A Letter to Flip Saunders

Dear Flip Saunders,

As a fan of the Pistons forever, I have watched my fair share of NBA basketball. I have noticed that when your starters get tired, most teams have the ability to make what NBA experts would call a "substitution." You can actually remove a player from the game to play someone that did not start. Now I'm not sure if Joe Dumars has told you this, but you do not have to pay a fine to use a player off your bench.

I don't know if you are aware of it, but you actually have a pretty decent bench this year. Jarvis Hayes, Lindsey Hunter, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell, Arron Afflalo, and soon Rodney Stuckey are all serviceable at the NBA level. I am writing this letter to assure you that the NBA will not suspend any of the players for entering the game.

Four of your starters had THIRTY minutes played by the end of the third quarter in last nights game against Atlanta. The only exception was Rasheed Wallace, because he had 5 fouls by the third quarter. In fact, by the end of the third, only one bench player (Jason Maxiell) had logged over 3 minutes of play.

In respect for the Detroit Pistons team and franchise, I implore you to please play the bench as to not repeat the same thing that has happened the past few years. We get into the playoffs, and have 5 tired starters that have played 35+ minutes for about 90% of our games. When they run out, we send out our completely inexperienced bench on the floor.

Respectfully yours,


Amir Johnson
Head Bench Warmer/Darko Milicic version 2
Detroit Pistons