PASPN.net NBA Fantasy Basketball Resource

The Sputtering Spurs?

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:23:24:730

Fact or Fiction 11/13
by T-Rex

I am planning to tinker with the format. Until then...this'll do!

Atlanta's undefeated start (they lost tonight) is real.

Fact-ish: Atlanta's a fairly complete team. They have a legit PG (legit enough in Bibby), a true scorer in Joe Johnson, and a hose in the middle in Al Horford. They have D'ed up well and they do have gunners on O. I doubt they'll be a #1 seed, but they did play the NBA champs close and they really only lost 1 key reserve. So they have chemistry already.

Philly is the biggest disappointment.

Fiction: I'm not disappointed because I did not like the Brand signing. Others did. But they still can't shoot as a team and AI2 fresh off a new deal hasn't looked good. I'm not surprised though. It's a young, exciting team that's not sneaking up on anyone. Brand, while effective, is slow and now Philly's not running like they used to.

San Antonio will be able to recover from this early swoon.

Fact: They do something like this all the time. The only thing that's different is their role players fossilized over the off-season. These guys are so old John McCain calls'em old men. Ginobili, Parker, and Duncan are always gonna make you competitive, and the season is 5.5 months long. By February we'll see the "can anyone beat the Spurs" articles.

This year's rookie class will be the best since 2003.

Faction: I don't know at all. Even though his numbers are good, I'm not sold on Mayo. Derrick Rose is fantastic and Beasley can be good. Rudy Fernandez is GOOD. They have solid guys. But at the same time, I have no clue if they will last past this season. You'll see guys dip off. You'll see some come back. Too tough to predict now.

Lebron is the favorite for the MVP.

Fact: He's freakin awesome. Nuff said.

Post Scoring A Necessity

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:54:36:583

Post Scoring A Necessity

by Steve St. Pierre

The Palace was pumped up last Sunday for the Pistons' game against

the visiting Boston Celtics, the debut for G Allen Iverson. But once the

Celtics outscored Detroit 30-10 in the second quarter, the game was

all but over and showed fans that the Pistons need more than superstar

scoring on the perimeter to compete for a championship.

The Celtics, coming off their 2008 NBA Championship, completely

shut down the Pistons defensively. Broadcaster Greg Kelser even

admitted during the telecast that C Rasheed Wallace needed to get

inside and look to score down low. Any Pistons fan will tell you that

'Sheed doesn't utilize his length inside, and Detroit needs that

advantage on the interior if the team hopes to capture another title.

According to reports, the L.A. Clippers have made C Chris Kaman

available on the trade market. Kaman, a legitimate seven-footer from

Wyoming, MI who attended Central Michigan University before

being drafted sixth overall by the Clips in 2003, would give the

Pistons a natural post player who continues to have success as a

presence in the paint.

Suggested by my colleague Stephen Moore, the Pistons could offer

Wallace in a trade to L.A. for Kaman and veteran F Tim Thomas.

Thomas, whose contract expires after next season, would provide

Detroit with the sharpshooting forward they have missed since

trading away F Antonio McDyess. Meanwhile, Wallace would take

his expiring contract to the Clippers and allow them to play a faster

tempo alongside G Baron Davis and F Marcus Camby, who would

slide over to the center position.

This trade would still give the Pistons enough cap flexibility to either

re-sign Iverson or use the money from his expiring contract to sign a

veteran PF like Carlos Boozer this upcoming summer or hold off until

the 2010 off-season to make a run at either F Chris Bosh or F Amare

Stoudemire. Of course G Rodney Stuckey would step in to replace

Iverson in the starting lineup.

The Pistons need a big man who can score down low on a consistent

basis. Trading for a player like Kaman makes sense if the team wants

to surpass Boston and win another championship.

Steve St. Pierre covers the Pistons for In Play! Magazine. Check

it out online at www.inplaymagazine.com.

7 Ways To Build Franchises

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:38:40:683

New Page 4

7 Ways to Build your Franchise (finally released).
by T-Rex

1. Sign an All-Star PG. If the quarterback is the leader of an NFL team, the PG is the same guy for the NBA. They are usually the tone-setter for defense, the waiter for offense, and the guy that gets everyone involved. If your PG is a great passer with great court vision, guys will fall over themselves to play for him. If your PG is a defensive stalwart, your team will be good on D every year.

2. Sign an All-Star Big Man. If your PG is the head, the Big Man is the Spine/Backbone. They are the running backs of the NBA. They provide the easy points on O and the anchors on D. An All-Star big is usually a 20-10-2 block guy. And the smarter the player, the longer they last. Bigs are slightly easier to build around than PGs because they last longer, but PGs save franchises faster. Get both...yeah!

