Break Up the Pistons. No, really…
Chauncey Billups (photo. adidas)Advancing to their sixth straight conference finals last night, the Detroit Pistons have proven to be a testament to balance and sharing the wealth. Even after losing Ben Wallace, the defensive centerpiece of the ’04 championship team, the Pistons have maintained their success by relying equally on All-Stars Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace.
But could each of Detroit’s “Big Four” be The Man on another team?
Chauncey Billups (17 ppg, 6.8 apg, 1.3 spg) — At worst he’s a Top-10 point guard, despite getting up there in age (31) and wear-and-tear (113 playoff games). Strong enough to score in the post on most PG’s, quick and crafty enough to take them off the dribble, deadly from the outside and accustomed to taking and making big shots in crunch-time, Chauncey would be a star on any team in the League and can run any system. Swap him for Steve Nash and he’d put up big numbers in Phoenix, not to mention be able to stop his man defensively. Swap him for Deron Williams and he’d kill on the pick-and-roll with Carlos Boozer while still getting Memo, AK and the rest their looks. And on a Lottery team with lesser talent and a lack of leadership, C-Billups would especially get his every night.
Rip Hamilton (17.3 ppg, 4.2 apg) — Rip is more of a system guy. It’d be erroneous to say he can’t create his own shot, but he’s not a clear-it-out kind of scorer who will get buckets no matter what defense is being thrown at him. Rip is closer to an NFL wide receiver; a playmaker who is infinitely better if he’s got a good QB and a solid offensive line. For unimaginative coaches like Mike Woodson, Mike Brown and Mo Cheeks in a “Pass it to Will” offense, Rip would still be good, but probably not an All-Star. But in a place like Boston (playing the Ray Allen role), Golden State (Monta Ellis), Sacramento (Kevin Martin) or San Antonio (Manu Ginobili), he could still be his team’s leading scorer, if not a stand-alone superstar.
Tayshaun Prince (13.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg) — Defensive credentials aside, Prince is adept enough at creating his own shot (see his Game 4 dagger in Orlando), scoring from the inside and outside, and occasionally taking over as the primary scorer. He could be The Man on a team like Indiana (i.e. Danny Granger), but that team would almost certainly be Lottery-bound. Tay’s ceiling as far as being a top offensive option is more like Josh Smith’s, being the second-best guy on a borderline playoff team.
Rasheed Wallace (12.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.7 bpg) — With his size and multi-faceted skills, ‘Sheed has the tools to be The Man on a lot of teams, but he doesn’t seem to want that. He could have had a Kevin Garnett-like career as the #1 option on a flawed team for a number of years, but like KG, wouldn’t have seen much postseason success. (We saw this scenario play out during Wallace’s Portland stint.) You could argue that if you swapped him for Dirk Nowitzki that the Mavericks wouldn’t be that much worse. The same could go for ‘Sheed replacing Chris Bosh in Toronto. But like Prince, he realistically tops out as the second-best scorer on an on-the-cusp team; like David West with the Hornets or LaMarcus Aldridge with the Blazers.
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May 14th, 2008 at 11:08 am
yallallreadyknow says:
No. None of these guys would be “The Man” on another squad. That is not even a debate.
this team still needs a trade shakeup though. I think Joey D needs to trade one/two of his starters for some fresh blood.
they need new life; even tho they going to the ECF again.
How’s about rip ham & tay prince to houston for shane batt and tracy mc-g?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am
YOUNGFED says:
Wow I must rattled something at Dime all this Piston coverage. bout time yall respected the gods.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Detroit Dave says:
Hell no! T-Mac is fragile. He is a great player for 41 games and he is hurt the other 41 games. I will take consistent durable guys over an injury prone superstart anyday.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:19 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I agree they need to shake things up but why would you trade for T-mac? You want to get younger and fresher, not older and broken’ down.
What about Billups and Maxiell for Melo and Nene?
Billups is from Denver and looks like Detroit has their new PG in Stuck. Melo needs a change of scenery.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Damon says:
I don’t know about the dirk-sheed swap-
defensively, he is head and shoulders above dirk, no question. and he has as much talent offensively. but he isn’t the youngest guy, and he is as inconsistent as it gets, don’t think he would score dirks 22-25ppg.
and btw, why is sheed such an AWFUL rebounder? he is even worse than lamarcus aldridge who is always criticized here.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:27 am
yallallreadyknow says:
well…Tmac was just a suggestion. take it or leave it. moreover, the point being, i think they need to shake things up
how about trading rip to charlotte for jason richardson? or trading rasheed to laclips for elton brand?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Austin Burton says:
Once again … T-Mac isn’t any more “fragile” than Kobe. Look at the numbers. Not counting the lockout year, Kobe and T-Mac each have had 4 seasons where they played less than 70 games.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:45 am
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
Sheed could be a star if focused.
