Three games were played yesterday that are probably more predictive of what will happen in the playoffs than anything else in the regular season.

The Spurs and Mavs played a competitive hard fought game even though it was basically meaningless to both of them in the standings (SA has a very, very small chance to pass the Suns.) They both played hard because they don't know any other way to play. It was a matchup of the two best teams in the league and it didn't disappoint.

The Bulls took a potential playoff foe apart, while still managing to get their starters a break on their minutes. They played hard, they played like they had some pride in being basketball players.

And then there was the charade at the Palace. No one played hard (except Philly), no one seemed to care, no one had enough professional pride to even be bothered by getting soundly beat by one of the worst teams in the league. Amir was given 34 minutes even though he won't be on the playoff roster and has a reasonable chance of never playing serious minutes in the league. Mohammed and Davis, potentially very important players in a series against Miami, could have gotten time to get sharp but never got off the bench. It was a sad spectacle and one the whole organization should be ashamed of - paying customers deserved something better.

Instead we have a Pistons team with no pride, no heart, but a boatload of ego, all hoping to find some magic switch that can turn them from doormats into contenders. Good luck finding that Pistons on your way out the door.

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"But first, are you experienced? Or have you you ever been experienced? Well, I have."
Jimi

Venemous. I can't say I disagree.

There has been a lot of talk about teams tanking for the lottery. This is tanking for the playoffs.

You know that if the Pistons don't make the Finals people will look at this for answers. You have to wonder if the franchise is being too cute, outsmarting themselves.

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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."

This is up to Saunders to take care of. The team follows his personality. I am starting to believe that he ain't got the family jewels to lead the Pistons, or any team for that matter, to the promised land.

I sure hope I am wrong.

There are plenty of things for "people to look at" if we don't make it. I don't think these games are going to make or break our championship run. That being said; I would like to see us take these last two games and start ramping up the bench players minutes that are actually going to play.

Thinking Amir's show time is over. Maybe a few more minutes in the first half of the next game and then send him back to get the D-League title and experience. Start running Dale and Nazr in his minutes.

Give Fino, Murray and Hunter some run with the starters and let's ramp this thing back up to play off intensity!

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Damn Right I DID!!!!
Whatcha gonna say now????

I totally agree with your posts. I did not have the opportunity to watch the game, however, I did look at the updates and read this morning's recap.

If I was a paying customer, I would be thoroughly disgusted especially it being Fan Appreciation Night.

You are right, I see a lot of attitude and cockiness which will boot them out of the playoffs.

It's hard to imagine too many other NBA coaches who would put up with yesterday's performance and not be blasting players left and right. Avery, Pops, D'Antoni, Skiles, Riley - would all have blown a gasket.

Agree. I don't get this five men bench unit getting time even though they will never play together in the playoffs. Bring some starters off the bench for 25 a night and let some units play together who actually need to learn to do so.

I will say that I am NOT impressed with Flip Jr. the last few games. Maybe even more than that. I know there is a thread "Did Flip Sr. learn his lesson?" My question is did Flip Jr learn!

He has fallen back into the "better than the rest of the team" mentality in my opinion. Watching the game last night I couldn't believe how many of his shots he put up from the half court offense WITHOUT making a pass. I thought after watching that game he must have had twice as many shots as the next player. I couldn't believe he and Delfino had the same number. That is the difference in staying within the offense and just free lancing on your own.

This WILL NOT sit well with me if he continues this type of play. THIS will be our downfall if we have one. I like his shot but he has got to let it come within the flow of the offense. It is not just the missed shot but the effect it has on his teammates when he does not share the ball and throws up bricks.

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Damn Right I DID!!!!
Whatcha gonna say now????

Time to question the player leadership on this team. Since many of the Key players have their championship already, it may be time for new player leadership. KG looks fairly hungry over in timberland. Chauncey may be ready to move on. If we suck** this playoff season, than it's time to shake up the roster.

suck** = to resemble the team that goes out and plays casually most of the game. to lose in the first or second round.

Last night's game reminded me of a pick-up game. Everyone on the Pistons was looking to get their own points instead of doing the little things needed to win a game.

Believe me, I want the Pistons to prove me wrong.

But I fell in love with the Bad Boys who had to fight and claw for everything, then fell in love with "goin' to work" because working class heroes have always been inspiring to me.

No one likes a guy who talks the talk but can't walk the walk. We spent the whole year being better than a lousy conference, not being great.

I'm just not used to the concept of acceptable losing. I think that was one thing that Ben used to stand for. Competitiveness.

Remember when pride meant something?

Dallas played 5 guys 30+ minutes. They had homecourt locked up at least a week ago.

Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki have played comparable minutes to Rip and Tay.

Don't like playing not to get hurt. Like playing to win.

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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."