Game 39: Detroit Pistons (14-24) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-27) - 7:00 PM ET

[DBC10]

Maybe Rose sits next game for load management as he played 30+ minutes the last two games.

We really can’t afford him to go down on some unforeseen injury and nuke his value. He might be the most tantalizing asset we have due to how so many teams can fit his play and cap hold.

[Manocad]

Any time someone goes off again on what an awesome player Drummond is and how anyone who wants him traded isn't rational or doesn't realize what a special talent he is, is going to get this game rubbed in their face.

This game is a PERFECT example of Drummond--big, empty stats that don't lead to wins. And don't give me any hooey about not ever having a team around him--it was HIS GUY who lead the Cavs with 35 points.

Bingo.
Typical Drummond game where you look at the stats and think he dominated but the reality is that he's a net negative because of poor defense or poor decisions that don't show up on a stat sheet.

In any event, I don't know about you guys but I feel massive relief after this loss. I know the players want to win but they need this loss to distance Gores from any delusion that this is a playoff team. The draft pick is secondary to doing the right thing by kicking off the rebuild.

The Cavs are awful and we just split with them.

There's absolutely nothing there that would signal a "hey, maybe we don't need to tare it down" moment.

I think the FO understands that having Blake as dead money clogging up our cap makes building to win in the next 2 years essentially impossible no matter what happens the next 3 weeks, but it never hurts to have a little insurance. Plus every loss improves our lottery odds.

Precisely why I look at the rebuild as being a 2-3 year process. There's no realistic reason anyone should believe that this team can be built into a championship team with Blake still on the roster. That's just too much money tied into a player who by any reasonable speculation will continue to diminish.

And that's ok; basically build the entire team with the idea that Blake will be gone in two years, then after he's gone go get the established superstar or #2 player as the last big piece.

[thesack12]

Much has been said questioning why Dre played 49 minutes and Rose 36, and understandably so as it makes no sense.

However, the most baffling thing to me is why the hell did Casey play Snell 36 minutes? Tony is directly taking minutes from Sekou, which is completely unacceptable.

[JD43320]

The correct answer to every question in every single thread about "why did coach Casey do x?" is that coach Casey is a moron or any other synonym that will pass the word filter here.

[DCintheD]

Much has been said questioning why Dre played 49 minutes and Rose 36, and understandably so as it makes no sense.

However, the most baffling thing to me is why the hell did Casey play Snell 36 minutes? Tony is directly taking minutes from Sekou, which is completely unacceptable.

Maybe there’s a big picture plan that involves showcasing them all for trades? That’s what a competent front office would do. We’re not used to it. Anyone else hoping that Malik rose is the hidden truth?

[thesack12]

Much has been said questioning why Dre played 49 minutes and Rose 36, and understandably so as it makes no sense.

However, the most baffling thing to me is why the hell did Casey play Snell 36 minutes? Tony is directly taking minutes from Sekou, which is completely unacceptable.

Maybe there’s a big picture plan that involves showcasing them all for trades? That’s what a competent front office would do. We’re not used to it. Anyone else hoping that Malik rose is the hidden truth?

I personally believe that "showcasing" isn't really a thing when we are talking about well seasoned vets like Dre/Rose/Snell/etc. The scouting reports on those type guys is well established, and if a team is considering players as potential trade targets they surely have their scouts/analytics departments do deep dives into that player's profile. Playing an extra 5-10 minutes above the norm isn't going to swing a player's value.

Also, if a showcase situation was in play I would think Galloway would be getting more run currently. Unlike Snell, LG actually holds some positive value right now.

As for Malik, i'm with you. Awhile back I floated the idea that Rose might actually be the guy pulling the strings behind closed doors. but in the interest of fairness, I have to admit I have no faith in Ed Im gonna hire myself Stefanski, so I hold onto hope that Malik is not only legit but has more pull than we know.

[Kilo]

Casey isn't showcasing - he didn't come here to rebuild. He wants to win this stretch of games and then go to Gores and claim we're the 8th seed and we should hold or buy, not sell/tank. The sooner Dre is traded the better, then Rose will ask out and we're in rebuild. I half expect Casey to negotiate a buy out though at the end of the season unless we win #1OA or something. I'd be fine with that in all honesty.

[thesack12]

Casey isn't showcasing - he didn't come here to rebuild. He wants to win this stretch of games and then go to Gores and claim we're the 8th seed and we should hold or buy, not sell/tank. The sooner Dre is traded the better, then Rose will ask out and we're in rebuild. I half expect Casey to negotiate a buy out though at the end of the season unless we win #1OA or something. I'd be fine with that in all honesty.

I'm all for moving on from Casey as well, but I'm not so sure he would pursue a buyout.

His reputation isn't all that highly regarded currently. With Toronto winning the ultimate prize after firing him, Detroit not exactly performing well with him, and him about to turn 63 years old this might very well be his last opportunity as an NBA HC. I highly doubt any team would view him as the guy to put them over the hump, and can't see a rebuilding team wanting him either.

[Kilo]

Casey isn't showcasing - he didn't come here to rebuild. He wants to win this stretch of games and then go to Gores and claim we're the 8th seed and we should hold or buy, not sell/tank. The sooner Dre is traded the better, then Rose will ask out and we're in rebuild. I half expect Casey to negotiate a buy out though at the end of the season unless we win #1OA or something. I'd be fine with that in all honesty.

I'm all for moving on from Casey as well, but I'm not so sure he would pursue a buyout.

His reputation isn't all that highly regarded currently. With Toronto winning the ultimate prize after firing him, Detroit not exactly performing well with him, and him about to turn 63 years old this might very well be his last opportunity as an NBA HC. I highly doubt any team would view him as the guy to put them over the hump, and can't see a rebuilding team wanting him either.

Yeah, more wishful thinking on my part.

[tmorgan]

I'm at this point now:

Damn good L. Keep it up.

[Pharaoh]

I'm at this point now:

Damn good L. Keep it up.

Agreed although seeing Sekou only played 20 minutes AND was +8 boggles my mind.

4 fouls = he was in foul trouble a lot of the game but 20 minutes? Maybe the coaching staff didn't want him to be passive defensively and that's why he didnt play more?

In our scenario I put him back in, tell him to play like he's got zero fouls, be "normal" and not to stress about it

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[DBC10]

TT puts 35 up against Dre.

This isn't actually real is it? *Checks boxscore*

Dude has no outside shot and can only score from 5 feet out. This is basically domination if it's coming from TT who never is supposed to score besides putbacks.

[Laimbeer]

Yeah, it would be dumb to play Rose a lot of minutes to showcase him. All you're doing is increasing the risk he gets dinged up. Casey was simply trying to win the game.

[JD43320]

And Casey is an idiot. Don't ever forget to add that to any discussion about his decision making.