Are The Pistons still a top tier team in the entire NBA?

[wilheim]

Rotation: Starters—Point guard Rodney Stuckey, Shooting guard Allen Iverson, Small forward Tayshaun Prince, Power forward Amir Johnson, Center Rasheed Wallace. Bench—Guard Richard Hamilton, Guard Will Bynum, Guard Arron Afflalo, Forward Jason Maxiell, Forward/Center Antonio McDyess, Center Kwame Brown, Forward Walter Hermann.

I know they have been hurt a lot this year but they are 10 games behind the now very definite top tier Cleveland Cavs in their Division at 24-18 on the season.

Rasheed Wallace has been a sore spot in the middle playing with an injured foot (he missed 4 games early this month) since he has been back, for eight games, Wallace has been an offensive liability and a step slow defensively. He’s shot 37.1 percent from the field and 23.7 percent on 3-point attempts. He’s made just six blocks in those games while often getting into foul trouble. Antonio McDyess has had to spell him more and more often lately.

Alan Iverson seems to be stepping up his Dee to fit in as a Piston but he is scoring at a career low in Detroit, a team leading 17.6 PPG plus AI will be 34 in June.

Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince continue to be fine players and would play significent minutes on any team in the NBA.

The Pistons are 3-7 in their last 10 and got crushed by The Mavs Friday night as Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points and Josh Howard added 22 while Dallas routed the Pistons on their own home court 112-91.

Do they miss Chauncey Billups more than they figured they would or is this just a mid-season slump that won't mean anything come playoff time.

No doubt they are well behind The Cavs, Celtics and Magic in the East as far as being a #1 seed contender goes, plus now Atlanta and Miami are right there with the Pistons fighting for the #4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff seedings.

Eastern Conference Playoff Standings
Team GB
1. * Cleveland --
2. * Boston -0.5
3. * Orlando 1.5
4. Atlanta 8.0
5. Detroit 10.0
6. Miami 11.0
7. Philadelphia 13.0
8. Milwaukee 14.5
9. New Jersey 15.0
10. New York 16.5
11. Charlotte 16.5
12. Chicago 17.0
13. Toronto 18.5
14. Indiana 18.5
15. Washington 25.5


wil.

 

[FairWarning]

No. The frontcourt is little factor. They have been using three guard lineups since the Iverson trade. Dominant forwards give them fits also. The kid Stuckey is a real player though at PG.

If they do win a series (doubtful), Boston will lose one game tops to them.

 

[joebatters]

Me personally, I don't think so. They have too many issues. #1 they have
a starting lineup that has not played together for long (along with a first-year coach). In the NBA, especially come playoff time, this is always a factor. One of their biggest strengths in past years was that they had basically the same players for so long. It takes time for a team to come together, the Celtics last year were an exception to this. And from hearing talking heads around the league, it seems like they have some chemistry issues. #2 they used to be a lock-down defensive team..but as you said Dallas scored 112 against them at home. #3 as good as they were in their prime, I always thought Chauncey Billups was their heart and soul of that team. As good a talent as AI is, I just don't think any player could fill Billups' role for the Pistons. In the past, Pistons' teams always seemed like they could turn it on any time they wanted, come playoff time or when they were in a slump. I don't know if this team is like that. We will find out a lot about them in the next month or so as in their next 17 games, 12 are against really, really tough opponents. So I wouldn't be surprised if they played under .500 during that stretch. So definetly, right now, not in same class as Cleve, Bos, and Orlando.

 

[just_me_sam]

With Iverson on the team they have a chance to win almost any game on any given night.
That being said, this team is definitely going in the wrong direction (and the acquisition of Iverson had a lot to do with that).
Rasheed + Iverson on the same team = horrible work ethic.

So to answer the question... No, they are no longer a top tier team, IMO.

 

[Willie99]

No, the trade killed the chemistry they had

 

[Jack Herer]

No, the trade killed the chemistry they had

I agree, completely different team without Chauncey. Not a good trade for the Pistons. Chauncey ran this team perfectly.

 

[2PLAYSMAX]

Nope. But they could be if they learned to play together and became motivated.

 

[FeelTheTruth]

Joe pretty much waved the flag this year when he traded Chauncey, he is eyeing 2010 when he will have a chance at Bosh.. not a very good chance, but still..

 

[FairWarning]

Joe pretty much waved the flag this year when he traded Chauncey, he is eyeing 2010 when he will have a chance at Bosh.. not a very good chance, but still..

Plus Iverson's contract comes off the books before Billips.

 

[FeelTheTruth]

Plus Iverson's contract comes off the books before Billips.

which goes into him eyeing 2010... that freed up money for one of the best free agent summers in a long time

 

[FairWarning]

