I know, I am supposed to have the day off, but this was too big a deal to not comment on.

Nine years ago, Joe Dumars traded away his best player (and one of the NBA’s best).  The next year, the Pistons would suffer their worst season in 7 years.  A series of moves over 3 years to land good players without overspending and a coaching change, the Detroit Pistons would end up winning their 3rd NBA Championship.

Last year, Joe Dumars traded away his best player, and the Pistons suffered their worst season in a decade, although it did not reach the depths of the 2000-2001 season.  Another coaching change is happening, and 2 new components were added via free agency.  Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva agreed in principle to become the newest members of the Detroit Pistons.  What will this amount to in 2009-2010? Nobody can truly answer that question right now, but this will no longer be the same ol’ Pistons.  There is a good chance that Dumars is not done making moves either.  They are trying to rebuild without tearing completely down.  When The Pistons traded Grant Hill, he was surrounded here by garbage, that isn’t the case in 2009.  There are rumblings that Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton are on the trading block (one rumor suggests the Pistons want to trade for another UConn alum that plays center in Charlotte).  The Pistons hope they can bring back Antonio McDyess for one more year, but that will be tough.  The vet probably wants to go for a championship, and the Spurs, Cavs and Celtics are all interested in the PF services.

Dumars knew that the Pistons have a loooooong history of not being able to reign in the big free agent.  They never did so during the Bad Boys days, nor could they grab someone to play alongside Grant Hill.  They couldn’t even convince fanboy Chris Webber to play for them when he was the height of his career, even though they offered him a max deal.  The suburbs of Detroit are a cold and snowy place in the winter. I can understand why NBA players would opt for bigger city lights or warmer locales.  Dumars knows this as well, and he knew that he would be left standing with 20 million dollars next off-season when everyone else has money freed up for LeBron, Wade, Bosh and all the others.  Dumars opted to try to use an old formula that led to 6 Eastern Conference Finals appearances, 2 NBA Final appearances and 1 NBA Title.

The players they signed come at market value.  Ben Gordon is expected to play off the bench, he was told that when he signed the contract for 5 years and 55 million.  They want him to to be a super-sub like Manu Ginobolli is for the Spurs.  A player that Gordon has been compared to at times is former Piston, Vinnie “the Microwave” Johnson.  Able to heat up instantly.  Gordon’s perimeter scoring, and ability to run the pick-n-roll excites the Pistons, especially his knack for taking over late in games.

Villanueva is more of a question mark than Gordon. There have always been motivational questions regarding him since his playing days at UConn.  He did have his best NBA season last year playing for the Bucks, and it was a contract year, so that has Piston fans somewhat worried.  However, the Pistons signed him at a very cap friendly 5 years and 35 million.  He knew wasn’t getting more money from anyone else, and it allows him to still be at the only  30 when his contract is up.  Villanueva has the ability to score in the post, as well as extend the offense with long range shooting.  However, will he be motivated in Detroit? He will be looked upon as a 3rd and 4th scoring option most likely.

Again, there is no telling how these two will truly impact the Pistons (they still don’t have a head coach), but one thing is for sure; Dumars is doing everything he can to make sure that the Palace keeps bringing the fans in as they rebuild towards a 4th NBA Title in Auburn Hills.

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