Pistons-Bucks Game Thread
by Kevin Sawyer on Oct 31, 2009 6:41 PM CDT
167 comments
Coverage at 8:30 pm ET
Milwaukee: 0-1 (0-0 home)
Margin: -13.0
Pistons: 1-1 (1-0 road)
Margin: +7.0
Oppo research
After a ghoulish performance at home from the frontline last night, the Pistons face the Bucks, for whom front-court defense is a relative strong suit.
Milwaukee has made a concerted effort to cut payroll and move contracts, and the roster reflects that effort. Other than fading star Michael Redd, Milwaukee does not really have a go-to scorer. No Bucks player scored more than 17 points in last nights lost to the 76ers, and Brandon Jennings and Redd needed 16 and 17 shots respectively to get that done.
The Bucks compensate for their offensive shortcomings with strong rebounding and Scott Skiles' patented defense.
The Drama:
Charlie Villanueva returns to the team that failed to give him a qualifying offer. Here's hoping the added motivation yields a better performance on both ends of the court than we have seen thus far.
Keys for Detroit
Crash the boards: I have the feeling I can just cut and paste this one for the remainder of the season.
Hit Free Throws: The Pistons have done a good job getting to the line, but an atrocious job of making that a desirable result.
Open up the court: Last night gave us shades of last year, as a 5-17 night from downtown stalled the offense. That said, I don't think anyone is asking for five three attempts from CV.
Question of the Game
Can the Pistons bounce back? Rough shooting nights happen, and the team had it together through the first half. I'm keeping the faith for the time being.
0 recs |
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The Bucks are terrible. There’s absolutely no reason we should lose this game.
by Shinons on Oct 31, 2009 7:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yo CV, I am happy for you, and Imma let you finish, but Barry Zito has one of the worst long term free agent contracts of all time. Of all time.
by Kanye on Oct 31, 2009 7:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m watching nets-wizards…its 60-48 wiz just before the half, and gilbert has 20 points in 17 minutes.
by Scott on Oct 31, 2009 7:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
with Rip Hamilton Out…..What is suppose to be our strong point for this year (offense)is gonna become a glaring weakness!
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 7:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Boy, I hope Ben Gordon has a SPOOKtacular game. :|
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 7:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Im at work…cant watch the game, yall let me know if yall find a good link for the game. Im gonna check with JustinTv.
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 7:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@PISTONFAN40:
with Rip Hamilton Out…..What is suppose to be our strong point for this year (offense)is gonna become a glaring weakness!
Our backcourt still scored nearly 60 points last night. We just didn’t get anything out of our frontcourt. Rip’s absence wasn’t the problem, so much.
by Mike Payne on Oct 31, 2009 7:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
let us pray that amir doesn’t own charlie
by scntfc on Oct 31, 2009 7:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Shinons!!! thanks for the link!~ Appreciate U Much!
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 7:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Are we required to be impressed by NEAR triple-doubles now?
by Kevin Sawyer on Oct 31, 2009 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mike that’s true, I think Rips absence only preventing us from actually winning the game. but ur right…its not the backcourt, its the frontcourt, but i dont see much change their until a trade happens.
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Naturally, Carlos Delfino is going to light us up. That’s just the way it goes.
by Garrett on Oct 31, 2009 7:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Im hoping going back to Milwaukee….CV has some extra game tonight! wow…and he just scored.
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 7:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ben Wallace wanting a foul…as if he would make the free throws.
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 7:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stuckey’s follow-through looks weird. It’s like he’s fallowing through with both hands instead of just the shooting hand.
by Garrett on Oct 31, 2009 7:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
“Fallowing”. It’s like being a fan has given me a Michigan accent or something. ;) Aboot!
by Garrett on Oct 31, 2009 8:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m at work so I can’t watch/listen to the game. Is there any reason why CV was benched after 5 minutes?
by Kay Wan on Oct 31, 2009 8:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jennings has learned how to flop already.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I just saw The Dude behind the Pistons’ bench! Lebowski!
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Isn’t it 9 on Halloween/Saturday night? Who do you guys work for, Mao Zedong?
by Shinons on Oct 31, 2009 8:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@TDP, I actually know the guy that “The Dude” was based on. He’s a producer’s rep that worked with the Coen Bros.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The guy was a pain in my ass. Not nearly as cool as Lebowski (and I think the Coen Bros. were kind of making fun of him).
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we’re getting a little ref love after last night’s (candy)corn holing.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ilyasova is playing with his Halloween costume.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ve never heard of Ilyasova… ever. Sounds Balkan, looks Asian… Siberian?
