| Pistons
Win 8th Game in a Row
The Detroit
Pistons won their eighth game in a row last night. Rip Hamilton
scored 20 points to lead the Pistons over the Trailblazers 103-93.
Antonio McDyess led the bench with 18 points.
After starting
3-0 on their west coast trip, the Pistons have climbed back to the
top of the power rankings, and are poised for another title run.
Talks around the country are swirling around “Who can beat
San Antonio?” and “Shaq will lead Miami to the finals.”
I’m
not convinced. The Pistons have made wise decisions in sizing up
their team against the likes of Shaq. They’ve also added more
scoring power and balance with the signing of Arroyo. Here are some
reasons why the Pistons are ready to contend.
Elden Campbell,
the Pistons’ ammunition against Shaq in the finals last year,
is back on waivers and expected to rejoin the Pistons next week.
Campbell was traded to Utah a few weeks ago for backup point guard
Carlos Arroyo. He was expected to be waived and rejoin the Pistons
shortly after, but the Nets felt compelled to keep him away from
the defending champs. After a buyout of his contract, Campbell is
finally on his way back to Detroit. This will give them their weapon
to slow down Shaq and take the Eastern Conference title.
Carlos Arroyo
came to Detroit on a mission to get more playing time and regain
the game he played last year. So far he’s done just that.
Antonio McDyess is getting stronger each game. Lindsey Hunter relieved
himself of some of the backup pressure and has since played much
better. Even Ronald Dupree is getting some quality minutes. With
this depth, the Pistons starting five should be fueled all the way
thru the NBA finals.
Tayshaun
Prince is another key element to their recent winning surge. Prince
has turned his game up a notch and averaged 19.6 points per game
in February -- six points above his season average. It’s either
Prince breaking out, or Prince having his traditional late season
surge. Either way, he’s the real deal and will be a huge impact
come playoff time.
Each season
Chauncey Billups steps up his game in the second half of the season.
He begins a ramp up of offense that doesn’t quit until the
team is victorious, or eliminated from the playoffs. This season
is no different. Many were critical of Billups sloppy play and lack
of offense. Like Prince, Billups’ average for the month of
February topped 19 points per game, even though his minute decreased
from 35 to 33 minutes per game. Billups is always strong in the
playoffs, even when he was on the bench in Minnesota. He will be
key for the Pistons run.
These are
just four pieces of the NBA formula Joe Dumars has assembled. We
cannot take anything away from the play of Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace,
and Rasheed Wallace. They are the heart and soul of this team. Mix
them in with the rest and you have a 2005 NBA Championship in Detroit.
Click
here to send an email to Dan Joseph. Visit his Official
Website.
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