum & AA and petition David Stern to play in the 6’6" and under league.
We just need to put AI with the second unit with Stuck at the point. This gives him experience with Kwame, Sheed, Tay and Rip for the future. The way we’ve played the last couple of weeks, particularly the last several games, the future is all we got…
And if Sheed wants to get continually abused and not give a crap on a consistent basis, he can sit down. At this point, he’s not part of the future anyhow.
It comes down to are we trying to win this year, we put the best team on the floor for the majority of the game. If we aren’t going to do that, then we develop who’s here and do something with our cap space.
by MarkButter in SoCal on Dec 10, 2008 6:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That’s a wild trade, btw, a lot more interesting than that Antonio Daniels one.
by Keegan on Dec 10, 2008 6:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Holy smokes, that makes for a nasty lineup…
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 6:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Imagine how nasty that lineup would be if they traded Amare and Dragic for AI? Man, that’d be crazy.
signed,
wishful thinking on my part
by Keegan on Dec 10, 2008 7:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
From the boxscore:
4 offensive rebounds all game. Those are the most absurd DNP-CD’s I’ve ever seen when paired with ineffective rebounding.
Sheed was the only one on the positive side of the +/-, but he only got 26 minutes. I’m happy Dice is back and Sheed can play fewer minutes, but Jesus Christ, after two losses in a row you’ve got to play him to get a win against the bullets.
Free-throws: Curry needs to COACH this team. Notice that with only two refs they get to play a little more? How about telling your players to adjust to that?
Actually, if the other team shoots twice as many free throws as you, how about making some coaching adjustments to that, as well? Or get in a ref’s face, like a coach is sort of paid to do. Oh man, this could get bad if it doesn’t get better really, really soon.
by PDXPistonsFan on Dec 10, 2008 8:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Matt Watson Conspiracy: Huge post numbers indicate lots of web traffic. Losses to crappy teams generate lots of posts. Watson is in cahoots with Dumars and Curry to make millions of dollars from this website.
by PDXPistonsFan on Dec 10, 2008 8:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Probably Lindsey Hunter, too, since he’s not above some shady activity. Any word on that lately, by the way?
by PDXPistonsFan on Dec 10, 2008 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
PDX: I agree. We’re doing all the analysis. We need Matt W’s take on this. I hope that CC wears off soon so he can dissect what’s going on. Come on, brotha! We got a few days before the next game. Let’s have your take on the state of the D.
by Rob G on Dec 10, 2008 8:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Holy unbelievable shit, did Curry really say “it just happened that way, it was a matchup thing”? Okay, I was teetering before, but if he actually said that, everybody on the Fire Curry bandwagon move over, I’ve officially joined.
by Other Matt on Dec 10, 2008 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
lose three straight to loser clubs . well at least the young guys like amir are getting seasoned….oh…scratch that. can’t risk washington minutes on amir. better to lose with out all of his dumb fouls.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Dec 10, 2008 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
hands my brother Other Matt a beer, welcomes him to take a seat on the wagon and drop his 2 cents about Avery, Van Gundy :)
by Mike Payne on Dec 10, 2008 9:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and for the record, I’m not quite ready for Joe D. to pick up the phone, but it wouldn’t hurt if he called his provider to get more minutes added to his plan.
by PDXPistonsFan on Dec 10, 2008 10:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It seems like Curry is oblivious to the other half of these match-ups. With small ball he’s like, “Well now we should be able to drive and dish the whole game for open shots” without actually thinking of the liabilities on the defensive end. And it seems to be the opposite for the big men. He thinks “Maxiell is too short and Amir is too skinny” without actually thinking about their advantages (quickness and freakish athleticism) on the offensive side of the ball. I just wish we would make people adjust to us instead of us adjusting to them. We seem to over-analyze teams now, whereas before it was low turnovers+smothering defense=win. I know Chauncey was good and all, but he shouldn’t be worth 20 games to us. We have way too much talent to drop off like that. I hope Dumars smacks some sense into Curry.
by Big Mike on Dec 10, 2008 11:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That Chauncey Billups (spelling?) fellow in Denver scored 24 points in their victory over Minnesota. Very good. Here’s a trade suggestion:
AI for
Chauncey B. and Cheick Samb (who is this guy?) + someone to make the salary work.
What do you guys think?
by Rob G on Dec 10, 2008 11:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rob G: I think you’re on to something………..
by Garrett on Dec 11, 2008 12:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Oh, hey guys, did you hear Sam Mitchell is available?
(I kid, I kid)
by Garrett on Dec 11, 2008 12:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Rob G:
I think the trade idea is pretty solid, but would Denver go for that? I don’t know. Besides, I just don’t know if a player like that guy Chauncey will put this squad over the edge, push us into championship territory. That’s a big risk, as we can either choose: a) add a player like that Billups guy who would likely get us no further than the ECF, or b) have $21 million to spend on two monster free agencies.
I’m concerned that all the trade talk is a bit ill-advised. Its not Iverson’s fault we’re failing, it’s the guy in charge. I don’t know much about that Billups guy, but I’d hate to trade players when our problem remains at the helm.
by Mike Payne on Dec 11, 2008 12:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I may be the only one who reads Sports Illustrated online, but this “Pistons don’t look like old selves” subsection in a recent article by Chris Mannix caught my eye:
—
A league insider with knowledge of the Pistons’ thinking told me that Detroit went ahead with the Allen Iverson trade knowing full well that the eight-time All-Star had lost a step.
“They didn’t care,” the insider said. “They made the deal strictly for the cap relief” after the season, when Iverson’s $20.8 million salary comes off the books.
Detroit is 7-9 since Iverson joined the lineup Nov. 7. Its defense, the backbone of the team that has made six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference finals, has been average at best. In a 104-92 loss to the Knicks last Sunday in New York, Iverson and Rasheed Wallace struggled mightily to defend the pick-and-roll combination of David Lee (12 points, 19 rebounds) and Chris Duhon (25 points, nine assists). Tayshaun Prince was frequently seen explaining defensive rotations to his teammates during breaks in the action.
“This team is a shell of what it once was,” a courtside scout said. “They aren’t contenders anymore.”
—
link here:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/chris_mannix/12/10/nets.notes/index.html
by PS on Dec 11, 2008 12:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
It’s crazy that Sheed and AI would have trouble defending a pick and roll. It ain’t rocket science, especially when you’ve been doing it for 25 years.
by Garrett on Dec 11, 2008 12:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
"They aren’t contenders anymore."
In other news, Sports Illustrated is hiring writers. Those who bring actual NEWS to the publication.
by Mike Payne on Dec 11, 2008 12:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m sad. But not sad enough to tolerate Avery “Church Mouse” Johnson.
by Colin on Dec 11, 2008 2:07 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rob G: Throwing Nene in there as the filler actually works out contract-wise, even with Samb. Dude doesn’t have much of a post game, but he throws everything, I mean absolutely everything that comes his way down.
Avery would help with our wtf defense, but I don’t know if his brand of 5 man iso offense would really benefit anyone but AI and Stuckey.
by Paul M on Dec 11, 2008 6:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
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