The Pistons blew out the Kings last night in Sacramento. It was a rare sight. Not only was it the Pistons second win in a row, but it was also just their second win in the last eleven tries on the Kings home court.
Rip Hamilton - one of the alleged "25 worst contracts in the NBA" (more on that later) - tore up the Kings for 30 points on 12/20 shooting. Rip also hit 5 more freebies to run his free throw streak to 51. Prince, clearly recovered from his back injury, scored 22 on 11/17. For the game, the Pistons shot a blistering 58%. Not too shabby.
The one red flag from this game was the 2nd unit. Since the team returned to health a few weeks ago, I've noticed an alarming trend - the starters will stake the Pistons to a lead, and then the subs will enter the game late in the 1st quarter and lose it. I took a look at the +/- for the starters and subs as a whole. This is how the average starter compares to the average sub for the past five games:
The starters outplayed the subs in every game but the loss to Orlando. In most cases, the point differential is staggering. The subs flat-out cost the Pistons the game against Milwaukee, and they forced a Piston rally against Sacramento and Minnesota. Why the disparity? It can't be just be familiarity.
Prince, Hamilton, and Big Ben have years of experience playing together. That does give them an advantage. Yet, fellow starters Stuckey and Jerebko are new to the mix. On the 2nd unit, Bynum and Maxiell have two years experience together, though they've had little time to work in Ben Gordon and Charlie V. I refuse, though, to believe that experience is the sole reason. What about talent? Are the starters simply better players?
Based on their salaries, no. The starters take up a combined $25million in payroll. The 2nd unit - $23million. Of course, salaries don't tell the whole story. The players' payroll is largely determined by past performance. For every single player on the 2nd unit, this season has been a massive disappointment statistically (and, no doubt, emotionally). Ben Gordon should be worth $10million, but his 14.9 ppg and 42% FG% hardly warrant it. And Charlie V - so maddeningly inconsistent - is averaging a shockingly low 5.4 this month. Hardly worth a $7million payout.
We have seen flashes from Gordon and Villanueva this season, and, when he was a Bull, Gordon could light up the scoreboard. I was happy Joe D signed this guy. Same with Villanueva. They both have extraordinary potential and offensive talent. So why aren't they producing? I will admit the chemistry issue is at play. Kuester found a working formula with the starting unit. The players know their roles. Kuester's had less time to tinker with the subs. Bynum, so dynamic earlier this season, seems a shadow of himself. Mrs. Nofrownmotown noted, "As soon as he got the name Bynumite, he stopped being Bynumite." The subs also lack defensive intensity. They step on the court desperately wanting to prove their worth to the coach, fans, and teammates, but they forget about the simple things like boxing out and weak-side defense. Guys like Beno Udrih, John Salmons, and Kevin Love just tear them up.
It's possible that time will work in their favor. Chemistry may eventually develop between the subs. They may find their roles. Ben Gordon at least showed signs of life the past few games. Bynum appears healthy, and Jason Maxiell has downright delivered this month. So, there's light at the end of the tunnel.
As for those contracts... according to Bill Simmons of ESPN, the Pistons possess 4 of the 25 worst contracts in the NBA - Hamilton, Gordon, Villanueva, and Maxiell. Based on their performance this season, it's hard for me to argue about Gordon and Villanueva. But Hamilton? The dude earns a little less than $11million/year. He's one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA, and has only once missed significant time due to injury (2009). By comparison, Ray Allen - $19million, Vince Carter - $16million, Stojakovic - $14million, Larry Hughes (just released) - $13million. Perhaps Bill Simmons thinks Rip's contract makes him un-tradeable since the contract runs for 3 more seasons. If Rip continues his current form, Joe D will find many suitors. I personally hope he stays.
As for Maxiell, he makes $5million. That's a few hundred grand below the league average. Maxiell is a decent NBA power forward that occassionally dominates. Is he above average? Probably not. He's a middle-of-the-road role player and his salary speaks to that. The fact that he's listed on the Top 25 Worst contract, for a measly (by NBA standards) $5million shows Bill Simmons anti-Piston bias. The dude grew up a Celtics fan. Where's the objectivity, Bill?
