Moderators: Cowology, theBigLip, Snakebites, dVs33
Sounds like coach Larry Brown is leaning toward keeping D-Leaguer Cartier Martin for the rest of the season. Brown loves Martin's attitude, particularly his work ethic.
Example: One day Brown showed up at the arena early-morning to find Martin at the gate, waiting to get in before security arrived. Brown said Martin offered to stay in Charlotte over All-Star break if there was a chance to work on his game. Brown told him to go home and see his bride. Martin is a newlywed.
Point Chris Duhon, who is now suffering an ankle sprain, did not play last night and will get an MRI exam today in New York.
The Grizzlies will be without forward Rudy Gay, who has a hip flexor and has dropped out of the All-Star dunking competition, and Darrell Arthur, who is mourning the death of his grandmother. Former Villanova guard Kyle Lowry is listed as day-to-day with a sprained right ankle, while Hakim Warrick needed four stitches to close a cut above his left eye in the third quarter against the Hornets. *
Chris Bosh Toronto: Will i be in detroit by thursday?
John Hollinger: Highly unlikely. I don't think anything will happen with Bosh until summer at the earliest.
Al, Chicago, IL: Is Phoenix just waiting until Monday to make a deal because of the All-Star weekend? Give us a percentage on where Amare ends up?
John Hollinger: Actually, our Chad Ford reported that the Suns aren't inclined to wait and will act immediately if they get a deal they like. John Hollinger: On that note, a league spokesmen told me there isn't a concrete plan for what they'd do if Amare is traded to the East between now and Sunday. By this point, I'm guessing they'd just keep him with the West.
Steve (Detroit, MI): John, If the Pistons aren't in the running for Amare, do they have any plans for the trade deadline?
John Hollinger: I'm sure they do, but I'm not privy to what they are. They have two big expiring deals with Iverson and Sheed, so I do wonder if Dumars is quietly trolling for a home-run type trade.
Jon (Saginaw,MI): Hi what percentage do the Pistons have of getting Amare?
John Hollinger: I'm told their interest is lukewarm at best, but they certainly have the assets (Sheed's expiring deal, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell) to be in the running if they choose to.
Just a matter of time: FireCurry.com
Pistons are now a game under .500 in the Allen Iverson era. They have the fewest wins at the All-Star break since 2001. They have lost six of seven at home. The Palace is depressingly empty and devoid of atmosphere. The team is in a three-way tie for fifth-place in the conference. They are only three games in front of the injury-depleted Milwaukee Bucks for the final playoff spot. Rasheed Wallace sat out the fourth quarter Wednesday because he was tired. Rodney Stuckey looks every bit like a young player hitting the mid-season wall.
Are we ready for a four-day break from this team or what? Drew Sharp says the Pistons are mentally fractured. Iverson says the team isn’t pointing fingers … yet. But this is America, after all, so naturally someone out there in Internet land is. You knew fireCurry.com was coming, right? The site doesn’t offer much in the way of intelligent discourse of the pluses or minuses of Curry’s tenure. Right at the top it says, “Seven coaches have been fired so far in the 2008 NBA season. Let’s make Michael Curry the seventh!” To help further depress you, the Offbeat decided to stumble through the team’s defensive rankings heading into the break. We know the team isn’t the defensive juggernaut it once was, but how bad have things become? From my quick look at these numbers, the story seems to be this: the Pistons aren’t awful, but they’re no longer dominating. They’re average. Just average.
They’ve fallen to sixth in the league in opponents points, giving up 94.29. They’re seventh in opponent’s field goal percentage; teams shoot 45.1 percent against them. In rebounding, the Pistons are in the bottom third of the league at No. 21. Even though the Pistons are still near the top in terms of points against, they have slipped enough (last year, they were either No 1 or 2 all season) that they can’t make up for their signature plodding offense. The Pistons rank 28th in the league in points at 93.88. They also need to do a better job guarding the paint. According to 82games.com, the Pistons’ opponents take 34 percent of their shots from inside the paint (that’s about the median for the league), making 58.2 percent of them. Surprisingly, the Pistons are the second-best team in the league when it comes to getting dunked on. They have given up only 140 dunks so far, ranking behind only the Orlando Magic. So they have that going for them. That and a much-needed four-day break.
Is there any other good news?
You want some positive Pistons news? Let's see if I can spin anything that way for you. It looks like two teams to take out of the running in the trade hunt for Amare Stoudemire – Phoenix and Memphis. That’s if you believe the latest round of rumors, which say, among other things, that the talks between the Blazers and Suns have deteriorated.
