Greg Anthony brought this up during NBA Coast-To-Coast last night and I immediately though, no way. But when I thought about it for about for a good 30 seconds, I'd personally say they are up there. They are not the best starting five ever, but they are certainly up there in my opinion. This starting five doesn't have any holes. They got size, athleticism, speed, attitude, shooting, rebounding, defense, penetration, experience, clutch and most importantly they are very unselfish. There is nothing that this starting five can't do. They?re offense for the most part would be questioned but that?s obviously due to their coach not believing in them and scripting every offense play. But now they have an offense coach they show what they can do on that end of the floor where they were questioned so much. I won?t even get to the defense because everyone knows where they stand right there. This group has already won a ring and made it back to the finals the following year. However another ring would solidify them as one of thee best starting five's ever in my opinion, but w/o that extra ring do you consider them as one of thee best? And for the record if they had a much stronger bench, I'd say they are probably one of thee best teams ever. But that's a different story...Just give your thoughts on the initial question.
There lineup is really good, they could be atleast in the top 10 in "the best starting lineups ever" But if they want to stop any time, they gotta improve there bench, no one can stop them..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CrazyArtest:</div><div class="quote_post">There lineup is really good, they could be atleast in the top 10 in "the best starting lineups ever" If they improve there bench, no one can stop them..</div> Starting lineups! Those are the people that come out and start the game, not come off of the bench. The bench has nothing to do with the starting lineup. They have a great starting line-up yes. The Bulls, The Celtics, and The Lakers dynasty lineups are still better though. They can be up their if this lineup gets 70 wins this year.
Thomas, Dumars, Rodman, Sally, and Lambier isn't to shabby either. That would be a good 7 game series to watch.
The Pistons have an allstar calibre player at every position. Looking at the Kings' starting 5 you could probably say the same thing, the only difference is that the Pistons have better chemisty and team defense. I would say that they are the best starting 5 of all time. I know that someone is going to come in and say that they shouldn't have lost to the Spurs if they are the best. I would counter that the Spurs bench played a big role in that series.
I strongly disagree. Don't you think the current Spurs starting five is as good or better? And that's a team in the same season. Sure, they look great because they don't have one superstar that carries the team; but maybe that's what makes some starting lineups great. The best teams have role players and one or two stars, the Pistons right now kind of look like a team of extremely good role players. I mean, they really couldn't match up to Bird's teams, Magic's teams, MJ's teams and IMO the current Spurs team. Top 10? Very possible. Top 5? I'm not so sure. Like Avery said, another ring will solidify it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting H.ayes:</div><div class="quote_post">I strongly disagree. Don't you think the current Spurs starting five is as good or better? And that's a team in the same season. Sure, they look great because they don't have one superstar that carries the team; but maybe that's what makes some starting lineups great. The best teams have role players and one or two stars, the Pistons right now kind of look like a team of extremely good role players. I mean, they really couldn't match up to Bird's teams, Magic's teams, MJ's teams and IMO the current Spurs team. Top 10? Very possible. Top 5? I'm not so sure. Like Avery said, another ring will solidify it.</div> Considering guys like Rasho and Bowen aren't top players at their position no. The Spurs have a superstar big man with two good other scorers in Parker and Manu. It's not nearly as balenced as the Pistons group. Pistons have a top 10 player at every position. With Billups and big Ben being top 3 at their position. You can argue Tayshaun Prince is top 5 at SF as well. We will never know If the current Pistons could match up to any of the great teams in the past but how can you say the current Pistons can't match up to the current Spurs? the Pistons were 5 minutes away from back to back titles. Had they had homecourt in game 7 they likely could of won. There's a reason It went to 7 games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Considering guys like Rasho and Bowen aren't top players at their position no. The Spurs have a superstar big man with two good other scorers in Parker and Manu. It's not nearly as balenced as the Pistons group. Pistons have a top 10 player at every position. With Billups and big Ben being top 3 at their position. You can argue Tayshaun Prince is top 5 at SF as well. We will never know If the current Pistons could match up to any of the great teams in the past but how can you say the current Pistons can't match up to the current Spurs? the Pistons were 5 minutes away from back to back titles. Had they had homecourt in game 7 they likely could of won. There's a reason It went to 7 games.