Ugh. From Krista Jahnke’s blog:
But at shoot-around this morning, Pistons coach Flip Saunders informed us that Chris Webber was on his way back to Detroit. He is too sick to play, and the team figured there was no point in making him sit, sick and miserable, in a hotel room when he could get home and go to the doctor.
Also, Richard Hamilton did not even make the trip. So both starters are out again, and Ronald (Flip) Murray and Jason Maxiell will be in the starting lineup once again.
For what it’s worth, Dale Davis is with the team and should play despite being ill earlier in the week. I certainly didn’t want the Pistons to be this shorthanded heading into tonight’s game against the Bulls, but in hindsight this could be kind of cool with the student Maxiell guaranteed all sorts of minutes against the mentor Ben Wallace. Big Ben will likely win the battle of the boards, but there’s also a good chance that he’ll end up getting posterized by a dunking Baby Eater.
As for the actual game, though, I’m less enthralled. What do you think — does this change things tonight? Should Detroit be worried?
The only thing to worry about is the extended minutes for the other starters.
It’s all about gearing up for the playoffs and Maxiell and Flip are playing with more intensity so hopefully they can start the game up (or at least even) instead of down a dozen.
I don’t care if we lose, as long as we’re playing well. Cleveland won’t catch up and if they do home court advantage doesn’t matter that much anyway.
I’m none too worried. This injury/bug stuff is exactly what we needed. Now, people aren’t talking about the “best starting five in basketball” but they are talking about a very deep, very resilient Detroit team. Moreover, I think this is doing wonders for the Flip/team relationship. Obviously, I can’t observe everything firsthand, but I imagine that this sort of adversity is helping the coach and team gel - much like the long, strange season Miami had last year did.
I think the starters have concocted a brilliant strategy to fake the flu so FLIP HAS NO CHOICE but play the bench.
LOL
I think I agree with the sentiment that this might actually be good for the Pistons come playoff time — what better injury than the flu? There’s no lasting effects and it’s mandatory time off. It’s like a mini vacation right before the playoffs.
Supposedly now Chris may have pneumonia. Pneumonia?!!
All this rest is fine and great, but that could be awfully serious.
Where did you hear that, Pneumonia? Anymore information, please share.
I hope the boys who are illin’ will be well soon, but I do agree with Matt that if they have to miss games, the flu is preferred over a f’ed up ankle. (I had Garbahosa on my fantasy team)
It will give our bench a good amount of tune up in game situations. I’m willing to bet that tonight’s game will have playoff intensity.
I am also a big fan of TNT’s NBA coverage, so it will be nice to hear any comments that EJ, Kenny “The Jet” and Sir Charles have about the state of affairs w/ the Pistons. Please God, let Magic and Reggie Miller NOT be on the broadcast. Magic is just a poor analyst, Reggie is insufferable.
Did Baby Eater just block Ben on the first play???
33% shooting isn’t going to win jack!
Ree, I do think that was a block on the first play.
“Steamroller” McDyess!!
Well, the first quarter sucked, as usual, but they made up for it in the second. Here’s to hoping the (semi-)regular third quarter lull doesn’t hit them.
I swear TNT had that stat sheet ready to be put on the screen as soon as Sheed gets a T in the game.
can someone tell me what it was for and can they change it back to chauncey??? they’ve given out soo many Ts the announcer stopped sayin what it was for.
maybe that will wake him up and we end up getting a good second half and win the game.
did they just say 16 offensive rebounds?????
Well, at least Ben Gordon is pulling a Rip Hamilton (of late) at the FT line to keep the Pistons in this …
Too bad we didn’t get a quality shot on our last chance. Delfino’s foul, no bueno!
Hopefully they keep Webber and Rip out tommorrow, and can be well enough for the Miami game Sunday.
I think Miami (even if Wade doesn’t play) would still give us the hardest time in the Eastern Conference. For the Finals I hope its the Suns or even the Mavs, I think the Spurs would give us the hardest time.
hey Matt,
i got a question, i have you on my RSS feed and you’re last 2 stories (Sheed tattoo and Davidsons HOF) arent showing on the actual site, how come??
thanx
Ree: For small posts like that, I put them in the “alley-oop” category, which only displays on the front page on the far right. It’s kind of buried with the blogfest graphic, at the moment, I will admit.