Detroit Pistons: Just How Far Are They from Contention?

Detroit Pistons fans have been accused of many things, not the least of which was spoiled. During the last decade, we were treated to one of the winning-est franchises in sports. Every year we were in contention for it all.

However, since we only won one title during the decade, many fans were vocal about their frustration over the team. Tayshaun Prince was too passive on offense. Rasheed spent too much time on the perimeter. Flip Saunders was incompetent.

While all of these arguments were valid, we came across to average fans as being spoiled. Why couldn't we just be happy with what we had?

To us, we underachieved. We saw a franchise that achieved near perfection in 2004, and we wanted to see that same team achieve the same end for the rest of the decade. When we failed to live up to that hype, the fans lost perspective.

Did I think we should have won more than one title? Absolutely. Did I think we were better than the Miami, Cleveland and Boston teams that knocked us out of the playoffs in 06, 07, and 08? Of course. But I, like everyone else, did not stop to smell the roses.

The last three years were our penance for this mindset. We now see how the other half lives. And we don't like it.

The most frustrating part of the past three years has been the total absence of a plan. Sure, we can have a rebuilding year or two, but only if we are building the right way. Team president Joe Dumars forgot how to build a winner.

Luckily, however, the new ownership has jogged his memory.

So just how far are we from contention?

The bright spots

Dumars has drafted very well over the last two years. Greg Monroe was a revelation, and is poised to be the focus of the front court beginning next year.

Jonas Jerebko missed last year due to injury, but should come back as good as new. He is an ideal energy guy and should be one of the first guys off the bench next year.

Brandon Knight is dripping with talent, and shores up a need that has been glaring ever since Chauncey Billups was traded. The Pistons need a point guard that can shoot from distance in order to open up the lane for the bigs and slashers alike.

Austin Daye still is a project, but his shooting ability is unquestionable. Even if he doesn't develop into Tayshaun Prince, he still is a 6'11 guy that can drill a three pointer.

Rodney Stuckey is not a point guard, but he has value to this team as a combo scorer and he is arguably the team's best perimeter defender.

Ben Gordon has been a failure in Detroit, but he still is very young and should eventually bounce back.

The question marks

Gordon technically is a bright spot, but he also is a question mark. If he doesn't figure things out, he will be a huge albatross weighing on our franchise's neck. At this point, he is best served as a sixth man since he is too small to start alongside Knight.

Charlie Villanueva is just an empty jersey at this point. He is incapable of rebounding, playing defense, or concentrating on anything besides Twitter.

What real value does he possess at this point? A 6'10 three point shooter? We already have Daye, and he is younger and cheaper. Villanueva is just stealing money right now.

Rip Hamilton needs to be moved. Even if it takes a huge buyout, it is time to let him walk. He doesn't project to be a good fit alongside of Knight, and while he is here, Gordon will never get into a groove.

Prince also needs to walk, and he probably will. I love the guy, but he wants to win now and could find a nice opportunity in the West.

Kyle Singler was a nice story at Duke, but what can he do at this level?

He isn't quick, he isn't a great shooter, and he isn't strong enough to play in the post. He's a winner. Great.

But without a niche at this level, he will be done before his contract runs out. For his sake, he better develop that jumper.

The rest of the roster is weak at best.

What will it take?

As of right now, this roster is not a team. They have a huge hole up front, and very few good defenders on the roster.

If the season were to begin today, the starting lineup would probably be: Monroe at center, Jerebko and Daye at forward, and Stuckey and Knight at guard. This would be a lottery team, and potentially the worst in the league.

Lucky for Detroit and their fans, the season will not begin today. In fact, the season will probably not begin for another year or so.

This gives Dumars time to build a real team, or at least the beginnings of one.

There will be a new collective bargaining agreement before the league commences, and a lot of the new proposed rules should help Detroit. There will be much lower team salaries, including a hard salary cap and potentially an amnesty clause.

What that means is that Detroit and other teams will likely be given a one-time buyout exception that will allow them to buyout one of their terrible salaries with no effect on their salary cap number.

This would allow Detroit to buyout either Rip Hamilton or Ben Gordon, and clear out their log jam at shooting guard and clear plenty of cap space.

This also should benefit Detroit in that some of the major free agents out there will be coming from teams that are not in nearly the same financial shape as Detroit, and the buyout exception should add more potential free agents to the mix.

We could be looking at a free agent crop of guys like Marc Gasol, Kris Humphries, DeAndre Jordan (or Chris Kaman depending on the direction LA goes), and a whole host of others.

For all of the holes that Detroit has, a top notch big man would solve nearly all wounds. If they landed Gasol or Kaman, this team would be a borderline playoff team. However, those are big "ifs".

Bottom line

The Pistons are rebuilding. Yes, they appear to be doing it the right way now, and they are not void of talent. But they are a long way from the playoffs, let alone championship contention.

But there is real reason for optimism, and the young guys should be fun to watch. So sit back, relax, and above all, temper those expectations.

We are still paying our penance for our spoiled nature. Hey, at least we have the Lions!