The floodgates are open

At least he almost explained himself following the I’d rather retire line. He is only like 1 foot under right now… LOL

I see a lot of iso plays running among the Pistons. Could that qualify as malignancy?

Whatever. the experiment didnt work. Now we know and now we have a lot of cap space. Cant wait for free agency baby WOO HOO!

i like the way ai tries to get the ball to amir in the low post. why is it this idea is so abhorrent to the other vets?

AI is more than just a nuisance to the vets. They lacked energy against the Nets. The team’s morale was low. After a strong effort against the Cavs it’s deflating to have an injured teammate complain about his playing time.

Hey the Pistons made the home page of the nba section of espn.com

http://espn.go.com/nba/

At least we know we’re not alone in thinking he’s acting like a jackass.

…AND…..

Allen Iverson made the daily dime’s “worst player of the night”….

I never liked AI. I half-heartedly rooted for his Sixers against LA all those years ago, but mostly in spite of him, not because of him.

I have been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt as a person. And, I still am inclined to think he could help is in a “super-sub” role, as Matt said at Fanhouse.

However, it’s now beyond doubt that he’s unwilling to do that. What a shame… for us and him. He could have helped us, and he could still be useful to a good team. It’s too bad he can’t swallow his pride.

And is he trying to evoke sympathy? YOU MAKE 20 MILLION DOLLARS TO PLAY BASKETBALL! It makes me absolutely sick… and honestly, it’s just about enough for me to stop watching this entire team.

It’s a strange year to be a stons fan. So many years when the only drama was Sheed getting technicals. Yet, we dealt with it because he produced wins — and is a great teammate.

I’m just anxious for this year to be over so we can start fresh. Let’s try to keep the guys we love (Dice and Sheed) and hope Sheed will take a big pay cut.

Is MFWB signed for one more year? I’d take Stuckey and MFWB over AI + anyone any day of the week at this point.

Gotta hand it to Adande for this paragraph of gold…

“The Pistons have asked Iverson to come off the bench for the three games since he returned from a back injury that kept him out for a month. He’s reacting about as well as if they’d asked him to come in early for practice.”

Lol @ Adande

it always interests me how crazy and indignant people get about the frustrated comments of sports stars when things don’t go their way. the t.o. factor if you will. personally i tend do get indignant about inane management or hypocritical punditry or corporate agenda. although i can’t stand a-rod. he kind of makes me indignant a little.
 i still think ai has something to offer. judge him by his court performance. i would point out that the pistons have been ill prepared for games like last night’s nets game with and without ai. remember memphis?
 the real blame for the current fiasco falls on dumarscurry. and ai is just one part of a bigger story.
 plus i like the fact that ai passes to amir. he has the spirit of an underdog. he says what he feels. he doesn’t worry about annoying the church nanny sports pundits. and come to think of it that is why i love sheed as well.

both teams played hard…that is a great quote
we talkin bout practice?…see the humor church nannies?!?!
i loved it when manny ramirez said if we lose life goes on. he really stumped the church nannies with that one. because they knew he was right. and then he brought his team back from a huge deficit to win anyhow and the church nannies were double stumped. and oh my look at his hair! so unkempt! tut, tut, tut!
ai is a rebel. he isn’t going to say what you want him to say. isn’t that more interesting?

nope.

I’m in agreement with your comments brgulker, but let’s face it, there’s really no significance in AI’s overall fit to our team. It’s almost next to impossible to expect even his calibre of a player to mesh with our system. It would be a disappointment if we didn’t make the playoffs after being such a fixture in the Conference Finals. I’m personally will be measuring his worth in the playoffs (if we make it). If he fails to deliver on or off the bench, his value will be questionable for any team whether they are rebuilding or contenders. Bye Bye AI!

AI should be embarrassed and his agent should pretty much be on the ledge about now. What team is going to want AI now? I mean, obviously SOMEONE will want him, but he’s clearly not the AI of old, and he’s clearly not willing to sacrifice for the greater good. A team in a position to win a championship probably already has a star (or two), some solid vets, and great role players who don’t complain and just do their job. Could he fit into San Antonio? Los Angeles? Even Boston? I think he just proved that the answer is no.

AFB: If we are judging AI by his on-court performance, then he fails there too.

He didn’t do ANY conditioning for a month, and it’s showing.

What is he, a combined 4-20 shooting the past two games? And with how many turnovers?

@andy- main difference between Manny and AI is that Manny, even now at 36, might still be the best right handed hitter in all of baseball. Also Manny’s controversial quotes are kinda the opposite of AI’s in their character- AI’s usually center around how serious/hard he plays and about blood/sweat/tears and how great a career he’s had and all that. Manny’s are about how un-seriously he takes the game, basically saying, “it’s just a game.” Two very different approaches.

Why he always talked to reporters after campaign?
He is not anyone of our captains!!!
I wish he can shut up, and go back to “practice”.
And never complain anymore, thanks god.

I really hate this dude. He’s a scrub now. Joe and MC should deactivate him or place a banana peel in his path.

There has always been a certain level of frustration during our incomparable run in the new millenium. It disappoints knowing that we could have accomplished a little bit more than what we will be remembered for.

At this moment, there are 3 things that satisfy me about our remarkable ending to our dynasty like era (and it hurts me to say it).

1. June 15, 2004
2. Joe Dumars as our continued PBO
3. knowing that the Piston franchise will be recognized for two successful generations of champions

What AI says to what any “professional champion” says, would be like simply comparing a nobody to a somebody.

My God. What a waste of a season. On the bright side, only 7 games left, there’s the chance that we could lose every fucking one of them and this godforsaken season could end early, we face Charlotte at home (a coaching duel between Brown and Curry!), and opening day is on Monday.

AI gone loco

i guess my point is there is this category of star who everybody loves to be outraged by. t.o., manny, a.i., a-rod, etc…but remember the true culprit for the current situation.
 1.who traded billups and dyess for a.i.?
  2.who avoided addressing the rotations and starting lineup predicaments that the a.i. trade posed until the season was 3/4 finished?
   3. who is confused about the purpose of this season? rebuilding or contending?
    4. who hired michael curry?

“Why he always talked to reporters after campaign?
He is not anyone of our captains!!!
I wish he can shut up, and go back to "practice".
And never complain anymore, thanks god.”

God I hope you’re foreign because that shit is priceless.

As harsh as this season has been, and stressfull on us fans, every part of me still wants to be in the playoffs.

AFB:

You’re right, in a lot of ways. Joe D is responsible for bringing us AI, and he did hire MCIAFI.

MCIAFI for botching the rotation for the entire season.

Moving AI to the super-sub role was the only good choice from the beginning, and he didn’t make it until it was far too late.

And he continues to botch things by pairing AI and WB together, which is a complete disaster for both of them and for our team.

Moreover, Joe D clearly overestimated the readiness of Stuckey to take the reigns. I think a lot of our troubles are due to Stuckey < CB, rather than AI < CB.

However, Joe D is not to blame for the past few days of drama in the press — that’s on AI 100%. Joe D is not to blame for AI’s poor conditioning — that’s on AI and his “injury.”

Going from $22M to $0 after retiring is the same as signing for the mid-level (if lucky) when it really comes down to it given how much AI has made (hell, just this season alone). Because of his past play, MVP, ~27 ppg ave and leading his team to the finals, he’ll be a HOF but I’m kinda thinking maybe not on the first ballot. I think this is especially true if alot of the voters are “old-time” writers and/or players.

AI had a golden opportunity to put that perception away because it would be at the end of his career. Thoughts about “it’s just about AI, all AI, all the time” mentality that most people have about AI would have been nearly forgotten because folks might always remember the first impression but they also never forget the last. I don’t recall him ever being seriously injured, and it appears the game always came easy for him. He should take a long look at someone like S. Livingston or Dyess and see what they’ve done just to get back to have the opportunity to play in the NBA.

I agree with an above post that it’s impossible for a cancer to spread if it doesn’t come in contact with anything. Hell, I think he’s more off the radar for teams next year than Starbury will be. And in the NBA, that’s saying something. I remember whn the Lakers were thinking of drafting Anthony Peeler who had just been charged with gun possesion on the campus of Missouri. Some exec said if you’ve got the talent, pretty much anything is OK as long as you’re not an axe murderer or didn’t get in bed with a little boy. And even then, at least one of those things might not even matter, it’d probably take both.

I think he can take a look at Kwame, see the abuse he’s taken as the bust #1 pick, but yet signs for 4M per, comes in and works even after getting roasted by everyone no matter where he’s gone. You gotta have love of the game for that, and of course $4M doesn’t hurt. But let’s be honest, Kwame may already have enough money just by being the #1 pick and he’s certianly not going to get NBA rich at $4M/year. I think AI could take something away there.

And I think that’s what it comes down to. He has absolutely cemented the caricature of the selfish attitude folks believe he is. At the end of the day, nobody is going to want their bust next to AI’s in the HOF. Of course, I don’t think AI wants his bust next to anyone else’s either. So perhaps it does work out.

