That article contains the cursed phrase, "fun to watch."

Look out for any such strategy. Danger, Will Robinson!

...is Ben Wallace an option?...

I think Dyess makes sense.

He would add to the first unit and then the second unit could run.

Also by putting Dyess and AJ on different units you put our two top rebounders on different units.

I think AJ would defer a lot less if he were on a unit with young guys rather than our all stars.

So unit #1
-------------
Dyess
Sheed
Prince
Rip
C-Bill


unit #2
----------
AJ
JMax
Hayes
Hot Rod
Murray or Afflalo

12th guy
------------
Nazr

I think that second unit is too small. Nazr won't be the 12 man. This team can't just make Sheed play monster minutes at C.

Geez, what happened to the tortured logic from Langlois trying to convince everyone that Nazr was a terrific option at starting C afterall? I guess that went into file 13 right next to the "there are no SF options the Pistons are interested in..." discussion.

If true, it sounds like Max and Amir are going to get their shot even earlier in the year if they have a strong camp.

The second unit is about the same average height as the Warriors first unit.

AJ plays like a 6"11" + guy. This year he will average more boards per 40 minutes than any other player that we have.

JMax is a little undersized for PF but has a nice wing span

The other three guys are average in height or better for their positions when you put Afflalo in instead of Murray.

Starting Nazr only guarantees that he will be on the bench with 2 fouls within the first 6 - 8 minutes, if not less and our opponents will be shooting the penalty free throw about half way through the first quarter.

The only reason I voted for nazr is because we damn near don't have any other choice at this point fellow Pistons fans. I truly do NOT want to see Sheed waste away not to mention get worn down/out playing the 5/C when he is a natural & very gifted 4/PF. I want #36 to be healthy & refreshed for the playoffs like he was this past post season.

Jason is a powerful tweener that can play the 4 only because of his strength & athleticism, clearly couldn't be a 5 if he tried thus only forcing Sheed to man the spot which once again we don't want or need. Amir is a talented high flyer but he lacks playing experience, and more importantly is just to light in the %%% to be a 5... Barely big enough to play the 4 actually. Finally we all know by now McDyess seems to play better off the bench, but perhaps he can still end the games if mohammed's defensive rotation still stink to high heaven. Bottom line all the alternates offered on this team to start so far would lead to forcing Rasheed to be our starting center... I'd rather let mohammed take that abuse, similar to how san antonio wisely don't start duncan as their C. They let someone else take that abuse, meanwhile duncan can and does play the 5 when it counts or is necessary. Wallace is to valueable as well to run into the ground as our starting 5, meanwhile mohammed we can clearly afford to let him take that abuse... He's clearly expendable for us, heck maybe even build up his trade value a bit!

I voted for Dice, but mainly on the strenght of that very good article that Mikhail posted. I want whatever will put Sheed in the best position to be extremely successful next year. I have been underwhelmed with Dice, but somehow feel that the chemistry percolates better with him out there. I vote for Dice, but I'd like to see Nazr used in an intelligent way this season.

This will all depend on movement and having some stability at the 4-5 slots. A whole lot of "ifs" out there.

One of those "ifs" is the rumor that Sheed has lost 25 pounds. This should mean that is will be quicker and will have more energy on the offensive end. The closer he is to the basket, the more movement and opportunity (especially the 2-3) for others.

Tay might have learned something this summer: his exceptional length needs to play closer to the rim and with that many more rebounds. Offensively he has been going down hill, this shift toward the rim should motivate more aggression out of him. He now has some serious competition at the 3 position. Less minutes and more aggression suites me just fine.

Naz feels and reacts much better with activity buzzing around him. It motivates him to move his feet and he really does have a sweet shot from 10-15 feet (providing he faces the basket). He will have to stabilize the 5 position which means at least 25 minutes playing time. He will not hurt this team because he does not have to provide the focal point where things have to run through him.

The bigger "ifs" are the attitudes of Sheed, Tay, Rip and CB. The key will be how they start and how they play at home.

To be honest, I still feel that an uncomfortable attitude prevails on this club. Flip and his assistants will have to lessen the "stars" minutes for the youngsters and somehow keep the egos in check. All is right when the wins come, but watch the attitude problems grow if they get off to a slow (and very tough early schedule) opening start.

This is a much more interesting team than last year, because you have introduced more energy and some empty stomachs.

Does tay play further out because our 4-5 play further out? I agree with the above and wanted to get other perspectives on this. Tay has come away with some nice boards on the O-side.

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