it's extremely early in the season and the bench players (from that article) might be baffled, but he has to play guys in different lineups to see what works and what doesn't. we'll be fine.

I second that!! Worry about next year and the year after that when it gets here. There is always a small window and our time is now. it is not guranteed that we will be dominating the Central next year or the year after with up and coming teams like the Cavs and Baby Bulls.

Interesting if you look at how Dumars rebuilt this team its all been trades and FA's and not even the top FA's. I think Ben is the only FA he has signed for over the MLE. With the exception of Prince and Delfino thats been it.

Then we should NEVER have drafted Darko. We should have traded the pick for an experienced player. What was joe thinking? What a fool.

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I think this has to do with the minutes. They look like they're coasting in the first quarter, saving themselves for later in the game. Flip has got to get these guys rest in the game, so they play 100% for the whole game.

Also, a lot of people talk about earning time, in 5 years I havent seen a single player play his way into the lineup. PT seems to be given away to coach favorites, not earned. Carlisle got fired becaue he played Curry over Tay. Sheed was given the starting job over Okur (not that he didn't deserve it). Dice was signed to be the backup big. Arroyo was signed to be the backup guard. Hunter was did not play better than Arroyo, but was made backup over him. Ham was given minutes, that had nothing to do with his basketball abilties. Mike James was benched, even though he played well. Evans was given the backup small forward position from day one.

If the coach's dont start basing our bench minutes upon performance, we're going to lose them. Guys will have zero motivation to work hard, because they knows they're not getting into the game.

If nothing changes, Detroit will continue to be 5 starters, Dice, Arroyo, and some guy who doesnt deserve to play (Curry, Ham, Evans, ect). While the rest of the bench will be guys waiting for their contracts to expire so they can play elsewhere (Okur, Barry, James, Parker), and old guys ecstatic about getting paid not to play (DC, EC, and Davis). We can win another title this way, but there is no room for any kind of injury.

So far, this is the formula for success!

We're batting .500 with that formula, nice, but I think we can do better.

But what team can afford an injury to one of its stars and still win a title...

Duncan, Parker or Gin... go down and i think there toast too....

I think its safe to say no team wins if one of its stars go down.

That's not the reason Carlisle got fired. RC was fired for personality conflicts with the front office. This stuff gets swept under the rug too often. You can be a Pistons fan and still recognize that the organization and ownership are not perfect.

And tayshaun did play his way into the lineup. When given his opportunity in the playoffs, down against Orlando 3-1 with no hope, Tayshaun saved the day. That is why Curry was no longer with the team. Tayshaun stole his job.

I think the problem is a lack of professionalism from what is essentially a very young group. In every sport, the quality backups all use the same cliche. I'm going to stay prepared for my opportunity, stay sharp etc.

For some reason in Detroit, it's "if I don't get to play, then I am bored".

I was a big Delfino booster until his knee injury return and subsequent dissatisfaction became an issue. This season, I was determined to get back on his bandwagon, but he is obviously not doing (or doing) something that gives the staff a reason not to play him. Coaches are not stupid, they play the guys who give them the best chance to win. A coach who develops talent is usually fired by the time that player reaps the reward of the development.

Something that was mentioned about Flip before he was hired, is that he is known for being very inconsistent with his bench. Where Larry was very rigid, Flip is very unpredictable. Darko could play 15 minutes one night, and not again for 4 games. Flip will go deeper to the bench eventually, but minutes and when players enter the game will not be on a schedule or program.

I'll let that slide only because this is not the Lions forum, but stupidity would appear to be a prerequisite to applying for a Lions coaching job or front office position. OK sorry, I feel better now.