Detroit Pistons Weekly Watch: Team Concept, Healthy Rip Hamilton Needed

At the end of the first week of the 2009-2010 season, the Detroit Pistons are 1-2.

The new look Pistons opened the season with a 96-74 victory at Memphis, then lost at home to Oklahoma City 91-83 and at Milwaukee 96-85.

The road victory was a complete team effort in which the Pistons moved the ball on offense and defended the Grizzlies in transition and the low blocks. Richard Hamilton led all scorers with 25 points and Ben Gordon came off the bench to score 22, but the victory was marred somewhat when Hamilton stepped on O.J. Mayo’s foot and twisted his ankle in the closing minutes.

Hamilton was sidelined for at least the next two games, both of which followed a similar pattern. In the first half, the Pistons controlled the game, defending and moving the ball on offense. In the third quarter, the opposing team came out with greater defensive intensity on their part, and the young Piston team lost their composure, getting away from their team defense and playing 1-on-5 offensive basketball with the guards Rodney Stuckey, Ben Gordon, and Will Bynum trying to carry the load by themselves. This made it easier for opposing teams to defend the Pistons.

In the fourth quarter, the Pistons rallied, but couldn’t make up the third quarter deficit.

Hamilton’s presence in games 2 & 3 was missed not only for his scoring, but also for his ability to involve the frontcourt players and pass to them when they’re in position to score. In Hamilton’s absence, the Pistons other guards have neglected to involve the Pistons’ big men on the offense, resulting in low team assist totals during the last two games. The other guards must develop the passing mentality for themselves, especially if Hamilton’s absence extends into the second week.

Ben Wallace has played solidly in the first week, being the frontcourt’s defensive and rebounding mainstay. It’s Coach Kuester’s intent to monitor his minutes, but taking Wallace out has been difficult.

Kwame Brown has been solid when on the court, but his minutes were limited and he wasn’t involved in the offense by the Pistons’ active guards. His playing time could stand an increase so the team can see how much of his preseason play will carry over to the regular season.

Charlie Villanueva has played well in spurts, but not for an entire game yet. The Pistons’ offense went to another gear when he scored as he did in the first quarter of the Oklahoma City game and the fourth quarter of the Milwaukee game.

Jason Maxiell has contributed with some rebounding and defensive play, but hasn’t made a major impact during the last week. Chris Wilcox, who is capable of putting up solid scoring and rebounding numbers, hasn’t played during the first week. I would speculate that Coach Kuester is perhaps giving Jason Maxiell a chance to prove himself. Perhaps in week two, Coach Kuester will give Wilcox a chance to prove himself.

IMHO, Pistons rookies Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko should also be given the opportunity to contribute after solid showings in the Summer League and preseason.

Oklahoma City is a young team on the rise in the West, anchored by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and a solid frontcourt. Milwaukee is a defensive-minded team that’s a work in progress with a promising point guard in Brandon Jennings who echoes Nate Archibald. The Pistons’ games with both teams were winnable, but were lost because the Pistons didn’t play team ball at both ends of the court for a full 48 minutes.

The young Pistons’ current problems are correctable with the proper mental focus on “playing the right way.” If they don’t refocus in time, they’ll be in for some long nights next week when they play the Orlando Magic twice this coming week at home and on the road with a road game in Toronto thrown in.

Richard Hamilton’s return would be good, too, though it all depends on his ankle at this point.

When he is not contributing content here at Midwest Sports Fans, Boris is the administrator of Club Pistons, one of the best Detroit Pistons fan forums on the web.

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