Posts tagged ‘Small Ball’

I never thought the day would come that I would endorse this trade…

Its such a sad day, but this must be done.

Its time for Richard “Rip” Hamilton to be traded to the Utah Jazz for the often injured Carlos Boozer.

If you listen to Episode 112, I emphatically said Carlos Boozer will never play for the Detroit Pistons.

The reason I said Boozer would not be Piston is I thought we were going to spend 12 to 14 million dollars to acquire him via the 2009 free agency market.

When a re-emerging team like the Pistons have 19 million in cap room and you spend 75% on Boozer that doesn’t equate to a logical acquisition.

But, Boozer opted to stay with Utah Jazz and I was relieved.  I knew we could pursue a great young talent like Charlie Villanueva who I think can be an All-Star by 2011.

As much as signing Charlie V makes sense, Ben Gordon creates a lot of questions marks.

Is he tall enough, is his defense good enough, and will he be happy coming off the bench.

These are all issues that you have to consider because the 6′1 ish Ben Gordon is now the highest paid player on the Detroit Pistons.  (Money=Stardom & Ego)

But as many questions as Gordon creates, he also provides multiple answers.

He can score on anyone in the NBA, he’s a deadly and consistent long range shooter and he’s only 26.

As much as experience counts for in the NBA, its a young man’s league.

Mr. Rip Hamilton is 31 years old and his play will only decline in the future.

I think your highest paid player, (Ben Gordon) should start for the simple economic fact of getting your money’s worth.

If I was the President of a company, I would not have my highest paid employee only work part-time.

That employee would work the long hours needed to get the job done.

Ben Gordon can’t help us win a championship off the bench. I need him to start and play 38 minutes a game, to go hard on defense and average 22 points a game.

I need him to be on the court as much as possible with Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince to establish the rapport needed to continue the championship culture that Joe Dumars started to create in 2002.

It’s obvious that Richard Hamilton will not be happy off the bench, remember when he said this… “Something’s got to give. I’m all for doing whatever it takes for the team, but coming off the bench with us not winning, something’s got to change”said Hamilton.

Rip’s already called his shot and for the Detroit Pistons to get another step closer to contending for a championship we need all the firepower we can get in our starting 5.

Right now our top five players are, Stuckey, Gordon, Hamilton, Prince, and Villanueva.

Doesn’t that look eerily similar to small ball?

How quickly do we forget that Pistons fans worldwide could not stand that lineup.

And you know what, the Detroit Pistons players hated that “Small Ball” lineup even more.

With all that said, how often in the NBA are trades for All-Star caliber players fair. (Not Often)

If we can trade Richard Hamilton for Carlos Boozer, WE MUST TAKE THAT DEAL.

Utah’s weakness has always been at shooting guard, and if they really love Paul Milsap then they should be happy to make this switch.

Rip should be happy to go to Utah’s because he can play with what he desperately needs, a point guard.

In my opinion, the young Deron Williams looks like a more polished, pass first version of Chauncey Billups.

If you’re Utah, a your starting five is Deron Williams, Richard Hamilton, Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Milsap and Memo Okur, then you are honestly ready to compete for the NBA championship.

Will you win one, probably not, but with the sometimes volatile Ron Artest and the often injured Andrew Bynum starring on the Los Angeles Lakers, anything can happen.

The new look Pistons would practically be complete, Rodney Stuckey at PG, Ben Gordon at SG, Tayshaun Prince at SF, Charlie Villanueva at PF, and Carlos Boozer at C.

Thats a starting five that would compete well against any team in the NBA.

Don’t forget the Pistons have one of the best, training staffs in the league.  If Boozer comes to town and listens to what they have to say, he should be able to stay on the court for 70+ games and most importantly be ready for the 2010 playoff push.

And remember if this Boozer merger doesn’t work, Carlos will still be a 2010 free agent…

Peace,

John W. Davis

Pistonscast.com

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

What’s Going on Pistonscast Posse,

This episode was recorded on Monday, January 19th,2009 in anticipation of the death of small ball.

The show is almost prophetic isn’t that right Mike Watson from Louisiana?

——————————-

Question of the day?

Did you believe small ball would die before January 21st or that the Pistonscast Posse would have to boycott?

(Please believe we were serious!)

Peace,

John W. Davis

www.pistonscast.com

Whats Going on Pistonscast Posse?

It’s official our Pistons Prayers have been answered. Michael Curry has seen the light and now my eyes can see the glory. The glory of beating Cleveland. The glory of beating Boston. They glory of winning the 2009 NBA Championship. Well let’s not go that far. Let’s take it one game at a time but please be thankful that Small Ball is no more and the Pistonscast Boycott has been avoided.

———————————–

DET NEWS: HAMILTON TO THE BENCH!

Pistons coach Michael Curry announced Tuesday that he will begin using guard Rip Hamilton off the bench, with guard Allen Iverson and forward Amir Johnson starting.

The situation has been somewhat unsettled since Hamilton returned from a groin injury.

Curry said Hamilton, who has never come off the bench as a Piston, will start the second and fourth quarters.

The new starting lineup will be Stuckey, Iverson, Prince, Wallace and Johnson.

———————————–

Peace,

www.pistonscast.com

What’s Going on Pistonscast Posse,

John W. Davis here. I for one, feel much much better. I’ve had alot on my Pistons mind and it was bound to get out sooner than later. It’s just so tough when you know your team can be the best in the league but they are obviously hindering themselves.

Its not because of injuries, or even the lack of a missing piece, its because we have too much of a good thing.

*How do you feeling about small ball part 2?

*Did John W. Davis go over board?

*Do you still trust Coach Curry’s judgement?

Where is your my mind at after listening to Episode 79?   Get in where you fit in!

Peace,

www.pistonscast.com