And now what?
The Detroit Pistons were supposed to play in June again this year. They were the ones predicted to come out of the junior varsity Eastern Conference. And to most everyone’s knowledge they would have given the San Antonio Spurs a much better run than the Cleveland Cavaliers. But a funny thing happened along the way. The funny thing was LeBron James, who did a Dwyane Wade (of last year’s NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks) and took them out in six games to send them home to golf and to fish.
One might say it was overconfidence, which could be true because it seemed as if the Pistons were playing at half speed while the Cavs were in constant overdrive. But that may also be in part because of the younger and fresher legs on the Cleveland squad. Or the Pistons, unlike in times past, just simply lost their killer instinct. Let’s not forget the 3-0 lead they had on the upstart Chicago Bulls. That series should have been over in four games, but it went to six. For all of the weapons that the Bulls had, they just didn’t have a Wade or a James to take over the game.
Or maybe it was the coaching and the lack of respect it seems is coming from the players. It’s becoming common to see forward Rasheed Wallace being disrespectful to his team or to his coach at the most crucial of times. Sure, it’s great to play with venom and with fire and with a burning intensity. But when you start to cross the line and continue to be volatile and unbridled and become an object of technical fouls and game throw-outs, you have to know you’re letting your team down.
General manager and Hall-of-Famer Joe Dumars quickly hosed any and all thoughts of Flip Saunders‘ dismissal. I’m sure there were more than a few moans, groans and sighs of dismay coming from the brethren in the locker room. Former Pistons center and current Bull Ben Wallace wasn’t at all pleased with the way Saunders called and made adjustments in games. And he wasn’t the only one although last year he was the only Piston to express frustration in the way that things were done in public.
What happens now? Well, you can almost squash all of the Rasheed-going-to-the-Knicks rumors too as Dumars declared ‘Sheed was the team’s most consistent player during the postseason. So the fantasy of having the volatile one suiting up under the bright lights of the Garden in NYC, are just that – a mere fantasy. Besides… Does anyone actually think that Dumars would help his former teammate and fellow Hall-of-Famer Isiah Thomas get better at his expense. Moves like that cost bosses their jobs.
The Pistons have to get younger and sleeker up front. Although Tayshaun Prince is the real deal, they have to figure out what to do with Nazr Mohammed after signing him to a long-term deal. And most importantly, what’s going to happen with former All-Star Chris Webber? Free agent Chauncey Billups will most certainly be back as Dumars said, “We will not handle Billups the way we handled (Ben) Wallace last year.”
We’ll see. Stay tuned.
set Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
yeah right….good job with rick carlilse and ben wallace,,,,what vision
Nick Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
Ok well that story basically told me everything I already knew…
Mihajlo Moncilovich Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
As brilliant as Dumas has been, there are two key players he made mistakes with. He should have re-signed Memo instead of allowing him to go to Utah and he should have never taken Milicic over Carmelo, Wade, Bosh or even Kaman. I wish he would just come out and admit that he blew it with that pick. Can you imagine the Pistons today with Memo at center (ala Bill Laimbeer) Carmelo or Bosh and Tayshaun at the wings with Billups and Hamilton in the backcourt? Of course you could keep Rasheed in the rotation but you wouldn’t have to rely on him so heavily. Just like every other team in the league, they could use another big, athletic, all-around player up front.
Dj Quest Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
BReak up the team. They need to get younger pronto, ship Rasheed anywhere and try to get vaule in some young guy who wants to play…
The team first concept is cool until someone has to hit a shot down the stretch. Having no go-to player is not working.. SP has Duncan…
Davey Dave Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Get rid of Mohammed, Webber, Wallace, Murray, Hunter, McDysse. Get all rookie players…younger….need to get younger fresher legs. Why would you keep getting these old players that cant defend and keep up.
