Detroit Pistons 2009-2010 Preview

By General
for NBA-Basketball.org

Published: October 25, 2009

Background of 2009-2010 Detroit Pistons

Last year was the first time in the decade that the Detroit Pistons didn’t manage to make the playoffs. It’s not a huge coincidence that this happened in the year that they traded away Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups that was so crucial to their success. Joe Dumars is regarded as somewhat of a genius GM for putting together that franchise that not only made several NBA finals appearances but also won the title. This year Dumars realized it was time to switch things up once again, and instead of waiting for that big 2010 free agency to spend their cap money, he used it up on buying 2 of the top free agents of the 2009 summer. The Pistons have added UConn duo of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villnueva as well as Ben Wallace who had his golden years playing in Detroit. The only significant loss is the real identity of the 21st century version of the Detroit Bad Boys, Rasheed Wallace. Will these changes be enough to get the Pistons back in the playoffs?

Pistons additions in 2010

Ben Gordon

Charlie Villanueva

Ben Wallace

Chris Wilcox

Pistons departures in 2010

Rasheed Wallace

Arron Affalo

Allen Iverson

Probably Starting Lineup for the 2009 2010 Detroit Pistons

PG – Rodney Stuckey
SG – Richard Hamilton
SF – Tayshaun Prince
PF – Charlie Villanueva
C – Kwame Brown

Detroit Pistons Guards

The Detroit Pistons have lost first Chauncey Billups and then Allen Iverson in the past year, but they still remain quite stacked at the guard positions. Rodney Stuckey is looked upon as one of the stars of the future and he will be in command of leading this team back to competitive levels. He has huge shoes to fill with Billups now gone and will be pressured to do so quite quickly with capable backup Will Bynum on his heels. Bynum has exploded on several occasions to extraordinary performances and some even proclaim that he ought to be the starter instead of Stuckey.

The shooting guard position is where the Pistons really shine. Richard Hamilton is a top notch player and consistent All-Star, and with Rasheed and Chauncey now firmly out of view, it will be on him to carry this team. Certainly one of the best backups in the league this year will be once again Ben Gordon. Unlike Iverson he’s not bothered about coming off the bench, and in fact has excelled in doing so. The problem will be late in games when both Gordon and Hamilton want to be and should be on the floor – will Gordon be used as a point guard, Hamilton as a small forward? It raises some questions on whether you really need these two similar players on the same team. A Hamilton trade would not be unexpected.

Detroit Pistons Forwards

Tayshaun Prince is the other vet left on this team from the championship days besides Rip. He is as consistent of a player you can find in the NBA, and with all these changes going around, it will be comforting for new Pistons coach John Kuester to have someone like Prince around. Prince is entering his prime and this season should look to be abit more active on the offensive end with the departure of Rasheed. Prince’s backups of Daye, Jerebko, and Summers are place fillers for now and won’t be expected to do too much.

At the power forward position the Pistons have decided to replace aging forward Rasheed Wallace with up and coming star Chalie Vilanueva. Vilanueva might be known to most casual fans for having tweeted during the half time of a basketball game, but he should make a real name for himself this season in a starting spot. In just 27 limited minutes on a poor Bucks team, Charlie averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds. He will be a fresh and strong addition to this team. Behind him will be Jason Maxiell, who in my oppinion is one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s not too unlike Paul Millsap and Brandon Bass who have gotten more attention in this offseason. Chris Wilcox has also been added to add depth to the front court, and if he ever manages to play to his potential then the Pistons will be armed to hurt people in the low block like the old days.

Detroit Pistons Centers

Kwame Brown will most probably be the starting center for the Pistons. He won’t get many minutes and its long been proven now that being selected number 1 overall pick was a huge mistake, but nevertheless he will give around 20 minutes of solid action on the defensive end. Ben Wallace returns to the Motor City after a near retirement decision, and it will be interesting to see whether in his old jersey we will also be able to see flashes of his old self.

Best Case Scenario for the Detroit Pistons

It’s not yet certain how a new coach and 2 main new players will fit in to a Detroit team that’s for so long didn’t need to change. Now that its been done, the Pistons will naturally go through a transition period and given that it doesn’t take too long for roles and systems to be established, they have a shot at the playoffs.

Worst Case Scenario for the Detroit Pistons

Some could argue that Villanueva is not much of an improvement over Wallace, and Gordon is just an unnecessary sub at the 2 spot, raising the question of how much better this team actually got. There are several Eastern conference teams like the Wizards and Raptors who have made bigger moves, and it seems like the Pistons will have to wait another year to see play beyond the month of May.

Pistons 2010 Outlook

The Pistons will take some time to ease into their new playstyle and new coach. Gordon and Hamilton being on the same team will be more of a nuissance than an asset, and the Pistons will need to make a lopsided trade or two to have a chance to mingle with the upper echelon of the Eastern conference.

Detroit Pistons 2010 Predictions

Record: 39-43

Surprise Player: Chris Wilcox being a strong reserve at the 4 and 5 spots.

Key Player: Rodney Stuckey needs to have a breakout year and be the driving force behind the resurgence of this franchise.

That wraps up the Detroit Pistons 2009-2010 season preview and our detailed look at the Pistons in the 2010 NBA season.

Author:General

General has written 38 articles for us.

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