pistons r done
go spurz go

bai

Thanks for the thread, SDB.

I think this one is pretty easy to analyze.

I think Parker will carve up our D, at will, and get into the paint anytime he wants to.

Duncan will go 22/14/3 or something like that.

Man-goo will hit 3-5 threes and pretend that he has several different head injuries.

But when all is said and done, if our gazillion jumpers fall, we win, if they don't, we lose.

And that's the bottom line cuz Sir Douche Bag says so.

:little tony:

This board is corrupt.

I won't be here to post during the actual game, so 84-83 Spursths.

At least we're not playing the SIXERS, right Glenny?

MoTown ALWAYS wins.

The next OGT will be started by 田武雄

:mccosky:


Hunter time?
Well, the last time Lindsey Hunter played, he helped spark one of the best wins of the year, a victory over the Spurs in San Antonio. He hasn't played since. But with Spurs coming in Friday, looks like Hunter may dress.

"I don't know," he said Thursday. "It's up to Joe (Dumars). I'm ready no matter what."

Dumars and Flip Saunders will decide after shoot-around Friday whether to activate Hunter. They are trying to find the right balance between allowing him to play the rust off but still keeping him fresh and healthy for a long playoff run.

Hunter has been working extremely hard with assistant Michael Curry. On the road, he gets to the arena before the first bus and works up a full sweat before the rest of the reserves get there. There's no doubt he's ready to play. They just want to make sure he's not in any way over-extended.

"Of course, you want to play whenever, but I understand the greater plan of this," Hunter said. "I'm fine with it."

So, does anybody want to talk about the game?

*in before snarky comment from SDB*

OMG I HOPE HE DOESN'T TAKE STUCKEY'S MINUTES TONIGHT!!!

The game isn't on ESPN tonight?

The game isn't on ESPN tonight?


Nope.


San Antonio (44-20) at Detroit (46-18)


Game info: 8:00 pm EDT Fri Mar 14, 2008
TV: NBA, WDIV

By BRETT HUSTON, STATS Writer

The San Antonio Spurs just suffered their worst loss of the season, while the Detroit Pistons lost a tight game that came down to the final shot.

Pistons coach Flip Saunders, however, seems a lot more angry about his team’s latest performance than Spurs coach Gregg Popovich does about his club’s blowout defeat.

Two of the NBA’s best square off Friday when San Antonio (44-20) continues a three-game road trip in Detroit (46-18), with both teams hoping to prove their last games were nothing more than an aberration.

The Pistons began their five-game homestand with a 116-109 win over Chicago on Sunday, shooting 50.6 percent outrebounding the Bulls 42-28.

On Wednesday, though, Detroit was outrebounded 39-32 and committed an unusually high 15 turnovers, losing 83-82 to Philadelphia when Chauncey Billups’ jumper bounced off the rim as time expired.

“We were terrible,” Saunders said. “The score isn’t reflective of the way we played - we shouldn’t have only lost this game by one point.”

Detroit has the NBA’s second-best record, but it’s struggled lately against top teams. The Pistons are 4-3 in their last seven contests, the four wins coming against teams that would currently qualify for the draft lottery and the three losses to teams that are in playoff position.

The Pistons’ uninspired play hasn’t been the fault of Billups or Tayshaun Prince. Billups is averaging 21.4 points and 6.8 assists in his last 10 games, while Prince is scoring 19.2 per game in his last six.

Another pair of Detroit starters hasn’t been performing nearly as well. Guard Richard Hamilton (17.7 ppg) is averaging 14.2 points and shooting 38.8 percent in his last five games, while forward Antonio McDyess is scoring only 5.6 points per game over his last seven.

One positive in the Pistons’ win Wednesday night was the return of forward Rasheed Wallace, who scored 17 points after missing two games with an ankle sprain.

Wallace has been excellent in his last four games against the Spurs, averaging 21.0 points and 9.8 rebounds. He had 23 points and 15 rebounds in the teams’ first meeting this season, a 90-80 Detroit victory in San Antonio on Jan. 10.

That win prompted Wallace to do a little speculating.

“This is a good team. I think, in my opinion, this is one of the teams we’ll see in the finals,” he said of the club that defeated the Pistons in seven games for the title in 2005. “So, it’s always a good game with us and San Antonio.”

The Spurs, however, didn’t look much like a team bound for the finals Wednesday, losing 100-75 at Southwest rival New Orleans. It was their worst defeat since a 104-68 loss at Dallas on April 7, 2005.

Popovich, though, was content to give the Hornets credit and move on.

“They just played better than we did,” Popovich said. “They shot the ball well. They were aggressive. Any way you want to slice it, they did a great job.”

The loss was the Spurs’ third straight on the road, and they’ve been outscored by an average of 15.0 points in those games. San Antonio has lost three of four since winning a season-high 11 in a row.

Tim Duncan has played well despite the team’s recent struggles, averaging 21.8 points and 12.0 rebounds in his last four games. He hasn’t produced at that level against the Pistons, however, averaging 16.4 points in his last nine meetings with them.

