Thoughts from a Piston's Fan

[H1Man]

First off, that was an UGLY game for both teams. But I am not completely satisfied with a win until we play the Spurs with Manu and win that game too.

-The only people that showed up to play today were Ben, Dyess, Bowen and Nazr. I think the rest just didn't want to be there on Christmas Eve because they sure as hell didn't play like they wanted to be there.

- I have never seen any team take Tayshaun out of the game as bad as you guys did. I figured he was going to be the top scorer for the game today, boy was I wrong :bang

- Bowen totally owns Rip. I wasn't counting on much production from Rip anyway but he still missed at 4-5 shots that he normally makes. It's so bad that even when Bowen is not on him, he missed wide open shots. Unreal.

- The rebounding advatage was huge for us considering the shitty percentage both teams shot.

- Parker needs to extend his range out to the 3 point land. It makes it hard for him to score when teams clog up the middle and force him to shoot over their bigs. And most defenders give him a lot of space because they are worried about his penetration into the paint, he has to take advantage of it. Hopefully he waits till the next offseason after we win the championship to work on it. :lol

PS - I forgot to mention that Bill Walton is a moron.

[FreshPrince22]

The Spurs always double team Tayshaun. It's easy to take out a guy if you throw multiple defenders at him at once.
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[boutons]

"rebounding advatage was huge for us considering the shitty percentage both teams shot."

yep, more than enough RBs to go around for everybody.
Nothing shows more dramatically the Pistons desire and Spurs lack of it than RBs today. Spurs simply didn't want to play basketball.

-27 RBs must be up there, along with with 8 pts in first qtr, as among the Spurs' franchise's worst numbers in the Popovic/Duncan era.

[SouthernFried]

Rebounding won the game...it does more than most people think.

Spurs have had poor rebounding for awhile now...especially if Tim is out of the game. Blocking out has become a lost art for the spurs.

That being said...I'd trade everyone but Tim, Tony, Manu, and Bruce for Ben Wallace.

If the Spurs had him...

[PistonsNation]

I was impressed at how well the Rasheed played Duncan. He really looked like the better of the two today. I'm glad to see the solid bench contribution from our guys. It's something of a role reversal to see the Pistons bench excel against the Spurs.

Not the prettiest game, but a great present for Pistons fans none the less.

[FreshPrince22]

I was impressed at how well the Rasheed played Duncan. He really looked like the better of the two today. I'm glad to see the solid bench contribution from our guys. It's something of a role reversal to see the Pistons bench excel against the Spurs.

Not the prettiest game, but a great present for Pistons fans none the less.

Rasheed always plays Timmy well. He just knows how to defend him, and knows what he likes to do. As for the bench, I'm not that suprised. We have a pretty big youth edge when it comes to the bench. When our bench guys' shots aren't falling they have their energy and enthusiasm to fall back on. For example a guy like Mo Evans. He gets all of his points hustling after loose balls and rebounds. Every time a shot goes up you'll see him flying around the rim looking for a tip in. He's usually good for one or two per game. If we can ship off Arroyo and Darko for an elite defensive PG who can make good decisions (think Duhon) it will do huge things for our bench.
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[PistonsNation]

Rasheed always plays Timmy well. He just knows how to defend him, and knows what he likes to do. As for the bench, I'm not that suprised. We have a pretty big youth edge when it comes to the bench. When our bench guys' shots aren't falling they have their energy and enthusiasm to fall back on. For example a guy like Mo Evans. He gets all of his points hustling after loose balls and rebounds. Every time a shot goes up you'll see him flying around the rim looking for a tip in. He's usually good for one or two per game. If we can ship off Arroyo and Darko for an elite defensive PG who can make good decisions (think Duhon) it will do huge things for our bench.

Our bench has potential but you'd expect SAS bench to able to win that battle. You've got two former all-stars in Van Excel and Finley and and 2 very savvy vets in Brent Barry & Horry.

Our bench isn't bad, I'm just saying on paper the match up favors the Spurs.

[FreshPrince22]

Our bench has potential but you'd expect SAS bench to able to win that battle. You've got two former all-stars in Van Excel and Finley and and 2 very savvy vets in Brent Barry & Horry.

Our bench isn't bad, I'm just saying on paper the match up favors the Spurs.

If you wan't big names, sure. But, IMO, the most important job from the bench is to provide energy. Where as the Spurs "big 4" off the bench is pretty old.

Horry - 35yrs
Finley - 32yrs
Van Exel - 34yrs
Barry - 33yrs.

Now, I'm all for having some leadership off the bench, but in my opinion you need some youth to get people fired up. That's why I like our combo.

We've got our bench Vets:
McDyess - 31 yrs
Hunter - 35 yrs
Davis - 36 yrs
(only Dice plays a large role)

But we also have guys who can provide energy when our starters take a night off intensity-wise like:
Evans - 27yrs
Arroyo - 26 yrs
and Delfino - 23 yrs.

All of whom log regular minutes.
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[SouthernFried]

Well..Finley is starting, not coming off the bench. And I think NVE is overrated, and not a good fit for the Spurs. Never heard anyone ever say..."great defensive play by Nick Van Exel."

So basically, Spurs bench right now is NVE, Horry, Barry, and Nazr. Not too bad really...but, certainly no defensive force. And sloooowwwwww....

I always loved having one good vet coming in as a sixth man, and I think Finley fits that roll perfectly. Being able to lead a second squad of young, energetic, hungry and quick kids, that provide a "spark" off the bench.

