A week after the NBA Draft and two days after the start of free agency, it’s still too early to discuss: (A) whether or not the Eastern Conference rankings from top to bottom have changed, and (B) whether any of the contenders have actually improved their chances to challenge for an NBA title.
By adding forward Charlie Villanueva and guard Ben Gordon, Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars made good on his intention to go after the top free agents available. But the double move, which cost all of the salary cap space the Pistons had available, may end up being little more than a replacement for likely-to-depart Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson, not Chauncey Billups, the player the Pistons missed the most last season.
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In addition, neither Villanueva, who averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds for Milwaukee last season, nor Gordon, who was Chicago’s leading scorer with 20.7 points per contest, are upgrades defensively. They also don’t prevent Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton from getting a year older.
However, like the Wizards, the Pistons have put themselves back in the discussion in what promises to be, if nothing else, a more thrilling and attractive Eastern Conference. We’re simply reserving judgment on the overall balance of power until Orlando, Cleveland, and especially Boston play their offseason cards.
