I didn't see the game, so my comments are just based on the boxscore.
Obviously, Rip had an atrocious night shooting (5-20), while the
Trailblazers shot the lights out (40-73). Also obviously, too bad the
Pistons couldn't close out a game (after a slight lead at the half,
being tied at the end of three, and being within 3 with a couple of
minutes left). But if Detroit beats Golden State tonight, that will
make it a 2-1 mini-roadtrip, with the one loss coming against the best
team (Portland is undefeated at home), and you can't win them all.

Having said all that, and again just basing this on the boxscore, my
biggest concern is the bench. Not only was the bench very
unproductive (at least regarding things that show up in the boxscore),
but also, they didn't play very many minutes. I would be totally fine
with losing a decent number of games early in the season IF that was a
result of getting the bench guys more minutes and experience. But
last night, none of the bench guys got as many as 19 minutes, two of
the starters played over 40 -- and we still lost. Let Maxiell,
Murray, and yes, Afflalo and Johnson play more, even if it means a few
more losses. The way Cleveland and Chicago are playing, it's not
going to take 60 wins to win the Central Division anyway.

jslater@utnet.utoledo.edu wrote:

On Nov 14, 6:15 pm, "Terraholm" hotmail.com> wrote:

jslater@utnet.utoledo.edu wrote:

I can just see Flip sitting this starting 5 and expecting them to watch the
pistons lose games because the bench need practice like it was pre-season
and the games do not count...great motivation...I think a full fledged
mutiny would happen... =)

'There ya go.... they also need to replace Davis, some savy old role player
big body not named Webber. PJ Brown type.

Terraholm wrote:

Just looked at the game flow chart,

http://www.popcornmachine.net/cgi-bin/gameflow.cgi?date=20071113&game=DETPOR

Hayes played all except the first 2 minutes of the 4th.

On Nov 14, 8:23 pm, "Terraholm" hotmail.com> wrote:

My point wasn't that regular season games "don't count." I'm saying
it's important for the overall success of the team to get more
production out of the bench. And so the starters don't burn out. The
starters have been complaining about being tired at the end of the
year for the past couple of years. Playing the starters over 40
minutes a night on a regular basis so the Pistons wind up with 60 wins
and a #1 seed instead of 50 wins and a #3 seed might not lead to a
mutiny, but it might well lead to the same result in the playoffs as
in the past two years.

On Nov 14, 8:42 pm, "Terraholm" hotmail.com> wrote:

Flip seems to trust Hayes more than the other bench players so far.
That's good, because as I've said repeatedly, I think the biggest
missing piece in the past couple of years is a decent backup SF. Now
Delfino is off to a good start in Toronto, but he never got the job
done here.--Joe

jslater@utnet.utoledo.edu wrote:

Smiley impaired tonight?

Until he chokes... ;-)

On Nov 14, 11:27 pm, "Terraholm" hotmail.com> wrote:

Sorry 'bout that. The Portland loss must have soured my mood. But
the win over the Warriors made me more smiley-friendly! ...

jslater@utnet.utoledo.edu wrote:

Made me very happy. =)
Now if the blazers can manage a road win...