At Orlando Nov 2 7pm.

tv: tv20

Tough start to the season as the Pistons open with a back-back road set in Florida.

Whats the 1st order of business after finally losing the expensive Hill contact? Go out and overpay for someone else as the Magic added Rashard Lewis to their payroll over the summer.

Is the Pistons front court still deep enough to contain Howard? How will the new bench hold up in this 1st back-back? Also keep in mind this will be a Darko free game as the ex-Piston opted to sign with the Griz.

with darko gone this should be an easy win for the pistons ;)

Oh, you had to go there...

Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis scare me.

After spending the entire off season in the gym working on his game, Keith Bogans has been named a starter. It shows you how these young players can rise in the ranks if they are motivated enough.

This guy went from getting ZERO playoff minutes last year to becoming a starter in 5 months.

Hopefully the Pistons' young players will have that same drive in the coming years.

I hadn't heard that about Bogans. That's pretty cool; I always like seeing my ex-UK Wildcats getting it done in the pros.

In case anyone else didn't know, I just found out that one of the big Magic blogs goes by the very entertaining name of "Third Quarter Meltdown." I can see people around here starting a petition to rename this forum "Late2ndQuarterMeltdownForum.com"... :pound:

Orlando doesn't scare me. Tay can cover Lewis and Sheed gave Howard fits. Nothing to worry about, especially since this is regular season. They'll flip the switch in the playoffs. :stirthepot:

After spending the entire off season in the gym working on his game, Keith Bogans has been named a starter. It shows you how these young players can rise in the ranks if they are motivated enough.

This guy went from getting ZERO playoff minutes last year to becoming a starter in 5 months.

Hopefully the Pistons' young players will have that same drive in the coming years.

A new/competent coach has a lot to do with it too! Bogans said that himself, or at least hinted it.

A new/competent coach has a lot to do with it too! Bogans said that himself, or at least hinted it.

That fresh chance possibility probably gave him a little more motivation to improve. Once a coach forms an initial impression of a player, it can be tough to overcome.

That fresh chance possibility probably gave him a little more motivation to improve. Once a coach forms an initial impression of a player, it can be tough to overcome.
Just ask Darko :stirthepot:

Just ask Darko :stirthepot:

He's on coach #4 now.

I don't think he had a real problem with coach #3.

Orlando doesn't scare me. Tay can cover Lewis and Sheed gave Howard fits. Nothing to worry about, especially since this is regular season. They'll flip the switch in the playoffs. :stirthepot:

I think Tay may have a difficult time with Rashard. He usually does well against shorter 2 guards, where he has that incredible length advantage. Rashard is 6'10", quick, and has a really good shot.

Orlando doesn't scare me. Tay can cover Lewis and Sheed gave Howard fits. Nothing to worry about, especially since this is regular season. They'll flip the switch in the playoffs. :stirthepot:


Sheed can't guard Howard...........too young, too fast, too strong.....but sheed will make interesting.

Sheed can't guard Howard...........too young, too fast, too strong.....but sheed will make interesting.
I didn't say anything about Sheed being able to guard Howard, but he gave him enough of a problem to through the kid off his game.

Sheed did pretty well in the first round last year against him.

Sheed did pretty well in the first round last year against him.

Yes he did, Sheed did an excellent job defending him.

Our starters will be dragging a bit tomorrow with all the minutes they logged tonight.

Hayes and JMax will have to step up tomorrow and we will need a big game from Rip.

Orlando is at home and rested.

:hoops:

Our starters will be dragging a bit tomorrow with all the minutes they logged tonight.

Hayes and JMax will have to step up tomorrow and we will need a big game from Rip.

Orlando is at home and rested.

:hoops:

True dat!
Rip is a daddy now. Since when Rip got married???:confused: So, he better dedicate this game to his newborn by scoring 30+ in this game with 50% FG.

JMax did not play much last night, so does Dice. Hopefully both of them and Sheed can contain DHoward and RLewis.

CB should be able to post up Jameer all game long. Look for a good game from CB too.

I would to watch that game via internet. It won't be broadcasted by TNT/ESPN so it's not easy to find any transmission. If anyone can help i will be grateful.

