Be careful what you are wishing for Piston fans

[cool breeze]

If it is true that Stan Van Gundy is on the hot seat and might get fired before the trade deadline, I am very worried that the owner will pick on of SVG's assistant coaches to take over the team. I would rather let SVG finish out the season then let that happen. Usually it is on the head coach who is on the floor during practice actually running the practices. It is also not the head coach who is working individually with the big men or the skill players. Fans have been upset with the lack of development of some of our young draft picks. Some remember how the assistant coaches got on Johnson's back and forced him to change his jump shot release where he now does not release the ball cleanly with his dominate shooting hand like he did before he arrived with the Pistons. That used to be his bread and butter as a successful player making big game changing shots. Then we have Henry Ellenson who looks lost whenever he gets on the court. He practiced hard over the summer and thought he was ready to take a rotation spot. He was outstanding in the first regular season game scoring something like 17 points. But gradually his confidence became so bad that he can no longer make any outside shots when he gets a minute or two on the court. Henry Ellenson can be a real force if he is unleashed for meaningful minutes and is not receiving mixed messages from the coaching staff. What have they done to him? What did they do to Johnson? One of those coaches will most likely take over for Stan Van Gundy when he is finally fired from all duties. I hope it comes after the season is over. The starters must have a team meeting without the coaches and figure things out and ignore this coaching staff and take it upon themselves to become a force in the NBA. The players win or lose these games. They must acquire better leadership NOW from within.

[cool breeze]

SVG has been coach and GM of the Pistons for 4 years.  In that time, can anyone remember a single player that SVG has drafted and successfully developed?

Instead, we get an endless supply of retreads....Morris, Lauer, Tolliver, Bradley, Ilyasova, Baynes, Boban, Galloway, Moreland, Bullock...

SVG is really incompetent.   But I'm not sure if he's a worse coach or GM.

Murph SVG looked like a scientist gone mad in the 3rd quarter. His big strategy decision to bench Stanley Johnson for Bullock backfired. The way this team is set up the player who starts at small forward with the other designated starters is the 5th option on offense. That player is on the floor to defend the opponents best skill player and help Andre Drummond in the paint. However, fans have complained blaming Johnson for all of the Pistons bad times. His jump shot looks horrible. But who forced Johnson to change his jump shot release in training camp last season? In the end I blame Johnson for giving up the technique that worked so well in high school and college for the whim of the Piston coaching staff. But that is beside the point. This Piston team depends on hot shooting jump shooters Harris, Bradley and Jackson with AD also touching touching the ball a lot on the motion offense and also getting passes inside. When those 4 players cannot get their shots to go down, they do not adjust and make the extra pass or cut to get open. They also play very sloppy on defense. AD make three mental errors in the first two minutes of the game that led to turnovers. Harris shot contested jump shots and was not even close with his shot attempts. Bradley was not making his usual sharp cuts but then this opponent forced AD out further beyond the free throw line which caused the motion offense to fold. AD did not work hard enough to get himself in the proper spots to be an effective ball distributor. All the while SVG was looking like he was losing his sanity because he was focused on Reggie Bullock. Tell me how will the Pistons play Cleveland without Stanley Johnson on the floor to guard Labron. But it looks to me like Stanley Johnson is trade bait now. SVG as always is the politically correct coach who listens to what is most popular at a particular moment in time. Some fans spread the word that Stanley Johnson needs to be traded for scrap metal. Yes he is the fault as to why the designated scorers on the team cannot score right now. Panic has set in within the coaching staff. They all know that the owner should have fired them at the end of last season. If SVG can only appease the fans disgruntled with Stanley Johnson's occasional bricks ( he has never gotten many shots or touches in most games since he arrived) then all will be OK.