Manu Ginobili has had a pair of poor shooting performances in his last two games against Detroit, going 5-for-18 combined and averaging 9.5 points.

The Spurs won in their last visit to The Palace, 90-81 on Feb. 14, 2007, but have lost four of six overall in the series.

Spurs-Pistons II: the worst case scenario for David Stern this year.

Spurs-Pistons II: the worst case scenario for David Stern this year.

He's not worried. He knows.

He's not worried. He knows.


Foul.

Foul.

Do I get two hours in the penalty box? (no postie?)

Somebody should whip up a pic of David Stern thinking about the Lakers vs. the Celtics or Kobe vs. LeBron in the Finals.

I wonder if it's a coincidence or not that ever since Kelvin Sampson started hanging around the Spurs bench, they've been losing?

Kelvin's DONE.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w309/ElectrifyingUno/Spurssuck.jpg




-----
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1334/5121735/10442582/239454206.jpg

Anybody else fired up?

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w309/ElectrifyingUno/Spurssuck.jpg



Nice!

And no.

Should be a good one. I'm excited for it.

San Antonio’s Bruce Bown Suspended

Posted Mar 14 2008 2:53PM

NEW YORK, March 14, 2008 – Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs has been suspended one game without pay for striking Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets with his leg, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred following a foul call on Paul with 5:15 remaining in the third period of the Spurs’ 100-75 loss to the Hornets on Wednesday, March 12 at New Orleans Arena.

Bowen will serve his suspension tonight when the Spurs visit the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Pistons 100
Spurs 88


if our jumpers fall, that is...

Bowen is dirty. :dismissed:

Prince and RIP should have fun out there without Pig Pen chasing them around.

http://www.snoopy.com/comics/peanuts/meet_the_gang/images/meet_pig_pen_big.gif

:mccosky:


Bowen out
If you haven't heard, the league did suspend San Antonio's Bruce Bowen for the game against the Pistons tonight. Bowen got irritated in the loss at New Orleans Wednesday and kicked Chris Paul.

It's a costly suspension for a couple of reasons, the least of which is the $373,000 it will cost him. It ends Bowen's consecutive games played streak at 500. It was the longest active streak in the league. I thought for a minute that Tayshaun Prince would assume the No. 1 streak. He's at 394. Philly's Andre Miller is at 431, but he hurt his back against the Pistons Wednesday. I talked to reporter Phil Jasner in Philly and Miller is expected to play tonight, so Tay moves up to No. 2.

But, Prince will now have the longest active streak of consecutive starts. He was No. 2 behind Bowen. I am double-checking the number, but I believe tonight will be Tay's 338th straight start. Bowen had started 500 straight.

Losing Bowen hurts the Spurs badly, too, because back-up small forward Ime Udoka was sent back to San Antonio to treat an injured right ankle. That means Michael Finley will have to play longer minutes, as well as Manu Ginobili. Ginobili has been complaining about soreness in his back, legs and bruised hip.

All of that should be good news for Prince and Rip Hamilton. Any time you don't have to deal with the pesty play of Bowen, life is good.

IBSSTTSOLBBDP

Somebody should whip up a pic of David Stern thinking about the Lakers vs. the Celtics or Kobe vs. LeBron in the Finals.
Or Lebron vs Lebron, as long as he's just dreaming.

just saw the footage of what bowen did. i'm amazed he only got a 1 game suspension. that was criminal.

It's not like he doesn't have a track record of past offenses or anything.

It seems like they've always gone lightly on him. I wonder if all the stuff he does in the community and for the NBA factors into that.

NAHHHHHHH

Boston losing to Utah right now, for those who care. Also, Miami is leading Orlando, which isn't good if you're the Pistons.

BS call on that Stuckey steal. I never heard a whistle, and never saw a foul, even on the replay. I hate the refs. That was at least a clear path; better give him the basket!

Edit: Glad they got it right and called the clear path. Take that, Big Shot Bob.

Officials are a bit slow tonight. They were late to call that push off on Horry. Makes me a bit nervous for the rest of the game.

I do like our defense on the perimeter tonight or out on the 3pt line. They have given up some 3s, but have been doing a pretty good job

just saw the footage of what bowen did. i'm amazed he only got a 1 game suspension. that was criminal.

In his defense, I think Paul tapped him in the nuts prior to the kick.

i dont know why rodney stuckey isnt universally regarded as a gold god.

Say what you will, but this team is just not much fun to watch anymore without lots of Max as well as AJ and Afflalo. All of those big high energy plays disappear and it feels like guys just punching the time card. Even against a very good team like the Spurs.

It's disappointing seeing a 12-deep team like this one playing the regulars 40 minutes in meaningless regular season games.

im enjoying this game, so i guess i disagree. we're not what we used to be, but guys get older and change their games.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i dont know glenn, the spurs look damn near perfect. tonight they cant rebound, but i think its a fluke.

TP just scares me.

Dice was nice.

