Posts tagged ‘Most Important Pistons’

Leadership is one of those words that can be difficult to nail down a concrete definition for. In terms of basketball, I believe a leader is the one who takes on the responsibility of successfully accomplishing the specific goal set by the team.

I think the question of leadership is the only difference between Rodney Stuckey and some of the NBA’s great young point guards like Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Derrick Rose. All three are  proven leaders who’s play determines the outcome of games every night.

In only his rookie season, Derrick Rose was clearly the leader of the Chicago Bulls and the heart and soul of the team. So far, Stuckey hasn’t impacted his team quite as much as Rose has in Chicago, but he has shown signs of greatness.

In Stuckey’s defense, unlike the other guards previously mentioned, he hasn’t really had the same opportunity to be a leader. As a rookie, his job for Detroit was to be back-up to Chauncey Billups. The following season he had more opportunities but with the constant line-up changes, it still was some time before his role was clearly defined

Now, with the dawning of a new day in Detroit, is this the season for Rodney Stuckey or will another player step up and become the leader of the Detroit Pistons?

Join Pistonscast LIVE on blogtalkradio Monday, July 27^th at 6:00pm, when we discuss who the Detroit Pistons next number one guy will be.

What’s Going on Pistonscast Posse?

John W. Davis here.

Let’s update my post from a few weeks, the Most Important Pistons: Post All-Star Break.

Remember, I’m not including our two Playoff whoopings.  This is strictly the regular season list.

7. Rasheed Wallace- Sheed missed alot of playing time after All-Star break and honestly didn’t do his part when did play and that’s a major reason why we earned the 8th seed.

6. Rodney Stuckey- Oh where Oh where has our Super Stuckey gone.  That’s the problem right there.  The kid was crowned a Superstar before he truly proved his worth. Hopefully 09-10 he will take it to the hoop. HARD!

5. Will Bynum- I couldn’t really put him higher than Rip, Tay or Dice could I.  He has played extremely well with the small amount of minutes he was given and the significant playing he has earned.

4. Arron Afflalo- You say, but John he hardly plays. I say to you when he plays we win nearly 75% of our games. At one point we were 17-6 when Arron got 15 mins or more.  Arron replaced Rip in that starting lineup and showed us he can be a starter in this league. That’s a huge asset going into 2010 Free Agency.

3. Tayshaun Prince- I mean he’s Tay. For the most part he is consistent as it gets.  I wish he gave us more but I am happy he hardly gives us less.  Consistentcy is underrated.

2. Rip Hamilton- For a while it looked like Rip turned the corner.  He honestly did.  He was a dominated go to scorer without Chauncey and that was good to see.  I wonder where THE CAPTAIN has gone in the playoffs?

1. Antonio McDyess- If anyone can debate him being the Most Important Pistons Post All-Star Break I dare you to pose your reply. Double after Double after Double-Double.  He was drinking that Kool-Aid aka the Fountain of Youth!

Well that’s my list.

Let me know what you think?

Peace,

John W. Davis

Got a question for Pistonscast.com? Send it to John W. Davis. And for Pistonscast news and updates follow John on Twitter.

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13-8 Recap: 13. Allen Iverson- Why waste typing any more than this… My fingers deserve better.

12. Walter Sharpe (Check out the exclusive Pistonscast interview)-

11. Amir Johnson-   I thought this was going to be your year Amir!

10. Kwame Brown-  Fill in the Blank…

9. Walter Herrmann- Fill in the Blank…

8. Jason Maxiell-(I MISS THIS VERSION OF MAX)

Whats Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  I thought since the regular season is winding down that it would be cool to look at the Most Important Pistons since the February All-Star break.

I’m going to just count it down for you 13 to 1.  Well honestly we only have 12 guys now but we will go 13 to 1 just to be correct.

13. Allen Iverson- He has to be last right now.  The guy is done as a Piston.  Thank God his contract comes of the books this year…

12. Walter Sharpe(Check out the exclusive Pistonscast interview)- The kid hasn’t played much but when he does, he takes it to the hoop STRONG! Look for him to contribute next year.

11. Amir Johnson- I honestly wish I could rank him higher but I can’t.  We are talking Most Important and right now he is hardly in the mix.  I thought this was going to be your year Amir!

10. Kwame Brown-  With this guy, “It Is What It Is“.  Nothing more, nothing less. At least he is 6′11, 270…

9. Walter Herrmann- If his 3 point shot isn’t clicking, whats the point?

8. Jason Maxiell(I MISS THIS VERSION OF MAX)- Another victim of the Coach Michael Curry PLAYING TIME BUG aka DNP-CD Disease…

7…  The Rest of the Most Important Pistons: Post All-Star Break will be published later this week.