Juice Jones Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
If I was coach of the pistons I would look for a low seed such as memphis, boston, ect. and try to trade Rasheed before draft night. You could get a solid scorer, a draft pick, and probably free salary cap room. With the pick they could get an immediate impact big man, and they would still have the 15th pick to draft a back up point guard or shooting guard. If you think about the Pistons, one weakness that comes to mind is they have no TRUE back-up for Chaunce Billups(who may not be a piston next season), but then they have no back-up shooting guard for Rip Hamilton, so you move up to small forward there’s no replacement for Tayshaun Prince, then the powerforward position is loaded with Sheed Wallace, Antonio Mcdysee, Chris Webber, and Jason Maxiell. Then the only TRUE center they have is sadly Nazi Muhammod. If it were up to me I’d look to get rid of Rasheed, who has no respect for his teamates or the Pistons organization and look to off Nazi Muhammod’s massive contract. That’s my 2 cents. Joe Dumars has his work cut out for him this season. He can B.S. around with draft picks like he has in the past…Darko, Amir Johnson(we have no idea how good he is he’s done great in the few games he’s played), but the problem is he will draft a player and as soon as they show improvement, he trades them. Amir Johnson looks to be a promising talent, but hasn’t had the chance to prove himself. Tayshaun only got 1 chance and he took it and ran with it…where would he be if he wouldn’t of had a hot game that night in the playoffs?
Carl Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
I think there are only two options for the pistons, rebuild now or rebuild later. If they choose to rebuild now the only viable options are to trade rasheed for young bigs or even better sign a trade chauncey for players that are complementary to rip and tayshaun. These option though may risk the team not being able to reach the playoffs next season. Like lose now and maybe win later. This team intact may reach the playoffs next year buy never past the second round again. Trade them now while their value is still high. If they rebuild later it’s most probable that they would reach the playoffs next season (not the NBA champs again though) but may end up not being able to when rasheed and chauncey become untradable high salary veterans. The only thing that is common in these options is to keep rip and allow him to do what he does. Give more ops to tayshaun to give him a chance to prove that the pistons did not make a mistake passing up carmelo anthony!!!!!!!!!!! Was rooting for the pistons to win over the cavs and spurs this year to give sheed another ring and webber one. Sorry Cwebb, but although i am a real fan they gotta sign you cheap next season if they choose to rebuild. Webb can teach a lot to young bigs….
Carl Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 11:44 pm
They might not be abk eh
Carl Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 11:47 pm
They might not be able to rebuild when they rebuild later could risk chauncey being an untradable high salary veteran. Trade him while he’s hot!!!
Carl Said,
June 20, 2007 @ 11:55 pm
……… able to rebuild when they rebuild later could risk chauncey being an untradable high salary veteran. Trade him while he’s hot!!!
derek Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 12:06 am
the obvious solution is to get younger. the problem with this is that you lose experience by trading aging players for younger, fresher legs. billups at point seems like a no-brainer to keep. the point runs the team and is the position where experience matters most in my opinion. get rid of ’sheed. while he was “most consistent,” that isn’t saying a whole lot for a team with a starting lineup where any single player could be the player of the game. the pistons have the most balanced starting lineup in the league. this is not necessary. winning teams like the spurs win with two or three good-great players and unselfish role players. keep billups and prince. prince will thrive anywhere, especially with a lengthened role. trade ’sheed and/or hamilton in a package deal for marion.
Andrew Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Flip Saunders is a perennial loser. He is not the type of coach that has what it takes to go all the way. What has he proven while coaching in the NBA? His resume pales in comparison to many coaches currently on the unemployment line. Flips Saunders has what it takes to succeed in the regular season but he is not one of the elite coaches that has what it takes to win in the post season. The Pistons should have brushed aside the Cavalies and it is a travesty that Flip Saunders allowed a rookie picked in the second round to torch him for several games in that series. Lebron getting his points is excusable, but Daniel Gibson??? The Spurs quickly humbled this kid in their series, and Flip was a Lindsey Hunter substitution away from doing the same. No coach is perfect, but Flip Saunders has a problem adjusting to the rigors of playoff basketball. The Pistons are a team with a roster that will make them contenders for the next couple of years, the powers that be should realize this and equip them with a coach who has what it takes to go all the way.
deemar Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 5:48 am
i know they been consistently making conf. finals but they won one championship against the lakers, only because lakers had major chemistry problems. they are crap and i bet you they will be out in the second round next season after stuggling to get out of the first.
