Ben Wallace said Pistons would never won an NBA title with Carmelo

[Lebron23]

I agree with him. He also said Darko Milicic was a better fit, but he never developed under Coach Brown

[iamgine]

There's a lot of moving parts. Melo didn't really become good until his 3rd year. With him on the team, Tayshaun would also not become good. Who knows if they'd trade for Sheed. Then there's a question of fitting a no defense guy in a very defense oriented team.

[dirkdiggler41]

First of all, we have to assume Sheed joined them. If not, they clearly don't win. Second of all, Darko did nothing for them, so removing him does not effect the result in the playoffs. Melo would come off the bench scoring if he was committed to playing defense. Remember, this is Larry Brown, he does not play rookies. Especially rookies that don't play defense. So I don't see how they don't win a championship with Melo. He won't mess the culture up considering this was a veteran team. I even think Melo's career would be a little different being brought up in that environment.

[Axe]

Billups actually says otherwise.

https://fadeawayworld.net/2020/04/06/chauncey-billups-if-detroit-pistons-got-carmelo-anthony-we-wouldve-won-three-championships/?fbclid=IwAR12Or3-ppT8Br5mr2CHFLVgpLRsftynhsclgyc4TZBRxIMrwelbzPOwXM c

[iamgine]

First of all, we have to assume Sheed joined them. If not, they clearly don't win. Second of all, Darko did nothing for them, so removing him does not effect the result in the playoffs. Melo would come off the bench scoring if he was committed to playing defense. Remember, this is Larry Brown, he does not play rookies. Especially rookies that don't play defense. So I don't see how they don't win a championship with Melo. He won't mess the culture up considering this was a veteran team. I even think Melo's career would be a little different being brought up in that environment.
I can't agree with the veteran team comment. They started a 2nd yr Okur, 2nd yr Tayshaun, 25yr old Rip Hamilton, a new coach. Rip & Chauncey was only on their 2nd yr in Detroit. And then we add a headcase like Sheed at all star break.

They might've played like a veteran team at the end of the season, but in reality they were anything but that. It's really amazing how that team managed to come together like that.

[dirkdiggler41]

I can't agree with the veteran team comment. They started a 2nd yr Okur, 2nd yr Tayshaun, 25yr old Rip Hamilton, a new coach. Rip & Chauncey was only on their 2nd yr in Detroit. And then we add a headcase like Sheed at all star break.

They might've played like a veteran team at the end of the season, but in reality they were anything but that. It's really amazing how that team managed to come together like that.

Imo. veterans are players with experience and leadership. The core getting minutes were young, but the locker room was old and had leaders. Melo would have a hard time being Melo with these veterans.
Lindsey Hunter 33, Corliss Williamson 30, Chucky Atkins 29, Elden Campbell 35, Darvin Ham 30, Hubert Davis 33, Bon Sura 30

[iamgine]

Imo. veterans are players with experience and leadership. The core getting minutes were young, but the locker room was old and had leaders. Melo would have a hard time being Melo with these veterans.
Lindsey Hunter 33, Corliss Williamson 30, Chucky Atkins 29, Elden Campbell 35, Darvin Ham 30, Hubert Davis 33, Bon Sura 30
Veterans are that. Veteran teams are not that. By that definition this season's Atlanta Hawks can be considered a veteran team.

[ArbitraryWater]

There's a lot of moving parts. Melo didn't really become good until his 3rd year. With him on the team, Tayshaun would also not become good. Who knows if they'd trade for Sheed. Then there's a question of fitting a no defense guy in a very defense oriented team.

Melo was almost ROY

[FireDavidKahn]

Ben Wallace, one of the few defensive superstars in history:bowdown:

[Wally450]

Stating the obvious there.

[dirkdiggler41]

Veterans are that. Veteran teams are not that. By that definition this season's Atlanta Hawks can be considered a veteran team.

I agree. Veteran team was the wrong word. I would say veteran culture then.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Stating the obvious there.
Squashes that idiotic shots at Darko a week ago. Melo obviously the better player ... but who is he playing for in that lineup? He would be too much of a black hole with how well rounded, and talented the roster was

G - Billups
G - Hamilton
F - Prince
F - Sheed
C - Big Ben

[SouBeachTalents]

It's weird to me it's Melo that always gets brought up in this discussion, especially considering he would legitimately be the worst fit for that kind of team. Meanwhile, the Pistons draft Wade that's a potential 3peat

[FreezingTsmoove]

Melo couldnt even win the Olympic Silver medal against Manu Ginobili, what the hell makes anyone think he would have made a difference on the Pistons?

[tpols]

Squashes that idiotic shots at Darko a week ago. Melo obviously the better player ... but who is he playing for in that lineup? He would be too much of a black hole with how well rounded, and talented the roster was

G - Billups
G - Hamilton
F - Prince
F - Sheed
C - Big Ben

yup... tayshaun prince was the guy they stuck on all the star guards. Melo in his place ****s their defense up big time.

[dirkdiggler41]

yup... tayshaun prince was the guy they stuck on all the star guards. Melo in his place ****s their defense up big time.

Kobe was mostly guarded by rip or am I wrong here?

[tpols]

Kobe was mostly guarded by rip or am I wrong here?

nah prince did. guy had like a 7 foot wingspan.

[bizil]

I know ONE THING FOR DAMN SURE.... Melo would have contributed MUCH MORE than Darko's ass!!! LMAO Secondly, Melo in a Mark Aguirre type role off the bench initially would have been great for that team. That team was the PERFECT SETUP for Melo to thrive with. Plenty of floor generalship, defense, and rebounding all around him. U saw what Melo did down the road with Billups in Denver. Made the WCF!!! That team had plenty of floor generalship, defense, and rebounding. So bringing Melo in off the bench for firepower AND THEN letting him eventually start in his 2nd or 3rd year WOULD HAVE WORKED!!! All that team was MISSING to winning more rings was a dominant alpha dog scorer. Melo in his 3rd year would have been that. In the meantime, let him come off the bench for instant firepower!

[bizil]

There's a lot of moving parts. Melo didn't really become good until his 3rd year. With him on the team, Tayshaun would also not become good. Who knows if they'd trade for Sheed. Then there's a question of fitting a no defense guy in a very defense oriented team.

Melo was GOOD OUT OF THE GATE!!!! He put up 21 PPG 6RPG and made the All Rookie. HOW IS THAT NOT GOOD??? He didn't become true All Star caliber until his 3rd season!

[bizil]

Some posters are overthinking it!!! Melo comes off the bench his first couple of years and provides instant scoring. When it's Melo's 3rd year, he gets into the starting lineup. And u bring Prince off the bench. Let Prince be in that Michael Cooper type swiss army knife role off the bench. IF Melo could thirve with Billups down the road with Denver, HE DAMN SURE THRIVES with the Pistons. That crew of guys would have got a hold of Melo early and Melo would have adjusted WELL ENOUGH to fit in. Plus u had very capable scoring help in Rip, Sheed, and Billups. That would have been the most scoring help Melo would have had his entire career. Just think that Pistons team WOULDN'T have let Melo **** shit up. And on the FLIP SIDE, I think Melo would have adjusted his game enough to fit in.