Simple Solution

[Murph]

If Morris has a bad attitude in Detroit or is a disruption, SVG should just start Stanley Johnson at SF.  I'd rather see Johnson start anyway.

Is it just me, or does Morris run his mouth a lot for a guy who's averaging 9 points a game for his entire NBA career?

And his continual tweeting reminds me of a malevolent Charlie V.

[Oracle]

Marcus gets his ass kicked, IMO, on Twitter! The article was ok, but the comments were better(different article than on the side)!

The Suns fans also believe that Markeiff is just as bad, just a bit more productive, but they want him gone as well.

Former Phoenix Suns F Marcus Morris engages in Twitter fight with radio host

[Oracle]

Merc	45
Oracle	44
Wise	44
Stones	41
Murph	40
Lemonpen
Cool Breeze
Phil1980boy
Sissy
DX
Fennis
Sparma
Sebastian

[merc]

OC, Going with 45 W's... thanks

[Oracle]

Member	Wins
Oracle	44
Wise	44
Stones	41
Murph	40
Lemonpen
Cool Breeze
Phil1980boy
Sissy
DX
Fennis
Sparma
Merc
Sebastian

[Go Stones!]

Put me down for 41 wins.

[Oracle]

This is a great f'n interview!
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-lowe-post-podcast-stan-van-gundy-on-greg-monroe-orlando-regrets-and-more/?ex_cid=story-twitter

Merc, that was a REALLY good podcast, and reinforced a lot of what I was thinking that SVG was thinking! IMO, this forum is right on the beam with how NBA coaches are trying to run their teams! SVG goes into some detail about his thinking, but the big shocker to me, and something that was in the back of my mind, was this...

SVG said that Stanley Johnson is good enough to start, and he's NOT position limited! He said that if he can take KCP's gig, he will get it, and he said the comparison in his mind of Johnson was Jimmy Butler... WOW!

I've believed that Stanley would be perfect at the 2, with my only concern being the speedier 2's where he would need help defending. KCP would be untouchable at the 2 spot if he had anywhere near a consistent shot, midrange or 3, and it's his inconsistency that blocks him from all star consideration.

If Stanley can produce a consistent shot, I believe SVG would give him the starting job, and that might put KCP on the trading block where he would fetch a good price, not that I'm hoping for that, but it could come to that!

Either way, SVG is rightly putting pressure on the youngsters to perform. The only unfair part of that competition is that Johnson won't be FORCED to be a 3 point specialist, and given the green light to score any way he can, whereas KCP has been trapped into that shot a 3 or die position!

[Oracle]

Remember that we will freeze these predictions the day the first game is played of the regular season. Until then, you can revise your predictions at any time, just let me know!

Here's what I have right now. I'll order them once we start to get enough predictions.

Member	Wins
Lemonpen
Stones
Oracle	44
Wise	44
Cool Breeze
Phil1980boy
Sissy
DX
Fennis
Sparma
Murph	40
Merc
Sebastian

[merc]

First Price... then Soria... what gives?
Answer: Dombrowski :^)

[merc]

This is a great f'n interview!
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-lowe-post-podcast-stan-van-gundy-on-greg-monroe-orlando-regrets-and-more/?ex_cid=story-twitter

[Murph]

I'll say 40 wins, the 8th seed, and a quick 1st round exit.

But keep in mind, I am ALWAYS too optimistic.

[Oracle]

I was thinking we should wait until training camp was over so that we could see who gets cut, and be able to digest any trades SVG might make.

However, if anyone feels strongly, I'll take your prediction.

Here's last years predictions for the forum, and Seb was the winner.

Member	Wins
Lemonpen	49
Stones	45
Oracle	44
Wise	44
Cool Breeze	44
Phil1980boy	44
Sissy	42
DX	41
Fennis	41
Sparma	38
Murph	38
Merc	36
Sebastian	34
Others
Foster	44
Wojo	42
Niyo	40
Goodwill	39
David Mayo	37
Brendan Savage	35

[WTF]

OC, Vegas has the Pistons only winning 34 games... it looks like a safe bet (barring major injuries).

Sorry about the partheimers but did we start predictions yet?... I'm going with 45 W's... first time in 4 years predicting a winning record.

In my eyes the key to success is E.I.'s health... PF seems like the only questionable position. If Ersan & Tolliver can maintain equal matchups in the East this team could make it to the 2nd round... it's a lot to ask but the spacing alone is a win.

Originally I said this team was 10 games better simply by Mooses's abscence from the roster. I'm still kind of there with my original prediction of 44 wins again, but I'm confuse still about SVG fascination with all these 6'6 and 6'7 players.

IMO its the SG position that gives me the most worry because I honestly don't think SVG has a reall idea what going happen there. Competition can only truly happen if everyone was starting from scratch but SVG is committed to Morris starting at PF and Meeks is deep in his pocket for 7-8 Million this season and next, He committed to Jackson and he's committed EI and Andre.

Not really sure how that SG position will play itself out, not sure if SVG can Keep Jennings and Meeks happy if he committs to both Johnson and KCP and I'm still not sold on Johnson as a SF just yet.

[merc]

OC, Vegas has the Pistons only winning 34 games... it looks like a safe bet (barring major injuries).

Sorry about the partheimers but did we start predictions yet?... I'm going with 45 W's... first time in 4 years predicting a winning record.

In my eyes the key to success is E.I.'s health... PF seems like the only questionable position. If Ersan & Tolliver can maintain equal matchups in the East this team could make it to the 2nd round... it's a lot to ask but the spacing alone is a win.

