Pistons are slipping, but are Cavs rising?
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are overloaded with guards and wings, most of them flawed in some way: Kirk Hinrich is the forgotten man. Ben Gordon is strictly a temp. Thabo Sefolosha is still a season away from being an impact player. The ball-time Larry Hughes requires to be effective is not warranted by his production. Tyrus Thomas is still learning how to play and act like an adult. Only Andres Nocioni and Luol Deng are bona-fide thoroughbreds.
2008-09 NBA previews
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FOXSports.com analysis
- Charley Rosen division previews:
East: Southeast | Atlantic | Central - Kahn: 10 storylines to follow
- Rosen: Who made the right moves?
- Kahn: Best and worst awards
- Galinsky: Preseason power rankings
- Kahn: My top 50 NBA players
- Hill: Disasters waiting to happen
- Rosen: Where each coach stands
West: Northwest | Pacific | Southwest
Marques Johnson video previews
- East: | | Southeast
- West: | |
But it's up front where the Bulls' roster is weakest: Joakim Noah can't score with a pencil. Drew Gooden is a mistake player. Aaron Gray is a lumbering quarter horse.
In order for the Bulls to even approach respectability, Derrick Rose has to be Mister Wonderful.
Their best hope: Jerry Reinsdorf doesn't panic and refrains from replacing John Paxson with the second coming of Crumbs Krause.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The big change in the roster is the addition of Mo Williams. So far in his NBA career, Williams has scored a lot of points, handed out plenty of dimes, taken far too many ill-advised shots, and played inadequate defense. For sure, he'll assume some of LeBron's ball-handling responsibilities — and this is a good thing. Plus, unlike Wally Szczerbiak, Williams is quick and mobile. And unlike Daniel Gibson, Delonte West and Sasha Pavlovic, Williams can create his own shots.
There's certainly enough firepower and versatility in the backcourt and on the wings for the Cavs to compete with anybody. The trouble is in the frontcourt.
Ben Wallace was washed up two years ago. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is the oldest, creakiest 33-year-old in the history of the league. Anderson Varejao is still shotless and reckless.
And then there's LBJ himself. If only he could shoot a tad better, increase his point-making prowess in the low post, and become a better defender — then the Cavs would be a shoo-in to upend the Celtics.
As it stands, however, they lack the necessary balance to avoid being an also-ran.
Their best hope: Advance to the conference finals.
Detroit Pistons
Michael Curry's job description is to somehow find a way to resurrect a ball club that has exhibited signs of slippage. Fortunately for Curry, several players are still in their prime, including the wonderously versatile Tayshaun Prince. Rip Hamilton is still as elusive and quick-stepping as ever, but needs to limit his conventional one-on-one opportunities in favor of a return to the perpetual cutting, curling and popping that motored Larry Brown's offense. Antonio McDyess is on the way down while Jason Maxiell is on the way up. At 32, Chauncey Billups is starting to slow down.
And then there's Rasheed Wallace. Can Curry get close enough to Rasheed to reset the big man's focus? More post-ups, less time dawdling around the 3-point line, and more consistency on defense from Wallace would greatly improve the Pistons' chances. But nobody really knows where Rasheed's head will be at any given time. His erratic behavior is enough to drive any coach crazy.
Obviously, Rodney Stuckey represents the wave of the future — and his upside is limitless. It's also time for Amir Johnson to finally live up to his potential. And can Walter Herrmann be consistent enough to warrant being in the rotation? Arron Afflalo has a long ways to go before he can be a full-time force. Kwame Brown is still only 26 and his bulk and quick feet make him a formidable low-post defender — but not much else.
In sum, there are several promising replacement parts already on board. Even so, whether the Pistons either function at full-speed or putter along depends on the respective performances of Billups and Wallace.
This is the old guard's last chance to recapture the rapture.
Their best hope: That Curry makes it through the season without being fitted for a straitjacket.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are on a treadmill to oblivion. T.J. Ford will add some oomph to a moribund offense, but at the cost of taking too many shots. Jarrett Jack is a gamer, but he's a 2-guard in a point guard's body.
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| Danny Granger is a rising star but needs more help. (Ron Hoskins / Getty Images) |
Danny Granger is the real deal. Mike Dunleavy gives up as many points as he scores. Marquis Daniels is a slasher with poor shooting range.
So far, there's enough talent and semi-talent on hand for the Pacers to attain solid mediocrity. Trouble is that the big men are either severely limited (Jeff Foster and Troy Murphy) or downright klutzy (Rasho Nesterovic and Roy Hibbert).
Their best hope: That they can outdraw the local high school teams.
Milwaukee Bucks
Even though the roster has been dramatically revised, some basic problems remain.
Andrew Bogut represents the Bucks' only power, but he's much too slow when moving up, down or sideways. Charlie Villanueva is a power-puff player who's drastically miscast as a power forward. Michael Redd can (and will) shoot until his left arm cramps. Luke Ridnour is bright, athletic, but not supremely talented. Of the starters, only Richard Jefferson has a complete game.
Tyronn Lue can score in bunches coming off the bench. Malik Allen used to have a deadly jumper. Charlie Bell shoots better from out-there than he does from in-here.
In other words, the bench is weak.
Even weaker is the Bucks' team defense. Although defense is Scott Skiles' specialty and area of emphasis, no matter how much he nags, screams, rages, institutes punitive rules, threatens and/or cajoles his players, the Bucks will have trouble making stops. Unless, that is, R.J. happens to be guarding the opponents' designated scorer.
Their best hope: Avoiding a palace revolution.
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