Detroit Bad Boys - Pistons fly close to the Suns, get burned late againA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2014-11-20T14:53:14-05:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/70154482014-11-20T14:53:14-05:002014-11-20T14:53:14-05:00KCP responds to Markieff, SVG gets his digs in
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<figcaption>Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Suns and Pistons play again Dec. 12. </p> <p>The war of words between <span>Markieff Morris</span> and <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> continued Thursday, with KCP answering Morris' post-game barb and <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> coach <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> even getting his own jabs in.</p>
<p>After the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Suns</a> escaped The Palace with an 88-86 victory Wednesday, with KCP's possible go-ahead 3-pointer rimming out, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/20/7253143/markieff-morris-claims-kentavious-caldwell-pope-does-not-have-any">Morris went after the Pistons second-year guard to the media.</a></p>
<p>"Caldwell-Pope got it and you know he doesn't have any heart, so we knew he was going to miss," Morris said.</p>
<p>Morris, of course, neglected to mention the 3-pointer KCP hit to spark the Pistons' nine-point run and the 3 he hit to give the Pistons an 86.-85 lead.</p>
<p>When asked about the comments, Caldwell-Pope was mostly diplomatic.</p>
<p>"I'll keep it at heart," he said, <a href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/11/kentavious_caldwell-pope_was_r.html">via MLive</a>. "That's his opinion. I know what I can do and how I carry myself. So that's his opinion on me. It is what it is."</p>
<p>But one person who was willing to jump into the verbal fray was Van Gundy.</p>
<p>"I'm not quite sure -- maybe he knows -- I'm not quite sure what Markieff Morris has accomplished in the league that gets him to the point of mouthing off," Van Gundy said, <a href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/11/kentavious_caldwell-pope_was_r.html">according to MLive</a>. "I mean, I don't like the mouthing off anyway. It seems to me you should at least participate in a playoff game before you do. But maybe not, maybe that's not the standard anymore."</p>
<p>The two players were jawing at each other earlier in the game after KCP drew a charging foul on Morris. The young players went face-to-face before being separated by referees with each getting a technical foul.</p>
<p>But Van Gundy said he wasn't mad about the technical foul, and was, in fact, happy to see his player step up to the challenge.</p>
<p>Via <a href="http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/svg-kcp-wasnt-backing-down-anything">Pistons.com</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I thought KCP was ready to go," [Van Gundy] grinned. "You like that. You like having to pull a guy away a little bit. If we would have all just walked away - referees, us included - KCP was ready to go. He wasn't backing down from anything."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>While this is likely the end of the war of words, the two players get a chance to settle it on the court when the Suns and Pistons meet again Dec. 12 in Phoenix.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/20/7255587/kcp-responds-to-markieff-morris-svg-wonders-why-morris-is-mouthing-offSean Corp2014-11-20T01:56:07-05:002014-11-20T01:56:07-05:00Markieff Morris claims KCP doesn't have any heart
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ua6ZQ-4pv1XO6A7svGUbNIYt2MI=/0x6:1781x1193/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44192176/usa-today-8214845.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Morris says the Suns knew KCP would miss the potential game-winning three because of a void in the sophomore guard's chest cavity. Ouch.</p> <p><span>Josh Smith</span> and <span>Stan Van Gundy</span> weren't the only two to engage in <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7252569/josh-smith-stan-van-gundy-exchange-benching-yes-maybe" target="_blank">a 'jawing session'</a> during Wednesday's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a>-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Suns</a> game. <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> and the Suns' <span>Markieff Morris</span> each picked up technical fouls in the second quarter after a little confrontation that looked like nothing more than some mid-game pleasantries.</p>
<p>Well, a chord was obviously struck with Morris, who carried the apparent beef into the post-game interviews, proudly refusing to mince words about Caldwell-Pope's near game-winner with a few seconds left in the game:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Morris on KCP: "Caldwell-Pope got it and you know he doesn’t have any heart so we knew he was going to miss it."</p>
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vincent_Ellis56/status/535288746380623873">November 20, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>It's no secret that Morris likes to run his mouth. Morris has been fined 14 times since he entered the league four seasons ago, which includes a technical foul he picked up against the Pistons last season when he had the fourth-most technicals in the league.</p>
