Yeah..and he hit that three pointer that one time..

Lee, I agree with you, in general, on this issue. However, for some reason he was the last pick, and he couldn't crack the lineup enough to stick around during the season. Maybe Flip and Joe D. see something that we're failing to notice?

In 165 minutes with Will Blalock on the floor this year, the Pistons got outscored 300 to 280. As you point out, he started his share of games and they were all in a row, allowing him to get comfortable. Yeah, the Pistons' defense was good while he was out there, giving up 87 points per 48 minutes, but our offense was horrendous, barely breaking 80 points per game. He shot .179 on jump shots, which didn't help.

And let's take a closer look at his defense vs. the Pistons defense. My theory is that the team D was good while he was out there because the rest of the guys were playing harder to make up for the loss of Chauncey.

When you look at what the other point guard did to Blalock, it is hard to give him credit. Below are the 48 minute stats for WB and the man he was playing against while on the court this year.

Blalock/ Opposing PG
Pts- 7.3/ 14.8
Reb- 4.4/ 6.7
Ast- 4.9/ 6.7
TO- 3.5/ 2.9

Conclusion- just like his offense, his defense was D-League caliber.

He didn't play in these games because he was good, he played so that they could see IF he was good. They found out he wasn't. That is also why he has only received 7 minutes of playing time since Jan 12th.


I understand rooting for the underdog and all... but this is pushing it.

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"Will was rolling, wasn't he? I roll with the guy that's hot." MC

Well done sir.

I would also add that Hunter has the same problem. He makes a flashy steal and he has a great reputation for his D, but the numbers don't really show it this year... and his offense is maybe a hair better than Blalock's.

Whether we win the title or not this year, I think Hunter is done.

Flip Murray? He frustrating, but at least the dude can score. I don't like him and I agree with Lee that PG is not his best position, but I honestly think that net/net he plays that position better than WB or LH. He doesn't do it in the classic sense and probably not how you want him to, but he makes people guard him.

We just have to ride Chauncey to the promised land and hope we stay in the game when he is resting.

__________________
"Will was rolling, wasn't he? I roll with the guy that's hot." MC

TaShawn

You nailed it. Good work. I don't suppose anyone in the forum would want to dispute the solid facts as you presented them?

No, its not pushing it. Its stating what is blatently obvious to me, that Blalock can play the point. Forget your stats. I watched him play. I watched him time after time get inside the defense and pass to someone for an open shot. Those shots were not made, a lot of the time because Blalock was not surrounded by a whole lot of talent. But he did his job as a point. Very reliably. Whats more, the contrast between Blalock operating as a point vs. what Hunter or Flip does is immense, completely in Blalocks favor. Hunter and Flip occasionally do something Blaha can hoot and holler about. Blalock does those same things, a good solid pass, or getting inside and dishing, most times down.

PS, I am use to this. A guy plays a little bit. The posters slam him. I defend him. The other posters say if he was good the coach would play him. I say I know what I saw. And yes, I was right, Tay could play the game. Another example of this is Cardinal. I saw him play a little. Just a little. That was all it took for me to know he had talent. In all, this is my take. Most fans don't really play very close attention. I study the film of every game. Other fans go by stats. Sure, I use stats too, but only to back up what I know.

Lee...I was with you early in the season when you pointed out Hunter's weakness as a backup. We all thought there might be another guard picked up at some point during the season but there wasn't.

When you strongly assert your belief in Blalock I disagree. I will say that his minutes seem similar to Tayshaun's as a rookie. Tayshaun got that tryout early in the season and then was chained to the bench before breaking out in the playoffs.

You came out looking like a genious on that one...(Leenious?) Now, if Blalock suddenly appears and pulls a Tayshaun in this year's playoffs...I say we all chip in to buy you a throne and a crown and Micro should annoint you King of the Forum.

Not surrounded by a whole lot of talent?

He was in the rare situation of being thrust into the starting line-up for a Championship contender. The vast majority of his minutes were with Rip, Tay, Sheed, Dyess, and Maxiell.

If you look at Flip Murray, he was + on the year in a whole lot more minutes. He happened to spend more time on the court with Nazr than anyone else. Also, he was playing with Dyess in the first 1/2 of the year before Dyess got his groove back. He also got paired up with Lindsey Hunter a lot.

And I really don't think I'm bashing Blalock any worse than I would be bashing Hunter if someone here claimed he needed more playing time.

The difference between us seems to be that you think Blalock is ready to step into Playoff action right now and I think he will never make it in the NBA. I hope you are right and I am wrong.

I think we should start Blalock, Amir, Delfino, Maxiell, and Davis. Forget playing these current starters. We need these five new guys on the floor or we are toast.