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

YOUNG STUCK/50 CENT JR: ST ST ST STARTER UNIT!

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here. It’s official, and now starting at Guard for the Detroit Pistons!!!! Rodney Stuck-ey!

Yup, thats the word from Coach Curry today.

MC (HAMMER) VIA MLIVE:

“I like the fact that Stuckey is running the point, and I get A.I. and Rip more in their natural positions of being able to just run the wings,” Curry said. “They have someone to create the offense for them. Stuck also gives us a guy that can get the ball to where we want to get it to.”

ALSO DICE IS BACK!

In other Pistons news, Antonio McDyess was not at practice today because all the paperwork for his contract had yet to be completed. However, the Pistons still expect to have everything done in time for him to play against Washington tomorrow night.

I like the move. I just wish Stuckey was starting for Iverson instead of Killa Kwam Kwam Brown. I think we need a Pistons A team with Hamilton and a Pistons B team with Iverson.

Can you imagine how sweet we would be?

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Are we just talking about practice?

Before Allen Iverson came to town the Detroit Pistons were undefeated.  In the ten games with “The Answer” the Pistons have been 5-5.  The story told by the Pistons to explain this outcome is that the team simply hasn’t found the right “chemistry”.  Here is how Iverson described the situation.

“(Iverson) talked Saturday about the importance of finding chemistry with a new team through practice.

“I’ve been through it before,” Iverson said. “I think the toughest part of it has been our schedule. We’ve been on the road a lot. That was tough. For me, it’s just getting a chance to settle in.

“The most important thing is getting more practice time.”

In an effort to get more practice time, Michael Curry - Detroit’s head coach - called for an additional practice session on Thanksgiving. Although I am sure the team was not happy with this decision, with but one exception, everyone made it in today.  The lone exception was none other than Mr. Iverson.

Curry has said that Iverson will pay a “hefty” fine for missing practice.  But I am not sure this is necessary.  In fact, I think I agree with Iverson’s actions (not his words).  Practice is probably not going to make much difference.

Iverson vs. Billups

To see my point, consider what Iverson has done this season, as well as across his career.  For comparison purposes, let’s also consider the numbers Chauncey Billups - the primary player the Pistons gave up to acquire Iverson - has posted.

• Iverson Career (prior to this season): 0.090 WP48
• Iverson with the Nuggets in 2008-09: 0.083 WP48
• Iverson with the Pistons in 2008-09: 0.086 WP48
• Billups Career (prior to this season): 0.181 WP48
• Billups with the Pistons in 2008-09: 0.254 WP48
• Billups with the Nuggets in 2008-09: 0.225 WP48

When we look at Wins Produced per 48 minutes [WP48] for these players, we see that Billups has done more than Iverson.  And this is the picture we see if we look at the numbers across each player’s career, as well as what each player has done this year.

Given the disparity in what these players offer, it’s not surprising the Pistons have struggled somewhat with Iverson (although I think they are better than a 0.500 team).  And it’s not surprising the Nuggets have improved with Billups.

Changing the Story in Denver

Right now, though, the Pistons are in denial (at least publicly).  As for the Nuggets, the denial has apparently ended.

The following article from the Denver Post — Point guard praise: Billups over A.I. - indicates that George Karl is no longer one of Iverson’s biggest fans:

Unquestionably, the Allen Iverson experiment produced some scintillating moments for the Nuggets and their fans. But the more coach George Karl watches Chauncey Billups run his offense - and watches Iverson lead the Pistons - it has become clearer that Iverson, well, wasn’t the answer.

“There are less bad plays, more solid plays,” Karl said. “I think the wasteful, cheap possessions that we used to have 10 to 15 a game, they don’t exist very much anymore.”

What always irked Karl was Iverson’s inability to run the offense like a general. Arguably, Iverson shot too much, and like Karl said, Denver could outscore about half the teams in the NBA. But when it came to beating the elite teams, the Nuggets had too many questions with “The Answer” - about his shot selection, his dedication to defense and his ability/inability to trust his teammates.

“We have contested-shot charts, bad-shot charts and cheap defensive possessions,” Karl said. “I would say that when A.I. was here, we had most games in the teens of contested, tough shots, sometimes in the 20s. And I don’t think we’ve had a double-digit one since (Billups has) been here.