3. Follow the 20/20 rule. The 20/20 rule is you can pay 20% more than market value for 20% of your team. Basically 3 players. And only 2 of them can be 8-figure guys being overpaid. Again, salary cap room allows for roster moves. You handcuff your cap, you handcuff your team. The best teams sign manageable deals for their players. For the average player, there isn't a huge difference between 12 and 14 million. It's the agent that give a crap.

4. Get good scouts. Scouts are the most underrated positions in any organization. They are responsible for evaluating opposing talent for acquisition or defeat, college and overseas talent for drafting or free agency, and for trading. They give tendencies, weaknesses, strengths, etc. They are the five senses of the body, observing things for coaches, GMs, and players alike.

5. Get good trainers. Like the scouts, trainers keep your team healthy or help them bounce back quickly during injury. Just about every sport athlete plays hurt, be it minor pains or recoveries, and trainers keep'em on the court. If your trainer sucks, guys tend to go their own way and do their own thing, or players stay hurt longer. Usually, scouts and trainers are the first to go when a team is cutting cost, and like any organization cutting costs, they cut the team that's farthest away from the money, but closest to the action.

6. Create an identity that aids winning. There are things that winning teams do. They play efficient. They defend hard. They score. They control tempo. They play synergistically. The good organizations pick 2-3 of these things as their foundation. Why not all? Because it's too hard to make everyone do everything. It doesn't matter if your talking sports or corporations. We are individuals. But good teams get players that fit the team identity, or get 1 guy that embodies the team identity and let him do the work for you. Coaches and GMs have to as well.

7. Know when to blow it up. This is the trickiest. Most teams hold on too long. It's like having your favorite chair, but it only has 3 legs and no cushion, but instead of buy a new chair, you duct tape everything. The NBA is a duct-tape league. Too many teams are afraid to admit they need an overhaul. The good organizations can blow up their team the right way and get back competitive relatively quickly. Aging superstars, angry locker rooms, etc, tend to happen to teams that don't blow it up in time.

Pistons Finally Get A.I.

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:01:22:500

Pistons Finally Get A.I.

by Steve St. Pierre

It took over eight years, but they finally got their guy.

According to MLive.com, the Pistons have reached an agreement to

make a trade that would send Allen Iverson to Detroit in exchange for

Chauncey Billups and Cheikh Samb. Antonio McDyess reportedly

will be included in the deal, bought out and re-signed by the Pistons.

The deal appears to have been a longtime coming. Joe Dumars, Pistons

President and GM, attempted to trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for

Iverson during the summer of 2000 before the transaction was voided

due to Matt Geiger's refusal to forfeit his $5 million trade kicker.

Iverson is expected to replace Billups in the starting lineup at point

guard and will be another role model, at least on the court, for

reserve guard Rodney Stuckey. Iverson is a free agent this summer,

and if he does not re-sign with the Pistons, Stuckey could become

the full-time starter at the position as soon as next season.

"The Answer" gives the Pistons the superstar scorer they've been

yearning for since this past summer. Meanwhile, the Nuggets get

a natural point guard to insert into their lineup alongside superstar

forward Carmelo Anthony. Samb could earn some minutes behind

starting big men Kenyon Martin and Nene.

Steve St. Pierre covers the Pistons for In Play! Magazine. Check

it out online at www.inplaymagazine.com.

7 Ways To Kill A Franchise

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:16:54:317

7 Ways to Kill your Mock GM Franchise (updated).
by T-Rex

1. Sign a #2 guy to #1 Money: This one is straight-forward, but what is a #1 guy. If your guy is not universally in the top 20% of the league for starters at his primary position, he's probably NOT a #1 guy. If your top guy can't make major contributions in 4 major areas (be it statistical or intangible), he's NOT a #1 guy. If his teammates only look up to him because he's tall and rich, he's NOT a #1 guy. Recent examples include New Jersey, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Milwaukee.

2. Sign a #3 guy to #2 Money: Again, this is similar to the first one. #2 guys are generally regarded to be in the top third at their primary position and contribute to at least 3 major areas. They can, however, be really good at 5-6 major areas and not be great at any one, since he's usually complementing a #1 guy. Your #2 guy is #1-dependent, meaning your #2 guy SHOULD compliment your #1 guy. Too many to name here.

3. Sign an injury-plagued player to a long-term deal: This is doubly brutal if said guy falls into the first 2 categories. This is straight-forward. You don't get your money's worth if he doesn't play. Injury-plagued falls into 2 general categories: multiple catastrophic injuries (think recently guys like Gilbert Arenas or Kenyon Martin) or going down frequently for minor-to semi-major injuries (think T-Mac) and doing this for at least 2 out of every 3 seasons or 2 straight. New Jersey, Houston, Washington are in recent memory.

