Pistons starting lineup mid-season grades

Last year, the pistons won the NBA championship. This year they aren't doing so well as they did last year, probaly because they don't have the same momentum and they think since they are champs and all, They don't have to wory about going to work every night.

Chauncey Billups: Chauncey is a very good player but it's about time that Larry Brown should realize that the pistons win more games when Chauncey Billups shoots more. He shouldn't be running the point guard, he should be playing shooting guard. Larry Brown doesn't want him shooting that much which is bad because I don't think Larry should try making Chauncey into something that he is not. For this year at least, Chauncey has been distributing the ball well. He has been finding the open man and taking clutch shots when he has to. However, when the pistons are loosing big and they are under pressure, Chauncey Billups takes shots that he shouldn't be taking. Overall grade:B+

Richard Hamilton: Rip is having an amazing year so far. His shot has improved ever since he had the nose surgery. I think Richard Hamilton should dish it off to Chauncey a little bit more but I still think that it is ok for Richard Hamilton to keep shooting, even when he is cold. Rip has been finding the wallaces in the post this year and the wallaces combine for over 20 points a game when the guards get assists to the post. Rip is coming to be a dangerous threat in the NBA because of the screens that he gets and he shoots the jumper. I think if Rip still has his shot in the future, he might go to the all-star game for once. Overall grade:A

Tayshaun Prince: Tayshaun Prince is a player who can dunk very well. (which he does alot!) However, I would like to see Tayshaun take some more shots here and there because the way I'm seing it, he is a good shooter who can make his shots. I know I havn't been to any practices, but he has been making his shots when I see him shoot. He is 41.3% from beyond the arc this year, which is nearly 15% better than last year. Mabye I'm wrong for some reason and Tayshaun gets lucky when he shoots but to me, he is a good, confident, shooter. Tayshaun should shoot more instead of dishing it off and being quiet. If Tayshaun takes the jays more, he might be a piston threat. Overall grade:A-

Rasheed Wallace: Sheed might be a good defensive player but no offense, I have never seen someone who misses so many shots in my life. I know he hits the clutch shots but the regular shots when he is open that are in the paint or a short jumper, the ball can't fall for him. If I were the manager right now, I would see if Rasheed plays well in the next year or two. If he doesn't play good, I would like to see them trade Sheed for a good, decent player that is Rasheeds level like Pau Gassol, or Amare Staudomire. If we can't get a good trade or we can't work something out with Sheed, I say we let him go. I'd even put McDyess in for Sheed right now the way he's playing. When McDyess comes off the bench, he averages 8.4 points a game but when he starts, he averages 15.6 points per game. Rasheed better step up in the second half of the season if Detroit even has a chance of making it to the Finals. Overall grade:C+

Ben Wallace: Ben Wallace is improving year by year. He is becoming an offensive player along with a defensive player which helps the pistons due to the fact that they can't get the offensive post game flowing. Ben Wallace hasn't shown as much defensivley as he did last year, but he sure does hustle to get back the court and make a defensive stop. However, Ben Wallace should get a little bit more practice untill he shoots to many shots. He is taking way to many shots than he shoulds be taking. I think Ben could help the pistons in long run this year going into the playoffs and he deserves some credit. Overall grade:B+

The pistons need to start winning some games or do something. Mabye they some new strategy's such as double teaming the big men down low such as a powerful man like Shaq. The pistons need their big men to step up offensivley along with big plays defensivley and their guards need to keep playing the way they are playing now if the pistons have a chance of going to the finals.