Fatigue was the overriding factor in this game. Our two leading scorers, Murray and Dyess, have one thing in common. Flip Suanders has not ridden them into the ground yet. Rip Hamilton does not have a game like that, where he can't even hit free throws, clutch or otherwise. We played a 7 man rotation. What's worse, in neither half did Flip Saunders bring any sub in the game for the 1st or 3rd quarters except Dyess. Just run them into the ground, and of course, turn around and complain about lack of effort.

How does Flip Murray, a guy who is not known for playing defense, a guy out of the rotation for a long stretch of the season, end up with clutch minutes over Delfino at the end of the game. Murray got burnt twice by Terry there to give Dallas control of the game. Murray did not have a bad game, but he certainly did get overplayed. Its great that he scored 18, but defense is part of the game. Another 4 steals from him was great, but not good enough to compensate for his otherwise poor D.

Due to foul trouble, we used Prince at power forward some, even though Maxiell did not get to play except for 30 or so seconds. Two straight games cutting Maxiell out of the rotation. Davis has not played lately; looks like a repeat of last season on that score.

Yes, there were some bad calls against us. It happens. But the game should not have been that close. We are better than Dallas, if only given a chance to play our guys rested. Billups is already out for injury. At this rate, none of our starters are apt to go into the playoffs rested or healthy. We need both, we will get neither. Just because Orlando slaughtered Miami today does not mean we can beat Miami. We don't have any true centers. Only by using a bench can we beat Miami. The media would have you believe our bench is getting more play this year. Who?

Though tired and playing ragged, our starters did give whatever they had. Can't fault effort.

Dyess scored equally inside and out in this one. One player I say is being played perfectly.

Flip Murray was out of control just a bit here and there but made good decisions most of the time. A turnover or two, but he played over 40 minutes so thats to be expected. Good shooting night for him.

A near complete lack of offensive boards thru at least the first 3 quarters by the Pistons. Thats an effort stat. But like I am trying to say, effort, with nothing in the tank to give, falls short.

Webber continues to amaze with his passing, and his team has caught on to the fact they better be ready to receive the ball, cause it coming. Still, Webber even looked tired. He has played some darn heavy minutes. A lot of 20-10 or near 20-10 games for us sure, but a whole lot of minutes for someone coming off a long layoff.

I hope two things. One, the media takes off its blinders and really starts looking at the fact our bench is not developing. Our youth, except for Delfino, is not getting regular minutes. And two, I hope somebody in the Pistons management starts telling Flip no, its not time to step it up, its time to prepare. Prepare for the playoffs. Tonights game did nothing for that. Playing everyone too much who does not need the minutes, and the young guys that do need the minutes, they are sitting on the bench being wasted.