Put the Razors Away, It's just the NBA: Bulls at Pistons
by Kevin Sawyer on Mar 28, 2010 5:25 PM EDT
in Detroit Pistons Previews
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PrintChicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons, Mar 28, 2010 6:00 PM EDT
Game Tips at 6:00 EST
Detroit Pistons: 23-49 (16-20 home)
Chicago Bulls: 34-38 (13-23 away)
Sometimes, things don't go the way you want. The season starts with high hopes. You hope that new players bring something special, and old players learn new roles.
Then, injuries take their toll. A team can't find its rhythm, and even veteran leaders disappoint. But then, just when all looks lost, something happens. A team digs down, and finds a way to put it all together. Those moments, fleeting though they might be, are what being a fan is all about.
But enough about the Spartans.
The Bulls visit the Pistons this evening. The Bulls are battling for a playoff spot. The Pistons are jostling for DeMarcus Cousins.
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If we lose this game
We will have gotten swept by the Bulls, Pacers, and Cavs this season. And the Bulls and Pacers suck this year. This could all somehow make me even more depressed about this season.
a sweep by the Bulls
would be the first since 95-96 :(
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Hopefully he still has one more in the tank. Or 10 more.
by garrettelliott on Mar 28, 2010 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
he played PF all last season and the start of this one
it wasn’t until he started getting minutes at center that he contributed at this level.
MC and Q have shut down Max.
Q just started giving Maxiell some serious burn after All-Star break and I think if CV would of at least been playing decent Maxiell would still be sitting the bench.
We started this game so well
and now all of a sudden we are down 11. I probably shouldn’t be surprised.
The only thing he has missed is a freethrow. Perfect from the field and 3/3 from the perimeter. He went to work in the second quarter.
Ya those times...ugh.
But to be honest, I thought he was a very good player his first year and half here.
There was a stint he was putting up 20 and 30 point games when Chauncey was injured.
and yet i watch every game
damn you, league pass
The Pistons are like a drug
It was awesome for a while, but now it’s ruining our lives, messing with our heads, and destroying our souls. We all know this, but we can’t quit, no matter how hard we try.
I feel sorry for George and Greg
They are trying to sound optimistic and cheerful, but they are obviously struggling. I don’t envy them.
What NBA basketball player played for the most teams in NBA history?
Technically, three men are tied: Chucky Brown (played from 1989-2002), Tony Massenburg (1990-2005), and Jimmy Jackson (1992-2006) were all on the active rosters of twelve different NBA franchises. Tony Massenburg has also had two separate terms with two teams, and as well as playing on two European teams, and thus could arguably be called the most well-travelled of the three men.
Huh.
by garrettelliott on Mar 28, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Flip is a lightweight — he’s only at 8 teams. But he could play for another few years and try to catch up……..
by garrettelliott on Mar 28, 2010 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
He played for them in '08
Now that I recall, Indiana did pick him up after we cut him at the end of December in ’07.
yeah it was slight, but the defender was in the air
and it doesn’t take much to push them once they leave the ground. FSN showed a shot from under the other hoop and it was pretty evident of the foul.
wow, yeah
I did not like seeing that happen…thought for sure Max was going to eat a few babies
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checked in late tonight
What’s up with Bynum? Re-injured?
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Don't know if he is injured but for me he looked very passive playing.
Especially considering the team was down big at the start of the second.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
What just happened?
The moment I turned on the feed people started rushing to Rodney, who seemed to be spazzing on the floor
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:03 PM EDT reply actions
must be a horrible strain
he looked like he was in massive pain
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Rolled it. Gross. I hate watching those.
by garrettelliott on Mar 28, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
if i know arnie like i think i do
we’ll see Rodney later in this quarter
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I think its a lock we don't
What would be the use? We’ve got ~10 games left, there’d be no paint in him returning only to further injure the ankle. I’d rather just shut him down for the rest of the season, akin to Big Ben
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
agree
when did the big ben news come out?
