Glenn
10-01-2007, 11:27 AM
Mohammed (Canton): I think that one thing that might fix the Pistons’ lineup is to get another all-star with out giving up one, so I was thinking the Pistons should trade Antonio McDyess, Nazr Mohammed and Flip Murray plus the two second-round picks we got via the Delfino trade to Utah for Andrei Kirilenko. That would give Maxiell and Johnson expanded roles while losing three bad contracts and adding a younger, more versatile Ben Wallace in Kirilenko. And by clearing roster spots, the Pistons could then sign Chris Webber.
Langlois: That’s not an outrageous proposal, Mohammed. Utah would think about it because Kirilenko isn’t a happy camper and it would get the Jazz out from under a $63 million obligation. The Pistons would think about it because they get a young guy who’s one of the best and most versatile frontcourt defenders in the league. Would either side ultimately jump? Hard to say.
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Matt (Canadian Lakes): I don’t like the new Pistons.com look. I liked the old one better. Maybe it’s because I’m used to the old one. The style is cool, but I have a hard time finding things. Is it for the 50th anniversary?
Langlois: Give it a few days, Matt. It’s going to prove much more user friendly than the old site once you gain a little familiarity with it. The redesign of Pistons.com isn’t tied to the 50th anniversary, but it’s a happy coincidence for us.
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John: Get ready to pull your hair out – it’s another Chris Webber question. Reports have him considering an offer from a European team that seems in excess of anything he could get in the NBA. Is this just a bargaining tactic on his behalf or something he’s really considering?
Langlois: I think it’s something he’s considering. It’s not a bargaining tactic because there’s nothing the Pistons can do about it right now, not with 16 guaranteed contracts already on the books. I guess I’d still be surprised if Webber plays in Europe. My hunch is that he’ll sit and wait this one out, hoping trades or injuries will open a role for him on an NBA contender.
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Eric (Flint): I saw you and other writers on the Bacardi Pistons season wrapup. A topic came up about breaking up the starters. Three of the writers thought the Pistons should break up the team, which I thought was a bad idea. You were the only writer who stated that they needed minor adjustments. You stated that they need help in certain areas. I applaud you for your answer. One of the writers disagreed with you and stated that he doesn’t see the Pistons winning another title with the starting crew. I think that if the Pistons come into 2007-08 season with a strong bench that they can win another title. In my opinion the Pistons won the title against the Lakers because of the strong bench they had that year. What are your thoughts?
Langlois: A strong bench will be even more critical to this year’s team, Eric, because the starters are all four years older now than they were then. Lots of miles on their tires in those three seasons when you consider they essentially have played four seasons in three, counting the extended postseasons. The good news is I think the bench is shaping up to be a real strength of this team, but we’ll see how it plays out.
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Brian (Richmond, Va.): If you look around the NBA, there is not a single team that has five All-Star caliber players in their starting lineup. When we had Ben Wallace, it was a luxury. We have eight potential starters on this team and Nazr is a close ninth. If we’re under .500 at mid-season, then it’s time to cry about not having a center. With that said, about how many wins do you see for the Pistons this year?
Langlois: I think they’ll get to 50 and then everything else is a bonus. The bigger issue for this team is to get to the postseason with a bench in which the coaching staff trusts. That might mean sacrificing a win or two along the way.
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David (Lexington, Ky.): I saw in the last Mailbag you mentioned Phoenix shopping Shawn Marion to Joe Dumars earlier in the summer and Phoenix wanting two starters plus Amir Johnson. Why do most GMs make ludicrous demands? They have to know what they want back is ridiculous and that no deal is going to get done. Two starters for Marion? Not unless he averaged 35 and 10.
Langlois: You’d have to really, really like Shawn Marion to do that deal. I wouldn’t touch it. But as for why GMs make outrageous demands, it’s simply part of the negotiation process – ask for more than you think it’s possible to get. If the other guy seems remotely interested, then you know you have a shot at getting more than a fair return.
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Lee (Oklahoma): Cover your eyes because this is another Chris Webber question. If so many people are interested in Webber and want the Pistons to sign him, don’t you think that they would be missing out on a great public-relations move by not signing him?
If fans like the guy and if he gets along with his teammates and he can still play ball, how foolish are they to pass on him? I really want to see the young players get minutes, but having Webber gives them a shot at beating the Celtics, who are going to be a handful.
