According to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News it looks like Rasheed is going to move over to center and Antonio McDyess will start at the PF position come next season.
“Nothing is etched in stone, of course. But, after talking to Flip Saunders, the plan going into training camp is to have Antonio McDyess playing power forward alongside Rasheed Wallace on the first unit.”
Now there are a lot of things that happens if McDyess is in the Starting Five:
- First and foremost it that’s a solid sign that C-Webb will not be returning.
- It means more minutes for Jason Maxiell.
- More minutes for Amir Johnson.
- It leaves Nazr Mohammed burred on the bench as he was the second half of last season.
- It forces teams to guard McDyess and take the pressure off of Rasheed when he works down low.
- It makes tons of Pistons fans happy who have suggested this since the departure of that other Wallace.
- More bounce off the bench, especially if Jason Maxiell is the first one in.
- “The problem will come when the Pistons face the few over-sized centers left in the league, like Shaq and Yao. Mohammed, it would appear, would be tapped for extra duty against those types of players (taking over the Dale Davis, Elden Campbell role of past teams).” McCosky
- It looks like Sheed is all for the move, he’s been working hard in the off season dropping 25 pounds and working out every day at the Pistons practice facility.
- He looks so thin that Joe Dumars has nicknamed him Slim Jim.
Photos courtesy of Slim Jim and Getty Images
I couldn’t be happier about the move, even though Joe Dumars didn’t make a huge move in the off season this looks like a New Look Pistons Team that can contend for a title.
Maybe this is a sign that they may trade Mohammed’s sorry self.
I’d take McDyess over C-Web any day. McDyess’s been with the Pistons for so long and have contributed so much, he should rightfully be the 5th starter, and he shouldn’t let superstition take this opportunity away. I’ll be very happy if McDyess gets to be a starter.
This is good stuff. It sounds like everyone understands we have around 2 or 3 years to make another run.
Hearing that Sheed is bustin his ass like that only sets my mind at ease. At his age and with the last few years of frustration….its good to know he still wants it.
The only question for me is going to be Billups. How is he going to bounce back after his horrible play last year, and after getting that nice contract. For me…he is the X-Factor this season.
With the lack of news this story is really making the rounds the last couple of days with on the various Pistons blogs/message boards.
Anon
Yes no news lately but in my opinion this is big. I have been itching for Sheed to play the 5 since the Nazr experiment didn’t work last season. Agree with Junior it’s nice to see Sheed working it to get back that ship.
love the picture
now that sheed is at the 5, he better get his ass on the block. I dont know why he refuses to post up, hes automatic from there. I look for him to put up about 19 and 10 a game this year, if he stays focused
First of all let say this, Chauncey is not going to be andyb ody’s X factor, he will be great this season, he’s coiming to play with same hunger, the yer they won the championship, he’s gonna be on fire and ready to go, and now this is good, I love it, love it,love it!!! that is a great starting line-up, Rasheed in the center is the perfect choice, he knows how to get points down there. and he’s lethal from the 3 point line, I don’t know about you guys but I’m so ready for the season to start, and don’t you guys forget that Rasheed is celebrating his birthday in a few days, I stopped his myspace page to wish him a happy one! I love it, Rasheed in the center, great choice! I’m excited now more than ever!!!
I’m really excited to see this announcement. I think Sheed’s going to match up fine with most of the centers out there, and if he starts posting up on offense… whew. I like that he can take an open three, but I much prefer him posting up, as do all fans.
And this would do wonders to help break up the log jam with the forwards. Mad Max and Amir Johnson are going to get more play time. Nazr can deal with the true centers and earn his fat paycheck.
Every Piston fan should be excited by this news. If you love this team, you know this is a regular fantasy on the boards.
I must be crazy ’cause it seems I’m the only one not liking this. McDyess starting? Forget that he prefers to come off the bench, what about fatigue and the fact that he doesn’t condition as much in the summer because of his knees? I mean, it usually takes him a couple of months to get his shot back and rhythm going and now we’ll be depending on him to just jump in right out of the gate and contribute? That kind of sounds like an injury waiting to happen. Plus, we all know ‘Sheed’s feelings about staying down low. He’s no spring chicken and playing on the block takes a lot out of a player. This is weird and I don’t think I like the idea. If it does go down this way, I hope I’m wrong and everything goes well.
P.S. Poor Nazr.
your right Amanda, Dice is a slow starter and Wallace doesn’t have what it takes anymore to play on the block. I remember when the Trailblazers tried to start Rasheed at center with Randolf at PF, that mess didn’t work to well. Sheed got in lots of foul trouble and was even more frustrated than ever. Look for his ppg/rpg to go down while his tech’s go way way up.
I love Dyess no matter what his role on this team is — I always have. He has said time and time again that he prefers to come off the bench. I know the guy is dying to get that ring and if he has agreed to become a starter I would imagine he has put in the work (or plans to) that he needs to to make that happen. You all need to realize that there may be an adjustment period this season to make all the pieces fit. We need to find just the right combination to get the championship. We all know the talent is there — that hasn’t changed it’s just a matter of finding the right recipie now. JMaxx has always been a beast off the bench and brings energy no worries there. We have to be patient and see how things go. I happen to like the lineup this way and I hope it works. No one should be over-played during the regular season with the bench we have, and JoeD even said the starters aren’t going to get the mega-minutes they did last season so fatigue shouldn’t be a problem come playoff time. Don’t worry guys, just be a little patient — we’ll be fine!
