Pistons-Bucks Game Thread
by Kevin Sawyer on Feb 7, 2009 2:54 PM CST
250 comments
8:30 PM ET
Milwaukee: 24-28 (14-8 home)
Margin: -0.1 ppg (-1.9 last 25%)
Last 10:4-6
Pistons: 26-21 (12-10 road)
Margin: -0.2 (-2.1 last 25%)
Last 10:4-6
Oppo research:
Milwaukee is playing without Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut, which leaves them severely undermanned. They are also missing Luke Ridnour, which isn't devastating given that Ramon Sessions should be starting anyway, but hurts in terms of raw depth.
So what kind of team is Milwaukee without those three pieces? A euro style team without the three point shooting or tough rebounding. Between Sessions, Charlie Villanueva and Richard Jefferson, Milwaukee has enough offensive weapons to remain solvent, but the team now has no inside OR outside scoring presence.
Worse, coach Skiles is forced to give big minutes to Dan Gadzuric and Charlie Villanueva, which hurts on the defensive end. The Bucks will have to get a strong performance from Luc Etcetera to keep Prince from exploding on the offensive end.
The Drama:
Frankly, this sort of game is a must win for Detroit, who will need to feast on diminished squads in order to offset their tough schedule down the stretch.
Keys for Detroit:
Watch Gadzuric on the glass: He's exactly the sort of player who can eat a team alive if they aren't boxing out. After riding the pine, he had a solid game earlier this week, and should not be discounted.
Make them beat you from the perimeter: To add insult to injury, the Bucks traded Tyronn Lue to the Orlando Magic for Keith Bogans. Outside of Richard Jefferson, I'm comfortable forcing the Bucks outside.
Exploit mismatches: Whenever you have a team that is trying to integrate three new players, you are going to have defensive letdowns. The Pistons should absolutely take the ball to players like Villanueva and Gadzuric.
Question of the game:
Will the Pistons advertising their players? If we grant the notion that Joe D. is calling the rotation shots, it will be interesting to see if there are any anomalies in advance of the trade deadline.
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Richard Jefferson is on the trading block, I’ve heard.
by Skylar on Feb 7, 2009 4:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I will fly to Detroit to punch Joe D in the mouth if we trade for Richard Jefferson.
by Rban on Feb 7, 2009 5:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If Joe did that I would pay for your flight, Rban.
The “showcased” played though I think would be Maxiell- if he’s the first big off the bench, then we would have a hint that something trade related could be coming.
by Gabe on Feb 7, 2009 5:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Gab:e
The timing couldn’t be better… Maxiell has always been HUGE against Milwaukee.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 5:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Actually scratch that, he was huge once… otherwise he’s been serviceable. Somewhere I had the feeling that he’s been dominant against them. don’t know why.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 5:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m “up north” for the weekend, have very basic cable, NO FSN.
anyone got a feed?
by wolf blitzer on Feb 7, 2009 7:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Man, it would be awesome if LeBron signed with the Browns
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 7:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Forty:
Fixed that for you:
“Man, it would be awesome if LeBron signed with the Pistons”
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 7:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Forty, especially if you’re a Steelers fan. I would give a significant sum of money to see Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark have open season on Lebron going across the middle.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 7:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Also, how about the UConn-Michigan game? I thought we played well. It gave me hope that we can pull one out against either State or Purdue, which we’ll certainly need on Selection Sunday.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 7:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You mean like the Purdue game we had a chance in until the refs tossed Harris because Kramer plays 1 inch away from the offensive player?
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 7:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I just want to see LeBron block a field goal like in the commercial. The soaring to dunk through the uprights thing would also be sweet.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 7:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would love to hear Michael Curry try to pronounce “Luc Richard Mbah a Moute”.
“You mean bebounds?”
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 7:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I just want to see less of LeBron. And hear less of LeBron. That’d be good.
by wolf blitzer on Feb 7, 2009 7:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I changed my mind. I want Amare instead of Sheed.
by Drew on Feb 7, 2009 7:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Heard a rumor A.I. and Herrmann for Shaq is being talked about. What do you think about the legitimacy and value of this trade?
by Roll the Dyess on Feb 7, 2009 7:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Could anyone else hear Curry yelling in “caveman” there on the feed?
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 7:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@roll the dyess:
link please, i’d like to see the rumor
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 7:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
come on you mean there is no feed for a struggling pistons vs the perineum bucks??
err perennial — spellcheck!
by piñon lopez on Feb 7, 2009 7:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Heard” the rumor while in the office.
by Roll the Dyess on Feb 7, 2009 7:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Roll the Dyess:
Do you work for Slam Online?
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 7:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If we could turn AI into Shaq I’d be quite pleased. We’d be a much better matchup with Boston, that’s for sure. Still would have cap space for 2010.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 7:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
suns won’t do it unless they have really given up on the season
by Drew on Feb 7, 2009 7:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Do mine eyes deceive me? Amir with no fouls?
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 7:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Honestly, I think I’d rather have Shaq and Rasheed than keep AI and add Amare. I don’t know, I’d have to really think about it, but that’s me knee jerk reaction.
That T on Amir was BS.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 7:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Now that’s the ridiculous officiating I’m used to with Amir. I could only imagine if they called fouls on Kevin Garnett the way they do on Amir.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 7:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’ve never seen anyone get a technical for that in my life.
by Keegan on Feb 7, 2009 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And let me add, there is absolutely no reason for the Suns to want AI for Shaq. Like, none at all. But then again, there was no reason for them to run D’antoni out of town or to trade Marion for Shaq. So maybe there’s hope.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OM – didn’t we trade Billups for AI? Anything’s possidlfjadlkjadfljdalkfjl;djlfjsdlad!
