The Official 2007-08 Detroit Pistons Season Thread

[dallas27 7]

And I really hate to throw this out there, but I actually don't, Pistons could have drafted Carmello Anthony. That's music to the ears right now.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Avery Johnson will be the new Pistons coach. Book it.

Really, what makes you say that? I'd be all for it. I can't believe he was fired.

[dallas27 7]

Really, what makes you say that? I'd be all for it. I can't believe he was fired.

Three straight trips to the ECF with the same core and still can't get it done. Saunders is gone.

[Barrie 900]

Prince and Sheed MUST go. I'm tired of this team, we will never win another Championship with the current roster. Changes need to be made.

I've been wanting Sheed gone for a few seasons now, and I'm starting to feel the same way about Prince. I'm hoping after 3 straight years of losing in the Conference Finals, they'll finally make changes. Billups and Hamilton need a better supporting cast.

What makes this Sheed and Prince thing worse is how well Hamilton played with a hyper-extended elbow. Imagine if Hamilton had to miss tonight and Billups was on his own?

Edit: Not that it would have made a big difference, but I still miss Ben.

Edited May 31, 2008 by Barrie

[Cruiser008 37]

'stons are done. I really thought they'd go places this year but with 3 straight Game 6 losses in the conference finals they're not the resilient team they used to be. Joe D. made all the right moves except one. Too bad that one mistake still overshadows all of his shrewd moves.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

I feel so bad for Dice right now......

Someone has to go. I can't see getting much for Sheed at all if we traded him. I would LOVE to trade Prince, but I don't think Joe D would do that. I think Rip/Billups should not be dealt at all, but I could see Billups still getting some great value, and we will still have Stuckey. It's hard for me to pick a starter that should be gone, because I have enjoyed all of them in certain moments. Prince is my No. 1 though to be dealt if I had the choice......

One of the ESPN guys said it is the "NBA secret" that if Flip doesn't get to the finals he is done. We will see about that. I have no clue who you would replace him with. Can't honestly say there are any better candidates out there (I have doubts about Johnson).

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

And I really hate to throw this out there, but I actually don't, Pistons could have drafted Carmello Anthony. That's music to the ears right now.

I keep hearing people in Detroit say that. However, living in Denver, I don't think Mello would have been the best thing for the Pistons. He's overweight and out or shape, has a bad attitude, plays NO defense, has his share of off the court mishaps, and is pretty much just out for his own personal stats. ie. NOT a team player. They talk alot in Denver about trading him although I doubt it will happen. Maybe the Pistons system could have changed this, who knows??? But right now he's been unable to have his team win more than one playoff game per year (or none sometimes)......and he seems to not really care at all.....

[Cruiser008 37]

I keep hearing people in Detroit say that. However, living in Denver, I don't think Mello would have been the best thing for the Pistons. He's overweight and out or shape, has a bad attitude, plays NO defense, has his share of off the court mishaps, and is pretty much just out for his own personal stats. ie. NOT a team player. They talk alot in Denver about trading him although I doubt it will happen. Maybe the Pistons system could have changed this, who knows??? But right now he's been unable to have his team win more than one playoff game per year (or none sometimes)......and he seems to not really care at all.....

I dunno... Rasheed was kinda like that as well before we plucked him from Portland. 'melo also played his heart out at the Olympics; he was USA's best player at Athens.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Sounds like Flip will return for his final year of his contract. Will be interesting what moves the team makes this off season...

[Aussie_Wing 354]

AUBURN HILLS -- The future of Detroit Pistons coach Flip Saunders is still up in the air.

However, multiple league sources said Monday he still is likely to be fired, and a decision should be made within days.

Edited June 3, 2008 by Aussie_Wing

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Flip Saunders is done!

Hey, at least we can celebrate something today.

Get Avery Johnson on the next flight to Detroit.

[timothy1997 0]

Flip Saunders is done!

Hey, at least we can celebrate something today.

Get Avery Johnson on the next flight to Detroit.

Avery Johnson would ruin this team. No way!!

Pistons are big on Asst. Coach Michael Curry. Don't be surprised to see him as the next Pistons head coach.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Interested to see what Curry does as head coach. Supposedly he is a "up and coming" kind of guy. This won't be the last big move IMO...

