Game 26: Detroit @ Indiana (7:00 PM ET)

[Cowology]

We're always going to be somewhat erratic offensively due to our personnel. If you think Smith has suddenly turned the corner you should probably go talk to a few ATL fans. He's going to continue to frustrate us. Same probably goes for Jennings.

But as long as we continue to establish that bruising interior identity we'll continue to give ourselves opportunities to win games. We're just a few games below .500, have a relatively easy stretch coming up and I expect us to continue to show improvement and play better the 2nd half of the season.

Argue about whether that makes us "good" or not all you want, this is the first time since about 2006 that the team has actually shown improvement and is headed in the right direction and I'll take that over the "good" team headed the wrong direction every day of the week.

[Clarity]

Ride that rollercoaster high while you can, Clarity. We lost to Portland, by the way. We're going to look good on some nights and bad on others, and that's going to be true most of the year with the weird pieces we have. I think we'll make the playoffs and may even have home court in round 1, but that isn't the kind of "good" I'm talking about. I'm talking about GOOD, down the road -- people will fear the Pistons, and we'll be considered one of the best handful of teams in the league.

That's not happening this year, in my opinion. As always with anything negative, I hope I'm wrong.

Rome wasnt built in a day, your word is what ive been preaching since the Josh/Jennings acquisitions.

The improvement is a fact though, rapid improvement.

Down the road good, as per your definition is 150% dependent on Drummond.

[Jackattaq]

We're always going to be somewhat erratic offensively due to our personnel. If you think Smith has suddenly turned the corner you should probably go talk to a few ATL fans. He's going to continue to frustrate us. Same probably goes for Jennings.

But as long as we continue to establish that bruising interior identity we'll continue to give ourselves opportunities to win games. We're just a few games below .500, have a relatively easy stretch coming up and I expect us to continue to show improvement and play better the 2nd half of the season.

Argue about whether that makes us "good" or not all you want, this is the first time since about 2006 that the team has actually shown improvement and is headed in the right direction and I'll take that over the "good" team headed the wrong direction every day of the week.

This, this is exactly what I wanna see. PUNISH THEM IN THE PAINT. I've always felt basketball is a game of size, if it weren't why aren't all the teams full of very talented 5'9 guys that can shoot the lights out from anywhere? I want to see the Pistons use that size and HURT TEAMS ON THE GLASS, HURT them in the PAINT. This is the most enjoyable season I've seen since the Pistons not so pretty "fall from grace". They are finally using the best attributes (SIZE, REBOUNDING) to get points in the paint. It's been a very long time since I've seen a Pistons team POUND THE PAINT the way that this team can. It's great ball to watch. If only we can get them to realize that the team is best using it's athleticism and size and pound the paint and RUNNING THE FLOOR, then maybe we can see a true transformation into something special. This team has barely scratched the surface of what it could be if they only can learn to be a disciplined OFFENSIVE and MAINLY DEFENSIVE team. This team's defensive discipline is BAD. If they can learn how to play smart defense and how to rotate properly, we are talking ultra scary potential.

GO PISTONS !!!!

[zeebneeb]

i love everyones optimism and this team does have the personnel to be really good, but unless pope becomes an actual shooter, a trade has to be made. I would love it if we got what we needed giving up only expirings but i doubt it.

This team absolutely needs a shooter in the lineup. I hope pope comes around as i love his defense, but a shooter we need nonetheless.

[Notanoob]

There should be no rush to acquire a shooter if it means we have to move any significant assets. We are not in a title push this year, we're in a playoff push and we are already very likely to make the playoffs, and what's more avoid getting Miami or Indiana in the first round. We can wait to sign one in free agency.

Besides, be patient with Pope. He's 1/4 of the way through his rookie season, and we've got a whole college season that say's he can shoot. He'll find his stroke eventually. Being literally the last option on offense and seeing the least amount of floor time of any starter means that he doesn't have the same sort of opportunity to get comfortable within the flow of a real NBA game. It may take some time before he's shooting well. Wait a season before doing anything.

Also, considering how effective we've been inside the paint, why bother with a shooter? If it works, no need to screw around with it, especially when we're not trying to do anything but let the team get comfortable with each other and let the young guys grow. We can just sit on our hand and have a successful year at this point.

[MotownMadness]

If Popes shot comes around he is going to be a absolute stud. I guess we have to be patient with him. The only way he will get better at it is by keep shooting. He doesn't force anything but is not scared to fire away if he gets a good look either which I love. If he gets his shot going he could be a 16-20 ppg scorer with elite defense as well.

[zeebneeb]

There should be no rush to acquire a shooter if it means we have to move any significant assets. We are not in a title push this year, we're in a playoff push and we are already very likely to make the playoffs, and what's more avoid getting Miami or Indiana in the first round. We can wait to sign one in free agency.

Besides, be patient with Pope. He's 1/4 of the way through his rookie season, and we've got a whole college season that say's he can shoot. He'll find his stroke eventually. Being literally the last option on offense and seeing the least amount of floor time of any starter means that he doesn't have the same sort of opportunity to get comfortable within the flow of a real NBA game. It may take some time before he's shooting well. Wait a season before doing anything.

Also, considering how effective we've been inside the paint, why bother with a shooter? If it works, no need to screw around with it, especially when we're not trying to do anything but let the team get comfortable with each other and let the young guys grow. We can just sit on our hand and have a successful year at this point.

Trusr me i understand where your coming from. If popes shot came around, this team would be a thing to watch on offense. Man I love popes defense though...

[Brapman]

Pope's a) a rookie - and rookies who are very good shooters sometimes take a season or two to shoot effectively in this super league. Reddick - I think the same thing happened with him.

b) a very high energy defensive player. Especially for a guy who gives tons of energy on D, it'll take more time for him to learn to knock down shots.

I think this kid is a stud - better than a true 3 & D player.