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
CV’s having another awful game. Thankfully Stuckey and Gordon have been unstoppable.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
stuck w/ 11,3 and 4, how impressive is that?
by scntfc on Oct 31, 2009 8:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess my whole perception of Villanueva was based on the game last winter when he scored 33 against us in Milwaukee. Might need to re-evaluate things…
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha! The Bucks announcer is whining so much! “C’mon guys, stop taking those shots!!!”
by Garrett on Oct 31, 2009 8:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Frontline of Maxiell, Jerebko and Wallace right now.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@ Garrett:
Mark Champion is subbing for Blaha tonight on FSN Detroit. Pretty funny. When Redd hit that wide open three a few minutes ago, Champion goes, “Redd wide open. This could be bad… Yep, it was.” Nice.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ben Gordon is so good. He’s so small, but so good.
by Garrett on Oct 31, 2009 8:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Q likes to take those Larry Brown timeouts with 3 minutes left in the half.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
These Bucks announcers are homers, but they’re not bad.
by kevin s. on Oct 31, 2009 8:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
gordon is good isn’t he? i am understanding more and more.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Oct 31, 2009 8:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Man, we are in a Recession. A triple-double get you curly fries?! And they’re giving away magnets?! Times is tough.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ben just tripled his free throw percentage.
by kevin s. on Oct 31, 2009 8:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gordon is lighting up Redd on one end and shutting him down on the other.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 8:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the Pistons did a great job with signing Gordon. He is the future.
by Bee on Oct 31, 2009 8:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Milwaukee getting back under 13 pissed me off.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This bucks team is an embarrassment.
by BigBabyDAVIS on Oct 31, 2009 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@Shinons that Mao Zedong reference cracked me up haha.
by Cob on Oct 31, 2009 8:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We’ve already matched our total number of assists last night (12) in one half with 7 less FG attempts. I have a feeling this is the kind of roller coaster ride we’ll be on at least until mid-December or January.
by Kay Wan on Oct 31, 2009 8:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
God damn it, Don Henley. Much like The Dude, I hate The Eagles.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 8:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
In other games…
Marreese Speights has won the starting job. That discussion should be over.
Ditto Andray Blatche… Also, Flip Saunders is the new Mike D’Antoni… Or the old Mike D’Antoni.
Of course it would take the Rockets to figure out the Trevor Ariza deserved playing time. 21 at the half.
by kevin s. on Oct 31, 2009 9:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What the hell are the pistons doing? BG with 2 TO’s and now the Bucks are back in this.
by Bee on Oct 31, 2009 9:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4612266
Starbury kicked out of msg tonight
by BigBabyDAVIS on Oct 31, 2009 9:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Charlie Villanueva is like I don’t care hustle the ball
by Tayschung on Oct 31, 2009 9:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ben is playing too many minutes, we are not moving the ball well, we are in trouble if tay or Rip gets traded for anything less than a defensive big man…
by scntfc on Oct 31, 2009 9:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought Jennings couldn’t shoot.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mark Champion said it perfectly: 3rd-Quarter Blues.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ll call the Orlando game right now: 129-86.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
not knoocking the Bucks or anything, but they have to go back to 2001 for a greater crowd reaction than tonite…
by scntfc on Oct 31, 2009 9:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ha Ha, Villanueva is the worst. Good luck Piston Fans, he is going to be making 8 mil a season toward the end of his contract. I think Dumars is gonna hide in a hole one of these days.
by Nick on Oct 31, 2009 9:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Greater collapse? Wolverines or Pistons?
This is getting embarassing…
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Those last three foul shots might be the worst I’ve ever seen Maxiell.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We’re getting killed, so we put CV and Max in the frontcourt together? wtf.
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 9:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Did we or did we not sign Chris Wilcox? No burn? Not even a chance? What about Jerebko?
CV, stop pouting. Get your head in the game. At the same time, can we feed him the ball in the post?
Ugh. Frustrated.
by Eric on Oct 31, 2009 9:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cueing Halloween double-header. The Orphanage and Drag Me To Hell. Of course, I feel like I just watched Deliverance and Boys of St. Vincent, so maybe it’s a quadruple-header.
by kevin s. on Oct 31, 2009 9:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@ Kevin S.:
Coach Q does look a lot like Ned Beatty back in the day.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good start to the 4th, CV needs to redeem himself.
by scntfc on Oct 31, 2009 9:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if the link for the game, just quit working….or did somebody just know when to turn it off! Im not gonna be able to ride this rollercoaster this year. Im getting too old! Joe D! Make a Trade…and quick!!!
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 9:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who’s this joker replacing Blaha? is he sick?
