Friday, August 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm  |  75 responses

Better than You Think

How the Pistons actually improved this offseason.

Ben Gordon & Charlie Villanueva

by Jeremy Banks

When things are spiraling down, you have to take a risk to get back on track. Detroit took its risk by spending a combined $90 million for Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, while allowing Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace to find new teams.

But don’t misled, the Pistons are improved, and they should be right back in the conversation. In fact, the team developed overnight into a younger version of the 2004 title team. Detroit won’t be as talented defensively, but the team will have the same versatility and balance on offense as it had during its six-year Eastern Conference reign.

The Pistons replaced Wallace with Villanueva, and it looks like they made the right choice. At 24, Villanueva is coming off a career year, while Wallace’s production has declined over the last two seasons. They bring the same skill set and, at this point, Villanueva has the higher ceiling. He’s athletic and consistent offensively. He plays and defends both forward positions. Charlie V’s 16 ppg gives the Pistons an upgrade over Wallace’s 12 ppg—Sheed’s lowest scoring output since 1999.

With Villanueva on the cusp of his prime and Wallace seemingly exiting his, the gap could get larger. The biggest question for Villanueva will be the experience factor. He’s never played in a playoff game, and it’s unclear how he’ll respond while playing for a potential playoff team. A few years ago, until he played with the Pistons, the same questions were asked of Wallace. How did that turn out?

Ben Gordon’s addition gives the backcourt the boost of energy the team needed. Last season, Iverson averaged a career-low 17 ppg. Gordon, like Villanueva, gives the Pistons youth and excitement in the backcourt. He also gives Detroit an impact scorer on the perimeter, who’s in the prime of his career.

At 26, Gordon had his coming out party this spring. In a seven-game, first-round playoff series with the Boston Celtics, he averaged 24 ppg. Regardless of the outcome of the series, Gordon established himself as a go-to scorer. He made big shots down the stretch and wasn’t afraid to carry the team. He thrived under pressure. With games on the line and the defense focused on him, Gordon delivered time and time again.

Gordon makes the Pistons deeper on the perimeter. The Pistons now have a player who, for 48 minutes, needs to be accounted for. Detroit has a player who will create opportunities for teammates by drawing double-teams and getting to the basket.

The Pistons have a mixture of youthful energy and savvy veteran leadership. Rip Hamilton can give the Pistons punch off the bench or continue his role in the starting lineup, leaving the sixth-man spot to Gordon, who proved he can make an impact as a reserve for most of his young career.

The Pistons are qAustin Dayeuicker in the frontcourt. Tayshaun Prince is still one of the top perimeter defenders in the Eastern Conference, Villanueva can create some problems and Chris Wilcox, signed during the offseason, is active on the defensive end.

The Pistons drafted Austin Daye, who some believe has the potential to be a star. Rodney Stuckey is a steady point guard that will have a full season under his belt as the starter. He finished the last month of the regular season with an impressive stat line, scoring 14 points and adding 5 assists. Stuckey was better in the postseason, boosting his scoring average to 15 ppg.

The Pistons didn’t just make moves; they made the right moves. This team can complement each other, while providing match-up problems offensively and defensively—like the Pistons of ‘03-08. The Pistons have players who know how to win and feature just enough talented, yet inexperienced, pieces to remain aggressive and hungry.

The Pistons needed a change, because the League changed. The Orlando Magic got better; the Celtics got deeper; the Cavaliers remain strong; and the Miami Heat are looking to make a push. Circumstance gave the Pistons no choice.

The League was moving fast and the Pistons couldn’t afford to stand still.

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  • rob stewart Posted: Aug.7 at 3:10 pm
    But they still miss/need Chauncey

  • Witness Posted: Aug.7 at 3:22 pm
    I think the Stuckey experiment will continue to go well. But they shouldnt rely so much on the potential of their players. I heard Big Ben just agreed to sign and he could be exactly what they need.

  • Witness Posted: Aug.7 at 3:23 pm
    *What they need to upset the likes of an Orlando/Boston type team.

