May 23 2008
Everybody Needs Tayshaun Prince
While watching the Celtics/Pistons game two, I saw a commercial where they played the famous highlight of Tayshaun Prince blocking Reggie Miller on a clear path layup in the 2004 playoffs. Reminded me how underrated Prince is and how every team looking to win a championship, needs to have this guy playing for them.
He does all the little things, hustles, plays defense, passes and hits his jumpers. He never calls undue attention to himself, doesn’t taunt, and has never had off the court troubles. He has humbly accepted a role on the Pistons which will likely never lead him to being an all-star.
Put him next to Lebron in Cleveland, with Carmello and Iverson in Denver or with Nowitski in Dallas, and watch how much he’d change those teams.
Maybe more importantly, make sure he has a critical, important role on the Olympic team. One of the key reasons, the US team has failed is it’s inability to guard on the outside against these foreign teams which often play taller players in outside shooting and passing roles. Prince has uniquely long arms and is athletic enough to run with anyone through screens and the like. Yes, he’s a risk of being backed down in the post, but most foreign teams don’t play that way. Because of his good shooting, he’s certainly not a liability on offense.
The Olympic team is constantly looking for players to do the little things, and I’d pick him in a heart beat over Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer or Bruce Bowen.