“I don’t think there’s any question coaching a team for many minutes, without a passing and point guard mentality, is frustrating for a coach. Sometimes I saw something, but I couldn’t get it done on the court because I didn’t have a playmaker out there.”

But with Detroit, Karl thinks Iverson can thrive, because he is surrounded by more veteran playmakers and will trust his teammates, as opposed to forcing a shot he thought he had a better chance of making.

“A.I., at times, had trouble trusting the guy he’s throwing it to,” Karl said.

It’s important to note that Iverson had practice problems in Philadelphia with three different head coaches (Larry Brown, Chris Ford, and Maurice Cheeks). And he now has a problem with Curry.  But he never had a problem with Karl (at least none that we have heard about).  Despite consistently practicing with the Nuggets, though, Iverson only posted a 0.134 WP48 last season.  This is above average, but less than what Billups offered in even his worst season in Detroit.

Now it’s certainly possible that practice makes perfect.  But it seems unlikely, at this point in Iverson’s career, practice is going to transform “the Answer” into a great player.  So maybe the Pistons shouldn’t be too upset when Iverson skips practice.  Maybe he’s just telling Curry — despite what Iverson says publicly — that practice really isn’t going to help.  And after ”the Answer” departs Detroit, I suspect Curry will follow Karl’s lead and tell us that he agrees.

-Prof. David Berri

dberri.wordpress.com

YOUNG JEEZY SAYS: "IVERSON IS HARDER THAN A DINNER PLATE!"

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  The Pistons are on the road tonight against the Brooklyn-New Jersey Nets.  Tonight is definitely AI’s debut.  I’m looking forward to it.  Iverson completed his first PRAC-TICE on thursday.  The starting lineup is supposed to be Iverson, Rip, Tayshaun, Amir and Rasheed.  I’m not opposed to Iverson off the bench but I’m pretty sure that will never happen.

Coach Curry had this to say in the Detroit News about the Pistons starting lineup and where Stuckey stands on the starter’s learning curve.  “Stuckey is still learning,” Curry said. “He has a lot of talent, but he still has a ways to go. I’ve always said, if you don’t give young guys things and you make them earn it, they will keep it.  “If you give them something, you can take it away. He’s earning his keep, and he’s earning his time on the court.”

The Detroit Pistons are 4-0 and the Nets are coming in at 1-2.  Coach Mike Curry went deep into the rotation last game playing 11 B-ballers against the Raps, so look for at least 10 players to hit the floor (and score) in the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  I expect a win against the Nets but you never know what will happen away from the Palace.

Check out this cool photo gallery of Iverson in his new Pistons duds.

*Also Rip misses Chauncey.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

All I have to say is Mike Curry is funny!

-John W. Davis

——————————

FROM THE DET NEWS:

Being ready

Pistons coach Michael Curry joked after the game Saturday that he would put five stationary bikes behind the bench for his starters to ride while they were out of the game, if that meant there would be no more lulls in the second quarter.

In the last six minutes of the second quarter in both games, the Pistons have committed 12 turnovers — eight Saturday against the Wizards while blowing a 16-point lead.

“It’s happening when the starters come back into the game,” Curry said. “Those guys aren’t used to sitting out for long stretches and when they go back in, they aren’t into the game right away and they are turning the ball over. It is something they are going to have to get used to.”

Richard Hamilton , who has eight turnovers in two games, said the stationary bikes weren’t necessary, just more time.

“We’re all used to playing a certain way, getting more minutes in the first half,” Hamilton said. We just have to adjust to sitting for six or seven minutes of the second quarter and then going back in. We just have to find a better rhythm with that.”

AM I READY?

DET NEWS ARTICLE:

Billups said the team is emotionally and physically ready to start the season, but he cautioned fans not to expect a finished product right out of the gate.

“We aren’t going to be a polished, well-oiled machine in the first 15 to 20 games,” Billups said, “because we’ve got guys playing different roles and we have a new system.

“But we are going to be fine. We have a high basketball IQ here and we’re going to figure it out, and we’re going to be good. It’s just going to take a little time.”

——————————————-

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  I’m feeling good today. Why?  The Message Board Messiah aka Adam Lader and John W. Davis will be in the building for opening night. I know, jealous right?

