Detroit Bad Boys - Pistons vs. Thunder final score: Detroit loses in Oklahoma City, 105-94, but rookie Andre Drummond shinesA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2012-11-10T03:26:08-05:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/33900552012-11-10T03:26:08-05:002012-11-10T03:26:08-05:00Knight may also thrive from Monroe-Drummond combo
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Aside from getting the frontcourt of the future accustomed to playing next to each other, playing Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond together may also be beneficial to 20-year-old "point guard of the future" Brandon Knight. </p> <p>While <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> fans were most excited about <span>Andre Drummond</span> and <span>Greg Monroe</span> finally playing together, I happened to notice another important by product of the two big men finally getting on the court at the same time: <span>Brandon Knight</span> and his success at point guardy things.</p>
<p>In just under six minutes of action together, Knight racked up four of his six assists while Monroe and Drummond were on the floor together. It could be a coincidence, but in addition to Monroe having success playing point forward, Knight seemed much more comfortable with extra space, as Monroe and Drummond spread things out and opened up the offense. Again, maybe it was a coincidence, but I can't recall Knight ever coming close to four assists in six minutes before.</p>
<p>Even before Monroe and Drummond took the floor together for the first time this season, I thought Knight was quietly having his best game in terms of passing the rock -- he easily could've had three more assists in the game had it not been for missed bunnies, two from Prince -- but he was clearly best with Monroe and Drummond both on the court.</p>
<p>Knight has been a bit of an enigma this season, as his stats through five games suggested he had vastly improved at point guard (35 AST% opposite 20 TOV% compared to last year's 21 AST% and 17 TOV%), although he has unequivocally failed the eye test. Last year, I thought Knight provided hope despite his ugly stats.</p>
<p>Maybe Lawrence Frank noticed Knight's success on Friday night, too, and will use that as further reason to play DrumMonroe. After all, it's all part of the future.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2012/11/10/3626326/brandon-knight-flourished-with-greg-monroe-and-andre-drummond-on-thePackey2012-11-10T02:22:59-05:002012-11-10T02:22:59-05:00Lawrence Frank finally plays Monroe with Drummond
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<figcaption>Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>For almost eight minutes, Pistons fans finally got a glimpse of what it might be like with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe playing together. The Pistons immediately went on a 9-0 run and outscored the defending Western Conference champs 17-15 while the young Pistons' frontcourt of the future were on the floor together. </p> <p>For the first time this season, head coach <span>Lawrence Frank</span> put rookie <span>Andre Drummond</span> in the game at the same time as <span>Greg Monroe</span>. For the first time this season, <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> fans got a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/truebluepistons_121109.html">glimpse of the future. </a></p>
<p>Some fans have been reasonably wondering why it has taken so long for Frank to play the two together, especially given the Pistons' winless start. Beat writer Keith Langlois provided at least one semi-legitimate reason for the delay:</p>
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<p>One reason Lawrence Frank has been hesitant to pair Greg Monroe with Andre Drummond is the consistent production he’s received from <span>Jason Maxiell</span> and Jonas Jerebko at power forward.</p>
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<p>Despite the strong play of Maxiell and Jerebko thus far this season, it's baffling how a winless team had not yet experimented with its future frontcourt, especially since it seemed to work in the preseason, and it<i> is </i>the frontcourt of the future. Before the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> game, Frank had shed some more light on why... he's been so confusing [via<a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2012/11/9/3625736/pistons-94-thunder-105-where-moral-victories-happen#126460903"> freywagg</a>]:</p>
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<p>Coach Lawrence Frank said before the game that Detroit had been hesitant to use the two big men together because "you don't take away one of your main cogs and put him in a position of weakness there" but that the Pistons would probably try out the lineup eventually.</p>
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<p>We can assume Frank means Monroe is their main cog and putting him at power forward would be putting him in a position of weakness. We can then conclude that makes zero sense. Monroe is a natural power forward and has been playing out of position at center. While he has shown to be successful playing there, there's nothing to suggest he wouldn't also flourish at power forward.</p>
<p>It's entirely possible Frank simply doesn't know what the hell is going on, based also on his comments after Friday night's loss:</p>
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<p>"Bottom line, they were ready to play and we weren't. I didn't recognize our team tonight. We didn't come out with the approach that we normally do. We've got to have that fire and come out and compete."</p>