Zane from London Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 6:08 am
Dumars has the right idea, keep the ship steady and don’t panic. They don’t need to make major moves in the roster, they are a very good team and figure to be at the top of a weak East again next season.
The meltdown at playoff time has to be disconcerting to Dumars, 2 years in a row. After all, this is a playoff-hardened team of players. Flip’s struggles at playoff time are well known, he couldn’t get Minnesota out of the first round for 7 consecutive years. It wouldn’t exactly inspire great confidence in Dumars come playoff time.
Flip seems to have the team peaking at the wrong time, it’s the same pattern as in his days with Minnesota - peaking in the regular season, and tanking in the playoffs. He didn’t make the correct adjustments defensively against Cleveland or Chicago. If I were Dumars I’d be keeping my ear to the ground for a playoff-tested coach.
Rasheed’s outbursts can be frustrating, but he plays with emotion and passion and the rest of the team feeds off it, and he gives them an identity. They definately need to keep Webber and Billups.
Luke Gibbons Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Ok I know nothing to do with this conversation but eaqually important. The Kobe Saga!! I’ve come up with various solutions.
1. Trade him to the Suns for Shawn Marion (the Lakers desperatly need some sort of rebounding pressance), Marcus Banks (Yet again with the PG problems all year with Smush they can pick up Banks who can run the offense and defend!), and finally the Sun’s Draft Pick with is No. 29 and pick up a good young player.
As for the Pistons they have to look to scrap the roster and start clean around Prince, Billups & Hamilton. Trade Rasheed to any team that can offer any decent players or contracts. You may say the Knicks are off but they could offer, Channing Frye-Jamal Crawford-Nate Robinson for Rasheed-Jason Maxiell, I believe a good trade for both teams!!!
Kielbasadox Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Rasheed’s outbursts is not entertaining at all, tried of seeing most of the Pistons complaining to to ref’s as the the next play is already in progress for an easy score. I agree that change should be slowly filtered. Billups needs to be moved this year, ( Sign & Trade). McDyess next season & then Wallace the following season. insert youth & skill for the future
Charles Six Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 9:02 am
Darko was a mistake but(!) Carmello told Joe D that he only wanted to play for a team if he was the man and then refused to even visit the Pistons. The Pistons might not have won the Chimp with that guy. And nobody had D-Wade or Bosh in the top 3; most had D-Wade between 5-12.
Also it was a choice between Sheed and Memo; Memo dissapeared in the playoffs in the WCF while Sheed was Detroit’s best player. He made the right pick there.
Robert Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 10:19 am
I agree largely with Carl. Sheed has got to go but Joe D. will not say it publicly, to the contrary when he buids Sheed up in the media he’s trying to sustain his value. If teams knew that Joe D. had had it with Wallace he would get worse offers for him. As for Chauncey, he’s the one with the ball the past two post-seasons when we got bogged down. he controls the tempo and is already starting to look and play old. i mean where’s the aggression and the competitive fire that we saw a few years ago when the Pistons were known as fighters wheh their backs were against the wall. This year when Cleveland really went at Chauncet hard, he didn’t fight back. His too cool attitude is part of the problem. Solutions: Trade Sheed to NY for Starbury and Frye. Sign and Trade Chauncey to Portland for Zach Randolph and Jarrett Jack. We still have veteran captains RIP and TAY. Starting five would be : Starbury, RIP, TAY, Randolph, and Fry. Jack at backup point groomed for future.(Lindsey thanks but it’s time to retire) Rodney Stuckey backup wing. Max and Amir 1st bigs off the bench. Dyess will be situational sub, veteran stability when needed etc. marbury fluorished under Saunders in Minny so that lineup is potent. Slashers, back to the basket scoring, penetrators, shooters, and leapers.
