What do you guys think? I think this might actually help the Pistons. Ben was a cancer in the playoffs, IMO. He complained about Flip Saunders to cause a distraction. They will still have good defense because Tayshaun, Rip and Sheed are still there, but it allows them to put a more offensive Antonio McDyess into the starting lineup. Their only problem is depth at PF/C. Sure they are starting to get old, but they still have great chemistry and great defense, a little more offense is going to do them a lot of good. It could be addition by subtraction.
I agree with you, this move isnt that bad, and thats not me just trying to put a positive spin on this, because it really isnt that bad. Ben is only getting older, I'd much rather see him off now, after 5 great seasons with the team, than to see him on our team in 3 years time, a 35 year old, considerably worse than he is now (he has already started to delcline as of late) and stuck on a huge contract he doesent deserve. As I said in the Bulls forum, all good things must come to an end, Ben wasnt going to be with us forever, it just so happened he decided to end his career with us earlier than expected. I think this is also good, because it now means we can start to build a team for the future.
I don't know, I was always felt Ben was the main piece for keeping this team together and inspiring them to play defense. The fact Detroit didn't get anything in return for him is a blow to their roster. Also dumping Darko for cheap could come back to haunt the Pistons. The only reason they traded Darko for an expiring contract was to sign Big Ben. Rasheed Wallace will have to be a 20/10 player for them next year.
I think alot of people (including me) overreacted by him leaving...it isnt all that bad now that ive thought about it. Joe D is smart for not paying any more money for what we originally offered because then he would of been overpayed like crazy. Its more Ben's loss then ours anyway. He could of spent the rest of his career in Detroit, got his jersey retired and been an icon but now he will be disrespected by us most likely for the rest of his career.
over-reacting is an understatement. You all acting like he dumped you and slept with your best friend.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">over-reacting is an understatement. You all acting like he dumped you and slept with your best friend.</div> Some people you mean, I didnt overeact once. I wouldnt say we dumped Darko dirt cheap either, we gained a furthur $8,000,000 in cap room, and a first round pick (which will probally be somewhere around 12-18) in next years tipped to be stacked draft, or with the option of taking it in 2008 which is also tipped to be a stacked draft.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">over-reacting is an understatement. You all acting like he dumped you and slept with your best friend.</div> Shut the hell up man. You dont know what its like to have your favorite player growing up leave. Just **** off if your gonna come in here like that
Then why do you completley turn on your so called favorite player? Saying that he didn't really mean much to your team.. etc. He did what most athletes would do and take the biggest contract available. Which team wants you the most. And what kind of team would fit him the best. Like others have mentioned, Flip is a offensive coach, Wallace didn't really like that, Skiles on the other hand is a defensive minded coach and doesn't take anybody that doesn't give it all on the court. But, I understand what you mean and why you guys are pissed that he left. I would be too if MJ left, which he did a lot, but then came back and then left for the Wizards, but he was in his 40's then.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slpnsld23:</div><div class="quote_post">Shut the hell up man. You dont know what its like to have your favorite player growing up leave. Just **** off if your gonna come in here like that</div> want a tissue?
