By Kevin Sawyer
So, let’s go ahead and panic. Sunday’s game is the very definition of a must win. If the Pistons win, they are in the driver’s seat, simply needing to win home games to advance. If they lose, they aren’t going to win the series.
Much has been made of the Pistons heart and attitude. These arguments are not unfair, but the Pistons have also been outplayed, which is scarier. Oh, and Iguodala hasn’t had his big game yet. So what should the Pistons focus on to avoid a loss that will certainly signal the end of an era? Here is my humble advice.
Turnovers - Philadelphia is great at playing the passing lanes. They are going to cause turnovers. And yet, the Pistons have been content to let Rip Hamilton (4 TO per game) essentially play the point. Billups needs to assert himself in leading the offense.
Three Pointers - The Pistons are shooting 11-39 against a team that cannot defend the three. Yet Jarvis Hayes has played 22 minutes? One of the great perimeter passing teams in history is suddenly has no idea how to set up a guy for the longball? This IS bad coaching.
Amir Johnson - The Sixers are going to get turnovers. That’s fine. You don’t get to the playoffs without possessing some abilities. But if those turnovers aren’t turning into fast break points, Philly can’t win. If only the Pistons had an athletic big man who good get back on defense, alter shots, and change the flow of the game. Amir was born to do damage against a team like this.
Posting up - Chauncey can post up just about anyone on this team. Seriously. If Billups can leverage his size against the cadre of pass-deflectors, it will open up the offense and lower the turnover count. This should allow Sheed to get his groove back.
Chauncey - Dude. I nearly crafted a post with evidence that Billups might just be the greatest point guard in Detroit history. Do you know how embarrassed I would be to have written that post at this point? Chauncey Billups can do the playoffs. His back-to-back 40/37 against the Magic initiated a new era. It’s time, dude, it’s time.
Lindsey Hunter - There is a time and place for Lindsey Hunter. This is not it. Hunter’s defensive game revolves around his potent on-the-ball defense in the half-court set. If the Sixers are resorting to half-court sets, they aren’t winning, turnovers or no. Stuckey hasn’t been wowing anyone on the offensive end right now, but he is doing the right things by holding onto the ball and getting to the line. He’s not perfect, but the Pistons won the whole damn thing with backup guards who couldn’t crack 40% from the field OR get to the line.
The entitlement thing - This is all a bit overblown. It is very possible for two seeds to lose to seven seeds. The Pistons have faithfully executed their half-court offense to date. I’m not seeing a whole lot of settling for contested jumpers.
That said, here’s where I see the heart issue coming into play. How many inlet passes did the Sixers deflect? If the Celtics had intercept two passes consecutively, you bet your ass the Pistons would change the game plan. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result, yes? It is also a fairly apt definition of phoning it in. All the way around, the Pistons are not adapting to the flow of the game. Is that because they figure the same old playbook can beat a weaker team? It’s hard to say no.
Well said. Can’t wait for Game 4!
you forgot “Trade Richard Hamilton”…
those red white and blue glasses you look at life through have clearly clouded your judgement
http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/langlois_blog_071218.html
Billups, on sub-.500 teams:
“I really don’t like playing against teams under .500,” Billups said. “You’ve got nothing to win. If you win by 20, you’re supposed to. I don’t like it. But I love playing games like this. It’s a great challenge.”
*games like this = the Celtics
Billups meant he loves playing teams like Boston, since the title of the post is “Boston Stranglers.”
You make a couple good points but I’m pretty sure that only one 7 seed has beaten a 2 seed since the change to a first-round-seven-game series format. It’s possible (evidently) but far from overblown. It reminds me of the Nuggets series upset over Seattle in the 90’s. Young team, playing tough and catching the “better team” sleeping through a series.
There is NO EXCUSE for this team to continously put themselves in this position year after year. I bought it the first couple times it happened but they’ve used up all their “wake-up calls” in my book. Go Pistons-Free Amir!
FREE AMIR!
This isn’t a series to keep Amir on the bench.
The real question is what the players are saying between themselves privately. Are they for or against Flip? Sure, from our perspective it looks like they could care less what he says, but do we have any idea what the real relationship is like?
Can anyone but the players themselves motivate them enough to get up for these games?
It took Dallas two whole games to figure out that Jason Kidd can post up Chris Paul whenever he wants, but I don’t want to see any more isolation out of the Pistons.
When I read Chauncey invoking history again…
From McCosky’s article: http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080426/SPORTS0102/804260423/1127
“This doesn’t feel any different to me than any other series that we’ve been down in,” Billups said.
Alarmed yet? How about:
“If you’ve got a team that’s more talented but doesn’t play as hard, they are going to overcome you,” Billups said. “We went through that situation last year with the Chicago Bulls. Coming into this series, maybe we didn’t think the 76ers played as hard as the Bulls did, but we are finding out that they do.
“If we can match their energy and intensity, it would make our chances a lot better.”
