Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets (http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/pistons_gameday.html)
Pistons Gameday
TV: myTV20; Radio: WDFN 1130 AM - The Fan

Game Preview:
The skinny: Pistons fans will always be intrigued by their two games a year with Denver because of Carmelo Anthony, the Syracuse star Detroit passed on in the 2003 draft with the No. 2 pick. He’s the offensive engine that drives this team, which is trying to settle on a fifth starter from among second-year surprise Linas Kleiza, J.R. Smith and DerMarr Johnson. Nice frontcourt depth with Nene, Joe Smith, Eduardo Najera and Reggie Evans backing Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby.

What to watch: Carlos Delfino’s had two straight games where his jump shot has abandoned him. With Jason Maxiell and Flip Murray playing so very well, it behooves Delfino to start solidifying the role both Flip Saunders and Joe Dumars carved out for him this offseason by trading Mo Evans. Delfino’s NBA coming-out party came at Denver early in his rookie season, before knee problems buried him on Larry Brown’s bench.

Bad time for a game. I only caught a couple minutes of it and didn't even look like the Pistons were interested in being there.

http://www.nba.com/games/20061022/DENDET/boxscore.html

Nazr and Maxiell had good games, Delfino and FlipM didn't.

To anyone who watched this: Did Delfino and Murray try to take the ball the the rim or were they missing jumpers?

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/71/full.getty-71796535ae008_pistons_nugge_8_09_00_pm.jpg

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/91/full.getty-71796535ae012_pistons_nugge_8_26_37_pm.jpg

To anyone who watched this: Did Delfino and Murray try to take the ball the the rim or were they missing jumpers?
Delfino seemed to be working entirely from the perimeter, missing several outside shots. I didn't watch all of the game, but he was very lackluster from what I saw. I don't remember much of Murray, but I think he was shooting most of his shots at least from the midrange, if not closer. He had some floaters in the lane that missed their mark.

On a side note, Amir was clumsy around the basket, fumbling several passes in the post. When he was able to keep his hands on the ball, he was his regular smooth self. Maxiell was a beast, like always.

I thought flip murray was making really bad looks on offense to pass. he didnt look at the whole floor and missed a chance to hit a wide open big guy several times.

I only caught a few minutes (forgot it was on) but I was surprised how pudgy Andre Miller is.

I did see two awesome Maxiell dunks.

He's really making a bid for some significant minutes.

Amir is still a year or so away from being a real NBA player, imo. he's so tall and athletic, but he looks like he gets no lift when he's under the basket. he really needs to work on spacing with his wide frame. learn to bump to create space and rise up.

but looking at the width of his shoulders, dude's going to be huge if he keeps working out and growing taller.

NBA.com video highlights:

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/recaps/pre_dendet_061022.asx

Statitudes:

Nazr: 25 min, 16 pts, 12 reb, 2 blk, 7/11 FG, 2/4 FT, 3 fouls

Maxiell: 30 min, 21 pts, 8 reb, 3 asts, 7/11 FG, 70/10 FT

FlipM: 28 min, 9 pts, 3 asts, 2 stl, 3/14 FG

Delfino: 26 min, 3 pts, 4 asts, 2 stls, 1/7 FG

Amir Johnson: 12 min, 15 pts, 4 reb, 5/7 FG, 5/6 FT

Sheed: 8 minutes?

I only caught a few minutes (forgot it was on) but I was surprised how pudgy Andre Miller is.
Good pick-up

Miller, 30, reported to camp overweight. That has not gone over well with Karl, especially in view of his more up-tempo offense. "I don't think he's in the best of shape," Karl said. " . . . He fatigues quicker than (before). . . . Andre is at the stage of his career where he's going to have to spend more time on conditioning. . . . I think he'll be ready to play 30 minutes (to start the season). I don't know if he'll be ready to play 40."