At Minnesota April 1, 8:00 PM

TV20 Detroit HD, NBALP

The Pistons will travel to Minny to face the lottery-bound T-Wolves in a meaningless game for both teams. This is the kind of game that Detroit will probably chill, the "Zoo Crew" should see plenty of action in this one.

This is an April Fools joke, isn't it?

The term meaningless game should not be taken lightly IMO. Although the #2 seed is secured in the east, there is still a possibility that when the Pistons beat the Celtics in the ECF, homecourt adv in the finals is still up for grabs. Currently the Pistons are 1.5 games ahead of the Hornets and Spurs and 2.5 ahead of the Lakers.

I know we can beat all three teams, but I would feel more comfortable if the those first two games and the last two if needed, were at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Especially vs the Lakers and Spurs where we lost game 7 in 1988 and 2005 to these two teams on their home courts...:sssh:

So just don't show up, go there to win.....That means the starters have to play well enough for the bench to come in and finish the job!!

win with just the bench:stirthepot:

The term meaningless game should not be taken lightly IMO. Although the #2 seed is secured in the east, there is still a possibility that when the Pistons beat the Celtics in the ECF, homecourt adv in the finals is still up for grabs. Currently the Pistons are 1.5 games ahead of the Hornets and Spurs and 2.5 ahead of the Lakers.

I know we can beat all three teams, but I would feel more comfortable if the those first two games and the last two if needed, were at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Especially vs the Lakers and Spurs where we lost game 7 in 1988 and 2005 to these two teams on their home courts...:sssh:

So just don't show up, go there to win...

Don't they have the tie breaker against NO & SA as well?

Don't they have the tie breaker against NO & SA as well?

Yup, they did sweep both the Spurs and Hornets so if they finish with the same records we got them, but the Spurs winners of six straight are playing to win every game......we got Sheed, Billups and Rip who might be just waiting for the playoffs:stirthepot: :sssh:

The term meaningless game should not be taken lightly IMO. Although the #2 seed is secured in the east, there is still a possibility that when the Pistons beat the Celtics in the ECF, homecourt adv in the finals is still up for grabs. Currently the Pistons are 1.5 games ahead of the Hornets and Spurs and 2.5 ahead of the Lakers.

I know we can beat all three teams, but I would feel more comfortable if the those first two games and the last two if needed, were at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Especially vs the Lakers and Spurs where we lost game 7 in 1988 and 2005 to these two teams on their home courts...:sssh:

So just don't show up, go there to win.....That means the starters have to play well enough for the bench to come in and finish the job!!

Didn`t really think about homecourt in the Finals, and I bet the Pistons aren`t thinking about it either!

They better take it as the old saying goes, "one game at at time"!

I just don`t see the urgency of them coming out against a team like the T-Wolves with the mindset of winning for homecourt advantage in The Finals.

Hopefully, I`m wrong.

sheed probably tries some his fools day tricks, but get T'd in fools day would be strange:)

If they come out and play with the intensity they had against the Cavs on Saturday night, then it should be a short night for the starters.

sheed probably tries some his fools day tricks, but get T'd in fools day would be strange:)


You mean his left handed three point attempt or pulling down one of the t-wolves shorts when they are at the free throw line:nerd2:

It wouldn't be a bad idea to regularly give 1 starter the night off going forward.

Benefits:
It reduces the chance for injury
Gives the bench more PT
Contingency planning, incase an injury occurs, we can practice with 4 starter + replacement lineups.

Against Minny, we could sit Tay.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to regularly give 1 starter the night off going forward.

Benefits:
It reduces the chance for injury
Gives the bench more PT
Contingency planning, incase an injury occurs, we can practice with 4 starter + replacement lineups.

Against Minny, we could sit Tay.


Tay has played in 403 consecutive games, second longest active streak only to Andre Miller. I don't see a problem with a couple of light (20 minutes) games, but why break the streak?

