It is extremely early from several standpoints but I did see this mentioned on one of the forums last week. What do we do if Tayshaun does not stay with the Pistons? We could also think about this if Taysh was injured for a long period.

The person who mentioned it was talking about the new front line being Ben, Sheed and Darko. People have talked about all three being able to play some at the 3.

My wondering centers around which one would play the 3 best, and which one would cause fewer problems to the team in the way of lost production compared to the figures he would produce at the position he is at, now.

I am thinking of Ben switching to the 3, Sheed playing the 4, and Darko at the 5. I think that would be the best combination if the decision was made to play those three.

My question is whether or not we would lose much of Ben's effectiveness if he was to play the 3 instead of the 5. Would he lose or gain in scoring; whould he lose or gain in boards; would he lose or gain in blocks?

In thinking about it, I believe that he would be even more effective as a 3; there should be no 3 in the league that is much quicker and those tough guys like Artest, Ben could handle more easily than Taysh.

Sheed would handle the 4 well, and I think they are figuring Darko for the 5 anyway.

I really want Tayshaun to stay, but if he decides to take someone else's offer or is injured for a long period of time, what do you all think?

Would Ben be a good choice for the 3 ?

I can't see Ben playing the 3. He has zero perimeter game.

People may not know this, but when he came into the league it was with Boston as a FA. They tried to make him a shooting guard. FAILURE.

I think that is why J-Max was drafted. I think that is why Amir Johnson was drafted. I think that is why we have Evans, Delfino and Dupree who can all play the three.

Joe dotted his I's and crossed his T's on this one. He knew the renegotiation would be a mess. So he built up a stable of guys who can play the 3.

IMO lazy, Darko starts the day Sheed gets traded.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

Okay I'm only answering this for a major injury, because I know tay is going to stay here he said he wants to. Anyways I would put Sheed at the 3, Ben at the 4 ,and Darko at the 5. Sheed is the best perimeter shooter out of the 3 so he'd go at SF, and Darko is bigger than Ben so I just put him at center. I believe this isn't going to happen though. I hope I'm right.

Tay may be the first casualty from LB that we see. It wasnt just Darko, Delfino, and Arroyo suffering, Tay clearly had issues with the previous regime. And from my view, Tay doesnt seem to have too much loyalty to the Pistons now (maybe he blames the orginization for forcing him to deal with Larry). And from Joe's stockpiling of 3's, Joe isnt willing to match other teams over paying Tay.

So, this, IMHO, this is Tay's last year as a Piston, lets enjoy it. And let's hope Delfino, Evans, or one of the rooks prove valuble replacements.

As for Darko playing 3, no chance. His future is at the 4, eventually, next year or the year after, Sheed is going to be traded or sent to the second unit.

You may be right 16 Mile. It sounds like Tay isn't going to be happy with the $50 million the Pistons are offering. He better start playing more assertively or he ain't going to get any more money from other teams next summer.

Bit of a stretch to theorize that Tay's contract demands have anything to do with playing for Larry Brown. Scratch that. A helluva stretch.

The reality is that Joe's reported offer is more than fair, and Tay wants to be paid like an All-Star.

He has NEVER played like an All-Star. In my opinion, he will never be an All-Star. All homerism aside, Tay will probably never be a 18/6/6 SF. He's just not assertive enough. He's a man, not THE MAN.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

I think if Tay goes to a crappy team, he could put up All-Star numbers. Then again, I thought the same thing about Okur...

Agreed.

Prince took issues with the Pistons bringing in a Hall of Fame coach, winning a "ship" and almost winning back to back? I'm confused. Is it the commitment to winning that Prince took issues with?

Maybe Prince didn't like LB. I'll add his name to the list. But to take issue with the entire organization for it? I think Prince is a bit more mature than that. Not to mention the fact that wouldn't Prince be happy with the Pistons for firing LB if he hated him that much? I would think that would make him more loyal to them, not less.

LB had much bigger dogs in his house than Prince. Younger, less mature guys like Darko and Delfino especially. They both seem to have been able to seperate the Pistons organization from their dislike of LB. I would think that Prince would be able to do the same as well.

We may well lose Prince to another team. But I don't think LB will have anything to do with it.... unless he convinces Prince to come to NY with him...

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Oh, wouldn't that be an interesting day on the forum. I don't even want to think about it.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

I wouldn't read more into this than the fact that basketball is a business, and Prince needs to attempt to get the most money he can. My opinion is that Prince believes that he's better than he really is right now.

It's one of the problems faced when a team wins, and the system makes everyone look good. The reality is that if Prince played on another(worse) team, he would put up better numbers, but he wouldn't have the legs to play(and concentrate) on defense as he does now.

Of course he's skilled, but playing next to Sheed and Ben, can make a lot of SF look pretty good. Not to mention the fact that he could be playing next to Darko, a legit big man in the future(assuming everything works out).

His best opportunity remains here, but money, and the antimosity caused by discussing money, could drive him to another situation. Heaven help us if he goes to Miami, Indy, NY, NY, or SA, then I really might have to blow some chunks.