Detroit Pistons preview by Natalie Sitto
1. What can The Pistons learn from the 2006-07 season to help them improve their 2007-08 campaign?
The Pistons have a lot to learn from last years disappointing season-ending loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Though I am a diehard Pistons fan, I can say in all honesty that the Pistons were clearly the better team. In fact, the only team I thought Detroit might have difficulties with in the East were the Chicago Bulls. The Pistons should have made The NBA Finals, not for a lack of talent, but for reasons I still can’t understand.
Detroit needs to get back to their roots by playing lockdown defense and team basketball. Flip Saunders, who has something to prove each and every season, needs to start giving some playing time to the youngsters like Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell, and rookie Rodney Stuckey to solidify the Pistons bench.
If the Pistons can’t learn from last season’s playoff meltdown, it’s time for Joe Dumars to shake things up.
2. What was the Pistons' best and/or worst move during the offseason, either by free agency, trade, or draft?
The Pistons #15 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, Rodney Stuckey, might turn out to be the steal of the draft. Stuckey, a combo guard, had heads turning in the Vegas Summer League and will most likely continue to do so as the primary back-up behind Chauncey Billups. The little known Stuckey, from Eastern Washington, has a game that translates well to the NBA.
3. Who is the Most Important Player on the Pistons? The MIP is not necessarily the most talented, but the one that makes the biggest difference in his TEAM doing well each game.
The one thing that is the key to Detroit’s success is the word, "team." When the starting five are working together, things just flow. If I had to pick the MIP, I would have to say Chauncey Billups. As Chauncey goes, so do the Pistons. Not only can Chauncey take over a game scoring-wise, but he’s the guy who controls the floor. He can feed the hot hand, take the ball to the lane or knock down threes and he loves to have the ball in his hands when it counts. They don’t call him "Mr. Big Shot" for nothing. There was a reason why Joe Dumars paid him the big bucks to stay in Detroit.
4. What needs to go right for the Pistons to succeed this coming season?
- Rasheed Wallace and Flip Saunders need to be on the same page.
- Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell need a chance to develop.
- Antonio McDyess needs to get off to a quick start if he is going to start in the PF position.
- If Rasheed is the starting center, he needs to embrace his role.
- Defense.
- Develop the bench.
- The Pistons need to play 48 minutes of basketball each and every game. They no longer have the ability to turn that switch and take over games.
5. Who are the contenders for the NBA Championship and who do you see taking the title?
I always hate answering this question before the season starts, but I have to go with the Pistons coming out of the East even though everyone seems to love the Boston Celtics. I still see the San Antonio Spurs dominating the West along with the Phoenix Suns. As a true fan I am always going to pick my team to win the NBA Championship if they have a shot, so I have to go with the Pistons.
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