***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

[trobinson97]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

I haven't been watching much lately (and i didn't watch the Cavs game at all). I don't think I'm a bad fan, but I kind of feel like one. The team has just been unbearable to watch though lately, IMO. Unlike early in the season when they were losing games but were at least playing hard and enjoyable to watch.

I know what you mean man. The truth is, I haven't watched much NBA at all this year for some reason. Not feeling it. I started to watch the Cavs game but was asleep by halftime, woke up hearing about Stuck.

[Kruza]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

Well... numerous 3rd and 4th quarter collapses aside, this year's Pistons team has been fun to watch to me. This is an entertaining squad despite the mounting losses.

I was kind of disappointed to not see the Pistons make a deadline deal, but I don't want to see the team get robbed because of desperation to make one either. So it may be better for the team to wait to not make any deals until this summer to get the best value for Rip, Tay and/or anyone else being moved. And besides, I favor the Pistons tanking the rest of this season to have a shot at DeMarcus Cousins picking in the 3-6 range. I believe Cousins is the young center who would fit perfectly with the versatile guards and hybrid forwards on this team, and I've been practically drooling for the guy over the last few weeks.

Kruza

[Kruza]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

Well... one more game until the season is over for the Pistons. The DeMarcus Cousins watch is on!

I hope Joe D can swing something and get good value for Rip and Tay, as both guys have clearly proven that they can still play at different parts of the season. This team just had way too big a logjam at the SF and PF spots for them to get consistent minutes. And while Tay has blended in with the current group, Rip's game on the contrary didn't mesh with the current makeup of the team.

Kruza

[DC]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

Kruza, my man Thrill seems like he has slowed down as the season went on. What is up. Ever since Stuckey came back

[Kruza]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

It's been a couple of reasons. First, Will had a bad ankle sprain in February and hasn't been able to move the same way since returning in March. And Coach Kuester has been experimenting with different rotations trying to get the young guys minutes. Recently the Rodney Stuckey-Ben Gordon backcourt combo has been getting a lot of burn, and Bynum comes in with the second unit mainly looking to distribute the basketball to everyone else instead of looking to score as often he had early in the season. I think this will change with more roster turnover and a far more stable rotation in place next season.

Kruza

[Psyblast]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

The DeMarcus Cousins watch is on!

My god, no.

[Kruza]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

The way I look at it, the Pistons are about a 100% lock to draft a big man with the lottery pick -- specifically a center. The best ones coming out this year are DeMarcus Cousins, Cole Aldrich and to a lesser extent, Derrick Favors and Greg Monroe. I believe the former two are the only true centers worth using a lottery pick on. Favors and Monroe are more like hybrid forwards who can briefly masquerade as centers in a small lineup.

Anyway, I would accept Aldrich as a Piston, but I don't think of Aldrich as highly as I do Cousins. Aldrich moves too robotic to me. Maybe he can develops into a post player as good as Chris Kaman, but that's asking a lot. Meanwhile I see Al Jefferson-type potential in Cousins, who can turn out to be a monster in the pros. This guy just has to be controlled mentally and be around the right kind of coaching staff and teammates to keep his head in the game.

Kruza

[Psyblast]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

The way I look at it, the Pistons are about a 100% lock to draft a big man with the lottery pick -- specifically a center. The best ones coming out this year are DeMarcus Cousins, Cole Aldrich and to a lesser extent, Derrick Favors and Greg Monroe. I believe the former two are the only true centers worth using a lottery pick on. Favors and Monroe are more like hybrid forwards who can briefly masquerade as centers in a small lineup.

Anyway, I would accept Aldrich as a Piston, but I don't think of Aldrich as highly as I do Cousins. Aldrich moves too robotic to me. Maybe he can develops into a post player as good as Chris Kaman, but that's asking a lot. Meanwhile I see Al Jefferson-type potential in Cousins, who can turn out to be a monster in the pros. This guy just has to be controlled mentally and be around the right kind of coaching staff and teammates to keep his head in the game.

Kruza

Give me Favors 100 times out of 100 over Cousins. I don't trust Cousins one bit once he starts making money.

[Kruza]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

Well to no one's surprise, Chris Wilcox has exercied his $3M player option for next season.

I don't think the Pistons will be able to trade Wilcox during this offseason, but his expiring contract could hold some value leading up to the deadline in 2011.

Kruza

[trobinson97]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

So Kruza what do you think of the picks? I didn't watch the college game much last year so I don't know anything about them.

[Psyblast]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

Monroe is really, really good. He'll have to improve his defense, and he's not the athletic freak that Favors is, or the rugged low post mauler that Cousins is, but he showed big improvements from his first year at Georgetown to his second, showed a nice variety of post moves, and should progress into an elite passing big man, ala Divac, Webber, Brad Miller, etc...

[Kruza]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

I can't really complain about Greg Monroe since the Pistons had no shot at DeMarcus Cousins and I believe Monroe is the next best big still on the board. Monroe has good versatile offensive skills as Psyblast already pointed out. Unlike swingman coming into the NBA, a big man doesn't have to be super athletic to have a chance at becoming a good productive player. Monroe is athletic enough to get the job done defensively if he gets coached up properly.

And I'm not exaggerating when I say this, but Terrico White completely reminds me of a raw version of Jason Richardson coming out of Michigan State -- an explosive and crazy athletic two-footed leaper who cannot shoot worth a lick from standstill position or on the dribble, and is capable of playing stretches of great man-to-man defense. Hopefully White develops a jumper and the rest of his game on both sides of the ball while with the Pistons.

Kruza

[youvalss]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

I'm not sure if White is as athletic as Richardson, but at least we got someone who can actually dunk now I just don't want to see a rookie going to the basket trying to dunk on 3 guys, or taking bad shots to prove himself. If he can develop a killer J, he may be the next big thing...or at least one of them.

Monroe...haven't seen much of his highlights (I will), but a left-handed big man is a good pick. But he certainly needs to add about 20 punds of muscles, he's a bit skinny for the NBA, or so it seems. Looks like a decent shot blocker and can also shoot the J(?)... Has quickness and seems smart. I'd really like to see him developing into a real offensive threat in the paint.

Are Prince and Hamilton staying with the team? Any trade rummors? I'm very disappointed with Price, because I used to beleive that he'd be the next leader of the team and a solid offensive threat, but he just never developed into that, even if he wasn't injured. Too bad...still like the guy. And Hamilton is one of my favorite players ever. I really want to see him having another great season.

I'm really excited about the next season. The expectations are not as high as like 3-4 years ago, but that just means that we might be surprised big time!

[Kruza]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

Ooops... sorry about that youvalss. I didn't read your last post until this morning.

As far as I'm concerned, with the recent signing of T-Mac and the selection of Terrico White in the draft, it's all but certain that both Prince and Tay will be moved. For those guys it's only a matter of when and for whom.

And as for White... check out this video of an impromptu slam dunk contest at a rookie photo shoot. White along with a few other rookies have a chance to show off their hops.

Impromptu Slam Dunk competition at Rookie Photo Shoot

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.twitvid.com/player/DMT7H"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.twitvid.com/player/DMT7H" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" allowNetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>

Kruza

[muggins]

Re: ***Official Detroit Pistons Thread***

www.palacelockerroomstore.com has all their apparel 50% off. That includes jerseys! Not a spam message, just thought other Pistons fans would like that. No T-Mac and G. Monroe jerseys are only L or XXL.