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<p>The approach the Pistons normally come out with? The team is an NBA-worst 0-5 and energy has been at a premium. What's normal? Weird. Frank may not have recognized his team tonight because he mixed things up for once, but overall, I thought the Pistons played pretty well considering they were going up against the reigning Western Conference champs. The Pistons outrebounded a team for the first time this season (41-38), had more assists (24-21) and fewer turnovers (15-17).</p>
<p>Further, the future of the Pistons, something Frank should hope he'll be apart of, was promising. As<a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2012/11/9/3625736/pistons-94-thunder-105-where-moral-victories-happen"> MFMP said</a>, Friday night was a moral victory for the young Pistons if there ever was one. Frank's probably not encouraged by the 0-6 start, but this was one of the more encouraging games of the still-very-young season.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2012/11/10/3626142/andre-drummond-greg-monroe-pistons-lineup-2012-lawrence-frank-quotesPackey2012-11-09T23:14:20-05:002012-11-09T23:14:20-05:00Pistons falter, but Drummond shines brightly
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<figcaption>Get used to it. | US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Andre Drummond made a tough loss watchable with 22 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes of play. Detroit didn't leave Oklahoma with a win, but this was a moral victory if there ever was one.</p> <p>After closing out the first half down seven points to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>, the Pistons found a special spark in the third quarter that not only changed the tempo for Detroit, it may have forced the hand of <span>Lawrence Frank</span>. <span>Andre Drummond</span> finally joined <span>Greg Monroe</span> for meaningful minutes up front, and it was immediately clear that Detroit fans were seeing their frontcourt of the future.</p>
<p>With two minutes left in the third quarter, Greg Monroe caught the ball in the high post and fed a cutting Andre Drummond for an easy layup at the basket. After taking a charge from <span>Serge Ibaka</span> on the following possession, Monroe looked for Drummond for another quick, easy basket, and fed him his second layup on as many trips down the court. Following another stop, an adjusting Thunder defense closed in on Drummond, and Monroe fed <span>Brandon Knight</span> the ball who dished it out to <span>Tayshaun Prince</span> for a perfect three point shot.</p>
<p>In 90 seconds of play, fans forgot about the five losses that came before it. After <span>Kyle Singler</span> came in to join the party, it only got better from there. Here are some key take-aways:</p>
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<li>After a franchise-high 11 assists from a center, Greg Monroe was clearly used as a point man frequently tonight. After a guard would bring the ball up the court, the possession wasn't moved to Tayshaun Prince like it had been in years past. Monroe would receive the ball in the high post and direct traffic, either opening up a pick-and-roll with a guard or handing the ball off to a rotating wing. It was effective, and it was beautiful.</li>
<li>Monroe finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 (!) blocks, the latter of which all happened in the first quarter. Over the last three games, he's averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks.</li>
<li>Once again, Kyle Singler showed the value of a four-year college player who spent a year in Europe before coming to the NBA. He's mistake free, shows great form and hustles on both ends of the court. Early in the 4th quarter, Knight missed a jumper that Monroe rebounded but his tip fell short. Singler stepped in and grabbed the offensive board in heavy traffic and filled the layup. Singler had a reputation for finesse in college, but this is one of the many moments where he was not afraid to do dirty work.</li>
<li>Andre Drummond was <i>beautiful</i>. He was 4-4 in the second quarter alone, and finished the game scoring 22 points on 10 shots with 8 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block and <i>six free throws made</i> on nine attempts. Watching he and Monroe side-by-side may have been the most exciting minutes of Detroit Basketball played since... I don't know, some time before November 3rd of 2008? Okay, I've been drinking, but still.</li>
<li>Andre Drummond became the youngest Detroit Piston in franchise history to break 20 points. The closest in age was <span>Amir Johnson</span>, who scored but did not break 20 points during his rookie season. While other rookies may have passed Drummond's 22 points, no Detroit Piston has ever done it at a younger age. There's a whole lot to look forward to, isn't there.</li>
<li>Both Stuckey and Knight played much better than they have so far this season, although their collective performance was flawed. Together, they only shot 37.5% from the field, but they also combined for 12 assists and only 3 turnovers. They might show greater efficiency in passing the more Monroe is leaned upon to manage distribution from the high post.</li>
<li>Oh yeah, the Thunder played too. Serge Ibaka had a career-high 25 points. It also took him 15 more minutes and 3 more shots to get to 25 than it took Drummond to get to 22, so put that in your bong and blaze it, Bobcat Goldthwait. I don't know what that means either. Again, drinking.<br>
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<p>If there ever was a moral victory, it was tonight. The Pistons started the first half looking like they had for the 5 games that came before tonight. Then head coach Lawrence Frank finally played Monroe and Drummond together in the frontcourt for 8 or so minutes that felt like an eternity. It was the most exciting moment Pistons fans could have seen so far this season, and it delivered a mandate to Lawrence Frank. Monroe and Drummond must be played together and for meaningful burn on a night-in, night-out basis. The hard numbers from DBB's own Brian Packey:</p>
