DetBNyce

If you think about it our play has gone up and down this season, even dating all the way back to the preseason. The preseason doesn't count for much, but we played horrible, then all of a sudden it looked like everything started to click and we played great. Up until recently we had been in every single game and had a chance to win going into the final 2 or 3 minutes, there's not a lot more that you can ask for.

Like Jvanbusk has said, you can't blame everything on Larry, that's a cop out. Too easy of an excuse. Is it Larry's fault that we couldn't beat the 76ers with out Allen Iverson? If you say yes, I would really like to hear that argument.

A lot of us have been spoiled over the last couple of years. We are not used to 4 game losing streaks (at least 4 game losing streaks that didn't happen on the west coast) and most of us are panicking. Should we be doing better? Yes, but at the same time this is the same team that beat the Lakers and almost beat numerous other good teams from the west on their home courts.

LB is learning the Pistons just like any other coach that goes to a new team. It's way too early to pass judgement. It's like those calling Darko a flop, it's just too early to tell. The only things I wish LB did better were: 1. Play Corliss at the three, 2. Get Rip going early 3. Play Memo and Elden more. I expect Darko's time to increase in due time.

For those adding the fact that LB plays Fowlkes and then give Carlisle props-- isn't he the same guy who started Michael Curry for two years.

Speaking of Michael Curry. I miss him and the Pistons do too. I was sad to see him go in the offseason because of his leadership skills and his ability to keep the team together in times of need (see the Atkins situation). We could really use his leadership right now.

Injuries have also been an issue for us. We have not had this amount of injuries to key players to my recollection for a while. Chucky as many of you hate him, is a good backup PG and a guy who I think value and what he brings to this team is very underappreciated. Lindsey, Campbell, Tayshaun looks hurt now, and Rip. all these guys have missed games and/or part of games.

Lastly someone needs to light a fire under these guys. We need a player, coach, motivational speaker, or whoever can get the job done, to get in these guys face and tell them they're not playing good and half the time it looks like they could care less if win or not. Again like Jvanbusk said, we could really use Jon Barry right now, besides his timely 3 pointers, he brought an attitude with him into the game, something we sorely miss.

Last, it's way too early to jump to conclusions at least IMO. Let the boys gel, see that they're playing bad, and have a chance to fix it, before we give up on LB (who has only been here 24 games) and the team.

fear the fro

True. But our only alternative two years ago was Rodney White, and I don't think anyone on this forum thought he deserved more PT than he got. And last year you could easily argue that Tayshaun should have been given more time-but to Rick's credit, once he proved he could play, he kept him in.

__________________
It's time Detroit to go to work!
Ben Wallace for President
Rasheed Wallace for Vice-President

MLKG

Ummm, Corliss?

Honestly, reading the crap some people are saying here makes me not even want to bother coming here anymore.

Anybody suggesting Larry freaking Brown is the reason for the recent slump is absolutely out of their mind and obviously doesn't know the first thing about basketball. Players slump, coaches do not.

Rip can't hit the broadside of a barn, Memo has stopped even trying to play in the post, Ben is the only one crashing the boards for rebounds anymore. Earlier this year Rip and Tayshaun were both grabbing about 6 boards a game and now both of their numbers are way down. The players have to take it upon themselves to up the mental toughness. A coach can't do that for you. God, you know why the almighty Rick Carlisle is doing better right now? Because he has a better team.

rainman

dont stop coming in,okay.it all depends on where you're coming from on the larry brown subject.some people think he walks on water that he is this genius coach that has all this knowledge on how the game is played and whatever he says is the gospel.the other side points to the fact that he is a nomad that seems to wear his welcome out pretty quick and micromanages a team too much.there have been a few things that he has done that has annoyed me.i think he has messed with okur too much.memo has proved he is a talented player and coming off a bad shooting performance(i guess)there is this short leash where he is gunshy to perform without being yanked to the bench.the way i look at it is if he has the ability to shoot from the perimiter let him have at it.he'll find his way to the basket.2nd,i dont know why there is any loyalty shown towards guys like elden campbell and rebracca,to me these guys have proven they either dont have it anymore or never did.3rd,i would be playing darko.i dont mean playing him 30 minutes a game but just watching him move around the court it is evident,to me at least,that this kid is an athlete.in coach browns opinion he isnt ready but i dont there is any doubt but that he would be playing on any other team in the league.

jvanbusk

You're not alone....

Anyways, I really think we need a Jon Barry type of player. What we are showing right now is no energy. It would be nice to have someone that comes off the bench fires the team up and fires the crowd up. There not getting it done, and they look very lazy on the court.

