Pistons Stumble

I find it hard to imagine the Pistons in the NBA finals again this season. It isn’t that I want to be negative, and try and draw more readers to my flaming controversial column that other journalists find pleasure in.

The problem is that I want to do the opposite, and the Pistons are making it difficult.

Detroit lost to Chicago at the Palace, their home court, last night 89-82. Their bench contributed just eight points, and the starting five shot a miserable 36%.

Two bright spots were on the court last night. Point Guard Chauncey Billups – who earlier in the week said his team was underachieving – stepped up with 32 points, and seven assists. Ben Wallace scored 12 points with 15 rebounds on a bad ankle.

Rip continued to struggle. He shot 5-15 with 12 points. Rasheed started off well in the first half and then went cold in the second half. Prince shot 3-13 with six points. The only word that comes to my mind is dismal.

The Chicago Bulls aren’t a bad team; however, they are also not a good team. At best, they have a couple young solid players, a good center, and some hope for the future. The Pistons should have been able to beat this team.

The bench just has to get better. There is no other way to say it than that. If Hunter can play the backup guard role, replace him. If Darvin Ham can’t be a factor, replace him. We already know Darko won’t be a factor this season, so you really only have an 11 man team to work with. Championship teams are 9-10 players deep. This team is barely six players deep.

Antonio McDyess will continue to improve, and find his role with the team. He’s been up and down, but I tend to think that he hit a bump in the road with his injury. Ronald Dupree is still very green. He has come a long ways so far, but he needs more time to work it out. That leaves Darvin Ham, Lindsey Hunter, and Elden Campbell. We learned last year that Campbell isn’t going to be a factor. We’re learning this year that Darvin Ham was better coming off the bench behind Corliss Williamson. One surprise is Lindsey Hunter. Is it a slump? I’m not so sure. Maybe he reached his peak last a couple seasons ago, and his decline has taken him below what the Pistons need from him this year.

I don’t think all is lost. They’re still playing .500 ball, and will make the playoffs. I’m sure Dumars is working on fixing his bench situation, and I know Larry Brown will get his team together eventually.

How about trading Billups for another starting PG, and another bench guy? Would you do it?

ESPN.com: NBA - Recap - Bulls at Pistons