Sam Smith: Pistons role models for Bulls (old thread updated)

[Glenn]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....=cs-columnists

Pistons role models for Bulls

Paxson seems to be following Dumars' personnel philosophy

Sam Smith
March 6, 2006

So the Pistons won't be beating that 72-10 Bulls record from 1995-96 after losing No. 11 on Saturday night to the Lakers and Phil Jackson. "I thought about that," Jackson admitted.

Still, the Pistons are cruising toward the top seed in the East while the Bulls are in the ninth spot with a shot at moving up one. Wouldn't the NBA love that for a first-round playoff matchup? The story lines are already there thanks to Rasheed Wallace's laughing at and taunting the Bulls in a December Pistons victory and Scott Skiles' suggesting the Pistons are more whiners than winners in a commentary on their complaining to referees after a Bulls loss last month. Perhaps that's where Antonio Davis is missed most on a non-confrontational team that needs the coach to do the challenging.

Yet it's the Pistons whom the Bulls seem to be emulating.

Despite all my scenarios for the Bulls to trade for a star, like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, it's most likely they won't have enough to satisfy other teams without feeling like they are giving away too much. The belief around the team is that the Bulls will move along carefully, using the draft and limited free agency and hoping to fall into a big-time player, like the Pistons did with Wallace.

Says Pistons General Manager Joe Dumars about the attributes that have made them successful: "There's a common bond between all of our players--they all feel like they have something to prove, each guy is completely unselfish, winning is more important than anything else [and] our guys have total respect for each other.

"I've tried to acquire guys that fit on and off the court. It's vital to your team to have good people. As far as on the court, we've tried to get guys that complement each other and understand team concept more than anything else."

This all started for the Pistons during the coaching regime of Rick Carlisle, who helped transform the team without Grant Hill into a defensive unit in 2001-02 and 2002-03. Skiles has done much the same for the Bulls. As personnel chief, Dumars is an unselfish former player who understands chemistry, not unlike Bulls GM John Paxson.

And then the Pistons were careful in acquisitions. They were both fortunate and smart in persuading Hill to seek a sign-and-trade so they could get Ben Wallace, though they didn't know how good he would become. They wanted to get younger and more unselfish, exchanging Jerry Stackhouse for Richard Hamilton. They took a chance in free agency with a modest contract on Chauncey Billups because Dumars believes you cannot build by giving maximum contracts.

The Pistons also drafted wisely at No. 23 for Tayshaun Prince and didn't give up on him when they had a chance to draft Carmelo Anthony at the same position. Though the Darko Milicic pick was a bust, they got a first-round pick from Orlando in exchange and weren't afraid to make a move that would draw media criticism for the good of the team.

It would be nice to get a star who can draw a double team and score. But if the Bulls are wise in free agency and lucky in the draft, who knows? They were chasing Detroit once and it came out pretty well.

[Black Dynamite]

We are talking about the same bulls team that let Elton Brand, Eddie curry, jamal Crawford, and ron artest walk. They let go of atleast 2 guys who are now in the top five at their respective positions(artest and brand), and passed on Darius Miles in the draft because they were hoping at the time to field a team with no cornrows. For some reason kraus figured cornrows+young players=thuganomics. He got over though. I think(seeing eddie curry may make you wonder).

But if that team is trying to be like us. Thats a compliment turned really bad insult.

[Kilo]

Bulls Fan believes after drafting Bargnini, their emulation will be complete.

Hinrich=Billups
Gordon=Hamilton
Deng=Prince
Chandler=R.Wallace
Bargnini-R.Wallace

I think they should trade a couple youngsters and a couple prospects for Kevin Garnett. Something like the 'o6 NYK first round pick, 'o7 Bulls first round pick, Mike Sweetney, Kirk Hinrich and Andreas Nocioni.

[Black Dynamite]

Bulls Fan believes after drafting Bargnini, their emulation will be complete.

Hinrich=Billups
Gordon=Hamilton
Deng=Prince
Chandler=R.Wallace
Bargnini-R.Wallace.

They are looking to have two rasheeds? thats ambitious. and forty 3 pointers per game.

[Kilo]

Chicks dig the three-ball.

[Glenn]

That's a lot of technicals/suspensions.

[MOLA1]

Scott Skiles will also come out and say that they're only winning due to complaining
to the refs and then go on to talk shit to Ben Gordon throughout their games.

[Black Dynamite]

That's a lot of technicals/suspensions.

David stern would have a heart attack and stu jackson would get back into coaching.

[Fool]

Scott Skiles will also come out and say that they're only winning due to complaining
to the refs and then go on to talk shit to Ben Gordon throughout their games.

Don't forget calling Aurora Illinois the world capitol of gang violence.

[MOLA1]

Scott Skiles will also come out and say that they're only winning due to complaining
to the refs and then go on to talk shit to Ben Gordon throughout their games.

Don't forget calling Aurora Illinois the world capitol of gang violence.

Good call.