PISTONS WEEKLY WRAP-UP

WOI contributor Lydia weighs on the Pistons recent struggles with a 5 game losing streak.

Please note, this was written before last night’s blowout win of the Raptors

Well, this has been a crappy couple of weeks. Didn’t start out that way. The Pistons came back from their West coast trip at 2-2. Not great, not awful either, just the same old thing. The Utah Jazz just seem to have our number, we haven’t won against them in at least 2 years, by my count. I have no explanation for the Portland game. They are a young, very aggressive team and as what is becoming nauseatingly familiar, our Pistons just couldn’t close the game.

But the worst was yet to come – 5 losses in a row??? We haven’t lost more than 3 in a row in almost 5 years. Except for New Orleans and Utah, I can’t accept these losses. I refuse to accept Rip and Sheed were out of the lineup and still not feeling great. Completely unacceptable. New Orleans has won 8 games this season, and is on its way to winning a whopping 16 games. We barely beat them in December. We cannot and should not lose these games.

Whatever the reason, the Pistons have now expanded their problems from adjusting to Iverson and getting used to a coach with severe ADD, to not knowing how to close out games. The naysayers say to bring in a “closer”. Um, thanks, we have closers, they are named Iverson and Hamilton. Iverson rarely disappoints and Rip knows how to shoot under pressure. Come on, the Pistons are unfocused, frustrated and at times bored when they find themselves up in a game. It is up to Curry to motivate them to finish these games strong. Mess with the lineup if you have to. Bring Rip or Iverson off the bench. Be tough, who cares if you bruise an ego or two. Do they want to win or work their way to a second round playoff loss? If the answer is the latter, then sit your butt on the bench and enjoy the view. I heard the Memphis Grizzlies are looking for fresh faces. Or perhaps some time with the lowly Timberwolves is what they want.

It took 6 losses in 10 games for Curry to FINALLY do what everyone has been saying: bring Iverson or Rip off the bench. Personally, I would have gone with Iverson off the bench, but as Stuckey and Iverson seem to play well together, it is a good place to start. Let’s see how well this latest experiment goes. I expect Curry to screw it up somehow.

Side note: A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of meeting Dwight Howard, the night before the Magic played Detroit. Couldn’t have been sweeter; I wished him luck in the game and we shared a fist bump. Super exciting for a fan like myself. He then went on to score 1 point in the first half and his Magic lost. I think I jinxed him. Oh well, it worked out well for my beloved Pistons.

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