  • JL Posted: Aug.7 at 3:25 pm
    who still plays defense on this team? Only Tayshaun? I don’t think villanueva and wilcox were ever perceived as being strong defensively, much less for gordon. Now the starting center is kwame brown, and backup is ben wallace… wow! will maxiell finally grow up and start? they are far from ok, and stuckey is also not a high percentage shooter at the PG position.

  • Witness Posted: Aug.7 at 3:28 pm
    @ JL: The man is 6’5. He was never considered a high percentage shooter. Wtf? Dumars drafted him to bruise and punish opposing PGs while running a true playoff team.

  • geof Posted: Aug.7 at 3:46 pm
    They only thing is, they had better make every shot they take, because they have NO rebounders, Dyess took down almost 10 a game and he’s gone, Sheed was at 7.5 per. Who’s going to replace that KEY stat? I’m not even sure Kwame can jump.

  • wayno Posted: Aug.7 at 4:03 pm
    The thing people are forgetting is that if this team buys into playing good TEAM defense, it can really help cover up individual defensive deficiencies. I’m pretty sure that Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were never really considered greaat defenders, but they got a good defensive scheme and Kevin Garnett to lead the defense. Similarly, if Detroit can commit to TEAM defense they can be good, but not great, defensive team. Does anyone remember just how bad this team was defensivly last year? I doubt it will be much worse. Charlie V and whoever is starting at C will be capable of pulling down 7-9 rebounds each per night too. I think this team will be better than last years, and certainly is not the finished product. I still say they’re gonna win at least 5 more games than last year.

  • chingy Posted: Aug.7 at 4:17 pm
    Can be an intriguing 6-8′th seed in the East going against one of the Big Boys in the Playoffs; Defense is the key, they will score plenty

  • TADOne Posted: Aug.7 at 4:37 pm
    I want some of whatever Jeremy is sipping on. I definitely don’t see great improvement, but then again, i’m a pessimist. The Pistons, as has been previously stated, will suffer greatly this season at the defensive end. While I have confidence that they can buy into a team defensive scheme that will work, this team will get killed on the boards and in 2nd chance points. I’m being realistic. The Pistons will be completely transformed to a team that will try to get out and run at any chance and will win games by scoring in the 100′s nightly. If not, they will be looking at the lottery.

  • Witness Posted: Aug.7 at 5:01 pm
    The lottery isnt necessarily a bad thing for a team with a huge void in the middle of their offense.

  • LeoneL Posted: Aug.7 at 5:06 pm
    and they just signed big ben. at least tay and rip might not feel so betrayed after jd traded chauncey and let sheed walk. there’s still a huge hole in that 5-spot though. but at least we’ll get to hear that “gong” in the palace again. lol

  • Jeremy Banks Posted: Aug.7 at 5:52 pm
    @Witness: I think Stuckey is going to be pretty solid this year. All he has to do is run the team and get to the basket. He’s capable of doing that. @geof: Villanueva averaged 6.7 rebounds, just about one off Rasheed’s total. Take into account, Villanueva is only 24 and hasn’t hit his ceiling. He’s about to reach the prime of his career and he’s bound to get better. He’s never played in a playoff game in his career. Intensity has been an issue with him, but having a chance to play for a team that reached the playoffs a year ago, and is a good contender to do it again, I assume, would give him an extra charge. Ben Wallace’s signing today should also help a little, though he’s not the Big Ben of old. @TADOne: Give them a chance. haha. Detroit will improve this season. Trading Iverson for Gordon? That’s an upgrade. Trading Rasheed at this point in his career for Villanueva? I would take that too. They’re improving and they’ll surprise some. They may not have great individual defenders, but they have the right pieces to build a good team defense.

  • wayno Posted: Aug.7 at 6:17 pm
    Big Ben wasn’t a bad addition at all…maybe he can teach Charlie V and Chris Wilcox how to play Defense. He’s still good for 10-15 minutes a game too.

  • Jeremy Banks Posted: Aug.7 at 6:19 pm
    @wayno:I’m thinking Big Ben might push Kwame before the end of the season. What do you think?

