Pistons lose shootout to Timberwolves, 122-114

by Packey on Oct 22, 2009 10:59 PM EDT in Detroit Pistons Recaps

In the last three games, Detroit's biggest weakness heading into this season has been glaring. While they have definitely shown that they can put the ball in the bucket, as we all assumed they could do, their defense has been suspect, at best, allowing an inordinate 116 points per game over their last three defeats.

What's mind numbing is the fact that the Pistons probably could not have played any better on offense. They shot a scorching 59% from the field (40% from beyond the arc) and 90% (28-31) from the charity stripe. Despite their best offensive efforts, Minnesota countered with a 54% field goal percentage, which included an astonishing 58% from three point land. They also knocked down 37 of 46 free throw attempts.

Now, due to the preseason games not being televised, I wasn't able to watch the game to actually witness it. However, judging from the box score, every criticism we've heard seems to have been at work and on point during this game. Detroit's perimeter defense must have been incredibly weak to allow the T-Wolves to shoot 58% from there, although we should give them a lot of credit too for knocking the shots down. In addition, the starting bigs for the Timberwolves outscored the starting bigs for the Pistons 46-32.

What concerns me most is Coach Kuester said this would be a dry run of what to expect come the regular season. Everyone that played appeared to play the minutes you'd expect them to play had this game counted in the standings. Now, Kwame Brown, Ben Wallace, and Austin Daye did not play (listed as coach's decisions), but I think slight concerns about the defensive capabilities of this team are warranted, that is if they weren't already in existence.

I'll have more to come about this game and the Pistons in general, but stew over this one for a minute. Leave your thoughts in the comments, because I want to know what you think. No reason to get all worked up, but I think it's worth discussing now that the Pistons have had three very poor defensive games in a row, even if it is just the preseason.

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D

Well, Tay only played 22 minutes which well under his average in previous years.

And considering that he, Kwame, and Big Ben are arguably their strongest defensive players I’m not FREAKED OUT by the lack of D. I still think the Pistons will start Kwame and Ben Wallace, and with them all on the floor defense should pick up.

Also, more than offense, defense is really where team experience and closeness are key. And given that these Pistons are only just getting to know how to play together, their team efforts should pick up and their experience playing together grows…

That said, yeah, everyone else needs to get their defense together…

by EllDove on Oct 22, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions

Interior D

I’d like to think that the reason for our defensive struggles has been Q-ster tinkering with the frontcourt lineup, and last night could be attributed to Kwame and Ben not playing … I’m sure that must be part of it.

However — that does very little to explain how Minn. could shoot 58% from 3. Usually, if a team shoots that well, it means they got a lot of open shots. I’m going to assume (safely, I think) that our perimeter defense was to blame last night, people getting broken down off the dribble leading to wide open shots.

But that’s pure speculation :)

by brgulker on Oct 23, 2009 8:14 AM EDT reply actions

Its tough to tell what

the [roblem is with this defense with the game not being on TV. Sometimes teams just shoot lights out.

by BennieBladesFan on Oct 23, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

If this continues....

….I think you will see a lot of zone this year.

by BennieBladesFan on Oct 23, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

Even with the gaudy offensive numbers, one thing stood out to me

The 15 turnovers for 27 points for the Timberwolves, 7 turnovers alone during a stretch in the third quarter. Looks the Motown crew needs a lesson in ball protection.

I thought it was interesting if you read the write up that one Piston who mentioned the defensive problems is CV-31.

"This is unacceptable," he said. "We’ve got to pick it up on the defensive end. Offensively, we don’t have a problem at all, but we’ve got to play defense together as a team."

This is the guy that all the “pundits” have said will be the cause of the Pistons defensive woes. Hopefully if he’s recoginzing his defensive short comings right off the bat and fixing them it’s a sign of good things to come.

by MichiganBillsFan84 on Oct 23, 2009 2:50 PM EDT reply actions

Was gona mention tis as well.....

……Stuckey only had 2 in 32 mins……Rip had 5 I think…..Just look like everyone was a little, im ready for the season to start, tonight…….That being said I think 10-12 tos is among the league average……So transition D must have been poorus.

by BennieBladesFan on Oct 23, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions