BlueMonk

It was a nice win over the Spurs, more for the defense and rebounding I saw than the actual result. Without Ginobili and on the road for a Christmas game, the Spurs had a tough task in front of them trying to win this game. But outrebounding a good rebounding team 57-30 is impressive, no matter what. That kind of validates what I suspected about the Pistons, which is that they're only playing defense part time because they don't have to play it all the time. Now that they can score, not every game needs to become a defensive dogfight. But last night, they played tough for all 4 quarters, and they shut the Spurs down well.

I think about both those things, too. Really, the rebounding and defense in general is a few notches below what it's been. I'm wondering if it's a symptom of the new offensive system. Being outrebounded but leading the NBA in offensive efficiency might not be a bad tradeoff. My concern is whether or not the Pistons can sacrifice defense and rebounding and points in the paint and still go deep into the playoffs. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's unfamiliar territory. The other possibility is that the Pistons haven't played four quarters of tough defense yet because they haven't had to. With a 20-3 record, that's a possibility. The Spurs and Heat games will be a good test. If they can win those games, then I'll believe that this fast start is for real. Sometimes, when they win without really locking down on defense except in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, it feels like they won the game with smoke and mirrors. They relied so heavily on defense and outrebounding other teams last year, it just feels funny to see how they go about it this year. The three pointer thing is strange. Even Rasheed and Rip are just lights out with it right now. That's got to do with the offensive system, getting those guys open shots. But I'd like to see them get more points in the paint. This team is built to be physical in the paint. Getting outrebounded and outscored in the paint bothers me. Maybe I"m being too picky. 20-3 is really hard to argue with, I guess. But I'm a glass half empty guy at heart, I guess.

That win in Memphis was a battle. It was a tough game to watch. The officials and timekeeper couldn't do anything right. The OTs seemed to last an hour each, hardly a possession going by without a foul, timeout or conference between officials. It's a freakin' clock, for pete's sake! How hard can it be to start and stop it at the right times? Anyway, the Pistons won a really tough game against a good team on the road. They get a lot of home games now, which is nice. Only 8 of the first 22 games at home so far, the lowest total in the NBA. And the best record. You couldn't ask for a much better start, really.

Ben's complaints about the team's lack of ball movement and defense were well received, I'd say. Ben's looked like himself on the boards and protecting the paint, pulling down his usual rebounds and blocking shots like normal since the Utah game. The Spurs lost again last night, they're struggling without Ginobili, and Duncan is not playing well in back to back games so far this year. If the Pistons can keep winning and put some distance between themselves and San Antonio in the standings, that would be huge. Home court advantage would almost certainly decide a playoff series between those teams. Of course, there's a lot of basketball to be played between now and then. And the Heat will definitely have something to say about a Finals matchup. But it's a good goal to have, earning the top seed overall. The Pistons players repeatedly state that ambition, and it's nice to hear. The team went 15-13 to start the season last year, and still won 54 games. A great start like should mean more wins, especially considering how many road games they've played so far, with the worst stretch of schedule already behind them. Big roadie in Memphis tonight. Memphis is a very good team so far, playing outstanding defense. They swept the Pistons last year, so hopefully the Pistons are up big time for this one. After this game, 5 straight at home. Finally.

The problem with contracting the Lions is, they have one of the most supportive (if bitter) fan bases in the country. The Lions sell out PRESEASON games. No matter how bad they are, the fans come.

The worst stretch of schedule the Pistons face all season just ended with that Utah game. They played only 6 of their first 18 games at home, and most of those roadies were on the West coast and involved some back to backs against really good teams. They've got one more at home tonight against Chicago, then a couple more on the road before coming home for an extended stretch for the first time this season. I'm happy with the Pistons' start, especially in light of the rough schedule. If you told me they'd start out 10-2 on the road before the season started, I'd have never believed it. This team started 15-13 last year and went on to win 54 games. They're 16-3 right now! And, again, with a schedule that won't get any harder than it's already been. So far, so good.

The Ben Wallace thing is interesting, because it's something I've noticed for several games now. The thing is, Ben is injured, but he won't use that as an excuse. It could be as simple as that. Maybe he is frustrated with his role in the offense, but if so, he's going to have to get used to it. They need him patrolling the paint, which he hasn't been doing lately. The offense is running too well to make significant changes.

The Pistons bench puts up good shooting percentages collectively, and they add a lot of assists and rebounds. But they don't play enough minutes to contribute a lot of points. Detroit is distancing itself from the rest of the East. Indy is underachieving and the Heat are flat out mediocre without Shaq.

johno, I knew I could count on you to come in and take an optimistic, positive approach to the Lions.

I don't know what they'll end up with for a coach, but I think they need a tough guy. A ballbuster who will set the tone early in training camp and only back off players as they earn it throughout the season. All those young players they've drafted at the skill positions have been coddled and allowed too much room since they arrived. The coaching staff needs to get tough with them and make clear their expectations from the get go. Also, make a commitment to run the ball more. And throw a downfield pass more than once in a blue moon. To have that kind of physical talent at your disposal at the receiver position and not create the matchup problems they should force is a big mistake.

I don't think making the trade would be a question at all for the Pistons, they would do it without hesitation. The question is whether it's something Minnesota is really considering seriously at this point. The other rumor involved the Knicks, and some insiders think that has an ever better chance of happening. I'm skeptical Garnett is going anywhere at all, but I guess we'll see.

The Mavs were obviously cranked for that game. Detroit looked tired and ready to go home. I have a lot of problems with Arroyo's game myself, so I can understand the complaints. He does hold on to the ball too long. He's a liability defensively, too.

