Washington October 24th, 7:30PM

TV - FSN Detroit

The Wizards come to town, as usual talking about playing better defense this year. Will the Piston starters play extended minutes to prepare for next weeks opener?

For now on all Piston games will be televised.

Thanks Max!

Finally, a game I get to see, my first this year. So what number does this Stuckey kid wear?

Finally, a game I get to see, my first this year. So what number does this Stuckey kid wear?

Is this game really on FSN Detroit? The TV Guide says that the Red Wings are on FSN Detroit tonight.

Finally, a game I get to see, my first this year. So what number does this Stuckey kid wear?

No. 3. You won't be able to miss him. He has a style all his own. Just hope Hayes doesn't become a Black Hole trying to impress his former team.

Is this game really on FSN Detroit? The TV Guide says that the Red Wings are on FSN Detroit tonight.


Ann Arbor Comcast shows it on channel 8 - CL - whatever that is.

I will be at the game. Sure will be nice to see Amir play.

cool, looking forward to the report! i will not be at this one.

Unfortunately, I will not be getting this game. Can someone keep an eye on chat tonight?

Chat is scheduled to be open between 7 and 10:15 PM. If there is a problem and chat is not open, please PM an online staff member (http://www.pistonsforum.com/forumleaders.html), and they should be able to assist you.

The game on channel 669 FSN Detroit Plus...........

Gee, lots of fun at the Palace tonight, good seats (over halfway up the upper bowl, but sitting just a couple sections away from midcourt), got to watch Johnson play some, got to watch Stuckey hit some outside shots and look good doing it, but man what a downer. I guess we have to look for the proverbial silver lining in Stuckey getting his hand broke. Its pretty clear Stuckey will play for us. And now Afflalo will be getting more time than he would have.


Of course, the bad is we have to watch Flip Murray play more. But tonight, Flip Murray had a pretty good game. Not great on offense, but he got inside for us some and he played on the defensive end much better than usual for him. Lots of nice assists from him too. There was quite a stretch there where I was pointing out good things Murray was doing to the group I was with.


Amir did not play a whole lot. I hope that it does not surprise anyone that he made the few shots he took. The comments I got from my group all started with Amir needs to gain strength. But then again, my comment back was twofold - he could play small forward, and we have another players who is not good at holding position either. Hey, Amir can play the game.


Hayes had another fine shooting night. Looked great to the fans. Unless they were paying attention at the other end where Washington was continually scoring on Hayes. Good shooting or not, it just does not impress me if the defense is not part of the package. Mind you, I see no lack of hustle on Hayes' part, just lack of quickness. If Hayes can shoot like this a whole lot, I am sure the team can find a way to help him out with his defensive work. Lets hope.


Sheed scored so easily its like cheating. Long range to midrange shots that kept finding nothing but net. Tay was hitting some shots. Mr. Big Shot hit some. Rip is still injured.


Dyess, not good. Mostly outside shooting that gave us nothing. Dyess still does have an inside game - he just needs to use it.


JMAX looked pretty awesome out there. Tons of boards, good, inside play. Anyone want to guess who I think should have Dyess' starting job?
Can't say Afflalo had a great game, but I still liked seeing him out there playing some pretty darn sound D.


Mejia and Samb played little, and my group left early so I can't say much about their play. I can mention that Samb was nailing those outside shots well in pre-game practice. We were down on the floor until game time, getting a good look at everyone shooting the ball. Amir is pretty impressive shooting outside shots too, with very good range. Sheed did not make any of his halfcourt left hand shots. (One was just barely short though)


Mohammed played, got some stuff done around the basket. (But note, no post up play.)


Always fun to watch a win. GO PISTONS!!!!!

Good recap. That's the only thing holding me back from liking Hayes. It doesn't matter if he scores X amount of points, if he gets lit up all the time. He might improve. He has been on the Wizards after all so who knows. But i am not looking forward to having another Flip Murray if he doesn't.

The funny thing about Murray is that he has some tools to be a good defender, but he seems to have a short attention span. Or he jusr doesn't try b/c he doesn't have to.

Dyess will be better when the season starts.

He's not going to sprain an ankle in pre-season.


I wouldn't mind seeing Maxiell in his spot, but Jason wants to be part of the action, and he will probably be the man on the bench unit. In a way, that may be better for him. He can dominate his defender a little easier and he can shoot the ball every time he touches it.

At the same time, Dyess and Sheed could be an awesome combo. Either can stretch it out and they can both go to work in the post. We'll have to wait until they play for reals.

Real bummer about Stuck. I was looking at the game and saying damn, this is a darn good team 1-12, with 2 solid d-league prospects in 13 & 14, and a good solid player/coach/vet leader @ #15 in Lindsey Hunter....Sorry Dupe, we'll miss ya. This is the best team we've had since the 'ship. 1-12 everybody can play and contribute.

