Tuesday, January 13th, 2009 at 10:00 am  |  296 responses

Who Will Come off the Bench: Hamilton or Iverson?

by Marcel Mutoni

Rip Hamilton will re-join his Pistons teammates tonight as they face off against the Charlotte Bobcats. His coach, Michael Curry, as he has been hinting for quite a while now, might have the unenviable task of telling either Hamilton or Allen Iverson that they’re no longer a starter.

Curry knows it won’t be an easy thing to explain to either guy; so far, Hamilton has let it be known (in no uncertain terms) how he feels about becoming a sixth man – Via, DBB:

But I don’t think Rip is hearing any of it. Our exchange went something like this:

So, what’s going to happen when you come back, do you think you will jump right back into the starting lineup?

Rip: “Yeah, that’s the only option.”

Well, there is another option — coming off the bench.

Rip: “That ain’t happening.”

Out-standing!

Would it be too much to ask for a camera to be placed in the room when Curry has to deliver this bit of news to either Hamilton, or even better, Allen Iverson?

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  • Mendel Posted: Jan.13 at 10:03 am
    Ahh shoot. There goes the season.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 10:11 am
    Since i’m quite sure i’m developing carpal-tunnel, i’m reposting what I wrote in Holly’s corner of the internets:
    -
    Holly: Regarding who should go to the bench in Detroit, AI or Rip, i’m thinking AI? I like the way AI and Stuckey have meshed together, but Rip’s game is better when he is in from the start. Running around screens and getting a groove in the mid-range game requires you to test out the defense and see whether or not teams are going over/under the screens or switching off. Iverson can be a spark off the bench when teams have their second unit in and he can go at reserves or already tired starters.

  • Co Co Posted: Jan.13 at 10:21 am
    If you wind up playing the majority of the game anyway should it matter if you come of the bench?

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 10:28 am
    It shouldn’t Co Co, but players think that their pride is affected somehow.

  • overtime Posted: Jan.13 at 10:29 am
    Has anyone noticed the Pistons have played much better ball since Rip went down with injury? Perhaps thats because they got his damm ego out the way!
    If Allen Iverson, ALLEN IVERSON, can take a reduced role, so can Rip Hamilton

  • riggs Posted: Jan.13 at 10:32 am
    Co Co with the voice of reason, they definately need to come off of this, i hate the spurs but just look at manu.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 10:34 am
    Yeah overtime, that’s exactly what it was. Rip is an annoying, egotistical punk.

  • Hisham Posted: Jan.13 at 10:40 am
    Wouldn’t it actually be a better fit if AI played with the second unit? it’d be like his good old days with philly: playing together with offensively challenged guys that can work with or even benefit from his dominant scoring and occasional kick-pass or dish under the hoop for easy buckets

  • Co Co Posted: Jan.13 at 10:41 am
    I was going to mention Manu, damn you Riggs. ;)

  • Hisham Posted: Jan.13 at 10:45 am
    Plus, it would show his true commitment to do anything to win a championship. With all that said, the idea of AI coming off the bench just seems wrong

  • underdog Posted: Jan.13 at 10:47 am
    It’s a tough question, because I have no clue how good Hamilton actually is whitout Billups. But I’m sure Curry knows.

  • underdog Posted: Jan.13 at 10:51 am
    Hisham: shouldn’t RIP show his commitment? Plus, AI is not the same dominant scorer nowadays he used to be in Philly.

  • riggs Posted: Jan.13 at 10:51 am
    @overtime: if either of the two should have a huge ego, im pretty sure Allen “practice??” iverson would be the one.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 10:54 am
    How full of themselves are these guys? I almost understand it when AI says it, but Rip? Inflated sense of self worth? I think so. Like coming off the bench is below them, just because you had some goo dseasons doesn’t mean you’re entitled to start no matter what. Ginobili is a better player right now than either of these guys, and has stepped into that role like a champ for the past couple of seasons.

  • Hisham Posted: Jan.13 at 10:57 am
    underdog: you’re right about hamilton. I didn’t mean to imply that AI has more of an obligation to show commitment than rip does. I’m sure AI can still put up numbers, just look at last year when he averaged what, 26 points? if he can put up 15-18 in limited minutes, that’s be just fine. The Pistons have very good offense in their starting 5. After that, not so much. Iverson could do well in that role, because he is accustomed to carrying the team that’s on the floor. that isn’t as necessary when he’s around their pretty loaded starting 5

  • Hisham Posted: Jan.13 at 10:59 am
    that’d, or that would. sorry

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 11:01 am
    Ciol: What exactly was Rip supposed to say? He has been starting ever since he came to Detroit. In every sport, you always say a man doesn’t lose his starting job because of injury, right? I mean, I wouldn’t want a player to say “YEAH! Bench time baby! Bring on a reduced role!!”. He answered a reporters question with honesty. Now, if and when Curry actually makes a decision and he balks and sulks on the bench because he was sent there, then we have an issue. However, i’d like to see it play out first.

  • Co Co Posted: Jan.13 at 11:04 am
    I don’t agree with the notion that you don’t lose your starting job because of injury, but that’s another topic for another day.

  • Todd Spehr Posted: Jan.13 at 11:05 am
    So, if it meant the Pistons would be a better team, would Rip still do it? Here’s the thing: You can come off the bench yet still play starter’s minutes AND finish the game on the floor. Really, all you miss out on is getting your name called during intros… not that big of a deal.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 11:08 am
    Co Co: I wasn’t saying I agreed with that, just using it as a point of emphasis.

  • [...] Rip doesn’t want to go to the bench SLAM ONLINE | Who Will Come off the Bench: Hamilton or Iverson? [...]

  • overtime Posted: Jan.13 at 11:32 am
    @Riggs, thats precisely my point. A.I is ‘mr.ego’ and he has accepted less of a role than he’s used to, so Hamilton should be able to aswell

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 11:33 am
    TAD: Rip said “that ain’t happening”, in ragrds to comiong off the bench. Its not his decision. He just signed a big extension this past summer even though he’s past 30 years old. He should be happy to take on “whatever role can help the team win.” I know thats a bit cliche, but really why should it matter to him, he’s not a playing for a contract and he’s really just a midrange jump shooter at this point in his career anyway.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 11:34 am
    **regards to coming off the bench**

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 11:34 am
    I don’t think either of them comes off the bench because Curry doesn’t have the balls to do it.
    But, like Tad, I’d rather see iverson do it because I think he could get his groove back going against second team guys. Plus, I think it would cause some team friction if Rip had to take a reduced role given his years with the squad. Finally, the Pistons jsut signed Rip to an extension, they don’t want to piss him off.

  • Gumdrop Posted: Jan.13 at 11:35 am
    If AI would accept it he would be the ultimate game-changing 6th man. Probably ever.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 11:40 am
    Ciol: I’m quite sure if you were to pull quotes from ANY professional athlete that has been in a similiar situation, you would get more or less the same response. Again, what was he supposed to say? Also, you are completely wrong calling Rip “just a mid-range jump shooter”.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 11:41 am
    I just think its frustrating when teams act like this. Rip knows the deal (so does AI)with this current roster being loaded at the 2 guard. SOMEONE will have to come off the bench, and both Rip and AI saying “That ain’t me” is ridiculous. Neither guy is the coach so its not their decision, and Stuckey has looked like the best player of the 3 since coming into the starting lineup. I just think its pretty obvious that Rip is the guy who needs to come off the bench. The fact that he’s trying to come back from an injury makes it all the more obvious that he will be coming off the bench, he should accept the role and try to thrive in it. You want to start? than outplay AI and Stuckey. Earn it.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 11:44 am
    I think AllenP has a point about Curry not having the confidence to make the choice. He wants one of them to accept the role and, I guess, volunteer for it. Which I understand neither of them wanting to do, TAD. Its has to be on Curry, but does he risk alienating a player or creating factions within the team by choosing one over the other?

  • BETCATS Posted: Jan.13 at 11:45 am
    a first year coach telling 1 of 2 established stars they no longer get heavy minutes? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. Viva La Revolution in the Locker room

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 11:46 am
    Not to hate, but what else does Rip do beside run around screens and shoot midrange jumpers. he’s not a libility defensively but he’s also not great. He gets to the rim less and less…

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 11:48 am
    Ok, here is some things everyone is forgetting:
    1) Rip practiced one time. He hasn’t been cleared to play yet.
    2) Curry hasn’t made a decision, so I can’t honestly say how each player would react. Can you?
    3) The option is still there to go with the 3-guard lineup. It is not like they were playing bad with it, they just didn’t have much time to make it work before Rip got hurt.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 11:50 am
    Ciolk has a point. But, Rip is damn good at shooting midrange jumpers and coming off screens.
    Actually, he’s decent at getting to the rim, but he struggles when he tries to isolate off down screens instead of making a quick move.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 11:57 am
    Rip can create his own shot and also get to the basket. You act like he is slow. He also has incorporated the 3-ball into his game in the last 2 years. He is also a very underrated passer. He spaces the floor well and is hardly ever out of position. He is actually a pretty good defender. He battles thru screens and always challenges the guy he is guarding by getting up on them. He is also very good in the open court. He hits close to 90% from the FT line. He is very durable. He may be over 30, but is still one of the best conditioned guys in the league.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 11:59 am
    Rip takes the best defender on the opposing team and wears them out from tip to buzzer that is why he should start. Iverson off the bench would be nasty don’t see why this didn’t happen from the beginning (Ai can learn to help the team any way he can, he can still get 35min off the bench, he would kill)