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 8:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
but if Joe D. could turn Chauncey and McDyess into Shaq and McDyess, he’d be a genius.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Off Topic:
fuckin’ Al Jefferson has 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block… in the 1st quarter against Yao.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Do you think Shaq has blog fanboys? Hopefully they won’t tell Watson he doesn’t know anything about basketbal.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 8:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Forty, I’d argue that Billups for AI made some long term sense. It opened minutes for Stuckey, dumped salary for the monster free agent class, ect ect.
Tell me what the Suns long term plan was by doing the Shaq deal and then subsequently running D’Antoni out of town? Where does that get them? That team needs to win like last year with all the age they have. Are they an attractive option in 2010 for free agents with a 38 year old Steve Nash? I don’t get it.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I. Need. TV. FEEDS. Up-north cable, with 8 channels; 2 of which are shopping and 2 of which are jesus-related… someone help wolf blitzer out of his situation room!!
by wolf blitzer on Feb 7, 2009 8:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And Amir just played an entire 1st quarter. In my memory, that has never happened before.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Forty:
“Do you think Shaq has blog fanboys?”
hahahahaha
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MP: Not so fast, he got yanked after that 2nd foul w/about a minute left.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OM – completely agree that dealing Chauncey made some long-term sense. I like the idea of turning him into a good player with an expiring. Love the decision to give Stuckey a bigger role. Problem is we got an average player with an expiring and turned our PG logjam into a SG logjam.
It’s no coincidence Denver is suddenly awesome. We didn’t get enough back for a total badass.
Clearly Shaq for Marion was a worse move.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
and lawyerboy with the correction! I didn’t see that coming…
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Max for Amir? Did QD get a hold of Curry?
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It’s nice to see the Pistons run out the gate and build a nice lead in the 1st quarter. Even if it’s against a garbage team. It’s just been so long.
by Walter on Feb 7, 2009 8:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Need…Link. Someone give me…my Pistons’ basketball…fix…
by Diablo on Feb 7, 2009 8:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@keegan:
laying in wait… lotion and tissues ready, just waiting for a mistake…
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Diablo, I checked Justin TV, but it looks like the guy who streams Detroit sports got jacked.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OM – do you think Mario Manningham and Michael Phelps ever had a smoke session in the double A?
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 8:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MP: Is that like the Amir trading card you sleep with every night under your pillow? AI isn’t the only Piston who has fanboys.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 8:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I did a little research and came up with this:
If Phoenix makes any move, there’s a good possibility Shaq and Amare are both moving. They would want enough cap room this offseason to pick up a valuable piece, such as Trevor Ariza, who’s name you’ll hear a lot more as July approaches. Then Nash comes off the books in 2010, and they’d plan for much of the salaries coming back from Amare to also be expiring in 2010 to pick up a superb piece. The Suns are getting old and management’s plan for restructuring involve some early spring cleaning. I would assume they hope to accumulate draft picks in the process also.
Specifically about Shaq to Detroit. Iverson is the expiring contract and Ticket Salesman. Herrmann adds some depth at the forward positions. I’m guessing Detroit would also give up a second rounder. J Rich would move to the 3 spot and they’d play a power forward at the 4 and a center at the 5. It seems pretty obvious to outsiders looking in at Detroit that Stuckey, AI, and Rip could all start together if they played a real 4 and 5 along with.
A 3 way trade involving Nash and Toronto is also something to consider. I get hit with different rumors all day long.
by Roll the Dyess on Feb 7, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Based on the things I heard when I was at school, um, probably.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LB – but would we travel to Amir’s next team’s blog to tell everyone how good he is at forming the defense?
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 8:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Damn, I have to go to a BBQ. Stupid life.
by Laughton on Feb 7, 2009 8:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Also, Damon Jones is still in the league? That annoys me.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Forty: He’s not a factor on offense. It’s a moot point.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 8:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@LB:
“MP: Is that like the Amir trading card you sleep with every night under your pillow? AI isn’t the only Piston who has fanboys.”
No, I put that under your girlfriend’s pillow. She’s been sleeping with me more and more since you started dating Eric Gordon on the side.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Forty: You can’t talk about Amir deforming defenses because he doesn’t even score, let alone “deform defenses” (whatever that is).
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 8:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MP: Eric Gordon? I think I’ve heard of him. He’s the guy with 24 straight games in double figures which is best among rookies, right? Is he the guy whose PER is only .02 lower than Amir’s going into action tonight? Is that the guy? Gordon could never catch Amir in PER, because then he’d be gasp better than Amir by a metric, if I remember you correctly.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LB, this is an interesting position to take when you spent the entire summer pimping Kwame Brown. You’re the biggest Eric Gordon fanboy alive. Suddenly we’re not allowed to develop a cult following for our own players? Please.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Right, that’s why I said “form” the defense – i.e. a reference to Amir’s defense, made ironic b/c of the deform the defense thing…hilarious stuff I know. If the point is “Allen Iverson is better on offense than Amir Johnson,” I agree, the point is moot.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 8:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nobody’s arguing that Amir is better than Gordon. The argument is whether or not you’re a hypocrite.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ah yes, Tay gets shoved and the Bucks are awarded the ball. I love basketball officials.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@LB:
“MP: Eric Gordon? I think I’ve heard of him.”
Yeah, the one whose math homework you used to do at Indiana in exchange for his dirty socks. Sinner.
