G13 ~ Pistons (3-9) @ Hawks (5-5) ~ 7:30 PM EST

[whitehops]

Alright guys I think both the fans and the players need a win right about now, the good news is that the players haven't stopped fighting so a win is bound to come.

the hawks are one of the better-shooting (and better-passing) teams in the league so our defensive rotations are going to have to be on point.


it's going to be interesting to see if SVG sticks with playing JJ over smith down the stretch and if smith can take SVG benching him positively and not sulk.

the key player is Monroe for this game. he has a good matchup vs. the smaller paul millsap but Atlanta really likes to pack the paint to compensate for their lack of size and give up a ton of outside shots instead. if Monroe forces them to pack the paint even more then look for guys like butler, KCP, JJ, singler to have a big day from outside.


STARTERS
Brandon Jennings
KCP
Josh Smith
Greg Monroe
Andre Drummond

Jeff Teague
Kyle Korver
DeMarre Carroll
Paul Millsap
Al Horford



It seems people are pretty down on the team right now so i'll leave this gif to get people psyched for the game. go pistons!

[Ghost]

There is no reason to be down on the team. I have been very pleased with their ability to battle back and compete vs everyone. It just hasn't resulted in wins... but that is okay.

[dVs33]

The team could definitely use a win after so many close losses. It's one of those important early games that a win is needed just to keep all the players on board because they are making progress, just not winning.

[princeofpalace]

Its hard to be excited just because instead of losing by 10-15, we are losing by 1-5. A loss is a loss and there is more bad than good so far this season. Its possible that things will change but all this losing has been disheartening

[ImHeisenberg]

It seems people are pretty down on the team right now so i'll leave this gif to get people psyched for the game. go pistons!

And1 for the great Sunny gif.

No reason to expect a win here. The Hawks are a match-up nightmare for Detroit with their range-y forwards, and Horford's all around game.

Maybe we'll get to see Payne play some minutes?

[ImHeisenberg]

There is no reason to be down on the team. I have been very pleased with their ability to battle back and compete vs everyone. It just hasn't resulted in wins... but that is okay.

I can understand some fans not enjoying the games because they end in defeat. But honestly, I see this as a best case scenario. The team is competing, but still losing because they simply lack the talent to win, on top of the fact that they're being forced to finally play defense and work as a team.

If we can come out with a good draft pick this summer, I'll definitely be pleased.

[simon24]

It seems people are pretty down on the team right now so i'll leave this gif to get people psyched for the game. go pistons!

And1 for the great Sunny gif.

No reason to expect a win here. The Hawks are a match-up nightmare for Detroit with their range-y forwards, and Horford's all around game.

Maybe we'll get to see Payne play some minutes?

Payne is in the D-League now

[mus123]

Bold prediction: Pistons get their act together and will surprise us by next week.

[mus123]

Anyone know whats going on w/ martin, is he still injured?

[Spider156]

There is no reason to be down on the team. I have been very pleased with their ability to battle back and compete vs everyone. It just hasn't resulted in wins... but that is okay.

Not at all. That's not okay at all. Actually it's pathetic.

[Spider156]

Bold prediction: Pistons get their act together and will surprise us by next week.

Anytime now...

[Spider156]

Just saying. We could easily get on a winning streak and carry on the momentum if things go the right way. The shots not dropping at the end of the game is a mental problem. If and when they fall, it'll be a beautiful thing. Imagine truly competing most of the games with us pulling out half the wins.

[Lionlifer]

Charde MacDennis, nice GIF OP

[sfballa13]

It seems people are pretty down on the team right now so i'll leave this gif to get people psyched for the game. go pistons!

And1 for the great Sunny gif.

No reason to expect a win here. The Hawks are a match-up nightmare for Detroit with their range-y forwards, and Horford's all around game.

Maybe we'll get to see Payne play some minutes?

Payne was sent to the D League he has been **** so far according to Hawks fans

[Ghost]

There is no reason to be down on the team. I have been very pleased with their ability to battle back and compete vs everyone. It just hasn't resulted in wins... but that is okay.

Not at all. That's not okay at all. Actually it's pathetic.

With the way the team is assembled and if we are looking at the big picture.. yeah, its completely fine to lose games the way we have been.
This isn't some **** title contender. Let's just continue to get better and play the way SVG wants to. If it means having an opportunity to win or tie the game at the end and we just can't do it .. because we don't have a guy that can be counted on to close the game, then so be it. Everyone acknowledges that we desperately need a shot creating wing player to be a good team.. might as well give younger guys like Jennings/KCP/Monroe/Drummond the opportunity to have the ball in their hands at the end to win. Maybe they'll cash a few in or get more used to the experience.

If we lose a ton of games, that's fine, because it improves our lottery chances. If we win some of thsee tight games, that's great for the current players. Either way it's like a win-win situation. I don't know about you, but I'm still going to watch a lot of the games. :/

[ImHeisenberg]

There is no reason to be down on the team. I have been very pleased with their ability to battle back and compete vs everyone. It just hasn't resulted in wins... but that is okay.

Not at all. That's not okay at all. Actually it's pathetic.

With the way the team is assembled and if we are looking at the big picture.. yeah, its completely fine to lose games the way we have been.
This isn't some **** title contender. Let's just continue to get better and play the way SVG wants to. If it means having an opportunity to win or tie the game at the end and we just can't do it .. because we don't have a guy that can be counted on to close the game, then so be it. Everyone acknowledges that we desperately need a shot creating wing player to be a good team.. might as well give younger guys like Jennings/KCP/Monroe/Drummond the opportunity to have the ball in their hands at the end to win. Maybe they'll cash a few in or get more used to the experience.

If we lose a ton of games, that's fine, because it improves our lottery chances. If we win some of thsee tight games, that's great for the current players. Either way it's like a win-win situation. I don't know about you, but I'm still going to watch a lot of the games. :/

A lot of people's expectations are completely unrealistic. They expect a complete turnaround almost overnight with essentially the same cast as last season. You would think people could look in the mirror and understand that even in their own lives you can't change things about your life by flipping a switch.

Then again- maybe most of the posters are 15 year olds with zero life perspective?

[Ghost]

A lot of people's expectations are completely unrealistic. They expect a complete turnaround almost overnight with essentially the same cast as last season. You would think people could look in the mirror and understand that even in their own lives you can't change things about your life by flipping a switch.

Then again- maybe most of the posters are 15 year olds with zero life perspective?

Well, I don't want to say that... and who knows, maybe this team will pull it together and end up making the playoffs. It's still early in the season. I don't want to act like there's absolutely no chance to exceed expectations. But if they don't, it's completely fine.. that's where I am. I put them at like 31-35 wins, so it's all good.

But you're so right about the switch flipping, it's going to take some time to really put it all together. So it'd be nice if people could just relax, maybe find a way to enjoy it, or look forward since we finally actually have a great HC... instead of acting like we need a sticky thread with a suicide talk line at the top of the forum on gamedays.

[wire28]

There is no reason to be down on the team. I have been very pleased with their ability to battle back and compete vs everyone. It just hasn't resulted in wins... but that is okay.

Moral victories won't keep me warm at night. They also won't keep people their jobs. These bums need to start winning or make this season worth it and get a top 2 pick.

[whitehops]

I think some people have to temper their expectations a bit. me personally, I love the fact that you know, whether we win or lose, we are going to keep the game competitive and try hard for 48 minutes.

last year you had no idea what to expect and it often ended in blowout losses.

for example, I don't know if we'll beat the hawks tonight but I am damn sure that it will be a close game. I like winning, but i'll take being competitive over what this team was last year any day of the week.

[Piston Pete]

Loss