It would have been OK for the coach to insert Kennard in the starting lineup for Johnson. That might have created a spark depending on if the coaching staff had designed any plays for the small forward spot Kennard would have been playing. But of course SVG just had to start Reggie Bullock who is the one player none of the starters trust. My preference would have been to continue on with the designated starting lineup that was able to win big games earlier against some of the best teams in the NBA. They just need to work out of this funk and get stronger from the experience of losing a string of games. But now because of the coach's knee jerk panic decision this team is now in trouble just like last season when Harris went cold for the last half of the season and AD played at half speed. Boban at least challenged some shots. AD in the first quarter allowed Plumblee to take 4 seconds to set his feet properly to shoot a 6 foot jump shot. AD gave him the shot and not only did not come out to contest the shot but didn't even put his arms up.

I really liked your comments on Old Man Ball. Wouldn't it be refreshing to have Luke Walton as the Piston's head coach? Maybe we better encourage Ball to keep doing his thing. Imagine being one of his sons. And I believe that SVG said that Old Man Ball ( he hates being called that name) has had a lot to do with how talented his son's have become. SVG said that when it was the popular thing to say. SVG needs some love. He is like that Dr. who went mad in the movie "Suntan". Overall I have thought that SVG had been doing a better job this season in all fairness but during the bad times all teams have in the NBA SVG seems to bring out the worst. He has little patience and it shows and wears on the roster players. Chuck D. was an easy going guy who never showed his frustrations in bad times or pointed fingers to agitate the players who individually feel worse than anyone when the loses start piling up.

[Murph]

SVG has been coach and GM of the Pistons for 4 years.  In that time, can anyone remember a single player that SVG has drafted and successfully developed?

Instead, we get an endless supply of retreads....Morris, Lauer, Tolliver, Bradley, Ilyasova, Baynes, Boban, Galloway, Moreland, Bullock...

SVG is really incompetent.   But I'm not sure if he's a worse coach or GM.

[Murph]

How long will it be before LeVar Ball demands that Luke Walton be fired?  LaVar has already gotten his kid's AAU coach fired, their high school coach fired and he clearly doesn't like the UCLA coach.  I'm sure LaVar will love their Lithuanian coach.    

Luke Walton better update his resume.

[Murph]

I couldn't even watch.  I watched the Knicks Lakers game instead.  It's getting pretty pathetic when the Knicks are a more compelling team to watch than the Pistons.

KCP had 24 last night.  I see in the box score that Bradley had 6.  It's beginning to occur to me that Bradley was never all that good; his elevated play was likely due to Brad Stevens' coaching.  Just like KCP was never all that bad; his disappointing play was likely due to SVG's coaching.  Now that they are playing for different coaches, KCP is better.

It's time for the Pistons to move on from SVG.  I never wanted him.  I never liked him.  Talk about a turd...SVG is a big fat steaming turd.  SVG is going to ruin this franchise for the next 10 years...just like he did in Orlando.

[BallinD]

"SVG, is this the worst game you've ever seen? "Well there was that one time this summer I played in a pickup game...hell, it was winner take all (Little Caesar Pizzas).

Intrepid Reporter: Mr. Van Gundy, you've become very popular around here. Fans have even given you lovable nick names, like Stumbling Van Gundy & Stupid Van Gundy, do you have a favorite?

SVG: NO!

Intrepid Reporter: Ok, that was quick and to the point. Now, I see you played Boban a lot of minutes this game, is there a reason?

SVG: Yes!

Intrepid Reporter: Would you care to elaborate?

SVG: NO!

Intrepid Reporter: Ok, well on to the big question of the night. Why didn't Stanley Johnson get the start and limited PT?

SVG: I'm so sick of that kid! I thought he had a great chance to show his stuff, but now I'm remembering that he's the guy that won't wash his jock strap and that's why they call him Stanky Johnson.

I can also smell, I mean see that he's the biggest bust I've ever had as a coach, and I've seen a few. Gores won't let me trade Drummond, but Stanky is another matter... is the Feb. deadline here yet?

Intrepid Reporter: How is the Avery Bradley move going for you.

SVG: I mostly love it, you can see his fingerprints all over this team... I think everybody is getting shorter, which is fine by me, I get sick of talking to everybody's Johnson!

Intrepid Reporter: What's going on with Harris.

