Pistons Blog

Bad night for the Pistons

Just a bad, bad night all the way around. How many times have we said that this season?

There was confusion on the bench late in the game as to who was supposed to go in and who was staying on the bench. That pretty much symbolized the evening.

Poor shooting and lax defense - that combination will enable even a poor Indiana team to beat you. Just a bad night; there have been many of those this season.

One final thing: There was actually a good crowd here tonight, about 7,000 actual. They do love their basketball in Indiana, even with the Colts playing Sunday.

Snowy day in Indy

Snow, snow and more snow. It is coming down here in Indianapolis right now like we haven't seen in Detroit in quite a while. Some of the forecasts I've seen say 8 inches total will drop. With those kind of weather conditions, can you imagine how many fans will be at Conseco Fieldhouse watching the Pistons and Pacers? A few thousand...at the most?

The Pistons select...Cole Aldrich?

The Lions and the NFL Draft? Judging from all the questions regarding who the Pistons will take in the NBA Draft, who cares about football? Never mind the NBA Draft is in June! But for all those who've asked, a couple of reputable draftniks project the Pistons taking Cole Aldrich, the 7-foot Kansas center, if the draft were to take place today, on Feb. 2, four months before the actual draft takes place. Actually, Aldrich wouldn't be a bad pick.

No love for Meadowlands

One more time. That's all there is. The best thing about being here at Meadowlands Arena (okay, Izod Center) today is knowing there's only one more trip here before the Nets move temporarily to the Prudential Center. There may not be a more depressing arena in North America. I never liked coming here to cover the Red Wings play the Devils, and it's not better when the Pistons play here. It' not easy to get here, it lacks more modern comforts than Joe Louis Arena, and it's in the middle of nowhere. Plus, nobody comes to watch the Devils or Nets. Just depressing.

Wasted opportunity

I'm back, after a week off. I cannot believe the Pistons had one singular victory on this six-game homestand. Amazing. I expected much more from this team considering the schedule. It was a stretch the Pistons should have accomplished much more with. There's no way this team will make the playoffs now. There wasn't much of a chance before, but certainly not now. Brutal. I get the sense the trade deadline isn't all that exciting for fans right now. Just get this season over with, and start getting ready for 2010-11.

Ugly night for Pistons

Frustration definitely boiled over here tonight. A lousy effort by the Pistons, and when coach John Kuester had seen enough in the fourth quarter, he and Tayshaun Prince got into a heated exchange on the bench. Kuester only talked for less than a minute with the media before abruptly ending the conference. Prince wouldn't directly comment on the spat. Considering the way the Pistons played against the Celtics, the seeming momentum they had, this performance was shocking. A terrible Indiana Pacers team toyed with the Pistons.

Rip out (stomach)

NEW YORK - Amazing. Rip Hamilton (stomach ailment) joins Ben Gordon (groin), Tayshaun Prince (knee) and Will Bynum (ankle) out of the action today against the Knicks. In covering team sports for over 20 years, I can't remember a team being so unlucky in terms of injuries as the Pistons have been this season.

3 questions

Couple of responses to readers' e-mails: 1) Dan, no, I doubt we'll see DaJuan Summers play much anytime soon. He's the furthest behind of the three rookies. Simply too many people in front of him in the rotation, too. 2) wallyworld, the Pistons will win over 30 games. How much over 30...we'll let's say slightly over 30. The playoffs aren't likely. 3) AJT....I don't consider Stuckey the long-term answer at the point. At the 2-spot, yes. But not point.

Win streak

I forget who mentioned it last night while in the Pistons locker room after the victory over Washington. But the entire scene felt as if the Pistons had just won and gone up ahead 3-1 in a playoff series. This team was quickly becoming a laughingstock. Defeating the Wizards, without Gilbert Arenas and many others, won't earn too much praise. But for the first time in a month, the Pistons are winners. And there's a significant difference between a 1-game win streak and a 14-game losing streak.

Another dreadful loss

Amazing how quickly this entire situation turned sour. The Pistons were 11-12 and feeling good about themselves and the rest of the season. They had gotten Rip Hamilton back, and Tayshaun Prince was coming back soon. The Pistons had held up despite a terrible run of injuries. The future was bright. And...they haven't won a game since. They're looking terrible now. Absolutely terrible. With little, or no, hope on the horizon.