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 9:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The offense actually runs better with Ben Wallace out there. He sets better screens and when he catches it on the outside he does dribble-hand off-set a screen move that always seems to get the offense back in sync.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The link is working again! I thought it might have been a frustrated Pistons fan who said, “Ah, screw it — I’m eating candy…” but it’s back.
by Garrett on Oct 31, 2009 9:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who’s this joker replacing Blaha? is he sick?
Mark Champion, the Pistons radio guy. Blaha has H1N1.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Better get used to us leading the league in turnovers, and last in rebounding. Sure miss Chauncey and Mcdyess!
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 9:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ook. thanks TDP
and QD: i see this as well. Max and CV set HORRIBLE screens. it pisses me off.
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 9:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pistonsfan40: We will not be even close to leading the league in turnovers…
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
by Garrett on Oct 31, 2009 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tay forced to explain the rules to the ref.
by kevin s. on Oct 31, 2009 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tayshaun’s ball-handling has not looked good so far this season.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
AHH! I thought Gordon was going to hit that. It’s a shock whenever he misses an open shot.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We wont be close to leading the league in not turning it over….like were accustomed too…that’s for sure!
by PISTONFAN40 on Oct 31, 2009 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Tay’s ball handling has looked better than Max or Kwame’s, who keep trying to cross guys over from the free throw line or farther out.
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 9:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Arnold and Seagal need to team up for the most horribly awesome action movie film ever made.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We wont be close to leading the league in not turning it over….like were accustomed too…that’s for sure!
What?
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 9:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think they should put Tayshaun on Warrick. None of the bigs have been able to stop him.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Brandon Jennings certainly is a confident fellow.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cody, we won’t not be un-turning the ball over like we weren’t once used to be not doing. Why isn’t that not so hard for you to not understand?
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stuckey’s had at least 5 shots go in and out tonight.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 9:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ll be tuning into a lot of first half of basketball this season.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Kuester’s so-called “high basketball IQ” does not seem to translate well to his players thus far.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TDP: don’t forget about the wild drives running into defenders while putting up circus shorts
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 10:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Players that have been good this season: Big Ben, Little Ben, Tayshaun, Rip
Players that have not: Bynum, Stuckey, Villanueva, Maxiell, Kwame
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow. That Prince foul was a sad ghost of better times.
by kevin s. on Oct 31, 2009 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stuckeys been playing rather lazy on both ends of the floor.
by rban on Oct 31, 2009 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great. Two straight days to brood over two straight shitty losses.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, last years 4-0 start didn’t work out so well for the Pistons. Here’s to starting at the bottom and working our way up.
by Casey on Oct 31, 2009 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
kevin s.: difference between blocking a 6’6 guy from behind and a 7’0 from behind.
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Please, someone, just punt the ball into the stands on our next possession.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And Milwaukee fans head home to feast on victory cheeses and sausages.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 10:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This game favors teams composed of players who can focus over four quarters. And that’s not us. What does it mean when you start solid and finish weak? We should be 3 and 0. We’re going to be 1 and 2 going into Tuesday’s game against the Heat.
by JBump on Oct 31, 2009 10:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Man, what the heck happened tonight? Outscored 36-14 in the 3rd? Worse, two 3rd quarter collapses in a row?
I didn’t see much of this one, but from the box score, it looks like CV basically fouled himself out of this one, and Stuckey had another poor game. 8 assists, but 4 TO’s and 6-19 shooting. Good grief.
Here’s the part that’s scary to me: 17 team assists, 20 turnovers. That’s miserable. 85 points against the Bucks and 83 against the Thunder. Wasn’t our reconstruction supposed to give us offensive firepower?
Ben Gordon’s numbers looked good — did he look as good as the number suggested (except for 4 TO’s from him as well)?
by brgulker on Oct 31, 2009 10:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
br, 5 assists in the second half.
One-on-one ball again.
by TDP on Oct 31, 2009 10:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
br, the first half was very good. Then Warrick started torching Maxiell, Jennings got ridiculously hot and the Pistons started turning the ball over and just lost composure and started forcing things. It just escalated from there.
by Quick Darshan on Oct 31, 2009 10:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The problem with Rip being out is that now all the guards have to play well. If one of them has an off night, there is basically no depth in the backcourt (3-1=2 starters and no backups). And the frontcourt is not about to start carrying the load anytime.
by Drew on Oct 31, 2009 10:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks fellas.
Did Stuckey look good in the first half at least?
