We are right where we want to be

[Blkbrd671]

Right Now:

-Our roster is depleted for significant time
-We almost took another step towards contention but rather possibly missed out on other opportunities
-We have been playing poorly
-We played ourselves out of the playoffs to this point
-We continue to suffer from the same problems that have plagued us all season


So i tend to be optimistic when it comes to Detroit sports, hence the wrinkles ,depression, therapy sessions etc. So here's my pitch.

Our team is known for winning games we shouldn't and vice versa. With that logic, our backs are against the wall, everything is saying we should fail so, in theory, we should be a awesome team for the next couple weeks. We are exactly where we want to be.

Coincidentally our defense has all of a sudden decided to show up.




Detroit vs Everybody

[Spider156]

Honestly here's the X factor. Drummond. If Drummond decides to take over the game, it's his for the taking and after the All Star game the refs have really been favoring him to stay in the game and it's obvious. With his FT momentum, there's a chance no team can match him. I believe Baynes will probably play 30 mins as a back up PF and C and that's a big difference defensively. Baynes is really good at defense. I think we can definitely win the next two games and the two games after that is tough regardless if we're healthy or not. Maybe that'll be enough that one of Tolliver or SJ will come back. Sprains usually go in 1-2 weeks. I can't imagine they'll be out for 3 weeks or more. Maybe Tolliver but Stanley's injury isn't as serious. We basically have to play like the beginning of the season and ride our starters. It looks like Drummond means business ever since the All Star break and that's a great sign. I can see a 20 reb game against the 76ers. The Bucks will be tough but it's winnable. They're not a great team at all but they're home. We'll have to step up our energy when we go there.

[Blkbrd671]

Honestly here's the X factor. Drummond. If Drummond decides to take over the game, it's his for the taking and after the All Star game the refs have really been favoring him to stay in the game and it's obvious. With his FT momentum, there's a chance no team can match him. I believe Baynes will probably play 30 mins as a back up PF and C and that's a big difference defensively. Baynes is really good at defense. I think we can definitely win the next two games and the two games after that is tough regardless if we're healthy or not. Maybe that'll be enough that one of Tolliver or SJ will come back. Sprains usually go in 1-2 weeks. I can't imagine they'll be out for 3 weeks or more. Maybe Tolliver but Stanley's injury isn't as serious. We basically have to play like the beginning of the season and ride our starters. It looks like Drummond means business ever since the All Star break and that's a great sign. I can see a 20 reb game against the 76ers. The Bucks will be tough but it's winnable. They're not a great team at all but they're home. We'll have to step up our energy when we go there.

i am probably over couraged by beating the champs on a b2b. While Cavs were also on a b2b, we are literally the worst team in the league on b2b's and we got that win.

[topsearch92]

I think our team lost it's underdog hardworking approach with early season success. Hopefully we get that back and keep playing Detroit basketball like we showed we can. Time to overcome a challenge and put the pedal to the metal.

[SRG123]

ya when people really doubt this team they show up, when we're all praising the team and talking about how great they are they slow down.

I think what this team needs is some hecklers, we need to hire about 20 of these types of fans to just heckle this team all game long then will just blow out every team by 40 and complete our 20 year dynasty

[Todd3]

I read somewhere we have the easiest remaining schedule of all the teams vying for the bottom seeds.When we play like we did yesterday it feels like every game is winnable. When we play like the Wiz game it feels like we can't beat anyone. Right now I'm now optimistic after last night combined with 76ers and Bucks next. We should be able to win a few in a row and get some confidence going.

[Spider156]

Gotta take it game by game. We have 76ers and Bucks. Those are very much winnable games. Then it's Toronto and San Antonio. Those are tough regardless if we're healthy or not. Then we have to play hard and sooner or later we'll get some guys back. We gotta focus on tomorrow then rest and play hard Saturday

[Blkbrd671]

I think our team lost it's underdog hardworking approach with early season success. Hopefully we get that back and keep playing Detroit basketball like we showed we can. Time to overcome a challenge and put the pedal to the metal.

