Big ben is a Big loss! Will the pistons be back amongst the contenders without him or is thier day in the sun over?
They'll be one of the top 3 or 4 teams in East, but it's gonna be awhile before they reach Finals again. In 2-3 years they'll be in rebuilding mode.
Same as Nitro said, they will be a top 3 or 4 team in the East. I don't really see them as a good enough team to win the championship but they could return to the ECF next year. My money is on Chicago to play Miami though.
I think they might struggle, thier offense is spared by thier defense and ben was a big part of that. i'm thinking 7 -8 seed in the east. Rip will be the most affected by the departure of his massive screen.
They may be worse but remember how good they were last season? With Flip's coaching and a little better offense with Nazr and Murray they should at least do well in the regular season.
The Pistons are very underrated in my opinion. I think that with the additions, and the guys that have been there before they are still a contender. Ben will be missed on defense, but this opens up more oppurtunities on offense. They have a good solid bench with McDyess and Flip being the main part of the bench. Chauncey Billups will be an MVP candidate this season again, and the Pistons will be in the running.
I think that they have a chance to make it to the eastern conference finals if they dont have to play the heat to get there. IMO, the heat are the only team that can take them out. The pistons have chemistry, and experience in the playoffs and I think that will pay off for them. The bulls are just too young IMO.
I think we'll do just fine - we've made some fine additions to our roster this off-season, and I think it'll work out for the best. Yes, Ben was an enourmous loss to the Pistons - we've lost the face of our city, and our team - Hard working, blue-collar athlete; but we can come back in different ways - after all, the NBA is like the NHL; Offense is thriving right now, and Ben was a huge offensive liability; the Pistons will have a totally new offensive identity to them - and it's not like our defense is horrible now that Ben is gone; we still have some of the top defenders in the league - the only player on our line up that's somewhat weak on defense is Nazr Mohammed; hopefully that can change.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ReppinTheD @ Jul 28 2006, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think we'll do just fine - we've made some fine additions to our roster this off-season, and I think it'll work out for the best. Yes, Ben was an enourmous loss to the Pistons - we've lost the face of our city, and our team - Hard working, blue-collar athlete; but we can come back in different ways - after all, the NBA is like the NHL; Offense is thriving right now, and Ben was a huge offensive liability; the Pistons will have a totally new offensive identity to them - and it's not like our defense is horrible now that Ben is gone; we still have some of the top defenders in the league - the only player on our line up that's somewhat weak on defense is Nazr Mohammed; hopefully that can change.</div>Nazr isnt that weak on defense. He can get some blocked shots. And I think that once he is playing on detroit, he will blend right in with the team and play better defense. It will be expected of him so i see him making that transition.
Some of you guys dont give Nazr a chance to prove himself before bashing him, he has a good body for a C, decent interior defense, and back to the basket game...I dont think Big Ben leaving will have a negative impact on the Pistons, they will be on top of the East or 2nd from the top come playoff time this season.
Yes. They still have a great defensive team because everyone in their starting lineup besides Nazr are great defenders imo. They have talented offensive players like Sheed, Tayshaun, Rip, and Chauncey and they could get some bench help from Dice, Flip Murray, and others. So I think they're definately still in it. They were the best team, record wise last season, and they lose one player and all of the sudden they are completely out of it. I don't buy that at all. Other guys will step up. I'm looking for Rip to have a big year.
Ben Wallace was one of those five guys that got the Pistons to the Finals twice, and to the ECF another, and a title. I don't think Nazr will be able to replace him. Especially mentally. Nazr does not the hair, the persona, the intimidation that Ben Wallace has. However, on the flip side, if they had signed Ben, it would have been a big long-term contract, which would bog down their efforts later on to bring in new guys (which they'll need to, as their starting five isn't going to get any younger). So, I think they made the best of a bad situation, conceding Ben, yet getting back a decent center in Nazr, and also Flip Murray.
They are still one of the best teams in the league rite now with Billps and Rips chemistry,Prince is the future all-star of the team,Sheed and Dice Playoff experience. They are still in the running.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MosDefinitely @ Jul 29 2006, 02:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I dont think Big Ben leaving will have a negative impact on the Pistons, they will be on top of the East or 2nd from the top come playoff time this season.</div>Of course it will have a negative impact, we lost our starting center, our big man with a big heart and big plays on D. But we did replace him well with Nazr, and McDyess stepped up late last season.Pistons will win the Central, as Chicago will have chemestry issues, and Gooden for the Cavs, who won't be back, will be missed badly.
Ben Wallace made up for defensive mistakes by closing in on a shooter. I don't see the same thing with Nazr. Detroit is still the second best team in the east but they will lose again to Miami.