They've been alluding to it for quite a while now
I wasn’t here for the pre-game show, but they’ve definitely talked about it for the past week, suggesting it’s best to save him for next year
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
*correction
point, not paint
Perhaps what I saw was skewed because the moment I turned the feed on, people were freaking out and he was on the ground, but it looked pretty severe from what I could discern
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions
and he was 0-1 last game they played the Bulls
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He runs a damn fine baseline-inbounds play, though.
by garrettelliott on Mar 28, 2010 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel bad trying to judge Q for this year
between the crappy injuries and unbalanced roster and not sure how much more he could be doing
well
i look at the fact that he was brought in here because he worked a good offense (supposedly) with Cleveland, and this team went out and got two scorers, and they’re no better (probably worse) of an offense than they were last year. the guys who got hurt (rip, tayshaun, especially) were replaceable (we have a metric butt-ton of guards and wings). yet, we can’t push the pace, the team’s lost on a nightly basis, especially on defense … without even addressing what’s happened on the other side of the court, by sheer failure of offense alone, Kuester deserves a can.
But at some point, Joe has to be held accountable for dial-a-coach, but noooo we can’t do that because he’s a genius and stuff.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
yeah i think the whole hiring and firing of coaches in the last couple of years is going t o start giving free agents a bit of apprehension when thinking of signing here. over the last two years or so things havent exactly been stable around here. i mean it feels like there is a revolving door around here for coaches and talent. chauncey got shipped, ai got brought in and pretty much everyone knew it was for his contract, aa and amir get shipped for nothing, first year coach is one and done then another unexperienced (at least at the head coach role) coach is brought in while the team is also looking to get rid of all the rest of the vets it has left. kind of a clusterfuck when you look at it like that and most def not a place you would want to play.
pistons brought in two solid coaches
larry brown, rick carlisle.
it’s hard to match that kind of quality. however, guys like flip saunders, michael curry, this guy, you’d hope they can find someone who does a better job than these bums. curry was so bad that he made flip look good, but i wouldn’t even call flip an average coach – he never worked well with the players (players on every team walk all over him), and when his game plan didn’t work, he’d rarely come up with an adequate strategy to adjust.
i think a bigger problem is that if you’re looking to go somewhere, you look for top players – billups, kobe, lebron, anyone who you know’s going to keep that team in check if it’s a rough season. this team has …. rodney stuckey? ben gordon? rip hamilton? rip’s good but he’s not a face-player. we don’t have those guys anymore. AND the coach sucks, too.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
by sauce1977 on Mar 28, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
thought the wizards have had a nightmare year and have all but quit on their players flip has been pretty awful as a coach as well. i think i have heard him bitch more this year than i ever heard in the 3 or so years he was here.
well he had a problem with blatche
and it didn’t get solved, as usual, so blatche owns his bitch ass, that routine is normal for flip.
kuester’s probably got as much security as flip did after his first year, when i think about it.
way i figure it, we’re stuck with kuester, almost certain he’s coming back because there’s nobody who’s good out there who will come for less-than-market value PLUS have to deal with this jumbled roster.
but this can’t end well. even if they deal with prince and move him, that guy already blew up on kuester, players in general don’t respond to him, this isn’t as awful a situation as curry’s standing with the guys but by no means is kuester a well-respected figure himself, and that’s funny because this team’s a paper bag for respect so if these bums don’t listen to him, nobody’s going to really listen to him.
i’m just not going to let his whole process where the franchise confirms kuester’s security and he makes some comments to the press about never having a doubt about his safety sway me or delude me into thinking this guy’s got something more to offer. he doesn’t. i’d be highly surprised if kuester turns out to be a great coach. i just hope the guy realizes he’s got some serious security here and uses that to better organize these guys. they’re already quitsville on him, you can’t let them shuffle around out there for any quarters in any game, no matter how over this season is.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
I always really liked Rick Carlisle. I wonder if we would have won if we stuck it out with him?
by garrettelliott on Mar 29, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s a good question, Garrett. Carlisle has proven himself as a very, very good coach. I can’t help but wonder, though, if a strong-headed guy like LB was the only type of coach that could have corralled and focused the energies and personalities of that group of Pistons.
