I was thinking about Detroit this season. And I am shocked, just shocked, because for me (and I am sure not only for me) they SUCK. I tought this trade (AI for Billups) would only help them, because they were missing that superstar. But right now, AI is not helping at all, maybe he is even killing this team... Dumard would love to get Billups back. They are 24-18, owning 2nd spot in Central Division and 5th spot in the Eastern Conference. What suprises me, is they only score 93 ppg, which is ridiculous. They give up only 93 a game, but their defense is not longer that great. They even once had a 5 game losing streak, as I remember they lost to teams like Wolves, Thunder..... And now tell me what is going on with AI? I understand he isn't used to play 35 minutes a game, but he has been NON FACTOR. Since comming to Detroit he has been averaging 17.7 ppg shooting 42% from the field and 28% from deep. Is he injured, or what? Because I won't belive he is done. Do you think guys they wil start to play better, in the 2nd half of the season, or they will just have another decent season? Because right now I don't even see them winning in the 1st round against ANY team in the East.
I dont think anything is wrong with him, its just that hes not shooting 22-25 shots a game. I cant believe he shot 28 shots a game when he averaged 32 that one year. Hes not a good team player..
I also thought the trade was good. But is clear that they should have kept Chauncey. The Pistons won a Championship when they traded for Rasheed Wallace. Rasheed is also the reason they have not won another Championship since then. Sheed is simply too unselfish on offense. If he was aggressive that team would of won more than 1 championship.
Why trade their PG when the acquisition of AI created a logjam at SG with Rip Hamilton still being extremely solid and Stucky waiting in the wings?
The Pistons weren't talented enough to be a contender before the Billups/AI trade and they aren't afterwards. But the chemistry of the players is worse with AI. He doesn't fit there at all and Dumars will be happy to slam the door on his behind this summer. The main benefit of the trade is getting AI's open salary space this summer. Stick a fork in the Pistons. I've disliked them strongly for years and wanted them to lose every game. This season though, I don't care when they win because it doesn't mean anything. I have serious doubts about Michael Curry, but it's too early to tell. One big mistake he already made is making Rip come off the bench instead of AI. The loss yesterday to the Mavs was pathetic. The Pistons may pull together enough to win a few games after the All-Star break, but their ceiling is getting to the 2nd round. Unless the Hawks collapse, I don't see the Pistons cracking the top 4 in the East. If Miami makes the JO for Marion trade and JO somehow stays healthy the rest of the season (unlikely), I think the Heat will pass the Pistons and push them down to the 6th seed.
Well I thought Stuckey would come off the bench. But like I said the big Problem is Sheed doesn't seem motivated. If he was aggressive on offense like he is to the refs he would be a much better player and who would go down as one of the elite Power Forwards off all-time. Oh well this is Sheed's last season in the NBA anyway apparently.
