Joe Berry
Kosmopolitische NBA-Koryphäe
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Thursday, February 24, 2005
Pistons still the team to beat
National focus is always elsewhere, but Detroit just keeps getting better.
By Bob Wojnowski / The Detroit News
AUBURN HILLS -- It's still about Shaq, Shaq, Shaq. And when it's not about Shaq, Shaq, Shaq, who now has a tricky knee, it's about San Antonio or Phoenix or one of the other twinkly Western teams. And when it's not about them, it's about the plight of Jermaine O'Neal and poor Indiana, still crushed by the brawl.
Soon, very soon, it will be about the Pistons again. In fact, after watching them shred foe after foe the past month, after the early injuries and suspensions and bouts of drifting concentration, we feel comfortable announcing something few people want to say.
The NBA title still goes right through The Palace.
Oh, and this, too: These Pistons are better than last year's champs. Their offense is better. Tayshaun Prince is much better. And newcomer Carlos Arroyo makes them suddenly quicker.
"In our heads, yeah, we're the favorites," Rasheed Wallace said after the Pistons won for the 10th time in 11 games, belting the Knicks. "There's no media attention coming our way, but that's all right.
"Outside of Michigan, they all got somebody else winning. It's like we ain't even doing (nothing). No problem. No pressure on us."
He started rolling, so I had no intention of stopping him. With the playful edge that has turned him into a huge fan favorite here, Wallace said what we've been waiting to hear.
"We'll see," he said. "When it comes down to it, we'll smack 'em in the mouth with the trophy again."
The Pistons are back, potentially better, growing louder. Being better doesn't guarantee a repeat, but by adding offense to their lock-down defense, the chances are rising, again.
Miami will be tough if Shaquille O'Neal is healthy and the Heat (40-15) lands the No. 1 seed, which is why the Pistons (33-19) have plenty of incentive the final 30 games. But sorry, San Antonio is the only scary team in the West.
Joe Dumars doesn't need to make a grand move at today's trade deadline because, well, he already made it. Last year, he landed the star with attitude, Wallace. This year, he stole passing whiz Arroyo on Jan. 21 from Utah for Elden Campbell and a No. 1 pick.
We can only assume the Jazz and cranky coach Jerry Sloan felt bad the Pistons weren't getting enough acclaim, and offered to help. Arroyo is good and quick. With him, the Pistons found the bench spark they were missing. With everything else -- has Charles Barkley gone longer than a day-and-a-half without poking at the Pistons? - they've found their missing hunger.
Somehow, the Pistons keep adding elements without disrupting their chemistry. Somehow, they keep finding fuel in the slights. Ben Wallace was the champs' only All-Star? OK, fine. Bring it on.
Arroyo was unhappy in Utah, demoted because he didn't fit anymore? OK, fine. Bring him on.
"The way we run the floor, helping each other, being unselfish, these are the qualities of a championship team," Arroyo said. "I love it here. These guys are amazing. Their style of play matches mine. I'm a point guard, and I have such great talent around me, it makes my job easier."
The Pistons are making everything look effortless. Even Larry Brown, the artful prodder, has had little reason to fret. The assist totals have rocketed, and the Pistons' last 10 victories have been by an average margin of 17.7. Goodness, they look like Illinois plowing through the Big Ten.
The way they're passing and running, the Pistons might not have to slug their way to, say, 72-67 victories in the playoffs. Out West, people could even notice, eventually. When Miami and San Antonio met before the All-Star break, it was billed as a Finals prelude, including this tidbit from the Spurs' Brent Barry: "If you're looking at it today, how can you say Miami wouldn't be the one coming out of the East?"
Alonzo Mourning's addition in Miami could boost that theory. But here's my theory: The Pistons have a better roster than a year ago.
Look at it. The starting five is the same, probably the best in the league, with all five deeper into their primes. The bench basically replaced Mehmet Okur, Mike James, Corliss Williamson and Campbell with Arroyo, Antonio McDyess, Ronald Dupree and Carlos Delfino. That's close to a push. The improvement comes from a full season of Rasheed Wallace, a breakout year for Prince and the continued maturation of Billups, Richard Hamilton and Ben Wallace.
So, will they win it again? I'd say it more confidently if they were guaranteed to be home for a Game 7 against Miami or San Antonio. A lot can still happen, including injuries. But for now, I like what I'm seeing and hearing. For the sake of argument, or avoiding it, I'm going with whatever Rasheed says.