He was coach of the year in 2002 and led us to consecutive 50-32 records, and his 2002 team (especially) was pretty craptacular. It always seemed like the guys respected him and he was able to get the best out of them.
by garrettelliott on Mar 29, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree his credentials speak for itself.
But what about his personality? Was it not rumored he was never open with his players and players were always getting the cold shoulder from him?
How about his decisions to play younger players (still a problem we have to this day)? He prefer to let MCIAFI to get torched by McGrady then to take a chance on a young Tayshaun Prince who had enough length to contain him.
He also led a talent heavy Indiana Pacers but was out coached by Larry Brown. Carlisle is good coach but not the one that can take a team to the next level.
neither brown nor carlisle
really had fantastic relationships with their players. look at what brown and carlisle have done to players elsewhere … they can be backstabbing and domineering pricks when they want to be, to players, coaches, and owners, i mean bill davidson hated larry it goes without saying …
but they knew how to motivate guys. and more importantly, their gameplans fit what detroit’s all about … defense, team play, hustle, nothing less. when they get fired from jobs for lack of ‘result’ in the standings, it’s usually because too many of the players are total bums.
phil jackson seems to be the kind of coach who players really don’t like, either. but he gets it done, and he gets what he needs from his guys. or they end up in detroit, like kwame brown.
maybe carlisle gets it done, maybe he doesn’t. if this team had a carlisle, it wouldn’t be trolling .300, and everything on the court would be more organized than it has been the last 3 years.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
qualifier
*when they get fired from jobs for lack of ‘result’ in the standings, it’s usually because too many of the players are total bums.
i’m specifically talking about brown’s NY stint and late-AIDS-term Pacers, post-malice. brown in particular has that documented wanderlust which also can be explained by the front office bridges he burns. in brown’s case you really have to marvel at what slop he’s had for teams some years and how much over their level he got them to play.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
Everything I’ve ever heard about Phil Jackson is that he is a player’s coach, the kind of guy players love to play for, kind of like D’Antoni in NY.
tell that to kwame brown
just saying, not always, he gives elite players latitude and rides the marginal guys. you won’t hear a lot of that from some of the dudes, and while kwame is a bum, not all of them were bums that he pulled that routine on.
i respect him for his ability to crack that whip on bums, in particular. there isn’t much you need to do say or guide with a top-notch player that he can’t already do anyway.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
i agree on the pace point
now that the team is mostly healthy, there’s no reason this team should still be walking it up and trying to execute in the half court.
by the89oracle on Mar 29, 2010 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I disagree with Joe D
Injuries doesn’t change the fact that the pistons have played absolutely horrible team defense the whole season.
yeah, Kuester's overall job
he has turned in a very George Irvinean performance.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
Although I will applaud kwame's efforts tonight
He has actually been playing better than average defense tonight.
I'm shocked
He’s much tougher than the majority of the team, this is twice he’s returned after rolling an ankle severely (or at least it appeared severe)
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Stuckey has actually proven to be rather tough several times this season.
That overtime performance after which he has hospitalized, only to return to play the next game. Coming back after two ankle injuries and playing through a back injuries.
We may rip his game apart, but the kid has proven to be a soldier.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
the time he rolled his ankle twice in the same game...
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yes
Another reason to hate the Bulls?
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I think any reason we can find is a good one.
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What happened to Rip's mask?
I noticed against the Nets he didn’t have it on
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:17 PM EDT reply actions
that's one hell of a way to make an entrance
rec’d
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The one thing that John Wall has really impressed me with
Is his shotblocking ability, he was becoming quite the late game changer.
Other than that, I think he’s just a more athletic Stuckey.