[betterREDthandead 58]

Wow, Joe D. sounds pissed.

Chris Sheridan on ESPN postulated that it was a respect issue, as in, Saunders never earned it from the team. I think that must be fairly accurate. Hiring Michael Curry without a search makes it look like Joe D thinks so too and put a respected assistant coach in his place.

I'm a little disappointed - Saunders was exactly the coach I wanted when Larry Brown left, and I got my wish.....unfortunately it never panned out. And I love Sheed to death, always have ever since we traded for him, but it looks like he's played his last game in Motown too. And what's worse, I think it's the right move.

I honestly would be shocked if Chauncey, Rip, or Tayshaun were traded, and I imagine Maxiell and Stuckey are sticking around too. Otherwise it looks like at least one more major change will be made. I don't like it, because I really like the current bunch, but I trust Joe D. If there was ever a man who knows what he's doing it's Dumars.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Avery Johnson would ruin this team. No way!!

Pistons are big on Asst. Coach Michael Curry. Don't be surprised to see him as the next Pistons head coach.

I like Curry. I have no complaints if he is the next head coach. Regarding Johnson though, how could he "ruin" it possibly any more than what Saunders has?

As for the players, I expect Rasheed to be gone. He wore out his welcome here, and his antics are old now with fans, and I'm guessing his teammates too. I love the guy and appreciate what he meant to the Pistons (the x-factor in 2004), but it's time to move on. Clearly, I would love to see Prince hit the road, although I doubt it will happen. I wouldn't be surprised to see Rip possibly get traded, with the emergence of Stuckey, even though I would be against Rip leaving whole-heartedly. 'Dyess deserves to be here, he plays with more heart than anyone else on the team. Mr. Big Shot is staying unless the Pistons want to win 20 games next season. Maxiell, Stuckey, Afflalo, and Amir will all have larger roles.

As BRTD mentioned, Dumars knows what he is doing. Getting rid of Flip was the first step in the right direction.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

I dunno... Rasheed was kinda like that as well before we plucked him from Portland. 'melo also played his heart out at the Olympics; he was USA's best player at Athens.

Well Mello does have his youth going for him. He has completely tuned out Karl in Denver. Someone would have to get through to him and convince him he'd have to become a team player to win...maybe whomever Detroit hires could do that - who knows?

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Wow, Joe D. sounds pissed.

I'm a little disappointed - Saunders was exactly the coach I wanted when Larry Brown left, and I got my wish.....unfortunately it never panned out. And I love Sheed to death, always have ever since we traded for him, but it looks like he's played his last game in Motown too. And what's worse, I think it's the right move.

That is how I exactly feel, especially the part on Sheed. Love that guy, but all things must end.

I don't think Sheed being a goner is set in stone though by any means. Joe D could pull a move with any of our starters. Have to remember if Sheed sticks around one more year we have 13.5 million in free cap room just off him, and next off season will have many stars on the market.

I'm glad Joe D is deciding this though because many GM's in all sports make a big move just so they can say they made one which often is a failure. I'm also glad he isn't having a Detroit Pistons fire sale for the NBA. He expects to be where we were this season.

Edited June 4, 2008 by mannysBETTER3434

[timothy1997 0]

what do you think about a possible trade with Charlotte involving mainly Rasheed and Tayshaun for Jason Richardson and Emeka Okafor.

I would welcome this deal. I think the Bobcats would too.

[betterREDthandead 58]

what do you think about a possible trade with Charlotte involving mainly Rasheed and Tayshaun for Jason Richardson and Emeka Okafor.

I would welcome this deal. I think the Bobcats would too.

You just wanna bring back a Spartan

Anyway no dice. Richardson's a guard. Not enough minutes for him, Chauncey, Rip, and Stuckey. Besides, the Trade Machine says no go. It puts the 'Cats too far over the cap. (I used Matt Carroll instead of Okafor, similar salaries.) Charlotte would have to throw someone else in worth about $3 million....someone else who either there'd be no minutes for or wouldn't be worth having.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

Wow! Wanted Saunders gone but for some reasson I never thought it would actually happen. Sad thing is, I think Flip really improved this year. He realised he had to play the bench more and he did that; Stuckey and Maxiell saw major minutes in the playoffs. Flip Murray was dumped mid season which allowed the youngsters more time. However judging by some of the comments made by Dumars it seems as though things weren't exactly going smoothly behind the scenes.

