San Antonio March 14th, 8:00 PM - Page 10 - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

TaShawn · #91 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 12:55 AM

That's the thing. I actually like Ratliff a lot. I would be bummed if he were just sitting and watching.

And beating the Spurs is great. But why didn't the Spurs shorten their rotation for us?

Dlev59 · #92 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpgrl26

Often when there are two teams of equal level, the little things make a difference, an energy play here, a defensive sequence there.

It's not even about AA stopping TP. It's about AA not being Dixon, and immediately triggering a run for the other team, and another defender that you can use to switch it up who can actually defend. It's not as much that AA/Amir are the best players ever as they are the best players WE have off the bench and it's stupid not to use them. What does it hurt to try?

Remember that defensive stretch in the BOS game with AA, or the stretch in the PHO game with Amir? Little things like that can turn a game.

Also, i belive AJ can make a huge impact just with his mobility alone. Having a good defender who is quick and can double/rotate recover and block the occassional shot is huge in the PO's. He doesn't have to be the difference. He just has to help, and make the game easier for the starters. Maybe an extra 10 min stretch of rest.

Bench players often make a difference in a series (We don't need to look further than Daniel Gibson). Just like Dixon's 4 min last night did. Can you imagine that happening in a PO game? It would be really difficult to come back from that against BOS. You will see BOS bench players in that series. Big baby Davis, Tony Allen, etc. The question is where will ours be?

The last few years we have looked old and slow so our solution as the PO's near is to scrap youth and get old and slow again ?

Playing them won't garuntee a ring, but it will definately give us a better chance. There's no need to repeat the past two years.

I honestly hope what you are saying comes to pass. I don`t want you or anyone to believe that I am against AA and AJ playing now and into the playoffs.

What I don`t understand is, some folks are bent on believing our 2007-2008 season depends on two very young players.

If the Pistons come short this year it will be a collective effort - all the way from Joe D to the last player on the bench.

You noted some of the positive play from AA and AJ, however, you failed to mention games where they both looked lost on the court. Of course they are young and bad games happen, so, how do we know what player will show up in the playoffs?

If that player (Amir) who has quickness and mobility picks up 3 fould in 3 minutes or (AA) commits a couple of bonehead turns, then what? Do you bench them? Or, do you keep giving them chances in the playoffs?

They both will get their chance, I just don`t think it will be this year, unless someone goes down with an injury. Perhaps, I will be proved wrong, if it results in a few wins, I hope I am.

**max** · #93 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaShawn

That's the thing. I actually like Ratliff a lot. I would be bummed if he were just sitting and watching.

And beating the Spurs is great. But why didn't the Spurs shorten their rotation for us?

Their Center and Shooting guard or Small forward spot is done by committee so they kind of have to play the bench. Maybe we could pull something like that off if we had Tim Duncan on our team. They only have 1 rookie though and I don't think he has played in more than 5 games or so.

Warthog · #94 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 02:18 AM

a lot of you are forgetting how few minutes the bench played when we won the Finals

lpgrl26 · #95 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlev59

You noted some of the positive play from AA and AJ, however, you failed to mention games where they both looked lost on the court. Of course they are young and bad games happen, so, how do we know what player will show up in the playoffs?

Fair enough, but what's worse throwing them in there and seeing what they can do, or not knowing at all?

I'm so anxious for the playoffs already. The regular season seems extra long these past 2 months or so.

edited to add;

Warthog, we were dominant back then and had one of the best coaches in the game. Now it seems like it's going to require alot more effort and help from many players. Ben Wallace was essentially our "superstar".

coynejeremy · #96 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpgrl26

Warthog, we were dominant back then and had one of the best coaches in the game. Now it seems like it's going to require alot more effort and help from many players. Ben Wallace was essentially our "superstar".

Maybe my memory is failing me, but we didn't have the second best record in a stacked league that year, did we? The media wasn't all over us talking about how "dominant" we were, were they?

Now, I do think you and those who agree with you are making a fair point. But, I'm not worried yet. We have an outstanding team this year. Losses in the past few years have just made a lot of people pessimistic, in my opinion.

adonis · #97 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 04:57 AM

that was 4 years back. All our starters were 4 years younger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warthog

a lot of you are forgetting how few minutes the bench played when we won the Finals

alexa032 · #98 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Popovich likes Detroit's bench
Although the Pistons' bench play has been up and down at times this season, Popovich likes what he has seen out of Detroit's reserves, also known as the "Zoo crew."
"To me, their bench is the most impressive in the league," Popovich said. "Those guys take pride in what they do when they step on the court. They're very physical, very energetic."

Pretty high praise.

raxrets · #99 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 09:07 AM

Well, this forum seems to be really pissed off, it seems. And it seems that most of you take Lee's concepts automatically. But most of all those are wishful thinkings. Ok, AA and AJ didn't play, I do not like it but I'm not going to crucify flip for this. Collective team effort counts..finally. And you are here clearly overpanicing of starters tiredness. Well, if a starter can't tolerate 40mpg once a week, he sholdn't be a starter. Plain and simple. Calm down, guys, or shoot yourself.

round · #**100** (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaShawn

Amir = Tayshaun in '03. You guys are defending Carlisle right now.

sorry, your close but currey isn't starting this year...

I agree that the younger players should play more but there not going to be the as much the key as folks seem to think.

I see them having energy mins... Play out of there minds in one game and probably get extended mins, there also going to have rotten games where there going to go back to the bench early and probably not get back in the game again.

The goal was to play the youth to get the starters to the playoffs FRESH, they will be and in the playoffs you don't have back to backs the travel is alot less and such.....

everybody points at San Ant as the team that plays the bench... just quickly looking at this year, last years reg, and last year playoffs.... parkers mins in the playoffs last year went up 5 mins a game, duncan and other starters mins went up.... there regular season mins this year are back inline with last years reg seasons mins. Are you telling me there coach is a bad coach because he shortens his bench and rides his starters more?

I agree that AA and AJ are going to be solid parts if not an all star (AJ) some day, but they are going to be playing in the playoffs for the first time and to have to depend on them to win is a little scarey to me. I hope they get burn and show us wrong, but I do like the idea of veterns ready to play those mins so the starters do get some rest.

Saying all that any lose before boston... and anything less then a great series against boston to me will be a failure and signal a need for serious change.