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http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Ratliff-was-going-to-retire-but-Pistons-want-hi;_ylt=ApACADLslsXlUJIyr7mOAF580bYF?urn=nba,70824

Even though the Detroit Pistons' contractual commitment to Theo Ratliff ends after this season, the door is wide open for him to come back next season.

"It's pretty much up in the air right now," said Ratliff, who started his second straight game for the Pistons on Sunday. He finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes. Ratliff's plan was to retire after this, his 13th NBA season. But both he and Pistons president Joe Dumars have talked about him coming back next season as the Pistons' fifth big man.

"It's going to come down to family and how I feel," said Ratliff, who will be 35 in April. "I have six kids, and they are growing up fast."

Wow. Six kids?

He's been busy

m23uza1hem36 wrote:He's been busy

Quite literally, it seems.

all that time injured what else is a man to do?

Let's see how this run goes. If he fills his role nicely to finish off this year, why not bring him back?

I'm interested to see how much weight Samb can put on this off-season. If he can get up to around 260-70 from his current weight of 240, then I think he should be our 5th big come next season. Otherwise, I'd be more than happy with Theo.

Theo has played all of two games and Dumars is already talking about re-signing him?

I like what Theo has shown thus far.... but if that isn't jumping the gun, I don't know what is.

Liqourish wrote:Theo has played all of two games and Dumars is already talking about re-signing him?

I like what Theo has shown thus far.... but if that isn't jumping the gun, I don't know what is.

Joe isn't quoted as saying he wants to resign him, the only person quoted is Theo. I bet the reporter simply made the connection himself even without confirmation from anyone in management. Either way, it's not to farfetched to believe Joe would want him back.

RUSSIAN LIGHTNING wrote:I'm interested to see how much weight Samb can put on this off-season. If he can get up to around 260-70 from his current weight of 240, then I think he should be our 5th big come next season. Otherwise, I'd be more than happy with Theo.

270 FROM HIS ORIGINAL 200 WOULD BE A MASSIVE WEIGHT GAIN. I CAN'T BELIEVE HIS BODY COULD HOLD UP, BUT WHO KNOWS...MAYBE I AM WRONG.

YKHIR wrote:270 FROM HIS ORIGINAL 200 WOULD BE A MASSIVE WEIGHT GAIN. I CAN'T BELIEVE HIS BODY COULD HOLD UP, BUT WHO KNOWS...MAYBE I AM WRONG.

That is quite a jump in weight. I would be happy if he comes in over 250. 260 would be about perfect if his frame can carry that with no adverse affects.

People underestimate how effective 240 pounds can be if a player knows how take advantage of his weight.

RUSSIAN LIGHTNING wrote:I'm interested to see how much weight Samb can put on this off-season. If he can get up to around 260-70 from his current weight of 240, then I think he should be our 5th big come next season. Otherwise, I'd be more than happy with Theo.

There is no way he hits 270. 255 is pushing it imo

HOW MANY POUNDS DID ODEN THROW ON IN THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF THE SEASON?

One a calmer note, we all remember how quickly Dice and Webber put on weight. Their upper bodies are enormous. Considering Samb is currently listed at around 240, that number being taken at the begin of this season. I don't think him putting on 20-30 pounds from the beginning of this season to the next is that outrageous. But who knows...maybe I'm wrong.

I have no qualms whatsoever with Raltiff returning. Contrary to popular belief it is abundantly clear that Theo is more than just insurance, he still has gas left in his tank and has room for even more improvement since he is not completely healthy. He should be playing over Jason Maxiel right now and I hope that he does. His size is desperately needed to the frontcourt and his presence alters shots. He does rebound well, he can shoot, he blocks and plays good defense. He is a more than valuble asset to this team.

Theo needs to be signed and Samb needs to be brought over. Maxiel needs to be moved to get a higher draft pick and with that pick select the BPA of SF(Chris Douglass Roberts, Tyler Smith, Anthony Randolph) or C (JaVele McGee, Jason Thompson, Thabeet). Sf is a more pressing need since the Pistosn finally have some legit C on thier roster but it would be hard to turn down those intriguing C projects. Hermann will be restricted, so Dumars should resign him over Hayes as the option at SF.


IMO- This would be a great roster for next season

08/09
Billups(32)/Stuckey(16)
Rip(33)/Afflalo(10)/Stuckey(5)
Tay(34)/Hermann(10)/Douglass Roberts(4)
Johnson(25)/Dice(18)/Hermann(5)
Sheed(27)/Theo(15)/Samb(6)
*Dixon
*08 2nd

6 kids? There's one part of his body that's never been injured.

Oden gained 10 pounds of muscle in a week; 30-35 pounds is not outrageous more then that is.

princeofpalace wrote:Billups(32)/Stuckey(16)
Rip(33)/Afflalo(10)/Stuckey(5)
Tay(34)/Hermann(10)/Douglass Roberts(4)
Johnson(25)/Dice(18 )/Hermann(5)
Sheed(27)/Theo(15)/Samb(6)
*Dixon
*08 2nd

I would rather not bring Dixon back but the rest looks good, Sheed only getting 27 minutes is the possible exeption.

I would also prefer to move Dice instead of Maxiell. That depends on how the season ends and Joe's loyalty issues as well as what return we could get for either Dice or Max... or both.

m23uza1hem36 wrote:Oden gained 10 pounds of muscle in a week; 30-35 pounds is not outrageous more then that is.

I am pretty sure Samb only weighed around 2 bills when we drafted him and is now up to 245. That is already around 40 pounds of weight added.

I love what Theo brings......he's deffinately a presence out there.

I think Theo could get the Dale Davis $7M over two years, and give the rest of the MLE to Herrmann.

Samb is another year away yet - Sheed and Dice are signed through one more season, and Amir is going to get more PT, so there is no PT for him yet - Samb is better off in the D-League for one more year.

However Ratliff has made silly money over his career, and if he was smart with it, playing for $3.5M a year simply might not be worth being away from your kids.