<p>The Suns have 14 technicals this season, the most in the NBA.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, Morris' best case comparison on DraftExpress is <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Markieff-Morris-5179/" target="_blank">Rasheed Wallace (without The Crazy)</a>, who <a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/markieff_morris/bio/" target="_blank">Morris idolized</a>. Seems like he's got the crazy at least.</p>
<p>I await KCP's rebuttal.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/20/7253143/markieff-morris-claims-kentavious-caldwell-pope-does-not-have-anyPackey2014-11-20T01:16:45-05:002014-11-20T01:16:45-05:00Moose lost his contact, turned into Mad-Eye Moosie
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uidBgk0WOeHP1A9RZKS6MYcsPp4=/0x470:2220x1950/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44192104/usa-today-6336322.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Greg Monroe has a knack for keeping his eye on the ball. </p> <p>Greg Monroe had himself an eye-opening game on Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns.</p>
<p>Monroe had his eye contact lens dislodged after he picked the pocket of Alex Len with under a minute to play in helping the Pistons come back from eight down. Len bumped Monroe in the eye going for the loose ball. Luckily, Moose was immediately able to locate his right eye's vision sticking to the hardwood floor:</p>
<p> </p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="mooseye" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-bWL3yo2bi5dtCpQ2qiJ_5S1x14=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2474294/Screen_Shot_2014-11-20_at_12.32.12_AM.0.png">
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<p>This is when Moose transformed <a href="https://twitter.com/sean_corp/status/535265535668527104" target="_blank">from animal to monster</a> thanks to the Fox Sports Detroit cameras:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Greg Monroe putting his contact back in <a href="http://t.co/Um7itnYZWi">pic.twitter.com/Um7itnYZWi</a></p>
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/detroitbadboys/status/535262513550860288">November 20, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="mooseye2" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HKoM2PENNR0dNRkGPKA4hLk-R2g=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2474332/Screen_Shot_2014-11-20_at_12.33.39_AM.0.png">
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<p><iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/OJ13q3O6pXV/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe>
<script src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>MF (which stands for Moose Fan) Garrett Elliott came up with the best new name for Moose:</p>
<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="mooseye3" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MoAmpO6aSu6DW4sUhRdXyb4XVOU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2474342/Screen_Shot_2014-11-20_at_12.53.52_AM.0.png">
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<p> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="madeye" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DvWaqgeW68BK8Ajrr-M9tkjDR2A=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2474344/6628-26575.0.gif">
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<p>Mad-Eye Moosie finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Makes me almost miss <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit4lyfe.com/articles/detroit-pistons/will-bynum-loses-an-eye-ball-but-wins-the-pistons-a-game.html">B-eye-num</a>.</p>
<p><b> UPDATE:</b> From last year!</p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/detroitbadboys">@detroitbadboys</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/brianpackey">@brianpackey</a> Here's a rare sighting of Mad-Eye Moosie from last year! <a href="http://t.co/MVEUy9CKv0">pic.twitter.com/MVEUy9CKv0</a></p>
— Michael Jemal (@gmall) <a href="https://twitter.com/gmall/status/535320814719991808">November 20, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<p>Now your eye puns.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/20/7253037/greg-monroe-eye-contact-lens-mad-eye-moosiePackey2014-11-19T23:37:19-05:002014-11-19T23:37:19-05:00Josh Smith, Stan Van Gundy have a verbal exchange
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Dh21hZVKCuUlsvQsGIq-f55hTko=/0x17:2292x1545/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44191734/usa-today-8215169.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Josh Smith only took five shots in the game and did not play a single minute in the fourth quarter. Those are both good things.</p> <p>While Smith did not play a single minute in the fourth quarter during Wednesday night's loss to the <a href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phoenix Suns</a>, it might not be for all the right reasons:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p><span>Josh Smith</span> and SVG have an verbal exchange. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pistons?src=hash">#Pistons</a></p>
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vincent_Ellis56/status/535252692038590464">November 20, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Seems to be over the defensive coverage. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pistons?src=hash">#Pistons</a></p>
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vincent_Ellis56/status/535252845713719298">November 20, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>And just to be clear: the verbal exchange was nothing compared to Bynum and Cheeks last season. Or any of the stuff with Kuester.</p>
— Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vincent_Ellis56/status/535253703226572800">November 20, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<p>The Bynum-Cheeks and Player-Kuester verbal exchanges were reportedly really bad, so it's good we've separated this Smith-Van Gundy exchange from the ugly past. Maybe they were just talking and it was worth noting because <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8k2AAMTZKo">they couldn't seem to control the volume of their voices.</a></p>
<p>Whatever exchange Smith-Van Gundy had -- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/11/pistons-suns_gamer.html">MLIVE called it a "jawing session"</a> -- it was a constructive one, because Smith did not play a single minute after it. The only concern is that they patch things up and Smith goes back to shooting and playing too much.</p>
<p>Now your thoughts.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7252569/josh-smith-stan-van-gundy-exchange-benching-yes-maybePackey2014-11-19T22:29:13-05:002014-11-19T22:29:13-05:00Pistons burned late again vs. Suns, fall 88-86
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZGTWPWL5kkp1w_3Su5tjOd82-xg=/0x53:3062x2094/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44191188/usa-today-8214748.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Pistons didn't break 80 points until the final two minutes of the game and failed to execute their last play with a chance to win it. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> played one of the fastest-paced offenses in the NBA tough, holding the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a> to only 88 points when they entered the game averaging 105. Unfortunately, the Pistons came up just short late in another gut-wrenching loss, 88-86, and fell to 3-9 on the season.</p>
<p>The Pistons dropped behind by eight, 83-75, with 3:13 remaining in the game on a <span>Markieff Morris</span> jump shot. At that point it felt all but over -- the Pistons were shooting poorly, from three particularly, and couldn't seem to string any kind of run together.</p>
<p>But then out of nowhere they did.</p>
<p>A minute after falling behind by eight, the Pistons scored nine straight points on three consecutive three-pointers -- two from <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> -- to go up one, 86-85, with 34 seconds to play. 3-5 on threes in a couple minutes' time after going 3-15 in the first three quarters.</p>
<p>The Pistons couldn't get a stop when they needed one most, though, as the Suns quickly answered six seconds later on a <span>Eric Bledsoe</span> drive that was far too easy. <span>Greg Monroe</span> got stuck on Bledsoe after a pick and Bledsoe burned him with no help in sight.</p>
<p>After a failed attempt of ... something (<span>Jonas Jerebko</span> driving and trying to wrap a pass around two big men like a point guard), the Pistons luckily still had the ball and a chance to draw up a play to win the game with 11.8 seconds remaining. However, the inbounds play was as slow and inefficient as <span>Brandon Jennings</span>' blocked attempt to score the winning basket. The loose ball somehow got tipped out to Caldwell-Pope by Jerebko, allowing KCP with a wide-open look for another game-winning attempt, but his three-point try was short.</p>
<p>And so went the Pistons. Short. Again.</p>
<p>This just about sums up the game:</p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Drummond 2-10. 28% from three WITH a couple late makes. 6 missed FTs in the first half. 88-86 loss to team who averaged 105 coming in</p>
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/detroitbadboys/status/535265834420428801">November 20, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20141119/PHXDET/gameinfo.html?ls=slt#Q4" target="_blank">Box Score</a></p>
<p><b> GameThread Roll Call</b></p>
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<th width="20">#</th> <th>Commenter</th> <th># Comments</th>
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<td>1</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/heWizard">heWizard</a></td>
<td>61</td>
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<td>2</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/stevenyc">stevenyc</a></td>
<td>55</td>
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<td>3</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/IamPAP">IamPAP</a></td>
<td>35</td>
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<td>4</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/sabetodo">sabetodo</a></td>
<td>29</td>
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<td>5</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kriz">Kriz</a></td>
<td>28</td>
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<td>6</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jason%20Brunskowski">Jason Brunskowski</a></td>
<td>27</td>
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<td>7</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/rojo578">rojo578</a></td>
<td>26</td>
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<td>8</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/JWurm">JWurm</a></td>
<td>25</td>
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<td>9</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/garrettelliott">garrettelliott</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Goose15">Goose15</a></td>
