Posts tagged ‘Beijing’

THE "GOLDEN" PRINCE OF THE PALACE

What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  Check out this excerpt from MLIVE:

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AUBURN HILLS — Michael Curry has goals for all his players, including Tayshaun Prince being an all-star this season.

“I expect Tay to be an All-Star,” Curry said following this morning’s practice. “I expect him to be an All-Star, he’s played at that level and I think by taking Dice (Antonio McDyess) out of the starting lineup, that puts more things to be run for Tay.”

Prince’s defense and all-around feel for the game has been on an all-star caliber level for years, but it’s his scoring that has left something to be desired.

He’s never averaged more than 14.7 points in a season. With McDyess back to the bench and Amir Johnson getting few, if any, plays called for him, Prince in theory should average a couple more points per game which would put him in line for a possible all-star berth.

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I dont like that last line from the article.  Should a few more points make you an All-Star?  I expect Kevin Durant to average 23-26 points per game and he certainly is no All-Star yet.  We need to change the valuation of All-Star selections because scoring a few more points does not make you intrinsically better.  True, no McDyess in the starting lineup will give Tayshaun more scoring opportunities but that’s not what Tayshaun’s game is about.

If Tayshaun is going to be an All-Star it’s because of everything else he does on the court.  He was a member of the Beijing Olympic team for a reason.  He is basically already on an All-Star level, we just need more consistency from him.  I think if he can average 14 points, 5 rebounds, and here’s the key: 6 assists, (last year he averaged 3.3 ASTS) that he will get his first All-Star bid.

People around the league know that Tayshaun is not the number one, number two or even the number three scorer on this team, but he can and should be the number one or number two playmaker.  He has respect around the league as a great player and it’s up to Tayshaun to make an impact every night on the game through PLAY-MAKING.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

The Prince of the Palace waiting for his Olympic Coronation!

Whats Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  Our boy Tayshaun Prince is back at it again.  Showing the world that a true Detroit Piston player can always contribute, even on a world stage.  His unselfish play is exactly why the Pistons are who they are and its exactly why we don’t get the national respect we deserve.

Coming off the bench is different for Tayshaun Prince because since his 2nd year in the league he has STARTED every game.  Props to the Detroit Free Press, I really like the game by game coverage the FREEP has given the Prince of the Palace.

Hey, Tayshaun Prince had a triple-single in Team USA’s 116-85 win over Australia on Wednesday in Beijing — nine points, a rebound and a steal.

Prince is contributing but as a reserve, averaging 12.7 minutes a game, not the 32.9 he gets with the Pistons, and 4.7 points instead of 13.2. And he’s accepted his role on a roster with guys named Kobe and LeBron.

“The toughest part is trying to come in and really respond and help the team in any way you can,” Prince told the Lexington Herald-Leader, which wants his story because of his days at Kentucky.

“… Obviously, the caliber of guys that we have, we just have to be ready. And I think today I was ready. I think in the games I have been ready, whether it’s shooting the basketball or playing some defense or doing whatever.”

Whatever Coach K is selling, it’s been working. The Redeem Team is 6-0 going into the medal round.

“We’re not overlooking nobody,” Prince said. “You know why? Because we play the same way every game. … Everybody’s been playing hard and aggressive.

“So we’re gonna go down fighting, no matter what.”

Two more games until Gold Tayshaun,  keep doing your thang!

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com