Forget the fact that Detroit let a 19 point lead against the Bulls shrink to just one. Rodney Stuckey put Detroit on his back to pull out a much-needed win on his way to scoring a career high 40 points Tuesday night at The Palace in Detroit’s 104-98 victory.
Key Points:
- Detroit Led 58-45 at the half only to let the Bulls go on a 20 to 2 run to cut the Pistons lead to just one.
- The Bulls never led.
- I still don’t like Nocioni, but I got to give it up to him for pushing his teammates when they weren’t playing well. Did you see him get in Tyrus Thomas’s face?
- Sheed started the game on fire again scoring Detroit’s first seven points but got cold later going 5-for-14 on his way to a 11 point 4 rebound game.
- Rasheed also earned his 11th tech of the year that he was called for during a timeout. Seriously?
- Was Rodney trying to prove something against rookie point guard Derrick Rose?
- The Bulls had no answer to Rodney Stuckey who looked like an All-Star getting whatever he wanted on his way to a career-high 40 points.
Photo/Getty Images
- First lava ball of the season by the way and I’m glad it went to Stuckey after the effort and heart he showed last night.
- Stuckey scored 17 by the half.
- It almost seems like a distant memory when Rodney Stuckey was having trouble with his jumper. This starting lineup business is suiting him well.
- Antonio McDyess and Tayshaun Prince each put up a double-double. Antonio with 10 points and 11 boards and Prince with 14 points and 11 boards.
- Richard Hamilton 14 points and no ejections!
- No Brown, Hermann, Johnson or Bynum.
- FSN highlights by the quarter.
- 10 straight games with a Pistons Tech, no wonder Tayshaun is pissed.
- This is why Jason Maxiell should never have a DNP Coaches Decision.
Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN
- Though he played just 14 minutes, it was all fire and baby eating. Jason had 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in short minutes. Watch this stretch of Maxiell greatness.
- No, I am not happy that they lost a 19 point lead, but as soon as it got to one they started to take over. Clearly this is a Pistons team we are not used to seeing, or maybe we are?
- Derrick Rose just 10 points in 23 minutes with foul trouble.
- Blaha and Kelser had a fantastic time with the way Stuckey was playing. The kid got whatever he wanted and made it look like butter.
- Five Pistons in double figures.
- 42 points in the paint for The Bulls and 42 for The Pistons.
- Forget the fact that his stat line was 40 points on 15-for-24 shooting. His defense was great, he managed to rack up 4 steals and grabbed 2 boards with 4 assists.
- Did I mention he was responsible for the play of the game? But that’s a given.
Video Courtesy of The NBA, The Detroit Pistons and FSN
- A few Stucktacular Highlights.
- Weird to see Lindsey Hunter in a Bulls uniform with a clean shaven head.
- 15 turnovers for the Bulls to Detroit’s 9.
- Allen Iverson just 24 minutes after he went down with sore left groin. He still managed 8 assists and 5 points. Take note of the behind the back pass to Afflalo in the Maxiell highlights. This could be Iverson’s first game as a pro that he did not score a field goal, all of his points came from the line. Ryan in the comments “By the way, on ESPN, it said that on April 2nd, 1999, AI went 0 for 7. He played 12 minutes that game after a feud with Larry Brown”
- Iverson is listed as day to day, but I can almost guarantee he plays on Friday. It’s just how he rolls.
- Another solid outing from Arron Afflalo
- The Pistons shot 42% from the floor to The Bulls 47%
- On their way…outrebounded by just 2. The Bulls pulled down 46, the Pistons 44.
- 7 games as a starter and shooting 60%….Rodney Stuckey’s Post Game Interview. He keeps playing like this and he is going to be an All Star.
- This is one of those performances that you just have to watch again. Great way to start off a Holiday!
STUCKEY > 50 cent
AWESOME game! Stuckey was ON FIRE!!!
I love that picture you made of him!
AI’s pass to Afflalo for the three was great, too!
