I say yes. They had to take a step back to accomodate the 8 new players and Pat Riley. When compare records with our team over the past 2 months of the reg season I believe the 2 teams are about on par.

They have improved their guards with Williams/Payton. Posey is a nice addition. Walker takes way too many shots but at least he is there.

Trying to point out that this round is going to be a dog fight. Home court is all about having game 7 on your court if needed.

Amazingly, I think they are better. I say amazingly because I was convinced at the beginning of the year that the roster changes were a step in the wrong direction and I wasn't sure that Riley would be any more effective than SVG.

Riley's still sharp though, his experience is unparalleled, and he always, always gets solid effort out of his players.

As for the new guys, they're fitting in nicely. Williams is effective when under control, and Payton is an excellent "closer" -- not as quick as he used to be obviously, but he's smart and he knows how to get it done in playoff situations.

'Toine has been a revelation. I really like him in this "complementary option" role. If he's the star, he can be pushed around a bit, goaded into trying too many ill-advised 29 footers etc. But as the third guy? He's very talented and adds a lot to the team. Posey's just a solid guy to have around, and makes up some of the perimeter D that was lost when Eddie Jones left town.

riley is a better coach. still kinda shaky at point guard. i think posey is similar to eddie jones but less offense. walker is a matchup problem if he is on.

I say yes... but not because of the new players.
I think Wades playoff experience and working two years with Shaq has has his confidence at a high level...
I'm not convinced that JWill isn't more negative than positive when you consider his defense and penchants for jacking bad shots.
Jones or Posey?... tough call...Jones was more polished especially for the playoffs... Posey could be a younger Jones clone next year though .
Walker?... I dunno... that opinion changes daily... he can be the anti-Shaq when he's tossing up 26 footers.... we'll see on that one.

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With politicians the future lies ahead

Yes, but barely - better coaching, better talent on paper at least, but another year on Shaq, Zo, and the Glove.

I voted no, but Riley is the better coach, definitely. But Shaq isn't what he used to be, although he'll get his points, he has slowed down. I see this team with their 2 stars with their other role players being good in streaks. But when Haslem, Posey, Williams, Payton, Walker, etc. are off.........they aren't winning anything. The regular season exposed them. They had an awful record against teams over .500, although there has been a lot of improvement so far in the playoffs. I still saw a stronger bonded team last year, IMHO.

I see the Pistons winning this series in a tough battled 7 game series. GO PISTONS!!!

I still think it was a horrible move to trade Eddie Jones. If Chauncey starts doing good than we'll see how bad Jason Williams is.

Nope. Their big gun has sunk to a substantially lesser version of his 2003 Finals self. He is more foul prone. Guards now take the ball when he dribbles. The league no longer respects / allows his "power game". I don't think Shaq can produce a 30 pt game anymore.

All the new guys were brought in with the belief they could work off of open space created by Shaq.

Overall no. Offensively, yes.

As these playoffs go on, (this series will be the end) all will see how this team is not better than last years. Defensively Eddie Jones and Keylon Dooling casued problems for the Pistons in the post season.

Defense will be the reason for their season ending against Detroit.

I changed my ming. They're better.