4. Sign a suspect character guy into a leading role. Basketball is a chemistry game and disrupters ruin teams. Now, every team can handle 1 nutcase as long as he's not the alpha dog. If he's THE alpha dog, then your team takes his identity. And that's not a good thing. If your guy barks at every call, trips opposing players, throws equipment, yells at interviewers, and does enough crap when not playing that your organization hires an entourage whose only job is to keep him away from himself, that's a bad move. Hmmm...Houston, hello (I will admit I want see this potential train wreck).

5. Your best player does not have a true position (tweener). In particular, the tweener is a 1.5 or a 3.5. A point guard and a 2 guard are substantially different. If you don't believe me, watch Chris Paul, then watch Gilbert Arenas, then tell me who's a PG. 3's are wing players who slash. 4's are big bodies who either spot up or bang. They don't sound the same. If your best player can't fall into one of these descriptions, you might want to trade this guy or sign him very cheap.

6. Your top 3 players have {weight, conditioning, discipline} issues. These are signs of a lack of self-restraint and focus. Supremely talented guys can get away with it. Talented guys end up underachieving. Why your top 3? Your team direction is dictated by your top 3 guys if your #1 guy is no true alpha dog (like Kobe or Lebron or KG or Tim). So if they're fat, your team will not care about getting in shape. If they are out of shape, your team will be soft. If your top guys are lazy, your team will not play D. You get the idea.

7. Your GM/Owner/Coach is incompetent. The reason this is all lumped together is because of the ease of firing coaches and GMs. This is obvious, but I will define incompetence. If your GM drafts and signs guys ONLY on potential, he's not good. If your coach cannot draw plays or adapt to his personnel, he's not a good coach. If your owner screams "touchdown" when you score, you're a bad owner. If your GM does 1-6 and your coach reinforces 1-6, you're incompetent.

Previewing The West

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:35:02:947

Previewing The Western Conference
by T-Rex

Southwest Division:

Memphis Grizzlies
The good news: At least we know they are a bad team trying to hold onto money. Rudy Gay is at least good, but now he has to be great. OJ Mayo is at least good, and better become great. And they are still deep at the point position. And of course, I can watch Shimmy Walker!

The bad news: Uhhh...all that PG depth isn't a good thing anymore. Someone has to be the primary, and someone has to go. Also, they are terrible up front. At least they have Gasol again...

The question mark: Can they convince cash-strapped Memphians to show up?

New Orleans
The good news: Fresh off a #2 MVP finish and a very good Olympics, Chris Paul looks poised to take the title of #1 PG in the league by force (only Deron Williams will have any say-so). David West and Tyson Chandler should be a year better and James Posey is a smart (if not slightly expensive) pickup.

The bad news: Money money money!! MONEY!!! When Paul's extension kicks in, they'll have 4 8-figure players on the roster and 3 mid-level deals. As long as they keep winning, they'll be ok...but they HAVE to keep winning.

The question mark: Will expectations be over-encompassing?

San Antonio
The good news: Since it's 2009, the Spurs should win it all, keeping its tradition alive. Tony Parker's game is at its apex and Tim Duncan is Mr Reliable. In recent years they have made an effort to get younger, especially on the perimeter. And that sweet beard from Pop!!!

The bad news: I did say made an effort, right? With Ginobili on the shelf for the 1st month of the season and needing another month to get back into game shape, it could be a long winter.

The question mark: Is this team finally too old to compete.

Houston
The good news: Even though they won 22 in a row last year and many of the games without Yao, he is still the face of the franchise (unless you look at the billboards around here). The Ron Artest acquisition is the right kind of guy to use as an insurance policy for the oft-injured dynamic duo.

The bad news: Even with Artest, this team can't go far with T-Mac and Yao firing on half-cylinders. They have a solid supporting cast, but only a few players like Rafer Alston and Luis Scola can actually step up.

The question mark: Is this the last year of the Yao/T-Mac combo?

Dallas
The good news: Thanks to Josh Howard's missteps during the offseason, the attention will be off the rest of the team briefly. A new coach, and a summer to mesh with Kidd, Dallas should at least be able to compete. They are still deep and have a good balance of youth and experience. And they have 2 guys who were either MVP or #2 in voting!

The bad news: As Terrell stated, Kidd can still pass and control the floor, but not much else. Dirk's rep has taken a hit since he's really not a leader. And as good a coach Carlisle is, he's never won and he pisses off his players.

The question mark: Did Dallas mortgage the future for nothing?

Northwest Division:

Oklahoma City
The good news: I would like to say that Howard Schulz (Starbucks CEO and former owner) should be taking the heat for Seattle not having a team. In any case, Durant does look like a star in waiting (and a shoe-in for 2012 Olympics) and maybe Russell Westbrook will work out. Other than that...

The bad news: Well, this team is rebuilding. That means losses, losses, losses. And the change in venue won't change that much.

The question mark: Is Oklahoma City a pro basketball town?

Portland
The good news: They have TALENT! They actually have too much talent. Well, I should say they have too much similar talent. They are having open tryouts for the 1 and the 3 spots and it's a doozy. Not to mention they were able to draft really well again this year and Oden will actually play.

The bad news: The expectations will be there again. On top of that, there are guys who will need to get paid soon, so they'll be gunning for a contract. And their youth will also be a disadvantage.

The question mark: Will the weight of expectation be too much?

Minnesota
The good news: The rebuilding project is finally on and in full force. They brought in Kevin Love, who seems a better fit for St Paul than Mayo would have been. They are still having open tryouts for their perimeter guys and the recent draft picks will be ready to play harder...at least for a guaranteed check.

The bad news: Well...their draft picks have either been injured (Foye), underwhelming (Brewer), or both (McCants). While Mike Miller is a stable presence, he's not the future of the team.

The question mark: Will this team check out after the losses pile up?

Denver
The good news: Allen Iverson in a contract year will unleash vengeance on the league. A healthy Nene can actually score underneath. And Carmelo is dangerously close to being irrelevant, therefore he'll be anxious to actually prove once and for all he belongs in the conversation of "best young players in the NBA".

The bad news: Defensively, this might be the worst team in the NBA. Iverson is a very good off-the-ball defender, but gets bored with on the ball. Melo gets bored, period. And they don't have enough guns to outshoot everyone.

The question mark: Is this the last year Denver plays as currently comprised.

Utah
The good news: If Paul is the best PG in the NBA, Deron Williams is not too far behind (some folks like Williams better, it's all good). And even though Boozer didn't play much in the Olympics, he benefits from working out with Howard and Bosh for a summer. And they have true depth at every position...

The bad news:...except PG. Williams tweaked his ankle (a 2 weeker means grade 3 sprain or high ankle) and now you have to consider who will back him up. Also, Andrei Kirilenko cannot be an expensive ornament.

The question mark: Can this team break through like 2007?

Pacific Division:

Phoenix
The good news: A summer together with a motivated Amare (taking time off the Olympic team) to gel should be a great thing. They also seem to have a true sub for Nash, who plays heavy minutes and gets worn down by the playoffs. An in-shape Shaq can still do damage and they have a 3 to back up (or start for) Grant Hill.

The bad news: This team is just as old as the Spurs. And they don't have the championship experience (Shaq does, but he isn't necessarily the best vessel for passing on winning ways). Did we mention that Phoenix wants to cut payroll.

The question mark: Do the 30+'s have enough in the tank?

LA Clippers
The good news: They have a good PG, got a bargain on the big after Brand left, and drafted a pretty good 2 guard. Marcus Camby gives the Defense while Chris Kaman gives the Offense. Baron Davis is good as long as he is thin. And Al Thorton will be a good player in this league.

The bad news: Uhhh...BDiddy on Jenny Craig? He seems more interested in making youtube vids with Nash and competing with Bosh than actually playing. Not a good sign.

The question mark: Will the power struggle at the top disrupt the team?

LA Lakers
The good news: They are back. Every stinking player is back. And since they are young, that means they are getting a year better, not older. They are deep, talented, and even though Ronnie Turiaf is up state, they still have energy. Oh, did I mention they have the League MVP?

The bad news: Well...Kobe tweaked his knee. And Bynum is already negotiating money and has not shown that he can ignore contract situations to play. And what do you do with Odom?

The question mark: Seriously, what do you do with Odom?

Golden State
The good news: Nellie is back. He freewheels better than anyone and somehow his teams win games. Corey Maggette will fit in well and their youth will get a chance to play. They now have just enough size to cause problems with other teams if they need to.

The bad news: No PG, no Point forward, no point center. With Monta Ellis celebrating his new contract with a moped accident, he stunted his needed growth into the PG role (he played alongside Davis as the 2). That hurts this team.

The question mark: Will the new moves keep Golden State on top?

Sacramento
The good news: No Ron Artest, no problem! They are young again. They are happy. They have cowbells!! More cowbell!!! Kevin Martin is officially the leader of this team. Brad Miller is the last remnant of the Chris webber Era. Francisco Garcia and the young bigs should be able to grow.

The bad news: This team will be bad because they have a lot of unproven talent, from the coaching staff on down. And they added Abdur-Rahim to the staff too! The Maloofs will likely be in Vegas crying about the economy!

