Game #21: Pistons Vs Rockets - 12/7/10

[Deleterious]

7-14 (2-9) @ 7-13 (4-4)

Live from the Toyota Center

Game Info: 8:30 pm EST Tue Dec 7, 2010

TV:

Injury Report:

Houston: Shane Battier - Questionable (Stomach Virus). Yao Ming - Out (Foot). Aaron Brooks - Out (Ankle).

Detroit: None.

Win Probability

23%

Team Stats



Team Four Factors

eFG%: 0.503 (12th of 30)
TOV%: 0.137 (16th of 30)
ORB%: 0.259 (16th of 30)
FT/FGA: 0.270 (4th of 30)

Team Leaders

Win Shares: Kevin Martin 2.1
Minutes Per Game: Luis Scola 33.2
Points Per Game: Kevin Martin 22.4
Rebounds Per Game: Luis Scola 8.7
Assists Per Game: Kyle Lowry 6.8
Steals Per Game: Shane Battier 0.8
Blocks Per Game: Shane Battier 1.4



Team Four Factors

eFG%: 0.483 (22nd of 30)
TOV%: 0.131 (9th of 30)
ORB%: 0.251 (20th of 30)
FT/FGA: 0.215 (27th of 30)

Team Leaders

Win Shares: Rodney Stuckey 1.8
Minutes Per Game: Tayshaun Prince 32.7
Points Per Game: Rodney Stuckey 16.6
Rebounds Per Game: Ben Wallace 7.4
Assists Per Game: Rodney Stuckey 5.3
Steals Per Game: Rodney Stuckey 1.0
Blocks Per Game: Ben Wallace 1.0

[Deleterious]

Pistons' Charlie Villanueva to miss game tonight for personal matter | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Pistons' Charlie Villanueva to miss game tonight for personal matter
Vincent Goodwill / The Detroit News

Houston— Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva will miss Tuesday night's game against the Rockets due to a personal matter, a source close to the team told The Detroit News.

Villanueva did not travel with the team to Houston, but it is expected that he will rejoin the team for Wednesday's game in New Orleans.

Villanueva has been arguably the team's most consistent performer, averaging 13 points and nearly five rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.

Villanueva, 26, scored nine in Sunday's win against the Cavaliers.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Rockets playing much better lately, they should handle us pretty easy. We can't overcome the major edge that Morey will have over JoeD in this matchup. I predict a quadriple double from Morey tonight.


(It's obligatory that we do this during any Houston/Detroit matchup)

[Hart]

So the Pistons are supposedly going with a smaller rotation now and playing McGrady as the backup point guard. This is actually a good move if we were trying to make the playoffs but I am not sure that is the case.

[Deleterious]

So the Pistons are supposedly going with a smaller rotation now and playing McGrady as the backup point guard. This is actually a good move if we were trying to make the playoffs but I am not sure that is the case.

Good thing we gave Bynum that contract.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Houston goes on an 14-0 run as soon as Stuckey enters the game, and no, not a coincidence. I am so ready for this team to dismiss this short armed, offensive fouling, no jump shot clown.

[dalemotown]

You know what, Rip?.....I'm about as sick of you, as you are of playing for this team - you prick. Go away. Please. Selfish prude.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

You know what, Rip?.....I'm about as sick of you, as you are of playing for this team - you prick. Go away. Please. Selfish prude.

Time to send a message, Ben Gordon to the starting lineup indefintely. In fatc, the backcourt might as well be TMac and Gordon with Prince, Monroe and Wallace starting..

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Tayshaun abusing Battier on a couple buckets, that goes to show how well he is playing, Battier is a great player.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Q gets a tech, just so he has no moral ground to stand on when sending Rip a message.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

How good would Scola look on this team right now? Absolutley killing it this year.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Watching this team execute at the end of periods is hilarious. 5 point deficits turn into 11 point deficits in the matter of 45 seconds.

