Lawrence Frank: 'I think we have to restore ... pride in being a Piston'

[GunFactor007]

By Perry A. Farrell
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Apparently, some Pistons need to look in the mirror and question their effort.

Greg Monroe mentioned it during a recent trip, and coach Lawrence Frank brought up the subject before and after Monday's 119-82 home loss to Brooklyn.

"Look, we're paid to play," Frank said. "On the road trip, (for us to) give up 112 points per game and for teams to shoot 55%, for us to take only two charges and not be able to do anything in the paint -- those are the type of things that are disappointing to you. I said it to these guys that from a big-picture standpoint, the thing that I think we have to restore is pride in being a Piston.

"As we struggle post-All-Star break, that's one of the things that stands out. When you have time to reflect, we have to every single day figure out a way to restore the pride and being a part of this team. We're a whole lot more capable than the way we're playing."

The Pistons are on a nine-game losing streak. At 23-46, they are assured a fifth straight year under .500. But reserve point guard Will Bynum said effort is never a problem with him.

"That's what he said, but I go out there and play with pride and effort every night," Bynum said. "I think from an overall team standpoint is how he's trying to say it."

Bynum pointed to defense as an issue.

"I think teams averaged 112 on the road trip, so of course it's defense first, but we were playing against some heavy hitters," Bynum said. "We have to score as well, but you just can't have teams score four or five out of 10 times, and we're scoring one out of 10 times. It could be whatever you want to blame it on. It could be offensive execution, it could be defensively, but overall it's a little of both."

http://www.freep.com/article/2013032.../1051/sports03

[LionsFan..LOL]

3 word phrase from back in 2004: "Going to work"

Those were the words the Pistons teams lived by and played by. They worked their *** off win or lose and never took days off. These guys need to remember that.

[GuySir]

is it really an effort issue or are the players just not very good? Without Drummond we have no paint protection, and none of our guards are really considered perimeter stoppers. Our two best defenders were probably Drummond and Prince, with both of them gone we get ripped to shreds

[LionsFan..LOL]

I think it is a bit of both I think. Losing Drummond does hurt, the huge drop off shows that. He's also a rookie and the team has veterans that need to step up their play and know that. They went from competing with teams to flat out getting slaughtered. I don't think this team is 30 points worse than Brooklyn (for example) I think they are better than that and the substandard play shows.

[GuySir]

Our starting lineup has gotta be the worst in the NBA. Calderon/Knight backcourt doesn't scare anyone, Singler/Max aren't starters and are EASILY the worst starting forward pair in the league, possibly of all time , which leaves Moose at the 5 with a lot to shoulder. We'd struggle to beat an NBDL team right now

[GunFactor007]

I think it's mainly an issue of the fact that we're in the rebuilding phase. We're SO fresh into this process, we've just started doing so around 3 years ago when we drafted Monroe and continued on with the Knight, Singler, Drummond, English, and Middleton draft selections. Also getting rid of Tayshaun, and getting expiring contracts was a key into this restructuring effort by us. This is a young team that's just figuring out how to win. Talent is there, maybe not enough sure, but it's a factor of learning how to gel and grow as a team. This team just isn't there yet.

[GunFactor007]

Our starting lineup has gotta be the worst in the NBA. Calderon/Knight backcourt doesn't scare anyone, Singler/Max aren't starters and are EASILY the worst starting forward pair in the league, possibly of all time , which leaves Moose at the 5 with a lot to shoulder. We'd struggle to beat an NBDL team right now

What you said there is vital, I think definitely we're putting too much pressure on Monroe, he's NOT a #1 Option by any means, good #2, maybe, great #3, definitely. When he pairs up with Drummond on that starting front and when we have that high-scoring wing to go along with them, I think we'll see both of them become very effective and efficient players, cuz the pressure will be taken off both of them from doing too much at a time. Not in favor at all of what we're expecting Monroe to do, he's doing WAY too much.

[jlisec01]

I know the starting line-up is unbearable to watch. We have young talent which is nice, but when are we gonna get this starting 5 which we all can agree on? Hopefully this off-season we can get the free agents that we want.

[rocket]

It's not that we don't have pride. It's just that, this team is filled with a bunch of bums. How TF is your starting PF going to average around 3 rebounds in a 10 game stretch.

[kduce]

I think the team's lack of talent does hinder their ability to win, but these blow outs are happening from guys not giving any effort. Knight may not be everyone's favorite player, but he gives 100 heart every night and I wish some of our other players would do the same.

[todu82]

I agree with Frank. That said this is all on him. He needs to light a fire under the butts of our players because right now this team is as exciting as watching paint dry.

[shyfly24]

LMAOOOOOOOOOO Frank!