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Sweat It Out
All you have to do is change the lineup and things will improve. Gordon does best coming off the bench; when he starts with Stuckey it forces Stuckey to be a point guard and we know he likes to attack and score so put Daye in there at the two guard for more size and an ability to spread the floor. Also, we need bench points so when Gordon comes in off the pine he has a singular role plus he'll do better defensively playing against second unit guys.
Our frontline is about ability. You know we can try and become great defensively if we aren't; it's okay, the effort will be there but Ben Wallace cannot start for us if we are trying to win. We have to start Wilcox, Charlie V., and Kwame Brown. Why? Because with Kwame and Wilcox you have size and scoring around the rim; with Charlie V. you have a guy who can go outside and inside who can match up with small forwards.
Off the bench play Bynum, Gordon, Ben W., Maxiell, and Jerebko. What's wrong with that? You have 2 scorers who can take all the shots in Gordon and Bynum and you have the defensive players who can plug in the pieces with some toughness, but those bench frontline guys are not starters because they won't contribute.
Start: PG-Stuckey, 2G-Daye, C-Brown, PF-Wilcox, SF-Charlie V.
Bench: PG-Bynum, 2G-Gordon, C-Ben Wallace, PF-Maxiell, SF-Jerebko
What the heck is so hard about that?
Ask yourself the question:
Are we going to get points out of Jerebko in the starting unit?
Will Stuckey be comfortable having to worry about getting Gordon shots when he's the guard of the future?
Why not start Daye and allow him to spread the floor and run the two guard slot?
Why are we using an old powerforward/center as the key to our defense?
See, it all comes down to using our ability wisely. We didn't do that even during the championship runs, we never used our guys properly which is why we only had one title instead of 3 or 4. Heck, at least get two? It comes down to these coaches not using the great personnel Joe has given them wisely. It's really frustrating because these guys can do it, they just have to be used the right way and not put in a situation where they have to watch their backs or are at a disadvantage with their skill set and their natural abilities. I just don't know how coaches, professional coaches, cannot see this?
Sweat It Out
All you have to do is change the lineup and things will improve. Gordon does best coming off the bench; when he starts with Stuckey it forces Stuckey to be a point guard and we know he likes to attack and score so put Daye in there at the two guard for more size and an ability to spread the floor. Also, we need bench points so when Gordon comes in off the pine he has a singular role plus he'll do better defensively playing against second unit guys.
Our frontline is about ability. You know we can try and become great defensively if we aren't; it's okay, the effort will be there but Ben Wallace cannot start for us if we are trying to win. We have to start Wilcox, Charlie V., and Kwame Brown. Why? Because with Kwame and Wilcox you have size and scoring around the rim; with Charlie V. you have a guy who can go outside and inside who can match up with small forwards.
Off the bench play Bynum, Gordon, Ben W., Maxiell, and Jerebko. What's wrong with that? You have 2 scorers who can take all the shots in Gordon and Bynum and you have the defensive players who can plug in the pieces with some toughness, but those bench frontline guys are not starters because they won't contribute.
Start: PG-Stuckey, 2G-Daye, C-Brown, PF-Wilcox, SF-Charlie V.
Bench: PG-Bynum, 2G-Gordon, C-Ben Wallace, PF-Maxiell, SF-Jerebko
What the heck is so hard about that?
Ask yourself the question:
Are we going to get points out of Jerebko in the starting unit?
Will Stuckey be comfortable having to worry about getting Gordon shots when he's the guard of the future?
Why not start Daye and allow him to spread the floor and run the two guard slot?
Why are we using an old powerforward/center as the key to our defense?
See, it all comes down to using our ability wisely. We didn't do that even during the championship runs, we never used our guys properly which is why we only had one title instead of 3 or 4. Heck, at least get two? It comes down to these coaches not using the great personnel Joe has given them wisely. It's really frustrating because these guys can do it, they just have to be used the right way and not put in a situation where they have to watch their backs or are at a disadvantage with their skill set and their natural abilities. I just don't know how coaches, professional coaches, cannot see this?
DANG!!!
We just don't use our talent properly. Why isn't Daye starting? You can't play small guards and expect to win or to be a good defensive team, it's not going to happen! Stuckey just sucks. I mean we have a bunch of drunk guys playing; guys who are just getting paid. Detroit has no type of ability or understanding of what to do on the court, none whatsoever. We are clearly a team that isn't good enough to compete this season. It's one thing to be over matched but we are hurting ourselves by playing midgit ball and expecting to win.
Face Facts
We just don't have a good basketball team. Yes they are hardworking and they try, but they just aren't good enough now-a-days to get wins like they used to. With our players, you'd think we'd be a lot better but we just aren't there mentally and you can see it on the court. Guys are trying to find themselves and trying to fight for every type of scrap they can get and it's like we aren't playing united; we are playing as individuals who don't want to come together at either end of the court.
THE GUYS
Hey, you have to love our guys, straight up. I love this team and I love our personnel. The only reason why we are losing right now is because
A.) Prince and Rip aren't here to give us that on-court leadership and chemistry in the 4th quarter in tight games.