Why not just cut him right now? There is nothing to lose…his presence will only make it worse and drag out the tension. Just get rid of him…the guys will re-group and we should have no problem getting the 8th spot.

Sauce if you’re reading this you have, or someone else with the name sauce1977 who dilikes AI, has the featured comment on the frontpage of ESPN.com

garret, yes ai’ agent is on the ledge. do not worry, a.i. has devalued himself completely. so if you feel the rage at him, enjoy! because he is in a world of shit as his career is about to suddenly end on a really crappy note. and he won’t be hired as a pundit down the road either.
  me? i prefer to hate on wade and his lack of family values as he separates from his wife and young children. and i hate on dave stern and his double standard officiating which assists the likes of wade and then all the pundits who cream over wade as he leaves his family and knocks affalo off the court without being called for a foul moments after he himself recieved a three point foul for a feather touch.

AFB—

A-Rod is the best or one of the best hitters in baseball, and will continue to be for years.
Manny, as was said earlier, might still be the best right-handed batter in the game and is without a doubt the most clutch postseason hitter of all time (and I HATE Boston).
Owens, while slowed down, is still a top 10 receiver in the league and will single-handedly bring the Bills’ scoring average up 5-7 points this year just because he’s on the field (double-teams, deep threat, etc.).

All of these guys say/do extremely stupid shit all the time, which is why people love/hate them and they’re always in the news. But at least the rest of these characters are still relevant in their sport. AI’s done. His style never could and never will work in the NBA if WINNING is considered what’s most important to you and your team.

brgulker, but remember the phenomenon of last night’s bitch slapping from josh boone has been a staple of the michael curry season with and without a.i. the memphis game occurred right in the middle of the a.i. awol back injury. do you think that the bitch slapping last night was because of a.i.? i think it was going to have happened anyhow. because losing important games to terrible teams has been a staple of the 2008/2009 pistons anyhow.

Sauce! Sauce! Sauce! Woot!

Ahem

Yeah, MCIAFI did a horrible job coaching this season and I hope he gets fired. But what if he had done earlier what we all thought was common sense from the outside looking in? If he had brought AI off the bench in December instead of going small ball? We would have had four months of AI acting like an emo 14 year old.

“I’m just trying to laugh as much as I can man to stop from crying,” referring to coming off the bench actually tops Spree’s “feeding my family” quote in my mind. That may actually be the funniest idiotic quote I’ve ever read from an athlete.

i would be unfair to put manny in this outraged category simply for one reason. we all know what that is.

the dynamics of being a successful PBO not only for your owner but for your players becomes very difficult to balance. Truth is, I would want to play for a man like Joe Dumars for these reasons:

These are just subjective responses to your very valid points -

1. If I were Chauncey Billups, I would be foreever thankful to Joe for the opportunity to become an NBA Finals MVP and NBA Champion, with the opportunity to go back to Denver on a playoff contending team.

2. If I were McDyess, I’d be appreciative of being traded back to a team that drafted me, show my value and be given the oportunity to return to the Pistons…coincidence? hmmm.

3. I would avoid getting involved with any of the coaches decisions, in this case, Michael Curry, whom has been with the organization for quit some time, is well respected and was known and expected to take over the team for over 3 years now. Let’s just say that Joe D wanted to test Curry’s ability to handle ego and shaping of a team in such a short time. Brilliant management if you ask me.

4. Let it be known, there’s no confusion, we are rebuilding. Our nucleus will be Prince, Stuckey and lots of cash in exactly 2 years.

Micheal Curry will become an assistant or at some capicity with the organization, he has always been a leader off the court. Even during his playing days.

Trust me, Joe D will be around for awhile.

AFB: “brgulker, but remember the phenomenon of last night’s bitch slapping from josh boone has been a staple of the michael curry season with and without a.i. the memphis game occurred right in the middle of the a.i. awol back injury. do you think that the bitch slapping last night was because of a.i.?”

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t disagree with you about that at all. Last night’s loss cannot be attributed to AI more than anyone else. In fact, our bigs were exposed last night, just as they have been time and again this season.

I am with you, MCIAFI and is as much to blame as anyone else. A good coach would have found a way to integrate AI into a role that would have kept him happy and made the team better. The super-sub role could have been that. 25-30 min per game leading the second unit would have been fun to watch for 70 games.

Instead, we got revolving door starting line-ups and inconsistent minutes for everyone but Tay, Rip, and Dice.

So, in some ways, AI is the scapegoat — especially when it comes to on-court performance. But given his recent comments and attitude, it’s certainly understandable.

joel i am very generally linking these guys as types that are frowned upon and scolded for their childish or provocative comments. but i can’t resist pointing out that they all share the toxic for the team gene and the cowboys and eagles couldn’t get it done with t.o. and the rangers and yankees couldn’t get it done with arod. and in the yankees case i it isn’t as if arod hasn’t had some help. that said… i hear the anger at a.i. i just don’t feel it. and boy i am angry. just not so much at him. but again to all those who are angry at him…ENJOY THE SCHADENFREUDE! he is on the ropes and he has hurt himself more than anyone.

"I’m just trying to laugh as much as I can man to stop from crying,"

Did that actually come out of AI’s mouth? In real life? Woowwww. That is rich.

brgulker, a.i. is out of control for sure. i feel a little bad for him. self destruction.
 shinons, how did i leave spree off my list? the phenomenon is kind of funny right?
 
a-rod is tremendous idiot. i confess to getting mad about his quotes. and he was squirming about getting caught cheating on his wife and cheating in his profession which is a little more serious than having a martyr complex. which is what a.i. appears to have. a.i. is a narcissist with a martyr complex.

@Joel – See the last paragraph of the AI section.

A brilliant comment from Matt’s fanhouse article:

“he need ta stay with tha pistonz they lost too many good playerz they dont need ta lose another one cuz billups and wallace iz gone now so iverson need ta stay on dec wit tha detroit baskert ballaz”

@Tim:

BAHAHAHAHAHA!

ALLEN IVERSON is one of the greatest players in the NBA ever!
Please go away from pistons and from stupid coach curry!
You are still a SUPERSTAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tim,

that’s kind of how david stern, Petey and some others from this site sound.

I think what we see with AI, TO, ARod (to an extent) and other players of their ilk, is the the hand-holding, kiss-ass these guys get growing up. Nothing is their fault, it’s all about them and when things don’t go their way, they cry like little kids because a good number of times they haven’t experienced anything outside sports tht doesn’t go their way (yes, I’m excluding the ghetto, drug stuff, that’s not what I’m saying).

TO “I’m thinking of killing myself” (or something like that two years ago), ARod banging arund on his old lady (and she’s a looker to start with), AI “I think I’m going to cry.” For Christ’s sake, GROW THE F*%K UP. A good number of these folks can’t function like a normal person in society.

As for the “trade”: Even with Billups I don’t think we could get past a healthy Boston; with the Mo W. trade to Cleveland, them neither; not the Lakers; and not a healthy Spurs team. So what would have happened? We get bounced in the ECF or semis and it comes to light that Joe D could have made the trade with the resulting cap space, we don’t resign Sheed and now we’ve got ~6-9M in cap space. The player at that amount wouldn’t have taken us over the top regardless and a good number of commenters on this board would be bitching about why Joe D didn’t make that trade after getting bounced.

The AI experiment didn’t work out. BFD. That’s on AI and MC primarily. Perhaps this was Joe D’s way of evaluating MC in some respect. Better to get if out of the way in year one, resulting in cap space and at least make the playoffs and make some money rather than really sucking but only draft lottery 6-14 pick with this year’s draft and next year’s depth looking very shallow. Personally, I’ll take this year’s pain and results to that scenario. And again, we don’t get by any of the four teams above IMHO. . . well, OK. . .not so HO.

Sauce is like a celebrity now…

and somewhere LBIAFI is slinking back underneath his bridge waiting for the day an anti-Piston voice comes back to the site so he can glom on and talk about how he’s the most realistic commenter on the site and how DJ White is the best undersized power forward in da hiztoree of all da gameZ

Funny how all this AI stuff is even making Piston fans hate each other.

Deactivate Iverson, please.

I never would of thought someone could be so selfish and egotistical to put himself infront of team that has been together for almost whole decade. But Iverson takes the cake and should retire.

Fuck Iverson, what a pathetic human being…

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2009-04-02/the-floodgates-are-open/#comment-177963

Holliday might challenge coachDP for best poster ever. just epinion.

What A D-Bag.

Good point on the big picture MBinSC. Just so long as Dumars has the guts to fire MC if we have a real option for a real coach this summer.

No, I think Holliday definitely wins the “best post ever” challenge. That post was an absolutely trainwreck.

@Shinons. I hear that Flip Saunders is available.

Wasn’t AI going to the bench supposed to make us better?

I hear that Flip Saunders is available.

Do you think he’d be a good fit though? Is he the type of coach who could lead us to a 50 win season?

This season is making me sicker than when I watched Dogville at three in the morning. It’s an incredibly disheartening change from what we’re used to. In my mind, AI will always wear teal.

