Using the Detroit Rebuilding Model Revisted

Sometime before the draft I made a fan post regarding how the Sixers should try to use the Detroit Piston Building Model moving ahead with the franchise. As we all recall, the team Larry Brown Coached to the NBA Titile had a very good collection of players, but no true superstars. Some people may debate that statement, but in my opinion, they didn't have that all-world player leading them, such as a Kobe Bryant. Billups was agruablly their best player who had a very well rounded game. What made that team successful? Excellent defensive team, who executed their half-court offense extremely well, especially in crunch time. They had the enact to make that one play late in the game to seal the victory.

Taking a look at their starting five, it doesn't look that scary:

C-Ben Wallace

PF- R. Wallace

SF-Prince

SG-Rip Hamilton

PG-Billups

Excellent backcourt with a frontcourt that had a defensive minded Center, a true low post scorer who had an outside game and a defensive Small Forward who can hit the occasional shots behind the arc.What made they extremely tough was their team defense. Both Billups and Hamilton were very good man defenders, Prince was the long-armmed player who had the abilty to deflect many passes, but the big anchor to the defense was Ben Wallace. He was the protector of the paint, which allowed his teammates to gamble and shoot the passing lanes. At this time of his career Wallace was one of the best shotblockers and rebounders in the entire league. Not a option at all on the offensive end, but a key player to their half-court defense.

The biggest thing we have heard since Doug Collins became our new Head Coach is team defense. He wants all his players to leave it on the floor and give maximum effort. We have heard that players who do not defend, will not see time on the court. I think we need to see it, to believe it! Team Defense is extremely important aspect of an successful team, Each and every season, the NBA Champions are elite defensive teams, which would explain why the Suns & Warriors never sniff the Title. Yes, you need to put the ball in the basket, but if you make it difficult for the other team to score, it makes winning that much easier. Last year's Sixer team was one of the worsts Defensive Teams in the league!

Going back to the NBA Finals Team that was led by AI, they were one of the best defensive teams in the entire league. Would you think a starting lineup of: Ratliff/Mutombo, Ty Hill, Lynch, Iverson & Snow would be in the Finals competing for an NBA Championship? Not me, but that is exactly what happened. Defense is the key to success, period!

Taking a look at our current roster, the team is extremely far away from competing for a championship, anytime soon. They need to have a plan and stick by it. If they are to become that tough defensive team, they need to shape their roster to fit that type of system. This season is for evaluation of which players fit the system best. The Goal is to be ready in three seasons to be a true contender. That may seem unrealistic, but that is their ultimate goal.

Looking at the current Sixers Core and comparing what the Pistons had, we have a few pieces in place, but need several more players to complete the building job:

-Holliday/Billups-Billups was a late bloomer, didn't have much success until in the right system with his third team. Holliday has that defense base, but needs to improve his offensive game, Still under 20, I expect a big breakout year from him this season, similar to the other former UCLA Guard in Westbrook.

-Turner/Hamilton-Rip also didn't hit his stride until he was put into the right system that the Pistons employed. A great, tireless, mid-range shooter who was very good off screens. Not known to be a great 3 point shooter, but deadly inside the arc. There is no reason why Turner cannot evole into this type of player. Both aren't the most athletic Guards out there, but the have the ability to be the #1 scoring options for their team.

-Andre/Thad/Prince-this is a little more cloudy. Thad's skill set is more similar to Prince's, compare to Andre. Andre is a better all-around player, but isn't a #1 Scoring Option or Superstar either. In my opinion, Thad will be the future SF for the team for year's to come, where Andre will be playing somewhere else in 2011. Young has the ability to defend, hit the occassional outside shot and run the floor. He also will have a much smaller contract as well.

-Speights/R. Wallace-Speights has a similar game to Wallace, although not even closed to the finished product that Wallace was when he came to the Pistons. A good post-up game, shooter behind the arc and servicable defensive player. Speights has a long-way to go, to even be in the same stratsosphere as Wallace. He must at least give effort on the defensive end and have a better shot selection. He either becomes Elton Brand's future replacement, scorer off the bench or playing in another city.

Ben Wallace/?-This is a huge hole for the Sixers team. There isn't a bigman who can protect the basket, rebound the ball, what so ever. The team needs to find this type of player to anchor their defense. If it is a better version of a Reggie Evans type player, a Variejo from the Cavs or even a Howard in Free Agency (Pipe Dream). We aren't seeking a great offensive Center, but a lunchpailer who will do all the dirty work. Maybe a guy like Nene or Kaman would fit the bill.

Bench-Hunter/Lou/Meeks/Green-Lindsay Hunter was that bench player who brought instant offense onto the floor. One out of the three players listed should emerge to fill that future role. Additional defensive minded role players and shooters also need to be added down the road.

The Pistons built their team to the point of being one player away, where they acquired Wallace as the final piece. The Sixers first need to get there first. Assemble a team who is a hard out in the postseason and that type of senario can happen, but that is not in the future this season.

I would get rid of all players who do not fit their system moving forward. If there is a deal for Lou Williams, Green, Kapono make it! What I would do is deal Andre for that Defense Minded Type Center if a trade can be made. If it is that Nene, Kaman, Varejo, it needs to be done. We can land that final piece when the team develops and has some success, but it is time to move ahead with the plan. As in three seasons, the cap situation clears up and the team will be in position to finally have the resources to add talent in hopes of becoming contenders!