It sounds like the Suns are committed to sending Stoudemire to the East, but I can't find anyone still mentioning the Pistons as a true viable option. The CBSSports.com story also said that there is a little confusing going on in the trade discussions, a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. “Teams are getting mixed signals from Phoenix as far as what the Suns are looking to take back for Stoudemire, another executive said -- one version from (owner Robert) Sarver and another from president Steve Kerr. One week until the trade deadline. Lots more rumors to come.
Elsewhere, the Bulls want a review of a screen Antonio McDyess set on Derrick Rose in Tuesday night’s loss. Rose went to the locker room after the screen complaining of dizziness.From the Chicago Tribune: "At the end of the game you get away with a little bit more," (Bulls coach Vinny) Del Negro said. "He's a veteran guy. He was trying to free up his player. But we'll take a closer look at it." Rose, who could be seen sobbing in pain as he left the court, didn't practice Wednesday but said he felt better and would play Thursday against Miami.” I believe this is what they call a “welcome to the NBA moment."
Chicago Bulls consider seeking review of Antonio McDyess screen
The Bulls are considering asking the league to review a screen set by Antonio McDyess in the last minutes of the Piston-Bulls game on Tuesday.
Apparently the Bulls are getting tired of having sand kicked in their faces--or, more accurately, shoulders lowered into them. Coach Vinny Del Negro said Wednesday the organization might ask the NBA office to review Pistons forward Antonio McDyess' screen that sent Derrick Rose to the locker room with a headache and dizziness late in Tuesday's victory."At the end of the game you get away with a little bit more," Del Negro said. "He's a veteran guy. He was trying to free up his player. But we'll take a closer look at it." Rose, who could be seen sobbing in pain as he left the court, didn't practice Wednesday but said he felt better and would play Thursday against Miami.
RIDING OUT THE STORM
Most Pistons fans pinpoint the Allen Iverson trade as the beginning of the downfall. The team has a 23-24 record since AI began suiting up, including a 5-12 record in the last 17 games heading into the All-Star break.
To paraphrase an old Rick Pitino line, Chauncey Billups isn't walking through that door. Flip Saunders isn't walking through that door. And I seriously doubt Amare Stoudemire will, either. The best assets the Pistons have to rejoin the elite members of the Eastern Conference are the expiring contracts of Iverson and Rasheed Wallace. Stoudemire is one of the few players Joe Dumars would trade one of those expiring contracts for prior to the Feb. 19 deadline. But other teams have expiring contracts, too, plus better draft picks and/or talented young players. Face it, the only star-quality young player the Pistons have is Rodney Stuckey and it would be counterproductive to deal him. The Pistons don't have any additional first-round picks to dangle, contrary to some media reports. The most recent first-rounder they acquire was in the Darko Milicic deal with Orlando and they used that pick on Stuckey. As for the coaching situation, I would be very surprised if Dumars gave up on Michael Curry this quickly. Dumars groomed Curry for the job; Curry is dealing with criticism, boos and harsh assessments from outsiders for the first time. Dumars is going to give Curry the chance to learn from this experience. Making top assistant Darrell Walker an interim coach isn't going to make the Pistons better than Boston or Cleveland, so why bother?
Chemistry issues aside, there's no excuse for a team with this much talent and experience to wallow in mediocrity. Unless Phoenix takes the Pistons' offer for Stoudemire or another sweet deal suddenly materializes, the onus will be on the current group of Pistons and their rookie coach to prevent a complete meltdown.
HAWKS (99) @ Pistons (95)
Defense continues to be a major problem (along with cohesiveness, playing at home, playing on the road, beating subpar teams, beating good teams, consistency, energy, pride and coaching) with the Pistons. Last night they gave up 99 points to the Hawks on 51.4% shooting at home where the Pistons have lost 6 of their last 7.
Everybody clap your hands for former Piston Flip Murray for sticking it his former team for 23 points on 10/18 shooting off the Atlanta bench. All-Star Joe Johnson added 27 points of his own for the Hawks cause.
Allen Iverson returned to the Pistons lineup after missing Tuesday’s game with flu-like symptoms. but still was not 100% despite his game high 28 points, 15 of which came in the fourth.“I actually threw up at a timeout, so I was struggling,” he said. “I was really weak.” So the Pistons will trip into all-star break on a three game losing streak and with not much to build upon for the second half of the season.
