For those online gamers stumbling on this post, no, I will not be discussing World of Warcraft. (Though I was a mean Warcraft II player back in the days of Prodigy Internet, that is not my thing these days.) The WOW (with a capital W) is the trade Joe Dumars made - Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess for Allen Iverson. I repeat - wow. All this trade talk brought up the time when the Pistons almost traded for AI back in 2000 or 2002, some crazy 14 player deal, all held up because Matt Geiger (who?) refused to waive his no trade clause or something. This year's AI is not the AI of 2002. What he is, though, is a proven winner, tough guy, and person who commands respect. You might ask, wasn't Chauncey all those things? Yes, I think he was. But my main criticism of the Pistons since their championship year - and even that year it was an issue, too - is that they blame everyone else waaaaaaay too much. The focus is never within, it is always "they got the calls" or "we'll get them next time" or "they're nothing, just got lucky." That "no one believes in us" mantra worked well to galvanize the team against the Lakers in 2004, leading to one of the most improbable wins in a long time. The following year, there was definite respect from the league, but they fell short, losing in 7 after leading going into the 4th quarter of game 7 at San Antonio. It has been all down hill from there. The next year, they worked super hard all year to get home court advantage to avoid the road game 7, but lost to Miami in the conference finals. The next year, it was Cleveland and LeBron's crazy game. Last year, the Celtics. In 2006, the Pistons were just tired, but the last two years, the Pistons had a lead in the series or won a road game, and they couldn't pull it off. There were complaints, usually from Rasheed Wallace if they were public, about the refs, the BS calls, and a general lackadaisical attitude between games. I am sure Flip Saunders did not help matters, as he didn't seem like someone they really listened to. Michael Curry was brought in this year, and that should only help. A younger former player, Curry had enough respect of his peers to become the player's representative. That should translate well. But even with that, a stronger player's voice was needed. I love Chauncey, he brought the Pistons a championship and back to relevance, and that cannot be understated. I think his jersey belongs in the rafters of The Palace one day. He was also the leader of this team. The players on the team are a direct reflection of the leader. If Sheed is spouting off, it is because Chanucey can't keep him in check. AI can keep him in check. No one will be whining with AI around. I think AI will bring a needed toughness and clutch scoring that we need. He can also make his own shot, something that Rip can't do, and something that was limited to jacking up 3's or trying to draw a foul when Chauncey had the ball. Granted, refs + stupid players made the free throw an almost certainty, but AI can make things happen.
The other side of this is the salary cap story. With Sheed and AI coming off the books at the end of this year, that opens up the chances for the Pistons being so far under the cap it isn't funny. Also, if they fall out of contention, those two guys (or at least one) will be great trading chips at the deadline for people looking to dump salary. Don't expect the Pistons to take on anyone who is under contract through 2010, though, because that is when LeBron, Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo all become free agents. I wouldn't be surprised to see LeBron in Detroit - if Joe D is as much of a class act as he seems to be, I think a lot of players would love to play in his organization. More likely, it will be Wade to Chicago, LeBron to the Knicks, and maybe Carmelo or Bosh could end up in Detroit. (Wouldn't that be funny - Carmelo in Detroit where he should have been all along instead of Darko.)
The last piece of the puzzle is Rodney Stuckey. I have been reading some good things about him. I don't know that much about him, except that I liked what I saw last year in the playoffs. Between him and the guys filling McDyess's minutes not named Kwame Brown, a lot should be learned about the younger, next generation Pistons. Rumor has it that McDyess will be back in Detroit, but that could fall through. Even if he stays in Denver, I like the Pistons to get back to the conference finals this year. I would probably like to see Sheed traded at the deadline for a good pick or a 1st or 2nd year player (read, someone cheap and not on a long term deal). We'll see where this season goes, but regardless, there is some excitement for the future.