[Sebastian]

Yo, Oracle, first off, big ups to you, Wise, DX, and my other Pistons Pals for keeping it going as WE enter the off month (August) of the NBA season.

At this date on the calendar, I tend to agree with the pre-season predictions that you have referenced, although I tend to believe that WE can finish as high as 5th in the East with 46 wins.

However as WE get closer to the start of the season, I expect that all of OUR predictions will be recorded for posterity. (Remember, I won last season's wins total.)

Peace to all my fellow Pistons Pals.

The early returns have a surprising result... The Pistons are ranked 17th!

But that's not the biggest surprise in the ranking! If you remove the Western Teams from the ranking, you get the following ranking of Eastern Teams, in order!

1. Cleveland
   
2. Bulls
   
3. Wizards
   
4. Heat
   
5. Hawks
   
6. Bucks
   
7. Pistons
   
8. Magic
   

In other words, they're predicting what most of already believe... this Piston team is a playoff team!!!

Article here: PBT’s NBA Power Rankings: Summer Edition, where the Spurs keep on winning

[Oracle]

I agree, Drummond needs to spend any time available working on his FT shooting, especially if he isn't shooting above 50% right now. Repetition is the only cure for what ails him at the charity stripe!

And he also needs to work hard on his defense! He's going to get enough lobs and open dunks to get his points and the occasional 20 point game, but if he can't put the fear of God into players defensively, he's missed his calling.

Andre, become a REALIST and stop the half ass stuff!

[Oracle]

The early returns have a surprising result... The Pistons are ranked 17th!

But that's not the biggest surprise in the ranking! If you remove the Western Teams from the ranking, you get the following ranking of Eastern Teams, in order!

1. Cleveland
   
2. Bulls
   
3. Wizards
   
4. Heat
   
5. Hawks
   
6. Bucks
   
7. Pistons
   
8. Magic
   

In other words, they're predicting what most of already believe... this Piston team is a playoff team!!!

Article here: PBT’s NBA Power Rankings: Summer Edition, where the Spurs keep on winning

[WTF]

This is an interesting question, and one that forces me to confront Drummond's issues head on.

My answer would be... Only as a backup who saw limited time, in short a space filler.

Unless something has changed dramatically, Andre has limited use in offenses not fitted to him like ours will be. Even then, his lack of a decent offensive game, well below average defense, and bottom of the barrel free throw shooting, makes him very unattractive.

I'm not saying a lot of that can't change, but I am saying that it's not likely changed today! I think he needs this entire year to hopefully find himself as a player.

Having said that, I hope he makes it because the experience should be helpful, but another side of me is afraid of injury possibilities!

Here's the article - Can Pistons big man Andre Drummond make Team USA?

Where I disagreewould be even wanting him to make the team. I think if he had fully arrived as aplayer and refining his game was the only issue with him then yes I would love to see him on the USA Team. As Oracle states there are some major things against him making it beyond being a space filler.

I would rather see Andre here focusing on two major issues. Offense will come to him so that's not that big of a deal. However he really needs to be focusing on becoming a far better FT shooter and a far better defender than he currently is. Right now today I wouldn't be arguing for a max deal for resigning him.

[Oracle]

This is an interesting question, and one that forces me to confront Drummond's issues head on.

My answer would be... Only as a backup who saw limited time, in short a space filler.

Unless something has changed dramatically, Andre has limited use in offenses not fitted to him like ours will be. Even then, his lack of a decent offensive game, well below average defense, and bottom of the barrel free throw shooting, makes him very unattractive.

I'm not saying a lot of that can't change, but I am saying that it's not likely changed today! I think he needs this entire year to hopefully find himself as a player.

Having said that, I hope he makes it because the experience should be helpful, but another side of me is afraid of injury possibilities!

Here's the article - Can Pistons big man Andre Drummond make Team USA?

[WTF]

Wise, right the f@ck on!!! Negative fans and negative media members need to kiss Josh's ass.

DX, it's just stupid how the media go about the business of what is news and reporting on BS and lies no matter what it maybe about. Another example: I think Trump is an asshole and I don't like him one bit he's a dumbass with a lot of issues. The raping of the wife thing now viral is stupid considring his wife explained the error in which she spoke about 8 years ago and how it's been news the past 48 hours as if he actually did rape her. The woman said way back then that she miss spoke when saying that the loss passion in their love making felt like rape. Like I said I can't stand looking at that asshole on TV who say's a lot of dumb **** himself about others but this is just another example of the media promoting lies.

They need to get off of Josh because I haven't heard not of one bad thing this guy has done yet he constantly a victim of media and fans mainly because he shoots a poor percentage from 3 point land and don't seem to give a **** about it, but that is not a reason to find fault at every turn with this guy just because you don't like him as a player.

[WTF]

Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney Houston’s Daughter, Dies at 22

This is truly tragic 22 is to young for anyone to die, her mom died far too young as well. We should all count our blessing of waking up every day that God allows us too.

[deusXango]

Wise, right the f@ck on!!! Negative fans and negative media members need to kiss Josh's ass.

[Fennis Dembo]

Some guy from Canton, Michigan set up a GoFundMe page for Josh Smith. Steak and Lobster for the whole family every night whether they like it or not. Take that Latrell.

[Oracle]

Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney Houston’s Daughter, Dies at 22

[Oracle]

I agree, this was funny when first reported, and the way Josh said it was dumb, but seriously, we ALL knew what he meant!

Bu the time you get to the 200th repetition of the same joke, and the latest reports seem to actually believe that's what he was saying, it's gone to beyond ridiculous!

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