What's up with Rip and Flip?

Posted by A. Sherrod Blakely December 02, 2007 01:31AM

For those who didn't watch tonight's game, there was a moment in the second quarter where Rip Hamilton was very upset at Flip Saunders for taking him out of the game.

It had the potential to be a real ugly, ugly scene.

But Hamilton had his moment of venting, and took a seat on the bench.

I suspect this won't be the last time we see Hamilton and Saunders at odds with one another.

Now don't get me wrong.

This is not one of those divisive-type issues that you find in New York.

More than anything else, this is about two highly competitive people who have a different view on what this team needs to be successful.

Saunders wants to play the bench as much as possible, knowing that it'll keep the veterans fresher during the season and into the playoffs.

Rip is all for that, provided he can play more minutes than he's averaging now.

While Rip's minutes may creep up a little bit, I don't see him being in that high-30s, low-40 minute per game range he's used to.

For starters, the backups have played pretty good this year. And Hamilton, if we're being totally honest here, has not played well. Injuries and the birth of his child have certainly set his game back a bit.

But his whole game, even when he's making shots, seems to be off a bit.

He knows this.

That's why he's quick to say that he's still trying to find his rhythm on the floor. But if his minutes are limited, getting into a rhythm becomes a lot tougher, which is why he was so upset at Saunders tonight.

But the problem is, Rip hasn't played well enough for extended stretches to make Saunders want to keep him on the floor.

I think as Hamilton continues to get healthier and more consistent with his play, he'll continue to be an important part of Detroit's success.

I talked with Rip after tonight's game, and he made it pretty clear to me that, yes, he wants to play more minutes. But he understands that his minutes aren't going to be plentiful now that the team's focus is on continuing to develop the bench.

I'll be following how this story developments over the course of this season.

Rip for Kobe. RIGHT NOW. Straight up.


Should we go to Realgm and start the predictable "Who wants Rip?" thread?

I think that this shows why we won't win another Championship. Besides becoming complacent at times, a few players have lost the idea of the team concept and are more worried about themselves (yes, I mean you Rip). Add to that a coach that want to be friends with all of his players as opposed to being their boss and it will end up causing some of these problems. Saunders needs to put his foot down and Rip needs to see the big picture for the good of the team. As much as I didn't like LB, he wouldn't put up with this crap!

Rip Hamilton scored 20 ppg in 32 mpg on a slow-paced Carlisle offense.

I've long had a hunch that 32 mpg is about the right # of regular season minutes for Rip. Not that I'm expecting him to drop 20 ppg, but his high energy off-the-ball game doesn't work for him for 40 mpg all season and post-season long.

This can't be a legit complaint. Not when he and cbill were lagging like old pussies by the ECF for two str8 years. He has to be joking or smoking. Whatever it is, I hope he gets his head stra8.


And no I dont want Kobe. Thats a worse problem.

Keeping players a little hungry for more minutes is probably a good thing. There was a lot of talk in the off season about how minutes had to be earned, even for the veterans.

As long as it doesn't escalate into anything silly, I view it as a healthy sign.

As much as I didn't like LB, he wouldn't put up with this crap!

I loved Larry.

Rip should shut the fuck up. Finally we get a situation where one of our starters isn't playing a ton of minutes and he can't take it? boo hoo. The Flipper better not capitulate. Grow a set of balls.

And people think the Pistons are built for the playoffs? LOL

I'm sure he'll get more minutes when the prodigal son comes back from his hand/wrist injury...wait

I hope not. When Rip throws elbows, Wade gets mad. When Wade gets mad, the Pistons die.

I loved Larry.
Me too. Larry minus drama = dream coach.

I remember when a blowout by the Pistons under LB was putting up 78 or 79 points and holding the other team to 60 or 61.

And who can forget the thrashing of NJ in game 1, 78-56?

I loved those games. I may be on of only a handful of people that loved it though.

Pacers-Pistons ECF Game 6 last 4 or so mins are my favorite moments.

The first half of that particular game were unbearably ugly... but those last 6 minutes or so.. I have that on DVD somewhere, the crowd is just NUCLEAR, reacting to every little thing, and that's even before the Rip/Artest thing. Its almost like a football game, every play counts, because of the low scoring.

I remember going nuts when Corliss finished a fast break late in the game with a dunk to put the Pistons up.

The NBA hates those games. They will never forgive us for them.

Sad, isn't it?

Sad, isn't it?
Insulting is a better word. You kick ass in their league and they sway it against you for not being flashy enough. Stern is a fag.

:mccosky:
Here to save the day, as usual


Q . Is Richard Hamilton in Flip Saunders' doghouse?

A . Absolutely not. Maybe you caught, or read about, their little spat in the second quarter in Milwaukee Saturday. Don't read too much into that.

Hamilton was benched briefly after he turned the ball over twice. On both, he broke off the play and tried to dribble through traffic. He and Saunders exchanged words. Hamilton was telling Saunders that he can't get into a rhythm if he keeps getting yo-yo'd in and out of games. Saunders was telling Hamilton to stop trying to force things and just make the simple play.

It was just a heat-of-the-moment exchange. Things like that happen all the time, and not just between Hamilton and Saunders. Rasheed Wallace yelled at Hamilton for making a bone-headed play against Cleveland in the previous game.

That's the beauty of this team. They can get on each other and fight like brothers sometimes, but afterward, all is forgiven.

Here's the crux of the issue. Hamilton is used to playing close to 40 minutes a game. Saunders is under a mandate from Joe Dumars to keep the starters' minutes down, play and develop the bench and make sure everybody is fresh and ready for the playoff run.

So, Hamilton is not going to play 40 minutes a night this year, especially not early in the season. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal, but Hamilton is having a miserable start. First an ankle injury, then the birth of his son, then an elbow injury -- he's missed a lot of practice time and he's having a heck of time finding his flow.

Talking to him after the game, Hamilton understands why he isn't going to play 40 minutes a night. He understands what the goal is and what the payoff will be for limiting his minutes now. It's just hard for him, being the competitor that he is, to think rationally when he's struggling on the court. He would rather just play his way through it.

He's going to get his chance to do just that. The Pistons are in the middle of a four-game in five-night stretch. If he's ever going to find his flow, it will be this week.

Actually Rip said in the end its about winning games. I do think its being overblown for once.

I hate how often McCosky talks for the people he's covering.

It's nice that he never misinterprets exchanges between players or coaches on the court and/or the bench, though.

He's certainly justified in speaking from a position of authority on this one.

I think the dissension is worse than we thought. Players are turning on other players. This could get ugly.
http://www.need4sheed.com/videos/target_practice.html

Bookmark this thread. I have a feeling that Flip/Rip is going to be a battle all year.