xavier wrote:ESOMKnicks wrote:Certainly, no less talent than the mid-2000s Pistons. Randle may not be quite 'Sheed level, but is certainly close. And RJ-IQ could potentially be a better combo than Rip-Chauncey.
The only problem is that a team like those Pistons wouldn’t win the title today. They were even then unlikely champions. Much like the '11 Mavs. It was often said here at the time when we had Melo and Chandler that we looked like that Dallas team. But neither did we look so much like them nor would that make us favorites for the title.
Unlikely champions they may had been, but still, two trips to the finals, and perennially in the ECFs. No flukes, lots of consistency, unlike our Melo-Chandler stint. And by that time the league had already moved away from the defensive styles of the 90s, SSOL ruled the day.