Glenn
12-07-2007, 09:30 AM
For a second, I thought about leaving the first one out, but much like Flip Murray, I gotta be a pro.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Andy (Grand Rapids): I understand Flip Murray is being used in a pretty specialized role right now, closing our fourth quarters in blowouts. Why does it seem that when he’s in they stop running sets and it becomes a one-on-one show? Is this an attempt to boost his trade value? I hate seeing the rest of the bench not as involved as they could be. Flip put up nine shots in the fourth quarter Tuesday night and most of them weren’t pretty or efficient.
Langlois: It wasn’t pretty, Andy, you’re right. That’s why a 26-point lead dwindled to 12 pretty quickly. It hadn’t worked that way in the previous three games. It would be a nice idea to throw the ball into Amir Johnson once or twice and see if he can work on developing a post game. It’s not all on Murray, of course. When games are essentially decided at the start of the fourth quarter, the opposition does everything in its power to make them be played at a faster tempo. Atlanta waved in gunner supreme Salim Stoudamire and when he started dropping shots over Murray, Murray got a little sucked in to the one-on-one challenge.
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Gil (Charlotte, N.C.): I’ve never understood why some players considered “bad chemistry” guys continue to find jobs. I understand that little things can be overlooked when the talent is great enough or there is a track record of winning, but not in the cases of mediocre players who keep getting jobs. It seems like there are only a few teams in the league that really care about this abstract trait – the Pistons, the Spurs and maybe Utah.
Langlois: I don’t get it, either, Gil. You raise an excellent point. You roll the dice on a Dennis Rodman, maybe, when you have a strong leadership core on a team that would be completed by his skill set – the exact formula for the Bulls when they had Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan to keep him in line and needed the toughness, defense and rebounding to put them over the top. But to add a me-first talent with off-court issues to a middling team is a no-win situation. I think you’re seeing more teams adopting the practices of the teams you mentioned – very good examples, by the way. I’d throw Chicago, Toronto and Portland (yes, Portland!) into the mix, off the top of my head, as well.
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Anthony (Warren): When Flip Saunders was hired, it was said that he would open up the offense. Here we are, several years later, and it still seems like the starters are struggling to score. One of the problems I see is they are constantly guessing “who is hot today?” In my estimation, that causes them to be tentative.
Langlois: If they appear tentative at times, Anthony – and all teams do at times – I don’t think I’d attribute it to the reason you cite. The Pistons are built differently than most contenders in that they don’t have a clear pecking order. That has pluses and minuses. Some nights it takes longer than others to figure out who has a mismatch to exploit and some nights in the course of searching for that mismatch the offense tends to stagnate. But it certainly hasn’t been an issue lately. Saunders said earlier this week that the offense was functioning more efficiently than any time since his arrived. Going into Wednesday’s game at New Orleans, the Pistons had scored over 100 points, shot better than 50 percent, dished out 25 or more assists and made 40 or more field goals in four consecutive games for the first time since March 1990. That’s pretty impressive.
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Mustafa (Detroit): After what LeBron did to us last season in the playoffs, I’ve been thinking which player from our roster could slow him down a bit and Amir’s name popped into my head. I really want Flip Saunders to try that. I think his length and athleticism will give LeBron a lot of problems.
Langlois: There’s no way to put it delicately, Mustafa – I think that’s a really dangerous idea you’ve cooked up there. Amir’s defense has a way to go yet. Right now he’s at his best defending near the basket – as long as it’s not against someone who can overpower him – where he can use his timing and quickness to disrupt or block shots. But he’s going to struggle as a defender farther from the basket, especially against someone as quick and strong as LeBron who handles the ball as well as he does. Amir picked up five fouls in less than a quarter of play the other night when he was guarding far lesser players than LeBron.