7.9 DR, unless we play a West Coast team next. Seems next game has a lot to do with how the Pistons play.
They could blow this big time.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to regularly give 1 starter the night off going forward.

Benefits:
It reduces the chance for injury
Gives the bench more PT
Contingency planning, incase an injury occurs, we can practice with 4 starter + replacement lineups.

Against Minny, we could sit Tay.

rip either wont play or plays very little, tay has to play cuz dixon is still injured and AA can't replace injured rip and dixon alone.

rip either wont play or plays very little, tay has to play cuz dixon is still injured and AA can't replace injured rip and dixon alone.

/sarcasm

but he' our best player and we are so much better with him on the floor compared to our starters.... we should just let him play 48 mins a game.

/sarcasm off

Tay has played in 403 consecutive games, second longest active streak only to Andre Miller. I don't see a problem with a couple of light (20 minutes) games, but why break the streak?

Oh yeah, I forgot about the streak.

Don't necessarily need to sit starters, just let them go hard for 20/min a game, that should be sufficient enough.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the streak.

He should break it just to set a good tone for what should be the priority for the team, winning championships. Personal streaks are worthless if they create a block to what is important, like Tay getting some rest. I tell you what, if Tay can guarantee we are going to win it all this year, and back it up, sure, let him continue the streak. Or else have him rest a few games. (For the first time in several years.)

Can we stop the freakin rest rant!!!

Is this a pro basketball team or a rec team of men that need walkers and oxygen tanks................

My goodness!!!!!!!!!!

Can we stop the freakin rest rant!!!

Is this a pro basketball team or a rec team of men that need walkers and oxygen tanks................

My goodness!!!!!!!!!!

Cosigned.

This is going to be a tough game. I'm not sure we can handle what MIN brings. They play with a fire no other team can match.

Luckily we have the best coach in the game. And hopefully Juan "Jordan" Dixon will be healthy by then

They should set up cots and have players sleep when they are not needed on the court.

Let Sheed and Tay sell popcorn, starting at halftime. When they're finished, they can come back and play........

Can we stop the freakin rest rant!!!

Is this a pro basketball team or a rec team of men that need walkers and oxygen tanks................

My goodness!!!!!!!!!!


Would you stop writing with such large fonts. It is hard on my eyes. I had to take a rest break between each of your sentences in order to read the entire post.

Man, I'm tired. I'm going to take tomorrow off to rest and hopefully I'll be back to make another post on Wednesday.

Would you stop writing with such large fonts. It is hard on my eyes. I had to take a rest break between each of your sentences in order to read the entire post.

Man, I'm tired. I'm going to take tomorrow off to rest and hopefully I'll be back to make another post on Wednesday.



:mad::lol::rant2::fight2::mad2:

I've never seen a thread this long, this far in advance of a game, for an opponent this crappy.

Did the Wolves acquire Michael Redd? lol

Chat is open!! See you guys in there early!!

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

Chat is open!! See you guys in there early!!

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

APRIL FOOL TRY AGAIN, BILL?

Sheed, Chauncey and Rip all de-activated for tonights game. It will indeed be Zoo crew time.

Stuckey, Hayes and Ratliff to start alongside Tay and Dice.

Pistons starters deactivated | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/SPORTS03/80401067/1051/rss16)

If you are not funny the other 364 days of the year then there is a pretty good chance that you are not going to be very funny today.

Chat is open for real now!

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

This is a scrubs game, so the bench fans should be excited!!!

:)

I don't want to be Aprils Fool !
You might start laughing at me...
Instead of with me...
I'm not going to the Sheed fight thread.
But let me know if anything good happened. I hear Flip packs a blade.

Is this line-up an April Fool's joke? Flip has mental problems. Dyess/Theo/Hayes ? Is he trying to give the other team points? We might as well just put a red carpet to the basket.

Amir/Dyess/AA/Tay/Stuckey (or even Max/Amir) would have been so much better.

