And in 1995, I could drink a 6 pk of beer and eat two pizzas without gaining a pound.....

Exactly what I was thinking. And don't forget the genius of Flip Saunders. He is just waiting for the perfect time to unleash the Slovenian. Flip is sneaky like that. He might wait until August to do it.

All I know is it better not be as boring as the Miami game. I asked 'Horn if George had to keep poking him to keep him awake for the broadcast.

Flip can muck up tonight, and I think he will. Or, he could surprise me and play Amir, Afflalo, and Stuckey all some major minutes, while keeping the minutes of our starters down. I am not calling for Maxiell to get more than 15 minutes tonight, as he needs some rest himself along with our starters.


Another opportunity too to give Fabio a shot at some playing time.
But, as I started with, I doubt Flip gives a hoot about preparing for the playoffs. You know, getting your rotation ready to play. This involves two things. One, getting the right guys playing. Two, getting each of them sufficient time out there to get into NBA rythm.


On the first score, I would say we got mostly the right guys playing, although we have to explore other options at backup small forward, like Herrmann for instance. We can't just assume we are stuck with Hayes, not with his poor D.


On the second score, getting enough playing time for each guy who will be in your rotation, Flip is doing ok, not great though, with Stuckey. Remember him saying Stuckey had to play like 20 to 25 minutes a game, win or lose. He was right, and those kind of minutes should be happening for Stuckey.


To balance this, you also have to have at least 10 minutes for Afflalo. If Afflalo gets more, and Stuckey less, that is acceptable. I'd just say that the pair should get 30 minutes total between them minimum. This means that between Billups and Rip, they should average at most 33 minutes. (Or Hayes could lose his minutes to Afflalo.) The best way to go would be for Afflalo to average 15 minutes at backup small forward, and 7 minutes at shooting guard, while Stuckey gets 15 minutes at point and 8 minutes at shooting guard. (With Tay, Rip, and Billups each getting 33 minutes.)


If the above happens, all you got left to worry about is our big man rotation. Here is how it should go ideally. Samb 5 minutes. Amir 15 minutes. Maxy 20 minutes. Sheed 30 minutes. Dyess 26 minutes.
What would happen if all the above happened? Thats a nine man rotation, with the weakest link on defense being Dyess, who is not all that bad when playing lighter minutes. (A tenth man, Samb, would be involved, but not enough to call it a ten man rotation.) None of our starters would be tired for the playoffs. Our guys in the rotation would be prepared for the playoffs. Our depth would be solid, with Samb giving us a bit extra immunity to foul trouble, and a bit more of a shotblocking presence.


In the playoffs, the other two guys dressed would be Hayes and Herrmann. Each of these guys should get into game now and then, but not more than like every third game, and not more than maybe 6 minutes when they do play. Just enough to be involved a bit.



Now, when I write this game up later, you can bet I will concentrate on how Flip is preparing for the playoffs. How many points Rip or CB score tonight won't matter on bit toward playoff wins. If Sheed goes in the post a lot tonight, it won't help us one bit toward a playoff win. On the other hand, getting experience for our youth, or finding a different solution at backup small forward, now those things will translate into playoff wins, and I certainly hope many of you will join me in rooting for these very important things to happen.

Neither AJ or Afflalo aren't capable at SF position. Even for backup. Ask for Tay how hard this position is.

I do not believe in this "being tired during PO-s" anyway.

You have your opinion on AJ and AA, but hey, do you think for a moment Hayes can handle the small forward position? So far this season, he is a doormat for the other team more than anything. Remember, the team he came from, Washington, used him primarily as a power forward, not a small forward. Note, I did say to give Hermann a shot at that position also. (Unfortunately, the ideal candidate, Mejia, took off to Europe)

In any case, we do have to try these other options before the trade deadline. Maybe we can trade for someone if none of the guys on our team can do the job.

Chat is open!!!

http://www.pistonsforum.com/misc.php?do=flashchat

Something may be afoot. Is this post long enough. If you want explanation, I will have to refer you to the other board.

and they were 18-31..... lots of players can put up numbers on bad teams, but can't do anything on good teams... he's not in the cards here.

Best half of the season!

This is the reason i get so frustrated when AA/Amir are given no PT. They're fantastic!

Afflalo is the reason we can stop dribble penetration. Do you know how huge that will be in the PO's??

At the start of the 1st quarter, I was a FTFF (foul trouble fan first) for Dice and/or Sheed. I love Max to death, but Amir is by far more talented.

Sheed/Stuckey/Afflalo/Amir/Prince. No one could score (well barely) against that lineup. That combo even makes Hayes look good in Prince's spot.

It's hard to not think this is a championship team when you see the bench play consistently. Also Stuckey continues to impress. Looks like all he needed was a little time to adjustment.