  • Orlando Woolridge Posted: Aug.7 at 6:23 pm
    As a Bulls fan, I’ve seen Ben Gordon play quite a bit. It doesn’t matter if the other team is forced to double team when that player refuses to give up the ball or play within the system. That advantage is not to be had with BG on the court.

  • MiguelKG5 Posted: Aug.7 at 7:26 pm
    This Piston team will lack two things: Rebound and defense. If they can get a big defense minded guy they can be a threat in the East.

  • The Fan Posted: Aug.7 at 7:33 pm
    @Orlando Woolridge
    “As A Bulls Fan”-Get off our article.Yeah Ben Gordon refused to give up the ball.Well Who do u give it too…Oh I Know Jokim Noah.Whooo…Ok Back to the article.With proven scorers around him he will have no problem giving the ball up.Plus they can play small ball and big.Imagine Tay-Pg,Rip-Sg,-Daye-Sf-,Charlie-PF-kwame-C(scary)..The only team that can match is the Lakers with-Kobe-Pg,Ron T-Sg,Lamar-Sf,Gasol-PF,Bynum-C..

  • Orlando Woolridge Posted: Aug.7 at 7:50 pm
    They could be the 4th best team in the east…maybe.

  • The Fan Posted: Aug.7 at 7:55 pm
    We will see when the season starts.Remember its 82 games and in the east u only have to win 30 to 40 to get into the playoffs…lol

  • Jacob J Posted: Aug.7 at 9:35 pm
    I think we can be a 50 win team again!Seriously!

  • Witness Posted: Aug.7 at 10:15 pm
    The Pistons are not goin to win 50. At least not if Orlando Boston and Cleveland stay healthy. The East is gettin good fast.

  • Tyler Whitcomb Posted: Aug.7 at 10:27 pm
    The pistons did get better, but was it worth maxing out to be a 5th seed or maybee even a 4th seed? Now if they would have made the trade for Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, they would have a lineup of 1. Rondo 2. Allen 3. Daye/Summers 4. Villanueva 5. Wilcox and the best 6th man in basketball Ben Gordon. There coach is an offensive minded coach,but hopefully his assitants will tAKE ON THE ROLE OF TEACHING THERE DEFENSIVE SCHEME. I’m glad they didn’t hire Avery Johnson (You thought Rick Carlisle was controlling and players didn’t like him!) They should have hired Paul Silas. Again, they will get to the 2nd round and that is an improvement from last season.

  • Negetivekreep Posted: Aug.7 at 10:29 pm
    This goes hand in hand with the article on Memphis being profitable. from the standpoint that Detroit is oubviously bankinig their future and bottom line, on charlie V Ben Gordon and Stuckey as a core unit. providing the fanbase with a replacement to the Wallace,Billups, Hamilton era. And a team that should win more games next year. Making the franchise more profitable. With young talent they are clearly taking less of a risk for their dollar in the long run, and at the same time hopefully making the kind of investments that will pay off right away. Wich is good management, and especially necessary in the current economy. primarily in detroit. Not to completely downplay the competetive angle in the article. Clearly, it’s intrinsic with their interests to stay competetive with Bostn/clev/orlando. I just think these moves are based primarily on turning a profit, rather than a motive of wining a chip. Now, in the future if they put up $$$ for LeBron, or Dwade (if he doesn’t sign an extesion) Then i’ll change my tune. Until then, i think it’s just good ‘shrewd’ business as usual.

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.7 at 10:42 pm
    dont underestimate the signing of ben, trust me the players will reinvogorate him. he put up decent #s last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a slight improvement this year. add ben, rip and tay to a young team and that gives you a three headed monster that will torment the defenseless in their sleep. You got three allstars. that can tell a young player. “hey, this is how we were so sucessfull follow my lead. this article is on point.