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:02 pm
    Um, I agree with NBK ****shudders****

  • Diogo Posted: Jan.13 at 12:02 pm
    Allen is a much better player than Rip. The team, however, was/is Rip’s. Hard to see AI getting benched, and liking it. If he doesn’t get his usual fix of 40 minutes a night, he’s gonna get pissed. You can bench him, but only for 8 minutes.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:03 pm
    I may need to re-think my stance.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 12:03 pm
    Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press: “The Pistons have an important decision coming. Either Rip Hamilton or Allen Iverson must become the sixth man. Neither will like the demotion, but there’s no alternative. This is becoming Rodney Stuckey’s team much faster than anybody envisioned. Michael Curry can no longer mess around, massaging massive egos with a three-guard starting lineup that simply isn’t compatible with the physical defensive demands of Eastern Conference basketball. … Curry remained coy Monday about his decision. But Iverson should come off the bench. It’s not a slap against A.I. He and Stuckey meshed well together in the starting backcourt during Hamilton’s stint on the injured list, recovering from a groin tear. But Iverson’s game, as it pertains to these Pistons, better fits coming off the bench than Hamilton’s. He dictates the flow of the game, whereas Hamilton’s offensive style remains more reactionary. Rip’s game demands more patience, working through screens and gradually developing an offensive rhythm. If Iverson is as serious about doing whatever’s necessary for the team as he stated during his introductory press conference last November, he’ll see the positives of becoming the best sixth man in the league.”

  • Jess Posted: Jan.13 at 12:10 pm
    wow..AI coming off the bench, cant see it…

  • riggs Posted: Jan.13 at 12:12 pm
    @OVERTIME: My apologies, i must’ve misread somewhere.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:12 pm
    Drew Sharp is a blowhard. However, I semi-agree with him on this.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 12:15 pm
    he is but i can’t explain my stance much better

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 12:24 pm
    Yeah. I think Rip would benefit more from being on the floor with the starters in order to get a rhythym(?) and AI could thrive coming off the bench and getting his own shots. However, I just don’t think AI will embrace the role. Curry may have to work out a couple differnet lineups, like one with AI and Rip that utilizes Tayshaun’s Point forward skills. Its a trick situation where one might have to counter balance egos and on court chemistry. But, I still think that Stuckey and AI is the better backcourt.

  • Bballrehab Posted: Jan.13 at 12:25 pm
    I’ve never thought it was a good move from A.I. to go to the Pistons…and now he should come off the bench? Speak about one self-inflicted career’s decline…If only the Pistons were a serious contender, but who in his right mind really thinks that’s the case?

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:27 pm
    I agree, it is a dicey situation. Curry really does have to look at all options.

  • Doc Funk Posted: Jan.13 at 12:28 pm
    they should have a duel. AI will clearly shoot first and rip will need maxiell to set a screen before he shoots. Advantage? Stuckey.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:29 pm
    Right here bballrehab. ***raises hand***

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:30 pm
    For all of you who think John Hollinger is sexy, here are some interesting numbers:
    -
    According to 82games.com, the Stuckey-Iverson-Prince-Johnson-Wallace lineup has a plus-one plus-or-minus rating and has a 3-3 “won-loss” record, which is the record of how many times it has outscored opponents while on the floor versus how many times it was outscored. The actual results of a game could vary.
    -
    The Stuckey-Hamilton-Prince-Johnson-Wallace lineup is plus-16 and has a 3-1 record.
    -
    I’m not sure what those statistics really say. For what it’s worth, the most used Pistons lineup this season has been the three-guard lineup with Prince playing power forward and Rasheed Wallace inside at center. That group has an 80% win percentage and a plus-52 rating, and yet it has been faulted from writers and coach Michael Curry alike for not being tough enough defensively.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 12:32 pm
    Allen Iverson for the Pistons in the playoffs will be like Kurt Warner is for the Cardinals he will always give them a punchers chance

  • Bballrehab Posted: Jan.13 at 12:48 pm
    TADOne, I’m not saying they don’t have talent, they do…I just don’t see that happenning.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:51 pm
    Understandable, Bballrehab. You asked the question, I just answered. I know the Pistons chances are slim considering they would have to beat any tandem of Boston/Cleveland/Orlando, but it is still a chance. I’ll take that.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 12:51 pm
    Those numbers say that stat guys really dislike Iverson.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 12:56 pm
    or that the pistons are better with iverson on the bench its not like/dislike its science (hah)

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 12:59 pm
    Allen, i’m not one that completely agrees with numbers one way or another. I did think that it was interesting. I’d much rather watch the game and decipher from that how I should feel about a particular lineup.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:02 pm
    Free Arron Afflalo.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:03 pm
    Oh, and my boy Maxiell, too.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:04 pm
    Since you are late E, did you bring the koolaid?

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:06 pm
    Nah…….fu*k Koolaid, I’ve got stock in Vitamin Water.

  • tinchek Posted: Jan.13 at 1:06 pm
    please.the camera.do it

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:08 pm
    I will say this though……..if Allen is the choice for the benching…..and it sticks….he will be dealt by the trade deadline. Which might not be so bad in the long run.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:08 pm
    Reasoning E?

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:16 pm
    Do you really need one, TAD? Allen won’t be cool with it…..at least I think that. And seriously, while we were excited about AI in the Mo, he certainly hasn’t made them fearsome by any means…..although they still are a solid squad. Joe would move him……sh*t, he’s really just there for a one year rental as it is. You yourself have said you don’t foresee them extending him if he made the whole season. So look at it like this…..they had a 30 or so game experiment, it really isn’t working out to the point that the Pistons CAN’T part ways with him ’cause the returns have been so great….and c’mon now…..you really think Allen can’t start on most every other team in the league? And he doesn’t know that too? He’s always been about pride and all that…..and he has said “he ain’t coming off nobody’s bench” so……..we’ll see.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:19 pm
    My question…..what could they get in return that could help out? Okafor and pieces for him and whatever to make it work….and him playing with Larry again might be enticing to him? And he instantly becomes the man in Charlotte. Wouldn’t Emeka’s D be welcomed in Detroit? Might work.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:26 pm
    I hear you. And yes, the salary cap space at the end of the year was a big factor in acquiring AI in the first place. Also, it gave Stuckey the oppurtunity to get more minutes and ultimately start. Here is the thing: why can’t AI subject himself to the bench if it means he has a chance at a ring. He has said himself that is the one thing missing from his career. Of course Allen has struggled, but I wouldn’t exactly call this a failed experiment. The Detroit way, as it has been for the past 7 years, is that everyone sacrifices on the team for the greater goal. Iverson is doing exactly that so far. Struggling is going to come from that. Would it surprise me that Allen would be mature enough to accept the role? Yes, and no. But like you said to end your comment, “we’ll see”. That is exactly my stance as well.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:28 pm
    Emeka would be….um….intriguing. I could see positives and negatives in that.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:30 pm
    I know…..and for real…..if it’s not the Heat….which it won’t….. and not the Cavs….’cause I think they’ll whip the collective asses of the Lakers if they do get gifted another Finals appearance….I want it to be the Pistons for the sake of AI getting a ring….but I can’t see it if this bench move occurs…..although I want to be in the same mindset of you and hope they can just be above the pettiness of getting a starting lineup introduction each night and take more wins at the end of each of them.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:31 pm
    What about Felton and Okafor…..gives you a legit point too. Who else could the Pistons move to make that happen?

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:34 pm
    A legit point? Um, Stuckey is proving to be pretty legit. I know he isn’t a prototypical point, but he is set at that spot. That isn’t changing. Felton as a backup would be nice though. Honestly, I don’t want to even have this convo until I know what Curry plans to do and I see the players reactions.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 1:35 pm
    Poor TAD. And yes, I meant prototypical….Stuckey’s great, but Felton would solidify their bench, no?

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:41 pm
    No reason to feel bad for me. Again, AI is not a failed experiment. So that is why i’m saying there is no reason to talk trades. I know i’m a homer and all, but the Pistons are still legit threats.