Nice job so far. 25-45 wolves.

Halftime: Bench goes on a 14-0 run and closed it to down 5. And a Chieck Hamilton sighting!

Cosigned.

Totally agree

Sheed, Chauncey and Rip all de-activated for tonights game. It will indeed be Zoo crew time.

Stuckey, Hayes and Ratliff to start alongside Tay and Dice.

Pistons starters deactivated | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/SPORTS03/80401067/1051/rss16)

The Yahoo spin:

Billups, Wallace, Hamilton all deactivated against Wolves - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-restingpistons&prov=ap&type=lgns)

If you are not funny the other 364 days of the year then there is a pretty good chance that you are not going to be very funny today.


Was this intended for me?

Stuckey and Amir = absolutely fantastic in the clutch

Honorable mention to AA's defense.

I think they can handle the pressure :). Great win (T-wolves i know), but they've beaten some good teams.

Hayes' defense made me want to :gun1:.

I love that Hermann can take it to the basket, and his defense is light years ahead of Hayes. I hope he gets a look in the PO's.

Anybody notice Amir/Stuckey hugging randomly like during the game for no reason? LOL It was strange.

What a comeback! All the way back from down 21, and down 10 (I think) at one point in the 4th quarter. Stuckey was the hero with 27 points, and 12-13 from the FT line. It was a totally CB-esque performance in the clutch from him, big shots and money at the line.

The lineup that got it done down the stretch was, I believe, Stuckey, AA, Amir, JMax, and Tay. Herrmann did a nice job off the bench, and Samb looked good during the big run at the end of the first half. The Wolves do suck, but it's pretty cool to be able to sit your 3 best starters, go 12 deep with the rest of your roster all playing, and still manage to win on the road!!

What a comeback! All the way back from down 21, and down 10 (I think) at one point in the 4th quarter. Stuckey was the hero with 27 points, and 12-13 from the FT line. It was a totally CB-esque performance in the clutch from him, big shots and money at the line.

The lineup that got it done down the stretch was, I believe, Stuckey, AA, Amir, JMax, and Tay. Herrmann did a nice job off the bench, and Samb looked good during the big run at the end of the first half. The Wolves do suck, but it's pretty cool to be able to sit your 3 best starters, go 12 deep with the rest of your roster all playing, and still manage to win on the road!!


Amir/Dyess/AA/Tay/Stuckey (or even Max/Amir) would have been so much better.


Can i get props for that? LOL j/k

Yeah, I guess you called it. Jarvis and Theo both started, but they only played 26 minutes combined. Both Amir and AA played more than that, 30 and 34. AA actually played more than anyone else.

Bench takes cares of business

Pistons 94- Twolves 90

Who said this was a meaningless game?? The allstars may have not cared, but the scubs zoo crew came thru. I thinking that if we had played Billups, Rip and Sheed, we may have lost this one:sssh:

This win may have been bigger than the win over the Cavs, as the Pistons overcame a 21 point second qtr deficit with Stuckey having his breakout game showing what the Pistons faithful have to look forward to come playoff time and more importantly into the next decade. Not big on assists, but he did hit the key shots and the clutch FT's, going 12-13 at the line including 10 straight at one point. Career high 27 points

Tay played long enough to keep things in order and Dice got his usual double digit rebounds, but Flip basically went with all of his team with everyone scoring except Hunter.

Chiek Samb suited up with Rip's face mask and provided some nice miutes in the second qtr to help the Pistons get back in the game. DonJuan Dixon resurfaced from his injury to score some key buckets in the 2nd qtr.

But it was Stuckey, Fabio, AA, Tay and Amir in there in the end when it counted to steal and seal the victory over the lottery boundTwolves... I didn't see any shots of McHale on camera, but I know he was p'ed off.

Samb and AJ led the Pistons in +- at 14, but Samb was only in for five and a half minutes, while AJ played nearly 30. Impressive.