SVG: Nobody knows, but we've asked him not to book a flight to the all star game just yet!

Intrepid Reporter: Is it true that your offense is the place where offense goes to die?

SVG: I don't know, ask yo mama how offensive I was last night!

Intrepid Reporter: So we're playing the dozens now... Oh well, on to the next question. Some people say that you don't have "It" anymore, is that true, and please leave my mother out of your answer.

SVG: Look, anybody that says that obviously hasn't seen my stomach! It's reaching Joe Dumars proportions on half the jelly intake. Short answer, I ain't missing no meals!  I have it? Hell yeah, my checks cash... I GOTS Mine. Is Joe Dumars cashing any checks? Hell no, I'm the man... I'm the man!!!

[Oracle]

Intrepid Reporter: Mr. Van Gundy, you've become very popular around here. Fans have even given you lovable nick names, like Stumbling Van Gundy & Stupid Van Gundy, do you have a favorite?

SVG: NO!

Intrepid Reporter: Ok, that was quick and to the point. Now, I see you played Boban a lot of minutes this game, is there a reason?

SVG: Yes!

Intrepid Reporter: Would you care to elaborate?

SVG: NO!

Intrepid Reporter: Ok, well on to the big question of the night. Why didn't Stanley Johnson get the start and limited PT?

SVG: I'm so sick of that kid! I thought he had a great chance to show his stuff, but now I'm remembering that he's the guy that won't wash his jock strap and that's why they call him Stanky Johnson.

I can also smell, I mean see that he's the biggest bust I've ever had as a coach, and I've seen a few. Gores won't let me trade Drummond, but Stanky is another matter... is the Feb. deadline here yet?

Intrepid Reporter: How is the Avery Bradley move going for you.

SVG: I mostly love it, you can see his fingerprints all over this team... I think everybody is getting shorter, which is fine by me, I get sick of talking to everybody's Johnson!

Intrepid Reporter: What's going on with Harris.

SVG: Nobody knows, but we've asked him not to book a flight to the all star game just yet!

Intrepid Reporter: Is it true that your offense is the place where offense goes to die?

SVG: I don't know, ask yo mama how offensive I was last night!

Intrepid Reporter: So we're playing the dozens now... Oh well, on to the next question. Some people say that you don't have "It" anymore, is that true, and please leave my mother out of your answer.

SVG: Look, anybody that says that obviously hasn't seen my stomach! It's reaching Joe Dumars proportions on half the jelly intake. Short answer, I ain't missing no meals!  I have it? Hell yeah, my checks cash... I GOTS Mine. Is Joe Dumars cashing any checks? Hell no, I'm the man... I'm the man!!!

[BallinD]

"That steaming Turd you saw on the court...Big Dre dropped it after too much shimmy shake"  

Blaha: "Don't look now but!... aw hell, just don't look!"  

"Ball don't lie, but SVG do"

"It's only one game" SVG fumed, removing his pizza box from the lid atop the Piston's basket

"Is SVG losing his locker room? He's losing the floor too!

"Those meanie Nuggets gave Weggie a Weggie."

"The Nuggets dropped the Pistons and the Pistons dropped a deuce...on the court"

[Sparma]

We lost to the better team.  Plumlee's played as if he's headed to the All Star game rather than Drummond, Lyles as if he's vying for the most improved player award.  I heard Denver wasn't good defensively, but not so tonight.  All those TOs by Detroit starters sucked, but Denver made everything difficult for them with scrambling D, even trying to interfere with handoffs.

AD with a team worst -29, Boban tied with Galloway with a team best +8.  Good to see Galloway hitting from distance again.  And an Ellenson showing.  He displayed some skill on O.  btw, when he's playing, pairing him with defensive specialist Moreland seems like a good idea, as happened tonight.  Reggie Bullock looked smooth, getting his chance as a starter, but he ended up with a crummy +/- along with the other starters.  Heartening exchange between Reggie J and Boban: Reggie tosses it in to Boban in the post, who immediately tosses it back; Reggie throws it back in, and with Boban in slightly improved position, he scored.  Not nearly enough of stuff like that though.  Rough loss.

