I'm happy. Are you happy?

[E-Z]

Detroit is top ten in both defensive eFG% and defensive rebounding %. This is something I haven't seen from a Pistons club since 2005. That club went on to win 54 games, and obviously 54 games isn't something I envision for this club. Why? Stan Van Gundy has his guys running back on defense more-so than hanging around for the offensive board, save for a few possessions.

This change pretty much illustrates how horrible Detroit's offense truly is right now, but I don't expect any man to change a team on both ends of the floor overnight. I believe something will click offensively soon enough though. Seeing less of Jennings & Smith on the floor together is a delight, and just less Brandon Jennings altogether is astonishing stuff. I want to rage every time I see Jennings swing the ball to an open Smith on the perimeter. That's bad PG skills right there, but I digress.

I know it's only two games, but Detroit didn't fold in either of them. They stuck to the script and toughed out an amazing run by the Wolves, and duked it out with the Nuggets. The guards are forcing baseline, and denying the middle lane in both games, which is just frekin awesome. Sometimes I wonder how guys like Mo Cheeks even had a job for so long. Like what are they really saying and doing out there? Regardless, I've enjoyed both games so far. There's a vastly different ball club out there, and they're amazing to watch compared to the past half decade or so.

[RipCity32]

I'm happy to see the changes and sticking to the script. But I really don't think the defensive rebound has been that good at all, regardless of what the numbers suggest.

[ImHeisenberg]

There's more effort on defense, but they still have a LONG way to go, like boxing out and rotating properly.

But, there's definitely more effort there overall, with only a couple exceptions.

They just can't score the ball!

[E-Z]

I'm happy to see the changes and sticking to the script. But I really don't think the defensive rebound has been that good at all, regardless of what the numbers suggest.

More misses, more rebounds; for everyone. In these close games, every offensive rebound grabbed by the opponent feels like 2 or 3 more.

[vic]

Yep I'm happy because the defense is good,

and as soon as Monroe comes back, the offense and defensive rebounding will be back and Josh Smith will be the energy PF off the bench.

Season going exactly as planned.

[DTP]

I want to rage every time I see Jennings swing the ball to an open Smith on the perimeter. That's bad PG skills right there, but I digress.

Did you want to rage when you seen Augustin do the exact same thing yesterday? Pretty sure both Smith's 3 point attempts came from set ups from Augustin. Does that make you want to rage? Trade Augustin! right?

[E-Z]

I want to rage every time I see Jennings swing the ball to an open Smith on the perimeter. That's bad PG skills right there, but I digress.

Did you want to rage when you seen Augustin do the exact same thing yesterday? Pretty sure both Smith's 3 point attempts came from set ups from Augustin. Does that make you want to rage? Trade Augustin! right?

Brandon Jennings has been credited for the most assists to Josh Smith thus far with four. Augustin has one. Jennings passes to Smith 41% of the time (out of the total passes Smith received). Augustin only passes to Smith 32% of the time. To Jennings' credit, Smith was converting those jumpers against Denver in the first half...but the law of averages kicked in for everyone else, Augustin included.

In fact, Jennings targeted Josh Smith the most last season, and that trend is continuing this season. Bottom line, Smith needs just not be on the perimeter at all. He's not spacing the floor for Drummond, if his man isn't respecting his shooting ability. It's a double negative.

[MotownMadness]

Im definitely not happy

[DBC10]

I want to rage every time I see Jennings swing the ball to an open Smith on the perimeter. That's bad PG skills right there, but I digress.

Did you want to rage when you seen Augustin do the exact same thing yesterday? Pretty sure both Smith's 3 point attempts came from set ups from Augustin. Does that make you want to rage? Trade Augustin! right?

Brandon Jennings has been credited for the most assists to Josh Smith thus far with four. Augustin has one. Jennings passes to Smith 41% of the time (out of the total passes Smith received). Augustin only passes to Smith 32% of the time. To Jennings' credit, Smith was converting those jumpers against Denver in the first half...but the law of averages kicked in for everyone else, Augustin included.