2010 F/A's

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="title_tn">Player</td><td class="title_tn">Team</td><td class="title_tn" align="right">Type</td></tr><tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Maurice Evans</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Atlanta</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Al Horford</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Atlanta</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Acie Law</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Atlanta</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Kendrick Perkins</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Boston</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Paul Pierce</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Boston</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Nazr Mohammed</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Charlotte</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Joakim Noah</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Chicago</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Darnell Jackson</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Cleveland</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">LeBron James</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Cleveland</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Delonte West</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Cleveland</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Jose Barea</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Dallas</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Erick Dampier</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Dallas</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Josh Howard</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Dallas</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Dirk Nowitzki</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Dallas</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Kenyon Martin</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Denver</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">J.R. Smith</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Denver</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Sonny Weems</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Denver</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Arron Afflalo</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Detroit</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Tayshaun Prince</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Detroit</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Rodney Stuckey</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Detroit</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Kelenna Azubuike</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Golden State</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Marco Belinelli</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Golden State</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Jamal Crawford</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Golden State</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Brandan Wright</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Golden State</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Shane Battier</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Houston</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Aaron Brooks</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Houston</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Chuck Hayes</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Houston</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Carl Landry</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Houston</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Ming Yao</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Houston</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Mike Dunleavy</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Indiana</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">T.J. Ford</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Indiana</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Jeff Foster</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Indiana</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Troy Murphy</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Indiana</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Jamaal Tinsley</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Indiana</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">DeAndre Jordan</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Clippers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Zach Randolph</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Clippers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Mike Taylor</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Clippers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Al Thornton</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Clippers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Kobe Bryant</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Lakers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Pau Gasol</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Lakers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Vladimir Radmanovic</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Lakers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Sasha Vujacic</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> L.A. Lakers </td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Greg Buckner</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Memphis</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Mike Conley</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Memphis</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Marc Gasol</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Memphis</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Hamed Haddadi</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Memphis</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Marko Jaric</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Memphis</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Marcus Banks</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Miami</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Mario Chalmers</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Miami</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Daequan Cook</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Miami</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Dwyane Wade</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Miami</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Dan Gadzuric</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Milwaukee</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Richard Jefferson</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Milwaukee</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Luc Mbah a Moute</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Milwaukee</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Michael Redd</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Milwaukee</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Corey Brewer</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Minnesota</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Sebastian Telfair</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Minnesota</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Keyon Dooling</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> New Jersey</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Chris Douglas-Roberts</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> New Jersey</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Yi Jianlian</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> New Jersey</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Sean Williams</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> New Jersey</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Tyson Chandler</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> New Orleans</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Morris Peterson</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> New Orleans</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Peja Stojakovic</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> New Orleans</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Julian Wright</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> New Orleans</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Wilson Chandler</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> New York</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Eddy Curry</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> New York</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Jared Jeffries</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> New York</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Nick Collison</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Oklahoma City</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Kevin Durant</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Oklahoma City</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Jeff Green</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Oklahoma City</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Nenad Krstic</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Oklahoma City</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Samuel Dalembert</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Philadelphia</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Reggie Evans</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Philadelphia</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Willie Green</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Philadelphia</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Jason Smith</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Philadelphia</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Thaddeus Young</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Philadelphia</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Jared Dudley</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Phoenix</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Jason Richardson</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Phoenix</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Amare Stoudemire</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Phoenix</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Alando Tucker</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Phoenix</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Greg Oden</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Portland</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Joel Przybilla</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Portland</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Spencer Hawes</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Sacramento</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">John Salmons</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Sacramento</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Ian Mahinmi</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> San Antonio</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Tony Parker</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> San Antonio</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Chris Bosh</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Toronto</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Kris Humphries</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Toronto</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Jason Kapono</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Toronto</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Roko Ukic</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Toronto</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Andrei Kirilenko</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Utah</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Caron Butler</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Washington</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Javaris Crittenton</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Washington</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Oleksiy Pecherov</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Washington</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Darius Songaila</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Washington</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">DeShawn Stevenson</td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap"> Washington</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff" nowrap="nowrap">Unrestricted F.A.</td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Nick Young</td> <td bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap"> Washington</td> <td align="right" bgcolor="#ebebeb" nowrap="nowrap">Restricted F.A.</td> </tr> </tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="title_bl">Helpful Tips</td></tr><tr><td class="body_bl">If a player's type reads Restricted it means that the player meets the requirements to be a restricted free agent only if the team presents a qualifying offer in the appropraite amount to the player at the conclusion of the player's current contract. If the qualifying offer is not tendered to the player, the player will be an unrestricted free agent.

This section does NOT include contract options of any type. For a list of contract options please view the relevant page by clicking here</td></tr></tbody></table>
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[gtc08]

they seem to play down to there competition. i see them as a solid 5-6 seed. dont think they can hang with atlanta, orlando, boston.

if i had to rank the east

1. cleveland
2. boston
3. orlando
4. atlanta
5. miami
6. detroit
7. milwaukee
8. philadelphia

 

[FullyEclipsed]

I just quickly scrolled through their schedule thus far and would have to say top tier teams would not lose to a lot of the teams they have.

 

[barman]

Answer - Absolutely No

They are at best the #14 team in league right now. They are barely outscoring opponents (93.2 to 93.1)

Top tier teams outscore opponents by at least 5+ pts

 

[oldmanTED]

Nope! They lack the team defense that had in their best years and are offensively challenged at times.

 

[JakeT.]

Nope, when they moved Billups for Iverson they went out of the upper tier.

 

[RobFunk]

They were fading fast regardless of the trade. Unfortunately, A.I. wasn't the "answer".

 

[barman]

The defense is still Top10 (5th overall actually), but without an offense that is at least 5pts better, they're just barely better than 4th ranked Charlotte Bobcats

The past couple seasons disparity between West & East continues this year so far. The Pistons current record (24-19) would place them 11th in the West

 

[barman]

They were fading fast regardless of the trade. Unfortunately, A.I. wasn't the "answer".

Offense is what they need, based on first half of season. Whatever shackles have been placed on AI need to be released so he can get back up to 24+ pts a game

 

[King.Of.College.Totals]

It's no coincidence that the Nuggets have been damn good since the trade. Billups meant a lot to this team.