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Brad Miller was undrafted? I had it muted and didn’t hear the commentary, but the graphic said he was second in games played for undrafted dudes behind Big Ben.
wouldn't that actually make less opportunities for college guys?
most 2nd round picks go overseas, and they don’t come back unless that 1 team that picked them tells them to. the undrafted or D-league guys can be picked up by any team
Four rounds is way too much
three rounds might be interesting. Perhaps if teams could draft a player directly into their D-league team.
makes sense in theory
but probably not financially
this might be what i'm thinking of
or maybe that those two teams shared a summer league team?
only Houston owns theirs
It was big news that they bought it last summer
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
This is good, make it conpetitive so we dont want to kill ourselves, but lose so we get a good pick.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
NBA needs a better developmental system
Much more similar to baseball’s minor leagues, a legitimate farm system. That would make the base talent level much higher and as a whole the games would be more competitive. Also it would mean a much larger draft, which means more opportunities for college players and could help bring back the national spotlight to the NBA
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:32 PM EDT reply actions
I would love a system where top high school prospects could be drafted by the D-league and be able to skip college if they choose. In theory, the D-league should be a much better place to develop their skills than college
I like the one year in college rule (or overseas which I think is a bad loop hole), I think it properly develops players mentally on the court.
why don't you like overseas?
not everyone is cut out for college, and it would prevent some of the ridiculous cheating that goes on for those guys to make grades
I like the idea of the players going overseas.
But there is a certain level of maturity required to do that, over there they aren’t pampered as they are in college ball.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
I just wish players in the D-League made enough money to make it more attractive to more high school kids. Playing against older and more experienced players should provide better experience than playing against other college players. Plus, I get really pissed at the way colleges exploit their student athletes
i think the d league could pay more if people actually went to the games. the stadiums seriously look like high school gyms, and not nice ones
I’ve tried to watch the D League on NBA TV, but it’s just glorified pick up ball. Yeah, those guys are all very talented, but there’s so much roster turnover that every game is like watching Golden State play Phoenix with even less defense.
Don't people love Phoenix V. Warriors?
BTW I don’t, nor do I like that brand of basketball.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
The whole idea of earning money off of the game I feel takes away from their maturity to grow as an individual and as a basketball player. Plus, I rather see these guys getting at least a little education and even if they are not cut out for college, I don’t think it’s too hard to ask for one or two years of college.
why hold athletes to a higher standard?
go to taco bell and tell all those people “you should go to one or two years of college.” that’s not too hard to ask.
that’s where some of these athletes would end up without sports. only difference is scholarships and how people treat you.
by the89oracle on Mar 29, 2010 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
hmmm....
Not buying that but everyone should hold themselves to higher standards.
Athletes are also role models and the majority of them come from bad communities. They should show kids you don’t have to be superstar basketball player, actor, rapper, entertainer, etc. to be successful. Go to school and get a good paying job.
Aren't college ball players and NBA rookies sort of young too?
And how are the guys who don’t need college education to do their jobs the one showing the kids they have to go to college and get a good paying job?
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
Aren’t college ball players and NBA rookies sort of young too?
Exactly the reason why going to school and getting some sort of an education to mature and better yourself is necessary.
That works under the assumption that ball players in college are getting educated.
While I know nothing of facts, I have heard many rumblings about the concessions good basketball players (the NBA prospects) get in order for them to focus on basketball.
To learn there has to be an interest within for it, otherwise they are just going through regulations that in some cases are actually done for them.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
it's a noble goal
but frankly, it doesn’t make any sense. if i had the talent to play in the NBA, I wouldn’t have gone to college. It would take away at least a year of my career, costing me millions of dollars.
consider bill gates. the guy dropped out of college, but had the necessary skills to get by and make billions without it. i don’t think he would have benefited from staying in school another couple years
if you have the skills to make a fantastic living without college, it shouldn’t be made mandatory that you attend.
It’s a mistake, too many HS basketball players fail to even make an impression in the NBA (Kwame Brown, Darius Miles, Darko [came in at 18 years old]). I believe some of these players would of benefited from a year or two of college ball.