  • The Fan Posted: Aug.7 at 11:11 pm
    ^^Agree also this isnt for a short run.If Boston wins next year that means.Rasheed KG,Pierce and Allen probably retire leaving Clev,Orl,& Maybe Wash or Toronto being on top in the east.Pistons are one Impact player-(doesnt mean a star just a solid contributer) away from being unstoppable.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.7 at 11:14 pm
    Stuckey, Gordon, Hamilton. Another triangle of starting caliber guards. Isn’t Joe Dumars great?
    The Pistons’ season is going down the tubes if they don’t move Hamilton.

  • Negetivekreep Posted: Aug.8 at 12:01 am
    Co-Sign Teddy.

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.8 at 12:29 am
    dont compare this to last year. the system tried to work with AI. the fact that he doesnt even have a job yet shows you that he was the source of cancer and not the team. sure some of that falls in currys lap. but Qster is a much better coach. and Rip tried his damndest to do what was best for the team in spite of AI.Joe isn’t shopping Rip. which indicates they ae gonna implement a system where all of those gaurds are utilized. lets not forget about Bynum also. he’s a beast.

  • Pompo Posted: Aug.8 at 12:31 am
    forgot they played ball at uconn together. but yea the pistons wont get swept from the playoffs n.e more teach bg to play str0nger D n u can make a push…. mb?

  • Jacob J Posted: Aug.8 at 12:39 am
    @ Witness. I was just being optimistic. After the Celtic/Laker/Spurs/Cavs Era ends in 3 years I promise you a championship!

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.8 at 12:42 am
    Thanks scntfc, I forgot about Will Bynum. This gets even better… A rectangle of starting caliber guards! Woo hoo! Joe Dumars for executive of the year. Somebody needs to call him on his mishaps.

  • Jacob J Posted: Aug.8 at 12:43 am
    I dont know why everybody is having a problem with rip. We can play him with ben gordon coming off the bench.

  • Jacob J Posted: Aug.8 at 12:46 am
    I wish people would stop bashing JoeD. Couldnt you see the blueprint when the trade happened? And the Pistons will improve fast with JoeD being GM!

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.8 at 12:59 am
    @Jacob J, dont sweat it. let the haters talk. Past ten yrs only one with a better track record is SPurs gm, and probably Bus. I will take a top 5 gm any day. ask some of these folks who their favorite team is… and you will see why dumars gets bashed.

  • A2 Posted: Aug.8 at 5:06 am
    CV’s a stretch-4 whose range is much lesser than Sheed. So he’s basically a midrange shooter with an under-developed post game and non-existent defense. Sheed, for all his faults, was a semi-reliable shooter from deep. And secondly, Sheed already had significant playoff experience before he came 2 the Pistons. Remember those Blazer teams from the early part of this decade??

  • Dray Posted: Aug.8 at 7:49 am
    “He’s never played in a playoff game, and it’s unclear how he’ll respond while playing for a potential playoff team. A few years ago, until he played with the Pistons, the same questions were asked of Wallace. How did that turn out?”…are you kidding me? We’re talking about ‘sheed right?? same that played for the portland team that almost took out the lakers??come on man!

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  • Nick Posted: Aug.8 at 8:50 am
    Did I hear a rumour that Big Ben is a Piston again???? I soooo hope so!!!!!! Good to see him back where he belongs!!!

  • Tyler Whitcomb Posted: Aug.8 at 10:41 am
    2010 Playoffs – #4 Seed Detroit Pistons win in 7 games vs the #5 Seed Washington Wizards. 2nd Round the #4 Seed Detroit Pistons lose in 5 games to the #1 Seed Cleveland Cavs!!!!!!

  • Tyler Whitcomb Posted: Aug.8 at 10:44 am
    If the Pistons didn’t add Charlie Villanueva and somehow traded Rip Hamilton, they would have money next year and still be a 6th seed. Why spend that money on Charlie and why haven’t we traded Rip yet? Nice job signing Ben Gordon!

