I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I certainly did. Anyway, it’s time to get back to it.
Fortunately for me and all you fellow Pistoneers ( I just made that word up tell your friends) out there, the Pistons are still on a role. Eight wins in a row, holding six opponents in a row under 90 points. It isn’t exactly holding the competition under 70 points, like the 2004 Pistons did five consecutive games, but it does make the statement that the Pistons are still a defensive minded team. “Defense wins championships,” it’s an old school addage but a true one nonetheless.
After defeating the Indiana Pacers 98-92 for their eight straight win, the Pistons stand at 23 wins and only 7 losses. For those not used to regular season success, this record would be cause for jubulent celebration. But let’s be honest Piston fans, we’ve been here before. Does 2006 ring a bell? It should because the Pistons were nothing short of dominant, coasting through the 82 game schedule with 64 wins. The end result however, was a puzzling choke job in the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the eventual champions the Miami Heat. Last year? 54 wins and a even worse performance againt BY FAR the weakest team to ever advance to the NBA Finals. Early success means very little. in fact, it’s a little scary to see considering the history I just mentioned. So, the Pistons have a great regular season record. Is there any reason to believe things will be different this time? Call me a hopeless optimist but I say yes!
I have stressed the importance of a strong bench as much as I can, and I really like what I see so far. The two newest Pistons, Walter Herman, and Primo Brezec, were starters for their previous team the Charlotte Bobcats. Now? Brezec is getting mostly garbage minutes at the end of games, and Herman has seen only one game of action so far. Believe it or not, this is great news. The Pistons have so many options off the bench, there aren’t enough minutes to go around. This was certainly not the case in years where the bench included players like Darvin Ham, Carlos Delfino, Smush Parker, Will Blaylock, and (ugh) Darko! The success the Pistons have experienced so far has been a total team effort. None of the Pistons starters rank in the top 50 in minutes played. In short? This team is going to fresh, and ready to roll, come playoff time.
Keep hope alive!
There isn’t much that needs to be written here. When the Pistons mauled the Memphis Grizzlies 94-67 on Friday night, not only was the statement made that the Pistons are really really good, and that the Grizzlies are really really well…..
NOT GOOD! But also the the message was sent that Darko Millicic just doesn’t have what it takes. Two points in almost thirty minutes and four turnovers.
See? I wasn’t too hard on the guy.
I hate beating a dead horse, talking about an an issue that has been discussed over, and over, AND OVER again. With all that said, I have to mention Darko Millicic here. Needless to say (but I will anyway) I was looking foward to seeing Darko get eaten up like raw meet by the Pistons, further cementing in my mind the opinion that Millicic just plain sucks! As the final buzzer sounded on a 113 to 103 victory by the Pistons however, my opinion changed, and not necessarily for the better.
When the game began Darko was virtually unstoppable. Using some very allusive spin moves and hook shots Millicic scored 12 points in the first quarter. At about this time, I figured he would score at least 20 points, and probably love every minute of rubbing it in to his old team’s face. How many points did Darko finish with? 12 measly points! In fact, Millicic sat out the fourth quarter, having nothing to do with the mini comeback his team tried to mount against the Pistons. It was like Dr Jekyl Mr. Hyde. One minute Millicic couldn’t be stopped, the next, he couldn’t be found. It reminded me of all the talk about how Darko would just wow his teammates in practice, but you wouldn’t know it watching him play when it counted. When it comes to Dark Millicic the issue doesn’t seem to be talent. The issue is whether he will use the talent that is clearly there, to good use. More common then watching Darko make his opponent look silly, is Darko giving a half hearted effort that stops him from earning consistent minutes. He is a perfect example of when talent only takes a player so far. Desire and drive, accomplishes the rest. Darko Millicic seems to have little of either.
Five games doesn’t make a season, I understand this. Still, there has been plenty to be encouraged about watching the Pistons torch their opponents over the last five games. 109-74, 117-91,118-95, 106-95, and 91-75. These scores represent Grade A dominance over the competion. How have the Pistons done it? Here’s where it gets good.
The much improved bench deserves just as much credit for the Piston’s latest winning streak as the starters do. Jason Maxiel seems to have turned the corner, developing a level of consistency and production that we have yet to see from him. Playing Lindsey Hunter more frequently has paid off as well. Rumor has it that Hunter is old, but you would never know it watching him play. Still one of the quickest players on the Piston’s roster, Hunter has a nice chemistry with his fellow benchmates, being able to play the high tempo style they excell at. Another plus worth mentioning is that when the Pistons administer butt whoopings like they have been doing lately, this means much needed rest for the starters. It has been a common occurance over the last five games, to see the starting five sitting most, if not all the fourth quarter. Considering all the early injuries that the Pistons have dealt with, rest is exactly what their impact players need. Also, it means more minutes for Amir Johnson who needs all the seasoning, and experience he can get.
