Since Chauncey Billups did his best Nadia Komenich split about two minutes into game three, Rodney Stuckey’s been running the point for the Pistons. And he’s made some people in Detroit forget about Mr. Big Shot - at least for the time being. Rook’s tallied 13.3 points, 3.6 assists and 1 steal over the course of the three games that he’s been running the show. And best of all, he did turn the ball over once in game four or game five.
“He did a tremendous job,” Lindsey Hunter said. “We don’t consider him a rookie anymore.”
“The season’s over with. … He just did a fabulous job taking over the game. … The kid just has some intangible things you can’t teach, and that’s what makes him special.”
As you’d expect, in an effort to send a message to Flip Saunders that he could play 40 minutes in a game at this very moment, Billups said that his hamstring made ‘amazing’ improvement yesterday. And by the time the Celtics and Cavs are done beating up on each other, the Eastern Conference Finals could start this time next week. If that’s the case, Billups will have had two weeks to rest the hammie.
However, if Detroit trainer Arnie Kander determines that Billups still isn’t 100%, what does Flip do? As Detroit Free-Press guest blogger Eric Pate wrote before last night’s game…
If Flip Saunders is smart, he’ll keep Chauncey Billups smack-dab on the bench, next to Pistons trainer Arnie Kander – where he belongs. With the way that the Pistons stole Game 4 away from the Orlando Magic on Saturday at the Amway Arena, it clinched Billups’ fate for the Eastern Conference semifinals. Right then, Saunders should have said, “See ya next round, Chauncey.’’ Besides, anytime that an athlete the caliber of Billups is hurt, you don’t want to take that lightly.
Sure they could use the 23.5 points Chauncey posted through games one and two against Orlando, but with Stuckey playing as well as he is, do they really need him right now?
May 14th, 2008 at 8:46 am
doc says:
Stuckey stepped it up but they still need Big Shot.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:56 am
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
Stuckey did his thing, but come LeBron or Boston you need that experience and clutch that Billups brings.
It’s just a comfort to know you got Stuckey to come in and provide an excellent back-up when needed.
Detroit is looking nice!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:06 am
gary says:
if chauncey comes back it give the pistons a clear advantage at the 1 . niether clevland nor boston (though rondo is more than servicable) have a top flight point guard. That being said if they have to play stuckey the 1st and maybe even the 2nd game ….ya never know
May 14th, 2008 at 9:13 am
YOUNGFED says:
I told yall STUCKEY for ROY
May 14th, 2008 at 9:28 am
flo_rida evans says:
By the way GEE,I get all your rap lyric snippet references. For I am the pre-eminent Rap Encyclopedia Brown.Holla atcha boyband…..
May 14th, 2008 at 9:38 am
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
flo_rida evans yea Passin me by used to be one of my favorites just funny, story and style wise.
My dear, my dear, my dear you do not know me…
I was hoping pharcyde would stay in the game longer.
YOUNG so if you was a coach against your own team how would you stop them?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
IGP says:
Back in the day when I was young I’m not a kid anymore
May 14th, 2008 at 10:36 am
DaPro says:
Pistons are looking scary right now. That’s why Tay is All-defensive team. No doubt he’s first team all defensive. If he wasn’t left handed he doesn’t block that shot though, Hedo should have known that.
The Pharcyde and an Ahmad reference, damn the grown folks are bloggin today!
The letter came back three days late, return to sender
May 14th, 2008 at 11:33 am
doc says:
Pistons look scary every year up until the East Finals.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Stop Hatin’ Doc
May 14th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Willis says:
lol at YOUNGFED, Stuckey for ROY is like saying Hawes for ROY. Or Brad Miller for DPOY.