I didn't see any shots of McHale on camera, but I know he was p'ed off.

And, conversely, Joe D. was one happy camper.

win with just the bench:stirthepot:woot! :hoops:

I didn't see any shots of McHale on camera, but I know he was p'ed off.


TWolves are in a race for ping pong balls. Winning games doesn't help this cause.

27 points for Stuckey, many of them clutch in this 94-90 win. 12-13 at the line, and about 7-14. One triple made. He got to the basket several times, looking pretty spectacular on occasion. He made several outside shots. Looked good playing D on their star too. Billups did not play, so Stuckey got the start. He did almost all his damage in the 2nd half.

We were down 21 in this game early. Not because Sheed, Billups, and Rip did not play. But because of who we did let play. Like Hayes. How about Dyess and Theo paired up to start the game. Not that these two are bad players, but the game was moving way too fast for them. But hey, quick guys got to play plenty later in the game. (We started Stuckey, Hayes, Tay, Theo, Dyess. A very slow unit matched up with a very high energy Minnesota team.)

Like Afflalo. He came on and started playing some really nice D. Like Samb and Amir, who held the middle so well for the 2nd half of the 2nd quarter that Minnesota barely scored at all. (Like 2 points or so.) Jason Maxiell. Well, he proved kind of short here and there, but at least he gets to all the plays.

We sealed the deal with the following unit out there: Stuckey, Afflalo, Tay, Amir, JMAX. Now thats some high quality players.

Back to that 2nd quarter. Herrmann was in the game too as we got right back into the game. He did not look great on D, but he was hustling all over the place. Somehow he was effective. He had quite a shot go in, a one handed floater from the baseline. He made a three. I think he ended up with about 11 or 13 for the game. Not bad. He certainly impressed more than Hayes. (Although in Hayes defense, Herrmann got to play with the highly active Samb and Amir backing him up, rather than the slow pair of Dyess and Theo that Hayes was saddled with.)

Dixon was also in there, and although his defense did not look too great, it was good enough for us to have that major defensive stand. And he scored some hoops.

That was mostly a unit of Stuckey at point, Afflalo and Dixon coming in and out of the game at shooting guard, Herrmann, Amir, Samb. Samb helped the comeback with a made 17 footer. (We got it back to within 5 at the half.

Theo looked ok, but slow for this game for transition D. Stuckey hit him with an assist that he converted into a made hook shot. He does seem to be able to recover back to the basket well after showing.

Tay started out by missing so many shots I thought he was on Minny's payroll. But he ended up with a pretty good game in points and assists before it was done. They say he anchored the 2nd unit guys out there. Well, maybe, but maybe they did not need an anchor down. I say, Tay could have sat this one out, and we would have still won it by simply putting Amir in to start at small forward.

Dyess hit an outside shot, got inside for a score. Otherwise just poor D and some bricks laid. He was in there during a bit of a run though mid-third quarter after we got Amir Johnson into the game to replace Theo.
Amir played plenty. A spectacular block. Some not so spectacular. A steal. Lots of getting to their shooter before they could do anything. Some offensive rebound putbacks. And suprisingly, Amir and Samb, these two supposed light weights, sure held their own tonight. Kind of surprised not to see Samb play more in the 2nd half. Oh, thats right, they are trying to play Theo into shape. Samb can, and should, play.

I see there is some doubt about this strategy to let the bench play. It is the right way to go. Our four key guys on the bench, Stuckey, Maxiell, Amir, and Afflalo, need floor time majorly. Samb needs time too. Theo needs to get played into shape. (Hunter too, though him playing tonight hurt us pretty bad.) Dixon? I like Dixon. I have friends who think I am nuts for ever saying anything good about the guy. I have followed him all year. Not a bad player, for an emergency guard. We simply have four guys who are better.

One thing still not done, although maybe we saw a start tonight, getting a replacement for Hayes in the rotation. Herrmann did look a lot better than Hayes in this game.
GO PISTONS!!!!!