  • Bballrehab Posted: Jan.13 at 1:42 pm
    The problem with the Pistons is Rasheed, he ain’t balling. Sorry, but 12 points, 7 boards at 42% FG in 33 minutes per game ain’t enough. If he played like the All-Star we all know he is, that team would be on a whole another level.
    And A.I. to the Knicks :)

  • Z Posted: Jan.13 at 1:44 pm
    Curry might just punk out and start both. I’m not counting that out. AI should go to the bench because : 1) He doesn’t need to ‘feel’ the D, he just goes in and get buckets. 2) He can create on his own, he doesn’t need the first unit in there with him. 3) He’s a rental. Why mess up with Rip when you’re locked to him for basically the rest of his career?
    Now we all know that AI will not be happy with coming off the bench, especially to what he feels (rightfully so) is a lesser player. See, as badly as he wants to win, I don’t think he wants to win at all cost. He wants to win on his own terms : major minutes, starting nots, high volume attempts. Am I the only who remembers what he was saying when he got traded to Denver? ‘This is Melo’s team, I’m only trying to fit in, I didn’t come here to dominate the ball..’ Right.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:53 pm
    Z: The thing is, he has done exactly that in Detroit. His attempts are down, Curry plays him off the ball so that he doesn’t dominate it, his minutes are reduced, he plays team D, and he gets in where he can fit in. He has done all of this since coming over. Granted, it took him about 15 or so games to get acclimated, but I expected all of that. Since AI has done everything that has been asked of him (other than the minor practice hiccup), why does everyone assume he would balk at coming off the bench? I understand the reasoning, but has any reporter directly or indirectly asked him this question and got rebuffed? I haven’t heard a peep myself. Also, if Curry did decide to go back to the smaller 3-guard lineup, it’s not exactly like it didn’t produce results.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 1:54 pm
    …thats another interesting point, RIP will be in Detroit for the rest of his career while AI will (likely) be gone after this season. So maybe its more justifiable to piss AI off by “benching” him, rather than creating ill will in a player the Pistons are invested in long term. Still TAD’s right in that, we’ll all just have to wait and see.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:56 pm
    I don’t think he would be “pissed” off. Would he be upset? Damn right. Would he be so upset that he would completely upset the lockerroom chemistry? It’s possible. Would Dumars allow that to linger? Hell no.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 1:57 pm
    I really need to watch this game tonight.

  • Ryan Jones Posted: Jan.13 at 2:03 pm
    There is no “I” in Rip Hamilton.

  • Z Posted: Jan.13 at 2:11 pm
    Ha! Ryan FTW.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 2:14 pm
    Allen Iverson off the bench makes so much sense it’s not even funny. The question is, in the fourth quarter, what lineup would you go with? Would you bench Allen, Stuckey, or Rip? Would you go with a three guard line-up? Do it like Phil does and just stick in who’s hot?
    I’m pretty sure Iverson would be cool with doing the whole bench thing. There’s a lot of doubters, but Iverson wants that ring. He knows he’s only got one season on Detroit, he knows that he’s a top 10 all-time shooting guard whose stock wont drop if he comes off the bench, and he knows that Rip needs as much help as he can get to try and find a rhythm.
    I say Iverson goes to the bench without complaining.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 2:24 pm
    Even if he does complain his stats will still jump (assuming he still gets his 35 mint). He will torch 2nd units especially with fresh legs. The 4th quarter will probably depend on what team they are playing with Iverson in every single lineup in late game stretches. Hamilton and Stuckey will either both be in, or one will be out its between them and Amir Johnson who is expendable late in games.

  • Z Posted: Jan.13 at 2:25 pm
    You play your best guys in the clutch: AI, Stuckey, RIP, Prince, Sheed. That’s like the Cavs when they go with Gibon, Mo, West, Bron at the 4 and Z or Andy depending on who’s hot.

  • Doc Funk Posted: Jan.13 at 2:29 pm
    “After speculation that Rip might come off the bench, the Pistons will go with the same lineup they were using prior to his injury: Rodney Stuckey, Iverson, Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace.” Source: http://www.DetNews.com

  • Doc Funk Posted: Jan.13 at 2:30 pm
    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090113/SPORTS0102/901130422/1127/rss13

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 2:31 pm
    Jukai agrees with me? NBK making sense earlier. Ok, is someone playing a joke on me? Seriously?

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 2:34 pm
    You watch a lot of Detroit games TADOne, so your opinion isn’t as uneducated as it usually is.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 2:35 pm
    Also, Z, the Cavs RARELY go with the three guard line-up unless they are playing a small team. And they are never in the entire fourth quarter.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 2:35 pm
    haha @ Jukai
    and Z you contradicted yourself in one sentence great work

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 2:39 pm
    Suns fan says what?

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 2:40 pm
    Touche, TADOne.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 2:43 pm
    Michael Curry is a pushover if you read the link to his starters from Doc Funk

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 2:47 pm
    A pushover? Nah, he went with what was working before Rip got hurt. Everyone thinks we played better after Rip got hurt, but in reality, we had 7 home dates in a row and Stuckey and McDyess were playing exceptional ball.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 2:48 pm
    TAD
    Thanks for pointing out that Iverson has basically subverted his personal goals for the team goal. Nobody is talking about that becuase of the success Billups has had, but it needs to be said. And, I think Iverson gets a bad rap for how he co-existed with Melo. Iverson had no problem ceding shots to Melo. He led the team in field goal attempts because he was leading the team in minutes and because Melo really wasn’t about nothing.
    Sorry, I know that’s going to rankle some Melo fans, btu it’s the truth.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 2:49 pm
    Regardless, the Pistons are playing Charlotte, Indiana, and OKC this week. Not exactly a daunting task.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 2:50 pm
    I think he should do what is best for the team come playoff time, not whats going to work against inferior competition in the regular season but I see your point TAD

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 2:51 pm
    Allen: Add in the fact that for pretty much the whole time AI was in Denver, Nene wasn’t playing and Kenyon wasn’t producing. This year Nene is playing and playing well and Kenyon is productive and has been a difference maker.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 2:56 pm
    NBK: No doubt about that. I initially balked at the small lineup, and i’m still not completely sold on it in the long run. However, if Curry stays true to form and subs out one of the guards for another big early in the game or by the beginning of the 2nd quarter, then it can work. If Detroit happens to play a team with some legit big men like Boston or the Lakers, he has substitued a big in early. The thing to remember is that while Detroit has to adjust defensively with the smaller lineup, teams also have to adjust to the speed and playmaking ability Detroit has on the floor.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 2:57 pm
    I knew Curry was going to punk out.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jan.13 at 2:57 pm
    Oh boy, luckily Curry’s such a wise sage of a coach, along the lines of Jackson, Popovic and aptly experienced to deal with such a situation. Oh wait, he isn’t. This could get messy. Decide on matchup merits coach, and keep em on their toes. You got a smaller guard unit in town (like Orlando’s), get AI/Stucks going from the beginning, if Wade/Kobe and the überathletes show up, get the never tiring Rip in there and maybe do some switchups involving A.I. / Stucks, whichever situation exploits the most mismatches. Good luck explaining that to the allstars though.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 2:58 pm
    I wanted him to send Iverson to the bench because I wanted to see how AI handled it. He talks about getting a ring a lot, but I wanted to see how much he was willing to sacrifice.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 2:59 pm
    I havent watched too much Detroit how much are they running their what 26th in pace (basketball-reference)

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:01 pm
    Darksaber there has never been a team that has playoff success without a CONSISTENT rotation (starters being the same every game)

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 3:04 pm
    NBK: The Pistons don’t run. They play control-paced basketball and stick to sharing the rock and playing fundamental D. Their stripes haven’t changed much from coach to coach or with Billups gone. They still hang their hat on defense and exploiting matchups.

  • Darksaber Posted: Jan.13 at 3:05 pm
    “that a’int happening”, Rip made that sound like something out of a 90′s action flick. Great stuff, this N.B.A.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:06 pm
    “The thing to remember is that while Detroit has to adjust defensively with the smaller lineup, teams also have to adjust to the speed and playmaking ability Detroit has on the floor.” it is hard to exploit speed when your playing possession basketball ~
    3 guards-running=WTF are you tryin to accomplish

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 3:08 pm
    Allen: I hear you. However, there is no reason to change something that isn’t broken. Again, it is not like the smaller lineup didn’t produce results. Tay makes it all work. AI has already done everything that has been asked of him, so i’m not worried about something that isn’t happening. From what i’ve seen so far, i’m secure enough to think he would have accepted it. However, it is trivial at this point.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 3:10 pm
    NBK: Speed doesn’t mean you have to be the Warriors. You can exploit speed and playmaking ability in a half-court set. I’m quite sure I don’t need to go all James Naismith on you to explain how that works.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:13 pm
    no lol not at all but when you have guys that are more productive running (stuckey, iverson) and your starting each of them but holding them back the whole time your not doing what is best for your team (my opinion). What is their record with their 3 guard lineup against above .500 teams?

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 3:15 pm
    AI in Denver wasn’t ’bout anything more than Melo was.

  • Weapon X Posted: Jan.13 at 3:18 pm
    The Answer – future H.O.F.er
    Rip – not likely

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:20 pm
    that does not matter weapon x – do you have sooper powers

  • B. Long Posted: Jan.13 at 3:21 pm
    I saw the comment count jump over here and I figured there was some stupidity going on. Turns out I was right.

  • Josh D Posted: Jan.13 at 3:24 pm
    Rip should start, he’s better than Iverson and Motown could really use him to lead the second unit off the bench

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 3:26 pm
    B: Sorry, i’ll get on the short yellow bus shortly.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 3:29 pm
    Teams that do run regularly generally end up out of the Playoff race before the conf finals.
    Half court dominant teams usually win a 7 game series over run n gunners..

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 3:30 pm
    What Jaymes said.

