Hooper, take note!

bostonherald.com: (via: TrueHoop) Last night, in the process of the Celtics completing a series sweep of the Chicago Bulls for the first time since 1986-87, Kevin Garnett and James Posey engaged in some late-game trash talking with Benny the Bull.

“Bulls can talk,” said Garnett, who initially was upset after he and Posey were hit in the back by clothing fired from a T-shirt launcher during a timeout in the closing minutes of the C’s 106-92 victory. “Walking off the floor we got hit by some shirts.”

Garnett initially had to be restrained by a member of the officiating crew as Benny stood a safe distance away.

“I turned around, saw the guy in the bull hat, and we had some words,” Garnett said.

Posey, not a favorite in Chicago dating back to when he was a member of the Miami Heat, cringed in mock fear.

“I don’t know - I feel threatened,” Posey said. “I don’t feel safe. They really have tough love here, but it was definitely an inside job. They made the mascot do it. I got hit in the back walking away. That spot on my back is sore. I might have to get treatment on it.”

How funny is it that tough guy Kevin Garnett had to be retrained from going after Benny while Posey laughs it off? Let me know if anyone comes across video of this.

Walter Herrmann did indeed play well in the 15+ minutes he was allotted last night against the Timberwolves. The result to that being that when I took the pulse of the Pistons Nation this morning I knew there’d be calls for Walter to replace Jarvis Hayes as Tay’s backup. Boy, do we love our end of the bench guys here in the Motor City? I guess you attribute that to the main guys being so good for so long there’s no need to speculate about them, but maybe we need to take a step back before the Herrmania runs wild on us.

While I agree that Herrmann could help if given a few more minutes I’m not convinced that he’s a better option than Jarvis. Look, I just don’t think that when Joe D picked up Herrmann from Charlotte in exchange for Nazr Mohammed he figured we were short one Walter Herrmann. It was a salary dump. Not to say Walter Herrmann is a scrub he’s just on a loaded team.

Let’s also keep in mind that this was against the 19 win T-Wolves which is not the same as Jarvis’ break out game against the Hornets who have been at or near the top of the Western Conference all season.

Jarvis is a streaky shooter but he’s also a capable post scorer and I think it’s something the Pistons should explore more. I don’t think Walter has a better perimeter game. He’s a capable shooter, but not as good as Hayes (when Hayes is on at least). I’m also beginning to think Walter is a one trick pony with that big hand swoop shot along the baseline whereas Hayes has proven to be pretty versatile when he takes it to the rack especially in transition.

On defense it’s about a wash. I know what the Walter backers are gonna say “What about the job Herrmann did on Dirk back in January?” He did a good job, that’s true. But playing good D on Nowitzki is not all that monumental, just refer to any Maverick’s postseason as evidence of that. Furthermore Dirk isn’t isn’t all that tough of a cover if you’re moderately athletic with some size. Size is the one thing Walter has on Jarvis defensively, Jarvis isn’t big enough to cover fours. But, here’s where the wash comes in; Walter isn’t athletic enough to cover threes. Walter doesn’t have very good lateral movement and he kinda has that Mark Madsen spastic look on the court.

So, no I don’t think Walter has shown enough to warrant him replacing Jarvis Hayes in the rotation. But, like I said he can be helpful if he gets time but more situational minutes than anything.

Also seeing as that the Palace crowd has become so endeared to “Big Herm” the Pistons need to cash in. I’m suggesting Walter headbands (like the fro headbands), and by suggesting I mean if they start producing these I want a cut $.

[Box score] With virtually nothing hanging in the balance Flip Saunders gave three of his starters front row seats to watch the “Zoo Crew”, with help from Tayshaun (15 pts, 5 rbs, 6 ast) and Dice (10 boards), snag a come-from-behind win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The original Mr. Big Shot was in street clothes, along with Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace, so Rodney Stuckey filled in doing his best Chuancey impression hitting a big jumper with :45 seconds to go helping the Pistons get their 53rd win on the season as well as establishing a new game high (27) for himself.

“This was good for us,” Stuckey said. “It gives the coaches confidence in us and it gives the vets confidence in us, which they already had. But we showed them that we can come out, play hard, play together and do what we have to do to win games.” - Detroit News

With an unfamiliar mix starting the game (Stuckey, Jarvis, and Theo) it took the ‘Stonz a minute to find each other on the court. The Wolves jumped out to a 21 point lead at one point in the first half but with a 14-0 run to end the 2nd quarter the Pistons were down just 5 (44-49) going into the break.

The Pistons got nice contributions in the first half from guys that usually don’t see much action. Walter Herrmann was the Pistons leading scorer at the half with 9 points and finished the game with 11 points. Cheikh Samb saw his first run since he played back-to-back games in Novemeber before heading down to Ft. Wayne. In Cheikh’s five and a half minutes of work he scored 4 going 2/2 from the field displaying that soft shooters touch that’s impressed me form the start. Samb also pulled down 3 boards.

Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell also did their things combining for 10 points, 15 boards, 4 blocks and 2 steals.

Flip used all 12 players available to him and all scored with the exception of Lindsey Hunter.

Stuckey and Tayshaun continued mount Detroit’s comeback effort through the third quarter. The Pistons weren’t able to take their first lead of the game though until 4:10 left to play in the 4th when they went up 84-83.

Stuckey did the bulk of his damage in the 4th scoring 12 points. Rodney was also very Chauncey-esque in drawing fouls and making the opposition pay at the stripe converting on 12 of 13 free throws.

Gotta feel for Randy Wittman’s young T-Wolve’s squad. They played hard but crucial mistakes doomed them. They’ve had some big upset wins this season but this loss puts them at 15 total when leading or tied after three quarters which just so happens to lead the league.

ALSO SEE:

• Star Tribune: Detroit’s bit players upstage Wolves
• Detroit Bad Boys: In which Kevin infiltrates the Target Center