I’m probably going out on a limb here, but I attribute Rodney’s struggles to the veterans. Look at how aggressive he was coming off the bench, getting even 10 assists a game. And then he got off to that rocket start as a starter. However his performance coincidentally tailed off when Rip returned to the starting lineup. I think that all that fighting over the ball and the veterans complaints about Chauncey being gone was too hard on him and he blaimed himself for their struggles. If you noticed, during that 8 game losing streak he rarely touched the ball, often times he would dribble up court and then just give it to Iverson. I don’t know if one of the vets directly said something to him, or he overheard something they were complaining about or if he simply got the general gist that AI/Rip thought the only way they could win was to run the offense themselves, but clearly something was bothering him. If anything it must have been about him being the reason they traded Billups.

The reason why I think it was a locker room issue was because even in the conference finals last year, Rodney backed down to no one. Here’s a prime example of his aggressiveness:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGp8HioDJGY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-SIRWIHUj8

However by the half way mark of this season he wouldn’t even consider getting past half court before giving it to Rip or Tay in the 4th quarters. Generally ya kinda want your point guard at least touching the ball when closing out games.

Could be a long shot, but I think there is a very high probably that his mental breakdown had a lot to do with the Billups trade.

Don’t you agree?

I wish Bill Laimbeer was the Pistons coach but Joe D obviously doesnt want that.

@Tad. Darryl Morey knew Brooks was good thats why Skip to My Lou aka Slap a House was traded.

Quickeness in the NBA will get you anywhere you want to go because alot of defenders are just plain lazy. Even in the playoffs.

As for the question about him and Stuckey, one thing comes to mind: coaching! I think it speaks volumes that Brooks has Rick Adelman coaching him and Stuckey has Curry. Nothing more, nothing less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jvcfouEiSw

Aaron Brooks has been brilliant this series, he’s scoring, he’s setting up others and he’s controlling the tempo. Perhaps Stuckey can take a page or two from his book

Either way, the Pistons need to find their swagger. I think they should make this song their theme song - clean version of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NisCkxU544c&feature=PlayList&p=8F066A0F66026F69&index=0&playnext=1

- Chuck Daly

Does this remind you of someone else? 47points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists and shot over 50% from the field.

Oh, he also added a few new dance steps, a gliding fade-away leaner (I think he got that one from kobe), and of course the under hand scoop shot from 50-ft

I wouldn’t want to be Shane Battier in this next game. Kobe will respond!

I dunno, I guess the one thing we all agree on is that he could be the best player in history if he had a better mindset.

He would be the best player in the league. (@Ali: He makes tough shots but that’s not the point)

Something about Kobe is just not right. He is not patient enough to just be a part of the offense, He wants to be the offense!

I say he doesn’t always force up the jumper, that implies he does sometimes and he doesn’t other times. Besides is it really forcing it if he can make that shot 9 out of 10 times?

If you take nearly 30 shots a game you tend to score quite a few points–Just ask Allen Iverson.

I know many people hate Lebron. I felt the same way about Jordan. But now that he’s gone, I miss watching him play. That why I bark on Lebron so much.

Don’t worry, one day he’ll be gone (after he gets about ten rings) and someone will take his spot. Let’s just pray the next person comes through Detroit.

However I will give you that LeBron does a much better job of setting up his teammates, being an overall leader, and also setting the tone defensively. Kobe showed he can set the offensive tone, the Lakers wouldn’t have been able to score 40 points in the first against Boston if he didn’t. However not once I have seen him yelling out defensive commands or staring down people that let their defender by. The thing that makes a player a true superstar is that his teammates hate to think they have failed him. And if they feel that not defending the paint is fly with the leader, then they’re not going to defend the paint. However if every time you let your man by, someone such as KG gets in your face about it, you sure as hell aren’t going to do it again.