i wouldn't be so concerned. the starters didn't play heavy minutes during t he preseason at all. the starters are our lockdown defensive presence. the 2nd unit while playing pretty good D i just don't see them having that lockdown style of D. they will however put some points up in a hurry. the total team defense has actually improved from last year. delfino and arroyo are playing better D. mo evans plays D and Darko is a defensive force off the bench. i think it would be more accurate to say we allowed too much dribble penetration in the preseason.

this is why flip was brought in. he isn't supposed to be lb or cola. he's something totally different and joe knew this. defense wins championships and the pistons know that. now they will have a coach to pound the offensive game into shape after 2 defensive minded coachs. if you recall last year we didn't really lock down until we were down in the game cause we couldn't score. this year we will put more balls in the hoop and maybe maintain a lead so we won't have to lockdown and come back in the 4th.

This is how I see it. Our starters will begin the game, and make the other team have a slow start, and usually we'll build up a 3-5 point lead then our bench will finish the half by getting out on the break for easy points because they are still strugling from the starters previous D (I don't know why I think this will happen, but doesn't it seem like it?) Then our starters start off the 3rd quarter, and make the other team struggle, and our bench will finish the rest of the third. Finally if its a close game our starters will play almost the whole 4th quarter and grind out a win.

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

Max, are you suggesting that we should get some action on the over?

I hope not. Although I saw that story unfold over and over again, it never gets old. Pistons claw their way back from a 6 or 8 point deficit, beginning with a thunderous Wallace block or a Lindsey steal, end up winning by 6 or 7 while the other team looks stunned that things could fall apart so quickly for them!

50.5 is the over/under? I'm all over that.

Key additions: Mo Evans and a HOF center.

Dig It! But who is the HOF C? Darko Time?
I think relaxing a little on Dee might help this team, especially regarding fouls. The league doesn't like it. They want scoring. I think we can score with anybody. We run as good as anybody. The Suns should be a little less effective this year.

I'm gonna resist making comparisons to last year until after the 20th game... they should be comfortable with their roles and new system by then.
Take a snapshot of the team stats at game 20... then start fresh from there.

Just watch the game in December against the Spurs. The Spurs have won 70% of their games since Tim Duncan was drafted.

It will be interesting to see how we match up against the squad that is arguably the class of the league. That's the game I will be taking notes on...

__________________
Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

It is essential the backups hold the lead. Or you will see the starters playing 40 mins. The better teams have cats that can run for 40 min. Bloodless legs and all.

I agree, it is essential that the bench hold leads. That is the only way they will get playing time. But I also think that the teams that play their starters 40 minutes a game will be dropping like flies when the playoffs come.

I may be wrong, I did not do any factual research, but it seems as though the better teams, Detroit, SA, Miami,Indy, etc do not play starters 40 minutes and win 'ships.