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**DetBNyce** · 04-21-2005, 06:33 AM

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• Ben Wallace: Although his final statistics will show a slight decrease in some areas (he won't grab 1,000 rebounds for the first time in his Pistons career, and his free-throw percentage dropped to .428), he was still one of the catalysts for the team's second-half resurgence. He has scored in double figures in 21 of the last 40 games, and posted 15 double-doubles. He has also produced more than 100 blocks and 100 steals for the fifth consecutive season. Only Hakeem Olajuwon, Julius Erving, Sam Lacey and David Robinson have done it that many years. The force of his will continues to be one of the Pistons' greatest assets.

Mid-term grade: C+; second half: A; final: B+

• Rasheed Wallace: He has been solid all year, and brilliant in most of the big moments. He is the ultimate money player. He's had 16 double-doubles and eight 20-plus scoring efforts in the last 40 games. He raised his shooting percentage from .414 to .445. He continues to be one of the league's best interior defenders. He also played through several nagging injuries, and would have played through the recent hamstring injury, as well, had the games meant something.

Mid-term grade: C+; second half: B+; final: B

• Tayshaun Prince: He was playing the best basketball of his career in January, and somehow managed to take it to an even higher level the rest of the season. In the last 40 games, he has raised his scoring average from 12.6 to 14.7, and his shooting percentage from 47 to 48.4. He has averaged a career-best 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists, as well. He has taken full advantage of the hand-check rules, consistently beating his man off the dribble. That and his improved jump shot have made him almost unstoppable. And don't let his laid-back California demeanor fool you. He is one of the feistiest competitors on the team.

Mid-term grade: B; second half: A; final: B+

• Richard Hamilton: Funny thing, but as his scoring numbers decreased in the second half of the season, his overall efficiency went way up -- and with it went the Pistons' success rate. Hamilton went from being a scorer (averaging 20.8 points through 41 games) to the team's primary facilitator. He made teams pay for double-teaming him and for collapsing on him when he drove to the basket. Thus, his career-best 4.9 assist average. He has also showed that he is a much better defender than most give him credit for. The Pistons are often at their trapping best when Hamilton is defending the primary ball-handler. What we saw in the second half was Hamilton blossoming into a complete player.

Mid-term grade: C+; second half: B+; final: B

• Chauncey Billups: There is no more denying him his place among the elite point guards in the league, and by elite we mean top five. When he is on, which he has been for most of the season, he is in complete control -- of himself, the offense and the tempo of the game. He no longer gets anxious about getting his own points -- he knows he can get them whenever the team needs them. Thus, his shot selection has been superb, resulting in his career-best shooting percentages (.444 from the floor and .427 from three-point range). He's also topped his career-best in assists for the second straight year (5.8). As important as all of that is to the Pistons, his most valuable skill might be his leadership. In his unique and subtle way, he held the team together through some rocky patches this season.

Mid-term grade: B-; second half: A+; final: A

The Rest

**kamego** · 04-21-2005, 07:35 AM

I might be giving Prince better then a B+ overal for the season

irishfury · 04-21-2005, 08:45 AM

Prince higher I agree

Badboyz · 04-22-2005, 08:50 AM

I think that you have to give Prince an A for his defense alone.
Add his impressive increase in his offensive production and he has an easy A+, as well as the most improved player award.

Midnight_Marauder · 04-22-2005, 08:51 AM

Prince should get no less than an "A"

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