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Ben (Detroit): The Pistons should trade Nazr Mohammed, Lindsey Hunter and a No. 1 pick to the Knicks for Eddy Curry. The Knicks get a center who can complement Zach Randolph and a point guard who will actually pass the ball while the Pistons get a center who demands a double team to help free their perimeter players.
Langlois: Curry can be a beast in the post, Ben, and the Knicks might come to the realization that he and Zach Randolph are not a good fit. Not only do they largely negate each other on the offensive end, they’re a huge defensive liability. But the Knicks will be looking for something more than that, I’d have to think. Hunter is a few months from retirement. The No. 1 pick will be well down into the 20s. Mohammed would be a serviceable center for them, no question, and he’d save them a few million a year compared to Curry’s deal. It’s not an outlandish proposition, but Curry would stir a lot of interest.
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Preston (Muskegon): I get frustrated hearing about Rodney Stuckey’s return behind Chauncey Billups because I haven’t seen enough from him to give him that spot over Flip Murray. Why is Stuckey being put on a pedestal?
Langlois: No pedestal, Preston. But everything that led the Pistons to think highly of Stuckey before the draft was confirmed for them through his work in the Las Vegas Summer League, at their practice facility throughout the summer and into the preseason. The consensus around the NBA is that Stuckey has the potential for future stardom and the ability to win games for the Pistons this year. So he’s going to get that chance because he’s earned it. Will that affect Murray’s minutes? Probably. But Murray’s a pro. He knows that if he consistently outperforms Stuckey in practices and games, he’ll be rewarded. Simple as that.
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Dawn (Woodhaven): I was wondering why Ronald Dupree doesn’t play? I thought he did a good job last year.
Langlois: He played a total of 94 minutes for the season, Dawn, appearing in 19 games. He’s ideal for what the Pistons ask of him – a guy who works hard in practice, fits perfectly in the locker room and will be ready to play whenever needed. On a lesser team, he’d have a shot at working his way into the rotation. The thing holding Dupree back from a brighter NBA future is a rudimentary offensive game, including the lack of range and consistency with his jump shot.
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Byron (Detroit): Even though Rodney Stuckey is on his way back, why not find room to play Lindsey Hunter at point guard for five or six minutes a game for his defensive ability and energy coming off the bench?
Langlois: It’s possible it plays out that way, Byron. My hunch is that it’s going to be in Stuckey’s hands. Once he gets back and up to speed, if he’s playing to the level the Pistons expect he’ll play at, what Stuckey can offer is going to be hard to resist. I hear what you’re saying about Hunter’s ability to often alter the course of a game with his harassing defense, but Stuckey’s ability to produce points might trump all other considerations in the long run.
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David (Grand Rapids): The Pistons have five players on the All-Star ballot. If the All-Star game was to be played this weekend, who do you think would make it?
Langlois: Chauncey Billups for sure. Rasheed Wallace maybe. Wallace deserves it. With Chris Bosh in and out for Toronto, only Kevin Garnett in Boston and Dwight Howard in Orlando have been more productive big men than Wallace in the East.
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Brandon (Orion Township): Jason Maxiell has impressed me recently. Do you think he can keep it up and win the Sixth Man of the Year Award?
Langlois: I think it’s a long shot, Brandon, because Manu Ginobili is a lock to win it as long as the Spurs keep using him off their bench.
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Steve (Detroit): Did the Pistons ever beat the Bulls during the 19990-91 season when the Bulls swept them in the conference finals? Please give me some consolation that we at least beat that great team once that year.
Langlois: Rest easy, Steve. The Pistons did beat Chicago that season – once. They went 1-4 against the Bulls during the regular season. They lost the first three games – 105-84 at The Palace, 98-86 in Chicago and 95-93 at The Palace – before finally winning at home 95-91, then closing with a 108-100 loss in Chicago.
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Renee (Troy): What do you think has been the biggest surprise in the league so far and do you think Isiah will be fired?
