So with Kwame's signing, it looks like we're rolling with this...

Billups/Stuckey/Bynum
Hamilton/Afflalo
Prince/Sharpe
McDyess/Maxiell/Amir
Sheed/Brown/Samb

With 2 open roster spots (Hunter, Ratliff, Herrmann?)

We've got the BAE to work with, and what's left of the MLE that Kwame didn't get (roughly $1.6m?)

Is that team, with Curry instead of Flip, any better than last year's squad? Is good enough to get past the Celtics and then beat the Western Champ?

We need to figure out how much room under the tax threshold we have, too.

We still have the rights to go over to sign Herrmann right, since he's restricted? I'm assuming no Hunter or Ratliff if we have the roster the way it is because Kwame takes Ratliff's spot and Bynum takes Hunters. I don't see us using Sheed, McDyess, Max, and Amir as our PF's and just Brown and Theo as the C's, there wouldn't be enough PF minutes to go around. I read that we were plenty under the tax threshold in one of the Kwame articles, saying after his signing we were at 59mil but the tax level was 70mil or something around those numbers.
I'd really like to see Herrmann come back on something like a 2 year deal with the second year a team option, give him around 3mil, but I don't know if that's a reasonable request or not, I'm not sure what he's looking for. He seemed to like it here and he'd finally have consistent minutes. Sharpe would have some time to develop then as well.

I forgot Herrmann, added him into the original post.

If a trade is not coming, I'd like to see him re-signed as well.

That team could be enough to win it all, but I'd still like to see Joe trying to make us better.

I expect Stuckey to make some strides. I'm hoping for Amir strides, but with the log jam at PF I'm not expecting anything tangable there. I thought we had the talent to win it for the last 4 years, so to me it's more about performance than upgrading the roster.

If Curry can coach, I think we have enough. I'm not confident though with their track record. I've heard the "we know what it takes to win and we can't wait to get this sour taste out of our mouths" crap for too long.

We know what the starting 5 are going to give us. Its really about how much Stuckey, Max, Amir, and Afflalo are going to step up this year. If Kwame finally realizes some of his potential, that would be huge, but just counting on him to give us what Theo gave us last year would be fine, as long as those young 4 keep making strides.

We know what the starting 5 are going to give us. Its really about how much Stuckey, Max, Amir, and Afflalo are going to step up this year. If Kwame finally realizes some of his potential, that would be huge, but just counting on him to give us what Theo gave us last year would be fine, as long as those young 4 keep making strides.

an early exit?

^snarky


but I like it

http://www.naturalux.com/SAD.jpg
Way to ruin my day.

sorry, but until one of the core cows gets moooooooved, I'm just not that interested

sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry

Even adding a stud backup would help us a lot, if we actually played to our potential and stopped playing the "we can turn it on when we need to" game because we obviously can't turn it on and off. Something like bringing in a backup wing that can just come in and gun the lights out (like Mike Miller used to be for the Grizz) would be fantastic, though not realistic.

So what does Dumars do now? A few options.


1. He brings back a 59-win team with a new coach (Michael Curry) and a plan to give second-year guard Rodney Stuckey starter's minutes. Everybody blends together, Stuckey emerges as a breakout star, Brown makes a nice contribution off the bench and the Pistons win their fourth championship.


2. Dumars pulls off a major trade during the season. Things change fast in the NBA -- deals that are dead now can come alive in a few months.

Twelve months ago, Billups had just signed a long-term deal with the Pistons, Kevin Garnett wanted no part of Boston and Kobe Bryant was stopping guys in the street and complaining about Lakers management.

Houston could sour on Tracy McGrady. Denver could lose patience with Carmelo Anthony. Both of those teams have been frustrated with their superstars in the past. The Nuggets extended an olive branch to Anthony this summer, but you never know with Anthony. He might take that olive branch and try to smoke it. And then Denver would be open to trading him. Or somebody else might come available, too. Again: You just never know.

