This is my first thread started, and I wanted it to be in the Pistons forum. After an excellent start to the season, where the Pistons were possibly one of the top 3 teams in the league (Behind the Lakers and Pacers) for the first few weeks things have changed. Over the past 10 games we have gone 3-7. However, even before that when were getting wins we were hardly squeking by playing at the opponents level instead of our level. Now, I know the main reason is inconsistency, but what was this caused by? Our roster has not changed (I don't consider losing Linsey Hunter to injury a change) but we are struggling. At the beginning we were regarded as one of the deepest teams, having a roster of: PG: Billups/Atkins SG: Hamilton/Sura SF: Prince/Fowlkes PF: Wallace/Corliss C: Okur/Elden/Zelly However, almost none of our bench has produced and we sit at 3rd place in the Central at 17-13, after being 14-6. (From a .636 winning percentage to a .566) In our recent slump, we did not play any extremely good teams compared to the beginning when we had our road trip to the West. Now, what do you think has caused this problem? Our inconsistency has to be derived from somewhere, is it the coach? Players? Bad luck? The new system? Finally, what would you do about the slump, make any roster changes? Change the rotation? I think that it has been caused mostly because of the coach and the new system. The players are still learning the system and are only starting to understand what the coach wants them to do on the court. However, this should not explain what has happened to our shooting? Our whole team cannot hit shots, for over 12 games! Billups cannot find his shot, Prince can't shoot 3's anymore, Ben just needs to pass the ball away, Hamilton isn't moving as well anymore (although he has been on a small hot streak lately) I think to get out of the slump we need to make some changes. First, cut Fowlkes, he isn't helping anybody. Move Corliss back to the 3 where he is most effective. At the empty spot at the 4, put Darko in and let him learn. His past two games he has shown that he regained some confidence (after blowing the dunk against Cleveland) and that he can do some things on the court. He passes the ball, which Wallace for some reason can't do anymore, he just has to take those fadeaways. After all of this, our lineup would be: PG: Billups/Atkins SG: Hamilton/Sura SF: Prince/Corliss PF: Wallace/Darko C: Okur/Elden/Zelly This does not look to change a lot, but Corliss will be much more effective and provide some more scoring. Not to mention that minutes would not be wasted playing Fowkles. Finally, I would play Elden over Zelly, which has not happened recently and try to restrict the minutes Sura, Elden, and Zelly get unless they have a hot hand that night. This should help the Pistons out. So, what would you do?
A trade I feel is needed to get a good spot up shooter or a good overall rounded player like Shane Battier.Something needs to happen as right now they look bad on offense.They look lost most of the time...When the 4th quarter arrives I don't feel that confident as you know a scoring drought will likely happen....Clearly Billups performances have been poor to what he was doing early in the season..He was looking like an all-star during the 14-6 start.Something has changed in his game and in someway Larry Brown has something to do with that...Brown is trying to make the players play different kind of basketball compared to what Carisle did the year before.
I think the difference between Brown and Carlisle is that Brown institutes his system into every team and doesn't care about the players strengths. Carlisle only plays to the players strengths, and only needs to learn to let them have more freedom on offense. The difference in playing styles are just too great and I guess that is what is ruining the team. Well Brown is going to do something about the problems! http://www.detnews.com/2003/pistons/0312/29/c04-20724.htm Of course, I have never heard of a worse idea, it is Michael Curry reborn! Still, I have to trust Brown, at least for 10 more games.
I love Larry Brown but he might change Big Ben in a bad way, making him take those shots, however if they're made, it'll be great for Big Ben when the time of the top 100 NBA Players of all time comes around. I watch their games alot so please correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't seen them lately, especially when I say use Williamson more. They probably do use him alot, so just correct me if you please if I'm wrong.
Unless Darko or Memo blossoms into a dominant low-post scoring threat (or one is aquired through sign or trade) then Ben Wallace will have to go. THe Pistons do not have the offensive firepower to make up for Wallace on O. Reality says however that this team is built for the next 3 season and not this one. All the key players are locked up, and if Dumars manages to resign Memo, then the core is in place. If Darko pans out (which I believe he will) then we will make our run with him. If not, all the keyplayers on this team have very tradeable contracts. So if necessary it would be easy to blow the team up and make a monster deal or two. Reality says that the moves will be smallish in nature until the Front Office feels it has a good read on Darko or spots an oppertunity too good to pass up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PyroManiac:</div><div class="quote_post">I think to get out of the slump we need to make some changes. First, cut Fowlkes, he isn't helping anybody. Move Corliss back to the 3 where he is most effective. At the empty spot at the 4, put Darko in and let him learn. His past two games he has shown that he regained some confidence (after blowing the dunk against Cleveland) and that he can do some things on the court. He passes the ball, which Wallace for some reason can't do anymore, he just has to take those fadeaways. After all of this, our lineup would be: PG: Billups/Atkins SG: Hamilton/Sura SF: Prince/Corliss PF: Wallace/Darko C: Okur/Elden/Zelly </div> I really like these ideas. What do you think about starting Corliss over Tayshaun? I think that Corliss' play has really been more effective and he's earned the spot. Giving Darko playing time is also a good idea, I haven't seen enough of him to even know what he can do. I almost think he would have gotten more time with Carlisle, and he ignores rookies. I wonder if the Pistons could get a good center for Elden and Zelly, and then have Okur back him up. Okur is so inconsistent, and the other guys aren't doing well at all. I don't know if this is something Joe D is considering, but if they want to go far in the playoffs they'll have to get some better position players.
Well, I don't think that Corliss would start for the simple reason that he doesn't play defense and that he doesn't go after rebounds enough. I'm tired of watching him just stand there as Ben jumps from halfway across the court trying to grab the rebound. I think having Corliss play the 3 instead of the 4 is a good start. They are baby steps. I don't think anybody wants Zelly and Elden. If we package Atkins or Corliss in that deal then we might be able to receive somebody that is not useless. As for Darko, he needs playing time for a few reasons. First, he needs PT to get better and get used to the game. Second, he needs PT to keep Elden and Zelly out of the game as much as possible and prevent Corliss from playing at the 4. Finally, he deserves PT because he has actually played very well the last few games.
And right after you say that Corliss goes out and gets a double double! Think maybe he reads this stuff?
Well, if he does then it just makes him a better player. He should read some more, and tell Brown to read the board too, we all want Darko!
