Pistons vs Wolves GDT

[FNG]

Given the opening schedule, this was a must win game. The next few games could be ugly and this allows them to avoid an 0-4 start.

I won't cover the negatives because you guys already plowed that ground. To me the main positive was seeing them run their closing action through KAT along with Rubio and DLO on the strong side. KAT delivered the right passes and DLO and Beasley made big shots.

Kudos to Saunders for a well-coached game. Not sure we'll be able to say that every night, but I thought his zone looks and the closing offensive sets to seal the game was well done.

I'm glad you mentioned the next 3 games, Q. I think it was predestined that the Wolves would be 1-3 after the first four games, and because they will be double digit or near double digit underdogs in the next three, anything other than 1-3 would be unbelievable. I am bracing myself for predictions of the end of the world on this board after we leave California 1-3 ;) .

Interestingly enough though, their next game is against a Jazz team that also doesn't start a true PF- although Favors did come off the bench for 15 minutes in their opener. Maybe Ryan can get a bounce back game from Layman at starting PF.

[Monster]

Given the opening schedule, this was a must win game. The next few games could be ugly and this allows them to avoid an 0-4 start.

I won't cover the negatives because you guys already plowed that ground. To me the main positive was seeing them run their closing action through KAT along with Rubio and DLO on the strong side. KAT delivered the right passes and DLO and Beasley made big shots.

Kudos to Saunders for a well-coached game. Not sure we'll be able to say that every night, but I thought his zone looks and the closing offensive sets to seal the game was well done.

I'm glad you mentioned the next 3 games, Q. I think it was predestined that the Wolves would be 1-3 after the first four games, and because they will be double digit or near double digit underdogs in the next three, anything other than 1-3 would be unbelievable. I am bracing myself for predictions of the end of the world on this board after we leave California 1-3 ;) .

Interestingly enough though, their next game is against a Jazz team that also doesn't start a true PF- although Favors did come off the bench for 15 minutes in their opener. Maybe Ryan can get a bounce back game from Layman at starting PF.

Layman and Juancho won't be as invisible/bad every night as they were in this game...hopefully. Maybe they will be the Treveon Graham type guy that cant buy a basket etc. If there were 2 guy in the roster that I'd be ok with not being all that good going forward I would be ok with Layman and Juancho not working out. Yeah it's some FA money down the toilet and a missed opportunity but their upsides were average starters at best I'd rather have them suck than say Edwards or Culver or Beasley. We are months away from them being wonderful expiring contracts so moving on will he easy enough. I still feel confident that neither guy is basically going to be unplayable even 50% of games they get on the court.

[Lipoli390]

I was pulling my hair out it was so ugly in the first half. Ryan deserves a ton of credit for switching to zone. Detroit is not a good shooting team and couldn't capitalize. We escaped with a win after a completely terrible start. That's all that matters. The first step to building a winning culture is to actually win games and we beat and team we should tonight. We would have lost by 30 if that was the opener against Brooklyn so it's time to get back to work. Also I can imagine Blake didn't force everything inside because small defenders get away with murder in the post. Okogie could 100% go the PJ Tucker route and it works because the refs will give you a lot more leeway. If Layman or Juancho don't show anything in the first 10 games I would just stick them on the bench and just go all in on 4 guards and Towns. Get Nowell and the other end of the bench guys who actually do something on the court in the game rather that two tall guys who do nothing.

I agree, Kahns.

Okogie was really bullying Griffin down low and getting away with it as smaller players typically do against big guys in the NBA these days. Note also that Josh is physically strong in addition to being aggressive. He also has quick hands, which clearly affected Griffin's ability or willingness to take him to the basket. Every dribble by a big like Griffin against Okogie risks a turnover.

Having Okogie as our main PF isn't ideal to say the least. But he's a much better option than Layman at that spot. Not only is Okogie a lot stronger and laterally quicker than Layman, he's also longer. Okogie's 7'0 wingspan is 2.75" greater than Layman's. They both have the same 8'6" standing reach. The only advantage you might get with Layman is his 3-point shooting, but so far that advantage is only theoretical. Layman is a career 30.8% shooter from behind the arc and has never shot better than 33% in his 5 NBA seasons.

Based on length and natural position, Juancho should be our starting PF ahead of Okogie and Layman. But so far, I just don't see it. He is so bad defensively and doesn't seem to have anything close to an offensive game that can offset his atrocious defense. And given this team's need to improve its putrid defense, Juancho strikes me as a huge liability on the floor. Alas, we're left with Okogie - thanks to Gersson's decision to release RHJ and his failure to sign or acquire a true defensive PF/C with size.

I know we have Ed Davis on the roster, but watching him last season and in his limited preseason minutes, I don't think he has much left in his tank. He's not that old, but some players lose it earlier than others and he's had some recent injuries. Sadly, Gersson has about $12M tied up in Juancho and Davis as the only two players on the roster with good length for the PF position. Seems pretty dumb to me.

So Okogie seems to be our best option right now. Other than that, it might make sense to play KAT and Naz together against certain matchups.

[Coolbreeze44]

It's hard not to like Okogie. I love the way he competes and his fearlessness. Just wish he was a little more skilled. But I enjoyed watching him battle last night.

[kekgeek]

Asked Naz Reid if he was feeling hesitant to shoot in Game 1...

"I wasn't really hesitant about it, I just wasn't really feeling my shot in these practices. I just wanted to keep the ball moving... I haven't really been hitting lately, so trying to get a better look."

Per Dane Moore


I know quotes don't will games but I'm liking this teams mindset

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I hope dlo sent Durant a Christmas card, because without him he would have never gotten a max contract.[/quote

D-Lo was a 23-year old All-Star coming off of a career year. He was getting the max or near max from somebody. Stop it.[/quote

Lol ok... Jeff Teague made the all star team one year too, and it wasn't even as an injury replacement.

Do you actually think before commenting or do you just shit out the first nonsensical thought that comes to mind?

Jeff Teague was 26 when he got his All-Star nod and already under contract. D'Angelo Russell was 23 heading into free agency. What a weird comparison to fling out there. These young guys normally get paid on potential alone. Meanwhile, he had already produced a season worthy of All-Star recognition regardless of if it was an injury replacement spot. Youth, production, and potential get you paid in the NBA and he had all three on his side. It's as simple as that. The guy was getting max or near max money with or without a sign-and-trade involving Kevin Durant.

Hey pompous jackass, my point was that mediocre players have been known to make single all star game appearances before. What they're contracts are at the time has absolutely nothing to do with that particular argument... moron. You're going to stubbornly cling to your claim that dlo is a star aren't you? Again, if you start the personal attacks, I am game.

[TheFuture]

I hope dlo sent Durant a Christmas card, because without him he would have never gotten a max contract.[/quote

D-Lo was a 23-year old All-Star coming off of a career year. He was getting the max or near max from somebody. Stop it.[/quote

Lol ok... Jeff Teague made the all star team one year too, and it wasn't even as an injury replacement.

Do you actually think before commenting or do you just shit out the first nonsensical thought that comes to mind?

Jeff Teague was 26 when he got his All-Star nod and already under contract. D'Angelo Russell was 23 heading into free agency. What a weird comparison to fling out there. These young guys normally get paid on potential alone. Meanwhile, he had already produced a season worthy of All-Star recognition regardless of if it was an injury replacement spot. Youth, production, and potential get you paid in the NBA and he had all three on his side. It's as simple as that. The guy was getting max or near max money with or without a sign-and-trade involving Kevin Durant.

Hey pompous jackass, my point was that mediocre players have been known to make single all star game appearances before. What they're contracts are at the time has absolutely nothing to do with that particular argument... moron. You're going to stubbornly cling to your claim that dlo is a star aren't you? Again, if you start the personal attacks, I am game.

Attack Cam on DLo all you want, but it is fruitless. The guy makes shots from a position we have long lacked, especially in clutch situations.

DLo was an all-star, is a good young player, and far from our top issue(s).

Find a different slant.

The name-calling is something I don't typically remember seeing around here either. Plenty of bickering, but not childish tactics.

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I hope dlo sent Durant a Christmas card, because without him he would have never gotten a max contract.[/quote

D-Lo was a 23-year old All-Star coming off of a career year. He was getting the max or near max from somebody. Stop it.[/quote

Lol ok... Jeff Teague made the all star team one year too, and it wasn't even as an injury replacement.

Do you actually think before commenting or do you just shit out the first nonsensical thought that comes to mind?

Jeff Teague was 26 when he got his All-Star nod and already under contract. D'Angelo Russell was 23 heading into free agency. What a weird comparison to fling out there. These young guys normally get paid on potential alone. Meanwhile, he had already produced a season worthy of All-Star recognition regardless of if it was an injury replacement spot. Youth, production, and potential get you paid in the NBA and he had all three on his side. It's as simple as that. The guy was getting max or near max money with or without a sign-and-trade involving Kevin Durant.

Hey pompous jackass, my point was that mediocre players have been known to make single all star game appearances before. What they're contracts are at the time has absolutely nothing to do with that particular argument... moron. You're going to stubbornly cling to your claim that dlo is a star aren't you? Again, if you start the personal attacks, I am game.

Attack Cam on DLo all you want, but it is fruitless. The guy makes shots from a position we have long lacked, especially in clutch situations.

DLo was an all-star, is a good young player, and far from our top issue(s).

Find a different slant.

The name-calling is something I don't typically remember seeing around here either. Plenty of bickering, but not childish tactics.

Ok, let's sit back and watch the rest of this season. I'm glad he could make a couple shots to help beat a terrible team at home on opening night. Congrats. The dude is not a winning player and not a star. I totally agree that he's not our biggest issue, but he's also not a leader (couldn't even get to the arena on time for opening night), and with a team that already has a weak leader as it's best player, that's not a good combo. On the bright side though, I see strong leadership qualities in a few of our younger guys... something to look forward to I hope.

