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**Pioneer10** · 09-15-2006, 09:15 PM

What will this matchup look like this year. Pistons barely got by the Cavs in 7 last year and now they've lost Wallace with no Darko waiting in the wings. I'm not a huge fan of Nazr and the Cavs have elected to stay stable but I do like Wesley/Brown/Jones over last year's backcourt bench

*edited to reflect true rosters*
Z vs Nazr
Gooden vs R. Wallace
Lebron vs Prince
Hughes vs Hamilton
Snow vs Billups
Frontcourt Bench: AV/Marshall/Pollard vs McDyess/Maxiell?
Backcourt Bench: Wesley/Brown/Jones vs Hunter/Delfino/Murray

With the loss of Ben Wallace I still think this is an evenly matched team as I actually thought McDyess was harder to handle for the Cavs at points with Rasheed in the lineup. Two offensive threats reduced the Cavs ability to play rotate on all the picks and rolls which they were doing. With Hughes healthy this year and the Cavs improved backcourt bench (impressed with Shannon Brown and Wesley is a better shooter then anybody we had last year except Jones) I'll take the Cavs in 7

STUCKEY! · 09-16-2006, 12:21 AM

We no longer have Evans in our bench, we got flip murray

also manning the 2/3 are dupree and delfino

futuristxen · 09-16-2006, 12:57 AM

Yeah losing Ben Wallace makes them tougher for us, because we cheated off him big time when we played them, and when he did get the ball it was as good as a turnover because you could just send him to the line.

Defensively, I don't think he was that big of a factor honestly against us. I guess it's one less guy Lebron has to worry about in the lane who can bother him.

Our problems with the Pistons are still Rasheed. Until they get rid of him, we'll always have some difficulties.

That said, we've got the superstar, they don't. All we need is one more guy to step up with Andy, and we can take the Pistons.

**ChrisWoj** · 09-16-2006, 01:38 AM

This is going to be a tougher matchup as the Cavs continue to mature... but with that said I think that we're actually a better team than last year with the current rules. The main reason being that with the way that the referees are cracking down on tough defensive squads, we could not play our lockdown defense as consistently. When you can't do that you need to be five-on-five on offense. Unfortunately we were frequently playing four-on-five basketball, a distinct disadvantage.

With Nazr Mohammed in the game instead of Ben Wallace we're now looking at a consistent five-on-five on offense, along with still decent defense and a good to solid rebounder in the middle.

In addition you've lost Flip Murray who would be a very good sixth-man/third-wing for your boys with Hughes coming back for his starting spot. Even worse: You've lost him to us. He's going to be a much better competitor off the bench for us than Mo Evans was, as much as I loved Mo's athleticism and (new to last year) decent shooting.

So my basic conclusion is that, should we meet in a seven-game set? Same result as a year ago. The Cavs are a year more mature and a year better, but the Pistons made *barely* enough moves to negate it unless somebody in Cleveland seriously steps up to give Lebron a hand.

-Chris.

futuristxen · 09-16-2006, 02:42 AM

You guys never really saw Larry Hughes. Getting him back is a pretty major aquisition.

**Pioneer10** · 09-16-2006, 08:10 AM

Flip was an absolute disaster in the postseason: I think Brown and Wesley are big upgrades and there is always a chance Jones gets his head out of his *** and plays defense.

**remy23** · 09-16-2006, 08:52 AM

^ The funny thing is by the end of the season, Shannon Brown could produce more for us than what Flip did. Even if Brown doesn't put the points up as quick, his superior defense, heady plays (has good court vision) and athleticism might make up for whatever points we may lose off the bench from Flip. One thing I like about Brown is his handle is solid. We used to jump up and down when Murray broke ankles, but for mysterious reasons, you remember the times he dribbled the ball, only to lose it for no reason. Flip has shakes but he needs better consistent handles. Brown's handles may not be as flashy but he stays attached to the ball better.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 09-16-2006, 09:51 AM

I anticipate Brown being better than Murray from day 1. He will certainly be a better defender, and obviously has the ability to put points on the board. In fact his slashing style might be more effective in the NBA than it was in college against zones. He also has an NBA body/build so shouldn't have issues adjusting to the physicality of the league.

I agree with those who mentioned Wallace as the major problem vs the Pistons. He is the one guy we can't matchup with and when he is on, they always beat us. Then again when I think of the times we've beaten the Pistons in the past, when Ben Wallace was out we usually dominated the game...so his impact might be being underestimated by a few folks.

He cleaned up alot of mistakes from their perimeter defenders and allowed Tay to aggressively play Lebron.

Goubot · 09-16-2006, 07:44 PM

I'll agree with ChrisWoj, but I'd like to note that all your offseason acquisitions last year horribly disappointed (not bashing, just noting).

Damon Jones was in a slump all year, Marshall wasn't nearly as efficient as he was the year before, and Hughes' game fell into a well or something (and he missed more than half the season). If all three of these guys produce like they did two years ago (all had much, much better seasons then), you can probably take us out with ease. You'd probably have a good chance against Miami as well.

As a Pistons fan, I'm obviously hoping that that doesn't happen.

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