Langlois: Orlando’s start has been the biggest surprise to me with Boston’s apparent defensive prowess a close second, although I’m withholding judgment on Boston until the Celtics face a little more scheduling adversity than they’ve found so far. I have no insights into the thought process of Knicks owner James Dolan, which somehow comforts me.
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Kevin (Greencastle, Ind.): Do you know much about Antonio McDyess’ days at the University of Alabama? Did he win any titles or set any records?
Langlois: McDyess spent only two seasons at Alabama before leaving after his sophomore year and becoming the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. He led Alabama in rebounding in both of his seasons (8.1 and 10.2) and led the Tide in scoring as a sophomore (13.9). Alabama made the NCAA tournament in both of his seasons, going 20-10 in his freshman year and losing as a No. 9 seed to Purdue in the second round and finishing 23-10 in his sophomore year when Alabama again lost in the second round, this time as a No. 5 seed, to Oklahoma State.
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Bob (Battle Creek): Who was the last Piston to get a triple-double?
Langlois: Chauncey Billups on Feb. 20, 2004 had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
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Sasha (Grand Ledge): I recently saw in the NBA’s power rankings that the Pistons have the second-best offense in the league, just below San Antonio. I was kind of shocked to see that, since the Pistons have been so committed to defense for quite a few years. What do you think has helped give our offense such a huge boost?
Langlois: Two things, Sasha – the assimilation of Antonio McDyess into the starting lineup and the contributions of the bench. The McDyess move could not be working out better for the Pistons. His 15- to 18-foot jumper has been deadly and the presence of two big men on the floor who can stretch a defense as they can – without weakening the Pistons defensively – makes for a more potent offense. And the scoring punch off the bench means two things: the scoring droughts that happened too often a year ago are now less frequent and of shorter duration, and starters come back into games more rested instead of rushed back in to stop the bleeding.
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Gerry (Marquette): What do you think the Pistons need to make them the No. 1 team in the East? I feel they need a big man who will eat up the paint and work the boards – another brute like Dale Davis. And maybe another point guard off the bench who can eat up some minutes and play high-energy defense.
Langlois: The Pistons are fine with their frontcourt rotation as it is, Gerry, but even if they weren’t, brutes who eat up the paint and work the boards just aren’t walking the street. If Dale Davis were on this team, he’d be playing less than he did a season ago due to the emergence of Jason Maxiell, whose performance commands the 24 minutes a night he’s playing. As to your other wish, they’ll be adding a dynamic point guard off their bench very soon now when No. 1 pick Rodney Stuckey returns from injury.
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Treva (Toledo, Ohio): Why doesn’t Cheikh Samb play more? I watched him against the Lakers and he was a presence in the paint on defense. He should play ahead of Nazr Mohammed.
Langlois: Samb has a chance to be an impact player, Treva, but it’s tough finding minutes for him when he has five big men ahead of him. You’re not alone in your desire to brush Nazr Mohammed aside, but I don’t get it. The guy’s been rock solid for the Pistons this year, filling in when asked and almost always at least holding his own. Right now Samb and Mohammed present a tortoise-hare dynamic; Samb would fill up a highlight reel faster with his blocks, but Mohammed wins the race because he simply wouldn’t make as many mistakes, give up as many offensive rebounds or get overpowered in the post the way Samb would. In a year or two, that might change, but right now Nazr Mohammed has given the Pistons exactly what’s been asked of him.
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Lee (Oklahoma): With Miami playing badly and Shaq getting older by the minute, do you think he might be available at the trade deadline? Do you think anyone could beat Billups and Hamilton in the backcourt, Prince and Wallace at forward and Shaq in the middle?
