Re: FORUM

[cool breeze]

So according to the game flow charts, Monroe and Drummond were a +1 last night, playing together without Josh Smith.  

I wonder how this team would fair next year, starting Monroe, Drummond and Singler, and bringing Smith off the bench.  Starting Monroe, Drummond and Singler certainly worked last night.

Let us hope the coach doesn't do that tonight Murph. I agree with you on that lineup going forward to next season if Monroe doesn't demand crazy money. He still cannot play defense from the power forward position but he has really good chemistry with Drummond as they are good friends. A big factor relating to the back to back wins has been Payton Siva. He made (3) 3 point shots last night when it counted. But it has been his ability to find the open man and his tough defense that has made a huge difference in the way this team has played.

[merc]

Starters have been practicing their fake injuries for weeks for tonights epic tank battle.... get yo limp on fellas.
All disabled bodies step forward.... bring your rookies, your scrubs and hooper too.
Cause these cats are ready to roll   

[Murph]

So according to the game flow charts, Monroe and Drummond were a +1 last night, playing together without Josh Smith.

I wonder how this team would fair next year, starting Monroe, Drummond and Singler, and bringing Smith off the bench. Starting Monroe, Drummond and Singler certainly worked last night.

[Sparma]

If the Pistons jump up to a top three pick, they'd keep it, even if they started at #9.

It still looks like they'll finish #8 in the standing. I have a sneaking suspicion #8 won't stay at #8 after the lottery. We'd have almost a 10% chance to jump into the top 3, but also close to a 20% chance to get bumped down, giving up the pick to Charlotte.

[Oracle]

Siva shot 3/4 from 3pt range I believe, and he truly looks like he could be a good backup PG off the bench, either the 2nd or 3rd guard depending on his development.

However, seeing him go off made me think of the final four in two respects.

1. IMO, Napier will be a solid pro, but he looked like crap in the final game. If he played better, they would have won by 15 or 20, but he kept turning it over, and one instance made me scream! He was coming up court, and a guy came up from behind him and stole the ball... the guy that would be guarding him!!!

This bothered me because a PG needs and should have court awareness. He should have looked behind him for one very good reason! Any fool can count, and if he looked up court, which he was, he would have known that a man was missing! I guess that night was one that he didn't get enough food, which makes me know that his father certainly wasn't Spreewell, who kept his family stuffed

2. I brought back the dumb blonde on Fox who made this classic bone headed broadcast... see if you catch the flub   

[Oracle]

I just read an eye opening stat over at PistonsPowered.    

Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond have only played 183 minutes together all season, without Josh Smith....that's 183 minutes all season, or 2 minutes a game.

So in other words, those who are saying Drummond and Monroe cannot play together effectively (without Smith), have virtually no statistical evidence to prove it.

Murph this is a good point but why in hell are they playing them together now? Atlanta had no effective big men who showed up for this game so Monroe and Drummond looked pretty good. Still both are horrible defenders but look better playing together than when either players is on the floor with Smith. Both Piston head coaches determined that Monroe and Drummond are behind the curve when it comes to knowing where to be on defense. That is why they have not been on the floor together very much. But their size did look pretty scary tonight. 

Every win means the owner will lose perhaps a 1000 ticket renewals next season. Great job playing your best players at a time when you should be trying to lose. Any team would have beaten the Hawks in this last game but maybe we could have lost with Mitchell, Datome and Charlie V. Stuckey is getting the call so why not charlie V. Charlie wants should get the same break as Rodney as they both make an amazing 8.5 million dollars a year. Yes the secret weapon we will be reading about will be the announcement that Rodney will be coming back with a new 3 year contract.

Without Sir can't shoot out, Josh, and the results were good, but dismal from the draft pick perspective! Atlanta must truly suck!!!

That KCP dunk was pretty special, I hope we get a coach that can figure out how best to use him, because his defense is only going to get better!

