Hey John,
I am in the US for business on the West Coast and as luck would have it, the Pistons were in town. Talk about good timing. So I secured myself a ticket and caught only my 2nd live Pistons game since I’ve been following them for ~20 years. The first was also against Golden State - a win - 2 years ago (I come to San Francisco a bit with business and was also at Game 6 as the Warriors knocked off Dallas 2 years ago). One day I’ll get out to Auburn Hills.
So a couple of observations on the night :
- I arrived 1hr early and watched the shootaround from close up. Sheed dresses like a hobo. His sweats are torn up around the ankles and he had both pockets turned inside out. He did however knock down 6 three’s in a row, from the baseline, 3 of which he kissed off the glass from this acute angle. As much as I want him to live on the block, he has a great stroke for a big (as seen tonight against LA) and they really seemed like layups he did it with such ease.
- During the national anthem, AI doesn’t have his head bowed, or his hand on his heart, but rather his hands in his pockets, his legs spread and then he starts shadow boxing toward the end, when everyone begins hollering and whooping. Looks like between he and Rip, we might have the all-shadow boxing team. I love that shit.
- When AI joins the team as the last player introduced, he hugs each player in the starting 5. Nice routine and bit of bonding.
- Afflalo got abused early by Maggette but I was happy to see him stick with it and get some and-1’s down the stretch. Players definitely target him as soon as his number gets called (as Kobe did tonight) but I like how he is hanging tough and still looking for his shot.
- AI can get any shot he wants…..and it’s exciting to have a player like that as a Piston.
- Kwame was terrible but redeemed himself against LA tonight, so I’ll hold my tongue.
- Amir didn’t do much, but the way he bounds up and down court reminds me a lot of Dennis Rodman. Just watching him throw it down during the layup lines pre-game was v. cool.
- Will Bynum is the mini-me of Jason Maxiell. Stocky, strong and aggressive - all the time. He and Mad Max will both eat ya babies! Will did turn it over a bit and I always felt a bit sketchy whenever the ball was in his hands, but I did love his tenacity and the way he attacked the rim looking to create. Definitely a guy who plays with a big heart who you can’t help but like.
- Rip still struggling but got better as the game progressed.
- Biedrins ripped down 19 boards against us and at times, we appeared very undersized and managed to get stops more by disrupting the offence with our quick hands and deflections. The character of this team is a lot scrappier and opportunistic then the grind out, post up teams we used to be. I think we’re still finding our identity a bit but our willingness to push the ball off deflections and turnovers as well as play some small ball seems like a new and exciting era for Deeeetroit Basketball.
- I love how Curry is mixing up the lineups and 2nd units. He is being creative and also giving the youngsters plenty of time down the stretch in pressure situations which should bode well come playoffs.
And that is it. Great west coast trip so far and am loving my Pistons basketball and the new look of this team.
Peace to Pistonscast and all their loyal listeners.
Julian.
Sydney, Australia on business in California
www.pistonscast.com
One Response
Richard November 16th at 8:06 pm
new show soon?