Hart

Based on the box score, the first thing that jumps out at me is Cade's turnovers. If he were an elite offensive player, I could live with a higher turnover rate. But I don't think 5, 6, 7 turnovers a game is going to cut it unless he scores closer to 30 points per game and still averages 8 assists. At least he continues to shoot well from three.

I am not old enough to remember young Ewing. But I definitely remember old Ewing as a skilled post up center who could face the basket as well. He's some combination of these guys. He does have the explosiveness like McDyess and Kemp. I think he will be a better passer than both of them. And he probably has more upside as a rebounder than both of them as well. Webber did not have the explosiveness of Kemp or McDyess but was a really good passer. I doubt Duren reach's Webber's level as a passer but I am hopeful he can get somewhat close.

I have always loved the Webber comparison for Duren and I often find myself wondering what kind of player Webber was at the same age when I watch Duren. I don't remember Webber having much of a jump shot at Michigan. Given that Duren was over 60% on free throws last year and is over 70% in the early going this year, I do think he will eventually develop a nice mid range jump shot.

There is not really a spot for Saddiq on this team with Burke and Ausar playing well but I still hate that trade. I guess if Duren were to go down with some sort of injury, that the only scenario I would be happy to have Wiseman instead of Saddiq.

Thompson is SO good on defense. Watching him move his feet is a thing of beauty.

If there was any thought of Killian having a breakout season, that's been put to rest pretty quick.

For being such a good passer, Cade makes some of the dumbest passes. Might just be taking unnecessary chances. Another 8 assists and 6 turnovers tonight.

Ivey, Cade, Burke, Ausar, and Duren looks like a hard lineup to defend. We are moving the ball well.

I don't really want to see Lavine go for 60.

Ivey and Cade have similar turnover rates 80 games into their career. Both have turnover issues that need to get fixed. But I think Ivey's path to improvement is easier than Cades because he is so athletic. Time will tell. I do believe Cade can provide a lot of value and be a very good player even if he is not the point guard.

Makes you wonder why Casey couldn't get even a fraction of this effort on defense. It's definitely a culture change that permeates up and down the roster. When you have your teammates busting their butt to stop the other team, it's pretty hard to be lazy and not try on defense. We'll see how it long it lasts if we start losing a lot but I agree Monty deserves a lot of credit for getting us to this point.

I don't want to over-react to Cade too much either way after these very different first two games. We should know within the first couple weeks how much he has improved. But I do think Ivey is a much more natural fit as the primary ball handler. It's so much easier for Ivey to break down a defense. And I think you are starting to see the culture of defense rub off on him.

Do not like Ivey coming out of the game at all. Get him back in there.

This is getting ridiculous. I don't know what the record for turnovers is in a half but we might threaten it.

This is a really interesting style of basketball the Pistons are playing. Very little firepower on offense but a ton of effort on defense. At least with the starting five. Killian has to be smarter on defense. He's a good defender with a tendency to pick up cheap fouls. We have to start protecting the ball better. One easy way to help mitigate our lack of shooting is not to turn the ball over. 5 turnovers already halfway thru this first quarter.

And this is with Cade playing lights out. I want to believe that Cade is ready to take a big leap but I need to see a few more games of this in the near future before I fully buy in. Last night could not have gone any better though from the standpoint of finding somebody to build around.

It’s crazy to think that Killian was out there instead of Ivey in crunch time. But I do like the message it sends about defense. Ivey was one of the laziest defenders on the team last season. It makes sense to me that Monty might be trying to send a message here.

I like Kelser giving Beef Stew some props. He worked his tail off with hustle that 4th quarter and didn't kill us with bonehead three point attempts.

Not sure if Cade even got that off.

This might be where you would use Ivey and his speed. Edit: never mind...we didn't have to take it the length of the court.

This is more effort on defense than the Pistons showed all of last year. Would have liked to see Ausar on Butler though. Killian works hard but just can't really hold up against Butler.

This is a one man show for the Pistons right now. Very impressive. Not sure if he has gotten quicker or stronger but it definitely seems like he can do stuff going to the hoop he couldn't do very easily before.

Teams don't have to guard Thompson and barely have to guard Killian or Stewart. I'd like to see Sasser out there with Cade.

Cade is playing great and there is still just not enough offense in the starting lineup. It makes sense to start Duren and Thompson because they have elite defensive potential and are a big part of the future. One or both of Killian and Stewart cannot be in the starting lineup. Whether it's Ivey, Bagley, Burke, or somebody else, we need more offense with the starting five.

The first half had to be up there with those worst halves Ivey had his entire rookie season.