I still firmly believe that Dumars' first choice is to trade Billups. But if Brown plays well, the Pistons can look at trading one of their big guys, probably Wallace. As the trade deadline approaches next season, Wallace's value likely will increase. His contract is up next summer, and NBA teams salivate over big, expiring contracts.


3. The Pistons bring back the same team and lose in the Eastern Conference playoffs again.

Yes, of course scenario No. 3 is possible. Right now, I would even call it likely.

But the Pistons' summer of intrigue is not over. It will just extend into fall, and maybe winter. Next spring is a long way off.

This team can be good enough to get past the Celtics.

First, we've seen that once a team wins it, their hunger level the following year is not as strong. If THAT team stays the exact same, they're essentially moving backwards already.

Second, they've lost Posey. Let's not forget his clutch shots and solid defense which helped Boston win a fair amount of games along the way.

Third, they have 4 available spots on their roster right now (based on what Hoopshype shows for salaries). Their ESPN roster includes the following players, though they aren't apparently under contract: PJ Brown, Sam Cassell, Semih Erden, JR Giddens, Eddie House, Scott Pollard, and Bill Walker. So between that pool and any other options, they can only add 4 players.

Fourth, the Pistons do have the hunger. They do have guys on the roster that are continually improving. Kwame may not be much, but he is a piece to a puzzle. Curry may do a better job. We have yet to see much of that. But considering we took them to 6 games and proved we could be as good as them or better, I think our offseason vs their offseason puts us ahead so far.

Stuckey has a year under his belt now, but Rondo will continue to improve as well.
Afflalo should step up his offensive game a bit this year once he's given consistent minutes, and he'll continue his solid defense, which could also improve
Max could take another step in his development this year, but it will probably be equal to whatever Glen Davis does.
Can Amir out-improve Powe? I think so, seeing as Amir wasn't even in the rotation during that series.
Samb may get some time this year, but I don't think he would be a factor in a Boston series.
We've got a 2nd round SF in Sharpe, they've got a 2nd round SF in Walker, but I would assume Walker will be better for them than Sharpe is for us.
Anything I'm missing?

Oh, and Ray Allen will continue his fade. He's not just going to drop off into nothing, but he won't be the player he was last year. Old age is obviously starting to take its toll on him.

Will Rondo's improvement outweigh Stuckey's? Is this the same Rondo that people weren't even covering because he couldn't shoot? He did improve dramatically from year 1 to year 2, but I wonder how much further he can go. Meanwhile, Stuckey was getting 9 fewer mintues in the playoffs but had essentially the same scoring impact (even though he was not left wide open). Here's what Rondo does VERY well - get the ball to three potential Hall of Famers. I contend that Stuckey on that team would have been better as a rookie than Rondo was as a 2nd year players.
So while I think both could improve, I would be surprised if Rondo's improvement matched Stuckey's.

Rondo also rebounds really well for a guard, but that doesn't detract from your points, Jeth.

Rondo's big concern is his shooting, so I think he can improve a good deal by just working on his shot. I think Stuckey has a lot more room to improve, but Rondo's not going to come back and be at the same level he was last year, he should be able to step up a level or 2.

Youve also go to remember what kind of impact improving his shot will have on the rest of his team. When you've got the guys around you that he does, not being a solid shooter isn't that big of a deal, so just think if he develops his shot and starts hitting more of those open shots. Suddenly you can't leave him open as much, which means you can't double-team the stars as much which causes even more problems. I know that Stuckey improving his shot would have the same impact, but guys on the Pistons don't get doubled nearly as often.

sorry, but until one of the core cows gets moooooooved, I'm just not that interested

sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry
slit your wrists now and and give up on that domino tower you were working on. :P

Seriously though, we shoulda kept Flip if that's what some believe about the theory that teams police themselves w/o even discipline and accountability(yell at stuckey let chauncy piss piss on the logo if he pleases, pull Amir for missing a jump shot, let sheed Chuck from half court every play).. I don't believe that at all, but to each his own.

Rondo also rebounds really well for a guard, but that doesn't detract from your points, Jeth.