[TheFuture]

I hope dlo sent Durant a Christmas card, because without him he would have never gotten a max contract.[/quote

D-Lo was a 23-year old All-Star coming off of a career year. He was getting the max or near max from somebody. Stop it.[/quote

Lol ok... Jeff Teague made the all star team one year too, and it wasn't even as an injury replacement.

Do you actually think before commenting or do you just shit out the first nonsensical thought that comes to mind?

Jeff Teague was 26 when he got his All-Star nod and already under contract. D'Angelo Russell was 23 heading into free agency. What a weird comparison to fling out there. These young guys normally get paid on potential alone. Meanwhile, he had already produced a season worthy of All-Star recognition regardless of if it was an injury replacement spot. Youth, production, and potential get you paid in the NBA and he had all three on his side. It's as simple as that. The guy was getting max or near max money with or without a sign-and-trade involving Kevin Durant.

Hey pompous jackass, my point was that mediocre players have been known to make single all star game appearances before. What they're contracts are at the time has absolutely nothing to do with that particular argument... moron. You're going to stubbornly cling to your claim that dlo is a star aren't you? Again, if you start the personal attacks, I am game.

Attack Cam on DLo all you want, but it is fruitless. The guy makes shots from a position we have long lacked, especially in clutch situations.

DLo was an all-star, is a good young player, and far from our top issue(s).

Find a different slant.

The name-calling is something I don't typically remember seeing around here either. Plenty of bickering, but not childish tactics.

Ok, let's sit back and watch the rest of this season. I'm glad he could make a couple shots to help beat a terrible team at home on opening night. Congrats. The dude is not a winning player and not a star. I totally agree that he's not our biggest issue, but he's also not a leader (couldn't even get to the arena on time for opening night), and with a team that already has a weak leader as it's best player, that's not a good combo. On the bright side though, I see strong leadership qualities in a few of our younger guys... something to look forward to I hope.

I can agree with that.

It was an ugly game, and after watching the first 90% of the game, I cant believe we won.

If we play like that against a good team, we will get our ass kicked. But, I am fine with starting with beating a team we should have, no matter how ugly. For many years that has not been the case.

As odd as it sounds, and as much as I dislike it due to recent events, I think Beasley may emerge as the heart and soul of this team. His energy on the court is unreal.

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I hope dlo sent Durant a Christmas card, because without him he would have never gotten a max contract.[/quote

D-Lo was a 23-year old All-Star coming off of a career year. He was getting the max or near max from somebody. Stop it.[/quote

Lol ok... Jeff Teague made the all star team one year too, and it wasn't even as an injury replacement.

Do you actually think before commenting or do you just shit out the first nonsensical thought that comes to mind?

Jeff Teague was 26 when he got his All-Star nod and already under contract. D'Angelo Russell was 23 heading into free agency. What a weird comparison to fling out there. These young guys normally get paid on potential alone. Meanwhile, he had already produced a season worthy of All-Star recognition regardless of if it was an injury replacement spot. Youth, production, and potential get you paid in the NBA and he had all three on his side. It's as simple as that. The guy was getting max or near max money with or without a sign-and-trade involving Kevin Durant.

Hey pompous jackass, my point was that mediocre players have been known to make single all star game appearances before. What they're contracts are at the time has absolutely nothing to do with that particular argument... moron. You're going to stubbornly cling to your claim that dlo is a star aren't you? Again, if you start the personal attacks, I am game.

Attack Cam on DLo all you want, but it is fruitless. The guy makes shots from a position we have long lacked, especially in clutch situations.

DLo was an all-star, is a good young player, and far from our top issue(s).

Find a different slant.

The name-calling is something I don't typically remember seeing around here either. Plenty of bickering, but not childish tactics.

Ok, let's sit back and watch the rest of this season. I'm glad he could make a couple shots to help beat a terrible team at home on opening night. Congrats. The dude is not a winning player and not a star. I totally agree that he's not our biggest issue, but he's also not a leader (couldn't even get to the arena on time for opening night), and with a team that already has a weak leader as it's best player, that's not a good combo. On the bright side though, I see strong leadership qualities in a few of our younger guys... something to look forward to I hope.

I can agree with that.

It was an ugly game, and after watching the first 90% of the game, I cant believe we won.

If we play like that against a good team, we will get our ass kicked. But, I am fine with starting with beating a team we should have, no matter how ugly. For many years that has not been the case.

As odd as it sounds, and as much as I dislike it due to recent events, I think Beasley may emerge as the heart and soul of this team. His energy on the court is unreal.

Yeah, Beasley was great last night. We definitely have some guys with a chip on their shoulder. Saw it against doncic and again again griffin... Beasley, culver, okokie and it appears edwards aren't backing down from nobody. I love that.