A silver lining? We can all be in agreement on Stanley J. for once: this one wasn't on him.

[Oracle]

What the F#$k was THAT????

That looks like last years team burned out on Van Gundy whining!

Damn Ballin, I think a lot of us would like to revise our predictions downward!

Denver, who can't spell DEFENSE if their lives depended on it, turned us into pussies!

Oh well, only humor can get me through this one...

[BallinD]

Oracle, can I change my prediction to 15 wins!?!?

That should be safe

[lemonpen]

How big a minus will the starters generate

[BallinD]

1. Did we give up on the Stache...Spencer Dinwiddie too soon?  Dude is ballin out!  5th in NBA in assist % w/ 36.3, Ish is 9th    w/33.2.  He is also leading the league in assist/TO ratio with 5.1. Ish is 6th w/3.6.  Avg 12.3 pts with 17.7 PER.

2. Are we really out of the woods, the schedule is easing up?  Maybe not!  Denver is 14-12 same as us and the Pacers are 16-11 with Oladipo using his athleticism to lead them up the ratings ladder averaging 24.5 with a PER of 23.5, Eastern Conf Player of the Week.  Ballin out!

3. Do we need to give a bigger role to Luke/Boban?  He is a playmaker and shooter. Our assists have tumbled during the streak (losing) and hero ball appears to be back on the table, while we continue to lose and go away from motion offense. Boban is a great point blank shooter and passer.

4. Has Weggie hit the wall?  Already?  Will SJ continue to play his Jedi mind trick on Van Gundy?

We need a win tonight, Period!

[lemonpen]

Terrific article at the Freep on Marjanovic.  I'd noticed the many no calls against Boban myself; Horford was especially egregious.  Shades of Shaq in that respect in that Shaq used to get clobbered, followed by many no calls, because he posed such a size mismatch; of course Shaq could deal it out too.
Ain't that the truth. When Shaq had enough someone was going to pay.

Don, I hope that you're not making this terrible argument, although it sounds a little like it: the Pistons should never have signed Boban to begin with, so there's no reason to complain about his non-use.  I did back his signing, but would have passed at that price, in retrospect.  Turns out Baynes, a really good back up, was in our financial range last year.  Even with out him, I'd be happy to go with minimum salary (?) guy Moreland as an adequate back up (maybe with Leuer when healthy), spending the 7 mil devoted to Boban elsewhere (PF?).  BUT, my contention is that given that Boban's on the roster we should put him to good use.

You also seem to be steering towards an either/ or between Boban and Moreland, whereas I see that as a false dilemma.

Another argument seems to be (and feel free to correct me on all of this) that a predictable (short?) rotation should be used so as not to upset guys.  I don't buy that kind of argument.  NFL players got used to intensive platooning long along, without bruised egos.  Specialization is the name of the game there.  Granted, sometimes you need stability, so that you don't mess overly with the OL, for instance.  But it's understood that it's the coach's prerogative to deploy resources with the aim of getting the best results.  Some of that has happened in the NBA, but I'm pretty sure more is on the way in the coming decades.  Boban and Moreland both have roles to play, as mentioned.  Beyond that, if I'm down by 2 at the end of the game, I call a time out, put in Boban on O instead of Drummond, both because he can genuinely post up and because he's far better than Drummond at FTs (whose remarkable % this year is slowly sinking).  Deal with it Andre!  And deal with it Boban when you're pulled for Andre (or Moreland) on the other end.

Also, the idea that Boban's slow afoot, therefore has no contribution to make on D is bogus.  That assertion brings to mind Laker's coach Butch van Breda Kolff's crummy explanation that he left a pleading Wilt (who'd pulled himself earlier with an injury) on the bench in the 7th game of the 1969 series against the Celts because Mel Counts was more effective than Wilt in defending away from the basket.  Don Nelson's miracle shot won that one by 2 points for the Celts.  Clearly, Boban's no Wilt.  But size and strength continue to have advantages on D.  Kelser's commented on attackers pulling up/ altering their shot because they're coming up against Boban.  Also, Boban can't be pushed around under the basket as Tobias recently was in a late, deciding, play.  I'm not claiming that Boban can effectively guard a Horford away from the basket, but Horford was doing a pretty good job of clanking the ball off the basket from distance.  Sometimes I'm willing to take my chances that the opposing C isn't getting off a high % shot from distance.