Who are your Most Important Post All-Star Break Pistons…  Leave your list in the comment section!

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.twitter.com/johnwdavis

"The 5th Starter"

What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  My 5th Most Important Piston is Amir Johnson.  Amir made the top five!  Yes he did and deserves to because he is “only” 21 and is the “future” of the Detroit Pistons frontcourt. 

Since his promotion to the first shift, Johnson now gets the dubious designation of “The 5th Starter.”  It’s a title that he should not like and the Pistons need to drop ASAP if this team is going to get back to winning championships.

Follow me here: 

Since 2004, the Pistons have been comprised of a Big 4 + 1.  It’s always Chauncey, then Rasheed, then Rip and then Tayshaun.  The first plus 1 was Ben Wallace, an eventual scapegoat for ineffective post season play in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.  They blamed him for all of the Pistons offensive shortcomings. 

In 2006-2007 the Pistons signed Chris Webber. He was Detroit’s own plus 1.  The hometown guy, who could take us back to championship and earn his first championship. Alas, he was injured, he was tired, he was simply past his prime.  That’s no fault of his but something was missing from Chris, his NBA Hall of Fame game.

In 2007-2008, the plus 1 was Antonio McDyess, a great veteran with a much better offensive game than Ben Wallace and “Number 84″, but his shortcoming was game-changing defense.  He was effective, actually better than average defender but McDyess just didn’t have the explosiveness of his youth to truly replace Ben Wallace on the defensive end of the court.

But now it’s 2008-2009, the season of Amir Johnson.  It’s his turn to try his hand at the 5th starter position.  A position that seems perrenially doomed. (Maybe the Big 4 should play 4 on 5.)  It’s his turn to be expected to have a defensive impact like Ben Wallace.  It’s his turn to be expected to have an offensive impact like McDyess did. 

Are these expectations realistic?  I don’t think so, nor does Coach Curry, but that won’t stop fans from having them.

They will say, but he is 6′11, and 230 now instead of the 6′9, 210 from his early seasons.  They will say, but I saw a box score where he had 6 blocks in 12 minutes last season.  They will say, I saw a youtube of him dunk from the free throw line in high school.  They will say that if he gets 25 minutes that he should average 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks because with half the minutes, he averaged half the stats.

I say that “The 5th Starter” is flawed from the tip-off because how can your contributions show up on the stat sheet when you have Chauncey, Rip, Tayshaun, Rasheed, Rodney Stuckey; all dominant in their own way… I hope you get the point…

This “5th Starter” can not show up like that.  So you had 6 rebounds instead of 10. So what?  So you only had 1 block instead of 3?  So what? 

I will evaluate Amir by looking at the team and I will say to myself, “John W. Davis are we better off when Amir starts and or plays significant minutes”?

My answer to that question will come from a simple equation, the Detroit Pistons 2008-09 record, Wins and Losses.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

THE BENCH ADULT!

What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  Ranking the Most Important Pistons is harder than you think.  You have to consider stats, talent, and the players current and future impact.  It’s not as simple as saying that one player is “better” than another player.  If It was that simple Chauncey and Rasheed would be our two Most Important players and I don’t believe that is the case.

Mr. Antonio McDyess is my 7th pick, not because he isn’t one of the top 6 players on the team, but because some of the young Bench Babies are seemingly passing him by.  McDyess is not getting worse, the Bench Babies are just getting better.

That’s the reason why I respect McDyess so much because as young players pass him by on depth chart, he stays the same.  Humble, hardworking and consistently putting the TEAM first.  He could cry that I started last year and played great so I should start this year. He doesn’t.  He could say I’m the only veteran who REALLY wants a championship. He doesn’t. (Although he could have and maybe should have.)  Remember that McDyess joined the Pistons after the 2004 NBA Championship so he is still trying to reach that beautiful plateau.

Antonio McDyess coming back of the bench for the Pistons will be a pleasant surprise.  I believe that McDyess is best when he is the focal post player.  He can only be that coming off the bench in relieve of Rasheed Wallace.  He is a great passer and an even better jump shooter.  A great defender and a steady, calming force that will be needed of the bench this year. 

As the Bench Babies are called upon to do more, they might unravel from time to time.  But with McDyess by their side, the course of the ‘Ship will be corrected before it even runs of course.  The defense will consistently be steady and intense.  The post offense will be there when you need it. 

