The first one hurt. Remember the first time Detroit played Utah? What a disaster: a two-point loss with former Piston Memo Okur swatting a Rip Hamilton layup at the buzzer. Utah still has one of the better records in the NBA but they’ve played .500 ball in their last 24 games and are losers of four straight. And their fans are getting antsy — from the usually even-keeled UtahJazzBlog.net
The Jazz have lost four in a row. I was so upset watching yesterdays game that I would have punched a baby. I am glad that my nine week old child was nowhere near.
A new starter in the middle? Not yet. Flip Saunders said yesterday that Chris Webber will play but won’t start. I’m guessing they want to give him a few more days so he can digest the playbook.
Mr. Big Shot’s return. Chauncey Billups participated in an entire practice yesterday for the first time since injuring his calf. From the Freep:
“We scrimmaged a little, but we didn’t go up and down much,” Billups said of Tuesday’s workout. “It was a lot of half-court, execution stuff. So it gave me a chance to bump and grind a little bit, get a sweat.
“But as far as full-court, we didn’t do too much. That’s the only thing I’m really concerned with. But it felt good, and I’m happy just to be out there a little bit, so hopefully it feels good in the morning.”
By now I’m sure the Pistons know whether or not he’s going to play, but he was still considered questionable as of yesterday afternoon. If I hear of an update, I’ll post it here. [Update: Chauncey is in fact playing.]
That’s all for now — leave your game thoughts and reactions to seeing Webber in Pistons red, white and blue in the comments.
I would like to see Chris Webber reddem himself & go out on a good note by graciously demonstrating that he’s willing to do what it takes to facilatate the offense with his great passing on the high post.
What I don’t want to see from C-Webb is dominance of the ball & questionable shot selection to the detriment of other offensive options. This is the time for the unselfish C-Webb to emerge; that would be the best way for him to go out.
Rhondda — this has to be nice for you, being a fan of the Pistons and Kings.
If anyone’s taping the game that would be awesome… just to see the reaction when Webber comes in. Apparently it’s not televised in Kzoo tonight… go figure, the one game we all want to see.
I’ve never really seen Webber play before. And now that I’ve watched the first half, he looks great. He had some real smart, on the money passes. I’ve liked everything that I’ve seen from him.
Couple other things that I’ve loved.
- We’re actually winning
- Chauncey has been Chauncey which is good news
- Flip Murray only played 4 minutes in the first half.
If Flip Saunders, in his 13th(?) season doesn’t figure out how to defend a pick and roll, we’re done.
Too bad they don’t play 48 minutes, one second…
Even though they lost, I feel better about this game than I did when Chauncey was out. Rip had a bad game, but it was his first in a very long time.
How’d C-Webb do?
C-Webb made some nice passes from the low post and went about 1-4 on wide-open jumpshots. Played good defense on Boozer, but his help defense and pick-and-roll recovery was beyond horrible and he ran the floor about as well as Bill Davidson.
Came out looking to pass first — he had a slick pass to a cutting Rip the first time he touched the ball, but Rip missed the layup. He had an assist to Chauncey hitting a three on his second touch, and he had another near-assist on to Tay, who was fouled on the shot.
He didn’t shoot that great (something like 1-5) but had five boards and three assists (plus, like I said, a few other good passes).
Zone Defense and the Pick & Roll Baffle Pistons
The game tonight started in familiar Piston fashion… in the hole early. The boys in blue couldn’t buy one coming out of the gate, but they didn’t have far to catch the Jazz because of some excellent early D.
Down 5-0, Chauncey & Rip start the show. I start to feel all warm and fuzzy inside as shots start dropping from all over the floor. Rip & Chauncey pour in 17 points and everyone smiling and slapping fives. Chauncey sits down for a well-deserved breather.
Flip enters the game with 4:18 to go in the first. The Jazz demolish the lead and the Pistons start the second with a 26-24 lead. Flip Murray everyone. Flips man, Williams, had 10 pts in four minutes with Flip guarding him.
Hunter starts the 2nd and quickly makes an impact turning up the defense and finishing at the rim. The old man!
Chris Webber walks to the scorers table and the crowd comes to their feet. The building is full of energy. Chris comes in and makes a few nifty passes. I think this guy is going to fit in just fine. He’d have a few more assists if his teammates could make a few more lay-ups. Despite the misses the pistons extend the lead 45-33 with under 4:00 to go in the half. Timeout Detroit.
During the timeout Sloan tells Kirilenko to go to work in the post. Flip Saunders makes no defensive adjustments (surprise surprise), and the Jazz close the gap. At the half 46-51 Detroit.
Start of the third, Rasheed is on fire. 16, 9, 7 ft. – Jerry takes a timeout. Sheed is still yelling at someone. Love it. 61-48 Stones. Timeout Utah.
The Jazz return from the timeout with a fresh coat of zone, and the Pistons are baffled. New offensive strategy… jack up outside jumpers. This later morphs into the confused, no movement, turnover attack. 12-0 run by the Jazz. Timeout Stones.
Nice timeout play by Flip. Pistons burned on opposite end by strange new offensive play… Pick and Roll.
More outside shots for Stones, and more Pick & Roll for Jazz. You have got to admire the Pistons determination. They are committed to that stagnant offense. Keep jacking them up boys! 22- 5 run by the Jazz. 72-70 Jazz going into the 4th.
Pistons start 4th by attacking the rim against the man defense. The whistle is not going their way right now. 74-73 Jazz. Jerry calls for the zone after a loose ball foul at 9:55. Pistons confused again, start jacking up outside shots. The Jazz also start to run the magical Pick and Roll. Our defense is broke. 82-75 Jazz – 6:52 left. Timeout Detroit.
Pistons get 2 and 1 at the rim out of the timeout. Defense tightens and Tay attacks basket. Looks like they figured this zone thing out.
Williams attacks the rim and the foul parade begins. Sheed gets a Tech. Pistons attack the rim again. 4:22 to go and the Pistons are down 4. Kirilenko over the back… no call. What? Rip called for a phantom foul and he has five. A few seconds later another bad call and he’s gone.
2:30 left Flip calls time and goes small. He pulls Rasheed. Sheed has 5 and isn’t contesting shots and is getting burned.
The Pistons surge for a second and then the Jazz calm down and attack the big-less middle. The pistons go full court pressure and close to within one. 97-96.
Hunter gambles on the defensive scramble and Williams burns him for 3. Lindsey repents from downtown, and then gets the offensive board. The Pistons have five seconds to go full court and win it. Chauncey off a screen… no good. Utah wins 100-99.
The Pistons lost this one because of the initial laziness when they encountered the zone leading to easy baskets, and the inability to defend the Pick and Roll.
-Tim
have you guys noticed that we have a worst record at home than on the road? what has become of this team? oh yeah, i forgot. ben wallace has been replaced by chris webber. now it makes perfect sense.
(pardon me. i’m feeling pissy.)
GREAT review Tim. Thanks for that man.