Orlando back on top, but Utah's lead is dwindling.

drunken jarvis hayes has hit some shots tonight.

Big shot by Stuckey to give us a 10 point lead. Beautiful!

Say what you will, but this team is just not much fun to watch anymore without lots of Max as well as AJ and Afflalo.

It's more fun to me when we win, but I guess my priorities are all fucked up...

beautiful pass by stuckey to dyess.

beautiful pass by Manu to Hayes

zoo crew owning. chances of flip pulling them all off the floor and bringing back the starters after the commercial?

Spurs 3 tos in the last 4 possesions

To be small as he is and mildly fast as he is, you'd think Dixon would have better agility and footwork. Absolutely turns into a statue on crossovers.

It's more fun to me when we win, but I guess my priorities are all fucked up...

You are too mesmerized by Flip's voodoo. AA, Max, and Amir make us a better team. Simple as that. They win us ball games. This playing vets 40 minutes thing has won us nothing but 2 straight flame outs in the playoffs.

Jump shitting the game away

I love it when we miss ten straight open shots without any reason.

Jump shitting the game away

Only way we win this one is if Sheed gets down on the block and takes control.

You are too mesmerized by Flip's voodoo. AA, Max, and Amir make us a better team. Simple as that. They win us ball games.

Yeah, they've won a lot of games for us recently....

Theo's a better backup center than Amir and Max. That isn't even a question.

It's more fun to me when we win,.
Yea and thats hasnt been happening as well as it was before we "gave" minutes to Theo and Dixon. So I agree, winning is the premium fun. But looks like we arent blowing teams like the sixers out with this new rotation. In fact it looks like the starters are working too hard all over again.

Yeah, they've won a lot of games for us recently....

Theo's a better backup center than Amir and Max. That isn't even a question.
How so? He's slower than Amir, doesnt hustle as well, has looked about even rebounding wise, slightly better shot blocker, worse on offense, worse FT shooter, and gets far more tired legs quicker. This isnt even counting Maxiell. I think you're eating off of Theo's rep. But rep aside he hasnt looked better. Especially not obviously better.

If a team wants to pack 5 people near the lane and zone you into taking wide open 22-footers, they can do that.

This is the NBA. A professional team is supposed to be able to make wide open shots.

Its nothing against Theo though. I think he can be useful sparringly. But overall he hasnt proven to be better yet.

good defense last possession.

How so? He's slower than Amir, doesnt hustle as well, has looked about even rebounding wise, slightly better shot blocker, worse on offense, worse FT shooter, and gets far more tired legs quicker. This isnt even counting Maxiell. I think you're eating off of Theo's rep. But rep aside he hasnt looked better. Especially not obviously better.

I didn't say he was a better player, I said he was a better center, and he is.

He has the size to defend his position properly, he's a better scorer from under the basket, and in case you didn't notice, he's been hustling his ass off since he got here.

Theo right now is a better CENTER than Maxiell and Amir. Maybe one of them can be converted to small forward, but that's the only way AMir's goign to see real PT from here on out.

a basket would be damn nice hear.

^granted

This is a good game

I didn't say he was a better player, I said he was a better center, and he is.
Well thats weak. By that reasoning Nazr should get time here because he's a better true center. Frontcourt is frontcourt unless you face Shaq/Yao... We got better help in our frontcourt from Amir. Speak on whatever specific true position you want.

This is a good game
Shouldnt be this close. Being at home is helping us out late.

HOLY SHIT RIP!

great shot Rip.

Oh SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET by Rip

Well thats weak. By that reasoning Nazr should get time here because he's a better true center.
Nazr was a shit defender. Theo is anything but.

Dismissed.

Ratliff has scored in the low post when he's had to, he's hit his FTs, and he has hustled his ass off defensively.

AMir's still too skinny to play center and Max is too short.

Shouldnt be this close. Being at home is helping us out late.

Nice to go through these games against good playoff teams (sorry Glenn) when they don't count like a playoff game.

Knocks some rust off.

Oddsmakers called this one too....Spurs +3

Theo right now is a better CENTER than Maxiell and Amir. Maybe one of them can be converted to small forward, but that's the only way AMir's goign to see real PT from here on out.
Then we are going to be less of a quality team underr those circumstances and it sends a bad message because Theo didnt earn it. Hiding behind the true center excuse didnt work for nazr, and it doesnt work for theo either especially when he gets pushed around like a SF.

Then we are going to be less of a quality team underr those circumstances and it sends a bad message because Theo didnt earn it. Hiding behind the true center excuse didnt work for nazr, and it doesnt work for theo either especially when he gets pushed around like a SF.


You keep ignoring the part where Nazr didn't play defense and Theo does...

THeo also doesn't get pushed around, and if he does, then amir is thrown around like a rag doll by comparison. He's like 40 pounds lighter.

FOR THE DYING KIDS! WOooooooooooo

i dont know, we won but this game gave me the impression that the spurs would handle us pretty easily in a series.

i love the kstat argument strategy.

NEVER question a player, UNLESS its to defend the coach.