MarkButter…i’m pretty sure we wouldn’t have even had 6-9M in cap space if didn’t make the trade and just dropped Sheed since we are currently over the salary cap but under the luxury tax. Sheed + AI make 35M, but we’ll ‘only’ have about 20M in cap space this summer depending on where the cap is set at.

I completely agree with your point though and the fact that we wouldn’t have had any cap space this summer with no trade further emphasizes it.

OK, I’ve been a moderate defender of AI, at least to the extent that I’ve argued that what has gone wrong hasn’t really been his fault and that I’ve been hopeful he could help down the stretch and in the playoffs.

I was wrong. Yes, there are worse character problems than not being a good teammate, and as far as I know, AI is not a criminal or serial aldulterer. But being a bad teammate is still pretty darn bad from the perspective of fans of the team, like me.

And I’ll stipulate that there have been a whole bunch of problems entirely independent of AI this year. A guy with his skill set with the attitude of McDyess would still be a bad fit. MC really IAFI. We have too many good guards, but at the same time we’re still pretty thin at pure point guard skills, and Stuckey had a very disappointing second half of the season. Our bigs don’t play post offense, and are either too old or too young/inconsistent. Amir and Maxy haven’t improved as much as any of us would like. None of that is AI’s fault.

But still, good lord, are we really going down like this?

Thanks Shinons. And at this point, I’ll take almost any option. . real or imagined. I think it depends on who, er hopefully, Joe D can convince to come to Det. My concern is that Joe D. looks at this as a learning experience in the worst of circumstances and AI thing overshadows what a horrible job MC has done this year.

If Curry had done this at the beginning, AI pulled this crap nobody would have had a problem with saying adios to AI and I think we’d be a better team right now. At worst, Bynum would have a bit more experience as he’s turning out to be better than I thought he would be. Of course, didn’t know much about him to start with.

As for folks saying this proves Stuck ain’t ready: Dude’s 22 and in his second year. I’m not worried in the least.

flip “rodney dangerfield grabbing at his tie and collar” saunders or michael " perpetually dumbfounded expression" curry. i take flip because at least he knew how to beat the nets.
 but shinons is right on. curry should be fired if there is a real coach available. actually even if there isn’t.
  i just don’t think that is going to happen though. if you look at the trajectory of joe d’s coaches, you see they go from the fiery and opinionated larry brown, to the weak mannered but basketball smart flip saunders, to the dumbfounded good soldier michael curry.
   conclusion, joe is the boss, not the coach. so the coach must have small ego and a submissive stance.
   so curry stays. and that is what i am mad about.

Toledo Joe: gotta disagree. I think the whole AI thing is attitude. You put Dyess’s attitude with that ability and you’ve got a 6th man of the year contender, easily. Heck, look what Dyess has gone thru to get back to the NBA, his buy out from Den and then coming back to this shit? He deserves a medal and hasn’t said word one about anything this year.

I mean, Bynum’s been pretty good when he’s got some consistent burn recently. Now replace him with AI (w/ Dyess’s attitude) and I think there’s something special there.

MB: Stuck isn’t ready. Doesn’t mean that tag of “not ready” lasts forever. If Stuck was “ready” we wouldn’t in this sub .500 K-Hole in the first place.

LB: Didn’t mean to say he was “ready” now. Comparing him to CB, yeah, he ain’t ready. Comparing him to Rose, probably the same there. “Ready” compared to Luther Head? Yeah. Telfair? Yeah. Jordan Farmar? Yeah and if not just because of experience and having Kobe. Udrich? Yeah.

But he ain’t going to get ready backing up CB for the next 3-4 years and then be “ready” come 2013. Trial by fire will give you an answer far sooner than just simmering and will use far less energy.

MarkButter:

I’m not sure we actually disagree. Yes, AI with a better attitude would have been much better. It would have been more fun to watch, and the team would have probably been somewhat better.

But maybe not all that much better. I still think his skill set isn’t a good match for this team, because we’re so overloaded with “shoot first guards.” Heck, even if AI would have been a good soldier about trying to be a spark off the bench, it turns out Bynum has some real skills in that category as well. Yeah, Bynum isn’t a multiple-times former all-star and he still makes rookie mistakes, but he’s more of a pure point guard, and he’s more likely part of our future.

It’s really all pretty much moot at this point. Detroit has obviously thrown in the towel on AI (and vice-versa), and probably this season too. It’s like a bad love relationship. In some ways, it’s really interesting to talk about who’s fault it is and how one side really messed up. But at some point, you have to get over it and move on to the next thing. That’s not aimed at you, by the way.

’m convinced he has little to no influence over the team’s younger set, >>

Johnson will be gone no later than the summer of 2010.

He will not sign a contract extension if offered this summer and will walk in July of 2010 unless Dumars trades or buys him out before.

but shinons is right on. curry should be fired if there is a real coach available. actually even if there isn’t.

Last year I was on the record that we shouldn’t fire Flip because there weren’t any options out there that would give us a legitimate downgrade. As of right now, there are definite upgrades over Curry (like an inanimate carbon rod). I’d take former Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell, ring-laden Lambieer, or 59-win per season average Avery Johnson. I also think that whenever Kurt Rambis finally gets a head coaching job that he will be one hell of a coach. I think there are definitely some very solid options for coaches right now.

Shinons, you crazy diamond.

Toledo Joe: we’re on the exact same page, at worst different paragraphs.

Shinons: (like an inanimate carbon rod). LOL!! And I’d love to see Rambis or Lambieer. We’d definitely have none of this AI horseshit going on at this point in the season.

I come from HK.
Actually, a foreign. Ur right…
Just hate this guy who likes to gossip after games.
And never talk to MC in private.
He just think pistons is his team, wtf!!

Ha, Rob G. I’ve always wanted the post that but the opportunity was never right.

Didn’t Rambis coach the Lakers for a half season or something and Kobe walked all over him like he was a wimpy little girl?

MB: I think Rose is better than Stuckey right now and that Rose has less talent at his disposal with comparable team records. It’s certainly a debatable point. Joe trades away Chauncey with the belief that he has a PG of the future in Stuckey. The future certainly isn’t now in terms of a successful PG.

TJ pointed out why this season has failed. That’s not on AI; that’s on the captain of the ship. Should AI be saying the same stuff every night? Once was enough. But I dunno why someone couldn’t fully empathize with the dude’s frustration. Not like DBBers aren’t popping off at MC all the time. I bet everyone else on the team wishes they could call him out on his decision-making, but they have to be here next year.

AI not being classy, but he’s still right. Curry has no clue how to foster or even maintain any chemistry. At the introductory press conference Joe said it was “all about winning”. I stopped buying that since they inserted Stuckey in the starting lineup.

What really bugs me about AI’s comments are the appallingly bad PR skills. Nothing irritates me more than celebrities/politicians making PR blunders. It offends the writer in me. (For example, Rihanna? You could have turned Chris Brown into Ike Turner and gotten some Tina Turner heat. But now, you’re just dumb.)

AI is just shredding himself. Who’s going to want him now? No contending team will take him now. And he’s too old for a young team to build around.

I’m not feelin’ Laimbeer as an NBA coach. I would be interested in prying Tom Thibodeau away from Boston. At least, we’ll get back to defense.

Ha…I never noticed that my tag reads like that…

Yes! No defense, no detroit pistons.

@QD. Plus, moving screens!

Not only the cancer we have, but also MCIAFI.

He is a rookie coach, I know.

But I’m not doubt with his tactics，I’m doubt with his interpersonal.

He changed the lineup at all times, but he can’t act as a mediator between players.

Holliday = coachDP. Just esuspicion.

who is that?

“What team is going to want AI now?”

I hope he likes Barbeque and the Blues.

Kevin S., Memphis is trying to build for the future. Plus, they have Conley, Mayo and Gay. Their priority will be a big man. They’ll go after Milsap.

AI’s best hope is a mediocre team that’s desperate to try something to become a contender (Dallas-Kidd, Phoenix-Shaq). But, after those debacles and this economy, I can’t even see that happening.

"What team is going to want AI now?"

We can say he’s not going anywhere all we want, but the truth is, someone’s gonna hire him. Boston hired Starbury, after all. just epinion.

I can totally see Cuban going after AI. It doesn’t make any sense with their roster, but what does with them?

@Shinons:

“…I’d take former Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell, ring-laden Lambieer, or 59-win per season average Avery Johnson. I also think that whenever Kurt Rambis finally gets a head coaching job that he will be one hell of a coach. I think there are definitely some very solid options for coaches right now…”

How do you think Hamilton would react if Avery gave him one of these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLV3a4CgYLE

so many AI fans want him to bobcats.

For his lovely coach , where is my coach???

In departmenstore.

“Boston hired Starbury, after all. just epinion.”

But Starbury’s coming off the bench. AI said he would rather retire.

I’m curious to know where the AI fans think he’ll end up next year (as well as, which blogs they might be posting on).

which team want to sign a old man with big mouth this summer?

joe dumrs is going to make us suffer indefinitely with mike curry but i am really pissed at a.i.
joe dummers traded chauncey and wanted too let dyess go too but i am really angry at a.i. for being a 33 year old going on 18.
joe dumars is afraid of a coach with a strong personality but these last comments by a.i. are an outrage.
joe dumars pays amir 10 million but won’t give him playing time during a losing season but i just read that a.i. made some selfdestructive comments and that is intolerable.

