The Detroit Pistons and "Fit"

(Courtesy of Bleacher Report)

       The importance of "fit" cannot be understated when it comes to assembling a basketball team. Since only five players can be on the court at one time, it is essential that their physical abilities and skill sets blend together to maximize possessions. Usually the best teams, have players that complement each other on both offense and defense. The 2004 Detroit Pistons were one of the best examples of fit.   Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace fit flawlessly together and their solidarity culminated in an NBA championship that season.

The Detroit Pistons continued their success after winning the championship, but that ended when the team decided to trade its best player in Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson. Iverson was still a very good player, but he did not fit the team like Billups did. A lack of quality draft picks and poor free agent signings has eventually caught up with the Pistons and has condemned the team to mediocre seasons ever since the Billups trade. From drafting Darko Milicic in 2003 to signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to expensive, long-term deals, the Pistons front office has done a less than stellar job restocking the roster. A lack of quality draft picks and poor free agent signings has eventually caught up to the team and they have the mediocre records to prove it.

Fortunately, the last few draft picks ( Greg Monroe 7th overall in 2010, Brandon Knight 8th overall in 2011, and Andre Drummond 9th overall in 2012) have shown promise. The sensible approach would be to continue to allow this core to grow together and draft other young talent that complement this group, so naturally the Pistons did the opposite and signed Josh Smith to a four year, $54 Million deal. This is not a knock on Smith who is a very good player and under the right circumstances, has the potential to push a team on the fringe into the realm of contender. The Pistons, however, are not the ideal team and his signing further reflects the tram's continued refusal to acknowledge the importance of how players fit on a team. 

The Josh Smith signing is reminiscent of the Gordon and Villanueva signings in that they ignored how the two players would fit within the team. They were both streaky jump shooters who were most effective when playing off teammates who could create, which the Pistons were devoid of at the time. Ironically, the current Pistons lineup is short on consistent shooters to help space the court for Monroe and Drummond to operate in the paint. Smith does not help alleviate this problem since his jump shooting is his least effective skill. He can share the court with Drummond and Monroe in spurts, but too much time together and defenses will simply sag off Smith daring him to take an inefficient jumper. Additionally, Smith's minutes will likely come at the expense of either Drummond or Monroe which could hinder their development. Joe Dumars and the Pistons probably believe this signing will bring the team back to the playoffs, when it will actually set them further back on their path back to respectability.  Chalk up this gem of free agency to the Pistons front office. Bravo, they have done it again.