NBA Preview: Detroit Pistons

Must...stay...away from...the block...

Changes:
First off, at the end of last season, they let the Serbian Gangsta and TeamUSA-killer Carlos Arroyo go to the Magic in exchange for Kelvin Cato, a future first-rounder and a packet of Metamucil (per Dale Davis's request). Horrific deal, you might say. But no, they did it because they figured they couldn't sign both Ben Wallace and Darko, so they chose Big Ben: the heart and soul of the team. What's that? They let him go to Chicago? Replaced him with who? Marginally-skilled, insanely-soft, defensively-challenged Nazr Mohammed? Yeah, he and Ben Wallace are basically six and two threes. It appears Joe Dumars chose to go with the seldom-used "subtraction by subtraction" plan this off-season. I guess they got Ronald Murray (huge chucker), so there's that. The luster of the Billups/Sheed/Prince/Hamilton moves is going to wear off soon, and Joe's gonna have some 'splainin' to do!

Style of Play:
Flip Saunders got the team running last year, but unless 'Sheed penetrates the force-field around the three-point line and gets down on the block where he's lethal, they're a strictly jumpshooting team, which is a problem. The good thing is that everyone's unselfish on the offensive end - almost to a fault. All that being said, their strength is still in their D and the Prince/Wallace combo will give teams matchup fits. Dale Davis will handle the lookfrightening duties.

Impact Player:
C.Billups. I would trust this man with my life. With 19 points, 9 dimes and only 2 turnovers, he's about as rock-solid as they come, not to mention having an enormous sack down the stretch of close games. And he keeps getting better. Good thing the Celtics traded him after 51 games. Fuck.

Player you would most like to get arrested with and where:
I'll say Carlos Delfino. The man has to be storing some Darko-esque anger after riding pine for the last few years. The location would most certainly be at a cockfight w/lots of angry latinos. And tapas. He would also be wearing a Menudo shirt.

Prediction:
The 'stons will be near the top of the East yet again, but ultimately their championship run depends on three things: Jason Maxiell stepping up, Carlos Delfino getting 25 minutes a game, and Antonio McDyess staying healthy and effective. He won't because he's an undersized power forward, he won't because Flip Saunders doesn't know shit, and he won't because he has no knees. 58-24, playoffs, second round exit.