| Pre-Draft Summit: Detroit Pistons Authored by Andrew Perna & The RGM Pistons Forum - June 20, 2008 - 9:10 am
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The Detroit Pistons:
2007-08 Record: 59-23
Difference From 2006-07: Six More Wins
Playoff Result: Lost In Six To Boston (ECF)
Restricted Free Agents: Alex Acker, Walter Herrmann
Unrestricted Free Agents: Juan Dixon, Jarvis Hayes, Lindsey Hunter, Theo Ratliff
The Verdicts
1. What could the team have done differently to advance in the playoffs?
Liqourish: They could have played like they cared about winning (Game Three of the Conference Finals was disgusting to watch). Joe Dumars could have gotten a coach that actually had some success in the playoffs too.
nasty daddy: It was just a total melt down.
The Captain93: If we played with some desire, plain and simple.
Pistons#1: The team struggled to start games effectively. It felt like most games the Pistons either dug themselves into a huge first quarter hole, or failed to capitalize on another team\'s slow start.
princeofpalace: If they treated every game like a must-win and rebounded.
hoopsnurd: If they worked on driving to the basket and not settling for jumpshots. We need to play more like a team who actually wants the championship and not just expects it.
ajaX82: If everyone had come to play every night.
mattyj: If they brought their ‘A’ game every night.
m23uza1hem36: The rotations were not all that bad. I do believe that Flip Saunders did his best to put this team in a position to win, but they just had a complete meltdown. For example, the ten-point fourth quarter lead we lose in Game 6.
Piston Prince: If we scored more points. I know that sounds asinine, but for the third consecutive season the offense broke down in the Conference Finals.
srt4b: Nothing, the Celtics were better.
r0cd0gg: Win.
RTM: If we played with intensity, moved the ball on offense and rebounded better on both ends of the floor.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Liqourish: The full court press defense and the ability to trust in a rookie to lead the team when they needed him most.
nasty daddy: Our youth stepping up. Especially Rodney Stuckey, who stepped up to a whole new level throughout the playoffs.
The Captain93: The depth and bench of this team. We are full of hungry youngsters as well as seasoned vets. It was a great bench.
Pistons#1: The balance in the starting lineup remained this team\'s greatest strength. No consistent go-to guy, but several who could do the job on any given night.
princeofpalace: The depth of the bench and ability to trust the young guys.
hoopsnurd: Being able to reach the Conference Finals once again, a nice 59-win season and the development of Stuckey.
ajaX82: Some bench depth and the starter’s usual consistency.
m23uza1hem36: Our biggest strength had to be our guards (Billups, Rip Hamilton). Year-in and year-out they have performed as one of the best backcourts in the league. Unfortunately they got hurt in the playoffs and were not 100%, but they still always put this team in a position to win.
Piston Prince: Our predictability and ability to trade Nazr Mohammad for expiring contracts.
srt4b: These guys know each other so well that all 82 games look the same. We have low turnover numbers and play under control 95% of the time.
r0cd0gg: Shooting guard and backup point.
RTM: The Pistons have great depth and versatility in the backcourt, and good post defense.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Liqourish: I\'d say Stuckey was the surprise of the season. Not too many fans were happy about the pick last June, but this June they see it differently.
nasty daddy: Tayshaun Prince showed up in the regular season, but disappeared in the playoffs at times.
The Captain93: Stuckey was solid this year.
Pistons#1: Stuckey was the big surprise this year. Between the questions about his defense and experience to his early injury issues, he surprised many by coming in and contributing in the playoffs.
princeofpalace: Stuckey, but he was ice cold when Detroit needed him most.
hoopsnurd: Aaron Afflalo did an outstanding job on defense, but has to improve on his offensive skills. Stuckey did an outstanding job in the playoffs, and he has huge potential and upside. Amir Johnson finally joined the rotation, but that didn’t work out in the playoffs. However, my effective award goes to Jason Maxiell.
ajaX82: Stuck was good, especially for a rookie.
mattyj: Antonio McDyess and Stuckey.
m23uza1hem36: Hands down it was Stuckey. Once he got hurt and missed the first 25-30 games, I didn’t think there was any way he would have a real effect this season. You can also make the case for Maxiell, but he was too inconsistent for me.
Piston Prince: Stuckey. He was better than anyone could have wished.
srt4b: McDyess.
r0cd0gg: Stuckey. I expected this, but most didn\'t
RTM: Stuckey came on very strong near the end of the season and played great ball against Orlando and Boston.
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Liqourish: I\'d say Billups. Not just because of the playoffs, but throughout the season you could see where the team’s success wasn’t as dependent on him as in the past. He had quite a few poor games, yet the team covered for him.
nasty daddy: Chauncey.
The Captain93: I have to say Chauncey. He just didn\'t have it this year.
