Aarwich's Detroit Pistons fan blog

Local news papers, though desperate to stay afloat, have a responsibility not to print one of their extremist's pipe dreams simply because he's been on ESPN.

Drew Sharp, a columnist for The Detroit Free Press, also known as Budini on FM 97.1 “The Ticket,” wrote a little ditty about how desperate the New Orleans Hornets are due to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and the economic struggles thereafter. He feels now would be a good time to take advantage of said peril and go after Chris Paul (CP3). This would be a great idea, if Hornets management wanted to go down in NBA history as making the most ignorant move ever.

If you haven't read Sharps latest smug attempt to sound clever while insulting the intelligence of the Detroit sports fan, I'll break it down for you.

Continue reading "NOT TOO SHARP "BUDINI""

Possible yes, probable no.

That's putting it layman regarding your Detroit Pistons and their chances of winning a seven game playoff battle against a red hot Cleveland team that dose not lose at home. It's virtually impossible. HOWEVER, there is a slight hint of an outside chance. Unfortunately for us Pistons fans, there are multiple scenarios that absolutely must occur for them to shock the world with an upset.

First of all, and most importantly, Tayshaun Prince will need to bring his A+ game on both sides of the court every second of all six games. (Pistons can't & won't win in 4, 5 or 7) Even if Tay's useless the rest of the post season, he'll have to play 40-44 serious minutes of borderline perfect execution. You will hear so-called analysts spewing redundancy concerning LaBron and how “he's going to get his” and “you have to stop the rest of the Cavs.” This is an ignorant game plan. If Puppet Boy lets his defense off the hook as they start this series, we won't see a game five. It is imperative they lock down James. If they can hold him to a 22-8-7 average, they can win some games, but if he's going off for 35-45 points a game we're looking at a sweep. It begins and ends with not only Tayshaun's defense, but his offense, and yes, even his leadership.

Continue reading "NO GRAY IN PISTONS POST SEASON"

The plan all along has been to acrylate Amir Johnson into the starting line up. How? I'm not sure. It's obvious to me Amir will not see much playing time, if any, come playoffs. Yet I have this nagging feeling that Joe Dumars is still hopeful Johnson will be ready to start at center next season. Joe believes Amir is capable of being the same defensive Juggernaut Ben Wallace once was, when he was a Piston. Although AJ is still very young and extremely athletic, he lacs the basketball IQ, self control and leadership that Big Ben brought to the floor night in and night out. So, Joe needs to cut puppet boy's strings and get a defensive minded coach in here that players respect. ( ala Bill Laimbeer ) One that can mentor the young bigs like Amir, J-max, Brown and, God willing, David Lee. Unfortunately Amir must be able to rebound and block shots against the best in the league.

Continue reading "AMIR A MUST"

I don't understand what Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons are thinking. To watch the trade deadline dwindle away with nothing to show other than a side ways move to the clips, was maddening. Its almost as if this organization thinks its doing its fans a favor by being in the playoff race.

As I've said in previous posts, worst case scenario would be trading for draft picks. Don't tell me you couldn't find a team willing to take Sheed for other expiring contracts and a fist rounder. Joe D. is loyal to a fault. Even if Dumars thinks he can resign Wallace in the off season, he'll still have his chance. Besides, if this is the plan, why not make it happen before the deadline. Then you can better plan your future.

I understand this Detroit team is “built for the playoffs,” but its obvious to this Pistons fan, no moves by the deadline means no post season. At least not one worth watching. If they make the playoffs they'll most likely get knocked out in the first round by Atlanta or Miami. If they miraculously slip past to the second round, they'll be facing the likes of ether Boston, Cleveland or Orlando. If by the grace of God they get enough lucky breaks to squeeze by Orlando, there is no way in Hyades they make it to the finals. I mean, is that not what Dumars preached to us all last summer?

Continue reading "ANOTHER OPERTUNITY PAST"

How long will Pistons fans have to suffer this time, before Joe Dumars admits his mistakes. The Curry Project is, has been and will continue to be an abysmal failure. Anyone with an I.Q. above 50 or that of Tanya Harding, Ron Artest and George W. Bush combined, knows the reason Dumars even hired Puppet Boy was to have control of the team without having to pull an Isiah Thomas a Pat Riley or a Kevin McHale. I get it, it's fun to be the Puppet Master. And although I was against the move, I understood the concept and hoped for the best. Now I'm fed up! Enough is enough! Puppet Boy's getting out coached at every outing. Joe D.'s way to intelligent not to see this. It's about pride and maybe a small sense of loyalty. I don't care! He will never have the respect of the players as the head coach. It's not because he's unproven, it's because he's a push over.

