LINEUP SHAKING: Pistons coach wants to use Hunter more

By KRISTA JAHNKE
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Pistons coach Flip Saunders wants to start using point guard Lindsey Hunter more, which raises questions about how it will affect rookie Arron Afflalo. The two have similar games; both are tough perimeter defenders, while Hunter is more of a three-point specialist. Afflalo’s offense is more varied and still developing.

It’s difficult to see both getting minutes, especially when Rodney Stuckey returns in another week or so from injury.

“It just depends,” Saunders said. “I think he’s still going to get time. One, we’re not going to play Lindsey a lot. We’ll use him sparingly, three, four minutes a half to start with. Just against certain people we’ll utilize his ability to put pressure up the floor and get us stimulated defensively.”

WTF!!! I thought the old man was just a figurehead/coach?!?!

This is bullshit.

AND FUCK HUNTER AS A 3 POINT SPECIALIST!!

That's fine with me. But why doesn't Afflalo just take Flip's minutes instead of Lindsey's? Lindsey can come in for a spark, but Flip fucks everything up.

That's fine with me. But why doesn't Afflalo just take Flip's minutes instead of Lindsey's? Lindsey can come in for a spark, but Flip fucks everything up.

[smilie=angryfire.g:

[smilie=angryfire.g: = Because of your hatred for Lindsey?

or

[smilie=angryfire.g: = Because of your man-love for Flip?

kstat did promise hunter was just a figurehead, so thats when i figured it was only a matter of time before he was regularly getting 40+ minutes a game.

this is fine by me, i think he'll get murray's minutes. but i think its worth noting that what coaches say is not at all indicative of what theyll do.

Lindsey hasn't broken 33% 3P shooting since he was a Laker!

The headline

Pistons coach wants to use Hunter more

justifies http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/images/smilies/angryfire.gif

Maybe this is just foreshadowing for stuckey's return. Also, does 3-pt. specialist equate to a guy that will make 3 in a row and then miss every attempt for 3-5 games. If so, hunter is great in that role.

Maybe this is just foreshadowing for stuckey's return. Also, does 3-pt. specialist equate to a guy that will make 3 in a row and then miss every attempt for 3-5 games. If so, hunter is great in that role.

Laffo

I'd rather see us use Afflalo more. Hunter is getting old, he's not a great shooter, and he's getting slow. Afflalo is part of our future and looks to be developing into what Hunter was for us a few years ago. Let him develop. The more he plays now, the more valuable he will be at the end of the season!

Couldn't have said it better myself, Zek.

AA will never be an all-star in the league, but he's going to be an important player on any team. Maybe a Bruce Bowen type.

Too bad we have a coach that's too stupid to realize he needs to develop these players just as much as the future stars.

What, you don't think we need to develop Lindsay?

I think he could be a very good player someday.

While I wouldn't care if we cut AA, I hate Lindsey so much this makes me puke out my ass.

Lindsey hasn't broken 33% 3P shooting since he was a Laker!

I was thinking the same thing myself. I didn't know the precentages, but is he really that much better than AA at threes? What does AA shoot?

Is there a way to get a thread moved out of the NBA forum just because it makes me weep with frustration?

I was thinking the same thing myself. I didn't know the precentages, but is he really that much better than AA at threes? What does AA shoot?

I think 8%. Like 1 for 12.

That's pretty bad. However, we also don't need to revert back to the 4 guys standing at the 3 point line, which is Flips offense the last 2 years.

Nice try Hermy.



He's actually at 7.7%. (1 for 13).

Lindsey's 3-pointer is so SPECIAL

Yeah, but Afflalo's number of chances is pretty low. You'd have to think if he got more consistent opportunities, his percentage would go up.

And can Hunter stop LeBron?

Don't think so.

Actually, Nazr is the new 'Bron stopper.

And can Hunter stop LeBron?

Don't think so.
Can I get an AMEN?!

no lindsey. please.

Afflalo needs to take more mid-range shots, then slowly (over a season) extend to NBA 3P range.

Afflalo needs to take more mid-range shots, then slowly (over a season) extend to NBA 3P range.

Flip camps every young wing player in the corner. This is just how his "system" works. "You don't touch the ball, so you go stand over there. If we go through our 12 other options (all for jumpers), you just might get a chance to heave one. Otherwise, stay out of the way of Chauncey's Iso"

BTW, AA shot 42.8% from three in the preseason, so I'm guessing this 7.7% thing is more of an aberration. A little consistency from Flip in terms of rotation would probably help. He kills it out there against Philly. Then gets 3 minutes in the next game (against utah, where we could have used his ability to stop penetration), and was a bit of garbage time away from a DNP against Cleveland. All to get Lindsey minutes at the 1, and shift Flip over to the 2.

I just don't get how anyone could not want his defense out there on the floor. He's the only player on that is capable of (or cares to?) keeping his opponent in front, and that is probably the biggest weakness of this team next to a 2nd guard who will breakdown the D (Should be Stuckey). Joe is just going to have to trade every mediocre-to-crap veteran on this team before Flip will be forced to play the players he should. Better yet, trade the coach.

Anyways, back on topic, I pretty much agree. He seems like he's pretty good at getting himself good shots from 2-point range. Might as well stick with that, and only use the 3 to keep the D honest until he proves himself.

And can Hunter stop LeBron?

Don't think so.

If it's old, can it stop LeBron? Nope. He's 22.

Flip camps every young wing player in the corner. This is just how his "system" works. "You don't touch the ball, so you go stand over there. If we go through our 12 other options (all for jumpers), you just might get a chance to heave one. Otherwise, stay out of the way of Chauncey's Iso"


classic

It's about time they went back to playing Hunter. I never understood why we re-signed Billups with Hunter still in his prime. At least Flip wisened up and is now doing the right thing. Do you think that we could bring back Alan Houston and have a truly awesome back court? I'd also much rather see Bison Dele starting at C as opposed to Sheed. What? He's dead? Well then how about Olden Polynice?

I can fully understand why Flip doesn't want to play youngsters like AA with all of their rock and roll and mumbo jumbo talk. Who cares about the future? Just buy some cases of Geritol and the Pistons can truly be a force.......in the senior league!

what about danny manning as our 4 and darvin ham as our 3?