NEVER question the coach, UNLESS its to defend dumars.

NEVER question dumars, UNLESS its to defend penny pincher.

NEVER question bill davidson. PERIOD.

youve got middle management written all over you.

Nazr was a shit defender. Theo is anything but.

Dismissed.
yea i'm sure duncan would love to push theo around a lil more. Saying "dismissed" doesnt add anything to a lie statement like that. Theo is an off the ball shot blocker. Not anything to write home about one on one. In fact while Nazr sucks off the ball. He's better on the ball defender imo. Guys cant push him around and get position on him. Shit dyess weighs more than theo, so i know he's not pushing anybody off the blocks.




AMir's still too skinny to play center and Max is too short.
Never said max should play center. Trying to speak on things no one said isnt needed. Theo is 235 pounds and gets pushed around damn near just as much. Nazr was a solid 250 and was not getting pushed around much if any. Apples and oranges whose meatier enough to play in the middle.


Ratliff has scored in the low post when he's had to, he's hit his FTs, and he has hustled his ass off defensively.
Actually he's hit his jump hook. Next to nothing outside of that. Your memory is fuzzy. So far he's hit them, but i've known him to miss them in the clutch personally. Nevertheless he's been ok so far there. Defensively he's been late and slow on many occasions and his man typically gets up the floor quicker than him too often. One on one he's been pushed out of shotblocking position fairly easy.

If you believe Theo is :yingyang: then good luck with that. But i havent seen it yet.

yea i'm sure duncan would love to push theo around a lil more. Saying "dismissed" doesnt add anything to a lie statement like that. Theo is an off the ball shot blocker. Not anything to write home about one on one. In fact while Nazr sucks off the ball. He's better on the ball defender imo. Guys cant push him around and get position on him. Shit dyess weighs more than theo, so i know he's not pushing anybody off the blocks.




Never said max should play center. Trying to speak on things no one said isnt needed. Theo is 235 pounds and gets pushed around damn near just as much. Nazr was a solid 250 and was not getting pushed around much if any. Apples and oranges whose meatier enough to play in the middle.


Actually he's hit his jump hook. Next to nothing outside of that. Your memory is fuzzy. So far he's hit them, but i've known him to miss them in the clutch personally. Nevertheless he's been ok so far there. Defensively he's been late and slow on many occasions and his man typically gets up the floor quicker than him too often. One on one he's been pushed out of shotblocking position fairly easy.

If you believe Theo is :yingyang: then good luck with that. But i havent seen it yet.

Guys, guys, guys. . . we won! Can't we all just get along? :)

You keep ignoring the part where Nazr didn't play defense and Theo does...
I adressed it, its not true. Already stated that.


THeo also doesn't get pushed around, and if he does, then amir is thrown around like a rag doll by comparison. He's like 40 pounds lighter.
Amir could to, though he fights much harder for the position than theo. Again its apples and oranges on both guys. You claim that Theo is an obviously better option defensively at center. again dont see it.

Guys, guys, guys. . . we won! Can't we all just get along? :)
I'm fine, just looking for legit answers. Kstat picks on people who dont run with his way of thinking. Too much equating and defending questionable moves as if they are solid. Giving Theo an unearned spot in the rotation because he's supposedly a true center is questionable. It may work, may not. But its not a clearly solid move nor has it produced clearly solid result in winning games yet. If you you are gonna bash people for questioning it and equating them as "disloyal fans" you should wait til Theo wins us some games atleast.

Either way good to win. Hopefully we'll play better, but good work overall. Everybody have a good night.

He's got a better basketball IQ at this point, he is much more physical than Amir and taller than Maxiell. He hasn't been pushed around much at all since he got here, and that's against guys like Duncan and Eddy Curry, who has about 50 lbs on him.

Much like Rasheed, Theo's length makes up for the fact he isn't 280 lbs. He has been late on some things, but that's expected of a new addition. He looked a lot better switching tonight. He forced an airball from Manu once and picked him off on another.

fwiw, i think flip is just trying to find out what we have in theo and juan. its a pretty standard, and reasonable way to go.

i think he'll also stick with them in the playoffs, since he clearly prefers vets. also standar/ reasonable.

not really surprising that amir gets the shaft. im just surprised he got any pt at all.

Yeah, they've won a lot of games for us recently....

Theo's a better backup center than Amir and Max. That isn't even a question.

What does this have to do with Theo? I like Theo and what he brings. I don't like that Flip is incapable of adapting to the situation of having 5 quality bigs that should play at minimum 10 minutes each. The way he insists on leaving in Dice and/or Sheed for the first 12-15 minutes of each half. These guys don't need to be playing 40 minutes. I don't care if Dice has 50 points and 25 boards. This is the regular ****ing season. Flip is just lost when it comes to learning from his mistakes.

The fact that the team played it's best ball of the last 3 years with AJ on the floor, and now he's locked in the doghouse just shows Flip's priorities. He's too worried about saving his own skin. If he does nothing but play vets, he feels like he can get away with losing.

