AUBURN HILLS — The Pistons open training camp in 13 days, and for the first time in several years, the camp will feature an honest-to-goodness battle for one of the five starting positions.

First-year coach Michael Curry will give Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown a legitimate and fair shot at unseating veteran Antonio McDyess as the starting power forward-center opposite Rasheed Wallace.

“We are looking at how we can inject our young guys into the rotation more, giving them a solid role and still get the most out of our veteran guys and be as efficient as possible,” Curry said. “One of the things we are looking at is having ‘Dyess go back to his role of coming off the bench.”

To be clear, Curry is in no way suggesting McDyess doesn’t deserve to maintain his starting spot. Quite the opposite.

“Whoever wins that starting spot won’t necessarily be the best player,” Curry said. “I think it’s hands-down that McDyess is our second-best post player behind Rasheed. But who we end up starting will be the player who gives us the best balance.”
(via: Detroit News)

I’m kind of torn with this one.  Although I’ve campaigned for Maxiell to start I’m beginning to wonder if that’s the right move.  It would depend on what kind of mood Rasheed was in in any particular game.  If Sheed wants to roam then we’ll lack post presence.  Maxy has developed a nice touch around the rim, but I just don’t see him being a post up threat.  I think he’s perfect coming off the bench with his hustle and energy.  He brings that “no letting up” mentality which we need.

I’d love to see Amir starting but where we left off last year would lead one to believe he’s still not ready.  Although, it does sound like he’ll have an equal chance to show what he’s got when camp opens.

Until further notice Kwame Brown is still Kwame Brown and I don’t think (aside from size) there’s too many of us in Pistons Nation pining for Kwam to be bumped up to the front line.

That leaves Dice as the #1 option still.  He’s older and he’s made no bones about his comfort zone being more in a 6th man capacity, but he still seems like the best option.  He will just have to work on getting into his rythm from the outset and not waiting to see how the game is shaping up.

There’s also the option of PF by commitee?

If nothing else it’s exciting to have abit of uncertainty in the starting five for the first time since about the late 1700’s.