And the blows just keep on coming. The Pistons added another loss to their now 27-24 record with a home loss to the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night at the Palace. Detroit was in this one from start to finish, but once again couldn’t put things together enough to get the win. The 99-95 loss to the Hawks was Detroit’s last game before a much needed All Star break.
Key Points: When Flip Murray is the game maker and burns you over and over again is it time to give up? Seriously, Flip Murry lit the Pistons up for 23 points on 10-18 shooting off the bench for the Hawks. Still a little funny to me that Flip took more shots for the Hawks thank Joe Johnson did. Johnson led the Hawks with 27 on 10-for-16 shooting. Has Sheed given up? I was at the game and I was bitching (to myself) that we were going small down the stretch, again, and wondering why Sheed wasn’t in the game. On the ride home I heard Curry explain that he said that when he asked to return to the game Rasheed said he wasn’t able. An old injury re-aggravated or is there something we don’t know? Maybe he just wanted to rush home to catch the rest of the North Carolina - Duke game. Allen Iverson led all scorers with 28 points on 11-for-20 shooting. Great performance from AI who missed Tuesday’s game against the Bulls with Flu like symptoms. He added 3 steals and just one turnover, but the one he did give up was a critical possession late in the game that could have made a big difference in the outcome of the game. AI highlights complete with the diving assist to Rip.If the playoffs started Wednesday, the Pistons and Hawks would face each other. And Detroit would NOT have home court advantage. The Pistons actually won the war of the boards 40-35. They even had 45 points in the paint. They really have no defensive identity. Oh how we miss the Wallace x2 days. Rodney Stuckey struggle a bit after suffering a slight ankle sprain in Tuesday’s game with the Bulls. Rodney scored 12 on 5-for-11 shooting in 30 minutes on the floor. A complaint by many Pistons fans is that our point guard doesn’t distribute the ball…and his one assist last night is a shining example. Feel bad…some Jason Maxiell Highlights will make you feel good. At least it did for me when I was putting the video together. Dunk you very much Jason for easing our misery just a little with your hustle and heart.
Jason finished with 6 points, 4 boards, 2 blocked shots and a steal in 17 minutes. You can ask yourself all you want why he didn’t get more time when he was a difference maker when he was on court and when Sheed couldn’t return. Should Need4Sheed have a “mail bag” of questions for Michael Curry to answer? I think we would keep him pretty busy. Tayshaun Prince 12 points on 4-10 shooting, with 8 assists, 5 boards, and a steal. Thank goodness someone is racking up assists. 17 lead changes with the game tied 8 times. Double-double for Antonio McDyess with 10 points an 10 boards. Jason Maxiell likes to block shots, and we like to watch him do it. Al Horford……..not so much. “For some reason, when we come home, we have a lull,” Curry said. “When we’re on the road, we’re all together and you have to fight, that’s all you got. (At home) everyone is finding reasons why we’re losing.” Via The Detroit News Dear Mr. Curry, just so you know, in case you haven’t paid attention, IT’S NOT JUST AT HOME! Richard Hamilton 14 points on 6-for-16 shooting with 5 assists, 4 boards and zero turnovers. It may be every bit of reality that the Pistons don’t even make the playoffs. There, I said it. Just look at the standings and see for yourself. They have the same record as Miami and Philly and the only team below them in the hunt are The Bucks. Did you know that Antonio McDyess hit the Bulls Derrick Rose so hard with it hit he was in tears? I knew he was hurt when watcing the game but apparently the Bulls think action should be taken against Dyess. Anyone have the feeling Joe Dumars is just some kind of Evil Genius and something just might happen? I am thinking if something does go down it will be after the All Star break. For all we know a deal is already put in place, but the NBA wants All Star weekend to take precedence. Just me thinking to help stop the madness in my head. But I could be right.
Despite the All-Star break, the Suns have to sign a player Friday. That will mark two weeks without them having 13 payers on the a 13-man roster, the NBA league minimum.
Atlanta 99, Detroit 95: Technically, it was a well-played game. I guess. Both teams combined for only 16 turnovers, and to make about half their shots. But if anyone had any fun watching this game, raise your hand and put it down quickly. Don't let anybody see that.
I couldn't see the whole thing, obviously, but it just seemed as if every instance of one team or one player playing well was the direct result of the other team (or an individual on the other team) screwing up. And before you tell me, "yeah, that's kind of what competition is, moron ..." understand that there too many easy buckets in this (low possession) game to completely credit either team.