Trae Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 10:24 am
Tell me something that we don’t know. I think that same article has been written dozens of times…
M D Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 10:45 am
As a Raptor fan…i think its wonderful that we stole Delfino from the pistons for a couple of draft picks…Dumars is highly over rated as a GM, he is not addressing the locker room issues and his scouting is garbage
Antoine Joubert Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
As a long, long-time Pistons fan, it pains me to admit the obvious–that this team simply quit in the playoffs two years in a row. And in both cases it was Big Time quitting. In 2006, the Pistons looked weak against the Cavs and then just died with the Heat. A disgrace, really. And then they did the exact same thing with the Bulls and then Cavs this year. These were not great teams they faced. It was definitely a case of the Pistons beating the Pistons. Is it Flip? Is it Chauncey (as he DRAGS the ball up court each time)? The team looks absolutely bored and blase in the playoffs. I’ve never really seen anything like it for such long stretches. It almost seems that they’ve all bet on the other team. I just HATE IT! I’ll root for any team or player that fights, but I’m over this team except for McDyess and maybe Tay. And, no, Rasheed, tantrums aren’t the same thing as a passion for winning. Sadly, they need to break this team up, even though they set the standard for teamwork and good energy a few years ago.
Dustin Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
As a Raptors fan, I think MD will be disappointed with Delfino and his chronic inconsistency in the long run, but good luck with that. Dumars’ late first round selections of Prince and Maxiell coupled with hidden gems like Amir Johnson (garnering a ton of attention from other GMs, much like Cheick Samb) and Mehmet Okur (also a 2nd round pick) go to prove that Dumars is certainly NOT over rated. Considering the success they’ve had over the past five years, I’d argue that the Pistons scouting staff is much better than garbage. This article told me absolutely nothing I haven’t been saying for months now. To be honest, I think most of your comments exemplify just why most people would never make it as general managers in pro sports. Things being said like “scrap the roster”, “Get all rookie players” and “Trade [Billups] while he’s hot!” are good examples that some of you are either crazy or dumb. Rebuilding is for losers, plain and simple. Teams that struggle to improve on a yearly basis need to rebuild, but teams that make five consecutive conference championship series need to fine tune. The notion of scrapping the team for inexperienced rookies is funny. We all, as NBA fans, know that the turnover rate of talent in pro basketball is enormous and even the most highly touted of prospects can turn out to be garbage. To build around “younger, fresher legs” means we’ll be able to out run teams like the Bobcats while we’re getting pounded by teams like the Nets, Bulls and Cavs. And to trade Chauncey Billups, regardless of the fact his playoff performance was downright disgusting at times, would be the worst mistake Joe D could make, far eclipsing his decision to draft Darko at #2. The Pistons’ ONE championship to show for their success is a lot more than most teams have to show for the last five seasons, we’re just spoiled as Detroit basketball fans because we (as the team seems to do at times) assume we’ll have a free pass deep into the playoffs on talent alone. The Bulls series and the Cavs series served as wake up calls that we can’t snooze our way past teams we’re better than EVEN IF we take a 3-0 series lead. Everybody needs to get off Sheed’s back already! He plays with more heart than some teams have collectively!! Props to Zane from London and Charles Six for saying something worth agreeing with.
al davis Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
The Pistons need 2 new starters & 5 new players with vigor. Leadership all opver is needed, plus a push it hard to rim mentality.