Last night, he looked good in the 1st, struggled in the 2nd. Was it a repeat of that?
by brgulker on Oct 31, 2009 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And again, I feel like composure will come for this team sooner or later. Its a young team, with a lot of new pieces. Same thing happened with OKC.
by Drew on Oct 31, 2009 10:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
One other observation from Gordon’s numbers: he’s been shooting a lot of free throws, which I’m assuming means he’s getting to the basket. For whatever reason, I didn’t realize that was such an important aspect of his game … Thanks for the updates. Catch you all next game.
by brgulker on Oct 31, 2009 10:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stuck was alright in the 1st half. nothing special, but definitely better than the 2nd half. And yeah, Gordon has been driving a lot.
by Cody on Oct 31, 2009 10:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Um, yeah, the good was Ben Wallace, and maybe Ben Gordon. The bad was Charlie V., and well, pretty much everyone in the second half.
I know we don’t have Rip, I know guys are getting used to each other, I know it’s only the third game, and I know Detroit isn’t actually a dominant team this year because of the guard-heavy roster, so I’m not panicking yet, but . . . .
Is it possible to see two straight second half collapses as in part a problem with coaching? I mean, the opposition seems to have made much better half-time adjustments in both of the last two games.
by Toledo Joe on Oct 31, 2009 10:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jennings for ROY.
1st game 17-9-9
2nd game 24-2-3
Reminds me a bit of a young Zeke.
by Mike on Oct 31, 2009 10:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@Shinons: “Isn’t it 9 on Halloween/Saturday night? Who do you guys work for, Mao Zedong?” A tad late, but- Ha. Funny stuff.
by J Dre on Nov 1, 2009 12:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Milwaukee’s bigs scored a collective 44 points tonight, compared to just 24 from Detroit. Last night, OKC’s bigs put up 44 points to our 15.
So in two games, our frontcourt has been outscored 88 to 39. WTF.
These losses have zero to do with not having Rip Hamilton suited up.
by Mike Payne on Nov 1, 2009 12:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
OMG EVERY1 OFF THE BANDWAGON
DIS TEEM SUX!!!
by Boney on Nov 1, 2009 1:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Son of a B, ‘Dyess has the flu! This time H1N1’s gone too far. I’m putting an end to this- must destroy it!
by J Dre on Nov 1, 2009 1:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
(Fall back- that should read 1:23, just for the record.)
by J Dre on Nov 1, 2009 1:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You know what pisses me off? Villanueva FINALLY gets it going. Knocks down a couple threes and a jumper, and guess what? Kuester BENCHES HIM! For MFWB, which seems like a good idea except MF suddenly turned into “Must Force” because the guy suddenly decided he could knock down jumpers.
But this is the **** that ends up screwing up Villanueva more than anything. The moment the Bucks gave CV the permanent starting job, he has the two best months of his career. I understand keeping players on a leash, but when they’re finally feeling it (after 2.75 games of struggling), I don’t care how many fouls they have, KEEP PLAYING THEM!
by Terrence Lynch on Nov 1, 2009 1:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@Terrence Lynch:
I think your frustration is aimed in the wrong direction. Villanueva isn’t doing himself any favors when he’s on the floor. I don’t know how Kuester can carry any blame for Villanueva’s shortcomings, the person entirely responsible for CV’s fuckups is CV alone.
Anyone who has watched these games from start to finish has seen a very frustrated, very out-of-his-element Villanueva. As Greg Kelser hismelf said, Charlie seems to be overthinking himself, diverting to his mind instead of his instincts. Its glaringly obvious that CV is pissed -at no one other than himself- because he’s not playing like he knows he can.
Have you seen his mannerisms, his body language? It’s pretty apparent that dude feels like he’s not only failing the team, but himself first and foremost.
I’m no shrink, but its pretty clear that Charlie knows precisely who is responsible for his failures in this early part of the season. Blaming Kuester’s substitutions (which have left little to be angry about) is quite a stretch.
I do, however, agree about Bynum. Mr. attack-the-rack has become mr. 18 feet. I’m goddamn arrogant about being one of MFWB’s first fans, far before most, and its clear as fucking day that he’s playing a role not natural to him. DRIVE, Will, DRIVE.
by Mike Payne on Nov 1, 2009 1:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good point, Terrence Lynch. I can’t help but think Villanueva needs to be kept in. Not because he needs to be nurtured along, but because a) he seems to need to be hardened by game time, and b) because who else is there? Clearly he’s off to a shaky start, but if he doesn’t work and we just play Gord-only offense with the Stuck show revisiting small ball, we’re never going to get over .500.
by JBump on Nov 1, 2009 1:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TRADE CHARLIE V!
TRADE Q-STER!
TRADE MFWB!