With a game like that, time to switch to those Flip Avatars..........

TWolves are worst in the league with now 15 games lost in the 4th qtr after having a lead.

TWolves are in a race for ping pong balls. Winning games doesn't help this cause.

I don't know if that's accurate. Didn't they win something like 7 of their last 12 before this game? 7-5 is not great in the West, but it's playoff material in the East.

Generally speaking, I don't see how players care about the lottery. Who knows if they will be around next season? Why should I tank, risking my chances of getting good money, simply to help my current franchise get a better pick? Players that would purposely tank for the team either have incredibly good job security or are just dumb.

TWolves are in a race for ping pong balls. Winning games doesn't help this cause.


I know, but sometimes you want to beat the reallllllll good teams and after you blow a big lead to some inconsistent scrubs, you are upset for a few minutes...until you go look at the standings again and :)

This win may have been bigger than the win over the Cavs...

Biggest regular season win in the entire Flip era, IMO. Impressive and here's why I really like it:
"president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told Saunders that it might be a good idea to get some of his weary veteran starters some rest."

Detroit will be tough for the Celtics to beat if the bench plays a significant role. Keep playing them. Keep the starters sharp but rested. MAYBE there IS hope.

Biggest regular season win in the entire Flip era, IMO. Impressive and here's why I really like it:
"president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told Saunders that it might be a good idea to get some of his weary veteran starters some rest."

Detroit will be tough for the Celtics to beat if the bench plays a significant role. Keep playing them. Keep the starters sharp but rested. MAYBE there IS hope.







You`re trying to be funny aren`t you????

Samb and AJ led the Pistons in +- at 14, but Samb was only in for five and a half minutes, while AJ played nearly 30. Impressive.

I'm not sure if Minny scored while Samb was in the game. I think they got fouled a few times, but missed all the FT's.

I don't know if that's accurate. Didn't they win something like 7 of their last 12 before this game? 7-5 is not great in the West, but it's playoff material in the East.

Generally speaking, I don't see how players care about the lottery. Who knows if they will be around next season? Why should I tank, risking my chances of getting good money, simply to help my current franchise get a better pick? Players that would purposely tank for the team either have incredibly good job security or are just dumb.


Well we know Riley is tanking, playing d-leagures and 10 day contract guys. So far the Heat are four games ahead of the Sonics and six or so ahead of menphis and Minny for the right to have the most ping pong balls.

Riles knows that #1's can lead to Championships as the Lakers took Magic #1 in 79 and Worthy #1 in 82 and he rode it to 5 rings in the eighties.....

Well we know Riley is tanking, playing d-leagures and 10 day contract guys. So far the Heat are four games ahead of the Sonics and six or so ahead of menphis and Minny for the right to have the most ping pong balls.

Riles knows that #1's can lead to Championships as the Lakers took Magic #1 in 79 and Worthy #1 in 82 and he rode it to 5 rings in the eighties.....

And Spurs got Duncan which led to a few ships as well.
... and Orlando got O'Neal.

That was a lot of fun to watch wasn't it?

Good to see the young guys feel responsible for the outcome. You can tell that Stuckey is a gamer.

That game was a lot of fun to watch wasn't it?

Good to see the young guys feel responsible for the outcome of a game. You can tell that Stuckey is a gamer.

It became fun somewhere in the middle of the 2nd quarter. Until than it was worse than Miami game - pure garbage.

Yeah, the 1st quarter was stale. But that's understandable. Very impressive comeback considering the game had no real meaning for us. It wasn't easy either as Minny kept pulling away.

Yeah, the 1st quarter was stale. But that's understandable. Very impressive comeback considering the game had no real meaning for us. It wasn't easy either as Minny kept pulling away.

Waddaya mean no meaning? With this win we stay 1.5 games up on the Spurs and Hornets our potential finals foes who also won tonight and now 3 up on the Lakers:lecturer:

Waddaya mean no meaning? With this win we stay 1.5 games up on the Spurs and Hornets our potential finals foes who also won tonight and now 3 up on the Lakers:lecturer:

And Minni wasn't gonna shoot 72% for the entire game. Once they got back to earth, Pistons got closer and closer.

New SuperStar in the making - Rodney Stucky. Especially impressive 4th quarter savy displayed out there by him to go along with his 27 points. Thats something you either have or you don't - he has it. I am glad it came down to the wire just so we could see that.

New SuperStar in the making - Rodney Stucky. Especially impressive 4th quarter savy displayed out there by him to go along with his 27 points. Thats something you either have or you don't - he has it. I am glad it came down to the wire just so we could see that.


Now if he can only do that against the Celtics...

I'm going to watch the second half today, missed it last night.

Was chat ok?

Yeah, it was fine. We had a great time with the comeback.

I don't know if that's accurate. Didn't they win something like 7 of their last 12 before this game? 7-5 is not great in the West, but it's playoff material in the East.

Generally speaking, I don't see how players care about the lottery. Who knows if they will be around next season? Why should I tank, risking my chances of getting good money, simply to help my current franchise get a better pick? Players that would purposely tank for the team either have incredibly good job security or are just dumb.

I didn't say the players were tanking. I just said McHale might not be disappointed with the loss.

You`re trying to be funny aren`t you????

Look at the big picture...

If Joe is calling the shots and the bench is trusted to go in when needed and capable of holding down the fort or now and then getting us back in a game, the Pistons actually have a chance in the later rounds of the playoffs.

A single victory over the Celtics or any other team during the regular season is one victory no matter how you slice it. Our starters outplayed their starters for one game. Ho hum...been there done that. I've seen how that story ends.

I like this game. You got a better one in mind? Not more exciting or against a better club, but one that carried more potential meaning?

this game was impressive because we fought back and our young guys 'learned' how to win. they had a couple situations where they tied the score but minnesota immediately came back with a 3-point play. they couldn't get over the hump...but they kept pushing and pushing and finally broke through, took the lead, and managed to hold it and close out the game.

McCoskey has a bit (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080402/SPORTS0102/804020391/1127) about the starters sitting, and AA still coming off the bench last night:

Billups, Hamilton and Wallace will have five days off before playing against New Jersey on Friday. Within those five days, they will have two and possibly three full practices.

"It's good," Billups said of the game off. "I am going to pick and choose a couple, just to get a little rest and relaxation. But, with eight games left, I plan on playing most of them just to try and be ready for the playoffs."

Saunders didn't think any player would sit out more than two games.

Rodney Stuckey started in place of Billups, and Jarvis Hayes got the nod in Hamilton's spot. Saunders said he chose to bring Arron Afflalo off the bench to match him up with Timberwolves sixth man Rashad McCants.

Looks like I missed a great second half. :( Although, it is heartening for me to see that our young players have a lot of fight in them, not to mention the fact that they seem to possess a good deal of composure (Stuckey, AA and AJ). They're gonna be fun to watch down the road.

Here is Stuckey's post game interview...

nJoy!

I like the idea of shutting some guys down over the last couple of weeks of the season for a game here and there much better than dropping them the last few games and having them go into the playoffs without having played in a week. Good job there, especially with Rip who probably shouldn't play until the last four or five games.

Interesting start last night. Cowens in the hallway laid a lot of it on Jarvis not knowing how to play the two spot (probably shouldn't have been all that big a surprise since he hasn't played there all year) and that was throwing the timing of the offense off. I was never sure if the early defensive woes were due to a discombobulated Pistons team or a Minny team annoyed that Detroit was starting the second string. A good coach would have made that point to his team.

Yeah, Stuckey, Affalo, and Johnson were great, but what about Samb? 2-2 and three boards in six minutes - that's 20 and 15 over 30 minutes. I've been impressed with him every time I've seen him - he's smooth, doesn't look lost, and plays hard. Nice jumper.

