This
week I'm going to try and focus on the pistons and what they plan to accomplish
this year. For those of you who don't know, this
year is the pistons 50th anniversary of operation in Detroit, they original started out as the Fort Wayne Zollener
Pistons in 1942 then moved to Detroit in 1947. With that in mind the pistons
have prepared to celebrate there anazersy with some special logos and also a
hardwood classics jersey that will be presented later on in the season in
November. Bringing the total number of jerseys up to 4, the
first one being the white home jersey, the blue away jersey, the red
alternative jersey, and the new hardwood classics.
In
other news deals with our roster situation. As it stands right now, we have
over 17 people on the roster that must be trimmed down to 15 by the
official start of the season. Chris Webber is the easy one
out right now due to the fact that he only had one veterans minimum contract
and the salary cap space issue with Nazr Mohammad. Chris has stated that he
doesn't mind waiting around until the issue with space is settled. Joe D has talked to him and
gave him a guarantee that if he is able to fix the space problem soon he will
bring in Webber by the middle of the season. In the meantime Nazr has also
stated that he will come back into training camp stronger and ready to get his
starting job back, seeing as how he is the only true center on the team. That remains to be seen though
as we do have a rookie prospect in Check Sambie, who is 7'2 but looks to get
playing time in the DL.
Speaking
of playing time, this year looks to be a good year for 3rd year forwards Jason
Maxiell and Amir Johnson. Joe D has instructed Flip to start
integrating the younger blood into the rotation to "insure that the veterans know that there
job isn't safe anymore with them around". Maxiell looks the most ready to
start the season, he came back about 25 pounds lighter than before and has been
working on his mid-range, lay-up, and free-throw shots. Amir Johnson came back to camp
taller than last time. When we drafted him 3 years ago he was 6'9,
right now he stands at 6'11 1/2. He has also worked on his game,
developing a 3 point shot which could make him as dangerous as Rasheed
is. Also look for the rookies to contribute as
well. Our 15th pick Rodney Stuckey is poised to
become the main backup to Billups, with his skill modeled after Dwayne Wade, he
can cut thorough defense and drive it in, while our other rookie, Arron Afflo
will remind fans of a younger and taller Lindsey Hunter. His shot isn't' that good but
his defense is pretty damn good. The pistons have him being the
second option off the bench for garbage minuets and coming off behind Flip
Murry for Rip.
Last
but not least is the condition of the coaching staff. Joe D went kind of crazy on the
asstants and fired all but one and hired new people. This was done to take Flip out
of his comfort spot and give him something to work for. As you know since he took the
helm, the pistons have been excellent during the regular season but suck ass
during the playoffs. The farthest that we have gotten as been to
the eastern conference finals. It's starting to look like the
same problem that he had during his tenure in Minnesota. Joe doesn't want that and the
only reason that he wasn't fired was due to his business like conduct and his
not pissing off the owner, Mr. Davidson.
But
he has been warned, Detroit has high standards for winning
and he is the first coach in ten years to last to third season, the last coach
to do that was Doug Collins in 97, and he only lasted till the middle of the
season.
So
here's to Flip not doing a Doug Collins.
Well
that's it for now,
I'm
out, like Coach Collins in '97.
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