I hope Amir will get some playing time because of his length and mobility which makes him a good Rashard's defender. Our bigs didn't play well offensively against Miami - it can't happen tonight.

I would to watch that game via internet. It won't be broadcasted by TNT/ESPN so it's not easy to find any transmission. If anyone can help i will be grateful.

I hope Amir will get some playing time because of his length and mobility which makes him a good Rashard's defender. Our bigs didn't play well offensively against Miami - it can't happen tonight.

NBA LeaguePass broadcasts all the non TNT/ESPN games via broadband. I don't know if you can subscribe to broadband access separately from the cable TV subscription, but nba.com should have info.

LP might not be available in Poland.

I have a sports bundle here in Canada that has LP included, but it is not a proper subscription (which is not available at all here), so I can't access broadband.

Orlando is a tough defensive matchup. It is a game like this where a seasoned AJ would be HUGE. They are starting Lewis at the 4 and TurkeyGlue at the 3. So if you put Tay on Lewis that means Sheed and/or Dyess has to try and Check Hedo- Not Good. A game like this it important that we control the pace and punish Lewis physically on the blocks.

Sportsline says the odds are with Orlando to be the cra out of the pistons...even with Rip.

Sportsline says the odds are with Orlando to be the cra out of the pistons...even with Rip.

What a great opportunity to make money!!!

Who's with me?

KRISTA JAHNKE'S BLOG: Pregame observations from South Beach (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071101/BLOG15/71101087/0/SPORTS03)
About that game against the Magic… I just read in Florida Today that the Orlando coaches and players are making a big point of how the Pistons went 8-0 against them last year. The last four losses came in the first round of the playoffs.

According to reporter John Denton, Magic coach Stan Van Gundry wrote a big ‘8’ on the locker room board after the Magic beat Milwaukee last night.

Magic forward Dwight Howard had this to say: “The fact that they swept us for the year, this season we’re coming in and when we play Detroit we’re going to try to destroy them. There's no way a team should beat us eight times in a year.’’

The Pistons might have a little case of tired legs, as it is a back-to-back, they’re down a few guys and they’ll be battling Shaquille O’Neal all night tonight. But remember, last season, this team went 34-10 in back-to-backs.

But having Hamilton back sure wouldn’t hurt either.

I like Howard's attitude, but he should have said that to his teammates, not to the Pistons. What's the point in giving extra motivation to the team that OWNS you?

Orlando is a tough defensive matchup. It is a game like this where a seasoned AJ would be HUGE. They are starting Lewis at the 4 and TurkeyGlue at the 3. So if you put Tay on Lewis that means Sheed and/or Dyess has to try and Check Hedo- Not Good. A game like this it important that we control the pace and punish Lewis physically on the blocks.

the easiest way to check hedo is to just let him shoot - that guy sucks. howard doesn't have much of a post game either. the game plan for this is simple - let sheed check howard, put tay on lewis, and make their other players beat us.

Chat is open!

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

See you guys in a little while! :D

Wow. Kind of an ugly win last night, but the Pistons' execution was basically flawless tonight, as they shot 59% for the game. Orlando had no answers at all on D, and once they started pressing on offense, it was over. Hayes and Flip Jr had big games off the bench, plus Maxiell getting some blocks and camping out at the FT line. This was a very, very impressive win.

Wow. Kind of an ugly win last night, but the Pistons' execution was basically flawless tonight, as they shot 59% for the game. Orlando had no answers at all on D, and once they started pressing on offense, it was over. Hayes and Flip Jr had big games off the bench, plus Maxiell getting some blocks and camping out at the FT line. This was a very, very impressive win.

:cheerlie-GOAL::p_welldone:

:hoops:

Haven't seen any stats yet, but the boys look good tonight >>especially in the second half. Shut down both Heat and Magic to start the 4th quarters....hope that trend continues. At this point let Rip enjoy his newborn as it appears we can play without him...in fact maybe we should trade Rip for a decent center..:stirthepot:

How bad are Miami and Orlando? Starting to think, after 2 games, our starting 4 may play at their best ever as a unit this year. Only question marks are the bench, the minutes, and even if we win 60+ can we get past the ECFs.

Watched the Toronto game, they look unstoppable, and Delfino is looking like the missing piece for them. Thanks Joe.

