2008-09 NBA Preview: Detroit Pistons

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Detroit Pistons

2007-08 Record: 59-23

Cool 2007 Stat: This was the 5th straight year their top 4 scorers were Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace. They are a boring team, what can I say.

Anticipated Starting Five

PG- Chauncey Billups
SG- Richard Hamilton
SF- Tayshaun Prince
PF- Amir Johnson
C- Rasheed Wallace

Bench: Rodney Stuckey, Antonio McDyess, Lindsay Hunter, Aaron Affalo, Jason Maxiell, Kwame Brown

Biggest Strength – Defense

Same players and now three different coaches and defense still remains the staple of the Detroit Pistons.  Last season Detroit was third in field goal % defense, second in 3pt % defense, first in points allowed and 4th in turnover differential.  Those numbers say it all.  It’s the reason they are always at the top of their division and one of, if not the best, teams in the Eastern conference.  Even as they age this team will continue to be a contender by consistently locking up the way they do.

Biggest Weakness – Playing below the level they are capable of

As much as I love the Sixers, Detroit made that playoff series closer then it really should have been.  Being real we all knew the Pistons were the better team.  But our 76ers were hungry and played hard.  Combine that with Detroit not bringing their A game and a predicted sweep turned into a scary 6-game series for Piston fans.  I know their fans have to be frustrated with the inconsistent effort level and performances they’ve seen from this squad the last few years.

Key Player in ’08 – Rasheed Wallace

This will likely be Sheed’s last season with the Pistons.  He is 34 and in the last year of his contract.  Unless Detroit thinks Amir Johnson is going step in and be as good or better than Sheed, this season might be their best chance to win another championship in the near future.  I think a lot hinges on Rasheed.  In order to get past Boston they need one last solid season and a very strong playoff run out of the Simon Gratz product.  If he doesn’t get along with new head coach Michael Curry, spontaneously goes into a technical frenzie or doesn’t play hard every game that would certainly hinder the Pistons’ title run.

Their Thaddeus (exciting player 22 or under) – Amir Johnson, 21

Johnson has the distinction of being the last high school player ever selected in the NBA draft. Like many young players, he has had trouble breaking into Detroit’s veteran rotation. Last year was the first year he played more than 8 games, and he played well in the short time he was given (12.3 minutes per game.) He averaged 1.3 blocks and 3.8 rebounds during his time, giving him great per/48 minute averages of 5.1 blocks and 14.3 rebounds. Expect him to finally get a fair shot at some playing time this year, potentially even a starting spot. It’ll be interesting to see how he meshes with the very veteran Pistons squad.

Pete’s 2008 Outlook: 2nd place, Central division / 6th place, Eastern conference /12th place, NBA

Maybe I’m just sick of watching this team, but I think this is the year they regress a little. First of all, there are several Eastern Conference teams that have improved, and second of all, you’ve got to think that Joe Dumars’ disgust at the end of the last season wasn’t completely unfounded. They are getting older and past their primes and will need some big contributions from their younger players (Stuckey, Afflalo, Maxiell, Johnson) to keep pace with the rest of the conference.

Dannie’s 2008 Outlook: 1st place, Central division / 3rd place, Eastern conference /7th place, NBA

They are boring as Pete said but to say the least are very very solid in all aspect of the game.  They don’t turn the ball over, they are one of the best defense teams in the league and have enough talent and experience to compete for a championship every season.  As much as we would like for them to start to regress I don’t see it happening this season.  If anything they will be pulled down slightly by the improvement of the rest of the Eastern Conference.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see another Boston-Detroit conference finals.  But considering the age of each team’s key players we can definitely hope it will be the last.

Philly Connection: Rasheed Wallace

Wallace was one of the most highly touted high school players to ever play within Philadelphia’s city limits. He was a two-time Parade All-American and was the National High School Player of the Year in 1992-93. Strangely enough, he only played 19 minutes per game his senior season, but still averaged 16 points, 15 rebounds and 7 blocks per game. He disappointed many within the city by spurning the big-5 to attend UNC. Shortly after his senior season, he gave the world a glimpse of things to come, becoming the first and only player to get ejected from the McDonald’s All-American game.

October 12, 2008