Langlois: Shaq makes $20 million this year, next year and the year after. To get him, the Pistons would have to trade back two very significant contracts to make the deal work. So that lineup you suggest would never play together. Are you willing to trade Wallace and Prince for Shaq? Would you trade either one right now – straight up? Would you trade Billups and Hamilton for Shaq and turn the backcourt over to the rookies, Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo, backed by Flip Murray and Lindsey Hunter? Good luck with that one, Lee.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Andy (Grand Rapids): I understand Flip Murray is being used in a pretty specialized role right now, closing our fourth quarters in blowouts. Why does it seem that when he’s in they stop running sets and it becomes a one-on-one show? Is this an attempt to boost his trade value? I hate seeing the rest of the bench not as involved as they could be. Flip put up nine shots in the fourth quarter Tuesday night and most of them weren’t pretty or efficient.
Langlois: It wasn’t pretty, Andy, you’re right. That’s why a 26-point lead dwindled to 12 pretty quickly. It hadn’t worked that way in the previous three games. It would be a nice idea to throw the ball into Amir Johnson once or twice and see if he can work on developing a post game. It’s not all on Murray, of course. When games are essentially decided at the start of the fourth quarter, the opposition does everything in its power to make them be played at a faster tempo. Atlanta waved in gunner supreme Salim Stoudamire and when he started dropping shots over Murray, Murray got a little sucked in to the one-on-one challenge.
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Gil (Charlotte, N.C.): I’ve never understood why some players considered “bad chemistry” guys continue to find jobs. I understand that little things can be overlooked when the talent is great enough or there is a track record of winning, but not in the cases of mediocre players who keep getting jobs. It seems like there are only a few teams in the league that really care about this abstract trait – the Pistons, the Spurs and maybe Utah.
Langlois: I don’t get it, either, Gil. You raise an excellent point. You roll the dice on a Dennis Rodman, maybe, when you have a strong leadership core on a team that would be completed by his skill set – the exact formula for the Bulls when they had Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan to keep him in line and needed the toughness, defense and rebounding to put them over the top. But to add a me-first talent with off-court issues to a middling team is a no-win situation. I think you’re seeing more teams adopting the practices of the teams you mentioned – very good examples, by the way. I’d throw Chicago, Toronto and Portland (yes, Portland!) into the mix, off the top of my head, as well.
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Anthony (Warren): When Flip Saunders was hired, it was said that he would open up the offense. Here we are, several years later, and it still seems like the starters are struggling to score. One of the problems I see is they are constantly guessing “who is hot today?” In my estimation, that causes them to be tentative.
Langlois: If they appear tentative at times, Anthony – and all teams do at times – I don’t think I’d attribute it to the reason you cite. The Pistons are built differently than most contenders in that they don’t have a clear pecking order. That has pluses and minuses. Some nights it takes longer than others to figure out who has a mismatch to exploit and some nights in the course of searching for that mismatch the offense tends to stagnate. But it certainly hasn’t been an issue lately. Saunders said earlier this week that the offense was functioning more efficiently than any time since his arrived. Going into Wednesday’s game at New Orleans, the Pistons had scored over 100 points, shot better than 50 percent, dished out 25 or more assists and made 40 or more field goals in four consecutive games for the first time since March 1990. That’s pretty impressive.
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Mustafa (Detroit): After what LeBron did to us last season in the playoffs, I’ve been thinking which player from our roster could slow him down a bit and Amir’s name popped into my head. I really want Flip Saunders to try that. I think his length and athleticism will give LeBron a lot of problems.
Langlois: There’s no way to put it delicately, Mustafa – I think that’s a really dangerous idea you’ve cooked up there. Amir’s defense has a way to go yet. Right now he’s at his best defending near the basket – as long as it’s not against someone who can overpower him – where he can use his timing and quickness to disrupt or block shots. But he’s going to struggle as a defender farther from the basket, especially against someone as quick and strong as LeBron who handles the ball as well as he does. Amir picked up five fouls in less than a quarter of play the other night when he was guarding far lesser players than LeBron.
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Ben (Detroit): The Pistons should trade Nazr Mohammed, Lindsey Hunter and a No. 1 pick to the Knicks for Eddy Curry. The Knicks get a center who can complement Zach Randolph and a point guard who will actually pass the ball while the Pistons get a center who demands a double team to help free their perimeter players.