  • Eboy Posted: Jan.13 at 3:34 pm
    That bodes well for all the non-Lakers fans then.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:35 pm
    not when the half court dominant team is better at running. With 3 guards in your lineup and no real big man on the boards that is not going to work. If they have 3 gaurds in their starting lineup there is no chance they get to the ECF with a half court offense, but they do have a shot running. (they will not beat Cleveland in the halfcourt, boston, or orlando.) Either Run or change your lineup. But generally i agree Jaymes

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:36 pm
    and if i am not mistaken the whole point of acquiring iverson was to keep them competitive (championship wise) while clearing space for next summer

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 3:38 pm
    TADOne, I now we can’t call the three-guard lineup a failure because they didn’t give it enough time… but aren’t there too many inherent FLAWS in that lineup to be willing to risk continually trying to work it into their system? Wouldn’t the Iverson benching make more sense?

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 3:39 pm
    now = know

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 3:39 pm
    Jaymes: The show-time Lakers would like a word with you.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 3:39 pm
    Jaymes: The show-time Lakers would like a word with you.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:42 pm
    Agreed with Jukai

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 3:42 pm
    NBK: You were on such a good run today. Why did you come back to nonsense? Again, just because you run a 3-guard lineup, it does not mean you have to run. You can space the floor and iso any mismatches. Sheed and Tay can more than handle the boards. Also remember that Stuckey is not your average PG. He is 6’5, 215. He is very strong and is a good rebounder for a guard. Also, the Pistons can beat Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando in a 7 game series without running. Just because Curry starts that lineup does not mean that McDyess, Maxiell, Amir, and Kwame will just be spectators. Well, maybe Kwame.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 3:43 pm
    The showtime Lakes were supreme in the half court too. With Worthy and Scott on the wings and Kareem in the post, the halfcourt style was no worries for them..

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 3:45 pm
    Jukai: also refer to what I just wrote and keep in mind that when we first started using the 3-guard lineup, we had yet to re-acquire McDyess. Now that he is back, he is the first guy off the bench and usually comes in very early.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 3:48 pm
    The big misconception with the showtimers was thats all they had. Get a hold of some of the C’s Lakers series from the 80′s, the Lakers were pretty tough in the half court..Dynamite on the break too but more than capable when it slowed down.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:50 pm
    Ok your a detroit fan your not going to admit their flaws. Prince and Wallace cannot hold the boards with the elite in the east no way no how. I get what your saying but your starters are going to set the pace for the game having 3 players undersized for the position they are playing while trying to play halfcourt is inherently a disadvantage. When your team has failed to get better every year for the last 4 years and then you change your team to suit a running attack then don’t run even a little bit more. You can say i started with nonsense but when detroit does worse in the playoffs then last year it wont look so foolish

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:54 pm
    Detroit is not good enough of a shooting team to make it work (wallace is the only conistent 3 point shooter, hamilton can hit it when he is open consistently, but prince, iverson and stuckey rely to much on scoring in and around the paint for them to be effective in the halfcourt. If Detroit had more shooters I would jump onboard but they don’t and their productive bench players are PF’s

  • [...] Curry caves in, as he decides that both of them will start tonight against Charlotte.  Interesting post on Slam: Rip says “That ain’t happening” :iverson vs hamilton, starting line-up 1 comment for this [...]

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 4:00 pm
    i agree for this Detroit team, running more wouldn’t be a bad move but only because they’re post men aren’t all that crash hot..Tough, and solid rebounders but not great in the post. I don’t think it really matters what they do, if they couldn’t win in the last couple of years with the squad they had they’re not much chance this year.But as a general rule runners don’t go deep in the playoffs..

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 4:00 pm
    Oh, i’m as big of a homer as you will meet, but I have no issues admitting the Pistons flaws. I was the first one to stand up and shoot down the small lineup because of what you just said. I readily offered that we would get killed on the boards, in the post, on defense, and that one of the players playing out of position would more than likely end up getting hurt. Guess what? I was right. Rip got hurt. However, I was also wrong because Tayshaun has held up better than I figured playing the PF position. Stuckey played better than I thought so early, and Iverson brought into the team first mentality. Again, you do not need to run to exploit matchups with a smaller, quicker lineup. Detroit runs when they need to or get the chance to, but they also have the big bodies on the bench to bang with any of those Eastern Conference teams. Also, if we happen to lose earlier in the playoffs, it will not have anything to do with us not getting better or being worse, but with the fact that Boston and Cleveland are THAT good.

  • Z Posted: Jan.13 at 4:01 pm
    nbk, allen is pretty much a half court guy. he uses his quickness to create separation and penetrate not necessarily to run the break. ditto for rip who uses his quickness to shake off defenders and get the ball in dangerous areas.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:03 pm
    to Jaymes:
    FACT: The Lakers of the 80s, with Kareem, were “capable” of playing in the half-court
    FACT: When they tried to play in the half-court with the Celtics and the Pistons, they lost
    FACT: When they got the Celtics and Pistons to run, they won.
    Don’t try to educate me on history BOY

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 4:03 pm
    What z said

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:05 pm
    I see the problem Tad- your judging by the success they have had against inferior teams and nobody has scouted them at all. In the playoffs they will be playing teams better then them and with an educated gameplan. If your team is not already the best and your not taking advantage of every single advantage you have then there is no hope for your team. If your content with them just making the playoffs then yeah i agree the 3 guard lineup playin half court basketball will work just fine but if not, if you want them to win they either have to change it and let iverson take advantage of second units or start to run. And I know what happens when running teams play in the playoffs but I also know what happens to teams that don’t exploit their inherent advantages – and the result is worse for the latter

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:05 pm
    Z: Good point. Because of Allen’s last few years in Phili where Iverson wanted his team to run more (because he felt they were better suited to run, and he is still to this day correct), people just assume Iverson is a run-and-gunner. In actuality, Iverson is just as good, if not better, at attacking the half-court. Look at the team that took him to the finals.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 4:06 pm
    Steady on Jukai,i never said they were half court dominant, i said they were capable in the half court..

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 4:08 pm
    Thank you Z.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:08 pm
    i know how allen scores his points z but that does not mean thats what he does for detroit. You have to pick one or the other, if your having iverson break down defenders with his quickness then your taking away rips ability to get open because running around while a guy is dribbling is a clusterfck especially when said dribbler is allen iverson. If you run you can get the best out of each player, Iverson can take advantage of his quickness in transition which creates mismatches and hamilton can use his superior conditioning to get open for easy transition buckets. Pick your poison

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:10 pm
    True that Jaymes, but in honesty, 95% of the championship teams out there could both run and play in the half-court, just most were on the side of half-court oriented. Miami played mostly off Shaq in the half-court but when Wade and White chocolate wanted to run, they ran. The Spurs are actually INCREDIBLY capable of running even with Phoenix. The Lakers 2000 dynasty years were about 50/50 half-court and running. Hell, the Chicago Bulls sort of play like the Cavaliers of today: they mostly played set-up half court offense but would fast break the hell out of the ball everytime they got the chance.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:11 pm
    but relying on iverson to do what he did in 2001 is befuddling especially when you have the most team oriented system in the NBA (maybe 2nd to boston.) You want iverson to play more team oriented and you want him to dominate the ball is what your implying (atleast thats what it seems like)

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:13 pm
    NBK: You’re correct, but for all the wrong reasons. The three-guard lineup, while capable, will fail because Rip and Iverson arent strong enough to guard the three, both their styles mismatch in the game, and the boards will suffer because Rasheed doesn’t have the mentality to keep at the rim. You’re talking a lot of stupid with your reasoning.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:14 pm
    I mean, what is with all this “they gotta run” argument you’re using? Stuckey, Iverson, and Rip have ALWAYS been half-court first guards. Hell, even Denver slowed down vastly once Billups got there. You’re not making any sense.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 4:14 pm
    Yeah i agree jukai, you gotta be balanced.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:14 pm
    how i will admit i am talking stupid if you explain how it is dumb. I have already said that about them though – 3guard lineup-being undersized at 3 positions is inherently a disadvantage- wallace and prince can’t rebound with the east elite. I said all of that

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 4:15 pm
    NBK: Ok, by your logic then the Pistons also have scouting reports of other teams and can gameplan. Understand, i’m not conceding those other teams are inherently better than Detroit or that Detroit is not better talent-wise. Boston is the defending champs, we know they are good. The Cavs were in the Finals 2 years ago and have that James fella. But we have already beat Cleveland and have played Boston tough and know they have been exposed some in the last few weeks. We just beat Orlando. The difference from last year to this year is not just Iverson, but Stuckey. We can hang with any team in the league and I don’t need to explain that to anyone here.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:16 pm
    I am saying they have to RUN MORE not just be a running team. When your 26th in the league in pace (posessions per 48 Min) and you have 3 guards your not taking advantage of your advantages thats all i am saying. I am not saying they should turn into Golden State or anything

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:18 pm
    NBK: Why do they have to run more? If they play BETTER in the half-court, what is the sense of them running more? Stuckey plays better setting people up off picks, Iverson plays better in half-court isos, and Rip plays better coming off screens. These are all half court activities. You do know size does not dictate style of play, right?

