From Dana Gauruder’s blog for the Oakland Press:
The last thing the Pistons need after losing Game 1 is an injury to one of their regulars. That’s why it was alarming to see Chauncey Billups walking slowly and flexing his right knee after practice. According to Billups and Flip Saunders, it was just some minor soreness. Billups attributed it to a tough practice while walking to his car after leaving the practice facility, though he was held out of a practice last week because of soreness. “I’m all right,” he said several times. Saunders didn’t act concerned, either. “Chauncey’s always in a situation where he gets hit a little bit but he’s OK,” he said.
It’s probably nothing, but every Detroit paper mentioned it.
Maybe that’s why he’s being so flip about game two “not being a must-win for us” on Freep.com. I don’t care what rationale he’s using to come up w/ that statement but as a fan? Totally wrong.
I love this team but they drive me batshit crazy sometimes.
Billups is a veteran player, of course he’s going to have soreness; especially while trying to keep up with the young guns of Philly out-running Detroit in almost every play.
Fortunately, I believe that the media is making a much bigger deal out of the knee than it really is; as that’s kind of what they do for a living. As far as Big Shot’s comments, big whoop. He’s known for being excessively calm even in horrid situations for the Pistons.
Over the past few years I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the “It’ll be alright, man” from Chauncey; and for the most part, it’s been alright. His easy-going lines sure as hell wouldn’t be my choice of words to use, but I’m not a pro basketball player. Expect the 76ers to take an old-fashioned beating tonight.
Start Stuckey!
This doesn’t surprise me at all.
Basketball is a young person’s game. Our starters except for Tay and Rip are old and slow.
I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that if we had had the same bench this year as last that we would have been lucky to have won 50 games and most likely 45 or so.
Was the bench worth 10 - 15 wins this year?
Absolutely.
i hope he is hurt…….start stuckey
People can point to Sheed’s performance in the last game. So lets talk about that performance.
How did he do in the second half and the last quarter?
He shot a lot more three’s in the second half than the first. Very few post ups against Dalembert in the second half.
People complain that Sheed doesn’t play enough on the low block posting up. I believe that there is reason for it. He is trying to save his body.
Anyone watch the Cavs this year especially against Washington. I cannot believe what a physical beating Lebron takes game in and game out and still comes back. He already has a back problem which I am sure will get a lot worse over the next five years.
When a player gets knocked to the floor or falls to the floor he loses. You never win the physical contact battle with the floor!!
Even Iverson who is the most amazing basketball player I have ever seen when it comes to taking a physical pounding and still continue to perform over the years at the level that he has. He has slowed down a bit the last couple of years, but the fact he has lasted this long and been able to be as effective and fearless as he has at his size is just amazing.
Unfortunately we don’t have him on our team.
But we do have a solution to the problem of our agings stars, The Zoo Crew.
I say play them tonight and in all the remaining games this year.
P
I hope Richard Hamilton’s knee is banged up too
“Billups attributed it to a tough practice while walking to his car after leaving the practice facility” -
Gawdamn. These guys are pros… practicing even while walking to their cars. Probably practice in the shower, too. No wonder he’s sore!
Hey I don’t know if anyone noticed this or not, but Rodney Stuckey’s in the running for April’s player of the month: http://www.nba.com/awards/
Kay Wan… even though he’s in the running, that doesn’t mean he should see time on the floor in the playoffs. We need more Lindsey!
NOOoooooooooo!
No, no more Lindsey Hunter. Please, I’m begging you.
Great, Chauncey’s hurt and he thinks it will be fine. Then if we lose tonight, I better not here that as an excuse.
I’m not worried. Stuckey and Lindsey Hunter can play the 1 against Miller. Dixon can play against Louis Williams. Afflalo’s worth some handful of minutes, and Rip and Tayshaun have shown minor trust with ball-handling.
If they keep standing around and running iso-plays, though, they’re gonna get smoked no matter who their opponent is.
Okay, Thorpe’s ESPN chats are getting straight ridiculous.