The Pacers lost 122-90 to the Charlotte Freakin' Bobcats tonight. So much for bouncing back from that choke job against the Bucks the other night!

The Pistons offense is shocking to watch when you consider the struggles they had in recent years. It's like a different roster. They're shooting 50% from the field in almost every game. They didn't score like that even against bad teams last year.

Duncan in that game Saturday night couldn't make a shot. It reminded me of the Finals, when he was being shut down and would sit on the bench looking really down on himself. You wouldn't expect him to have a game that bad against Washington, of all teams. The Bullets aren't exactly known for their stifling frontcourt defense. The Pacers game reminded me of something I'd forgotten: Without Reggie Miller, they don't really have a go-to free throw guy. They made 6 of 16 free throws to end the game! That's something that is often underrated, having a guy like Miller who you can always get the ball to when the other team starts fouling down the stretch. It's like an automatic 2 points. Now, they really don't have a guy like that.

Going 3-0 on a West coast road trip with 3 games in 4 nights is pretty damn good, regardless of the teams. And the last two games especially were against fired up teams playing on national TV, so they were extra impressive. You gotta love the Pistons right now. Like the Spurs did last year, they've added the component that they can win in either a low scoring or high scoring affair. They can win 114-107 or they can win 87-84. They adjust to the way the game is going and hang in there for three quarters. Then, at the end, they get the big baskets and big stops to win it, thanks to their experience in big game situations. That's a huge part of winning games, especially on the road. Teams that have had a lot of playoff experience look at those close, late games like they're no big deal. Compared to the big playoff games, they're not. But the inexperienced teams sometimes tighten up and lose, even on their home court. Great start no matter how you look at it.

I think they already are changing their tune. The articles I've read on ESPN and some of the usual doubters who do TV analysis are raving about the Pistons' play so far.

This is the first time I've seen this Pistons team attack the regular season like it matters. They're playing these early games like they want home court advantage throughout the playoffs. The offense is hard to believe. I used to think they'd collapse defensively if they started playing faster and improvising more, but it's looking like the opposite right now. Like they've been stifled by the strict sets they were forced to run under Larry Brown. The players are shooting lights out every game. The shooting percentages are off the charts. And they're not even playing all the guys yet. No team is playing close to the level Detroit is right now. Very impressive.

Did you watch tonight's game? It adds a nice balance to the perspective, since the Spurs got blown out by the Mavs by 19 points. Great start for the Pistons, no doubt. McDyess hasn't even gotten going yet, and the bench is already making contributions. 42 bench points tonight! 7 players in double figures. The offense is faster paced and seems to suit the personnel well. I was a little worried that the quick shots might cost them on the defensive end, but so far the defense is playing great. Too early to know much about how the team will play, but I was worried they'd start off slow trying to adjust to the new systems. Not at all so far.

If he can get a decent hole to run through once in a while. The good news is that they'll have a few threats back in the lineup and the Vikings aren't a crazy good defensive team. The Lions obviously don't have a good offense, but it doesn't help when you've faced all of the top three defensive teams in the league in the span of the last 5 or 6 games.

That was a beatdown. The Pistons seemed to be unable to miss a shot on the fourth quarter. The bench looked great. Darko didn't have a rep for his defense, but I think that might be where he makes his name, at least at first. Can't hurt having big men to learn from like Ben and Rasheed. Darko is a shot blocking madman in the few minutes he plays. He led the entire NBA is blocked shots during the preseason.

The problem has never been about just the quarterback. Harrington wasn't very good, but I don't think any quarterback in the NFL could save this offense unless some other major changes take place. The offensive line is terrible. Jeff Backus might as well line up facing the quarterback. He's facing that way soon after every snap anyway, looking back at the man who beat him. The play calling is lame and unimaginative. The receiving corps is unwilling to do any of the things that give the QB a chance to make a play, even simple things like coming back to the ball. The running game can't succeed because they don't give Jones a hole. The team lacks discipline and I'm pointing my fingers at the coaching staff right now. These rookie kids have shown me nothing. The coaching staff is way too tolerant. I want a real ball buster in there. A Parcells type coach. Someone who takes absolutely no sh** from the players and humiliates them when they don't show up. Which is often.

Male athletes in any sport would be ostracized, if not outright hurt, by teammates immediately after coming out. I'm not sure if you're familiar with his story, but an ex-NFL player named Esera Tuaolo described what happened when he came out (he was already retired). He claimed (and others agree) that an NFL athlete who came out would be cast off like a black sheep from the team, and he'd probably take enough physical abuse during practices that he'd have to quit. The fact that a woman can come out like this doesn't mean that we're any closer to a male athlete coming out. Pro athletes are usually not very smart. If you expect them to be at the vanguard of fixing social problems, you're going to end up disappointed an awful lot.

Oh, the coaching has sucked. But we're starting to see signs of a splintered locker room, and signs that the backs are pointing fingers at each other. I think it's safe to say that Harrington and his receiving corps have no mutual trust in one another. Lots of QBs are exposed to pressure, but most (yes, Joey is clearly below average) respond to it at least adequately. He makes poor decisions. He telegraphs his every move so bad that the defense lines 'em up and makes the play on the receiver before the ball even leaves his hand. You can see him freeze up when he looks down field and his #1 and #2 options aren't quite as open as he wants, and he methodically stares down his RB in the backfield for the invevitable dump to gain 2 yards. A dead man could see the play coming.

Ouch.