To salvage the season

During a time when neither the Wings nor Pistons can win, the Lions strangely can't lose. I was tempted - during my Holiday layoff - to write about the rejuvenated Detroit gridiron heroes. Despite 3 hobbled QBs and a defense missing half the starters, the Lions rattled off 4 straight wins. I'll take it. Yet, I won't get pulled into any optimistic fervor, believing this team has turned a corner. The Lions did show marked improvement from the year before, and I firmly believe Jim Schwartz is a fine coach. But, ultimately, they're a 6-10 team. That's not good. Moving from a historically bad team (2008) to a generically bad team (2010) is not newsworthy.

I'm happy the fans had something to cheer about. I'm happy the players ended the road losing streak. I'm happy Jim Schwartz won't get fired. And I'm most happy that the Lions' season is over.

Pistons

Last night, the erratic Pistons took on the Jazz in Utah - a place they rarely won even during the best of times. For a team with just three road wins on the season, it was a minor miracle the Pistons even had a chance. They did indeed come close. In the final minute, the Pistons had numerous chances to tie the game, and they had a legitimate gripe when a Jazz 2-point shot was incorrectly ruled a 3. Strangely, the refs opted not to review the crucial shot. For a team in massive flux, this loss may indeed count as a moral victory. I know most fans hate that term, but it's somewhat appropriate for a Pistons' team that's as close to disarray as they are to the playoffs.

During the Holiday break, the Pistons played their best game of the season (the clinical win over the Celtics) but also dropped miserable losses to the Suns and Bobcats. Despite the losses, I learned the Pistons should improve considerably if the following two things happen:

1. Tracy McGrady remains as the starting point guard

2. They remove one guard from the rotation

With Stuckey sidelined, Kuester opted for McGrady as his replacement. It became immediately apparent that McGrady possesses an infinitely higher basketball IQ. Not only does he understand the flow of the game, but, for a guy who was never before a point guard, he's damn good at passing and finding the open man. Against the Celtics, it was amazing watching him break down the defense and regularly find a wide open Chris Wilcox or Charlie V. I've watched Stuckey for four seasons, and his dribble-penetration never resulted in such effortlessly easy layups for his teammates. With Stuckey, nothing was easy.

Now, Stuckey is not a bad player. In fact, I believe he's quite a serviceable NBAer. His speed, tenacity, and decent jump-shot should grant him a long and lucrative career. It's just clear that he's a scorer first, passer second. He doesn't make those around him better. And, most importantly, he's just not doing the little things that help his team win. McGrady is the better option.

The Suns, however, exposed McGrady's one main weakness at the point guard spot - ballhandling. They regularly pressured him, resulting in 5 turns and a shocking plus/minus of -22. McGrady responded well against the Jazz, though, nearly earning a triple double (11 points, 11 assists, 9 rebounds, 1 turnover).

To salvage the season, the team also needs to remove one guard from the rotation. Stuckey's injury permitted McGrady to move from small forward to point guard. That shift opened up small forward minutes for Austin Daye. This is absolutely crucial to his development. Daye is the team's best shooter, and Kuester tried to find him minutes as a power forward. Despite a hot-shooting hand, Daye quickly found himself on the bench as opposing power forwards ate him alive on the defensive end. Yet, as a small forward and Tayshaun's primary backup, Daye could thrive.

Off the bench, Daye provides instant offense. His presence on the floor opens up the driving lanes for quicker guards like Bynum, Stuckey, or Gordon. The opposition must respect his 3-point shooting ability. If Bynum drives to the hoop and the defense collapses, Bynum has the option to dish to Daye for a long-range open look. It's not rocket science, but it's the way teams win in this league. And it's the proper way to use an offensive talent like Austin Daye (and Will Bynum). Of course, none of this is possible if Kuester continues to use Daye as a power forward or give his minutes to one of the plethora of guards on the roster.

The Pistons' record stands at 11-23. The schedule does not let up much in January with games against the Lakers, Mavericks, Celtics, Magic, Nuggets, and Heat looming. The February schedule is slightly easier, but my guess is that this team will be all-but-mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by the end of the month. And that's fine. Wins would be nice, but they alone won't salvage the season. The Piston fans need a reason to watch and hope for the future. McGrady, despite his age, is a breath of fresh air. And continued development of players like Austin Daye and Greg Monroe could keep people watching. Lethargic blowout losses, Rip Hamilton ejections, and team in-fighting, though, will send fans to the exits quicker than Usain Bolt.