I’m surprised to see so many of you rather see players risk failure as athletes and possibly individuals. I just don’t see the logic of the getting rich quick scheme, it doesn’t do anything but teach people greed. And with a couple wrong moves because of lack of maturity and it all could vanish (repeated history to be exact).
At least if it vanishes quickly you can always go back to school while you’re still young? Plus, most people would argue that even a marginal NBA career like Kwame, Darius, and Darko is better than working at Wal-Mart. If those three guys played their cards right, they could be financially secure for a long, long time and would be able to go back to school when ever they wanted (if they wanted).
by garrettelliott on Mar 29, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
If it vanishes with what money are you going back to school with? A lot of these players come from not so stable environments, if they lose their dream and wealth they will be back to square one doing the same thing they would be doing if they did not choose basketball or another sport as their profession. Go to school.
College ball sounds good in theory...
but there are way to many players who have proven you don’t need it. Kobe, Lebron, Garnett, Amare, Dwight Howard, etc. Both sides of the argument can trot out lots of names of big names that either failed miserably or became All-Stars after coming into the NBA without college. But we could easily do the same thing for players that played in the college and looked good doing it only to fail miserably in the NBA. Experience in college does not make players more ready for the NBA, it simply makes it easier for NBA scouts to figure out if the player is worth the risk.
I love the idea of giving the players an education, but how many college players actually take their education seriously? Heck, how many college coaches take the education side of college sports seriously? Some players really do want to learn and graduate and I have tremendous respect for them. But way too many players treat their classes like a joke, and too many schools let them get away with it. The graduation rates for most big time schools is terrible.
I’ve heard some officials propose a plan that would ban any school from tournament play if they failed to graduate at least 50% of their players. I totally support that. The way things are done now is just a joke. If neither the schools nor the students have any reason to take the education seriously, their is no reason for kids to go to school at all.
i agree for the most part
but what’s the REAL effect of banning schools that don’t graduate 50% of their players?
probably that schools force teachers to give decent grades to athletes that don’t deserve it.
if you’re the president of a college, and have the chance to raise a million dollars in funds because of the NCAA tourney, but you’ll be disqualified if Little OJ Mayo doesn’t make grades in chemistry, what are you going to do? First, tell OJ he needs to make grades. Then, if he doesn’t, pass him anyway.
Experience in college does not make players more ready for the NBA, it simply makes it easier for NBA scouts to figure out if the player is worth the risk.
Not about being NBA ready, it’s about gaining more maturity as an individual and hopefully a player.
I’ve heard some officials propose a plan that would ban any school from tournament play if they failed to graduate at least 50% of their players. I totally support that.
Totally agree with that too.
I disagree with the attitude that you, or stern, or anyone knows what’s better for those young men than they do.
it’s a dangerous road once we begin telling people what’s best for them, and force them to act how we want them to act. eventually, someone tells you to do something that you don’t think is best for you, and suddenly you don’t appreciate it anymore
I don’t agree with a lot things Stern has to say or implements (after all I’m a fan of Detroit Basketball). But there is always an exception and this is one of the very few I have with Stern.
And it’s not about telling players what to do and what not to do but it’s about giving better guidance to someone who is only 17-18 years old and “ready” to make big time decisions in their life where there is a higher chance of failure than success.
i agree that they could be better set up for success
but i think instead of requiring college before the pros, a better system would be to set rookies up with some sort of class, or mentor system to help them make the adjustment to NBA life.
if Michael Beasley was paired up with a stable, smart veteren who already knew the temptations of being a 19 year old with millions of dollars, he’d be a lot more likely to make better choices
I agree.
But where in the near future do you see a system like that being implemented?
