McDyess

Bench play has been a hallmark of Detroit's success -- Mehmet Okur, Jon Barry, Corliss Williamson and Chucky Atkins have each made large contributions over the past two seasons -- which puts the spotlight squarely on the shoulders of new acquisitions Antonio McDyess and Derrick Coleman.

Though Coleman is a known quantity, the same can't be said of McDyess, whose All-Star career was derailed by knee injuries. After averaging nearly 21 points and 12 rebounds in 2000-01 for Denver, he injured his left knee in training camp and missed all but 10 games at the end of the 2001-02 season following surgery.

The following season, McDyess broke his left knee cap during training camp with the New York Knicks and was sidelined for more than a year. He returned last year, appearing in 42 games with New York and Phoenix, averaging 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 22 minutes.

A free agent this summer, he signed a multi-year deal with the Pistons. For the first time in his career, he won't be expected to star, but he will be expected to provide 15-20 quality minutes. If the former No. 2 overall pick can recapture some of the explosiveness that was his trademark before the injury, the Pistons could be even better than a year ago.

Billups

Not since the 1979 Seattle Sonics had a team without a bona fide "superstar" hoisted the NBA's prime hardware, but Larry Brown's crew so thoroughly dismantled Los Angeles that Lakers owner Jerry Buss had his team humanely destroyed in the offseason.

As a result, Shaquille O'Neal is now in Miami, adding a 7-1, 340-pound obstacle to the Pistons title defense, but Brown is well equipped to battle The Big Kazaam with no less than eight players on the roster listed at 6-9 or taller.

Detroit's top three reserves from a year ago – Mehmet Okur, Corliss Williamson and Mike James – are gone, leaving former All-Stars Derrick Coleman and Antonio McDyess to headline the "Alternatorz." The team also signed its first-round pick from 2003, 6-6 guard Carlos Delfino of Argentina.

The re-signing of Rasheed Wallace in July ensured that the starting five will return intact. After acquiring Wallace in February, the Pistons were 33-12 (including playoffs). Wallace and two-time Defensive player of the Year Ben Wallace stifle opposing big men. There's no relief on the perimeter, where Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups and ultra-lean Tayshaun Prince harass, upset and depress would-be ball-handlers.

Billups had a breakout season with career-bests in scoring (16.9) and assists (5.7) and had his confidence buoyed by a Finals MVP performance. Hamilton, meanwhile, is on the cusp of superstardom and possesses the Reggie-esque ability to turn his game up a notch at playoff time.

There's no reason to doubt the Pistons ability to repeat in 2004-05. They're well-coached, disciplined, and have a profound advantage on their home court.