Pistons#1: Every starter had their usual regular season, so I\'ll use playoff performances to answer this one. Billups was labeled as our leader and best player, but he did not display the consistency we needed from him in the postseason.
princeofpalace: Rasheed Wallace just disappeared, and I expected more from him.
hoopsnurd: Billups had a satisfactory season, but it wasn’t what we expect out of him. I don’t recall him hitting that many game winners.
ajaX82: ‘Sheed just didn’t do it for me.
mattyj: ‘Sheed.
m23uza1hem36: In the regular season I thought everyone was pretty much up to their level and played good basketball. However, in the postseason Prince and Rasheed, who both just melted against the Celtics.
Piston Prince: Walter Herrmann.
srt4b: Mohammed or Herrmann.
RTM: Prince was, in my opinion, a let down. I expected him to assert himself on offense far more than he did.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Liqourish: Right now, I am confident in Joe Dumars to put the Pistons into a position to succeed next season. Joe has made mistakes in the past, but you can\'t argue with his overall results over the past eight years.
nasty daddy: Very.
The Captain93: I trust Joe and his staff.
Pistons#1: Dumars is a master of making effective deals, and his focus is finally were it should be. I don\'t know if that will be enough, but there is reason to hope.
princeofpalace: Joe is one of the best in business, so I trust his moves completely.
hoopsnurd: Dumars will please us.
ajaX82: In Joe We Trust.
mattyj: I’m pretty confident, Joe is a good general manager.
m23uza1hem36: I\'m always confident with our front office. I like the hiring of Michael Curry and I think there will be at least one serious trade made to improve this team. I take Joe’s word on that and we\'re pretty good when it comes to the draft (other than the Darko Milicic pick).
Piston Prince: Ask me after they trade Chauncey and ‘Sheed.
srt4b: Very. We have been one of the four best teams in the NBA for just about a decade.
r0cd0gg: They have needed to make a move for the last three years. Unfortunately, the value of our players has declined slightly over that time. I will wait and see what Joe does, but am hopeful he will make good choices.
RTM: I am very trusting of Dumars and think that he knows what needs changing.
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Liqourish: It depends on where Dumars takes this team. As we currently stand, a legit center prospect and a backup small forward.
nasty daddy: Just someone with our DNA and rebounding.
The Captain93: A rebounding, low-banger big man or a slashing wing.
Pistons#1: Assuming the team we have is the same team that needs additions come playoff time, we would be looking for a decent big man or a small forward.
princeofpalace: A credible backup for Tayshaun that loves to win, can defend, rebound and get to the basket or a legitimate center with some athleticism that rebounds, plays defense and doesn’t float out on the perimeter to shoot jumpers.
hoopsnurd: A center that can do the dirty work in the paint and a good and consistent backup for Prince.
ajaX82: A big, rebounding/defensive center and a backup small forward.
mattyj: A backup small forward for Prince and a center.
m23uza1hem36: Our biggest needs are at the three and five. We need at least one good, ready to play backup for Tayshaun and we need a true center.
Piston Prince: Depth up front, a backup small forward and maybe backup point.
srt4b: A center and an offensive-minded small forward.
r0cd0gg: It all depends on what deals are made.
RTM: A bruising center that can anchor our defense and/or a big, physical three to come off the bench.
7. Who would you like your team to select?
Liqourish: I would pick either Jason Thompson, DeVon Hardin or Victor Claver.
nasty daddy: Hardin, James Gist, Joey Dorsey, D.J. White, Lester Hudson or Bill Walker .
The Captain93: Nathan Jawai, Hardin, Nikola Pekovic, Brandon Rush or Dorsey.
Pistons#1: Rush and Thompson (if he drops) would be interesting.
princeofpalace: Hardin, Walker or Trent Plaisted.
hoopsnurd: Hardin, Roy Hibbert, Rush, Walker, White, Jawai, Dorsey, Hudson, Sonny Weems and Sasha Kaun interest me
ajaX82: Robin Lopez (if possible), Walker, Rush, Douglas-Roberts, Jawai or Harden.
mattyj: Jawai or Walker.
m23uza1hem36: Well, I\'d love to move up to get either the #1 or #2 pick, but I doubt that would happen, so you can basically eliminate Michael Beasley, who I am really high on. I\'d say if we can get Hibbert to slip down I\'d like him, I also like Mario Chalmers and Lopez.
Piston Prince: Derrick Rose.
srt4b: Walker.
r0cd0gg: We may end up with more draft picks so I like Joe Alexander, Russell Westbrook, Javale McGee, Thompson, Nicolas Batum, Serge Ibaka and Will Daniels.
RTM: I would be very happy with any one of Hardin, Walker, Hibbert or Dorsey.
The Draft Summit Archive:
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Andrew Perna is a Senior Writer for RealGM. If you’re a fan of one of the many teams that we have yet to feature, surf over to our forums and weigh in on what is happening within the organization. If you’d like to contact Andrew, shoot him an e-mail at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
