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Detroit Pistons Defensive woes likely to continue to haunt Pistons
Updated: Wednesday October 03, 2001 8:04 PM
By Marty Burns, CNNSI.com The Pistons are going with a new coach (Rick Carlisle) and new uniforms (the old red, white and blue of the Bad Boys days) this season. After a dismal 2000-01 campaign, any change is good. Unfortunately, what they really needed was a go-to guy in the low post, such as a Chris Webber. Webber, of course, turned down a chance to play for his hometown team. As a result, the only significant move president Joe Dumars was able to make was acquiring veteran small forward Cliff Robinson from the Suns. Robinson will help take some scoring and defensive pressure off Jerry Stackhouse, but at age 35 it seems fair to ask how much Uncle Cliffy has left in his tank. The other big question for the Pistons in training camp will be if either rookie 7-foot European centers Zeljko Rebraca or Ratko Varda can contribute immediately. If so, the Pistons can slide hard-working Ben Wallace to his natural position at small forward.
Also, Detroit will be hoping for improved play from Chucky Atkins, who has been inconsistent at point guard, and contributions from top draft choice Rodney White, who could provide some much-needed athleticism on the wing. Stackhouse knows he has to spread the ball around more for the Pistons to be successful. He says he is willing to do it. The question is, can the Pistons get enough scoring out of their low-post players, and can they shore up a defense that ranked 24th in the league a year ago? A new coach and new uniforms aren't going to do it alone. Standout stat: 30 Percentage of the Pistons' points scored by Stackhouse last season. The next closest was Atkins' 12 percent.
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