The Official Unofficial Detroit Pistons Thread!!!

[Matt]

yes, another one of these. I figured theres enough fans and haters to keep this alive.

So what did we do this off-season. Added Dale Davis (replacing Elden Campbell), added Maurice Evans, and some rookies. Nothing major really, but enough refreshments to win another championship.

The big move though was adding Saunders, who apparently will push for more running, which will be good given the Pistons defense will create opportunities, and all the starters can finish on the break. Saunders will also force more out of Rasheed, which is great news.

I see the team winning 55 reg season games, finishing 3rd in the East, but eventually returning to the Finals. Still the best Starting 5 in the L, but now with a bench (Davis, Hunter, Evans, McDyess make for a good rotation). Oh, and Milicic will actually see the light of day.

Hate on!

[c0nr4d]

good job startin the thread....

but yea, i think they have the tools for another push at the Finals...i hope that Flip's style will be conducive to a winning attitude and more electric O, cuz we know the D runs itself by now...

and yes, i agree that we have the best, most balanced starting 5 in the L.



can't wait for the season to start!

Deeeeeetroit Baaaaassketball!

[Indy]

Finishing 3rd in the East would mean a 4th seed, and a second round playoff series against Indiana or Miami. Following that, would be a series against the other of the 2.

I don't see Detroit battling through both of those teams in back to back series, especially without home court in either.

However, Detroit is still a championship caliber team. I think the Pistons and the Heat both got worse this offseason. Losing Larry Brown will be catastrophic for this team if they run in to troubles. I think having the most cohesive starting 5 in the league will get them at least in to the second round. If Miami finishes with the number 1 seed, Detroit will reach the conference finals. If Indiana is the number 1 seed, Detroit's road will in the semis. I am very confident that this is the year Indy knocks out Detroit, and I think we can beat them in 6 games.

[Jackal]

I think the Pistons and the Heat both got worse this offseason.

Yeah, Indiana is the only team that really got better. Why the east only? Indiana is the only team that got better in the Eastern AND the Western conference.

[Indy]

Yeah, Indiana is the only team that really got better. Why the east only? Indiana is the only team that got better in the Eastern AND the Western conference.

Miami- Too many head cases on the team now. J-Will is not the right guy to lead a championship team, point guards on championship teams have to be pass-first, and not be problems in the lockerroom. Antoine Walker will NEVER win a championship, he will NEVER change. Shaq and Wade demand the ball enough between the two of them, two more guys that have to have the ball in their hands is bad.

Detroit- Lost Larry Brown. Period. Rasheed Wallace and flip will have problems just like Latrell did.

Oh and by the way, if I was truley making a homer post, I would have said both teams got better but it doesn't matter since the Pacers got better times 3.

Well, the last part is true.

[iG®]

Just pay attention on Darko. He'll be beast this season.

[Rip32]

yes, another one of these. I figured theres enough fans and haters to keep this alive.

So what did we do this off-season. Added Dale Davis (replacing Elden Campbell), added Maurice Evans, and some rookies. Nothing major really, but enough refreshments to win another championship.

The big move though was adding Saunders, who apparently will push for more running, which will be good given the Pistons defense will create opportunities, and all the starters can finish on the break. Saunders will also force more out of Rasheed, which is great news.

I see the team winning 55 reg season games, finishing 3rd in the East, but eventually returning to the Finals. Still the best Starting 5 in the L, but now with a bench (Davis, Hunter, Evans, McDyess make for a good rotation). Oh, and Milicic will actually see the light of day.

Hate on!

I agree with most of the stuff you said Matt. From what i kno about Mo Evans is hes a guy who plays D and can dunk and has a reliable J. Dale Davis is a good defender and can rebound. I see Aroyyo (unfortunatly) playing a lot of minutes this regular season, Lindsey's arent old reliable anymore so he should be saved for the playoffs.

With Flip we'll be a faster team with the athletes in the starting 5 and bench who can play that way. The D will be as strong as ever and with the length our player have when Flip throws the Zone out there we should be pretty good.

But the big things i'll look for is Sheed's consistancy. If Rasheed can average 18pts and 9rebs, which he can, we would be much better. We shy away from him alot and shoot perimeter jumpers when we could pass it in to him and score some easy inside buckets.