<p>Detroit outscored Oklahoma City 16-10 when it was Knight/Stuckey(and then English)/Prince( and then Singler)/Monroe/Drummond. When Monroe and Drummond were on the court together regardless of the backcourt, they led OKC 17-15 in a brief look at the future.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> are now 0-6, but personally, I had more fun watching this loss than I've had watching a Pistons game in what might be years. Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond-- thank you. More of this please, young fellas!</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2012/11/9/3625736/pistons-94-thunder-105-where-moral-victories-happenMike Payne2012-11-09T18:56:01-05:002012-11-09T18:56:01-05:00Detroit-OKC GameThread
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<figcaption>Shane Bevel</figcaption>
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<p>If the Detroit Pistons are looking for their first win of the season, Oklahoma City is not a friendly place to find it. It'll take a grand effort from every Piston in uniform tonight.</p> <p>After five straight losses, you won't find much hope for redemption against the reigning Western Conference champions. A win tonight would require a valiant effort from all of Detroit's top players-- and a coach who is willing to experiment with his starting lineup and in-game rotations. If the status quo continues, this would be an easy one to mark in the loss column.</p>
<p>Fortunately for Pistons fans, the bright spot of the last two seasons appears to have put his starting struggles behind him. Over the last two games, <span>Greg Monroe</span> is averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 51% shooting. Monroe can't play all five positions at once, but it looks like he sure is trying.</p>
<p><strong>Game Tips at 8:00p.m. EST</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a></strong>: 0 - 5 (0-4 road)</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a></strong>: 3 - 2 (2-1 home)</p>
<p align="center"><strong>The Situation</strong></p>
<p><span>Kevin Martin</span> is making it very difficult for those who criticized the <span>James Harden</span> trade, at least for the moment. Martin has started the season shooting 64% from three, getting to the line six times per contest while shooting 94% on free throws, and is averaging 18 points on 9 shots per game. If you're a fan of advanced stats, that's a .77 TS%, and that is nasty. It's also unsustainable, but who's to say it won't continue for another night?</p>
<p>Beyond Martin (and equally admirable play from <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span>), the rest of the Thunder don't look to be the exciting, dominant team they were last season. <span>Kevin Durant</span> is registering the same 38.6 minutes per game he carried last season but he's attempting nearly four less shots per night. Much of this is coming from his three point shooting, which is starting the season off at a weak 27% on a few less attempts per game. Durant seems to be deferring more, and it has shown in an increase in assists with nearly 5 turnovers per game. It's been a rough start for last season's scoring champion, and the guy at the top so far this season is his ex-teammate James Harden.</p>
<p>Then there's <span>Russell Westbrook</span>. He's shooting 37% from the field while attempting the most three point shots per game in his career-- where he is shooting only 23%. So far, Durant and Westbrook just seem like they're missing something... or someone.</p>
<p>Worry not. They play the Detroit Pistons tonight, the Mother Teresa of the NBA. Like so many teams before, Detroit will nurse them back to health. Maybe even give them a foot massage or something.</p>
<p>I could use a foot massage.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>Keys to the Game</strong></p>
<p><em>Feed the Moose / Start the Bull / Free the Swede</em> - It's my 2012-13 chorus. It might still be premature to start <span>Andre Drummond</span>, but let's get him some playing time alongside Greg Monroe up front. OKC's weakness is and always has been its frontcourt, so a pair of twin 7-foot towers would give Detroit a nice strength tonight. Also, <span>Tayshaun Prince</span> on Kevin Durant? We already know how that will turn out. Let's give Jonas Jerebko and <span>Kyle Singler</span> a shot.</p>
<p><em>Change Up the Backcourt</em> - So far this season, only <span>Will Bynum</span> and <span>Kim English</span> are doing what they are supposed to do in the backcourt. Kim English is shooting 50% from the perimeter and Will Bynum is sporting a 39% assist rate. If the ball isn't moving and the shots aren't falling, there's a better option than letting Knight and Stuckey shoot us out of games.</p>
<p>That's pretty much it. It's time for some experimentation, it's time to try some new things with the pieces Detroit already has. It's clear who is performing this season and it's clear who isn't. If Detroit continues with more of the same in their rotations, the outcome will be more of the same as well.</p>
<p><strong>Question of the Game</strong>:</p>
<p>If Detroit approaches the 4-20 start that it had last season, could the Detroit Pistons coaching carousel see another victim? It would be the third consecutive season where <span>Lawrence Frank</span> reached 16 losses before his fifth win.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2012/11/9/3624818/detroit-pistons-at-oklahoma-city-thunder-redemption-will-be-a-toughMike Payne