Lawrence Frank, Detroit Pistons and the next NBA season - Part 3
Defence First:
One thing is clear, if Detroit Pistons are to be successful, they need to concentrate on defence. Defence is actually a legacy of the Pistons franchise. Their success over the years has been built on solid D and that is how the
3 NBA World Championships were won.
The “Bad Boys” team was known for their vicious tactics. That team did everything needed, and then some just out of spite, to stop opposing players. They became infamous for grinding down teams and thrashing the opposition’s star
players. Their most famous victim of course was Michael Jordan.
The Pistons of Larry Brown were more or less cut from the same cloth. Ben Wallace was in his prime back in 2004 and an absolute defensive behemoth. Alongside Rasheed Wallace he protected the paint with ferocity and allowed the
perimeter players to shut down their opponents. It was the dedication to defence that made them the best team in the land and helped them topple the mighty, flashy Lakers in the Finals.
That team was so good on D that they went on a run where they reduced the other side’s output to below 70. The defensive tradition at the franchise was shelved however when Flip Saunders arrived to take charge. The coach, who left
the Minnesota Timberwolves, turned around the whole focus of the team and they have never been the same since, i.e. successful.
Frank knows this and so far he has made the right noises. He spent the last year with the Boston Celtics which can only have enhanced his defensive capabilities. However now he needs to back his words with some results on the court.
The Pistons simply do not have players of a high enough offensive calibre to warrant any other approach. What they have is athleticism in the paint, the defensive nous of Ben Wallace and other veterans from 2004 as well as some
young players who can close out the perimeter.
What do you think is the logical approach for them?
A gung-ho attack strategy that will expose their weakness on that end of the floor. With not much floor spacing and no clear playmaker, the team doesn’t stand a chance of it pursues an offense based game. Moreover, their best offensive
players are either too old, in the case of Tracy McGrady and Richard Hamilton, or out of sorts, ala Ben Gordon.
Defensive efficiency will give the team some much needed breathing space. It will allow them to play to their strengths, build up understanding and team spirit and everyone knows that good defence can turn lead to easy offence,
especially with the young runners Detroit have on the court.
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