Archive for the ‘Blog Entries’ Category

What’s Going on World?

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We will have an open Q&A and instant analysis. You know the deal!

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What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.

Let’s be totally honest with ourselves. The Utah Jazz and Jerry Sloan own us. I’m sure you will hear or read some outrageous about how the Jazz have won like 85% of their games against the Pistons in the last 5 years. Whatever the stat is, the Detroit Pistons have some work to do. Some defensive work.

Tonight is the night to prove as a team that we are ready to compete defensively. We have to fight around those Picks and stay on those Rolls. Against the Jazz, its about tough, hard-nosed BAD BOY defense. In my opinion, that’s their key to success.

ARE THE PISTONS UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis.  This is going to be the official comment thread for our new Episode 73!  After you check out the new show, come on back and let us know what you think?

-Comments on Chauncey?

-The Dark Knight?

-Rip?

-Rasheed Wallace?

Let ‘em rip Pistonscast Posse!

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  As I write this article, the Pistons are seemingly on their way to a win just beat the Wizards and are now on 3-game winning streak.

All is well in Pistons land?   Well maybe…

Who knows if everything is good now because beating the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Bobcats, and the Washington Wizards does not prove a thing.

I want to place my blame for the Pistons average start and it’s not on Allen Iverson.  (I’m so over him.)

• Defense: This year has been our worse year since 02-03 season for on the ball defense.  We have to Man Up possession after possession.

• Baby Big Man Rotation:  Regardless of matchups, Amir Johnson, Kwame Brown, and Jason Maxiell all need at least 8-12 minutes.  We have to stay fresh for the playoffs.  More importantly, we have to teach the young guys how to play.  You learn best by performing your craft, not just observing from the bench.

• Chauncey Billups: Tune in to Pistonscast Episode 73!!! (LISTEN NOW!) for my reasoning on blaming Denver’s finest.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here. So I here that Rasheed Wallace might be on the trading block. Hmmm…

Here is what RealGM.com had to say:

Many believe that the Pistons will field trade offers for forward Rasheed Wallace if the team continues to struggle.

“That’s a ‘Mark Cuban move,’ ” said an Eastern Conference executive. “Cuban would take Rasheed, no question. It would be bold, but he knows he’s got to do something to spark his team.”

——————————–

I think we should keep him. We can’t do much worse and Rasheed’s is a soon to be free agent. Let the Pistons bear the fruit of the free agency tree unless they are giving up Dirk, better yet J “Triple Double” Kidd.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Hey guys.

Here’s Part II on A Few Thoughts on the Detroit Pistons. Click here for Part I.

The fact that Allen Iverson is a Piston still hasn’t really sunk in for me. Now I don’t know if he makes the Pistons necessarily better, but he definitely makes them different. If he can make the Pistons less predictable offensively in the playoffs, then he will have done his job.

However Iverson’s tenure in Detroit goes, this trade can’t be fully judged until the summer of 2010. Everyone knows that the cap space that the Pistons gained with this trade was a major reason for it. If the Pistons are able to acquire Chris Bosh, LeBron James, or another premier player, then this trade will have been a success. As for Denver’s end of the trade, you already know how I feel about that in my previous posts found here and here.

I honestly don’t like the Detroit Pistons chances of winning the NBA title this year. Then again in December 2003, who would have said that the Pistons would have won the title that following spring? I’m guessing no one. Most would have said that the Pacers, Spurs, Timberwolves, Lakers, or Kings were going to win the championship that year.

So maybe the Pistons need to be considered the underdogs. But with each passing day it seems more and more likely that the title will be won by the Celtics, Lakers, or Cavaliers. Now I’m not counting out the Pistons by any means. Remember that the Pistons are basically in training camp with Iverson since he was acquired during the season.

Also recall that Antonio McDyess, who was included in that trade, was resigned by the Pistons this week. I’m not claiming that time and McDyess are the answers to this team’s problem, but McDyess’s return does affect several things.

It allows Rodney Stuckey to more effectively lead the second unit and to slash and penetrate better since opposing teams will have to respect McDyess’s jumpshot. It also allows Rasheed Wallace to player fewer minutes as he won’t have to burden being the only big man with above average defense and a reliable jumper. And it also takes the burden off Kwame Brown, Jason Maxiell, and Amir Johnson as they won’t be counted on to score consistently or do anything else outside of their expertise.

