12 Things About the Pistons that Make Me Vomit
(a little in my mouth)
If this is the Detroit Pistons team we will have for the rest of the season, it is time to be honest with ourselves. Players have come out, so now is the time for us to…about what we dislike about our Pistons.
1. Josh Smith’s infamous LOOOONNNNGGGG 2-pointer…attempt:
Back in December, an article mentioned that Smith shot 17% of his shots as long 2s, which is a career low. It appears by my viewpoint, that this is still too often. Smith was encouraged to shoot his mid-range shot in order to spread the defense, since Monroe and Drummond both are void in that range. With Smith’s history of playing power forward it really would impress the fans more if he just drove to the basket more!
2. Josh Smith’s air ball:
Related to number 1, Josh Smith puked up a stupid shot with 10 seconds to go, versus the New York Knicks. Detroit was down by one, 86-85 when the fateful “shot” was taken. Despite there being more than enough time to get a better look, Smith took it upon himself to lose this game. “He missed by about 2 feet”, the announcers were amused, but Piston fans were certainly not.
3. Witnessing Brandon Jennings and Josh Smith
jacking up 3-pointers:
Smith has shot almost 22% of his shots from beyond the arc and making 23% of them, while Jennings has shot almost 38% of his shots from 3 point land and made 34% of them. It is not the attempt that bothers critics, but the way they are thrown up when there is nearly 20 seconds left on the shot clock and, my personal beef, there are no teammates who are set up to grab the rebound! (The Pistons are only 1.1 rebounds per game away from leading the NBA). If they were hitting them, which some nights that does happen and we are ecstatic, it would be different, but the Pistons are only making 31.2% of them. Good for 29th in the NBA.
4. The Pistons’ team Free Throw %:
Currently, the Pistons are hitting 66.2% of their free throws! Those are free points, with no in-your-face defense to make you miss! They are ranked dead last at 30th (Houston is next at 69.3%). Six players are shooting at a percentage that is less than the team average, and 3 of them are starters! Some coaches are not shy about using a “Hack-a-Dre” plan of attack. Drummond’s free throws are better, but 39.5% is just embarrassing.
Who else thinks it is ironic that Rasheed Wallace, the originator of “The Ball Don’t Lie!” is an assistant bench coach? You can’t make this stuff up…
5. No set plays for Drummond:
It has been previously established that Andre has gotten a lot better since last year’s rookie season. He is the future of the Pistons, and will be an all-star for years to come. Why, then, are ZERO plays called for Drummond? I don’t count his steals and breakaway dunks, or his alley-oops. He is not Ben Wallace, who just cleans up the mess to get his points. He should get all-star touches!
6. Andre’s (and others) quick foul trouble leading to benching:
Andre was getting manhandled by the likes of some of the bigger centers, earlier in the year. He has picked up some of the rough moves, but he does not have the rockstar status to get away with them. It doesn’t help that flopping is still an epidemic despite being illegal with fines. With time and coach Rasheed Wallace’s assistance, Andre will learn what will and what will not get a foul. After a while, he will adjust to strict or liberal referee staffing.
7. Fourth Quarter (epic) FAIL:
Anyone who has watched a Pistons game this season knows what it is like to see their team winning until the huge, inevitable collapse in the final minutes of the game. Jennings tends to chuck up 3s and has less assists. A smaller lineup has also been witnessed during these lapses, where 3 guards join Josh Smith and either Drummond or Monroe (depending largely on foul and free throw issues).
8. Greg Monroe’s dramatic groan/bark after having the ball down low:
Am I the only one that winces every time Greg Monroe has the ball down low and tries to push it up…leading to a strip or block and the inevitable bark? It is so predictable, I’m waiting for the announcer to say “…Greg Monroe has the ball low…yep, there is the bark…and loose ball.”
9. Monroe’s lack of a vertical jump:
It has previously been determined by Draft Express that based on all the power forwards who were drafted since 2000 that Monroe ranks in the bottom 10%! A different article can complain about his lack of athleticism.
10. Andre Drummond’s brillo (shoulder) pads:
We have one word of advice for Mr. Drummond…MANSCAPE! Have you noticed Dre’s nappy shoulder hair? I love Andre as a player, but the man needs to invest some time and money into an appointment at the spa.
11. Josh Smith trying to touch his upper lip to his nose:
Is he trying to remind himself what he ate for supper? Seriously, he needs to stop!
12. Rodney Stuckey’s scowl:
A tough player, who is mean as nails, is someone many of us want on our team. To have the same reaction every time he doesn’t get the foul call to go his way, is just ludicrous. There is no way you will be following your two mentors in Dumars and Billups in winning the Joe Dumars (Sportmanship) Trophy with that response!
Yes, this post was the negatives, but I’ll be posting a followup to this post, where we will look at the positives.
It’s your turn…
What gets your stomach juices going?
What makes you yell at the TV, while watching a Pistons game?
Share your thoughts!