The other things are how the Youngins wil develope now that they are gonna get PT. I think now that Tay has a back up he should be really productive not just defensivly but on offense to, if he averages less than 17ppg it'll be a step back cuz hes only gotten better. Then come the big TWO, Darko can Carlos. From what little ive seen of carlos is hes kinda like Rip with range he should get better now with his biggest critic gone and hes healthy too.

Now, now its Darko time. Dee should contribute to this team, he can go out there and rebound and play D like hes done the last few years but now he'll be better offfensivly too. Before, Darko would be out there with the garbage ball hogs (Aroyyo, Dupree) and he would get the ball with like 8secs left on the shot clock horrible situations for a young kid. Now though, hes gonna be out there with at least2 maybe 3 starters so he'll get good shots, in past years he was like a shaq cuz the Pistons had him out there and who do you think was gonna get the ball? Darko. Niw he'll get good shots and he'll show his worth.


Wow, i was gonna make a thread like this but i was too lazy too. Good thread matt.

[Matt]

I don't see Detroit battling through both of those teams in back to back series, especially without home court in either.

well we both know that Detroit is a tough team. The only time it NEEDED home court advantage was Game 7 last year.

Had we not added some useful pieces to the bench I'd agree that it would be impossible to beat Indy and Miami back to back.

Obviously, winning the East will be the tougher than the last 2 years. The REAL threat here is Indiana rather than Miami.

[Indy]

Obviously, winning the East will be the tougher than the last 2 years. The REAL threat here is Indiana rather than Miami.

I feel the same way about Detroit being a much bigger threat to Indiana then Miami. Hopefully we don't both eat crow next June when MIA is playing and our 2 teams are... well... MIA.

[putodelagoa]

Top to bottom, Detroit is the best TEAM in the Eastern conference.

They were Champions against a pretty strong Lakers Squad, that, like Miami, added to many egos and didn't have time to gel... Well, maybe if Karl Malone didn't get hurt, who knows?
But everbody, analysts mainly, have little rispect for this guys! How come?
They've had the same core for quite a while, have arguably the best starting 5 in the league, and their bench isn't so shabby as it used to be, loaded with tough, experienced players that have been there, done that. If Darko becomes what he can be - he's no stiff, for sure - I don't see how this guys don't have some revenge against the Spurs.
Indiana is strong and tough, no doubt, but is outmatched at three positions by the Pistons. Prince can keep Artest honest, and if he bullies him, they have a lot of people to "give it back", O'neal can be had by the Wallaces, Tinsley is no match for Billups, and Jax will spend a lot of time running after Hamilton. Jasikevicius and Granger are a question mark at this level, and I give Sarunas the edge, for I have seen some games where he took over, but overall, I jus't don't see why people have the Pistons so low... If it's because of the coaching changes, I would say I'm pretty sure they got to the Finals last year DESPITE Larry Brown, and not thanks to him.

[Indy]

Prince can keep Artest honest

No he can't.

and if he bullies him, they have a lot of people to "give it back"

I'm not quite sure what that means...

O'neal can be had by the Wallaces

Not when he's healthy. Look at how he played in game 6, at 85%. When he's 100 percent he's better then either Wallace, easily.

Tinsley is no match for Billups

In what way? Tinsley on offense is a better passer then Billups, and its not like Tinsley guards him straight up anyway. We rely on help defense primarily to stop Billups.

Jax will spend a lot of time running after Hamilton.

That's the first real valid point you've brought up. However, Jax is excellent at coming off screens, and he had the best coach on how to do it in Reggie Miller. Jack is in the best shape of his life right now. Also, the Pacers are the best help defense team in the NBA, so we rely on that to stop Rip.

Jasikevicius and Granger are a question mark at this level, and I give Sarunas the edge, for I have seen some games where he took over

True, they are question marks, but neither is nearly as big of a question mark as the Larry Brown question. Saras will bring a Toni Kukoc (in the championship days) type contribution, and that's all we really need.

[IndianaPacersMan]

Obviously, winning the East will be the tougher than the last 2 years. The REAL threat here is Indiana rather than Miami.[/quote]

Indiana is going to put up a fight this year.