The question mark: Will the fan still watch this new team?

Standings (15-1)
15. Memphis 14. OKC 13. Sacto 12. Minny 11. Golden State 10. Denver 9. LA Clippers 8. Dallas 7. Phoenix 6. Portland 5. Houston 4. San Antonio 3. Utah 2. New Orleans 1. LA Lakers.

Pistons Younger, Hungrier

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:44:22:710

Pistons Younger, Hungrier

by Steve St. Pierre

Everybody expected the Pistons to pull off a major shakeup of their

roster. The only big change this summer was the arrival of new head

coach Michael Curry, who says the team didn't need to change its

personnel but rather its approach to the game. He says he'll hold

veteran players accountable when they aren't competing at their hardest,

and he'll put more of an emphasis on keeping his players in game-shape

throughout the entire season. So far, it appears to be working as the

Pistons finished the exhibition season 6-2. Here's a look at the 2008-09

Detroit Pistons roster along with a summary on each player:

G Chauncey Billups - With the emergence of Rodney Stuckey, Billups

was the subject of several trade rumors throughout the offseason. To his

credit, he's kept himself in topnotch shape and has challenged himself to

remain a productive captain for this team and the starting point guard.

He may be a few years older than when he was Finals MVP in 2004,

but Billups still has the qualities needed to be one of the top point guards

in the NBA. Whether he can continue that productivity over the course

of the entire season, including the playoffs remains to be seen.

G Richard Hamilton - Once again, the Pistons hope to provide Rip

with enough support off the bench to allow him to reduce his playing

time during the regular season in an effort to be physically ready for the

playoffs. We all know Hamilton's game involves constant motion on

both ends of the court, and Curry pledges to have Rip well-prepared for

postseason play by counting on perimeter reserves like Arron Afflalo

and Walter Herrmann to ease some of the burden on the wing. Like

Billups, Rip hopes to maintain his All-Star status for all of '08-09.

F Tayshaun Prince - While most of the Pistons were able to rest for

the majority of the summer, Prince was busy winning an Olympic Gold

Medal with the Mens' U.S. Basketball Team. Prince surprised many by

earning quality minutes as a reserve, playing more than several All-Stars

on the team. Tay just knows how to play the game. He's one of the

best perimeter defenders in the league, and he takes his time offensively

and looks to take advantage of his size mismatches with smaller

swingmen. As is the case with Hamilton, Prince is expected to be

backed up by Afflalo and Herrmann, though the team also plans to play

smaller lineups using Rip at the "3" spot. Again, we all know what

Prince and the other Pistons vets are capable of during the regular

season -- it's being able to keep it up all year that proves to be the

toughest challenge.

F/C Rasheed Wallace - If there was anybody being shopped around

the league these last few months, it was definitely 'Sheed. Wallace just

hasn't kept his focus through the playoffs the past three seasons, and it's

greatly cost the Pistons. He has an expiring contract, which makes him

an attractive option even at the February trade deadline. That said,

'Sheed remains one of the most versatile big men in the game, and he

still has the talent to lead this team back to championship glory. But he

needs to do it by changing his approach, taking the game more seriously

and competing his hardest at all times. Curry believes he still has it in

him, but only time will tell.

F Amir Johnson - Finally, he's in the starting lineup. For the past couple

seasons, several fans have all but demanded that Amir be inserted with

the starters. Perhaps Curry was one of them. Johnson gives the starters

a jolt of energy, quickness and, most importantly, a guy who can be

effective in the lineup without demanding the ball offensively. He

specializes in making the hustle plays on both ends and making an

impact without any plays being called for him. If he proves incapable of

handling a starting position, the Pistons have several other options at

power forward.

F Antonio McDyess - With Johnson appointed to the starting five,

'Dice moves back to his familiar Pistons role as sixth man. At this point

in his career, coming off the bench seems to be most comfortable for

him. 'Dice should continue to be productive scoring the basketball, and

he'll continue to serve as a role model to Detroit's younger forwards.

G Rodney Stuckey - Coming off his impressive rookie playoff outing,

Stuckey has emerged as a primetime player in the Pistons' rotation.

Curry has already stated that Stuckey will play 30+ minutes a night as

the first guard off the bench, backing up both Billups and Hamilton. So

far, Stuckey has mostly played point guard as Curry has looked to bring

in both Stuckey and Afflalo together during preseason games. Many are

expecting a monstrous sophomore campaign for Stuckey, including a

run at the NBA's Most Improved Player award.