</div> You say we will never know how they match up, but didn't that Spurs squad beat them last year in the Finals?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Considering guys like Rasho and Bowen aren't top players at their position no. The Spurs have a superstar big man with two good other scorers in Parker and Manu. It's not nearly as balenced as the Pistons group. Pistons have a top 10 player at every position. With Billups and big Ben being top 3 at their position.</div> Agreed. Rasho/Nazr and Bowen just don't make the cut. But the fact they have a superstar in Duncan onvershadows that. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">With Billups and big Ben being top 3 at their position. You can argue Tayshaun Prince is top 5 at SF as well.</div> Eh. I don't know about that one. The way I see it, he might be a Top 10. If so, he barley makes the Top 10. (No Order) 1. Ron Artest 2. Corey Magette 3. Richard Jefferson 4. LeBron James 5. Shawn Marion 6. Carmelo Anthony 7. Paul Pierce <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You say we will never know how they match up, but didn't that Spurs squad beat them last year in the Finals?</div> Yeah. But there are some twists this time around. Like Tony Parker emerging as an elite PG and Billups on the other hand as a bonafied elite PG. Then you have the Pistons new offense but the Spurs counter back with guys like Finley and Van Exel. So I really don't know where they stand right now head-to-head. Nut what I do know is that if htey do me again in the Finals(most likely) it's not going to be the same series. Who will win? I don't know, but it's going to be a lot more interesting and surprisngly even more competitive now that both teams got more scoring and things of that nature.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting H.ayes:</div><div class="quote_post">You say we will never know how they match up, but didn't that Spurs squad beat them last year in the Finals?</div> You really need to read my post again I said we will never know how the Pistons would match up with these past great teams such as the Celtics, Lakers, Bulls...hell even the back to back champion Pistons from the early 90's. The Spurs however, the Pistons have proved they match-up well with S.A and given them problems. Robert Horry is one of the main reasons why the Pistons aren't still the defending champions. That and homecourt, those two factors decided the finals. The two teams were that close in talent, team-work and chemistry. The Pistons are clearly the best team in the league at this stage. The Spurs still havn't got going but that will change come playoff time for sure. The Pistons and Spurs will likely go through a long tough series If they meet again which is what I expect to happen.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Robert Horry is one of the main reasons why the Pistons aren't still the defending champions.</div> I don't understand that part. If it was Horry's first time making that type of shot or if it was an half court shot which is pure luck, then I would understand. But Horry has done this so many times, that it's almost expected from him now a days. I'm not saying your using that as an excuse but I think that's irrelevant just as much as Heat fans say the only reason why the Pistons got pass the Heat was because Wade was injured. Injuries are part of the game, so that's not excuse just how Horry hitting big shots is part of his game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't understand that part. If it was Horry's first time making that type of shot or if it was an half court shot which is pure luck, then I would understand. But Horry has done this so many times, that it's almost expected from him now a days. I'm not saying your using that as an excuse but I think that's irrelevant just as much as Heat fans say the only reason why the Pistons got pass the Heat was because Wade was injured. Injuries are part of the game, so that's not excuse just how Horry hitting big shots is part of his game.</div> If Pistons guarded Horry on the inbound the Pistons likely wouldn't of lost that game. I'm also not talking just about the shot. Horry had a huge game and came alive in the 4th and OT by scoring 16 points. He came up huge but the Pistons didn't give him enough respect for some reason. The other deciding factor was the dunk Horry had which should of been an offensive foul but wasn't called. I don't see how me saying "If It wasn't for Horry" is some how wrong. He was left open and made the Pistons pay. He and homecourt advantage was the difference in that series..no? afterall the two teams were and are still balenced that those two things were all that mattered when deciding the finals. Which is a credit to both teams and what they have on their rosters.
Sorry but no way.. Okay, if you had to create an "all-time" defensive team, wouldnt it go something like... Russell Rodman Pippen Jordan Payton ? I'd say that team is certainly close Now notice how 3 of those guys were in the Bulls' starting lineup :|