I know they must stay positive, but is absolutely frightening to hear this AGAIN. I still believe the Pistons win the series, but I just feel like ‘03-’04 Laker fan.
hey guys, if pistons lose the game tomorrow heres what you should see/hear on the news.
“dyess was a big part of our team, he’s presence on the court would’ve been a big difference, we definitely would’ve played better and won the game” billups said
“dyess brings energy to this team and certainly would’ve helped us in this game” wallace added
“dyess add a lot to his team, but its no excuse we lost this game if only my lazy ass, effortless and useless backcourt partner showed a little effort and compassion it would’ve made this game a lot easier” said hamilton
“dyess was huge and its a big lost not to have him, but rasheed should’ve played harder. a little less bitching would’ve made a difference tonight. sheed needs to just shut the f*** up and play hard” maxiell said
-1 ric, lame
“In the first round of the NBA playoffs, the team that wins Game 1 wins the series 82.9 percent of the time (156-32).”
I least we haven’t devolved into the DetNews boards, with stuff like:
——-
Here is our championship team:
PG-Stuckey, 2G-Afflalo, C-Samb, PF-Maxiell, SF-Herrmann
Bench: PG-Prince, 2G-Rip, C-Sheed, PF-Amir, SF-Hayes, C-Ratliff
——-
I swear to God, this is someone’s solution over there.
*At least
sorry g, if i happen to sound like u
Well, the Hawks took one from the mighty Celtics, so it isn’t as though the Pistons are alone. Again, if the Pistons win tomorrow, they are in good shape.
everything billups opens his mouth he sounds like an arrogant loser. you are supposed to beat the sub-500 teams especially in the playoffs. the more i hear billup give excuse after excuse, the more i think he is the problem with the pistons.
Gotta disagree with kevin s. hating on Lindsey. Dude put up another solid performance in Game 3 despite his limited minutes. He forced Lou Williams into a turnover and disrupted Philly’s offensive flow. If anything, against a young, mistaken-prone Lou Williams, we need to see more Lindsey, if his legs can hold up. There was a bit about Stuckey v. Lindsey, which is irrelevant, because Stuckey was out there for the time Lindsey was in the 2nd, and it worked. Stuckey wowed me in Game 2, but he hasn’t brought it in Games 1 and 3. Flip made a big boo boo by only giving Lindsey 4 minutes in Game 3. We didn’t need him in Game 2, but we need more of him in Game 3.
I also think not enough has been made in this thread about the foul discrepancy in our losses v. our win. We’ve had 24 and 28 fouls respectively in the two losses, and we only committed 16 fouls in Game 2. Even if it doesn’t result in a free throw discrepancy, it can throw a defender off and make him change the way he plays. I would say that Ratliff was afflicted in his chunk of minutes in Game 3 in getting whistled quickly twice for ticky tack fouls.
To me, the Pistons are more annoying than on the verge of being in bad shape. They just need to play smarter, calmer basketball.
P.S.: Whether we win or lose tomorrow, my posts will be infrequent as a result of a non-functioning computer (this is being posted from the GF’s computer). I’m just saying this so I don’t look like a humongous douchebag to any (possibly) celebrating Philly fans, not because I think people clamor for my pearls of wisdom.
Some of your advice concerns the make-up of the team, some its strategy.
Regarding who is on the active list, I think it would make sense to save Lindsey for a series better suited to him, as you suggest, and have Herrmann in the squad. Herrmann wouldn´t be overmatched by anyone from Philly, and I see him as a steadying presence, who still fits in with the running style the second unit thrives in. His 3-point shooting, his slashing, his defense… It all fits in.
I think it would make sense to see if he helps playing some minutes at the 3 and occasionally the 4, and if he helps develop a good rotation for the bigs. If Amir, Maxiell and at times Herrmann get the job done, it could clear the way for Dixon.
Ratliff isn´t too useful in this series, in my opinion. It´s not as if Detroit was going up against some veteran, outstanding PF or C. So maybe Ratliff could be placed on the inactive list and Dixon could be activated? I think it could help, because Dixon is a scoring threat that has played well with either Afflalo or Stuckey, so I think between the 3 of them, the backcourt bench would be set.
This would make the Pistons more balanced and would give them more flexibility to counter this young, energetic Philly team.
After seeing LawyerBoy´s comment, I´d like to add something that bears to be repeated. What I´m discussing here are minor tweaks I think could help, but in the end, the only thing that has serious relevance to whether the Pistons win or lose is their mental attitude. If the starting five comes out to play, who is on the inactive list won´t matter much.
Well put, Dg.But. While the game & roster management hasn’t made a lot of sense, this series comes down to will and focus.
Philly is a much better team than their record this year, and you will not be able to beat them on skill and experience alone.
I would have to agree with the majority of the posts here. Its all tweaking, but not much, for without HEART the ’stones will fall.
Also, I am a believer that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. They might not be on life support yet, but if they are and they manage to win somehow, then perhaps this series was what was needed for the run.