<td>24</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/RoverTO">RoverTO</a></td>
<td>19</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rusty_Shackleford">Rusty_Shackleford</a></td>
<td>18</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/smackdab">smackdab</a></td>
<td>16</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jayod">jayod</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Packey">Packey</a></td>
<td>10</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/VinceD">VinceD</a></td>
<td>10</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Crosseyed">Crosseyed</a></td>
<td>9</td>
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<td>18</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/J%20Dre">J Dre</a></td>
<td>9</td>
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<td>19</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Pistonlove">Pistonlove</a></td>
<td>7</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/awesome.hog">awesome.hog</a></td>
<td>7</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/shags">shags</a></td>
<td>7</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/lilbabyj32">lilbabyj32</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/rames">rames</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/zeke.khaseli.7">zeke.khaseli.7</a></td>
<td>6</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Kevin%20Sawyer">Kevin Sawyer</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Iron%20Sheik">Iron Sheik</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/dh123030">dh123030</a></td>
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<td>28</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/bcrew13">bcrew13</a></td>
<td>5</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/21GB">21GB</a></td>
<td>4</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Johnny%20Quid">Johnny Quid</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rban">Rban</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Hi%20I'm%20Rob">Hi I'm Rob</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Anthos17">Anthos17</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Joe%20Cool99">Joe Cool99</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TDP">TDP</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ben%20Quagliata">Ben Quagliata</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Frankdog">Frankdog</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/SRK756100">SRK756100</a></td>
<td>3</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/jomanj">jomanj</a></td>
<td>2</td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/TheGille">TheGille</a></td>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/subic%20sailor">subic sailor</a></td>
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<tr class="alt">
<td>42</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/FlyMonk321">FlyMonk321</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>43</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ghost%20of%20Dumars">ghost of Dumars</a></td>
<td>2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>44</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/heartshapedhoops">heartshapedhoops</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>45</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/BlackStockguy">BlackStockguy</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>46</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Fadel">Fadel</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>47</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/-PS-">-PS-</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>48</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/The%20GIF%20Oracle">The GIF Oracle</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Sean%20W">Sean W</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="alt">
<td>50</td>
<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/thebeastman17">thebeastman17</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Atlanta on Friday.</p>
<p>Now your thoughts.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7251995/pistons-vs-suns-final-score-greg-monroe-defense-no-offensePackey2014-11-19T14:00:02-05:002014-11-19T14:00:02-05:00Pistons vs. Suns preview
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hd4fbqS9cvNO_3txDQxIomrK7yk=/0x0:2487x1658/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44187116/usa-today-7667352.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Phoenix has a lightning fast trio of guards and skilled perimeter players that can give any team fits. But it's not all clicking yet. </p> <p>Last season the Phoenix Suns went from obvious Western Conference doormat to most surprising team in the league thanks to an innovative new coach and some stellar guard play from Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe. The team caught lightning in a bottle, won 48 games and fought hard for a playoff spot.</p>
<p>This year, however, the voltage has significantly dimmed. Things just aren't gelling like they were last season and the Suns sit at 6-5. But there is no better cure for a struggling team than the Detroit Pistons, who look to secure a win at home before embarking on a short two-game road swing.</p>
<h4>Game Vitals</h4>
<p><b>Where:</b> The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan<br><b>When: </b>7:30 p.m. EST<br><b>Watch: </b>Fox Sports Detroit</p>
<h4>Exceptionally Detailed Analysis</h4>