Yeah, we passed on two great PG's of the future, but it is what it is now, and we may be looking at one of the best defensive stoppers at the SG position in the future, and that could be worth gold! IMO, his offensive game will eventually come around once these idiots stop trying to make him a 3pt specialist!

[cool breeze]

I just read an eye opening stat over at PistonsPowered.    

Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond have only played 183 minutes together all season, without Josh Smith....that's 183 minutes all season, or 2 minutes a game.

So in other words, those who are saying Drummond and Monroe cannot play together effectively (without Smith), have virtually no statistical evidence to prove it.

Murph this is a good point but why in hell are they playing them together now? Atlanta had no effective big men who showed up for this game so Monroe and Drummond looked pretty good. Still both are horrible defenders but look better playing together than when either players is on the floor with Smith. Both Piston head coaches determined that Monroe and Drummond are behind the curve when it comes to knowing where to be on defense. That is why they have not been on the floor together very much. But their size did look pretty scary tonight. 

Every win means the owner will lose perhaps a 1000 ticket renewals next season. Great job playing your best players at a time when you should be trying to lose. Any team would have beaten the Hawks in this last game but maybe we could have lost with Mitchell, Datome and Charlie V. Stuckey is getting the call so why not charlie V. Charlie wants should get the same break as Rodney as they both make an amazing 8.5 million dollars a year. Yes the secret weapon we will be reading about will be the announcement that Rodney will be coming back with a new 3 year contract.

[cool breeze]

Looks like we're on our way to our patented 4-2 sprint to the finish.   We can't even lose successfully.   This team's become so, so hard to root for.  Can only get better, right?

AD & Monroe as cornerstones.  Things could be a lot worse.  The hire to replace Dumars will be so crucial.

Granted Detroit is the only non playoff team trying at all cost to win the remaining basketball games. This is a bad as players who get confused rebound the basketball and go to the wrong end to make a layup for the other team. 

What is even more frightening for me is the fact that management is featuring our 8.5 million dollar baby Rodney Stuckey in the remaining games. He is the player getting the most playing time. That means the owner is determined to RESIGN STUCKEY. Please God tell me this is not true.... The News writers will be talking this up over the summer saying Rodney will be playing as good as Labron next year. Watching that game almost made me laugh thinking that Atlanta might actually get into the playoffs. That team is horrible. The only bright spot for me was Siva making 3 3s when it counted. Atlanta had no big men to compete with ours. And nobody on the Hawks team could make a free throw or a 3 point shot.

[deusXango]

If the Pistons end up with the 9th worse record in the NBA and the Ping-Pong balls moves us up to, say, the 2nd pick, would we have to surrender that 2nd pick to Charlotte?

[Sparma]

Stuckey turns the ball over 8 times (along with 4 assists), but easily leads the team in +/-.

[Sparma]

Looks like we're on our way to our patented 4-2 sprint to the finish. We can't even lose successfully. This team's become so, so hard to root for. Can only get better, right?

AD & Monroe as cornerstones. Things could be a lot worse. The hire to replace Dumars will be so crucial.

[Fennis Dembo]

At halftime John Loyer's cell phone rings.

Loyer:  Yellow, John Boy here.
Gores:  What the hell is going on?
Loyer:  Who is this?
Gores:  Your boss.  You dimtwit!

Loyer: You sound different, Joe.
Gores: This is Tom freakin' Gores.
Loyer: Oh, sorry Mr. Gores.

Gores:  Didn't you get my memo?
Loyer: What memo?
Gores: The memo about tanking.
Loyer: Yes, sir, were giving it 110%.
Gores: No, I want you to tank.  Play the rookies and Charlie V.  I'm glad  Smith has a fake injury.
Loyer:  He hurt his knee playing Twister and no I can't do that.  It would wreck the integrity of the NBA.
Gores: There is no integrity in the league you moron.  Do Milwaukee and Philadelphia look like they have integrity?