Poor Nazr??? The guy gets paid millions to sit courtside at every Pistons game — I’d surrender an appendage for that seat!! I don’t feel sorry for him… ya gotta earn a starting spot on this team and I don’t think he’s there yet. Maybe he’ll get there though who knows?
I still think Baby Barkley needs to start; Antonio remain as 6th man.
Amanda, I wouldn’t worry too much about Dyess starting off as slowly as he has the last couple years or being vulnerable to getting hurt. These quotes are also from McCosky’s blog:
“(McDyess) has come back to Detroit a month early to get a head start on his conditioning, something he hasn’t done since his knee surgeries.
By starting, he can ease himself into the flow of the game more and play off the rest of the starters. Plus, at age 33, it will be much easier for him to warm up before the game and play 12 to 15 minutes a half, as opposed to warming up, sitting for six to eight minutes, then come into the game cold.”
why not have McDyess start center and Rasheed play power forward?
Sheed has played center before and his game is more suited to it.
it wa ssaid that mcdyess is aready getting prepared for the season, so it looks lie this year hes nt tkaing the summer off, hes seemed healthy the last few years i think it was more of a precaution then, he’ll be ready to start along side with sheed,
The thing is…..we all know how much Sheed likes playing center…..he hates it.
Nick
I really dont know how i feel about this. I think it has both pro and cons. I always said Dyess should be a starter but…now that it may be in plans i dont know if its a good idea. Lol. I really relly like Dyess but i kinda think its going to be bad for his knee. Mabey, just mabey the pistons should give nazr another shot….i hear he has been improving!!
I didn’t know ‘Dyess was already starting conditioning. Wow. It’s gonna be kinda crazy having him in the lineup, don’t you think? I know I’ve said plenty of times that since Ben’s departure, I’ll always think of our starting unit as “The 4 plus some other guy” but with Mickey D it’s a whole other story. Looks like we have the best starting 5 again (as if that was ever in jeopardy lol)!
P.S. Looks like all you who noticed ‘Sheed’s slim figure back when Natalie posted that video of C-Webb’s charity event were right! 25 pounds? Maxiell and ‘Sheed, what the hell is your secret?
It’s funny this is one of the moves where initially you’re like I’m not sure, but yet hesitant to really dismiss it. On paper it sounds good, but then what about in practice and in games will it work out. You think will it hurt the psychology of the team but then think maybe that’s what the team needs to get over the hump. Then you think this will be the Pistons best starting five since Ben Wallace (sorry I’m just not that big on C-Webb, and Antonio is my favorite player) but then you start worrying about injuries and we all know we’re probably gonna have to start a pool on what game Rasheed gets his 16th tech (I really think Flip needs to develop a tougher demeanor, I think since coming in he’s tried to fit in with the team more than lead the team but if he is able to really take control this year and really keep guys focused (and quit thinking about how he can add more offensive plays and worry about getting stops on d. )this team can definately contend. I know everyone’s a little weary of change but this is one that might turn out to be just what the Pistons need but if it doesn’t work out it can be altered, we’ll see. Good luck to the Pistons.
Hopefully will be sailing on a ‘ship and not fishing on a boat.
Dyce should come off the bench let Maxi start
* First and foremost it that’s a solid sign that C-Webb will not be returning.
No, its not. Expressing zero interest in CWebb and paying Amire $4M per is a better sign.
* It means more minutes for Jason Maxiell.
No, its not. Dyess starting means Dyess will play more minutes. It may not have any impact on Nazr’s expected 15-20 min/game.
* More minutes for Amir Johnson.
No, its not. See above.
* It leaves Nazr Mohammed burred on the bench as he was the second half of last season.
I don’t think it leaves him burred at all. A walk through the woods might.
* It forces teams to guard McDyess and take the pressure off of Rasheed when he works down low.
There is pressure on Sheed when he takes it down low? I dont think so. He plays one on one whenever he wants down there, he’d just rather take a J.
* It makes tons of Pistons fans happy who have suggested this since the departure of that other Wallace.
Uninformed pistons fans. Its who finishes games not who starts them.
* More bounce off the bench, especially if Jason Maxiell is the first one in.
So taking McDyess out of the bench rotation makes it better? Maxiell was on the bench regardless.
* “The problem will come when the Pistons face the few over-sized centers left in the league, like Shaq and Yao. Mohammed, it would appear, would be tapped for extra duty against those types of players (taking over the Dale Davis, Elden Campbell role of past teams).” McCosky
Big assumption to make about Nazr’s role changing. We’ll see.
* It looks like Sheed is all for the move, he’s been working hard in the off season dropping 25 pounds and working out every day at the Pistons practice facility.
Losing weight is what Sheed’s lazy butt should have done last year when he was playing mostly PF. Its a good idea but doesn’t impact his ability to play C.
* He looks so thin that Joe Dumars has nicknamed him Slim Jim.
Work on the one liners.
^^^^What a hater, I for one am not happy about the move but you never know how it might work out.
I sure am happier than seeing Nazr as our starting center.