2 rebounds per game better. We should have had Jarvis shoot more. Clearly Stuckey, future MVP and ruler of the world, could have pulled in a couple offensive boards from him. Or more minutes on the floor with a lazy chucker - if only we had one of those - oh wait!!!...

The Nuggets extended an olive branch to Anthony this summer, but you never know with Anthony. He might take that olive branch and try to smoke it.

[smilie=rofl2.gif]

So who do you guys think we're gonna lose to in the Eastern Conf Finals this year? Who's obstacle will we be this year?

the problem with analyzing matchups and general logic is that at least 2 of the 3 ECF exits also favored us with matchups and "conventional logic" points.
Many of the problems are mental, mental toughness, the willingness to gut it out every game. There's a big difference between not being good enough, and being good enough and failing constantly to reach your potential. Once you get stuck in the rut of the latter it's nigh impossible to break out of it.

Yes, ON PAPER (and on message board paper) our team as constructed CAN win it all. But they won't.

So who do you guys think we're gonna lose to in the Eastern Conf Finals this year? Who's obstacle will we be this year?

the problem with analyzing matchups and general logic is that at least 2 of the 3 ECF exits also favored us with matchups and "conventional logic" points.
Many of the problems are mental, mental toughness, the willingness to gut it out every game. There's a big difference between not being good enough, and being good enough and failing constantly to reach your potential. Once you get stuck in the rut of the latter it's nigh impossible to break out of it.

Yes, ON PAPER (and on message board paper) our team as constructed CAN win it all. But they won't.

Boston & Cleveland = LOSS
Toronto & Philly = 50/50
Orlando and everyone else we can take.

We will never get that hunger back that a team needs to win a ring with our current starting 5. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

So, who's mentally tough? Paul Pierce? KG?

Boston & Cleveland = LOSS
Toronto & Philly = 50/50
Orlando and everyone else we can take.

We will never get that hunger back that a team needs to win a ring with our current starting 5. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.

Really? You like JJ Hickson that much? Look, they are not great. Ben Wallace is getting worse, Joe Smith? Come on. Sczerbiak can be servicable in that offense but I just don't seem them being much improved. Delonte West may head to Europe. That's a fairly substantial loss.

Toronto and Philly will certainly be interesting next year. Both made huge acquisitions of All-Star big men that combined to play 50 games last season. If they're healthy they are certainly a force.

I fear Orlando more than anyone. That's a hungry team, one who is pissed about the way they lost. I certainly think they are more of a chaleenge than some of the teams you put ahead of them. Plus I see the Celtics coming back to the pack a bit.

Billups/Stuckey/Bynum
Hamilton/Afflalo
Prince/Herrmann/Sharpe
McDyess/Maxiell/Amir
Sheed/Brown/Samb

Updated.

1 roster spot left.

How serious was Acker's injury? You suppose he gets invited to training camp with a chance to be the 3rd SG? I know it was an injury to a knee that has been a problem for him, but he realistically isn't going to play very much and at 6'5" he's tall enough to be a SG, even though he's called a combo guard.

Really? You like JJ Hickson that much? Look, they are not great. Ben Wallace is getting worse, Joe Smith? Come on. Sczerbiak can be servicable in that offense but I just don't seem them being much improved. Delonte West may head to Europe. That's a fairly substantial loss.

Toronto and Philly will certainly be interesting next year. Both made huge acquisitions of All-Star big men that combined to play 50 games last season. If they're healthy they are certainly a force.

I fear Orlando more than anyone. That's a hungry team, one who is pissed about the way they lost. I certainly think they are more of a chaleenge than some of the teams you put ahead of them. Plus I see the Celtics coming back to the pack a bit.

Well no one except for James was great when they beat us in the ECF two years ago either. Your right they are not great, but neither are we. All those trades they did last season were more of a lateral move IMO, which still beats us in the playoffs.

Orlando will be better, maybe, but any team whose PG is Jameer Nelson will not make it. Any team whose PF is Rashard Lewis won't make it. I think Philly LAST YEAR and Toronto this year could take Orlando.