Curious, have you pissed off all the readers at the Clippers blog you now call home?
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Might we take a double digit lead into the locker room?
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the one whose math homework you used to do at Indiana in exchange for his dirty socks. Sinner.
MP +1
—
I have a college/math/NBA-player story too, sort of. A friend of mine who majored in math at the University of Nebraska lived next to Tyronn Lue in a dormitory. I don’t think they exchanged socks and homework though.
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
From a reliable source I’m hearing Rip is on fire…
by Diablo on Feb 7, 2009 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
no lead is safe. against any opponent. that is the rule. this year.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Feb 7, 2009 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OM: Kwame is in MC’s doghouse. I once heard around these parts that MCIAFI so I’m not sure what that says. I also can’t remember where exactly Kwame stopped having a higher rebounds/36 minutes rate than Amir this year. But maybe I’m just not paying attention. Oh, and it was Mike Payne that once said Gordon wasn’t better than Amir by any single metric, so I dunno who’s arguing what.
Forty: My apologies for the misread. I don’t know what forming defenses is, but if it’s going up against the opponent’s 2nd best offensive big on the floor and playing with lots of energy, athleticism and very little IQ and skill, then yeah he forms defenses.
MP: I graduated before Eric Gordon got to IU. I’ve never met the guy. I’ve just watched him play excellent basketball the past two years. That’s more than most people can say about our starting PF.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
We got a commercial break with a Mr. Allen’s commercial and the Rahmani Eye Institute commercial? Tremendous.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i have a topps card of rip in my wallet. i guess he is making up for those missed free throws at the end of the heat game.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Feb 7, 2009 8:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sheed with the butterfingers to blow an easy alley op :(
Rip playing well :)
by Gabe on Feb 7, 2009 8:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Seriously…I always scroll thru the comments here, and find people posting streams to live feeds. Now, the one day I am stuck without a tv….I find zero tv streams. I still find mikepayne, however.
by wolf blitzer on Feb 7, 2009 8:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, it is a link. The Blaha-Kelser broadcast, no less.
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 8:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LB, I honestly don’t care. It’s just annoying to hear you accuse somebody else of being a “fan boy”. Just use a little consistency and logic in your arguments.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
All I’m seeing is Denver/New Jersey, are they in halftime?
by Diablo on Feb 7, 2009 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Other Matt:
“We got a commercial break with a Mr. Allen’s commercial and the Rahmani Eye Institute commercial? Tremendous.”
Makes me feel like I’m back home, if only for a minute :)
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ Diablo—
The stream just switched over to the Nuggets and Nets. Since there are two other ATDHE feeds featuring this game, I think that the link I posted will probably move back to the Pistons and Bucks in a moment, when halftime ends.
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 8:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i can’t really follow the amir – gordon debate because i don’t know who gordon is…but…my take is that amir has not received the playing time necessary to make a judgment or comparison. and there appears to be little effort to use him in post offense….just give it a shot. what is there to lose? the idea about splitting dyess and sheed and teaming them with either amir or max sounds smart to me. but then i like the idea of stuckey with rip and ai with affalo….and i don’t know who edward gordon is. is he a thomas train?
by andyfrombrooklyn on Feb 7, 2009 8:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MP, I was eating dinner with a friend from home last week, a fellow east coast transplant. We were watching the Pistons game at the bar and the Rahmani Eye Institute commercial came on and we both commented on it, and then ran down the list of ridiculous commercials from home. On cue we got a Mr. Allen’s commercial on TV. It made my night. Twenty-nine or two for fitty.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
PS- You’re so money. I’m not even sure if you know it.
Thanks man
by wolf blitzer on Feb 7, 2009 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“On cue we got a Mr. Allen’s commercial on TV.”
Now that’s a night of magic. League Pass is like an ambassador of nostalgia. I love it.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 8:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@ wolf blitzer, Diablo, mannie32, et al:
Glad to help out. FYI, it’s much easier to find a link from http://www.atdhe.net/ than from justintv.
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 8:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Remember that Tayshaun-Rasheed pick-and-pop play from the Minnesota game last week?
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 8:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe if Sheed, AI and Rip can have coincident good solid shooting nights we don’t need to trade for anyone?
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 8:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This whole game I’ve been thinking that if Rasheed gets sent out of town, I will miss nights like this when he’s killing it from 3. He really could age and turn into Big Shot Bob part 2.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Amir goes straight up and gets called for the foul. I don’t understand how he fouls so much.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MP, no kidding about League Pass being an ambassador of nostalgia. I get really bummed out when we don’t get the Pistons feed. Although, it seems like we’ve had it an awful lot this year. Maybe because all the games are in HD? I dunno.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Amir, I’m gonna need you to take a night off from the fouls. You’re in the spotlight here, Phoenix is watching.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe asking for AI to have a good shooting night is asking too much. At least Sheed is still ridiculously keyed in and we haven’t seen what Rip can/will do this half yet.
OM: I think it’s mostly a lack of keen instinct/legit strength that causes his fouls. Feel free to tell me I’m just against him if you want, but that’s what I see. Not looking good for his PER to go up tonight. At least he got more points than fouls.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LB, that would be in line with what Cowens said about him last year. Something to the effect of, “he can do a lot of things you can’t coach and can’t do a lot of things you can coach.”