Stuck going down may be a blessing in disguise, contrary to what others think and say, Flip Jr has been looking damn good out on the floor, yes he has trouble staying in front of his man sometimes but so does CB, Tay and Rip...don't get it twisted, we do not have a feet moving- lock down, perimeter defender. But this team is good. We are deep and versatile at every position. Even Lee is right about AJ being capable of playing the 3 (Bring me the white jacket, check me in, lawd ha'mercy - I'm agreeing with Lee) even though that is not his position. But every player on this whole team can easily play 2-3 positions.
CB-PG/SG
RIP-SG/SF
TAY-SF/SG/PG
DYESS-C/PF
SHEED-PF/C/SF
MAX-PF/SF/C-in very specific situations
STUCK-PG/SG
AA-SG/SF; PG-defensively
The list goes on and on, this team can and should make it to the finals this year, Flip Sr is the wildcard here because Joe D has assembled one helluva team with an array of skills and talents.
For the record Hayes played decent defense, he just kept getting burned by Butler and Jamison, just like the rest of the Pistons and the rest of the NBA for that matter, I mean they avg close 20ppg for a reason.

the way stuckey was able to move his fingers on the bench after the injury, i'm thinking this won't be too serious of an injury. let's hope.

at least flip has been playing well and (for the most part) under control.

i also don't have a problem with hayes' defense, i thought it's been pretty good throughout the preseason. combine that with the fact that he'll be guarding more bench 3s than starters, and we should be fine.

good job max grabbing 9 defensive boards - he's looked really good the past few games boxing out and playing smarter on the defensive end.

Let me go on record to say Dumars did not go out and get Jarvis Hayes for his defensive prowess. The guy is a scorer.

In his short career as a member of the Wiz, he only heard the talk of playing defense. IMO, his defense can and will improve if his current team shows effort and desire to play consistent agressive defense.

FROM LEE:JMAX looked pretty awesome out there. Tons of boards, good, inside play. Anyone want to guess who I think should have Dyess' starting job?


FROM ME: Thats what I have been saying...Dyess is a six man now..leave him as a sixth man!

FROM LEE:JMAX looked pretty awesome out there. Tons of boards, good, inside play. Anyone want to guess who I think should have Dyess' starting job?


FROM ME: Thats what I have been saying...Dyess is a six man now..leave him as a sixth man!

The Pistons biggest problem the last couple of years has been lack of bench scoring. Maxiel can help in this department as the first big off the bench. McDyess as the 5th option in the starting unit is a good thing, if you ask me. I like a 2nd unit of Stucky, Afflalo, Hayes, Amir, and JMax. They not only have the potential to be effective, they could be a whole lot of fun to watch.

I like that train of thought Bill.

The Pistons biggest problem the last couple of years has been lack of bench scoring. Maxiel can help in this department as the first big off the bench. McDyess as the 5th option in the starting unit is a good thing, if you ask me. I like a 2nd unit of Stucky, Afflalo, Hayes, Amir, and JMax. They not only have the potential to be effective, they could be a whole lot of fun to watch.

In my opinion, Dyess should not even be in the regular rotation. He should not start, nor should he be a main sub. This is because of what he won't do, not because of what he can't do. He refuses to work in the post. His outside shots hurt us in several ways. One, they lead to fast breaks for the other team too often. Two, they give zero chance of drawing a foul. Three, his fades leave him nowhere near the basket for the rebound if he misses. And worst of all, his fades to the corner, which leave him out of position for transition D.

You want scoring, look no further than Amir Johnson. Amir will score in the post. He will get back on transition D very well. He will move laterally when a guard gets past our perimeter defense. Too light you say - Dyess can't guard the bigger centers either.

Someone needs to limit the minutes of Dyess, and make sure that when he plays, he posts up, and makes strong moves to the basket. Maybe Dyess thinks he is too old. Maybe he thinks he lost too much from the knee surgery. He is wrong. Anyone that says Dyess can't go inside is wrong. He can. Its just a choice. Dyess still has majorly good instincts around the basket, and he just is not giving himself enough credit. The body being healthy ain't everything. Experience combined with determination is more important. Dyess has the experience. He only lacks one thing - the will.

Lee, I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I didn't think it was necessary to extend McDyess' contract this past summer. I think Joe D might regret that move. Perhaps Antonio will be a mentor to the young guys when Amir and JMax start taking all of his minutes. Who knows? Maybe even Samb will be in the rotation in a year or two.

In my opinion, Dyess should not even be in the regular rotation. He should not start, nor should he be a main sub. This is because of what he won't do, not because of what he can't do. He refuses to work in the post. His outside shots hurt us in several ways. One, they lead to fast breaks for the other team too often. Two, they give zero chance of drawing a foul. Three, his fades leave him nowhere near the basket for the rebound if he misses. And worst of all, his fades to the corner, which leave him out of position for transition D.

You want scoring, look no further than Amir Johnson. Amir will score in the post. He will get back on transition D very well. He will move laterally when a guard gets past our perimeter defense. Too light you say - Dyess can't guard the bigger centers either.