Teams acquire players not just because they think the player will help them win a championship, but also because they think the player will help sell tickets. Heck, remember the “Fiverson” ticket packages you could buy for the Pistons, earlier in the year?

Now, these goals are not always at odds: winning teams tend to get better attendance. But if your team ain’t going anywhere in the next year or two, you might think AI could sell some more tickets. Think of the drama that could be created: “After last season’s debacle in Detroit, is it over for AI? Or will he be REBORN, with SOMETHING TO PROVE, here in . . . ?”

a.i. must pay for his self destructive comments.

“He just think pistons is his team, wtf!!”

Holliday wins.

thank you Mr.Joel

You’re welcome~

LB: I think Rose is better than Stuck right now. And in the long run, will probably be better. I’d chaulk it up to Rose play PG probably from the day he was born and Stuck playing at E. Wash having to score.

This winning now stuff sounds great until you realize you’re the suns with Nash, ONeal & Hill pushing 35+ and your lone young stud building block saying trade me. Kinda the same with Kidd and Dirk, though the Harris trade was stupid. Stuck was only going to learn so much from CB riding behind him for what, this year and then another. Then CB is in the last year and we wouldn’t have gotten 20M cap space (obvious reference to Dyess included).

Like I said, I don’t think we get by Clev, Bos, Lakers and Spurs, at a minimum. So we play .650-.750 ball, come up short and in two years we got what? Stuck learning how to run an offense without CB, no Sheed and Dyess and perhaps only Tay and Rip.

Though Stuck’s not a pure point, I kinda look at this the same way T. Parker was 5-6 years ago. Couldn’t consistently hit a 15-18 footer to save his life, got to the hole almost at will and Pop lived with him to the point that right now he might be just as important to the Spurs as TD.

I’m in no way comparing myself, but having lived B-Ball as a youngster and playing PG in HS (a far, far away in another galaxy comparison, I know) I also want to rip my hair out sometimes watching Stuck. But I think the clusterscrew 3 guard lineup, sheed being sheed, MC & the whole drama of AI this year will actually build Stuck more for the future than sitting behind CB. I’d rather find out now does he have it than in 2-3 years after CB is gone. We weren’t going to be the odds favorite and probably not in the top 5 this year to win a chip. I think it also let’s Stuck grow into a leadership role far, far faster.

On a side note, ESPN bullets has an idea of AI going to Europe. He can be the DUDE, can still score on virtually anyone there, oodles of cash, could be the first player to win the MVP in both leagues, and did I mention he could still be the DUDE. Seems like a perfect fit.

"thank you Mr.Joel

You’re welcome~"

Holy shit that doesn’t even make ANY sense. This is awesome.

^_<

MB: If even Derrick Rose is a better PG than Stuck right now why are people surprised that we’re losing?

I think Allen Iverson should get Amir Johnson minutes…

imagine..

two guys getting Amir Johnson minutes…

Mike would kill himself

shouldn’t Derrick Rose be better? he was a #1 compared to a mid 1st rounder?

just epinion

Holliday = Walter Herrmann. Just epnion.

“Iverson is a soccer
Apr 2nd, 2009 at 3:09 pm

so many AI fans want him to bobcats.

For his lovely coach , where is my coach???

In departmenstore."

This board is decaying into madness. and I love it.

I know LB. Our combo-guard with exactly one year experience as a full time point guard isn’t as good as the number one pick in the draft who led his team to the NCAA Finals and a 33-1 record as a freshman. Stuckey is totally the reason we suck.

The Allen Iverson there is a necessity which will be a team player. His miscarriage there is to a line. The possibility of helping the fact that he will see this there is who?

/babelfish’d

“Allen Iverson is a Soccer”

I actually lol’d at work when I read that.

I do enjoy watching Stuckey play Rose, and I look forward to that matchup for years to come. Rose may be better league-wide, but I won’t forget Stuckey making a fool of him in December.

Mike Payne,

You’re wrong about everything you ever said.

/LBIAFI’d

robg, you are definitely amble who. when iverson said what he vent. i fink.

Rob G,

I think everyone is wrong about AI.
He truly is the master of his own domain.
He has a lot of shoes that people like trying on at stores.
I think the coach watches youtube a lot and therefour Allen Iverson’s shoes are especially white this time of the season.

bebounds.

iverson is a soccer, he good. like bobcat coach. he win much game one time.

We should be careful about this kitschy-language madness – we might descend to this level

boney, excellent point.

robg. a win at philly would do a lot.

AI is happy time for good playing
but we emasculate it not every team
offers crisis coaching
in super fourth quarters.

careful, robg, somebody could get lost over there, and maybe not find their way back.

Who am Allen? Iverson.

AI =
           ——
           | |
           ——||
         \/ ||
               ||
         O ||
       o/ ||
      -| ||
      /\ ||

Domination!

I think AI thinks that coach curry thinks that joe dumars thinks that video games be the best way to cure the ills of the common cold.
I beleev AI would be a good goalie in hockey because of how flexible he is.
Bill Laimbeer is tall.
AI needs to realize that just because his sneakers are white, that doesn’t mean that he can wear the red jerseys when the rest of the team is wearing blue shorts.

that didn’t turn out how it wanted it to at all.

The flood gates are truly open.

AI is going to sign with Philadelphia. And you can all thank me for being the man responsible of making this happen.

As a long-time Piston’s fan, the evolution of my perception of Allen Iverson has been very interesting this season. I am willing to give anyone a shot as long as they help this team win.

AI started off by saying all the right things about doing whatever he could to help the team win. However, as I actually watched him play, I couldnt’ shake the feeling that he wasn’t helping the team win.

After his “back injury” put him out of the lineup for a month, I remember wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt, regardless of the dubious timing of his injury (right after he was announced as the newest bench player).

Even as he talked about his return to the team and how he wanted to do anything to help, I wondered if he would play the same tune after his first couple of games playing off the bench.

It took even less time than I expected. Iverson never intended to do “whatever it takes” to help this team. He intended to do “whatever it takes” to make sure he got his minutes and that HE and not the TEAM was able to make decisions about how and when he played.

The media sees this act. Basketball writers from both the FREEP and the Detroit News have called Iverson on his act. Long-time Piston’s fans see the act. We’re used to players who will ACTUALLY do whatever they’re asked. (What about Rip you say? He’s won a Championship in Detroit and he’s the captain of the team. He doesn’t have to prove he is a team player. We already know he is by experience.)

AI fans can’t see this for some reason. They would rather drum up charges of “ungrateful fans” in Detroit, some sort of “media conspiracy” to defame their man-crush.

Wake up, you dolts. Many of you have been following this player for over 10 years. Have you considered that YOU are the one’s that are brain washed by HIM?

This “no respect” card doesn’t jive. Everyone in Detroit would have hailed Iverson as a hero if he had helpped lead our team this year. He hasn’t. He hasn’t been able to. That’s just the facts. He’s been given the chance, and he hasn’t performed well enough.

Bottom Line is this:

If it walks like a Duck, if it QUACKS like a duck, if it swims like a Duck…. it’s a duck. Iverson sounds like a me-first player who can’t even wrap his mind around the idea of conforming to a team that doesn’t focus on him specifically.

And that’s exactly what he is.

One of the things I miss most about Piston’s basketball is being able to have a conversation with other Piston’s fans, or other basketball fans, without automatically having to talk about Allen Iverson.

I love to talk strategy. I love to talk performance. But so much of the talk this year has been about Iverson. It’s wearing really thin.

I can’t wait until next year when I get my team back.

What’s wrong with the team is what has been wrong with them all year. They have no identity.

They have nothing to fall back on. No “sure thing” play they can use if they need points. No specific plan to stop a player who is killing them at the rim.

No plan. No identity.

These are on the coach 100%. Michael Curry cannot coach. If it’s not obvious now, it never will be.

Allen Iverson would have been a great gunslinger personality, back in the Wild West era of the USA. “2-Fly Iverson,” watch him fume, watch him flash his gun faster than anyone else, watch him kick back a sasparilla with 4 brothel honeys … but don’t say anything about his hair or his trade, or he’ll shoot you in the foot while aiming for your head.

Are we supposed to thank you for doing so because Philly would no longer be a playoff contender or…?

Big ups, Big Z. you pretty much explained what I’ve been thinking.

What say we ban discussion of Allen Iverson on this blog? We could go back to what we used to do… talk about the team.

LB: we suck because: it starts with an M and ends with a C.

It also has to do with chemistry (I hate that word). Rose was handed the reins on a team that didn’t make the playoffs last year and was drafted specifically for “now.” Stuck was drafted for the future of becoming a PG and when the trade was made, it was handed to him. I do think we’d be marginally better with Rose. But we’d still not beat the 4 teams I listed above. There’s only so much a #1 pick can do to overcome bad coaching. But when going thru the clusterscrew of 3 guard offense, Rose would have suffered just as much, if not more, by having AI dominate the ball.

