Many-armed Joe

After experiencing a stormy summer, “Detroit” dived headlong into the pool of the next regular season. It will take a long time to wait until this head appears on the crest of the wave: before embarking on the ascent, the “pistons” were surprised by three optional and rather shameful defeats, once again making people doubt the club’s personnel policy. I’ll have to figure it out ...

A couple of years ago, Joe Dumars was called a genius in chorus, and in 2003 the league recognized him as the manager of the year. Detroit fans are still praying for Joe: he not only brought the club a couple of titles as a player, but also pulled the Pistons out of oblivion as president of basketball operations. Having taken up in 2000 a team that rolled into the depths of the standings, Dumars created one of the most combat-ready teams in the history of the league - last winter the entire Detroit starting five turned out to be part of East All-Stars, and many experts called it the best in the history of the NBA!

Silent Joe Dee did not have a single superstar.He struck with determination, bordering on recklessness. But that is how legends come about. How did the great team get together bit by bit?

HOW THE CLIMBING WENT

2000/01. Joe had to start with an unpopular move. The Pistons were disappointed in Grant Hill, the Grant Hill was disappointed in the Pistons, and the situation was resolved by sending All-Star to Orlando. In return, a playmaker Chuckie Atkins and virtually no-known striker Ben Wallace were received. The team won 32 matches out of 82.

2001/02. Rick Carlisle has been appointed head coach. Detroit have won 50 matches.

2002/03. Just before the start of the championship, Dumars sent to the “Washington” and the second star - Jerry Stackhouse, receiving in return a thin and seemingly unpromising attacking defender Richard Hamilton. Prior to that - in the summer - as a free agent from Minnesota, they lured Chauncey Billups. At number 23 on the draft, another skinny guy was chosen, whom, it seemed, would be pumped by the wind of rivals passing by - Taishone Prince. “Pistons” again won 50 victories, the second time in a row they won the Central Division and reached the final of the conference - for the first time since 1991.

2003/04. The eternally displeased Dumars said goodbye to Carlisle, when instead of a young coach there was an opportunity to get a real professor - Larry Brown. A few hours before the trade deadline, Joe got just transferred to the “Atlanta” and played for her just one match Rashid Wallace, giving in return several reservists. “Detroit” finished the season at around 54-28, and in the final of the playoffs, he dealt with the Lakers who were considered the obvious favorites.

2004/05. Having relied on stability, the club did not make any major changes, completing the championship with an identical result, and in the final losing to San Antonio in seven matches.

2005/06. Either offended by Larry Brown’s negotiations with the other team, or disappointed in the abilities of the pilgrim coach, Dumars, after much hesitation, released Brown back home. In his place came from the Minnesota Flip Saunders, and Antonio MacDyess strengthened the reserve. Entered into the excitement, “Detroit” began to mow opponents left and right, long retaining the opportunity to set a record of all time, but in the end limited to 64 victories. That's just in the playoffs, the super team stumbled on the future champion, “Miami”.

2006. In the summer, Ben Wallace went to Chicago for a lot of money. His place was taken by the "untwisted" Nazr Mohammed. The reserve is fortified by Ronald Murray. To be continued.

WHO LOST ON THE WAY

Honestly, Joe made few blunders. Even, to be exact, one - he, in fact, appears in our "black" list under the first number. There are reasonable explanations for everyone else - as a rule, the non-obviousness of the player’s value at the time of his stay in the Pistons.

1. Darko Milichich

The lanky left-handed Serb Dumars will be remembered until the end of time. Having received a real gift in the form of the second issue of the 2003 draft, the Pistons could well choose Carmelo Anthony - Larry Brown insisted on this, incidentally. Or (theoretically) quoted lower than Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosch. But Dumars said that so talented “big” appear on the basketball market once a century, and chose Milichicha. For two and a half seasons, the fans were unable to discern even a grain of Darko's talent, which appeared on the floor for a short while and occasionally. In the end, the European was given to Orlando, along with Carlos Arroyo, for Calvin Kato and the right to choose in the first round of the draft. That is, almost for free. Now Darko plays for 20 minutes, scores 7.5 points, makes 5 rebounds and 2 block shots per match.

However, it is not a fact that Melo, Dee-Wade or C-Bosch would fit into the unique atmosphere of equality and the hellish labor that made Champions out of Pistons.

2. Mehmet Okur

In 2002, the Turkish striker became a real find of Dumars, who chose Mehmet on the draft at number 38. Okur made a worthy play-off in 2004, and it soon became clear that a new contract with a basketball player would make it difficult to extend relations with the base. At Utah, Okur was given $ 50 million over 6 years. Detroit has written out $ 57 million for 5 years to Rashid Wallace. Having spent a year grinding in to “jazzmen,” Okur reached 18 points and 9 rebounds per game — better statistics than Shida. Although the charisma and leadership qualities of statistics and money can not be measured ...

3. Ben Wallace

The team’s cementing figure, a workhorse, four times the best defending NBA basketball player for the year failed to get along with the methods of work of Flip Saunders. Perhaps, otherwise, he would have agreed to the smaller money proposed by Dumars in order to stay with friends in Detroit, but he left for Chicago for a four-year $ 60 million contract.

4. Carlos Arroyo

The symbol of the Puerto Rican national team, which looked pretty well in Utah, was received in the winter of 2005 for the first round of draft and veteran Elden Campbell (who was fired by Utah and returned to Detroit two weeks later). Arroyo seemed like the perfect complement to virtuoso Billups. But behind Chauncey did not receive playing time, did not shine on the short sections obtained, he was often criticized by Brown for being slack in defense and a year later went to Orlando after Milichich. Now he plays for 20 minutes, scores an average of 11 points per match (with 50% of hits from the game and 80% of free-kicks!) And makes 3 assists. Able to claim the title of best “sixth” in the NBA.

5. Smash Parker

In a short segment of 11 matches in the Pistons, the little-known defender who spent the season in Europe did not notice anything, but Phil Jackson in the Lakers got a place in the “start”. Where he lives now. In the season 2005/06, he held all 82 matches (!) At the base, the average performance - 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 passes, 1.71 interceptions (14th place in the league).

6. Bobby Simmons

He was listed among the "pistons" 13 days after the transition from "Washington" as an appendage to Rip Hamilton, then he was fired. He signed a contract with Clippers, where for the second season (2004/05) he earned the title of the most progressive basketball player of the association (16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds). Now - the main light forward “Milwaukee”.

7. Alex Aker

At the 2005 draft, he was chosen at number 60, and received the praise of Dumars for his efforts and a minimum of playing time from Saunders. He left for the Greek Olympiacos, where so far he is the second in the Euroleague in terms of utility rating, fourth in terms of performance (17.8) and selections (9.0). However, the 23-year-old defender is still ahead: it is possible that next summer Dumars and Saunders will show more respect for his talents.

Nikolai TSYNKEVICH