I agree with most of what you said kevin. I think if we can start the game off well and get a lead after the first. A little dose of a stuckey, afflalo, prince, amir, sheed lineup would do wonders against the sixers. yes lindsey can look ok when he plays 4 mins. but I would rather see what afflalo can give us with 4 mins.
Oh yeah, Free Amir!
Whether we beat Philly is moot. As far as I can tell Detroit has done nothing and I mean NOTHING to suggest they’ll beat Boston.
Personally I’d rather lose to Philly than make it to the ECFs and lose to Boston. I think Detroit will pull this series out, but that’ll just reinforce their already titanic ego.
My solution? Start sitting the starters early when they play bad. They created these terrible habits and nobody has put their foot down… so they’re just gonna keep repeating the same terrible approach. This isn’t X’s and O’s it’s just common sense. Unfortunately it’s already too late in this series for this approach. Thanks Flip!!! You’re AWESOME.
Ok. I am pulling out all stops for this game, I have rubbed buddhas belly and worn my Pistons jumper all day. Right now I am listening to Close Range by New Order which was my favourite song during 03/04. I am about to watch the championship DVD before I hit the sack (its 10:15pm here) All negative energy will be purged and a peaceful sleep shall rejuvenate my spirit.
See you in the morning when I will hopefully be reading about a strong showing by the fellas!
If Amir doesn’t see double digit minutes tonight when the game actually matters, I’m buying a Free Amir shirt, flying home, spending $2,000 on courtside seats next to the Pistons bench for Gmae 5 and I’m going to scream “FREE AMIR” over and over and over again at Flip, because that’s the only thing that could actually make me feel better.
Make no mistake, I’m not one of those “Amir will cure world hunger” kind of guys, but Kevin is right, he is tailor made for this series. It’s his 3rd year in the league, he’s got a $10 million contract, it’s now or never to actually fricking play him in a situation that matters. The desperation thing is easily fixed, but putting guys on the floor who play desperate (hi Amir and Max!).
Whether we beat Philly is moot. As far as I can tell Detroit has done nothing and I mean NOTHING to suggest they’ll beat Boston.>>
Last night Boston didn’t look like they could beat the Clippers and Josh Smith sure made KG look silly.
It is not that lindsay is a bad player, but he did not play all year. you cannot expect him to come into the playoff and play with players he did not play with in the regular season. stuckey looks out of place when lindsay is in there with him. for this i blame dumars. leave lindsay off the roster, go with what brought you 59 wins.
McCosky’s Sunday blog states that Flip said he may use Amir and Afflalo more to match up with Philly’s quickness. So really, it took Flip a week to figure that out. Flip really has his finger on the pulse of this team.
It looks like McDyess is going to play, and I firmly believe that, as Dyess goes, there but by the grace of God goes the Pistons as well. Rasheed got pwned in Game 3, so I’m assuming he’ll show up tonight, but Chauncey…Chauncey’s playoff play haunts my dreams and retards my sleep.
FREE AMIR NOW!!!!!!!!!!
I’m watching Game 4 of the Suns and Spurs game right now and my god the Suns are playing like the Pistons when they’re actually great. The Pistons better be off playing like this within the first 2 minutes or I am going to change the channel.
FREE AMIR & DIXON * HERMANN. Why Dixon and Hermann hasn’t seen good playing times are Flip’s inability of coaching.
I’m Nervous about the game tonight. Maybe it’s the dro.
Today not withstanding because the Spurs are getting smashed but…It is evident that there is not a significant talent divide between the Pistons and the Spurs. Look up and down both rosters and you’d probably call it a wash or possibly slight edge to the Pistons. The difference between these two teams is very clear……..coaching. There is no doubt Coach Pop is clearly in control of that squad. Absolutely, no doubt. The handling of and coaching of that squad is light years ahead of Saunders. For the record, I am not a Flip hater. But the facts are the facts. I think we’ll show tonight and win by 10.
You guys crack me up….don’t hurt yourselves diving off the bandwagon. You win 59 games in the regular season because of your players, but lose 2 of 3 in the playoffs and its the coaches fault. These are grown men playing a PLAYOFF game. If they can’t self motivate then they should be playing in the CBA. The coach can only do so much. You blew a 15 pt lead in game 1 and you got smoked in game 3.
Face facts, the Sixers are severely underrated and just because they don’t have any superstars or atleast all-stars, doesn’t mean they don’t play like a great team, outhustle their opponents (no matter who they are playing), outrebound everyone and force turnovers and get out on the break better than almost anyone.
The Pistons had their run, but its over. Break ‘em up. Chauncy looks sleepy, Rasheed is great and awful all at once, Facemask and Princess can only do so much and you never know what MNcDyess will show uo. The bench is young but completely inconsistent. The Sixers on the other hand are hungrier and have young fearless players who step up big.
Oh and you know, Game 4, you will FINALLT get a dose of Iguodala you haven’t seen this series, he’ll go for 26+ tonight and you’ll be headed back to Detroit down 3-1 STILL wondering who your next coach will be.