Loyer: They both beat us.  That's integrity.
Gores: No, that's because we have a crap team with crappy coaching.  Now lose the damn game so we can get a better draft choice.  That is a direct order.
Loyer: Yes, sir.  But we will at least make it close.
Gores: Close, but no cigar.  
Loyer: I can picture Red Auerbach turning over in his grave with his victory cigar.

Final Score: Detroit   102  Atlanta 95        

Text messages after the game:
Gores: WTF! WTF! WTF!
Joe Dumars: Way to go, John.  You are a treasure.  LOL

[WTF]

I just read an eye opening stat over at PistonsPowered.    

Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond have only played 183 minutes together all season, without Josh Smith....that's 183 minutes all season, or 2 minutes a game.

So in other words, those who are saying Drummond and Monroe cannot play together effectively (without Smith), have virtually no statistical evidence to prove it.

Yeah but what about all the minutes with Josh    That's where the issues lies. Also there's a reason why they don't play those 2 together.

[Murph]

I just read an eye opening stat over at PistonsPowered.   

Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond have only played 183 minutes together all season, without Josh Smith....that's 183 minutes all season, or 2 minutes a game.

So in other words, those who are saying Drummond and Monroe cannot play together effectively (without Smith), have virtually no statistical evidence to prove it.

[Murph]

But he's still no Trey Burke, nor is he a Kemba Walker.  I will say this though I was impressed with his fire and leadership on the floor and the kid had some very impressive stats through the tournament.  Still think he's a second round pick and not a first rounder and I would be oppose to the Pistons taking him in the second round. If he's a steal pick I rather we steal him in the second.  

We need to go after a SG or SF with the first pick.  I still think Stauskas or McDermott should be the route the team needs to take.  I'm not really sold on these freshmen being shoved down everyone's throat with the exception of Wiggins but he's not NBA ready.  

 
Napier might turn out to be better than Burke or Walker.
 
The Pistons definitely need to say no to McDermott and Stauskas.  McDermott is the opposite of Napier.  McDermott is the most over-rated player on the most over-rated team in the tournament.  I mean Creighton got blow out by 30 by Baylor in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament, and they only played 1 ranked team all year ('Nova twice).  And in case no one's noticed, the Big East ain't what it use to be, and should not get the respect it use to.
 
McDermott looks slow and chubby to me, and will be a huge defensive liability.  Chandler Parsons or even Kyle Singler he is NOT.  He'll be more like Adam Morrison, or a slightly taller Jimmer Fredette.  I can't wait until the first time that doughboy tries to drive the lane, and Kevin Garnett or Andrew Bynum lays a sharp elbow on him, welcoming him to the NBA. 
 
And do we really need another guard like Stauskas, who's only marketable skill in the NBA will be shooting?  I'd rather develop KCP and Singler as our shooters.  KCP and Singler can contribute in many ways other than just shooting.

[Go Stones!]

Within 24 hours of the Pistons being eliminated from the playoffs, Joe D will hold a press conference stating something like "Gores made if very clear that he expected the team to make the playoffs. The Pistons did not make the playoffs, so I will respectfully resign as my job was not done." He may say there was an agreement, but...I think once again Joe D will take the high road and we will never know all the issues he quieted down behind closed doors. He gets a lot of credit, some which may not be b/c of him, and he got a lot of flack for some things in which he may not have done, but it was under his watch, nonetheless.

Thanks for what you brought, Joe D. You will not be forgotten. Let's just hope that the future of the Pistons is what we all desire it to be under Gores' next President.

[WTF]

Here's my draft board of players likely to be available at #8:

1. Napier
2. Gordon
3. Payton
4. Harris
5. Ennis

Murph Napier is currently listed on most draft boards as a late second round type of player. But Nick Johnson is also in that category right now. While I do not want more shorter players, both of these guys are great defenders unlike our current group of guards. Let us see what Napier does tonight. He sure looks like a winner but with all the potentially good players in this draft, it might be smarter to select one of the higher rated first round guys for that 8th pick. We could get another really good point guard in the 2nd round.