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:18 pm
    A 7 game series is a lot different then a regular season game. Especially when your not even using a consistent lineup. But i realize they can play with anyone, I am talking about winning a playoff series against one of the better teams in the east. Like I said I do not care about making the playoffs they are going to do that regardless its winning in the playoffs i am worried about.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:21 pm
    Jukai there is no proof they play better in the half court as a team, and i know what dictates style of play i am not a child. And their half court activities they are good at contradict each other so you have to find something (transition=mismatches) that allows both players to take advantage of their strengths.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 4:33 pm
    Running more really comes down to the individual. If your system is not designed to get out and run off every missed shot (like D’Antoni’s style) then it’s up to one or more of your guards to get out and run instninctively.If AI, Stuck and Rip along with Tay aren’t instinctive runners than it’s a bit late for the coach to implement a new running style.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 4:34 pm
    NBK: Yeah, um, just the fact they have played that way for the last 7 seasons, regardless of the players. And we haven’t used a consistent lineup, why? Trade for AI, injuries, and Stuckey’s promotion into the starting lineup. Oh, and a new coach testing the waters. I’d much rather have Curry trying out lineups NOW then being all Flip Saunders and not trying anything different AT ALL. Figure it out now while it is early in the season. Regardless of who starts, Curry has still been consistent with who has come off the bench since McDyess returned to the team. Mainly, Kwame and Hermann haven’t played. Advantage- Pistons.

  • justin Posted: Jan.13 at 4:35 pm
    ai should definitely start THIS SEASON i mean he ptobabaly wont even be with the pistons next year sine his contract endin but rip will be wit the pistons so he could start as many games as he wants next season

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:37 pm
    NBK, what mismatches come out of transition? Stuckey and Rip aren’t terrifyingly fast in the open court, and Iverson has lost a step. You haven’t thought this through.

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  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:40 pm
    Ok TAD based on what you just said – shouldn’t they try the not 3 gaurd lineup and have one of the two (iverson,hamilton) come off the bench just to see if it works? they have already tried the 3 guard thing. And to say them sticking to the same strategy for the last 7 years when they don’t have their main tempo setter and have installed a (whether in the half court or not) non pg who plays very fast is the right thing to do is stupid. No offense but they have to change something. Stop using your VCR and use your DVD player

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:45 pm
    Jukai did you seriously just ask that question? If your in transition as a defense if your not playing zone your job is to pick up whoever is in best position to score regardless of whos man it is. WTF I can’t believe you asked what mismatches come out of transition it does not matter how blisteringly fast hamilton and stuckey are or arent it is about not giving the defense the opportunity to set up. wow

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:47 pm
    have you ever played competitive basketball jukai? have you ever coached? or played for a college team? this should be common knowledge what a fast break does for your team.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:50 pm
    Okay, sooo… By your logic, The Pistons should just run in transition all the time because it’s really hard to defend against, ignoring the fact that the guards (and for that matter, anyone else) aren’t terribly fast and admitting that they play better in the half-court. Okay NBK. Have fun with this conversation of yours.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:50 pm
    you cannot read

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:51 pm
    There are two things that make you a fast break team:
    1) Running after a rebound down the court
    2) Gambling for steals
    the Pistons don’t do #1 very well and the only person who really can do #2 is Iverson, who is trying to cut that down for the team. Regardless, you’re missing the “speed” factor and the “more skilled in the half-court” factor that really is mind boggling.
    And no, I’ve never coached and played for a college team. Who the hell are you, Mike Breen?

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 4:52 pm
    NBK is right on this one, you don’t have to be quick to run the break, just have a quick instinct and be out and running when a shot goes up.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:53 pm
    i said plainly that they should not run all the time, but they should run. There are 25 teams playing at a faster pace then them orlando, cleveland and boston being 3 of them. And guess what those 3 teams are better in the half court then Detroit. Take the easy buckets when you can especially when your the inferior team

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:53 pm
    No, I DID read, you said you want the Pistons to “run more” and I was basing my last comment off how you explained how “hard” transition defense is. Even though it’s not very hard IF YOU DON’T HAVE A TEAM FULL OF RUNNERS. It’s not something that magically everyone can become good at. The Pistons also WON A CHAMPIONSHIP WHILE DOING IT VERY LITTLE.
    Lord, take your adderal then ask me to explain this to you.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 4:54 pm
    Actually you have to have a little speed you just don’t need to be a blur..Nash ain’t really that quick..

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:55 pm
    FUN FACT: There are three teams in the east BETTER than Detroit that run more than Detroit does.
    FUN FACT: There are ELEVEN teams in the east that are worse than Detroit that run more than Detroit does.
    Guess that means running is bad~!!!! Hyuck!

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:56 pm
    The pistons can do your number 1 jukai- sorry but today your being an idiot. I am saying they should run that means starting to run after defensive rebounds not ignoring the idea. Ignoring the idea is what they do now hence them not being good at it. And gambling for steals is in no way how you start transition it is making other teams shoot low% from the field. Gambling for steals gets you layups, or gives up layups. Transition points are easy buckets, short OPEN midrange jumpers, layups from passing and filling lanes. I just realized how much you don’t know and act like you do.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:57 pm
    Jaymes: Nash was actually quite quick, one of the quicker guards in the league. That being said, Nash didn’t really run the break, he cheated by tossing it halfway up the court with a lob pass. Nash is faster than Rip and Stuckey by a long shot. Nash back in the day MIGHT be on par with Iverson now.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 4:58 pm
    Jukai your a moron- detroit is not running they cannot be good at something they don’t do. And when you change the face of your franchise it is ok to change your gameplan also it actually should come with the territory. But whatever you obviously don’t know what your talking about and are focusing on things that don’t matter.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:58 pm
    NBK: thanks for explaining all these concepts to me. Now explain to me why the 2004 championship Pistons won without fast breaking at all?

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 4:58 pm
    I don’t like the three guard lineup because it’s too hard on Tayshaun and Rasheed is not enough of a consistent beast to hold thing down alone.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 4:59 pm
    Basically, small ball can work well in Orlando because Dwight Howard controls the glass and defense all game long. Sheed won’t do that, which causes problems.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 4:59 pm
    NBK: When you change the face of your franchise, it is okay to change the gameplan to that which suits the face of your franchise, and considering IVERSON PLAYED IN THE HALF-COURT MOST OF HIS CAREER, I’d have to opt against running.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 5:00 pm
    Allen, help me out here, I want to strangle this kid.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 5:00 pm
    Nash on par with Ai..No chance at all..

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.13 at 5:00 pm
    NBK: Jeez man. Same logic: If the Pistons have only utilized the 3-guard lineup for a handful of games before Rip got hurt, then why not see if it can or cannot for an extended period. Curry is putting the Pistons 5 best players on the floor. He is not so stubborn to not sub a big in if it isn’t working. I’m also quite sure that Curry is not going to be stubborn if in fact the lineup doesn’t work to the Pistons advantage over a period of games. You have to give it time to work.
    -
    As for the running thing: Please understand this, the Pistons DO run. However, they only do it usually off of turnovers, long rebounds, or leakouts. Curry does not tell them “DON’T RUN!” He is aware the Pistons success lives and dies on playing defense, controlling the pace, and exploiting mismatches. Rip is a mismatch because of his tireless running and midrange game. AI is a mismatch because of his dribble drives and unorthodox game. Stuckey is a mismatch because of his ability to get to the rim and his excellent body control. Tay is a mismatch for most 4′s because he can out-quick them. And Sheed is a mismatch because he can post and shoot the 3. All of these are halfcourt traits.
    -
    Ok, i’m done with this since i’m off work. Have a good one everybody.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:00 pm
    Nash is nowhere near as fast as stuckey, and hamilton is probably faster too. I live in phoenix they do not (did not/they don’t run so much anymore) run by throwing lobs up the court they used to run by gettin the ball in nash’s hands immediately after baskets or off rebounds. Regardless of how fast he is when you get the ball up the court with haste and keep it moving the defense does not get the chance to set up and you create mismatches.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 5:01 pm
    Co-sign everything TADOne said.
    Also, to Jaymes: Nash at his prime = Iverson now. Get it?

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 5:02 pm
    Nash in 2003-2004 was NOWHERE NEAR AS STUCKEY AND RIP? I swear I’m going to swallow a gallon of bleech if this keeps going on.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:02 pm
    Jukai- Your starting to really show how dumb you are over and over again – I have said this like 10 times now – what iverson is used to and has been doing his whole career is isolations to create offense – he came to detroit where they control pace an involve everyone to create offense – you want to take advantage of both skills and running is the only way to do that.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:04 pm
    TAD- You have no idea what detroits success hinges on they have never had this team together and had success. Iverson is way different then Billups and changes a lot why don’t you grasp that? And billups is a way better shooter then Iverson and Stuckey which is huge in the half court.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 5:04 pm
    I’m still optimistic though. All the Pistons need to do is stay close to Cleveland and Boston and get hot at the end. Remember, iverson is only shooting 40 percent right now after being up around 45 percent for the past two years. His main problem is getting that jumper to fall. Plus, he’s had some knee problems which have hurt him in getting separation. Hopefully he’ll get healthy soon.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 5:04 pm
    NBK: WHO is going to throw those lop passes on Detroit? Who? Iverson? Does that mean Stuckey and Rip are going to have to decide when to run and when to wait and see if a rebound falls into the other players hands when they’ve NEVER DONE IT BEFORE THEIR ENTIRE CAREER? Stuckey sure as hell ain’t passing in the half-court, that’s not his game. Rip can’t. Tayshun MAYBE but he’s one of their key rebounders. Try convincing Rasheed to do anything, I dare you.
    You are stupid. Stop posting.