Until something like that exists, I say go to school, check out college for ONLY one year and if you are skilled enough to make the jump to the NBA, do it.
i don't think it would be that hard to set up
after all.. there are only 30-40 rookies on NBA rosters every year. i’m sure that there are that many vets willing to talk to the young guys and help them out.
and i don’t know if i see it ever actually being implemented, but if we were deciding to make a new rule like having all players go to college, not overseas, then i think it makes just as much sense to consider it.
I’m not going to presume what’s best for anyone, and that’s a good point, the89oracle.
But it seems to me that it’s a general rule vs. the exception argument.
Generally speaking, most young men with aspirations to play NBA basketball would be best-served by playing at least on year in college. They get a year to work on their games, their character, and their minds — and it doesn’t cost them a dime. They get to play for free.
That’s generally true for the overwhelming majority of kids that have the talent to one day play in the NBA.
There are exceptions to that general rule, obviously. Kobe, LBJ, et al. Some guys are good enough to make the jump. But for every LBJ, there’s a Kwame.
Thing is, I think it’s difficult to argue the exception against the rule. On average, generally speaking, however you want to phrase it, it’s better for those types of kids to go to school. Not always, sure, but odds are, it is.
The other argument that I think can be made (convincingly, if you ask me) is this one: how many young kids have you heard make this argument? “Why do I need to pay attention in High School? I’m just going to make the NBA, where I don’t need an education!”
I think that’s the mindset that the NBA and Stern are justified in combating, even if some of their biggest stars currently don’t have formal educations.
"Why do I need to pay attention in High School? I’m just going to make the NBA, where I don’t need an education!"
Exactly my point.
and it's a good one
but i, personally, don’t see how mandatory college fixes that. if a kid has that attitude in high school, forcing him to go to college for a year won’t make him any more serious about his studies
It may not fix anything, but that’s not why the NBA does what it does. The NBA can’t afford to reinforce that type of thinking, even if it can’t do anything to deconstruct/discourage it.
Why is this the NBA's problem?
The NBA’s only goal should be to develop a system where the best players in the world have the best chance to become the best players they can be. Worrying about a bunch of high school wanna-be’s who think they can coast through school just because someone once told them they could play in the NBA is not the NBA’s problem. Granted it is a noble idea, but if the league gets so concerned about what a couple of slackers think that it denies ALL graduates the right to earn a living as soon as they are ready something is terribly wrong. It’s up to the parents and teacher and coaches of these kids to make sure that they are motivated to continue their education. It is not the League’s responsibility to motivate high schoolers.
bq.It’s up to the parents and teacher and coaches of these kids to make sure that they are motivated to continue their education.
Unfortunately, a lot of kids do not have these role models…
Very true
But why should the league limit who can play in the league just because some players come from rough backgrounds?
the whole one and done thing is a joke, its just the nba throwing the ncaa a bone, giving them a year to play some stars before they go to the league. you think michael beasley was hitting the books at kansas? he just wanted to play ball, get blazed and get out out. the nba is just propping up the ncaa revenues, no one gives a shit about the kids.
agreed
It’s also why changing the rules to force them to stay two or three years wouldn’t make much of a difference. Most schools are willing to enable all sorts of bad behavior as long as they are getting their moneys worth
Yeah, the rule is certainly not designed to help the players. There are two reasons the NBA bigwigs like players staying in college: the players are more marketable and the teams have a year of scouting at a higher level to help avoid busts. Busts still happen, but theoretically they should decrease.
Why is this the NBA's problem?
If for no other reason, P.R.
I’m not saying it’s ultimately their responsibility, but even if the League doesn’t care about these kids, they have to at least look like they do.
A year in college would have made no difference for a guy like Kwame IMO.
Just like the amount of years in the NBA have not turned him into a premier player, even with the amount of minutes played. In fact, had a guy like Kwame gone to college his stock might have fallen, he would have played himself out of millions of dollars. And while all those humanist sentiments are nice and good, this is a capitalist world, and Kwame Brown won’t live off of poems.