Boban is ok, but I don't like how he becomes the sole focus of offense once entering the game. I would like to see him worked into the flow.

[Sparma]

Terrific article at the Freep on Marjanovic.  I'd noticed the many no calls against Boban myself; Horford was especially egregious.  Shades of Shaq in that respect in that Shaq used to get clobbered, followed by many no calls, because he posed such a size mismatch; of course Shaq could deal it out too.

Don, I hope that you're not making this terrible argument, although it sounds a little like it: the Pistons should never have signed Boban to begin with, so there's no reason to complain about his non-use.  I did back his signing, but would have passed at that price, in retrospect.  Turns out Baynes, a really good back up, was in our financial range last year.  Even with out him, I'd be happy to go with minimum salary (?) guy Moreland as an adequate back up (maybe with Leuer when healthy), spending the 7 mil devoted to Boban elsewhere (PF?).  BUT, my contention is that given that Boban's on the roster we should put him to good use.

You also seem to be steering towards an either/ or between Boban and Moreland, whereas I see that as a false dilemma.

Another argument seems to be (and feel free to correct me on all of this) that a predictable (short?) rotation should be used so as not to upset guys.  I don't buy that kind of argument.  NFL players got used to intensive platooning long along, without bruised egos.  Specialization is the name of the game there.  Granted, sometimes you need stability, so that you don't mess overly with the OL, for instance.  But it's understood that it's the coach's prerogative to deploy resources with the aim of getting the best results.  Some of that has happened in the NBA, but I'm pretty sure more is on the way in the coming decades.  Boban and Moreland both have roles to play, as mentioned.  Beyond that, if I'm down by 2 at the end of the game, I call a time out, put in Boban on O instead of Drummond, both because he can genuinely post up and because he's far better than Drummond at FTs (whose remarkable % this year is slowly sinking).  Deal with it Andre!  And deal with it Boban when you're pulled for Andre (or Moreland) on the other end.

Also, the idea that Boban's slow afoot, therefore has no contribution to make on D is bogus.  That assertion brings to mind Laker's coach Butch van Breda Kolff's crummy explanation that he left a pleading Wilt (who'd pulled himself earlier with an injury) on the bench in the 7th game of the 1969 series against the Celts because Mel Counts was more effective than Wilt in defending away from the basket.  Don Nelson's miracle shot won that one by 2 points for the Celts.  Clearly, Boban's no Wilt.  But size and strength continue to have advantages on D.  Kelser's commented on attackers pulling up/ altering their shot because they're coming up against Boban.  Also, Boban can't be pushed around under the basket as Tobias recently was in a late, deciding, play.  I'm not claiming that Boban can effectively guard a Horford away from the basket, but Horford was doing a pretty good job of clanking the ball off the basket from distance. Sometimes I'm willing to take my chances that the opposing C isn't getting off a high % shot from distance.

[cool breeze]

Started watching in the 3rd quarter.  

Beautiful pass by Boban to Tolliver.  (Don, I'm not claiming that Boban's the second coming of Shaq, merely that a coach who can't put such an offensive weapon to good use in a limited role is a fool.)

Very nice reverse lay up by Stanley, following a run in on the other end.  (btw, I agree with those who say Stanley must be dropped as a starter.  He's a good hustle player on a cheap contract, nothing more until he learns to shoot.)

Reggie Bullock looked lively.  Can't get him some minutes as long as he's healthy?

