Game 4: Pistons-Wizards - Ballys PLUS+ - 7 PM EST

[breezypeezy]

So from ESPN's "Recap" -

"Playing against an opponent with nobody taller than 6-foot-9 in the starting lineup, the 7-foot-3 Porzingis had a productive game. He threw down a one-handed alley-oop dunk from Beal in the first quarter and finished 8 of 13 from the field."

Pretty galling to read when everyone's been complaing to stop playing Stew at Center while Duren is available (Noels as well tonight).
This smallball stuff does not work for this team. We dont have, in their primes, Barkley, Draymond Greens or Wes Unselds that can pull off effective game on much taller opponents. We need to be playing Stew WITH Noels or Duren, not a one of three with Bojan and Bey. One of Bey or Bojan needs to be with 2nd unit.

Caseys laziness is a detriment to Cade. Its like his (Casey) lack of effort, lack of managing, is a lead anchor to the team.

[MortSahlfan]

Grant Long said it, "Bojan seems the most comfortable Piston, and he just got here"

[Manocad]

Grant Long said it, "Bojan seems the most comfortable Piston, and he just got here"

Yeah, that was an interesting comment. But rather than taking that as a sad commentary on the state of the team, he did also say (paraphrasing) that shouldn't be much of a surprise given Bojan's time in the league.

[MortSahlfan]

Since everyone is throwing stuff out there, what about something that hasn't been mentioned 20 times?

I like Ivey and think he brings aggressiveness. I notice Casey tried to stagger their minutes more. Maybe.... Cade came in here thinking, he's the #1 pick, franchise guy, and then Ivey comes in, with his entire family on both sides cemented in Michigan. He started playing well, where Cade scored 2 pts in his first regular season.

I really think Ivey and our team would benefit if he came off the bench, or stagger their minutes as much as possible. Let them finish games, but I think Ivey would spark that awful second unit. Cade has been more aggressive when Ivey has been out -- they both like the ball in their hands, although I think Cade is the better point guard (easily), but think Ivey is obviously a better finisher at the rim. We're not a good shooting 3-pt team - so draw a foul, and take it strong to the hole. I'd like to see more Cade to Ivey alley-oops, etc..

I think our horrible defense is our problem. It leads to fast breaks for the opposing team. Then we have to take it out, with the opposing defenses set, and guys hold the ball too long, dribble too much... Not enough motion, cutting, spacing. Passing up shots to take a worse shot is bugging the hell out of me..,.... Hami played his guts out -- I need to see that from every player. You don't just develop voila - you have to start winning more, even a 5 game improvement every year here on out.

[Piston Pete]

We basically need more shooting and size

Cade needs to play with more passion. He’s kind of walking thru the motions a bit.

Casey needs to tinker with the lineups to make the starters and bench better….so far, he’s been reluctant to do so.

[MotownMadness]

I think Ku is making some good points
Stewart is killing the starting unit. Teams just dont respect him outside and he sets crappy screens.

Its not all his fault but he's causing alot of pressure on everyone else. At the very least we need to accept we're not a small ball team and get a lob threat in there or something.

[MotownMadness]

We basically need more shooting and size

Cade needs to play with more passion. He’s kind of walking thru the motions a bit.

Casey needs to tinker with the lineups to make the starters and bench better….so far, he’s been reluctant to do so.

I dont think he has much to work with while Bagley and Burke are out.

He should swap Stewart and Duren around though and we're probably gonna have to cut Killian out pf the rotation at this point.

[bstein14]

Since everyone is throwing stuff out there, what about something that hasn't been mentioned 20 times?

I like Ivey and think he brings aggressiveness. I notice Casey tried to stagger their minutes more. Maybe.... Cade came in here thinking, he's the #1 pick, franchise guy, and then Ivey comes in, with his entire family on both sides cemented in Michigan. He started playing well, where Cade scored 2 pts in his first regular season.

I really think Ivey and our team would benefit if he came off the bench, or stagger their minutes as much as possible. Let them finish games, but I think Ivey would spark that awful second unit. Cade has been more aggressive when Ivey has been out -- they both like the ball in their hands, although I think Cade is the better point guard (easily), but think Ivey is obviously a better finisher at the rim. We're not a good shooting 3-pt team - so draw a foul, and take it strong to the hole. I'd like to see more Cade to Ivey alley-oops, etc..

I think our horrible defense is our problem. It leads to fast breaks for the opposing team. Then we have to take it out, with the opposing defenses set, and guys hold the ball too long, dribble too much... Not enough motion, cutting, spacing. Passing up shots to take a worse shot is bugging the hell out of me..,.... Hami played his guts out -- I need to see that from every player. You don't just develop voila - you have to start winning more, even a 5 game improvement every year here on out.

If we are no longer playing Killian, I'd be all about having Ivey the first guy out just 6 minutes into the game and then coming back to start the 2nd quarter so he plays PG and full time ball handler with the 2nd unit. I'm not opposed to staggering Ivey and Cade more so they can both handle the ball more..... but that eliminates the one thing Killian is good at, which is passing and ball handling... so I only go the route of staggering Ivey and Cade if Killian isn't in the rotation anymore.

First 6 minutes of the game
Ivey-Cade-Bey-Bojan-Stew

Next 6 minutes of the game (Sub in Burks + Duren)
Cade-Burks-Bojan-Stew-Duren

First 6 minutes of the 2nd quarter (Rest Cade, Stew and Bojan)
Ivey-Diallo-Bey-Livers-Duren

Last 6 minutes of the half (Bring back the starters)
Ivey-Cade-Bey-Bojan-Stew


Obviously doesn't need to entirely be like that, but something along those lines to get Ivey and Bey to start the 2nd quarter with 3 of the bench guys would be ideal to balance out the scoring a bit with both units.

[Snakebites]

There are a ton of reports flying around in this thread and the Killian thread, both of which will be locked. I've got the same people reporting posts and being reported at the same time- which makes it especially difficult as a moderator to deal with.

Guys, this is supposed to be a CIVIL environment. Consider this a public warning to all involved- we don't accept personal insults.

If you've got a problem with a poster, keep it to basketball related topics. And if you can't do that, ignore them. There is no option 3- at least not one that falls within our rules.