State of the Pistons Address (March 4)
I don't see us losing when Rip, 'Sheed and Chaunce score 20. But it almost happened.
The stingy Sonics -- behind 31 efficient points from still-sensational Ray Allen -- tested the Pistons Friday, but some clutch plays down the stretch secured a much-needed win.
Watching the game at the bar with my buds, we debated what the Pistons should have done down the stretch: Pick 'n Roll with Chaunce and 'Sheed? Rip off a curl? Tay in the post? Turned out to be a combination of the first two options, with Chaunce coming off a ballscreen and hitting Rip on the baseline off a Ben screen. With 0.2 to go, Rip hit nothing but bottom. Ballgame.
Chaunce is Mr. Big Shot, but Rip is Mr. Automatic. With a clear look at the hoop and his feet set, he rarely misses.
"I know before I get the ball if the shot is going in or not," Rip told interviewers after the game. "It's all a rhythm shot. The follow through and the shot are the easy part. It's just getting there and stopping on a dime, and being in the right place at the right time, and getting the shot off."
As the Pistons -- especially now, with 24 games left in the regular season -- each game becomes a big one for their opponent. The Pistons are the hunted; their opponent, the hunter. Naturally, that means a lot of close games. But wins are important now more than ever. The Spurs and the Mavs linger only three games back, and we need to secure home court for the duration of the playoffs.
Thus, it's important to examine who should take the shot in crunch time. I'd consider giving it to anyone of the four shooters -- Rip, Chaunce, 'Sheed, or Tay -- but I think if I were coaching, I'd draw up a play for Rip every time. He's that automatic.
Having Chaunce and 'Sheed run their pick 'n roll to begin the play is a nice distraction, but it can't be the only one. As Chaunce comes off and Rips comes corner, 'Sheed should be flaring off a subsequent Tay screen and Tay should flash to the top. That gives Chaunce four options (including his own pull), with the first of the four a pass to Rip. And then, there's always Ben cleaning up a potential miss, which is the ultimate luxury.
Up next: A bout with the Lakers in SmogTown tonight. I like the Pistons by 13, with a big game from newcomer Tony Delk (6 points, 2 assists). Kobe for 31 on 12-of-35 shooting.
The stingy Sonics -- behind 31 efficient points from still-sensational Ray Allen -- tested the Pistons Friday, but some clutch plays down the stretch secured a much-needed win.
Watching the game at the bar with my buds, we debated what the Pistons should have done down the stretch: Pick 'n Roll with Chaunce and 'Sheed? Rip off a curl? Tay in the post? Turned out to be a combination of the first two options, with Chaunce coming off a ballscreen and hitting Rip on the baseline off a Ben screen. With 0.2 to go, Rip hit nothing but bottom. Ballgame.
Chaunce is Mr. Big Shot, but Rip is Mr. Automatic. With a clear look at the hoop and his feet set, he rarely misses.
"I know before I get the ball if the shot is going in or not," Rip told interviewers after the game. "It's all a rhythm shot. The follow through and the shot are the easy part. It's just getting there and stopping on a dime, and being in the right place at the right time, and getting the shot off."
As the Pistons -- especially now, with 24 games left in the regular season -- each game becomes a big one for their opponent. The Pistons are the hunted; their opponent, the hunter. Naturally, that means a lot of close games. But wins are important now more than ever. The Spurs and the Mavs linger only three games back, and we need to secure home court for the duration of the playoffs.
Thus, it's important to examine who should take the shot in crunch time. I'd consider giving it to anyone of the four shooters -- Rip, Chaunce, 'Sheed, or Tay -- but I think if I were coaching, I'd draw up a play for Rip every time. He's that automatic.
Having Chaunce and 'Sheed run their pick 'n roll to begin the play is a nice distraction, but it can't be the only one. As Chaunce comes off and Rips comes corner, 'Sheed should be flaring off a subsequent Tay screen and Tay should flash to the top. That gives Chaunce four options (including his own pull), with the first of the four a pass to Rip. And then, there's always Ben cleaning up a potential miss, which is the ultimate luxury.
Up next: A bout with the Lakers in SmogTown tonight. I like the Pistons by 13, with a big game from newcomer Tony Delk (6 points, 2 assists). Kobe for 31 on 12-of-35 shooting.
posted by RGarfield @ 4:51 PM
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