I don’t know how mature or immature Kwame Brown is, or how mature or how immature he would have been had he gone to college, but I do know that going pro after high school was a great financial decision.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
I think college would significantly helped his game. Would his stock dropped? Probably. But would he be a better player than he is right now? Definitely. He came into the league raw and vulnerable, he let the greatest player of all time pretty much bully him at a very tender age of like 18 or 19. That is sad and with him going to college he could have had a coach who understands younger players and help mold him into a man. This would of helped Kwame deal with guys like Jordan at least at a little higher level of maturity.
I'm with Kriz
He “might” have gotten a great coach who would would help him mature and mold him into being a man, but he just as easily could have gotten a coach who didn’t give a shit about his maturity as long he was helping him win games. There are some truly great college coaches who are also great teachers and mentors. But there are also a lot of dicks who don’t give a shit about things like “maturity” and “fundamentals” as long as their players are helping to get wins and all the money that tournament play promises. Some coaches are tough and expect great things of their players on and off the court; coddle their players and help them get around any problems they might have as long as they are producing on the court. Don’’t make all college coaches out to be such great people; there are plenty of losers who care about nothing more than getting a couple more wins and a few more million dollars for their school.
I'm Also With Kriz
Kwame is Kwame. I don’t think any amount of development and nurturing could have helped him be a better pro. If that’s the case, he’d be a better pro now. He’s got a great support system in Detroit, and the media isn’t riding his ass. He’s got a good buddy/potential sitcom partner in Will Bynum. And he has a chance to play on a bad team. But for whatever reason, he’s not earning the minutes. I’d be willing to bet that Kwame has developed, matured, and grown as a human since joining the league. And I’d even bet that he actually has confidence. He just isn’t that physically gifted, despite his massive stature.
by garrettelliott on Mar 30, 2010 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Bah.
You guys are missing my point.
I’m not saying Kwame was guaranteed to find a coach (or program) who seriously cared and mentored him. All I’m saying is that there would of been a better chance of him getting the right guidance in college than opposed to being just thrown to wolves we like to call the NBA.
No, I get your point. I just don’t think it would have made a difference in Kwame’s case.
by garrettelliott on Mar 30, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
The league has been moving in that direction for a few years
They’ve added a couple of D-league teams in recent years and have slowly increased funding to help legitimize it. But yeah, it still needs work
I don't think anyone knows
Unless if I’ve been under a rock lately (which could be a possibility, I’ve been very busy), I don’t think it’s been agreed upon yet
by bearded thundar on Mar 28, 2010 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
The battle of the backup SGs
Flip Murray: 23 points, 9-14 shooting, 4 assists, 2 boards, 2 steals.
Ben Gordon: 3 points, 1-5 shooting, 2 assists, 2 boards.
Flip Murray is making just under $2 million this season.
by brgulker on Mar 28, 2010 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
And Flip had the luxury of playing the Pistons.
Detroit Bad Boys- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog
Twitter
That's a heckuva depressing stat
I missed this and the Nets game — out of town. Were they as depressing as the scores indicate?
Funny thing is, I don't even think he is the most attractive Pistons.
Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?
I’d rather have this guy. He has some serious heart.
by garrettelliott on Mar 28, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
hooray
http://llenrock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/party.gif
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
Bring back Sheed
The Wallace Bros, Kwame, Mawiell and Prince? Hell yeah!
tom petty rang the doorbell
he has a song for you to utilize
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0JvF9vpqx8
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
by sauce1977 on Mar 28, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
congrats to michigan state
i don’t think a lot of people thought they could overcome lucas and get to the final four.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
I agree
It is difficult to explain my bad English, however, I try.
MSU do not have any lottery player at all, but they can compete.
The player who trained well can play team basketball.
This is the concept of the Pistons basketball I demand.
Where broken English happens
your english is better
than some native speakers. you’re doing fine.
they’re not a very organized team, and i don’t think they work hard enough right now, definitely not this year. every player is guilty of inconsistent effort this year.
we’re hardly the hard-working tough team we were 6 years ago. and that stinks.
msu definitely gave everything today. izzo is a special coach, one of the best.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
So, if Curtis Jackson is 50 Cent, does that make Rodney Stuckey… 50 Losses?