Langlois: Curry can be a beast in the post, Ben, and the Knicks might come to the realization that he and Zach Randolph are not a good fit. Not only do they largely negate each other on the offensive end, they’re a huge defensive liability. But the Knicks will be looking for something more than that, I’d have to think. Hunter is a few months from retirement. The No. 1 pick will be well down into the 20s. Mohammed would be a serviceable center for them, no question, and he’d save them a few million a year compared to Curry’s deal. It’s not an outlandish proposition, but Curry would stir a lot of interest.
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Preston (Muskegon): I get frustrated hearing about Rodney Stuckey’s return behind Chauncey Billups because I haven’t seen enough from him to give him that spot over Flip Murray. Why is Stuckey being put on a pedestal?
Langlois: No pedestal, Preston. But everything that led the Pistons to think highly of Stuckey before the draft was confirmed for them through his work in the Las Vegas Summer League, at their practice facility throughout the summer and into the preseason. The consensus around the NBA is that Stuckey has the potential for future stardom and the ability to win games for the Pistons this year. So he’s going to get that chance because he’s earned it. Will that affect Murray’s minutes? Probably. But Murray’s a pro. He knows that if he consistently outperforms Stuckey in practices and games, he’ll be rewarded. Simple as that.
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Dawn (Woodhaven): I was wondering why Ronald Dupree doesn’t play? I thought he did a good job last year.
Langlois: He played a total of 94 minutes for the season, Dawn, appearing in 19 games. He’s ideal for what the Pistons ask of him – a guy who works hard in practice, fits perfectly in the locker room and will be ready to play whenever needed. On a lesser team, he’d have a shot at working his way into the rotation. The thing holding Dupree back from a brighter NBA future is a rudimentary offensive game, including the lack of range and consistency with his jump shot.
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Byron (Detroit): Even though Rodney Stuckey is on his way back, why not find room to play Lindsey Hunter at point guard for five or six minutes a game for his defensive ability and energy coming off the bench?
Langlois: It’s possible it plays out that way, Byron. My hunch is that it’s going to be in Stuckey’s hands. Once he gets back and up to speed, if he’s playing to the level the Pistons expect he’ll play at, what Stuckey can offer is going to be hard to resist. I hear what you’re saying about Hunter’s ability to often alter the course of a game with his harassing defense, but Stuckey’s ability to produce points might trump all other considerations in the long run.
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David (Grand Rapids): The Pistons have five players on the All-Star ballot. If the All-Star game was to be played this weekend, who do you think would make it?
Langlois: Chauncey Billups for sure. Rasheed Wallace maybe. Wallace deserves it. With Chris Bosh in and out for Toronto, only Kevin Garnett in Boston and Dwight Howard in Orlando have been more productive big men than Wallace in the East.
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Brandon (Orion Township): Jason Maxiell has impressed me recently. Do you think he can keep it up and win the Sixth Man of the Year Award?
Langlois: I think it’s a long shot, Brandon, because Manu Ginobili is a lock to win it as long as the Spurs keep using him off their bench.
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Steve (Detroit): Did the Pistons ever beat the Bulls during the 19990-91 season when the Bulls swept them in the conference finals? Please give me some consolation that we at least beat that great team once that year.
Langlois: Rest easy, Steve. The Pistons did beat Chicago that season – once. They went 1-4 against the Bulls during the regular season. They lost the first three games – 105-84 at The Palace, 98-86 in Chicago and 95-93 at The Palace – before finally winning at home 95-91, then closing with a 108-100 loss in Chicago.
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Renee (Troy): What do you think has been the biggest surprise in the league so far and do you think Isiah will be fired?
Langlois: Orlando’s start has been the biggest surprise to me with Boston’s apparent defensive prowess a close second, although I’m withholding judgment on Boston until the Celtics face a little more scheduling adversity than they’ve found so far. I have no insights into the thought process of Knicks owner James Dolan, which somehow comforts me.
