Open Thread: Detroit Pistons vs. Washington Wizards, Regular Season Game 9
by Mike Prada on Nov 14, 2009 3:30 PM EST
in Game Threads
Email
PrintDetroit Pistons at Washington Wizards, Nov 14, 2009 7:00 PM EST
The Essentials:
Pistons (4-4) vs. Wizards (2-6)
7:00 p.m.
Verizon Center
TV: CSN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
Notable very early Pistons numbers this season
13th in expected winning percentage (.595)
30th in pace (87.1 possessions per game)
18th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (105.8)
12th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (102.9)
Notable Pistons numbers last season
17th in expected winning percentage (.482)
29th in pace (86.7 possessions per game)
21st in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (107.4)
16th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (108)
Pre-game links
Motown String Music, SB Nation's Detroit Pistons blog
Piston Powered, Detroit Pistons blog
Detroit Bad Boys
Need4Sheed, Detroit Pistons fan site
Motown String Music season preview
Need4Sheed season preview
The Dagger Report featuring Brian Packey from Motown String Music
Michael Lee: The Other Side, Pistons
GameDay Pistons
| Tonight's Projected Starters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pistons | vs. | Wizards |
| Rodney Stuckey |
PG | Gilbert Arenas |
| Ben Gordon |
SG | Mike Miller |
| Jonas Jerebko |
SF | Caron Butler |
| Charlie Villanueva |
PF | Andray Blatche |
| Ben Wallace |
C | Brendan Haywood |
First, an injury update:
As noted below, Michael Lee tweeted that Mike Miller is probably, Antawn Jamison is a game-time decision, but doubtful because he's sick (not necessarily because of his shoulder) and Randy Foye is out with his ankle injury. Dave Johnson was a little more optimistic about Jamison, simply saying he is a game-time decision. As soon as I find out for sure, I will let you all know.
UPDATE: Miller's playing. Jamison is still sick (long sickness!) and won't play. Evidently, it's the sickness that's keeping him out, not the shoulder. Foye's injured as well.
Just getting Miller back is very important, as the Wizards really missed his facilitating on offense while he was injured. But I have two concerns about Miller's return tonight. One is ... is he actually healthy or just itching to come back? Here's what Mike Jones wrote about Miller on Friday.
Miller came off the court with his clothes rather damp from having worked up a good sweat and said that he's hopefully to play on Saturday. But it was pretty obvious that his sprained left shoulder is still in a good deal of pain.
"I feel alright," he said when asked how he felt after practice.
"It'll be playable," Miller added with a smile.
Playable?
"I’m good," came his reply.
When asked why rush back rather than take an extra game off and be ready Wednesday vs. Cleveland, Miller said, "We need a win. I’ll be all right. I'm not going to put myself in any jeopardy, I'll be fine."
"I was a little tired today, but that was to be expected. I’ll be fine," Miller said, trying his best to assure the questioning group of reporters. "I told Flip that I’ll be ready to play, if he feels I’m hurting the team, take me out. If not, I’ll be ready to play. My job is to play basketball. if they pay me to play basketball, that’s what they should expect, they should expect me to go out there and play. Until they tell me not to play I’m going to do it"
If you remember, it was Miller's insistence on playing through pain against Miami that caused his shoulder injury to worsen in the first place. It's still just game nine, so there's no need to risk significant injury down the road.
The other thing that concerns me is the matchup. Detroit lives and dies with its small guards -- Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon and Will Bynum off the bench. They're missing Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, two guys closer to Miller in size. With those guys out, who can Miller guard? Not having Foye is really going to hurt, because the Wizards could counter Detroit's speed by putting Foye in the game at shooting guard. Not anymore, though.
Detroit sometimes like to even run out a super small lineup by playing their three small guys together, and that lineup has been very successful. When they do that, it's going to be very difficult for the Wizards and Miller to match up. I'd expect new addition Earl Boykins to receive a lot of time simply for that reason. He's literally the only small guard the Wizards have left other than Gilbert Arenas.
