star@cdstar.UUCP (J Quillard) (09/26/85)
So ...
Now the Pistons have coaxed Spencer Haywood out of retirement.
HUH? Why? Maybe this is a prelude to dumping Tripuka.
Spencer was a good scorer, but I don't remember him playing
much defense. The Pistons have a younger version of Haywood
in Terry Tyler, who deserves more playing time than he gets.
Tyler also plays 'D', something Haywood, Tripuka, and Benson
won't.
There is a respectable team among the Pistons, if I were
Coach Daly I'd start Isiah, Vinnie Johnson, Laimbeer, Mahorn
and Tyler. Tripuka might make a great sixth-man perpetual
motion machine a la Havlicek (no comparison intended). Haywood
could be what McAdoo was to the recent Lakers. John Long is
great instant offense. Earl Cureton is too small to play backup
center, but good for power forward. I'd dump Benson. Sorry.
The hole seems to be behind Laimbeer, although Mahorn can do.
The Pistons have great depth, but I'd trade some of that depth
for a superstar like Buck Williams or McHale or Terry Cummings.
Unfortunate for the Pistons that they are in the same division
with the CAVS. Otherwise they might win their division.
Preseason picks: Celtics, Cavs, Rockets, Lakers.
{wjh12,talcott}!cdstar!star J Quillard @ Cambridge Digital
The views contained herein do not reflect the humor of seeing
Cedric Maxwell in a Los Angeles Clipper uniform.