Help Is On Its Way

For the past few weeks, the Pistons is no different than the Sesnon Fire that occured last year here in Socal.

The group of fire fighter = The shorthanded Pistons

The Mayor/Gov = Joe Dumars/Michael Curry

DC-10 jet fire fighter = Rip, AI and Wallace

Wind = The lingering injuries between Rip, AI and Wallace

Well, its a similar situations. The shorthanded Pistons could only do so much to ease the fire. Dumars and Curry cannot do or demand to put out the fire since the lingering injuries is like a wind that gust throughout the fire that prevents Rip, AI and Wallace to completely put out the fire.

Today, that wind has left and the jet fighters are about to take off. Finally, a breathing moment.

From Detroit News

AUBURN HILLS -- For the first time in at least a couple of weeks, Arnie Kander is seeing real progress with his three wounded warriors, to the point where two of them might be ready to play by Saturday.
Kander, the Pistons physical therapist, has been running a sort of boot camp for Allen Iverson (back), Rasheed Wallace (calf) and Richard Hamilton (groin) the past couple of days and he came away very encouraged from the session Thursday morning.
"They all ran and they all looked good," Kander said. "There was real progress today and I am hoping that Rip and Rasheed can be back by the weekend."
Coach Michael Curry said the same thing.
"I expect Rip back on Saturday (in Washington) and 'Sheed maybe Saturday," he said.
"And we hope we can get Allen back at the beginning of next week."
Coach Michael Curry said the same thing.
Wallace missed his ninth game Thursday and Hamilton his sixth.
Iverson, who missed his 15th, isn't as close to returning, though Kander said he had one of his best days Thursday.
"He really shot the ball well," Kander said. "He was hitting 90 percent of his shots in the drills we were running.
"He looks good. I don't know if he will play Saturday, but maybe he will be ready when we get back (Sunday)."
The Pistons are 2-7 since Wallace joined Iverson on the injured list.
They are 1-6 with all three players out.

Darkest Hour

When the Pistons has fallen to their eight consecutive loss a few weeks ago, the news around the Pistons land was "its over". That changed in matter of less than 48 hours after beating the NBA champion Celtics, sweeping the Magic in the regular season and winning a game against their former floor general Chauncey BIllups' Nuggets. Yesterday, things has started to slip again after losing two consecutive game against a non-playoff contender, the Knicks and the Grizzlies. However, the two losing streak were all fair-considered that it wouldn't take away their hopes, their confidence and their determination that as the Pistons' "It's time to work" attitude will once again prevail, not until they found out what's bothering their leading scorer and leading in assist has been enduring. Rip has been lingering his groin injury which explains why his shooting slump began to be a concern for the past two games. This was reported right before the game against the Dallas on the road. After dropping on the seventh playoff spot every game is critical that this has to be the darkest hour the Pistons have encountred this season with Rip, Wallace and A.I. out of the line up.

Finding the Identity

The Pistons are currently caught in a double intensity spike. They are short two of their key players, Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson. At the same time, they are in the midst of finding their identify completely, a person that's been awaken from a coma and starting to remember what's his/her capable of. They have won six of their last eight games, including a win over Boston and a couple of games against Orlando, who they may be facing in the first round playoffs. However, the other benefit of the past several wins are the revival of the Pistons cast, including the bench players and most notably Antonio McDyess and Richard Hamilton.

Got Rip?

Eversince Rip returned to the starting line up, their last eight games created a different outlook on the scoreboard, or rather, their opponents' averaging less than 95 points per game (94.5). Defensive effort is clearly there and just like what I've been rallying all season, that Rip may not be a hall of famer (yet), but he has a definite advantage over AI in the defensive end. At the same time you can't count him out on scoring because the old Rip that's been seen for the last six season in Detroit once again lead the team, not only in scoring but in assist. When Rip gets into a constant running mode, the opposing team has few options, either avoid the screener (the Power Forward or Center) which is practically impossible especially on the speed that Rip's generates. Another option would be to allow the screener's (whoever's guarding Wallace, Dyess, Max or Kwame) guard to switch and guard Rip. Consequently this will free up Pistons' frontcourt, which in Pistons case, Dyess would love to take that mid range shot and Sheed beyond the arc. Before you knew it, the opponents' defense has been scrambled. Rip may not be able to create his own shot off the dribble like Lebron or Kobe, but he can disrupt the teeth of the opponents defense. This is where Rip's assist stat came from.

Rolling the Dyess

While Rip is too busy on constant motion Dyess is too busy putting up some boards number, not to mention hustling on lose balls. "In my mind, if the ball comes off the boards, I'm going to get it. No matter who it is, I'm going to get the rebound." Having a mind set like that before entering a game is something, but its another thing applying it throughout the whole game. The man is on a mission, playing the game with his heart and his blood and sweat written all over the court just trying to keep the ball alive. And when he's not grabbing rebounds? He's shooting a high percentage mid range shot.

Bench In the Making

Walter Hermann is the first notable bench player that created some threat to the opposing team. With his ability to shoot above the arc and create his own shot below or close to the rim, gave Michael Curry the idea that he should be in the line up rotation. When Curry mention that he fits perfectly with Prince, that pretty much gave away that he'll be in the rotation. Another notable bench player is Will Bynum. His fearless attacking his opponent and taking it to the rim is something that Curry has been drumming, "attack and get to foul line". The norms but are now beginning to show some "zoo crew" life are Max, Kwame and Afflalo. With Amir trying to find his feet back on the gas pedal and everybody else on the bench, a hall of famer is soon to comeback. Chauncey Billups may have named the Zoo Crew, but in most games they played he really never led them. Maybe a guy who loves to push the tempo, loves to attack and able to create his own may just be what the young legs Zoo Crew needs.

NOTE: Detroit Pistons owner and Hall of Famer Bill Davidson passed away, age 86. You'll be missed

The Drama Begins

On the Pistons' eight consecutive loss, voices that has been kept for several weeks has been yelled out. This began during the fourth quarter of the game against the New Orleans. Wallace couldn't control his temper and earned himself a quick consecutive technical fouls. Pretty offensive to the refs, to the New Orleans fans and even to Curry and his teammates. Wallace basically handed the game to the Hornets with technicals he committed cost them seven points. The fact that Pistons loss by only three points, is an evident that Pistons could've won the game if Wallace would've controlled his temper.

After the game, the drama continued by a voice that a few weeks ago was willing to come off the bench as long as its for the benefit of helping the team to win. A sacrifice that was smart and unselfish where in the workplace is called work ethic. I'm talking about Richard Hamilton. He finally said it, what everyone has been suggesting that he shouldn't be in the bench, he's not happy and things aren't going well for the team. "Something has to give" were one of his exact words. You can't get anymore accurate than that. When something has been done for awhile producing bad result, normally, the natural reaction is to change how it's being done to try to produce a better result. That's it! That's all what Rip is saying.

When Rip came off the bench and average close to twenty points a game, it sounded pretty inspiring. Not so true. Regardless of how much points Rip makes even if its 30+ points, the points allowed to the opponents is much worse. If A.I. is in the starting line up with Stuckey, it's been an evidence that Pistons' defensive scheme is horrible. Pick and roll is almost impossible to cover. A.I. is too easy to clamp a screen by the opponent and its almost impossible for Wallace and Dyess to recover from it, leaving the ball handler cruise to the paint or bounce pass it to the screener. If either way was covered, which barely happens with A.I. getting screened, the defensive scheme has already been scrambled. Teams with fast guards are primary examples...Tony Parker, CP3, Dwade etc.

The other defensive liability that could collapse if AI is in the starting line up is teams with bigger guards. This is no rocket scientist for any coach to figure it out. In fact, fans could easily point out. Consequently, Dyess and Wallace would have to provide help coverage which leaves the paint open for a second chance points or at least an offensive rebound, where Pistons have been hurt. Normally, most people would think that AI's scoring ability would provide a great offense for a Pistons considering it has a cast that could score 20 or 30 points a night, not so true. Pistons' cast Wallace, Rip, Prince, Stuckey and Dyess are accustomed to sharing the ball with a blue print offensive scheme. With AI commanding the ball to iniate his offense, the rest of the staring line up began to wonder what they needed to do that they end up literally just standing around and waiting for what AI might do, take a shot, bail out, or dishing it. Pistons has yet to leart this type of blue print and may be difficult considering the time they spent with AI and with a guidance of a rookie coach. AI running the offense for the starting line up is an experiment like a time bomb.

