The ‘Zoo Crew’
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/2631/1/The-Zoo-Crew/Page1.html
Leland Stein
By Leland Stein
Published on 04/23/2008
AUBURN HILLS – The NBA Playoffs have commenced and the Pistons are engaged in a battle with the Philadelphia 76ers.
AUBURN HILLS – The NBA Playoffs have commenced and the Pistons are engaged in a battle with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pistons’ recent history of playing in five consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, without a doubt, has elevated the expectations of all.
Adding to the excitement is the fact that Detroit finished with the second-best regular-season record in the NBA behind only Boston.
Thus, if the Pistons negotiate their way through the Eastern Conference wars, they will have home court advantage in the NBA Finals against any Western Conference foe.
“It’s nice we have it (home court),” Pistons Coach Flip Saunders said, “but I didn’t think it was necessary. The way they go 2-3-2 (in the NBA Finals), I don’t know where that really sits either way. We made a decision basically April 1 that we would go with our rotation and what happened, happened.”
Saunders may downplay the home court advantage, but more times than not, it is a positive to play in front of your own fans. Detroit this year finished the regular season with a 34-7 record at home – a tremendous improvement over the 26-15 mark it posted last year.
Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups acknowledged that the players recognized the opportunity of playing on their home court as a plus.
“We lost sight of that last year, us having a great home-court advantage,” Billups said. “We’ve been great at home since I’ve been here, but we fell off a little bit. That was one of our main focuses to take care of the home court.”
Another focus of the 2007-08 Pistons was to integrate young legs into the established veteran crew that has been among the league’s elite the past five seasons. This season, the bench has averaged close to 28 points per game.
“I knew with the run we have had with this solid group of players, we needed to try to get some fresh legs into what we were trying to do,” Pistons President Joe Dumars said. “So far, the (younger players) have made great strides with the opportunities they have been given.”
In the last two playoff series losses (to Miami in 2006 and Cleveland in 2007), there has been speculation over whether the starters burned out with Saunders playing them too many minutes during the regular season.
“We were upset at how the season ended last year,” Saunders acknowledged, “and it’s one of those things, as I told our players, until we can erase that, we’ll hear about Game 5 (against the Cavaliers).”
Added Billups, reflecting on the Pistons’ Eastern Conference Finals losses: “Honestly, I was spent. I was coming into games mentally strong and ready, but my body just wouldn’t let me do what I do. I was just tired. Just burned out. And I’ve never had that feeling before.”
In the 2005-06 season, the Pistons’ starters averaged almost 37 minutes per game.
This year, they averaged around 33 minutes, which raises the question of whether or not this will be the season Saunders actually makes the bench a real partner in the Pistons’ playoff run.
Detroit’s bench has taken on the moniker of “Zoo Crew.” With Jarvis Hayes, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell and rookies Arron Afflalo and Rodney Stuckey, the group averages just 22.8 years of age. Nevertheless, they have proven they are ready to bring energy and effort to the Pistons’ quest for NBA glory.
And when you add in veterans Theo Ratliff and Lindsey Hunter, it appears to be the year the Pistons have the tools to get it done. All the pieces are in place, so it will come down to coaching in the long run for Detroit to overcome Philadelphia, and likely, Orlando and Boston.
“Detroit gets great plays from everyone, even their bench,” said Minnesota center Al Jefferson. “That’s why they are one of my favorites for the playoffs. When they won it in ’04, they had a good bench, and now they’ve got all these young guys who can play.”
Added New Orleans Coach Byron Scott: “The Pistons have a very good bench. When the starters come out, I don’t feel they have much of a let down.”
Concurred San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich: “To me, their bench is the most impressive in the league. Those guys take pride in what they do when they step on the court. They’re very physical, very energetic.”
When all is said and done, it seems the “Zoo Crew” will be the key to the Pistons’ success in the playoffs. Of course, Saunders’ trust in the “Zoo Crew” is an even bigger factor.
