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**Austin Kent** · 10-27-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Now it's really time to get down to business.

The preseason is finished, and the Pistons have six days until they open the regular season at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.

"Now we turn things up," head coach Flip Saunders said.

Before the Pistons lost their last exhibition, 92-82, to Memphis two days ago, Saunders said he hadn't started to form a game plan for Wednesday night's opener and probably won't begin for another day or two.

The Pistons were given Thursday off and resume practice today.

Saunders said some players might have to get in better shape over the next few days, and the team will work on its offensive execution.

"We've got to just play like we usually play," point guard Chauncey Billups said. "We've got to try to be a little more aggressive, be a little more aggressive than we've been. Just try to get in that season zone, and now we can start talking about specific things that are going to be vital for us."

One thing that came to Billups' mind was rebounding. During the preseason, the Pistons averaged 38.3 rebounds per game, compared with 41.0 by their opponents, showing that they must find a way to deal with the loss of Ben Wallace, who led the team in rebounding in each of the six seasons he played with Detroit.

Saunders said rebounding is a concern "no matter how good of a rebounding team you are."

Without Wallace, everyone will need to be accountable in that department.

Billups said that even though the Pistons had a great season last year, reaching the conference finals, they struggled with rebounding. Billups said that he, along with the rest of the starters, will have to crash the boards more often.

Free Press

ike · 10-27-2006, 12:48 PM

What's up!

I'm a new poster here, straight from Finland! I've been reading this forum for over a year now and now I've decided also to start writing here sometimes. I'm trying to learn better english too, so don't be too hard to me. I've been following Pistons games for some time now and I've also seen quite many games every season.

I'm really fired up for the season! I don't think losing Ben Wallace was as big blow as some experts say. He's liability in offense really hurted them in the playoffs last year and he's numbers have declined a lot from the title year. They'll miss his rebounding and defense though. Rebounding is a thing where everyones got to pick it up (as they say in the text). I'm expecting Rasheed and Tayshaun to do this especially. Nazr doesn't bring the same defense that Ben did (who does?), but he's a lot better in offense (who wouldn't be?) and the way league is developing, I think Pistons will be a better team.

All in all, It's gonna be a really interesting season and I can't wait to get things started.

**STUCKEY!** · 10-27-2006, 02:37 PM

Welcome to the forum and yes i agree losing ben wallace wont hurt as much as people think

**Austin Kent** · 10-28-2006, 12:18 AM

Hey, welcome to the board ike, I look forward to seeing you around as the season starts!

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