The good 'ol days.Joe D made a big mistake. Sure, he freed up a trillion dollars of cap-space, but he grossly underestimated Chauncey Billups. And Billups continues to prove his worth. Last night, he scored 36pts (including 8/9 from 3pt land) to lead the Nuggets in a blowout win over Chris Paul and the Hornets.
When the trade went down, I received a frantic text from Dub in Denver, who was overjoyed that Billups was coming to town. "Chauncey makes those around him better - AI makes everyone worse." Too true. The Pistons would've been better off trading anyone BUT Billups. Is the trade worse than the Darko pick? No. But it's darn close.
Joe D's biggest GM blunders:
When the trade went down, I received a frantic text from Dub in Denver, who was overjoyed that Billups was coming to town. "Chauncey makes those around him better - AI makes everyone worse." Too true. The Pistons would've been better off trading anyone BUT Billups. Is the trade worse than the Darko pick? No. But it's darn close.
Joe D's biggest GM blunders:
- Darko (if you click on the link, you'll see a very apropos headline referring to Darko as "No. 2")
- Iverson
- Curry
Those three are hardly open for debate. Perhaps a distant 4th is the Rodney White pick. Joe Johnson and Richard Jefferson were still available, but that 2001 draft class was not exactly loaded with talent (unlike Darko's year).
Because I always try to be fair, Joe D's greatest GM achievements:
Because I always try to be fair, Joe D's greatest GM achievements:
- Ben Wallace
- Rick Carlisle
- Rip
The Ben Wallace trade was only possible thanks to the kindness of Grant Hill. Hill knew he was bolting the Pistons, but agreed to a sign-and-trade, which allowed the Pistons to obtain Big Ben and Chucky Atkins. We gotta give Joe D the credit for at least recognizing some potential in Big Ben, who at that time was a bit player. As for Rick Carlisle, Joe D plucked him from relative obscurity. Prior to Carlisle, the Pistons were floundering, and Carlisle instilled the defense-first mentality that lasted until this past season. And then the Rip trade... it was shocking that Joe D would trade the team's best player and leader, Stackhouse, but Hamilton proved to be an All-Star waiting to burst. Stackhouse's career never truly recovered, and Hamilton is still going strong.
I haven't had a chance to watch Chauncey very much since the trade. However, watching him last night against the Hornets, made me realize how special a player he his and how much I didn't appreciate his effect on the Pistons during his six years with them. He was absolutely perfect against the Hornets in Game 1. He managed the tempo, got others involved, and obviously picked his spots to get his. His quick release on threes off the bounce is uncanny. Most guys are catch and shoot guys who need to be in rhythm. He also seems leaner and quicker to the rack as well. I was the first to rip on him during the past couple of playoff failures, and thought he was on the downside of his career. Chauncey will always be a 40-42% shooter and will never finish at the rim like Parker, Rose or Paul. In fact he'll probably score 15 on 4-13 from the field next game. However his supreme confidence, on ball defense and game management is invaluable to the Nuggets and sorely missed here in the D.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt. Game management is what the Pistons miss the most. Stuckey can't force his will on an opponent. It's possible that Joe D looked too much at the stats. Chauncey's stats in the D simply didn't impress.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, Chauncey experienced a rebirth in Denver. Terry Foster said "Chauncey was done in Detroit" and I think there's an element of truth to that. It's sorta like Kirk Gibson in the late 80s. His career was floundering. Then he signs with the Dodgers and - BOOM - most valuable player. That wouldn't have happened in the D.
golly, the Pistons are horribly horrid. What an embarassment, they look like they wish they were golfing. With ANYONE but their teamates (whom they appear to hate).
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