Plus, the Bulls don’t have as veteran team or recent success as the Pistons. I think the leadership thing for Rose would have been tougher in Det (had Det gotten him somehow) than it is in Chicago. You run an offense in Det you’ve got Tay, Rip, Sheed, Dice and in Chi you’ve got Gordon, Deng, Noah and Thomas. The youngest of ours is older than all of those guys.

My original point was waiting behind CB would not allow Stuck to grow as fast as he will anymore than Rose could have grown any faster if he’d been sitting behind CB.

No doubt guys were pissed when CB got traded. I think they’d be pissed had CB traded for Rose, but perhaps a bit less since he’s a pure PG. Rose has a better handle right now than Stuck when it comes to PG. It’s experience. But I don’t think it’s nothing that Stuck can’t overcome.

1) There’s no shame in not being as good as Derrick Rose. 2) Comparing Stuck and Rose’s career stats up through this point they’re pretty similar, Rose has a better FG%, but Stuckey gets to the line more often. Having watched Rose a decent amount I think the big advantage he has over Stuckey is Rose is a very, very good finisher with his left hand, so he has a larger variety of options with his drives. I think Stuckey is naturally more aggressive, which is a positive, but he’s still limited with how he can finish, he’s gotta learn to be more creative (i.e. use his left more, shoot more floaters, pull-ups, etc…)
Here’s their career stats comp:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&=r&p1=rosede01&y1=2009&=s&p2=stuckro01&y2=2009&=&=

+1 to Big Z.

None of this would have happened if Iverson Twittered…

AI in Philly?

I think Philly’s front office is smart enough not to make that move.

unless they want to throw in Thad Young for the proposed Walter Herrmann to 6ers for a 1st round pick deal that I’m including in my offseason shopping post that Matt hopefully posts.

Big Z’s got it right.

Haiku Time!

Allen Iverson
The Fastest Guard in the East
Fastest to suck, too

When Iverson’s gone
We can all sit back and sip
Canadian Club

Allen Iverson
The enema for fandom
Takes the tools with him

The world is bullshit
Critics salt my battered soul
Laugh so you don’t cry

/Emo Allened

mike curry coach team long time

@andy- main difference between Manny and AI is that Manny, even now at 36, might still be the best right handed hitter in all of baseball. Also Manny’s controversial quotes are kinda the opposite of AI’s in their characte>>

Manny is a lot nicer person since he got out of Boston and now plays for Los Angeles de Mexico.

HA HA HA HA HA

Shinons, that’s great.

Boney
Apr 2nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm

I think Allen Iverson should get Amir Johnson minutes…

imagine..

two guys getting Amir Johnson minutes…

Mike would kill himself
=======

Would you do this?

http://flapsblog.com/2009/04/02/video-president-obama-bows-down-to-the-king-of-saudi-arabia-refrains-from-chanting-drill-baby-drill/

On posting a piece about the President, yes, I’d do that.

/surface

MB: If we suck because of MC, let’s be mad at him.

i hope a.i. has a good game against philly. maybe even a buzzer beater to win. i would like that.

More haiku?

AI says, “I am
retired. Don’t ask me to
do a damned thing.”

Sorry guys… it’s been a while…. I guess I’m just waiting for the playoffs.

I do have to say that even I didn’t think AI was this much of an asshole.

why is everyone making AI into some evil being?

he’s been in the league longer than he cares to remember. look how small he is, and what his body has gone through over the years?

his time is ticking, and he knows it, and its obviously effecting his physical health, playing health and maybe even his mental health.

i wouldn’t be surprised if he is depressed. he’ll be out of the league very soon, so if he says he thinking about retirement, its because he’s one of the few players out there that don’t need the money and would rather leave the game still able to walk.

some guys need to leave the leauge in a stretcher – just for the money. he feels like he can’t do that to himself. so i say, say how you feel. he’s unhappy.

and this may be his last few games. still a hall of famer.

this by the way is what happens when you get a player on his last legs: maybe not the complaining, but in a few years you’ll see kobe, kg, dirk etc – and its not going to be pretty.

but does that take away from their whole career like some people make it seem?

in philly, even when he acted like a prima donna, he was still great and in shape – its not as easy to forgive when he’s almost finished, with another team and another fanbase.

maybe he needs a therapist?

Jesus, we should print t-shirts with Z’s post on them.

Rob G, you got it.

Rob G is the man
When he asks for a haiku
You whip him up some

Allen Iverson
Fits so well, five syllable
Retire you douchebag

AI, I’m sorry
I’m so sorry, so sorry
I’m NOT sorry, ha

Go Detroit Pistons
You will survive this dark hour
Gloria Gaynor

This is madness.

In my opinion (alright, always bullshit)

Which team should sign AI after this season?

Maybe he is versitile now,

But he is too expensive and too old.

Thunders、Memphis、Bobcats、76ers they won’t like that!

He neees more time that he can handle the ball himself.

Or continue complain after games all day long…

Iverson’s a washed up pussy.

So totally off-topic…

I’m watching the Jazz at Denver right now, and I’m getting just my first real in-game look at Paul Millsap.

He’s a fucking beast. I want him on my team now.

I haven’t been that high on him because he’s so “undersized,” but watching him play it doesn’t even matter. And he’s a good 6’9", so he’s not really undersized. But MY GOD he is a beast. Strongest guy on the court EASILY (and Nene is out there). Makes me think of Big Ben with an actual offensive game. Just a monster on both ends of the floor. If this guy wasn’t made for the Pistons, then I can’t think of one player who is. We must sign him. Must.l

Jason Maxiell eats babies. Paul Millsap eats their entire fucking family.

@Laughton:
This is madness.
This. Is. Spartaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Joel:
Jason Maxiell eats babies.
Paul Millsap eats their entire fucking family.

LOL

@Joel:
Between you and PS, you guys are my 100% absolute favorite newer DBB commenters. This year has sucked, hell, this blog has been shitty but on account of the AI fanboys and LawyerBoy (and saved also by Kevin S’s game threads). But your comments, as well as those from PS, have made it worthwhile for me, at least. So fucking kudos, man.

re: Millsap. I’ve mentioned this a few times, but it was pretty casual. I LOVE Millsap’s game. Its unreal. He’s a beast, more of a beast than anyone we have on our squad right now.

…but I’d prefer someone else. Energy, hunger, defense, rebounding and blocking is what I want out of my center, not my power forward. I want my power forward to score at will, to be a 20+ point threat every night, and most importantly— I want him to extend his offense outside of the paint so that he draws a defender and makes room for a driving stuckey/bynum. Unfortunately, Millsap doesn’t do that. He’s glued to the paint. And while we all collectively want that (thanks Rasheed), it’ll give our guards a tough time. Too many bodies in the paint mean that Stuckey’s best skill is a wash.

A forward like Boozer, on the other hand, who is even more efficient than our guards are from 2-point land, would stretch defenses and keep our offense balanced as a result. In this regard, Boozer is even better than Bosh. Bosh is a more complete player, but when it comes to improving our squad, it might be Boozer who is the best option.

If we want defensive hunger, deadly shot-blocking and mammoth rebounds, we want that out of our 5 spot. Our 4 should be able to extend outward. Millsap can’t do that. If we want a 5 to give us what Millsap does, I’ve mentioned Przybilla on here a few times. I know it may not look like anywhere near what Millsap could bring, but I’d take Przybilla and Boozer over Millsap at the 4 and ANY 5 in a heartbeat.

Again, you, you rotten bastard, are a great thing to happen to DBB in spite of AI this season. group hug

*note— I also want rebounding, defense and shot blocking out of my PF, but my primary focus for that is on the 5 spot.

Sorry, who is our captain now? Iverson?

MP, the good thing about Milsap is that there’s still upside. He’s young. He might still be able to develop that midrange shot.

damn… I guess I’m chopped liver to Mike Payne.

/so much for 4 horsemen
/I still dislike LB a lot, have no fear LB
/dick joke
/Chris Kaman and Willie Green are the answer

I still dislike LBJ a lot, too.

Only umpire helps him to creat his own empire.

Are we surprised?

@Mike Payne – If this is Sparta, are we dining in hell right now? Dennis Rodman could be Xerxes and AI could be the freak with the mega arm that can never fit in. I of course would be Leonidas cos I’m cut like that ;)

caron butler blocks lebrons in bound pass to seal win…satisfying.
   watched denver again last night. they have a lot of good pieces. it is definitely not just chauncey. as a matter of fact he seemed kind of mediocre to me in the first half. anyhow both teams were really playing hard and denver showed their mettle. i think they take utah with home court in the playoffs.

iverson not CANCER but more like BAD flu. not just TEAM sick, but whole program SICK. but not DYING, will be back HEALTHY next year. just epinion

@Boney:
Notice I said new commenters! There’s a huge group of commenters here that make this site worth visiting. But of the new group, the names I didn’t recognize before this season, those two have consistently made me laugh out loud (see also: lol).

@MP
Personally, my favorite newer commenter is coachDP. No offense to others, but it’s not close.