<p>The Suns decided to double down on its explosive point guard experiment and made their duo a trio with the offseason signing of Isaiah Thomas (my No. 1 offseason crush). Thomas has delivered as advertised, serving as an explosive scorer and capable ball distributor. He's not hitting high percentages from the field but he is getting to the line a ton and creating opportunities for others with his whirling dervish style. But the Suns are struggling to make their trio work as an entire unit, with Dragic struggling as he has less control of the offense and new $70 million man Bledsoe not converting on offense or delivering on defense at the level that his new salary dictates.</p>
<p>But it's only been 11 games and if there is any team that can help things click for a dynamic offense it might be the Pistons. The Suns are, after all, just a better, more mature version of the Orlando Magic who easily handled the Pistons 107-93 on Monday.</p>
<p>The Magic were able to do it thanks to guard penetration and elite shooting from the perimeter. The Suns aren't as dangerous from deep this year, with their most potent threat, Channing Frye, leaving for the Magic, coincidentally, but they do have a bunch of players that can get into the lane and finish at the basket.</p>
<p>Alex Len has been a pleasant surprise in the post and Dragic can kill you with penetration, with a full 40 percent of Dragic's shot attempts come within three feet. Overall, the Suns score 45.6 points in the paint per game, sixth in the NBA.</p>
<p>For the Pistons, the only way to win will be to punish the Suns inside. Greg Monroe, Josh Smith and Andre Drummond have to be more of a threat inside than they were against the Magic and they have to win the rebounding battle handily. The Suns rank 27th in points in the paint allowed and 24th in total rebound percentage.</p>
<p>The player the Pistons need to target is Miles Plumlee. Plumlee's opponents shoot 56 percent at the rim on more than eight attempts per game, per SportsVu data. In fact, three give up at least three attempts at the rim per game and all allow their opponent to hit at a better than 50 percent clip. Plumlee, Len (52.9 percent on 6.2 attempts) and Markieff Morris (59.7 percent on 5.6 attempts).</p>
<p>For comparison's sake, the Pistons interior defenders (who by my eye test have been dreadful) are ranked as such: Monroe (50.0 percent on 6.3 attempts per game), Smith (50.6 percent on 7 attempts) and Drummond (44.6 percent on 8.4 attempts).</p>
<h4>Players to Watch</h4>
<p><b>Detroit:</b> Greg Monroe</p>
<p>The Moose had his first truly poor game of the season against the Magic and combined with the usual futility coming from Smith and Drummond, there was no way for the Pistons to compensate. The team hit 11-of-24 3s and still lost. Monroe can't afford not to carry the load down low again, and as stated above he should be able to go to work against the Suns. If Monroe can give the offense of focal point in the paint and allow the perimeter shooters to augment that, we could see something a lot more effective and aesthetically pleasing than what we saw against Orlando.</p>
<p>Defensively, meanwhile, Monroe is going to have his hands full. He'll have to contend with Markieff Morris, who shoots roughly 60 percent of his shots from between 10 feet out to the 3-point line. And when Monroe shifts to center, he will face Alex Len who has been a pleasant surprise down low for the Suns.</p>
<p><b>Phoenix:</b> Isaiah Thomas</p>
<p>Thomas has the second-highest true shooting percentage of any Suns rotation player not named Len and the top assist percentage on the team. He could go absolutely nuts assuming he is guarded all night by DJ Augustin and Brandon Jennings. And if the Pistons decide they want to switch Kentavious Caldwell-Pope onto the 5-foot-9 Thomas, that means that either Augustin or Jennings will be forced to guard Dragic.</p>
<p>I'm particularly worried about Augustin, who has been really dreadful on defense so far and hasn't gotten his offensive game going either. A combination of Augustin and Thomas on the floor together could turn a close game into a 10-point burst of offense for the Suns relatively quickly.</p>
<h4>Last Time We Met</h4>
<p>The Pistons went 1-1 against the Suns last season, but lost the second matchup 98-92. Here is <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/3/22/5536272/pistons-at-suns-smith-loyer-lead-pistons-to-another-loss">an excerpt from the DBB recap</a>. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Josh Smith</span> was awful, hoisting selfish jumpers and disinterested defensively. Perhaps my favorite, most Josh Smith defining shot, came in the first half with a contested fade away jumper from 20 feet on the baseline with plenty of time left on the shot clock. You'll never guess how that shot turned out. He missed all of his eight free throws, putting his free throw percentage at a whopping 47 percent since February. And you'll never guess who led the team in minutes with over 42 minutes.</p>
</blockquote>
<h4>Score Prediction</h4>
<p>I'm feeling particularly surly after the abomination against the Magic. The only shred of hope the Pistons have is Phoenix's weakness inside defensively and the fact that they haven't been hitting the 3-point shot at prodigious, Orlando levels. Let's go with 112-106 Phoenix.</p>
<h4>Lineup Prediction</h4>
<p><b>Pistons:</b> Jennings, Caldwell-Pope, Smith, Monroe, Drummond<br><b>Suns: </b>Bledsoe, Dragic, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Plumlee</p>
