| 6 And Ohhhhh So Sweet Authored by Curtis A. Clark - November 15, 2005 - 1:21 pm
Far too many things about the start of the Detroit Pistons season are going well.
6-0 out of the gate.
Better offense.
Same defense.
Better bench.
Not to mention the seamless integration of Flip Saunders, the losing ways of former coach Larry Brown in New York (admit it Detroit, you love it), and the fact that the team continues to perform in the Clutch.
In fact speaking of Clutch, Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups is having quite a year at the point. His turnovers are as low as ever, but his assists are touching the 9 mark. With Flip Saunders giving more control over to the players on the court Chauncey has flourished. Many experts feared Billups would revert to a score first guard with the departure of Larry Brown. What Chauncey has shown instead is the same poise and maturity, not forgetting the hard lessons learned under LB.
Other beneficial Pistons have been Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton. Both shooting above 50% and averaging career highs in points.
Hamilton has been a blur. Teams have always had trouble keeping up with him, but now it’s impossible. By starting plays from the top of the key and running to the baseline at full speed before hitting screens at either side of the paint, Hamilton can lose just about everyone. It got so bad that Portland was jumping screens in the paint. After a quick adjustment, realized by Rasheed Wallace, Hamilton just stopped in the corner and popped open shot after open shot in the fourth. Portland gave that away being so paranoid about cutting off the curl. Teams cannot scheme enough to take away Hamilton’s looks. Flip Saunders has opened up both sides of the floor to Hamilton. Last year the team spent most the year with Hamilton running to the left of the paint. Now he has room to roam and is making the best of it.
Prince has been just as spectacular. After signing his 5 year 47 million dollar deal, he has looked worth every penny. His jumper soft, his D tight, and his dunks ferocious, Prince has carried the team in parts of the season, hitting 10 consecutive shots during one game.
Flip and the boys have managed this all while providing time for the youngsters. Darko, Delphino, and Arroyo have all gotten to play, and play well.
Darko has looked comfortable on the court. He finally has started to sink that jumper we all heard about 2 years ago. While his rebounded is still lackluster for a 7 footer, he prowls the paint for blocks just like the starters.
Delphino has been so impressive he is pushing Maurice Evans for playing time. His limitless range and ability to finish have been on display on more than one occasion.
Carlos Arroyo has also impressed. Because Flip has allowed him to push the tempo Arroyo has been reborn. Brown confined the creative Arroyo, but now he roams free. While still a little overzealous, Arroyo has found his role and produced in it.
So will they win them all? Probably not, but they look to be just as dominant as the title team of 2 years ago. So three cheers for Joe D. and Bill Davidson, you make one hell of a team to root for. |