Where’s Rip? There’s almost 8 minutes gone in the quarter and he’s yet to get some burn. It’s not like an 11 point lead evaporated or anything. C’mon Curry, this isn’t hard to figure out.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
How many 10+ point leads have we blown in the last 5 games? Unbelievable.
by Greg on Feb 7, 2009 9:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I wonder why Sessions is going off…wait I don’t really wonder that
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 9:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That was kind of a BS tech on Sheed. Dammit.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sheed is putting on a very nice display for Pheonix lol
by willy on Feb 7, 2009 9:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
greg how about all season? it is a ritual. the reason was discussed against the heat. it is because we suck. and that is what happens when you suck. you blow ten point leads. all the time.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Feb 7, 2009 9:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I love it when AI “deforms the defense” and then passes it to our big man’s feet in the paint and the ball goes out of boundes
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 9:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
people saying that Mo Williams was the big all star snub this year crazy….Sessions is the one that should be there.
by willy on Feb 7, 2009 9:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Holy shit, we gave up 37 in that quarter?
sigh
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
not once. but every game. the killer instinct is totally lacking. if the bucs win…maybe joe d. will do something. get rid of a.i. it isn’t working. sheed is not the guy to trade.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Feb 7, 2009 9:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
stuckey wasting time at the top of the key again.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Feb 7, 2009 9:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think Allen Iverson is the team’s best defender.
I can see how he has improved on the defensive end.
/been listening to AI fanbois on here too long
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 9:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Son of a bitch. Every time the Bucks go to the high pick and roll with Sessions, AI takes a stutter step away from the screen and tries to go high. The end result is that he’s a half step further away from where he needs to be and Sessions blows by him and the other defender for an easy lay up. That has to be the 5th time I’ve seen that tonight.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI= No Defense and average offensive production.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 9:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So this Sessions guy is playing pretty well.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
losing to the undermanned bucks. after leading by 11. and i am still watching. sad. depressing.
by andyfrombrooklyn on Feb 7, 2009 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI with a 3 point attempt after a new 24..
I love it
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 9:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nice board by Dyess, my favorite Piston and overall person in the league.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 9:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The rims are extra loud and clanky, too, which makes all of our bricks that much more memorable.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Iverson is one of the worst defenders I’ve ever seen. As bad as he is letting people go by him, it’s even worse than that. His lack of size means people shoot over him, pass over him, etc. in ways we don’t even perceive. It’s kind of an invisible opportunity cost. Like in the way that dwight howard affects shots he doesn’t even block, AI is the exact opposite.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 9:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rchard Jefferson should go to the Tool Academy.
Phantom foul.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 9:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Bucks have shot 32 free throws to our 17. We need to be way more aggressive taking it to the rim.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dyess with another broken jumper from 18, and now he has a dozen! Good thing he came back. Man, we’d be done without him for sure.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Awesome.
I’ve seen enough of the Iverson experiment.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Kelser was audibly frustrated by AI’s lack of D on Sessions on the last drive and layup.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I feel like Blaha and Kelser have been told to not talk about AI’s lack of defense.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 9:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The second rule of Piston’s Announcing: YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT AI’S DEFENSE.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 9:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Woop, just saw the reply and it was Rip who got burned, not AI. Sorry, AI f4nb0y5.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Again, AI steps away from a screen, which facilitated all that ball movement on the perimeter and an open shot.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Forget Amare! Can we trade for this awesome offensive juggernaut that is Ramon Sessions? You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him!
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
McDyess: A class act, and a classy baller.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 9:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Dyess is shooting the lights out. He must have heard about that “broken jumper” comment.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sessions + Villanueva > Shaq + Kobe
by Quick Darshan on Feb 7, 2009 9:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Haha! Michael Curry wanted a timeout, but instead Rip was like, “Fuck it. I’m hitting a 3.”
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Um, we have to win this game. Dice is in double figures. We are 7-0 when Dice is in double figures.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 9:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Garrett:
i’ll probably take a lot of heat for saying this, but i’ve wanted that kid in white/red/blue since last April.
trivia: which player in the NBA led the league last year in assists in a single game?
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 9:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What’s G? Not needing a miracle to beat a short-handed Bucks team. That’s G.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 9:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Do you go 2 for 1? Seems like coaches don’t do that as much to end the 4th.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 9:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Big Boy’s proud to be a Michigan thiiiiiiing
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 9:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MP: Yeah, I remember the campaign for Sessions. You’ve been saying all along he’s got skills and is ready for a breakout year. I think he just waits to play us to break out because he’s never this good.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn’t. Use the clock, play tough D. We aren’t the pre-Shaq Suns.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 9:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MCIAFI – “okee duys. Be deed to bove da ball abound the peribeter. id’s okee to try and draw a boul and take some fritos in this situation…”
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 9:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Garrett:
stings my nuts… there is no sweet in this bitterness.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 9:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Rip is money. I wish he started and got the most minutes at SG. He’s been doing this for us for years, and he’s still doing it.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Mike Payne,
Ramon Sessions and Brandon Bass would not improve this team.
