I posted some thoughts on the whole point guard situation over at the FanHouse -- sorry for making you go over there to read the whole post, but the gist is that I doubt Flip Saunders will actually start Will Blalock, which leads me to this conclusion:
Sigh. Forget the beer -- you better reach for the hard stuff.
Murray isn't a true point guard by any stretch of the word, and his inconsistent play this year has disrupted the offense and infuriated fans. That said, one of his biggest problems is that he's most comfortable playing starter's minutes and struggles to get into a groove off the bench. So even though it goes against absolutely everything I've seen with my own two eyes this year, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that putting Murray in the starting lineup won't absolutely kill the chances of Detroit playing .500 ball in Billups' absence.
All bets are on, however, as to whether or not the ball spontaneously combusts after four games of Murray dribbling, dribbling, dribbling, dribbling, dribbling out the shot-clock for 30 minutes a night.
Agree? Disagree?
For what it's worth, Flip Murray seems confident that he can replace Billups, though I'm not sure what else you'd expect him to say. From the Free Press:
Pistons coach Flip Saunders left the arena before it was made known that the injury would keep Billups out of action for a while. But early indications are that either combo guard Ronald (Flip) Murray or rookie Will Blalock will take over for Billups. Either way, their minutes will surely increase in Billups' absence.
Saunders said before the game that guard Lindsey Hunter, who has been hampered by a sore Achilles tendon, should resume practicing with the team next week.
Murray, who has struggled as of late, said he's confident he could step in for Billups.
"I don't know what he's going to be doing. I don't know what he's thinking," Murray said of Saunders. "I'll just have to wait and see. ... I've played the point a majority of my life, so it's not going to be a hard adjustment. If it comes down to that situation, I've got to make sure I'm ready to come out there and perform."
A couple of weeks ago I proposed that Detroit should offer Dale Davis and Flip Murray to the Sonics for Earl Watson. For the most part, the idea was roundly panned in the comments. I'm curious, anyone have a change of heart yet? (I should add it's become a moot point -- Watson has since been inserted into Seattle's starting lineup, and I wouldn't be surprised if his price tag has gone up.)
Chauncey Billups Strains Calf, Out 10-14 Days [NBA FanHouse]
Who'll replace injured Billups? Good question [Detroit Free Press]