Eli Zaret must have pissed off Flip. Kind of short answers in the wrap up to Eli's questions.

How bad are Miami and Orlando? Starting to think, after 2 games, our starting 4 may play at their best ever as a unit this year. Only question marks are the bench, the minutes, and even if we win 60+ can we get past the ECFs.

Watched the Toronto game, they look unstoppable, and Delfino is looking like the missing piece for them. Thanks Joe.

Delfino was the missing piece for Detroit....missing in action. Pistons won't miss him a bit.

I am liking the Rip-less Pistons. Him being out has made DET be more decisive on offense. I think it makes them less flat. Who knows how it would work with him coming off the bench?

Flip is still way to dependant on CB to run the offense. How is their O so complex that only a few people can run it but the rest of the L can stop it easly come the playoffs? We all may have our favorite player(s), but I think we all agree that Billups can't play heavy minutes through the year. Does their season really rest on a rookie who hasn't played the point before? If this was a close game his mnutes would have been up again.

Sheed really can't check Howard, huh? Dysse & all the bigs played well. Lil 'Flip & Hayes. Nice win. Flip needs to be as decisive as the starters have been. He can't rely on blowouts to cut minutes.

Watched the Toronto game, they look unstoppable, and Delfino is looking like the missing piece for them. Thanks Joe.

Toronto will be a better team this year, however, Fino the missing piece?

I don`t think so.

2 nights in a row that we frustrate one of the game's premier centers with the Sheed/Dyess/Nazr/Maxiell combo.

It works.


Things that are becoming obvious-
Our bench rules... and we haven't even seen Stuckey and Amir mixed in for real yet.

Our big 4 are devastating.

Hayes plays hard.

Murray and Nazr are not nearly as bad as their reputations on this board.
____


One other note. How satisfying is it to beat a team for the 9th time in a row after they say they will destroy you? Very satisfying indeed. The best part about it was watching their entire crowd leave 10 minutes early.

Murray and Nazr are not nearly as bad as their reputations on this board.


Neither is Saunders.

:hoops:

Murray and Nazr are not nearly as bad as their reputations on this board.
____





Keep playing them and we may find out that they are our missing links :eyebrows:

Neither is Saunders.

:hoops:

I'll give you that.


I think that if Flip would have found a way to incorporate and trust the bench for the last 2 years that he may have got his Championship.

Of all his shortcomings, this one will be the easiest to change.

We're off to a good start with our bench killing our opponents benches and all of our starters on board with sharing minutes. Flip might get addicted to the results.

Flip Murray had a very good game. He took the ball in. He took it in and dished. He made some outside shots off the dribble, including two straight over Arroyo. Defensively, he had a small bad stretch in the first half but was otherwise fine. He led a bench in scoring, with about 19, that scored over 40.


Afflalo got his 2nd straight start. Maybe he was nervous at first, turning the ball over a few times, but he kept hitting the shots given him, kept playing really solid D, and was out there as we took a nine point lead to end the first half.


Billups was his usual awesome self, busting it inside all game long, and nailing all his free throws. Tay was on fire yet again. Sheed was doing damage all over. These three in all, along with JMAX who was at the line all night himself, worked the inside like champs.


Dyess just shot jumpers in the first half, but he was making them, and doing more than his share of guarding Howard - and doing a fine job of it indeed. What was leftover as far as Howard Sheed took care of, and that after spending time guarding Lewis most of the game. Back to Dyess. I really liked him in the 2nd half, where he concentrated on staying around the basket and ended up getting several easy buckets, and buckets where we need them, around the basket.


Mohammed did not do much. An outside jumper made. Very late in the game, he hit a quick in the post over Augustine. I will count that as a post score over a center, so thats two games in a row.


Amir got a bit of time at the end of this blowout win for the Pistons. Man he looks great going up for bounds. JMAX jumps awful high himself, but Amir jumps just as high plus has a several inch head start. Amir can plain sky. An offensive rebound putback was all he did on offense.


Rip who? Man, we scored just shy of 120 points and our leading scorer is taking the night off. (Congrats by the way.) But then again, Orlando has some problems on D. Nelson is a shorty and Arroyo ain't much taller and can't jump. Turk can shoot, but not defend. Howard is an ok defender and Bogans can defend, but thats it. Still, the fact they used just about everything they had to impressively take it inside you got to love. Big kudos to Billups for running such a flawless game plan, and kudos to Saunders and staff for getting his team to play the right way.


