Finally back in the W Column

The Pistons finally got back on the right track last night against Indiana. This team shouldn't be tough to beat when you look at the Pacers record, but anytime a player on the opposing team goes for 40+, in this case Danny Granger, it can be a long night. Granger has really emerged as a premiere player this season. Especially when he plays against Detroit. He had 33 against us on opening night and went for a carereer high 42 last night.
Rodney Stuckey continued to impress me last night with his all around game. It's ibvious he's been working on his shot as well. He was 4 for 5 from behind the long line. And when he wasn't dropping bombs from downtown, he continued his relentless assault on the rim, driving to the lane and finishing. If we could just get some more consistent defense every night, I think this team will be fine. Hopefully, they are coming out of those growing pains.

3 losses and counting...

I'll say it again, what is happening to this team? Ever since the trade for Iverson, this team has looked nothing short of terrible. The offensive flow is gone, the defense is lax, and the intensiy that was brought by Billups is gone. We have now lost 3 games in a row. They have all come to losing teams in the Eastern Conference. These are teams that the rest of the league is dominating, and we were supposed to be one of those top 5 elite teams. I have never doubted Dumars decision making in the past. I find it very hard to believe this team can contend for a championship. Unless, this move clears the cap space for next season and lands the likes of LeBron James or Amare Stoudemire, you may have taken this teams last chance at championship glory away for many years to come...

A Much Needed Win!

The Pistons got a much needed win on the road against the Spurs last night. It still is very tough to figure this Piston team out. Some nights they look great, other nights, totally out of sorts. The one exciting thing to see is the continued emergence of everyone on the bench. The energy that Stuck, J-Max, AA, and Amir bring to the floor is very exciting to watch. They still have their growing pains moments, but when they get out in transition, you better look out if you are the opponent or you are bound to end up on a poster, and not in a good way. The continued stellar play of Rodney Stuckey has me wondering if maybe he should start and have Iverson come off the bench. I know it probably wouldn't sit well with Iverson, but if he wants to win as badly as he says he does, he'd probably come around to it eventually. He would still get 30-35 minutes a night, but if he was out there with the second unit, it would provide a lot of open looks for those other guys.

On a side note, we are only 4 more days away from the return of Antonio McDyess! I'm sure that Dyess will definitely add a spark back to this team as well.

This Rig is Flat!

The tires on the Piston Rig can officially be called flat! The Pistons have absolutely looked out of sorts these last couple of games. In Boston on the second half of a back to back I can kind of understand; but home for the previously winless on the road T-Pups! Are you kidding me! I wish I was. The Pistons offense has looked woeful. Everyone is standing around and waiting for something to happen; newsflash, nothing is happening! Richard Hamilton looks to be completely out of sorts. It's obvious that the AI trade has really affected his game adversely. Chauncey always knew where to deliver the ball to Rip, coming off screens and back cuts. That is just not happening now. Every time Rip gets the ball, he is having to create his own offense, this is not his forte. I'm hoping that all of this is just side effects from the trade and that they will work through all of it very soon. I'm hoping it's sooner rather than later as I will be attending the game Wednesday night against New York. I'll be sitting court side during warm ups courtesy of some special arrangements. Hopefully I'll have some good pictures to post as well as a first hand review from a Piston win! Go Pistons!

A Tale of 2 Halves

The Pistons game last night against Cleveland certainly had me scared after half number 1 as I'm sure many of you were as well. The ball seemed like it was to big for the bucket as shot after shot clanged off the rim after the Pistons quick start. However, the one good thing was they played good defense holding the Cavs to only 41 points in the first half.
The stifling defense continued in the 2nd half and Sheed and AI both started to get hot. Aaron Afflalo came in and provided great energy off the bench and played great defense on Lebron. You had a feeling when Sheed sank two very deep 3 balls that the Pistons were in control and wouldn't relinquish the lead. That proved to be the case and our boys came out victorious.
No rest for the weary however. The Pistons will travel to Boston to square off with the Celtics this evening. You can bet that we will be looking to avenge our loss to them just 10 days ago. AI has had a chance to gel a little more with his teammates and you can bet the Pistons will be looking to make a statement in back to back games. Tip off for this one will be 8pm and be televised nationally on TNT. Go Pistons!

Back 2 Work

The Pistons will be back in action tonight against the Cavaliers. This kicks off a very rough back to back with Cleveland tonight and away for Boston tomorrow. The Pistons finished a tough early season west coast trip at 3 - 1. After the game in Boston tomorrow night, they will be home for the remainder of the month.
Cleveland comes in winners of 9 straight. The Pistons are coming off a very flat performance in Phoenix on Sunday and have been off since then. I know it's early on in the season, but tonight is a statement game. The Pistons now have their superstar player in Allen Iverson to combat the star power of LeBron. Don't get me wrong, AI is no LeBron. However, when called on, he still can put 40+ in on any given night. Tonight, we may need one of those performances from AI.
Tune in to FSN Detroit for the tip @ 7:30 tonight. Go Pistons!

Tayshaun slays the Raptors

It was Tayshaun's night in Toronto. Still without newly acquired Allen Iverson and without the services of Chauncey, now traded away, Tayshaun stepped up in what was the biggest test for the Pistons on this young season. Tayshaun was hot all night from everywhere on the floor, helping the Pistons to remain undefeated at 4-0.
Coach Curry continued to show faith in the bench as they again logged heavy minutes, and meaningful minutes at that. Both Hermann and Kwame Brown were in the game with less than 5 minutes to go and the lead only at 4 points. This kind of valuable experience will prove dividends down the road I'm sure. And you can't help but be impressed with the steady point guard play from not only Rodney Stuckey, which we are expecting; but how about Will Bynum. He looks to be another solid pickup for the Pistons of guys that have been cast off by former teams. We'll gladly take his services.
Iverson will make his Piston debut Friday night in New Jersey. Tune in to FSN Detroit at 7pm to catch all of the action.