<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Time since the beginning of the 2003-2004 season. The departure of the franchise’s face, starting center Ben Wallace, has left a gapping hole in the middle of the Pistons defense. If Detroit wasn’t fully committed to scoring more last season they will have no choice this season. Here is how the roster breaks down and what each position will need to do in order to keep the Pistons on top. Point Guard Starter: Chauncey Billups Reserves: Lindsey Hunter, Flip Murray, Alex Acker, Will Blalock What to Expect: Chauncey Billups is entering a contract year, he has a player option that he likely will not exercise next off season. That gives Billups even more motivation to perform this season, which could be a nightmare for opposing point guards. Expect the point guard spot to be used similar to last season. Billups will create early and score late. Saunders will use Hunter as a defensive sparkplug and Murray for instant O. Billups will also share the court at times with both Hunter or Murray in a two point guard backcourt. Blalock or Acker most likely will make the regular season roster, Acker has the inside track with his strong summer league showing. Biggest Change: Flip Murray, while Murray will see time at both guard spots, he brings the bench dribble penetration and offensive talents missing at the back up point guard spot in years past. Murray also brings good size at the 1, leaving Detroit with three large bodies to use on defense. He struggled in the 2nd round playoff series against Detroit, but now with his role defined as a scorer expect him to rebound to numbers similar to those he had as a reserve in Seattle. Danger Zone: The bench has all the tools to provide great energy and spot scoring, there is however no one individual capable of providing starter consistency should Billups go down. The unit is made to compliment Chauncey’s all around game, not to supplant it if Billups misses time. Saunders will have do to a good job of managing Billups minutes to keep him healthy and fresh all season. Shooting Guard Starter: Rip Hamilton Reserves: Flip Murray, Carlos Delfino, Ronald Dupree What to Expect: Little will change at the 2 guard next season. Gone is Mo Evans, here is Ronald Dupree and Flip Murray. With rumors flying about Carlos Delfino heading to Europe the biggest change may be off the bench. Hamilton will still play over 30 minutes a game and get the most shots on the team. Murray will most likely be the first man off the bench at either guard spot, creating a solid three man rotation. Dupree will be used at 2 and 3, primarily for athleticism on the glass and in the fast break. The biggest question will be Delfino, if he plays it will change the rotation at both the 2 and the 3. Biggest Change: More depth. Even with the possible departure of Delfino the Pistons will have 5 or more players that can play the 2 guard coming off their bench. Danger Zone: While Detroit will have added depth they do not have a player on their bench, aside from maybe Delfino, that can have the offense ran through him like Hamilton. Hamilton’s constant movement combined with his length is irreplaceable inside of the Piston’s offense. Just like last season Detroit will have to reinvent its offense when Hamilton hits the pine. Small Forward Starter: Tayshaun Prince Reserves: Carlose Delfino, Ronald Dupree, Amir Johnson What to Expect: Expect more from Tayshaun Prince. Tayshaun had a solid year last year, but this season he will see time at both forward spots. Flip Saunders should run more plays for Tayshaun to exploit the daily mismatch he presents. Again the bench is not settled at the 3, Carlos Delfino is the obvious choice to pick up the added minutes. If he skips town Detroit will be left with playing Hamilton some at the 3 and Dupree as the primary backup. Biggest Change: More ball reversal and called plays for the small forward. With Ben Wallace not playing center the Pistons will be able to exploit more areas of the court. Detroit’s predicable two man game with perimeter players and Rasheed Wallace should give way to more balance offense. The small forward will be the benefactor of easier baskets. Danger Zone: Carlos Delfino’s absence. His role on the team allows for Detroit to be much more versatile in the 2,3, and 4 positions. Without Delfino, Tayshaun will not be able to play as versatile role in the offense. Delfino is the only bench player at the 3 with scoring potential. Detroit will need to convince Delfino that his role on the team is an important one with good minutes. Power Forward Starter: Rasheed Wallace Reserves: Antonio McDyess, Jason Maxiell, Tayshaun Prince What to Expect: Rasheed Wallace’s disappearing act in the 2006 playoffs lead many to believe the wrong Wallace is on this seasons roster. Rasheed will be counted on to counter losing the best interior defense combo in NBA history. Antonio McDyess will play more minutes this season that in years past, as Rasheed will slide over to the 5 on many occasions. Jason Maxiell had a disappointing summer league, especially from a rebounding standpoint, he will have to prove his distracters wrong in order to earn any regular playing time. Tayshaun Prince for the first time in his career could see sparse minutes at the power forward when match ups allow. Biggest Change: The 3 man rotation played at power forward and center over the past 3 season will become a 4 or maybe even 5 man rotation. Rasheed Wallace will be the only big to play more than 30 minutes per contest. Also the possibility of Tayshaun Prince sliding to the 4 when opposing teams go small is a new wrinkle. When the Mavericks use Josh Howard at 4, or this season when Indiana does the same with Al Harrington, it should provide Flip Saunders with opportunities for Tayshaun Prince at the 4 if he should choose to take them. Danger Zone: Detroit’s calling card over the past 3 seasons, interior defense, will now be a big question mark. This roster lacks that great help side interior player they had in Ben Wallace. That could lead to many frustrating nights for the combustible Rasheed Wallace on the inside. Detroit will need to find a new identity on defense now that they lost their security blanket in Big Ben. Center Starter: Nazr Mohammed Reserves: Dale Davis, Rasheed Wallace What to Expect: Expect more scoring from the center to start. Nazr Mohammed will never demand a lot of attention in the post, but he is a significantly better finisher than Ben Wallace. Nazr has averaged double figures in scoring in just over 25 minutes per game before in his career. Detroit’s season will hinge on his ability to provide the needed scoring to make up for the defensive lose of Ben Wallace. Also Dale Davis’s role will increase greatly from last season. He will be counted on to provide a big body and get tough rebounds. Rasheed Wallace will also see 5 to 10 minutes a game at the center position. Biggest Change: It goes without saying the lose of Ben Wallace will change the very philosophy of the Detroit Pistons. Gone will be the highlight blocks, the swooping rebounds, the arena uplifting intensity, and the ability to erase defensive mistakes made by perimeter defenders. In its place will be a unit of journeymen who will have to do what Ben could not in order to keep the team competitive. They will need to score intelligently and make free throws. Not in mass quantity, but finish their opportunities, and create more room for the guards by being an offensive threat. Danger Zone: Depth and Let down. Detroit is only one injury away from having only one true center on their team. These guys shouldn’t be called on to replace Ben Wallace, they should be counted on to add a new dynamic to a team trying to evolve with new league rules catering towards offense. Unfortunately for them Ben Wallace was the heart of a team that made deep playoff runs and won a championship in the past three season. Fans are used to a certain type of man in the paint and reality will set in the first time the defense breaks down for an easy dunk. The tough task of making fans and teammates play on without Ben Wallace will be made easier if the center does the dirty work and they win. NOTE: Amir Johnson may be the most intriguing player on the Detroit roster. At 6’10 he can play 3, 4, and even 5 with good quickness and incredible athleticism. He is only 19. Don’t be surprised if Detroit gives him a chance during to preseason to earn a role on the regular season roster.</div> Source A nice article I came across on RealGM, quite a good read I thought.