Tay again was the backup point, and probably played a lot considering it was the 2nd of a back to back where he played heavy minutes just last night. Hopefully this won't continue, and why should it with Rip coming back? Anyway, what a display of talent Tay put on for the state of Florida.


Hayes again fit this game well. As Orlando plays the slower footed Turk at small forward, there was no problem with Hayes on D. On O, Hayes hit several shots in a row that took this game into slaughter land. Very impressive shooting. Hayes needs little room to get that shot off, and he is not afraid one bit to take the shot. Plus more good inside work from him on the boards.


Durpree played for a brief moment. Hunter was dressed but did not play. Samb is inactive, Rip was excused, and Stuckey is hurt.
We still have not seen the team with Amir integrated into the rotation, nor with Stuckey playing. Still a lot to look forward to.


One dig at those who wrongly believe playing rookies loses games. Afflalo no way hurt us in this game. He was plus 10 in this one as he left toward the end of the 3rd quarter. (And we were only up 10 at that point.) And JMAX, a near rookie, was pretty darn awesome on the boards, on D, and in getting to the line repeatedly. Just wait until he settles down as far as his free throws. Amir and Stuckey ain't going to hurt us one bit either. PS, its going to be quite a fight from Murray to keep minutes as opposed to Stuckey and Afflalo getting them. I don't mind a fair fight for minutes one bit, as long as the rookies are given a fair shot at the minutes too. GO PISTONS!!!!!

Most impressive thing for me so far is the defense. This new found enthusiasm to challenge every shot and make every play difficult. Think about it, they did not play this way right out of the gate last season. I wonder if Curry has something to do with it?

Yes indeed. Pistons blew out 2 playoff type teams in a back-back on the road. And without Rip, Stucky and Amir.

Well, the Heat without Wade sure ain't no playoff team. But the Pistons' improvement from last night to this game was super impressive. They just overwhelmed the Magic with textbook execution.

Boxscore
NBA.com: Pistons at Magic Game Info (http://www.nba.com/games/20071102/DETORL/boxscore.html)

Recap
NBA.com Pistons Win Ninth Straight Over Magic (http://www.nba.com/games/20071102/DETORL/recap.html)


http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8162/roscoe0020lb1.png

Most impressive thing for me so far is the defense. This new found enthusiasm to challenge every shot and make every play difficult. Think about it, they did not play this way right out of the gate last season. I wonder if Curry has something to do with it?
I ate some curry yesterday and I was on top of my defensive game today. :)

I agree. The defense has been great. Swarming and physical.

A lot of the offense is coming off good ball movement, inside play and transition off of turnovers.

@lee - thanks for the recap, as always. :thumb:

This team is good, and is going to get better. No Rip, No Stuckey yet, No Amir yet. Everybody on the team that took the floor played VERY GOOD tonight. When we get Rip back, when we get Stuckey and Amir integrated into this system we are going to be a team that is 12 deep with 9/10 of them being legit threats. I think we need to open that thread up again where we grade Joes off season moves and give him an A+ (although Hayes did just literally fall into our laps).

I just can't get over how deep this team is 1-12 we have guys that can actually start on alot of NBA teams, and yet players 6-12 are accepting and thriving in their roles. If we can play with and maintain 100% focus and intensity, we can murder the Spurs, Mavs, Suns, Celts, Bulls, WHOEVER!!!!!! YEAH BABY, let the media keep hyping up the Celts that all we need, keep us underdogs under the radar.

Yeah!

GO PISTONS

We'll be seeing those bandwagon cats maybe a bit earlier. :nerd2:

Great win for the Pistons!! Good to see the guys get scoring from the bench to ease the load off the starters. Am i classified as a bandwagon cat... :redface: If so they definately have come early hehe

i have 6 different channels that bring NBA games. for the month of November, the total Pistons games that i will be watching is 3. I hope the Pistons be really good that ESPN, and other channels play more Pistons games.