IMO we are no better of a team then we were two years ago. If Curry can wake this team up or Joe can get us something positive through trades, hell than maybe we can get back and win the finals. All in all though Curry is an unknown, Joe obviously has not been able to make a move yet and we still have the same lackadaisical no-shows from last couple years.

So the starters on this team have gotten so bad that the impact of Stuckey did nothing?

So the coaching on this team have gotten so bad that the impact of Stuckey did nothing?

No, I think Stuckey is great! Please trade Billups and let Stuckey play 38 mpg. The starters have declined, except for RIP, one Stuckey as a rookie couldn't change or help that. Stuck's good but is he really going to go all Chris Paul this year? I don't think so. Do you really not see it? Sheed is out to lunch when it comes down to IT. Tay is MIA when it comes down to IT. Billups forgets what he's all about when it comes down to IT. Dice is old. Rip's cool, flops in tough moments though, but still alright w/me. The fire is gone w/some of these guys.

Please allow me this one pessimistic post:

Offseason changes:

-Hired a coach with zero head coaching experience

-Gave up our first round pick

-The best of our three second round picks is a narcoleptic that has been shot, kicked off his college team, went on to play a total of only 18 games, and will be playing a position that he has never played before.

-We signed one of the biggest running jokes in the league as our major free agent addition.

-Joe told us all that no one was safe, but in actuality, everyone was safe.

-We swung and missed on nearly every free agent that we talked to, even Carlos Delfino shunned us.

-Our cocky starting PG basically said that it doesn't matter who the coach is "because we all know how to play".

-A guy that couldn't get off the bench with us last year is now our #2 SF.

-Signed a guy that last played in the NBA (a whole 15 games) in 2005-06.

What did I miss?

Who did we sign that hasn't played in the NBA in 2005-06?

Will Bynum.

I thought #30 was going to piss some people off, but no luck.

Of course, Kstat hasn't seen it yet.

Please allow me this one pessimistic post:

Offseason changes:

-Hired a coach with zero head coaching experience

-Gave up our first round pick

-The best of our three second round picks is a narcoleptic that has been shot, kicked off his college team, went on to play a total of only 18 games, and will be playing a position that he has never played before.

-We signed one of the biggest running jokes in the league as our major free agent addition.

-Joe told us all that no one was safe, but in actuality, everyone was safe.

-We swung and missed on nearly every free agent that we talked to, even Carlos Delfino shunned us.

-Our cocky starting PG basically said that it doesn't matter who the coach is "because we all know how to play".

-A guy that couldn't get off the bench with us last year is now our #2 SF.

-Signed a guy that last played in the NBA (a whole 15 games) in 2005-06.

What did I miss?

Man, this post pisses me off.

When Tahoe posts, the board is at its strongest.

When Tahoe posts, the board is at its strongest.

Agreed.

That last post is what you might consider a "supplemental" post.

We need that strong middle relief work that Tahoe brings.

Shove before the Fall.

Please allow me this one pessimistic post:~now featuring levity replies :)

Offseason changes:

-Hired a coach with zero head coaching experience~Based on what one with experience did, I'll care more about whether the players respect him and whether he takes no bs. Curry so far seems like a guy who'll hold them accountable

-The best of our three second round picks is a narcoleptic that has been shot, kicked off his college team, went on to play a total of only 18 games, and will be playing a position that he has never played before.~it was a pretty weak bunch and as much as i woulda rather had the guy we traded to get him, i can't say i woulda expected anybody else available in the second round to to be worth any more than what we drafted.

-We signed one of the biggest running jokes in the league as our major free agent addition.~Actually signed a true Center who can fill up space and rebound.

-Joe told us all that no one was safe, but in actuality, everyone was safe.~not yet, but I agree he should have never made that promise to the media in the open off emotion. Because Teams now want to bend him over in these deals. One Bright side is that nobody wants to be traded and both Billups and Tayshaun have stated that they don't want to be traded, rather than saying "well fuck Joe too, i dont want to be here anyways".

