So, Mr. Shepard. Why acquire the Pistons at a time like this?
"The team needs change, and the previous ownership wasn't doing it. I always told my friends and co-workers the changes I would make, and one day it hit me. Why not actually make them? I knew Detroit was for sale, and I knew I would be able to make a positive difference in this struggling team. I intend to do just that.

What are some of the first changes you plan on doing?
"After discussing with Lawrance Frank on the direction our team is going, I found some big changes I'd like to see from him. Changes I don't think were being pushed before. For example, Brandon Knight truly is a bright young kid with a big future ahead of him...however Frank classified him as the "star" of the team. The last thing I want to see is Knight ending up like Stuckey did post-Chauncy. This Detroit team belongs in the hands of it's only star, Rodney Stuckey. But to get back to your question, I plan to move a lot of these big contracts around. If we want to compete for the playoffs, then we need to dump some of these overpaid, mediocre players or develop them into the players that deserve these types of salaries."

What are some players you consider "overpaid mediocre players" on this Detroit team?
"I'm not one to silent my tongue on these issues. Tayshaun Prince has been a huge factor in our past success. However, offering him 4yrs/26mil simply so he can 'retire a piston' was too much of a goodie move. We let go of factors like Chauncy Billups and Rip Hamtilon because we wanted to focus on the future. Prince shouldn't have received any different treatment.

Another player is Ben Gordon. I do not question his overall skill with basketball. However, I have yet to see him play to his past potential in Detroit. In fact, I see him declining. At the age of 28, a decline in numbers is not a good sign. Plus, his contract is bigger than Rodney Stuckey, who is our starting SG. 2ys/24mil is a bit too much.

Both Charlie Villanueva and Jonas Jerebko are overpaid. Both are mediocre PFs compared to the rest of the league, and are not contributing enough to the success of our team. CV hardly plays, yet we're paying him around 8 million a year? And Jerebko has not made the spark into the NBA that we wanted. His 4yr/16mil contract was generous at best.

What are some things you plan on doing to help these contract issues?
"Trades. Those who are important to our success, such as Monroe, Stuckey, and Knight, need a solid team around them. I'll move what pieces I have to in order to build a playoff team."

What are the Detroit roles coming into this season?
"Well our star player is Rodney Stuckey. After him, we have 3 for sure Starters in Brandon Knight, Tayshaun Prince, and Greg Monroe. The power forward position needs some work, so both Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva are both Role Players. The remaining players fit along with Role Players, Prosepcts, and Bench Warmers."