We lost, but we had a chance to win it in the last minute. Exciting 4th quarter. We were just one stop from having a chance to tie the game, and NY made a forced shot to win it.

The starters came out completely disinterested, doing nothing but jacking up outside shot after outside shot, and missing all of them. Sheed did go inside a couple of times. Billups tried to go inside once or twice, for the game. I guess they just thought this was shooting practice.

And we really lost the game when the completely disinterested starters were put back into the game late in the 2nd quarter, where NY finished a 17-1 run against us.

But that run was started when Flip put both Herrmann and Hayes in the game at the same time. Combined with the very short Dixon, we had precious little defense for a stretch there.

Afflalo started for Rip again, and did ok. Crawford lit him up just like he does everyone, but it was not for lack of Afflalo being right up on him. Crawford just is pretty darn good. Afflalo took a few shots himself and made three outside shots and scored double digits. One time he passed up a shot, resulting later in another brick by Dyess. He should have shot the ball. He was wide open and had just hit three of them. Dixon got a lot of play in this game. I suppose he needs the time too, but we really need to play Afflalo extensively and have him rev up that shot of his.

Hayes did hit a shot from the outside, and scored in closer once. But hey, we could have had Amir at small forward and Theo in the game. (Who did not play in this one.)

Hunter did not play yet again. And again, no press on this. He just seems to be the left out guy. (But I am guessing he is simply not healthy.)

Stuckey did not do well at all until the 4th quarter, missing everything he shot, inside or out. (Mostly going to the basket.) In the 4th, he was getting inside a bit, and scored a three point play in the last minute to make it a tight game.

Amir got his fifth foul early in the fourth, but then just turned his defense up, and never fouled out. A near double double for him. He scored on some putbacks and a couple of post moves. Those post moves are again something the Pistons need Amir to do a whole lot of between here and the playoffs. Amir was all over on defense, and had a key steal toward the end in the comeback attempt. (Not to mention on the floor hustling for loose balls, all over the boards - just everywhere. Once he stopped a three on 1 fast break with his hustle.)

JMAX looked great on the boards, and even hit some outside shots. Maybe his legs are back? Looks like it.

Herrmann did play and was there for that comeback try. (Stuckey, Dixon, Herrmann, Amir, JMAX.) He did not do much though. A layup off an offensive rebound is about the best thing I saw from him.
Samb did not play.

It was surprising that we started four of our regular starters for this rather meaningless game. None of them played all that much, not did any of them do anything of note toward us getting a win. But oh well, I guess having them taking some in game shooting practice is worth something.

One thing that is not happening is Stuckey and Afflalo playing along side one another. Stuckey is ending up playing along side Dixon.

It was bench vs. bench the whole 4th, but NY did bring one starter back later to help preserve their win.

On the greatest five Pistons. Got two from the Bad Boys, Rodman and Zeke. I think it is fitting that a defensive player, Rodman, was named. Bing and Lanier from the old days when I first stated following the Pistons. And the fifth: Grant Hill.

McCoskey argued that Sheed should have beat out Rodman. I say this, sure Sheed might have had the more talent. The more potential. If he had been going imside a ton these last five years for us instead of settling for all those threes, he would have a case. But he did not. And no, he does not deserve the honor over Dennis.