We came out with no purpose to start the game. Well, maybe the first play we had a purpose. Sheed posted up Scalabrini and scored easily. But then the next five minutes we forget the word post. Nothing but outside shots, quick shots in transition, and more outside shots. We managed to stay even at least.

Then, hey, some coaching kicked in. The ball started going into Webber, and Sheed sometimes, and we beat Boston handily. Webber has that outside shot going great, especially off glass. He scored 17 while only missing 4 shots, got 6 assists, five of those out of his post play. Post play, both scoring directly from the guy posting up, and outside shots 100% open from the post player getting a double team, and from cuts to the basket for easy scores off the post play, was the dominant theme for the Pistons tonight. Webber was simply brilliant. Sheed was not the star tonight, but he helped set the tone by fighting for post position along with Webber. Sheed sure appreciates the help.

Tay missed some of those outside shots I mentioned earlier, but he also hit some. He got another of those assists for a dunk from Rip that is becoming a regular feature in Pistons games.

Billups just facilitated for the most part, but he knocked down a key shot here and there.

Rip racked up 11 assists, something about Webber passing the ball is just contagious. Rip also scored about 12 points or so, mostly layups, maybe two outside shots made.
Dyess only missed one of his 10 shots. Pretty impressive, mostly his long range stuff, but some was out of the post-still fadeback shots, but from the post. His only miss was a blocked shot. In retrospect, the commish fundamentally changed the nature of the game with that new ball he tried to intoduce. Thank goodness common sense prevailed and they brought the old ball back quickly.

Delfino played his usual fine D, knocked down a couple of triples, scored on fast break. He helped with the ball handling chores with some success in the first half, but little success in the 2nd half. Still good to see him out there for both halves though.

Maxiell did not do well on offense, and teamed with Dyess both halves could not do a bit of good on the boards. Or a bit of good on interior D for the most part. He had some blocks and bothered shots, and thats about it. Missed all his shots. But still, it was great to see him play in both halves. He won't improve without getting to play. But should Flip go back to that unit, Hunter, Rip, Delfino, JMAX, Dyess ever again? Probably not. Here is what we could have done: Delfino at point, Tay at shooting guard, JMAX at small forward, Dyess at power forward, and Dale Davis at center to clear the glass. Just like Corliss, JMAX belongs at small forward due to lack of height.

Good win. A slight adjustment to eliminate Hunter from the rotation and moving Maxiell to small forward and it would have been over a lot quicker. Hunter did hit a triple, but supposedly he is a point guard. He did nothing as a point guard. Worse, despite all Hunter's minutes at guard tonight, Billups and Rip still end up with long minutes. This should have been close to an off nite for those two. Overall though, I thought things went pretty well in the coaching department. Both Maxiell and Delfino were kept in the entire 2nd quarter, and both played in the 4th quarter. Definitely a step in the right direction.

Rip is going to sacrificing some point stats, because we are going away from the constant plays to get Rip free, and now concentrating on getting whoever gets open with a nice easy shot off post play. Its Rip sometimes, sometimes Sheed. What a pass from Webber to Sheed for the dunk off Webber's drive in from the left post. Webber drew all the defenders with that completely under control drive and setup Sheed for the two easiest points of the night-not that there was not a lot of competition. Lots of easy shots. And now Rip expects those passes and is actually ready to lay the ball in. Must have been doing some practice.

The team has a lot of weopons out there on offense. Rip still as steady as ever on the midranger. Tay steadying out his shot. CB always dangerous. Sheed pretty deadly from the post. And CWEBB, great inside shots and range out to 18 feet or so. Then Dyess comes off the bench and can't miss. Delfino hits two straight triples-hope that keeps up. Just got that rotation fixed up a bit and this team is going to rock. GO PISTONS!!!!!