McGrady headed to Detroit

[Kenny]

Why? Because there's a 1-in-29 chance he and his contract will land on the Nuggets?

I'd really like to see Rip go to the Nuggets, but I just don't like the idea of a team picking up T-Mac and trading away a guy who's actually useful.

[Rip32]

I'd really like to see Rip go to the Nuggets, but I just don't like the idea of a team picking up T-Mac and trading away a guy who's actually useful.

you must not have seen much from Richard last season. He's a lost puppy on offense without Chauncey.

[Kenny]

Admittedly I didn't, but I would prefer to have him in the playoffs over T-Mac. McGrady's season was pretty ordinary from recollection as well.

[Dan's Brain]

The Pistons aren't going anywhere near the playoffs though.

[Modifly]

This has to mean Rip is going to be moved... it just has to. There's been talk of moving him and Tayshaun for months and that's not ging to change. Tayshaun isn't going to be sold off, he's an expiring contract that can actually help a good team. That's Dumars' ace in teh hole, hoping that he can get some sort of impact player (or expiring contract) in exchange for Tay.

I mean, don't get me wrong, Rip Hamilton can still be a resourceful guy too. I don't think he should be anywhere close to your primary option on offense, but he can be a support player on a good team and, if his ego shrinks to a reasonable level, a solid scorer off the bench.

As much as NBA fans hate to hear about the impending lock-out, it sort of helps the Pistons' rebuilding efforts. A team isn't going to want to pay Hamilton's obscene contract as it is today, but knowing they might be only have to pay half (or none) of his 2011-12 salary depending on how long the lock-out lasts will make a difference.

To put it simply, they need to send Rip and Tay packing, move Stuckey to shooting guard full-time, and start to build a normal team that doesn't consist of 15 small forwards.

All that said, T-Mac may be a helpful guy if they move one or both of the two vets. I really don't think he's not going to hurt the team's chemistry-- I think. The Allen Iverson comparison is plausible, but Iverson is a totally different monster than McGrady. Iverson's ego and personality have always been larger than life, and sometimes, larger than the team. That kind of cancerous behavior can really deter a team, and that's exactly what happened to every Iverson team outside 2001.

I honestly don't think McGrady has any sort of Iverson-like swagger or ego left at this point. If you remember the peak of his career (let's say, game four of the 2003 Eastern Conference First Round), he was a young and cocky star that looking ahead to his second round opponent. Well the Magic led the Pistons 3-1 at that point and ended up collapsing in game seven. Really, after the Pistons roared back in that series and sent the McGrady packing his career totally changed course.

He had some nice moments in Houston, but nothing like he, the media, or the Rockets would have expected. He's been injured, robbed of his athleticism. He's been exposed as unnecessary, shown by the Rockets (finally) getting out of the first round without him.

He's just looking to rebound on a once-promising career. He's not much different than Antonio McDyess when he came to Detroit. Both were shadows of their former selves, but if McGrady can somehow swallow his pride like Dyess did (not to say Dyess was ever like McGrady, but I digress) he can find a niche with Detroit this year and maybe latch on with a contender next season.

This. Well pointed out.

[Sauru]

for league min i would take him in a heart beat. wish the celtics could have signed to come off the bench but whatever

[Jackal]

Doesn't Boston have enough old as shit players? (And fans?)

[benji]

That's why Sauru wants them, he thinks it's still 2003 thanks to the Alzheimer's.

[Rip32]

Haha speaking of 2003, who wins this matchup: the LBJ Heat or this year's 2011 Celtics with alllll of their players in their 2003 form? That includes pre-pubecent versions of Rondo and Davis

[Andrew]

Assuming they could manage the egos and the chemistry, the 2011 Celtics in 2003 form. No one on the Heat is stopping Shaq.

[Jackal]

Assuming they could manage the egos and the chemistry, the 2011 Celtics in 2003 form. No one in the NBA is stopping Shaq.

Adjusted for accuracy.

[NovU]

Agreed. Not only Shaq but prime time KG along with him? That'd make Gasol/Bynum combo look shit too. Perhaps David Robinson/Tim Duncan could have matched up a little better, but...

Also Allen and Pierce back in the days were awesomer.