If Jamison plays, I expect the Wizards to dominate the forward matchups. The flip side of Detroit's insistence on playing small is that they could have trouble guarding post-up plays. This is a good game for Caron Butler to break out of his slump. He might have a guy like Stuckey on him for long stretches, and while Stuckey is strong, I'd think Butler could take him down into the post.
Other keys:
- Contain dribble penetration in the halfcourt. Detroit is a very heavy isolation-type team, because their guards are all very quick, but not great at creating for others. They do like to run screen-and-roll between Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, but normally Gordon's driving to score. Keeping them in front of you and contesting jumpers is probably the best way to go. Also, if Ben Wallace comes to set the screen, always trap the ball-handler, because Wallace can't do anything once he catches the ball.
- Pick up the pace. Detroit's the slowest-paced team in the league this year and can really hurt you when they're allowed to get into a rhythm in the halfcourt, like they did against Charlotte.
- Win the center battle. Brendan Haywood can't let Ben Wallace dominate inside like he has in several games this year.
I'll be there in Section 104, per usual.
GO WIZARDS!
234 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Miller & Jamison
Haywood’s latest blog seems to assume he’s not probably for tonight’s game, but definite:
Tonight we get a big lift with Mike Miller coming back and we were hoping to get Antawn Jamison back but that may not be the case (because of illness).
I think we can assume Miller’s a go, Twan is not. That’s fine. It’s only been 9 games without him. He’s a soldier and just about a guaranteed 20-10 guy – very curious to see how he plays in this new system. He doesn’t need the ball as much as Butler to be effective, which is a huge upside. Miss Twan. He’s a soldier.
My swag was phenomenal.
yeah!
phil and buck on league pass. about damn time there was a home game. go wiz.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:11 PM EST reply actions
Gil has to show more effort - just bother him a little please.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
Mike Miler cannot guard Ben Gordon
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
and boykins start?
stevenson? not sure i agree
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions
I would have started Stevenson
to put him on Gordon. You need some scoring and stability off the bench; MM would have provided both.
Because this way, either Gil’s playing heavy minutes or we’re going to see a Stevenson/Boykins backcourt (cringe)
it's a tough spot
because without miller, the offense would look even worse than it has. that’s the trade-off i guess
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:22 PM EST up reply actions
so charlie v. is playing the 4 spot?
tough for blatche to guard him at the 3point line all night long. at least he’ll stay out of foul trouble
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply actions
Villanueva can’t continue hitting those tough shots.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
wiz get 0 fast break points this year
it seems like
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions
3-ball is still a huge weakness
Is that 4 or 5?
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:27 PM EST reply actions
Blatche is having a lot of trouble staying with Charlie Villanueva on the weakside
Too much ball-watching. Detroit’s killing them with weakside motion because everyone’s fixated on the ball.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
5 threes given up
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions
OK
I’ll still never get that philosophy; if 3 > 2, then shouldn’t the focus be on preventing the 3ball even if that means letting the guy in the paint score?
I don't know if the problem tonight is philosophy or poor execution.
And give Gordon and Charlie credit for shooting lights out early on.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions
i've accepted blatch shooting jumpers
since he has proven it’s a good weapon for him. but he needs to be about 1 feet closer for them.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply actions
wow they look flat
and uninspired.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:35 PM EST reply actions
really?!
That’s terrible!
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
O-Pech is proud.
by Palace of Good Play's Golden Toilet on Nov 14, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions
He got his fifth in the first quarter
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Thanks for keeping me honest
But really it looks so me first out there sometimes. I just felt like Butlers assist # was very indicative of what i have been seeing this season
I blame Arenas
he’s not his usual happy self. I thought the FOX Sports guy was just yapping, but a team does take on the persona of their best player. Gilbert can be professional and still take joy in the game.
i'm beginning to think he's not 100% healthy
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions
JaVale needs to get some run
Seriously. He’s pure energy. I would slot him a minimum of 12 minutes a game just to get the team’s juices flowing.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:38 PM EST reply actions
unless he starts shooting jumpers...
