Pistonsnationblog.com Blogger Roundtable

I think Rip is probably our best bet to become our sixth man.

I once believed that AI would be a better sixth man for this team, but I no longer feel that way.

Stuckey and AI have been playing well together in the starting lineup, and having an All-Star guard ready to come off the bench will do wonders for this team.

It also creates match-up problems for the opposition; they instantly go from having to guard a 6 foot SG/PG to 6 foot 7 SG/SF.

AI has been playing well (with the exception of the last two games), and has been integrated into the Detroit style of play.

Rip knows how the Pistons work very well, and he can be the Vinnie Johnson of these here 2008-2009 Detroit Pistons.

Another way of looking at it: Iverson has been a starter his whole NBA career, from game 1 in his rookie season. Rip has not and while it may have been some time ago, has experience in coming off the bench. Granted, i’m grasping for straws here, but I feel both players are professional and can handle it.

As Ryan said, Stuckey and AI have meshed. Rip knows these plays inside/out and shouldn’t have an issue with meshing with that second unit.

Curry is in an enviable position where, depending on the matchup, he can choose to go big or small. Besides, Rip would still get 30 minutes coming off the bench.

A second unit with Rip, Dice, Maxiell, Afflalo, and Kwame could run with half of the starting lineups in the L. Let’s get it.

It looks like Rip will be the guy, especially since his injury is the perfect excuse to bring him off the bench.

I think this is a lot like the Lakers’ situation. They have 3 very good frontcourt players in Odom, Bynum, and Gasol. All three are starters basically, but they aren’t good fits by each other.

So they bring Odom off the bench, which allows 2 of the 3 players to basically be on the court at all times.

You could do Stuckey-AI, then AI-Rip, then Stuckey-Rip…..each combo would work.

Stuckey, AI, Tay, Amir, and Sheed should start. Dyess and Rip anchor the bench, along w/ Afflalo and Maxiell.

Hey everyone, fist time commenter, long time listener. I think A.I. should come off the bench instead of Rip. I think in the long term, we don’t know if Iverson is coming back next season. That being said, if Rip is gonna be here for the long haul, I think that he should start so he doesn’t feel some kind of uncertainty. With Chauncey being traded, that last thing he needs is to lose his spot and lose confidence.

You make a pretty good point Dre. That was also my original thought.

I prefer AI starting now because with him out there he’s creating more opportunities for others to score. Not only with his passing but with his presence is he able to create easy buckets. Probably a good reason why Stuckey was able to put up big numbers when he did. In both those games, Rip was on the bench and AI demands a lot of defensive attention.

But i agree with you. if you’re talking long term, yes Rip should start.

What’s up Dre! Thanks for getting in on the conversation.

Very solid take! Keep em’ coming!