Could the C’s be a version of the 03/04’ Pistons?

[Cman]

That pistons team had some very good players, but no elite talent. Just incredible defense and they played really well as a unit. Took out the Kobe and Shaq led Lakers that year. Can the C’s use the same model and win in today’s NBA?

Pistons Starters:
Billups: 16.9pts, 3.5reb, 5.7 ast, 1.1stl
Hamilton: 17.6pts, 3.6reb, 4ast, 1.3stl
R. Wallace: 13.7pts, 7reb, 1.8ast 2blk, 1.1stl
Prince: 10.3pts, 4.8reb, 2.3ast
B. Wallace: 9.5pts, 12.4reb, 1.7ast, 3blk, 1.8stl

Celtics Starters
Smart: 11.7pts, 3.9reb, 5.3ast 1.8stl
Brown: 23.7pts, 6.5reb, 3.3ast 1.1stl
Tatum: 25.7pts, 8.4reb, 4.2ast, 1stl
Horford: 10.1pts, 7.5reb, 3.4ast, 1.3blk
Timelord: 10pts, 9.7reb, 2ast, 2.3blk

TP, I've been thinking about this a bit. I think it's a fair comparison. Tatum and Brown are basically Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton (yeah, I know different positions), in the sense that those two were the team's superstars. The games a little different now, but I like this...

[gouki88]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I get that you're talking about role, but the comparison of one of the nicest guys in the league in Horford to Sheed is just always going to get a chuckle from me.

[Goldstar88]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I get that you're talking about role, but the comparison of one of the nicest guys in the league in Horford to Sheed is just always going to get a chuckle from me.

Sheed is a nice guy, he just hated the refs. Can you blame him? 

[gouki88]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I get that you're talking about role, but the comparison of one of the nicest guys in the league in Horford to Sheed is just always going to get a chuckle from me.

Sheed is a nice guy, he just hated the refs. Can you blame him? 

Not at all! If I were 5 inches taller and a million times better at basketball I probably would have been just the same

[BitterJim]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I get that you're talking about role, but the comparison of one of the nicest guys in the league in Horford to Sheed is just always going to get a chuckle from me.

They both created their own way of reacting to opponents' missed FTs, too

[gouki88]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I get that you're talking about role, but the comparison of one of the nicest guys in the league in Horford to Sheed is just always going to get a chuckle from me.

They both created their own way of reacting to opponents' missed FTs, too

Nic Clankston would have caused Sheed to lose his voice

[Goldstar88]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I get that you're talking about role, but the comparison of one of the nicest guys in the league in Horford to Sheed is just always going to get a chuckle from me.

They both created their own way of reacting to opponents' missed FTs, too

Are you referring to this….

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PYnUOFqked4

[pokeKingCurtis]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

Didn't the Mavs use a lot of zone that year too?

[TatumsLebronsDad]

I think this is a terrible comparison now. Back in February maybe it was okay because Tatum and Brown were still just sort of finding their grooves again, but as of now April 27th, this is a terrible comparison mainly because as it's been said multiple times the Pistons didn't have any Superstar level talent. Right now with Tatum you do. He's a top 10 player who may be knocking down the door of top 5. Many believe he is a generational kind of talent, including guys like Kevin Durant. So besides the outstanding defense, that's sort of where the comparisons end.

[Big333223]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I notice that in your comparison of the two teams you left out Boston's best player.

The reason I like the Mavs comparison is they, like this Boston team, never has to worry about putting someone on the floor who isn't a good, professional basketball player. Tatum is Dirk on offense and then everyone behind him is rock solid (with the wrinkle that JB is better than anyone else on that Mavs team).

[Goldstar88]

I think a better comparison for this team is the '11 Mavericks. Dirk was the offensive focal point that everything else revolved around and everyone on the team played smart, team-oriented defense.

The nice thing is, Tatum is a better defender than Dirk was and Jaylen is better than anyone else on that Mavs team.

Yeah, I don’t see it. Mavs had around the 10th best defense in the NBA that year. The C’s identity is their defense, just like that Pistons team. Boston is a big, athletic team just like that Detroit team was. Obviously JT and JB are better than anyone on the Pistons, but I think the other 3 players are very similar.

Smart as Billups
Horford as Rasheed Wallace
Timelord as Ben Wallace
JB as better version of Rip Hamilton

I notice that in your comparison of the two teams you left out Boston's best player.

The reason I like the Mavs comparison is they, like this Boston team, never has to worry about putting someone on the floor who isn't a good, professional basketball player. Tatum is Dirk on offense and then everyone behind him is rock solid (with the wrinkle that JB is better than anyone else on that Mavs team).

Yeah, I’m not gioing to put Tatum and Prince in the same setence. So 4 out of the 5 are comparable to that Pistons lineup. I don’t really see Dirk as a comp for Tatum, they are too different.