An Open Letter to Joe Dumars

Dear Joe-D,

Welcome to the end of your streak. No no I'm not just talking about the longest running streak in NBA history of consecutive sell-outs (259) which you kissed good-bye on Wednesday night, I'm talking about your streak as one of the smartest VP's of basketball operations in the game, and running one of the elite teams of the Eastern Conference. Congratulations of plowing your team--your heart and soul--this city's heart and soul--into the mire of mediocrity. Now I'll grant you this probably has something to do with the economic slump, but let's face it Detroit's been in a recession for the past 2 years--and you kept selling out, so don't let yourself sleep any better telling yourself that the Palace has finally fallen victim to the economy. Could it possibly be the fact that Pistons' fans have finally had enough? That after watching this "team"--a word I use lightly--collapse at the feet of the Celtics and Cavaliers (a game that should've been won by the way) that those last 363 tickets couldn't get sold, because fans looked at the schedule saw the Heat on Wedneseday night and predicted a loss? When fans--ok when I--am terrified to check the scores in the morning for fear of seeing the loss..now I will grant you they won on Wednesday night and reclaimed the number 5 spot in the East..number 5..not much to be proud of there Joe, not when we've been in the top 3 (top 2 actually for 6 years). Could it be that fans have gotten sick of watching Allen "the Wrong Answer" Iverson take shit shots from the baseline after dribbling way too much and hogging the ball? Have you taken notice that all these teams in the East that are now ahead of you have gotten younger not older? That they have a solid team concept? I like any good Pistons fan hate the Celtics, however you can't deny their team solidarity and work ethic. The brought in superstars and got the team to buy into it. You have failed to do this and why is that? Because you killed a solid team concept. We had it, we had a backcourt of two of the best players in the league who not only were best friends, but brought out the best in each other, and now one's in Denver and the other is riding the cushy chairs of the bench. The Palace may not be selling out, but you and your team concept did. Don't give me the excuses of giving Rodney Stuckey more minutes, because clearly you have enough minutes in a game to get Rip all his time, so doesn't it stand to reason that Stuck could come off the bench and develop. Plus, you want Stuck to be a first-rate point guard. Do you want him to learn from A.I--a glorified ball hog, who has only ever been out for his own numbers, and has never won a championship along with a shit reputation as a pain in the league? Or do you want him learning from Chauncey--a former NBA finals MVP, who never cared about his own numbers, but was more concerned with making sure Rip got the ball and carried the team by example of unselfish play? Look at the teams kicking your ass..Celtics--Rajon Rondo, not a big name, gets he key guys their numbers, Cavaliers--Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, does enough to contribute and be an asset alongside Lebron, Magic--Jameer Nelson, well up until this week until his season ending injury, supported D-Howard and Rashard Lewis. All 3 carrying a strong team concept--without an all-star point guard. If the whole point of the trade was to get Stuck more minutes, fine, BUT you did NOT get Allen Iverson to replace Rip Hamilton, but that's what you've done. Sure you can feed fans this B.S about following the example of Manu Ginobli and Jason Terry, but the entire team buys in. You're trying to have Rip split minutes, with the most selfish player in the NBA right now. Rip might buy in, but AI doesn't, as displayed by his utter refusal to come off the bench. A player there to win and help out would come off the bench and he refuses. Congratulations Joe Dumars, you've killed this team, and the numbers (both attendance and wins) show it. What would you have done if your VP of BBall Ops would've traded Isaiah Thomas? Would you have rolled over and took it? Probably not. Welcome to mediocrity Detroit. 5th in the East is not a mark of pride. The day we have seen the Atlanta Hawks rise above us, the Palace deserves to have a few empty seats. Economics or not, this city has finally sent a message, they're tired of watching a team break their hearts.