Game #20: Pistons lose 3rd straight
Posted by pistonsnation
Welcome back Antonio McDyess. Since you’ve been gone some things have changed. We no longer beat the team we’re supposed to. Last night the Wizards got just their 4th win of the season at the expense of the reeling Pistons {box score}
The new starting lineup made Michael Curry look like he knew what he was doing for a little while. The Pistons started out fast building a 17 point first half lead but just like seemingly every big lead they’ve had this season in evaporated quickly. By the third quarter the Wizards had taken the lead and never thought to give it back.
“That’s not normally the way we play,” McDyess said. “When we’re up by 15, we normally put the team away. I don’t know if it’s a lack of confidence, or what, but it’s not happening right now.” -Detroit News
The Pistons have almost the same cast as the past few seasons, but they could hardly look more foreign to Pistons Nation. We’re used to a team that defends and is able to get big stops. We’re used to clearly defined roles and guys playing them. After essentially a one player swap the team is in a state of disarray, with Chauncey gone the head is off the snake.
Caron Butler scored 33 for the Wizards. Plus the Pistons were again burned by role players. Juan Dixon (16, season high) and Darius Songaila (15pts, 7 asts) led the Wizards bench that put up 59 points on the Pistons.
We all complained about Flip Saunders over working the core guys and under utilizing the bench. Now enter rookie head coach Michael Curry and the lineups have been down right screwy at times. Who decided this veteran group was a good candidate for small ball? The Pistons are a good team and shouldn’t let the opponent dictate the lineup from game to game. Play to your strengths! Who else is sick of three guard lineups? I mean c’mon, DNP-CD’s for Maxiell, Amir, and Kwame??
GAME NOTES: Hamilton season high 29 points … McDyess: Ball don’t lie … the Pistons 3 losses have all been to sub .500 teams … McDyess: I’m not a savior … Rodney Stuckey 10 pt, 11 ast double-double …
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 at 10:44 am and is filed under Game recap, Wizards. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I feel bad for McDyess, he comes back and the first game back, the team blows a big lead, loses it’s cool (Rip and Sheed), and let’s a crap team beat us, and worst of all–at the Palace! As loyal as McDyess is, I have to wonder if he’s too loyal.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm