Webber would replace Mohammed at Center
Chris McCosky over at the Detroit News speculates on what Chris Webber’s role would be if he decides to sign with the Pistons. McCosky makes a good case for how Webber would fit into the Detroit lineup:
By this time next week, the Pistons’ starting lineup could look like this: Chris Webber at center, Rasheed Wallace at power forward, Tayshaun Prince at small forward and Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton at guard.
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With his age and limited mobility, the Pistons would pencil him in at center, which would free Wallace up to play his natural power forward. Webber not only is a proven low-post scorer who will draw double teams and get to the free-throw line, but he also is one of the league’s best passing big men.
Webber wouldn’t be as effective on defense as Ben Wallace was, but he can combine with Rasheed Wallace to greatly improve the lack of presence Nazr Mohammed has when he is in the lineup. While Flip Murray has at least shown some benefit during Chauncey Billup’s injury, dishing out 12 assists against Philadelphia and 18 points against Charlotte in their last game, Nazr Mohammed doesn’t seem to be working out very well.
It appears…that the Pistons have come to the same conclusion the Spurs did last season — Mohammed doesn’t provide enough of a presence at either end of the floor. Coach Flip Saunders has…been searching for stability in the post. Mohammed, who played 11 minutes Wednesday against the Bobcats, has seen his role shrink steadily.
If the Pistons were strictly hoping Webber would be their sole interior presence I don’t think he would work out. But the combination of Webber and Rasheed Wallace could be effective. It isn’t ideal but it at least gives the Pistons the low post player and defender they have lacked since Ben Wallace signed with Chicago this summer.
Ben Wallace Chris Webber Flip Murray Flip Saunders Nazr Mohammed Pistons Rasheed Wallace1 Comment(s)
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[…] Bob Wojnowski over at the Detroit News recently chatted with Joe Dumars and Ken Holland on how each of them will approach the trade deadline. Ken Holland is widely expected to make a trade, while the Pistons would probably like to trade Nazr Mohammed but might be hard pressed to find a trade partner. This quote from Ken Holland is about how he assesses the Red Wings right now: “It’s a question we weigh everyday,” said Holland, who’s hunting for a forward or two. “When you have a chance, how big of a price do you pay to give yourselves a better chance? I do think we’re more prepared (for the playoffs) than last year. We have a goalie (Dominik Hasek) who’s been there and done it. We’re deeper on defense. We don’t score as much, so we have to work harder to win, and I think that’s a good thing.” … “It’s very, very difficult to win, so if you’ve got a chance, you gotta give your team the best chance,” Holland said. Joe Dumars made a low-risk move in signing Chris Webber after he was bought out of his contract in Philadelphia. Webber doesn’t have anywhere near the same mobility he had when he was at his peak, but he has greatly improved Detroit’s interior defense, which is about what I expected to happen. […]