Well, no surprises in this game. Detroit played an okay game for them. Their offense was decent; but their defense wasn't too hot.
Mo Williams listens to In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins to get pumped before games. How crazy is that!
I think, at this point, Will Bynum is a better point guard than Stuckey. But, Stuckey has a much much higher ceiling. So we gotta go with stuckey to get him better faster.
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Tom, I gotta lean on you for commentary here. I couldn’t make it through the last game without fast forwarding a lot (and have a feeling most of the series will be that way). The only thing that kept me watching a little were the commentators (I think it was Breen, JVG, & Jackson).
Tangent: It drives me nuts that they’re assigning the best commentators to match ups that are going to yield the worst games (Cavs & Lakers). I guess it’s because more people watch those games due to the stars but it seems like their talent is being wasted by analyzing something that doesn’t need analysis. There are so many other series’ that are great match ups and people don’t know as much about them – we need the experts to give us insight in them instead.
What’s up w/ Stuckey? I thought he was going to be their next star. Is he injured, poorly coached, or just apathetic? Any clue why he has taken such a step back from last season?
Is Detroit going to do anything in the offseason to improve? I know AI’s contract is up; isn’t Rasheed’s up too soon?
I just hate when it is the Marv and Reggie combo. I don't hate him or anything. He is actually alright. It is just that the coaches offer so much more insight, i can't help but feel i am missing out.
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Well, i only know what comes out of detroit. Concerning Stuckey, last year his role was much reduced and his season was greatly shortened from injury.
The time that he started and ran the team, and that everyone remembers so well, was when Billups got injured and Stuckey played great against Orlando in last years playoffs.
First off, anyone can play good for a few games against orlando. So, it is not really easy to say he is worse because he didn't produce as well this year as he did in a few games against one team last year.
But also, in that Orlando series, he was not calling any of the offensive plays, and he basically only ran a couple offensive sets due to his lack of experience. That allowed him to play a much less cerebral game and to play more off of instinct.
Now stuckey is calling most the plays, and trying to learn how to quickly and naturally make all the important decisions that good point guards are constantly making. Stuckey was always a scorer in his basketball career, so there is a lot to learn. Especially things like when to get mine, and when not too.
Detroit personnel attribute his struggles to adjusting to a true pg mentality. And I've heard that he can get a little too thoughtful out there trying to do the right pg thing.
but, they are still confident in him. His numbers as a starter have not been too bad. And, he has had some really big games. One 40+ point game. And once all the new info becomes old info, and all the thinking moves from conscious to unconscious, he should be fine. In theory:D
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Boy, so many questions:D
Detroit should be doing MUCH this offseason. The AI trade was made with designs of dumping him and signing major talent. Using also the money freed up buy rasheed's contract. $35 million combined, i think.
It is during this offseason that we can begin to judge the value of the ai/billups trade. Still, we won't know the full impact of the trade for yet another year. But, Detroit is expected to spend a large amount of that change this offseason.
Probably the player detroit is the most interested in is Bosh.
So, in answer, yes, Detroit is going to try and improve in the offseason. though, really, can't all teams say that?
great info about Stuckey; that helps me out tremendously. I haven't seen much of him since last year's playoffs but at that time, I could swear he was gonna be one of the top 5 PGs in the NBA soon (and that's really saying something given the current stacking of talent at that position). I hope he catches on soon. I bet it is more difficult running an offense that's not up & down like all of the other notable PGs.
As for this offseason, if Simmons is accurately portraying the financial situation correctly this year, Detroit may get a few bargains. He thought this would be a really slow offseason due to the economy.
Oh yeah - I knew they were dumping salary w/ the AI trade but I wasn't sure if they'd wait until next year or not.
I guess they've got to improve a little if only to convince the free agents they're after that they can be premier again quick. I don't see LeBron or DWade taking on a potential rebuilding project (unless it's with their current teams). I wonder if Curry's job is safe if they don't drastically improve? Wouldn't those stars be more likely to go for a known quantity at coach?
Oooh... good page:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FreeAgents-09-10
They could steal away Marbury & Artest!
Really though, I know you like Milsap; he's restricted but I think the Jazz are pretty likely to match.
Stay away from Ariza!
I think dumars will let curry coach another year. That was the plan at the start, and despite all, i think dumars has been satisfied with curry.
Also, i think the hiring of Curry was, like so many things lately, at least partly financial. He is a bottom salary coach (really, i am just guessing that).
For me personally, i have no idea how competent curry is. It is just hard to really know. It certainly appeared as though he struggled all year. But, how much of that was him? today i heard Doug Collins saying he isn't sure any coach would have fared much better. Given the craziness of the situation- ie, AI dilemma, loss of CB, a lot of injuries and constant lineup changes.
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On the free agent tip, detroit also has shown interest toward Boozer, as well. I am not positive he is a champion. I do like him though, and wouldn't be adverse to his acquisition. But, i would have a couple doubts. The league needs more cold killers like Wade. I've had my share of moderately hungry, but very talented players, lol.
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Oh yeah, and i forgot to mention the the broadcast coaches, JVG, etc. always have a lot of praise for stuckey's game. So, at least some of the experts think he'll keep improving
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=broussard_chris&page=Pistons-090424
For anyone curious about some of Detroit's situation. This is pretty cgood.
Though, I hate when anonymous sources are used for something like, as this guy writes, Rip and Curry haven't been on speaking terms for months. I don't know what to make of that. First i have heard it.
Actually, what i said about Boozer being a champ was dumb. And i'm not saying that cause his monster game:).
I do worry about anyone who has had major surgeries though. but, really, i would be happy for boozer to go to detroit.
i'M STILL WATCHING FRIDAYS GAMES (whoops).
3rd quarter of game 3 was hilarious. No one was scoring. Det outscored cle that period 16-9.
If Detroit could just score 80 points, the could have won, lol. They got some baaad offense. Two reasons: 1. Detroit's bigs just can't dominate anymore. Maxiell never took his game to a higher lv this season and now Detroit has a bunch of pretty good bigs. The two best bigs are both outside shooters. 2. Detroit doesn't have long range shooters that can force the defense to spread out. So basically, Detroit has no inside or outside game, just midrange, heheh.
Prince, i guess, is playing pretty much crippled. His back is wack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuZ5Xbt8-00
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