(By the way, on ESPN, it said that on April 2nd, 1999, AI went 0 for 7. He played 12 minutes that game after a feud with Larry Brown.)
Even if we tank this season all to hell (which doesn’t exactly seem implausible,) the bright spot is going to be watching Stuckey and thinking about what he can do for this organization in the future. Not to mention the other young guys who aren’t getting their due right now. And I agree with everyone who has questioned Curry for sticking with the older, less-hungry guys, and giving work horses like Amir and Maxey and Hermann DNP’s. Acceptable if you’re playing like the Celtics, but why do we pride ourselves on such a deep bench if we’re not going to use it when we need to?
Play Maxiell, Pistons win.
Dont play Maxiell, Pistons lose.
Play Maxiell MORE minutes, Pistons win by MORE!
He is the difference maker out there, his energy and defense spark the whole team. And regardless what ANYONE says, the spark doesnt need to come from the bench. They could play him 30 mins and he would play with the same effort and results multiplied times what he plays now! Consistant & productive!!!
completely agree. its puzzling why Maxiell and Amir aren’t getting a lot more minutes. i thought that’s what this season was all about?
but right now i’m happy to just marvel at Stuck. look forward to him proving that this 40 wasn’t a fluke!
GREAT GAME BY STUCKEY,BUT AMIR AND HERMANN CAN PLAY TONIGHT,BUT THEY DONT.15-11 SCORE NOW,AND MORE WIN TO GET BETTER PLACE IN EAST
I told everyone he would be great, it was just a matter of time! I’m stickin by my favorite player to the end!
Stuckey is the man! hopefully will continue to be a great point guard and not just a terrific scorer.
But come on Coach C…. Have you heard about the bench? we do have a deep team and you don’t use it as you should! look at what Herrmann, Bynum, Maxiell, Afflalo and Brown did when they played a lot… I think it’s a huge mistake! I thought Curry would use the bench a lot! and the right way! but he uses it less than Saunders did 😛
This whole year makes me uncomfortable. We have gone away from defense, and use the so-called run and gun more. We have defenders that have been honing their craft for the last three years in Amr and Jason, but they are warming the bench. The acquisition of AI should not change who we are; he should be the one to change. I have always liked him as a player, still do, but he and Curry both need to see this team as they are. Defense is critical. And God bless Tayshaun for saying out loud what needs to be said regarding the techs. He is such a class act. One would hope that he remains a Piston for life even if only for the leadership and quiet dignity he brings.
Great game by Stuckey, but I hope he stays consistent. If he keeps on playing great games like this one and improves on his defense. Than I think we can get rid of AI and get a forward or center who is really good on defense and decent in offense. But we need to stay consistent.I think Richard, Rasheed, and Tay could improve on their shooting. And their shooting should never be under 50%. Also Sheeds, Tays, and Hamiltons defense has gone down. Ever since acquiring AI I think they are thinking they are an offensive team rather than a defensive team. Pistons need to get back to atleast their normal defense if not better. Also coach Curry needs to give Maxiell, Amir, Kwamae, and Herman some more minutes. They are getting payed, so they need to play. If coach Curry has a problem with playing these 4 players than he can leave or get fired. This is the first time I have felt like coach Curry is doing a bad job. Joe Dumars is not doing his job either. He really made this trade for 2010. But we wont be able to get any good players in 2010. I think the first team member Detroit has to get is of is Joe Dumars.Happy Holidays!
IN STUCK WE TRUST!!!
From what I heard, in this game in Philli where AI had no field goals, he also had 5 points, all from the line as well.
has tay, sheed or billups ever scored 40 or more?
Stuckey did have an excellent scoring game, but he should not have played 42 minutes. Will Bynum can and does do the same thing that stuckey does. Penetrate and wreak havoc in the lane. I understand leaving the hot hand on the floor, but giving him 6 minutes of rest is just foolish.
I agree that this bench is being used the same way as Saunders used it, which is even more disapointing to me than losing Chauncey…
…well maybe.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Lindsey got lot’s of love at the Palace, so that was very good to see.