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Kevin (Greencastle, Ind.): Do you know much about Antonio McDyess’ days at the University of Alabama? Did he win any titles or set any records?
Langlois: McDyess spent only two seasons at Alabama before leaving after his sophomore year and becoming the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. He led Alabama in rebounding in both of his seasons (8.1 and 10.2) and led the Tide in scoring as a sophomore (13.9). Alabama made the NCAA tournament in both of his seasons, going 20-10 in his freshman year and losing as a No. 9 seed to Purdue in the second round and finishing 23-10 in his sophomore year when Alabama again lost in the second round, this time as a No. 5 seed, to Oklahoma State.
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Bob (Battle Creek): Who was the last Piston to get a triple-double?
Langlois: Chauncey Billups on Feb. 20, 2004 had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
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Sasha (Grand Ledge): I recently saw in the NBA’s power rankings that the Pistons have the second-best offense in the league, just below San Antonio. I was kind of shocked to see that, since the Pistons have been so committed to defense for quite a few years. What do you think has helped give our offense such a huge boost?
Langlois: Two things, Sasha – the assimilation of Antonio McDyess into the starting lineup and the contributions of the bench. The McDyess move could not be working out better for the Pistons. His 15- to 18-foot jumper has been deadly and the presence of two big men on the floor who can stretch a defense as they can – without weakening the Pistons defensively – makes for a more potent offense. And the scoring punch off the bench means two things: the scoring droughts that happened too often a year ago are now less frequent and of shorter duration, and starters come back into games more rested instead of rushed back in to stop the bleeding.
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Gerry (Marquette): What do you think the Pistons need to make them the No. 1 team in the East? I feel they need a big man who will eat up the paint and work the boards – another brute like Dale Davis. And maybe another point guard off the bench who can eat up some minutes and play high-energy defense.
Langlois: The Pistons are fine with their frontcourt rotation as it is, Gerry, but even if they weren’t, brutes who eat up the paint and work the boards just aren’t walking the street. If Dale Davis were on this team, he’d be playing less than he did a season ago due to the emergence of Jason Maxiell, whose performance commands the 24 minutes a night he’s playing. As to your other wish, they’ll be adding a dynamic point guard off their bench very soon now when No. 1 pick Rodney Stuckey returns from injury.
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Treva (Toledo, Ohio): Why doesn’t Cheikh Samb play more? I watched him against the Lakers and he was a presence in the paint on defense. He should play ahead of Nazr Mohammed.
Langlois: Samb has a chance to be an impact player, Treva, but it’s tough finding minutes for him when he has five big men ahead of him. You’re not alone in your desire to brush Nazr Mohammed aside, but I don’t get it. The guy’s been rock solid for the Pistons this year, filling in when asked and almost always at least holding his own. Right now Samb and Mohammed present a tortoise-hare dynamic; Samb would fill up a highlight reel faster with his blocks, but Mohammed wins the race because he simply wouldn’t make as many mistakes, give up as many offensive rebounds or get overpowered in the post the way Samb would. In a year or two, that might change, but right now Nazr Mohammed has given the Pistons exactly what’s been asked of him.
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Lee (Oklahoma): With Miami playing badly and Shaq getting older by the minute, do you think he might be available at the trade deadline? Do you think anyone could beat Billups and Hamilton in the backcourt, Prince and Wallace at forward and Shaq in the middle?
Langlois: Shaq makes $20 million this year, next year and the year after. To get him, the Pistons would have to trade back two very significant contracts to make the deal work. So that lineup you suggest would never play together. Are you willing to trade Wallace and Prince for Shaq? Would you trade either one right now – straight up? Would you trade Billups and Hamilton for Shaq and turn the backcourt over to the rookies, Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo, backed by Flip Murray and Lindsey Hunter? Good luck with that one, Lee.