The year was 1993 and a young and talented Charlotte Hornets team would lose in the 2nd round of the playoffs in only their 5th year in existence as an NBA franchise. Oh how bright their future looked ...
http://www.zwpatch.com/images/sports/charlotte_hornets.jpg

Staring: Gramama Mugsy Alonzo (remember that Fresh Prince fade?)
http://images.usatoday.com/sports/nba/_photos/2001-10-10-grandmama-inside.jpghttp://ssakai.web.infoseek.co.jp/auto_muggsy2.jpghttp://www.tntcollectibles.com/basketballpictures/alonzomourning/934mourningreboundking.jpg
Don't forget this guy!
http://www.basket-stats.info/players/playerfile/w/images/david_wingate.jpg
Ithinkthat'sDavidWingatebutwhothehellknows

And of course Kendal Gill ...
http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/charhorn/GillChar.JPG
... who's time in Charlotte was so hard on him it turned him Jamaican ...
http://images.sportsnetwork.com/boxing/gill_kendall.jpg
... and then to a life of beating up people ...
like Taymelo's grampa (seen below)
http://images.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/_photos/2005-06-26-kendall-gill-ins.jpg
... poor, sweet, innocent, Kendal Gill

That squad would never get farther then they did in 1993 and although the Hornets would make it back to the 2nd round in later years, things were never so bright as when little Mugsy, Gramama, and Alonzo (who would later lose a kidney and tragically 66% of his first name) were wearing that oh-so-intimidating light blue and purple uni with a bumble-bee for a mascot.

*The Hornets could soon be perminantly located in Oklahoma City site of the tragic bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/crime/national/1995/oklahoma_city_bombing/murrah2.jpg
That shits no joking matter. Last year was the 10 year anniversery so on your free time check out http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/ and sip one down for the innocent lives lost.
http://www.urbanreviewstl.com/okcmemorial.jpg


The Game:
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/prpobablestarters585_0506.gif
http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tayshaun_prince.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/rasheed_wallace.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_wallace.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/richard_hamilton.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chauncey_billups.jpg

Chris Paul is out so Kirk Snyder is probably going to start. Other than that I think its their usual lineup of David West, PJ. "I'm still in the league"Brown, Desmond Mason, and J.R "no not that J.R., nope not that one either, no not him, man just forget it!" Smith.

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jr_smith.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_west.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/pj_brown.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/desmond_mason.jpghttp://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_snyder.jpg

[Edits: It took me forever to get the sideways scroll off]

Now THAT'S a game thread.

PS: Pistons, still reeling from a crappy game against an inferior Utah team, win big, and Sheed, still reeling from not showing up AT ALL for three or four games in a row, steps away from the 3 point line like he was ordered to by the police "get off the babysitter", comes up big, with at least 18 points, 9 boards, and 2 blocks.

Why must you call yourself "Fool" when clearly you are a man of epic genius?

Great fuckin game thread.

Pistons 105 three point attempts to 87 Darko chin hairs.

8 or 7 Darko whiskers, but other than that, you're on NQ.

I say the Pistons win 137 - 74


http://www.yaysports.com/nba/images/Chris%20Anderson.jpg
Brrrr...what happened to that boy?

Fool has raised the bar here.

A game thread with a social conscience?

Hopefully this doesn't scare others away from doing them, lol.

On to the game.

I have no idea what to expect.

I'd like to see Sheed step up after some subpar games.

I'd like to see us not settle for jumpshots.

I'd like to see us out rebound the Hornets.

I think that we'll allow less dribble penetration with Paul out, but who knows?

If we are getting killed on the boards, I want to see either/or both Davis and Maxiell, for a few minutes at least.

I don't have a prediction, but I'll be disappointed if we lose heading into that San Antonio game on Thursday.

Supposedly this Oklahoma City crowd is supposed to be wild, like a college atmosphere. I've heard that most of the games have been sold out, including this one.

I say we blow them out.

let's kick their asses, sea basses.

lets not take jump shots, cockblocks. Or something like that.

lets not take jump shots, cockblocks. Or something like that.


I agree with Anthony

Taking a page out of my brothers book (of old?)


:occasion5:

Anyone have a radio stream for the game??

Did Rasheed finally hit a three?

Good work, Arroyo. Good fucking work.

According to ESPN's Gamecast, Chauncey just picked up his 7th personal foul. How does someone actually put that on there? Do they know nothing about basketball?

ROFLMAO! No wb Jethro?



