Posted January 3rd, 2010 by Piston Boris
Tags: Basketball, Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons Weekly Watch: Losses Continuing, Injured Players Getting Back to Full Speed

The Pistons are now in the midst of a nine game losing streak, their longest since they closed out the 1993-1994 season with 13 straight losses. During the last week, the Pistons lost three games: 102-95 in Toronto; 104-87 to New York at home; and 98-87 to Chicago at home.

In short, the Pistons did not defend, rebound, and execute on offense for a full 48 minutes during all these games.

Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Ben Gordon have returned, but are not yet at midseason form. Rodney Stuckey rolled his ankle twice in the game against Chicago and did not practice. Will Bynum is recovering from a pair of sprained ankles. And Charlie Villanueva has been hobbled by plantar fasciitis in his right heel. The Pistons have also been plunged into a midseason training camp in which the injured players must get their legs and timing back and everyone must get used to each other again.

After the New York game, Coach Mike D’Antoni said: “You have to give them a break. They are just getting back and not in their rhythm and they will be a lot better in the next week or two. We just caught them at a good time tonight.”

After last week’s game against Charlotte, Coach Larry Brown was interviewed on FS Detroit HD as saying that the Pistons would benefit in the long run by having their young players on the court and that he expected the team to rebound once it got back to full strength.

Exactly when that will occur is an open question. Fortunately, the Pistons have been practicing for 3 consecutive days for the first time this season following the New Year’s break. Every time Coach Kuester has had the time to rest and prepare the team, the Pistons have responded with strong efforts.

The Pistons will need another strong effort as they go on the road against West heavyweights Dallas and San Antonio this week. The Pistons are currently in 11^th place in the East at 11-21. They are just three games out of 8^th place, though, since the Eastern field has not run away from them during their time of trouble. Time remains for the Pistons to make a playoff run this season, but their window won’t stay open indefinitely. The Pistons need to rally soon.

Also available on Club Pistons.

Written by Piston Boris

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Detroit Pistons Weekly Watch: Losses Continuing, Injured Players Getting Back to Full Speed

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