Anyway, heed Chauncey’s words and don’t micro-judge every mistake for the first 20 games of the season.  Amir is new.  Tayshaun is still working on his consistency.  Even Chauncey has to work on getting his swagger back.  We all know Rasheed has to work on focusing on his offensive interior presence.  Even Rip has to consistently bring it on defense or he might find Arron Afflalo playing a bit more than he would like.

The beginning of this season is a learning experience for all the players and especially the coach.  Coach Curry has preached accountability but it’s going to take more than that.  It will take actually head coaching.  Although he was the captain of the Pistons when he retired, and an assistant coach last year, he is still learning and experience a lot of coaching trials and tribulations for the first time.

So after the first twenty games if the Pistons are 12-8, don’t worry because that’s a .600 % winning percentage and over the long haul that makes us a contender in the East.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

THE "GOLDEN" PRINCE OF THE PALACE

What’s Going On World?

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

——————————————-

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.

——————————————-

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

2009 NBA Coach Slam Dunk Champion?

Curry, 40, ended the practice with a one-handed slam. Rookie “Will Bynum challenged me,” Curry said. “I told him I could still dunk, so I had to dunk for Will Bynum.”

Source:http://www.freep.com/article/20081022/SPORTS03/810220382/1051/rss16

————————–

Maybe Coach Curry should be a Coach and a Player!  

LOL 

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going On World? 

John W. Davis here.  Michael Curry is our coach and Pistonscast.com is happy about it.  It was time for a coaching change.  Everytime we switch coaches we seem to go to the next level, the next plateau.  When Rick Carlisle left, we won a championship.  When Larry Brown left, we had the most wins in franchise history.  When Flip Saunders left,  you get my drift.  Something great will happen.  Hopefully it is another DETROIT BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Detroit Pistons coach Michael Curry is the anti-Flip Saunders

Posted by Patrick Hayes September 19, 2008 09:15AM

Categories: Basketball

BACKGROUND: I did not get a one-on-one interview with Pistons coach Michael Curry at the Pistons Sept. 18 Season Tip-Off event in Flint, but I did get to listen in with real reporters as they asked him questions about his expectations, individual players and his coaching philosophy.

 

MICHAEL CURRY QUOTABLES!

On Amir Johnson:

“We have to realize Amir came straight from high school and the last couple of years he didn’t get a lot of (court) time. A lot of the things he’s done, he’s tried to be a hustle guy and an energy guy to try and earn his way onto the court and worked extremely hard. What we’ve been telling him and what he’s worked on is not just playing hard, but playing smart. We think as he gets confidence in the fact that he has a consistent role on the team, he won’t make some of those mistakes.”

On Rodney Stuckey:

“He’s still figuring out when to be aggressive as a point guard and when to set your teammates up. That’s gonna continue to be a learning curve for him. What we’re gonna try to do as much as possible is get him out on the court with Chauncey a lot and out on the court with Rip a lot. I look at those three guys as starters, and we want to try and get Rodney’s minutes up so all of those guys are around 30 minutes a night.”

On Rasheed Wallace:

“The thing we talked about early was I want him to be in better shape once training camp started and I want him to be able to maintain his conditioning throughout the season. Sometimes you get in basketball shape and you can play the whole season, but not be in great conditioning shape. We talked about doing a better job of focusing on our strength and conditioning program. Arnie Kander, who we feel is the best in the business, I don’t think we’ve taken full advantage of him over the last few years. I know a lot of people talk about Rasheed getting down into the post, I talked about that last year. We will call a lot of plays to get not only Rasheed, but all of our guys, down into the post because getting points in the paint is going to be one of our main focuses.”

On Kwame Brown:

“I think the biggest thing that I’ve seen is a young player that really likes the game of basketball. A lot of things circulate about players throughout the media. For me, I’ve always wanted to get to know a player myself. The things that’ve gone on throughout his career, you know, he took full accountability for. For me, that was enough. As far as playing, I think if Kwame was the 15th pick in the draft, they would only be talking about how good he’s played for stretches throughout his career. The fact that he was the No. 1 pick is the thing that everyone has held over his head, which is very tough for an 18-year-old. Now, I think at 25, and the things he’s gone through in the league, I saw a guy that had been beat down a lot, and sometimes maybe didn’t handle it the best way, but probably handled it the best way a young person knows how to handle it. Now I see him overcoming those things and his size, he’s a presence for us inside. It’s tough to find a young big that size, so we’re lucky to have him and the fact that he’s been excited and he’s been here working out all through September so far just shows that he’s excited about basketball. Our goal is to get him as healthy as possible, to define a role and just to continue to support and coach him. I think he’s had enough beat-down in his career and we don’t want to do that with any of our guys, we want to coach and teach rather than beat down guys on what they’re not good at.”