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.8 at 11:15 am
    so many folks commenting and not researching their statements. A2 CVs #s are better than sheeds from behind the arch and otherwise. Post game? when has sheed ever played in the post.@tyler the cap is going even lower next year. if we had banked that 20 mil. next year we would be lucky if it was worth 7. and on top of that because the cap is going to be low. not many high caliber FA are going to hit the market next year. no one will be able to make the same or more amount of money as they would with their original team. Unless your name is lebron. and that is only through endorsements. and then ask your self. when has Detroit ever gotten a 1st tier player through free agency? They haven’t! never! Detroit isn’t one of those destination cities. so Joe D does what he does best and gets a a bunch of 2nd and 3rd tier guys to build a team. remember. the 04 championship team was built from such players. CB had already played for 5 teams. everyone scratched their heads at stack for Rip. tay was taken 27th overall. Ben came via sign and trade for an injured Grant hill. Sheed was seen as a problem and was basicly given to us for…. JOn barry a draft pick, and a case of gatorade. get my point? so Joe has been criticized before. and the last time it was this much a championship soon followed. I dont mind the skepticism but games are won on the court not on the internet. and most importantly folks need to know what they spew their hate. lets at least wait to the damn preseason before we start casting stones.

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  • TADOne Posted: Aug.8 at 1:22 pm
    scntfc is smart. You made some great points my man. Detroit isn’t a popular destination, especially now. Dumars spent his available money on young players who either haven’t had the proper oppurtunity or have played well in limited roles. Joe D does well with what he has. Granted, he has made some bad decisions in Rodney White, Walter Sharpe, Mateen Cleaves, and the big mistake of Darko Milicic. He also traded Billups too soon, but AI was a risk worth taking at the time. AI also produced cap space to sign Charlie, Ben, and Wilcox. I’m willing to wait and see how it all plays out.

  • kobeatthebuzzer Posted: Aug.8 at 4:10 pm
    I think the starting lineup will be as follows: BG
    RIP
    Tay
    CV
    Kwame/C Wilcox The Pistons are going to be an uptempo run and gun team, they dont necessarily need a true point guard in this system, I personally dont see RIP or BG coming off the bench.

  • kobeatthebuzzer Posted: Aug.8 at 4:13 pm
    Damn, just read this on another site : “Well, Kuester said Hamilton will resume his role as a starter and Gordon will come off the bench most nights.”

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.8 at 4:34 pm
    yeah back at you TAdone. I usually lurk and refrain from making comments. sometimes I wonder if some of these posters are fans of the game or maybe they just have too much time on their hands. dumars has made plenty of mistakes. but with that said he is still top 5 currently. now give it 3,4 more years and he can either move up or down. but the funny thing about all of those draft busts is he took the player that was projected to go. that includes Darko. everyone wanted Darko. yet he still turned darko into stuckey. I just cant wait to see the climate of this board once they start playing. even at being a 500 team I can still hear the haters. I hated Chauncey had to go. but he was our biggest asset. folks were getting bored with being ousted in the ECF every year. at least people are passionate again about the team. albeit for the wrong reasons. Mark my words. this team is going to surprise. and by that I mean middle of the pack. they are one piece and a proper mixture away from being contenders.

  • wayno Posted: Aug.8 at 4:41 pm
    @ Jeremy Banks – I think Ben Wallace might actually murder Kwame Brown if he doesn’t grab at least 10 boards a game as a starter…

  • wayno Posted: Aug.8 at 4:43 pm
    oh yeah – cosign scntfc & TAD…I wouldn’t be suprised if Detroit suprised some people. Detroit got alot of hate when they were good, so naturally they’re getting it now. Jeff Van Gundy anyone?

  • TADOne Posted: Aug.8 at 5:49 pm
    Well again, i’ve never been a fan of BG or Charlie V, but i’m a Pistons fan first and foremost, so I want to see them succeed. It will definitely look and feel different in the Palace this season. I hope John Kuester is the coaching answer because i’m tired of all the coaching changes. As for Ben Wallace, he may be the one person to actually motivate Kwame. If Kwame averages 10 boards, i’ll do a Russ and shave something in my head a post the pics. I feel fairly safe about this not happening.