justin Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
No One is going to give up a decent player and a first rounder for rasheed, except maybe the cavs to get out of hughes’ terrible contract and to acquire a playoff performer. but that will never happen because they are upper teir in the same conference
Ron Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
What is with all the talk of blowing the team up? Changes do have to be made but we can win with this core intact. Also, this team is definitely not too old, let me remind all of you that the Spurs are not only the champions, but the oldest team in the league too. We have become the Lakers of 04, thinking we can just turn it on when we have to, which under the current salary cap constraints almost never works. I am all for getting Marion in a Detroit uniform next season, but Kerr already called Dumars and wanted Sheed and Tayshaun or Rip, plus both our first round pics, which is just too high a price to pay. If we do get Marion for the right price it will be before July 1, because the Suns want cap relief and that would be the date to give them some relief this season too. With Sheed gone who would be the answer at PF? We have good PFs but no one with Sheed’s creds, and let me remind you we are not at the point that we have to rebuild just yet, rather we merely have to retool. In the 03 draft no one would have passed on Darko at the number 2 spot and all of you experts on here are speaking in hindsight. If it was so easy to be a GM how come the league isn’t just complete parity, you always take a chance on any player you acquire, because you just don’t know what the future holds. Len Bias or Sam Bowie anyone? Part of the equasion is always luck. And to the guy who wants Marbury in the starting 5, “What are you a retard?”, the guys a selfish cancer and winning runs from him everywhere he goes, plus have you seen his cap number? If Sheed does get traded where should he go? I like Sheed to New York for David Lee and Jamal Crawford. Lee is a rebounding machine and Crawford gives us a really nice 3 guard rotation al la Thomas, Dumars, and Vinnie Johnson. Lee and Maxiell at the PF position gives us a nice 1, 2 combo and some room to manuver, Mohammed and a 2nd rd pick to Atlanta for Pachulia, McDyess to the Bucks for Dan Gadzuric, and sign Grant Hill as Tays backup which gives you a possible starting 5 of Pachulia, Lee, Tay, Rip, and Chauncy, with Gadzuric, Maxiell , Hill, Crawford, and Murray, who’s trade bait at the deadline for something we need, plus don’t forget our 2 1st rd picks I still have saved, but this is all just my pipe dream for the rotooling of the Pistons. What do you think?
Ron Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Here’s another question. Is the starting 5 really the problem? What if we acquired some quality bench depth? Maybe trade for a Josh Smith in Atlanta, I know he’s kinda a risk but he’s still on his rookie deal for 1 or 2 seasons, not sure about that, but he’s not a costly risk. Then maybe we can do a sign and trade for Jerry Stackhouse and maybe get rid of Nazr, because Dallas will need a center if Dampier is still out when the season starts after shoulder surgery. Then we still have some money to play with and we can trade some of the guys who don’t fit the sysyem to address orther bench depth needs.
Ron Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
We only need a decent defensive center for the starting 5. Weber was not the answer with his Downey soft defense. Then we address bench depth. We can still win with 4 of the starting 5 back and a clutch player off the bench.
Ron Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
You can keep Delfino! He was not a good fit for our system, though a change of scenery may do him good. We need Delfino like you need to find a better starting PF. By the way Bosh is the player I regret passing on in 03, he would’ve been awesome here and not had to play with a bunch of losers, but that’s hindsight for you.
tim evans Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 10:25 pm
FACT WHEN JOE TRADED DARKO TO ORLANDO HE ADMITTED
IT WAS A MISTAKE AND IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON.
Clay Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
I don’t know where the love affair for Joe Dumars comes from, he has missed out on so many good draft picks from not just the best draft in over 10 years the 2003 draft where he missed out on Carmelo, Bosh, Wade, and don’t forget Josh Howard he didn’t get because of Carlos Delfino & every time I think about that draft I get sick to my stomach, Pistons could have been a dynasty but NO!!! we have Joe who always trying to out-think-the-room & now he looks like an idiot & he could have had Richard Jefferson in the 2001 draft but he picks Rodney White, I bet Joe Dumars didn’t even bring Carmelo, Bosh, Wade, Josh Howard or even Richard Jefferson to work them out, but I tell you this Joe & the Pistons won’t get me upset again & to any Piston fan please don’t fall for it again, where Joe lets all-star players go like Ben Wallace & Mehmet Okur & have press conferences with patch work player who just hanging on in the league by their finger nails…So now the Pistons have Rasheed Wallace who’s rep is so bad that when he takes off his warm ups he gets a technical, and now trying to re-sign Chauncey Billups who thinks he is so cool that he’s the “Fonz” from Happy Days & every point guard in the league blows right by him at will, and to Tayshaun Prince supposedly a great defensive player but after Dwayne Wade dunked on him 10 times in one game, Tayshaun is not even close to being an average defensive player, and to Richard Hamilton he is not a smart player he can’t create his own shot he is a turnover machine…So Joe Dumars thanks for making my favorite team the Atlanta Braves, just a one title wonder & a bunch of eastern conference final visits a.k.a. the JV eastern conference.
