Give Me The Rock

PMad is on vacation this week, but being the extraordinary fantasy analyst that he is, he’s given me his team preview for the week. That’s hot.

So, here’s PMad’s analysis/preview of Your Deeeeeeeeeeeee-troit Pistons:

Fantasy Preview: Detroit Pistons

If I know this audience, and I think I do, then you’ll be interested to know that the Detroit Pistons are currently holding cheerleading tryouts for the Detroit Automotion. If that doesn’t quite do it for you, try auditions for the Workforce, a “Professional Stunt/Tumble Team that performs high energy routines during the Pistons games, as well as “hot time outs”. They also perform in the stands, on the concourse, and much more.” Sign me up for some hot time outs.

And coming soon, we can only hope, the Detroit “Union”, where you’ll be able to pay fees for the privilege of belonging to a group that will help to put you out of a job.

Well, back to the issue at hand. The big news for the Pistons this summer is losing out on one Ben Wallace and signing Nazr Mohammed to fill his shoes, which is not too bad of a basketball move. I mean, they’re paying Mohammed $9 million less a year than Big Ben? On the other hand, championship teams aren’t really built around Nazr Mohammed, last I checked. Anyway, the Pistons’ big move isn’t a great (or particularly interesting) fantasy move, so let’s move on to last years Detroit Pistons fantasy rankings.

2005/2006 Rankings

(19) Chauncey Billups
(35) Rasheed Wallace
(65) Richard Hamilton
(104) Tayshaun Prince
(172) Amir Johnson
(183) Antonio Mcdyess
(342) Carlos Delfino
(423) Dale Davis
(438) Alex Acker
(449) Jason Maxiell

Additions
(219) Nazr Mohammed

Significant Subtractions
(59) Ben Wallace

Who is this Amir Johnson and how did he get ranked in the top 200 players? Upon closer look, it turns out to be part of the fun of using per game rankings. Amir played 3 games and chipped in a line of 7/1/1. I was a little worried for a second that I had never heard of him. Other than Amir, nothing too interesting jumps out from last year. Unless you play in a league that uses a “number of times being bitches” category, in which case the Pistons and their fans are off the charts.

Note that the BUY/SELL shtick is based upon what I think a player will do in comparison to his expectations. There’s no way in hell that I think Mohammed is a better fantasy play than Chauncey Billups. Onto the analysis.

BUY

Rasheed Wallace – I read an article (which I have no idea of its validity, but don’t worry, it was on the Internet) about Wallace playing more center this year. That would be a nice little treat. If I happen to be passing along some crazy made-up nonsense from the hands of a 10 year old, then bump Wallace down to a hold cause he’ll be hard pressed to repeat those 1.9 threes a game next year.

Nazr Mohammed – Mohammed is my yardsale buy of the week, pick him up off the scrapheap for cheap or not at all. I’m expecting a servable second center in his first year with Detroit. [Fun fact: Microsoft spell check wants to change his name to Nazi]

HOLD

Richard Hamilton – Consistently decent fantasy player during his time with the Pistons. You know what you’re going to get here 20/3/4. Not the kind of pick anyone creams their pants about.

Tayshaun Prince – I want to like Prince. It’s something about that goofy smile that warms my heart. It’s tough, though, when he just doesn’t want to get any better for the past three years. Come on Tayshaun, be a buddy. I need you to score 18 a game.

SELL

Chauncey Billups – He was ranked number 19 last year and my good buddy Brandon Funston has Billups currently ranked #23 on his “big board”. However, Billups most similar comps through age 29 include Kevin Johnson, Terry Porter, and Nick Van Exel. Whoa, that’s fall off a cliff bad. Also, the huge bump in assists last year is a flag for “career year”. I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking him in the third round. How about you?

WATCH

Antonio Mcdyess – If he could just pick up a few more minutes a game, he’d be a variable fantasy option. Of course, his knee would then explode like a land mine. A tough call.

There you have it. Perennial contenders.

Where I’d pick em (in a 10 team league)

Rasheed Wallace – 5th (Maybe 4th with C eligibility)
Chauncey Billups – 5th
Richard Hamilton – 8th
Tayshaun Prince – 10th
Nazr Mohammed – 12th