Regards,
do I even need to say it…
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 9:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Why did Amir get his technical? I read a bunch of comments earlier about how preposterous it was, but nobody said what it was for.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 9:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@Forty, I don’t think so. I think you take the best shot you can get whenever that occurs within the clock. With it being a 1 or 2 point game after a make, the Bucks have to take their shot with like 8-10 seconds left on the clock to give themselves a chance at the rebound or to foul and extend the game.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 9:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Garrett: He hung on the rim after a dunk, though there were guys below him so it was kinda bogus, but he did slap the backboard while he was hanging or as he let go or something. Kelser said that’s why he got it.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 9:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LB: Thanks. As much I don’t buy into the Amir hype, I DO think he gets the shaft from the refs (to go with his normal bonehead fouls). I miss the good ol’ days, when Shawn Kemp would grab his crotch and yell in someone’s face.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 10:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
MCIAFI -
“ok duys. Bet’s book at dis one mo’ agin. I bant da ball do blow thru Dip Damildun. Derhaps doff a durl at the elbow fo da game binner. no ibegal screens Dyess”
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 10:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sessions made his move too soon and now we only have to take 1 shot and can win with OT in the bag.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 10:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What? An offensive on Dyess? Really? Argh.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 10:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’ll confess my sins: I actually have Sessions and Iverson on my fantasy team…and I started Sessions.
by american slappy on Feb 7, 2009 10:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hate that call. KG gets away with that all day every day.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 10:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
if that was Kobe or Lebron there is no way that is called.
by willy on Feb 7, 2009 10:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Whoa! That was an exciting ending! Nice steal by Tay, and GREAT look for Rip!
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 10:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What the hell was that? Dice NEVER posts up. Strategy to get Villanueva to foul out? Umpossible.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 10:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Charlie Villenueva – “I HAZ A DISEASE”
/going to hell
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 10:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
LB: Yeah, it was kind of nice seeing one of our bigs working down low to get position, and our guards actually wanted to get the ball to him! That should happen about 50 more times per game.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 10:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is an exciting game. The kind of game you would enjoy if you hate defense.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 10:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Other Matt
then EntityAbyss, Chris Sheridan and Petey all have massive erections right now
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 10:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
When was the last time three Pistons had 25 or more?
by kevin s. on Feb 7, 2009 10:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, don’t lump me in with those guys.
I loved that camera shot of Curry with a half smile looking really confused after that call on Dyess. My girlfriend said, “he looks like an idiot” to which I replied that she was reading the mind of hundreds of Pistons fans populating this blog.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 10:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow. No call there, huh? Not that I’m arguing, but if I were a Bucks fan I’d be LIVID after the way the called the last minute of the 4th and all of OT.
by Other Matt on Feb 7, 2009 10:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OM: No call because Dice is in double figures. The basketball gods understand what is in play here. Now we must keep the intensity for these :15 and karma is satisfied.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 10:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
could’ve been a charge on Bogans, he lowered his shoulder.
could’ve been a foul on Dyess
by Boney on Feb 7, 2009 10:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Who is this Rip Hamilton guy, and why isn’t he our starting SG?
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 10:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully this game makes Rip feel better about coming off the bench.
by Quick Darshan on Feb 7, 2009 10:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
sweeeeeeeeet a win
was able to watch the end
even if it was against the bucks
by piñon lopez on Feb 7, 2009 10:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“Who is this Rip Hamilton guy, and why isn’t he our starting SG?”
Try being Scott Skiles and explaining why Sessions is on the bench.
by kevin s. on Feb 7, 2009 10:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully this game doesn’t make Rip feel worse about coming off the bench.
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 10:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I’m glad we didn’t lose…
but that was a bad bad bad bad bad bad bad win.
by Gabe on Feb 7, 2009 10:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@kevin s.:
I was totally confused why milwaukee signed Luke Ridnour this season. Sessions is the Bucks’ best talent, yet they signed a shit PG to play in front of him? Makes no sense. On the bright side, I picked up Sessions in my money fantasy league last night, the second I heard about Ridnour’s thumb…
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 10:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
8-0 when Dice hits double figs. But more importantly we’re now tied in the loss column w/Atlanta, and a full game and a half ahead of Miami (who’s played one more game than us).
by LawyerBoy on Feb 7, 2009 10:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Man, AI was a bad boy down the stretch on O. That three point play was nasty. Jesus is he a defensive liability though.
by Forty on Feb 7, 2009 10:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If you could switch Offense-Defense players between every change of possession, almost like lines changes in hockey, AI would be perfect.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 10:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Pistons would benefit if basketball became a two-platoon sport like football. AI could tear it up on offense and then take a blow on defense.
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 10:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
no offense to AI, but he had no chance with Ramon Sessions. Ramon was just too big. Good D by Rip though, but even with that, Ramon Sessions kept scoring. good win though.
by EntityAbyss on Feb 7, 2009 10:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I am not Yahtzee.
…hockey…
He sounds Canadian.
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 10:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Haha. Well, I do live in Michigan. So I get a free pass, right? I’m down with the Wings.
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 10:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Kudos to AI for doing that thing where he scores a bunch of points. I only saw the 4th quarter and overtime, but nobody was playing any D so it was an offensive free-for-all!
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 10:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It’s OK to like hockey, Yahtzee…the Wings are one of the “original six,” right?
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 10:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yessir!
Although hockey is my fourth favorite sport.
Basketball
Football
Baseball
Hockey
Curling
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 10:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What happened to Stuckey this game? Just didn’t play well?
by Garrett on Feb 7, 2009 10:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Stuckey was morbid. He bricked layups, J’s and just didn’t do squat. Perhaps putting Stuckey on Sessions would have been a good idea. But hey, I’m not an NBA coach, what do I know?
by Yahtzee on Feb 7, 2009 10:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
My favorite-sport list reads something like this:
basketball
football
12-ounce curls
I also enjoy the dirty dozens.
by PS on Feb 7, 2009 10:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
allen iverson player of the game hands down!! stuckey to bench, and let AI play pg for half of the game
by david stern on Feb 7, 2009 11:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@PS:
You and I would get along very well (although I think we already knew this). But what is this “football” you speak of? I didn’t know other sports existed.