I pretty much agree with Lee's assessment. But lets not get carried away with winning two winnable games. Miami is bad and Pistons have handled Magic fine lately. So far everything looks good. Hopefully the minutes for the starters will stay down.

I love one more thing. We have a few guys who can guard 1-2-3. So the pick and rolls that opponents run don't work with our guys just switching every time.

I am only seeing one problem, especially against the better defensive teams. When Chauncey sits offense stalls. Hopefully Murray can get better handle on things because Tay just can't keep putting heavy minutes in.

the easiest way to check hedo is to just let him shoot - that guy sucks.

:pound::pound::pound: Loving it!

Turkey-glue is my favorite NBA nickname!

We didn't have this game on TV to day. By reading all of the posts upstaired and compared with the Maimi game which hadn't impressed me a bit by too much early jump shots, obviously, Oralndo game made we felt happy that our team mended a lot of their flaw.

i have 6 different channels that bring NBA games. for the month of November, the total Pistons games that i will be watching is 3. I hope the Pistons be really good that ESPN, and other channels play more Pistons games.
Did you get this game?

YouTube - Sheed - Player of the Game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHJ0mhmF0OM)

I really start to like these Pistons. A nice mix of vets (our core), young players(AA, AJ, JMax, Stuckey yet to come) and players who want to prove something (FlipM, Hayes). ANd, FlipS finally seems to play an 8-9 man rotation, what we all waited for long enough.

I want to see if Tay does as good on offense when Rip comes back.

I am only seeing one problem, especially against the better defensive teams. When Chauncey sits offense stalls. Hopefully Murray can get better handle on things because Tay just can't keep putting heavy minutes in.

Hopefully Stuckey will provide some real relief there once he comes back from the injury.

This writeup by Keith Langlois on the game is the best I have read.


OT JUST YET Maybe the NBA should hold off on printing Boston's invitation to the NBA Finals just yet. The Pistons tore through Florida like it was still hurricane season, whacking an Orlando team bent on vengeance for the 8-0 record the Pistons laid on the Magic in last year's regular season and playoffs. The 116-92 win on Friday came on the heels of their season-opening victory at Miami and gets the Pistons off to a great start - especially considering they were severely shorthanded in both games. Rip Hamilton missed his second straight game after the birth of his son and Lindsey Hunter and Rodney Stuckey also sat again. It was an especially delightful win for the Pistons given that Orlando had put "8" up on their bulletin board to signify last year's Detroit dominance and Magic star Dwight Howard had said Orlando wasn't going to just try to beat the Pistons, but to "destroy" them. The marketing them in Orlando this year? "The Time is Now." Uh, maybe later.

SAUNDERS: "Sheed's been great. He's been like this all through training camp and he's carried it through."

WALLACE: "Flip came in and did a good job at the point, even though that's not his natural position. He came in and distributed the ball pretty well and he took advantage of mismatches, as well."

Enter Amir - Though he's still working through residual pain in his Achilles tendon as a result of the sprained ankle suffered in training camp, Amir Johnson made his season debut with just under five minutes to go Friday night. The expected rust was in evidence, but so was the eye-catching athleticism. A basket, four boards and two blocks - that's an awfully busy five minutes.

The Pistons, Saunders said, were calling Hamilton "Wally Pipp" in the locker room after the game, a reference to the Yankees first baseman who sat out a game and never regained his job. Some guy named Gehrig took it.

SAUNDERS: "The thing that's been impressive for us is we've made a lot of runs with Jarvis Hayes, Flip Murray, Afflalo, Maxey - those people on the floor. Our main guys are doing what they're supposed to do and our other guys have come in and done what they're supposed to do. Jarvis hit two huge shots. Every time you have success, you gain more confidence not only in yourself but your teammates in yo

More on the link

PISTONS: Pistons 116, Orlando 92 (http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/DETORL_071102_recap.html)

:hoops:

roscoe i was hoping someone would post a video of that. i love when he's watching himself post up hedo and says 'that was a mismatch right there' hahaha.

sheed was incredible - bad idea for the magic to put so much emphasis this game because he was focused, talkin' trash, and playing phenomenal. maxiell (and afflalo) spurred that 7-point run late in the 2nd where we started to pull away. flip murray played controlled and phenomenal. flip coached well. just a great game all around.

Very good recap.