Langlois: The best public-relations move is to win. If the Pistons stay atop the Eastern Conference and young players like Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson emerge as future stars, then the Webber hysteria will die down. If the Pistons sputter and something is clearly amiss, then Joe Dumars will act – and maybe Webber becomes a consideration.
Langlois: That’s not an outrageous proposal, Mohammed. Utah would think about it because Kirilenko isn’t a happy camper and it would get the Jazz out from under a $63 million obligation. The Pistons would think about it because they get a young guy who’s one of the best and most versatile frontcourt defenders in the league. Would either side ultimately jump? Hard to say.
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Matt (Canadian Lakes): I don’t like the new Pistons.com look. I liked the old one better. Maybe it’s because I’m used to the old one. The style is cool, but I have a hard time finding things. Is it for the 50th anniversary?
Langlois: Give it a few days, Matt. It’s going to prove much more user friendly than the old site once you gain a little familiarity with it. The redesign of Pistons.com isn’t tied to the 50th anniversary, but it’s a happy coincidence for us.
----------------
John: Get ready to pull your hair out – it’s another Chris Webber question. Reports have him considering an offer from a European team that seems in excess of anything he could get in the NBA. Is this just a bargaining tactic on his behalf or something he’s really considering?
Langlois: I think it’s something he’s considering. It’s not a bargaining tactic because there’s nothing the Pistons can do about it right now, not with 16 guaranteed contracts already on the books. I guess I’d still be surprised if Webber plays in Europe. My hunch is that he’ll sit and wait this one out, hoping trades or injuries will open a role for him on an NBA contender.
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Eric (Flint): I saw you and other writers on the Bacardi Pistons season wrapup. A topic came up about breaking up the starters. Three of the writers thought the Pistons should break up the team, which I thought was a bad idea. You were the only writer who stated that they needed minor adjustments. You stated that they need help in certain areas. I applaud you for your answer. One of the writers disagreed with you and stated that he doesn’t see the Pistons winning another title with the starting crew. I think that if the Pistons come into 2007-08 season with a strong bench that they can win another title. In my opinion the Pistons won the title against the Lakers because of the strong bench they had that year. What are your thoughts?
Langlois: A strong bench will be even more critical to this year’s team, Eric, because the starters are all four years older now than they were then. Lots of miles on their tires in those three seasons when you consider they essentially have played four seasons in three, counting the extended postseasons. The good news is I think the bench is shaping up to be a real strength of this team, but we’ll see how it plays out.
------------
Brian (Richmond, Va.): If you look around the NBA, there is not a single team that has five All-Star caliber players in their starting lineup. When we had Ben Wallace, it was a luxury. We have eight potential starters on this team and Nazr is a close ninth. If we’re under .500 at mid-season, then it’s time to cry about not having a center. With that said, about how many wins do you see for the Pistons this year?
Langlois: I think they’ll get to 50 and then everything else is a bonus. The bigger issue for this team is to get to the postseason with a bench in which the coaching staff trusts. That might mean sacrificing a win or two along the way.
----------
David (Lexington, Ky.): I saw in the last Mailbag you mentioned Phoenix shopping Shawn Marion to Joe Dumars earlier in the summer and Phoenix wanting two starters plus Amir Johnson. Why do most GMs make ludicrous demands? They have to know what they want back is ridiculous and that no deal is going to get done. Two starters for Marion? Not unless he averaged 35 and 10.
Langlois: You’d have to really, really like Shawn Marion to do that deal. I wouldn’t touch it. But as for why GMs make outrageous demands, it’s simply part of the negotiation process – ask for more than you think it’s possible to get. If the other guy seems remotely interested, then you know you have a shot at getting more than a fair return.
--------------
Lee (Oklahoma): Cover your eyes because this is another Chris Webber question. If so many people are interested in Webber and want the Pistons to sign him, don’t you think that they would be missing out on a great public-relations move by not signing him?
If fans like the guy and if he gets along with his teammates and he can still play ball, how foolish are they to pass on him? I really want to see the young players get minutes, but having Webber gives them a shot at beating the Celtics, who are going to be a handful.
Langlois: The best public-relations move is to win. If the Pistons stay atop the Eastern Conference and young players like Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson emerge as future stars, then the Webber hysteria will die down. If the Pistons sputter and something is clearly amiss, then Joe Dumars will act – and maybe Webber becomes a consideration.