@david stern:
what game did you watch tonight? re-runs of 2001 76ers? I’m only curious because Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace were both better than Iverson tonight.
by Mike Payne on Feb 7, 2009 11:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
female mud wrestling
basketball
football
by Quick Darshan on Feb 7, 2009 11:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
@david stern:
what game did you watch tonight? re-runs of 2001 76ers? I’m only curious because Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace were both better than Iverson tonight.
Just because their jump shots were actually falling a frequent rate for once doesn’t mean they were the best players out there. Everytime AI played well they pulled away (1st quarter) or kept his team pretty much singlehandedly in the game(4th qtr and OT). I dont know how to explain this other than Iverson’s baskets and assists were much more timely and critical. If AI put up 25+ shots off the bench he would score 30-40 every night no problem. I know Rip has one of the nicest mid range shots in the L, but you do realize that all basically he has. AI can get to the rim anytime, and i mean anytime he wants to for a lay-in or draw a foul. And don’t even talk about defense, because NOBODY played any. Sessions was scoring on Rip pretty much everytime down through the remainder of the 4th n OT. Rasheed is simply lazy, and can’t move. And I love Dyess but his help D is just as bad, he’s always a step too late. No one can really talk about D on this team with the exception of Tay and Afflalo. And how stupid was it that maxiell and amir didn’t get a chance to get a stop or 2 on D when the old bigs, ’sheed and dyess, had played a lot of the 3rd, and all of the 4th and OT. Stuckey needs to go to bench, and play between 15-20 minutes depending on how effective he is.
by david stern on Feb 8, 2009 12:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@david stern:
who was allen iverson’s primary defensive responsibility tonight?
by Mike Payne on Feb 8, 2009 12:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
@david stern:
who was allen iverson’s primary defensive responsibility tonight?
Who was charlie v’s because he had a monster game. the bucks sf’s scored about 50. iverson wasn’t responsible for giving up 121 points. just admit it. this team isn’t the same defensive team it was in the past. big ben is gone and past his hayday. billups is gone, some of the other good defensive players have aged. things have changed, so you pistons fans use AI as the scapegoat for everything. just admit it, every piston was getting shitted on out there defensively, and no one had an answer. well, atleast no one that was out on the court.
by david stern on Feb 8, 2009 12:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI can get to the rim whenever he wants?
on Ramon Sessions?
sweet… that’s the reason Joe D traded for him, for his ability to dominate little known PGs
by Boney on Feb 8, 2009 12:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
but if Joe D. could turn Chauncey and McDyess into Shaq and McDyess, he’d be a genius.
Are you kidding me man?! Is two washed up bigs not enough for you? You want to add another? wooow, have you not noticed how the suns have severely tanked since acquiring o’neal?
by david stern on Feb 8, 2009 12:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Boney, name a pg who can stop iverson from getting to the rim in the eastern conference for me please…. exactly, we only got a small glimpse tonight of what can really do bc stuckey was royally sucking so AI got extended time at the pg position.
by david stern on Feb 8, 2009 12:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
After a rough couple of weeks it was a good win on the road for the Detroit Pistons basketball TEAM. All this who was better, who was worse, is kind of subjective. Objectively the team overcame it’s shortcomings and won on an OT game on the road.
Rip shot better from the field but had zero rebounds.
AI got to the line more but had more turnovers.
McDyess on the surface was solid (8-11, 9 rebounds, 1 TO) but had a negative +/- for the game.
Stuckey was horrid but most people give him a pass because he’s young and it doesn’t fit Rip vs. AI narrative.
Tay was 3-11 with 7 points but had the best +/- on the team.
Sheed was amazing with the trampball but was that smart? It’s great when it goes in but we’ve all bitched plenty when he’s 1-7 from outside with no offensive rebounds because he’s channeling Chucky.
I just want to root for the TEAM again. You can always tease out flaws from individual play but on balance it was a night of magic. AI is a Piston now. He played well in a win. Whether he played as well as Rip or Stuckey is irrelevant. It’s the Detroit Pistons, not the Detroit Iversons. I’m happy for the team to suck it up an win after an imperfect effort.
by joejoejoe on Feb 8, 2009 12:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Pistons need a real PF starting not someone who Curry limits to 2 fouls a half.
I figure vs Phoenix tonight Johnson will probably try and guard Stoudemire.
I give him no more than 3 minutes on the court in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.
Trade Johnson now before the deadline.
Play Kwame
by Mike on Feb 8, 2009 12:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
david stern… a quick remind for you
this team prior to the best team player in the history of the league = 50 wins in 6 straight seasons
this team after the best team player in history = lucky to get 45 wins
by Boney on Feb 8, 2009 1:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
what I hope, more than anything else… except for maybe a championship ring…
I hope that this run with the Pistons closes any debate, helps any possible doubters realize, about what a team cancer AI is.
He’s not a cancer on a TO level, he’s the worst kind of cancer there is.
One that thinks he doesn’t have to change for the better of the team. I hope his poor play and the team’s overall poor play forces him to sign MLE or less this offseason
by Boney on Feb 8, 2009 1:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
oh and david stern?
Charlie Villenueva’s scoring has been on the rise since the new year and while 33 points would’ve been the highest point total since his scoring has been up, he’s been scoring low to mid 20s since January 2.
douche
by Boney on Feb 8, 2009 1:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Boney, you really think with Chauncey the Pistons would get to the EC Finals again? And if so, for how many years? Other teams (Suns) break up their team because of a streak like that (regularly losing in the EC Finals).
