Game 39: Jazz (28-12) @ Pistons (8-30) - Jan. 10 7:00 PM EST

[bstein14]

He was pissed off at the bench because he was not playing at the end. Not the first time he has this kind of attitude.

I didnt see that, but if true its a bad sign. Diallo is a baller as a player. His ability cant be denied and he still has a ton of upside.

24 minutes and led the team in rebounds. Incredible quickness, speed, jumping. Seemed like he was leading the league in steals or some stat like that.

I really like Cade/Diallo backcourt.

Cade
Diallo
Bey
Olynyk
Lyles

That is a lot of shooting to go with Cade.

I agree, the offense just flows with Stewart and Hayes on the bench with all shooting.

I've been saying for a while Hayes and Stewart should not both start. One needs to come off the bench. We're constantly getting off to slow starts offensively. Diallo has helped a little bit but overall we need one more threat out there in the starting five. From the sounds of it both Grant any Olynyk are going to be back soon I wouldn't be surprised to see us start both and run with.

It sucks for both of them, but they're both still looking like backups in this league next year if we add a top 5 pick and a big salary FA.

[Laimbeer]

It's great to see Cade beasting, but that's 4 of 6 for us and I don't mean that in a good way. There are too many bad teams within reach for us. We really need a top three pick.

[Bol Bol]

Cade
Diallo
Bey
Olynyk
Lyles

That is a lot of shooting to go with Cade.

Don’t forget about me! I’ll be there tomorrow!

[Kalamazoo317]

It's great to see Cade beasting, but that's 4 of 6 for us and I don't mean that in a good way. There are too many bad teams within reach for us. We really need a top three pick.

We're still bad enough to get a high draft pick, even if top 3 doesn't end up guaranteed. Nice to see us starting to build a winning culture, though. That's at least as important as a draft pick if not more.

When they're both back from injury, would love to see a lineup with Kelly O and Frank Jackson with the Bey/Diallo/Motor Cade trio.

[tmorgan]

The truth is, we probably only have two starters in place for a playoff series win.

But…

When other guys improve getting minutes during a lost season, their value rises. I know some don’t fully trust Troy’s vision and talent evaluation, but i do. I just hope the plan is to sell as high as possible on some guys while still fielding a team capable of winning if it plays well (like tonight).

We’re further away than I hoped to start the season, but there is some hope. Just gotta keep making smart moves. Playing time is player development currency, especially when you suck.

[Manocad]

I really like Cade/Diallo backcourt.

Cade
Diallo
Bey
Olynyk
Lyles

That is a lot of shooting to go with Cade.

If the goal is to put the best starting lineup on the floor I'd rather see Garza than Lyles. Now, the caveat there is that if I were the coach, in that lineup I'd be sticking Garza in the paint and keeping him there, and on both sides of the court to boot. Let KO play the stretch big role and let Garza play the more traditional center role of clogging the paint on defense and posting up on offense.

[Piston Pete]

Has Stewart regressed?

Is it me, or was he much better last season?

And now he’s reluctant to take outside shots…

[NYPiston]

Yeah I’m not sure what he’s talking about.

Commentators even made the point of saying how he looked happy for the team winning.

If anything the most recent stretch of games has made me want Hami here long term.

It’s a bad take or a typo from old mate

I can't believe that I'm agreeing with Vege but I too noticed that he was sulking a bit when the camera panned in on him late in the game. I also noticed him cheering as well so maybe it could have been a bit of both, that he was upset at being pulled but was also happy for his teammates when they made a nice play.

[Kalamazoo317]

Hami is a competitor. He wanted to be out there. Nothing wrong with that. He'll keep getting his starts and his chances, though, and should be part of the future, IMO.

I think Cade, Bey, and Hami can all be starters on a contender, and that Frank Jackson can be a piece of the bench on a contender. I'll be shocked if Grant isn't traded before the deadline. Not sure how old pieces like Lyles and Kelly O will be when we get there. Hayes and Beef Stew are decent but need to improve a lot to show me than can be top eight players on a contender. I liked how Hayes played against the Jazz, though. He just needs to start making those shots and he's a different player. Josh Jackson I change my mind on every day. There's still some hope for the Josh Jackson reclamation project and his being a spark plug off the bench for a contender. He needs to improve his decision making most of all. Cojo has good games here and there, but I feel like he's just passing through. I'm not convinced Garza or Lee are better than G-Leaguers yet. Walton's honestly a guy I wouldn't mind a longer look at. Looking forward to seeing Boles in Pistons uniform.

