Detroit Pistons off-season thread

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

The Pistons were destined for the title, winning 64 games and crusing through the first 7 games of the playoffs. But then the Pistons shots, for some reason, just would not drop. They luckily escaped elimination in the 2nd round, but completely fell apart in the conference finals. It wasn't anything the Heat did, it was just extremely bad shooting from the Pistons and a lack of defense when it mattered.

I don't think any major changes will be made. I've heard talk of firing Flip Saunders, but I don't think he's the reason we lost, and I want to keep him around. Ben Wallace is expected to be re-signed. Joe D isn't stupid enough to let him go, and will likely offer a max deal. You would've thought that this would be Lindsey Hunter's last season, but he played with enthusiasm and energy, looking about 6 or 7 years younger, and I don't think it would be a bad idea to re-sign him for another season.

It will be a very dissapointing start to the summer for the Pistons, and many questions will have to be answered.

[redwings1914 18]

Sounds like the Wings...

[rage 24]

The Pistons were destined for the title, winning 64 games and crusing through the first 7 games of the playoffs. But then the Pistons shots, for some reason, just would not drop. They luckily escaped elimination in the 2nd round, but completely fell apart in the conference finals. It wasn't anything the Heat did, it was just extremely bad shooting from the Pistons and a lack of defense when it mattered.

I don't think any major changes will be made. I've heard talk of firing Flip Saunders, but I don't think he's the reason we lost, and I want to keep him around. Ben Wallace is expected to be re-signed. Joe D isn't stupid enough to let him go, and will likely offer a max deal. You would've thought that this would be Lindsey Hunter's last season, but he played with enthusiasm and energy, looking about 6 or 7 years younger, and I don't think it would be a bad idea to re-sign him for another season.

It will be a very dissapointing start to the summer for the Pistons, and many questions will have to be answered.

Okay, if we keep Flip (which I agree we will), and if, like you say, "...(no).. major changes will be made." How are we going to get better? If we can't score more than 80 points a game, then we can't, and, don't deserve to win in a playoff series like this.

Something needs to be done. Now, I think, >IMO< we need another scorer inside. It would be great to keep Big Ben, and add another front-court scorer. WHo that may be, or how it would be obtained, is beyond me. But that, to me, would be the ideal way to go.

When R. Wallace, goes inside, and posts-up, and scores, we are almost un-beatable. Without that inside Post Game, it sure is hard to score, much less win. Especially when Ben is there, which we know, doesn't score.

So basically what I am saying is, that in this NBA, when you have 2 of your 3 front-court players, NOT scroing in the Post/Paint......how can you win??????

Count on your backcourt??????

Didn't work this time....Won't work next time....

Just My Opinion.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I don't think it would be too wise to offer Ben a max deal. Yes he's the heart and soul of the club, yes he's one of, if not the best defender in the league but for what he contibutes on the offensive end that rules out a max deal. I want him back for sure, but not at that price.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Joe D. said some changes would be coming. Wonder what he means. Losing in the conference finals is no reason to rip the club apart and start over.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I don't think it would be too wise to offer Ben a max deal. Yes he's the heart and soul of the club, yes he's one of, if not the best defender in the league but for what he contibutes on the offensive end that rules out a max deal. I want him back for sure, but not at that price.

maybe if is free throw percent was up

[dallas27 7]

kg wants out of minnesota, it's time to let one of the wallaces go.

larry is going to be leaving new york...time to get him back in d-town. this s*** doesn't happen if larry is still coaching.

[timothy1997 0]

kg wants out of minnesota, it's time to let one of the wallaces go.

larry is going to be leaving new york...time to get him back in d-town. this s*** doesn't happen if larry is still coaching.

not sure about larry coming back....but would you give up ben wallace for kevin garnett??

[dallas27 7]

Would rather see sheed go. I would really hate to see him or any of the starting five go but he was nowhere to be found this series. He had what maybe 10 points the whole miami series. But if you can get a player like kg in the offseason who already knows most if not all of the offensive sets you have to pull the trigger. He may not be as good as a defender as sheed but kg is going to show up every night.

