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The Pistons are nothing more than an enfeebled Houston Rockets minus Yao and any sense of intelligent design behind their genesis. You have Charlie Villaneuva — a childish, toughness starved Luis Scola. Rodney Stuckey/Hamilton — a bit stronger than Kevin Martin but about 1/4th lesser in True Shooting Percentage. Aaron Brooks' smaller headed doppel-ganger is Will Bynum: both have put up 50+ and both will continue to be too small to play on an elite WNBA team. Chuck Hayes and Ben Wallace could switch places and their wives wouldn't notice because there wouldn't be a dip in rebounding prowess. T-Mac is the same T-Mac that hobbled around the Rockets' practice facility before being handed his pink slip. The difference, of course, being that the Pistons are chock full of mediocre role players whereas 1-9 on the Rockets could be dropped into a championship roster right now and make a positive impact.
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If Kobe can get his beautiful double clutch back (ask the '09 Orlando Magic how fun it can be), his finishing woes may cease.
That left-handed hook shot he hit which was subsequently waved off — routine for him but still amazing. Even post-baseball Jordan never polished his post game enough to achieve the luster Mr.Bryant clearly has. Of course, Kobe still hasnt' shoot 50% for a season but that's a matter for another day.
He could've conceivably and easily hit 50 if Phil kept him in under the keep-your-average-up-so-you-can-be-happy-and-not-scrap-the-offense-the-next-game principle.
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Is there any doubt Kobe would be a tougher and more effective 4 than the rag of a skeleton that is Austin Daye? Couldn't Derek Caracter eat him for lunch and still have enough room for Rip Hamilton's remains?
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You know how in baseball movies the manager begs the umpire to be thrown out to rally his team. Well, Rip Hamilton tried it and it didn't work because he plays on the Pistons and Larry Brown with a staff stocked with Larry Brown clones couldn't get this team to play.
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I'd like to put out an open call to Neil Paine of Basketball Reference fame to calculate how much Lamar Odom boosts the overall offensive efficiency of the team when he starts. To my eyes, the offense flows as Odom's remarkable speed, hands, court vision and unselfish heart allow the team to move and score as one. Behind the back, right-handed fast break assist to Gasol.
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Patently absurd color/play-by-play guy claims of the night:
Rip Hamilton referred to as "young man."
"Steve Fisher."
Charlie Villaneuva labeled "explosive."
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If Tayshaun Prince and Shawn Marion ever decided to get an empty gym and practice shooting together, the game of Basketball would ask for an end to the aesthetic misery and spontaneously combust.
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If you're a reasonable basketball fan on the internet, you've, by now, seen Paine's excellent study proving that blowouts of mediocre teams are better predictors of playoff success than close wins over good teams. So enjoy this one, Lakers stans.
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