TRADE EVERYONEone
by Thom on Nov 1, 2009 1:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@ MP
I understand that Villanueva is upset with himself, but when the guy is knocking down shots and seems to be actively involved in the game, that’s when you reward him with playing time. If he’s playing bad defense and contributing nothing offensively, I’m perfectly fine with Kuester yanking him, but he was starting to show signs of coming out of this slump, and this could have been the moment where we finally saw what Villanueva is capable of. The guy can do almost everything offensively, that’s his biggest strength. So when he finally started hitting shots, that’s when he was at his best. So to yank him seemed counterproductive. I’m not going to put the blame solely on Kuester because Villanueva has looked pretty bad up until that point, but why is it that the last three coaches we’ve had have been so reluctant to ride the hot hand? Why did Bynum need to come in?
by Terrence Lynch on Nov 1, 2009 3:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually, Villanueva’s biggest problem?
#31.
The cursed #31.
The Curse of Darko. It’s taint will never leave that jersey.
by Terrence Lynch on Nov 1, 2009 4:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Without actually seeing the game ( at work) is it really that bad? Someone gimme a haiku or something.
by Laughton on Nov 1, 2009 5:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
@br, Stuckey was great in the first half. Completely dominated Jennings and Redd. In the second half, he had a bunch of shots go in and out, but neither he nor Bynum settled the team down when Milwaukee made their run.
by Quick Darshan on Nov 1, 2009 8:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Bad: Playing Ben Wallace for 37 minutes in the second half of a back-to-back.
by Drew on Nov 1, 2009 8:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Laughton:
It wasn’t that bad in the sense that the first half was actually quite good. Detroit was up 16 late in the second quarter; the Bucks hit a couple of shots late to cut it to 11 at the half, but it was still an impressive performance.
Then, for the second straight night, the wheels fall off in the third quarter (does the Magic blog have a trademark in “Third Quarter Collapse”? ‘Cause if not, we might have to switch). We got outscored by 22 points in the third quarter alone, so we’re down 11 going into the fourth. In the fourth, we cut it to 4 at one point with enough time left to catch up, but we wound up losing by 11 (so the fourth quarter was a wash, point-wise).
Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong in the third did — we played lousy on both ends and the Bucks really stepped it up. Also, see above re scoring of our bigs — we knew that was going to be a problem, but with CV off for most of the night, it was even worse.
Bright spot? Ben W. not only looked great on defense, but he also hit all four of his FTs (IIRC).
by Toledo Joe on Nov 1, 2009 8:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
can someone tell me why we signed Wilcox instead of Warrick? He’s on a $3 mil/year deal and puts up way better scoring numbers. Sure he doesn’t rebound, but you wouldn’t be paying him to do so. I feel that swap could have fixed the frontcourt scoring issues.
by bmr007 on Nov 1, 2009 8:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@bmr007
I see your question and raise you this. Why did we sign Chris Wilcox if he’s going to just ride the pine?
by Eric on Nov 1, 2009 12:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, we’ve signed plenty of bigs for $3-4 million that didn’t play every night. Dale Davis, Elden Campbell, even Kwame Brown. I suspect Kuester is still testing rotations and that we can see guys in and out of the rotation over the next few weeks.
by Terrence Lynch on Nov 1, 2009 3:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Wilcox is the answer. He’s not a better defender than Ben (obviously), Kwame and if he’s better than CV, it’s not to the extent where it makes up for what CV provides offensively.
He can take Maxiell’s minutes. But, that still doesn’t help offensively.
The solution: Give Austin Daye a steroid regiment to speed up his availability for minutes at the 4 spot.
by Quick Darshan on Nov 1, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think Wilcox has the potential to be a Birdman-type player if he got minutes. He’s a high-flyer, can catch some lobs, grab some boards, and alter some shots. I’d like to see him on the court more.
by Garrett on Nov 1, 2009 5:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m wondering if Qster need to go back to starting Kwame and Ben in the front court bring CV off the bench with Gordon ,Bynum ,JJ and Daye .This rotation would keep CV’s fouls down and give our bench a much needed kick,I know we’d have two rooks in there but its the second unit and they both seem fairly solid.
by Defor on Nov 1, 2009 6:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of steroids, am I the only one who looks at Dwight Howard with a bit of question? A 23 year old center that looks like he’s the strongest player in the NBA? I mean just look at how broad his shoulders are, its almost unnatural.
by bmr007 on Nov 2, 2009 3:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
There is a not a single thing about a seven foot human being running around or being “spry” in general that is in the least bit natural. To be in the NBA is, in general, to be a freak. Dwight and Lebron still defy even that inherent “freak” nature. However, Dwight’s outspoken Jesus-lovingness makes me skeptical about him hitting the ’roids.
by Joel on Nov 2, 2009 3:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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