What to expect from Dixon

[Hunter]

I think it will depend on the match-up from game to game. I also expect Afflalo to lose PT to Dixon. So it could be Aaron who is inactive.

I agree that is a possibility...but having Stuckey & Dixon on the active roster is a very smallish rotation.

PG: Chauncey // Stuckey
SG: Rip // Afflalo
SF: Prince // Hayes // Hermann
PF: Dice // Maxiell
C: Sheed // Amir

Then you'll see either Lindsey or Dixon activated depending on matchups & needs. Dixon for now.

IF we add another big (such as Dale) then it would get interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to see Afflalo squeezed out in favor of 3rd PG (or combo guard).

[srt4b]

Billups/Stuckey
Hamilton/Afflalo
Prince/Hayes
McDyess/Johnson/Hermann
Wallace/Maxiell

This is what we all were begging for in November, I am pretty satisfied with our development and motivation so far.

[Grey]

I honestly don't know what Dixon can do for us that Flip Murray couldn't, other than complain about limited playing time.

[GJense4181]

^I think Joe wanted to make sure that the point guard hierarchy was Billups->Stuckey->benchwarmer. It'd be easier for PG (in Saunders' eyes) Flip Murray taking minutes away from Stuckey than SG Juan Dixon.
We couldn't play Murray off-ball. We can play Dixon at the 2, and coupled with two big PGs (6'3" 202 pound Chauncey and 6'5" 205 pound Stuckey) he can still defend PGs and mantain that defensive dynamic.

[Low-Ki]

I think Dixon is a better 3pt shooter, better FT shooter, has big game experience and could be a better point guard defender. That being said, Murray likely wanted out, and if he was cool being our 14th man, we probably would have kept him.

[chrbal]

Murray wanted out, Dumars wanted a different big instead of Brezec, so they traded Brezec for Dixon to waive Murray so they could sign Dale Davis (probably).

Dixon played 3 minutes last night, I wouldn't be that suprised if that was it for a while.

[GJense4181]

Is Dixon/Davis better for the Pistons than Murray/Brezec?
Probably. If we saved a little money in the process, it's hard to argue against.
I don't think that Davis will be active for every game/series, so we'll likely see:
Billups/Stuckey
Hamilton/Dixon
Prince/Hayes
McDyess/Johnson/Hermann
Wallace/Maxiell
with one of PG Hunter, SG Afflalo, or C Davis taking the 12th spot every game. Samb will always be inactive. I think Joe would be wise to keep Hermann active.

[chrbal]

Is Dixon/Davis better for the Pistons than Murray/Brezec?

Does it even matter when none of those 4 were/will be part of the Pistons rotation?

[Low-Ki]

I think Davis would be active against Cleveland and Orlando should we meet them in the play-offs. Other than that I think Herrmann would get the nod.

I think Hunter is a lock to be active throughout the play-offs.

Billups|Stuckey|Hunter
Hamilton
Prince|Hayes
McDyess|Maxiell|Johnson
Wallace

One of Herrmann/Davis and one of Afflalo/Dixon will dress depending on the match-up, with Samb obviously inactive.

[GJense4181]

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Does it even matter when none of those 4 were/will be part of the Pistons rotation?

Obviously it does, or Joe would not have signed Davis and would have waived Brezec outright rather than trading him for Dixon.
I mean, hell. Why carry 15 players when only 12 are active? and why dress all 12 when we know that only 9 will play?
This logic is infallible! I say we cut Afflalo/Hermann/Dixon/Hunter/Samb/Davis TODAY!

[Hawaii]

I like Dixon, and I think he's a good addition to your team.

[Manocad]

I like Dixon, and I think he's a good addition to your team.

Save that picture of Dixon in a Pistons jersey now then, 'cause you might not get many more chances.

[chrbal]

Ok I think people overshot my thought. We didn't acquire Juan Dixon as some sort of missing link. He is depth, that it...unless he impresses enough to take over Hunters role.

Realistically Dixon is better then Murray because Dixon wants to be here. Davis is better then Brezec because of Dales' experience. But the occassional 5 minutes a game these guys will get isn't going to make or break the Pistons.

[closg00]

Juan Dixon sucks. I fully expect him to be gone in the not-too-distant future.

That's what I expect out of him. A view of his backside as it goes out the door.

Last night, 22 min, 6 of 7 with 2-3 3 pointers

[Hunter]

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Last night, 22 min, 6 of 7 with 2-3 3 pointers

zomg! That one game clearly proves that despite his storied past as a streak shooter Dixon has turned the corner! Dixon >>>>>>>>>> Chauncey. Fact.

[princeofpalace]

What I dont understand is why Pistons fans continually underrate these small moves that Joe D is making to claim that its only for insurance.

I mean its not like Detroits backcourt is SO great that they dont even need to be improved. IMO the rookies arent where they need to be if Detroit wants to win a championship.

I dont think anyone can deny that the bench unit still desperatly needs scoring. Dixon, provides that, he provides it in bunches yet people want to write him off. He had a great game yesterday after only practicing with the team once, and its not like all he did was shoot; he made some great passes and had a pretty solid effort on the defensive end but ofcourse no one wants to talk about that.

So what, Dixon is a somewhat streaky shooter- doesnt make him trash. In fact- I think its a good solutation to Jarvis when his shot is off. Now Flip has the option of deciding what shooter to play instead of just going with Jarvis because hes the only one on the roster. That is a good thing.

Yeah- Afflalo will likely lose all his minutes- big deal. He plays great D, but come playoff time Hunter does the same thing only better. As for Dixons PG play, at this point I dont think hes any worse at PG than Stuckey is. Dixon was a good pickup for Joe- he addresses some of the weaknesses of the backcourt and I want to see him get some minutes.

[Rodya]

-= original quote snipped =-

zomg! That one game clearly proves that despite his storied past as a streak shooter Dixon has turned the corner! Dixon >>>>>>>>>> Chauncey. Fact.

At least you've come to terms with reality.

[GJense4181]

Anybody that corrected me (or anybody else) when listing Dixon as a backup PG option can now STFU.
He's played both here.

The Flip Saunders-defined positions of our players, sorted by *position* and then rank, are:
PG Chauncey Billups (I can't recall him playing off-ball once this season)
*PG Lindsey Hunter (I haven't seen him suited up long enough to tell if he trumps Chauncey as the PG when they're in together, or if he comes into games with the spot-up shooter role anymore)
G Rodney Stuckey (I've seen him play in the backcourt with Chauncey before)
G Juan Dixon (played PG the other night, and SG the first game)
SG Arron Afflalo (haven't once registered him at the 3)
G-F-Rip Hamilton (although he should play at the 3 more often)
SF Tayshaun Prince (I suppose I've seen him bring the ball up on occasions, but just as a spur-of-the-moment deal)
F Jarvis Hayes (can't recall seeing him in at SG, but played in the post earlier this year)
PF Walter Hermann (hasn't had a chance at SF yet, but I would prefer him at EITHER forward position over Hayes)
F-C Antonio McDyess
F-C Jason Maxiell (plays C more often than I'm comfortable with)
F-C Amir Johnson (saw him at C in garbage time, but never at the 3)
C Rasheed Wallace
C Cheikh Samb

Once C Theo Ratliff comes aboard, Rasheed will officially be a F-C again if he ever shares court-time with Ratliff.

This is our actual rotation, then, according to Flip:
Billups/Stuckey/Hunter*
Hamilton/Dixon/Afflalo
Prince/Hayes
McDyess/Johnson/Hermann
Wallace/Maxiell/Samb*

Once Ratliff comes aboard Maxiell should never see time at C and Hermann should only see time at SF.