  • BETCATS Posted: Jan.13 at 5:07 pm
    for once i can cosign Jukai. This is historical.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 5:09 pm
    To sum it up (and you can argue with yourself), Detroit should not run more because:
    -They are one of the slower teams in the league
    -They have been mainly a half-court team for more than half a decade
    -Their front court WONT run
    -Their backcourt is slower than most backcourts
    -Their best player in the full court (Iverson) is also the only player who can PASS in the full court (Iverson)
    -Every single player on the team is more effective in the half-court, and they create plenty of mismatches in the half-court
    -As TADOne says, they DO run. Every team RUNS. They just aren’t going to do it at every possession, and they’re playing smart and playing to their strengths.
    -You don’t watch Detroit basketball and it is VERY Clear.
    Good day everyone.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 5:10 pm
    Y’all are really going at it.
    My two cents:
    Pistons aren’t used to running, haven’t had a training camp with Iverson and are all older players. All of these things make it very unlikely they’ll run anytime soon, since that’s something you have to instill in players during training camp, not something you can put in on the fly.
    Iverson isn’t great on the break anymore. Back when he was younger, he was a terror on teh wing, but now, with injuries and age, he’s nowhere near as effective and really doesn’t get out and fly like he used to. That was the case in Denver as well. While he can still score on the break, he’s not like a young buck getting out and going on every play. Plus, his halfcourt game is much more effective these days with the midrange jumper he’s added to his arsenal.
    The Pistons could run off steals and long jumpers, but their defense and rebounding have slipped in recent years and Iverson didn’t make it any better. So, it’s unlikely they are going to run more anytime soon and that makes sense.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:11 pm
    YOU DON’T THROW LOB PASSES TO RUN IN TRANSITION – TRANSITION BASKETBALL IS NOT TAUGHT WITH LOB PASSES- 3 GUARDS AND 2 REBOUNDERS IS ALL YOU NEED TO RUN. and if stuckey is a good rebounder that is even better because he can grab a board start a break have 3 fillers and Rasheed trailing for an open 3. You have to know how transition works to understand the concept dude

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.13 at 5:11 pm
    additional point:
    -both BETCATS and TADOne agree with me at the same time, and that has never happened in the history of SLAMOnline, so this point must be so ridiculously obvious that it is shameful for you not to understand.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:12 pm
    Speed is just whip cream on the sunday – but 3 gaurds and a big shooter is the ice cream in transition it is good regardless

  • Ben Posted: Jan.13 at 5:13 pm
    Stuckey isn’t really a great rebounder. He should be, considering how tall he is, but I can’t remember him ever really racking up the boards.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 5:14 pm
    NBK
    Read my comment
    You don’t install a running system mid season in the NBA. There isn’t time with the game schedule and practice schedule.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:16 pm
    You have a 15 year old agreeing with you, I know more about basketball then him just by the fact that I have been playing basketball longer then he has been alive – I don’t know what kind of credentials tad has basketball wise but i am judging by your stance and points youve tried to make that I have also played more basketball (competively and recreationally) then you also.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 5:16 pm
    I get it..But i don’t agree.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:17 pm
    YOU DO WHEN YOU ADD A NEW PLAYER WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE SYSTEM ALREADY AND WILL TAKE UP 40 MINUTES A GAME>>>>>>>>IF YOUR WILLING TO MAKE PERSONEL CHANGES YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO MAKE SYSTEM CHANGES AS WELL unless you do not care about winning in the playoffs and just want to get there.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 5:18 pm
    NBK
    Shouting doesn’t make your points more credible.
    Point out a team to me in recent basketball history that has changed their whole team philosophy four games into the season. You do that , and you win.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:19 pm
    when detroit gets bounced early again – ends up with a worse record then last year – and is offensively less efficient at the end of the year then your going to be like dmn they should have done something different. As they are now they aren’t winning anything and winning is all that matters.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:20 pm
    the suns last year at the trade deadline

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:21 pm
    Here you go name a team that traded their best player midseason for a completely different type of player kept their system and had more success then the previous year.

  • Ben Posted: Jan.13 at 5:24 pm
    The Suns never got it together last year. And the Allen move was mostly for cap space and ticket sales, wouldn’t you say?

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:24 pm
    i am not going to wait for never because thats how long its been

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:24 pm
    i didnt say it worked he didnt ask for a time it worked just a time it happened

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 5:25 pm
    NBK
    That’s bullsh(it about the Suns. They did not change their style of play which was the reason why Mikey D got shown the damn door and Shaq was complaining about his lack of touches. That was a bullsh(it answer by you. The Suns still ran all the time when they first got Shaq, which was one of the reasons why Amare was still flourishing.
    I never siad that Detroit was going to be successful this year. I said that it’s highly unlikely that they are going to start running out of the blue because that doesn’t happen in the league. I’ve proven that point.
    However, typically, when teams acquire new players it’s the player’s job to adjust, not the team’s. Iverson has adjusted pretty well, outside of a shooting slump.

  • CP34MVP Posted: Jan.13 at 5:26 pm
    So late, whatever!.. Lets go pistons Stay with the 3-guard line-up as long as Rodney is killing.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:27 pm
    uhm they did not run like they used to allen i watched every single game. And just like a team should they changed what they did. Ofcourse D’Antoni stuck to his running principles but they slowed down drastically after they got shaq acclamated (spelling my bad). And Amare Scored a lot of his points when he flourished last year off of shaq in the post in half court then in transition.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:29 pm
    And mikey D did not get shown the door your wrong again he chose to leave. You have not proven they wont start running because that does not happen, you have only proven you do not understand transition offense, what the suns did last year, and that you don’t know of any time a team has made this big of a change without changing their gameplan. You basically have showed me that you don’t know anything about anything that we are talking about

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 5:32 pm
    Really NBK do you expect the Pistons to start running now?

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 5:32 pm
    It may work but it won’t happen..

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:35 pm
    no but they should….i do not think michael curry is a creative enough coach to incorporate running into their system. See what jukai seems to misunderstand is you can keep your system while making small changes. Like say run on all defensive rebounds try and create mismatches for your one on one players to do what they do best. Just one thing they can do to take advantage of the unique skillset they have on their team.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:36 pm
    If they sign iverson (unlikely) in the offseason and have the same team next year I am willing to bet (nothing to bet just saying) they become more transistion oriented. But for know since iverson is part of a firesale they are not going to change a thing and lose early in the playoffs AGAIN.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:37 pm
    now***

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 5:41 pm
    I like that style of play and maybe they could try it..but AI and Tayshaun would probably be the only ones running..But Tay needs to be rebounding.I think Phoenix and Nash were so succesful at it was Marion could rebound and get out on the break with Nash steering the ship..Dunno if the D have a point and a wing man capable of making it succesful.

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 5:43 pm
    NBK
    Mike D got shown the door. Believe what you want. He was pushed out and his contract was not renewed. The Suns kept running after they got Shaq. They were still a running team. They are not a running team this year.
    Detroit has changed their offense since they’ve gotten Iverson. They run more plays with Prince at the one. But, they are not going to morph into a running team with the roster they have. They run selectively.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 5:44 pm
    And i don’t see Sheed trailing like Amare does..

  • Allenp Posted: Jan.13 at 5:45 pm
    NBK
    Let’s see:
    1. You consistently tell everybody else they don’t know what they’re talking about, but everybody on this site without exception thinks you are full of crap.
    2. Now, generally I don’t care what the masses think, but given the fact that you have NO supporters, you might want to rethink whether everybody else is as dumb as you think they are.
    3. Finally, stop trotting out your basketball playing history as proof that you know stuff. Lawrence Frank never played basketball, he’s knows a lot of stuff. Jeff Van Gundy and Stan Van Gundy as well. That is all.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:46 pm
    They should NOT run like phoenix. In no way shape or form should they run like phoenix. They should use transition to create mismatches – big men on iverson – guards on prince – wallace makin centers meet him at the 3 point line – everything for detroit would open up if they sped the pace up because of all the different weapons they have. Especially stuckey because he can bulldoze his way through pg’s and most shooting guards. Stuckey’s ability to get to the rim with iversons and wallace’s shooting ability gives them perfect balance to run when they can and then revert back to their system when they can’t. Plus i bet whether iverson has been runnin half court offenses his whole career he would be happy with a change of pace

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:51 pm
    I told jukai he didn’t know what he was talking about allen- I also coach aau – have helped coach high school – and made a college team if that makes you happier. I do not want to brag about my experience but when people say things that have no basketball clout it is embarassing that people think it is right. Especially on slam the only site where you can talk openly about your opinions on basketball. And given the fact that the “masses” (jukai, bet, allen) hardly the masses all disagree with me does not matter to me because it is based off of a wrong idea about the topic.

  • BETCATS Posted: Jan.13 at 5:52 pm
    i should make the next 100 comments mine, but i wont. -holds self back-

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 5:54 pm
    Hmm..this is all happening because Stuckey has become a decent player…?? I’m thinking this stuckey kid is professional enough to go back to the bench….

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:55 pm
    oh and @ jaymes – sheed can’t trail like amar’e thats why he will stand at the 3 point line as their safety on offense and defense

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 5:55 pm
    BET…I’ll split you 50/50.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 5:56 pm
    Stuckey is playing way to well to go to the bench especially considering their overall improvement as a team since he has started

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 5:59 pm
    Yeah but then you give Sheed an excuse to stay on the perimeter, he already spends to much time there for a post up player IMO.

