Who's the leader of this team?

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Originally Posted by Atticus771

There's no reason Stuckey can't be the leader. Age doesn't matter on this team -- if you can ball, the guys on the team will give you respect, as long you're not a pompous jerk.

Stuckey has showed, since moving into the starting lineup, that he's capable of running the show and making good decisions. His performance of late has been phenomenal, and honestly, if you don't think he's ready to lead, you're just not seeing the potential that is there. Heck, I'd dare say that he's been the leader of this team for a week or so now.

Making good decisions and being the leader are two different things.

Ron Harper, or Shaq? Jason Kidd, or Dirk? Stockton, or the Mailman? Being a leader doesn't mean you run the show, it means everything goes through you, both on and off the court. Though Stuckey is a talent on the court, it's the intangibles which make you a leader. In the locker room, during time outs, in the final minutes, etc. This is something you can't teach. If he doesn't have it, he doesn't have it.

He can still be a phenomenal guard, but not the team leader.

Tony Delk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Douche Baggins

Tony Delk.

Kidding? He's still around.

Wait. Lemmie check espn.com.........

Nope. Long gone.

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Originally Posted by DennyMcLain

It didn't take long for Chris Paul and Tony Parker to "grow" into the position. Either you're a leader, or you're not..

I agree, i disagree that he's not looking like a leader. I think he runs the offense pretty firm and at his young age shows the capability of leading the team.

Leadership at first sight does happen but it can also be a quality that emerges over time as guys play together. The point guard position is a natural springboard for it and it's certainly not insane to suggest he might.

I do believe it can be said at this point though that if Rip/Sheed/Tay/Dice had it in them it we'd know it by now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by geerussell

Leadership at first sight does happen but it can also be a quality that emerges over time as guys play together. The point guard position is a natural springboard for it and it's certainly not insane to suggest he might.

I do believe it can be said at this point though that if Rip/Sheed/Tay/Dice had it in them it we'd know it by now.

Agreed.

I think that's the biggest issue with this team right now. The Pistons haven't been right since they lost the Philly game (38 points in the fourth quarter to a team without it's best player). There confidence is low (look at how the Bulls came back on Tuesday). We're so used to a team that is mentally tough (sans the ECF), but this team is mentally soft.

That's where the loss of Billups hurts this team the most. Stuckey's too young, Iverson's too new, Rip and Sheed are too emotional, and Prince and Dice are too quiet. Plus we have a coach who doesn't hold players accountable, except for in the media.

I'm not sure how to fix that either. The Pistons are going to have to just regain it with success through adversity, I guess.

We can all see how the whole "they respect this coach" thing is working out. Maybe they should have respected him for a few more years as an assistant to someone like Avery Johnson....