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Antonio McDyess Dann Lippitt/NBAE/Getty Images FAST FACTS Record: 54-28 (2nd in East) Points Scored: 90.1 (24th in NBA) Points Allowed: 84.3 (T-1st) Coach: Larry Brown (second season with the Pistons) 2004 Schedule | 2004 Draft Picks | 2003 Stats The Pistons held opponents to less than 70 points in 11 games last season, shattering the record of six games that had been shared by three teams. PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP With 2003-04 statistics BEN WALLACE POS. PVR PPG RPG APG BPG SPG FG% FT% C 25 9.5 12.4 1.7 3.04 1.77 42.1 49.0 RASHEED WALLACE POS. PVR PPG RPG APG BPG SPG FG% 3FG% PF 29 16.0 6.8 2.3 1.79 0.90 43.6 33.1 RICHARD HAMILTON POS. PVR PPG RPG APG SPG FG% 3FG% FT% SG 60 17.6 3.6 4.0 1.32 45.5 26.5 86.8 CHAUNCEY BILLUPS POS. PVR PPG RPG APG SPG FG% 3FG% FT% PG 54 16.9 3.5 5.7 1.08 39.4 38.8 87.8 TAYSHAUN PRINCE POS. PVR PPG RPG APG BPG SPG FG% 3FG% SF 156 10.3 4.8 2.3 0.84 0.77 46.7 36.3  BENCH PVR 2003-04 Stats F-C ANTONIO MCDYESS 167 6.9 ppg 6.1 rpg 0.9 apg 0.57 bpg 47.0 FG% F-C DERRICK COLEMAN 206 8.0 ppg 5.6 rpg 1.4 apg 0.76 bpg 41.3 FG% G-F CARLOS DELFINO (R) 227 9.8 ppg 5.6 rpg 1.0 apg 43.2 FG% 34.8 3FG% G LINDSEY HUNTER 277 3.5 ppg 2.6 apg 1.18 spg 34.3 FG% 28.0 3FG% F-C DARKO MILICIC 354 1.4 ppg 1.30 rpg 0.44 bpg 26.2 FG% 58.3 FT%

Wretched excess: The reigning champs reel in yet another versatile big man

First the Pistons nailed down a championship by stealing Rasheed Wallace in a trade last February. Then in another Auerbachian move this summer, they improved their chances to repeat by signing free- agent forward Antonio McDyess for $22.6 million over four years. "There is a distinct possibility we could be better," says G.M. Joe Dumars -- news that should cause outbreaks of acid reflux in Indiana, San Antonio and Minnesota.

Three years ago the 6'9", 245-pound McDyess was one of the NBA's most explosive players, an Olympic gold medalist whose career-high averages were 21.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.72 blocks. But he suffered a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee in 2001-02, then made a bad habit of rushing his rehab after three knee surgeries. After being traded by New York to Phoenix -- his third team in three seasons -- last January, McDyess sat out 24 games to concentrate on working his left leg into shape. Over the final month he averaged 8.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in 29.7 minutes to draw free-agent interest from a batch of playoff-caliber teams.

Now 30 and seeking to play his first full season in four years, McDyess chose Detroit because he believes he can win a title there without overtaxing his troublesome knee. While most teams are starving for height, the Pistons entered training camp with a half-dozen skilled hulks who are 6'10" or taller. "They say things happen for a reason, but I wasn't thinking of that at the time I was hurt," says McDyess, who has been pain-free since May. "I was at the lowest point of my life. Basketball is what I live for, and when I kept getting injured, I felt like it was over. But now I'm here, I'm happy and I don't feel like I have a limit to what I can do."     -- Ian Thomsen