Fuh-fuh-fuh-fitty!
by TDP on Mar 28, 2010 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
one thing i never understood
is why blog a bull worships ben gordon.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
Good to see I was here in spirit
Because I’m kind of glad I missed this game.
The Bucks must feel like shit, knowing they were the only Central opponent that we could beat this year.
I'm just like a sports reporter, but without the insight or money.
maybe Kuester still plays them big minutes because they are trying to showcase that Rip and Tayshaun can still be valuable assets to a team… there trying to showcase trade value…
on the other hand im right there with you guys wishing Daye and Summers would get some serious burn down the stretch,
Can’t you showcase Tay by playing him 25 minutes instead of 37, though? Sure, maybe he’ll only have 21 points instead of 27, but that’s still pretty decent and proves his back is better. Plus, it has now been MULTIPLE games where Tay and Rip are playing the bulk of the minutes. If they wanted to showcase them, I think that time is done. What are a handful of games going to prove?
by garrettelliott on Mar 29, 2010 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions
i think it's clear
that he knows rip and tay are his best chance to win a game, so he’s really trying to do that, too. doing it with miserable results, but as long as tay and rip have that trade value motivation going on, they’ll keep firing it up.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
Ben Gordon
It’s hardly a secret that I’m not crazy about him. But his limited minutes are confusing to me. I mean, we can’t get any worse. I’m with those who don’t understand that large minutes for Tay/Rip when guys like Date/Summers and our marquee FA guy all ride the pine.
Poop tumbles from the pen of Keith
From today’s Mailbag:
In 25 years, Jose, only four times has the team with the worst record earned the No. 1 pick – and one of those came in 1988, when the Clippers selected Danny Manning before the NBA went to a weighted system that favors teams with the worst records. The 1990 New Jersey Nets (Derrick Coleman), the 2003 Cleveland Cavaliers (LeBron James) and the 2004 Orlando Magic (Dwight Howard) are the only teams that have parlayed the worst record into the top pick in 20 years of the weighted lottery system. So everyone assuming that John Wall is going to wind up in New Jersey should consider that the odds say otherwise.
How does someone who says something this vague (and in some places flat out wrong) remain employed with a professional sports franchise? First, the odds of NJ winning the lottery have absolutely nothing to do with who’s won the lottery in the past. Past outcomes don’t impact the bouncing lottery balls; chance does. Second, NJ absolutely has the best odds of winning the lottery when compared to any other team. That is indisputable fact. Now, given that they have something like a 26% chance of winning overall, it’s more likely that some other team will win and not NJ, but no individual team has a better chance than NJ.
What a dingbat.
by brgulker on Mar 29, 2010 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
the gamblers fallacy
good call. but at the same time, if New Jersey has the best odds at 25% that they’ll win, that’s still a 75% chance they lose
Right, there’s a much better chance than someone other than NJ will win the lottery, but NJ has a better chance than any other individual team.
that's kinda what he said, though
but in a fashion that infuriates. in no way am i defending Lango’s in-general germitude, but this is pretty much what he’s saying – there’s a better chance that someone other than NJ will win #1 overall.
but i’m with you in spirit – hate the player AND the game, leave no stone unhated.
Good. Bad. I'm the guy with the gun.
Good sir
I believe the proper verb would be drink, as clearly he is high off red-balls.
Observe:
http://www.videovat.com/videos/1480/dave-chappelle-red-balls.aspx
by bearded thundar on Mar 29, 2010 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, time to watch the Denver Pistons.
I'm just like a sports reporter, but without the insight or money.
this would really be true if 97.1 callers got their wish
i remember over the summer people were calling in suggest rip/tay for Melo/change.
i kept wondering why Denver would want all of the Pistons core, when it clearly wasn’t enough to win a championship anymore
by the89oracle on Mar 29, 2010 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
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