The Detroit Pistons wish to forget the 08'-09' season. They were under .500 for the first time in many years and were dominated in the first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was an embarrassment.
The Pistons were the bench mark in the Eastern Conference - in 04' they upset the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers. Many feel the Pistons could have one more championships but were living off their one championship win and didn't have the desire or passion anymore - whether that's true or not no one really knows. What we do know is the Pistons played well below their standards accumulating a 39-43 record - the Pistons going 4 games below .500 is unheard of.
In are Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, two capable scorers. In is Ben Wallace, a familiar face from the past, though not nearly as effective as he used to be.
For the Chicago Bulls Ben Gordon averaged 21 points per game and made many important shots against the Boston Celtics in the first round in the 09' playoffs.
In 08'-09' Charlie Villanueva averaged 16 points per game, the highest of his career and at 6-11, he gives the Pistons some size up front.
Say what you want about the Pistons. They're a different team than they once were, but they're clearly not throwing in the towel either. It was about 7 or 8 years ago that the Pistons were the joke of the NBA, and GM Joe Dumars has done a terrific job at rebuilding the team. It's apparent that the Chauncey Billups trade was a bad idea, but the Detroit Pistons are ready to accept their current state and move on.
One player who will need to average more in both rebounds and points is C Chris Wilcox. Wilcox has been on a few teams now since his career started in 2002, maybe Detroit is where he can finally shine as a player and contribute a good deal.
Head coach John Kuester will definitely have his hands full this season trying to acclimate the new talent with the old. Will Kuester be the coach to help the Pistons return to the top of the Eastern Conference? That's why they play the games.
The Pistons were the bench mark in the Eastern Conference - in 04' they upset the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers. Many feel the Pistons could have one more championships but were living off their one championship win and didn't have the desire or passion anymore - whether that's true or not no one really knows. What we do know is the Pistons played well below their standards accumulating a 39-43 record - the Pistons going 4 games below .500 is unheard of.
In are Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, two capable scorers. In is Ben Wallace, a familiar face from the past, though not nearly as effective as he used to be.
For the Chicago Bulls Ben Gordon averaged 21 points per game and made many important shots against the Boston Celtics in the first round in the 09' playoffs.
In 08'-09' Charlie Villanueva averaged 16 points per game, the highest of his career and at 6-11, he gives the Pistons some size up front.
Say what you want about the Pistons. They're a different team than they once were, but they're clearly not throwing in the towel either. It was about 7 or 8 years ago that the Pistons were the joke of the NBA, and GM Joe Dumars has done a terrific job at rebuilding the team. It's apparent that the Chauncey Billups trade was a bad idea, but the Detroit Pistons are ready to accept their current state and move on.
One player who will need to average more in both rebounds and points is C Chris Wilcox. Wilcox has been on a few teams now since his career started in 2002, maybe Detroit is where he can finally shine as a player and contribute a good deal.
Head coach John Kuester will definitely have his hands full this season trying to acclimate the new talent with the old. Will Kuester be the coach to help the Pistons return to the top of the Eastern Conference? That's why they play the games.
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