1/5/26 7:00PM Knicks @ Pistons

[Tigeraholic1]

Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI 

[buddha]

big win.

kat reverting to his usual big game form.

given how well reed seems to play in duren's stead, maybe the reason duren looks so good is that he gets to play next to a superstar point forward every night?

cade has met or exceeded all my expectations for him.  he's become more than luka-lite.  to be full luka, he'll need to put them on his back in the playoffs and make it to at least the ECF.

[Deleterious]

Efficiancy was the #1 thing I wanted to see Cade improve on this year.  After a rough start, he is up to 57.3%.  Still needs work but it will take a bit to recover from the start of the year.

For the 3 months, he has gone up each month.  

50.2%

57.8%

59.6%

Not sure if I agree about the conference finals, though.  I think with as bad as the conference is, it's finals or bust.  The Knicks will get worse in the playoffs because they employ Mike Brown.  He's fine in the regular season, but when it counts, he struggles when LeBron isn't there to drag him to the finals.  

Boston just might be the 2nd best team in the east, especially if they can get Tatum back at the end of the year.  I also fear well coached teams in the playoffs (See Indiana last year) and Mazulla is a good coach.  

[buddha]

15 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

Efficiancy was the #1 thing I wanted to see Cade improve on this year.  After a rough start, he is up to 57.3%.  Still needs work but it will take a bit to recover from the start of the year.

For the 3 months, he has gone up each month.  

50.2%

57.8%

59.6%

Not sure if I agree about the conference finals, though.  I think with as bad as the conference is, it's finals or bust.  The Knicks will get worse in the playoffs because they employ Mike Brown.  He's fine in the regular season, but when it counts, he struggles when LeBron isn't there to drag him to the finals.  

Boston just might be the 2nd best team in the east, especially if they can get Tatum back at the end of the year.  I also fear well coached teams in the playoffs (See Indiana last year) and Mazulla is a good coach.  

let's see what happens at the deadline.  atlanta might pull something out of their behinds and trade trae and the pelicans pick.  they can use the pels pick to get something good (maybe even from the pels!), and get some sucker team to give them picks or a shot blocker for trae (looking at you, washington).

[buddha]

the cavs are still a worry if they can get healthy.  the healthy cavs destroyed this team earlier in the year.

the pistons have two big flaws we've been harping on all year.  and they are a "try hard" bunch.  reminds me a bit of the drose bulls.  that team always struggled a bit on the playoffs when everyone else was trying hard too.  otoh, they would have made the finals if not for prime lebron and there is no prime lebron in the east so...

seeing as its finals or bust, do you go all in?  or just nibble on the margins and hope the lack of shooting doesnt kill you in the playoffs?

[Deleterious]

The Cavs do not worry me much.  Mitchell is a star that doesn't make others better.  Garland is not a great second option, if he can even stay healthy.  Love Mobley, but they really lack the toughness you need in the playoffs.  They will struggle just like they did last year in the playoffs, IMO.

I'm not trading away 5 firsts, but I am looking to make a serious move.  Harris,  Holland, 27 and 29 1st round pick with a pick swap in 28 for Trey Murphy and Jose Alvarado.  

I have made my Murphy case enough.  Alvarado is a good backup PG option.  Small, but you can accept that more for a backup.  Average shooter from 3PT which is fine, decent ball handler, plays above average defense.  He fits the culture.  He goes 100% at all times, really throws his body around for a little guy.

If that fails, I go after MPJ.  

After that, I don't know.  Maybe some smaller moves to consolidate the roster a bit.  You won't go 10-11 deep in the playoffs, so trade some of that back end depth to try and improve the 7,8,9 spot if possible.  More two-way players, fewer specialists.  

[Tigeraholic1]

Great win to show out on the national stage. Fairly weak home cooking schedule the next few weeks helps.

[chasfh]

Official partner NBC has Pistons at the top of the power rankings, although these are always a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately poll. OKC has still been very good during an unlucky stretch. I can’t wait until they meet up in Feb and March. Injuries at the time notwithstanding, that’s when we find out how we really stack up.

[Motor City Sonics]

That was one goddamned impressive win yesterday.   They beat the Knicks will out of them.   And without Jalen Duren.   Still room for improvement.   Room for a good outside shooter.    They should be the favorite for the Finals now (if they stay healthy).   And they are deep as hell too, meaning they can take some of the mileage off their stars in the stretch. 

What an incredible turnaround from two years ago.    With many of the same pieces.   Shows you how a good coach can really turn things around.  

[Deleterious]

Indiana was 16-18 at this point last year and ended up going to game 7 of the finals.  Lots of basketball left.

[Sports_Freak]

Stephen A Smith is a huge Knicks fan and this is what he has to say about the Pistons;

 

[Sports_Freak]

7 hours ago, Motor City Sonics said:

That was one goddamned impressive win yesterday.   They beat the Knicks will out of them.   And without Jalen Duren.   Still room for improvement.   Room for a good outside shooter.    They should be the favorite for the Finals now (if they stay healthy).   And they are deep as hell too, meaning they can take some of the mileage off their stars in the stretch. 

What an incredible turnaround from two years ago.    With many of the same pieces.   Shows you how a good coach can really turn things around.  

The injuries earlier in the season were a blessing in disguise. It gave our depth very important minutes to gain the needed experience and to gain confidence. I don't know the stats but our bench has to be near the top of the league in points. Amazing...

[Deleterious]

Smith is a hack and should be laughed at even while saying nice things about our team.

[Sports_Freak]

10 minutes ago, Deleterious said:

Smith is a hack and should be laughed at even while saying nice things about our team.

Agreed. He's very irritating. I usually turn ESPN off when he starts his act.

[Deleterious]

Notice how much space Cade has when he drives without Duren in.