Chauncy most def.
Rip in the right system with a coach that knows his tendencies and how to use him.
Prince only on defense.
I don’t want Houston to trade T-Mac for anyone anyway. They can come play with T-Mac but not for.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:48 am
YOUNGFED says:
@post#7
The difference is Kobe got rings too prove he ain’t soft Austin.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:50 am
doc says:
They about to get broke up after Lebron dick them all over again.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
youdontknow says:
Rip can be a very solid 1 on 1 player when asked. His last season in Washington (his third) he put up 20 a night for a team (albeit a bad team) whose system was not at all like detroits.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
yallallreadyknow says:
damn…austin…there you go AGAIN.
always bringing up kobe when the topic is tmac.
STOP DOING THAT SHIT….IF U WANNA DEFEND TMAC, THEN DO SO WITHOUT MENTIONING KOBE. DAMMIT. COME OFF IT ALREADY….
May 14th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Austin Burton says:
Soft and being injured don’t go hand-in-hand, Youngfed. Would you say D-Wade is soft?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Austin Burton says:
@yall — The reason I do that is because everyone says T-Mac is fragile and always injured, and yet Kobe is all killer instinct and Iron Man. I can bring up other superstars who miss time as well if that makes you happier.
For example … Rasheed Wallace. 7-footer who could dominate inside but chooses to shoot threes and only averages 6 rebounds. And he has a habit of getting hurt in big games and taking himself out of the game when he gets frustrated. Soft? You could make a case.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
youdontknow just about anyone can be the man on a bad team.
I get what you was saying though.
Effectively he is being used much better and even recognized more for how and what he is doing in the detroit system and how the coach is using him base on what he is more comfortable doing.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
whatever austin
just stop using kobe when trying to defend tmac or vince. for my sake, use another baller.
…and if kobe missed 82 games the next two years, it still wont change the fact the TMAC is fragile.
moot point anyway
May 14th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
youdontknow says:
gee–
true, but still, he *was* the man. And that was only his third year, playing for a bad, but young, wizards team (and also remember that there was little love bt rip and jordan). Rip was also the star for Uconn’s 1999 championship team.
I sometimes think that rip’s non-flashy midrange game gets overlooked in comparison to CB and RW, even though rip has constantly been the piston’s go-to scorer (i believe he just passed Isaiah for 1st on the pistons all time playoff scoring list)
May 14th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
YOUNGFED says:
I wouldn’t say Wade is Soft, but Wade or Kobe don’t make excuse when they’re hurt like T-Mac soft ass. Better yet he ain’t T-mac no more from now on he’s “The Ball Player Formally Known As T-Mac” aka TBPFKAT. Pronounce That!
PS
Almost a good Come back AB.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Austin Burton says:
When has T-Mac made excuses when he’s hurt? Simply stating a fact (“I’m hurt”) isn’t excuse-making.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Hoffman says:
Austin,
I’m not sure what the theme of this post is.
Are you asking whether we believe the Pistons should be broken up?
If so, what’s the point of posting their stats and asking if they could be the man on another squad?
Why not give us some trade scenarios?
Just saying…
May 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
T-Mac has to get out of round 1 to prove he’s anything more than “mr glass”. What, he had 2 more surgeries after they got bounced? No thanks. AB= T-Mac appologist. Dont even mention T-Mac in the same sentence with Mamba. PLEASE.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
doc says:
AB let that man get out of round 1.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
cbizzle says:
Kobe is better than T-Mac. By a wide margin. Why are we even discussing this? I give T-Mac credit for playing (sometimes) through seeming constant injuries, but Kobe is better on both ends of the court. Period. End of discussion. T-Mac, I wouldn’t say he’s “soft”, but he definitely doesn’t have the mental toughness to will his team to victories that Kobe does.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
youdontknow granted he “was”, i guess if you want to say that.
Still who couldn’t be?
I get what you saying though.
BEHOLD!
You all ain’t just gone be doggin Mac in my grill like I ain’t here and ain’t gone say something.