-We swung and missed on nearly every free agent that we talked to, even Carlos Delfino shunned us.~They all wanted starters money for backup positions. And Delfino ran to russia for a bigger contract. Personally outside of Maggette and Pietrus, i'd rather have herrmanntor: Salvation over the rest.

-Our cocky starting PG basically said that it doesn't matter who the coach is "because we all know how to play".~valid point, I think his skills as a leader are not what was advertised after Ben Wallace's exodus. Certain people tried to say that Ben Wasn't a leader and that it was Billups. But in reality you need that guy who leads by example and busts his ass every night to inspire everyone. Billups couldn't and still hasn't filled that role. And yet in still he has swollen his ego up getting a prince's thrown from Flip to do all w/o consequence.

-A guy that couldn't get off the bench with us last year is now our #2 SF.~Bleh, that had less to do with talent and more to do with the guy in charge of our rotations imo. We'll find out though this fall.

-Signed a guy that last played in the NBA (a whole 15 games) in 2005-06.~injuries suck. :(

What did I miss?

Thanks for playing, CV.

I think I'll send that post (#30) to Langlois. I hope his head doesn't explode.

Please allow me this one pessimistic post:

Offseason changes:

-Hired a coach with zero head coaching experience

-Gave up our first round pick

-The best of our three second round picks is a narcoleptic that has been shot, kicked off his college team, went on to play a total of only 18 games, and will be playing a position that he has never played before.

-We signed one of the biggest running jokes in the league as our major free agent addition.

-Joe told us all that no one was safe, but in actuality, everyone was safe.

-We swung and missed on nearly every free agent that we talked to, even Carlos Delfino shunned us.

-Our cocky starting PG basically said that it doesn't matter who the coach is "because we all know how to play".

-A guy that couldn't get off the bench with us last year is now our #2 SF.

-Signed a guy that last played in the NBA (a whole 15 games) in 2005-06.

What did I miss?


Well, to contradict this, let's look at what the rest of the East "powers" have done...

Boston- Yeah they won the title, but I wouldn't say they were 'head and shoulders' above everybody else. They lose Posey to NO. Cassell & PJ Brown are probably gone too. They don't have much to prove anymore, now that the three of them all have rings. Last year was a 'magical' season, to expect similar win totals would be foolish. Drafted JR Giddens, but he's nothing more than a Tony Allen (post-ACL tear).


Cleveland- Just like Boston. They've added nobody. They are sandbagged with terrible contracts and the few guys they've tried to sign have spurned them for more money elsewhere. They can't seem to offer a contract large enough to bring back Delonte West, and they gave Boobie Gibson a rediculious chunk of change to be a poor mans Damon Jones (even though they have the rich man's version on their bench already). They drafted JJ Hickson, personally I'm not expecting much out of him, at least not this year. The key for them is Szczerbiak's expiring contract. They should be able to unload that mother by the deadline, and could get a big boost for the postseason.


Orlando- Used their MLE on Pietrus, it's hard to say what exactly he brings to the table, I suppose Orlando is the Eastern Conference version of the Golden St Warriors, but I don't expect him to light the world on fire. They lose their top two perimieter defenders in Dooling & Evans. Until Dwight Howard either A) develops post up moves, B) develops a short range jump/hook shot, or C) makes freethrows, they're not to be taken seriously come playoff time. People gush about Dwight, but he's not as great as they make him out to be, not even close. Still got the two panzies chucking 3's all day (Turk & Shard). Courtney Lee will be an X-factor, but it's not like they struggle on offense anyway. They aren't going to be much better than last year, if at all.


Philly- Adding Brand was big. This team has potential, they're not going to win the division, but they've got lot's of upside, especially since they're solid on defense. I don't think it should be assumed, however, that Brand is going to be the 20-10 he was before he got hurt. This team isn't as offensively gifted as that Clippers team he was on, Mo Cheeks still runs a very monotonus offense, and teams will be able to double up on EB downlow, because they have absolutely no other guys who can score inside (maybe Thad Young, but he's more of a SF if you ask me). I like the mix of guys they have, but I don't think they're a Title Contender. They're the new "Raptors".


