Detroit @ Indiana 7P.M.

[Maker_84]

too bad knight couldn't have gotten hurt a few games ago to secure a loss to the Cats. gotta keep losing and regain better draft position

[Jodi]

This lost was a complete embarrassment...We have too many bums on our team, too many...Calderon, Maxiell, Bynum, Singler, English(can't play d), and Jerebko are all bums!..Damn I hope next season our roster looks totally different...

[starfire81]

Looks like this was a good game to miss. I have no interest in watching our no defense playing, mediocre veteran laden team without Drummond AND Knight.

[JD43320]

‏@vgoodwill Monroe barking at Frank while on the bench. Clearly steaming.

any information?

My guess is PT.

[Piston Pete]

Now that the trade deadline has passed, the players can officailly quit on Frank.

Let's shake up the lineup moving forward, at least until Knight returns:

Calderon / Bynum
Stuckey / English
Singler / Middleton
Jerebko / CV
Monroe / KravtSlov

[DetroitPistons]

Now that the trade deadline has passed, the players can officailly quit on Frank.

Let's shake up the lineup moving forward, at least until Knight returns:

Calderon / Bynum
Stuckey / English
Singler / Middleton
Jerebko / CV
Monroe / KravtSlov

I agree Middleton and English should play but there is no reason to start JJ especially when he hasn't done a single thing to earn it. He should be buried on the bench until his contract expires. Also, I think Knight will be back within the next couple games.

[daschysta]

Stephenson has turned into a really nice player, he's a solid starter in the league and still young. Indy's coaching staff did a great job mentoring him. Apparently they knew what they were doing trading cash for Orlando Johnson, Kid's shooting 50% from 3 on the year.

it is all about choaching. they have nothing special.

Pacers have tons of talent dude, Paul George is a budding elite swing, Hibbert is an elite defensive anchor, Granger is a consistent 19+ ppg scorer, who led them to the 5th best record in the NBA last season, and who hasn't even yet played this yar , West is producing on par with what he did when he was an all-star twice in New Orleans, Hill is a solid starter, Stephenson has become a solid starter as well. Indiana's starting lineup sports 4 guys who have been all-stars since 2007 and they have had a new first time all-star 2 years running . The best coaching in the world couldn't have a team on pace for 52-53 wins and 2nd in the conference without sufficient talent to get the job done.

[MrBigShot]

^I concur. Seems like only a few posters here will give credit where it is due to other teams. Indiana has a good team. They have a legitimate chance to beat the Heat.

[Piston Pete]

Now that the trade deadline has passed, the players can officailly quit on Frank.

Let's shake up the lineup moving forward, at least until Knight returns:

Calderon / Bynum
Stuckey / English
Singler / Middleton
Jerebko / CV
Monroe / KravtSlov

I agree Middleton and English should play but there is no reason to start JJ especially when he hasn't done a single thing to earn it. He should be buried on the bench until his contract expires. Also, I think Knight will be back within the next couple games.

I was thinking JJ for a couple reasons:

1) CV coming off the bench seems to be in a groove of late. Plus, he and Bynum have a good chemistry.
2) He can't be any worse than Maxiell
3) He's our only PF signed long-term
4) Maybe he can up his trade value with increased minutes

[mercury]

how has middleton played tonight,hows his defense what do you think he will excel at and what does he need to work on ?

I think he looked really good, especially defensively. He had some good looks that didn't go down but I think he can definitely develop into a decent player. I like his game a lot.

Good,as far as english shall we say he wont be part of the team next year.

English played well on both sides of the ball... please give specific times when he did not... I'll check the replay and verify.

[Goldtop]

[hoophabit]

It was most sweet because of who it is getting tossed, although we'd all love him if he played on our team. It also makes a point though about how much this team misses Drummond. The Pistons are just so easy to punk when he's not on the floor. Moose just plays so lazy and soft sometimes that it's maddening. He can be pi$$ed at Frank all he wants, but he deserved to be pulled off the floor in this game. Slava has a lot of learning to do but one thing I like about him is that he's willing. Willing to bang and mix it up, willing to make the effort. He reminds me of Pachulia in that sense. Maybe not the most gifted player, but very useful because he's willing to do the "dirty work."

[Defor]

Goldtop :I love that cut scene ,I remember watching that game , seeing Drummond physically throw Hansbrough right out of the way was incredible.This team needs toughness ,and in my opinion some meaness.Joe needs to go out and get guys that set vicious picks and that arn't afraid to body a player to the floor when they penetrate for an easy basket.We can't depend on just drummond ,as good as he is, we need at least three of our starting five to be good defensive players, preferably 4.

[Dirtgrain]

Moose just plays so lazy and soft sometimes that it's maddening. He can be pi$$ed at Frank all he wants, but he deserved to be pulled off the floor in this game.

Amen.

[Boneman2]

That was uncharacteristic of Tyler to submit like that. Drummond is a beast.
I think the future is bright for the Pistons with their frontcourt, we're talking possibly the best tandem in a couple years. Add in some wings and a suitable pg(bledsoe) then a steady playoff team is the basement for this roster moving forward. Whether you compete is going to depend on the quality Dumars adds around your cornerstones.
Hopefully you can acquire a defensive wing presence too, Iggy would be my target for your roster. I'm assuming you are in pretty good shape to absorb such a contract, and it would lessen the compensation to get him.

Bledsoe
Stephenson
Iggy
Monroe
Drummond

Sign bledsoe and stephenson outright when they're available.
Stphenson would actually be a lot more productive if he wasn't the 5th option. His status is determined to be of a supportive nature. Regardless, he is built like an NFL linebacker. I hope the Pacers can afford to resign him, that's where you will have an advantage if you pursue him.

[daschysta]

Based on the 10 or so Pistons games that i've watched this year I think that the key to that frontcourt working is Monroe's jumper developing further. If he can consistently stick a 15 foot jumper then you guys are really on to something with he and Drummond (Drummond is going to be an elite center regardless though). If Monroe isn't hitting the jumper the spacing always seems to be pretty rough though and presents some problems when both are on the court together.

I like the potential the duo has though, when they are on the floor together Monroe should rack up the assists because you can just tell Drummond is going to be impossible to stop after he gets position. How serious is his back fracture, a shame that it happened, I imagine he's one of the few reasons the Pistons are exciting for fans to watch through the tough times. The future is brighter though, being a fan of a team that is frontcourt heavy I love what I think yours will become, you guys do need some more consistent and talented backcourt players though, Calderon is solid, but probably a stopgap right?

[Jodi]

@daschysta and @boneman2: Please get off the Piston bandwagon, we don't need you or your ideas about our roster... jk

[Timmaytime]

Alright boys, lets be competitive