IX- could you explain it?

Officiating has been pretty inconsistent both ways. Just Pistons got calls at the end, when it was really standing out.

Oh sorry. I didn't realize I used that abbreviation. IX is an abbreviation for Phoenix that is often used. I think it might have originated with their airport abbreviation, but anyway sometimes schedules and ESPN and even NBA use it instead of writing out PHX. So yeah that's it.

I'm sure this has been discussed in the past, but anyone notice how we seemingly play better without Rip in the lineup?

Good game. Something I noticed... Rodney was lighting it up late in the third and early in the fourth. After the starters came back in around the 7 minute mark, he didn't get a single shot for the final 12 minutes of the game. I think there's a bit too much seniority going on with this team, and that is also the reason Stuckey passed up the final shot of regulation. When Rip is in the lineup it is even worse in that regard. I guess this won't chance anytime soon, but I think it hurts the team overall. They just become too predictable with bench players on the floor. You know they aren't going to get shots, so teams can pay more attention to the starters.

Yea, although i don't it's so much the lack of Rip as it is the addition of AA. In alot of games Rip either a/ plays way too much, b/ decides he's playing all by himself, or c/ decides he's not going to play defense.

Ideally, if we could cut Rip's min to about 30 or so and up AA/Stuckey's that would be great. I remember when he realized he would be playing less, he tried to focus on being more efficient and going hard while he was out there. Playing AA more maximizes our chances of getting "good Rip".

Also, I guess it just goes to show how much defense has an impact on the game. AA from what i read shut down Nash for most of the 1st half.

Sometimes i think we have too many scorers in the starting line-up, and not enough coming off the bench. The best option to mix it up is move Dyess to the bench but that's not going to happen esp this late in the season. We don't really have an energy/hustle guy in the starting line-up hence the slow starts.

Amazing 4th quarter/OT play by Billups and Sheed. When those 2 are on their games the Pistons are the best team in the league. Thats the kind of stuff thats going to determine the Pistons fate in the post-season. They will live and die based on the starters. They are the money players not Afflalo and Amir.

On that note. Ratliff and Stucky are the guys we need to start watching off the bench. Ratliff seems to get better every game as he gets more used to the other players and Stucky was simply brilliant in this game. Pretty good time for you Starting and backup points to have great games when Nash comes into town. I like how Stucky was trying to push the tempo, I think that surprised the Suns a bit.

On the calls? If you look at the replays every PHX foul was a good call. I thought they got some cheepies like when Nash was went to the line when he was clearly trying to pass the ball and not shoot. At any rate, its a good sign when the other team is complaining about the calls because it shows the Pistons are getting a fair whistle.

Nice to see Hunter back. He had a good game and no I am not worried a single bit about him taking Stucky's spot, just not going to happen.

On Rip out? if Billups could score 32 points every game or Prince could step up for 20+ and Stucky could shoot 6-12 on a gamely basis along with one of the above then no we don't need Rip. Remember Rip still is our best shooter. You can win 1 or a couple of these kind of games without you leading scorer but it would be noticed over time. And Rip is an excellent defender.

We won this game in Overtime, so we give credit to the absence of Rip. What if we lost that game in overtime? we would blame it to the absence of Rip. I like the fact that AA played but no, we cannot survive without Rip.

It's on the video highlights at ESPN.com right now. Sheed is also talking to Amare while he makes the sign and the SportsCenter guy reads his lips for us...

I started to make a thread entitled; 'We can`t survive in the playoffs without an agressive Billups" and scratch the agressive Tay thread.

Let me be clear, if CB could be that agressive every game, it makes almost anyone else on the floor with him better. Did anyone notice he was 15 out of 16 from the FT line?

I have been saying for a long time that CB should go to the FT line at least 8-9 times a game - he should be in the top 5 in FT att per game.

When Chauncey is attacking the basket instead of launching 3`s it opens up things for everyone else on the court with him.

Why is it when a starter is out we see another starter do things that perhaps they should be doing when all the starters are playing?

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"I`m shocked" The Low, on the Pistons game 2 win in the ECF at Boston.