Detroit Pistons 2006-07 Season PreviewBy Warren Blatt, NBA Editor
(Sports Network) - Detroit will attempt to bounce back from a tough loss in the Eastern Conference finals. For the first time in three years the Pistons will not enter a new campaign as the defending conference champions. They were ousted in the postseason in six games by the Miami Heat.
The Pistons won a franchise-best 64 games during the 2005-06 regular season and were the top-seeded team in the East during the postseason. However, the home-court advantage was not enough to get them back to the championship round for a third straight year. Detroit defeated the Lakers in five games in the 2004 NBA Finals and lost to San Antonio in seven during the 2005 finals.
Detroit will have a different look when the season gets started. All-Star Ben Wallace won't be in the middle for the Pistons, as the center signed a lucrative, multi-year contract with Central Division-rival Chicago. Wallace had spent the past six seasons with Detroit. He won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year four times and was a four-time All-Star during his tenure with the Pistons. Last season, Wallace averaged 7.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.21 blocks.
Losing Wallace will hurt, but the Pistons are still one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They signed veteran center Nazr Mohammed and guard Ronald Murray to multi-year contracts during the offseason.The 29-year-old Mohammed, who won a championship as a member of the 2005 San Antonio Spurs, registered 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 80 contests for the Spurs last season. He has played in 38 postseason games during his eight-year career.
Murray, 27, averaged 11.2 points and 2.6 assists in 76 games for Seattle and Cleveland last season. The 6-3 Murray can play both guard spots and adds athleticism to the Pistons.
All-Stars Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and unsung hero Tayshaun Prince are still in the fold and make Detroit a very dangerous squad. Billups averaged 18.5 points and a team-best 8.6 assists in 2005-06, while Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring (20.1 ppg).
Rasheed Wallace and Prince are both excellent all-around players. They can score and are not afraid to get their hands dirty on the defensive end of the court. Rasheed's role will be larger with the loss of Ben Wallace, while Prince's value to the team will become even more noticeable.
Veterans Antonio McDyess and Lindsey Hunter, who re-signed with the team in the offseason, give the Pistons depth and leadership. The 32-year-old McDyess averaged 7.8 points and 5.3 boards in 82 contests last season, while the 35- year-old Hunter played just 30 games because of injuries and should be able to be more productive this season.
Head coach Flip Saunders enters his second season at the helm. He has give the Pistons more freedom on offense. However, this squad has always won with its defense and will get back to that theme when the season tips off.
Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Rasheed Wallace are the leaders of the team. They will be the one's who make sure the Pistons continue to strive for excellence on the court. They have the skill and the experience that is needed to win the big games.
Even though they are not the defending conference champions, the Pistons may still be the team to beat in the East.
BACKCOURT
Billups and Hamilton are arguably the best backcourt in the NBA. They are true professionals and continue to shine for the Pistons. Both are solid defenders and can burn their opponents on the offensive end of the court as well. Detroit's starting backcourt is not afraid to take the big shot in crunch time, and they are also able to make the big stop when their opponent has a chance to take a lead or to even win the game.
Murray and Hunter give Detroit to very capable backup guards. Both are versatile as they can play either spot in the backcourt. The Pistons backcourt is in excellent shape.
FRONTCOURT
Prince and Rasheed Wallace are the anchors of the frontcourt. Rasheed averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 80 outings last season, while Prince posted 14.1 points and 4.2 boards in 82 contests. They will team up with Mohammed to give the Pistons a formidable starting front line.
McDyess will be the first forward off the bench. He can be a threat on the offensive end of the court, but is not the greatest defender. The 6-9 McDyess will play with Rasheed, who will log minutes at center and power forward and Mohammed.
Detroit will miss Ben Wallace's intimidating presence down low, but Rasheed and Prince will rise to the challenge and will pick up the slack if needed. Mohammed will give the Pistons some more scoring around the basket and should fit right in with his new squad.
OUTLOOK
The Pistons have some tough competition in the Central Division. Chicago and Cleveland will battle with them in the regular season for the division crown, but in the end Detroit should prevail.
Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Rasheed Wallace will at least get the Pistons to their fourth straight Eastern Conference finals. And a trip to the NBA Finals for the third time in the last four years is a strong possibility as well.
The Pistons won a franchise-best 64 games during the 2005-06 regular season and were the top-seeded team in the East during the postseason. However, the home-court advantage was not enough to get them back to the championship round for a third straight year. Detroit defeated the Lakers in five games in the 2004 NBA Finals and lost to San Antonio in seven during the 2005 finals.
Detroit will have a different look when the season gets started. All-Star Ben Wallace won't be in the middle for the Pistons, as the center signed a lucrative, multi-year contract with Central Division-rival Chicago. Wallace had spent the past six seasons with Detroit. He won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year four times and was a four-time All-Star during his tenure with the Pistons. Last season, Wallace averaged 7.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.21 blocks.
Losing Wallace will hurt, but the Pistons are still one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They signed veteran center Nazr Mohammed and guard Ronald Murray to multi-year contracts during the offseason.The 29-year-old Mohammed, who won a championship as a member of the 2005 San Antonio Spurs, registered 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 80 contests for the Spurs last season. He has played in 38 postseason games during his eight-year career.
Murray, 27, averaged 11.2 points and 2.6 assists in 76 games for Seattle and Cleveland last season. The 6-3 Murray can play both guard spots and adds athleticism to the Pistons.
All-Stars Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and unsung hero Tayshaun Prince are still in the fold and make Detroit a very dangerous squad. Billups averaged 18.5 points and a team-best 8.6 assists in 2005-06, while Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring (20.1 ppg).
Rasheed Wallace and Prince are both excellent all-around players. They can score and are not afraid to get their hands dirty on the defensive end of the court. Rasheed's role will be larger with the loss of Ben Wallace, while Prince's value to the team will become even more noticeable.
Veterans Antonio McDyess and Lindsey Hunter, who re-signed with the team in the offseason, give the Pistons depth and leadership. The 32-year-old McDyess averaged 7.8 points and 5.3 boards in 82 contests last season, while the 35- year-old Hunter played just 30 games because of injuries and should be able to be more productive this season.
Head coach Flip Saunders enters his second season at the helm. He has give the Pistons more freedom on offense. However, this squad has always won with its defense and will get back to that theme when the season tips off.
Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Rasheed Wallace are the leaders of the team. They will be the one's who make sure the Pistons continue to strive for excellence on the court. They have the skill and the experience that is needed to win the big games.
Even though they are not the defending conference champions, the Pistons may still be the team to beat in the East.
BACKCOURT
Billups and Hamilton are arguably the best backcourt in the NBA. They are true professionals and continue to shine for the Pistons. Both are solid defenders and can burn their opponents on the offensive end of the court as well. Detroit's starting backcourt is not afraid to take the big shot in crunch time, and they are also able to make the big stop when their opponent has a chance to take a lead or to even win the game.
Murray and Hunter give Detroit to very capable backup guards. Both are versatile as they can play either spot in the backcourt. The Pistons backcourt is in excellent shape.
FRONTCOURT
Prince and Rasheed Wallace are the anchors of the frontcourt. Rasheed averaged 15.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 80 outings last season, while Prince posted 14.1 points and 4.2 boards in 82 contests. They will team up with Mohammed to give the Pistons a formidable starting front line.
McDyess will be the first forward off the bench. He can be a threat on the offensive end of the court, but is not the greatest defender. The 6-9 McDyess will play with Rasheed, who will log minutes at center and power forward and Mohammed.
Detroit will miss Ben Wallace's intimidating presence down low, but Rasheed and Prince will rise to the challenge and will pick up the slack if needed. Mohammed will give the Pistons some more scoring around the basket and should fit right in with his new squad.
OUTLOOK
The Pistons have some tough competition in the Central Division. Chicago and Cleveland will battle with them in the regular season for the division crown, but in the end Detroit should prevail.
Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Rasheed Wallace will at least get the Pistons to their fourth straight Eastern Conference finals. And a trip to the NBA Finals for the third time in the last four years is a strong possibility as well.
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