You’ve heard of “addition by subtraction,” right? Well, the Pistons did something kind of similar yesterday: “addition by stagnation.” By staying absolutely still, they managed to improve themselves. How? Because every single team around them that needed to make a move to be considered a legitimate contender failed miserably.
It’s a theory touched upon by all of the beat writers today, none more succinctly than Krista Jahnke in the Detroit Free Press:
That leaves the Pistons the toast of the East. It’s likely that — barring injury — they will be the front-runners to make the Finals, especially with an injured Dwyane Wade in Miami, with warring centers in Washington, with an unresolved point-guard problem in Cleveland and a lack of inside scoring in Chicago.
It won’t be a complete cake walk — the Pistons are 13-4 since Webber arrived, and two of those four losses were at the hands of the Wizards — but you have to like Detroit’s chances in a seven-game series with any team in the East.
Of course, just because the trade deadline has passed doesn’t mean there won’t be any more player movement — a player could still pass through waivers and land on another team. Plus, Scottie Pippen has yet to sign a contract, and you have to figure that Cleveland’s chances of landing him shot through the roof when Miami’s title dreams were rolled off the court in a wheelchair earlier this week. But still, there won’t be any more blockbusters, and I highly doubt the balance of power in the Central Division will be decided by a 41-year-old guy who hasn’t played in three years.
The “Mike Bibby to Cleveland” rumors were interesting, but what really had me nervous were the “Pau Gasol to Chicago” rumors, which were so persistent I practically took for granted that Bulls GM John Paxson would pull the triggers sooner or later. Luol Deng and Ben Gordon better develop into some pretty special players, because I’m pretty sure Paxson just missed out on his “trading for Rasheed Wallace” moment because of them.
In other news, A. Sherrod Blakely speculates that the end of the bench will see some re-ordering:
Now that the trade deadline has passed, the Pistons may consider putting Ronald Dupree on the active roster and moving Flip Murray, who they were looking to trade, to the inactive list.
A shrewd move by Flip Saunders, keeping Murray healthy for the stretch run, I presume. Well, that or it’s nigh time for Murray to call his real estate agent.
Dumars content to leave roster unchanged [Detroit Free Press]
Dumars says Pistons weren’t close to making a deal [MLive.com]
I’m so freaking excited for this Sunday. Complete change of mood after seeing Wallace have one of his few great games as a Bull last night. Maybe his best so far.
Gotta love comments by the Pistons saying they were taking it easy on their old buddy last game. Winning 5 consecutive championships like the Pistons did means you can have lapses of effort like that, I suppose ;-p
I think we will always be in good hands as long as Joe D is here. Yes I am hoping the Magic keep losing. We own their pick come June. And the next five games for them is going to be hard for them.
25 - vs. Houston, 2:00 PM
26 - at Chicago, 8:30 PM
28 - at Denver, 9:00 PM
2 - at San Antonio, 8:00 PM
3 - at Dallas, 9:00 PM
My guess is they will be in the 9th or 10th spot after this road trip.
Bull Blogga, if you have any organizational contacts, let me know. I can email addresses and directions to all of the local burger joints for Mike Sweetney.
Wade should try to come back this year. I have a feeling it’ll be tough for him to win another championship with Shaq a year older and the $32mil in salary between the two of them.
This from the Sunday “Daily Dime” on the worldwide leader:
Rich (OC, CA): What do you think of the young guys on the Pistons like Delfino and Maxiell? Can they be starter-caliber players in the future?
David Thorpe: Not sure about Delfino — seems a little lazy. But I love Maxiell.
WTF??? Delfino. Lazy? Has Thorpe watched him play?
I can’t wait for the return of Ben, go Pistons!
Here’s the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime_bullspistonscavsheat
(also has predictions as to who will come out of the East)
yup, he said lazy. and he’s right.
delfino == more ability than ambition.
I don’t agree at all with Delfino — how can a guy with a knack for coming up with loose balls also be a slacker? I wish he’d do a better job finishing when he’s at the rim, but I can’t attribute that to laziness. I don’t know, maybe it’s me (and Q Dog)…