For the first time in several years, the Detroit Pistons have made significant changes during the NBA's off season.
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Therefore, this season will be the first time the Pistons will have a new look on the court, since they traded for Rasheed Wallace.
Other things have a different feel as well, like in the front office. Pistons President and general manager, Joe Dumars seems to be answering more questions about his transactions then he has had to in the past. As always time will tell if this was a good off season or not. Many people in the Pistons organization have said they think they can be a better team this season, then last. However, the Detroit Pistons will not have a better team than last season; meaning they did not have a positive off season.
First and foremost, losing Ben Wallace will hurt this team a great deal. The Pistons have lost their foundation and emotional leader.
Wallace brought energy, rebounding, and great defensive play every night. Those things will be sorely missed.
The Pistons have now broken up the most cohesive, and proven starting five in the NBA. They have enjoyed their success, thanks in most part, to their strong defensive commitment. That philosophy will most likely change to more of an offensive game without Ben Wallace.
Another problem with losing Ben Wallace, is they gave away Darko Milicic. The Pistons drafted Milicic with the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and kept him on the bench his entire tenure here in Detroit. The Pistons would have finally had a chance to play and develop Milicic this year. Instead, they traded him away for a draft pick and to clear cap space. This was followed by a failed attempt to re-sign Ben Wallace. Unfortunately, that cap space could only be used to re-sign players.
In other areas, the Pistons did use their money wisely by signing two players with credentials this off season. They signed center Nazr Mohammad to replace Ben Wallace. Mohammed was on the San Antonio Spurs team that defeated Detroit in the 2005 NBA finals. Mohammed is a starting center who can shoot better than Wallace, but like almost every other player in the league he cannot defend and rebound like his predecessor.
The other signing was Ronald "Flip"Murray, who is going to be a back up shooting guard. Murray will be helpful to the Pistons because of his proven ability to score. Scoring instantly and consistently off the bench is something the Pistons have desperately lacked for a while. Detroit also brought back former Piston Ronald Dupree to add depth and athleticism to the bench. Lindsey Hunter was re-signed because of his proven ability to come off the bench, and provide an invaluable defensive spark.
With the changes brought about to this Piston team, it leaves questions that were not asked in past seasons. Will the Pistons be able to cover for Ben Wallace's defense and his rebounding on both ends of the floor? Will the Pistons totally change into a offensive team, and in the process become an average to poor defensive team? Will one or two players take over this team, and leave the Pistons balanced style in the past? And, if someone does take over, will it be better for the team or more detrimental? Will this be, free agent to be, Chauncey Billups last season in Detroit? Will Carlos Delfino get his chance to play, and turn into a good, reliable player? Is this team going to bounce back in this years post season, as individuals and as a team? Is Flip Saunders going to prove he's the right man for the job, or is he going to experience another playoff failure?
Going into last season we knew the Pistons were a championship contender. Now there seems to be a lot of questions surrounding this team. I have to say, I've been more optimistic about the Detroit Pistons in past seasons.
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