Pistons Agree to Terms With Gordon and Villanueva. Gordon for Hossa and Kopecky? Every Day of the Week, Chicago

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Pistons Agree to Terms With Gordon and Villanueva. Gordon for Hossa and Kopecky? Every Day of the Week, Chicago

Written by John Mapplethorpe

Wednesday, 01 July 2009 19:04

Joe Dumars has done it again. He positioned the Detroit Pistons to be big-time players in the free-agent market this off-season, as they are one of only 5 teams in the NBA and the only playoff team to have significant room under the cap. And he waited only 18 odd hours after the free-agent period began to agree to terms with Ben Gordon, the 2004 #3 overall draft pick and the leading scorer for the Chicago Bulls the last 4 seasons, and Charlie Villanueva, the 2006 #7 overall draft pick and fellow UConn product who played with Milwaukee last year. Reports have Gordon agreeing to sign for 5 years and $55 million, while Villanueva agreed to a contract worth $40 million over the same time period.

I am thrilled about the Gordon situation to say the least. He will be a tremendous addition to the Pistons. Plus, it really sticks it to our intra-division rival, and more than re-pays Chicago for signing two Red Wings to contracts earlier in the day. Hossa and Kopecky will hardly be missed by the Red Wings, who have several youngsters ready to fill their spots. Meanwhile, the loss of Gordon is absolutely devastating to the "Baby Bulls", who were depending on Gordon to lead their resurgence. In addition, Hossa and Kopecky can't be faulted for signing for considerably more with Chicago. Hossa, for one, will make probably two million dollars a year more than he would have made with the Wings. Meanwhile, Gordon has turned down contract offers from the Bulls the last two seasons worth about what he agreed to sign for with Detroit today.

I think the Pistons could have spent their other $8 million under the cap more wisely. However, Villanueva may surprise some people. He is athletic, young (24) and will rebound, play defense, hustle and do the little things under the boards that no one has been doing for the Pistons since Rasheed reverted to his old style of aimlessly drifting around the three point line on offense after the Pistons won the 2004 NBA championship.

I wish the Pistons would spend McDyess' potential contract money on someone else, but apparently they are working to re-sign him. In addition, Dumars announced that Detroit would likely name a new coach in the next week. Finally, the Pistons will experience some good old addition by subtraction by letting "the Cancer" and Rasheed "Implosion" Wallace sign with other teams. It is an exciting time for the Detroit Pistons, and we have Joe Dumars to thank.

Comments (8) Add Comment

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written by toasterhands, July 02, 2009

Charlie is a finesse player and does not like to get dirty under the boards.

That said, Pistons should score a lot of points next season.

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written by John Mapplethorpe, July 02, 2009

Charlie Villanueva is far from being Dennis Rodman. However, Rasheed makes him look like Brian Cardinal when it comes to hustle and scrapping. Wallace's indifference grew old a few years ago. Maybe another change of scenery will do for 'Sheed what it did for him in 2004 when he left Portland, but he has been mailing it in the last four seasons.

Hate to kill your buzz but...
written by Zoner, July 02, 2009

Villanueva is a terrible defensive player, as is Gordon. You just signed 2 of the worst defensive players in the league.

And Bulls fans were not counting on Gordon to lead our resurgence. That would be Derrick Rose.

And while the Wings will be fine, they will definitely miss a guy who scored 40 goals-- 8 of them game-winners this year.

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written by Bob, July 02, 2009

I might agree that these two are not the most desirable defensive players in the league, Zoner. That being said, take a peek at Villanueva's stats from this past season. With a garb Bucks team, and not even starter minutes, he averaged 16 ppg and close to 7 rpg. Add another 6-8 minutes and a better supporting cast and you could have a 20-10 guy. Keep in mind that Gordon and Villanueva are young as hell, too. Dumars doesn't make moves without a plan or a vision-- Billups was essentially NOTHING before he came to Detroit, same with Big Ben (who people said was too small to be as good as he became defensively). That's obviously not the case with Gordon and Villanueva, as they are already well established players, but they are so young there is a TON of room for them to improve and Dumars wouldn't throw this kind of cash at a couple of players if he didn't see extra upside to what's already advertised.

As for Hossa, fuck him. He just accepted $1.2 million more than what Detroit offered to essentially fill in for departing Havlat on the team Detroit kicked around in the Conference Finals. Detroit will miss the 40 goal scorer, but that's not saying someone else won't step up. I do like the Hawks team--I'll be the first to admit the match up scared me initially this past season-- but Hossa's a jinx job. See ensuing post for reference.

Zoned Out
written by Zoner Killer, July 02, 2009

Classic Chicago fan. Hoss-uckass blew in the playoffs. The Red Wings have the best scouts pulling talent from Europe and pushing them into the Grand Rapids Griffens so they learn the system in order to pull them up. Year in a year out, Detroit is in the hunt. That goes for both hockey and bball. It's been great that Chicago has some recent resurgence...congratulations. Nothing will last, it's a shame for such a big market. Enjoy your attempt at remaking a 'hawks - wings rivalry.

Love,

Zoner Killer 'aka' Ozoner Slayer

P.S. Go Cubbies!!! THIS IS THE YEAR!!! like every year

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written by Dupree, July 02, 2009

Rose may be leading their resurgence... but if I'm not mistaken, who made almost every big shot for the Bulls in the playoffs??? Ummm that would be Ben Gordon.
Yes, Rose did have some great games but every time down the stretch they went to Gordon because he was their go to guy in the clutch. Have fun with Kirk Hinrich Chicago.

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written by John Mapplethorpe, July 02, 2009

What are you basing your statements on, Zoner? I admit that I try NOT to watch the horrendous product the Bulls organization has put on the court since #23 retired for the seventh time, so I have to rely on stats in this case.

And in this case, the stats say you are in trouble if you think Gordon is a "terrible defensive player" and yet are relying on Derrick Rose for the Bulls (strictly hypothetical) resurgence. Because the fact is, over the entire '08-'09 season, Ben Gordon averaged MORE steals, MORE blocked shots, and MORE defensive rebounds than Derrick Rose, despite playing FEWER minutes (fact, fact, fact, and fact.) How do you explain this, Zoner? Unless you intend for the Bulls to win on offense alone, which doesn't work in the NBA, ever (see Phoenix Suns, etc.)

Furthermore, Charlie Villanueva had fewer blocked shots and defensive rebounds than only two players on the Bulls last season, and he isn't even a center. Oh, and I just looked at the Bulls '09-'10 roster, and I vomited in my mouth, incidentally.

Finally, the Wings will NOT miss Hossa. They won 4 Cups without him and couldn't win one with him. The Wings are so deep, it's disgusting. The $50 million is much better spent somewhere else.

I just hope Jay Cutler has a great year, or Chicagoans are going to have a very depressing 12 months coming up in the sports world.