Pistons lack size: Too many guards and small forwards

Pistons  forward Jonas Jerebko took time out of his full schedule Thursday to help round up school supplies for children at an Auburn Hills Costco, where he took a moment to reflect on last season's 27-victory campaign in his rookie year, and what lies ahead.

"We have to make the playoffs," said Jerebko, a possible small forward/power forward and backup center candidate. "With the tradition of this organization, we have to make the playoffs."

That's not going to be easy.

Other than drafting rookie center/forward Greg Monroe from Georgetown and signing injury-prone Tracy McGrady, the Pistons didn't upgrade their roster enough to be considered a top five or six team in the Eastern Conference -- despite Rodney Stuckey's boast that on paper the Pistons are the best team in the NBA.

"I had an opportunity to be around Greg Monroe during the summer league and the last month or so, and we're very fortunate to have him on our squad," said coach John Kuester last Thursday. "We were very fortunate to have him fall to our draft position and I think he's going to be an outstanding basketball player."

Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton, stars of the 2004 championship team, are still on the roster despite speculation that one or both would be traded.

President of basketball operations Joe Dumars didn't receive any offers good enough to improve the current roster, and with the looming potential sale of the team, was handcuffed to make a blockbuster move.

So with not enough size and too many combo guards, too many shooting guards and too many small forwards, Kuester will toss out the basketballs at the start of training camp on Tuesday and see who can win a starting job by the season opener.