Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at Van Andel Arena
Pistons vs. Nuggets Gameday

:langlois:
by Keith Langlois

TV: FSN Detroit | Radio: WDFN 1130 AM - The Fan

Last Meeting: Detroit won 109-106 (October 14, 2007)

The skinny: After sitting Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson and having Nene and Kenyon Martin unavailable in their Sunday night loss at The Palace, the Nuggets should field a more representative team for tonight's game in Grand Rapids. Martin, recovering from his second microfracture knee surgery, returned in Tuesday night's win over Milwaukee in Green Bay, but might sit tonight. Nene remains out with a calf injury. Former Saginaw High star Anthony Roberson, who left Florida in time for the Gators to win back-to-back national titles, is trying to stick as a backup point guard and making a pretty good impression so far.

What to watch: Flip Saunders was mum Tuesday on when he'll start to sit some of his starters, but indicated he would probably do so at some point with the four preseason games remaining. Neither Amir Johnson (ankle) nor Nazr Mohammed (calf) have practiced this week and will not be available tonight. Rip Hamilton (ankle) will also sit out. Saunders said he'll most likely alternate starting Flip Murray and rookie Arron Afflalo in Hamilton's absence while also giving playing time at that position to both Rodney Stuckey and Jarvis Hayes.

I can't believe that I am sitting about 1/2 mile from Rodney Stuckey right now.

In the presence of greatness, sir.

If you're outside of Michigan, the game will be on NBATV.

I'm excited (and curious) to finally see Stuckey play.

105 - 87 ?

Glenn, turn it on! Langlois on the pregame show!

Well, I saw some players getting off a bus as I sat in traffic by the arena, but it was a tad bit too far from the bus to see who they were.

Lots of little kids running up to them for autographs.

It was probably Dupree.

^snarky

I am a Michigan fan.

Did I just hear Blaha say Stacy Augmon?

Samb looks good in this game.

Just got back from a midterm. Who played PG all game? Lord let it be Stuckey or at least not Murray!

DAMNIT, just found the game on NBA Network. 8 secs left.

Wow did you see Mejia get that rebound with 1 sec left? WOW! That was awesome.

all four rookies played really well tonight, especially Samb and Afflalo. Couldn't be happier.

Kickass, I'm really starting to like these guys.

Samb is so damn big. He's got great rebounding and shot blocking instincts. On top of that, he's got a sweet touch from 15 feet and in.

Put some muscle on this kid, and we've got our starting center in 3 years.

Samb had this really great sequence where he fought for a rebound. Finally controlled it, made a nice pivot and shot a little baby hook for a score. It looked really smooth and natural. He's really got a natural shooting touch. He's way ahead of Ben in pure offensive talent.....unfortunately, he's waaaay behind defensively. He's definitely a keeper project, IMO. He's still too raw and I'm not really sure about Kstat's estimate of a starting center in 3 yrs.....but i like Samb.

There's something about Afflalo's game that I just like. He's like a Raja Bell or Bruce Bowen type to me. Dependable and solid intangible player.

Wouldn't say he was way behind defensively at all. He;s a heck of a shot blocker..

on pretty much any play that he didn't get out-muscled, he made a play.

Wouldn't say he was way behind defensively at all. He;s a heck of a shot blocker..

on pretty much any play that he didn't get out-muscled, he made a play.

I'd say Samb has lot of natural talent (i.e. good shooting touch and some good shot blocking instincts), especially considering his lack of organized basketball experience.

But, I can't with a straight face say he's in the same stratosphere as Ben defensively. Ben's defensive skills went way beyond shot blocking. Ben would be drawing charges, switching to guard perimeter players, rebound with the best of them, knock away loose balls, steal passes, all while managing to stay out of foul trouble. I doubt Samb will ever be at that level defensively.

so samb probably won't win 4 DPOYs. Who cares? He's a legit 7'2" big man that blocks shots, rebounds and scores.

Develop his upper body and he could certainly hold down the middle for us.

so samb probably won't win 4 DPOYs. Who cares? He's a legit 7'2" big man that blocks shots, rebounds and scores.

that's the point. Samb won't ever come close to winning 4 DPOY's, so please don't go Langlois on us and say he's not far behind Ben defensively.

as I said, he's a big dude with lots of natural instincts (since he's had limited organized instruction) and i think he'll do well. it'd be a real diamond in the rough for Joe D is Samb can turn into, at least, a rotation big man within a few years.

that's the point. Samb won't ever come close to winning 4 DPOY's, so please don't go Langlois on us and say he's not far behind Ben defensively.

Explain where exactly I said that?

At what point did I even compare him to Ben Wallace?

^^haha you didn't. Matt's just making stuff up.

I think he misconstrued what you meant about Samb "not being far behind defensively" for "not being far behind Ben defensively."

Screw all you guys. Samb for MVP 2008!!!

Samb reminds me a bit of an unpolished version of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, with a bit more athleticism. He's got the length, the shooting touch, and the touch around the basket. He just needs to get up to NBA-speed, and he should be solid. You can see he's having trouble keeping up (mentally and physically) after a few minutes out there.

That mid-range jumper looks absolutely deadly considering his release point.

I think I spotted someone taking Langlois' name in vain.

Tell me I'm wrong.

The kids looked good tonight.

That 102 year-old woman that wants her some Tayshaun was even impressed.

^^haha you didn't. Matt's just making stuff up.

I think he misconstrued what you meant about Samb "not being far behind defensively" for "not being far behind Ben defensively."

LOL

Max shined with no Camby in the game.

Glenn, turn it on! Langlois on the pregame show!

Shit, I missed him.

What did he have to say?

I really wanted to catch this game but I was in class and then a meeting right afterward. I've only seen about 10 minutes of preseason so far this year, I'm falling behind.

DAMNIT, just found the game on NBA Network. 8 secs left.

Tahoe's recap. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, hail marry hits the rim, 3, 2, Majia get the board, 1. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzz