Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard

The two bottom-dwellers in the Eastern Conference went to overtime last night with our boys ultimately prevailing. I think this is a prelude to what we can expect over the course of the season considering the level of competition, but NOT taking into account the inevitable improvement of our higher profile young players. Ivey and Duren look like keepers. I just wish we'd learn to play better team defense, though the league and officiating seem to be "conspiring" against it, something I obviously can't prove.

Defensively, other than occasional single game exceptions, the Pistons are inept.

Dwane the Doofus Casey needs to be shown the door at the end of the season. A lump of coal could coach this team and get the same level of production. The squad has no hunger to win except in games against marquee opponents. Most other nights, they play poor team basketball.

They aren't trying to win, they're trying to develop. Maybe Casey isn't the right guy, but that's a call Weaver will have to make. Maybe Casey is functioning as a Blashill type of shepherding through the building young talent phase.

Matt wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 17, 2022 10:31 am

They aren't trying to win, they're trying to develop. (...) Maybe Casey is functioning as a Blashill type of shepherding through the building young talent phase.

That's always been my impression and understanding. It's unfortunate that the team's best young player will miss a complete season of "seasoning" as last year it was clear this was becoming "his" team.

I just read a story where the Hornets coach was bemoaning his team's lack of team defense as I've been doing with the young Pistons. I just hope Casey keeps drilling its importance into their heads.

They aren't trying to win, they're trying to develop.

Saddiq Bey's performance has regressed, Cade Cunningham was shooting very poorly from long range before his injury, and Beef Stew and Killian Hayes each look like a rookie out there at times.

The development of the third year players in particular in comparison to their rookie seasons underwhelms me immensely.

Casey is not getting the job done.

I'm not sure Tradin' Troy is the right guy for the GM gig, either. He will need to make big moves in terms of starting caliber talent acquisition prior to next season to convince me otherwise. He'll have the cap room to do it.

When you blow a nineteen point lead and give up over forty in the third quarter out of halftime, something is amiss.

Definitely. A truly disgraceful performance defensively.

The Pistons shit the bed in the third quarter again last night and wound up losing to the Hawks by 25 points.

Fuck Dwane Casey.

According to ESPN, since 1990 in the NBA when a team has a 14-point lead with three minutes left in the game, the overall record for the team with the lead is over 12,000 to 2. Now it's over 12,000 to 3.

A Dwane Casey firing would make a swell late Christmas gift.

moldyoldie wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 27, 2022 9:06 am

According to ESPN, since 1990 in the NBA when a team has a 14-point lead with three minutes left in the game, the overall record for the team with the lead is over 12,000 to 2. Now it's over 12,000 to 3.

What’s incredible to me is they were down 15 before they roared back and went on an insane run to get to that 14 point lead. Ouch.

Pistons were outscored 30-5 after their 3-minute-left lead. OUCH.

There's a stud big man playing in France, Victor Wembanyama, who's 7'4" 230 lbs. with a 7'9" wingspan who's fluid and can shoot. He'd look good in a Pistons uniform next season. At present he's projected to be taken #1 overall in next year's draft. Is it too early to be thinking lottery again?

Is he a decent defender? How effective is he under man to man pressure? At 230 lbs, he's a string bean at that height. I'm afraid he'll get pushed around easily.

MWmetalhead wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:34 pm

Is he a decent defender? How effective is he under man to man pressure? At 230 lbs, he's a string bean at that height. I'm afraid he'll get pushed around easily.

Chet Holmgren, drafted second overall by the Thunder out of Gonzaga, is listed at 7"1' and 190 lb. Now, he is a beanpole. He suffered a lisfranc injury in camp and had season-ending surgery.

230 lb. at 7'4" is lithe, but not a beanpole like Holmgren or Manute Bol who was listed at 7'7" and 200 lb.

I should add Wembanyama is variously listed between 7'2" and 7'4" and his wingspan between 7'9" and 8 feet. There are a few feature and highlight videos on YouTube. He reminds me a bit of Ralph Sampson with the fluid moves and shot of George Gervin. I know, I'm showing my age.