Continue reading "THE CURRY PROJECT"

You may have heard about the Rasheed Wallace for Elton Brand rummer. This is a bad idea. A panic move. Prior to Brands streak of injuries he was one of the top post-up power forwards in the league. And if he was available for 3 years 30 million he would be a deal. However, as of now, he refuses to run the floor and his stats are declining on a team with less talent then the Pistons. Not to mention he has trouble staying healthy. Plus his contract runs through the 2012/13 season @ over 18 million. By then we'll be wishing we still had a 38 year old Wallace. Trust me, we should let him stay Philly's problem.

As I have stated in recant posts, Joe Dumars is going to entertain the notion that Puppet Boy (Micheal Curry) will be able to convince his players they have the most talented team in the NBA. If they would just play Piston basketball and put together a good solid win streak, they could gel as one well oiled machine and take the League by storm. Then Iverson and McDyess will finally wear that oval prize of the NBA elite.

Continue reading "SAY NO TO BRAND AND YES TO THE FUTURE"

OK! OK! Pistons fans...step back, take a deep breath, relax and read. There's reason for concern, but don't toss in the towel quite yet. Let's discuss a few options first.

Our “small ball” starting line up of Stuckey, AI, Rip, Tay and Sheed one way or another, will not be in effect post All Star Game. A strong source informed me Joe Dumars had given his puppet (Michael Curry) till the Atlanta game on Feb. 11th to “right the ship.” Since there's no way Dumars is even considering firing puppet boy - the only logical assumption would be moving a player. With the trade deadline looming on Feb. 19th, I would say 'player movement' is solid logic. But, let us not get ahead of ourselves. First we'll discuss the situation at hand with option one.

Continue reading "DON'T PANTIC - LOOK AHEAD"

Max for max

Since his collage days at Cincinnati, stimulating the crowd with brutal blocks and dynamic dunks has been the modus operandi of one Jason Maxiell. As he begins his 4th season in the NBA, I can't help but wonder, will J-Max be bringing that powerful presence off the pine as he begins his 5th?

While watching that #54 jersey hover in front of the scorers table, I have a sense of comfort knowing that strength and momentum will not be lost as a starter gets summoned to the bench. Jason brings the “going to work” attitude that Joe Dumars demands every game. This is not something easily found in the league today. The kind of spark Maxiell provides for the Pistons is unbelievably scarce. In fact, the Boston Celtics would not have won its 17th championship without their second unit spark plug James Posey. [Further examples include the Spurs' Manu Ginobili, Miami's Alonzo Morning, and L.A.'s Robbert Horry. Interestingly enough, Posey played on Miami's Championship team as well. And Horry, well, need I say more.] In order to win an NBA championship you need a Vinnie (The Microwave) Johnson type player coming off the bench, period. It doesn't matter which position he plays, as long as he controls the tempo of the game, and Maxi does exactly that. Although I am obviously a Jason Maxiell enthusiast, I must keep in mind the down side to his game. Or more appropriately, to his size. A stocky 6'7” 260 pound frame is satisfactory for a second unit power forward with Maxiell's athleticism, intensity and heart. As a full time starter however, he is simply too small. Even with a longer reach then most 6'7” players. Now I, like I'm sure some of you, have considered the idea of putting him at small forward. This could work in a few situations, but again, his 260lbs. will make it very difficult to keep up with the lighter and faster 3's. As valuable as J-Max is to the Pistons, he just isn't a starter. He's a premier bench player in the NBA, and thats not a bad thing to be on a team of Detroit's caliber. Now the burning question. How much is Jason Maxiell worth to the Detroit Pistons. Joe D. offered 5 million a year. Jason's agent convinced him to turn it down. As a Pistons fan, this isn't necessarily a bad thing as Detroit shoots for another 'ship. Maxi playing for max money, will only make him play harder. So, is it worth the gamble waiting until the off season to sign him? Say we win the championship with J-Max playing 25-30 mpg. Will the price increase from a rumored 6 mill, to 7 or more? Will his price include a starting role? Is he replaceable? These are questions I hope Joe Dumars asked himself when he decided to let Jason Maxiell become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

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