Someone needs to limit the minutes of Dyess, and make sure that when he plays, he posts up, and makes strong moves to the basket. Maybe Dyess thinks he is too old. Maybe he thinks he lost too much from the knee surgery. He is wrong. Anyone that says Dyess can't go inside is wrong. He can. Its just a choice. Dyess still has majorly good instincts around the basket, and he just is not giving himself enough credit. The body being healthy ain't everything. Experience combined with determination is more important. Dyess has the experience. He only lacks one thing - the will.


I have only seen one game this preseason and even in that one Dyess' minutes were limited and he didn't look that particularly good. His preseason stats in the starting roation have not looked that good either, but then again this is the preseason. I kind of agree that if he is not going to play the post with effectiveness, then we might as well mix him in with the second team (as the vet). We got enough scorers in the starting lineup and I not sure who's defense is worst his or Nazr:stirthepot:

I am not sold on Amir Johson as the starter either until I see him playing five games in a row. I was in Vegas and I didn't see him play (contract issue). I missed the one game he has played in the preseason game yesterday and I didn't see him play in the D league last year either. I know the hype is there, but where is the proof? I didn't comment on the Amir Johnson MIA thread as I was waiting to see him play with the squad. Hopefully he is the real deal and doesn't disappoint :sssh:

Dyess is a slow starter. Give him a chance to do what he does.

Last year, his first month-
21 mpg
5.9 pts
5.6 rebs
.440 fg%

By March, he was up to-
25 minutes
12 pts
7.2 rebs
.609 fg%

His best 3 months were the last 3.

He performed best with 0 days rest, followed by 1 day rest. He's a tru warriar.

He was our best rebounder.

He had the 2nd highest FG% on the team, behind Nazr.

Dyess is a slow starter. Give him a chance to do what he does.

Last year, his first month-
21 mpg
5.9 pts
5.6 rebs
.440 fg%

By March, he was up to-
25 minutes
12 pts
7.2 rebs
.609 fg%

His best 3 months were the last 3.

He performed best with 0 days rest, followed by 1 day rest. He's a tru warriar.

He was our best rebounder.

He had the 2nd highest FG% on the team, behind Nazr.

Unfortunately, what really matters is his playoff numbers. And they are not good. As far as the regular season, regardless of field goal percentage, Dyess still hurts by his shot selection. I estimate that Dyess would have to shoot 70% on those fades before we broke even. (Remember, Dyess has too shoot considerable better than the next guy, who takes appropriate shots. If Dyess shoots 70%, thats just 20% or so better than the next option. You got all those fast breaks for the other team, lack of fouls drawn, poor rebounding position that has to be made up in that margin.)

Not to mention Dyess already has to make up for his poor defense.

I didn't think it was necessary to extend McDyess' contract this past summer
I'm glad to find out that I'm not the only one who thinks this way. Dyess was good for us the last couple of seasons, but he isn't getting better nor younger. He seems to be afraid of going to the hoop, but his mediocre midrange jumper doesn't help the team. The team already has tons of shooters and already a big who refuses to work inside. I don't like the chances a team has that starts with 5 jump shooting players.
He may be a decent rebounder and hustle for some blocks, but that's probably not enough, at least definetely not enough to start if you have AJ and JMax being hungry coming off the bench.

Give me some backup for these contentions.

Our defense was 4 points per 100 possessions better with Dyess on the floor, and our offense was 2.3 points better (net 6.3 point improvement with him in the game vs. out of the game). For a bench player who is on a team with the "best starting 4" in the NBA, that is a pretty amazing accomplishment.

The other team shoots 3% worse with him out there and we snatch 3% more rebounds (5.5% more offensive rebounds!).

He had his best stuff when he was out there with Delfino, Murray, Rip, and Sheed.

And even though Maxiell dunks 20% of his shots and gets off another 30% in the paint, McDyess still shoots at a higher percentage than him.

In the playoffs, McDyess's shot was slumping, so he went to work on the boards in a huge way. He was our best offensive and defensive rebounder. He pulled down 13 rebounds every 40 minutes. That is Rodman/ Ben Wallace-esque. He also blocked shots.

I think that we ended last season with a bad taste in our mouth and ya'll don't remember how much he can contribute.

This was the guy who came back physically bigger after we lost Ben Wallace, because he thought somebody needed to fill that role. And he's younger than he looks.

[quote=TWOTIMESRALPHI;116913He seems to be afraid of going to the hoop, but his mediocre midrange jumper doesn't help the team.[/quote]

I don't understand your statement in relationship to reality.

You say Dyess doesn't go inside, but shoots jump shots. He has a .580 FG percentage, which you claim is the result of jump shots and his mediocre.

I would love to have a team of 12 mediocre jump shooters who shoot .580.

:hoops:

He seems to be afraid of going to the hoop, but his mediocre midrange jumper doesn't help the team.

I don't understand your statement in relationship to reality.

You say Dyess doesn't go inside, but shoots jump shots. He has a .580 FG percentage, which you claim is the result of jump shots and is mediocre.

I would love to have a team of 12 mediocre jump shooters who shoot .580.

:hoops: