Pistons - Where to go from here?

Fresh off of a sound Eastern Conference beating at the hands of the Miami Heat, many Pistons fans wonder where the team should go from here with hopes of maintaing an elite status in the NBA for years to come. To answer this question, we must first review some history dating back to when the run started.

The DNA of the 2004 Pistons is extremely different than this year's and even last year's team; however, many fans fail to realize this. Yes, the 2004 team boasted the same lethal starting five, but there were several different intangibles which drove that team to success:

1) The bench consisted of Okur, Hunter, James, Williamson, and Campbell. Many fail to realize the impact this group provided to that title run. Larry Brown virtually lost nothing when he inserted his bench into key situations of the game. In fact, the individual make-up of the bench allowed the Pistons to change the tone of the game. For example, there were times when the Hunter and James backcourt simply stifled the opposition with their defensive pressure. Okur and Williamson were match-up problems and both could provide much needed scoring options during times when the starting unit hit a dry spell.

Now, counter this bench with what we saw in 2005 and 2006. Only Hunter remained and McDyess is the only other impact player added, while everyone else was lost. Sure, Joe D. added Delfino, Evans, Delk, Davis etc., but none of these players were contributors during the last two playoff runs. Many believe that the coaches failed to utilize the talent at hand on the bench. However, Brown had no problem going 9 and sometimes 10 deep in 2004. Why would he stop and only go 7 deep in 2005 if there were viable options just waiting on the bench? The simple answer is there wasn't and he couldn't trust what he had during key situations of the game.

So, in just one year, the total make-up of the Pistons changed dramatically as the bench weakened to a liability come playoff time. Nobody can persuade me that if the Pistons managed to keep intact the 2004 that they wouldn't be going for 3 straight right now; however, losing the bench from the 2004 squad was simply a NBA financial casualty that could not be kept together.

But why no key additions in two years since? In my view, it is the single important factor for the Pistons demise.

2) Passion, drive, and determination. That 2004 unit was a ball of fire consisting of individuals who were out to prove the critics wrong and did they ever. However, after winning the title, the swagger and focus dropped a little. They still had enough to make a run at the 2005 title with Larry Brown keeping them focused during playoff time. But with no solid bench, the legs became weary and the will to survive vanished in the last 7 minutes of Game 7.

In 2006, our worst nightmare was realized - this team was recognized as individuals rather than a team for the first time. Egos and arrogance began to show its ugly face. The Pistons began to think all they had to do was show-up to win. The drive that propelled their 35-5 start slowly lost gas as the media attention shifted to: 70 wins, 4 all-stars, and MVP voting. There were obvious signs of trouble months ago that were simply masked by the great record.

Come playoff time we finally saw this team had run out of steam. They could no longer 'turn it on'. And without solid bench alternatives to mix it up, Flip simply had to let this team ride it out with diminished hopes they would regain the confidence and passion they once displayed.

It never happened. For all intents and purposes, this Pistons team's soul was defeated in the Cleveland series. The Miami series was just going through the motions before the kill.

Where to go from here?

Joe D. must address his bench. If this means getting youngsters some playing time during crucial points of the season and sacrificing a great regular season record, then he and Flip need to agree on a streategy this summer on how to accomplish this. It wouldn't hurt to also add a viable threat to the bench that would provide leadership come playoff time. A player like Sam Cassell comes to mind.

Next, Joe D. needs to review the team's passion and drive. Sometimes new, hungry blood must be inserted into a team to keep it running at full throttle while avoiding complacency. This team is definitely complacent right now and are too comfortable with each other. One of the starting 5 must looked at being replaced. Let's review each of them and the best option to lure in a trade proposal that would provide a significant boost to the team:

Billups - Chauncey is the floor general of the Pistons. When on, he can be efficient in both getting his team in gear and hitting shots. His confidence is a key component of this team's success. However, Chauncey is coming up on a contract year after the 2007 season. With being in the MVP race you can almost expect he'll be looking for a max contract and he just may get it. If you're the Pistons you have to ask yourself if you want to risk losing Chauncey in free agency seeing that I don't believe they will offer him a max contract.

Hamilton - RIP was simply exposed during this playoff run. He cannot create his own shot and was having a hard time hitting his usually automatic 6 to 8 foot jumpers. His drives to the hole are many times out of control and he seems to have lost respect from officials due to his constant complaining. RIP is also horrible at leading the break and turns the ball over frequently. However, he has improved his 3 point game, but did it come at the expense of what made him so deadly, which was his mid-range game?

Prince - The intangibles he brings cannot be matched. Let's not waste our time as he is untouchable.

Sheed- I don't know how much his ankle effected his play, but his playoff disappearances are becoming frustrating. However, when on, he is a match-up nightmare for the opposition and he brings sound defensive intensity to the front court. Unfortunately, due to his recent performance I believe his trade value is the lowest of the starting five.

Wallace - I truly believe he is still the focal point of this team. Yes, his energy lacked at points this year and his FT shooting was horrendous. But, I feel he was frustrated with his offensive responsibility in Flip's system. This will be worked out in the off-season when Ben stays. With more scoring opportunities along with his contract being behind him, I fully expect Ben to come out with the passion and energy we're used to seeing from him.

Bench - The Pistons have some young talent that needs to see the floor next year to begin development. These players include Acker, Johnson, and Maxiell. Carlos Delfino, while talented, will undoubtedly be traded this off season. Experienced scoring threats need to be added for next year. Another Maurice Evans like free agent signing will not cut it this year.

This leaves the position of what to do next. It is my opinion that our most tradeable asset in the starting 5 is RIP. While I love RIP's game, I truly feel that if packaged properly, Joe can get a 2 guard that is more creative and is a slasher.

Players that come to mind are Ray Allen, Allan Iverson or Jason Richardson. RIP could be sent with Delfino to land one of these guys. I am more in favor of Allen or Iverson because they’ve reached the point in their career when winning a championship is their top priority. As I said before, inserting new blood and hunger into this team by adding a player who can make a true impact is critical for ongoing success. Joe cannot wait too long and let the ship continue to sink. And it has been sinking for longer than many would like to admit.

Lastly adding a bench presence is critical this off season. Players such as Harrington, Mohammed, James, and Cassell are options that could provide this unit a boost come playoff time next season. The Pistons need to try and develop a bench that more resembles the 2004 squad and less like 2005 and 2006.

Nevertheless, Joe’s summer will be an interesting one. Many in the media feel he should stand pat and just add parts here and there without tweaking the team much. My feeling is that the moves this summer will define the team for years to come. If problems are not addressed and 2007 becomes another failed year, there will be even more momentum pushing this team downward that may prove to be too much to turnaround without a major break-up. I'm confident Joe does not want to see, again, the same abrupt and helpless ending that conquered the Bad Boys era and put the franchise into a deep sleep for many years after.

DP