Milwaukee- Adding RJ was a nice move by John, and he's a fine compliment to Redd, but they've got alot of money tied up now in deadweight like Dan Gadzuric. They're not better than the Bulls or Cavs though, and my guess is they'll be sellers at the deadline trying to unload Redd.


Washington, Toronto- I don't fear either of these teams. I've seen nothing in the last couple seasons that would lead me to believe Jermaine O'Neal will be "himself" again. A change of scenery doesn't heal your back. And Washington broke the bank on an overrated chucker. Money well spent Grunfeld.

Chicago- Too young. Derrick Rose will take his share of lumps. Having a 4,5 rotation of Noah, Ty Thomas, and Gooden tells me your going to be last in the league in points in the paint. A first round exit, at best.


Pistons can still win the East.

I agree with much of what was said by Wil. Just a few exceptions.

1. JJ Hickson will be good. 2nd team all-rookie. But many of their players are continuing to get worse. Contracts might dictate playing time too much and Hickson might end up with less PT than he deserves. You already know LBJ is going to play 40+ minutes. They're clogged up in the middle with Ben, Z, Sideshow and Joe Smith. So when will Hickson play? He'll be like Amir - someone fans are screaming to get PT for, someone who impresses for the most part when that PT comes, but never enough to really be a difference maker.

2. Even better as a rookie will be Marreese Speights in Philly. If they are able to resign AI2 and if Brand comes back at something more than 1/2 the player he was, they're probably getting the #4 seed.

3. Milwaukee will be interesting. Yi was never a good fit, and I think Redd, RJ and Bogut will make some noise. I think they actually will be better than Chicago.

4. Miami has not been mentioned. Look out. I think they're coming back. Gone are the days when Chris Quinn plays the majority of the game. Look, this depends a lot on health, but D Wade has looked extremely good in what I've watched from Team USA. If he and Marion can stay relatively healthy, that team will be strong. Beasley is going to win Rookie of the Year (partially because Miami will have such a big turnaround, even though it won't be all because of Beasley). Ricky Davis and Jason Williams are addition by subtraction.

All of that said, Detroit still has home court in the first round, quite possibly in the 2nd round. They like to play the role of victim, and more people are dismissing them now than they have in years. They'll be, at worst, two games away from the ECF. At best, they lose the NBA Finals in 6 games.

^ dwades looking like team usas mvp thus far.

but yeah, we can still contend in the east. we should be hungrier with michael curry as our head coach but who am i to kidd, we still have billups and sheed.

next move? joes cooking up smoething no one is gonna see coming

^ dwades looking like team usas mvp thus far.

but yeah, we can still contend in the east. we should be hungrier with michael curry as our head coach but who am i to kidd, we still have billups and sheed.

next move? joes cooking up smoething no one is gonna see coming

Signing Casey Jacobsen as our 3rd SG?

I don't know about Speights, he wasn't exactly "dominant" at Florida, and how is he going to find minutes, Philly has a loaded front court?

Dalembert, Brand, Evans, Thad Young (if he plays the 4) Jason Smith will all get more minutes than Speights, at least to start the season...

Speights is raw, he did fine in the Summer League, but take that with a grain of salt, he needs alot more polish.

I don't know about Miami Jethro, they're depth is questionable, they don't really have a PG, or a Center. They need to fill our that roster before I think they will compete, because as of now, they're not a playoff team, and Marion should get dealt at the deadline.

If they have to start Mario Chalmers at the point from day one, they will finish last in that division.

I think Taddeus will play quite a bit of 3 this season, and surely they'll take it easy on a Brand with injury issues - probably not more than 30 minutes per game. I can see Speights getting 12 minutes per game fairly easily. That may not seem to be too much, but he'll work his way into the rotation and have a dependable presence by the playoffs.