Arroyo is an ass clown. No doubt he's gettin a suspension, question is, do we activate Lindsy or Roll with what we have to back up the point?

And we took over 15 3's this game. Entirly way too much.

But we won, so its a wash.

It looks like we underestimated the Hornets in the first three quarters, then decided to play with some sense(minus Arroyo) in the fourth.

They have a squad. They'll make some noise next year if they draft a good big man.

I'm certainly a Chris Paul fan. I didn't watch the game tonight, but I've seen some numbers and highlights and he's for real.

Chris Paul is the fucking man.

He has great handles and was shaking people up, making great passes. And with a torn ligament in his hand the jumpshot looks good.

But man.......someone needs to tell him stop trying to shoot over Big Ben. He got blocked at least five times.

We need Lindsay back. BADLY.

Maxiell needs to get some run. Seriously, he works his fuckin ass off, is productive as hell on the floor. Sure he's raw, but he needs 5-7 min every other game at least.

Rumor floating around: Ben Gordon on the block.
- Not sure if it works, but Darko+Arroyo/Evans for Ben Gordon and the rest of the league can kiss that trophy goodbye.

Ben Gordon is way too up and down, not to mention somewhat of a ballhog.

Ben Gordon is way too up and down, not to mention somewhat of a ballhog.

You're right, I'd rather have have Darko and Arroyo or Evans than Ben "Mini Microwave" Gordon...

I'd rather get a better deal than Ben "Mini Microwave" Gordon.

I'd rather get Gordon then watch Darko walk for nothing. That being said, Darko will still have trade value next year as any team that gets him will get his Bird Rights.

Anyone know why Delfino was so limited tonight?

I'd rather get a better deal than Ben "Mini Microwave" Gordon.

Who'd want a 3-guard rotation of Rip/Billups/Gordon when you can have Chucko Nevicic as a 12th man. You know shit about "ferner" policy and basketball.

How can anybody in the NBA play 37 minutes and only take 2 shots and score a single point??

I'd rather get a better deal than Ben "Mini Microwave" Gordon.

Who'd want a 3-guard rotation of Rip/Billups/Gordon when you can have Chucko Nevicic as a 12th man. You know shit about "ferner" policy and basketball.

I have no beef with Gordon. I just think we could get a better deal. Calm the fuck down everyone, goddamn.

What exactly do you think we could get for Megabust?

I would like to get a more versatile guard like Boris Diaw or Marquis Danels, but neither GMs are not that dumb. :(

So nobody is dumb enough to give us someone as good as those other guys so we should pass on a 6th man of the year caliber player?

So nobody is dumb enough to give us someone as good as those other guys so we should pass on a 6th man of the year caliber player?

Shit, if we could get Ben Gordon for Darko and Evans or Arroyo, I'd consider it the Sheed deal of this year.

We should be so fuckin lucky.

If that was the best offer on the table, I'd take Gordon. But what makes you think Chicago would bite on Darko?

If that was the best offer on the table, I'd take Gordon. But what makes you think Chicago would bite on Darko?

Their current center is almost as big of a pussy as Darko.

And if they would bite on Darko, then why not offer Acker and DD for Hinrich!

And if they would bite on Darko, then why not offer Acker and DD for Hinrich!

Because Gordon is the one on the trading block.

Of course I'd do that deal for Hinrich!

If that was the best offer on the table, I'd take Gordon. But what makes you think Chicago would bite on Darko?

Their current center is almost as big of a pussy as Darko.

True, but Candler/Sweetney are both fifty times more useful than Darko, unless you're talking about serving Gatorade.

And if they would bite on Darko, then why not offer Acker and DD for Hinrich!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait. You'd pass on Darko for Gordon because you think we could do better then you turn around and shit on the notion that the Bulls would take Darko for Gordon?

*sigh*

Nice flip-flop, Dubya. I've been defeated, so I'm done with trade talk for tonight.

whichiswhyiwilljustfixitinmyfavor

Somebody needs to bitch-slap Rasheed.

MIN: 41 | FGM-A: 6-17 | 3PM-A: 2-9 | FTM-A 1-2 | OREB 1 | DREB: 3 | REB: 4 | AST: 4 | STL: 2 | BLK: 3 | PTS: 15

That is just unaceptable for a PF of his calibre.

Rasheed should never attempt more 3's than Chauncey unless he's on fire and drilling them. 1-9 three point attempts from a guy who's 6'11 and has the post skills he does??? And 4 rebounds in 41 fuckin minutes? Wow.