Patty (Los Angeles): Mr. Thorpe, Everyone assumes that the Pistons are doing their typical too-confident crap that causes them to lose. What if the truth is that they’re simply not as good as everyone keeps assuming they are? I mean, they haven’t exactly burned up the playoffs except for once in the past 5 years. Why does everyone just conclude that the fluke year is who they REALLY are?
SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:33 PM ET ) Because they had 58 wins this year.
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brandon (corpus christi, tx): If Flip Saunders trusts his bench so much, then why not let Jason Maxiell, the energy guy Detroit sorely needed to stop all those offensive rebounds, play at the end of the game for an ineffective Antonio McDyess? I know you want your starters in at the end, but I have never seen Maxiell not play well and give max effort.
SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:35 PM ET ) Question of the day. Detroit needs more quickness and athleticism on the floor.
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Joe Dumars (Detroit): What do I do if I don’t win a championship this year? Trade Rip?
SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:34 PM ET ) I think that is highly possible.
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I KNEW BONEY WAS THORPEDO.
since no one is looking there, I’ll move the below over here
I’ve always wondered why hockey uses the +/- rating and baskteball doesn’t. I mean I’ve always considered hockey to be more of a gimmicky game, hence these type of stats, but I think +/- does prove some things and I’m glad to see it being used in reference to this series. I think its an interesting dynamic going on here where the Sixers have decided to play their younger inexperienced guys late in games and as you can see from Henry’s article, they have had amazing results. Younger legs could be a deciding factor in this series as you have to admit, the Pistons do have 4 starters over 30 and they did falter in the latter parts of Game 1.
Since the Sixers traded Korver back in Decemeber, their crunch time 5 has been the Andres, Thad, LouWill and Sammy. Depsite seeing Reggie Evans in Game 1 play in crunch time, that will not be the norm going forward in this series unless he plays out of his head like he did in Game 1. Thad Young is extremely talented (same talent level in HS as Oden and Durant) and is very slick around the basket. I’ve never seen him get rattled. Lou Williams has come a long long long way since his rookie year when he was mid 2nd round pick right out of high school. He’d get schooled by Iverson on a daily basis in practice (ok maybe not daily since AI was not a participant that often) and late last year he finally started playing with confidence. Now he’s there in crunch time hitting big time shots. Dalembert played 2 years in College and just had started learning the game prior to that. Each game he gets smarter and better. Andre Miller is 32 but if it weren’t for him, this team would be no where. He continues to make the big shots at the end of games and almost lulls you to sleep before driving right past you. Andre Iguodala can jump out of the gym and has an extremely competitive spirit, relentless on both ends of the court.
In contrast, the Pistons were a step slower in game 1, missed a lot of shots and seemed to lack a certain fire. I expect Game 2 to be a different story, but I thought Game 1 would go easily to Detroit. Perhaps I’ve overestimated this Pistons team. Perhaps Hamilton is still hurting, is Chauncey injured too? Is Prince fired up? Can McDyess give a better effort? Will Flip get Stuckey more involved? Can Maxiel match his play from Game 1 (history says he’s too inconsistent)? There are many questions lingering for Detroit as we head into game 2, questions that weren’t even considered before Sunday night…….
David, tonight should go a long way towards answering those questions, no? However, like the quote above, they did win 58 games this year.
The biggest of those questions, in my eyes, is are Billups and Hamilton hurt and/ or at less than 100%? That could explain a lot, though it would not be good news for the Pistons.
As for all the talk about Detroit’s bench, I understand how that’s good to keep the starters fresher, but expecting them to make a big difference other than that is misguided in my opinion. The Pistons’ bench played the bulk of the game in Phila. last month, and it was a wire to wire Sixers win. Not so impressive.
David, the NBA uses that same statistic too… the LENOVO stat or whatever….
Sauce1977? Just because your emailed posts get published here don’t mean that I don’t know what I’m talking about. It’s clear as day to a sorta-homer Piston fan. Look, Rip is great at what he does. You know why Reggie will always be better? Because he came off screens and hit 3s!. If you shoot 12-24, and have 28 points that’s a good stat line when you initially look at it. But when the guy guarding you is more often than not the other team’s best player, and he has what, 2 fouls and he also filled it up with 30 points because Rip doesn’t really play D? 12-24, all 2 pointers with maybe a three thrown in. Not too good unless 8 of those were because of an offensive rebound you got. Shaq should shoot 12-24, not an all star shooting guard.