Tobias drove to the basket to good effect a number of times.  Glad he's improved his shooting, but he needs to drive regularly, because he, Reggie J. (until midnight strikes), and Boban are our only consistent threats around the basket.  I happen to think that Ellenson may be a consistent threat around the basket too, but I guess we won't find out this season.  AD scores there too, I understand, but thank goodness he's limiting his still ineffectual post up attempts.  Credit to him on pick 'n rolls though.

Sparma glad to read that at least you are willing to admit that there are some positive moments even though the team has lost a bunch of games. I am sure SVG would like to experiment adding and subtracting players from the rotation. But he knows the danger in that is loss of team chemistry and overall confidence. My opinion is that there has been a good group of young players who have beaten good teams this season. That didn't happen much last year. The players are young. Jerking them in and out of the rotation and mixing new players in with those left in the rotation means that group will need time to form a bond or trust with each other. Forming a good rotation is not easy. If coach decides to bench Moreland they lose an athletic center who competes hard on the defensive end. He might get beat on the boards at times but he also is a threat to block shots and his motor is real good. If the coach plays Boban he puts the team in a funk on defense because the Pistons have no big strong gifted defensive minded power forward to can protect the paint. How many centers play at the same speed and have the slow feet Boban possesses in the current NBA game? For the Spurs Boban was a mop up man. He was a crowd favorite. Signing Boban and Leuer was a huge mistake. We could still have Baynes if SVG had been in his right mind two summers ago.

The name Reggie Bullock keeps coming up. He has had a ton of chances to prove himself. Something is missing with this guy. He has the tools to become a good scorer. But something is missing for sure. His past transgressions with substance abuse is bothersome for me. Has he solved the problems that caused him to be involved in that type of thing? The NBA can be a lonely life if your confidence is low and you are not getting playing time.

My opinion might be wrong but I am sticking with it and hope the coach does as well for this entire season. I would like to see this same group battle together and see how it all turns out. That means I want to see Jackson, Drummond, Harris, Bradley, Johnson, Tolliver, Moreland, Kennard, and Smith in the rotation. Of course I want to see Ellenson play like everyone else but I do not think the coach is wrong for not placing him in the rotation yet. His defense needs more work. But there is no excuse not to play him if Harris or Tolliver is not in top form. If there is a favorable matchup where Boban can have an advantage and not screw up the works on defense then of course play him over Moreland or Drummond. I think it is important for the current rotation players to become more competent playing the motion offense. The team still needs to do a better job setting screens and moving bodies and the ball around so they play both sides of the court. The real test is coming soon. How will this team perform in January and Feb. Will they fold or surprise everyone and get better. Last season they folded. I do not think that will happen this time around. The players need more support. Piston fans go to the games and stop bitching. I have been guilty of bitching too much in the past. I see something good with these players. I think they will get better if they stay together and ignore all the insults. Good luck players. Keep working hard and tune out the negative.

[Sparma]

Started watching in the 3rd quarter.

Beautiful pass by Boban to Tolliver. (Don, I'm not claiming that Boban's the second coming of Shaq, merely that a coach who can't put such an offensive weapon to good use in a limited role is a fool.)

Very nice reverse lay up by Stanley, following a run in on the other end. (btw, I agree with those who say Stanley must be dropped as a starter. He's a good hustle player on a cheap contract, nothing more until he learns to shoot.)

Reggie Bullock looked lively. Can't get him some minutes as long as he's healthy?

Tobias drove to the basket to good effect a number of times. Glad he's improved his shooting, but he needs to drive regularly, because he, Reggie J. (until midnight strikes), and Boban are our only consistent threats around the basket. I happen to think that Ellenson may be a consistent threat around the basket too, but I guess we won't find out this season. AD scores there too, I understand, but thank goodness he's limiting his still ineffectual post up attempts. Credit to him on pick 'n rolls though.

[WTF]

With the tough schedule crap these last 2 losses were at home one against a team minus its star PG and the other against a team they've already beaten on the road so lets drop this excuse.  Hell they beat both these teams on the road so lets just kill the excuses right now the truth is this team isn't a good as it was thought to be before this skid.

