Detroit Pistons Continue to Struggle

"I just don't like the fact that right now we're a team where if things are not going good, we sort of give into it."—Pistons coach Michael Curry

It's been another rough couple of weeks for the Pistons.

Grumblings amongst the players about playing time and Coach Curry's tactics, a last-minute Thanksgiving practice that Iverson did not show up for, and continuing identity problems have plagued the team.

Some games they're brilliant offensively, and defensively and other nights nothing they throw up is going in and they can't hold onto the ball.

Hopefully some of the energy they've been lacking will be restored with Antonio McDyess' return—but after Tuesday's loss to Washington, even he said this is not the same team he left just a month ago.

Chauncey Billups' recent success in Denver has fans complaining about the Allen Iverson trade—but to be fair, any team would have a hard time after going through the changes the Pistons have this season. Losing Billups and gaining Iverson certainly threw the team's chemistry off—particularly for Richard Hamilton, but both he and Iverson have begun to adjust to the change and at times have been brilliant.

I think the team's two main problems are ones they've been dealing with for a few years now—lack of drive and a lack of a true center.

For some inexplicable reason, the team's veterans tend to play on a come and go basis. Rasheed Wallace in particular tends to only get up for certain games, and the rest of the team usually follows his example.

Both Wallace's and Jason Maxiell's defensive intensity have been down during most of the Piston's recent losses. As Hamilton and Iverson's speed has begun to mesh, there is no reason that the team should not be pulling out more wins.

Although I still believe that Curry was not the right man for the job, I don't think that he is the main problem here. He has experimented with a number of different lineups trying to find the right fit for his team, and I think he has found it with the latest addition of Rodney Stuckey as a starter.

Moving Tayshaun Prince back to the power forward position will not only help him be more comfortable, but will open up the floor for the rest of the team.

The value of the moves was apparent in the first half of Tuesday night's loss, when the Pistons had an early 15-point lead. In the coming weeks we will have to wait and see if it pays off in the win column.

Unfortunately, while we're waiting, the team is falling further and further in the Eastern Conference standings—and may find themselves with a huge hole to climb out of going into the All-Star break.



Timberwolves 106, Pistons 80

The Pistons continued to play with no energy after their Boston loss. and lost another one to the Timberwolves. This time it was on their home floor.

Once again they were out of the game before the fourth quarter even began, falling down 28 points with Iverson and Hamilton going five for 22.

Pistons 110-Knicks 96

Still reeling from their back-to-back losses and two strenuous practice sessions, the Pistons took out their anger on the struggling New York Knicks. This was Richard Hamilton's first big game since the Iverson trade, and three of the Pistons starters were in double figures before halftime.

Pistons 107-Bucks 97

Allen Iverson led the team with 17, but it was the bench who were the stars of the game. They put up 63 points, with Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell leading the way on the boards.

Trail Blazers 96, Pistons 85

The Piston's continued their Sunday loss streak, dropping another one to Portland. Once again, the second unit tried to turn the game around but found they couldn't get out of the hole the starters had dug for them.

After the game Coach Curry was not happy with his veterans: “As a coach, I should have to search to find where I’m going to find my energy. I coach the game, I can’t coach the energy.”

Pistons 89, Spurs 77

The Pistons headed out to San Antonio, and once again the energy that was lacking against less-talented teams was there against their old rivals. Detroit's physical play and aggressiveness lead them to the win, with Wallace leading the way with three triples in the fourth.

76ers 96, Pistons 91

Allen Iverson and the Pistons found themselves on the losing end against Iverson's former team, who were playing without star Elton Brand. Detroit played most of the game ahead but collapsed down the stretch and gave up in the final minute of the game and made some key mistakes, like Maxiell's late technical foul.

Curry's lack of a timeout at the end of the game was also rather questionable.

Knicks 104, Pistons 92

In the low point of the season, the Pistons were trampled by the Knicks in New York. The Knicks started out 10-0 and never looked back. Tayshaun Prince's 23 was the only highlight in a miserable game. The Pistons continued to struggle behind the arc.

Wizards 107, Pistons 94

The Pistons started out with lots of energy, and a 17-point lead that showcased the brilliance of their new lineup. Sadly, by the end of the first half they let Washington make a run to get within three.

The second half was all Washington, as the Pistons offensive struggles led to a let-down in their defense. McDyess made a strong return with nine points and six rebounds in twenty-six minutes.