Morty, I’d put my money on Tayshaun starting, Sheed starting and the rest bench players against the 6ers. Why? Because Jarvis Hayes guards Iguodala, a clear mismatch. Why Sheed starting? He’s our biggest big man, and Dalembert would have a field day in the middle with rebounds and put backs.
A starting 5 of Stuckey, Afflalo, Tay, Max, and Sheed would run the 6ers right out of the gym. Take that to the bank
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY NO MORE LINDSEY HUNTER.
The only way he should see the court is on TNT’s broadcast or if Billups is hurt. Seriously, Thorpe has it right… we need more athleticism. period. thats our problem. There have been times over the last month where our bench looked better than some other teams starters. Its not like afflalo is a liabilaty when he is out on the floor. He plays solid D and generally handles himself well. We need to use some of our youth to combat their youth. Max played way to much in that game for Amir not too see the floor. Philly didnt have a winning record in the regular season for f’s sake. we are going to win tonight and eventually the series; but that doesnt make me feel any better.
Uh, we won 59 games.
Wow, Boney, we’re touchy today, aren’t we?
Boney doesn’t like it when he gets compared to the Thorpedo!
Also, I thought that was Maxiell that was taking a late-game charge that kept us alive in Game 1.
Put jarvis in and play Zone Defense during that period. Iguodala problem sovled
Ummm … Boney … “PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks got his wish.
Shortly before the 76ers’ 101-94 victory over Detroit on Wednesday, Cheeks was asked about facing a team that has been resting its starters.
Cheeks laughed and said: “I hope they do.”
Having locked up the No. 2 seed in the East, the Pistons once again gave their reserves significant minutes. On the other hand, the game was a meaningful one for the Sixers, who remained in the sixth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, a game ahead of Toronto and a game behind Washington, who both won Wednesday night.”
Your scenario, slightly altered, already happened, and it wasn’t a good night for your Pistons. They got outscored every quarter except for the 4th where they had 1 point over the Sixers.
I still wouldn’t put money on the Sixers to take this game, but thinking the bench will be your savior, other than to hold the score and keep your starters fresh, doesn’t add up with the evidence against the Sixers.
All I know is that the Piston better win by 15+ points because they are getting soft. Flip better get his ass together because his job is on the line if the Pistons misses the Finals again this year.
Morty, you quote one game in the grand scheme of 82 in which the seeding for this run had already been locked down.
I will take my scenario, 7 games out of 7 and they’ll win 4 out of 6
Sauce, I don’t care honestly. I do believe that there are 2 other people that see things the way I do. If there’s 2 there, then there are thousands elsewhere.
Trade Rip, it’ll be the best thing to happen to this team since they dumped the teal unis.
Well HB, the only time we’ve beat Philly by 15+ points in the last two seasons was when Chauncey was injured and didn’t play.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=AjHmJAWt1ZRnwgrMYFlM1m2kvLYF?gid=2007032008
Tay stepped up big.
Otherwise, we haven’t blown out Philly at all in the regular season in the past two years.
Boney, so your bench players didn’t care about that game either? They didn’t want to prove themselves to the coaches and the league given some extended playing time?
Your bench actually did well against other teams, just not against the Sixers. Ignore the evidence all you want. Personally, I would burst out laughing if the Pistons tried your lineup. I bet a lot of your fellow Pistons fans would the same.
No, the real response to the Sixers is to use a zone defense to try to force them to shoot jumpers, and rebound the ball well and keep your turnovers to a minimum to prevent the fast break. Starting Aaron Aflalo, and Rodney Stuckey? Not so much.
You can’t have thousands elsewhere if the person who posted the question and Thorpedo are both you.
Morty,
Did I say THEY didn’t care? Perhaps I’ll spell it all out, you must have gotten some cheesesteak grease on your screen when you read it the first time:
Detroit clinched their spot in the playoffs. Resting the starters a good amount. Sure, they wanted it… not likely as much as the 6ers who actually NEEDED it. Add the multiplier of, playing time to guys that were fighting to see active duty during the playoffs for Detroit while Philly ran their starters who needed and wanted to win.