F Jason Maxiell - Despite not signing a contract extension he was

recently offered by the Pistons, J-Max says he's here to stay in Detroit

for the long haul, continuing his role as one of the first big men off the

bench. To his credit, Maxiell knows what's expected of him. He is to

provide the team with energetic, hustle reserve play, focusing mainly on

cementing the paint. The hope is that he can take his game to the next

level, possibly including averaging a double-double or close to it.

G Arron Afflalo - In case the Pistons' rotation doesn't have enough

young players, Afflalo waits in the wings. He's had a great preseason

following a fantastic summer league stint, and he's a personal favorite of

Curry's. Along with Johnson, Afflalo is credited as one of the hardest-

working players on the team and sets a great example for even the

veterans. That alone should earn him at least a handful of minutes each

and every game, especially now that the Pistons have givenup on most

of their veteran reserve swingmen from past seasons.

F/C Kwame Brown - We joked earlier this summer about the city of

Detroit not necessarily needing another Kwame, but this one has the

potential to help. Brown joins a long list of players looking to resurrect

their NBA careers with the Pistons after being given up on by a number

of other teams in the league. At his best, he can provide the team with

stellar interior defense and decent scoring in the post. If he doesn't pan

out, the Pistons don't lose much after only signing him to a two-year

contract with a player option on the second season. But, if he can't

provide regular backup minutes to Wallace, the Pistons might want to

take another look at the free agent market for centers.

F Walter Herrmann - A fan favorite, Herrmann was brought back to

the Motor City despite reported lucrative offers to play overseas.

Herrmann's another favorite of Curry's who has plenty of playing

experience and knows how to play the game. Offensively he can shoot

from anywhere and has the ability to drive to the basket and finish with

finesse. On defense, he brings a certain tenacity that perhaps no other

Piston does with regularity. For a perimeter player, Herrmann's not

afraid to mix it up inside either, and he's proven in the past that he can

be a valuable asset when given playing time.

F Walter Sharpe - Though he's probably known more for his

narcolepsy, Sharpe gives the Pistons a promising young forward who

has solid ball-handling skills and quickness. He won't play much at all

this season, but Curry has said he wants the rookie to remain with the

Pistons all year rather than be sent down to the NBDL. That way, he

can be around the veterans and experience basketball at its finest.

G Will Bynum - A free agent addition with previous experience playing

for the Golden State Warriors, Bynum is yet another Curry favorite who

actually earned himself a guaranteed contract during summer league.

When Stuckey sustained a minor injury, Bynum successfully stepped in

and ran the team's offense. It was enough to sell to the Pistons full-time.

He's a prime candidate to be sent to the NBDL, but surely the Pistons

will keep him prepared in case he needs to step in at point guard should

Stuckey struggle at the position early on.

C Cheikh Samb - Yet another player who took advantage of

opportunities in summer league play, Samb has shown a nice shooting

touch to go along with a knack for blocking shots. Once again the only

seven-footer on the roster, Samb is likely to see more time in the

NBDL, as was the case a year ago. The Pistons will look to continue

his development in hopes of having him ready to go full-time next

season.

G Alex Acker - Look who's back! After two seasons of stellar

international play, Acker was brought back to the Pistons with a

partially-guaranteed contract. He's at the bottom of the depth chart, but

he gives Detroit another youngster that they can take a long look at and

stash for the future.

The leftovers - Actually, there weren't any. For the first time in years,

the Pistons elected not to bring any additional players to training camp.

Acker was signed to the final spot on the roster as free agent Lindsey

Hunter continues to ponder retirement. Hunter recently worked out for

the L.A. Clippers, but it's likely his playing days are behind him as he's

currently involved in a case of mortgage fraud. It's possible the Pistons

could decide to look at bringing in another center, especially after

Curry's recent comments about the team lacking interior defense. For

now, though, they'll begin the season with this 15-man roster.

Steve St. Pierre covers the Pistons for In Play! Magazine. Check

it out online at www.inplaymagazine.com.

Taking Over The Southeast

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:36:59:420

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NBA Previews 2009 - The Southeast Division

The Orlando Magic
The good news: Dwight Howard getting humiliated in the Olympics should teach him to be more versatile. Michael Pietrius (I butchered that) is a solid signing as a big guard that can defend at the off guard and small forward spots. Since the rest of the division is still a little weak, they still have a chance to win.

The bad news: The same problems they had before, they still have now. They get suspect play out the point guard position and who did they draft (did they draft anyone...seriously)? They need some beef up front as well.

The question mark: Did this team mess up by not taking more of an advantage of the expiring contracts?

The Miami Heat
The good news: Dwyane Wade is healthy and he is under the radar. People have forgotten that Wade carried the 2006 Heat team before all the injuries started piling up on top of each other. When he is on, he is a top 10 NBA talent. The new philosophy on running will benefit him, Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley.

