it’s all about body language. And Rip’s body language hasn’t changed. He’s always been a prick. But he’s been our prick. I don’t see the changes so many describe about him, only the same old Rip

That’s probably true, but it’s scrutinized now more than ever because of other variables — last year’s supposed spat with Curry; what you mentioned; comments he made about the Billups trade that suggest he wasn’t happy about it, thus implying he’s not happy; negative vibes people have about him because of his contract (even though the contract is not his fault, it’s natural for people to gear frustrations toward the player if they don’t live up to it or it creates a burden on the team’s budget); etc. I’m not saying it’s fair but it’s natural for people to magnify his actions a little more due to everything that’s happened over the past year. Losing certainly doesn’t help.

As for complaining more about Rip than Tay, I guess it’s because we’ve seen more negative variables, as much as they may be hearsay, regarding Rip. We hear it and then we naturally let it affect how we might think — doesn’t make it right, but that’s probably what’s causing a lot of us to speak out on our observations.

Personally, Tay’s in my doghouse and Rip I’m just curious about. It’s a mystery really if Rip is causing any type of problems, so mystery springs curiosity. If Rip is being just normal ol’ Rip and this isn’t creating any tension between Rip, other players, and Kuester, then this has been a waste of our time. But we’re at a period with the Pistons where everyone is getting analyzed to the core, so I don’t see any problems with people speculating a little about why Rip is being such a prick, as normal as it might seem. But I do agree that Tay deserves just as much flack as Rip, if not more.

I’m pretty amazed at how quickly people have turned on Rip, and complain about his attitude.

I’m not sure the two things are one and the same.

I love Rip, always will, no matter where he ends up.

But I’ve observed a handful of things this year that make me think he’s harboring some type of bitterness/frustration/ill-will/bad attitude — something negative — and it seems to be impacting the way he handles himself out there. He looks disinterested during timeouts, he’s snubbed the coach a couple times, etc. Bitching about Rip’s attitude in a game thread in the heat of the moment is only natural, I think.

My opinion: I’d much rather have him for the next 3 years than Ben Gordon for the next five. Maybe I’ll learn to cheer for Ben Gordon, maybe I won’t. I’ll always cheer for the front of the jersey, but to me, the player whose name is on the back is either going to earn my respect as a fan, or he won’t; donning the Piston blue doesn’t guarantee it. And IMO, even an aging Rip offers more to this franchise in terms of overall, net production than Gordon will. (I’d love to be proven wrong, though)

I wish he could retire here; unfortunately, Dumars has made that all but impossible.

Now, that’s about as up front as I can be. To me, a few gripes here and there just is not the same thing as turning on a player. Same can be said of Sheed. I don’t know how many times I threw my hands up in frustration with Sheed, his laziness, and his ill-advised techs. But I loved watching him play, and in some ways still do.

Hope that makes sense.