I was at the game tonight, great crowd, only thing I'm wondering is how the hell was Matt Bonner +9??

And as for the rotation, listen, I love seeing the youngs play, but I don't mind Theo playing more if it means Max playing less, especially if he can contribute. I want a championship, and if it has to come at the expense of playing the kids less, than so be it.

To blame Flip for Max only playing 4 minutes tonight is a joke, and is something that's not even worth discussing in my opinion. Just win games, I don't care who plays and who doesnt, just win.

Much like Rasheed, Theo's length makes up for the fact he isn't 280 lbs.

Much like Theo, Amir is also long, and taller, and younger, and jumps higher, and runs the floor better, and fuck Flip , and fuck Kstat for defending flip, and Fuck Flip Murray because it's Friday and I like the alliteration.

To blame Flip for Max only playing 4 minutes tonight is a joke, and is something that's not even worth discussing in my opinion. Just win games, I don't care who plays and who doesnt, just win.

I have never bought the "As long as you win this game, it's perfect" thing. Just because the Pistons won this game with this rotation doesn't mean they aren't a better team with the other guys playing.

We have seen what this style gets you the last 2 years. A shit ton of impressive regular season wins and no titles.

BTW, anyone know where I can find team-by-team 4th quarters stats in close games? This team struggles so much offensively in tight games late it's out of control. It's like they need a 10 point lead going into the 4th to have a chance.

Just winning games doesn't cut it for me. We need to get everyone playing so, come playoff time if there is an injury, we have guys ready to come in that know the offense and defense and are in shape.

We've pretty much done that, I'd like to see the bench a lil more, but wtf do i know.

Maxiell's offensive game = non exsistent.

i once asked 82games.com if i could get some statistics on individual matchups. ie, who plays the best against bruce bowen in the league. they told me they only give that info out to nba teams.

but they will provide you some information on request that they dont have posted on their site.

You just acknowledged the fact he has offensive game.

Therefore it exists.

i love that we won. but i agree that we looked like a team that would get beat in a series by the spurs. our ball movement was crap. the passes we made were not purpose driven. IOW we didn't move the ball to get easier shots; we moved the ball just so someone else could touch it and take a turn at shooting it.

i don't care what anybody says, we need the youth and athleticism of amir and j-max in there if we're going to achieve our goal of winning the title. they don't NECESSARILY have to play big minutes or even key minutes. but we need that change of pace, that intensity they bring.

there will be some nights where matchups aren't great but we can also force things in our favor and go a bit more up tempo when amir is in, for example. or we can do more trappings like what the spurs did to us tonight.

we have to do SOMETHING to change it up a bit. playing our same old grind it out style won't win it all for us. we don't have to change who we are and be the warriors. but i'm just saying if we play so methodically and don't inject the youth and athleticism we have on the bench more often, we'll play good enough to go deep in the playoffs but get beat by a team with a superstar who can wear us out and get more calls than us from the refs.

sound familiar?

sure we've still got a few weeks to prepare for the playoffs. but i'm concerned we still don't 'get it' from the coach on down. we need to be the AGGRESSORS and have an aggressive mentality on both ends of the court- we have to throw the first punch, so to speak and take it to the other team. without that approach to things, we will not impose our will on games and we will get beat again.

the intensity and aggressiveness we had in 2004 seems long gone. THAT is what we need to recapture.

Yeah guys, we've been lulled into this crap "winning the regular season" shit the past two years, and we're going back to it playing the starters too many minutes and AJ/Maxey not enough. I knew it when we signed Theo that this would happen.

Complaining about our lack of ball movement and passing and then complaining that Amir and Maxiell aren't playing enough is pure gold.

Amir and Max are supposed to provide defense and rebounding.

The Spurs shot %43 tonight and we crushed them on the glass 51-39.

We didn't need them tonight.

Furthermore, we certainly looked more spurs-like than the spurs tonight. We won with rebounding and defense. The Spurs were only in it because of the jumpers.

We're not talking about one fucking game, dipshit. I can't wait to see our playoff legs if this keeps up.

We're not talking about one fucking game, dipshit. I can't wait to see our playoff legs if this keeps up.
We've kept the starters off the floor for 3/4 of the fucking season, dipshit.

If they STILL need to rest to be ready for the playoffs, they won't be on the team next year. The first guy to bitch will get a ticket out of town.

This is winning time. This means the starters, plus stuckey and maybe 2 other guys. You don't win with 10-man playoff rotations.

This is winning time? Fuck that, get out of here. The playoffs are winning time. Look at Dice. You think he's fresh? You're a fucking looney.

This is winning time? Fuck that, get out of here. The playoffs are winning time.

Yeah, let's not prepare for the playoffs AT ALL. That'll fucking work.


Look at Dice. You think he's fresh? You're a fucking looney.

the 17 rebounds he pulled down tonight were definitely a sign of tired legs. I'm obviously the looney one here.