The bad news: Uhhh...defense, defense, where did you go? This does not look like a good defensive team. Maybe they'll fool me. Oh well. The PG "battle" (more like a slapfight) is going to be key, but Chalmers toking it up at the Rookie Orientation shows bad decision making, not a great trait for a PG.

The question mark: Can Shawn Marion play through no extension during a contract year?

The Atlanta Hawks
The good news: They made the playoffs finally. And they took the Champions to the brink of elimination (winning all the home games). Joe Johnson may in fact be a #1 guy (I still need another year to confirm) and Josh Smith got paid so he should be not bitter. Bibby stabilizes the team at the 1 and Horford is a beast.

The bad news: Uhhh...Josh Childress, welcome to Greece! Josh Childress leaving isn't the issue. It's basically Atlanta management infighting like British Parliament and not really wanting to pay anybody. Not a good sign to attract hot free agents.

The question mark: Can Josh Smith play for Mike Woodson?

The Charlotte Bobcats
The good news: I'm thinking. Well, Jason Richardson and Gerald Wallace's game compliments each other. Emeka Okafor got paid and so you have your stable. There is a little bit of depth behind positions and...HEY that old coach from New York by way of just about every team is coaching!

The bad news: Larry Brown hates rookies and players who don't listen. And MJ is so hands off pageants should hire him to judge swimsuit models. On top of that, just about every player underachieves routinely.

The question mark: Will Larry keep every player?

The Washington Wizards
The good news: Their core (Arenas, Jamison, Butler) will be intact for the next 3 years at least barring a trade. They all play well together. And they have TALENT behind them. Deshawn Stevenson was reborn in Washington and Nick Young looks promising. They have a solid big man rotation as well.

The bad news: How often do the core play together? About as often as T-Mac and Yao. Arenas is hurt already. And they play better w/o him because he eats shots (I have a buffet analogy, but I am trying to limit my words).

The question mark: Will they regret paying all this money?

Note: there are alot of middle-of-the-road teams in the East. Kinda sad really.

East in order (15-1):
15. Charlotte 14. Chicago 13. Indiana 12. New York 11. New Jersey 10. Atlanta 9. Milwaukee 8. Miami 7. Philadelphia 6. Toronto 5. Orlando 4. Washington 3. Cleveland 2. Boston 1. Detroit

Was It Enough?

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:07:05:683

NBA Preview 2009 - The Central Division

I do remember saying that after Kevin Garnett wins an NBA title, I would make the case that he is better than Tim Duncan (even though Tim has a 4-1 edge in titles). I have not forgotten.

Cleveland
The good news: Lebron is still on the team! And nobody held out. Wally is in the final year of his deal that pays 13 million, makng him a trade asset or cap relief. Ben Wallace has a reverse contract (I know the term is front-loaded, but I like reverse) and 2 years left so you never know. This team does have one more run left to reach the NBA Finals.

The bad news: The big men are old, the guards are small, and people forget Mo Williams was a 2nd rounder who bounced around because of his tendency to shoot and dribble...bad traits for a point guard. They also have to figure out how to fit Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, and Sasha Pavlovic in their rotation.

The question mark: When Cleveland goes cold from the perimeter (and it will happen) will Lebron finally snap?

Chicago
The good news: They finally have what would be a true point guard in Derrick Rose. Because they have a rookie coach, they can take their time getting better as well (read: expectations are down). That will help the young guys like Tim Thomas and Joakim Noah, expected to carry playoff teams without having complete skill bases.

The bad news: Did I mention their bigs have incomplete skill bases. And they have more guards than the President when he shows up in Afghanistan. Somebody has to go and it appears Larry Hughes and Kirk Hindrich are hard trades. Right now the only safe players are Rose and Luol Deng as the team is remade.

The question mark: How long before this team is "blow'd up"?

Indiana
The good news: They are one more player away from remaking this team after trading a sulking Jermaine O'Neal. Jamaal Tinsley is a dead man walking (they may have to pay him off to get rid of him). The new team has a budding star in Danny Granger, a hungry TJ Ford, and a lot of youth. They can now play uptempo with Jarrett Jack and TJ and open the floor.

The bad news: Uhhh...they still have Dunleavy Jr and Troy Murphy, well-meaning, underachieving, overpaid players. They also traded Jerryd Bayless to get Jarrett Jack (not exactly a rep-making move). They will STRUGGLE defensively.

The question mark: Will the Indy fans have patience for 2 more years while this team takes shape?