He started off the year strong, and he's had some great games, but he's playing more and more lazy every game.

ummmm he had 4 assists :D

ummmm he had 4 assists :D

And two steals and three blocks. :alien:

Can somebody tell me why Delfino got a whopping 1 minute of burn?

For those who are asking, Flip has said he might turn to a timed rotation very soon.

This might have been the night.

And if it's true, I might have some problems with the coaching staff. He only came in because both our PGs fouled out.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060110/SPORTS03/601100380/1051/SPORTS


"Over the haul, I think we're going to go with more of a timed rotation as far as getting guys out and trying to make sure we have certain combinations on the floor at the same time," Saunders said. "And hopefully what that'll do is keep those guys in a situation where they can keep their confidence up."

NICE!!!!!!!!

About damn time. Flip drives me nuts.

Now he just needs to get Sheed's ass to stay in the fucking post.

Now he just needs to get Sheed's ass to stay in the fucking post.
you preassume that its sheed's fault when they are calling plays for him on the perimeter. i think if they call more post plays, then he'll be in the post more. its not like he's gonna revolt it... :D

Sheed loves to just loaf around the perimeter and Flip's jump shot happy offense enables it. They are both to blame. Flip needs to do soemthing about it.

Sheed loves to just loaf around the perimeter and Flip's jump shot happy offense enables it. They are both to blame. Flip needs to do soemthing about it.
huh? wtf, they call a pick and pop play...hows that sheeds fault?

thats not loafing. thats where he was supposed to be. he's also in the post when he's supposed to be in the offensive set. the only thing he could be at fault for would be not driving to the hole after he gets it on the pick and pop. but as far as him "loafing" , i dont think thats the case. i think the pistons would have to call plays for him in the post. cbill and flip have been intentionally calling his number on 3 pointers to stretch the defense. of course its been sucessful most games, so i dont know if they are planning not to run that set up anytime soon.

Damn near half the guys FG attempts are three pointers. That isn't a good considering he is our best post player. It also makes me sick watching Dice chucking 20 ft jumpers. Flip's offense has our only two post players loafing on the perimeter. Those two need to be on the low block.

Damn near half the guys FG attempts are three pointers. That isn't a good considering he is our best post player. It also makes me sick watching Dice chucking 20 ft jumpers. Flip's offense has our only two post players loafing on the perimeter. Those two need to be on the low block.

if you think about it, our offense has the potential to be even more proficient and more unpredictable if Flip would somehow incorporate more post play from Sheed and Dice. those guys are above average to great post players that are shooting way too many long jumpers.

i wonder if Flip is too worried about pissing off Sheed to demand more time in the paint....or if his offense just isn't condusive to low post play.

Sheed shot 9 threes and missed 7 of them.

He shot 4 of 8 otherwise.

I wonder where he should be shooting from?

And don't blame play calling.

It's true we run the pick and pop to spread the D but the play doesn't have to end with him jacking it up from behind the arc.

The first few times he needs to shoot it but when he misses a couple he should realise his shot isn't falling and get into the post.

Do you honestly believe that if Billups called for the pick and pop and Sheed blew it off and went into the post Billups would go nuts?

Billups would do what any PG worth $1 would do: Pass it inside to the big man.

It's true we run the pick and pop to spread the D but the play doesn't have to end with him jacking it up from behind the arc..

maybe not. but once again its not a post play. i stated before that yea maybe he could drive to the hole. but thats not what sheed is about. you set him up for a jump shot, he shoots the jump shot. you set him up in the post and thats where he'll do his damage. and that can be said for some of the other players on this team, including dice.

Damn near half the guys FG attempts are three pointers. That isn't a good considering he is our best post player. It also makes me sick watching Dice chucking 20 ft jumpers. Flip's offense has our only two post players loafing on the perimeter. Those two need to be on the low block.

And with this, lets swat this thread. Nothing can prove this statement false. Point is, this team is jump shot happy, because thats what the offense calls for. Fact is, RIP Hamilton and Billups are the only ones who should be allowed to shoot jump shots. Sheed needs to get his ass down low, and Prince needs to attack the basket more. Both are wasting their talent by being mainly jumpshooters. But then again, it all goes back to Flips offense.

You can't swat an OGT.

It's true we run the pick and pop to spread the D but the play doesn't have to end with him jacking it up from behind the arc..

maybe not. but once again its not a post play. i stated before that yea maybe he could drive to the hole. but thats not what sheed is about. you set him up for a jump shot, he shoots the jump shot. you set him up in the post and thats where he'll do his damage. and that can be said for some of the other players on this team, including dice.

