The Pistons are, Without a Doubt, a Playoff Team

by Packey on Aug 29, 2009 12:02 AM CDT in News Comment 22 comments

If you follow Charlie Villanueva on Twitter, like I do, then you're bound to get a nice dosage of Charlie V. This evening, @CV31 did one of his Twitter staples, #31Replies, where he takes time out of his day to answer 31 questions different fans tweet to him. It's just one of the many great things about athletes on Twitter who put themselves out there for the fans.

Question 29 was probably one of my favorites because a lot of people think the Pistons will be lucky to sneak into the playoffs, while others think the Pistons might be a middle of the pack type team in the Eastern Conference. Reading bottom to top, you have to LOVE the confidence Villanueva's response evokes about the Pistons' playoff chances:

Of course you never want to hear a player say, "I don't like our chances of making the playoffs," but you definitely get the feeling that CV31 has high expectations, and I'm sure the rest of the team does, too.

Now, is his "wait and witness" comment potentially foreshadowing who the Pistons might knock out in next year's playoffs? What do you think are the chances the Pistons make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Personally, this team is going to be very good and it's not even close to being a question of "if" the Pistons make the playoffs, but what seed they'll be. As Charlie V said in another response to a fan, it will all depend on the team's chemistry and rotation. Joe D stressed that he wanted to bring in good character guys who believe in the system, and it appears he has a great group of character guys who believe in the Pistons winning tradition. Beyond the players buying into the system and performing to their capabilities, it's then up to Coach Kuester in coming up with a rotation that works. The season is coming fast, so start getting excited -- if you weren't already.

0 recs | Comment 22 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I really like our team

We have the potential to surprise alot of people. I think we’ll be alot like the Rockets. We’re a team that makes it to the playoffs but nobody really thinks will make a big run, but they always seem to give the “contenders” a big headache and they never seem to go away.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 29, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

While I agree with the comparison...

…I for one would not be satisfied with the results. Houston does give the big dogs in the West fits, but what have they actually accomplished since “The Dream” was actually on the roster? Mediocre to Good is not what Pistons fans have come to expect, and I don’t think most will accept a morale victory of taking Boston or Cleveland to seven games? Maybe I’m wrong.

by Mushy on Aug 31, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What do you think are the chances the Pistons make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals?

I love my Pistons, and it pains me to say this, but we have a 0% chance of making the ECF (barring catastrophic injuries to Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Orlando, and probably even Atlanta).

But the optimism and confidence from @ CV31 is something to be encouraged about.

by brgulker on Aug 29, 2009 10:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think 0% is a bit extreme.

When you have a young team, dynamic scorers like Gordon, Villanueva, RIP, and Stuckey, and a do everything guy like Prince, your chances of making it to the NBA Championship are greater than 0%. Plus you have an unpredictable guy such as Chris Wilcox who has the promise and has shown glimmers of it in the past. Add in a coach who has won the Championship and been there another time while spending the last 20 years learning from some of the games best, you most definitely have a better than 0% chance of making The Finals let alone the East Finals. And on a final note, do not forget the draft picks. 3 guys with lots of promise and a chance to crack the rotation.

There is to much depth, talent, and youth in this team to just write them off that easily. Kuester does not seem to be the type of coach (or man) that would let his life dream just curl up and die. ONE bad season, marred by essentially ONE player does not throw a team out the window so easily.

My Music: Some Sorta Giant

by madpoopz on Aug 30, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And...

We have until February to work a deal out, who knows maybe Cleveland suddenly feels they don’t want Lebron and are willing to dump him off for Jason Maxiell and Joe Dumars autographs. It’s the NBA, anything can happen with a couple trades. Look at the Lakers and Boston, they basically cemented themselves as championship contenders with 1-2 trades.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 30, 2009 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You so crazy!

I know that’s a joke, but I agree the Pistons may still have a trade up their sleeves. I was definitely pulling for the trade to occur before the start of the season, but it will probably depend on where teams are sitting at the halfway point.

by Mushy on Aug 31, 2009 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pipe Dream?