Your shit stinks, Kstat, get over it. You know it's not winning time right now... And yeah, playing the bench to keep the starters fresh is somehow not preparing for the playoffs AT ALL. And where's Dice's J been the past few games? Short. Sure he can still hustle down some boards. Your grasp on logic is tenuous, at best.

And please tell me this shit isn't the shit you've been seeing the last two years. Yeah that's what I thought.

Go fuck yourself.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_CYLz7PuxcQ8/Rcn3tjdBNLI/AAAAAAAAAI4/cY0_A-aBTNM/s400/slap-fight.jpg

Oh, and for deeper explanation of my thought process, read FP22's or Higherwarrior's (I forget) posts for less vulgarity and more eloquence of the same ideals. You seemed to ignore those.

Your shit stinks, Kstat, get over it. You know it's not winning time right now... And yeah, playing the bench to keep the starters fresh is somehow not preparing for the playoffs AT ALL. And where's Dice's J been the past few games? Short. Sure he can still hustle down some boards. Your grasp on logic is tenuous, at best.


Dice can out-rebound San Antonio's starting frontline by himself, chase down 6 offensive boards, but his broke jumper is a sign of tired legs. Got it.

And please tell me this shit isn't the shit you've been seeing the last two years. Yeah that's what I thought.



I'll know in the playoffs, because they will be fresher after taking 60 games off.

The only thing I know for sure is, if they spend all 82 games dicking around with the bench instead of getting the starters ready for battle, they won't be any better.

This isn't NBA Live2008. You can't just switch bench rotations every game for a whole season, nor can you play 10 guys in the playoffs.

Adults are in charge. Stop wishing for childish things.

sadly, i agree with kstat again.

almost ALWAYS, regular season games mean less than they appear. this one maybe ment more. even though we'll have a first round bye vs a practice squad where we can tool up then, you dont want to go into the playoffs without getting into playoff mode first. its the proverbial switch argument.

ande flip (again, hate admitting this) has done a decent job, for the most part, of limitting the starters minutes.

that said, this game was discouraging to me. we beat the spurs (depleted and on our home court) because we KILLED them on boards and they sucked in the 3rd (last year we owned the third, but i think the spurs simply sucked in the qrter this game). they still managed to almost pull this one out. that would have been a bad loss. unless im wrong, and we can expect these kind of rebounding margins in a series vs them, we wont win. book it.

I missed the game and the game thread tonight but there were two things I knew with absolute certainty:

If the pistons lost, there'd be massive hand-wringing and fratricide in the game thread.

If the pistons won, there'd be massive hand-wringing and fratricide in the game thread.

Good to see some thing are so consistent. It's just one game, get over it and enjoy the win.

and with all the bitching about us living and dying with the jumper, we go out and out-rebound and out-defend the san antonio spurs, winning a game against the NBA's premier grind-it-out team when we couldn't shoot for shit.

Of course nobody will note this, and within 2 or 3 game threads we'll start one out by bitching about us relying on the jumper too much again, like this game never happened..

I love checking the OGTs, win or lose, to see who is arguing.

if you look at team stats, any way you look at it, san an is a slightly better rebounding team than us. tonight we killed them on the glass.

theres really no reason to think its anything but a freak.

we out rebounded them in both games this season.

There's also the factor that Ratliff did a heck of a job on the offensive glass, and what he didn't pull in he tipped out to a teammate.

to the rebounding issue, I think we could actually be a rebounding force if Amir replaces Jarvis at the 3. Maxiell could play the 3 offensively, Amir could guard the 3 defensively.

It's better than not playing Amir outright, and instead of Jarvis chipping paint off the iron, we have some more inside presence, and both Stuckey and Maxiell will get more shots.

we out rebounded them in both games this season.


jesus christ.

in the first game we outrebounded them by 1, and we beat them during the heart of a stretch where they went 12-13, or basically there worst stretch of the season.

Kstat, don't get diddy angry at you. He's been the only guy agreeing with you.

jesus christ.

in the first game we outrebounded them by 1, and we beat them during the heart of a stretch where they went 12-13, or basically there worst stretch of the season.


I guess we're just that lucky, then.

Humility! Now that's the spirit, Special K! :)

What's the point of playing Juan Dixon if he's not gonna shoot once and benching AA?

Oh Shiela...

Yikes I come in here this morning to find Kstat trying his best to piss match with anyone who isnt jumping for joy.


He's got a better basketball IQ at this point, he is much more physical than Amir and taller than Maxiell.
Theo's basketball IQ is nothing to write home about. But nevermind that and the other "more physical" lie, why the fuck do you keep bringing maxiell into this? you're hell bent on that shit it seems. but whatever.


Much like Rasheed, Theo's length makes up for the fact he isn't 280 lbs.
Last year you didnt think even sheed's length was enough to make him a presence in the post because was so light in your mind. Now its gold? Convenient it seems for you. But again i shouldnt have to explain to you that Theo isnt all that physical and that any PF and center who bodies in the paint nullifies his greatest weapon(shot blocking). And again I saw duncan getting any position he wanted on him w/o much resistance. Either way you haven't proven that we are playing better with Theo, nor have we had a game to point at to prove it yet. Looks like we are going to risk what we can to get to get Theo acclimated with the plays. Dont know if we'll be better in doing so, but we arent right now.


but that's expected of a new addition. He looked a lot better switching tonight. He forced an airball from Manu once and picked him off on another.
He also recovered at the pace of a snail when Parker got into the paint and was still slow in recovering back to his own man. Of course you cant act as if he did all good just like i'd be a fool to act as if he did all bad. Unfortunately for your motives i dont think Theo is useless, i do think that he will bring less help than amir. And overall he's slowed us down.. So much so that we even look faster with Dyess in. But again believe what you want, just dont start a "stfu noob, we won you losers!" on anyone who isnt rolling with your logic.

to the rebounding issue, I think we could actually be a rebounding force if Amir replaces Jarvis at the 3. Maxiell could play the 3 offensively, Amir could guard the 3 defensively.

It's better than not playing Amir outright, and instead of Jarvis chipping paint off the iron, we have some more inside presence, and both Stuckey and Maxiell will get more shots.


I think thats what may happen next year. Something tells me somebody is going to throw a ton of money and a starting role to Jarvis this offseason (for whatever reason), so given that, I wouldn't be surprised if we put Amir at the 3, even though he's pretty big for the position...


Our front court could be like the Jazz...

Amir will never play the 3 just like KG(whose only 10 pounds heavier and is capable of playing the 5 at times) and Bosh never will, lay off the video game ideas please. He's a 4/5 period.

that said, this game was discouraging to me. we beat the spurs (depleted and on our home court) because we KILLED them on boards and they sucked in the 3rd (last year we owned the third, but i think the spurs simply sucked in the qrter this game). they still managed to almost pull this one out. that would have been a bad loss. unless im wrong, and we can expect these kind of rebounding margins in a series vs them, we wont win. book it.
We've killed them on the offensive boards like this in the past. Granted, this was with Ben around, but it seemed like a weakness of theirs. They're only a middling rebounding team, much as we are, though I'd expected better from KT.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200601120SAS.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200512250DET.html

KT is old and slow

Amir will never play the 3 just like KG


..except Corliss played the 3 and he's heavier than either of them...

Amir can play the 4, Maxiell can play the 3. On defense they just switch. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out.

Or we can rotate bigs and keep them fresh for the playoffs, when you then do situational matchups.

Oh wait, that would be way too smart for flip...lets just screw the young guys and roll with the rattlesnake.

Or we can rotate bigs and keep them fresh for the playoffs, when you then do situational matchups.

Oh wait, that would be way too smart for flip...lets just screw the young guys and roll with the rattlesnake.


Yeah, because keeping the starters out of a playoff rhythm for the entire season is smart...

And heading into the playoffs with a 20 year old, 210 lb backup center...that's equally smart.

You've refused to answer the energy/aggression aspect they bring off the bench, and that without it we're more or less the same team that was eliminated the last two years.

You've refused to answer the energy/aggression aspect they bring off the bench, and that without it we're more or less the same team that was eliminated the last two years.

The idea all along wasn't that our bench was going to make a major difference in the playoffs. The idea was that our starters could stay fresh for the postseason if the bench played more during the regular season.

It's kind of funny so many fans were duped into thinking that we were going to play our bench a ton in the playoffs. It doesn't work that way.

We were plenty aggressive last night against the spurs, and the young guys barely played. McDyess and Ratliff were the two most energetic guys on the floor.

Again, I'm just glad adults are in charge, so none of these silly complaints will register with anybody that actually matters.

We can afford to play one young guy in the playoffs, MAYBE two. But Amir Johnson is youth overkill. Experience beats youth in the postseason.

It's very easy to want the young exciting players to be on the floor. it just isn't the smart decision when it's time to gear up for the playoffs.

it's going to be great when Lindsey comes back and there are even more veterans on the floor to drive people nuts.

Stuckey's going to get his PT no matter what. That's all I really care about. I really like Amir, but his time to shine is not this year.

thats a pretty confident tone for someone who contradicts himself with every other post.

i could throw some kstat logic back in your face that would disprove half of what you just said, but im not in the mood this time.

Popp agrees... but what does he know.


Johnson OK with his role The plan for Amir Johnson this season was to get him playing more. But that doesn't mean he'll see action in every game, evident by him not playing (coaches decision) against San Antonio.

"We had a talk as a group the other day, just about where we're at and what we have to do," Saunders said. "Guys have to understand one night you might be called upon, another you might not. And whether you're called upon to play five (minutes) or 20, that you have to be ready in order to do that."

Johnson said he knew his playing time this season was probably going to fluctuate.

"I'm fine with that," Johnson said. "I just want to help us keep on winning, and make sure I'm ready whenever I get my number called."

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, whose Spurs tried to sign Johnson this past summer, said he likes the way the Pistons have brought the 20-year-old along.