And he should be a late second pick, I'm not saying that he hasn't played exceptional in the NCAA Tournament but it shouldn't propel him into becoming a 1st round pick.   I could be wrong but I don't recall hearing Napier name last year in the mix with Burke, MCW, and a few others nor do I recall him on anyone's radar the year before that.  

While I think he should get attention for his play this tournament because he has played well he is not under-rated but perhaps over rated because of UConn success.  

But the last thing this team needs is an undersize Rookie PG Project fix next season they already got last season NCAA Championship undersized PG project on the team (Siva).  

Nonsense.  Napier is everything that Trey Burke was last year...AND he's a National Champion.  

You can see this one coming a mile away.  About 20 teams, including the Pistons, are going to pass on Napier, and he's going to end up becoming another Kemba Walker in the NBA.

But he's still no Trey Burke, nor is he a Kemba Walker. I will say this though I was impressed with his fire and leadership on the floor and the kid had some very impressive stats through the tournament. Still think he's a second round pick and not a first rounder and I would be oppose to the Pistons taking him in the second round. If he's a steal pick I rather we steal him in the second.

We need to go after a SG or SF with the first pick. I still think Stauskas or McDermott should be the route the team needs to take. I'm not really sold on these freshmen being shoved down everyone's throat with the exception of Wiggins but he's not NBA ready.

[WTF]

He shouldn't wait he should just resign right now! This is the best news in a long long time THANK GOD!!! it is coming to pass and I for one won't miss his ass.  

Now if I can see Blaha, Hooper, Kelser and Mason to follow suit it'll be like going to HEAVEN!!!!  

Man I feel like dancing and skipping around in circles and singing that song the Oz Munchins sang when the house fell on the witch and killed her. Now if Gores can skip down the yellow brick road and find a coach and GM to give these players some BRAINS, HEART and COURAGE!!!!!!!!        

[WTF]

How cute! Gores decided to let Joe walk away by resigning oppose to firing him. How appropriate that he gets to walk away under another one of his many lies. What excuse would he use? will it be health issues, other projects some new direction or he out grown the job.

One thing that won't happen in his departing presser will be the truth and some accountability. Gores be careful Fat Joe is good at scapegoating and tossing the innocent under the bus. You could end up at the end of the day looking like an asshole instead of a smart owner doing the right thing. Personally it's you that should be having a presser saying you fired his Fat Ass!!!

[Sebastian]

Take it easy Joe ... and thanks for the memories.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/08/report-joe-dumars-to-resign-as-pistons-general-manager/

[cool breeze]

Finally somebody has noticed how well Jerebco is playing. Players you play with can make or break you and players like Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings, Bynum, Stuckey, and Monroe can break you. l say that remembering how those players tried to shut out guys like Singler and Jerebco intentionally during the months of December, January and Feb. There was a reason why those players didn't play both sides of the court. They were not going to pass the ball to Singler or Jerebco at all cost. And hopefully it has finally cost them the respect of the fans. Jerebco said it all relating to his success over the past 6 weeks. "I feel like the second unit is sharing the ball and Just playing good basketball". Did you notice Siva actually passing the ball to Jerebco in this last game. He was open before when Jennings was playing but somehow Brandon didn't see him and all focus was on Josh Smith. Our point guards (Jennings and Bynum) have ignored the open man all season. Only a small circle of players get their attention. But lately it has been fun to watch that second unit and actually Stuckey has been part of it. That doesn't mean that I want Stuckey to stay with Detroit next season. He needs to leave. And Smith, Bynum, and Jennings need to leave as well. 