And the weight is coming along. Either he doesn't look skinny any more or he just looked big in comparison to Dixon's legs, that have to be the skinniest I've even seen on an NBA player.

anybody who followed the summer league really can't be suprised with stuckeys performance last night. He lead comebacks in what 2 or 3 games? I think that if not for the hand injury combined with the fact he's playing behind one of the best all around pg's in the game he would be in the top 3 vote getters for rookie of the year.

We have atleast 2 long time starters and wouldn't at all be suprised at 3-4 out of the zoo crew. Just think what Samb is going to be in a few years and has learned how to play the game.

AJ and Stuckey are locks.... AA and Samb have a shot, and Max is a solid reserve for years to come.... Joe has a perfect blend of veterns and youth.


I do have to ask why Flip keeps making himself look the fool though, unless I am missing it in print/video somewhere Joe never comes out and says "I told Flip to do this or to that" but Flip sure lets the media know stuff isn't his idea...

Look at the big picture...

If Joe is calling the shots and the bench is trusted to go in when needed and capable of holding down the fort or now and then getting us back in a game, the Pistons actually have a chance in the later rounds of the playoffs.

A single victory over the Celtics or any other team during the regular season is one victory no matter how you slice it. Our starters outplayed their starters for one game. Ho hum...been there done that. I've seen how that story ends.

I like this game. You got a better one in mind? Not more exciting or against a better club, but one that carried more potential meaning?

I loved the game DT.

It`s just the word REST that`s bothering me, that`s all.

Can we all refrain from using the word rest?

I BEG OF YOU!!!!!!

I loved the game DT.

It`s just the word REST that`s bothering me, that`s all.

Can we all refrain from using the word rest?

I BEG OF YOU!!!!!!

I did like the way the sorta framed it... that at this point with the days off they would have 2-3 solid practices and that practice at this point would be more important to our starters then playing against a lottery team "thats my part, not the articles". For the bench players crunch time mins are crunch time mins no matter who there against... I really don't see what our starters could get from playing last night, as long as there working hard in practice on things to make them better in the playoffs.

I understand the need to balance wins against how well the team will do going in. But if they do make it to the Finals and lose because they lost homecourt to a West team by 1/2 game or so then it leave everyone wondering how they could not have learned anything from 05.

Perhaps at this point though all attention has to be directed to avoiding another ECF collapse.

Yeah, max, that's why I was concerned when I heard that all 3 of the top starters would be sitting. Rip I expected because of the hip thing--surely they wouldn't need him to beat the lowly Wolves, so sitting him while they can without jeopardizing any wins makes sense. But sitting CB and Sheed as well, all at the same time? That seemed like it might be too much to overcome for a win, even against Minny.

But the great thing is that they won anyway!!

Yeah, max, that's why I was concerned when I heard that all 3 of the top starters would be sitting. Rip I expected because of the hip thing--surely they wouldn't need him to beat the lowly Wolves, so sitting him while they can without jeopardizing any wins makes sense. But sitting CB and Sheed as well, all at the same time? That seemed like it might be too much to overcome for a win, even against Minny.

But the great thing is that they won anyway!!

And if there going to sit for x amount of games... do it now not the last 2-3 games of the season... we have seen in many teams over the years that doesn't work.

And if there going to sit for x amount of games... do it now not the last 2-3 games of the season... we have seen in many teams over the years that doesn't work.

True that. Esp that the last game is at Cleveland. Win that game and get all ready for the playoffs. Treat that game as a playoff game and make it as some sort of a statement game but most important of all, stay out of any freak injuries.

I think the ket word here is rest. You get three starters some rest and the rest of the team gets some pt.

The issue is threefold, getting some R & R for the so called weary starters. Getting valuable PT for the guys who will be called on for role parts in the playoffs. They can do that without sacrificing a victory. As Max indicated yes we want to be ready for the ECF, but it would be nice to also have that HC in the finals.

