Wallace & Jerebko Have Big Nights But Pistons Still Lose

His name is Jonas: Welcome to the offensive side of the court, Mr. Jerebko. The Pistons' rookie was 8-for-11 for 22 points and five rebounds, unquestionably his best game as a pro. He confidently knocked down shots from the perimeter (4-for-4 on threes), he had a couple crafty post moves and he continued to provide the hustle plays that he has done game in and game out. Jerebko just gets better every time he steps on the floor and has provided amazingly good value for a second round pick. Generally considered the biggest project of the three Pistons rookies heading into the preseason, he's by far the most advanced.



Ben Wallace wants another rebounding title: We're beyond the point of marveling at Ben Wallace's performance this season. It's fair to say he's going to be solid all year, with the occassional vintage performance thrown in. Last night was vintage Ben, with 16 rebounds (10 offensive) and two steals. He also converted a key three-point play late in the fourth quarter when the team was still in it, to cut the lead down to three. To put it simply, he's the team's MVP this season and it's not even close. They'd be a wreck without him.

How about those non-point guard point guards?: I'm trying to avoid igniting more fires in the comments. Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum generally leave a bit to be desired when it comes to making plays for others. Against LA, they combined for 16 assists and just three turnovers. Even the most cynical of Pistons fans can't be too displeased with that effort.

Stuckey fouled out with 21 points. Bynum finished with 14. Will also struggled for the second straight game from the floor, going 4-for-17, but did get to the line six times. Stuckey's shooting 45 percent and averaging 23 points per game over his last two games, signaling his early-season shooting struggles may be improving back to his career averages. These things tend to even out.

Austin Daye as a shooting guard: Daye started at the two (first time since Allan Houston/Lindsey Hunter in 1993 the Pistons have started two rookies), after playing decent minutes there against Cleveland. Honestly, I like him there. Sure, a 6-foot-11 shooting guard is a bit odd. But he's obviously overmatched strenth-wise as a three or four. He'll still get pushed around a bit by shooting guards, but it's at least a little more competitive for him. Just what the Pistons need, right? More shooting guard depth.

Clippers shot too well: The Clippers have actually assembled a nice little shooting team. Firecracker-loving Chris Kaman (you can totally tell he's a CMU guy from that video) may have the best inside-outside game of any current big in the league. Eric Gordon, Al Thornton and Baron Davis are all streaky shooters who were on last night. Kaman/Thornton combined to go 19-for-25 and Baron Davis got to the line 11 times (hopefully Stuckey was taking notes from one of the best PGs in the league at drawing fouls -- Boom Dizzle fouled Stuckey out and had Bynum at five fouls).

The Clippers, other than having possibly the most players you thought were no longer in the NBA (Steve Novak? Mardy Collins? Sebastian Telfair? Ricky Davis? Kareem Rush?) on one roster, are underachievers who have been up and down this year. They also have established, All-Star level players in Davis, Kaman and Camby who make them a threat every night. The Pistons just didn't have the firepower to keep up, especially with their best offensive option, Charlie Villanueva, struggling to a 5-for-15 night.

They played hard. Until they get healthy, they're going to come up short in a lot of games like this.

Piston Boris wrote:His name is Jonas: Welcome to the offensive side of the court, Mr. Jerebko.

Piston Boris wrote:How about those non-point guard point guards?: [...]

Stuckey fouled out with 21 points. Bynum finished with 14. Will also struggled for the second straight game from the floor, going 4-for-17, but did get to the line six times. Stuckey's shooting 45 percent and averaging 23 points per game over his last two games, signaling his early-season shooting struggles may be improving back to his career averages. These things tend to even out.

Piston Boris wrote:Austin Daye as a shooting guard: Daye started at the two (first time since Allan Houston/Lindsey Hunter in 1993 the Pistons have started two rookies), after playing decent minutes there against Cleveland. Honestly, I like him there. Sure, a 6-foot-11 shooting guard is a bit odd.

Piston Boris wrote:Clippers shot too well: The Clippers have actually assembled a nice little shooting team.

Piston Boris wrote:They played hard. Until they get healthy, they're going to come up short in a lot of games like this.