Pistons 2009-10 preview
Posted by pistonsnationThis season preview was supposed to done on the 13th, but I refuse to submit to the will of a Celtics blog (read: busy + lazy). So here’s your Pistons Nation preview for these new look ‘Stonz. Rock on.
Last Year’s Record: 39-43
Key Losses: Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace, Walter Herrmann, Amir Johnson, Arron Afflalo
Key Additions: Charlie Villanueva, Ben Gordon, Chris Wilcox, Ben Wallace, Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko, John Kuester, Brian Hill
1. What Significant Moves were made during the off-season?
For starters the Michael Curry era was mercifully put down in favor of John Kuester and later Brian Hill. The money we were rewarded with for suffering through Allen Iverson brought in two young studs in Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon. McDyess, Rahseed, and Walter Herrmann were free to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Amir Johnson, Arron Afflalo, and Walter Sharpe were dealt to make way for bigs Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace.
The Pistons had a very good draft. Some say Joe stole Austin Daye at #15, and DaJuan Summer at #35. We also picked up Sweden’s Jonas Jerebko who is looking like a no-nonsense, hard-nosed addition to the bench.
A move that didn’t make major headlines but is big in it’s own right was picking up the team’s option on backup guard Will Bynum. Thrill can be a difference maker and fits the new Pistons mold to a T.
2. What are the team’s biggest strengths?
This is a young athletic group that should be able to play a more uptempo brand of basketball than what fans are used to seeing out of the Pistons. There’s a number of guys that really should thrive in the open court.
The Pistons also should be able to really fill it up on teams from the perimeter with a half dozens guys who can stroke it from deep.
3. What are the team’s biggest weaknesses?
Defense. Losing Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess is going to soften this team up on the inside. They say defense isn’t as important in today’s NBA. I don’t agree. Despite the rules the league has put in place to curb defensive dominance you still need to be a good on D to be considered a legitimate contender. Although I do think the combination of Wilcox, Wallace, and Kwame Brown will exceed expectations.
4. What are the goals for this team?
I think the goals are simpler than they used to be. It’s no longer trophy or bust. I think after last season most fans will just be happy with a team that competes every night. They’ll make the playoffs, just not a high a seed as we’re used to seeing. But, once you get to the dance you never know.
5. What’s going to be the biggest surprise?
From what I’ve seen it looks like Ben Wallace is going to have somewhat of a career resurgence now that he’s back in the Motor City. He was brought back to be a supplementary component, but so far he’s worked his way up to the point where he’ll be counted on as much on the court as for his work and leadership off of it.
Projected Finish: 47-35
GO PISTONS!
This entry was posted on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 10:07 am and is filed under PN articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Although I do think the combination of Wilcox, Wallace, and Kwame Brown will exceed expectations.
Yessir!
Frontcourt by committee is the ticket this year (read: until Joe can find a way to net us an elite big man). I think Kwame is going to turn some heads this season, and although Max, Wilcox, and Big Ben aren’t going to be superstars, their collective efforts will surprise a lot of people.
I don’t think we’ll contend this year, but we will compete every night — and yes, I will gladly accept that.
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October 17th, 2009 at 12:48 pm[...] Pistons Nation Losing Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess is going to soften this team up on the inside. They say defense isn’t as important in today’s NBA. I don’t agree. Despite the rules the league has put in place to curb defensive dominance you still need to be a good on D to be considered a legitimate contender. Although I do think the combination of Wilcox, Wallace, and Kwame Brown will exceed expectations. [...]
October 17th, 2009 at 8:31 pm[...] String Music | Empty the Bench | Pistons Nation | [...]
October 17th, 2009 at 10:30 pm