From the Freep’s Krista Jahnke:
Stuckey met with doctors again Thursday, who told him again that they need to see him in two weeks before they can clear him. The next checkup is Dec. 20. As for the new time frame to look for him on the court during a game? Try 2008.
Stuckey said “for a minute” he thought about how much he’d love to get onto the court, but quickly turned back to his high-spirited, remarkably optimistic self.
“It’s all about my future,” he said. “It’s not about right now. I can come back right now and play, but it’s my future. If I reinjure my hand, I could shatter my whole hand and be out for the rest of the year. I don’t really want that. It’s about making my hand heal the right way.”
Between this and the Bulls loss, this weekend isn’t really shaping up to be much fun. Next up, Charlotte on Sunday, against whom Detroit inexplicably went 2-2 last year.
Yeah, Stuckey isn’t happening this season.
What’s the over/under on rebounds for Okafor? 22? I still think we win.
I dunno - this year the Bobcats have a new Pistons-killer: J Rich.
smh…who would of thought getting your hand twisted in an opponent’s jersey would sideline you for 3 months…how depressing.
Stuckey should be biding his time by playing a lot of NBA Live and making himself average a triple double through the 07-08 season. It’s all in the pre-visualization.
Rodney Stuckey broke three separate bones in his hand. It’s a minor injury only if he does the proper rehab. Coming back before the bones are healed is a recipe for disaster. I’ve always thought he would be fine coming back and that it would be longer than most stories in the papers and online suggested. Super worst case - If Stuckey comes back March 1st he’s still going to have 24 games to blend in with the team. That’s almost a full college season and he’ll have fresh legs going into the playoffs. I’m all for waiting on Stuckey.
It seems to me that Broken Hand’s year is finished. No way Flip will give a rookie meaningful minutes after the all star break if they have not been in the regular rotation prior to that.
Same goes with Amir. Throw out this year for him.
Look for Lindsey to be the first guard off the bench come the playoffs in which we go out before the ECF.
Without Broken Hand and Sprained Ankle being integrated into the regular rotation the Pistons are too old and too slow to be considered a serious playoff contender this year unless they dumb one of them in a trade for a young guy with experience.
Right now I would trade Broken Hand and Sprained Ankle in the twitch of an eye (Yo Flipper) for Bynum and Farmer or Crittenton.
smh…who would of thought getting your hand twisted in an opponent’s jersey would sideline you for 3 months…how depressing.<<<
That is what he gets for wearing Big Ben’s Pistons number
I agree that he needs to he needs to heal correctly, but do you really think Saunders would let Stuckey have significant playoff minutes with just 24 pro games under his belt? Unless he looks like tony parker on the day he comes back (or unless joe d holds a gun to saunder’s head) he’d be riding the bench.
Stuckey seemed to pick up things pretty quick during the summer league, I’m sure he’ll pick up things pretty quick when he comes back. 24 games is plenty to get back in his groove. As for playoffs I think it just depends on how he performs with his playoff minutes whether or not he gets significant minutes or not.
Pistons are playing some smart basketball against the Bobcats, it helps that the Bobcats aren’t playing very good D right now though. 30-16 at the end of the 1st.
I’m sure Stuckey will be back well before March 1. I don’t think we have to worry about Flip playing him. He loves the dimension that Stuckey adds by being able to get to the basket.
OT: I miss the DBB blogroll. I used to use this site to jump off to Hoopsworld and Need4Sheed. Is the blogroll under construction or am I just too stupid to find in on the updated DBB design?
Ahhh the “4th Quarter Slaughter”. I actually like that nickname
Regarding the blogroll, it’ll return soon — without getting too technical, I had to upgrade the software that runs this site for security reasons and lost some stuff from the old design. It shouldn’t be hard to put back assuming I ever get the time.
Also, regarding the lack of tonight’s game post — I unexpectedly had to go out of town this weekend, hence the lack of HW blogging, as well.
“What’s the over/under on rebounds for Okafor? 22?”
Considering he got outrebounded by Jarvis Hayes AND Derek Anderson, I would like to strike this prediction from the record.
While you’re at it, Kevin S., let’s strike your Rodney Stuckey predictions too. Unless its reverse psychology. Then I agree with you.
and also…
“The Pistons announced Sunday that they will assign rookie Chiekh Samb to Fort Wayne of the D-League in time for its game on Thursday. Samb, the 51st pick in the 2006 draft, has played in two games this season after playing in Spain last year.”
As much as I’d love to see Samb play this year, I think they’re wise to send him to Fort Wayne. There’s something to be said for time-in-grade.
Here’s hoping Stuckey can come back and at least provide 1/2 of what was expected of him at the start of the season.
As for that “other guard” my boy Afflalo deserves a little more burn if you ask me. No, he’s not polished yet but he’s a hell of a defender and capable scorer. I think we’ve seen his confidence in his shot increase the more he plays. I feel comfortable when he steps in and Rip gets a breather.
Thoughts?
I agree I think we should use Afflalo more often where he can play in short bursts as at time to rest Rip… He just needs more of them..
If there is a place to use Afflalo in short spurts, it might be when the team is in the penalty, given that he is a strong free throw shooter.
That said, he wasn’t a strong three point shooter in college, which explains his woes (albeit with a short sample) at the pro level.
Oops. Wasn’t done.
I would have to see a lot on the defensive end, and see some sort of long-range shot before I’d declare him a defensive stopper. Right now we have a guy who has shown sign of defensive abilities, but disappears on offense.
buddah-
Why the hell would we trade our 1st draft pick from last year after a more-than-promising preseason just because he’s going to be out a few months? That sounds like a fairly A.D.D. management styl- HEY, Let’s go ride bikes!
Not only is the idea of trading him ridiculous, but I can pretty much guarantee that (if he gets and stays healthy), he’s going to be the first guard off the bench come playoffs. If Afflalo is getting this much playing time, there’s no reason to believe that Saunders isn’t making a commitment to play the rookies. Murray is being groomed as a 4th quarter guy, so Hunter is just keeping the spot warm for Stuckey.
College and the bigs are two different stories. Time and P.T. are going to make the difference. I don’t agree that he disappears on offense I just think he knows he’s not the first option to shoot. In fact I’m sure he’s told that by the coaches. But he can drive to the hoop, he’s got a smooth jumper and he’s a pesky defender. A three pointer will come as his game evolves (see Rip Hamilton.)
How about this. At least he won’t consistently dribble off his foot?! (Flip Murray, I’m looking at you.)
I think Stuckey will come into the season earning more and more time off the bench but watch him thrive in the playoffs!