On the other hand, AI's offensive threat has been acknowledge by the league, all his awards were not a coincident of any kind. He's a remarkable player, who attacks the basket, players, regardless of the opponents size considering AI's small and short frame. Flashes of AI's scoring dynamic were mostly demonstrated during his time in Philly, where he was the reigning captain and leader of the sixers. This leads me to suggest that his insertion to the second line up would rejuvenate his dynamic talent when hes surrounded by players who hustles more than what people think. Afflalo is a ruthless defender to guards and in the 3 position who has a great shooting range. Amir Johnson's capability of running down the court that could easily blend in with AI's run and gun style. Maxiell's explosiveness of rebounds, blocks and dunks. Hermann's long range beyond the arc. Bynum's fast pace ball handling and Kwame's young legs and wide size that could defend the paint.


With the starting line up Stuckey, Rip, Prince, Dyess and Sheed, the Pistons will have an offensive flow that's familiar to them and a man-to-man defense is a walk in the park. With AI leading the second unit of Kwame, Amir/Max, Hermann/Afflalo and Bynum may just be one of the dangerous second unit in the league.

7!

Seven, is the current losing streak Pistons are in. Pretty pathetic, yet, there's really nothing to say rather than trying to make this fun, where real fans must still have. Rather than looking anything positive about the situation, the only fun thing to do is to count. SEVEN!!! In less than 24 hours, we'll find out if it gets to 8 or back to zero tomorrow in New Orleans.

On Curry's Offensive Playbook

Just got back from Big Bear Cali and I was expecting the Pistons have won a game during Saturday, that is if they had a game, apparently they didn't which gives me a chance to see a game against the Cavs, what a treat. Not! It's 39 seconds left at the end of first half and the score is 65-31 Pistons down. Amazing, yet expected.

Not that I'm jumping out of the Curry's bandwagon, but I'm convince that his offensive playbook has to be very ridiculus. How can a team with having one of the greatest offensive player (A.I.) in the league unable to get set to score? How can Wallace (the only guy who's reliable above the arc this season) began stalling on scoring both inside and outside? How can Prince barely participate in the offensive stat after being the most consistent player for the last six season? How can Stuckey, the number one offensive threat from Washington unable to score decently? To top it, the Zoo Crew has completely been wipe out in the air, Maxiell, Amir and Afflalo can only score because of their hustle and almost for just being at the right place at the right time. This concludes that Curry's offensive playbook has been written all over the continuous losing skid of the Pistons. In other words, having A.I., Rip, Wallace, Prince, Stuckey and McDyess as the guaranteed players on the rotation producing one of the worst scoring points is clearly unacceptable. He's offensive playbook is beyond terrible.

1!

One more day and every team in the NBA this season will have to go to war (playoffs) with what they got, that is offcourse if you are chosen to go to it.

• Speaking of making it to the playoffs, the Pistons are in danger of losing that spot....a lost to a crappy team at home is a really bad sign...just few games ahead to the last spot
• After a lost to the Bucks, I'm convince Joe is working the phone for a trade.....otherwise, he'll have to watch the Pistons swim or drown
• The Curry bandwagon is extremely beginning to hit the big bumps throwing everybody out
• The only exact same thing that I've seen this season from the last few season are Dyess and Rip.....to sum up in one word, Consistency. The rest, at this point are pretty questionable. What's going on?
• At this point there's only two ways if the Pistons are to win enough games to make it to the playoffs. First is if Joe D makes a trade before the deadline and get a similar result when Rasheed Wallace came or even better similar to Paul Gasol coming to LA. The other way is Joe doesn't make any trade and just hope the Pistons finally turns it up, but again this has been the hopes from the beginning of the season.