[EatEmUpTigers711]

Was watching this while I was at work. Couldn't believe we were up by nearly 10, but then saw who was in the game & said we wouldn't be up for long with those bums in the game. Sure enough, Houston goes on the 14-0 run, then gets the lead & doesn't look back. Looks like we're attempting another comeback here in the 4th now that I switch over from the MSU game.

Only positive I heard was Eli Zaret saying T-Mac is now getting reps as the backup PG. Is it even possible that Kuester is starting to do something right?

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Battier scores after he got away with an off arm, Pistons had cut it to 1, but sure enough are starting to collapse. Another Tech, lead is now 6.

Kuester just has no positive impact on this team.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Oh no I agree guys, leaving Scola uncovered from 16 is smart basketball. Derp.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

These guys could **** up a wet dream.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Stuck brickin' contested 3's after dribbling the shot clock down and comitting TO's, Houston getting great shots off ball movement, uncontested layups, Scola mid rangers, lead balloons to 12.

[84 Lives!!!]

Blow 'em up.

[Deleterious]

Scola going off doesn't shock me. He is a really good player and we all know our issues with guarding the post.

Getting destroyed by a teams backup PG on the other hand, not good.

Rip has been ejected 3 times in 22 games? I don't even know what he was so upset about. Battier probably got some hand, but he gets that call 9 times out of 10 and Rip knows that. I think he has just quit on this team.

That was game #22 and you morons haven't said a word about my thread title.

The Pistons are on pace to win 26 games this year. That is 1 less than last year when they had all of those injuries.

They are currently the 4th worst team by win percent. Should be another loss tomorrow in NO. The following game in Minnesota could be huge come draft time!

[EatEmUpTigers711]

Agree about Scola. I saw him going off on us a mile away.

I've wanted Rip out of here ever since he started with the drama when AI got traded here. I still want him gone, can't wait for him to be gone, hell....I might even throw a Rip is finally gone party when we get rid of him.

This was driving me crazy while I was watching.....Of course Blaha & Kelser were giving praise to Lowry while he was making us look silly out there. I think he's decent, and props for having a good game, but they were making him sound like a perennial All-Star just because he was dominating us. I used to love listening to those guys, but now it's almost painful to sit there & listen to them.

And finally, just to make you feel better about nobody mentioning your thread title.....How dare you try and trick us & make us think we have to endure watching this horrendous team any more than we already have to.....So there.

[Elevate]

There is just so little to be positive about with this team. They have the least exciting roster in the entire league and they play with absolutely no interest or inspiration. None of their young players are of superstar caliber and their veterans are a bunch of malcontents. Their coach is in over his head and their GM has simply lost his head. The ownership of the team is in flux. And they are going to be just good enough to miss the impact player in the draft they need to build around.

2004 seems like 1964 right about now.

[Elevate]

Also, I'm thinking about cutting Stuckey as my AAP. Dude is embarrassing me.

[EatEmUpTigers711]

Also, I'm thinking about cutting Stuckey as my AAP. Dude is embarrassing me.

We need a ruling on this.....

You know what else I just noticed though? Not only are we horrible, but we're only 5.5 GB in the division.....6th worst team in the league, and we're still right in the thick of things. How bad is our division that we could still manage to to ruin all hopes of a future draft pick by making the playoffs.....

[jonjd]

Those numbers are insane EEUT711. Just not right.

Elevate, I'll be the ruling judge on this. Stuck's name does not deserve to in the same area as that fine URL promoting a very fine scene. Toss him.

Enjoy the NYE shows. I'm guessing that you're going.

[Deleterious]

We need a ruling on this.....

You know what else I just noticed though? Not only are we horrible, but we're only 5.5 GB in the division.....6th worst team in the league, and we're still right in the thick of things. How bad is our division that we could still manage to to ruin all hopes of a future draft pick by making the playoffs.....

Thats hilarious, good catch.

[DTroppens]

You know what else I just noticed though? Not only are we horrible, but we're only 5.5 GB in the division.....6th worst team in the league, and we're still right in the thick of things. How bad is our division that we could still manage to to ruin all hopes of a future draft pick by making the playoffs.....

