Nazr makes Pistons better this season (http://www.mlive.com/sports/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1161352262109880.xml&coll=5)
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Friday, October 20, 2006
By Rickey Hampton
JOURNAL COLUMNIST

Cut out this column and put it on your refrigerator.

I want you to remember that it was yours truly who said it first: The Detroit Pistons will be a better basketball team this year.

The Pistons might not win 64 games in the regular season like last season's team, but they will be better equipped for the playoffs.

I realize Ben Wallace, the heart and soul of the Pistons, is now a Chicago Bull. I realize reaching the Eastern Conference finals is no small feat.

Ironically enough, I also realize that Wallace's departure is why the Pistons will be better.

No, I have not been drinking. But, I have been watching the Pistons in the preseason. And although it is just preseason, I've seen enough to be convinced that signing Nazr Mohammed will make the Pistons a better playoff team.

Don't get me wrong, Wallace is a better player than the 6-foot-10 Mohammed, known mostly for his play as a back up to the great Tim Duncan in San Antonio.

However, Mohammed is a better fit for what Flip Saunders wants to do in Detroit.

Saunders wants the Pistons to be more offensive minded, and that wasn't going to happen with Wallace.

Remember how painful it was watching the Pistons play four against five in the playoffs because teams could afford to cheat off Wallace and give him open jumpers?

Mohammed can hit that shot. He is a far more complete offensive player than Wallace. He can finish around the basket and shoot free throws better.

On the defensive end, there is no comparison. Wallace is a superb defender, shot-blocker, playmaker and rebounder. He has no peer at that position.

The Pistons will miss his presence, his intensity and especially his hustle.

But even without Wallace, the Pistons will remain an upper-echelon defensive team. Mohammed is more than adequate.

And he'll be flanked on the front line by Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince, who are superb defenders.

Mohammed's career average in eight seasons is only 7.1 points per game.

This season he should average double-figure scoring for the first time in his career. He'll be be part of the most unselfish team in the league and playing the most minutes of his career.

Mohammed's offense is so superior to Wallace that it makes up for him not being as good of a defender.

Mohammed is not the only reason the Pistons will be better. The acquisition of Flip Murray will give Saunders more firepower off the bench, along with Antonio McDyess, who'll also play more minutes this season.

It will be up to Saunders to develop Carlos Delfino, who didn't play enough last season, and Jason Maxiell, a bruiser whose aggressive style reminds some of Ben Wallace. When you add venerable Lindsey Hunter to the mix, the Pistons have one of the deepest benches in the NBA.

The Bulls have Ben. Cleveland has LeBron James, and Miami has Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade.

But none of them will have enough to stop the Pistons.

Anything less than another trip to the NBA Finals will be a disappointment.

I think it was Fool(or E-RAY) but hes not gonna read this.

I sure hope this article is right.

what a crappy article.

will the pistons be a better playoff team this year? maybe better than last year's playoff team. but then again, so would 20 teams in the league right now.

last year, we sucked in the playoffs. ben certainly wasnt as great as he could be... his offense was infact unheard of bad.

but was it ben's fault chauncy played like a rookie? that rip was so off he couldnt even make 3 foot bunnies (how many games did that cost us?). that rasheed wallace is rasheed wallace? that flip is our coach?

the only player on the team last year that had a good playoff was tayshaun, and also lindsey. other than that-not one player or coach.

thinking that ben wallace, of all people, was the problem is idiotic. rickey hampton only wishes he was bought and paid for.

I can agree with this article because Flip is the coach and Nazr is better offensively than Ben. What scares me most heading into the season... last year the team kept their defensive mindset despite Flip because of Ben. I hope that the core four still feels that way.

Let's see if he can keep this foul rate up come regular season. Nazr looks much less good when he's on the bench.

I think it was Fool(or E-RAY) but hes not gonna read this.

I sure hope this article is right.

:wtf:

You're right though, I didn't read this till just now when I saw your post and wondered what you are talking about.

:thumbsup: