Seems to me what the Pistons have missed most since they won the NBA title in 2004 is depth off the bench.
Obviously, when he was in that role, Antonio McDyess was an excellent sixth man. But when you think about it, the catalyst for many of the Pistons’ biggest playoff wins during the 2004 playoff run came from players such as Mike James, Mehmet Okur and Corliss Williamson.
Because of salary cap reasons, the Pistons had to break up that group. And while Williamson, who was older, is out of the league, Okur and James have been successful in expanded roles since leaving the Pistons.
Conversely, the Pistons haven’t had the same degree of success from the players they have attempted to use to augment their bench since.
This season appears to be different. Sunday night, the Pistons won their home opener, edging the vastly improved Atlanta Hawks by a point.
The last couple years, the Pistons probably would have lost the game. They didn’t because Jason Maxiell gave them a massive lift off the bench. It wasn’t just because of the 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks he posted, either.
The Hawks are a young, athletic team comprised of a who’s who of the NBA’s lottery picks in recent years. When the game got into an athletic mode, Maxiell matched it. He is extremely aggressive and not afraid to attack in every way. The Pistons were lacking that from their bench before.
Jarvis Hayes then hit some key shots down the stretch. He is another upgrade. When the Pistons get Rodney Stuckey back - and he displayed the ability to get into the lane during the preseason - it will solidify the Pistons’ depth.
This is a much better team the way Joe Dumars has formulated the bench. And it should pay off at playoff time.

Random Thoughts

- The number one question being asked out there is, "What really happened to Joel Zumaya’s shoulder?" With no facts to base it on, it does seem unfair to Zumaya. But why are the rumors so persistent.? It does make you wonder.

- After long trips to the West Coast and the Canadian west, the schedule takes a turn directly in the Red Wings favor. This appears to be one of those years when the Red Wings separate themselves quickly from the rest of the pack. They have been, in a word, terrific.

- Given their checkered past, skepticism about the Lions’ 6-2 start is understandable. And the second half schedule is difficult. But it has been impressive the way the Lions have cut down on turnovers and penalties, performed at home (a 4-0 record) and won close games. It is a formula that usually produces a playoff team.