One thing you have to remember is most teams have played about 20 games, so unless someone is 3-17 or your division leader is 17-3, it's pretty hard to be too far behind. Project that through a full season and we're talking about 20 games behind, even in a division that might not have a leader play .600 ball.

[DTroppens]

I tried to watch this game while celebrating a friend's birthday with 20 others at a bar.

For the 100th time in my life, I figured out how fruitless doing that just is.

One minute I saw the Pistons cut the lead to two points. I turn around about five minutes and it's not looking good - stuff like that. It just doesn't work. Count this as a lost game for me.

[Betrayer]

Rip needs to go.

That's been my mantra for years and it's only getting more and more urgent. I know everyone wants to trade Tay - maybe it's because he has the only tradeable contract or maybe they're just tired of him - but he's actually a high IQ player that contributes to this team. Given the choice, I'd much rather keep him than Rip. On a rebuilding team that is actually trying to move forward (once Joe gets off his butt), Tay can be a good veteran influence. Rip has never been that type of player and never will be. He's a cry-baby.

Not only that, he's totally replaceable. He's lost a step and gives you nothing other than jumpers. I'm sure Charlie, Austin, and Gordon would have no problem taking those shots in Rip's absence.

I swear, trading Billups and extending Rip in the same week is probably the worst thing Joe did since drafting Darko.

Right now I'd take a quarter pounder with cheese in exchange for Rip, and I don't even like fast food.

[dalemotown]

I know everyone wants to trade Tay - maybe it's because he has the only tradeable contract or maybe they're just tired of him - but he's actually a high IQ player that contributes to this team. Given the choice, I'd much rather keep him than Rip.

It dawned on me the other day as to why Tay has finally become more assertive: he needs a new contract.

I do NOT trust that Tay will play this way - with the Pistons - once he's given a new contract. Trade him at the February deadline - OH, WAIT: not guaranteed they can do that, being that closing the sale of the team will front-and-center.

[Deleterious]

Lets not forget Prince has had multiple blowups with the current coaching staff. He isn't getting tossed from games, but I don't think I would call him a good veteran influence.

I have been saying it ever since they tried to shove the leadership role down Stuckeys throat. You cant expect a young guy to lead as long as you have guys from the 2004 team around. The other young players will always gravitate to those guys because they have been around forever and have rings. Also, those guys wont accept leadership from some young guy who has been in the league 15 minutes. All ties with that team need to be cut to move forward.

[Deleterious]

Pistons Coach John Kuester Is Not An Expert On Kevin Martin, Possibly The NBA - From Our Editors - SBNation.com

Pistons Coach John Kuester Is Not An Expert On Kevin Martin, Possibly The NBA

John Kuester has had his share of struggles at the helm of a consistently overmatched and underwhelming Detroit Pistons squad over the last year and change. The team lost again Tuesday to the Rockets in Tracy McGrady's return to Houston. Rockets guard Kevin Martin played a substantial role, scoring 21 points, 14 of which came in 15 free throw attempts.

That's sort-of Martin's "thing," drawing lots of fouls. And, as John Hollinger points out, it's not particularly new. Martin has drawn a ton of fouls consistently for the past five seasons. Kuester has been in the league that entire time, which makes these post-game comments (captured by the Detroit News) all the more LOL-worthy.

"I'm amazed Kevin Martin could get that many free throws," Kuester said. "I never knew he was a post player."

For the record, Martin's 15 FTAs on Tuesday don't register among his career top 20 free throw performances. Martin has had at least 20 free throws in a game four times, and at least 15 in 32 games. This wasn't exactly a fluke.

What's more, Kuester coached against Martin three times last season; Martin averaged more than nine free throw attempts a game in those contests, and had 12 in one of the matches.

Even more ridiculous? Kuester was a top assistant with the Cavaliers in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 season. Martin, then with the Kings, played against Cleveland three times. His free throw totals in those games: 14, 17 and 18. So in the last three seasons, Martin had averaged 12.8 free throws a game against Kuester's teams, and yet Kuester is amazed -- amazed -- Martin could get 15 in one game.

