Pacers vs Pistons on TNT

[jochhejaam]

Word on the street is that Detroit might pick up Tony Delk if his buyout is completed.

I see he's only played 1 game this year but he had decent stats the year before averaging 12 pts on 42% shooting in 24 minutes per game.
I think he's primarily a SG but it seems to me that he'd be a decent pick-up.

[Darrin]

I must say though that the injury bug must only hit up the football team in Detroit cause the Pistons haven't gotten as much as a splinter. Whats the name of the trainer on the team cause if they go all season like this then he needs to be elected to office in the White House or something.

Mike Abdenour is the long-time trainer of the team. With exception to a 3-season stint in Philadelphia (1992-93 to 1994-95), the Pistons have had Mike in some capacity since 1975. He's been around for everyone from Bob Lanier to Jason Maxiell. When Grant Hill talks about the trainer that took the X-Ray after Game 2 of the 2000 NBA Playoffs, and got bug-eyed and said "Oh ! Grant, don't move! I'm going to get you some crutches," he's talking about Mr. Abdenour.

The Pistons other hidden gem is Stength and Conditioning Coach Arnie Kander. He is widely regarded as the best in the business in terms of treating chronic injuries like sprains and knee soreness, and creating prevention programs tailor-made to each player's individual position, build, style, and potential injuries.

Kander is so good, that Grant Hill tried to get him to leave with him in 2000 - on Hill's personal payroll (along with now-Spurs shooting coach Chip Engelland). Dana Barros credits the guy with allowing him to play with his kids now without pain and soreness in his back. Kander literally taught Barros how to walk again. He had over-compensated in his stride so he could play in pain after his back surgery, and it had caused a chronic problem.

[Darrin]

So, you all (Pistons fans) think you can last with just Hunter/Acker as the backup points?

I think that backup position at point guard is the position is more likely to be a weakness this season. It was nice to have someone of Arroyo's ability as the third guard behind Lindsey Hunter. That was Arroyo's role in the rotation last season. He wasn't going to go back to that role this season, and he was too much a defensive liability to stay the number one option off the bench behind Billups.

Especially with Hunter looking out of shape, understandable with his ankle break in the NBA Finals last season, and Alex Acker's inexperience at this level, it seems to me that this is a question mark much like the backup 2/3 spots were entering this season (filled nicely by Mo and Delfino).

I do want to point out that the Pistons went through Championship run in 2004, one that is almost to the day just as long as this season (Rasheed trade on February 19th, Darko trade on February 15th), without a backup behind Rip Hamilton.

Rip broke his nose in Los Angeles about 4 games into Rasheed's Pistons career (THE MASK), and sat out the next three games. All the Pistons did was start a streak of holding opponents under 70 points, including the Denver game where they had 18 dunks, the Nuggets didn't have a single player in double digits (first time in shot-clock era) in the first matchup with the Nuggs since the Carmelo Anthony drafting controversy (Carmelo said the night the Pistons won the lottery he was going to love being in Detroit, Joe said he was drafting Darko, and Melo cancelled his workout). All of this without their leading scorer.

The Pistons played with two point guards (or pint-sized SGs) - Mike James and Lindsey Hunter. They would slide Billups to shooting guard is some instances, or use James and Hunter as a two-man press.

The Pistons have above-average passers at shooting guard (Delfino) and small forward (Prince). They have a defensive backup in Hunter, and what appears at this point in the season to be a warm body in Alex Acker. It's not a dire situation when we're talking about 10 minutes a game. If Carlos Arroyo had still been here, the Pistons couldn't afford a Chauncey Billups injury, so nothing has changed. Would I like to see a Tony Delk on the roster? Sure. Do I hate the fact the Pistons didn't do this trade before Chucky Atkins signed with Memphis? Absolutely.

But I'll just hold my breath and hope nothing happens like when Mike James was Hamilton's backup.

[bdubya]

Stength and Conditioning Coach Arnie Kander.

He was my therapist on a knee rehab back in the 80s. He was a total pro, and it's been good to see him move up in the world since then. Worth noting as well is that Grant Hill supposedly offered him a HUGE pay increase (like x2), which he turned down to stay with the Pistons.

[infinite styles]

Mike Abdenour is the long-time trainer of the team. Stength and Conditioning Coach Arnie Kander.

You think that Buford could get with Dumars and arrange a trade to gt them. I'm sure we could give up Rasho and Marks for the two. A healthy TD and Manu would be the greatest payoff.

[Darrin]

You think that Buford could get with Dumars and arrange a trade to gt them. I'm sure we could give up Rasho and Marks for the two. A healthy TD and Manu would be the greatest payoff.

That sounds like it's worth it.