Time for change?

By: Channing Cummins


Where do we start?

Tuesday: The Pistons were routed by the Knicks 104-87, giving them their 8th straight loss. Both teams entered the matchup at 11-19, 10th in the conference. Knicks' David Lee led all players with 30 pts and 12 rebs. Wilson Chandler's 23 pts and 9 rebs along with Lee's strong performance provided the Knicks with the formula for an easy win.

The Pistons on the other hand shot a weak 42% from the field. Gordon's 17 pts lead the team and not one player had double digit rebounds. So what's the problem? Poor offense, lack of defense and loss of heart. The team also lacks the most important ingredient of all, chemistry. You would think with a seven game lossing streak and your hometown crowd,the team would lay it all on the line for a win. It didn't seem like that's what we got Tuesday. Kwame Brown was the only Piston that didn't see the floor last night, Daye's 9 minutes was the least any other player had received.

There seems to be no formula for a win now in Detroit and we're left to sit here and draw up conclusions. What is the problem? Why don't we look like a winning team anymore? Where is that "Bad Boy" spirit that we are known for, something that we've gone out and earned? My conclusion, it's time for change.

I'm tired of watching the team struggle for wins and give us no hope each and every night. It's not fun to watch our team give up 104 pts to the KNICKS or put up a total of 64 pts against the Raptors at home. I understand the team has been hurt and that will always hurt your team. However, I don't think healthy players will solve much of anything for us. Tayshaun Prince had 2 pts and 3 rebs last night in, count em, 25 minutes. Our best players of late have been 35 year old Ben Wallace and 22 year old Jonas Jerebko? WHO? Yep J.J. himself in the living flesh. We do have names like Ben Gordon, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Charlie Villanueva, Rodeny Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince. Can I see one of them go for 40 one night? I'll even take a triple double or a night full of blocks. Right now, I won't even mind if they win, I just want a reason to keep watching.

CHANGE is all I want. It might be time to deal Rip or Tay, I'm sorry. We don't have that team anymore and I'm ready to let go. They have value and I feel the time is NOW, more than ever. In return I don't ask for too much, just a starting big man. How about a center? Yep, one that can go out there every single night and provide defense, rebounds and some points. It doesn't have to be a big name, just a reliable center.

Lets let Ben Gordon start one game and launch 40 shots at the net. I just want to see what can happen? He might struggle and manage 25 points, but he MIGHT even get 40-50. He just might... Since we can't play defense right now why not play some more fast paced basketball. I know it's not the solution and will never happen, so calm down. I just want a night where we do score 120 points and it's a high octane battle. Launch a hefty amount of three pointers, get some offensive boards and fire again. It will be fun to watch and it might boost some confidence into our players. A night like any of these might give us a spark, something we desperately need.

My answer is change and I want it. Until then lets continue to watch and see what happens. Glancing at our schedule I would recommend that no one holds their breath. There doesn't seem to be much hope for a turn around so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Hard, fast, and under control

by Ron Marshall

Sometimes the sizzle is the steak. Sometimes the style is the substance. As we slowly uncover the identity of this Pistons team, it's undeniable; they have style.

Despite the evidence of their travails and growing pains, it's a winning style. This week, the Pistons have endured two tough losses, one to a Rockets team that seems to consistently overachieve, the other to a Hornets team that ... doesn't. But the unifying factor is the sense that Detroit was simply overwhelmed, just sunk by making small errors that compound quickly when more than half of your team salary is unable to take the court due to injury. Of course, the Yao-less Houston Rockets have no reason to weep for you, but the facts are what they are: the Pistons need all of their guys to be able to beat any given team on any given night.

But, if the Piston's have all of their guys, they can likely beat any given team on any given night. With nice wins against Orlando, Atlanta, and Denver, they've shown that this team can show up and secure a W even when a combination of Will Bynum, Ben Gordon, Tayshaun Prince, and Rip Hamilton are absent.

How? Call it grit. Call it hustle. Call it that Piston's DNA that has a habit of repeating itself:





Whatever it is, this squad has it. Whether it's JJ playing three, four, five, or six positions a night (dy-no-MITE!), Rip coming back to play his first game in a month-and-a-half before he even had a chance to practice, or Bynum definitely eating his vitamins, these Pistons just seem to want it.

Even as they sort out their various health and personnel issues, they've played hard; they're fourth in the NBA in rebound differential per game and ninth in steal differential per game, regularly outhustling their opponents (despite the difficiencies in their lineup) with general team quickness and the strength of Ben Wallace. Like any good Pistons squad, they play D; they are fifth in the Association in opponent's points per game. It's a testament to Coach Kue that they are seventh in not turning the ball over despite their loose style. Discipline and defense are qualities that harken back to the Play the Right Way days of Pound-for-Pound Larry Brown, and though that style may grate on players in the long run, the Pistons could use some LBs. Especially Austin.

Are they world beaters yet? New Orleans just called to tell us no -- then David West scored again. But, they are on the hustle. Can we at least appreciate them for that?

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Ron Marshall is a freelance sports writer, blogger, entrepreneur, and fan of all things Detroit. He one day hopes to buy the Detroit Lions and guide them to their first Super Bowl. Until then, you can find him here and at fanchamp.net. You may contact him at ron@mythicgroup.com or www.facebook.com/ronmarshall.

Game recap...12/15

By: Channing Cummins


On Tuesday night the Pistons put their five game winning streak on the line against the Houston Rockets. The streak would end in Houston as the Pistons fell to the Rockets 107-96. Poor shooting along with mediocre defense lead to a disappointing loss.

