With this trade of Iverson, things really hasn't gone well for the Pistons. They lost to Minnesota tonight. With the types of personalities on that team, and how well they were doing before Iverson got there, I can see some thing start brewing if they continue to lose to the TIMBERWOLVES. And don't forget Rasheed, after buying into the Detroit system and winning, people seem to remeber less and less how crazy Rasheed really can get.
I thought dealing for Iverson was a gamble. The Pistons were likely going to be a top 4 seed with Billups. I think their record is now 4-5 with Iverson. It doesn't look good. Still, they freed up a good deal of money for next season. That's what Dumars is really eying right now.
Today was a baaad loss. Even though the T-Wolves played well, the Pistons had a chance to make a game of it early in the 4th quarter. But they just didn't have it. With a rookie coach (that I have my doubts about) and the trade of Chauncey for AI, it's certainly possible the Pistons could crumble. I doubt it. More likely, they will eventually adjust to each other, end up with a decent record and then get knocked out in the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs. I don't think the other players will ever get used to AI, but they will learn to play with him well enough. I agree with durvasa that AI's expiring contract made the trade work for the Pistons. They will win enough games this year to keep the home fans happy enough, but next summer is what he's targeting.
They beat two top teams (Cleveland and LA) handily, so there must be something in Detroit that can work at the highest level. Some nights they just seem like they don't want to play basketball for a living. It's very bizarre. But the Pistons have been the moodiest, most flippant team for the past 4 years so maybe they're just going through one of those phases.
The need to change that core was on the horizon anyways. It was inevitable. Its not like they were going to win with that group. So you add Iverson and hope maybe something happens until you move on and rebuild which was always the plan. Dumars made the smart move.
Don't let the loss to the Twolves fool you. Every good team has been blown out by a lesser, younger, hungrier team. If anything the Pistons victory against the Lakers can be used as a good measuring stick as to how good the Pistons can be. The trade looks bad right now and it is what it is and will continue to look that way. At least until playoff time if Detroit in fact doesn't implode. Billups will continue to lead the Nuggets to a very good regular season record. But that's it. I can't see them getting out of the first round in the west. Pistons will have a mediocre regular season record in comparison to their past. However, I like the Pistons chances of going deep in the playoffs equal or greater with Iverson instead of Billups. With Billups the Pistons would probably have won their typical 55-60 regular season games and lost in the conference finals when this season is all said and done but with Iverson they have a true superstar who can carry the team to the Finals. I stress the word can because I know he can but I don't know if he will. I think that was Dumar's mindset so it's a great move to me.
the opposite is true. playoff time means half-court game. Chauncey is a better penetrator, in the process, creating shots for teamates. on the defensive side, Chauncey physicall strength makes it more difficult for opposing g to penetrate. often biggers guard can aften over-power the slight built of AI
Actually, playoff time means SUPERSTAR time. You know... the times where players named Hakeem, Jordan, Bryant, James, Wade, and IVERSON etc. take over the ball game and will their teams to big victories. Furthermore, Iverson creates just as many shots for his teammates as Chauncey if not more. Chauncey the better penetrator? HA! Iverson is one of the best penetrators maybe in the history of the game. Iverson's slight build has never stopped him from anything.
AI is a gutty player, but he can't hold the jocks of the likes of Hakeem, Jordan, Bryant, James, Wade. stop insulting these greats. absolutely. btw, you didnt respond to my assertion that Chanucey is much better in stopping the penetration. so we're in agreement !
Why is that a given? They had gotten to at least the conference finals for 5 straight years. They're as deep as they ever were with the young players. I never understood why people thought the Pistons were on some sharp decline. They've been contenders for years, and there was no good reason to think they wouldn't be one again this year.
I don't think they're on a sharp decline and I do agree they are pretty deep with nice young players but It's simple. Like I mentioned before they do not have a GO-TO Superstar to carry them. Thus they are pretenders not contenders (they've been pretenders for the last 5 years) would've been 6th this year with the same core. They won it all once without a true superstar and that kinda stuff happens once in a great, Great, GREAT while. Actually, when the Pistons won it in 03-04 that's gotta be the first time in history they won without a legit superstar.
I would vote "yes" but implosions are designed events and you're making it sound like the Billups/AI swap was anything but a salary dump from Detroit's end. They knew they overpaid Billups when they extended them and they knew that core's best days were behind them. What happens if they keep Billups? With everybody regressing probably 45-50 wins and a 1st or 2nd round exit. I highly doubt with the way they were playing under a first year coach that they would have came close to matching their recent postseason success. What next? Time to turn the page. Swapping AI for Billups gave them not only equal value for an otherwise horrendous contract, but also the opportunity to compete right away and keep fans entertained. It's clearly a tactical move, in my judgment. A tactical move that gives them a wealth of options for the future once AI and Sheed's contracts come off the books at the end of the year. In the meantime, let Denver have Billups. He is a good fit and will do a lot of good there. Luckily for him, Denver has no shame when it comes to overpaying and tolerating fat contracts. Just don't act surprised when this Warkentien guy gets canned too even though I don't even think divine intervention could remove this team from salary cap hell. Oh well, you can always have another Marcus Camby type of auction...RIGHT?!
Wow, it was a really bad game for Detroit. They haven't been doing what they were expect to do with AI in the lineup but I am pretty sure it will change. It's the same situation that happend to Houston. They need to find their rythm, they need to play together, know each other. And they need to start knicking down some shots. Prince and Sheed has been solid, but Hamilton and AI. AI has already had 2 games under 10 points. I watched the 1st half of that game against Wolves and they are running the offense pretty well. Hamilton was getting WIDE OPEN jumpers off those screens but he just couldn't buy a basket.
I think Rip is bothered by AI more than anyone else. AI's instincts are to dribble the ball around and make something happen every single time down the floor. That cuts into the amount of time the other perimeter players have the ball. But I'm not sure you can blame AI for Rip's awful shooting slump. Stuckey also gets less playing time. The Pistons need him to snap out of it. Again, I don't think the other Pistons players will ever like AI that much, but they will figure out how to play with him.
they have just about the chances of imploding as the rockets do. AI is a future HOF and plays with heart everytime he steps on the floor. every team that adds a new integral piece like AI (or Artest) has an adjustment period where they will lose a string of games. once they click detroit will be a deadly team. yes, even a threat to the untouchable celtics, lakers, and bron bron's cavs. what is houston gonna do when the pistons finally click? sheed will pose major problems and AI vs. (pick your point guard) on top of their lockdown defense. Detroit will surprise many.
