The Detroit Pistons looked a bit tired and slow against the Cleveland Cavaliers during last year's playoffs, but they think they have just the antidote this season: a rejuvenated starting lineup featuring their best veteran players and a young bench eager to prove its worth. And although hope springs eternal for all NBA teams in October, the Pistons sounded as confident as ever during Monday's media day that they remain on the right path toward their goal of an NBA championship.

While the addition of Antonio McDyess to the starting lineup is a new development – so new, in fact, that Tayshaun Prince learned of the news from reporters on Monday – it's not one that any of the other starters think will take time to get used to.

"I think it keeps us with the best starting five in the league," said Chauncey Billups. "And Dyess has been so productive for us in the short minutes; I think that he'll be even more productive in longer stretches."

Rasheed Wallace is also enthused, even though it may mean more time at center, a position he's been reluctant to play in the past. "It's cool with me," said Wallace. "I have no problem with it. I've played every position out there except the point since I've been here in the league. … But it's always good to know the person on your right and your left is a person who's wiling to go out every night and play hard and do the things that Dyess does, so I'm confident with that."

The way McDyess sees it, positions won't really matter when both he and Wallace are in the game. "I'll probably be the center, I guess. But, you know … I don't think this team has a center right now; when [we're] out on the floor, it's just going to be two forwards."

The new-look frontcourt will give the Pistons a lot of options offensively but may be a bit undersized against some of the bigger centers in the league. Flip Saunders suggested that's why it's important for Nazr Mohammed to remain in the committee of centers, something Mohammed is on board with – just so long as it's not the only time he gets to play.

"I'm not here just to play against bigger guys," said Mohammed. "I've succeeded against all types of guys. And if that's my role, that's not a role that I want, just to play against big guys. That's for coach to decide, but I just want to play."

Mohammed doesn't want to make waves, though, indicating that he loves playing with his teammates and wants to stay in Detroit, even with the prospects of uncertain playing time. "I like watching them play, I like playing with them, so I want to be here," he said.

While Mohammed is still hoping to find his exact role on the team, most of the players enter training camp knowing what the team is expecting from them this year. Rodney Stuckey will be asked to prove that he can be the first guard off the bench, backing up both Billups and Rip Hamilton. He's eager to fill both roles now, but he knows exactly which backcourt position he hopes to fill on a permanent basis in the future.

"I love to have the ball in my hand," said Stuckey. "I love to be able to create for my teammates and get them in a position to score, so I think in the long run I probably see myself as being a point guard down the road. And I think I'm blessed to be in this situation to be able to learn from Chauncey and Rip."

As his team's primary scorer in college, Stuckey has been labeled by many as a shooting guard. Billups sees a bit of himself in Stuckey and is eager to help the rookie develop into bona fide point guard.

"You know, when I came in the league, people saying I was a two guard, which is the same thing they're kind of saying about him," said Billups. "So, he's really in a privileged situation to be able to be on a team like ours, playing behind me, [who's] going to teach him everything I know."

Amir Johnson is another player who sees his role evolving over time. A natural power forward, he thinks he's still quick enough to occasionally play small forward but anticipates he'll also see time at center. ""As I grow and get a little bit stronger, probably I move up to the five. Right now, I'm in between the three and the four positions because I'm so quick as a tall man."

Johnson probably won't see too much time in the middle this season, though; he worked hard to get stronger by lifting weights but readily admits that he's actually lighter now than at the end of last season because of all the running he's done. "I've been lifting a lot of weights. I've gotten pretty bigger, but I lost a couple pounds."

Running should be something that Johnson does a lot of this year, especially if Saunders opens up the offense as planned when the second-unit is in the game. "Running is my thing, that's what I do," he said. "I used to run track when I was in high school. So we're going to have fun with that, bring some of the young guys in, just have fun and run the floor."

That burst of energy will be something the team was lacking at times last year, and it's the kind of wrinkle that should help the Pistons keep pace with some of the other teams in the East that made more significant moves with free agency and trades. Of course, as Rasheed Wallace sees it, it's the other teams that need to keep pace with the Pistons.

"You know, to me they made changes to try and get with us," said Wallace. "You know, the Chicagos and the Bostons and a few other teams in the East, they tried to make changes to get with us, so I'm not really worried about things that they do. I know that I'm confident here with this team."

And at least for now, Wallace also sounds confident in the coaching staff. For the betterment of the team, his rift with Flip Saunders has been healed. After all, individual agendas pale in comparison to the team's goals.

"The number one goal is to win a championship," said Jarvis Hayes. "And the personal goals [are] clearly behind – a distant, distant second. … If we win a championship, everybody had a good season."

That season begins today with the first day of training camp.