Chemistry

We all know it's not about the names, the All-stars, or the talent. It's about chemistry - the elusive intangible. The Carlisle/LB-era Pistons had it, as did every Red Wing team this decade. Then it vanished. Why?

Team chemistry is like a chili recipe - the ingredients need to be in the right proportions, else it turns bitter. Two key ingredients are personality and leadership. The Pistons abandoned the leadership ingredient in three stages - the firing of Larry Brown, losing Big Ben to Chicago, and the Chauncey trade. It's difficult to fault the Pistons for the first two, but that trade turned into a disaster. Last year's team turned off many fans, and they may not return until the team lands another Grant Hill. Joe D addressed on-court issues, such as scoring, in the offseason, and he was wise to court Ben Wallace. After the bitter parting in '06, both Ben and Joe D put ego aside to resume a partnership. So far, it seems mutually beneficial. Ben's presence stabilized the leadership void. Ben also backs Coach Kuester, which lends the coach more credibility than Curry. Yet, the team remains in flux. Ben Gordon is a powerful personality, and it remains to be seen how he will fit with the old guard or Hamilton, Prince, and Stuckey.

After the eight preseason games, one thing is clear - this team has little margin for error. When Prince or Wallace was out of the lineup, the opposing teams crushed them. Surprisingly, Coach Kuester may have unearthed a decent big man pairing with Big Ben and Kwame Brown. Kwame is eager to learn, and Ben is eager to teach. With Big Ben wrestling the starting PF spot from Charlie V, folks around the NBA are chuckling that Joe D blew his cap-space on two bench players. Piston fans know better. It's not about stars or egos. It's about wins. And the wins will come from chemistry.

This current incarnation will not challenge for any title, but they may lay the groundwork for something special down the road. Joe D locked up a solid 3-guard rotation for years to come (I still don't believe Rip is in the long-term plans). He drafted two serviceable small forwards with an upside, and he signed a high-scoring 4. It's a relatively young team that will hopefully learn how to win from the few remaining veterans. Is it the right mix? We really won't know for 82 games.