Mihajlo Moncilovich Said,
June 21, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
Luke what are you thinking? If Kobe gets traded, he goes far away from his division and preferably out of the conference. The only team that has a shot is Chicago. Banks CANNOT run to the corner store let alone an NBA team! Phoenix has been actively trying to dump him on anyone who would take him, for free! Nothing in return, please just take him! He couldn’t run a team in Boston, Minnesota or Phoenix!
Marion will be extremely difficult to move because he is delusional! He is the third best player in Phoenix but sincerely believes he has been slighted by not winning MVP! The guy is going to demand a max extension which will cost someone $17 mil for five years. Never gonna happen for a guy that cannot create off the dribble, pass or a mid-range game or jumpshot. He can run and dunk and that is about all.
Patrick Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 7:17 am
It behooves me that you think that we in NY are stupid. If Isiah is to trade Frye, Robinson and Crawford for Rasheed then he would be run out of town. There is more pressure playing in NY than in Detroit; how frequently do you think Rasheed would be heckled if he is to explode at all calls from the refs? Also, he is older and won’t make the Knicks any better, especially when he thrown out of an important game because of technicals. With two first round picks for Curry, NY won’t be digging holes to fill holes any more.
NY would, however, trade Steve Francis and Jerome James for the 11 pick from Atlanta. NY would also pay part of the outgoing salaries, but NY can’t trade young guys with potential for Rasheed and his uncontrollable attitude.
joey Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 10:01 am
uhh that guy that said get rid of mcdyess hes crazy, mcdyess and hunter are our backup
SIC Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 10:11 am
ya’ll call urself pistons fans when ur sitting here trashin them..rasheed wallace is still a very valuable player and chauncey is the heart and soul of that team..cbillz still ranks in the top 3 point guards in the league hes smart…has experience in the playoffs and is a very good player still….ya’ll gotta stop trashin joey d rasheed and cbillz…they have gone to 5 straight eastern conference finals…ya they only have 1 championship out of it and had a couple of disappointing seasons they r still the favourites in the east even over cleveland….show some respect..and u guys call urselves pistons fans
MotorCityIcon Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 10:22 am
I strongly believe trading Delfino was a precursor to a much bigger trade that will go down before or during the draft. If by chance nothing does happen, at least salaries were reduced so we could start integrating some of our young talent (Amir Johnson for example) into our rotation. I definitely expect Webber not to be there next year. McDyess will probably leave for greener pastures on a west coast team, and Sheed - well my thought on Sheed is he helped win us one championship but cost us two.
The only piece of the puzzle I’d say is off limits is Rip. Coming off curls, setting strong picks, Hamilton can be a force. But his game is contingent on guys who don’t mind being physical and opening up the lane for him to work his magic. Too many times this year i saw our bigs floating around the perimeter instead of setting strong screens.
Finally, as for Billups - I dont’ think he’ll come back and to be honest, I don’t know if I’d want him back. He’s always reminded me of a 2 playing the 1 instead of a pure 1. I want a distributor on the Pistons, not a shoot first pass second starter.
Maxx Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 10:27 am
I have to say Joe Dumars has done a great job as Pistons President. With that being said. What has he done for the team lately? We can go back as far as the Rodney White debacle that this organization as screw up, terribly on there draft picks. That year they could have traded up to get Joe Johnson or stayed where they was and picked Richard Jefferson. But, they drafted a one dimensional player with no “D”,. Then they cover up there mistake with Tayshaun Prince. So Joe has been very suspect in drafting players. We all know about the Darko mess, because I thought all along Chris Bosh would have been a better pickup, and he did work out for the Pistons, but they was entralled with the next Dirk Nowitski, see what he done for the Mav’s.