In fact, Jennings targeted Josh Smith the most last season, and that trend is continuing this season. Bottom line, Smith needs just not be on the perimeter at all. He's not spacing the floor for Drummond, if his man isn't respecting his shooting ability. It's a double negative.

Stats don't lie. Jennings has been lazy in looking for open reliable shots. There's a reason why he's on a short leash from SVG. There's also a reason why SVG has been using DJ more too.

[Han Solo]

Detroit is top ten in both defensive eFG% and defensive rebounding %. This is something I haven't seen from a Pistons club since 2005. That club went on to win 54 games, and obviously 54 games isn't something I envision for this club. Why? Stan Van Gundy has his guys running back on defense more-so than hanging around for the offensive board, save for a few possessions.

This change pretty much illustrates how horrible Detroit's offense truly is right now, but I don't expect any man to change a team on both ends of the floor overnight. I believe something will click offensively soon enough though. Seeing less of Jennings & Smith on the floor together is a delight, and just less Brandon Jennings altogether is astonishing stuff. I want to rage every time I see Jennings swing the ball to an open Smith on the perimeter. That's bad PG skills right there, but I digress.

I know it's only two games, but Detroit didn't fold in either of them. They stuck to the script and toughed out an amazing run by the Wolves, and duked it out with the Nuggets. The guards are forcing baseline, and denying the middle lane in both games, which is just frekin awesome. Sometimes I wonder how guys like Mo Cheeks even had a job for so long. Like what are they really saying and doing out there? Regardless, I've enjoyed both games so far. There's a vastly different ball club out there, and they're amazing to watch compared to the past half decade or so.

Good Post.

[RexRyan]

Second unit offense will be much better with Moose - the Pistons should beat the Nets.

[epheisey]

Wait seriously? Jennings having more assists to Smith in less minutes would suggest he's doing a better job of setting Smith up in places to succeed.

Augustin only having 1 assist to Smith in nearly twice as many minutes is in no way a good stat.


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[Ghost]

Well it has been two games, that's an awfully small sample size to truly judge this team's defense. I'll give it some time before I make up my mind.

[joseph mamah]

I wouldnt go as far as to say im happy, but im still content at this point. The defense is improving and thats one of the biggest things I want to see right now, holding teams under 100 is one of my main goals for them each game. Defensive rebounding and Singlers laughable perimeter D are a couple things that need to be addressed, Monroe should help on the boards, but im not sure what we're going to do with Singler.

Im a little disappointed that Van Gundy doesnt put much stock in offensive rebounding. I understand its important to get back on D, but I think the 2nd chance points Dre and Moose can generate with their o rebounding is something you have to take advantage of, at least until some of our shots (hopefully) start falling.

Offense is definitely a work in progress, but im waiting to see what we look like with Moose back before starting to panic. Moose pulling defenders down low should open things up on the perimeter a little bit, which should help our shooters. Plus the 12-15 shots or so a night he'll take should chip in to Smith and Augustines shot attempts, which have both been way too high the first couple of games. All in all, im still optimistic we can put a decent year together, but these first couple of games have been pretty brutal.

[E-Z]

Wait seriously? Jennings having more assists to Smith in less minutes would suggest he's doing a better job of setting Smith up in places to succeed.

Augustin only having 1 assist to Smith in nearly twice as many minutes is in no way a good stat.


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Smith was on the perimeter for 3 of Jennings' 4 assists. Jumpshots on two, and he scored a layup on the other. Looked the same as all the passes he normally receives.

[Pharaoh]

I wouldn't say happy but I'm not surprised we're 0-2 either.

Monroe not playing hurt big time.

Benching Jennings I understand - tough love and all that but let's not all bow down to DJ just yet. He's shooting like a blind man thus far - winning minutes via defensive effort IMO

The next month will be a better indicator for me

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[Lucidity]

People live & die by stats. It's silly.

The defensive effort is much better so far this year but we are far from a much better defensive team.

& we are 0-2 & have been brutal on offense with Josh Smith as the focal point. Happy? Come on


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[E-Z]

Some people don't like reading, but that's none of my business.

[Maker_84]

what is there to be happy about? the teamis 0-2 and can't score for ****. Drummond has been awful as well

[E-Z]

The process is more important than the results right now.