If the first 20 games were suppose to be a confidence builder to a successful season these last 6 games must be a confidence killer.  I'm not surprise because I predicted this skid in a post prior to the season and in fact I think I predicted a tough month of December for them.  This month only gets worse! 

Look at the schedule and ask yourself if this team win 3 of the next 9 games.  I'm almost certain that will be a difficult task to accomplish IMO I see 2 games can be marked potentially wins (Denver and Dallas) and maybe they'll be lucky enough to split games with the Magic and Pacers.  **** is getting real!

[cool breeze]

Great picture, BallinD!

Watched the game this morning, as it was blocked as nationally televised on my (computer) NBA Pass.

I do think Boban can make a "special" contribution, Don, and I think yesterday's game demonstrated it pretty well.  Even in the first half, when he was 1-4 as I remember, he was getting good looks, close to the basket.  And I'd say he triggered the comeback as much as anyone in the second half.  I think we can agree he hasn't played especially well this season, yet dude's averaging close to a point per minute.  Surely, a creative coach can find a role for someone with such offensive firepower, particularly when (from my point of view) a stale offense's our undoing time and again.  I don't want to attack Moreland, because I think he's done well as a defensive specialist, and I think there's space for him and Boban in complementary roles.  BUT, again Milwaukee, Moreland twice got the ball under the their basket and tried a wild pass out, both times leading to TOs.  Kelser even commented on one of those, saying that Moreland's got to go for his own shot in that position.  Boban would have gone straight up with both of those.  When you end up losing by 4, stuff like that really matters.  Evidently, something did register with SVG, because I think last night's the most minutes Boban's seen, other than an earlier game (v Milwaukee?) where both AD and Moreland got into quick foul trouble.  When you're getting blocked so routinely, why not go to the guy who's virtually unblockable?  Down by 2 late, I'd make Boban one of my top go to options, but we're not there yet.

And Kevin Durant's pretty good.

Everyone is in a panic now. My take is that this has been a very difficult schedule to deal with over the past month especially for young players who are still bonding. I like Eric Moreland especially because he is athletic. From my personal experience it is very difficult to build any kind of consistency with a extra large slow footed player and that was at the high school level of coaching. You never know who will show up and it really isn't the fault of those large specimen types. Their bodies work in different ways and seldom can guys like Boban play two games in a row the same way. Moreland is not an offensive powerhouse I get it. But the coach can always count on him running the floor fast and setting up on defense in the paint where he is supposed to be. And he is pretty good at setting screens meaning that he at least makes the effort and never just stands around. What I was hoping for is to see him get regular minutes for an entire season and hopefully he will be much improved at shot blocking and rebounding by April. Who knows but I do not believe that Boban will change anything. I think the Pistons have enough good players now. They just need to get better and play better together. The shots were falling well in the early going. Then the schedule became brutal. I think these guys will recover. They just need to play a few games against average to below average teams to get their confidence back. This group won a game at Golden State, the Clippers, and at Boston. You can't do that if you don't have players with some ability or more ability than the Pistons have had in several years.

The offense is sluggish at times. The players need to set more screens for each other and move the basketball better. Individually players need to be better prepared against specific opponents. Next time AD should be ready for a match up with Baynes. He should win that matchup in a big way all the time and look forward to the meeting. Stanley Johnson is feeling too much pressure because of his shooting slump. I believe he is not shooting the ball well because he has changed his release on his jump shot which is what the assistant coaches told him to do. It is just not working. He used to be much more confident and was a scorer. His release was with his shooting hand only and his off hand was completely off the ball. The technique he is currently using is pitiful. His base is also horrible when he goes up for the shot. Come to a solid jump stop Stanley with your feet spread and do not move sideways. Johnson is failing to execute fundamental skills that used to be automatic for him.

Whatever specific individual flaws the players in the rotation currently have can be overcome. What I still like even with the losing streak is that they look like they have good team chemistry. The Pistons started the season with a chip on their shoulders after be ridiculed for their failures last season. That brought them together as a group while adding new players to the pot. It takes time to form a perfect bond. This is what is going on now. It will be them against not only their opponents but also against their own Piston fan base. Fans quit early on players and they know it when things are not going well. They know fans are quick to figure out ways to package them to Siberia or other parts unknown. Even teams that have been playing together for a long time have these moments where nothing is going right. I just hope everyone does't bail on them and stop making the effort to attend games. Go Pistons!

