Every Monday, guest writer and Pistons fan Lydia will weigh in on the Pistons. This week, Lydia tells us its a doom and gloom affair here in Motown.
Points 92 91 85
Points Allowed 104 96 96
Rebounds 36 38 29
3 Points Made/3 Points Attempted 2/16 2/12 3/12 – WTF?
Assists 19 18 20
Turnovers 12 8 12
Some interesting statistics highlighting the unbalanced effort of the Pistons.
What the hell is wrong with the Pistons? Is it a Sunday curse? Getting used to playing with Iverson and for a crappy coach? Or has age, time and apathy finally caught up with the Pistons after 6 successful seasons? Personally, I think it is a combination of the crappy coach and apathy. Let’s face it, the Pistons are playing against younger, more athletic teams (Portland, New York, New Orleans), and hungrier teams (Boston, LA). The NBA has evolved and passed them by. The Pistons grew so accustomed to playing with each other and always thought they would have another chance. Problem is, after the 2004-2005 season they wasted those chances and teams slowly got better and passed them by. Ego after beating the mighty Lakers has never really been deflated. They thought they were better than what they actually were.
Remember the days of the Pistons known for playing defense and teams would fear them? You got to think back a bit, (2004, 2005). Now the Pistons are a joke on defense as evidence from the points allowed statistics. They are allowing lesser teams (Minnesota, Portland) to score at will on them. Come on, Rasheed and Tay can’t guard teams like Minnesots? Sheed can’t take Oden? They are also forcing up shots and crossing their fingers they go in. Nice. How long did it take for this system to blow up in their faces-4 weeks into a new season – thank you Michael Curry. You know what would help? I think the Pistons should practice on Christmas Day.
Fascinating that the defending champs are winning with defense, just like the Pistons did in 2004. Piston fans, start worrying, I fear things will get worse before they get better.
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December 8, 2008
#1
I hope things get worse. Imagine having a lottery pick and $30M+ in open cap next season!!!…Sick!
December 8, 2008
#2
The Pistons traded an all-star point guard for a hall of famer. Billups and Iverson have vastly different games. When you get rid of the guy who runs your offense, it is going to disrupt things. The transition takes some time. Iverson is only a year older than Billups and I don’t think many will argue who is the better player. So, the deal was a smart one, barring any cap ramifications.
I actually think that this team, with the addition of McDyess has a bigger upside than the team had at the beginning of the season. Billups hadn’t gotten them over the top since ‘04, so it was worth it to roll the dice.
At the very least, it makes this regular season infinitely more interesting. These guys will eventually jell together.
Now their coach, that is a different story. He sucks.
December 8, 2008
#3
While I am a fan of Iverson’s toughness and mentality, he doesn’t play winning basketball. The trade was good because it gave the Pistons flexibility after this season and next, but that’s all it did. The Pistons weren’t going to win an NBA title with Chauncey and they sure aren’t going to win it with Iverson (and their current make-up).
Iverson dominates the ball too much for any team to win consistently. Yes, a former Chicago Booooll (as Magic would call ‘em) dominated the ball, but much to everyone’s surprise, AI isn’t MJ. Iverson’s game doesn’t mesh with Rip’s and from my far distant view (I don’t give a rat’s behind about the NBA), the offense has been fairly inept (low third in scoring and middle-of-the-pack in FG%). Plus, the Pistons’ rebounding numbers are in the bottom third.
Even though I don’t consider myself to be a Pistons fan, it would be nice to see Chris Bosh in red, white and blue come 2010.