Pistons still the team to beat
National focus is always elsewhere, but Detroit just keeps getting better.
By Bob Wojnowski / The Detroit News
AUBURN HILLS -- It's still about Shaq, Shaq, Shaq. And when it's not about Shaq, Shaq, Shaq, who now has a tricky knee, it's about San Antonio or Phoenix or one of the other twinkly Western teams. And when it's not about them, it's about the plight of Jermaine O'Neal and poor Indiana, still crushed by the brawl.
Soon, very soon, it will be about the Pistons again. In fact, after watching them shred foe after foe the past month, after the early injuries and suspensions and bouts of drifting concentration, we feel comfortable announcing something few people want to say.
The NBA title still goes right through The Palace.
Oh, and this, too: These Pistons are better than last year's champs. Their offense is better. Tayshaun Prince is much better. And newcomer Carlos Arroyo makes them suddenly quicker.
"In our heads, yeah, we're the favorites," Rasheed Wallace said after the Pistons won for the 10th time in 11 games, belting the Knicks. "There's no media attention coming our way, but that's all right.
"Outside of Michigan, they all got somebody else winning. It's like we ain't even doing (nothing). No problem. No pressure on us."
He started rolling, so I had no intention of stopping him. With the playful edge that has turned him into a huge fan favorite here, Wallace said what we've been waiting to hear.
"We'll see," he said. "When it comes down to it, we'll smack 'em in the mouth with the trophy again."
The Pistons are back, potentially better, growing louder. Being better doesn't guarantee a repeat, but by adding offense to their lock-down defense, the chances are rising, again.
Miami will be tough if Shaquille O'Neal is healthy and the Heat (40-15) lands the No. 1 seed, which is why the Pistons (33-19) have plenty of incentive the final 30 games. But sorry, San Antonio is the only scary team in the West.
Joe Dumars doesn't need to make a grand move at today's trade deadline because, well, he already made it. Last year, he landed the star with attitude, Wallace. This year, he stole passing whiz Arroyo on Jan. 21 from Utah for Elden Campbell and a No. 1 pick.
We can only assume the Jazz and cranky coach Jerry Sloan felt bad the Pistons weren't getting enough acclaim, and offered to help. Arroyo is good and quick. With him, the Pistons found the bench spark they were missing. With everything else -- has Charles Barkley gone longer than a day-and-a-half without poking at the Pistons? - they've found their missing hunger.
Somehow, the Pistons keep adding elements without disrupting their chemistry. Somehow, they keep finding fuel in the slights. Ben Wallace was the champs' only All-Star? OK, fine. Bring it on.
Arroyo was unhappy in Utah, demoted because he didn't fit anymore? OK, fine. Bring him on.
"The way we run the floor, helping each other, being unselfish, these are the qualities of a championship team," Arroyo said. "I love it here. These guys are amazing. Their style of play matches mine. I'm a point guard, and I have such great talent around me, it makes my job easier."
The Pistons are making everything look effortless. Even Larry Brown, the artful prodder, has had little reason to fret. The assist totals have rocketed, and the Pistons' last 10 victories have been by an average margin of 17.7. Goodness, they look like Illinois plowing through the Big Ten.
The way they're passing and running, the Pistons might not have to slug their way to, say, 72-67 victories in the playoffs. Out West, people could even notice, eventually. When Miami and San Antonio met before the All-Star break, it was billed as a Finals prelude, including this tidbit from the Spurs' Brent Barry: "If you're looking at it today, how can you say Miami wouldn't be the one coming out of the East?"
Alonzo Mourning's addition in Miami could boost that theory. But here's my theory: The Pistons have a better roster than a year ago.
Look at it. The starting five is the same, probably the best in the league, with all five deeper into their primes. The bench basically replaced Mehmet Okur, Mike James, Corliss Williamson and Campbell with Arroyo, Antonio McDyess, Ronald Dupree and Carlos Delfino. That's close to a push. The improvement comes from a full season of Rasheed Wallace, a breakout year for Prince and the continued maturation of Billups, Richard Hamilton and Ben Wallace.
So, will they win it again? I'd say it more confidently if they were guaranteed to be home for a Game 7 against Miami or San Antonio. A lot can still happen, including injuries. But for now, I like what I'm seeing and hearing. For the sake of argument, or avoiding it, I'm going with whatever Rasheed says.