Also, don’t forget about his great and timely rebounding.  Even though we have Maxiell and now Kwame Brown to do the dirty work, McDyess will continue to be right there every step of the way, leading the Pistons from the Bench to the Championship.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

THE BEAST FROM THE BENCH!

What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here.  It’s time to get back to the Most Important Piston series here on Pistonscast.com.  We are counting down all the Detroit Pistons and discussing their overall value to the Detroit Pistons basketball team. 

My number 8 Most Important Piston has to be Jason Maxiell.  Some people think he should start.  I think he is best off the bench.  Some people think he needs more playing time.  I think his 18-22 minutes for a game is just right.

To me, Jason Maxiell is what my boy Conor from England called him, “a game changer”.  For Maxiell to be truly be effective and change a game, he needs to come off that bench and be the energy that the Pistons need. 

See every game is not the same.  Sometimes we need Maxiell to score,  but most times we need him to uplift our defense mentality.  

Although the Detroit Pistons are multi-millionaires, NBA All-Stars and former NBA Champions, they sometimes lack intesity.  Yes I said it.  Sometimes they just don’t seem to want it bad enough.  But you know what, INTESITY is contagious.  And do you know who is infected with INTESITY… Yeah you guessed it, Jason Maxiell.

 Could Jason Maxiell start?  Yes.  Should he?  I say no but that does not diminish his important role on our great Detroit Pistons Championship caliber basketball team.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

ENJOY THE YOUTUBE!

Goin' To Work! (or the Beach)

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here. So our biggest Free Agent acquisition, Kwame Brown is my pick for the 9th Most Important Piston. After much thought and just like my boy “lil Ryan” predicted, Kwame comes in 9th.

I don’t know what to expect from Kwame Brown. Do we look for more of the same or a player renewed? Is this another Nazr Mohammed? To be honest, I could care less that Kwame Brown is on the team. In my opinion, he does not make and definitely will not break our team.

I think that because he is on the Detroit Pistons, a team with many legitimate post players that his NBA days just became a whole lot easier. Its hard out here for a pimp when you are expected to dominate on Washington Wizards with Mike Jordan riding down on you. Its hard out here for a pimp when you are traded out to the Los Angeles Lakers, the number two media market, a team that brought you in to essentially replace Shaquille O’neal. That’s another recipe for disaster.

Memphis Grizzlies, again the same thing, you replace Pau Gasol so for the 3rd time in 4 years you are the best post player that your team has and cant live up to those lofty 15 points and 10 rebounds expectations.

But Alas, the great Joe Dumars has come to your rescue. (Or have you come to his around the trade deadline.) He gives you a nice (and easily tradeable) contract, 4 million a year for the next two season.

On the Detroit Pistons, Kwame is at the best the 3rd best big man and at worse the 5th best. He now has reasonable, lowered expectations. (Remember MAD TV.) All Kwame has to do is rebound and play defense.

He honestly doesn’t even have to block. Jason Maxiell, Rasheed Wallace and Amir Johnson can do that. He doesn’t have to score. Every other player on the Pistons Roster can do that. (LOL) If he doesn’t want to, he doesn’t even need to think. (Kidding.) Free your mind from the Mike Jordan and Kobe Bryant bondage. Think Gilbert Arenas type thoughts. My former Fantasy Boy Gil believes in you.

He is 6′11. CHECK. He is at least 250. CHECK.

But will he be a Detroit Piston after the February Trade Deadline?

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Baby Kwame. Vintage 2001. Before Jordan. Sad. Do you think Jordan ruined him?

Backup or NBDL?

What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here. When ranking the most important Detroit Pistons for the 2008-2009 season, I try to seek a balance between two things. One, the player ranking today on the Pistons roster in terms of their current impact and productive. Two, just as important, their talent level and how that translates into their future with the Pistons.

See if you dont know, I’m a long term kind of guy. Always analyzing and thinking about the future. So say I do it too much. Yes, Yes, I recognize the fact that you must live in the moment and do your best in the present but you also must always be cognizant of the future. Always tweaking so when the future is the present you are prepared to live in the moment. I know I just went philosophical on you but life is a never ending journey of preparation.

Will he be in the Rotation by the end of the Season?

