i suppose every off-season needs an optimistic thread like this one. which Piston is going to make the biggest jump and breakout this coming season, if you had to put money down. it doesn't mean the player will be a superstar (though that might apply to Tay and Rip), but who will make the biggest jump to suprise everyone.

i'm going to include Tayshaun because of his youth and Rip because he made an improvement last season, when everyone thought we had seen all he can offer. i'll throw Dice in the mix too, since he might see more PT (esp. 4th quarters) since Ben's gone.

Delfino. He'll get the PT and he'll be a strong person off the bench.

Although it dosent matter, we arent winning another NBA title as long as Stern is in office.

Delfino. He'll get the PT and he'll be a strong person off the bench.

if you had to guess, what kind of minutes and numbers do you think Delfino can produce?

Darko.

Sadly, I doubt Flip will use Delfino again, and Flip Murray will be getting all the minutes. Giving him the best chance to have a breakout year, and put all his critics to rest.

Watch out for Jason Maxiell too though.

Delfino. He'll get the PT and he'll be a strong person off the bench.

if you had to guess, what kind of minutes and numbers do you think Delfino can produce?

Around Dyess type numbers if he's givin Dyess minutes.

I'd like it to be Amir, since we need a true SF backup for Tay (I still see Delfino as a SG), but if I had to put $ on it, I'd say Maxiell because he'll get more minutes.

Also, no Sheed? lol

The only thing Sheed breaks out is a bong.

i'd really like to see Sheed have a career best rebounding year. he tied his career best at 8.2 per game in the 04-05 season. obviously, with Sheed jacking threes, rebounds won't be bouncing his way.....but maybe he'll realize the team really needs him in the paint now that Ben's gone.

are 9 rebounds a game too much to ask for from Sheed?

This will be the third year we're expecting Delfino to be the MIP... is he turning into the Piston's Jonathan Bender?

This will be the third year we're expecting Delfino to be the MIP... is he turning into the Piston's Jonathan Bender?

yes and no. yes, we keep expecting him to do something and no- we don't think he's the next KG :)

I think Murray has a big season and then opts out

the obvious choice is davis. he's going from no role, to playing as many minutes he can give us.

Either Delfino or Max.

Depends on what DD does and if Max takes his PT or whether Delfino is either used at all

I'll go with McDyess. He's by far the hungriest of the top 6 and he's been dying for an opportunity to do more. If his knees don't explode, he could really step it up this year.

Somehow, I think Amir Johnson will be the surprise hit by the end of '06-'07.
Just a hunch, nothing more or less.

^yeah I would have liked to have seen a similar poll but only for our young players

It's hard for me to come to terms with Dale Davis or Antonio McDyess having "breakout" seasons.

^yeah I would have liked to have seen a similar poll but only for our young players

It's hard for me to come to terms with Dale Davis or Antonio McDyess having "breakout" seasons.

Statistically Dice might average 16/8 numbers depending on his role and that would be a big improvement but that's not really breaking out so yeah, it'd be hard for them to "breakout"

is it too obvious to say Delfino? Depends if Flip gives him minutes though (which he probly wont, since Delfino doesnt even want to be here...)

If not Delfino, then I see Tayshaun stepping it up like he did vs Miami.

i dont see dyess getting significantly more minutes. his role will be more consistent, but not more significant, imo. dales going from 0, to maybe 20+ min/night.

Yah! He's going to be a Jonathan Bender. Maybe he'll injure himself in our opening night and retire this season.

I guess I just don't see Dale playing much. I'd rather have us run and gun more and use a lineup of Chauncey-Rip-Delfino-Tayshaun-Sheed, a la Phoenix. From a purist standpoint, it won't be as "beautiful" to watch, but I think we'll keep up with Joneses better.

I really think Tayshaun will step it up this year. As far as the younger kids go, I think Maxiell is going to get a lot more playing time, and it'll show in his numbers.

Wasn't everyone saying that Delfino was going to be the next Ginobili? It sure would be nice to see a little of that...

I really think Tayshaun will step it up this year. As far as the younger kids go, I think Maxiell is going to get a lot more playing time, and it'll show in his numbers.

Wasn't everyone saying that Delfino was going to be the next Ginobili? It sure would be nice to see a little of that...

only without the flopping:)

Another candidate for the "I told you so" forum, lol.

lol@nazr getting no votes ever.

Why would he get votes? A breakout would be someone coming out and playing far above their previous outputs. I think after this long, everyone knew what we were getting with Nazr.