anyone think this is the last year we're true contenders for a championship? i know i do.

and this isnt a reaction to the cavs series. i've thought all year that it was rediculous to think the pistons might win 1-4 more championships after this year.

i think dynasties are over before you know it. i've still got us winning it this year, but i cant see this group grinding another one out.

(all bets are off if we sign a top flight FA with the MLE this summer).

anyone think this is the last year we're true contenders for a championship? i know i do.

and this isnt a reaction to the cavs series. i've thought all year that it was rediculous to think the pistons might win 1-4 more championships after this year.

i think dynasties are over before you know it. i've still got us winning it this year, but i cant see this group grinding another one out.

(all bets are off if we sign a top flight FA with the MLE this summer).I think this is the end of this particular starting five, but I don't think this is the end of championship contention. Darko notwithstanding, Joe makes a lot of excellent decisions, and it's not like he's retiring. Plus, Chauncey's in his prime, Rip's in his prime, Tayshaun just keeps getting better and will carry a larger scoring load next season... Dumars will probably move Sheed or Benny for some combination of young, undervalued players--the same way we got Ben and Rip in the first place. It's what he does. Circle of life, etc.

There's no reason to think we cant contend again next year so long as we re-sign big ben.

Nobody on this team is really up there in age yet.

And if we win another championship, this starting 5 will not be broken up. Period.

There's no reason to think we cant contend again next year so long as we re-sign big ben.

Nobody on this team is really up there in age yet. I have a feeling we'll do a sign-and-trade with Ben. That way he gets his money and we get younger. But we've been through this before :)

We'll find out this Summer who was right.

Yes

Yes
we werent talking about boguts career. how embarrassing!

When?

We have about another year or two of contending. I do think that if we win the title this year, it'll most likely be our last.

thats what im saying. no doubt, we'll be very good for a while. its just, i dont see this crew ever winning it again after this year. theres generally a large difference between a title team and everyone else, which doesnt become apparant until the finals (last year not withstanding).

thats what im saying. no doubt, we'll be very good for a while. its just, i dont see this crew ever winning it again after this year. theres generally a large difference between a title team and everyone else, which doesnt become apparant until the finals (last year not withstanding).
tayshaun is getting better, Rip and billups are still at their peak. Ben isnt seeing any significant decline. Rasheed has atleast 3-4 good years left in him. next year will be decided by our youth on the bench. Acker(if he survives the roster updates for next year),Amir, maxiell, delfino, and even mo shithead evans will all have to step up. but the responsibilities will change over the next 3 years. Tayshauns role will increase every year. his response to that will be key.

I think if we could get someone like Grant Hill in here in the offseason, it will keep us dominant for another year or two. I think the reason that we're on the decline is because our lifeforce (Ben) is getting up there in age, and we are all starting to see it. His whole game is athletisism and determination, and as he gets older it's being taken from him.

As long as Joey D. is our GM, we will be a contender. We might not be the favorite every year, but a contender nonetheless.

How are the Pistons "on the decline"?

I think the next few years is when we'll really start needing our bench more in the regular season while the starters are getting older. Guys like Max, and Delfino (if he even sticks around) and anyone who we pick up are going to have to start playing 15-20 minutes a night if we want to stay contenders. They cant play into June every year and log heavy minutes in the regular season.

How are the Pistons "on the decline"?
i think it breaks even for atleast 3 years. tayshaun hasnt peaked yet. Rip will be peaked for atleast 2 more years as will billups. i do think our dominance will be based on how much help they get on the bench. i.e. free agency and youth. with amir showcasing a solid jumpshot, if he can improve his dribble he and maxiell can start helping as soon as next year. the bench will be the key IMO.

if one of our youngins can emerge as a bonafide stud, i could see us contending again.

we know what we can get from Delk and Dice.

Delfino, Amir, Maxiell, and even Acker (which i don'treally have high hopes for) could come up as a rising star. it'll be tough for them with the starting lineup being so good.....but if any of those guys start showing lots of confidence and Flip shows confidence in them, we could be just as dangerous. so, i agree the bench could be the key for keeping in contention.

How are the Pistons "on the decline"?


Don't get me wrong - they're the best team in the NBA right now. But have you been watching Ben? Ben is our energy - the epitome of hard work. He still brings it every night. But if you're going to say that he is just as dominant as he was even 2 years ago, then you're kidding yourself. Ben is getting older, which takes away from what the Pistons are made of.

They're fine now, and could be for a year or two more, but don't think that Ben can continue to be the force that he is/was.

I'd wait more than two series before declaring he's dwindling down. Once you are at the top, the only way to go is down so I don't know that not being as dominant is much of a sign of anything. That's really all I'm saying at the moment.

I've never been one to chant dynasty after the first championship but I also don't think our "window is closing" (a.k.a Miami).

I'm not making that observation after watching the Cleveland series. He was actually quite good in it, outside of free throws. I'm making that observation based on the regular season this year.

its things like our guys reaching for loose balls from their feet while cavs hit the floor to get them. our team just doesnt have that "will" that they had 2 years ago. if we win it this year, next year it will be even more obvious.

its things like our guys reaching for loose balls from their feet while cavs hit the floor to get them. our team just doesnt have that "will" that they had 2 years ago. if we win it this year, next year it will be even more obvious.
yea when we think the team is inferior we do that. i dont think that will happen with the heat. but you never know whats going on in the minds of these guys. i just hope they think of miami as a great team and respond as such.

I think it's ridiculous to believe these guys are too old to get it done.

Now Sheed and Dice are getting up there, somebody will be able to step into that role within the next couple years. It was supposed to be Darko..we'll see who the trade gets us.

Prince's game is improving and Chauncey and Rip both have like 5 good years left in them...hell look how long Reggie Miller, Sam Cassel, etc keep their teams challenging.

Who in the east is younger and better? Cleveland? I'm not worried.

Cleveland and Chicago will need to be dealt with, but we still have the horses IMO.

^Bump.

There's no reason to think we cant contend again next year so long as we re-sign big ben.

Nobody on this team is really up there in age yet.

And if we win another championship, this starting 5 will not be broken up. Period.


"I could have been a contender"

Fuck contending. We were 1st 2 years ago, 2nd last year, and 4th(?) this year. Not heading in the right direction homes.


Starting 5 needs to be looked at. Someone might have to be moved. Some can be moved easier than others.

Coach. ??? Is this team built for Flips offensive mentality, or vice versa.

Bench. How much cap space will be left over to do this?