Detroit has no chance to make the playoffs. Will the coach continue to play the starters instead of the rookies? It is actually fun to watch the games now to see what happens. If Detroit loses this number one pick I would predict that a lot of season ticket holders will not renew. We need to get two new quality players in this draft. If not, I can't see many fans paying money to see Jennings, Smith, Stuckey, Bynum or Monroe next year. The effort has not been there and that should mean a lot to the hard working people who live in the Detroit area. The owner better understand that fact.

[cool breeze]

Here's my draft board of players likely to be available at #8:

1. Napier
2. Gordon
3. Payton
4. Harris
5. Ennis

Murph Napier is currently listed on most draft boards as a late second round type of player. But Nick Johnson is also in that category right now. While I do not want more shorter players, both of these guys are great defenders unlike our current group of guards. Let us see what Napier does tonight. He sure looks like a winner but with all the potentially good players in this draft, it might be smarter to select one of the higher rated first round guys for that 8th pick. We could get another really good point guard in the 2nd round.

And he should be a late second pick, I'm not saying that he hasn't played exceptional in the NCAA Tournament but it shouldn't propel him into becoming a 1st round pick.   I could be wrong but I don't recall hearing Napier name last year in the mix with Burke, MCW, and a few others nor do I recall him on anyone's radar the year before that.  

While I think he should get attention for his play this tournament because he has played well he is not under-rated but perhaps over rated because of UConn success.  

But the last thing this team needs is an undersize Rookie PG Project fix next season they already got last season NCAA Championship undersized PG project on the team (Siva).  

Nonsense.  Napier is everything that Trey Burke was last year...AND he's a National Champion.  

You can see this one coming a mile away.  About 20 teams, including the Pistons, are going to pass on Napier, and he's going to end up becoming another Kemba Walker in the NBA.

There is no denying that Napier is a really smart basketball player. How many players have had the performances he has had in this NCAA tournament? I don't know how that translates to the NBA but for sure he is far better than any guard on the Pistons team and there is no contest if you think about how our Piston guards defend.  Napier has the FIRE. There are others in this draft who will have great success in the NBA. And some of those players will be available in the 2nd round. I can't believe that a player like Jake LaVine from UCLA is listed on most draft boards as a first round pick and Napier is down towards the bottom of the 2nd round. That UCLA was not a key player on his college team this season. Sure Kyle Anderson might become a really good NBA point guard. But tonight I agree that Napier is MVP of this college season based on what he did in this tournament. Knowing who is in charge of this Piston organization, I have doubts that Detroit will be drafting in the first round.

[Murph]

Here's my draft board of players likely to be available at #8:

1. Napier
2. Gordon
3. Payton
4. Harris
5. Ennis

Murph Napier is currently listed on most draft boards as a late second round type of player. But Nick Johnson is also in that category right now. While I do not want more shorter players, both of these guys are great defenders unlike our current group of guards. Let us see what Napier does tonight. He sure looks like a winner but with all the potentially good players in this draft, it might be smarter to select one of the higher rated first round guys for that 8th pick. We could get another really good point guard in the 2nd round.

And he should be a late second pick, I'm not saying that he hasn't played exceptional in the NCAA Tournament but it shouldn't propel him into becoming a 1st round pick.   I could be wrong but I don't recall hearing Napier name last year in the mix with Burke, MCW, and a few others nor do I recall him on anyone's radar the year before that.  

While I think he should get attention for his play this tournament because he has played well he is not under-rated but perhaps over rated because of UConn success.  

But the last thing this team needs is an undersize Rookie PG Project fix next season they already got last season NCAA Championship undersized PG project on the team (Siva).  

Nonsense. Napier is everything that Trey Burke was last year...AND he's a National Champion.

You can see this one coming a mile away. About 20 teams, including the Pistons, are going to pass on Napier, and he's going to end up becoming another Kemba Walker in the NBA.