Sooner or later, something had to be changed. I understand that you miss Chaunceys leadership, something Stuckey is not yet able to provide. It’s easy to blame the new guy, but you ain’t on point.
by L-Rod on Feb 8, 2009 1:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
FACT: AI should be the teams starting point guard. FACT: Rip Hamilton should be starting at the shooting guard position. FACT: Coach Curry will NEVER accept the FACT that Maxiell should be starting at power forward instead of Amir Johnson. FACT: Neither Michael Curry NOR Joe D gives a darn about what any of us think. FACT: It’s WAY past my bed time. Peace all, and good night! ;D
by DeAndre on Feb 8, 2009 1:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Note: Denver got spanked tonight in New Jersey with Devin Harris going off for 28 pts. and getting to the line 17 times. Harris was +31 in 31 minutes. Mr. Big Shot had 9 points and 3 assists and was -27 in 30 minutes. Billups was a great Piston but sometimes I think collectively fans think the grass is always greener. I remember most of us thinking it was a travesty that Devin Harris went off against Iverson he started with the Pistons. Maybe Harris is just a good ballplayer who sometimes has great nights.
by joejoejoe on Feb 8, 2009 2:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Allen Iverson was pretty clutch down the stretch, but the reality is that it wouldn’t have been necessary if he had played even passable defense. Sessions was on fire and scored on Rip as well, but it was laughable how many times he drove right past AI for uncontested layups. Our rotations were bad, so you can’t blame that all on AI but, his defense was possibly the worst I’ve ever seen. He did account for more than half our free throws and if Stuckey had played better he could have been in the game guarding Sessions so AI isn’t to blame necessarily. It’s just silly to hear people say that he can get to the rim whenever he wants, when he got completely dominated by Ramon Sessions. Give me a break.
by colin on Feb 8, 2009 3:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but on the other side of the court, he was the only Piston that attacked the basket and got to the line. AI had 16 FT (made 15, 94%), that’s more than half of the Pistons’ 28. Doesn’t make his (or the teams overall-) defense any better, I just think those are some pretty interesting numbers.
by L-Rod on Feb 8, 2009 4:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Watching McDyess make all of those jump shots last night off of passes from Iverson got me to thinking how similar if not identicle that play is to what the Bad Boys ran with Zeke and Laimbeer.
======
Iverson must go.
His defense is awful.
Yes he is exciting to watch on offense, though he can’t shoot worth sheet. When you take out his layups his shooting percentage on jump shots must be under 35% which is pathetic.
I think with Iverson his appeal by his fans is more of a man love thing than it is an honest assessment of his overall game.
by Mike on Feb 8, 2009 7:07 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
http://www.nba.com/2009/reportcard/midseason/pistons/index.html
hahaah the coaching is actually the best thing about our team.. nice
by Kian on Feb 8, 2009 7:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
How compare:
D League Stats
Ramon Sessions
-———————
Games 24
MPG 36
PPG 20.8
PPM .58
FG% 46%
FT% 76%
Amir Johnson
-—————-
Games 34
MPG 32
PPG 18.1
PPM .57
FG% 64%
FT% 74%
So Johnson and Sessions each averaged the same points per minute played in the D-League with Johnson having a significantly higher shooting percentage.
Trade Johnson now before the deadline.
by Mike on Feb 8, 2009 9:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
In his first NBA start in May 2007 Johnson scored a career-high 20 points, grabbed 12 rebounds (6 of them offensive), and recorded four blocks and three steals in 37 minutes against the Boston Celtic.
Unless the Pistons trade him to another team Johnson best career game ever could wind up being his first NBA start.
I would say that this would be a rare occurance indeed.
Trade Johnson now before the deadline
by Mike on Feb 8, 2009 9:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
“I remember most of us thinking it was a travesty that Devin Harris went off against Iverson he started with the Pistons. Maybe Harris is just a good ballplayer who sometimes has great nights.”
Yup. Dude did get voted an all-star by the coaches from a losing team.
colin scribbles in crayon with an unsteady hand:
Sessions was on fire and scored on Rip as well, but it was laughable how many times he drove right past AI for uncontested layups. Our rotations were bad, so you can’t blame that all on AI but, his defense was possibly the worst I’ve ever seen.
Did you watch the game?
Sessions drove right by Iverson. He also drove right by Rip, Stuckey, and Afflalo.
Everyone took turns guarding Sessions, and no one could stay in front of him. As the Pistons broadcasters noted, last night was the type of game where a sane team would have played some zone at selected times to show Sessions a different look.
by Petey on Feb 8, 2009 10:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
of course AI will get the blame for Sessions. It’s easy to just blame him. I saw the game. Ramon Sessions kept using picks until he got space and the pistons had trouble guarding the pick and roll, and when they did a good job, Sessions attacked the basket hard and made some tough shots. To say it’s AI’s fault for him scoring so many, you have to consider the fact that he killed Rip, Stuckey and Afflalo as well. AI’s defense was good, but he was just too small. People were talking about how AI was fighting picks and playing it bad, but Sessions did the same thing to everyone else that guarded him. Nobody was able to stop him.
By nobody, I mean Rodney Stuckey, Allen Iverson, Arron Afflalo, and Rip Hamilton. Sessions did the same things to all of them (picks, pull ups by the basket off the bank, etc.) and scored on all of them. You can say he was AI’s assignment, but at least be fair. A lot of people guarded him.