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
He needs someone at PG who can throw a lob
I don’t know if Boykins is it…
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
he's our only hope tonight
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:45 PM EST up reply actions
if gil stays this cold
then you might be right
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions
You think the Wiz would be used to McGee going up to block shots
and would position themselves themselves accordingly.
You would think.
lots of dribbling though
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:48 PM EST up reply actions
dear wizards
defense is not fouling.
thanks -
me
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
little spark from boinkins
thank god. they should keep him all year
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 7:53 PM EST reply actions
Finally, someone pushed the ball
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
it helps that detroit has a very small backcourt these days
boykins surely has some weaknesses that are not on display in this game.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
Some that are too
Like overdribbling and such.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
the S.O. is working
so i have busted out the belgian beer for the second half. don’t F this up for me wiz.
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:30 PM EST reply actions
The offense looks a lot better with Miller out there
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
yeah this is why deshawn cannot start
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:32 PM EST up reply actions
can they put miller on charlie v?
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:33 PM EST reply actions
keep 'em coming
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
Everyone's passing the ball
Getting Miller back in there helps so much.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
silliness from dray
and yet it doesn’t bother me
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:40 PM EST reply actions
AND
phil just said blatche has been ‘cerebral’. dear god. hell just got a bit colder
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmm..
Boykins is looking pretty good. Maybe Grunfeld knew something we didn’t.
by bigrm18 on Nov 14, 2009 8:41 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
well, he could always score
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions
I haven't seen this place this energized all season
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I have Patches O'Hullihan stuck in my head
“YOU GOTTA GET MEEEAAANNNN!”
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Nov 14, 2009 8:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Chris Miller
Of CSN just said that Gil was tired of being serious and wanted to bring the old Gil back.
YESSSSS!!!
'carry'
i get it
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
And we would've seen that play
if they hadn’t been using the NSFW end zone camera. Seriously, does anyone love getting live action plays from ten angles?
where's haywood?
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions
Oberto can't keep up against these guys
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
rest?
buy a couple of minutes?
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
mike miller only 1 rebound through 3
is that the shoulder bothering him?
I don't really mind
He’s paid to shoot, not rebound.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
yeah and others are picking them up
for the most part
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:04 PM EST up reply actions
DS lookin like garbage, on D and Offense
Is it just me or has Deshawn changed his whole shooting form? He doesn’t kick his feet to the side anymore and jumps all slow. Anyone else notice that?
by FNFWizardsFan on Nov 14, 2009 9:03 PM EST via mobile reply actions
It's a pleasure to see Mike Miller actually shoot the ball
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
See what happens when you lay off Will Bynum instead of trapping him?
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
boykins + arenas
is not THAT different than Arenas + Foye
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:09 PM EST reply actions
Well, Foye's a better distance shooter
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I swear will someone go find the real Caron
and tell him his faulty clone is killing all this season. We want the real Caron back.
would the princeton be such a bad idea?
only a few plays… when aj comes back in a lineup with haywood. it’s not like they’ve forgotten how to do it.
caron is one of the guys who has given the most credit to ej for his career taking off to all-star status. obviously, there’s a learning curve with the new system, but wouldn’t it make sense to put him in a position to really facilitate since that seems to be what he needs to get himself going? could it be that this system doesn’t play to his strengths as well as what they used to run?
I imagine Flip will incorporate some Princeton plays in eventually
That play where Arenas fades to the three-point line off a backscreen is a Princeton play.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
butler
catch + shoot
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions
exactly
i wonder if that’s almost like a rhythm think for him. it’s like he can’t help himself
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
They dodged a bullet on that posession
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
gordan just took a horrendous shot
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions
that one really stood out though
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
things you don't see
when you’re reading the game
Earl Boykins: 20 points, 7-10, 5-5 from the line, 3 assists
And this in his first game with a new team, with no familiarity with the sets. Just wait until he settles in.