I like Philly's rotation alot...

C- Dalembert/Smith
PF- Brand/Evans/Speights
SF- Iggy/Thad Young
SG- Willie Green/Lou Williams
PG- Andre Miller/Royal Ivey

I think they would be better served starting Thad at the 3 and Iggy at the 2, Willie Green is the 'black sheep' of this rotation, but he's probably going to start...

If they can stay healthy, they'll be dangerous...if they start out slow, I bet they deal Andre at the deadline and take that money to sign another big time player for '09-'10...

Yeah Philly sniffed the show... they'll be dangerous next year.
Let's be honest... nobody fears the Pistons anymore.... they'll be coming right at our bigs with athletic guards & wings...
IMO Sheed don't give a shit no more... CTC

I still think we're as close to a lock as you can possibly get to be the two seed though...

Hopefully, for our sake (assuming Boston is still the one seed) that Philly get's the 4 seed, thus we can avoid them in the playoffs.

A 4/5 matchup of Philly/Cleveland would be a must-watch, especially when Cleveland adds a big piece for trading Wally at the deadline...

I still think we're as close to a lock as you can possibly get to be the two seed though...

Hopefully, for our sake (assuming Boston is still the one seed) that Philly get's the 4 seed, thus we can avoid them in the playoffs.

A 4/5 matchup of Philly/Cleveland would be a must-watch, especially when Cleveland adds a big piece for trading Wally at the deadline...

With the winner then going on to face Boston. Meanwhile we get to simply dispose of Orlando once again. Ho hum.

1st round = Wizards, 2nd round = Magic, 3rd round = Celtics, Finals = Lakers?

That would be the ideal scenario Jeth. I'd say I'd rather see one of those teams beat the Celtics but if we didn't have to go up against them people would be saying how we got the easy route because we didn't have to go through the big three (which is stupid because it would mean they weren't the better team anyway).

Sounds about right.

1- Boston
2- Detroit
3- Orlando
4- Cleveland or Philly
5- Philly or Cleveland
6- Toronto
7- Washington
8- Milwaukee/Chicago

this team reminds me of the Sacramento Kings when they were 'contenders', great team, balanced roster, sort of soft, talent to win it all, then they lost in Game 7 for three straight years I believe. Hardcore fans kept insisting they could still win, but we all knew better.

What vets min free agents would we be interested in bringing in? Guys that we could legitimately get for the vets min

Theo Ratliff, Lindsey Hunter...to name a couple

Maybe Darrell Armstrong, Derek Anderson...not exactly quality.

Right now we're looking at:

Billups/Stuckey/Bynum
Hamilton/Afflalo
Prince/Herrmann/Sharpe
Dyess/Maxiell/Johnson
Wallace/Brown/Samb

That leaves us with 1 roster spot assuming all of those guys make the team (and we don't make any trades).

What vets min free agents would we be interested in bringing in? Guys that we could legitimately get for the vets min

I can think of one...

Is his first name Ronald?

Charles Oakley

Is Lindsey coming back? I've heard nothing either way.

In a possible Tay move, does anyone think there is anything to the theory that Stern does not want the guys on the Olympic team moved until after the games are over?

Did you just come up with that or did you hear it somewhere? There could potentially be something there, like Stern asking them to not announce those deals until after the games so the players can focus. I don't think its very likely though.

I'd like to say I came up with this but I heard from somewhere that I've now mis-remembered

I think there may be something to it, but that might just be me wanting a bigger move than Valter

It would make sense. The USA team doing well would reflect well on American basketball, which would reflect well on Stern. Having distractions such as being traded could cause problems which would make American basketball not look as good, which makes Stern look bad. I'm sure he's willing to do whatever he can to help Team USA at this point, especially now that players are jumping ship to Europe.

If Tay was going to a major market team, I have no doubt that Stern would view announcing it during the games as a bonus.

But if it wasn't a major market team, then what?