[foolinc]

Has Stewart regressed?

Is it me, or was he much better last season?

And now he’s reluctant to take outside shots…

It's less that he's regressed and more that he's been given more responsibly and is getting more focus in the opponents game plan. He's also not a main focus of the offense so unlike Bey and Cade isn't able to "shoot through it".

[Piston Pete]

Has Stewart regressed?

Is it me, or was he much better last season?

And now he’s reluctant to take outside shots…

It's less that he's regressed and more that he's been given more responsibly and is getting more focus in the opponents game plan. He's also not a main focus of the offense so unlike Bey and Cade isn't able to "shoot through it".

I must have counted at least 10 times in this game where Stewart had the ball 16-24 feet away from the basket, totally unguarded, and he didn’t shoot it. Nobody within 8 feet of him, and he would Ben Wallace it as if he’s totally unable to hit those shots.

[tradez401]

I want to see Diallo out of this team asap, and CoJo was a real leader today, I don't want him gone anymore, he got my respect now.

oh no diallo may have some value so depending on what we can get for him i'd leave him on the team. cojo on the other hand needs to go asap yeah he had a solid game but most of the other games he had this season he was terrible.

[440BB]

Although I've looked forward to moving Joseph out, he's the only veteran guard in the locker room now that McGruder is gone. I have no idea how much he's been in a mentorship role, helping the youngsters learn the ropes, but that may be his greatest value. Given his player option for next year, I suspect he has little to no market and they're keeping him for now.

Maybe he can help Diallo become more consistent in his attitude and accepting of his role. Diallo made some nice passes and showed more of a team first approach last night.

[vege]

I want to see Diallo out of this team asap, and CoJo was a real leader today, I don't want him gone anymore, he got my respect now.

oh no diallo may have some value so depending on what we can get for him i'd leave him on the team. cojo on the other hand needs to go asap yeah he had a solid game but most of the other games he had this season he was terrible.

CoJo played SG this game, and he was brilliant. He was big for us, hitting his open ****, always being at the right place and doing the right plays, and then when the game was on the line and we did a bunch of mistakes, he was there to tell the young guys what to do and what not to do.

[bstein14]

Stewart was great as an energy big off the bench as a rookie beating expectations. Weaver cleared the way to start and now he has not stepped up to the plate in that role. Hard to say how much his offseason injury could have also set back his progress a bit. It's almost a certainty that he gets but back into a bench role by next year as we start to try and win games unless he has a big offseason of progression from year two to three. Honestly, getting a decent backup big at #16 is still good for us but he just doesn't seem to have what it takes to start in this league yet. He also is still very young and I'd expect him to keep working and eventually work himself into a starting role with a team by his mid 20s. I don't think he's a career backup I think he'll eventually work himself into a decent starter its just going to be a process.

[440BB]

I do wonder if Stewart's right ankle injuries are still affecting his game, both physically and mentally. He spent most of July, August and September in a walking boot, then injured the same ankle in November. His game relies on his bounce as he's not a great leaper, and he still seems to have lost a bit of that bounce.

That July injury certainly took away most of the focused training he would have been working on through the summer.

Playing against starting centers vs backups last year has made a difference too. Most matchups this season are much tougher for him than last.

[edmunder_prc]

Has Stewart regressed?

Is it me, or was he much better last season?

And now he’s reluctant to take outside shots…

It's less that he's regressed and more that he's been given more responsibly and is getting more focus in the opponents game plan. He's also not a main focus of the offense so unlike Bey and Cade isn't able to "shoot through it".

I must have counted at least 10 times in this game where Stewart had the ball 16-24 feet away from the basket, totally unguarded, and he didn’t shoot it. Nobody within 8 feet of him, and he would Ben Wallace it as if he’s totally unable to hit those shots.

If Stewart can't hit wide open 3s he is a bench player.

He isnt a defensive anchor, he isnt really a tall lob catching dunker, he isnt the passing point forward like Plumlee, he cant catch passes well under the basket (though hes getting better).

He's an energy big, but hes about 5 inches too short and a skill or two away from him being a starter.