Pistons Analysis: Why Detroit Is Poised To Be the Beast of the East

With the flurry of moves made in the West already this year, it seems like everyone is so high on the Western Conference that they are forgetting that the East does, in fact, have a couple of teams that can compete for a title.

While the West as a whole is definitely superior to the East, the teams sitting at the top of the weaker conference are still extremely dangerous when the postseason rolls around.

The two clear-cut favorites to come out of the East are the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic representing the second tier of teams. While Boston certainly made an amazing transition from worst to first, you just can't count out the Pistons, who quietly made a vast improvement over last year's team as well. The Pistons are better than the Celtics.

Quote me, bash me, criticize me, but first: listen to me.

The Celtics have their big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. But who do they have after that?

Rajon Rondo is a satisfactory Point Guard, but is still too inconsistent to be relied upon as a starter for a finals-calibur team, and while Sam Cassel will be a viable backup, he won't have the impact that people may think he will.

The Pistons, however, have a very solid starting five, with Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton making up arguably the best backcourt in the NBA, and Tayshaun Price, Antonio McDyess, and Rasheed Wallace bringing a solid presence up front.

Prince won't consistently post huge numbers, and McDyess definitely isn't going to do anybody a big favor playing 40 minutes a game, but the point is they don't have to.

The Pistons, unlike the Celtics, have an extremely good and fairly deep bench, with stud rookies like Rodney Stuckey and Aaron Afflalo, and emerging big men Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell. And while I know I previously stated that young players shouldn't be relied upon for a finals-calibur team, these players aren't being relied upon. 

Detroit uses them in the exact role young players are suited for: high energy bench players. Detroit can easily survive if Hamilton or Billups has an off-night because Stuckey can come in and provide instant scoring at either position, while Afflalo is a terrific defender whose outside shot is silky smooth. Johnson and Maxiell can come in for McDyess and change the tempo of any game drastically with their freakish athleticism and astounding shot-blocking ability.

The fact that Johnson can play either forward position or Center also greatly helps the Pistons if Rasheed happens to start jawing it up with the refs like he usually does. Let's not forget that the Pistons  just added veteran Center Theo Ratliff to the squad, who can be relied upon for solid man-to-man defense for 15-20 minutes a night if needed.

The Celtics, on the other hand, don't have much of a bench.

Glen Davis gets into foul trouble too early to be effective and while Leon Powe can score, he hasn't played a single minute of defense during his short career. Beyond Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics are relying on the ever-aging P.J. Brown to be their other post presence next to Kevin Garnett.

Are you serious? Brown hasn't played all season and if he's ready to play 25-30 minutes when the Eastern Conference Finals roll around—and that's a big if—then what is he going to do? 5-6 points and a few rebounds?

There is no way Brown can keep up, especially with the younger high-octane big men of the Pistons wearing him out up and down the court. It simply won't happen.

If any one of the Big three for Boston happens to have a quiet game, the team has no one to come in and help out the other two off the bench.

In contrast, the Pistons can easily replace Prince, Hamilton, Billups, McDyess or Wallace with reliable bench players like Jarvis Hayes, Rodney Stuckey, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell, and Theo Ratliff.

Mark my words, the Pistons will be the representatives for the Eastern Conference, and they will give any team that comes out of the West a run for their money.