"He's just going to get better and better," Popovich said. "A lot of people around the league realize what a talent he is, and I think Detroit has done a great job of bringing him along slowly; not making him do too much too soon. He's done it the right way. He's learned how you have to play in this league, and what it takes to become a contributor. He's becoming more of a contributor as each year passes by. He's going to be an important player for them in the future."

Popovich likes Detroit's bench Although the Pistons' bench play has been up and down at times this season, Popovich likes what he has seen out of Detroit's reserves, also known as the "Zoo crew."

"To me, their bench is the most impressive in the league," Popovich said. "Those guys take pride in what they do when they step on the court. They're very physical, very energetic."

It's very easy to want the young exciting players to be on the floor. it just isn't the smart decision when it's time to gear up for the playoffs.

i could list tens, if not hundreds, of third year players that would contradict this statement.

now, i personally had low expectations for amir this season, and i dont think he fits into the 'ready now' area like some people on this board, including YOU (up until amir left the picture).

but if he were able to contribute, i think it would be pretty stupid to hold him back just cuz he is young, which is what it seems your trying to suggest.

in short, your full of shit kstat. all you do is guzzle whatever the pistons are selling. thats why you dont know shit about whats going to happen tomorrow, but your awfully good at toting the company line and talking down to anyone who disagrees with it.

example: how did that tayshaun prince trade work out?

i could list tens, if not hundreds, of third year players that would contradict this statement.

How many teams have used three such players in a single playoff rotation again?

Ok.

2003 spurs
parker ginobili claxton

2003 spurs
parker ginobili claxton

Manu was 26 and experienced beyond his years professionally. He wasn't a typical rookie.

Point taken, but we also do not have the luxury of a 1st-rate superstar to take up slack for a bunch of kids.

Parker, Claxton and Manu all had disappearing acts during the 2003 playoffs. It didn't matter because Duncan was putting up 20/20/10/8 nights.

If we have rotation players go Houdini on us, we're done. We have to go with who's reliable.

1999 spurs
duncan rose daniels

Parker, Claxton and Manu all had disappearing acts during the 2003 playoffs.
I guess our starters, or theirs, never had those in the playoffs.

I guess our starters, or theirs, never had those in the playoffs.

They went as far as Duncan took them, and 2003 was arguably his best season.

When our key players didn't show up for long periods, we got eliminated.

They went as far as Duncan took them, and 2003 was arguably his best season.
his numbers in 2002 playoffs were actually better.



When our key players didn't show up for long periods, we got eliminated.
i thought you said they are the reliable ones.

his numbers in 2002 playoffs were actually better.




Was that before they got booted out of the second round in five games?


i thought you said they are the reliable ones.

More reliable than rookies.

The odds of Ratliff and Lindsey playing well in the playoffs are far better than the odds of Afflalo and Amir playing well. Nobody wants to hear it, but it's the truth.

There's a reason why the spurs keep adding older, more experienced players, instead of being infatuated with youth.

Was that before they got booted out of the second round in five games?And in the regular season too. If they go as far as Duncan carries them, you'd think with similar numbers from Timmy, they won't go 1-4 against the lakers one year and 4-2 the other.



More reliable than rookies. Thank you, master of circular logic.




The odds of Ratliff and Lindsey playing well in the playoffs are far better than the odds of Afflalo and Amir playing well. Nobody wants to hear it, but it's the truth. I'm pretty sure Flip does.



There's a reason why the spurs keep adding older, more experienced players, instead of being infatuated with youth.Didn't they try to get, uh, Amir?

2002 nets
martin jefferson collins

this is fun

Kstat wins the thread.

The odds of Ratliff and Lindsey playing well in the playoffs are far better than the odds of Afflalo and Amir playing well. Nobody wants to hear it, but it's the truth.

There's a reason why the spurs keep adding older, more experienced players, instead of being infatuated with youth.


I agree. I think veterans like Juan, Theo, and Lindsey will have more to offer in the latter rounds than Arron and Amir.


Dead on Kstat, I agree with you completely.

Dead on Kstat, I agree with you completely.

This should be your sig.

How many teams have used three such players in a single playoff rotation again?

Ok.

well, no one here has suggested AA, and maxiell is a 4th year player.

so its only 2.

cleveland did alright last year with 3rd year player anderson verajo and first year player boobie gibson.

half of the bulls team last year were within their first 3 years... gordon, duhon, deng, ty thomas, nocioni, thabo, etc etc.

if we actually looked at rosters, i think you could find that a TON of teams rely on 2 guys playing on their rookie contracts.

so even though i kind of agree with kstat, yet again he takes a ridiculous, undefendable position.

whats really amusing right now is that 180 he has pulled on lindsey hunter. it wasnt so long ago he was informing wtfdetroit that lindsey was done and everyone but me (b-diddy) knew it, and now he's saying he cant wait for hunter to play a major role in the playoffs.

where is the cogency?

where is the cogency?

Kstat: :cogent: -absent

This should be your sig.
That shouldnt be anyone's sig except Kstat.