Originally Posted by webz

[RealGM]

Reshaping a winner
Authored by Curtis A. Clark - 12th September, 2006

Danger Zone: Detroit’s calling card over the past 3 seasons, interior defense, will now be a big question mark. This roster lacks that great help side interior player they had in Ben Wallace. That could lead to many frustrating nights for the combustible Rasheed Wallace on the inside. Detroit will need to find a new identity on defense now that they lost their security blanket in Big Ben.

Biggest Change: It goes without saying the loss of Ben Wallace will change the very philosophy of the Detroit Pistons. Gone will be the highlight blocks, the swooping rebounds, the arena uplifting intensity, and the ability to erase defensive mistakes made by perimeter defenders. In its place will be a unit of journeymen who will have to do what Ben could not in order to keep the team competitive. They will need to score intelligently and make free throws. Not in mass quantity, but finish their opportunities, and create more room for the guards by being an offensive threat.

Danger Zone: Depth and Let down. Detroit is only one injury away from having only one true center on their team. These guys shouldn’t be called on to replace Ben Wallace, they should be counted on to add a new dynamic to a team trying to evolve with new league rules catering towards offense. Unfortunately for them Ben Wallace was the heart of a team that made deep playoff runs and won a championship in the past three season. Fans are used to a certain type of man in the paint and reality will set in the first time the defense breaks down for an easy dunk. The tough task of making fans and teammates play on without Ben Wallace will be made easier if the center does the dirty work and they win.