Although we are without Reggie.

[putodelagoa]

Prince can keep Artest honest


No he can't.

Indy:

Prince can easily deny Artest's outside game. No doubt Artest is stronger but I don't think you're giving Prince his due, defensively. Of course the opposite his also true, which means Prince will have an hard time scoring against him, too.
Artest relies on his intimidatory ways to his advantage on defense. My guess is that if he tries something "Artestesque" with Prince, there will be a lot of people on Detroit's squad eager to make him taste some of his own medicine.

I think you seriously underestimate Rasheed Wallace's talents. I'm not trying to take anything away from O'neal, a superb player, but Sheed has the mobility and strenght to keep him in check. Of course, individually, O'Neal is better than either of the Wallaces, albeit an inferior defender than any of them. That's why I said that he could be had by the WallaceS -plural-

Jax is too erratic, when compared to Hamilton, and my guess is that screens set by Detroit are bound to break some ribs, sooner or later. I don't think he'll enjoy fighting through dozens of screans while chasing the masked guy...

Mind you, Jasikevicius is no Kukoc... He certainly has a better 3 shot, but I seriously doubt that he can impact the game in the ways kukoc did, at the NBA level. Kukoc, at 6ft11 and having played as a 1 in Europe, brought with him the versatility that Sarunas will never have. They might have the same clutch instincts though...

[Indy]

Yes!!! I know its a good day when I get to have actual discussions about the Pacers on the NLSC!

I have the utmost respect for Prince, and I think he's the most underrated player on the team by far. That said, his game is nowhere near at the level that Ron's is. Yes, he can keep Ron's outside game in check, but Ron doesn't live by his outside game. He is so much stronger then Tay that he can easily wear him down in the post, and then the outside game will come. I worry more about how Ron will do against Posey since he has more strength then Prince does.

You're right about Artest using intimidation to defend, but I think saying that takes away a little bit of his defensive talent. He uses finesse defensive tactics more often then people think. Also, yes Pistons players do try to give Artest some of his own medicene, but being the toughest guy in the NBA, he can certainly take it.

Rasheed Wallace: You are absolutley correct about his defensive skills against JO. He is the best in the league at defending JO bar none. However, JO is also excellent at guarding Rasheed, and JO's offensive game being stronger then Rasheed's when he is healthy puts him at the top when its all said and done. Ben Wallace is also a very overrated 1 on 1 defender, and JO exploits him whenever he can get the mismatch against him. The Wallace's use each other to be as good as they are against JO, and that's where Jeff Foster, and this year David Harrsion come in handy. Both of them pick up a lot of garbage buckets against the Wallace's when they double team JO. JO has promised to be more open to passing out of double teams, and started to show his maturity in that aspect last year. David Harrison is an excellent low post scorer, expect him to take some pressure away from JO this season against the Pistons.

As for the Rip Hamilton situations, some things can only be contained and not stopped. Help defense is the Pacers forte, and that will be what we use to stop him. Obviously, I'm not expecting to shut down Rip Hamilton, but if the Pacers play the game we can play in the other aspects of the game, Rip will not beat us.

My Jasik comparisons to Kukoc didn't really have to do with the actual type of player he is, just the type of contribution he will bring. Jasik will help the team out tremendously in two aspects: one will be his late game heroics that he will surely bring. As much as I love Tinsley, if Jasik is the guy people say he is, he will be the guy at the end of the game. Number 2 is the pressure he will put on Tinsley. He'll come off the bench all season, I'm almost sure of it. However, Jamaal Tinsley is already an amazingly motivated player, he was quoted saying "The playoffs are like a narcotic. I love it, and I can't wait to get more" and an even more motivated Tinsley with a guy like Saras nipping at his heels will be amazing. Don't be surprised if he makes his first all-star appearance this year, however unlikely that may be with the guard talent in the East. That type of contribution will be similar to what Kukoc did with Pippen.

I certainly respect the Pistons, (even though I've hated them for 15-16 years now ) but I truely believe this is the year we take them and everybody else out.

[IndianaPacersMan]

I certainly respect the Pistons, (even though I've hated them for 15-16 years now ) but I truely believe this is the year we take them and everybody else out.

