[llperez]

I’m curious to hear what you guys think about the Piston’s off season moves this summer. They had a dissapointing season last year just getting into the playoffs before getting swept. They had as much money as anybody to spend during the off-season to improve their roster. While this off-season free agent class was kinda weak, they had first pickings seeing how most teams were saving up for next summer.

So they went out and got Ben Gordon for about 10 mill per and Charlie Villaueva for about 7 mill per I believe. They drafted Austin Daye and DeJaun Summers. they let Afflalo go. They gave Rip Hamilton a big extension late last season for 10 mill per year as well to show their commitment to him after bringing iverson over for Billups.

So what do you think about the moves Dumars has been making to set this team up for the future and do you think they make the playoffs?

[canesboy6Participant]

Dumars is doing it right. These are the rebuilding years for them IMO. They will stay in the playoffs, to me that is the remarkable thing people dont understand. He is getting good pieces, like Ben Gordon, Villanueva. On top of Stuckey, Rip who has a few good years left, Prince, thier new investment in Daye, and the established Pistons brand of basketball. They have a few big contracts, but it doesn’t seem like any impossible contracts, although if Gordon was to completely tank that would be tough to move. They are still a playoff team, and its hard to predict much going in to 2010 but they could potentially add a good starter and start looking like a contender again.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

well, i think adding gordon and charlie v were good moves…. but, if they cant get rip hamilton out of there they will be in for trouble… hes gonna kill their chemistry again..(it wasnt ALL ai’s fault… living in detroit i heard more about rip complaining than iverson)… there are just simply not enough minutes in theyre backcourt to go around…

people underestimate villanueva… given the opprotunity and minutes (and a little development) he probably could average 20/10 at the pf slot for them… all they need now is a decent low post player that can draw doubles (and block shots) to open up stucky and gordon…

[joecheck88Participant]

they were horrible moves if they want to be a championship caliber team soon. but good moves if they want to be a 6-8 seed in the East the next few years. Now Charlie V I think is a good signing for what they are paying him(about 8 mil a year I think) but to give an undersized, streak shooting, no defense playing sg was idiotic. I think this team is destined for low seeds in the East. Now if they make the playoffs they could provide match up problems for some teams but this team will never make it past the second round of the playoffs with this roster.

[CordellHatleyParticipant]

I think that both of the moves as far as the free agents Detroit picked up were great! Both of the guys that they picked up have Chicago connections. Charlie V played his highschool ball with Luol Deng and obviously Ben Gordon began his career in Chicago. I have watched Ben Gordon for years being it that I am from Chicago. Ben is a class guy he plays hard all of the time. He will practice and he will not complain to the media. If he continues to develop his point guard abilities and he starts to drive to the basket a little more thus draws more fouls. He could easily average 25 points per game. I will say this about Ben Gordon though. Ben is 6’3 maybe 6’2 if Ben Gordon was 6’6 he would easily be a top 5 shooting guard in the NBA. Detroit he is that good and I am sorry that he had to leave Chicago but that’s the business. Charlie V is also to me a very underrated player. I completely agree with the previous post when someone stated that Charlie V could average 20 and 10 with development. I truly do believe that. His awareness is one of his major problems. Or was? Detroit is a place where they have a history of playing smart basketball. I think that Austin Daye was a steal. Yes a steal I compare him to a poors man Kevin Durant. Not saying that he cannot develop into something special but I’m just saying that his ceiling is in his head just as is true with a lot of young players. I don’t care what anybody says about this next post. I am still a fan of Kwame Brown. People do not remember that he was Jordans first pick! I was young at the time but I just believe that Jordan saw something in him. He isn’t old and big men last a long time. KB keeps a job for some reason. Detroit will be back in the playoffs this year!!!

[Henry25Participant]

I didnt understand the Gordon signing at all. If AI and Rip couldn’t coexist, do they really think Rip and BG can? I think not. Besides i think Rip is extremely overrated. He really needs a good point guard and guys who sets lots of screens for him to be successful. Thats why those piston team of a few years ago were so good, because Big Ben all he would do was set screens and rebound the missed shot, Rasheed was so unselfish that he didnt take any shot away from Rip, and they had Billups. I say trade Rip if u can, because neither him nor BG want to come off the bench at all. And I think Gordon is better than Rip. I loved the Villanueva signing, and don’t sleep on Dejuan Summers. I see him having a much better rooki year/career than Austin “i weigh 100 pounds” Daye

[llperez]

The two issues I have with Detroit’s moves are 1)neither Ben nor Charlie are known for defense and 3) they should have never given Rip the big deal if they were gonna bring in another sg who brings the same tools to the team. 20 million per year combined for rip and ben to split minutes is a bit much.

They can make the playoffs, but right now, I’m not predicting it.

[dmo21Participant]

so everyone thinks that detroit should get rid of him but who should they trade him to? What would they want in return? (i think a center or a pg)

I think the best possible team to trade for him would possibly be the bobcats, who have bell at the 2 for only another year, and they have plenty of centers to give back to detroit. maybe just a rip for chandler deal, or maybe rip for vlad and nazr, or possibly a sign and trade with felton..

[McWinningParticipant]

they still are weak down low but they knew Wallace and Mcdyess were leaving so they did a pretty good job.

[morgatilParticipant]

Trade him to Denver so he can be with Chuancey again. Let JR catch fire off the bench again when his suspension is up. Denver could trade Birdman (who they just signed, but I am not sure would like leaving) and another contract an/ or draft picks.

Or….. Trade Rip to NO. He would flourish with Paul and NO needs a sg. I am sure that Detroit could use Okafor or a young talent like Julian Wright.

Or….. Trade Rip to Utah. Get Boozer before Utah gets nothing for him and maybe a young big like Fresenko.

Detroit is rebuilding, but a Boozer for Rip deal could make them a top 4 team in the East.

[torontoraptors10Participant]

If Pistons get Boozer, what does that make of Villanueva? The Pistons invested so much money in Villanueva, why get Boozer? I suggest they do not get Boozer and try and get a legit centre.

Carlos Boozer is 6’9 and weighs 266 pounds according to http://www.nba.com, a bit undersized for a C no? Who is Detroit’s centre now? Kwame Brown, maybe even Chris Wilcox?

The Pistons should get a legit centre.

Richard Hamilton for Chris Kaman. Personally, this would be an awesome trade for both teams. Detroit gets a double-double centre and the Clippers get a 6th man SG and a mentor to Eric Gordon. The Clippers can let Eric Gordon flourish and let Hamilton come off the bench to ease the stress of Gordon and the Clippers. Hamilton will give them instant offense and defense off the bench. Hamilton is a better upgrade over Rasual Butler and Ricky Davis.

[JNixonParticipant]

All I can say is…watch out for Austin Daye. He has 17-5-5 potential and may reach about 20 in his prime. I think the Pistons did a pretty good job this off-season and may be in play for a big name in 2010. They’re sleepers in that sweepstakes, especially if/when they move Hamilton and or Prince.

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

i think boozer would be good… they have ben wallace for defense and a 3 man rotation between boozer charlie v and big ben would be nice for pf and center…

what they DESPRATELY need is someone to draw the double team down low to open up the perimeter shooters..

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