I was worried about our back-to-back games with Dallas and Houston when I first looked at this month's schedule.
And that was before I knew we'd be without Iverson, Rip, and Sheed.
We fought hard, but not hard enough. I will say that we did amazing without 3 of our best players. Afflalo was especially great, getting us 24 points - a career high.
I just wish we could have left Texas with something more than a sub-500 record.
"We had a chance to win in regulation, and fought back in the first overtime; really gutsy after being down. We just didn't have enough in the second overtime," said Michael Curry.
We had a chance to win the game in regulation when Stuckey passed the ball to Walter Herrmann. And, while his 3-point attempt looked good, it went in-and-out and sent us into OT tied at 82.
"I would have liked for Stuckey to take that shot," Curry said.
Stuckey did take the last shot of the first OT, made it, and we were tied once again. There were a few substitutions, Artest missed a jump shot, and we got the rebound. Double OT.
At 25 seconds left, Dice got a personal foul, Brooks made both fould shots and brought the Rockets up 104-99. Afflalo missed a 3, and Stuckey fouled Brooks. He went to the line again, and again made both. 106-99.
5 seconds let, Afflalo made a lovely layup shot. But it wasn't enough. We lost our 3rd game in a row.
After the game, Stuckey acknowledged that he should have kept the ball in regulation.
"I probably got a text from Joe, 'shoot the last shot. I should have shot it. But I saw Walt open. I should have took it, though."
This is our 3rd straight loss. Let's hope we see as much effort Friday against the Clippers [17-51], and this time come out with a win.
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He hasn’t been on the bench. He hasn't been traveling with the team.
He still comes to the practice facility for treatment.
And he still comes to games, but doesn’t sit on the bench.
He talks to coach Michael Curry daily.
Like everyone else, I was expecting Iverson to be back tomorrow. Actually, I expected him to back a week ago because this is the same guy who has played through injuries his entire career, and the same guy who said nearly 2 days after he left to get treatment that he'd be back as soon as possible and doesn't think he'll have to sit out the whole 2 weeks.
MC said before last night's game against the Rockets that Iverson guard visited with doctors at Georgetown that day and said he was still in pain and he will have more tests today and Friday before the Pistons know what's up.
AI has missed 11 games.
What worries me is that if Iverson is cleared Friday, he will still have to go through conditioning tests with Arnie Kander, and the longer it takes for him to get clearance to start practicing, the slower is will take to get him back to where he was before the injury.
"That ain't my call. That's over my pay grade." Was all Curry [who said it with a smile, mind you] said when asked if the Pistons would decide to rule out Iverson's return this season.
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I still don't think he's faking. What kind of sense does it make for Iverson, who is playing for his next contract, to fake an injury and leave teams that will want him next season with that impression of him?
I believe it is in Iverson’s best interests to come back completely healthy, and to be playing and helping his team win.
By the way, the Pistons have been getting the medical reports from AI's Georgetown doctors.
So, really, unless his doctors are covering up for him, which is bull, I think this has to be serious. Especially if Allen Iverson, who has never let injuries and doctor's orders keep him out of games his entire career, isn't playing.
Rip Hamilton missed his 2nd straight game Wednesday with his groin problems, and there's no timetable for his return, either.
And whats up with Sheed?
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