But how can anyone top this:

“Only umpire helps him to creat his own empire”

?

this is genius.

Given that Boozer won’t make anywhere near what he’s already owed for next season on the free agent if he chooses to opt out this offseason, I think he doesn’t opt out and stays to collect his fat check in Utah. Mehmet and Millsap are both RFA, but they can’t afford to pay both of them. I think they’re more likely to throw money at Okur since they’re already deep at PF without Millsap. So I like our chances of nabbing the guy. Obviously his midrange game has a little to be desired, but the guy is only 25 and it would only be his fourth season— I’m sure he can improve. If we keep Sheed and/or Dyce, I think that alleviates our “jump-shooting from the PF position” problem because one or both will be coming off the bench or starting alongside him. I do think, however, that if we sign Millsap we HAVE to sign a deep threat to come off the bench too (something we need regardless, but wouldn’t be as important if we got a PF that could stretch the floor— Bosh, Odom, Boozer, etc.). But I think in general, Millsap is a horse that should be ridden 40 mpg at LEAST. With consistent starter’s minutes, I don’t think 18/13/3/2/2 is out of this guy’s range at all.

I agree with Big Z’s long post earlier.

I remember when the day after a Pistons’ game, all I wanted to talk about was strategy. What did our defense do to stifle someone’s star player? Which starter stepped up his game and led the team in scoring? And how did Flip botch the rotation to exclude the young players?

Now, my conversation (here and elsewhere) has digressed into little more than groans, confusion, and frustration.

It’s rare that we talk about anything good anymore. It’s AI F*d this up, and MCIAFI for this very long list of reasons.

About the only bright spots have been Stuck’s first 40 games, Dice’s loyalty and good play, and MFWB’s last 10 games.

And the real problem is, it’s unavoidable, because if you want to talk Stons basketball, that’s all you really have to talk about. There are a few bright patches here and there, but it’s mostly just bull shit.

I don’t know about y’all, but I have very few Detroit Pistons highlights this year. I can’t remember any games like I remember last season’s games.

But I think we can agree that it has been an unforgettable season for DBB. Rebuses. Haiku. Literary interpretation of smallball. Bebounds. DNP-MCIAFI.

just epinion.

I think they’re more likely to throw money at Okur since they’re already deep at PF without Millsap.

I really, really want to agree. But, I do have doubts. Utah as currently constituted won’t win the Western Conference. I agree that Boozer will stay and get his check. I agree that Utah can’t pay all 3 big men. But, I think they’re more likely to keep Milsap than Okur.

Okur is good, but he is reaching that age where his best years are close to behind him. Milsap, OTOH, and like you mentioned, has a big upside and still has lots of room to improve.

I would love to get Milsap. Thinking about pairing him with Sheed/Dice/Amir/Kwame makes me giddy — because Milsap is cut out to be a bad boy. But unless someone else offers him really big bucks, I have a hard time seeing him leave Utah either.

I see coachDP…

I agree that Milsap is the best option because I think it’s best to think long term than to try to reload for next year.

The Pistons will have to compete with OKC and Memphis to get him though. Both of those teams have young wings to pair him with. He might feel is game is a better fit in Detroit but OKC has Durant.

Like I said before, another option is to trade for Boozer. Utah would get to retain Milsap and the Pistons would get one year of Boozer and have cap space to either resign him or go after Bosh. Sheed and Dyess might be convinced to come back for one last run.

LB: I am pissed at MC. I think I’ve been pretty consistent on that. Stuck: it’s a learning process that will help in years to come. AI: At least most athletes who state the vaunted “I just want to help the team win” try to act and make it appear as though that’s what they’re trying to do.

I only watched a little bit of the Clev game. AI appears out of shape and though I know he was to have no basketball activity regarding his back, don’t most guys with back problems ride the bike? Perhaps he did and it’s not the end all when it comes to conditioning, but being out a month and then saying the Pistons rushed him back. If there is any truth to that, then the only reason was to see how he’d come off the bench (attitude wise). Hell, he might not even be on the playoff roster.

I mean, Daly is in the hospital bed with cancer treatments and drawing up plays for his buddy at Villanova and AI’s bitching about coming off the bench and playing time when we’re fighting for a playoff position? If’s there’s a silver lining to this season it’s AI finally putting to rest what kind of “teammate” he actually is and shooting himself in the foot regarding getting any contract next year.

He can sit home next year counting his millions and playing with his kids and troll with his posse. The thing that will be remembered is not so much that he didn’t win a chip, much like Barkley, Stockton & Malone, but that at the end it was evident of regardless where he played his teammates didn’t like him. And though that’s never been publicly said, I think we can believe it to be mostly true.

Obviously, AI is going to be used as a scapegoat, right or wrong. But he’s as much to blame for that label as anyone who might in error say that. The other part will be fun watching he and Sheed search for a MLE this summer, and probably not get it. Certainly not AI I think.

I watched the Denver/Utah game last night, too, and it really amazes me to watch other teams play. Even when good teams play us, it’s like our bad basketball style brings them down a bit. I love watching two west coast teams play, because it’s just so fluid and full of good basketball plays. I forgot what it was like to actually hit 3-pointers this year until I watched Denver/Utah. Our offense sucks. Our defense sucks. Krypton sucks.

Meh, I see no big deal about this. Dude’s just thinking outloud and people are running wild with it

“Look this fucking sucks…but at the end of the day I got myself into this” that’s basically what he said.
shrug

He can sit home next year counting his millions and playing with his kids and troll with his posse. The thing that will be remembered is not so much that he didn’t win a chip, much like Barkley, Stockton & Malone, but that at the end it was evident of regardless where he played his teammates didn’t like him. And though that’s never been publicly said, I think we can believe it to be mostly true.

Except that Barkley, Stockton & Malone are not remembered as awful teammates. Barkley had his moments of idiocy, but nothing like AI.

I watched the Denver/Utah game last night, too, and it really amazes me to watch other teams play. Even when good teams play us, it’s like our bad basketball style brings them down a bit.

I agree completely. When I watch teams like Utah, Denver, LA, SA, et al, I actually enjoy watching.

Those teams run cohesive offensive sets that take advantage of their players’ strengths, thereby putting them in a position to succeed.

MCIAFI, OTOH, lets everyone run wild. I can’t remember the last game where we consistently ran cohesive sets throughout the game. Watching us is often like watching a bad street ball game. Ironically, one would think AI would be able to make that work for him.

"Look this fucking sucks…but at the end of the day I got myself into this" that’s basically what he said.
shrug

So you don’t see any contradiction between:

“I will do whatever the team needs me to do.”

AND

“I’d rather retire than come off the bench, woe is me, woe is me.”

???

@QD
I think Millsap would be a fantastic fit in OKC. He and Nenad Kristic (sp?) at center have complementary skill sets, I believe. Those two combined with Durant at SF, Westbrook at PG, Sefolosha at SG, and benc players Jeff Green & “high draft pick” give OKC a pretty balanced lineup. You’ve got a go-to scoring wing, a penetrating PG, a low-post scorer, a jump-shooting big, and the guards are good defenders. Not too shabby.

Meh, I see no big deal about this. Dude’s just thinking outloud and people are running wild with it

"Look this fucking sucks…but at the end of the day I got myself into this" that’s basically what he said.
shrug

No, actually what he said is, “This is a bad time for me mentally. I’m just trying to get through it without starting a bunch of nonsense (My note: while running to whine to the media after every game). … I’m just trying to laugh as much as I can man to stop from crying.”

Allen Iverson Could Sign Mid-Level Deal

Posted: 4/3/2009 5:38:00 AM
Source: Frank Zicarelli of The Toronto Sun

Much like Shawn Marion, who is also a pending free agent, (Allen) Iverson may well have to settle for the league’s mid-level exception of roughly $5.6 million.

The Pistons knew what they were getting when they traded Chauncey Billups to Denver for A.I. in what clearly has turned into a salary dump.

If, as expected, the Pistons part ways with Iverson and Rasheed Wallace, another veteran whose salary comes off the books this summer, the team will have all kinds of flexibility.

cont. on link

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?lc=NBA&c=1&TEAM_ID=&PLAYER_ID=&hd=20090403#STORY_17545

brgulker: I wasn’t clear. I didn’t mean to insinuate the those 3 guys were bad teammates. Actually, quite the opposite, I just wasn’t clear enough.

Mike: I think AI could sign a MLE. I just think anyone will offer him one. None of the teams with a MLE is going to have him come in and be the man an that’s what AI want’s to be.

He won’t come off the bench, and he isn’t anywhere near a “mentor” you’d want on your team. Don’t know if you put it there for info or if you think he’ll sign one. If he wants cash, be the man and adulation, Europe is his best hope.

Correction: I just DON’T think anyone will offer him one.

The Pistons are “expected to part ways” with Rasheed? I thought it was more of a “AI definitely, but ’Sheed only maybe.” And I would vote for keeping him.

