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2008 Detroit Pistons Predictions & Preview

Written by Luke Knight

The Detroit Pistons have advanced to the conference finals in six consecutive seasons, but for the third straight year failed to advance to the Finals, this time losing to the Boston Celtics. President of basketball operations Joe Dumars fired coach Flip Saunders and hired Michael Curry. Dumars also announced to the league that he would consider a trade for anyone other than Rodney Stuckey, feeling that it would be necessary to shake things up to return to glory. Well, the trade never happened and it appears as if the Pistons will return their core intact. Keep reading to find out whether we think this core group of players can take the Pistons back to the Finals. Head over to BetUS where the Pistons are -140 odds to win the Central Division and +350 odds to win the Eastern Conference championship.

Chauncey Billups played well in 2007-2008 setting career-highs in field-goal percentage at .448 and free-throw percentage at .918. Billups also averaged 17.0 points despite playing four fewer minutes per game than the previous season. Billups also averaged 6.8 assists. Backing up Billups will be Rodney Stuckey, who Dumars offseason statement tells you that this is the future point guard of this organization. Stuckey was impressive when Billups was injured in the playoffs. In the two games Billups missed, Stuckey scored 21 points without a single turnover in 55 minutes. Overall, Stuckey averaged just 8.2 points and shot just 37.1% in the postseason.

Richard Hamilton turned in his lowest scoring average since his rookie year averaging only 17.3 points per game, but the 10-year veteran upped the averaged to 21.6 points when the playoffs rolled around. Hamilton is the Pistons’ all-time franchise leader in playoff points and postseason games played. Also, the final four teams last season all had high scoring wing players, so Hamilton remains an important piece of this team. Arron Afflalo’s playing time increased last season, but with mixed results. In the final 13 games he averaged 6.4 points and shot 38.9%.

Tayshaun Prince has had steady production over the past four years. He had three straight seasons of averaging 14 points per game, a number that dipped to 13.2 last season but only as a byproduct of getting less playing time. Prince was one of the 12 players chosen to represent the United States in Beijing this summer, so his confidence should be at an all time high as well. Rookie second round draft pick Walter Sharpe will backup Prince. Sharpe was a surprise draft pick as he played only 18 games during three years of college, but the Pistons apparently saw something in his skills they liked, as he has been compared to Lamar Odom.

Antonio McDyess was the only starter whose minutes increased from 2006-2007. McDyess led the team in rebounds last season with 8.5 per game. While McDyess is 34 years old, he is still a reliable veteran that puts up decent numbers. Jason Maxiell’s playing time should increase this season. His energy and athleticism are spectacular, but he has a tendency to be inconsistent and he can get in foul trouble. Maxiell is also a solid rebounder averaging 5.3 board in just 21.6 minutes per game.

Rasheed Wallace seems to be content playing a supporting role offensively. He averaged just 12.7 points and 6.6 rebounds last season, but is dangerous offensively when it matters. Kwame Brown is a former No. 1 overall pick, and on paper he has an amazing NBA body, except his hands. The Pistons will be hoping to get defensive help from Brown, although he has yet to really live up to his No. 1 pick status. Last season he averaged 4.9 rebounds per game and 4.8 points per game.

Final Analysis

The Detroit Pistons won 59 games last season and lost in the playoffs to the eventual NBA Champs, but spent the summer hearing how the team needed to make personnel changes. Several of the team members played with Michael Curry so it could be an odd transition now that Curry has slid down the bench to become head coach. Still with this core group of talented players, and six consecutive appearances in the conference finals, it would be crazy to think they are just going to fall off the map. With our NBA predictions we have them finishing 2nd in the Central Division behind the Cavaliers. They should once again make a run in the playoffs, although it is going to be a competitive conference. BetUS has the Pistons at +900 odds to win it all this season.

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Written by Luke Knight on October 28, 2008 · Filed Under NBA Betting Articles, News & Previews 

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