Rip Hamilton - one of the alleged "25 worst contracts in the NBA" (more on that later) - tore up the Kings for 30 points on 12/20 shooting. Rip also hit 5 more freebies to run his free throw streak to 51. Prince, clearly recovered from his back injury, scored 22 on 11/17. For the game, the Pistons shot a blistering 58%. Not too shabby.
The one red flag from this game was the 2nd unit. Since the team returned to health a few weeks ago, I've noticed an alarming trend - the starters will stake the Pistons to a lead, and then the subs will enter the game late in the 1st quarter and lose it. I took a look at the +/- for the starters and subs as a whole. This is how the average starter compares to the average sub for the past five games:
The starters outplayed the subs in every game but the loss to Orlando. In most cases, the point differential is staggering. The subs flat-out cost the Pistons the game against Milwaukee, and they forced a Piston rally against Sacramento and Minnesota. Why the disparity? It can't be just be familiarity.
Prince, Hamilton, and Big Ben have years of experience playing together. That does give them an advantage. Yet, fellow starters Stuckey and Jerebko are new to the mix. On the 2nd unit, Bynum and Maxiell have two years experience together, though they've had little time to work in Ben Gordon and Charlie V. I refuse, though, to believe that experience is the sole reason. What about talent? Are the starters simply better players?
Based on their salaries, no. The starters take up a combined $25million in payroll. The 2nd unit - $23million. Of course, salaries don't tell the whole story. The players' payroll is largely determined by past performance. For every single player on the 2nd unit, this season has been a massive disappointment statistically (and, no doubt, emotionally). Ben Gordon should be worth $10million, but his 14.9 ppg and 42% FG% hardly warrant it. And Charlie V - so maddeningly inconsistent - is averaging a shockingly low 5.4 this month. Hardly worth a $7million payout.
We have seen flashes from Gordon and Villanueva this season, and, when he was a Bull, Gordon could light up the scoreboard. I was happy Joe D signed this guy. Same with Villanueva. They both have extraordinary potential and offensive talent. So why aren't they producing? I will admit the chemistry issue is at play. Kuester found a working formula with the starting unit. The players know their roles. Kuester's had less time to tinker with the subs. Bynum, so dynamic earlier this season, seems a shadow of himself. Mrs. Nofrownmotown noted, "As soon as he got the name Bynumite, he stopped being Bynumite." The subs also lack defensive intensity. They step on the court desperately wanting to prove their worth to the coach, fans, and teammates, but they forget about the simple things like boxing out and weak-side defense. Guys like Beno Udrih, John Salmons, and Kevin Love just tear them up.
It's possible that time will work in their favor. Chemistry may eventually develop between the subs. They may find their roles. Ben Gordon at least showed signs of life the past few games. Bynum appears healthy, and Jason Maxiell has downright delivered this month. So, there's light at the end of the tunnel.
As for those contracts... according to Bill Simmons of ESPN, the Pistons possess 4 of the 25 worst contracts in the NBA - Hamilton, Gordon, Villanueva, and Maxiell. Based on their performance this season, it's hard for me to argue about Gordon and Villanueva. But Hamilton? The dude earns a little less than $11million/year. He's one of the most consistent scorers in the NBA, and has only once missed significant time due to injury (2009). By comparison, Ray Allen - $19million, Vince Carter - $16million, Stojakovic - $14million, Larry Hughes (just released) - $13million. Perhaps Bill Simmons thinks Rip's contract makes him un-tradeable since the contract runs for 3 more seasons. If Rip continues his current form, Joe D will find many suitors. I personally hope he stays.
As for Maxiell, he makes $5million. That's a few hundred grand below the league average. Maxiell is a decent NBA power forward that occassionally dominates. Is he above average? Probably not. He's a middle-of-the-road role player and his salary speaks to that. The fact that he's listed on the Top 25 Worst contract, for a measly (by NBA standards) $5million shows Bill Simmons anti-Piston bias. The dude grew up a Celtics fan. Where's the objectivity, Bill?
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