[dallas27 7]

From my blog on myspace that I just did:

Now this may be the bitterness and hatred talking right now but the way I saw my Pistons play and advocating them all damn season to everyone I know that nobody can beat them in a 7 game series and all that crap BUT:

Minnesota Timberwolves recieve:

Rasheed Wallace - Forward

Kelvin Cato - Center

Future 1st or 2nd round draft pick

Detroit Pistons recieve:

Kevin Garnett

Ronald Dupree (him coming back would be HUGE off the bench)

I want Flip out but with KG coming to town (Flip was KG's coach for, what, 9 seasons) it wouldn't be to smart. But with LB most likely getting the boot out of New York it may be time to bring him back. It may be a hard pill to swallow Mr. Davidson and Mr. Dumars but something about the coaching must be done. Ultimately effort comes down to the coach, the coach has to shove his foot up their ass if they are not putting forth 110%. Everyone knows that Flip is a "players coach" meaning that he is not one for confrontations. The best teachers and coaches I've had always made me do something I DIDN'T want to do, but doing so makes you better and more likely to succeed.

Heart says you gotta re-sign Ben. Doesn't matter that he is an offensive liability, he is far too great of a defender to let go.

Other than that you can't do much...

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

not sure about larry coming back....but would you give up ben wallace for kevin garnett??

i dont think that kg has won the defensive player of the year award 4 out of the past 5 years last time i checked. theres the answer.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

If Wallace wont re-sign unless its a 6 yr max deal, then you have to say goodbye. Offer him 3 yrs, take it or leave it. I know he's a cornerstone but you have to think long term as well.

[timothy1997 0]

The problem I see with the pistons is that they devote so much cap space and playing time to the starting 5, that whomever they pick up...will be underpaid and not used that much.

i am not sure what i would do to improve this team. I think Rasheed is the weakest link in the starting 5, but I am not ready to get rid of him for KG (sorry dallas..but after Rasheed's performance...minnesota would be crazy to accept your deal). Cato is definately gone (i dont think he was ever here) and i think hunter might retire too. Heard reports today suggesting that Delfino wants out of here to go to another team where he can play.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Sheed's performance before and after the ankle injury was night and day. I think with a healthy Sheed, the Pistons host Dallas on Thursday. Garnett is about the only player who might be available that I'd want back if Sheed were to be traded.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

I don't think they will be major changes. I think the biggest issue is getting some better bench guys. After Mcdyess and Hunter there's noone (imo). Call me sentimental - but I can't imagine this team w/o Ben Wallace. He really re-energized this franchise and was what Dumars built the team around. I was really disappointed with Sheed's playoff performance - we will see how bad the ankle really was - but they guy is supertalented and I think he will rebound. As far as the poster above who thinks they can never score over 80 pts - they've been doing it all year except for the latter half of the playoffs. That's really what killed this team - the lack of shooting/ low percentage in the last 8-10 games. I think they can regain that. I didn't really want Flip here to begin with (I'm not just saying that now) but I guess it would be hard task for anyone who had followed LB. I can't see getting a 4th coach in 5 years for this team - I think that would screw things up even more. I liked the "underdog" Pistons better than the favorites, myself. Maybe not winning the 1 seed in the East isn't such a bad thing - lay kind of under the radar - then turn it on in the post-season.

Summer should be interesting.

[timothy1997 0]

Anyone else realize that Ben Wallace is 32 years old??

I seriously say let Ben Wallace test the free agent market. If another team offers ben the league max, i say let him go. I would hate to lose your best defensive player but these past playoffs have shown me that Ben is a huge liability when this team is off their game.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Yeah, thats why i said 3 yrs is the max i'd give him. People just cant be sentimental like they are with the WIngs and say "hey give him his 6 years"...he's 32 yrs old. Joe D is smart though, I have confidence that he'll do whats right. With Cato's salary being gone now, Wallace not re-signing isnt the end of the world. We could get a new center and a big upgrade for the bench.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

It won't be a 3 year deal for Wallace. Dumars has already said it will be a 4 or 6 year deal.

But is Ben worth 12+ million dollars a year? I really don't know. If he averaged around 10 points a game with his great D I would probally say yes, but he is a liability on offense. I would trade KG for one of the Wallaces.

Sounds like the Pistons biggest target of the summer will be Bonzi Wells. He had a really good year last season with SAC. He would really help our bench.

PG is also a strong need. We need a scorer..maybe Speedy Claxton?

[johnogrodnickfanclub 0]

I've been listening to a LOT of radio and internet analysis from "experts", announcers, radio hosts, and writers. Here's the gist of what I've heard. I happen to agree with it all...