You know, sometimes we get a little mixed up in our priorities here. Yeah, AI is a douche and that certainly is worth many posts per thread. Yeah, it’s interesting to talk about our future big men and who we think would be a good fit/acquirable. Yeah, it’s fun to talk about the draft (even though no one we ever think Joe D. will pick actually turns out – and he does better than us. I wanted Julian Wright – he took Stuck. I didn’t get the Maxiell and Afflalo picks – those worked out. I wanted Bosh, he took…well, nevermind that one.)

But sometimes we lose sight of what’s really important. MC IAFI and needs to be fired. Even the most moderate of Pistons fans (yes, QD) admits that we are in trouble as long as he is the coach. AI is temporary, we’re going to use that cap space for something, and we’re going to use that draft pick on someone (unless if we use it to bring in a franchise qb like the Bears – WOOOOOOTTT We’re going to the SUPER BOWL). But there’s no indication that Joe D. plans to fire MCIAFI. Isn’t that what should concern us the most? We’ve wasted this season – but there’s no reason to waste next season also and there’s plenty of potential for waste as long as MCIAFI and his faaaaaaabulous suits are on the sidelines next year.

@Birdman:
I agree, Millsap would be a perfect fit for OKC, specifically next to Nenad and Durant. The way Nenad plays, its a perfect compliment for Millsap.

@QD:
If we were to have Sheed around as a starter for a few more years (which we won’t, hopefully he’ll be on our bench), Millsap would be a brilliant fit here. But we don’t have time to wait for Millsap to develop a jump shot, which is why I lobby for Boozer.

If we can keep Dyess and Sheed, sign a quality, rebounding big and a 3 pt assassin, and then dump Curry and hire Avery Johnson (59 wins per season coaching average = not too shabby), I think we’re back in the top four in the East and definitely going to at least the second round next year.

@Shinons- Totally agree. It hardly matters what roster changes we make if Curry is still the coach. Problem is, the pistons media team is pulling out all the stops to defend him, so who knows if he’d be fired even if we missed the playoffs.

Here’s Blaha’s ringing endorsement of Curry’s coaching this season:
http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/blaha_090403.html

Some hilarious snippets:
“…I don’t think you can find too many people who would disagree with the steps he took.” I beg to differ.

“I think Michael has remained remarkably steadfast in his beliefs and really calm, cool and collected.” What the fuck are his ‘beliefs?’ I still have yet to hear any coaching philosophy from him, other than ‘play good, get bebounds.’

And best quote of all:

“It seemed obvious that Rip was better-equipped to come off of the bench…” I love you Blaha, but that is a big, steaming pile of horse shit.

Shinons: Agree completely with the MC thought. My only hope is that Joe D. and nobody in the Piston organization is breathing a word abut it because then all of the inmates will be running the asylum if this tidbit got out. If he’s going to hold Flip to a certain standard, I do not see why MC isn’t held to the same. 1st year coach or not.

My fear though is Joe D. looks at this season as one of extreme trials and tribulations for MC, figures this is a bad year to “properly” review to base an opinion of MC’s abilities and decides to give him another year. That way in 2010, when FA hunting he can ask prospective FA, hey, would you come here if coach X was here?

TJ: I think the brass has had enough of Sheed’s techs, from what appears to me a lackadaisical attitude on the court far too many times and if truly in the running for a Bosh/Amare type player/position, it’s a doubling up. Plus, Sheed will sign for a MLE somewhere that has a better chance at a chip and whoever signs him will have a large enough personality to help reign in sheed. Say a San Antonio or Lakers or a Suns (Shaq & Nash). At his age and given the economy, a sign and trade might happen but won’t bring as much back as it would have, say last year.

The problem with this season, other than the obivious, is we didn’t properly evaluate Amir & Max (at least to get warm fuzzies), we know MC can’t coach but does the brass and we still need to figure out the 4 & 5 positions. And if MC is apparent to us he can’t coach, you gotta think every FA can see that also.

I think Joe D’s plan was to let CB kinda run things this year while MC worked and grew his way in. My problem is that it appears MC isn’t doing any better now than he was 4 months ago, AI or no AI. His substitution patterns have me baffled, our offense looks like the 5th grade YMCA boys club and we don’t have a defensive identity, other than bad. I think Joe D. thought that since MC got by on hustle and defense and didn’t have the greatest althletic ability that MC must be a “cerebral” player who knew basketball. Hell, nothing could be farther away from the truth.

Gabe: "It seemed obvious that Rip was better-equipped to come off of the bench…" I love you Blaha, but that is a big, steaming pile of horse shit.

Another way of saying: Rip wouldn’t bitch.

@Gabe and MBinSC – Those are what have me worried too. Which is what makes the independent columnists and DBB and Need4Sheed so much more important. Personally, I actually like MC. I don’t think he’s really an idiot, just that he’s not the most clear speaking fellow which is odd considering his previous jobs. He’s shown improvement as a coach, but hasn’t been able to translate those into wins. But all that said, this is the Pistons, not the Bobcats. This is a team of veterans who expect to be competing for the title year in, year out – not a team who can wait on the development of a coach, especially when there a ton of other ones out there and there’s no indication that he’s the next Pop or Riley.

He shouldn’t be our coach next year.

My fear though is Joe D. looks at this season as one of extreme trials and tribulations for MC, figures this is a bad year to "properly" review to base an opinion of MC’s abilities and decides to give him another year. That way in 2010, when FA hunting he can ask prospective FA, hey, would you come here if coach X was here?

You know, Sam Mitchell once coached Chris Bosh and the two seemed to get along well…

“If he’s going to hold Flip to a certain standard, I do not see why MC isn’t held to the same. 1st year coach or not.”

Well, I’m going to take on the uneviable task of defending Michael Curry.

Yes, Curry should be held to the same standard as Flip Saunders. Flip was judged on what he did during the playoffs. That’s why I believe it was the right decision to not fire Curry during the season.

I was under the impression that you had finally given up on Curry – what’s your opinion on whether he should be retained or not QD? I’ve noticed you’ve been very patient and moderate toward him, so I sort of figure if you’ve given up on him, then there’s not much hope for him moving forward.

Joel:

I want to believe what you just said. But Sheed and Dice are nowhere near good enough at this stage in their career to carry a front court to the 2nd round of the playoffs.

We need more than a rebounding big. We need the whole package.

I love Dice and Sheed, and I’d love to see them both back — but if and only if they sign cheaply. And if I had to choose 1, it would be Dice — not just for his game but for his attitude, work ethic, etc.

We need to get a guy like Boozer/Milsap/Bosh if we have any hope of going anywhere in the Playoffs, IMO — someone who does more than just rebound.

I think the problem of developing , or not developing , Amir and Max is partly due to Curry but also due to another reason nobody seems to be talking about . This team is caught between full rebuiling mode and trying to compete for it all , which is messing us up and were not doing either worth a damn.I see peole on here complaining because were not playing A.I.enough , but how can you do that if your building up your young gards for the future.I’m sure Joe hire Curry because he figure he was going to trade one of hisw starters at some point in the year ,and was honest enough to tell Curry that it was a strong possibility it was going to happen. what high quality coach would want to come here knowing he was going to lose one of his starters.That being said Curry will probably get another year because of the transition, which brings us to the second problem , in my opinion we are not one or two guys away from contending in the east again , we start think2 or 3 years down the road , forget this gradual shit which doesn’t work and go into full rebuild mode , which in this case probably means trading Rip this summer and releaseing A.I. and Sheed , Dice should go too to a contender hopefully he deserves it.

coachDP reminds me of confucious… coachDP is definitely my favorite new commenter… and if I was forced to fill out a top 10 of DBB commenters it would be:

1. Mike Payne (even though the comments are becoming more and more infrequent).
2. Rob G (he gets the hometown discount)
3. Laughton
4. Sauce1977
5. Quick Darshan (he never says anything stupid. it’s all business with QD)
6. MarkButterinSoCal
7. Shinons
8. Gabe
9. brgulker (even though he puts the team down more than his props them up)
10. Toledo Joe

Shinons, I don’t know if I’ve given up on him. I haven’t seen as many games this year and maybe I’ve just been lucky enough to catch the good ones. I thought the offense looked fantastic against Boston, for example. And I thought the team looked really good before the trade.

I agree that Curry has floundered in dealing with the roster after the trade, but I do think that there are some ballsy moves he made that he doesn’t get credit (on this site) for.

He had the courage to start Stuckey even though it has cost the team games. During the Flip era, the complaint was that he was so concerned with winning during the regular season that he never developed anyone.

Kwame has made strides. So has Bynum. Granted, injuries had a lot to do with this.

He did drive Sheed into the ground when Dyess was gone. And Dyess into the ground when Sheed was hurt. But, they are the only big men that could score so he needed to keep them on the floor as much as possible (there’s a difference between sacrificing a few games to develop youth and flat out not giving your team a chance to win).

Overall, he didn’t do a very good job. And although I would prefer to evaluate him when he has the benefit a more balanced roster and less injuries to deal with, I would welcome a proven coach like Avery Johnson or a defensive genius like Tom Thibadeau.

Why thanks Boney

Boney, I’m not being modest. But, “I like slam dunk shots” alone should put Garrett in the Top 10.

Also, I just defended Curry so maybe the “he doesn’t say anything stupid” doesn’t apply anymore.