So maybe time and McDyess will be all the Pistons need, but I sincerely doubt it. However, if the Pistons continue to struggle, even with more time and McDyess, there might be another trade in the near future or at the very least lineup changes.

I don’t think LeBron James becomes a Detroit Piston anytime soon, but it’s definitely a possibility. If he really wants to play for multiple championships then he has to consider Detroit. In 2010 the Pistons’ likely roster will look as follows: Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey, Arron Afflalo, Jason Maxiell, and Amir Johnson.

That’s not a bad lineup already. Throw in a LeBron or a Bosh and you can start talking about a serious championship run. I do think that the Pistons will have a great chance to acquire either Carlos Boozer or Chris Bosh. Either way, from now until July 2010 is going to be a very interesting and exciting time in the NBA.

In summary, this season for the Pistons is exciting and new, but also frustrating sometimes. Nothing is guaranteed anymore but maybe that’s a good thing. In the past the Pistons would fall apart in the conference finals of the playoffs. Now I don’t know if even that’s going to happen as they might lose in the second round or even the first round. But they might also make it to the finals and win a championship.

The trade for Iverson is hopefully a positive thing for this season and for future seasons. It should make Detroit a less predictable team in the playoffs and also allow the Pistons to sign or trade for a major free agent of 2010 (or 2009), such as LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, or Carlos Boozer. I don’t know what the future holds but I’m excited and optimistic.

Go Pistons!

-Steve Kays

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  Coach Mike Curry has made it plain and simple.  He says don’t blame Iverson, blame the team’s DEFENSE.

CURRY VIA FREEP:

CURRY:  “A lot of times you look at that individual player,” Curry said. “But for the most part, except when he gambles, he’s been solid for us defensively.”

Detroit is 7-9 with Iverson in the lineup.

IVERSON: “I already know that the bull’s-eye is going to be on me regardless of what happens on this team, because I’m here,” Iverson said. “But all you got to do is go back and watch the games and see what goes on in the game, and then you can make your assumption if it has anything to do with one player or has anything to do with all the players.”

WHO ARE YOU BLAMING?

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here. Here is something to take your mind of the Pistons recent woes. It’s a Happy Sheed!

DETROIT BASKETBALL!!!!!!!!

Hey guys,

I have something to say about four of the horrible teams we played and lost to.

At the time we’ve played each of them, their combined record looks like this: 14-37.   That’s a 27% win percentage.

Last night’s game was purely awful.  The first quarter looked great, but it all went downhill from there.

Where was Maxiell?

Where was Amir?

Where was Kwame?

Why did we play four of our starters extended minutes in place of them? (Rip and AI = 38 minutes, Stuckey = 36 minutes, Tay = 40 minutes)

At the end of the game, ‘Sheed was nowhere to be found (only 27 minutes played).

We only had one big on the floor, which means only one person could rebound over the other team — McDyess.  Yes, Tayshaun had 11 rebounds, but he’s not a legitimate big.

Again: Where were Maxiell, Amir, and Kwame?

I have to question what in the world happened tonight.

And where our rebounding big men were.  If people are to get more minutes, then why did four starters play almost 40?

This was awful, especially for starting out so well.  Forget the “we’re in a transitional phase” excuse.  Any time you start out with a 29-14 first quarter, then play like the Pistons did, that’s no excuse.  You can’t give up a lead like that and then say, “well, we have a new player.”

I’d like to see more than one guy on the floor who can rebound.

- Ryan

www.pistonscast.com

Do you blame the teams shortcomings of late ALL on Iverson? Better yet, do you see him as culprit #1 of all of the Pistons issues? I don’t see it as such. Iverson is not without blame, but this has to have a chance to work.

I’ll run down a list of issues in order of significance in how I see them:

1) Curry’s coaching. Clearly over matched at this juncture. Still needs time.

2) Defense. Specifically post defense. We all knew Iverson was not the equal to Billups on D.

3) Amir and Kwame not stepping up. Sheed is playing his most minutes in 6 seasons. How is this possible? It is possible because…..

4) No McDyess. Dice has brought almost as much to the table in 4 seasons as Billups/Tay/Rip/Sheed have. This will be remedied shortly, however….

5) Integrating Iverson. YES, this is 5th on my list. Billups and Iverson are so different, they blur everything in between. How can this not be seen as a difficult transitionn?? However, if any of those top 4 could be rectified than this wouldn’t be a big issue.

-TADOne

shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com