The story of the night was the return of Tracy McGrady, who was considered doubtful coming into the game. McGrady made his first appearance since Feb. 9, 2009 after suffering a microfracture on his left knee. He didn't have too much of an impact however, only playing a mere eight minutes and providing 3 points. The Rockets were also missing their second leading scorer, Trevor Ariza, who is serving his one game suspension. Ariza's suspension was handed down after elbowing Toronto's DeMar DeRozan.

The Rockets didn't seem to care as they held the mometum for most of the game. Aaron Brooks provided a strong performance with 23 points and 10 assists. Brooks provided a much needed boost for the entire game. Luis Scola also provided 23 points along with his 8 rebounds. Rookie Chase Budinger, Ariza's replacement, also had a key role in the Rockets win with his 16 points and 12 rebounds. This was Budinger's first career start and proved to be a memorable one.

The Pistons were lead by Richard Hamilton's 21 points, 17 of which came in the first half. Early on Rip seemed to be on pace for a huge night. He was shooting from virtually everywhere and the ball was dropping. The second half proved to be a different story for Rip, only managing to score 4 additional points. Poor 3 point shooting also lent a hand in the Pistons loss, with the team shooting 4-21 beyond the arc. A bright spot for the Pistons was their offensive rebounding, who are currently rank second in the league. Ben Wallace provided 5 of the teams 17 offensive boards. Wallace is currently 4th in the league when it comes to offensive rebounds, averaging 4.2 per game. Last week's Eastern Conference player of the week, Rodney Stuckey, managed to provide 17 points along with 5 assists.

When it came down to it, it was the Piston's lack of defense that lead to the loss. The Rockets were able to shoot over 54% from the field and the entire team seemed able to score. A majority of their baskets were from the paint and seemed to come with relative ease. The guards got to the basket without much contest and the bigs seemed to own the rim.

With the injuries to Bynum, Gordon and Prince the Pistons need to strive on defense if they plan to win many games. Currently sitting at 11-13 the team can not afford to lose many more games without providing wins in between. In order to do this they will need strong performances from their stars and more effort as a team on D. The Pistons look to bounce back Wednesday as they take on the New Orleans Hornets who currently sit 10th in the West with a 10-13 record.

Time for the Pistons to Complete the Circle of Life

By Ron Marshall
Pistons Columnist
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It was fun while it lasted.

Looking at today's Pistons squad, admiring their tenacity and grit as they go into games missing as many as four of their top seven players, one is tempted to think, "It was a good run," all the time realizing that it'll never be the same. And it was. And it won't be.

Gone are the days of the Mr. Big Shot taking playoff games into overtime, of 'Sheed popping for three, dancing, and hoisting a belt in triumph। Gone are the 19-footers from Antonio McDyess, baffling big men trying to guard him. Gone is Darko, the Human Victory Cigar.

Gone should be Tayshaun Prince and Richard "Rip" Hamilton.

And that isn't because they aren't the players they once were; on the contrary, Tayshaun has many productive years ahead of him barring injury, and Rip is still an impact player when healthy. The truth, however, is that they no longer have places as Pistons. The world has moved on, and it's time for yesterday's gunslingers to do the same. In order for the Pistons to be renewed, they must start anew.

Of course, it all started with the 'fro. More accurately, it started with Ben Wallace (alternating between the braids and the afro that would come to symbolize his dominating defensive prowess) and Chucky Atkins coming to the Pistons in the sign-and-trade deal for Grant Hill. Through that trial by fire, second-year front office executive Joe Dumars oversaw the phoenix-like emergence of the a new Pistons team from the flames. Forged by the Hammertime Bad Boys ideal that defense wins championships, they evolved into a versatile, D-driven juggernaut, becoming the first NBA team to go to six consecutive conference finals since the Showtime Lakers of the '80s. Though often lauded for achieving so much (including an NBA championship) without a "superstar", they boasted several All-Stars and made their presence felt again and again against more heralded opponents. It was truly a golden age of teamwork and Goin' to Work.

Now, those days are done. The team that set records for consecutive sellouts now plays before thousands of empty Palace seats. Chauncey has gone home, Rasheed and McDyess have both gone to the enemy (Boston and San Antonio, respectively), and Darko ... well, Darko will likely spend next year in Europe. But, Tayshaun and Rip still linger, currently injured but practicing, largely non-participants in the evolution that the team now undergoes. When they do come back, and they show that they are still valuable, effective NBA players, the time for tough decisions arises. When they prove to the league their trade value still remains, it's time for them to go. It's time for Joe to cement the team's transition and not look back.

Why? Again, they can still be effective players, put the time for players who have already reached their potential has passed for this team, at least for players with those two multi-year, many-million-dollar contracts. Tayshaun and Rip will make more than $21 million this season combined. The combined salaries of the entire team total a bit less than $60 million this year. One-third of the salary cap is too much to pay for two players who won't be around for your team's next championship run. Better to cash in those two particular chips and continue the process begun by the signings of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Get some draft picks and young players that can produce a bit now and more in a future that looks to be coming soon for this team.

After all, that's how we got here.

And where is "here" for today's Pistons? A combo guard that reminds some of a certain Miami Heat combo guard that Detroit passed over in the 2003 draft. A scrappy Swedish pro willing to take on whatever challenges, and positions, are put before him. Two young veteran players from division rivals able to contribute whether they start or come off the bench. A first-time head coach who learned lessons from Larry the last time Detroit fought for a Finals. A legacy to live up to, one that new players coming in must emulate and respect. And a rejuvenated Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins, helping these brave new Boys go to work.

Now, it's getting fun again.
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Ron Marshall is a freelance sports writer, blogger, entrepreneur, and fan of all things Detroit. He one day hopes to buy the Detroit Lions and guide them to their first Super Bowl. Until then, you can find him here and at fanchamp.net. You may contact him at ron@mythicgroup.com or www.facebook.com/ronmarshall.