I’d have to go with “Jim” as my favorite commenter.

Yes, Curry should be held to the same standard as Flip Saunders. Flip was judged on what he did during the playoffs. That’s why I believe it was the right decision to not fire Curry during the season.

I agree. Firing a coach mid-season would have been worse than keeping MCIAFI (which we obviously did).

Personally, I think Joe D knew all along that this season, this upcoming summer, and summer of 10 was/is going to bring significant roster changes.

I believe he thinks MC is the coach for that future. I think he realized that last season’s Pistons had reached their ceiling, and that it was time to completely re-tool.

So, even though I agree that MCIAFI should be held to a high standard, I also think that Joe D is giving him some grace because Joe D realizes that the Pistons are in a turn-over stage. What sense does it make to fire a coach in the midst of all that?

Not to mention, MCIAFI impressed me all summer long, and we really did look sweet for those first two games of the season.

I sleep on Garrett… he could be like the 13th seed who could upset the 5 seed, which in my rankings case if you QD.. step your game up

@QD:

He did drive Sheed and Dyess into the ground no question. But what is the alternative? The team is already on the brink of missing the playoffs. If we were say a fourth or fifth seed I would be fine with losing a few games by leaving Max and Amir out there to get some burn. Problem is we are barely doing it with our starters, let alone with bench play.

You sleep on Garrett?

Also, I just defended Curry so maybe the "he doesn’t say anything stupid" doesn’t apply anymore.

Nah your defense is moderate and reasonable, as usual. I agree with both the evaluation and the conclusion. The only addition I’d make to the “MC cons” list is his schizophrenia with the starting lineup. I just feel a bit of “sensurgency” about the situation because I’m worried that he could be our bane for next year whereas most of our other concerns will, by and large, take care of themselves.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3226611601_a8edf4cbc9.jpg

Boney: That’s okay if you forget about me. But we’ll always have our pamphlet about Amir learning to dunk with authority. solitary tear rolls down my cheek

Regarding MC and Joe D: I would like to see Joe D pull the plug. It was my impression after last summer’s presser that:

1. MC understood what Piston basketball was all about: Defense. Which we haven’t shown consistency in.

2. He understood the “players” and would hold them accountable. Sheed has a dozen techs basically before Christmas. AI: Nothing else need be said.

3. There would be a sense of urgency and not the lackadaisical attitude, since that had been missing would be corrected. How many times have we come out and fell down early and looked completely lost, particularly to teams we shouldn’t.

4. Committed to the development of younger players, which was one of Flip’s sins. Yeah, nothing else need be said.

Based on those 4 items, and if Joe D. means what he says, why is MC still the coach. New coach or not, he didn’t meet, or barely met any of the 4 items laid out. WHY IS HE STILL HERE afte the season?

Sean W., I agree. Kwame, Max and Amir are not reliable shooters so he needed Sheed and Dyess on the floor a lot when one or the other was out.

MCIAFI (pronounced “Mekhi Phifer”).

Garrett, I was expecting a photo of Boney sleeping on you… I’m disappointed.

Although that shirt is sweet, and I loved it when you wore that to DBB suite night.

Garrett,

I have to re-do the top 10… honestly, I only put Toledo Joe in there because he was in the last 20 posts here…

I have ADD so… and I’m unfunny. When it comes to making top 10 lists, I usually only have like 6 things and then I make up the remaining items.

Garrett, you’re too good for lists.

THANKS for KIND words, boney. just try my best to add solid ANALYSYS to excelent bad boys E-BLOG. bad boys e-blog has GOOD analysis unlike other e-blogs that are 70% FLUFF. just epinion

See how nice we all are when there’s no trolls deforming the conversation?!

/hugs all around!
//what, no hugs?
///ok, beer then

This is the best e-blog EVER

Another random idea—

We’ve been looking for a good backup for Tay for how many years? And it just so happens that one of my favorite SF/PF tweeners of all time, also a 3-pt threat and a defensive specialist, is an unrestricted free agent this summer and won’t command any more than the MLE at most…

Just a thought, but you’ve got to admit the guy fits into the “Piston Mold”— two-handed chest-past free throws aside…

@Boney:
I’m flattered man! I think I’m 10 points too high in your ranking though…

And your point about QuickDarshan is right on the money and I didn’t even realize it— the guy has never said anything stupid on DBB. He’s like the Shane Battier of DetroitBadBoys. He quietly and efficiently makes the whole community a better place.

(and FWIW QD, I feel better about MCIAFI today than I did earlier in the season. I have to admit that he’s improved. He’s still AFI, but he’s not as much of AFI)

cracks a beer, hands it to Shinons

@Joel:
That profile photo of Marion is priceless. PRICELESS. Looks like The Matrix is about to hand you a blue pill and a red pill, allow you to pick one.

I’d love Marion for the MLE, if he’d be okay with a bench role. I’m afraid he likely won’t though…

@MP

You’re probably right about him not wanting to come off the bench, but I’d almost be alright starting him at the 4, depending on our other bigs (hopefully one of which will be a stud). You’ve got to admit, with Rip, Tay, and Marion on the wings we would have the best perimeter defense in the league. Plus Marion’s shown he can handle most PF’s with his length and speed (he’s basically a much more athletic Tay). And the guy’s barely 32. Plenty of gas in the tank and he’s always performed, no matter the situation— just look at last year’s and this year’s numbers with the Suns/Heat/Raptors. Guy’s getting tossed around like a sorostitute that can’t say no and still gets the job done.

Boney:

What’s up, man? First you show me some love, then you diss me cold. I’m like Amir Johnson to your Michael Curry — I’m a starter, then I’m gettin’ DNPCD. Just for that, I’m going to go out of town for the weekend to my hometown in rural central Michigan where I probably won’t be able to follow two key Pistons games on DBB.

More substantively:

Yeah, fire Curry. And yeah, if we get Bosh, we don’t have to keep ’Sheed. But if not, I would like to keep him. In any case, without a new, quality, starting big, Detroit will not be in the elite.

“I’d have to go with "Jim" as my favorite commenter.”

Thanks QD. As for Marion, I would have loved to have gotten him a couple years ago, but he’s 31 now and so much of his game is based on his athleticism. Plus, he’s only shooting 17% from 3 point land this year.

Obviously 1st priority to get an impact big man some how this summer, but if we’re talking about back up SF’s it would be great to get Childress. He has the option to come back to the NBA and from what I’ve read it seems he’s leaning that way. He’s a restricted free agent, but if we offered him mid-level money it would be tough for Atlanta to match. He’s one of the most efficient scorers in the league, has a very good 3 point shot, is a good defender and doesn’t need plays called for him to make an impact.

If we could some how get Millsap, Childress and Dyess this summer I would be ecstatic.

Guys I don’t want around on the Pistons:

*You Know Who

Guys I don’t mind being around:

*The rest of them

Although I don’t want to be a broken record about it (okay, maybe I do), here’s my preference for free agent contracts:

2009:
Carlos Boozer
Will Bynum
Rasheed Wallace (to the bench)
(let Walter and Kwame play out their contracts)

2010:
Kelenna Azubuike
Joel Przybilla
(and Kwame, if available on the cheap)

SIAP: AI out for the season

http://www.freep.com/article/20090403/SPORTS03/90403096/Iverson+out+for+rest+of+year

Good bye.

I find it funny that Joe Dumars goes out of his way to make for no ‘sacred cows’ on the Pistons … goes as far to part ways with two franchise faces in a handful of years … hell, 4 if you count Stack and Hill … yet, Joe played 14 seasons for Detroit … never played a minute for another pro team.

Is Tayshaun going to be that guy? The ‘one shining moment’ similarity … Joe’s Finals block … Tay’s ‘04 ECF block … Joe’s quiet demeanor … Tay’s quiet demeanor …

Dumars has expressed his GM wishes to avoid a repeat of the purgatory of the ’90s. Do you think his fears are closer to being realized with this club in the ’10s than he thinks?

Iverson is out for the rest of the season.

And it’s official.

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2009/04/allen_iverson_to_miss_the_rest.html

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/iverson_090403.html

Get out the champagne, bitches. Its MFWB time!

Damn MP, you beat me to the punch.

Yep – MP’s right. It’s in the Freep. Thus ends an awful marriage.

No more AI fan posts on DBB…

And our long national nightmare is over.

I. Told. You. So.

And with that …

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTROIIIIIT BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASKETBAAAAAAAALLLLL!!

You know, the AI bidding war is really going to be something this summer…

PistonsGirl4Life… wherever you are… it is safe to return. Yes, Kwame is still starting. But it’s getting better…

PG4L – If you’re out there, you were right from the beginning.

Wow, that was weird…

We clearly miss her, Shinons. She left in a rage after AI came to town.

“PistonsGirl4Life… wherever you are… it is safe to return. Yes, Kwame is still starting. But it’s getting better…”

I hereby revoke your Knighthood, Rob G, for that slam of our leige.

I would put PG4L on my list of both the Top 10 and Worst 10 posters on DBB.

She. Told. You. So.

Our long national nightmare is over.