He has to play them.
AUBURN HILLS – The NBA Playoffs have commenced and the Pistons are engaged in a battle with the Philadelphia 76ers.Pistons’ bench gives team energy, best depth since 2004 title
Arron Affalo – Andre Smith photo
AUBURN HILLS – The NBA Playoffs have commenced and the Pistons are engaged in a battle with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pistons’ recent history of playing in five consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, without a doubt, has elevated the expectations of all.
Adding to the excitement is the fact that Detroit finished with the second-best regular-season record in the NBA behind only Boston.
Thus, if the Pistons negotiate their way through the Eastern Conference wars, they will have home court advantage in the NBA Finals against any Western Conference foe.
“It’s nice we have it (home court),” Pistons Coach Flip Saunders said, “but I didn’t think it was necessary. The way they go 2-3-2 (in the NBA Finals), I don’t know where that really sits either way. We made a decision basically April 1 that we would go with our rotation and what happened, happened.”
Saunders may downplay the home court advantage, but more times than not, it is a positive to play in front of your own fans. Detroit this year finished the regular season with a 34-7 record at home – a tremendous improvement over the 26-15 mark it posted last year.
Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups acknowledged that the players recognized the opportunity of playing on their home court as a plus.
“We lost sight of that last year, us having a great home-court advantage,” Billups said. “We’ve been great at home since I’ve been here, but we fell off a little bit. That was one of our main focuses to take care of the home court.”
Another focus of the 2007-08 Pistons was to integrate young legs into the established veteran crew that has been among the league’s elite the past five seasons. This season, the bench has averaged close to 28 points per game.
“I knew with the run we have had with this solid group of players, we needed to try to get some fresh legs into what we were trying to do,” Pistons President Joe Dumars said. “So far, the (younger players) have made great strides with the opportunities they have been given.”
In the last two playoff series losses (to Miami in 2006 and Cleveland in 2007), there has been speculation over whether the starters burned out with Saunders playing them too many minutes during the regular season.
“We were upset at how the season ended last year,” Saunders acknowledged, “and it’s one of those things, as I told our players, until we can erase that, we’ll hear about Game 5 (against the Cavaliers).”
Added Billups, reflecting on the Pistons’ Eastern Conference Finals losses: “Honestly, I was spent. I was coming into games mentally strong and ready, but my body just wouldn’t let me do what I do. I was just tired. Just burned out. And I’ve never had that feeling before.”
In the 2005-06 season, the Pistons’ starters averaged almost 37 minutes per game.
This year, they averaged around 33 minutes, which raises the question of whether or not this will be the season Saunders actually makes the bench a real partner in the Pistons’ playoff run.
Detroit’s bench has taken on the moniker of “Zoo Crew.” With Jarvis Hayes, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell and rookies Arron Afflalo and Rodney Stuckey, the group averages just 22.8 years of age. Nevertheless, they have proven they are ready to bring energy and effort to the Pistons’ quest for NBA glory.
And when you add in veterans Theo Ratliff and Lindsey Hunter, it appears to be the year the Pistons have the tools to get it done. All the pieces are in place, so it will come down to coaching in the long run for Detroit to overcome Philadelphia, and likely, Orlando and Boston.
“Detroit gets great plays from everyone, even their bench,” said Minnesota center Al Jefferson. “That’s why they are one of my favorites for the playoffs. When they won it in ’04, they had a good bench, and now they’ve got all these young guys who can play.”
Added New Orleans Coach Byron Scott: “The Pistons have a very good bench. When the starters come out, I don’t feel they have much of a let down.”
Concurred San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich: “To me, their bench is the most impressive in the league. Those guys take pride in what they do when they step on the court. They’re very physical, very energetic.”
When all is said and done, it seems the “Zoo Crew” will be the key to the Pistons’ success in the playoffs. Of course, Saunders’ trust in the “Zoo Crew” is an even bigger factor.
He has to play them.