IN CONCLUSION, I would love to see the Pistons' scouting reports on Kevin Martin and other players. Are they just doodles and Match.com print-outs? They have to be.

Hollinger

What a ridiculous quote from Kuester last night. Somebody tell him Kevin Martin is one of league leaders in FTA last five seasons.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

It sounds to me that Kuester was complaining that Martin was getting too many calls last night in a veiled kind-a-way. Probably sticking up for Rip.

[Elevate]

Elevate, I'll be the ruling judge on this. Stuck's name does not deserve to in the same area as that fine URL promoting a very fine scene. Toss him.

Enjoy the NYE shows. I'm guessing that you're going.

Thanks man, I didn't think anyone actually clicked on that! I hope to be going to NYE, still waiting on word on a press pass. If not, I don't have the $137 for a 3-day pass.

[DrWho17]

Right, the Kuester remark was a joke, he wasn't happy with the reffing this game.

[Deleterious]

The post player comment was a joke. But nobody is busting his balls for that comment. They are laughing at him because he thinks 15 FTA's is a lot for Martin, when clearly it isn't.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

The post player comment was a joke. But nobody is busting his balls for that comment. They are laughing at him because he thinks 15 FTA's is a lot for Martin, when clearly it isn't.

Or maybe he was taking a stab at the refs by saying Martin did not deserve 15 FT attempts. The context of the quote was that he was amazed at the type of calls the refs were making. Kue is not an idiot, just a bad head coach.

[Deleterious]

Or maybe he was taking a stab at the refs by saying Martin did not deserve 15 FT attempts.

Kue is not an idiot, just a bad head coach.

Well, I suppose if you really want to stretch and try and decipher hidden messages in his quote, maybe you are right. Me and the rest of the country on the other hand are laughing our asses off at him.

[ScrubBeaterUpper]

Well, I suppose if you really want to stretch and try and decipher hidden messages in his quote, maybe you are right. Me and the rest of the country on the other hand are laughing our asses off at him.

It's not a big deal, but It's not a stretch, it's the probable meaniing, it makes the most sense within the context. He said “They (Rockets) got a number of calls that put them on the free throw line a lot. On the road you must shore up things like that. I'm amazed Kevin Martin got 15 free throws*." Then made a snide joke about Martin not being a post player .If the latter was snide, probably the set-up was too. When he says they "got" calls, that is different than saying they "drew fouls".

Hollinger, as usual comes of as the waste of space here.


*confusion over the exact quote.

[Deleterious]

It's not a big deal, but It's not a stretch, it's the probable meaniing, it makes the most sense within the context. He said “They (Rockets) got a number of calls that put them on the free throw line a lot. On the road you must shore up things like that. I'm amazed Kevin Martin got 15 free throws*." Then made a snide joke about Martin not being a post player .If the latter was snide, probably the set-up was too. When he says they "got" calls, that is different than saying they "drew fouls".

Hollinger, as usual comes of as the waste of space here.


*confusion over the exact quote.

The problem is, you think he is taking a shot at the refs. You think he is doing that by bitching about a player getting a ton of foul shots who by rule, usually gets a lot of foul shots. It doesn't make much sense.

Hollinger is usually a waste of space, unless talking about trade info. But sadly, he is correct here.

[EatEmUpTigers711]

One thing you have to remember is most teams have played about 20 games, so unless someone is 3-17 or your division leader is 17-3, it's pretty hard to be too far behind. Project that through a full season and we're talking about 20 games behind, even in a division that might not have a leader play .600 ball.

Oh I know, but after looking at the entire league standings last night, it's pretty clear that we're in the worst division in basketball & that most of the teams with similar records to ours are anywhere from 8-10 GB.

These are the current records of the Division leaders.

Atlantic - Boston, 17-4
Central - Chicago, 12-8
Southeast - Orlando 15-6
Northwest - Utah, 16-6
Pacific - Lakers, 15-6
Southwest - San Antonio, 17-3