Here goes...

Sign Ben Wallace to no more than 4-5 years...and no more than $8-$10 million per year. Ben Wallace was exposed as a liability, he's getting old, he's going down hill...no part of his game will improve, only get worse. The only way the Pistons sign Ben to a bigger deal is if they line up a sign and trade.

The Pistons should entertain ALL trade offers. The ONLY semi-untouchable is Tayshaun Prince. Billups, Rip, Ben, Sheed, Dice, and everyone else are all very available for the right price.

Speaking of Billups...there are lots of questions surrounding his performance. He was terrible. Why? Was it because he wore down? Or is he on his down slide? Physical combo guards like Billups generally tank their career suddenly and without any warning. And it tends to happen right around Billups' age. Speculation and fear is that Billups is done. Hope is that he was just tired. Do we wait to find out? Or do we cut bait and not take chances?

Many people were upset and/or disappointed with Sheeds' performance. He was terrible. But here's the problem...there really are VERY few superior 4's or 5's than Sheed. We're literally talking maybe half a dozen bigs in the league better than Sheed. So fans can ***** about Sheed all they want...but they should feel lucky to have him. The ONLY way you get rid of Sheed is if you can get a KG or one of the few bigs better than Sheed.

Joe D and many fans and writers were disappointed that the Pistons used such a short bench. Basically, it was a six man team. Teams like Dallas, Miami, and San Antonio go much deeper on their bench...and it's not just during the regular season, they use their bench during the playoffs too. Joe D was particularly disappointed that Flip didn't use Carlos Delfino more...many feel the same way...kid has skills at both ends of the court...might be our ONLY player than can really drive to the basket with skill and authority. Joe D has said he wants to run with a 8-9 man team...not a 6 man team. Odds are, the most dramatic changes will be to our bench.

Pistons need a guy than can break down the defense. They have NO guys that can single handedly take charge and break down an entire defense. Like a Allen Iverson or a Dwayne Wade or what have you. We need that guy. We probably can't get a first rate player like that...but maybe a guy off the bench than can break defense down to keep them on their toes and keep them honest...like a Speedy Claxton or Bonzi Wells.

Edited June 8, 2006 by johnogrodnickfanclub

[Aussie_Wing 354]

I wouldn’t mind Bonzi Wells. He was originally drafted by the Pistons, but his rights were traded. He does a lot of things well, he doesn’t need a lot of minutes in order to score, he’s an awesome rebounder for his size, and he’s got good hands. He would be a very useful addition to our bench. I remember I complained all season about how poor our bench was, no one was willing to listen.

In regards to Carlos Delfino, I came across this. “Kelvin Cato will not be re-signed. The Pistons likely will look to trade Delfino, who wants to be moved to a situation where he has a chance to play". So it looks as though there goes another one of our extremely talented youngsters due to lack of game time. We’ve had talent on our bench, and even though there are constant calls that our bench is not good enough, we still refuse to play these guys. Can’t understand it.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

I agree with what JohnO said about Sheed. I've been thinking the same thing as of late. I was thinking of all the teams we play, and whoever is guarding Sheed is a mismatch, we just didn't use it very well in the playoffs.

As for Billups, I still think he has alot in the tank. I don't think he will fall off the map..at least not next season. Getting him a backup is huge though. It will also give him needed rest. I would love to move up in the draft and get a guy like Jordan Farmar, but a guy like Claxton is fine with me too

Will Delk return next year, or was this just a one year thing?

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I read somewhere that he's gonna test the fa market. if he leaves, it will be to his 9th team in 10 years.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Where did the Pistons first round pick go? Was it involved in the Sheed trade? Or did they trade it for 2 second round picks last year? I can't remember what happend to it.

One pick (the last pick) kind of stinks, but we don't really have any needs (besides Bonzi Wells/Speedy Claxton)

[timothy1997 0]

this draft reminds me how screwed Michigan State's basketball team will be next year. No Ager. No Davis. No Brown.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Brown to the Cavs, Ager to the Mavs, and Farmar to the Lakers were the best picks in the 1st round IMO.

MSU basketball will be okay, they got highly recruited players replacing the holes..all they need is experience

The Clippers now have 2 of the 3 biggest gumps in the NBA: Chris Kaman and Paul Davis...now all they need is Darko