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The Pistons' secret weapon
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The weapon is long and lean.
The weapon harnesses deity-like powers with every whip of his ponytail.
The weapon comes off the bench to roars from the Palace faithful.
The weapon has hands big enough to palm a watermelon.
The weapon’s name is Walter Herrmann.
Yes, it has only been two games, but Herrmann has already had an impact. The golden-haired Argentinean is averaging 13 points, 4.5 boards and 2.5 treys in just over 19 mpg. He gives the Pistons an option off the bench that they haven’t had since Corliss Williamson was a part of the Alternators. Coach Michael Curry can slot Herrmann at multiple positions. Put him in at the three, and Herrmann has the size and strength to dominate the opponents’ small forward. Slide him over to power forward, and Herrmann will run circles around his defender.
The versatility that Herrmann brings to the table was on display in Saturday’s 117-109 win over the Washington Wizards. Herrmann’s impact started in the second quarter when he nailed the first of three 3-pointers. The bomb from long distance seemed to invigorate the 29-year-old. Suddenly, he was hustling on defense, diving for loose balls, creating havoc for a rag-tag group that the Wizards call a team.
Despite Herrmann’s efforts in the first half, the Pistons held a slim three-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Herrmann started the quarter at small forward with Jason Maxiell and Antonio McDyess trolling the paint. Curry’s decision to go with Herrmann paid off immediately. He was all over the floor, grabbing offensive boards and hitting a running jump shot that hasn’t even been attempted since the days of Pistol Pete.
The lead slowly grew with Herrmann on the floor. His impact was evident to Curry, which resulted in the coach sliding Herrmann over to power forward for the final seven minutes of the game. All Herrmann did to repay his coach was drain a couple threes and make a George Gervin-esque finger-roll to propel the Pistons to victory.
The offensive outburst from Herrmann during the first two games of the season isn’t a mirage. He started the final 12 games of the 2006-07 season for the Charlotte Bobcats, averaging 19.6 points, 5.7 boards and 2.3 treys. Instead of giving Herrmann a chance to play the following season, the Michael Jordan-ran Bobcats sat him at the end of the bench. Thanks to Jordan’s Isiah Thomas-like GM skills, Joe Dumars was able to ship out a horrible contract (Nazr Mohammed) for a player that could help the Pistons extend their Central Division domination.
Last year, Flip Saunders didn’t know how to utilize Herrmann, but it appears like Curry does. Now, it’s up to the Pistons to stick with Herrmann. The past few seasons, the Pistons have tried to find a swing man to provide fire power off the bench – Mo Evans, Jarvis Hayes and Carlos Delfino to name a few. With Herrmann, Dumars and crew may have found their man. All they have to do is keep him on the floor.
For those of you that missed all of Saturday's Fabio awesomeness:
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