You mentioned the two best defensive teams in the NBA. You possibly think 1 or 2 players can turn us into a shutdown roster? I think not.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Sep 3, 2009 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look at Boston

Before the KG and Ray Allen trades, they were one of the worst defensive teams in the league, 2 players made them into a shutdown roster, a big trade or 2 can do it for us too. One thing I notice, usually the worst teams in the league are also the worst in defensive categories conversely, the best teams in the league are the best in defensive categories. I think great defense comes with a good chance at contending, the best teams in the league know defense is important, and therefore try harder on the defensive end. Let’s be real, was Ray Allen ever a defensive stopper before he came to Boston? No, ditto with Paul Pierce. Hedo Turkoglu was never a defensive stopper either, neither was Jameer Nelson or Rafer Alston or Rashard Lewis. Sure Howard helps their defense considerably, but I think they all realized they had a good shot at a championship, and the only way to bring those dreams into fruition was to play better defense. The same thing can happen to Detroit, defense is all will. If you want to stop somebody, chances are you can.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Sep 3, 2009 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

None of the players you mentioned I would consider Shutdown

Boston didnt become a great defensive team when they added KG, and Allen. Through the draft they and free agency they became great defensively. And we all know Joe (doesnt) Know the draft.
KG trade
Posey FA,
Rondo Draft,
Perkins Draft,
Big Baby Draft,
PJ Brown FA
House FA
The above listed players are either elite or above average defenders who made Allen, and Pierce look alot better defensively than what they are. They had a foundation, and acquired a few more pieces after their big trade (defensive minded individuals) to placate the roster.
Detroit has 1 above average defender on the roster right now, Tay. And he is worn out by the end of the year. Hopefully with the addidtion of CV Tay gets more rest.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Sep 3, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't matter

Posey isn’t on there now, PJ Brown isn’t on there now. Big Baby wasn’t a starter and Eddie House?

And if they already had a foundation why was Boston so bad at defense before KG and Allen got there?

And Hamilton is definitely an above average defender. Will Bynum is a hell of a lot better than Eddie House, Deron Washington has a reputation as a defensive stopper, though admittedly I haven’t seen him much in action.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Sep 3, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Were not talking about who's there now

They had a foundation, that’s the point. We don’t, defensively. Offensively this team should average 100 points or more. If not, then they will probably lose more than they win.

Bynum is not better than house defensively. Sorry, in the 7 game series against us house made his minutes count against our 1’s and 2’s.

after this off season we are basically the atlanta hawks. not the houston rockets, like you compare us to. and thats not such a bad thing, their fun to watch but they get knocked out in the first round.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Sep 4, 2009 7:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds more accurate

The Hawks of 2 years ago though, because the present Hawks team is actually a team to watch out for, if they finally get a home court 1st rd playoff series, they may be able to make a good run.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Sep 6, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's pretty logical.

Let’s think about the teams (in no particular order) that are sure to be in the playoffs: Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta.

Then think about the teams that made the lower seeds last season: Chicago, Philly, and Detroit. The only other team in the East that will make a push to be in the playoffs is Toronto with the signing of Turkoglu. Philly just lost Andre Miller and Chicago lost Ben Gordon but gain a healthy Luol Deng along with Derrick Rose with more experience. I think it’s safe to say that Detroit is a playoff team.

But I don’t see the boys of Motown making the ECF. Not with Boston and Cleveland and Orlando all loading up. Second round at best.

by pharoah on Aug 31, 2009 8:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

…pending a significant move to bolster the front line. Giving any team a 0% chance is a little grim, but I do think the Pistons (as the roster sits right now) are a 5 or 6 seed, maybe a 4 seed if things go right. If they can steal home court in the first round, they would have a legitimate shot at advancing before running into one of the big dogs in the conference. The existing roster would be hard pressed to do any more then win a lone home game against the likes of Cleveland or Boston (assuming those teams are healthy).

by Mushy on Aug 31, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Charlie V

He is a better scoring low post option than anyone the Pistons have had since the first year Rasheed played in Blue. Even so Charlie V is more consistant getting to the low post and a better scorer overall.

Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!

by VikesPma on Aug 31, 2009 12:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

plus he can shoot

hes still young he will grow into a better player and he already is pretty good

Kevin Smith let em kno, Ernie Sims Break em, Calvin Johnson you already Kno
2009 Detroit Lions 6-10 to 8-8

by DetroitLions 4 life on Sep 1, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

I need some basketball to watch.

Right now.

My Music: Some Sorta Giant

by madpoopz on Sep 2, 2009 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope BG will have a breakout year, average 25 points something like that.

D ROSE D WADE DESTINY DYNASTY

by Juan dela Cruz on Sep 3, 2009 6:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Never was a debate wether or not their a Playoff team

They made it last year with a losing record, I dont see this team sporting 2 losing records in a row. And in the LEasern Conference thats good enough for the playoffs. But if they arent able to get out of the 6,7, or 8 seed. They wont get out of the first round.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Sep 3, 2009 8:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs