Pistons embody unity Sonics seek

The Detroit Pistons took 14 years to build the type of chemistry that wins championships. The Bad Boys aged and eventually left or retired. Grant Hill's tenure as a franchise player ended with his demand for a trade while Jerry Stackhouse was never comfortable as the No. 1 option.

Pistons general manager Joe Dumars took the undeniable risk of dealing the team's established stars for unproven talents, castoffs and role players. Ben Wallace arrived in the Hill trade from the Orlando Magic. Stackhouse was sent to the Washington Wizards for Richard Hamilton.

Dumars signed Chauncey Billups after he had been with four teams in five years. Tayshaun Prince fell into Dumars' hands with the 23rd pick in the 2002 draft.

And Rasheed Wallace was considered a major headache, attitude problem and potential disruption when Dumars acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks for a draft pick that eventually became high-jumping Josh Smith.

All five players have started each of the Pistons' 57 games. Four of the five starters reached the All-Star Game and when Detroit coach Flip Saunders played the quartet in the third quarter, the Eastern Conference devoured a 21-point deficit and eventually won the game.

Chemistry has catapulted the Pistons (47-10) back to NBA elite status. Each of the five players knows and relishes his role. Billups is the distributor. Hamilton is the slasher and scorer. Prince is the staunch defender. Ben Wallace is the handyman and workhorse and Rasheed Wallace is the enforcer and low-post presence.

Of course, each of the five could be a superstar in different situations. Rasheed Wallace was in Portland, but he didn't win the title as the Pistons did in 2004.

"Respect comes in championship rings," he said at the All-Star Game. "It's great that four of us are here and it should have been five. But when you have that ring, no one can say anything to you because it's about team. That's what we're about and that's why we win."

Chemistry is something for which the Sonics are searching. General manager Rick Sund made a series of trades in the past two weeks that he is hoping will foster the team's growth.

Gone are Vladimir Radmanovic, Flip Murray, Reggie Evans and Vitaly Potapenko, who were disgruntled and wanted out. They got their wish, and club officials and players have said chemistry immediately improved because the negative influence was obvious.

Ray Allen said he has tried to embrace his role as team leader and captain, talking to teammates about the importance of knowing their roles and maintaining selflessness.

But Allen is in the first year of a five-year contract that could pay him $85 million, and many of his lower-salaried teammates couldn't relate when he pulled them aside.

"The whole 'lets play hard and let's leave it on the floor' speech, yeah that's corny, it's real corny and I hate saying it," he said. "But I have to. If you don't believe in the team system, then you don't believe in the ability to get better as an individual and then make this team better."

The Sonics (22-36) have the potential for a bounce-back year in 2006-07. The core of the team is young, with Allen, who turns 31 this summer, being the oldest player. Rashard Lewis, Luke Ridnour, Nick Collison, Chris Wilcox, Robert Swift, Johan Petro and Earl Watson all are 26 or younger.

That factor may not be so positive when it comes to team leadership. That core has no championship rings and a handful of playoff victories. Allen said he needs help when it comes to guiding the younger players.

"Everything that has been said has come from my mouth," Allen said. "Everything that's being done is coming from me. It's good to have that other voice."

Allen reiterated his desire for a tough-minded veteran -- or, as coach Bob Hill refers to them, a "whiskey drinker."

"I've been saying that for a couple of years now," Allen said. "I've been saying we need a veteran presence on this team to anchor us down in tough times. I do my best, but sometimes it's that guy on the bench.

"Having somebody around who has been around and won may solidify what I say. And it's not always coming out of my mouth."

Allen said the Sonics should implement the Pistons' philosophy.

"The Detroit guys, they give everything they can give and once they do their job, they respect the other guys enough to let them to their jobs," he said. "That's what makes them successful."

SONICS VS. PISTONS

WHEN/WHERE: Tonight, 7:30, KeyArena

TV/RADIO: FSN; KJR-AM/950

SEATTLE (22-36)

Pts Ast Reb

G L. Ridnour 11.8 6.9 3.0

G R. Allen 24.9 3.3 4.2

F R. Lewis 21.2 2.4 5.4

F N. Collison 7.1 1.1 5.6

C R. Swift 6.6 0.3 5.8

DETROIT (47-10)

Pts Ast Reb

G C. Billups 18.9 8.8 3.2

G R. Hamilton 21.3 3.5 3.4

F T. Prince 13.8 2.2 4.4

F R. Wallace 15.6 2.5 6.7

C B. Wallace 7.8 2.1 12.3

WHAT TO KNOW: The Sonics play the Pistons in the second of a six-game homestand, hoping to extend their winning streak to two after beating New Orleans 114-104 on Tuesday. This assignment, however, will be much more difficult against the top team in the Eastern Conference. ... The Sonics appear rejuvenated with their new acquisitions, including Earl Watson, Chris Wilcox and Mike Wilks. The club also signed F Noel Felix to a 10-day contract. Felix was in training camp with Seattle and among the final cuts.

WHO TO WATCH: Wallace, third in the league with 12.3 rebounds per game, is captivating for those old-school fans who enjoy watching players who do the dirty work.

HEAD TO HEAD: This is the second and final meeting of the season; Detroit won 97-85 on Jan. 6.

ROLL CALL: Sonics -- F Danny Fortson (knee) is out. Pistons -- F Kelvin Cato (sprained right ankle) is out.

-- Gary Washburn

P-I reporter Gary Washburn can be reached at 206-448-8006 or garywashburn@seattlepi.com.

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