B.) We really don't have a big man and we aren't using our power positions correctly.
Remember, it's just November but our guys are showing great signs of playing hard and fighting each possession. It's not like in years past where we lost games cause we didn't feel like playing. This season we are actually losing because we compete and just fall a little short or because in some situtions are are over-matched. Now we see how we can improve: Get the ball to our bigs for the full 48 and use our guards in scoring situations. Then pray Rip and Prince come back healthy by January.
Flat Out Facts
Here is the raw truth: Kuester doesn't use the frontline enough. Stuckey isn't that good of a guard; I loved his game with the veterans but since he's been in charge, he can't do jack. The man is just a penetrating guard that cannot shoot and has no real complete game; he can't set up guys unless his scoring options aren't there and he doesn't see the floor at all. He's a good bench player that can come in and contribute but that's it.
Will Bynum is good but I wouldn't trust him at the point guard slot either. The man is too short. I hate to say it, but the guy is short and midgit point guards don't make it when it comes to championships.
We have a good group of guys that work hard but they just need to get better. We are good and I appreciate our guys but just GET IT DONE!!!!
Lineup
Just change the starting lineup, we don't have any problem if these coaches use our players correctly. Dang, how hard is that? You know you can't please everybody so one of our guards has to get pissed off but we cannot leave all that great talent on the bench during crunch time, I mean that's really sickening.
Let me make this simple:
PG-Stuckey, 2G-Daye, C-Wilcox, PF-Ben Wallace, SF-Charlie V.
Bench:PG-Bynum, 2G-Gordon, C-Brown, PF-Maxiell, SF-Jarebko
I mean how hard is this? Stuckey is the starter, Bynum is the guy to help him out and back him up; you put Daye in the starting unit for size and to spread the floor; you also put Gordon in off the bench for point production. You have Ben Wallace and Wilcox in there for defense, rebounding and Wilcox for scoring in the post. You also have Charlie V. to spread the floor and create mismatches at the small forward spot.
WHY DO COACHES MAKE THIS SO HARD?
You can't try and give our guards 40 minutes a game; they aren't that good, just let them play their roles:
Stuckey: penetrator, scorer, distributor
Gordon: Scorer off the bench
Bynum: penetrator, scorer, distributor.
You don't pit Stuckey vs. Bynum; you rest Stuckey to put in Bynum and you put Gordon in the game for instant offense. This aint that hard.
Selfish Guards
IF our guards move the ball, we win. Our guards think they are somehow the reincarnation of Isiah, Joe, and Vinnie - NO THEY ARE NOT!!!! I mean come on, just move the ball, run some offense; get into your offense quickly and just ride the big men big time and let the guards plug in here-and-there. Our team works hard and they are to be appreciated, but all we need is unselfishness offensively with our guards and use the big men even more throughout 48 minutes. Our guards are good enough to get their points so them taking shots is not a premium for us; what's important is our distriubtion.
KUESTER NEEDS TO PLAY OUR BIGS MORE!!! YOU CANNOT WIN WITH 3 GUARDS IN THE GAME DURING CRUNCH TIME!!!!!
Boring NBA
It must be something in the water because the NBA is so boring now. I mean what is there to talk about or celebrate? The teams are sloppy, sluggish, and just not really prepared. When the Lakers play it looks like "happy ball" and there's nobody really serious. Boston has that Sheed Sleep Syndrome and really there are no good teams playing now-a-days. You just have watch the animals in the circus and the clowns jump up and down in order to say, "Oh, this is what the hype was for?"
This is a disgrace. I wish more NBA brawls and Ron Artest riots would break out - at least the people would be entertained.
Iverson - Hall of Shame
This guy doesn't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is for guys that have impacted the game of basketball in a positive way. What has Iverson done to impact basketball in a positive way? All Iverson has done is fight coaches, hog the ball, shoot a low percentage while taking way too many shots, and then make the "thug-love" image fashionable. Well, it's not called The Hall of Respect or The Hall of Good Basketball, it's called The Hall of Fame. If you are famous, you can get up in there. I guess he does have the answer?
Our Problems
The reason why the Pistons are losing is simple: They don't pass the ball and they don't remain patient in their halfcourt offense. They are good at attacking the rim but most times don't attack as often as they should. Plus, if their guards can get any shot they want, then why don't they let the big guys eat and score down inside; even if they miss 4 or 5 shots, let them get the ball inside of 15 feet and just get shot attempts to get some confidence. Guys like Maxiell, Kwame Brown, Wilcox, and Charlie V., should score all day inside 15 feet. It's not like they are rookies that are nervous. Besides, if those guys get nervous now, what the heck are they on the team for?