In my opinion Stuckey should be getting atleast 32 minutes per game.
Just a thought here, maybe Curry isn’t using the bench as much because he sees something that Flip saw too. I don’t know what, but maybe the coaches we’ve had don’t think our bench is as good as you all do. Except for Maxiell, he’s a no brainer and needs to be playing more minutes every game. Just a thought, I’m not saying it’s true or anything.
It was exciting to see Stuckey score 40, but play good defense at the same time. He reminds me more of Billups every game. Even the way he bends down at the top of the key dribbling back and forth while the play is being set up. I’m glad he learned enough from Billups while he was here, and I hope he just gets better and better. The future is looking brighter if he keeps playing like he has.
I just can’t get over this feeling that I’d honesty rather have AI sit out every game and not play because I just feel like they play better without him. Maybe that’s crazy, but does anyone else feel that way too? Sure they lost a huge lead again, but at the end when AI was out they just looked like the team that I’m used to seeing. I don’t hate AI or anything, but I kind of hope Joe lets him go after this season.
I agree with what some others of you have said in that this team needs to start playing a lot better defense and less of this small ball fast paced style. Sure it can be exciting, but I enjoy the grind it out style a lot more. Let the Knicks and Warriors run and gun and not win championships. The Pistons don’t need to try to be like them.
“Them dudes, they off the chain,” Prince said. “I can’t help them. I talk to them as much as I can. I can’t do nothing. You know what? There’s been plenty of times where we’ve been aggressive going to the rim, couple things don’t go our way, then a couple ticky-tack calls and the next thing you know, we start to yell at the refs.”
yessssss!!!
About what pistons 4 life said…
Why do I think that our bench is good? At the beginning of the season Curry played Bynum and Herrmann and he said that they’re both great – why did he say so? Herrmann had some great games off the bench and so as Bynum – it’s all about facts, not just a thought that they deserve that, I just think that Herrmann, Afflalo, Bynum, Brown… they all have a lot to give of the bench – even if it’s just 10-15 minutes, something!!!! They’ve shown that before!
One thing is for sure. By not going deeper into the bench on a consistent basis its only going to hurt them later. That’s exactly what Flip did and then when he’d decide to just throw guys in games they wouldn’t know what to do or how to contribute.
I just wish that Curry would come up with some sort of a regular rotation. I’ve always been a believer in doing that because then each guy knows about when he’s going to play and he knows exactly what’s being asked of him. As much as Curry wants players to just be ready to contribute I think it would help a lot if they knew what to expect on a consistent basis.
What it comes down to is I don’t see the Pistons winning or loosing any more or less games with this small lineup and current rotations. And if it’s not really helping then I would rather see a more traditional starting lineup with a true center and true power forward. Maybe they wouldn’t get torched in the rebounds every game then.
Honestly I think the small lineup is just an excuse for not benching one of the guards. It’s easy to bench Kwame or Amir and get away with it because they’re not all stars or superstars. I just wish Curry would at least try bringing AI or Rip off the bench and just see if it works. Could you imagine how great it would be to just know that you had someone on the bench who could dominate the other teams bench. Other teams do it and it seems to work. As much as Curry talked about accountability and stuff before the season I think he might be a little afraid of telling these guys how it’s going to be.
im sorry… but i miss Billups! im not saying Ivo wont work out… but its still an adjustment not seeing Billups our there.
Brown, Herrmann, Max, Bynum, Amir all need to play more time.. all of these guys go hard and give good effort.. would like to see them used a bit more. when playoff time comes around it would only serve the Pistons if they are prepared and ready to contribute.. btw.. Happy Holidays out there!
Guys! have you read this?
http://mvn.com/cavalierattitude/2008/12/ben-wallace-quietly-shutting-them-down.html
“Ben Wallace Quietly Shutting Them Down”…
read the comments and you’ll know. im pretty upset!
Stuckey and Maxiell are the Pistons’ future, GO PISTONS!!!