Factor it all in… I think you should burst out laughing if Detroit ran out that lineup against the 6ers, I would chuckle also… but I would believe in the team on the floor, because as you said, they have beaten better teams than the 6ers since the starters went on layaway until the playoffs.
I’d also laugh as Stuckey draws a Dwyane Wade-esque foul as he drives the lane, throws it up off glass and in, all the while shoving his foot in the waistband of Kimbo Slice or the Somalian… all of that, and an “and 1″ foul for the home team. Standing ovation time when it comes…
I’m talking about the bench guys you’re hyping. They did care, they did get the bulk of the playing time and they didn’t play well agains the Sixers.
Go check the box score. If you want to say things would be different this time, OK, say that. Anything else is ignoring what actually happened.
I never said the bench players DIDNT care. Considering 95% of the season they’re playing with 1 or 2 or 3 starters, all of the sudden it’s a rotation they’re not used to playing?
Like I said… take Jarvis out, he’s a weakness. but I’d put Herrmann in to check Iguodala… you might even show you his fingerroll if that happened
Warning! Crazy off the wall predictions follow:
Sometimes you aren’t ready for a fight until you get punched. Pride comes out tonite. If the game is anything less than a blow out tonite then I predict some hard fouls and a near fight. Max don’t take shit from nobody. Except maybe Sheed.
Amir is chomping at the bit right now. He can’t wait to get in there and get his chance at some early highlight real footage. I forsee Amir will hit the court hard. Minumum 3 blocks for Amir tonite… in 5 minutes of play.
Sheed gets one tech.
Chauncey plays less than 30 minutes. Lindsey Hunter picks up the slack and continues to play fantastic. That’s right… I said it… I think he’s playing really well right now.
I think what it comes down to is: I would rather have Afflalo and STuckey out there, make a cuple of small mistakes (They rarely make big ones) and bring back an effective rip and chauncey, than to keep rip and chauncey out there, make no mistakes, but can’t deliver in the end.
Detroit cannot rely on a zone if they constantly miss shots and let philly run
typically when detroit goes zone it is after Detroit makes a basket otherwise it is man to man
what killed us in game one was turn overs that lead to at least 14 philly points and horrible shooting that enabled Philly to run and run and run some more and score easy baskets
If Detroit has less than 8 turnovers we win regardless of anything else
We also need Amir and Afflalo so we can run and run and get Philly tired - they are not very deep
Play Sheed, Stuckey, Amir Tayshun and Afflalo and we will get a lot of easy fast break points and if we blow a layup Amir is there to put it in the bucket
We need to take it to miller and green make them work hard on defense and sit down with fouls
hey, where do you guys watch the games online when you have to? channel surfing net only has a link to audio it appears.
The amount of general idiocy on display is stunning.
Ya know, I like TBranch’s outlook. If Amir gets five minutes (which is such a small amount, it’s fine by me), he’s going to come out blazing. The Sixers are going to get beat soundly in just a few hours. I don’t care if Chauncey’s got two broken legs. TBranch is also right in giving credit to Hunter. Mike, Jason, the guy is a stalwart on defense, competitive, and only the most minor of liabilities (if at all) on offense. Truthfully, I believe Afflalo is as much of a liability on offense, if not more so. Hunter gets the job done, solid player.
I’d like to see Flip even quicker with the trigger on McDyess tonight if it comes down to it, but I also expect Dice to have a much better game (approximately a double double, maybe 8 and 12 or 12 and 8 or something like that). I expect his shot to fall, and even if he gets burned on D by Philly’s quicker, younger guys (likely), I think Sheed will pick up the slack for him and Miggity will crash the boards. Sheed looks determined. God bless DVR and my sports package with NBA TV out here in LA. No way I could bear to miss this game, even if I have to wait 3 more hours to start watching it.
g: You’ve got to be more specific so I know whether to use my palm to slap your or give you a high-five.
JD: google “sopcast” — I don’t know if it works, but it’s worth a shot.