  • TADOne Posted: Aug.8 at 6:16 pm
    *a=and

  • Hursty Posted: Aug.8 at 8:38 pm
    DO IT TAD!
    Shave the head!
    … or something similar haha.

  • Dacre Posted: Aug.8 at 9:19 pm
    I think Ben Wallace will come back strong – he only needs to average 8 point, 8 boards and 2 blocks for me to feel he’s contributing again. He had broken bones last year – that would shake up anyman. This team will be in the mix this season. I’m thinking a 7th or 8 seed. 6th perhaps, if teams like Philly, Bulls and Washington implode again…

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.8 at 9:39 pm
    Joe Dumars was a great player. One of the best to ever do it. As a GM? Not so much… He’s been slipping for years now.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.8 at 9:40 pm
    Actually no, Joe Dumars was a good GM before. Right now he’s making some very questionable decisions.

  • Tariq Posted: Aug.9 at 12:15 am
    dacre:
    If Ben averages that line, I’ll personally come to your house and cook pancakes for you for 6 months while you and yours laugh in my general direction. I’ll also give you $273,394,039

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.9 at 1:20 am
    All Ben has to give us is 5 and 5 and Im happy. but I am thoroughly convinced his greatest impact will be in the locker room. If he never leaves the bench I am satisfied. Ben meant a lot to this city. and just the respect that the fans will give him will speak volumes to the other players. Ben was never a vocal leader but one , by example.

  • Anton Posted: Aug.9 at 2:42 am
    Ben routinely missed wide open dunks with us in Cle, have fun with that.
    Also, he was booed by Detroit when the Cavs played them.
    So yeah, you guys love him all right.

  • geof Posted: Aug.9 at 8:36 am
    I wish people would get off of Dumars’ back. Name 5-7 GM’s that do it better than he does. Who Chris Wallace? Mike Dunleavy? Donnie Walsh? Steve Kerr? Donnie Nelson?
    Please, the only people I can think of off the top of my head are the team in San Antonio, Kevin Pritchard in Portland, and Sam Presti in Oklahoma.

  • rainman10 Posted: Aug.9 at 10:29 am
    This team is built a lot like the Wizards. If that is a 4-5 matchup in the playoffs, one: I’ll be wondering where the hawks and heat are, and two: that could be some fun to watch high scoring games. But possible in the East I guess.

  • Jacob J Posted: Aug.9 at 11:50 am
    Sure Anton. When Ben was announced by Mason coming into the game during the playoffs we cheered for him. He was booed by detroit his first games with chicago though.

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.9 at 4:21 pm
    @ anton, In Detroit there tends to be a higher form of integrity that we hold our players to. I am sure wHen Lebron leaves ohio. you guys will still cheer him. because he will still be the best/only thing that has happened for that state sports wise. @Geof. and of those Teams that you mentioned only the spurs and Detroit have won championships. and or been to their division finals on a consistent basis.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Aug.9 at 4:28 pm
    The Pistons are really weak at the 5 spot. No Amir Johnson? No McDyess? No Rasheed Wallace? All they have is an undersized Jason Maxiell (who’s a power-forward), an underachieving Chris Wilcox, and Kwaaamay Brown. Pistons are going to be bad this year, I’m sorry fellas.

  • Anton Posted: Aug.9 at 6:06 pm
    In any case, I thank Ben for getting rid of Larry Hughes and eventually turning into Shaq.

  • TDP Posted: Aug.9 at 9:34 pm
    @scntfc Sheed was seen as a problem and was basicly given to us for…. JOn barry a draft pick, and a case of gatorade. get my point? No, I don’t. Sheed was traded for a bevy of nobodies (Bob Sura, Zeljko Rebraca and mid-1st round pick via Milwaukee), but Jon Barry signed with the Nuggets in the summer of 2003. He wasn’t even on the 2003-04 Pistons team. That mid-1st round pick turned out to be Josh Smith. so many folks commenting and not researching their statements. No doubt, my man.