<h4>Injured/In Doubt</h4>
<p><b>Pistons: </b>Gigi Datome (hamstring), Martin (foot) are probable; Meeks (back) is out<br><b>Suns: </b>None</p>
<h4>Community Question</h4>
<p>Do you think this will finally be Andre Drummond's breakout game?</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7246721/pistons-vs-suns-preview-detroit-looks-to-slow-down-one-of-leaguesSean Corp2014-11-19T13:18:45-05:002014-11-19T13:18:45-05:00Shootaround: Pistons give back to the community
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ab-VVzpMDVDbgjrW0rQ-6RoGcjw=/0x55:1465x1032/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44187366/usa-today-8212635.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Detroit Pistons host the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night at The Palace, 10 years after the infamous "Malice at The Palace." Here is an afternoon Morning Shootaround.</p> <p>Get some layup drills in for Wednesday night's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/">Phoenix Suns</a>. If you take a hard foul by a crazy person, don't turn around and shove him in the neck. It can lead to crazier things.</p>
<p>That should've been the lesson <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7246227/malice-at-the-palace-10-year-anniversary-hopefully-the-last-time-we" target="_blank">10 years ago to the day, the night when the "Malice at The Palace" occurred.</a> I know <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7246227/malice-at-the-palace-10-year-anniversary-hopefully-the-last-time-we" target="_blank">Sean said let's never speak of it again</a>, but I'm going to. It wasn't and still isn't really a yawn-inducing moment in NBA history for me. It's a permanent black eye in NBA history actually and <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnba%2F2013%2F11%2F12%2Fdavid-stern-malice-at-the-palice-detroit-pistons-indiana-pacers-ron-artest%2F3507003%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.detroitbadboys.com%2F2014%2F11%2F19%2F7246241%2Fpistons-news-malice-at-the-palace-stan-van-gundy-greg-monroe-fan-duel" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">the toughest crisis David Stern had to deal with in his plus-30 years as commissioner.</a></p>
<p>To this day, when I look back at the video, I still have a sense of shock that it happened, and, of all places, at The Palace. I remember vividly where I was when it happened -- on the left side of a cramped futon placed under a bunk in a closet-sized dorm room full of college dudes. My friend who was in charge of the TV remote was surfing through the channels and I asked him to check the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> game on ESPN. He turned to ESPN, saw the score, laughed to rub it in my face and was about to switch the channel when the conspired hard foul occurred and all hell broke loose. Our Friday night got a little more interesting, and embarrassing for me.</p>
<p>Funny story about the guy who threw the cup and <a href="http://pistonpowered.com/2014/11/19/police-caught-malice-palace-cup-thrower/" target="_blank">how the police caught him</a>, which is similar to a holy-cow moment my Mom had. My Mom was watching the local news one November night in 2007 or 2008 and he was being interviewed, as it was the anniversary night of the incident. He was talking about his involvement, his charges and how he was banned for life from Pistons games. Her jaw about dropped to the floor. My Mom realized it is the same guy she hired to re-do the front porch of our home.</p>
<p>Anyway, if you do want to revisit that night, Sean has great links in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7246227/malice-at-the-palace-10-year-anniversary-hopefully-the-last-time-we">his post</a>. If you read one of them, make it be Grantland's<a target="_blank" href="http://grantland.com/features/an-oral-history-malice-palace/"> oral history.</a></p>
<p>On to more current matters:</p>
<p>-- While something ugly happened at The Palace 10 years ago, something beautiful went down there on Tuesday night, as the Pistons served food to 700 metro Detroit families.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The tables are set <a href="https://twitter.com/ThePalace">@ThePalace</a> to serve 700 metro <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Detroit?src=hash">#Detroit</a> families tonight w/<a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons">@DetroitPistons</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndHunger?src=hash">#EndHunger</a> <a href="http://t.co/64HcG8101t">pic.twitter.com/64HcG8101t</a></p>
— Forgotten Harvest (@ForgottnHarvest) <a href="https://twitter.com/ForgottnHarvest/status/534834190836334592">November 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>JJ and D.J. serving the ham and turkey <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeasonOfGiving?src=hash">#SeasonOfGiving</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nbacares">@nbacares</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForgottnHarvest">@ForgottnHarvest</a> <a href="http://t.co/h6B7WQzePg">pic.twitter.com/h6B7WQzePg</a></p>
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/534856943366860800">November 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Coach Van Gundy serving stuffing with a smile <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeasonOfGiving?src=hash">#SeasonOfGiving</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ForgottnHarvest">@ForgottnHarvest</a> <a href="http://t.co/9ZiQhJS98a">pic.twitter.com/9ZiQhJS98a</a></p>
