At Cleveland Oct 11 7PM

tv: 20

This one will be on local tv.

And chat will be open.

__________________
To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

Hazing is just part of rookie indoctrination

Thanks NBA League Pass!


.....Thanks for NOTHING.

It's not going to be on?

No, but rejoice! You'll get to watch the Hornets/Pacers game!

It is being shown locally in the Detroit area. Remember its a 7:00 start time. Well, more like 7:07 or whatever.

Chat is open!!!

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

Minutes: 26 for Rip. In a meaningless preseason game. Mejia again got no minutes. (Just 3 last game.) No Samb either. The second preseason game, and already thinning out the rotation? This game meant nothing. Oh well, here is what I saw:

Our top 4 guys all did fine, Rip, Billups, Sheed, Tay. But our starters could not outplay Cleveland. Dyess is that bad. He made one of several outside shots, not one of which should have been taken. These shots absolutely do not help the team, ruin our offensive flow, and setup running ops for the other team. Plus Dyess was poor on D. It amazed me when Blaha announced the plan was to have Dyess start all season. Who cares if he earns it or not. This team ain't about earning minutes. More like negotiations take place between Flip and Dumars to force Flip to play the rooks. But at a price.

Sorry, back to the game. Had to get that anger out over Dyess mucking up an otherwise perfectly good starting unit.

Why did we get a lead in the first half. Because for a while, we put Maxiell and Sheed in together, the two guys who are suppose to be starting for us in the bigs position. Two solid, very active defenders. Further, both Stuckey and Afflalo were brought in together in the first half, so we had both a strong backcourt defensively and a strong front court defensively. and of course, Afflalo was helping Stuckey bring the ball up.

Contrast that to the 2nd half. Rip stayed out there into the 4th quarter, and was no help to Stuckey in the ball handling department. Sheed and JMAX never played a moment together. And factor in a very weak player to begin with was both weak and out of gas int the 2nd half. Mohammed played more than he is capable of. Notice, we could not score, nor stop the other team from scoring, until Mohammed had that minor injury - a kick to the back of the leg. All the sudden, even with Dupree in, we were competitive again and made a game of it. Now, Dupree should not be on the team, in my opinion, but I think he is still much more of a basketball player vs. Mohammed.

Mohammed turned around from the post and hit a jumper over Marshall. Sorry, not impressed. Marshall long ago lost his ups. Mohammed also hit a short jumper from the left. Nice assist there. He also got a nice offensive board but ruined it with a very weak shot attempt that came up short. On defense, as usual immobile. Mohammed does have the strength and size to stop someone who chooses to challenge him while stationary. Problem is, Mohammed could never play in a playoff series, as any coach would soon realize that all you have to do with Mohammed is move. Mohammed will not catch up with the play.

Through much of the game, Cleveland only had one bucket off turns. (Blaha kept saying zero but apparently forgot the very early bucket Cleveland got off our turn). Pretty good stuff from Billups and our rooks. When Afflalo finally got into the game somewhat into the 4th quarter, Cleveland had major momentum going. With a bit more pressure, the rooks turned the ball over a bit more, especially Stuckey. The two did show some moxy late, making some plays on D and O. It looked like we had it in regulation, but Afflalo missed that 2nd free throw which would have put us up 3 with little time on the clock.

Stuckey made some free throws, got to the basket well here and there. No outside shots made though. Afflalo also made free throws, shot ok, but only one outside shot of several.

Maxiell is not hitting his outside jumpers. He absolutely should be starting, as I believe that would help a lot. Not enough rebounds tonight for JMAX. A putback dunk was his best highlight, or maybe the dunk on the assist from Stuckey.

Flip Murray did not play, nor Hunter. And I will expound on that a bit. It was very refreshing to see Stuckey and Afflalo come in together in the first half. Our bench gave us quite a boost there, and it all started with competent ball handling from our guards. (In contrast to the 2nd half when Rip stayed in with Stuckey for quite a bit.)

Hayes played a lot. Lot of shots. Looked pretty good sometimes. But the more I watch him, the more I miss seeing Mejia in there, a much more active defender. Hayes maybe looks better as a power forward, just like Washington saw him last year.

The one time I liked Dyess in this game was his score inside on a semi-fast break. Dyess can score inside. If he does not, he is useless to this team. Someone please get him the message.

No Amir, as the ankle is still bothering him.

Sheed got a bit heated, in a meaningless game. Cool it. Its time to develop the rooks, don't put the focus on you. No time for it now. GO PISTONS!!!!!

Thanks for the leecap lee!

Early on, it was too much Blaha and not enough Brahma!

Pistons played well until the 3rd, the starters let the lead slip and the kids couldn't keep up. Overtime was a slaughter.

Ronald Dupree has no business playing in these games. Let Sammy Mejia show his stuff. Dupree's jumpshot makes Ben Wallace look like Ray Allen.

__________________
To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!