The Sports Doctor prescribes advice for the Detroit Pistons
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by user AWeiner18
When I was experiencing an excessive amount of acid reflux during my sleep, my gastroenterologist prescribed me some medication to prevent my problem from reoccurring. This experience inspired me to help others with ailments, specifically those in the sports world.
You can just refer to me as The Sports Doctor because I prescribe the necessary medication to cure problems in the sports world. My first official patient: Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars.
Joe Dumars has rebuilt the image of Detroit basketball with his bare hands. He took one of the worst rosters in the National Basketball Association and developed the team into an annual contender for the championship, winning one championship (2004) and appearing in two (2004, 2005).
However, after watching the Pistons lose pathetic games in the months of December and January, it is clear that Joe Dumars could use some medical care from the Sports Doctor.
I attended three consecutive November games. Even though the Pistons won all three games I attended (18th against Houston, 22nd against Atlanta, and 24th against Charlotte), the way the Pistons won completely bothered me not only as a fan but also as an aspiring journalist. Never have I attended three consecutive professional basketball games with the feeling that I was watching a high school basketball team. The Pistons looked awful on both sides of the court, missing shots that should have easily been points, and they did not have that “Detroit Basketball” energy they used to have during their “Bad Boys II” days.
Center Ben Wallace, whose career was on life support as a consistent bench warmer before being traded to Detroit, decided to take the money and run to the Chicago Bulls. The former Piston was the catalyst in the Detroit Basketball equation and continuously made the Palace explode. We, the city of Detroit, tried to move on by convincing ourselves that everything would be fine. We instantly assumed that Dumars would easily replace Wallace.
Sorry Detroit, we still have two major maladies: no energy and no passion.
Every time I went to a basketball game last season, the atmosphere was energetic, even if it was against a lousy opponent. This season, however, the games I attended played out like a Kevin Federline concert; the fans have shown no positive energy compared to last season. Even though the Pistons are one of the best teams in the weak Eastern Conference, there is no way this team can win a championship so far.
Should Dumars start thinking about trading forward Rasheed Wallace? Should he add Flip Saunders to his Fired Coaches résumé? Will forward Chris Webber be the factor that puts the Pistons over-the-top? To stabilize the Pistons’ strong image, Dumars needs to follow the Sports Doctor’s prescription:
A. Sign Billups to a long term extension To maintain the Pistons’ current image, Dumars needs to sign Billups to a long-term extension. Even though Billups is getting older (30), he is the captain of the franchise now that Wallace is gone and is the key to success. Last season, Billups was considered an MVP choice, even with Ben Wallace in the lineup, because Billups is that one player that makes other players better.
Without Billups in the lineup due to injury, adjusting to life without Mr. Big Shot was rough for the Pistons. Not only did the Pistons go 3-5 during that span, the team looked weak and helpless in losses to mediocre/horrible teams (Charlotte, Atlanta, and Boston). Now that Billups has returned from injury, the Pistons have gone 3-1, including a double overtime victory against Minnesota after Billups banked a game tying three pointer at the conclusion of the first overtime.
The overall message is clear: the Pistons desperately need Billups in the lineup. But if Dumars decides to let Billups go, then he at least needs to pull a sign-and-trade so he can get some players or draft picks in return.
B. Start thinking about trading Rasheed Wallace Wallace is starting to be a problem. During the month of January, Wallace was once benched for neglecting to address the team for being late to practice, was reportedly saying that he “hated Flip Saunders”, and showed constant frustration. I would start putting the pieces together for a ‘Sheed trade because Dumars can get a player with value in return and he does not have to rush for a trade, unless Wallace demands one.
Right now, Dumars can get some good players in return for Wallace because some teams are desperate for a strong power forward. But if Dumars elects to negotiate trades with teams, he needs to attempt to acquire a first round draft pick.
C. Make a trade for a powerful center and/or power forward Clearly, this year’s team lacks a dominant center because Nazr Mohammed is not an ultimate threat at a position that NEEDS a powerful force. The other true center on the team is Dale Davis, who is older than a tyrannosaurus rex. Trying to acquire a young center that can help the Pistons both offensively and defensively.
Dumars could pursue a trade to acquire a player like Knicks’ Channing Frye by dangling ‘Sheed or maybe he can pull off a blockbuster trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for superstar Kevin Garnett. Even though Garnett is getting older, reuniting him with Billups and Saunders could potentially convince Billups to stay and save Saunders’ job (see next step).
D. Put Flip Saunders on the NBA Coaches Hot List Dumars needs to give Saunders a chance to shine now that Chris Webber is in the lineup. We need to see how productive Webber is in Saunders’ offensive system and we need to give him time to adjust to life without Ben. But now that he has all the cards, let’s see if he can play them right. If he does not, he should consider ditching him like George Irvine, Rick Carlisle, and Larry Brown.
E. Keep the central core of the Pistons together Dumars has signed Tayshaun Prince to an extension. Now it is time to give both Billups and guard Richard Hamilton an extension as well. By signing one of the best two-guard combinations in the league to extensions, Dumars will give his coach (whoever it may be) three players (Billups, Hamilton, and Prince) that have played together and, most importantly, won together.
A+B+C+D+E=The Detroit Pistons will once again be a threat in the league
This prescription has the potential to work and cure the Pistons for years to come.
If only a similar dose could be given to our woeful Lions.