First everyone calling T-Mac glass, and lame, and not out the first round …please get some new material. PLEASE. That ish is played and old.
Second plus not a lot can even be held in T’s regard currently cause Yao pulled up lame and he still willed his squad to playoffs and going pretty hard.
Third. The only thing you all can harp on about Mac , as said before, is the same ish. Get some bad numbers from T and holla at me. Hurt or not hurt he gives you numbers, plays D and does a lot with a little.
Fourth. I dare you to name a player playing currently that can’t be clowned on and has weaknesses.
Now back to our regular scheduled program.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Celts Fan says:
Should they break up the Pistons? I’d love it, but hell no they shouldn’t. They have the logical “next in line” at most positions already. They’re in GREAT shape to keep going and rolling in the young role players into larger roles. Let’s look at the backups/potential future replacements for each player.
Chauncey – Stuckey. He’s proven he’s a hell of a player these past few games, not that anyone needed to see it, but it’s nice to see it proven on this stage. The fact he didn’t make the All Rookie team over Jeff Green’s average ass is ridiculous.
Rip – Won’t need to be replaced soon, but it’d be Stuckey/Afflalo. Stuckey can play the 2 but looks like he’s the 1 of the future. Afflalo hasn’t shown much yet, but he can shoot and defend. He’s definitely got the potential, though he needs to prove he can meet it. Juan Dixon’s there too (though I don’t know for how long.)
Tayshaun – Just like Rip, won’t need to be replaced anytime soon, but they have guys like Jarvis (assuming they resign him, which I’d think they would) and Walter Hermann who could step in if he was to go down w/ an injury for an extended time.
Rasheed/McDyess – Maxiell – this guy will be a very productive starter in this league and has been extremely productive off the bench. (I know he’s been starting some, but since he’s so young, I’m putting him in the “future starter” category) Also, Amir Johnson has shown a ton of potential and has delivered in the limited minutes he actually sees.
In short, the Pistons are set up to contend for a LOOOOOONG time, and that’s not counting any other gems they may find in the draft.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Marbell says:
Question. Why do the Pistons need to shake things up? Consistently good with veterans and a group of young talented guys off the bench (plus whoever Joe D steals in the late draft this year).
What’s the gripe with the Pistons? Are you just tired of watching them?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
ash says:
this is the problem. sheed is never focused. he hasnt done it in 13 years, and he will never do it. thats the difference between an offensive talent like him and an offensive superstar like dirk. would sheed have come back from a high ankle sprain in 10 days? last i check, sheed dosent avg 26 and 12 as a CAREER playoff average like dirk. oh, and dirk is a much better shooter than sheed and has like 3more rebounds pg
May 14th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Sam I Am says:
KOBE IS SOFT !!!! GO AUSTIN !
May 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Sam I Am says:
for real for real ..Prince is like a softy who has his big brothers around him…
He would be dead in the water on some other team
May 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
cbizzle says:
But on the other topic, I like the angle that AB is taking. The Pistons are greatly predicated on the sum of their parts, so it’s interesting to think of how they would be in different situations. With that, Chauncey can play anywhere. I think Rip has added enough facets in his game to play elsewhere. Sheed, he CAN be the man, but the question is WILL he be the man? Tay is a glue guy, he’ll do any team a world of good. BTW, I wouldn’t take the Chauncey/Maxiell-Melo/Nene deal in a million years.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Sam I Am says:
Honestly this team was built and meant for each other…you can’t really see any of them functioning anywhere else now because of that consistency.
They would be lost
May 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Hoffman — The point is basically asking what would happen to the “Big Four” if you did break them up. I’m not for breaking up a team when they’re winning.
@Everyone else — Another person to consider for the “soft” and “fragile” argument: BARON DAVIS. Discuss…
May 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Sam I Am says:
Baron Davis is a broken player
May 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Celts Fan says:
Like you said Austin, injury prone and soft are 2 different things. Baron Davis’ may be made of paper mache (except of course in contract years) but he’s not soft imo.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@Austin #19
(”I’m hurt”) is an excuse when it always follows a bad game/loss.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Sam I Am says:
T-Mac is too cock eyed to see out the 1st round…
Baron is no good for a long term solution to a team…He’d be a MONSTER 6th man…just buckets off the bench points and points and clutch
May 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Damon says:
@ash
word.
the question with sheed is: can he even do it consistently?
good comparison to dirk and his playoff averages. so much for the playoff choker.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Gee, you can make up all the excuses in the world for Mac, bottom line-he’s always injured, never wins in the playoffs, never gives 100 percent and Houston will NEVER win ish with him as The Man.