You excuse Sheed because the play that is being run isn't a post play.

It's my opinion that Sheed should blow off the play call and go into the post.

IF Sheed wanted to post he would. He's too lazy and would rather settle for the jumper than work inside.

Do you believe that Billups needs to call a post play for Sheed to post up?

Or do you believe that a guy like Sheed, who is fucking automatic inside should post up and demand the ball?

It's true we run the pick and pop to spread the D but the play doesn't have to end with him jacking it up from behind the arc..

maybe not. but once again its not a post play. i stated before that yea maybe he could drive to the hole. but thats not what sheed is about. you set him up for a jump shot, he shoots the jump shot. you set him up in the post and thats where he'll do his damage. and that can be said for some of the other players on this team, including dice.

You excuse Sheed because the play that is being run isn't a post play.

It's my opinion that Sheed should blow off the play call and go into the post.

IF Sheed wanted to post he would. He's too lazy and would rather settle for the jumper than work inside.

Do you believe that Billups needs to call a post play for Sheed to post up?

Or do you believe that a guy like Sheed, who is fucking automatic inside should post up and demand the ball?

my point is that sheed loves 3's, as does chauncy. mcdyess loves the post yet because of the set ups he ends up on the perimeter. dice cant force the post and jump out of the scheme. nor can sheed.


part of dice's trouble shooting to start the year off was him trying to find his way in the offense. if was as simple as you say he woulda never had trouble. but its not like that. if everyone was breaking out of the play to do their own thing, then wtf is the point of running the play for to be somewhere specific?

it seems you're just mad that sheed has no problem with the roll he's put in on those jumpers. but its still a roll that was assigned by the coach and/or the point guard(depending on who calls the play at that moment). the idea that he should be running off to anywhere he wants on that play is a lil obtusely naive IMO. i mean how often to you think its his responsibility to leave for the post when he was assigned to the outside for whatever purposes? And how is this not the resonsibility of the coach since everytime he's assigned sheed to the post he's been there. no fuss, no gripe, no begging to be at the 3 point line.

Flip calls his number in the post and he'll be there everytime just like if he calls his number to be outside he'll be there everytime. Sheed's lazy for staying in the offense? :?

Devin:

I'm not saying Sheed should just do his own thing in the offense. I'm saying that when Billups calls for the pick and pop play and Sheed already knows his long jumper isn't falling Sheed should communicate with Billups and get a different play called.

You seem to think that whatever play is called MUST be run. That's not the case in my experience. If a player thinks he has a favourable match-up and wants to exploit that he can communicate that to his PG and they run something else.

I'm not mad that Sheed enjoys his role in Flip's system. I'm mad that he's too lazy to tell his team mates "We're shooting too many jumpers so get me the ball inside for a few".

I'm mad that Ben, Billups and Flip don't say the same thing.

Someone on the team has to realise that we're jacking up a lot of fucking jumpers, even though we have an awesome post player on the roster.

IMO it's on Sheed to say to them "fuck this long bomb shit -I'm gonna kill someone down low". Then he can go into the post, score at will and laugh his ass off.

I'm not mad that Sheed enjoys his role in Flip's system. I'm mad that he's too lazy to tell his team mates "We're shooting too many jumpers so get me the ball inside for a few".

I'm mad that Ben, Billups and Flip don't say the same thing.

Someone on the team has to realise that we're jacking up a lot of fucking jumpers, even though we have an awesome post player on the roster.

IMO it's on Sheed to say to them "fuck this long bomb shit -I'm gonna kill someone down low". Then he can go into the post, score at will and laugh his ass off.I think that someone should be the coach of the team.

Yes, I agree it's on Flip to realise that and call for more post plays. Is he as controlling as Rick and LB, calling almost every single play?

Or does Billups get to choose which play to run?

If Billups is making the choice even half the time then he has to run more post plays. If Billups is calling for pick and pops Sheed should tell him to run a post-up.

Blaming the coach for the play calling is only correct when you have a very controlling coach calling 2 out of 3.

If Billups is doing half or most of the play calling how can you blame Flip?

The easy answer isn't always the right answer

I've played with hot shot PG's that called most of the plays. They always call for pick and pops or pick and rolls, freeing themselves up for jumpers or setting me up for an 18-footer.

I can hit them but am much more effective inside.

I don't whine to the coach about the play calling. I tell the PG to get me the ball inside and if I'm doubled I'll kick it out.

It's basic basketball.