I see Walter Sharpe as the 10th Most Important Piston because he is on a journey right now. A journey to prove that he belongs. See Arron Afflalo knows he belongs in the NBA. He went to UCLA, he was an All-American and from his pedigree he deserves to be where he is today. Even a guy like Rodney Stuckey, who went to Eastern Washington after he didn’t qualify academically to play major conference Division 1 at the University of Washington deserves to be in the NBA. A guy like Stuckey has proven time and time again that he can play on this level and succeed. He proved it twice in the NBA Summer League, proved it before that in countless pre-draft camps, proved it playing on the Olympic select team that scrimmaged the 2008 Beijing Olympic team and most importantly proved in on the court, game after game, especially in the playoffs when we needed Rodney Stuckey to step up.

The thing about Walter Sharpe is, he feels and most Detroit Pistons fans feel the same way, that he has to prove himself to all the doubters. In Episode 60, Walt Sharpe talked about how he believes in himself but its time to (as my friend Suai says) show and prove to outsiders that he can play on this level and deserves respect. I’m passionate about this number 10 most important Piston because when we spoke to him he was passionate about proving he could play the three. He knows he has the tools, Joe D and Mike Curry know it as well, but now its about letting everyone else know it too.

I fully expect Walter Sharpe to play more consistent backup minutes at Small Forward than Walter Herrmann does by the end of the season. I also expect him to be apart of the Detroit Pistons future. He has the size you covet with a SF. He has the skills you covet. The only question is does he have the passion we covet as Detroit Piston fans? (I say YES!) But only time will tell.

Peace,

John W. Davis

AS ALWAYS, ENJOY THE YOU TUBE!

Sheed on the Bobcats? Arron helping a future teammate?

What’s Going On World?

John W. Davis here. The Number 11 most important Piston in my humble opinion is Arron Afflalo. Some people are probably saying oh no J-Dubb his defense is so great and he has the jump shot to make it in the NBA. Yes that’s true but will he get the minutes to really contribute? I don’t think so. If this is the year of the Stuckey then Rodney will get minutes at PG and Backup shooting Guard taking minutes from Mr. Afflalo. We need Stuckey to play 25-30 minutes a game and there are only so many minutes that a guard can play.

-If Chauncey gets 32 at PG then Stuckey can only get 16 from the PG position.

-If Rip gets 35 then Stuckey can only get 13 from the SG position.

-Do the math and that’s 29 minutes for Stuckey (which he deserves to get) and I haven’t calculated one minute for Afflalo. So it will be hard for Arron to get more than 10 minutes a game.

Don’t get me wrong, I think Afflalo has NBA game. Is it NBA Starter game only time will tell. I do think with the right seasoning he could blossom like a Mike Redd did. I see some similarities in their games. I watched Mike Redd on Ohio State and he didn’t have an NBA 3 pointer. All of his success comes from hard work. All of Arron’s success with come from the same place, hard work. I know he works hard at defense and has proven to already be a lock down defender guarding anyone from Kobe to Lebron and holding his own. If Arron is every going to earn more minutes it will be because of his offense. I know its counter intuitive because defense wins championships. Yes it does but you also need to be able to score especially if you are earning those championship minutes at the Shooting Guard position.

Overall I look for much of the same from Arron. Strong tough defense. Hopefully he will not be scared to take that timely jumper, if that day ever comes we might not have to look far for a replacement for Rip Hamilton.

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

ENJOY THE ARRON AFFLALO YOUTUBE!!!

What’s Going on World?

John W. Davis here.  I think the Most Important Piston rankings are going well.  Hopefully counting down the 2008-09 Pistons from 14 to 1 gives everyone (including me) new insight and respect for all of our players.  Number 12 has to be Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiick Saaaaaaaaambb!!!  He is full of potential but until he gets his strength up he wont be able to consistently help us.  Until he is 245 or 250 he just wont be able to bang inside.

On the positive side, the man can shoot the heck out of the ball.  He has a legit 15 footer and if he every gets some size on his frame he could actually start in this league.  His ability to stretch a defense would be a great asset.  Even if he is still a bit slim, I think he should get alot more playing time this year because he is not getting any younger.  He will soon be 24 and every season he doesnt get NBA PT the further behind he will be from contributing.  Five years from now when he is 29, I want him and Amir blocking shots together, with Stuckey pushing the point with Big WALT SHARPE on the wing.  You can’t tell me thats not a great squad.

Right now he is the second best blocker on the team behind Amir and one of the better shooting big men and thats including Sheed and Dice.  Give the man 10 mins every once in a while and we might see a little bit of Cheick Samb magic.

ENJOY THIS CHEICK SAMB D- LEAGUE HIGHLIGHT MIXTAPE ON YOUTUBE!

Peace,

John W. Davis