I think Ben Gordon just needs the chance to start. When Larry Hughes was taking his starters minutes 2 years ago, he struggled (while still scoring 18 ppg). This past year, as a starter (started 75 0f 82 games) he flourished. 20.7 ppg doesn’t happen in just one quarter. He’s a threat to score everytime he touches the ball. He may have to come off the bench if Rip Hamilton isn’t dealt, but like James said he’s not A.I. and I’m sure he understands what he coming into. If Ben needs to come off the bench, it’ll be for only one year, if that. I believe Dumars is in the process of executing his plan and dealing Hamilton is part of that…let’s see if it works.

Speaking of Gordon, I would’ve liked to have seen the Raps go after him instead of Turkoglu. No doubt Turkoglu was the Magics best player in the NBA Finals, but the Raps could’ve resigned Delfino and signed Ariza and Von Wafer for the same price that they’re paying for Turkoglu. He’ll bring balance to a lineup that needs it but I still think it too much, too late in his career. and all of this at the cost of thinning out an already thin bench. Demar DeRozan is not ready to start and could hurt his development by putting that kind of pressure on him. Looking more and more like another sub .500 season north of the border.

That’s true that they can help each other relieve pressure, but Gordon only seems to produce in the playoffs and even then usually just in 4th quarter. Seems overpaid to me. And do you think Rip Hamilton will come off the bench? That looks like a big issue brewing between Hamilton and Gordon.

On to the person that actually wanted to talk basketball. The pressure on Ben Gordon and Charlie V should be intense given that I believe Pistons fans had big plans for 2010. Gordon showed in the playoffs just how good he can be. Pistons off course had been rumored to be trying to move Rip to Celtics in that Rajon Rondo trade. So maybe the conflict you are suggesting never happens. But Gordon is a much different guy from A.I and I would not be concerned about it. Gordon will be under the gun from the start. I think the UConn connection of these 2 players can have a positive impact. So both don’t feel they have to do it all alone. This move will make or break Dumars as G.M I think that is pretty clear.

Also, Gordon is a pure scorer, he doesn’t really do anything else. Low stats all around besides big scoring numbers per minute played. Isn’t this the same conflict that the Pistons had with Allen Iverson and Rip Hamilton? Iverson was just a big scorer who wanted to shoot a lot like Gordon, expect at least Iverson was a good passer and had decent assist numbers and better decision making skills.

I like Charlie V., I think he’s underrated but the Gordon move is weird for the pistons.