Sounds like something a young minded team would do.......................wait a minute

I swear they do it to torcher us

[ElectricMayhem]

I read somewhere we have the easiest remaining schedule of all the teams vying for the bottom seeds.

Any idea where you read this? I don't see how it could be right. So far this year our strength of schedule has been .497. Washington's has been .520. That means Washington should have a much easier remaining schedule than us.

I've looked at all playoff contenders under the four variables of SOS, estimated W/L, injuries, and trades here:
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/2/23/11081742/surveying-the-post-trade-deadline-playoff-landscape

[Blkbrd671]

ya when people really doubt this team they show up, when we're all praising the team and talking about how great they are they slow down.

I think what this team needs is some hecklers, we need to hire about 20 of these types of fans to just heckle this team all game long then will just blow out every team by 40 and complete our 20 year dynasty

ironically RJ has had his best game when hecklers were on him in portland. I could nominate several of our posters if we need someone to troll our boys.

[Todd3]

I read somewhere we have the easiest remaining schedule of all the teams vying for the bottom seeds.

Any idea where you read this? I don't see how it could be right. So far this year our strength of schedule has been .497. Washington's has been .520. That means Washington should have a much easier remaining schedule than us.

I've looked at all playoff contenders under the four variables of SOS, estimated W/L, injuries, and trades here:
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/2/23/11081742/surveying-the-post-trade-deadline-playoff-landscape

Seeing all six of those teams make it in leaves the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and Magic all vying for the last two spots in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

According to both projection websites, each of which simulates the season’s remaining games 7,500+ times on a daily basis, Charlotte (80.8 percent, 84.7 percent) and Chicago (71.5 percent, 67 percent) are the most likely teams to get in. Washington (12.8 percent, 12.1 percent) has a low playoff probability, while Detroit (47 percent, 51.6 percent) has the easiest remaining schedule and look like the biggest threat to knock Chicago or Charlotte out of the postseason picture.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/who-makes-the-eastern-conference-playoffs/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[ElectricMayhem]

Spoiler:

I read somewhere we have the easiest remaining schedule of all the teams vying for the bottom seeds.

Any idea where you read this? I don't see how it could be right. So far this year our strength of schedule has been .497. Washington's has been .520. That means Washington should have a much easier remaining schedule than us.

I've looked at all playoff contenders under the four variables of SOS, estimated W/L, injuries, and trades here:
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/2/23/11081742/surveying-the-post-trade-deadline-playoff-landscape

Seeing all six of those teams make it in leaves the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and Magic all vying for the last two spots in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

According to both projection websites, each of which simulates the season’s remaining games 7,500+ times on a daily basis, Charlotte (80.8 percent, 84.7 percent) and Chicago (71.5 percent, 67 percent) are the most likely teams to get in. Washington (12.8 percent, 12.1 percent) has a low playoff probability, while Detroit (47 percent, 51.6 percent) has the easiest remaining schedule and look like the biggest threat to knock Chicago or Charlotte out of the postseason picture.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/who-makes-the-eastern-conference-playoffs/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Thank you. I'm still not sure how to reconcile those numbers, though. I got my numbers from ESPN.
http://espn.go.com/nba/stats/rpi/_/sort/SOS

[Blkbrd671]

I read somewhere we have the easiest remaining schedule of all the teams vying for the bottom seeds.When we play like we did yesterday it feels like every game is winnable. When we play like the Wiz game it feels like we can't beat anyone. Right now I'm now optimistic after last night combined with 76ers and Bucks next. We should be able to win a few in a row and get some confidence going.

best way is to win the next 2 and carry the momentum to SAS

[BadMofoPimp]

I think our team lost it's underdog hardworking approach with early season success. Hopefully we get that back and keep playing Detroit basketball like we showed we can. Time to overcome a challenge and put the pedal to the metal.

Sounds like something a young minded team would do.......................wait a minute

I swear they do it to torcher us