Position by Position, Detroit Has the Stuff of NBA Champions

Following is an analysis of the Detroit Pistons and the Portland Trail Blazers, who begin their NBA championship series tonight at Auburn Hills, Mich.:

CENTER

The weakest position for both teams, with the least impact on the series. Portland features Kevin Duckworth, whose potential has been trampled by an appetite for junk food. Duckworth looks as if he’s gained 50 pounds over the last two seasons. Veteran Wayne Cooper backs up Duckworth, but he’s only good for short spells.

The Pistons counter with James Edwards and Bill Laimbeer. People have been writing off Edwards for years, but he’s still an effective low-post player.

Laimbeer, who starts at power forward, tends to run out of gas in June. But he’s always dangerous in the perimeter with his three-point shot.

William Bedford will play limited minutes.

Advantage: Detroit

FORWARD

Buck Williams transformed the Trail Blazers from weak-hearted underachievers to Western Conference champs. His maturity and experience brought this selfish club together. Williams is tough and smart. He works well with Jerome Kersey, whose athletic skills--running and jumping--make him one of the league’s most dangerous small forwards. Rookie Cliff Robinson showed great promise as a second-round pick, but second-year man Mark Bryant looked more like a stiff.

The Pistons are a team of forwards. With Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Mark Aguirre and Laimbeer, they have enviable depth. The size and versatility of Detroit’s forwards are the No. 1 reason for the club’s success. Rodman and Salley aren’t great scorers, but their defensive skills and rebounding helped make the Pistons the best defensive team in the league. Aguirre is a streaky shooter and moody player. He’s dangerous when hot but given to slumps.

Advantage: Detroit.

GUARDS

Terry Porter is replacing Clyde Drexler as Portland’s “go-to” guy, taking the big shots. Porter has been underrated since entering the league in 1985, but he’s one of the best--an outstanding floor leader, hard-nosed defender and good shooter. Drexler is selfish, but Porter and Williams make him a better player. Portland has depth, with Danny Young and Drazen Petrovic, both solid athletes but clue-less at this level.

Joe Dumars is Detroit’s most valuable player. An excellent defender, he’ll give Drexler all he can handle. Isiah Thomas runs the club at point guard and has mastered the half-court offense. He leads the Pistons in scoring and assists and hasn’t lost anything as he approaches 30. Thomas is a prime-time player, terrific in big games. Vinnie Johnson comes off the bench for quick scoring. He’s unstoppable when hot, but he’s not worth guarding when cold.

Advantage: Detroit

BENCH

The Trail Blazers are deeper than most, but the Pistons define depth. Portland gets consistent help from Young and Robinson, but neither can keep pace with the starters. Petrovic improved late in the season, but Bryant went nowhere and Cooper is ready to retire.

Detroit Coach Chuck Daly can manipulate his roster without worry. The Pistons keep throwing talent at opponents, with Salley, Rodman, Edwards and Laimbeer rotating in and out. The backcourt is also deep, with Johnson giving Detroit a different look. He also hustles on defense. Throw in a hot Aguirre, and the eight-man rotation is an easy winner.

Advantage: Detroit

COACHING

Rick Adelman almost didn’t get the job in Portland last year. He was considered too nice a guy. But owner Paul Allen stuck with Adelman, a member of the Trail Blazers’ original squad in 1970. Allen’s faith paid off. Adelman has been the perfect boss for a team famous for self-destructing in early playoff rounds. He’s even-tempered, well-liked and an effective defensive coach.

Chuck Daly takes NBA coaching to its highest level. Now nearing retirement at age 60 with eight years in the league, he understands NBA egos and knows how to get the most out of his men. At times he’s detached from his club. At times he’s cynical. Most of all, he’s smarter than his players and not the least bit intimidated by them. He is above clubhouse debates and has taught the Pistons to win for themselves.

Advantage: Detroit.

PORTLAND’S KEY TO WINNING

The Trail Blazers had a good enough half-court offense to win the West, but they can’t handle Detroit in a half-court battle. The Trail Blazers will have to take advantage of their considerable athletic talent--Porter, Kersey and Drexler will be most important--and beat the Pistons in the open floor. Also, they’ll have to show Eastern Conference toughness on defense and make every foul hurt.

DETROIT’S KEY TO WINNING

The Pistons have two major advantages--the home court and experience. If they protect their home court, their title defense is guaranteed. They must take advantage of Portland’s inexperience, force the Trail Blazers into a half-court game and test Portland’s questionable toughness. If the Pistons can neutralize Porter, Drexler will find a way to lose.

Prediction: Detroit in five games.