I hoped this would've happened sooner though.

Reggie deserved to have a win.

[Indy]

I certainly respect the Pistons, (even though I've hated them for 15-16 years now ) but I truely believe this is the year we take them and everybody else out.

I hoped this would've happened sooner though.

Reggie deserved to have a win.

Got to put it behind us though. I had my fare share of tears for a week after Reggie retired, and it was a pretty tough time, but I don't want to feel the same when when JO, Tinsley or Ron retire. Its time to move on and forget about last year.

[Rip32]

All you Pacer Fans find a way to come into the Pistons thread and fillit with Pacers crap.

[Scotty]

This thread is turing out heaps better than that Blazers one!

[putodelagoa]

. I love it, and I can't wait to get more" and an even more motivated Tinsley with a guy like Saras nipping at his heels will be amazing. Don't be surprised if he makes his first all-star appearance this year, however unlikely that may be with the guard talent in the East. That type of contribution will be similar to what Kukoc did with Pippen.

Are you suggesting that Kukoc ever put Pippen's starting place in jeopardy?

[Matt]

I feel the same way about Detroit being a much bigger threat to Indiana then Miami. Hopefully we don't both eat crow next June when MIA is playing and our 2 teams are... well... MIA.

I'm not a Pacers fan, but i'd rather see them beat Detroit than Miami.

The Wallace's use each other to be as good as they are against JO, and that's where Jeff Foster, and this year David Harrsion come in handy. Both of them pick up a lot of garbage buckets against the Wallace's when they double team JO.

good point, but this has yet to happen consistently over the 2 series the teams played in the playoffs. Foster and Harrison need to bring that every game.


On Pistons news....Milicic is reportedly IN CONDITION, which means he'll get to play. Once again he's one of the most dominant practice players, just gotta turn that into game situations.

I'm eager to see a Pistons v Indiana matchup. It's not even worth at looking at matchups, since teams play unpredictable, grimy games and everything changes from game to game.

Detroit or Indiana = 2006 NBA champs....you heard it here.

[iG®]

Talking about Darko, I'll say to you guys, that he had 9 blocks on one game for NT. Five+ rebounds per game constantly even he didn't play much.

[Indy]

. I love it, and I can't wait to get more" and an even more motivated Tinsley with a guy like Saras nipping at his heels will be amazing. Don't be surprised if he makes his first all-star appearance this year, however unlikely that may be with the guard talent in the East. That type of contribution will be similar to what Kukoc did with Pippen.

Are you suggesting that Kukoc ever put Pippen's starting place in jeopardy?

No, and Jasikevicius won't put Tinsley's starting job in priority either. It will be the fact that he has such a strong, energetic, clutch payer behind him that will motivate him extra.

[IndianaPacersMan]

I certainly respect the Pistons, (even though I've hated them for 15-16 years now ) but I truely believe this is the year we take them and everybody else out.

I hoped this would've happened sooner though.

Reggie deserved to have a win.

Got to put it behind us though. I had my fare share of tears for a week after Reggie retired, and it was a pretty tough time, but I don't want to feel the same when when JO, Tinsley or Ron retire. Its time to move on and forget about last year.

Right.

Lets just hope the people we picked up can help us out.

[Amphatoast]

darko looking good
Soon time to trade Rasheed and let Darko start? lol

[kinokong]

i just read the argument (been studying overseas and can only use the computer freely on saturdays) and i agree with both but there is one point neither has mentioned it is the pacers superior depth. the pistons have the best teamwise starting five in the league and although they added pieces on the bench, the have nowhere the flexibility as the pacers do. the pacers can have a lineup of
c: foster
pf: oneal
sf: artest
sg: jax
pg: tinsely
bench: harrison, granger, sarus

detroit
c: b wallace
pf; r wallace
sf: prince
sg: hamilton
pg: billups
bench: davis, evans, delfino, darko
i just mentioned the supposed key players on each team but you can see a clear difference between the teams benches. indiana has a deep proven bench with which they can trust(or they can adjust it so a talented player like jax comes off the bench) but detroit outside of davis has no real proven talent.... also imagine using evans instead of hamilton in the starting lineup... that is where the difference is and that is y indy will advance