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Now That He's Here, How Will Pistons Use Iverson?
Trading for Allen Iverson has obviously injected a lot of life into the Pistons and their fan base, but now the interesting part begins.
How are they going use him? He is not a point guard. Neither, really, is Rodney Stuckey. I can see where the Pistons go to a much smaller, quicker lineup - Stuckey, Iverson, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace. It fits Hamilton very well to be with two players, Stuckey and Iverson, who penetrate the lane so well.
There is still some size there - Walter Hermann, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell - for Michael Curry to mix and match as needed
Love how Iverson talks about this being his best shot at an NBA title. He’s motivated. That was lacking from the Pistons.
Random Thoughts
- Want to know the difference between the Pistons organization and the Lions organization? Just look how both have handled this week.
The Pistons are using Iverson to sell tickets by the boatload. See how Joe Dumars handled himself in regard to the trade. Then look at the Lions with the Daunte Culpepper signing. It’s why the Pistons remain one of the best organizations in professional sports - and the Lions one of the worst.
- Having said all that, it wouldn’t surprise if the Lions won this week. They have been playing hard and the Jaguars seem to be divided and confused.
- I still don’t understand why the Tigers don’t make Brandon Inge their catcher. It is so much easier to find a third baseman than a catcher. As for Inge, his value is so much greater as a catcher. Just look at the list of free agent catchers for proof.
Note: I will be writing my column for Monday’s paper from the Pistons-Celtics game, but will attend the Lions game Sunday as well and will have a blog posted on it Sunday. Thanks for supporting this blog. Terrific insight with the comments.
Caputo
How are they going use him? He is not a point guard. Neither, really, is Rodney Stuckey. I can see where the Pistons go to a much smaller, quicker lineup - Stuckey, Iverson, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace. It fits Hamilton very well to be with two players, Stuckey and Iverson, who penetrate the lane so well.
There is still some size there - Walter Hermann, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell - for Michael Curry to mix and match as needed
Love how Iverson talks about this being his best shot at an NBA title. He’s motivated. That was lacking from the Pistons.
Random Thoughts
- Want to know the difference between the Pistons organization and the Lions organization? Just look how both have handled this week.
The Pistons are using Iverson to sell tickets by the boatload. See how Joe Dumars handled himself in regard to the trade. Then look at the Lions with the Daunte Culpepper signing. It’s why the Pistons remain one of the best organizations in professional sports - and the Lions one of the worst.
- Having said all that, it wouldn’t surprise if the Lions won this week. They have been playing hard and the Jaguars seem to be divided and confused.
- I still don’t understand why the Tigers don’t make Brandon Inge their catcher. It is so much easier to find a third baseman than a catcher. As for Inge, his value is so much greater as a catcher. Just look at the list of free agent catchers for proof.
Note: I will be writing my column for Monday’s paper from the Pistons-Celtics game, but will attend the Lions game Sunday as well and will have a blog posted on it Sunday. Thanks for supporting this blog. Terrific insight with the comments.
Caputo
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:27 AM
10 Comments:
I totally agree Pat with Inge behind the plate. We might even be able to trade him as a catcher. He does have a gun to 2B which I love. Like you say, you can pick up a 3B lot easier than a catcher. Give me a break with Varitek, he never did throw well to 2B and he hit 220 or so. Fans can still cut down Pudge all they want but he can also throw to 2B. Tigers need to sign a star to get back season ticket holders. Hey Pat, who do the Tiger pitchers want to throw too? I heard they want Inge at 3B but stats show he only gets what 3 groundballs a game. You want a great defensive ss not a defensive 3B.
Barry,
I think Pudge can still play a little bit, but Dombrowski pretty much indicated this week that is unlikley. Veritak might be fine if they can hold him to 80 or 90 games, but don't that's what he or boras have in mind.
Caputo
Great post, Pat. I am totally with you and Barry both with Inge at catcher. The only thing that concerns me was his defense at that slot toward the end of the year. Were we spoiled by Pudge? I would say yes, but, on the surface, it appeared that Inge allowed far too many passed balls. Mixing Dusty Ryan in with Inge more, though, could be a good solution. Joe Crede is available on the free agent market, and he is a very underrated third baseman on both sides of the ball when healthy. Between the outfield depth and having the option to plug Guillen, Crede, or Inge at third of someone gets injured (which is bound to happen), I think they would have that issue covered. I'm not sure why Dombrowski hasn't considered that, but maybe he has. Now, if we could only get 2 more starting pitchers, 2 more relievers, and a shortstop....
Travis
Book,
Iverson seems to be as refreshing in his acceptance as Obama. A little bit of "wow" factor.
I certainly see and hear what you guys are saying about Inge - Or I think I'll start referring to him as the "I" word. Everytime I saw him - I thought for some reason - as a catcher - he just doesn't seem to present a good target to our starters. I think they just don't click with him. And between that and Pudge may explain a little bit of the rotations problems this year.
Fans love inge. Ilitch / Dombrowski see that. He is a good 3b. If only we could let the pitchers bat and use the DH to replace Inge.
They won't trade Inge. He's like the player mascot.
That's my thinking anyway. Good luck this weekend and thanks for giving us this blog.
Travis,
There is no question he was rusty at catcher and boxed some balls. But if he were catching from Day 1 of spring training, I don't believe that would be an issue.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
I don't think trade Inge. He sure didn't have much value on the open market last year and likely has even less after hitting .203. His value is at catcher, certainly not third base.
Caputo
whats the worst that can happen with the iverson trade win 50-55 games and get knocked out in the conference finals? until rasheed commits to the post nothing will change
phil packer,
I don't disagree with you, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Iverson was worth the gamble.
Caputo
pat isnt the real issue with the pistons gonna be coaching and not iverson A I will mesh eventually but the team is way to far along to bring in a guy to learn how to coach.{see avery johnson] If this theory works L A is spending way to much on phil jackson.Iverson will be fine but curry could be joe d'snext darco
Anonymous,
Well, you make a solid point. Michael Curry is on the hot seat, but it will difficult to discern what kind of coach he is until the playoffs. I mean Flip Saunders was a good coach during the regular season.
Caputo
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