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/534853273090813952">November 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Which led to this DBB tweet:</p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die. MT <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons">@DetroitPistons</a>: Coach Van Gundy serving stuffing with a smile <a href="https://twitter.com/ForgottnHarvest">@ForgottnHarvest</a> <a href="http://t.co/qWmFaR7lWn">pic.twitter.com/qWmFaR7lWn</a></p>
— Detroit Bad Boys ☠ (@detroitbadboys) <a href="https://twitter.com/detroitbadboys/status/534857920140566530">November 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>The Pistons did not blow the dinner late. Way to go, Pistons.</p>
<p>- Informative <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/11/detroit_pistons_qa_greg_monroe.html">Q&A with Greg Monroe at MLIVE</a> full of useless information:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>MLive: If you guys had a team Jeopardy competition, who would win?</p>
<p>Monroe: Jeopardy? (Looks around the gym at teammates). Who would win? Maybe Kyle (Singler). Maybe Spencer (Dinwiddie). I'd put myself up there, too.</p>
<p>MLive: You know a lot of useless information?</p>
<p>Monroe: I wouldn't say useless. You think Jeopardy questions are useless?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>- It's not Jeopardy, but you can win money <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/3/7152371/fanduel-fantasy-basketball-detroit-pistons-private-leagues">playing FanDuel</a> tonight. SB Nation is hosting a one-day <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/fantasy-basketball">fantasy basketball</a> league Wednesday night for $2 and a chance to win $25. Here is <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanduel.com%2Fsbnation-basketball-league%3Fp%3DSBNPISTONS&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.detroitbadboys.com%2F2014%2F11%2F19%2F7246241%2Fpistons-news-malice-at-the-palace-stan-van-gundy-greg-monroe-fan-duel" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">the link.</a> I will have a separate post later with my team and where we can talk about it exclusively. Speaking of exclusively, if you don't have an account yet, SB Nation readers who sign up for FanDuel will get their first deposit 100 percent matched up to $200. <a target="_blank" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanduel.com%2Fsb-nation-basketball%3Fp%3DSBNPISTONS2&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.detroitbadboys.com%2F2014%2F11%2F19%2F7246241%2Fpistons-news-malice-at-the-palace-stan-van-gundy-greg-monroe-fan-duel" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Sign up here.</a> (<i>FYI, FanDuel gave DBB some money to play with, but in the honest-to-all-cool words of Matthew McConaughey, I was playing FanDuel long before I was getting paid to play FanDuel.) (Here's </i><a href="http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id/11896833/gambling-explaining-nba-commissioner-adam-silver-stance-sports-betting?curator=MediaREDEF&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NBA%20National%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=GMIB%2011%2F19%2F2014" target="_blank">David Silver's stance on betting</a><i>, by the way.)</i></p>
<p>- Speaking of making money, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/pistons/chatmailbox/pistons-mailbag-november-19-2014">Josh Smith's 3-point shooting was compared to the unemployment rate</a> ... in a positive way.</p>
<p>- More positive signs:</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Pistons get 26.4% of points from 3, 6th in NBA. And their best 3-point shooter (Meeks) has yet to play. Last year, 27th in that category.</p>
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) <a href="https://twitter.com/Keith_Langlois/status/534780771865608193">November 18, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<p>- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2014/11/detroit_pistons_notes_as_seaso.html">SVG wrote "Fight or Flight? Together or apart?"</a> on the Pistons' locker room white board after their loss to Orlando on Monday.</p>
<p><b>3 AROUND THE NBA:</b></p>
<p>- College basketball is in full swing, so let's start the <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2014/11/17/what-if-the-kentucky-wildcats-played-the-philadelphia-76ers/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NBA%20National%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=GMIB%2011%2F19%2F2014" target="_blank"><i>Would the best team in college basketball beat the worst team in the NBA?</i></a> debate. No.</p>
<p>- <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/11/18/7243731/dwight-howard-abuse-investigation-rockets?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NBA%20National%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=GMIB%2011%2F19%2F2014" target="_blank">Dwight Howard being investigated for child abuse.</a></p>
<p>- <a href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-boogie-board-offensive-rebounding-scoring-demarcus-cousins/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=NBA%20National%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=GMIB%2011%2F19%2F2014" target="_blank">The Boogie Board.</a></p>
<p>Now your thoughts and links.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/11/19/7246241/pistons-news-malice-at-the-palace-stan-van-gundy-greg-monroe-fan-duelPackey