He'll regress to the mean
I actually liked the signing, but we can’t expect this every night.
slightly off-topic
the Hawks are freaking on fire to start this year. wiz cannot fall too much further behind in the division
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:23 PM EST reply actions
I can't believe Mike Miller is not in the game
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
whoa
stats say he has 6 fouls on league pass
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions
never mind
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions
thanks for taking a long contested 2 pointer, charlie v!!!
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:26 PM EST reply actions
whats up with these calls..
"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh
by purpleonblack86 on Nov 14, 2009 9:28 PM EST reply actions
Buck did his best jinx job there
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 9:29 PM EST reply actions
talking about gordon's FT shooting prowess
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
just talking about how good of a free throw shooter Gordon was
Giving percentages, ranks etc etc. In previous years he’s done that whenever the Wiz need a miss.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 9:32 PM EST up reply actions
Hey they didn’t go to blatche down low to get fouled right?
"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh
by purpleonblack86 on Nov 14, 2009 9:32 PM EST reply actions
Interesting situation now
Eight second differential, obviously you don’t foul, but how much time does that leave you.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
smart foul
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:36 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, we should have just had Arenas stick a 40-footer
Maybe next possession…
nice brendan
unexpected, but nice
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:37 PM EST reply actions
Two big ones by Haywood
That was a well-designed play. See, Flip Saunders doesn’t just call Arenas isos.
(Same play the Bulls ran against the Celtics to tie Game 4).
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
where was the tech tho?..
"We don’t have any rearview mirrors in our car,"- John Harbaugh
by purpleonblack86 on Nov 14, 2009 9:40 PM EST reply actions
When you foul someone off the ball in the final two minutes
It’s one FT and the ball. It’s designed to stop the Hack-A-Shaq strategy.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
shit!!!!!!!!!!!!
this game was as much of a must win as you can have in november. i’m officially worried
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:41 PM EST reply actions
what a crappy call though
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 9:42 PM EST reply actions
No, he held him with two hands
Easy call.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I didn't see it. Before Gordon even moved?
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
Because the whistle seemed really late then.
Getting buckets since 2003.
by Icantfeelmyface on Nov 14, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
before the ball was inbounded
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions
Another day
Another loss. Boy oh boy. Do the Wizards know that it’s a new year? I mean, it’s OK to win some games this year, I wouldn’t mind it at all.
So – Our “designated” defender comes in and does the ONE thing that could put the game out of reach – he fouls before the ball is in-bounded for a Technical…..
Did I see that just happen?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
This is ridiculous
Flip saunders played boykin way to much in the 3rd/4th quarter. Bynum and Stuckey demolished him.
Flip lost this game for us.
Stevenson
even though he’s bad. He wouldn’t have allowed the amount of dribble penetration that detroit got towards the end of the game.
Detroit won the game minutes ago
When bynum was tearing down our defense position by position, and boykins was matched against him the entire time.
+/-
Boykins was +2, Stevenson was -7 (in only 11 minutes)
so - would you have preferred stevenson?
just saying he didn’t have many options
"a crab dribble is when you travel" - caron butler
by little stevie colter on Nov 14, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
I saw Arenas getting penetrated on more than Boykins
Stevenson didn’t do any better staying in front
Oberto
I can say Fabricio was the reason we lost. He came all the way out to the top of the key leaving the paint open for atleast 6 counted points and offered confusion offensively. Stevenson cost us as well.
Boykins is an awesome player, those who doubted it can be silenced now.
by Unxpekted on Nov 14, 2009 9:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Days of NBA Lives: Wherein Jodie Meeks made a terrible mistake
- Rockets adjusting to lockout schedule with typical Rockets approach
- Tim Duncan wears a pretty nerdy Punisher knee brace
- Every NBA box score/SLAM Magazine cover is online because the Internet is great
- The 10-man rotation, starring Allen Iverson
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