On Arron Afflalo:

“(As an assistant last year) I never had a problem with Arron (Afflalo). I think he’s as consistent a player as what we had last year as far as following the game plan.”

On the veterans:

“They’ve done a lot of things and they’ve been really successful, but I think you still have to coach those guys. You can’t take for granted that they’re just gonna do the things that they need to do to be successful. We have a group that you have to show them more than just tell them. I think we have to watch a lot more tape, a ton more tape compared to what they’ve watched in the past, so they can realize that what we’re telling you, you see it with your own eyes. I think at times that when you have a team that’s been really good for a long time, they can’t be that good every night, so its very important to add some younger guys into the mix. That’s on us as a staff to make sure our young guys are ready, and then we have the confidence and patience with them to go out and, you know, go out and establish their role on the team.”

On the team overall:

“As I’ve told our players throughout the summer when I’ve talked to them, We have a very talented team, and not just our starting five. Sometimes you’re gonna come out of the game not because your tired or because you’ve made a mistake, but its time for some other guys to get on the court.”

On the rotation:

“I think looking at our guys, that we have 10 guys basically that have been playing and have played great sometimes. We have to prepare guys to play certain roles, and when that time comes for them to be in the game, they know it is their time to be in the game. That’s gonna help us be a complete team and a competitive team.”

Roles of assistant coaches:

“What we’ve done throughout the summer when we’ve worked guys out, I don’t have one assistant that concentrates on smalls, the other one on the big guys, one on offense, one on defense. I expect guys to be well-rounded as coaches. Each day in practice, each coach will have an opportunity to coach offense and defense. It gives our coaches a chance to really reinforce things and teach things to the players.”

On possibly moving Antonio McDyess to the bench:

“When you have both of those guys (McDyess and Rodney Stuckey) anchoring your second unit then it allows your other role players to just play their roles and not play outside of themselves. You’re not asking Amir Johnson to become a primary scorer or Jason Maxiell or Kwame Brown. These guys can learn to get good at their roles and do the things that they do the best. Having a really good post scorer (McDyess) and a really good perimeter scorer (Stuckey) with them will help.”

On the team’s identity:

“I want to be a team, of course, that’s really good defensively. We’ve been good defensively but I want to be good defensively consistently. Let’s understand that our guys have been really good over the last six or seven years, but what we’ve had problems (with) at times is maintaining that consistency and playing at an extremely high level. What we have to do is make sure we do all the little things so we can play at that high level consistently and that’s something we haven’t done in the past. That comes with, I feel, being in great shape condition wise, taking care of all the little things offensively and defensively on a day-to-day basis and we have to do that as a staff and that is what we will enforce going into training camp.”

Rule changes affecting aggressive defense:

“Good teams, good players adapt. All you ask for is consistency. If I’m playing extremely hard and can’t hand check as much, I gotta move my feet more. That means I gotta be in better shape to move my feet. I still think no matter what, the game of basketball goes to the most aggressive team and the most aggressive players.”

OUR THANKS TO THE FLINT JOURNAL AND MLIVE.COM

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Amir: "I'm starting Max" Jason's thought bubble: "Damn, I thought I was good in the Playoffs"

 What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  The Valley Boy, I mean Amir “Soft as Cotton no more” Johnson will get 1st crack at starting next to Rasheed!  I Love it.  Coach Curry you are my idol!  (FOR NOW)

From the Detroit News:

At the start of camp, it appears that Amir Johnson is going to get the first look at winning the fifth starting spot and play alongside Rasheed Wallace in the front court. But, if Johnson can’t secure the spot, Brown could slide up. He is the team’s lone big-bodied, true post player and he would free Wallace to be a full-fledged power forward, as opposed to playing a hybrid-type frontcourt role.  

It was only a matter of time in my opinion, that a logical, sane coach would try to start Amir and see what he can get from him.  When Amir is in the game, he rebounds and blocks with the best of them.  Give him some real minutes and lets see what my boy Amir can really do.  (I already know, I just want the world to know.)

Who do you think should start?

Peace,

John W. Davis