I think a big problem with Rip has been his turnovers. He seems to be turning the ball over way too much. Added to the fact is that he commits atleast 2 offensive fouls a game pushing off to get open.

Austin Kent

MikeLuvsKG is right players slump, coaches don't. BUT when players slump coaches adjust and by the looks of the last few games not much is being done. You do, however, have to admire

"I don’t know how much you can change in three days but we’re going to make a commitment as a staff to coach them better"
-Larry Brown

He knows that this in unacceptable for such a great franchise and is about to fix it.

"I have to build them back up because there are a lot of people that are pretty down. Then I have to do a better job of coaching. "
-Larry Brown

The players are shooting horrible, namely Rip and Bill. Ben always does and we except that . I think that Larry Brown's comments have deterred Memo from doing what he likes. I know from my basketball team is that I play a helluva lot better when I can do what I want. I have been around basketball, as I am sure Memo has and Brown and my coach but sometimes you need to be on the floor to know what's up. I think Brown should back off of Memo and let him do his thang.

fear the fro

Corliss averaged 26 mpg at the 3 last year, compared to Michael Curry's 20. While you could argue that Corliss should have been playing 30-35 minutes, that still leaves Michael Curry as our backup, unless you want Corliss playing 48 every night.


I think Bob Sura is capable of being that player, but it's hard when you're only getting 13 minutes.

Definetly. I do not think Larry Brown has been good for Memo at all.

__________________
It's time Detroit to go to work!
Ben Wallace for President
Rasheed Wallace for Vice-President

jvanbusk

Are you serious? From what I've seen of Bob Sura: he sucks. I could be passing judgment too early, but 13 minutes is enough time on the court to see what a player is capable of. This is a different story than Darko.

Austin Kent

I like Bobby Sura. He is nitty and gritty and oh-so-smooth with the basketball. I hate to sound stereotypical but Bobby Sura reminds me of the few black kids that I play basketball with occasionally. Everything looks so easy and fluid. Sura is a highlight reel ready to happen and I think could be a big momentum shifter muc like Barry but in a different way.

rainman

i agree but it depends on what role you want him to have,if you need him to come off the bench and add scoring he's not really your guy but if he is there to play some tough defense and set up others i think he can be a positive.

bananas

Calm down people, the palace roof isn't falling just yet...

Don't you all recall Dumars and Brown saying in the offseason that this team would have its ups and downs. Most fans expected this with a new coach, system and key players.

Have we forgotten that Okur and Prince are in their second years and getting big time minutes? We've been spoiled by their mature/quality playing and overreact when theyre in a slump. Chauncey and Rip are adjusting to a different style of play (Compared to the past 2 years under Carslisle). Not to mention the team lost it's three biggest leaders in Barry, Curry and Robinson - and it's showing on the court with their lack of defensive intensity and offensive focus. In time, new leaders will emerge (Billups, Prince). Ben has always been a vocal/motivator type but he tends to lead by example with his hustle and constant motor rather than chewing out other players and telling them where to be on the court (Not that he really knows where to be on offense.. ).

Detroit is still a top ten team record wise and has been in nearly every game till the final minute only to lose sometimes do to poor execution. So when they finally iron out their game and start gelling they'll be winning those close games.

jvanbusk

bananas,

I agree, but a lack of effort pisses me off. And that's what I have seen the last few games. This team doesn't have the talent to be taking nights off. They aren't going to get by on sheer talent alone on most nights. The Pistons have prided themselves on hard-work the last couple of years, and over the last few games I haven't seen it. That's whats troubling, their effortless no energy play.

bananas

I credit that to the loss of Curry, Robinson and Barry. They were the leaders and motivators for the Pistons the past two years. Now, there are no leaders on the court along with learning a new system and meshing new players together it isn't suprising. I want to see Chauncey and Rip step up to the plate and start getting after guys. Prince eventually should grow into a veteran leader type role but he may be too young to start now (He's not a LeBron franchise savior player on a poor, young team).

If this zero intensity and effort are still looming around allstar break then we have something to worry about.

DetBNyce

Cliff Robinson - Great defensive post player, even for all his struggles in the playoffs.

Michael Curry - A leader and calming presence in the lockeroom. A player who was basically an asst. coach. I really hope LB let's him join his staff next year.

Jon Barry - Sparkplug.

Bench - Injuries and players not playing up to their abilities have basically killed what was and still can be one of if not the best bench in the league.

No effort

And the other points I made in my post at the top of the page have been the Pistons problems.