  • BETCATS Posted: Jan.13 at 6:00 pm
    sounds like a deal Dacre

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 6:01 pm
    why not use it to your advantage jaymes? Why are you looking at it like he won’t be in the post instead of he will be out there anyway?

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 6:05 pm
    If Sheed is starting his offense on the perimeter as a trailer, he’ll be looking for the three ball more often than he already does,imo he does that too much already..He is thy’re main postal threat, for your offense to be effective you can’t have your main big as a predominately 3 point man..again, imo.

  • BETCATS Posted: Jan.13 at 6:06 pm
    Dear Nbk, I am only writting this because i am worried about you. I can sum it up in song: “Everywhere you go people want to know who you are so you tell them I am the dumba$$ the allmighty dumba$$. But i think my views rule all so you suck.’ NBK try and be more open minded. Because i really think you are here to say the opposite of logic. Anyone who thinks sh!t thru would not say 1/4 the garbage you say. The pistons throw lobs? David West sucks? COME ON MAN USE YOUR BRAIN. Or maybe you are really retarded. In which case, i retract all my words towards you. BUT i know you are smart. Nobody can argue for such long times about such stupid ideas the way you do. Which means you are here to mess with us. STOP Love,
    BETCATS

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 6:11 pm
    Hey betcats you should learn how to read if your going to try and point out how “stupid” i am…….I said YOU DO NOT THROW LOBS to run transisiton silly child….and i also said David West is a good player but not top PF in the NBA>>>>and for all the bs-ing you regulars do about me being open minded i have still yet to see a single one of you admit you are wrong to ANYBODY>>>and if you think my “ideas” about basketball are stupid it is because you are uneducated about the game and don’t know what smart sounds like.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 6:12 pm
    I understand what you mean jaymes i am sayin in transition though, not have him be the trailer to every play. Just when he is under the basket or inbounding the ball after defensive sets. But JUST IN TRANSITION, not in the half-court they would be toasted every game if Sheed got a 3pter every time complex.

  • BETCATS Posted: Jan.13 at 6:19 pm
    thats because i am never wrong. I said the sky was green, it turned green. I said the Lakers would win the chip last year, it happened. I said my Bobcats would be 82-0, they havent lost a real game yet. Point being I am never wrong. As for the rest of them fools that say they are regulars they can always be wrong. And NOT Throwing Lobs in Transition means the Alley Oop isnt real. Oh well for my over active imagination.

  • BETCATS Posted: Jan.13 at 6:21 pm
    me uneducated about the game. If their was basketball school i would be a PHD scholar and you would be the drunk homeless guy in p!ss-stained rags asking for change outside my classroom’s door.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 6:21 pm
    Yeah, Sheed would flourish if he only shot three’s in transition, but he would need to stop shooting in the halfcourt then, to balance the inside outside game. There is too much to be tweaked to make it work this year though like was said earlier..

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 6:27 pm
    I got about half way down…and it started looking like everyone was repeating themselves…..so I’m going to just jump in and make some comments…. [nbk] Thinks that Detroit would be more successful if they ran more ( I take that you mean, they became a ‘running team’). But as nbk himself pointed out they arent a great rebounding unit overall…so I would say that those two traits need to work in hand….you want your three ball handlers to run??? You gotta rebound…and Rasheed wont RUN like that…thats not what he signed on for.
    [nbk] made these points. I think they sound right but there’s more too it – [nbk] I feel you stipulated that certain success would come from running more. I don’t agree with that thought. They made the ECF for years in a row based on the slow-down approach and turning that team into a faster team would make them worse for the very ‘flaws’ you felt Detroit have.
    Once again [nbk] pushed a particular point just that little bit too much to get things fired up….
    I love Wednesdays.

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 6:32 pm
    The thing is nbk that your not going to make a good coach if you just say “hey he’s better than you, he’s getting more minutes now”…
    Stuckey probably should start… BUT with AI and Rip there now, AS A COACH Stuckey shouldn’t. This would be the first time that the Pistons have ever had this issue of “going for mine”, When it was just chauncey, rip and lindsey hunter it was very much established what was needed, who provided leadership on the floor…the BIGGEST problem is that AI, RIP feel that THEY should lead….and all the while Stuckey at the moment would make the best leader…. MY SUGGESTION: ASK RASHEED…Who should start, that would be THE only correct answer for this question.

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 6:33 pm
    Hump day for us Dacre..but you can understand the Seppo’s being uptight..Tueday’s a prick of aday..

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 6:35 pm
    King Solomon approach… (cut the child in half and see who the true mother is….).
    Don’t start any of them and see who the…true….mother….is?
    O_o

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 6:37 pm
    jaymes…yeah. Mind you for me its accentuated even more so, I work from Tuesday – Thursday so Tuesdays feel like Mondays, BUT Thursdays feel like Fridays… I’m in all kinds of crazy.
    Go Suns…

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 6:40 pm
    Rip, Tay and Sheed are the leaders, but Al has been around the block so he’s got to have say too. The 3 guard rotation wouldn’t be so bad if there was a BIG centre and a more mobile 4 man.But if they must stick with the 3 guards Stuckey has to be the point, Al the 2 and rip the 3..and live with the problems that may arise.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Jan.13 at 6:52 pm
    This is exhausting. I don’t think Detroit should try to change into a “running team” and I’m sure they won’t.

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 6:55 pm
    I tell you what I dont like….time zones… I get here way after the fact every time….
    ________________________________________________
    Jukai’s backed himself into a corner of self-hate. Russ has made all the key jokes and poignant pithy one-liners, BETcats has suffered his daily serving of anaphylactic shock and bleed all over his work desk, AllenP is crying and nbk has paused just long enough to remove his left foot only to replace with his right. And I miss it all…everytime.

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 6:56 pm
    every thread ends up feeling like that ‘TMac’ thread…

  • jaymes Posted: Jan.13 at 7:16 pm
    And that’s why we love it..

  • jrp14 Posted: Jan.13 at 7:20 pm
    Its not like it matters what they do…no one is taking down cleveland..or even boston for that matter, so do whatever you feel like Curry! Dont bench my childhood idol Iverson though…that will make me feel like my time on this earth is going by faster and faster. I still remember when AI dropped like 40 in 5 straight games as a rookie.

  • Todd Spehr Posted: Jan.13 at 7:45 pm
    Well, Rip and AI both started tonight… whoops

  • Z Posted: Jan.13 at 8:03 pm
    This debate doesn’t interest me anymore but I want to add this :
    1) AI has not lost a step yet. Which is quite remarkable. Give him a team full of blue collars that don’t want to shoot like his old Sixers and he will still drop 30 on your a– every day all day.
    2) Nash is quick but not fast. Well, not THAT fast. He has an excellent first step but I don’t think he can hang with Iverson and Rip in a foot race down the court. Quick =/= Fast.

  • Moose Posted: Jan.13 at 8:20 pm
    Dacre, same with me. I would’ve been in your summary of the post if I had been here.

  • donlaker Posted: Jan.13 at 8:36 pm
    i liked iverson and muntumbo/eric snow they got a game from the lakers in o1 iverson needs to start anywhere he plays. but for the sake of detroit he could come in after 5 min and play 30 strong min…a night and still shoot 15 -20 times

  • Hursty Posted: Jan.13 at 9:59 pm
    regarding TAD’s statement that the Bobcats weren’t much competition….Felton just hit a jumper with 0.7 to go vs. the Pistons…80-78….Bobcats lead….AI missed a turning jumper for the winner…stuckey didn’t pass that well on the inbounds.

  • slamfan4life Posted: Jan.13 at 9:59 pm
    Iverson can’t come off the bench!!!! Please tell me there’s a rule that says he can’t!

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 10:00 pm
    Ahhh Moose, precious beloved Bostonian. It’s a different world for you and I.

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.13 at 10:01 pm
    SLAMFAN4LIFE….yes well, Allen Iverson would say he has HIS RULE about it…

  • Nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 11:58 pm
    How does run more (that’s all I said) mean turn into a running team? They are 26th in pace You guys over analyze everything

  • Anton Posted: Jan.14 at 12:14 am
    Coming off the bench? Coming off the bench?! We sittin here, I supposed to be a franchise starter and we talkin’ bout coming off the bench? How silly is dat?

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.14 at 12:15 am
    over analyze EVERYTHING….was an over analysis…

  • Nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 2:26 am
    Most everything I say, happy

  • prophecy_projectz Posted: Jan.14 at 7:54 am
    There is something oddly impressive about a second year guy who’s barely played a year in the league (remember he was out at last season’s start) and still been good enough that its forced one of the best GM’s of a consistent title contender to trade away there all-star Finals MVP and force them consider which of two other perriennal go to guy All-Star’s should ride the bench or force to comply with his play in a small lineup. Stuck Dogg truly is the 50 Cent of this NBA shot.

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.14 at 8:46 am
    the problem wasn’t over analyzing NBK. It was overestimating. We overestimated your intellect. It wont happen again.