Having a bunch of slow vets coming in...eh.

And Rasheed plays Timmy well, it's almost always a wash between them two. It's usually how the rest of the teams play that decideds these contests...and the rest of the Spurs didn't show up today.

[FreshPrince22]

Well..Finley is starting, not coming off the bench.

Not sure if you replying to me, or just in general, but I was trying to look at the bigger picture. Since I know Manu will be starting when it counts.
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[mike detroit]

- Parker needs to extend his range out to the 3 point land. It makes it hard for him to score when teams clog up the middle and force him to shoot over their bigs. And most defenders give him a lot of space because they are worried about his penetration into the paint, he has to take advantage of it. Hopefully he waits till the next offseason after we win the championship to work on it. :lol



he also needs to learn how to shoot free throws. maybe I'm spoiled by billups, but your PG should be able to knock it down from the stripe a little better than that.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

he also needs to learn how to shoot free throws. maybe I'm spoiled by billups, but your PG should be able to knock it down from the stripe a little better than that.

LOL

wait till you see our starting PF at the line!

[easjer]

I agree with most of the original post, particularly the last line. I'd forgotten how painful it was to listen to Bill Walton. Ick. And that was during Christmas dinner. No wonder I still have indigestion.

[Trainwreck2100]

If you wan't big names, sure. But, IMO, the most important job from the bench is to provide energy. Where as the Spurs "big 4" off the bench is pretty old.



Actually the guys listed are just here to shoot threes.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

You forgot to add that Rip is not 1005 after the back injury he suffered in the Blazer game...

Bowen is not really that good...

Kobe, Wade and anybody else he guards still score a bunch of pointos on him....

while taking over 30 shots a game

[FreshPrince22]

You forgot to add that Rip is not 100% after the back injury he suffered in the Blazer game...

Bowen is not really that good...

Kobe, Wade and anybody else he guards still score a bunch of points on him....

Bowen is a Beast. Don't knock him. He is really the only guy in the league that can get into Rip's head. 100% or not, Rip has no excuse. He torched the Warriors 2 nights ago for 28 points on 63% shooting.
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[FreshPrince22]

he's dirty though....

Then I wish Rip were "dirty". It's not cheating if you don't get caught!
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[doldrums]

While I respect Detroit, I don't like them, ever notice when things aren't going their way, they cry to the refs like babies. This year they have won so many games that we don't see it that much, but if you saw their loss to Utah, it was nauseating how they complain. I would like them better if they were better sports

[ca®lo]

Bowen For Dpoy!

[leemajors]

who's taking 5/1 odds that if miami beats detroit badly head to head next time they play Artest/X Factor becomes the Flash Factor or something similar?

[FreshPrince22]

who's taking 5/1 odds that if miami beats detroit badly head to head next time they play Artest/X Factor becomes the Flash Factor or something similar?

It's a shame we'll never know!
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[Shelia19]

First off, that was an UGLY game for both teams. But I am not completely satisfied with a win until we play the Spurs with Manu and win that game too.

-The only people that showed up to play today were Ben, Dyess, Bowen and Nazr. I think the rest just didn't want to be there on Christmas Eve because they sure as hell didn't play like they wanted to be there.

- I have never seen any team take Tayshaun out of the game as bad as you guys did. I figured he was going to be the top scorer for the game today, boy was I wrong :bang

- Bowen totally owns Rip. I wasn't counting on much production from Rip anyway but he still missed at 4-5 shots that he normally makes. It's so bad that even when Bowen is not on him, he missed wide open shots. Unreal.

- The rebounding advatage was huge for us considering the shitty percentage both teams shot.

- Parker needs to extend his range out to the 3 point land. It makes it hard for him to score when teams clog up the middle and force him to shoot over their bigs. And most defenders give him a lot of space because they are worried about his penetration into the paint, he has to take advantage of it. Hopefully he waits till the next offseason after we win the championship to work on it. :lol

PS - I forgot to mention that Bill Walton is a moron.

but as a spurs fan wouldn't it also be fair to say that rick who was a time game decission was playing hurt and lindsey hunter was also out of the game?
if spurs keep on using excuse i'm scared their not gonna improve on what they really need to fix and thats rebounds.

[pawe]

the only thing i didnt like about the game is that moron bill walton..his way of speaking is really really irritating!! someone should sew up his lips, break it from his mouth and kick it all over the ground

[FreshPrince22]

I know this is a little delayed, but I just rewatched the game on my Tivo and noticed something. The reason the Spurs lost to the Pistons (outside of no Manu) is because everytime Tayshaun Prince touched the ball, Pop sent a double team off of Ben/Sheed/Dice. Anytime you take a body off of a strong rebounder like that, you get exposed on the offensive glass. Ben/Sheed/Dice combined for 15 offensive rebounds alone. Most of those ended up with putbacks or tip-outs to open shooters. That's your ballgame right there.

[bdubya]

Doesn't matter, they still managed to score 20, 25, 30+ on him...

Bowen doen't own anything or anybody for that matter...

Except for the current championship ring. Do you actually watch the games? If some "superstar" is scoring 30+ on him, then the odds are pretty good the Spurs are winning the game. It's surprising he's never won DPOY (and I'm not knocking the competition he's faced).

[Supergirl]

Rebounding really did lose it for the Spurs. I swear, virtually every shot the Pistons made was off a second chance attempt. They actually got some really good blocks and defense in there - but then negated it all by not getting the rebound. At times, they seemed scared of the contact - scared they would get a foul call.