| Ready To Roll Authored by Curtis A. Clark - April 23, 2006 - 4:33 am
The season of hard work and focus definitely paid off for the Detroit Pistons. With the memory of their game 7 lose to the San Antonio Spurs motivating them from start to finish they can finally start the push for their second title in 3 seasons. After locking up home court throughout the playoffs, and setting a new Pistons record for wins (64), they are ready for the real season to start.
These Pistons however are still in underdog mode, a mode they stay in more for motivation rather than from lacking media hype. They are fighting not for respect (Ben Wallace says he isn’t so big on respect), but for the satisfaction of proving their distracters wrong, how ever few that may be now a days. In fact the Pistons are the odds on favorite to win the title this year, and with good reason.
These Pistons are more complete than they were in 2004 when they beat the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games for the title. With 2 more seasons of chemistry for the best starting 5 in basketball, a deeper more veteran bench, the same stingy defense, and a more explosive offense, these Pistons are the most versatile team the NBA has seen in years. They can run you out of a building, frustrate you with perfectly executed offense, lock you down on D, or just plain out hustle you. What ever the opponent’s weakness the Pistons will exploit it.
How have they done that all year? With incredible balance, depth, chemistry, and most of all versatility.
The team has 3 solid point guards starting with Chauncey Billups. Mr. Big Shot runs the most effective offense in league history (NBA record 11.4 turnovers per game) and can draw a foul almost anytime he wants. He has been in MVP talks all season and had a career year in points, assists, and three point percent. He also will be Team USA basketball’s starting point guard for the 2008 Olympics.
Chauncey’s backups each have their own way of changing the game. When Lindsey Hunter checks in the Pistons gain incredible ball pressure, causing havoc to team’s offensive efficiency. Newest Pistons Tony Delk has shored up the one weakness that critics have harped on the Pistons for over the last 2 seasons, bench scoring. Delk has relentlessly attacked the hoop and hit the open 3 since he became a Piston. In the last month Saunders has used Hunter and Delk together in a full court trap. A trap that is reminiscent of Hunter and former Piston pit bull Mike James during the 2004 championship campaign.
The wing players are just as versatile and dominant as the point guards. Richard Hamilton cannot be defended by one man, all 5 defensive player must know where he is at all times. He has also improved his three point shooting, leading the league in three point percent (.458) while not forcing to many attempts (making 55 in 120 attempts all season). Tayshaun Prince may be the leagues most versatile and unassuming player, he stands 6’9, defends 4 positions, can play point, break the press, block shots, defend any perimeter player from Allen Iverson to Carmello Anthony, hit jumpers, create off the dribble, and light up the arena with a high flying ally oops. The Pistons starting 2 and 3 are a mismatch for every team in the NBA.
The bench wing players Mo Evans and Carlos Delfino are great situational spark plugs. Evans is high energy, with a solid corner three, and above average rebounding for a 2 guard. Delfino finished the season with a flurry, creating off the dribble, hitting tough jumpers, running the offense from the wing, and playing good man defense. The rotation in the playoffs will be tight, but when Flip Saunders goes to his bench he will have a wing player for any circumstance.
Ben and Rasheed Wallace have been described by NBA annalists as the best interior defensive tandem in NBA history. Their versatility to both play the pick and roll, both block shots, both play quick or powerful interior players, and both be used in the full court press has validated that claim all season long. On offense you get an unconventional but effective mix of inside out from Rasheed (155 three pointers this season, career best) and offensive hustle from Ben (3.7 offensive rebound per). The Pistons are among the leagues worse in points in the paint, but make up for it with execution and extra possessions. Their bigs do an incredible job of screening for the ever moving Richard Hamilton.
6th starter Antonio McDyess has been the Pistons most effective scorer all season (.509 FG %). His unguardable pick and pop can be ran with any of the Pistons wing players. Dyess has also rebounded well for the Pistons on both the offensive and defensive glass. Saunders can also go to veteran big man Dale Davis with confidence. Davis played well in limited minutes, his role, along with fellow big Calvin Kato, will be huge if the Pistons and Heat meet in the conference finals.
Detroit will be a tall order for any team this post season, but you know if they have their choice it will be them and San Antonio in the finals, with a score to settle.
Feedback Welcome at Realgm_Detroit@Hotmail.com |
