Bad losses to the Cavs and the Wizards. Now, both are decent teams,
and both were road games, but the Pistons still looked awful.
Two big concerns. First, no inside game, on either end. The "points
in the paint" stat against the Wizards was especially terrible. More
broadly, Detroit not only doesn't have much of a traditional post
offense (a long-time problem, including the championship year) but
also the Pistons now often seem to have no interior *defense*.
Defense has long been a hallmark of this team, but it was a problem in
the playoffs last year. So they take jump shots, the other team
shoots from close up, not surprising we lose.
Second, the inconsistent rotation. I understand Flip is trying to
work in some new guys (Theo and Dixon); I understand he is trying to
figure out what combinations work. I understand that different
opponents and different situations might call for different
combinations of Pistons players. But I'm also wondering if he really
is getting ready for the playoffs, or whether he's just confused.
Oh well, it's just two bad games (although it's also 10-7 since the
all-star break). And Detroit still has the second-best record in the
NBA. Just a couple of worrying signs. -- Joe
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