I don't think he really cares about the Olympics for the most part. As long as they use highly marketable guys and nobody gets arrested, and pub that he can steal from the games for the NBA is all good, IMO.

Pistons Exercise Team Option on Guards Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the team exercised its team option on the contracts of guards Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo. Both contracts are now extended through the 2009-10 NBA season.

“We are pleased to have both Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo signed through the 2009-10 season,” said Dumars. “Both players will continue to grow and mature within our system and we look forward to the contributions they will bring this season and beyond.”

Stuckey, 22, appeared in 57 games (two starts) last season, averaging 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 19.0 minutes per game. In two starts (Pistons 2-0 in those games) he averaged 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 28.5 minutes per game. Stuckey saw action in 17 playoff games (2 starts), averaging 8.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 22.4 minutes per game. Filling in for an injured Chauncey Billups, he averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 assists in two playoff games as a starter, recording playoff career-highs in points (19) and minutes (34) at Orlando (5/7) in the second round. He missed the first 25 games of the season after suffering a broken left hand in the club’s final preseason game vs. Washington (10/24).

Afflalo, 22, appeared in 75 games (nine starts) last season, averaging 3.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 12.9 minutes per game…In nine starts (Pistons 6-3 in those games) he averaged 7.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 21.1 minutes per game. Afflalo became the first Pistons rookie since Grant Hill (1994-95) to start a season opener at Miami (11/1) when he played in place of Richard Hamilton who missed the game tending to the birth of his son. He scored 10-plus points seven times and led the team in scoring twice during the year. He also recorded a career-high 15 points twice [at Miami (3/27) and at Cleveland (4/16)], grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and dished out a career-high four assists at Cleveland (4/16).

"Arron" is a stupid name.

That was one hell of a game for him against Cleveland on April 16th. 15 points, 8 boards, 4 assists.

I agree, though, Arron is a stupid name.

So is Jhonny. Get off his back.

Yeah, adding additional letters to a name is downright idiotic. Isn't that right, GlenN

pwnt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111sauce

:mccosky:

Slam dunks
Dumars tied up a couple more loose ends Tuesday. He picked up the team options on Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo , which will keep the guards in Detroit through 2009-10.

Soon, the Pistons will sign small forward Walter Herrmann to a one-year, $2 million contract. The Pistons will have 13 players under contract, not including free agent Lindsey Hunter , who has yet to decide whether he wants to play another season.

1. Billups
2. Stuckey
3. Bynum
4. Hamilton
5. Afflalo
6. Prince
7. Herrmann
8. Sharpe
9. McDyess
10. Maxiell
11. Amir
12. Sheed
13. Brown
14. Samb

McCosky Math 101: Where's the discrepancy?

It's easy to love a beat writer who can't add.

The only thing that I can think of is that maybe Bynum's deal is not guaranteed and McCocky is just being clever.

Hey, McCocky was just a typo, but it's got potential.

McCocky...duh duh duh...duh duh duh
http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2006/11/sportscenter_logo.jpg

Jeff (Detroit, Michigan ) : With the signing of Kwame Brown does this mean that maybe Amir Johnson is finally on the block. As you said they are really deap at the big men position.

:chad:
Chad Ford: I don't think so. The team was very weak with true centers. Kwame is the only really legit center on their roster. Sheed prefers to play the four. I like the Kwame signing. I know he's done nothing in the league, but for two years, $4 million, he's worth the gamble. If nothing else, he's a very solid defensive presence for the Pistons. If the Pistons culture can get him focused, he could give much, much more. Kwame is very talented ... he's just never lived up to expectations. Great move from Detroit, but I'm still not convinced that Joe Dumars is done. He's still willing to trade a player or two in their core, but he's waiting for the right offer.

Chad could be on to something, he's pretty tight with Joe.

If Dumars was up to something, wouldn't McCosky have told us?

If Dumars was up to something, wouldn't McCosky have told us?

No.

McCosky tells you about it after it happens, but he also tells you that he knew about it a long time ago but couldn't say anything.

Sorry, should have put that in green text. My bad.