Competition discussion: Detroit

by Mike Prada on Sep 15, 2007 12:01 PM EDT in Team Analysis Comment 7 comments

The season is still two months away, but most of the rosters are set, barring the requisite Michael Jordan comeback rumor (just kidding, but only a little). We have an idea where our team stands, but we can't really know unless we discuss everyone else. In that spirit, I'm going to throw up a "competition discussion" thread for each of the other 29 teams over the next month or so. We'll go in alphabetical order from A to Z. Today's team: Detroit.

Last year's record: 53-29.
Playoffs: Beat Orlando 4-0, beat Chicago 4-2, lost to Cleveland 4-2.

In: Jarvis Hayes (free agent), Rodney Stuckey (draft), Arron Afflalo (draft), Cheik Samb (free agent), Sammy Mejia (draft).
Out: Chris Webber (free agent?), Dale Davis (free agent?), Carlos Delfino (trade)

Projected starting lineup: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, Nazr Mohammad?
Bench (in no particular order): Ronald Murray, Arron Afflalo, Rodney Stuckey, Lindsey Hunter, Sammy Mejia, Jarvis Hayes, Ronald Dupree, Antonio McDyess, Amir Johnson, Jason Maxiell, Cheik Samb.

So what do we think? Can they make one more run? Will it hurt to lose Chris Webber (no)? Will Chauncey Billups stop trying as hard now that he has a contract? In general, can the team get sufficiently motivated again? Will Richard Hamilton take off that awful mask? Will Jarvis Hayes continue the tradition of former DCers breaking out in Detroit?

I don't have much time, so I'll make this quick: they'll be just as good, if not better. This is going to be the ultimate test of young talent over veteran savvy. Chris Webber, Dale Davis, and Lindsey Hunter are being replaced by Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, Cheik Samb, Rodney Stuckey, and Arron Afflalo, and while the first three have the experience, the last five are better. This is a team in bad need of a young infusion of talent, and even though I don't think it'll propel them to a title, Maxiell, Johnson, Samb, Afflalo, and Stuckey will provide enough for them to at least tread water in a better conference.

I say 53-29 again and a conference finals appearance.

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Comments

41-41

I think this is the year they get stale. Their center situation is worse than the Wizards and I think that now is the time that selecting Darko over Carmelo and Wade is really going to haunt them. Hamilton and Prince will remain solid. I think Billups will be ok, but ultimately his new contract will be viewed as a mistake. But I think time is catching up to Rasheed and the absence of any other big man will take its toll. I do think that Aflalo will be a solid rookie though.

by hotplate on Sep 15, 2007 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not every team is above average

Somebody has to lose the games, and once a team starts to go downhill, the decline accelerates. I agree, Detroit is a 50% team this year. Detroit and Cleveland didn't get better this offseason. The Wiz got (a little) better, Charlotte and Atlanta got better, Boston and NY got better, Philly played better without AI and Orlando will be better. Toronto will be better with more experience. The wins are going to come from Detroit, NJ, Miami, and Cleveland.

by billyjoe on Sep 15, 2007 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Detroit a .500 team? That would absolutely shock me.

I guess to answer billyjoe's question of where the wins come from...New York, Orlando, Toronto, and New Jersey will have similar record to last year, Phily will be worse, Boston will be better, Miami will be worse, and Cleveland will also be a bit worse, basically bringing us back to where we started.

They have enough big bodies with Mohammad, Maxiell, McDyess, Sheed, and Amir Johnson. That won't be their downfall. If they do tumble, it'll be because Rip and Chauncey fall off.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Sep 15, 2007 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs