The Detroit Pistons starting lineup totals up to 46 years pro. They are nearly averaging 10 years pro per position. The Pistons have been to the Eastern Conference Finals six times recently, and have only won the championship once. Rasheed Wallace doesn't play on the block where he belongs. They are slow, are no longer the hungry team they were in 2004, and they constantly settle for jump shots.
It is about time the Pistons consider rebuilding to keep themselves in the hunt. Miraculously, they don't need to do much. I would love to see Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace finish out their careers in Detroit, but times are changing, and Detroit might need to make a move while their value is still high. Teams like the Boston Celtics have now proved that old players are still needed, and the Pistons need to seize the opportunity.
When Chancey Billups went down early in Game 3 against the Orlando Magic, hopefully Detroit realized something. Rodney Stuckey is ready to take over the starting guard position. When Stuckey played they were high-tempo fast-paced, more efficient Piston squad.
Nothing against Chauncey. He is an amazing player, and with one or two more good years, hopefully he retires a guaranteed Hall of Famer. The Pistons have one gear, playoff. During the season this gear is magnificent, and they end up with a high seed, but when everyone else steps up for the big series, Detroit is left struggling. I would rather see Detroit sack one year going .500 or better, than watch them struggle in the playoff being outhustled and outplayed.
Chauncey has a lot of stock, and this year's draft is deep. All Stars may possibly be found in the teens of the first round. This is a guard driven time the NBA has come to, and many teams are looking for a great PG.
For younger teams, someone like Chauncey who has plenty of veteran leadership and can be very consistent looks like a big grab. Deal Billups and possibly Rasheed in a package deal to move up into those teens, if more leverage is needed they should use their first round pick. The Pistons should look to pick up some good role players with this trade. Move Rodney Stuckey to start, and depending on your pick either Jason Maxiell or the new rookie to replace Rasheed Wallace. All Rodney has to do is average around 15 points and run the offense efficiently for this switch to be considered a good payoff.
Against Boston, Maxiell proved he has the explosiveness to come off the bench but there is no reason he shouldn't get a chance to start. With some work on the block, he could become a very efficient starter, or a magnificent sixth man. If the Pistons find themselves drafting a center, Antonio McDyess can move to to the four spot, and the new center can take his shots as a starter. Otherwise McDyess can stay center and Maxiell or the rookie can battle for the 4 spot.
Overall, the Pistons have Stuckey averaging 15 points, which he put up a couple games in the playoffs off the bench. At shooting guard, Richard Hamilton putting up possibly 20 or more points. At small forward Tayshaun Prince averaging somewhere in the teens with his solid defense. Power forward and center is a toss up between Maxiell, McDyess, and the new rookie.
Most points you could get out of those could be 30 total. Predict Prince at 15, and you have 75 points per game average out of your starting lineup. With good bench play, the Pistons wont be far behind their current state. With a year or two of maturity, we could see them as a top seed again.
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4 months ago
Your crazy, Billips can't get traded for a draft pick, I can see them packaging Sheed and Prince for a combo out of Charlotte ie Okefor and Richardson or LA ie Brand and Livingston. But Billups will be here next year both for his experience and what he is teaching Stuckey
from 4 months ago
Mr. Parks is not crazy - most of what he says is realistic and makes sense. While there are no untouchables, I do agree that Billups is likely to stay, not only to tutor Stuckey, but also to provide a potent three-guard offense reminiscent of the Bad Boys' Isiah, Joe and Vinny. Sheed is most likely of the regular four to be moved because he has the magic "expiring contract" and is viewed by many to be part of the attitude problem (to which Billups also contributes). But Joe D's wisdom is such that he won't move anyone unless what he gets in return improves the team - both short term and long term. No change for the sake of change.
Perhaps most important is who replaces Flip. I'm sure Joe knows the answer to this already or he wouldn't have fired Flip yet. All clues point to Michael Curry. I sure hope he doesn't try Avery J - a great coach for young developing players in need of discipline but a potential disaster for the veteran Pistons.
4 months ago
Yes I agree you are an idiot writing this article. How would someone from CA know how the Pistons really are. Especially after 04 up until now people are saying the pistons are old and slow and somehow over the past 4 years they have managed to remain an elite team. Sheed and Tay for Okafor and Richardson would be an alright trade for us but I dont really like Brand and Livingston. Brand coming off injuries and Livingston would have been good but after that horrific accident 2 years back I dont know about him either. Package Tay and Sheed for Amare and maybe a 2nd round pick and that would be sweet too.
4 months ago
I'm not from California? Actually Michigan thanks? Not many teams want rasheed due to his temper... Billups stuckey hamilton and mcdyess would be an awesome lineup as well...
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