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Short answer: Yes, but probably not a good one. Extensive statistical and match-up analysis to follow. You've been warned 
First, let's assume that the Pistons will be the #3 seed in the Eastern conference. For them to be either higher or lower they would have to A. overtake the Pacers or B. slump badly, and neither seems very likely at this point. In round one, they would be matched up with the #6 seed, likely to be Toronto, Boston or Miami. They have excellent chances against any of those teams and would have homecourt advantage, so I'd give them an 80% chance at getting past round 1. Round 2, they'll be matched up against the winner of #2 v. #7. #2 is nearly certain to be the Nets, and it would be shocking if they lost to a second tier team considering the strength of their big three, playoff experience, and the Kidd effect come playoff time. Against the Nets, if we have a better record (which is likely) we would have homecourt advantage, and we are better than we were last year, so I'd give us a 60% chance of beating them.
Next up are the Eastern conference finals. I'd estimate the chances of the Pacers getting through as 60% since they are going to have a tough series against either the #4 or #5 seed (likely the Hornets and Bucks respectively) I'd give us a 33% chance of beating the Pacers in a seven game series without homecourt advantage, and I'd give us a 67% chance of beating either the 4th or 5th seed. Weighted to reflect the Pacers chances of getting to the ECF, if we got that far we would have approximately a 47% chance of getting through to the finals.
I'd give us a 25% chance of beating the Western Conference champ, since whoever that turns out will be a battle test team that has gone through the gauntlet. There are 4 teams out west that have clearly superior talent. (Lakers, Kings, Mavericks, Timberwolves) and a fifth that is dangerous (Spurs). The Western Conference representative would be nearly certain to have home court advantage. We'd have a chance, but I don't think it would be a good one.
What would be the statistical likelyhood of winning each of those match-ups? 5.64% (.8*.6*.47*.25=.0564). I've tried to be as objective as possible in evaluating the Pistons chances against each of these opponents, but if any of you have a different opinion as to the odds I'd be glad to recalculate using your numbers. My hunch is that even if you favor the Pistons' chances more than I do, the end likelyhood still won't be that great.
Personally, I think a 1 in 17.7 chance at a title isn't that great, and that based on that, we should be developing Darko a bit more aggressively, both because he would be critical to our success next season and because he could be potentially a valuable asset for the postseason this year. Many Western teams, and two teams from our own conference have frontcourt players that cause us serious match-up problems. Out west, Duncan, Garnett, Shaq, and Webber are very dangerous. We've had even more trouble guarding O'Neal and Martin.
Ben of course can hold his own against anyone, but using him to man up on an opposing frontcourt star exposes him to foul trouble and hinders his ability to play help defense. These factors have led coach Brown to use Memo and Campbell against elite power forwards and centers for the first 3 quarters, and half the time they get killed. Neither are quick enough to stop the Martins and O'Neals of the world. Darko is far quicker than either of them, and taller and longer besides. As a situational defensive stopper, he could provide a very useful 5-10 minutes a game by breaking the rythym of a player who had been effectively exploiting the limited lateral mobility of our other centers. He might quickly pile up the fouls, but you can bet that he'd throw those guys off their game. He may not be ready as an all-around player, but my best guess is that if Brown told him "you can play for as long as you can stop player X from scoring", he'd be an aggressive, tenacious defender. He's just as quick as those guys (Garnett excepted), and taller and longer than any of them (Shaq excepted). They may still score, but they'd really have to work for it.
Really, I doubt that this post will change any minds, but I'm hoping it will start an interesting discussion
First, let's assume that the Pistons will be the #3 seed in the Eastern conference. For them to be either higher or lower they would have to A. overtake the Pacers or B. slump badly, and neither seems very likely at this point. In round one, they would be matched up with the #6 seed, likely to be Toronto, Boston or Miami. They have excellent chances against any of those teams and would have homecourt advantage, so I'd give them an 80% chance at getting past round 1. Round 2, they'll be matched up against the winner of #2 v. #7. #2 is nearly certain to be the Nets, and it would be shocking if they lost to a second tier team considering the strength of their big three, playoff experience, and the Kidd effect come playoff time. Against the Nets, if we have a better record (which is likely) we would have homecourt advantage, and we are better than we were last year, so I'd give us a 60% chance of beating them.
Next up are the Eastern conference finals. I'd estimate the chances of the Pacers getting through as 60% since they are going to have a tough series against either the #4 or #5 seed (likely the Hornets and Bucks respectively) I'd give us a 33% chance of beating the Pacers in a seven game series without homecourt advantage, and I'd give us a 67% chance of beating either the 4th or 5th seed. Weighted to reflect the Pacers chances of getting to the ECF, if we got that far we would have approximately a 47% chance of getting through to the finals.
I'd give us a 25% chance of beating the Western Conference champ, since whoever that turns out will be a battle test team that has gone through the gauntlet. There are 4 teams out west that have clearly superior talent. (Lakers, Kings, Mavericks, Timberwolves) and a fifth that is dangerous (Spurs). The Western Conference representative would be nearly certain to have home court advantage. We'd have a chance, but I don't think it would be a good one.
What would be the statistical likelyhood of winning each of those match-ups? 5.64% (.8*.6*.47*.25=.0564). I've tried to be as objective as possible in evaluating the Pistons chances against each of these opponents, but if any of you have a different opinion as to the odds I'd be glad to recalculate using your numbers. My hunch is that even if you favor the Pistons' chances more than I do, the end likelyhood still won't be that great.
Personally, I think a 1 in 17.7 chance at a title isn't that great, and that based on that, we should be developing Darko a bit more aggressively, both because he would be critical to our success next season and because he could be potentially a valuable asset for the postseason this year. Many Western teams, and two teams from our own conference have frontcourt players that cause us serious match-up problems. Out west, Duncan, Garnett, Shaq, and Webber are very dangerous. We've had even more trouble guarding O'Neal and Martin.
Ben of course can hold his own against anyone, but using him to man up on an opposing frontcourt star exposes him to foul trouble and hinders his ability to play help defense. These factors have led coach Brown to use Memo and Campbell against elite power forwards and centers for the first 3 quarters, and half the time they get killed. Neither are quick enough to stop the Martins and O'Neals of the world. Darko is far quicker than either of them, and taller and longer besides. As a situational defensive stopper, he could provide a very useful 5-10 minutes a game by breaking the rythym of a player who had been effectively exploiting the limited lateral mobility of our other centers. He might quickly pile up the fouls, but you can bet that he'd throw those guys off their game. He may not be ready as an all-around player, but my best guess is that if Brown told him "you can play for as long as you can stop player X from scoring", he'd be an aggressive, tenacious defender. He's just as quick as those guys (Garnett excepted), and taller and longer than any of them (Shaq excepted). They may still score, but they'd really have to work for it.
Really, I doubt that this post will change any minds, but I'm hoping it will start an interesting discussion