He said himself he wants to retire soon and maybe try baseball. He just doesn’t have the passion for the game to be a champion.
I personally think Utah would have won that series even if they HAD Yao.
Balee Dat!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
hahns says:
they should not blow this up…theyve got a formula that works. six straight ecf?? and one chip? thats pretty damn good. they’re consistently at the top of the league and i dont think ANYONE wants to face them in a seven game series.
as everyone knows, front office responsibilities are to balance the need to build for the future and to contend now. i dont know what other gm has been more successful in this than joe dumars. he has truly built a TEAM instead of trying to get a superstar and spare parts around him- detroit is going to be relevant for a loooong time.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Austin Burton says:
T-Mac had 40 points, 10 boards and 5 assists in the elimination game, then had 29-5-5 in the previous game where Houston faced elimination. What else was he supposed to do? Get a triple-double? And since when are you in his head saying he does or doesn’t give 100 percent?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Celts Fan says:
Exactly Hahns. And people want to compare them to the 90′s Braves (tons of division titles, only 1 World Series title) but the fact of the matter is, you have to have a phenomenal front office to stay in contention that long, and they did get a chip. They may only end up with one for this string of contention, but “only one” is nothing to laugh at.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
hahns says:
i think everyone knocking players for not getting out of the first round is unfair (kg, melo, tmac). those 3 players led teams that were, for the most part, far inferior to the teams they were matched up w/ round one. although there are definitely exceptions, like when mac was up 3-1 against detroit and when melo was matched up w/ the clips, for the most part, they were just on teams that werent good enough to make it past the first round. its not always their fault.
given that, i do agree that mac is fragile. after all the injuries, back spasms- hes not the same player he was when he was killin it in orlando. his jumper is too flat, hes so exhausted during games that he walks down the court on defense and offense…and shot 20.8% 3pt in the playoffs…hes just not the talent he once was.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Ok he’s a scoring machine. Great. Have you EVER seen T-Mac play tough D? He is always going in slow motion. A guy with his size and athleticism should be locking people up getting steals and blocks.
And didn’t disappear all together in the 4th quarter TWICE in that series?
Yeah, superstar!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@Austin #40
PUT UP 80PTS LIKE KOBE DID. Ok Austin what about the game when he said he didn’t have any thing left. Yall posted the article half the site was screamin’ he soft. So as the saying goes “If enough people say the same thing about you it’s probably some truth in it.”
May 14th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Austin Burton says:
Kevin Garnett: ZERO points in the fourth quarter in his last game. And who was guarding him? Anderson Varejao? Yeah superstar!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
Max while you are still waiting on T to get out the first round..
Max I am still waiting on you to give some number?
Max I am still waiting on you to give yourrrr favorite player?
Max I am still waiting on you to come up with new “true” material.
Yes T has played tough D, he was actually used for D before he ever got really “known” for his offense. Him playing D is how he got on the court.
If slow motion gives you his numbers then get your turtle on.
Kg and Ray all have disappeard and Duncan has had scores of 5 and 10. So who doesn’t have moments of trouble?
I ain’t saying he dont’ have his problems, but I am saying don’t make it like dude is garbage.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
K Dizzle says:
Baron Davis? Ouch. After a 82 game played season? Stop it, AB! Kobe? Maybe Wade, but he’s not perceived as soft either. Only Vince has the right stuff for the comparison.
The best thing about comparin the two is when T-Mac and Orlando were up 3-1 and Mac was spewin all that junk about “finally gettin to the 2nd round” then Baron took over. Series over
May 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
DaPro says:
Sheed has the tools but not the drive. He is passionate about the game but not passionate about the other bs that comes with being an NBA player.
I can’t sit back and let T-Mac get called out again. He’s not soft but he doesn’t have the same “I got something to prove” mindset as Kobe.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
1st its M O X not Max. 2nd who the Eff is talking about KG? Why do you always bring up someone not in the conversation to defend your weak argument?
3rd KG and Duncan are in Round 2!
4th Tmac may have used to be known for D, but he sure isn’t now.
Don’t take this personal fellas, Mcgrady is overrated and a lifetime under achiever.He is a great scorer and very talented. It seems like he is always hurt and/or nursing an injury. Its just my opinion- that’s why were here.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
still waiting….
May 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
And my fav player is Kobe
May 14th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
Ok Mox my bad on the name
still waiting on bad numbers? still waiting on your favorite player?