As for the best, it was Rip, but AI’s performance at pg was great down the stretch and in overtime. He knew who to give the ball, and it was great. He made most of the clutch plays down the stretch.
by EntityAbyss on Feb 8, 2009 11:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
OT but … Maybe it’s getting a little too intense in Boston:
Somebody is starting to look like his players.
by LawyerBoy on Feb 8, 2009 12:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
L-Rod,
I understand the basic fact that change needs/needed to be made in order for this team to move past it’s recent success/failures in the ECF. I also understand that change is inevitable, especially when Round 2 of the “chance to not screw up the 2003” draft arises when the 2010 FA Class comes out.
What I do also understand is, just because AI is a big name doesn’t mean that we have to acquire him for the sake of getting another “name” to take over the face of the franchise. Billups’ contract could’ve snagged a couple of role players, it could’ve snagged at least one solid bench role player and maybe a big who’s more capable than Kwame.
What I don’t understand is, you preach all summer about acquiring a #1 option and not a #2 yet the guy you acquire is not only a #2 but he doesn’t even realize at this point in his career he’s a #2. You acquire a guy who has nothing to show for his career except a low FG% and a lot of points. No rings, no history of team play, no history of team concept and the guy is coming to a team that outside of the Spurs, is the closest thing to “team” basketball that you can have in the league.
Put aside the argument that our bigs are older. Put aside the argument that our offense is boring. It is what it is. Our old bigs let men get to the paint with reckless abandon last season and we still won 50+ games. Our perimeter defense did let men drive past them when in a half court set.
AI is not the right piece of the puzzle. He won’t be the right piece of the puzzle for any team, for the rest of his career. He doesn’t conform willingly to the team model…
by Boney on Feb 8, 2009 12:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“…last night was the type of game where a sane team would have played some zone at selected times to show Sessions a different look.”
-Petey
That is an important point. The dumbest thing about last night’s game is we played a team that only has two good, healthy NBA caliber scorers- Sessions and Charlie V (Jefferson is not a very good scorer anymore)… and we let those two players almost single handedly beat us. It made no sense to play the Bucks with straight up, man defense, like they’re the Celtics or the Lakers or something, when they only have two players who are fairly big threats.
We should have aggressively doubled/trapped Sessions on every pick&roll and tried to force him to give up the ball, and should have played up tight on Charlie, and forced him to use his dribble- we basically let him just camp out around the 3 point line, and launch open jumpers (which is his strength as a player).
Maybe Curry forgot Redd and Bogut were injured, or he remembers that Jefferson used to be good, so was overly worried about him, but seriously our defense made no sense. A smart team would happily let Bell, Luc, Jefferson, and company, shoot the Bucks out of the game. I know it’s against Curry’s “philosophy” to double team people, but in the context of last night’s game (with the Buck’s lack of offensive threats), it made no sense not to double or throw some zone at Sessions.
by Gabe on Feb 8, 2009 12:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
AI’s defense was good, but he was just too small. People were talking about how AI was fighting picks and playing it bad, but Sessions did the same thing to everyone else that guarded him. Nobody was able to stop him.
EXACTLY!!!!!!! I swear some people are blind that post on this thread.. I kept sayin’ to my buddy as I was watching the game how it was “AI’s fault” everytime Rip got schooled by Sessions because thats all the ppl on DBB would be talking about. Not how putrid the rest of the Detroit defenders. I’ve never seen a team Iverson’s played on have such slow help defense. There is absolutely no one back their to protect the rim. Okay, maybe he’s been a little spoiled (Ratliff, Mutombo, Dalembert, and Camby), but still. It’s terrible. And the coaching on the defensive end is just as bad, hardly any substitutions or adjustments are made, and he plays rasheed and dyess what seems to be the entire 2nd half. Absolutely ridiculous, and absurd to blame it on Iverson. Atleast AI tries and sometimes gets deflections and steals.
by david stern on Feb 8, 2009 12:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“The dumbest thing about last night’s game is we played a team that only has two good, healthy NBA caliber scorers- Sessions and Charlie V (Jefferson is not a very good scorer anymore)… and we let those two players almost single handedly beat us.”
Exactamundo.
“I know it’s against Curry’s "philosophy" to double team people, but in the context of last night’s game (with the Buck’s lack of offensive threats), it made no sense…”
I normally love listening to Sheed’s voice coming in over the broadcast. But last night, when he was (as usual) calling out the defense as per MC’s instructions, he’d yell, “straight up”, and it sounded like fingers grating on a blackboard to me.
The whole time since Iverson came over and Dice finished sitting out the month, I’ve been waiting for Iverson and Dice to get their timing together. Last night felt good to me for that reason alone.
It wasn’t only the pick ‘n’ pop from 16 feet that they had working, but they also did the “Iverson drives towards the hoop, the interior big man comes over to stop the penetration, and Iverson dishes to the wide open Dice under the basket” thing a couple times.
I guess that either MC has stopped telling Iverson not to dish on the drive, or Iverson has sensibly stopped listening to MC on that particular point.
by Petey on Feb 8, 2009 12:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Petey,
I love how whenever anyone posits ideas that don’t mesh with your own they are unsteady or don’t know much about the game of basketball. Your condescension makes you considerably less tolerable
.
by colin on Feb 8, 2009 1:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
“I love how whenever anyone posits ideas that don’t mesh with your own they are unsteady”
I agree with you, colin. I love that too. It makes it far easier for me to be unerringly correct.
by Petey on Feb 8, 2009 3:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thankfully, believing that Iverson contributes to winning basketball clears you of ever being unerringly correct.
by KW on Feb 8, 2009 3:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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