Eric Pate is on WDFN right now, and dropped a couple nuggets about problems in the Pistons locker room.

Does anyone remember when that was mentioned last night? I can't remember if it was ESPN, WDFN postgame but i remember hearing it.

Anyways (take this for what it is worth),

• Antonio McDyess is not at all happy about how he is being used.
• Tony Delk is also not happy.
• Ben Wallace is really dissatisfied with the way Flip runs things.

Pretty cool hunh? This is what happens to most great teams. The locker room doesn't always have that "family love" atmosphere.

Now, I'm not taking any of this as gospel, but EP did call the Darko situation exactly, about 6 months before he was moved. I'd guess that he has "some" idea of what he is talking about.

EP also mentioned that CB has lost confidence in his shot. Evidence being the last late jumper he quickly passed up to Sheed (and Sheed was subsequently fouled). He's scared to take the Big Shot.

__________________
Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

Well, lets hope their intent is to improve the team. Delks mins have almost been cut in half. Last game ( I think in one of the articles posted here ) Dyess said to leave Sheed in instead of going in as Flip requested.

Perhaps its just some vets trying to help the coach out.

On Ben. He attempted 465 Field goals this season. The past 2 years his attempts were 651 and 748. So yes things have changed for him. I don't think Ben should be as large of a part of the offense as he would like but he is pretty much our post-game when Sheed is shooting 3's. Ben was a large part of our inside-out game under LB and I suppose thats what he has been trying to point out. Flip has asked Ben to roll back all the progress he has made on the offensive end the past 2 years and go back to his old role under Carlisle.

Chuck Daley had to deal with some locker room discontent and he succeeded.

Whatever happened to that close nit team that went out to dinner with each other and stuff? Are they still close and just unhappy with Flip? Or not always happy with their roles?

Not the best thing to hear either way right in the middle of the playoffs.

Also want to point out that according the the FSN guys Hunter has really been stepping up as a team leader.

Chauncey will get his confidence back after he starts getting played by Jason Williams (if we do what we should and win Game 7). Dice needs to get more minutes and hopefully flip calls his number more often. Tony Delk I don't know. I think he could help us, but will Flip play him? As for ben Rip always seems to find him when he comes off a screen Chauncey passes him the ball. Usually the man defending Rip is a little behind and if Rip drives Ben's guy usually comes to help and Rip finds him. If we gave the ball to Ben and he converted it would help get everyone more free.

__________________
"That's the end, man." Rasheed Wallace

Actually, Daddy Rich let Zeke run the locker room and Laimbeer was the enforcer.

Daly stayed out of the way. Of course, by deferring to Zeke, he had the most important Piston on his side.

__________________
Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

i believe i heard it on ESPN at halftime, and i thought it was Greg Anthony's voice say it... (i was actually in the chat, and so only listening)

pleeeeeeeeez, what progress? The only progress is that Ben now thinks he has somewhat like a ,right' to be involved in the O more and forgets how terrible he plays with the ball in his hands longer than 3 seconds.

The progress that got him to not let players defending him sleep on defense.

Under Carlisle, Ben averaged 7.6 and 6.9 points, respectively. Under Brown, his average increased to 9.5 and 9.7. I'd call that progress, wouldn't you? In fact, Ben scored 18 in the clincher over the Lakers in 2004. LB understood that it was better to have somone have to guard Ben. Flip doesn't understand this at all. Under Flip, Ben's PPG has decreased to 7.3. You gotta throw these guys a bone once in a while. Where are the alley-oop slams? Sounds like the locker-room rumbles have some merit, especially where Ben is concerned.

__________________
"I don't believe there's any problem in this country, no matter how tough it is, that Americans, when they roll up their sleeves, can't completely ignore. - George Carlin

Glad to see an "edge" in the lockerroom after three st8 losses... if they were casual about it then the fat cat responses would be accurate.

Max, thanks for Ben's shot attempts... you could say Bens offense would improve with more touches but he wasn't very efficient last year... in his case he's reaping what he's sowed.... that was a major point of contention last year (running the offense thru Ben)...
I support more options for Ben... as long as it's not back to the basket post ups... fine line of either playing 4 on 5 or trying to gain respect using Ben more.

It looks like teams are becoming hip to the lob pass from Rip....
Ben could maybe make a case for himself if he converted FT's... but he doesn't have much amo for his offensive demands.

Bottom line nobody should be happy... look at the difference in Dice & Sheed's game lastnight... they played with the necessary chip.... we don't need a country club atmosphere... just mentally tough prepared players... if that takes some finger pointing and internal %%%%%ing so be it.

__________________

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6137/iverson2ue0.jpg