Players who ride the pine most of the year want to play...and not just in garbage time. They are use to contibuting to a win that starters set up for them or a loss that they couldn't hold on to themselves. Yesterdays win was probably more exciting for the youngsters than any other win during the season because they fought back and won it on their on merits.

I don't think any of us would have complained if they had lost this game.

I have a complaint. When is Alex Acker going to get a fair chance?

I have a complaint. When is Alex Acker going to get a fair chance?

He landed in the Euroleague a season ago as one of the most impressive newcomers in recent memory, piling up numbers and leading his team to within a step of the Final Four. A year-and-a-half later, with a new role on a new team, new Fan Mail guest Alex Acker of AXA F.C. Barcelona is sacrificing numbers for success (fanmail2@euroleague.net). Acker is contributing much more than points in a lineup where everything - minutes, scoring, rebounding, defense and so on - is shared almost equally. As he looks for a second consecutive trip to the Quarterfinal Playoffs, you can ask Alex (fanmail2@euroleague.net) about his and Barcelona's chances of keeping their momentum into another round. Send him your Fan Mail (fanmail2@euroleague.net) and Alex will answer the best questions next week. Talk with the stars, right here on Euroleague.net!

Looks like he's another Tayshaun Prince.

I think the ket word here is rest. You get three starters some rest and the rest of the team gets some pt.

That`s it Bills......................:granade:

Rip, CB and Sheed rested. We have to hope that Dice gets a blow too in the next couple of games. However because of Tay's iron man inprocess streak, he gets no rest??? Tay has 348 straight starts in a row.

Do the Pistons put him out there for 5 mins and sit him for the rest of the game just to keep the streak in tact? After all if Tay never gets a nother ring or appears in an allstar game can he say that he started x number of games in a row??

AC Green played 1192 games in a row for the all time.record ...Tay is up to 403 straight games or so right now..heck he played in the summer games last year too...this guy may be worned out by second round...

Rip, CB and Sheed rested. We have to hope that Dice gets a blow too in the next couple of games. However because of Tay's iron man inprocess streak, he gets no rest??? Tay has 348 straight starts in a row.

Do the Pistons put him out there for 5 mins and sit him for the rest of the game just to keep the streak in tact? After all if Tay never gets a nother ring or appears in an allstar game can he say that he started x number of games in a row??

AC Green played 1192 games in a row for the all time.record ...Tay is up to 403 straight games or so right now..heck he played in the summer games last year too...this guy may be worned out by second round...
I agree that Tay and Dyess need a blow. Maybe have tay play 15 minutes in a game - pull him halfway through the 1st and then halfway through the 3rd. Dyess has been more effective with his minutes cut.

Rest assured, now that the starters have had a full season together to click, it's time for the rest of the team to get some minutes. It will be important for the kids to have some experience, especially if we make it to the finals. Many of the Rest Coast teams have very athletic benches.

I have a complaint. When is Alex Acker going to get a fair chance?

Give it some time. Once the rest of the league wises up I am pretty sure we will start seeing entire starting lines comprised of Piston 2nd round draft picks.

I have a complaint. When is Alex Acker going to get a fair chance?


Always good to have hope...:)

Flip has a chance to make some history of his own. Throughout his career he has been known for to wear his teams out. With a little luck this year, he might be able to kill all momentum and continuity by sitting some players for long periods of time and wear some guys down by not sitting them.

That being said, I think what he is doing now is the way to go. You got to play the youngsters these last few weeks to have them ready to go in the playoffs. The NBA season is notoriously short. It would have been stupid to give these guys time in November. The games are too important and really, I'd take the chances of a player improving over a 2 week span versus 6 months any day.

Give it some time. Once the rest of the league wises up I am pretty sure we will start seeing entire starting lines comprised of Piston 2nd round draft picks.
Hey, why not, especially if they are that good.
:hoops: