Where are the Pistons this year?Well they are certainly not the flop everyone said they would be without Big Ben. While so far they have not been the totally dominating force they have been in previous years, they are still winning (alot) and still leading the conferance.How are they doing this? Well the same way they have always done it, Defense, hardwork and teamwork. I really admire the work ethic the Pistons have always shown and really think that most other teams should take a good look at thier example! What to like about the PistonsDefense! They are 8th in points against, 5th in opp fg% 8th in RPG (which considering they lost thier #1 rebounder is awesome) 4th in BPG (same goes). Aside from the stats which doesn't always tell the full story, they Help out alot. In the dictionary under teamwork is a picture of the pistons defense! Seriously though they are one of the best defensive outfits in the NBA.Teamwork and Disipline! Simply put I dont think there is another team that works together more than the Pistons. I never thought I would say this about a team with Rasheed Wallace in it but this team is the most disaplined team in the L. They turn the ball over less than any other team a mere 12.13 per game, add that to the 3rd fewest fouls per game and you have a team that doesn't give its opponents any easy buckets. The Fact that 4 pistons made it as all stars last season is no mistake- they all deserved it and there is a good chance they will have 3 again this year. thier Gaurds are IMO the best 1-2 combo in the L. Rip is the best since Reggie at running off screens and Billups game compliments that perfectly. He distributes well is one of the better defensive points out there. Between the two of them you also have probably the cluthiest gaurd combo in the L.Dont forget their Bigs, the fact they get so many block per game is a great indicator that these big fellars manage to help out on D and do it well. The Pistons have the best record in the east and there is no reason to think that they wont continue to win and make it back to the finals where they belong. People hardly ever mention the Pistons as contenders I think that might be cos they are in the East and because they haven't won 15 in a row, they have no marquee star (like but make no mistake they are well and truly a team to watch. They dont have the burden of being the favourites or defending champs, this makes them especially dangerous. I love thier work ethic and thier no fuss attitude. haha thier fans here seem to be the same too. :happy0144:
oo Clangus - I didn't know you were a Piston's admirer - I like this very much.That's a great write up btw - and hopefully the Pistons will reclaim themselves after the all star break as truly the no.1 team in the east. We're struggling right now - and hopefully after the first half of the season we can rest our starters and hopefully Nazr feels at home because we need him to win that championship.
As a Wizards fan, I respect the Detroit Pistons tremendously. I truly believe that they will make it to the NBA Finals this year. Whether they win the championship, I don't know. It depends which team wins the Western Conference Finals. Detroit is the only scary team in the East. They have four guys that can kill you offensively any day of the week. Even without Big Ben, they have so much leadership from Billups, Sheed, and the other good veterans like McDyess and Hunter.Teams like Chicago or Cleveland just don't have the leadership or mental strength to get that deep into the playoffs. Detroit has experienced this several years in a row, and these two teams have just started to become semi-dominant.
Good work Clangus, I agree.Zards, I think that Miami is still scary. DWade and Shaq, when both healthy, can knock out anyone in the league. But their problems are:1. They are aging2. Injuries3. They don't play that great of defense4. Chemistry. Everyone needs the ball, but there is only one ball.If all of that goes well in the playoffs, then they still would be the favorites to win it. But, as of now, Detroit is on top, and they do need some respect.
Shaq is done. Everyone knows it by now. When healthy, he is limited to a role player. Wade is also extremely fragile. Miami has trouble beating teams that are much better than them, as well (with the exception of last year's Finals). Miami might even have trouble getting just 50 wins this year.
One thing I forgot to mention that is great about Detroit as a team is that the BEAT the team they are supposed to beat! That is another rare thing in the L Most teams lose to the crap teams (due to a lack of focusIMO) Detroit doesn't!
I'd like to add the emergance of the bench in the past month. I feel we have a complete bench once Lindsey comes back, one that is top 5 for sure.It's a great mix of Vets and young players, and not one aspect of the game goes unnoticed.Energy-MaxiellDale freaking DavisLindsey Hunter3-pt shot-HunterDelfinoMid-Range Game-MaxiellMurrayMcDyessDriving-DelfinoMurrayHunterRebounding-McDyessMaxiell (Offensive)Dale DavisInterior D-Davis MaxiellMcDyessOn Ball D-HunterDelfinoBeast in the Paint-MaxiellDavisThe list goes on and on and on. Only weakness I see is our FT shooting. Flip, Mcdyess, Maxiell, and Davis all shoot under 70% Hunter at 75%. Our only consistant one is Delfino at 85. We need to make these easy points. Especially our bigs because they love to get dirty inside. Especially Maxiell. He could get 14 a game if he hit 80% of his foul shotsThis is what I want to see off the bench in the P-offs.Murray- 15 minsMaxiell- 20 minsMcdyess- 20 MinsDelfino-20 MinsDavis- 10 MinsHunter-10 MinsBlalock- 10 Mins
[quote name='Zards' post='245502' date='Jan 2 2007, 09:15 PM']Shaq is done. Everyone knows it by now. When healthy, he is limited to a role player.[/quote]Stop underestimating Shaq. He's obviously on the decline we all know, blah blah, but to call him a role player is just dumb. He's still a top 5 center. Still draws double teams, opens things up for other players, and brings tremendous leadership and experience as well.[quote name='Zards' post='245502' date='Jan 2 2007, 09:15 PM']Wade is also extremely fragile.[/quote]He's had his nicks and nacks here and there, but I wouldn't call him extremely fragile. He'll be there during crunchtime.[quote name='Zards' post='245502' date='Jan 2 2007, 09:15 PM']Miami has trouble beating teams that are much better than them, as well (with the exception of last year's Finals).[/quote]Well no sh*t. When your second best player is out with an injury and starting PG has missed more than half the season thus far, you're going to struggle against the top notch teams.[quote name='Zards' post='245502' date='Jan 2 2007, 09:15 PM']Miami might even have trouble getting just 50 wins this year.[/quote]We may, we may not. As long as everyone is healthy by the time playoffs comes around, it really isn't going to matter.All in all, we have the experience and we have the weapons, including a top 3 superstar player in Wade. When healthy, we can beat ANY team in this league, let alone the East. To say Detroit is the only scary team in the East is just naive...thanks for noticing what we did last year with almost the exact same roster.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>To say Detroit is the only scary team in the East is just naive...thanks for noticing what we did last year with almost the exact same roster.</div>I agree. Miami is still scary when shaq and wade are both playing. Shaq may be on the decline but he is still great. Both Detroit and Miami will be scary when Shaq is back. But right now detroit is the only scary team in the east.
