The Detroit Pistons NBA Preview

by | Oct 12, 2006 | 9 comments

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Here is my NBA Preview of The Detroit Pistons. Also check out Detroit Bad Boys Pistons Preview.

The Detroit Pistons
Last Year’s Record: 64-18
Key Losses: Ben Wallace, Maurice Evans, Tony Delk, and Kelvin Cato if he counts.
Key Additions: Nazr Mohammed, Flip Murray, Ronald Dupree, Will Blalock

1. What significant moves were made during the offseason?
The core of the team is almost unchanged but the Pistons were dealt a huge blow when Ben Wallace didn’t resign with the Pistons. Not willing to bog down the team with a huge contract for Ben, Joe Dumars set his sights on quickly replacing him with free agent center Nazr Mohammed. Though not the defender that Wallace is, Nazr brings much needed offence to the to the center position.

Flip Murray was another free agent pick up that puts instant offence on the bench. Flip will play behind Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton. When he’s hot, Flip can score in numbers.

Lindsey Hunter will also be back this season, he signed a two year deal this summer to add to the Pistons guard rotation. Also former Piston and fan favorite Ronald “Super Dupe” Dupree is back to add some more insurance off the bench.

The Pistons picked up Iowa point guard Will Blalock with the last pick in the 2006 draft. Maurice Evans was traded on draft day for the Lakers draft pick 7 foot 1 Chiek Samb from Senegal. Blalock will most likely play most season in the NBDL and Samb will develop his skills in Europe this season.

The Pistons also added two proven winners to the coaching staff, Terry Porter and Dave Cowens. It might be just what Flip Suanders needs to help him figure out how to incorporate the bench this season.

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2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?
Having four former All Stars and one player that is on the verge of making the squad is the Pistons biggest strength. This is a team of proven winners who know how to get the job done. Chauncey Billups who had an MVP like season last year, Richard Hamilton who was the team’s leading scorer, Tayshaun Prince who all but carried the team in the playoffs and one of the best power forwards in the league in Rasheed Wallace. Not to mention a former All Star in Antionio McDyess coming off the bench, that’s what you call strength in numbers. They know each other and they know how to get the job done.

3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
For the past couple of seasons I would have said that the Pistons bench was their biggest weakness but their biggest challenge is going to be learning how to adapt to playing without Big Ben in the middle. They have to adjust to a new system and go from a defensive team to primarily an offensive one, one of the reasons why Ben bolted. Getting used to their new direction, new teammates and playing with a bigger rotation is going to be their biggest hurdle.

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4. What are the goals for this team?
This Pistons team goes into each season with the same goal, The NBA Championship. Having the best record in the league last season and then having a playoff meltdown, really left a bad taste with the Pistons. With everyone counting them out now that they lost Ben Wallace, the Pistons really have something to prove. They want to prove that they are still an elite team and nothing less than a title will be good enough.

5. Will they win it all?
Just like the team themselves I go into each season predicting a title, so if you’re asking me the Pistons win it all this season.

6. Why won’t they?
If the Pistons new offensive direction and the change in defensive tactics don’t get the job done the Pistons will be in trouble. They must all be on their games and gelling together as a team to win it all.

Predicted Record: 57-25

9 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    I feel your predicted record is a not a good one. I think they’ll do better than that. Even thogh Big Ben is gone, our team is still strong and can once again have the best record of the season.

    N-E-Ways… We’ll have to wait and see!!

    Reply
  2. Nique

    Natalie very very good prediction with the record I’d say you’re pretty much perfect with that one.

    Reply
  3. Alan

    the only problem with the record is that you only have the pistons playing 80 games.
    57 + 23 = 80

    Reply
  4. Anonymous

    Need4Sheed is sQueet

    Reply
  5. Travis

    Natalie you are a dream to all Pistons fans everywhere. Loved the team preview, keep doing great work. Your player caricatures are to die for.

    Reply
  6. Jim Dunn

    I think that the Pistons will win a few more games than just 57. Probably around 60 or 65. 60-22 sounds like a record to expect.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous

    Jim,
    So you’re trying to say that the Pistons are going to win 65, you’re crazy. Even 60 is streaching it.

    You have got them setting a franchise record.

    Reply
  8. Natalie

    Thank’s Travis, comments like that help keep me going!

    Reply
  9. Freudian Slip

    I definitely think they’ll break 60 this season. I feel this is going to be our year! (I know I say that every year, but still)
    Matt

    Reply

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Pistons

  • Rasheed Wallace
  • Greg Monroe
  • Andre Drummond
  • Josh Smith
  • Brandon Jennings
  • Caron Butler
  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
  • Jodie Meeks
  • D.J. Augustin
  • Gigi Datome
  • Spencer Dinwiddie
  • Jonas Jerebko
  • Kyle Singler
  • Tony Mitchell
  • Stan Van Gundy
  • Arnie Kander
  • Mike Abdenour
  • Tom Gores
  • Greg Kelser
  • George Blaha
  • John Mason

Pistons Past

  • Chauncey Billups
  • Rodney Stuckey
  • Brandon Knight
  • Tayshaun Prince
  • Richard Hamilton
  • Jason Maxiell
  • Tracy McGrady
  • Will Bynum
  • Austin Daye
  • Chris Wilcox
  • Dajuan Summers
  • Peyton Siva
  • Kim English
  • Terrico White
  • Josh Harrellson
  • Charlie Villanueva
  • Vernon Macklin
  • Viacheslav Kravtsov
  • Ben Gordon
  • Ben Wallace
  • Isiah Thomas
  • Maurice Cheeks
  • Lawrence Frank
  • John Kuester
  • Chuck Daly
  • Bill Laimbeer
  • Joe Dumars

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