Detroit Pistons 2021/22

[MotorCityRadioFreak]

It's really hard to get motivated in watching the NBA because of the lack of defense any time I do watch, the Pistons are no exception. If my former college classmate wasn't the GM of the Bucks, I would totally check out.

[moldyoldie]

As for Dwane Casey (there is no "y" in his first name, I've finally learned), he still stinks. His coaching prowess was on full display when the Wizards outscored the Pistons in an 18-0 run in the 4th quarter of a recent game, a game that the Pistons wound up losing by a few points. He sat Cunningham, Bey and Grant for too long.

I'm not privy to the game or the circumstances, but it sounds like a case of 4th quarter foul trouble.

[moldyoldie]

Last night's win against the Sixers was one of the most exciting and entertaining games of the season -- talk about a team win! Dee-fense, baby!

Recent acquisition Marvin Bagley III has been looking more and more like a "keeper". Unfortunately, he sustained what looked like a severe hip pointer last night and may be suspect the rest of the season. We've already lost #1 scorer Jeremi Grant and Hamidou Diallo.
Killian Hayes is dynamite off the bench, averaging over ten points a game since being relegated to bench duty and he's been a demon on defense!

Let's see how they respond in tonight's second of back-to-back games.

[Matt]

It doesn't make sense to lose games. A team has to learn to win, especially when there is no guarantee that their draft pick is going to be any better.

[moldyoldie]

The Pistons hitting on all cylinders ( ) so late in the season when all is lost seems to be the team's modus operandi in recent years.

Depending on who they land or are targeting in the draft, the trade of Grant may be a foregone conclusion. Whether or not you think he's a ball hog, every team needs a "scorer" -- he is ours...for now. I can easily see Cunningham taking that role.

[Matt]

Saddiq Bey isn't a scorer? He plays team basketball much better than Grant, and he's very young to boot.

Pistons lost 10 of 11 to finish last season, so not sure I agree with your first remark. That worked out great, I might add. We wound up with the #1 pick.

The #1 pick you were shitting on early in the season...

[moldyoldie]

Saddiq Bey isn't a scorer? He plays team basketball much better than Grant, and he's very young to boot.

Pistons lost 10 of 11 to finish last season, so not sure I agree with your first remark. That worked out great, I might add. We wound up with the #1 pick.

They may have lost, but I recall them playing good basketball with their young future core of Bey, Stewart, Hayes, Lee; et al. garnering large minutes as the season wore down. Griffin was gone and veterans like Plumlee mostly rode the bench in favor of youth. Just like this season, no one was expecting a winning team.

Bey needs to be more consistent to be the team's "scorer". I see a "scorer" as a go-to guy who can get a basket on his own by hook or crook. He must be able to do it by sheer will with the basketball in his hands and the game on the line. I'm seeing that lately in Cunningham and Grant has been doing it since he's been here. Bey can certainly become that guy with more consistency. A "scorer" usually leads his team in free throw attempts as he's more than willing to drive the lane or go hard to the rim putting his body on the line. I distinguish a "scorer" from merely a "shooter".

[Matt]

This is why people don't trust the media:

The Detroit Pistons have run their postseason winless streak to 14 years, but hope is bountiful and the vibes are improving, thanks to the rise of rookie sensation Cade Cunningham.

They were in the playoffs three years ago, although it is true they haven't won a playoff game since the aughts - they simply haven't had many opportunities.