Pistons' fall contrasts with Spurs' rise

[The_Real_Right_Way]

Pop has a lot to do with it too. Who else gets as much out of his players as Popovich? He gets at least half the credit IMO

We on agree on this. He is the best coach in the league without a doubt.

And JoeD couldn't hire a decent coach if he was handed one.

[The_Real_Right_Way]

So what if joe D decided to build around Tay? He's a solid foundation guy

The Pistons haven't had anyone to build around since packed his bags Grant Hill packed his bags and jumped on the first hot thing smoking out of town.

This is why the Darko move was so, so, so pathetic.

[yourmom_is_hot]

The spurs are the patriots. they just reload with the right mix of talent.

[theman2600]

The Pistons haven't had anyone to build around since packed his bags Grant Hill packed his bags and jumped on the first hot thing smoking out of town.

This is why the Darko move was so, so, so pathetic.

Darko....could have been Wade.

[Methods]

U need superstars that stay to do what the spurs are doing. Simple. cant really blame that on Joe. Pistons were not willing keep certain guys because they didnt want to pay the luxury tax...guys like Okur and James and williamson. Okur was only 24 then...would have been a nice player to hold on to. Anyway thats on the ownership. But Joe D passing up on Carmelo......Thats the biggest issue. Wasting that cap space on two role players is the next.

[det2orl]

The Rasheed overpay was a huge misstep IMO.

[Methods]

Not drafting Melo put us in that spot. U blow a top 5 pick in the NBA and u have massive repercussions....Especially when its a draft that as deep as 03 draft(8 nba allstars from that draft)

[det2orl]

Not drafting Melo put us in that spot. U blow a top 5 pick in the NBA and u have massive repercussions....Especially when its a draft that as deep as 03 draft(8 nba allstars from that draft)

8??

LBJ, Melo, Bosh, Wade, Mo Williams, David West,...........

Who am I missing?

http://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2003.html

There were a lot of pretty good role players in that draft too. Didn't realize how deep it was besides how top heavy it was.

[yourmom_is_hot]

Not drafting Melo put us in that spot. U blow a top 5 pick in the NBA and u have massive repercussions....Especially when its a draft that as deep as 03 draft(8 nba allstars from that draft)

i dont think Melo wouldve stayed

[det2orl]

i dont think Melo wouldve stayed

Maybe not but you still would've been able to get the package that DEN got for him (or something similar).

The better question is given LB's aversion to playing rookies, would Melo, Wade, or Bosh be the players they became if they were drafted by the Stones?

[yourmom_is_hot]

Maybe not but you still would've been able to get the package that DEN got for him (or something similar).

The better question is given LB's aversion to playing rookies, would Melo, Wade, or Bosh be the players they became if they were drafted by the Stones?

probably not because those 3 all went to teams that didn't have much.

I really believe that short of LBJ falling to 2 for whatever reason, no player picked there would match their current success.