But, the state of the Pistons is in total disarray. You have dessention in the ranks and no true superstar. But the main problem with the pistons is Joe Dumars stubborness. He has brought us a championship and that’s great. But, what have you done lately? You get on the radio, trying to affirm to yourself that no major moves are needed. Joe has gone nuts. First, Rasheed Wallace has to go. New york is in need of someone to help out on the frontline and Sheed fits the bill. A trade of Channing Frye, nate robinson, jamal crawford, Jerome James, and Renaldo Balkman. For Sheed and Nazr Muhammed. Then I would trade Rip Hamilton to Dallas for Jason Terry and draft Considerations. Then Tayshaun to Atlanta for Josh Smith and Sheldon Williams. This way you get younger and you get a new start for your coach because the veterans are not playing hard or listening to him. So get younger talent with your experience assistant coaches to tutor them and show them how to win, because this crew we have has been to the top and apparently have settle for that.
You have Jerome James, Antonio McDyess at center
Sheldon Williams,Channing Frye, Jason Maxiel, and Amir Johnson at PF
Josh Smith at small forward, with Renaldo Balkman
Jamal crawford, similar to Rip but is younger.
and Jason Terry and Nate at PG.
I would not resign Chaucey, I may be open to have Flip Murray resign and I would start in motion a rebuiding projects I can build around. We all are talking about the San Antonio Dynasty. But we forget to mention there core three was all drafted by there parent team. Formula Championship in motion, with 3 core players you can circumvent the cap, by constanly resigning them with out taking a hit, due to the Larry Bird rules and having the right to match any offer by any team. So Tim Duncan, max contract, he lock up. Manu Giniboli, draft pick. Sign him long term. Get the idea. And the steal of the past decade Tony Parker, draft pick. You can resign him and still have money to get other players yearly with the mid-level or the veterans minimum.
Joe, Joe, Joe, give it up and break up this mess you have created.
aaron die-hard detroit fan Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
billups play and coaching adjustments are to blame . the spurs can go and went ten players deep to win championship those players are rotated ..joe dumars gives sanders the people and talent and they never get playing time because the coach does not want to upset the starters . the coach leaves them in and dale davis, anir johnson sit on the bench and rot they need someone who can drive the lane and another shot blocker no penetration is involved in the offense all those assistant coaches
Ken Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
Gonna be nice seeing C-Bill in that No. 1 Bucks Jersey next year!
Detroit Sam Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Flip has to go! Flip has to go! Flip has to go! Flip has to Go! Flip has to Go! He cant coach this team in the playoffs. They wont get back to the Ship with him.
Sheed has to go
Webber has to go
Dyess has to go
Mohammod has to go
Hunter has to go
Murray has to go
They dont need experience…Cleveland didnt have experience…just fresh young players.
Detroit Sam Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
They should have never drafted Miliwack. Should have taken Carmelo.
Should not have gotten rid of Okur.
James Jones Said,
June 22, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
Mihajlo Moncilovich, we could not have kept Memo and Sheed. We did not have bird rights on Memo and we were over the cap. It was re-sign sheed and let memo go or sign memo let sheed go. 3 years ago which one would you have picked? I would have gone with sheed after just winning a title with him.
Joe’s not that dumb… Well after darko though I guess Joe is capable of anything. I still don’t see what they saw. The kid is still a gump, but I guess he’s still only 21 but I don’t think he’s going to be anything special.
Alexis Kreps Said,
June 23, 2007 @ 1:09 am
Get rid of flip Nuff said
Carl Said,
June 23, 2007 @ 1:25 am
I agree with Robert on trading Chauncey for Webster and Randolph but I think they gotta trade a big along with Chauncey to make the deal happen. On the other trade suggestion however, I don’t think that the Knicks would trade two players (Starbury and Frye) for just Rasheed. I think the Knicks might agree to a one to one trade Starbury for Rasheed. Not too sold out on the idea though. I don’t think that Starbury would work well with Rip and Tayshaun. They need a real PG like pass first shoot later guard. Like any of you guys got any idea of PG of this nature available? I say this because I think that Rip needs to be the primary option, Tay or Randolph (if they get him) second, a defensive center or PF, and a real PG to make the offense fluid.