Partially credit Atlanta for its offensive activity. Some bad shots, but the bad shots went in, and it was great to see Al Horford (15 points, seven rebounds, two blocks) playing the way he did. Other than that, not a fan. If this is indeed a first round matchup, then I call Western conference duty, Skeets.
An MRI performed on Tracy McGrady’s troublesome left knee revealed no new injury or changes since previous tests and diagnoses, the Rockets said Wednesday. McGrady was held out of Wednesday’s game against Sacramento in what the Rockets described as a “precautionary” measure.
McGrady said he will seek additional medical opinions but is not considering more surgery and expects to come back after the All-Star break. “This is just a bad time in my career to be going through this. For everybody that thought I was just playing with some (imaginary) knee injury, my (injury) is real. It’s big. It’s not just some pain. I have a real significant problem with my knee. So everybody that is questioning my injury, it’s for real.”
McGrady has missed 16 games this season while trying to rehabilitate his knee after last May’s surgery. He had played in seven of eight games since returning from two weeks off to work on his conditioning . McGrady is averaging 15.6 points , making a career-low 38.8 percent of his shots. He has been examined by team doctors and other specialists throughout the season. When he returned from a visit to Dr. James Andrews in Alabama on Dec. 1, the team announced he would miss a week and he said he would be out for three weeks. He missed two weeks, and then went out again last month.
Miami Heat forward Shawn Marion participated in this morning's shootaround at the United Center and is expected to be in the starting lineup for tonight's game against the Chicago Bulls.
Marion left Wednesday's practice at AmericanAirlines Arena after being inadvertently poked in the left eye by teammate Michael Beasley during a drill. Marion was diagnosed Wednesday in South Florida with a bruised left orbit and traveled with the team later in the day, with tonight's game to be followed by the NBA All-Star break.
Marion was poked in the same eye in a Feb. 4 road loss to the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills and continued through that game,
The Suns wouldn't ask the Bulls to include Kirk Hinrich, as some reports suggested, because he has an expensive long-term deal. I don't think the Bulls would include both Noah and Tyrus Thomas. So it appears the potential deal is still settled on Thomas, Gooden, Simmons, Sefolosha and a possible draft pick for Stoudemire.
If not the Bulls and if the Suns really don't have interest in Miami's Michael Beasley, Stoudemire could end up elsewhere in the Central Division. Cleveland could offer Sczerbiak, J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson, while Detroit could try Wallace, Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson. It seems very possible the Bulls are Steve Kerr's first choice.
Cleveland's coach was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Thursday for publicly criticizing referee Joey Crawford following the Cavaliers' last-second loss at Indiana earlier this week.
Although league disciplinarian Stu Jackson said in a release that Brown had been fined for comments made about "the officials," Brown's postgame tirade was directed at Crawford, who whistled LeBron James for a foul on Pacers forward Danny Granger in the final second. Crawford felt James made contact with Granger, who sank one free throw to give Indiana a 96-95 win.
Brown claimed Crawford made a predetermined -- or makeup -- call against James, who had been involved in a similar play moments earlier when Granger was whistled for a foul while trying to defend an alley-oop pass intended for James.
THE RULES
A quick recap of the rules:1. Salaries matter. Over this season and the next two, would you rather pay David West $27 million or Amare Stoudemire $43 million?
2. Age matters. Would you rather have Chauncey Billups for the next five seasons or Rajon Rondo for the next 12?
3. Pretend the league passed the following rule: For 24 hours, any player can be traded without cap ramifications but with luxury-tax ramifications. So if Team A tells Team B, "We'll trade you Player X for Player Y," would Team B make the deal?
4. Concentrate on degrees. Neither San Antonio nor Orlando would make a Howard-Duncan trade, but the Spurs would at least say, "Wow, Dwight Howard's available?" and have a meeting about it while the Magic would say, "There's no frickin' way we're trading Dwight Howard." That counts in the big scheme of things.
5. The list runs in reverse order (Nos. 40 to 1). So if Carmelo comes in at No. 16, players 1 through 15 are all players about whom the Nuggets would probably say, "We hate giving up 'Melo, but we definitely have to consider this deal." And they wouldn't trade him straight-up for any player listed between Nos. 17 and 50.
I'm a little over the Tayshaun Prince (44) thing. Rasheed Wallace (37) isn't as good as he used to be but doesn't realize it yet.... Allen Iverson (36) had a good run