I wasn’t talking about who is in the 2nd round I am talking about them not scoring in the 4th to combat your weak statemts.
So basically no you going back saying he was known for D where as before you question has he “ever” played D.
So that means you didn’t know right?
You are right it’s just everyone’s opinion and I am just stating mine.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@Dapro and Gee and AB
T-Mac is a cake boy, straight-up cookies and icecream.
“Pink cookie in a plastic bag gettin’ crushed by a buildin”-LL Cool J.
And Dapro good call on Sheed.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
Kobe! Man please you act as if he hasn’t had his troubles that the WORLD can’t harp on pimpin.
I ain’t saying Kobe is wack at all he is one of my favorites. Still I can easily find a whole bunch of things about him in game and out that are bad. That don’t make him less of the star he is.
Same with Mac, yea he got his troubles but dude still gives numbers and is #1 not 2 or 3 option on a team.
Still waiting for bad numbers from T by the way.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@MOX #51
It’s the god K-Hova not Kobe. ..lol
May 14th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
LOL Young no new material huh. Ok. Funny though.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Ok my bad Gee, Mac used to play D like 10 years ago with Toronto.
And KG and Duncan still chane the game on D even if they aren’t gettin off on O in the 4th.
Now what?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@GEE
Sorry cuzin but K-HOVA is FLAWLESS dude.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
DaPro says:
I will say that injuries have taken somewhat of a toll on Mac. But he plays D, I don’t see him getting killed.
I think if anybody that wasn’t feeling Mac before the Utah series watched the actual games you would know he left it out there. It was more than numbers, you saw his all around game and desire.
If you didn’t see it- ya blind baby, ya blind to fact
May 14th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Sam I Am says:
KG went to the Western Conference Finals
May 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
yoda says:
well, first, i think that billups would do best in some other team now, when hes proven. but it seems that most of readers forget that he changed too many teams before joining pistons.
second, i don’t think t-mac is that much more fragile then kobe. but i belive that kobes edge over t-mac is mental toughness and will to do all he can to win. for example, t-mac has same problems every year. granted, they are probably chronic, but t-mac is same every year. while kobe does everything in post season he can to to fix that, or to adjust. remeber when he hurt his right fist, and spent days shooting with his left hand? or when he bulked up to play forward and be stronger? then next year, slimed down to be great 2. plus, i have a feeling that kobe slashes more, drives more, post up more and bags up more then t-mac, and i think that while 4-5 years ago both played similar style, t-mac changed, couse his body cant keep up.
so i don’t think t-mac is soft when hes on court and that hes more fragile then kobe in start, but i think hes not doing everything he can do off court to fix all those things. guess geting up at 4-5am to start working up payed off for kobe. only one i can compare him with is malone.
as for b-diddy..if he trimmed down his weight when he was rookie or year after that, he wouldn’t be as injured as he is right now.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
What bad numbers are you waiting for? I said dude can score at will.
He’s just made of glass and can’t get out of round 1.
I’m surprised you support him so hard. My homies reppin H-town can’t stand Mac! Ha ha
Fed- don’t start! Lol
May 14th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Lee says:
Jeez … stop stop saying any NBA player is soft. Do you know how many hours they have to train, practice, lift waits, run to make it to the league ??? Did anyone else here make the NBA. Has anyone of you played in a playoff game ?? So maybe you’re all soft for not putting the hours in. You don’t have the mental toughness to even make the league.
So shut your pussy mouth up !!!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
DaPro says:
I don’t really see the starting 5 on the D being #1 options elsewhere especially at this stage in their careers
I could see Stuckey being Chauncy replacement
Maxiel playing Big Ben with better offensive
Tay is still pretty young and RIP plays the type of game that will allow him to play for the distance like Reggie
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Lee, you’re retarded bro!
No one here said we were better than these dudes.
Were obviously comparing them to other NBA stars.
You’re out of your element!!
Please don’t post that nonsense here again!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Sam I Am says:
Man for real it should 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 at times…cause A LOT of these dudes on squads CAN NOT ball…they are just filling roster spots…
DAMN LUKE WALTON….there are soft players in the league…BAMA players who are role players in the sense they take on the role of running upcourt and down court and getting dunked on
May 14th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Sam I Am says:
I’m sorry about that..I just don’t like Luke Walton…lol..
starting 5 is nice
May 14th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
T MAC says:
It’s a joke reading so and so is soft from people leading average lives, doing average jobs. When you’re considered 1 of the top people in the WORLD at doing what you do, and you never have a bad day, come post that you think so and so is soft because you’ll be able to judge them better.