  • Wiz Posted: Jan.14 at 10:14 am
    Well they both got there way and they lose im sure one will come off the bench now……

  • marz Posted: Jan.14 at 11:08 am
    Stuckey is going to come of the bench, sorry

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 11:23 am
    Overestimated my intellect? and ya’ll been bringing up points i never said? seems like your overestimating your own intellect

  • Jukai Posted: Jan.14 at 11:36 am
    Right, points you never said but typed down. Wish you had an edit button, right?

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:12 pm
    Hamilton willing to come off bench to help Pistons
    by A. Sherrod Blakely
    Tuesday January 13, 2009, 11:30 PM AUBURN HILLS — For most of Richard Hamilton’s career, he has been a starter. He has no desire for that to change anytime soon. But if coming off the bench makes the Pistons a better team, Hamilton said in an exclusive interview with Booth Newspapers on Tuesday night that he would be willing to do it. “Whatever makes us win, I’m going to go ahead and do it,” said Hamilton, who returned to action in Tuesday’s 80-78 loss to Charlotte after missing the previous eight games with a groin injury. While Hamilton acknowledges telling a group of reporters last week that he didn’t want to come off the bench, he added that his feelings on the matter are consistent with most players who have spent the bulk of their career as starters. “You can ask anybody who plays the game; nobody wants to come off the bench,” Hamilton said. Hamilton started Tuesday night, as part of a three-guard lineup with Allen Iverson and Rodney Stuckey. Iverson, who is also under consideration to move from the starting lineup to a reserve off the bench, echoed similar sentiments. “If I’m asked to come off the bench, I would think it’s to help the team,” Iverson said. “But I never felt me coming off the bench would help a team.” Said Hamilton: “I know A.I., I know Tay, I know Sheed. We’re in it for one reason and that’s to win games. Whatever it is, we’ll do it.” While Curry won’t rule out making a change in the future, he appears to be content with sticking with the three-guard lineup for the time being. “As long as we’re playing well, I think we can stay this way,” Curry said prior to Tuesday’s loss. “Whether it’s these three games or the games we have going forward, we still have the same issues we have to make sure we address.” For Hamilton, the issue he’s most concerned about is helping Detroit find a way to win. While he doesn’t necessarily believe him coming off the bench will result in more wins, he reiterated on Friday night that he’s at least open to the idea. “I want to win,” he said. “Everybody here wants to win. That’s what we’re all in this for.”

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:12 pm
    Thank you and good night.

  • Anton Posted: Jan.14 at 12:24 pm
    what a flip flopper

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 12:28 pm
    Juaki I never typed down that the Pistons should become a running team ever….I said they should RuN MORE… When your the 26th slowest team in the league you can speed up without becoming a “running team” But since your all knowing and can read things that aren’t there. And TAD that is exactly my point they either need to run more or one of them has to come off the bench. (it should be iverson but whatever)

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:29 pm
    Um, i’m quite sure the article didn’t say anything about them running more. Let me re-read.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:31 pm
    Um, nope. Just wanted to point out that either player said themselves that while they wouldn’t want to come off the bench, they would be willinmg to do it if it improved the team.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:32 pm
    And yes, I understand it can be an easy thing to say since Curry didn’t actually bench one or the other, it still was direct quotes to the question. So yeah…….

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:34 pm
    And i’ll be willing to discuss the loss to Charlotte last night, as soon as I stop putting pins into my Larry Brown voodoo doll.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 12:34 pm
    And TAD i never said anything about the article saying that let me make it easier for you
    nbk Posted: Jan.13 at 3:35 pm
    not when the half court dominant team is better at running. With 3 guards in your lineup and no real big man on the boards that is not going to work. If they have 3 gaurds in their starting lineup there is no chance they get to the ECF with a half court offense, but they do have a shot running. (they will not beat Cleveland in the halfcourt, boston, or orlando.) Either Run or change your lineup.
    WHERE DOES THAT SAY BECOME A RUNNING TEAM? it says run or change your lineup and guess what they are going to do…

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:35 pm
    I’m actually just trying to get this over 300 comments on the second day of it’s existence.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:38 pm
    Ok NBK, where did I say anything about become a running team? I didn’t. I mentioned you said they should run more. I’m quite sure I can read. And no, Curry hasn’t said he would change anything. I’m just pointing out the players would be willing to go to the bench. Jeez….

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 12:40 pm
    Uhm Tad my running more rant was to Jukai and his made up crap-a-thon. I know Curry has not said anything but it Will happen and both you and I agree it should no?

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 12:44 pm
    the first part of my last post was just saying I made up the idea its all from me. The rest was to show Jukai that he made up what i “said”

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:45 pm
    Agree that they should run more? I can’t say I necessarily agree with that, regardless of teh lineup. I understand your arguments and all of the counterpoints, but our bread-and-butter is still defense. I don’t care about Detroit being 26th in pace, I care about wins. Pace didn’t lose the game for us last night, missing our last 8 shots and turnovers did. And if Curry wants to send one of either AI or Rip to the bench, then i’m fine with it. Honestly, it is a good problem to actually have, no?

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 12:48 pm
    I meant we both agree one of the two (hamilton/iverson) should come off the bench? Or what is do you think would be best for their lineup

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 12:49 pm
    Its a fantastic problem to have as long as you know how to use it…and i just don’t have that much confidence in curry’s gameplan but thats all opinion

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 12:58 pm
    Curry is a rookie coach. He has impressed me in being flexible, listening to his players, being the one voice in the locker room, playing and trusting the young guys, and making guys accountable. He has disappointed in his game plans, in-game coaching, knee-jerk reactions, and his slow adjustments. However, I expect those things from a rookie coach. All coaches go thru it when they start out. He has shown me that he is learning quick, though.
    -
    As for what is best for the team: I’ve said that we need to play a bigger lineup and was against Stuckey starting. Since he has came in a produced better than I anticipated, we can’t take him out. That said, I would still like to have Amir starting and Rip or AI off the bench. But i’m also open to seeing how the small lineup will work. Playing small didn’t lose the game last night.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 1:01 pm
    No not at all poor ability to make shots was the problem – and thats not good for a team that has 2 late game shotmakers (wallace and ai) they have a lot to worry about…….no offense

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 1:01 pm
    I guess my point is: the small starting lineup has gotten us off to good starts when it has been used. It does appear that other than McDyess, we don’t have much of an offensive spark off the bench. So it is a delicate balance. Now that everyone is healthy, we need to determine what is going to work in the long haul.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 1:04 pm
    Not necassarily no offense, just players settling for jumpers or quick shots. The one thing that Billups excelled at was the fact he could smell blood in the 4th quarter when the Pistons had a lead and needed to close out the game. He always made sure the team got the best shot available or got to the line. Stuckey is still learning this killer instinct. Once he does, we’ll be fine.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 1:10 pm
    I meant like “no offense” like not to offend you about your squad

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 1:12 pm
    Oh, my bad. But yeah, my Billups comment still is relevant.

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 1:15 pm
    The ability about knowing how to “close out” games was one of the reason I didn’t want Stuckey starting yet. Then again, you have to be thrown into the fire to acquire that skill. I’m confident he’ll be much better at it by season’s end.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 1:15 pm
    yeah it is lol what was stuckey like in college at eastern…did he win games at the end? (to me you can tell what “kind” of player a guy will be in college/you just can’t tell “how” their skills will translate)

  • TADOne Posted: Jan.14 at 1:19 pm
    All I know about Stuckey in college was that he was a stone-cold scorer.

  • nbk Posted: Jan.14 at 1:21 pm
    hes learning from the best stone-cold scorer since jordan — stuckey is going to be really really good in about 2 years.

  • Bballrehab Posted: Jan.14 at 2:06 pm
    .

  • Dacre Posted: Jan.14 at 6:20 pm
    …wait up…you’ve made-friends?!?! No no…..I pine for the good old days…

  • Harlem_World Posted: Jan.14 at 6:40 pm
    At this stage, the right thing to do for the TEAM is for AI to come off the bench. He can make the pistons so much better. VINNY JOHNSON 2.0!

  • John W. Davis Posted: Jan.15 at 2:31 am
    @TADOne You know you are my boy but you have to stop defending this atrocious lineup!

  • Boston Baller Posted: Jan.15 at 8:54 am
    You can and do lose your starting spot when you come back from injury if the player replacing you is better, the “replacement” is playing well as is the team or if you need to come back slowly. Brady took over for Bledsoe and never looked back..sorry for the football example. lol Rips numbers before injuey were lower than AI’s but what does that mean. Team Chemistry is what matters. T. Crook

  • Blinguo Posted: Jan.17 at 4:30 am
    Detroit? Bench? Darvin Ham! Oh right. Damn. Maybe next year. He could definitely get a better gig than holding back Cuban from stupiding all over the court in Dallas.

  • Bo Posted: Jan.17 at 6:59 pm
    Trade one of them. Preferably Rip. That’s the only option. Try to throw in Kwame in there too and get a Brad Miller or Chris Kamen. That is the only solution. But since the pistons arent going for a championship this year by the looks of it… nothing will happen and they will continue their losing ways. I just feel bad for AI… the man knows he’ll be gone next year, yet he’s still out there trying to win, and at least attempting to play defense.

  • [...] it turns out, there was no need to worry about which Piston starter would become a sixth man. Michael Curry asked Rip to come off [...]

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