In terms of AA/Dixon, i rely on what i see. More often than not Dixon gives points to the other team whether it be turning the ball over (which he has cut down) or getting scored on. He gets blown by, he gets lost in screens, and he's short. He scores points and then gives them right back. He's a weak link on defense that will exploited in the PO's. The fact that he plays with Hayes makes it worse.

What we need in the PO's is defense. We already have one weak link in Hayes. We don't need to add another. Dixon can be useful at times, but if he's going to play over AA, we're in trouble. You can't afford to just give the opposition a way to get points. Dixon at times might as well be wearing a "If you want to score" sign with an arrow pointing at him.

AA also has value on offense. He's a good ball handler, he can push the break, and i just look at any points he gives as an extra bonus.

Do you feel more comfortable with Dixon or AA on Ray Allen? Hell on Eddie House?

Also using Iguadola is not a valid example. He's an SF. Mo Cheeks plays him at SG at times to create matchup problems which seems to work very well against us. So of course defending him out of position will be hard for both players.

There are other ways to look at it too. It's all well and good to say that any points from AA are a bonus, but as of now, he can't jumpers--AT ALL. And that has an effect on everyone else on the floor. Teams can sag off him to double the post or leave him open in the corner when they're trapping on the other side of the floor, and he simply cannot make them pay for it. I do hope he can do that in the future--he was a good scorer in college and people can certainly improve their jumpers in the NBA, as Stuckey has already done this season--but as of now, AA simply cannot hit ANY outside shots. Dixon is clearly a lot more reliable in that department.

On defense, AA is obviously bigger and stronger than Dixon, which is clearly an advantage for him. But he's also a rookie and more prone to get fouls called on him, especially in the playoffs.

AA does have good things about his game that I like. He works very hard and I'm confident that he'll get better; by this time next season, I'm willing to believe that he'll solidly be a better option than someone like Dixon. But as of right now, i.e. the playoffs that start in about 10 days, I simply don't see him being much better than Dixon. It seems to me that splitting the spot duty between one or the other in the upcoming playoffs, depending on matchups, might be the best way to go.

Actually, Flip's plan is worse. It's to pace the players (starters) who will win in the playoffs and find a good balance between our reserves, based on individual skills. What a weirdo, huh?

You know what? I don't think any team would go 16-0 in the playoffs. Therefore I don't mind that they lose all the games on Wednesdays in the playoffs, as long as they win all the other games not scheduled on Wednesdays.

Totally agreed. It's all about MATCHUPS and ADJUSTMENTS in a playoff series.

Bottom line is if Rip gets injured again then we are in big trouble. AA or Dixon are both fine in a reduced role off the bench but you can't rely on either of them for quality extended mins.

Lee - Its amazing how you can always come up with all these excuses as to why you favorite players are not playing well.

Pistons will need a lot of Joe input if that's the case. We've all seen (pun intended) adjustments that Flip has made in previous playoffs.

Pistons bench gets schooled by Philly | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Quote:

Pistons bench gets schooled by Philly Reserves can't stop motivated 76ers

Did the guy actually watch the game? Bench was what kept the game close I thought. The starters came out disinterested and spotted Philly a lead. I dunno, sometimes the writers go McKoskey on us.
On the other hand, is it realistic to expect our bench, which is no doubt getting better, to come back against a playoff caliber team?

Here's another opinion, this one from outside:

David Aldridge: When starters sit, fans have a right to gripe | Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/10/2008

why do people refuse to acknowledge poor play from their pet players? willie green was eating afflalo up last night. he even got a fast break on AA because AA wasn't paying attention. and his shot is consistently short lately. dixon is a much worse defender but he's also a much better scorer (although he turns it over a lot more). i'm not advocating one over the other, just trying to state facts from the game that others seemed to have missed.

i want stuckey to continue driving...he HAS to learn how to finish at the rim sooner or later, and when he does we'll be all set. he is achieving a better balance - 6 assists last night, but there were times where he drove and foolishly put up a shot rather than kicking it out. but that takes time. he's had 5 or more FTs in his past 4 games, so he is getting some respect, and he might as well keep doing it so the referees know. plus he's shooting his FTs much more consistently now.