Peace out
May 14th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Lee, posting as T-Mac is soft.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
GEE...I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass says:
Mox in the last games they lost I didn’t see Duncan or KG changing the game on D?
Also mind you T-Mac is what 75 percent of the offense at least. He still plays D better than most at his position.
As to him being made of glass and cant get out of round 1. True on the out of 1st round and yea he is injured alot, thanks that was new information. LOL
Mox I am loyal to a fault, but dudes on here was just bashin him so I had to come to pimpin’s defense.
YOUNG we know Kobe is flawless in your eyes and your enchantment with him. LOL
DaPro love the “Ya blind baby, Ya blind to the fact…that you can’t see what I can see.”
Lee dang you went hard lol.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Juanito says:
Looking back at the Darko draft, even though getting him was a terribly shitty pick for Detroit, imagine what could have happened had they drafted other top-tier picks:
Melo: would have killed any type of chemistry that would eventually form between the Pistons and probably forced Tayshaun off the team.
Wade: May have been a good pick for Detroit, but his development would have been limited by being buried on Larry Brown’s bench,plus his game doesn’t complement this offense the way Rip’s does…
Bosh: Probably the best option (can you imagine him added to this squad? scary..) but may have prevented the mid-season trade for Sheed
All in all, it probably worked out the best it possibly could have given the circumstances. A shitty pick taking Darko? Yes, but considering the fact that it was followed by so much success it can’t be considered in the Sam Bowie, Andrew Bogut pantheon of crappy high draft selections…
May 14th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Austin Burton says:
Another guy to consider is Chris Kaman from the ’03 Class. He was more NBA-ready than Darko and would have been a harmless, effective backup center to Ben Wallace. On top of that, you could have been used Kaman at times in a big lineup of Kaman (C), Ben (PF), Sheed (SF), Prince (SG) and Billups (PG).
May 14th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Juanito says:
AB –
Good point…and what a hell of a lineup they would have today with him in the mix. Double post threat with Sheed and Kaman down low…who do you double team down on the block?
May 14th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Kudabeen says:
Great Bill Simmons piece (Too Funny). If I was a Celt’s fan I’d shutter at the possibility of its accuracy
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080514
May 14th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
doc says:
The funny thing about this T-Back situation is yall are never gonna have that satisfying game where T gets the critics off his back.He’s just one of them good players the great ones destroy on their way to a deep playoff run.FUck numbers Austin he could have 40, 80, or 2 but he wont get the win.And thats what reps are made of.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Tim says:
It would be mad crazy to see any of these pistons in other uniforms now….it would be like a bad dream.
Sheed has consistently said he doesn’t want to be the Man…
and to whomever was talking about swapping him for Dirk…is he as focused in the playoffs? probably not…he might not score as many points….but I didn’t see Dirk get 7 blocks in one game, or have as many blocks himself as the opposing team had for the series (see the 76ers). Nor have I ever seen Dirk actually play in the post as consistent as Sheed with consistent results…if Dirk doesn’t hit his jump shots, he’s a non factor. Sheed can bring more. Steals, Blocks, Boards, Passing.
and as Charles Barkley put it…if Sheed wanted to be the BEST player in the league…bar none…he could be…he doesn’t want that attention though. All he wants is to win.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Damon says:
sheed can bring more? well, only blocks and steals.dirk destroys him on the boards and in passing.
and playing in the post?yeah, if he ever did that.
barkley talked BS here, everybody laughed about that.
he couldn’t even be the best PF in the league.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
ash says:
why is there a notion that u have to play on the blocks.
dirk is better at shooting jumpers than sheed will ever be on the blocks in his life. the numbers prove it. dude has a 26 and 12 career avg in the playoffs, who gives a f if its on the block or from 20 ft.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Ian says:
maybeeee billups
none of the others not even a debate
and please forget the sheed if he is focus crap
he never is
May 15th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Steve M says:
I think the Pistons need a true “Superstar”. Granted, there aren’t many out there and they’d have to trade at least 2 of their top 5 to get one so it wouldn’t make sense to do a deal. In the playoffs you need “that guy”. The player who can take over a game like Kobe, Duncan, or LeBron. The Pistons have a player with that type of talent in Rasheed but we all know he doesn’t have that mentality.