[BallinD]

At this point, can somebody explain to me why we aren't starting Ellenson at PF and moving Harris to SF and sending Stanley to the bench???

Stupid Van Gundy, or is it Stubborn Van Gundy, or Sameold Van Gundy...

[Oracle]

At this point, can somebody explain to me why we aren't starting Ellenson at PF and moving Harris to SF and sending Stanley to the bench???

[Oracle]

Well, Ballin, good old Self Check proved true to form! SVG says he needs to find his own way out of this slump?

Question: What effing slump, this is what Stanley does!!! SVG needs to get his arse out of the starting lineup... stick a fork in Stanley, he's done!

BTW: That pic of Reggie doing his hero thing cracked me up, looked like the Warriors were performing a Heil Hitler salute 

I'll say it again! Bradley looked like he was going to score a ton of points, he had a healthy 12 at half time! Problem is, he had 12 at the end of the game... Self Check in training?

Drummond? Don't get me started, he should have been feasting on this team but he had a goose egg until he tripped over 6 points for the game in the 4th.

Kennard, Tolliver, Ish & Harris did their best to win this one, but it wasn't to be. Hell, even Bullock got some burn, but he looks better injured!

@Wise: Dual roles? How about no roles... this ship is taking on water and is listing.

Needless to say that this game was a HUGE disappointment for me...

[BallinD]

To get Boban in the game Stan?  Bullock? Somebody, anybody? Ellensen? We need a spark...Get A Fire Going! 54-37. Dre with 0-3, Weggie 0-9!!??

[BallinD]

Stankey Johnson is not an NBA player.  I do not agree, though I will definitively say he is not an NBA starter.

1. Can't shoot
2. Can't finish at the rim
3. Despite all the hype, is not athletic -- no hops, not quick, can't block shots, can't, cannot, will not, finish at the rim.

When I played ball, on the playgrounds and schoolyards opposing players would call out players like him this way: "Self Check, Self Check."

Get him out of the starting lineup and move him: either to the back of the rotation or to another team.  BTW, SVG, you drafted him despite the Draft Express and other scouting reports that pointed out he could not finish at the rim or shoot. Period.  Get him out of here.  He is NOT! helping this team.  The jury is in and the fat lady sang!



SVG says he has to find his way out of the slump.  Dump Him for assets.  That is the way!

[Sparma]

Great picture, BallinD!

Watched the game this morning, as it was blocked as nationally televised on my (computer) NBA Pass.

I do think Boban can make a "special" contribution, Don, and I think yesterday's game demonstrated it pretty well.  Even in the first half, when he was 1-4 as I remember, he was getting good looks, close to the basket.  And I'd say he triggered the comeback as much as anyone in the second half.  I think we can agree he hasn't played especially well this season, yet dude's averaging close to a point per minute.  Surely, a creative coach can find a role for someone with such offensive firepower, particularly when (from my point of view) a stale offense's our undoing time and again.  I don't want to attack Moreland, because I think he's done well as a defensive specialist, and I think there's space for him and Boban in complementary roles.  BUT, again Milwaukee, Moreland twice got the ball under the their basket and tried a wild pass out, both times leading to TOs.  Kelser even commented on one of those, saying that Moreland's got to go for his own shot in that position.  Boban would have gone straight up with both of those.  When you end up losing by 4, stuff like that really matters.  Evidently, something did register with SVG, because I think last night's the most minutes Boban's seen, other than an earlier game (v Milwaukee?) where both AD and Moreland got into quick foul trouble.  When you're getting blocked so routinely, why not go to the guy who's virtually unblockable?  Down by 2 late, I'd make Boban one of my top go to options, but we're not there yet.

And Kevin Durant's pretty good.

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