Carl Said,
June 23, 2007 @ 1:29 am
Another thing, I think Frye and Randolph up front would make the Pistons a rebounding nightmare!!! Teams with players good in picking up garbage points would kill them!!!!
serch Said,
June 23, 2007 @ 11:48 am
JOE-D made a mistake when he let DELFINO go. This kid was young and had major up-side. For the life of me I don’t understand why he let him go! If was to bring in Grant Hill, that makes me scratch my head because we need to get YOUNG. I have been a piston fan for 23 years now and I have major respect for JOE but I have to admit he made a real mistake with leting the RAPTORS rape us!
James R Said,
June 23, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
Trade Rasheed for Rashard Lewis in a sign and trade to Seattle. Two players with similar attitudes and playing ability but Rashard is younger. I don’t care if they have Prince, it’ll make them a faster team like the Suns which will help Flip seem like a better coach. Then find a way to trade Chris Webber and/or McDyess for a high draft pick and backup pg help. The draft pick can be used for a big man who can help at center and Billups will be resinged but needs better help because he’s getting old and will have health problems at some point during the next contract period.
Carl Said,
June 24, 2007 @ 4:08 am
Rasheed for Rashard? It will never happen….. Just imagine yourself to Seattle…. What upside do I get getting Rasheed for Rashard??? Trading Cwebb and Mcdyess???? Like who would want to trade potentials for aging highly paid veterans that are considering retirement??? Give a bit of respect to the other teams to make think of options close to reality!!!
Steve Said,
June 24, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
I say they let Billups go off to the BUCKS offer the BUCKs Rip and there first round pick(s) for Redd because the BUCKS just have to know Billups will run there offense but need Rip to stop the Point guards.
Redd is a clutch performer and younger then Billups so him and Prince could team up for years to come and keep Sheed until his contract expires because he can still shoot the ball for a big and shut down some of the best bigs in the league . Then i would go out and grab a PG like maybe Mo Williams or try to trade for Luke Ridnor or grab one in the draft if you dont give up both picks to BUCKS.
I really think Sheed , Redd and Prince could take the PISTONS just as far as this current team did (Eastern Conference Finals ) while getting younger and a better score then either Billups or Rip .
Steve Said,
June 24, 2007 @ 9:44 pm
Another one i would do is
Corey Maggette Sam Cassell , Clips first round pick this year and next year (Cassell contract expires after this season ) for Billups and Rip both teams are helped out that way Pistons get a guy who can create his own shot , a young guy like Acie Law , and get to spend money next summer to see where they need improvements while still making the playoffs this year .
Rip ,Billups and Brand and now a tradeable piece in Mobley would really go places .
Steve Said,
June 24, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
Basically if Billups goes Rip has to has as well and i think they should get rid of the pair a young already proven Atheltic scorer . Make them good now and possibly great later .
scott Said,
June 25, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
yeah right pistons would have been foolish to resign memo for that kind of money he got. one question what did he do in the playoffs? exactly next ben is overpaid like nonother. the only probl;em joe dumars has done id sign nazr and not takin one of them superstars in the draft but now we might get a stud in rdney stuckley in return. deeeeeeeeeeeetroit basketballllllll
Bobby Said,
June 26, 2007 @ 9:30 am
Why havent the Pistons been mentioned when it comes to rumor trades with kg? I think joe d needs to get in their an start making offers. re-sign billups, then make a trade of nazr,flip,and a first and second rd pick for kg. thats a great deal for both teams. minnesota would get rid of kg, gain a center, and a great backup for their team in flip. detroit gains in the one place we’ve needed help in since we won the title… a solid defensive player who can score. and he’s an all-star who can score down the stretch. that will take pressure off of sheed on the offensive end freeing him up and making him a dominate second option bigman. think about billups rip prince sheed and kg as a starting lineup…with maxiel mcdysse hunter amir johnson, and whatever we score in the draft comming off the bench!
yeah Said,
June 30, 2007 @ 6:00 am
Webber is done
basketball Said,
June 30, 2007 @ 6:01 am
The Pistons were still the best team in the east last season, aside from one bad week in the postseason. They shouldn’t break the team up yet
cheap viagra Said,
October 17, 2007 @ 11:04 am
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