sonic21
07-20-2009, 07:59 PM
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090720/SPORTS0102/907200310/1127/New-look-Pistons-almost-complete
Auburn Hills -- The Pistons' summer renovation is just about finished.
After signing seven-year veteran forward/center Chris Wilcox to a two-year deal worth $6 million Saturday, the Pistons probably will make two more roster moves before training camp opens in October.
They're expected to sign another veteran big man, Ben Wallace or Rasho Nesterovic, and a third point guard, to one-year deals at the veteran's minimum ($1.3 million). Shooting guard Deron Washington also is expected to be invited to camp with a solid chance at winning a roster spot.
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But president Joe Dumars' vision for the next era of Pistons basketball has taken shape and here's what it looks like: It's young (average age 25), fast and athletic, a collection of highly skilled, offensive-oriented interchangeable parts, the core of which just now is reaching its prime.
The trade of Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson, and the subsequent departure of veterans Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess, gave the Pistons enough cap space to sign elite free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, as well as Wilcox.
Draftees Jonas Jerebko and DaJuan Summers showed during summer league they should be ready to contribute next season. No. 1 pick Austin Daye, though more skilled than the other two, might need another year to build his body to NBA-strength.
It will be new coach John Kuester's mission to integrate those players with veterans who remain from last season -- Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, Will Bynum and Kwame Brown.
Four-fifths of the starting lineup seems to be in place. Hamilton (age 31) and Stuckey (23) will start in the backcourt, with Prince (29) and Villanueva (24) at forward. Brown (27) and Wilcox (27) will compete for the starting center spot.
Gordon (26) will be a reserve in only the most technical sense. He's expected to play 30-plus minutes and be on the floor down the stretch of close games.
Expect the Pistons to deploy a lot of three-guard, small-ball sets, with Prince and Villanueva.
Auburn Hills -- The Pistons' summer renovation is just about finished.
After signing seven-year veteran forward/center Chris Wilcox to a two-year deal worth $6 million Saturday, the Pistons probably will make two more roster moves before training camp opens in October.
They're expected to sign another veteran big man, Ben Wallace or Rasho Nesterovic, and a third point guard, to one-year deals at the veteran's minimum ($1.3 million). Shooting guard Deron Washington also is expected to be invited to camp with a solid chance at winning a roster spot.
Advertisement
But president Joe Dumars' vision for the next era of Pistons basketball has taken shape and here's what it looks like: It's young (average age 25), fast and athletic, a collection of highly skilled, offensive-oriented interchangeable parts, the core of which just now is reaching its prime.
The trade of Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson, and the subsequent departure of veterans Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess, gave the Pistons enough cap space to sign elite free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, as well as Wilcox.
Draftees Jonas Jerebko and DaJuan Summers showed during summer league they should be ready to contribute next season. No. 1 pick Austin Daye, though more skilled than the other two, might need another year to build his body to NBA-strength.
It will be new coach John Kuester's mission to integrate those players with veterans who remain from last season -- Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, Will Bynum and Kwame Brown.
Four-fifths of the starting lineup seems to be in place. Hamilton (age 31) and Stuckey (23) will start in the backcourt, with Prince (29) and Villanueva (24) at forward. Brown (27) and Wilcox (27) will compete for the starting center spot.
Gordon (26) will be a reserve in only the most technical sense. He's expected to play 30-plus minutes and be on the floor down the stretch of close games.
Expect the Pistons to deploy a lot of three-guard, small-ball sets, with Prince and Villanueva.