More Help
The only thing the Pistons need in terms of help is a big man who can guard the paint--that's it! The Pistons have great guard scoring and they have solid guys at the small forward spot. Once again, I'm disappointed that Jason Maxiell hasn't improved his post game. Say Maxiell improved in his post game - just to make more cash or to better his team - then where would we be? We'd be great that's where we'd be. The guy loves to bang inside so why not do that in the post? I don't understand how or why these players don't work to improve upon their games now-a-days, it's like once they get in the league, all they do is exercise and stay in their traditional role for the rest of their careers. It's really sad. I'd like to see Jason Maxiell get a shot at small forward because if I were the point guard, I'd go to him inside so he could get his confidence up. Go to him early and you'll get great energy from him the rest of the way. I just don't know why coaches and players don't do things to help themselves or give their players more confidence?
Maybe it's politics, I don't know?5 Years Ago Today
This was the greatest day in Detroit Sports. This brawl at The Palace between the great fans (20,000 large) and the Indiana Pacers put the Pistons and Pistons fans on a grand stage. Nobody will ever mistake Pistons fans for Knicks, Bulls, or Laker fans ever again. I have to give major respect to Pistons fans, we fight for what we believe in and we don't just back it up with cheers but with a kick-butt mentality that says, "Bring it on!"
You think fans in Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles would've had the testicular fortitude to do something like that? Heck no! Those fans would've ran away. About the only fans that would've stepped up like you all did in Detroit are the Oakland fans cause it's wild-and-out in Oakland, then Philly a close 3rd, but Detroit fans are what matters.
You know what I remember about that day the most? How sorry the Pistons played. They allowed the Pacers to come in their building as defending champions and just molest them while not playing hard at all. If you want to blame anybody for that fight, blame the players on the 2004-05 Pistons team because they should've did their fighting on the court during the game in how they played instead of having the fans to fight for them.
You didn't have this type of problem with The Bad Boys because the Pistons back in the late 80's early 90's would've fought on the court and taken out that aggression. The roots were/are still at The Palace from Isiah's Throne and the spirit of that team is still in the city, so something had to happen when the Pistons got punked in their own building - you couldn't allow that to happen and I thank God for my fellow brethren - PISTONS FANS!
As wild as things became at The Palace it could've been a lot worse. You had 15 Pacer players plus coaches versus 20,000 fans. All I'm saying is that those Pacers were lucky to walk away with their clothes on and their manhood in tact. Seriously, had this been Europe, something like that could've turned into ancient Rome where players and coaches could've been raped. It's one thing to have an orgy of violence but it almost crossed that line on being totally vile.
You know what was funny about that entire mini-riot? Nobody touched Rick Mahorn. Rick Mahorn was the safest person at The Palace, everybody (fans and players) knew, "DO NOT TOUCH RICK MAHORN ORELSE YOU WILL SEE GOD TODAY!" And nobody wanted to go before the Judgment Seat. Rick Mahorn is the National Security Force for The Palace, they should pay him with anything he requires because he keeps the peace.
What's funny if you listen to the commentary on the Detroit Sports of the brawl is that Bill Laimbeer was talking like, "Well, that's what it is and this is what is going to happen when you disrespect Detroit." Also there were some front office people doing interviews from the Pistosn organization that had smiles on their faces. So see, Detroit knows Detroit and Pistons fans know, "You don't disrespect our team orelse it will get on a physical level." This is why I love Detroit fans because we all understand when it comes down to it, I'll kick your grits.
Trade?
Do we trade Rodney Stuckey? I don't know? I mean who would we get in return? Sure Stuckey needs improvement but who doesn't? We have a good basketball team and it's not like we should give up on a guy in his third year. Stuckey has proven he can be a good role player and a difference maker in the playoffs. All Stuckey needs is game experience and this is the first year where he's had total leadership over a team and I think he's done a good job.
What's Wrong?
Actually nothing is wrong with our team. It's only November and we are 12 games in and we've had injuries to our two best veterans and a rookie head coach, currently our record is 5-7. I kind of expected this with our basketball team; we are just trying to find ourselves. The effort and work is there, it's just some basic things we are lacking - consistency. I still say if we had Rip and Prince we'd be tops in the league, it's not like everyone else is just killing people in the East. The Hawks have been the only team that's shown Eastern Conference improvement.
You know, I really think the team is trying too hard to be perfect right now. Instead of just playing basketball in a freelance style we are trying to do everything perfect instead of just playing using the weapons we have. We should use Wilcox more and we should also bring Ben Wallace off the bench for defensive energy. When is Jason Maxiell going to start for our team? The guy has worked hard and given his all, yet he's not good enough to get a starting nod? I just think we have way too many good players and way too good of a scoring team to wind up playing like this.
I also have to say our guards are way too selfish for my taste. Yes, they are coming into their own and proving themselves. You have Stuckey who has a lot to prove; you have Ben Gordon wanting to earn his keep and you have Bynum who is trying to move up the NBA food chain and get respect. Our guards are good enough to put up numbers but they have to do a better job within the confines of the offense to put us in winning situations. Very rarely have we won with the guards just taking over. It's sad because when we win, we get an all around effort from everyone; the more we pass and move without the ball the better off we'll be. I've seen the Pistons offensive sets and they are great, I just think more attack of the rim and more passing would do us justice.
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