[cool breeze]

This Boston game may turn out to be huge in a bad way for our Pistons and our viewing enjoyment next season. In the post game interview two games ago when Siva lead a comeback, coach Loyer advised the press that no way was he going to take those hard working players out of the game. Was he trying to insure a loss by bringing in Jennings with 2 minutes to go. If so then he is excused but being that he kept Stuckey in the game, I think that he was really trying to win that game. We would have been in a great position if Boston could have kept that lead and won that game. Why not bring in Mitchell in the last two minutes? Does the owner want to save money he would have to pay if the Pistons actually get to keep this number 7 or 8 pick? Rondo wasn't playing for Boston. Why does this always happen to the Pistons. Because of insane stupidity our Pistons signed Bob MacAdoo which allowed Boston to draft Larry  Bird. Joe Dumars actually gets the number 2 overall draft pick and he drafts Darko. Are the Pistons cursed because of bad karma created by Piston owners and their GMs. This should be a clear business decision that this Piston team at all costs has to keep this number one draft pick. 

I am still amazed that some fans and maybe the owner still believe that lack of point production relating to the 2 guard spot is the weakness of this team. Lack of DEFENSE is the problem so please understand that Mr. Gores. If Detroit gets to keep their pick and Arron Gordon is available, this is the player that should be drafted because we cannot take another rookie shooting guard. He would change the culture of this team. They would go from sure losers to a team that nobody would want to play. Gordon is dedicated to creating the right team chemistry and he knows that happens when all the players get on the same page relating to playing defense. He is an amazing defender and leader. He hates losing and is a practice fanatic. Plus he has a motor that never stops. All this season I kept saying to myself that Gordon has the same gestures as Isiah Thomas. You can see that he is crazed when playing and seems to always give his team a lift when everything is going wrong. He takes losing personal. People look at the stats of players and try to predict how they will impact the NBA. Gordon is a sure thing rotation player who will make life hell for anyone he is assigned to guard. He will confront his teammates if they screw up. He will take it personal when his team loses. The players that played with him in the international game after the McDonalds All Star game last year all said it. He is only about winning and never about himself. We have nobody on this current team like that. We need a leader and a guy who will set others straight when they go through the warmups looking like they are high on grass and start the 1st quarter looking like they are half asleep. We need to secure a high rated vet shooting guard who has already learned how to compete on the defensive end on defense. We could use a good quick rebounder and shot blocker who can get a fast break started. Gordon is going to be the steal of this draft at whatever number he is drafted. Right now I cannot identify with any member of this current Piston team. Get a player with real fire in their belly if it isn't Gordon whatever that position that player might play. Remove the players with zero heart or interest in becoming great. Draft the same type of player in the 2nd round and there are a lot of good combo guards who meet that standard who are currently listed as 2nd rounders. Murph likes Napier. He identifies that he has the FIRE. Great choice for the 2nd round if not Wilcox or Nick Johnson. All three of those guys are head and shoulders smarter and better defenders than any of our current guards.

[WTF]

Here's my draft board of players likely to be available at #8:

1. Napier
2. Gordon
3. Payton
4. Harris
5. Ennis

Murph Napier is currently listed on most draft boards as a late second round type of player. But Nick Johnson is also in that category right now. While I do not want more shorter players, both of these guys are great defenders unlike our current group of guards. Let us see what Napier does tonight. He sure looks like a winner but with all the potentially good players in this draft, it might be smarter to select one of the higher rated first round guys for that 8th pick. We could get another really good point guard in the 2nd round.

And he should be a late second pick, I'm not saying that he hasn't played exceptional in the NCAA Tournament but it shouldn't propel him into becoming a 1st round pick. I could be wrong but I don't recall hearing Napier name last year in the mix with Burke, MCW, and a few others nor do I recall him on anyone's radar the year before that.

While I think he should get attention for his play this tournament because he has played well he is not under-rated but perhaps over rated because of UConn success.

But the last thing this team needs is an undersize Rookie PG Project fix next season they already got last season NCAA Championship undersized PG project on the team (Siva).

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