geezus you guys are harsh, the pistons are playing their 4th game in 5 nights after a double overtime, cut 'em some slack. they played a slower game and made some bad decisions, but they still shot 46% from 3, made 27-29 free throws (shooting 9 more than portland), with 7 less turnovers, and they won the battle of offensive rebounding.

in short they did what they had to do to win, we're 20-3, and this was the first of 5 straight at home. right now life is good in pistonland.

At the very end of this, we have a back to back. But for a long stretch, mostly home games, and well spaced. Still, there are problems. And even if we won all 82 games this season, it would not help us get past Miami nor SA. We still need Darko. We still need Evans out of the rotation. (and find a role as a defensive specialist for him. Where his spot up shooting will be more effective as it will catch teams off guard.)And we need Flip to trust Delfino more or get yet a different player to play backup small forward minutes. Do something. Forget the record for a bit and get that bench right.

Now, I will say I am very pleased seeing Delfino out there over and over lately. A big step up from weeks past. That is progress. But the season is really very short. Not that much time really until the playoffs. Flip has yet to install myriads of plays, and at the same time he has to find a bench that works consistently. For now, I say sit Davis on the inactive list and start playing either Acker or Amir Johnson just a bit, along with Maxiell of course.

To answer the Evans questions, he has been pretty ineffective lately. He always hustles, but looks lost on offense. Except for his potential three pointers, he is basically playing the same type of game as Darvin Ham. Good hustle plays, decent defense, and average rebounding. I think that he could be best in a fast break scheme with Lindsay, Arroyo, Delfino, and Sheed. But I'm not ready to yank him yet. He was the MVP on his Euro team and he was good in the preseason. It may be that they are not running plays for him. Or it may be that he doesn't have the same confidence when he is surrounded by better players.

I agree with Lee on Dale Davis too. He's not adding much at all. Even if Darko is having a lethargic night, we would be just as well off. It has been 2.5 years now, and DMC has not been given the chance to lose a game for the Pistons. LeBron and Carmelo have been given 180 chances to lose games for their teams, and they are batting about .500.

At some point, we should give each of the rookies some experience. Not enought to hurt the team, but enough to see how they respond in a real situation. Of course Maxiel is going to shoot the ball in garbage time. I bet in a tight situation in a real game he would be too unselfish. And Acker should at least get a taste before Lindsay comes back.

But man, the starting five are really pushing themselves. They are motivated beyond belief. We really can't ask anything more out of them.

I am not sure if he has Piston DNA, but I am kind of wishing we would have traded Darko for Al Harrington. However, I am going to trust JD on this one.

I don't know guys. If the bench loses a game or if the starters lose a game, it's going to hurt. You knock Mo but to date he has played 47 less min. than Dyess but has scored more points. This starting 5 is as smooth as a Jaguar. Let's see our underrated bench develope some unity.

the bench has not been that great this season, but for the past couple of games it's been horrible because arroyo has sucked and he creates plays for most of the players off the bench. maybe when lindsey comesback our bench will get a lot of fastbreak points to hekp us win.

Missed the whole game last night, and had to come here to get the 411. Glad to see Delfino keeps geeting good run, and glad to see we won, after a double OT battle on the road the night before, this win was a blessing. Now against GS we need some pts in the paint, Sheed, Dyess, heck man even Max.....and Ben needs to pound the offensive glass. I agree with most posters who seem a little irked that our front line is not shutting teams down upfront, I mean Joe has invested alot in making sure this team could do that.

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Play hard, Play smart, Play together, share the ball, have fun....Play the right way!!!!!!

OK I just checked the Box Score and I'm Furious about the BENCH!!!!! This is just rediculous!!!!!! We need to give Spree a chance, or go get MoPete, or Mike James, or Earl Watson, or Al Harrington etc etc etc. I've been one who's felt that our starting five is so good that our bench is going to be marginal at best, but man this production is rediculous............Now those who know me well will understand the magnitude of this statement, Bring Chucky Back you have to!!!!!!! And believe me I can't stand C Atkins personally or professionally.

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Play hard, Play smart, Play together, share the ball, have fun....Play the right way!!!!!!

Its pretty tough to contribute or screw up if you never get in the game.

I don't know if Mike james would be happy playing 11 minutes a night. Neither would Al.

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LOL