Milwaukee
The good news: They have more passing PGs and they acquired Richard Jefferson. Jefferson is a solid second banana and a lane-filler for Michael Redd. Joe Alexander should be ok after a year or two. Scott Skiles will make them tough this year, then piss everyone off after 3 seasons!

The bad news: Mike Redd is ALSO a great second banana, and he's not a good defender. Meanwhile, it looks like this team will slow down under Skiles, but this team NEEDS to outscore their opponents to win.

The question mark: Can this team gel fast enough defensively to justify every move?

Detroit
The good news: A healthy Rasheed Wallace and the depth development last year will serve them well this year. Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are still playing at a high level. Billups has lost a step, but he's controlled enough to not reveal it often (similar to that Phoenix PG). Dyess coming off the bench is a smart move.

The bad news: There's usually a 5 year rule for team nuclei. Guys get too used to each other and need change. Detroit's nucleus (minus Wallace) has been together since 2004 (the Sheed trade). This may be the last season they can play together.

The question mark: Can Michael Curry rally the troops or will this team turn on him like they did the other two coaches?

Paid In Philly...

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:10:11:673

NBA Preview 2009 - Atlantic Division

by T-Rex

Despite the fact that my house is on injured reserve and the potential for a payroll-dumping trade, I'm back for the NBA Preview. This year, I'll do it by division and at the end I'll seed each conference. As a caveat, I make predictions assuming no major injuries unless a) said players are routinely hurt or b) they are currently hurt. Also, I assume no coaching changes although there are about 5 I can see getting canned by the trade deadline. Without further ado:

Boston Celtics
The good news: Just about everyone is back from a team winning an NBA title, including coaches. Even though KG, Paul, and Ray are older, they still have something left in the tank. The only key reserve not there is James Posey, and he's not that big of a loss. The younger guys will benefit from being ring holders and now that resting the Big 3 will be a priority, watch for Perkins, Powe, and some young swings getting a chance to shine.

The bad news: Only Rajon Rondo has star potential. Everyone else looks like a rotation player. So they may sacrifice wins during the regular season for another deep run in the playoffs.

The question mark: Darius Miles...title savior???? Really? We'll see...

New York Knicks
The good news: Well, at least the guys will be excited to play for a guy who will help everyone's stats. Scoring should not be an issue with a team that has at least 7 guys who went for 30 at some point in their careers. And since D'Antoni preaches ball movement and quick shots, everyone should get touches. And they have a GM in Walsh that has some competence.

The bad news: These guys HATE each other. People underestimate folks getting along as part of a requirement for players to play together. And Eddy Curry running?

The question mark: Can they dump Zach and Stephon before the season starts? It may cost them David Lee to do it.

Toronto Raptors
The good news: They are a young team that made the playoffs. Chris Bosh is not only a fantastic player, but a legitimately entertaining guy. The point guard problem is solved, handing the keys to Calderon, and they have so many swings, they could throw sex parties all the time. That should provide for competitive practices and games. And if you a fan of the Jermaine O'Neal trade, your team got better!

The bad news: Did I forget to mention that O'Neal has played as many games as the fat version in Phoenix? You have to assume that O'Neal will play about 50 games, so do you rest him early so he's ready, or run him into the ground early so he's slow during the playoffs, even though you may not make it.

The question mark: This is a soft team and they have not gotten anyone to make them tougher (O'Neal makes them smarter). If they can find an enforcer (Ron Artest would have worked here), then this team breaks through.

Philadelphia 76ers
The good news: Philly fans actually like this team. Free agents actually want to come to the city of brotherly love now, and Andre Miller actually wants to stick around for a while. They made GREAT draft picks in the past in Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams. They are young, athletic, and have a 20-10 big in the middle to get the tough points in the playoffs!

The bad news: Oh...did I mention Philly spent about 80 million over 5 years for Elton Brand, and 70 million and change for Andre Iguodala? That's a lot of green for a player coming off a bad Achilles and another guys who vanished in the playoffs. I'm on record to say I think the Clippers outsmarted everyone (weird huh) by letting Brand walk when it was obvious he will be overpaid.

The question mark: AI2 HAS to become "The Man" to justify this offseason and this is the year. He's paid now, or Philly fans will turn on this team faster than junkie in The Wire.

New Jersey
The good news: No Kidd, no Jefferson, no pressure! They can tank in proper fashion this year as they play the youngsters. Vince will be looked to score (and not much else) and Devin Harris gets to show whether he's an off-guard pretending to be a true point guard. Yi is happier now he's in a cartheft capital of the US instead of the beer/brat capital! And they are in position for a King James run.

The bad news: If they don't get James, every move will be stupid. And they are still on the hook with Vince even after they "acquire" James. Don't think James will have visions of titles.

The question mark: So who will they keep on this team? Uhhh...