RIP Rip Hamilton: 3 Burning Questions for Detroit Pistons Fans

Chris Wilcox looked like a world-beater Wednesday night.

There was a point in the game in which Wilcox seemingly could not be stopped, at one point scoring six points in about four minutes. Unfortunately for the Pistons though, Wilcox’s tear came with about less than a minute to go, and with the Pistons facing a 23-point deficit.

And unfortunately for Wilcox, I am extremely sarcastic.

The Pistons were on the losing end of a 105-84 route against the Miami Heat. No, wait; excuse me for just one second. I stand corrected.

The Detroit Pistons lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 105-84.

Once again I will repeat: The Detroit Pistons got their jock straps handed to them by the Memphis Grizzlies.

I will pause for a moment to let that sink in.

Let’s face it Detroit, this is not the Pistons team that we were used to. Gone are the days of the NBA Finals. Gone are the days of the Eastern Conference championships. Heck, gone are the days of even thinking realistically about the playoffs.

We have watched as this team slowly fell apart before our very eyes. Then just like dominoes, piece by piece this team has imploded on itself. Today we are left with the carnage of some very bad trades, poor draft picks and an ownership fiasco that seems to be more apathetic than anything.

The Pistons have left much to be desired on and off the court. John Kuester's coaching has been spotty at best, the play on the court has been uninspired at times and the overall basketball product is at an all-time low.

We are reverting back to the teal days. Quick, somebody call Jerome Williams; I’m sure he’s still good for a few rebounds a game.

All joking aside; the Detroit Pistons are a very bad basketball team, and short of a blockbuster trade that I don’t see coming, we are going to have to find ways to make lemonade from this group of sour lemons.

The reality of the Pistons' situation right now is that we are stuck with the players, coaches and management (or lack there of) that we have, at least for the time being.

As fans I think that we are obligated to hold our teams to high standards, and ask ourselves questions about our teams when necessary.

Here are three burning questions that I think you should consider when watching the Detroit Pistons:

Burning Question No. 1: When Will Richard Hamilton Wear Out His Welcome?

Rip has been ejected from two of the last three games he has played in. Through the years he has always been known to have somewhat of a temper, but now this is getting to the point of ridiculousness. He is obviously frustrated on the court, and the lack of a true point guard is not helping his cause.

Hamilton is at his best when he is able to curl off the screens and shoot the ball from the elbow. He is also at his best when somebody else is setting up that shot from him. Rip has never been adept at making his own opportunities.

I know that the Pistons are trying to showcase him in order to ensure that he has good trade value, but at least with me he is wearing out his welcome. With Hamilton in the starting lineup, Ben Gordon is relegated to coming off the bench, and losing valuable minutes. I am convinced that Gordon is easily the best player on this team, and is arguably one of the most explosive and clutch players in the league.

The fact that a stale, bitter and older veteran is hogging up those minutes, and will cry if he is put on the bench is atrocious. Rip is obviously unhappy, so let's hurry up and cut bait.

Burning Question No. 2: Where are the Young Players?

I know that it is probably a little bit too early in the season to say this, but in my estimation this season is a wash. The Pistons have an outside chance of making the playoffs this season, and even if they do they most likely will be swept out in the first round. So why do we have to endure the ever so rigid play of Ben Wallace, Jason Maxiell and yes, Tracy McGrady?

The Pistons have put an incredible amount of stock into younger players, but are receiving very little. How are they able to produce though when they are spending most of their time on the bench?

Supposedly Austin Daye has had a few confrontations with Kuester, and considering that Daye was receiving more hype than the Miami Heat coming into this season, I think it is safe to assume that his lack of playing time is because of that.

There is no excuse for not playing Greg Monroe though. He is a big body, solid rebounder and, oh yeah, a first-round draft pick! Sure, at times Monroe has looked dazed and confused out there, but who can blame him? He is trying to adjust to the NBA!

He will never be able to learn if he is not allowed to take his lumps, get beat up and adapt to the pro game. Monroe is averaging just over 16 minutes a game, which is essentially chump change.

Burning Question No. 3: Is Rodney Stuckey Really the Answer at Point Guard?

Let me preface this by saying that I think Stuckey is an incredible basketball player. That being said, the more I watch him play the less I believe he is a point guard. Stuckey is incredible when he is able to get the ball in his hands and drive to the basket. He has above average strength, above average speed and is very good with finishing at the hoop. Rodney is a natural scorer.

The problem is that he may be a natural scorer, but he is in no way a natural point guard. A point guard needs to be able to train his mind to look for his teammates first, and then create a play when all else fails. Anybody and their grandmother can call a play, but only the good point guards can execute it to get an easy bucket.

More times than not it seems like Stuckey puts on the blinders, drives the lane and forgets about his teammates who just so happen to be open because of his drive. In those moments it becomes Rodney Stuckey vs. five defenders, instead of four open players against two or three defenders.

Imagine if the Pistons were able to get a true point guard. You could move Stuckey to the two and allow him to fully concentrate on getting his own. I think until the Pistons are able to actually acknowledge that Stuckey is not a point guard and remedy the situation, we are going to be stuck watching the same bad product game after game.

Hey, maybe we could get Gridiron to go the Palace and come up with a Pistons fight song! Mason could sing the harmony.

At least we could have something to look forward to.