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.10 at 12:02 am
    @ tdp which kinda puts emphasis on my point. “a bunch of nobodies.” and if you can pull that nugget of information from outta of the ether. then maybe you can post here more. and seerve as a fine example to the many posters who dont. and many regrets for not having smith on our team

  • dma Posted: Aug.10 at 12:25 am
    stuckey, gordon, hamilton, prince and villanueva will finish most games. that, my dear watson, is a small lineup.

  • TADOne Posted: Aug.10 at 12:06 pm
    No doubt Detroit will suffer this season on defense and on the boards. I’m not sure if anyone was arguing that? What everyone fails to realize is that the Pistons will be winning games in different ways than in years past. Remember games the past few seasons where the Pistons couldn’t seem to buy a basket? Well, that won’t be an issue anymore. Also, other than the top teams, who has a dominant front line in the NBA anymore? The league is full of teams with smaller lineups and swingmen playing multiple positions. Detroit will not be a top team, but they will not be as bad as people are saying.

  • niQ Posted: Aug.10 at 12:13 pm
    This team looks like Memphis now, pure offense, lacking defense.

  • TADOne Posted: Aug.10 at 12:43 pm
    Um, no. The Grizzlies don’t have Tayshaun Prince, who is a regular on the NBA All Defense team. People seem to forget that.

  • tavoris Posted: Aug.10 at 12:55 pm
    I am still wondering who’s gonna pass Rip, BG, and Charlie V the ball? Who (other than Prince) is gonna defend? Maybe the pistons will do what they shoulda started last year, and run the offense thru Prince (a la the way the Magic ran it thru Turk)

  • billymagnum Posted: Aug.10 at 1:55 pm
    what people seem to forget is that it was larry brown who made that team great defensively. pistons fans want to give dumars all the credit for getting that team the chip, but really, what have they won w/o larry brown? they went to the ecf six, i repeat, SIX years in a row and only won the whole thing once. defense and rebounding wins championships, just ask the lakers who finally figured that out w/ariza and that huge front line. the pistons will be fine but really, didn’t BG give up around fifty to ray ray last playoffs? scoring thirty is great unless you give up thirty-two. And to compare CV to rasheed in terms of inexperience, is the writer’s memory that short that he doesn’t remember sheed on the trailblazers? sheed had playoff experience b4 going to detroit.

  • TADOne Posted: Aug.10 at 2:03 pm
    Tavoris: Actually, the team HAS been running the offense thru Prince at least 30% of the time the last two seasons. The Pistons even ran the offense thru Rip toward the latter part of the season to some pretty good results that included one game where Rip had 16 assists. Both Rip and Tay can run the offense and will for short bursts this season, but look for Rodney Stuckey to get this team out and running and for his assist numbers to go up. I also expect Will Bynum to build upon last season as Stuckey’s backup.

  • Johna Smithinson Posted: Aug.10 at 8:32 pm
    Pistons are going to surprise a lot of doubters in the East, alongside with Washington and Charlotte. I give the Eastern Conference rankings as following: 1 – Boston
    2 – Cleveland
    3 – Orlando
    4 – Atlanta
    5 – Washington
    6 – Detroit
    7 – Miami
    8 – Charlotte There are several teams that are obviously better, and this ranking is assuming everyone stays healthy. The additions of Ben Gordon & Charlie Villanueva is a major positive move by Joe Dumars, moving forward towards setting up the cornerstones of the future. Villanueva has tremendous upside, he’s yet to hit his full potential, and under the system of a winning tradition his mental toughness will improve making his an all-star in this league. This is a young uptempo team, look out!!!

  • scntfc Posted: Aug.11 at 11:12 am
    Hey! You forgot Chicago. dont sleep on the Chi.

  • Jacob J Posted: Aug.11 at 5:47 pm
    @ Johna Smithinson. How do you figure that washington will get into the play-offs? Theyre always injured and just because they added 2 new players dosent mean anything this is my playoff bracket.
    1.Boston
    2.Orlando
    3.Clevland
    4.Detroit
    5.Atlanta
    6.Philadelphia
    7.Miami
    8.Chicago.

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