Welcome to our first ever Face Off column. In this edition we pit Randy and Jeff against each other to see who really got the better deal in the blockbuster offseason trade between the Pistons and the Wizards. And we let YOU the reader vote on who you think has the better argument! (See poll at the bottom).

Jeff West's Verdict: The Wizards

The blockbuster trade this offseason between the Wizards and the Pistons was a big move for both teams. In my opinion it clearly favors the Wizards. The Wizards picked up Stackhouse, Cardinal and Varda for Hamilton, Davis and Simmons. Here are my points as to why the Wizards came out on top on this deal.

1. Stackhouse: This guy is amazing. Averaging 21.2 ppg over a 7 year career and constantly contributing to his team. He shows up for every game ready to play and gives it 100%. You don't see him dogging it or not giving it his all like some of todays players. You don't see him getting into trouble off the court (guns, hookers, fights, etc.). His ppg is higher than anyone who came out of the 1995 NBA draft including Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace and Michael Finley. This guy will be on top of the NBA for a long time. He makes big plays and with Jordan and Stackhouse, two seasoned veterans this team is a playoff contender and would fare well in the playoffs due to experience.

2. What They Gave Up: In my opinion they didn't give up much to get Stack. Hamilton has averaged 15.6 ppg, 2.8 reb. and 2.4 assists during his 3 years in the league. Davis and Simmons are lackluster players at best with 7.2 and 3.7 ppg respectively. Simmons is just coming off his rookie season and could mature into a better player, but that remains to be seen.

3. Big men!!! The Wizards picked up two big men that they needed with Varda at 7'1" and Cardinal at 6'8" hopefully they can provide some boards for Washington. That is if they can remain healthy. Combined they spent 116 games on the injured list last year! Ouch!

Look for the Wizards in the playoffs this year and the Pistons in the theatre watching "8 Mile".

Randy Ip's Verdict: The Pistons

In the offseason the Central Division champion Pistons traded away their core player in Jerry Stackhouse. In return they receive Richard "RIP" Hamilton.

Oh yea, there were also four other guys involved in the deal but they are no-namers. I live in the Lansing area and I have never even heard of Ratko Varda, mainly because this guy has played a career total of SIX minutes. That's right folks, six whole minutes in his whole NBA career. As for Cardinal don't expect to see him get substantial playing time anytime soon either. The Wizards have six power forwards (Kwame Brown, Jared Jefferies, Christian Laettner, Charles Oakley, Etan Thomas, and Jahidi White) already so why do they need Cardinal anyways? Simmons doesn't even play for the Pistons anymore, while Davis is behind Jon Barry on the depth chart.

1. Versatility and Depth: Hamilton vs. Stack. Who would you pick? I can guarantee Stackhouse over Hamilton any day, right? I would take Stackhouse too, so I am already at a disadvantage trying to convince you that the Pistons got the better deal. If you were in the shoes of Joe D. this was a very good move for the team. You get Hamilton who is a little bit more versatile that Stackhouse playing both small forward and shooting guard. The Pistons don't have too much depth at the small forward position so bringing in Hamilton means Jon Barry, who has been very productive coming of the bench, can be on the floor at the same time as Hamilton.

2. Youth and Cost: Hamilton is 4 years younger than Stackhouse and costs twice as less. Hamilton is signed through 2004 while Stackhouse will be in a Wiz uni until 2005. The Wizards owe Stackhouse 19.5 million dollars (average 6.5 million a year) for his services while the Pistons give up 6.2 million for the rest of Hamilton's contract (average 3.1 million a year). Stackhouse's salary alone for this year is 6 million while Hamilton's two years is 6.2 million. So essentially you're getting a younger version of Stackhouse at about half the cost! This will definitely enable the Pistons to pick up younger, better players with the increased cap room they have.

3. Stack + Pistons = Passer but Stack + Wizards = Shooter: Remember when the Pistons put all the weight on Stackhouse's shoulders to carry them to the playoffs? Sure, he averaged 29.8 points per game in 2000-2001 (8.4 less than last year) but what was the Pistons' record? 32-50. Yup, just as bad as the Wizards were last year. Rick Carlisle was lucky to convince Stack that he needed to pass the ball more often. It's a good thing he did 'cuz they reversed their losses and victories to go 50-32. Now that Stack is back to being the main shooter and go-to guy you can expect him to take more shots, and take more heat as I predict the Wizards will go 32-50 this year. On the other hand, Hamilton, in his fourth season, will pass the ball like Stackhouse did and look to other players for support like Wallace, Barry, Atkins, and Williamson.

4. Not just about Stack: The Pistons won 50 games last year not just because of Stackhouse. The Pistons won 50 games because players like Corliss Williamson, Ben Wallace, Chucky Atkins, and Jon Barry stepped up. If they get good production from the Alternatorz (Barry's nickname for the bench) the Pistons should be in good shape and win 50 games or more with Hamilton.

5. Playing the Percentages: Yes, I realize this is a baseball term but take a look at last year's percentages for both players.

Stackhouse last year shot 39.7% from the field, while Hamilton shot 43.5%.

Stackhouse also shot a pathetic 28.7% from 3-point land, while Hamilton hit 38.1% of his treys.

One category Stackhouse averages more than Hamilton in is turnovers; he commits 1.4 more turnovers than Hamilton! (Oh wait…high turnovers are a bad thing…oops).

Stackhouse at the line hit 85.8% of his FT, while Hamilton, you guessed hit shot a higher percentage than him with 89%.

I'll give Stackhouse this though, he averaged 21.4 PPG, that's 1.4 more points per game than Hamilton (20.0 PPG).

WOW! Stackhouse shoots at a less percentage in both FG and 3 pointers, he misses more free throws, and commits more turnovers than Hamilton, all for the price of 1.4 more points per game!!! (That's called sarcasm boys and girls).

We hope you enjoyed our Face Off Column. Please feel free to add your feedback with the form below and please vote on who you think got the better deal after reading this article.