Dumars recognizes the success of each of the coaches he has fired, adding that decisions to fire them always involve more than win totals. One of those factors is continuity, something Dumars didn't always feel was evident with the team and their play last season under Saunders.

"I just want to make sure that, as a team and organization, we're all on the same page," Dumars said. "That wasn't always the case this year. I felt it was scattered too much at times."

Dumars added: "You make decisions like this and internally, you have your reasons for wanting to go in a different direction. I understand that when I come in here and sit down, that you can't go into all the details as to why you made the decision. It leaves it open."

Michael Curry looms as the probably replacement; not sure what to make of that. I remember at school my mates and I used to have a laugh about his stats, he would play 30 minutes and walk away with 4 points, 3 rebounds ect. But he was a role player and was excellent defensively. Dumars wouldn't make such a massive risk if he didn't feel he was ready and had the respect of the players.

One down, one to go. Sheed that is.

Edited June 4, 2008 by Aussie_Wing

[betterREDthandead 58]

Michael Curry looms as the probably replacement; not sure what to make of that. I remember at school my mates and I used to have a laugh about his stats, he would play 30 minutes and walk away with 4 points, 3 rebounds ect. But he was a role player and was excellent defensively. Dumars wouldn't make such a massive risk if he didn't feel he was ready and had the respect of the players.

Curry was always viewed as a kind of coach on the floor ever since we brought him back from Milwaukee for his second go-round, kind of the way Lindsey Hunter is now. He was also a leader in the players' association. Well respected by players and his peers. I look around at the candidates, and I really don't see an obviously better choice.

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

Melo to the Stones?

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_9516722

[Packer487 3]

Melo to the Stones?

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_9516722

I missed the part of the thread where you guys were discussing him before. I honestly can't think of a player that would have been a worse fit on a Larry Brown-coached team, so I can't say I'm unhappy that we passed on drafting him. Even if Darko was a complete bust, we got Stuckey for him and he looks like he's going to be a player.

Now with Anthony on the block, the issue comes up again. I still don't see him as a fit for the team. Great offensive player, but he's a me-first guy, doesn't play defense, and he's pretty much the opposite of everything this team has embodied (he seems like a complete ******). Then again, maybe they're looking for someone completely outside the mold of what they've had to shake things up a little bit. If they're going to make a blockbuster, however, I'd probably look in a different direction.

I'd feel better about breaking the bank for Elton Brand in a sign-and-trade, even if he is coming off an achilles injury. We've got a lot of tradeable pieces here...no need to rush into anything. Personally, I think a guy who will get down on the block and can score should be priority #1 and a backup for Prince should be #2 (probably with the MLE).

[mannysBETTER3434 1]

I missed the part of the thread where you guys were discussing him before. I honestly can't think of a player that would have been a worse fit on a Larry Brown-coached team, so I can't say I'm unhappy that we passed on drafting him. Even if Darko was a complete bust, we got Stuckey for him and he looks like he's going to be a player.

Now with Anthony on the block, the issue comes up again. I still don't see him as a fit for the team. Great offensive player, but he's a me-first guy, doesn't play defense, and he's pretty much the opposite of everything this team has embodied (he seems like a complete ******). Then again, maybe they're looking for someone completely outside the mold of what they've had to shake things up a little bit. If they're going to make a blockbuster, however, I'd probably look in a different direction.

I'd feel better about breaking the bank for Elton Brand in a sign-and-trade, even if he is coming off an achilles injury. We've got a lot of tradeable pieces here...no need to rush into anything. Personally, I think a guy who will get down on the block and can score should be priority #1 and a backup for Prince should be #2 (probably with the MLE).

I agree on Melo. I think he seems like a jerk too. Maybe he needs a change of scenery, because SOMETIMES he shows maturity. Maybe Joe D wants a "star" now because Melo averaged a little more then 25 PPG in the West, plus had A.I. on his team who shoots about 90 shots a game so that isn't too shaby.

I would take Brand too.....

Edited June 9, 2008 by mannysBETTER3434

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Carmelo > Prince every day of the week.

Should have done it the first time around, but I'll take it now.