Team Expert/Cool Girl: Natalie from the iconic, influential, informative and all-around sheedtastic, Need4Sheed.
Questions and Answers:
1. How much of an impact will the absence of Ben Wallace, now with divisional foes the Chicago Bulls, have on the Pistons?
It's no surprise that Ben Wallace's absence will have a substantial impact on the Pistons. Ben's departure, combined with the new offensive direction will be a challenge that the Pistons will have to adjust to. Anytime you take a defensive giant like Ben away from a team, the defense will take a hit, but with the offensive addition of Center Nazr Mohammed and the strong play of Antonio McDyess I don't see that much trouble for Detroit.
2. Last season, the team was more of a perimeter team due to a lack of an inside presence... does Nazr Mohammed change all of that? How about Tayshaun Prince after his display of post play with baby hooks and turnaround J's during the playoffs? Will his role now be elevated?
I don't know if it was the lack of an inside presence that Detroit's numbers were so low last season, because it's hard to stop Rasheed Wallace on the block. The fact that more plays weren't run to score down low was more of the problem. Nazr Mohammed will help in that area , along with Rasheed's vow not to take as many threes this season.
Flip Saunders as stated that he's going to play Tayshaun at SF/PF to utilize his length and give him more scoring chances down low. On a Detroit Pistons team who have so many scoring weapons, Tayshaun is going to have a even bigger role this season. Look for Tayshaun to have a breakout year, he feels slighted that he didn't make the All Star team last season and he's got something to prove.
I think Al is poised to do some great things this year. He has so much natural talent that if he's just healthy enough to stay on the court, you can expect him to score and rebound. He will need to improve the other areas of his game, in particular defense, but I have high hopes.
3. With Chauncey Billups entering a contract year, can be even better than his MVP-type year last season?
I can't see Chauncey having a better year than he did last season. Sure he's in a contract year but either way he's going to command more money than 6.8 million dollars the Pistons would owe him next season if he doesn't opt-out of his contract. He will get big bucks either way so I don't see him trying to push up his numbers to get more money. Chauncey is worried about winning and if that translates into higher numbers this season, that's fine. If not I see him having the same type of season he did last year.
4. Anything else you want to say about the Pistons?
The Pistons are still an elite team, four former All Stars and one who is knocking on the door tells you just that. Sure Ben's departure stings but it doesn't cripple the team like many think. Also look for Jason Maxiell to make the most out of every minute he's on the court.
The Pistons know what they want, they know each other and most of all they know how to win. The Pistons are still the team to beat in the East.
5. Who wins the NBA Finals this coming season (besides your team, that is)? Just give me a team name at least.
The Dallas Mavericks.
Natalie, thanks for taking the time out for doing this, but if you didn't I'm sure you would have somehow gotten a technical foul by association. Seriously, thanks for dropping your Detroit Pistons knowledge.
MY TAKE - Things Go Right If These Three Things Happen:
1. Nazr Mohammed boards at a rate of at least 10 per game and blocks at least one shot. No one will ever come close to what Ben Wallace did, but Mohammed has to at least try. Hard.
2. Chauncey Billups plays like an MVP again and Richard Hamilton continues to improve as a scorer, getting into that Reggie Miller dangerous level.
3. Ronald Murray packs some offensive punch off the bench along with Antonio McDyess points, boards, and toughness.
MY TAKE - Things Go Wrong If These Three Things Happen:
1. Rasheed Wallace keeps getting technicals and isn't on the floor enough to lift his team because if anyone can make up for the loss of Big Ben, it's going to be Rasheed.
2. Tayshaun Prince levels off and doesn't get any better and/or can't handle the responsibility of trying to cushion the loss of Ben Wallace.
3. Head coach Flip Saunder's offense is better than the defense again... it didn't work last season, did it?