Betrayer

You're unhappy if they win 30 (a 16 win improvement that would mean the youngsters have improved) and you're unhappy if they win 14. You can talk about Korver shooting 42% as a good example of a specialist, but not even admit that THJ has been playing well so far at 53%. There's really not much point in a discussion with someone who's unhappy on both sides of the fence and can't see the light in anything positive at all. I'm as cynical as the next guy, but I can still find enjoyment in my team showing improvement or players playing better than expected. If you were hoping for them to leap from 14 wins to a 50 win playoff team, I'm not sure what to tell you.

Sure, every team wants 2-way players, but guys have made entire careers out of being specialists. That's literally what a role player is. They play a role. Were you expecting him to be an All-Star?

Yeah, there's no team in the NBA that would want a guy who's shooting 53% from three and 93% from the line with just .6 turnovers and a .659 eFG% 🙄 But let's not let the facts get in the way of hyperbole and negativity. He's streaky, so it'll probably fall off soon, but for now he's playing the role they brought him in for very well.

We'll see Sasser soon enough, when Cade or Ivey get dinged up for a game here or there. But, it won't be pretty. Problem is he doesn't have a position in the NBA. He's not a PG, but he's also not a catch and shoot player because he needs to dribble into all his threes. On the other side, he can't defend due to his size and inability to switch onto anyone but the smallest guards. I'd love to see this team acquire a actual veteran backup PG. Fontecchio is having a rough start, but he also just came off of foot surgery in the offseason, so I'd give it some time. Harris didn't shoot well from outside but had a relatively strong game in Philly game. He's also been putting up some really good rebound numbers over the past few. I can't imagine he's fallen off a cliff from his solid career numbers, so I'm sure he'll be fine once he settles into his role.

Last year's team loses this game. I lost count of how many we lost against teams without their best player(s) that we "should" have won last year. Stew really was the biggest difference maker in this game on the defensive end. There was a lot of buzz about how the defense is 20 pts better when he's on the court prior to this game and I'm sure that number only improved. The offense has been an issue because he's not good on the roll (stone hands), but JB mentioned before the game that it was his fault and he needs to find a way to get Stew more 3's. JB Also mentioned after the game that if Stew keeps this up, he's going to have to adjust the big man rotation to give him more minutes. I'm happy to hear that...but what does that say about Duren? With all of Weaver's investment in Centers, could it be that we still don't actually have a true starter on the roster? It's nice to see the Ivey that I was so excited about when we drafted him. Monty was a basketball terrorist. Ivey is even showing some nice defensive moments here and there. There was a stretch in the 3rd where he was absolutely wearing Maxey's jersey. We've seen him be streaky before, but hopefully his play can be sustained throughout the year. Tobias and THJ carried them offensively in the 4th. Something that was sorely missing last year and it's the reason you get vets around your youngsters. Harris has had a rough start to the season and even this game, but he put in 18pts and 14 rebs last night, which was nice to see. I know everyone's waiting for THJ to go into a slump to say, "I told you so", so I'm just going to give him his flower now because he's playing pretty well to start the season. I doubt we beat the Knicks, but then you have the Nets, Lakers, Hornets, and Hawks coming up. Could win 2 or 3 of those.

Could be a while: https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2024/10/24/pistons-why-ausar-thompson-blood-clot-issue-so-complicated/

And he only got that because Ivey was in foul trouble. I think Livers just had surgery again.

In a Monty offense where you stick him the corner, sure. But it’s not that hard to make him the screener, put him in the dunker spot, let him initiate the screen, or get him running off of off-ball screens. Especially now, when you have three other guys out there who can space (4’ish if you run him with Stew).

Competitive game, but in the end Indy is a better team and they showed that in the 4th. Would’ve been nice to pull it out, but if they can play like this all season they’ll definitely win their share of games. would’ve been nice to have Ausar out there. I wonder if and when he’ll get to play.

Halliburton with the dagger.

That’s probably it.

Nemhard is back on him.

Classic pistons scoring drought.

Please get Stew out of there.

That’s a bad call. He was sliding and not in front of Harris.

I thought so too…alas the refs did not agree.

Beasley can’t guard Hali at all. Need to get someone else on him.

There’s that 4th quarter punch. Let’s see how we react.

(Removed double post)

Looked like the bench and assistant coach told Holland to get on the court and then they get a tech for him being the sixth man out there.

C’mon, McConnell can’t be allowed to just go to the bucket.

Pistons weathering a punch from Indy that would have knocked them out last year. Back up by 8 at the end of three. Cade with 18 in the quarter. Indy will have at least one more punch in them. Let’s see if this team can hang in there.

JB making offense for defense changes at the end of the quarter and actually coaching. Is that allowed? Cade with the three to pay it off. Monty Williams rolling over in his grave, as Barkley would say.

Stews got hands like Aaron Baynes. Made of stone.

That twirling shot by Cade was absolutely sick. Followed it up with a three to get the lead back.