Comments on: Draft review: Austin Daye

By: PistonPowered » Blog Archive » Signing review: Ben Gordon

PistonPowered » Blog Archive » Signing review: Ben Gordon — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:56:50 +0000

[...] Here’s an in-depth look at Ben Gordon’s signing. Reviews of Charlie Villanueva’s signing and the drafting of DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko will come later in the summer. (Austin Daye was already profiled here). [...]

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:58:48 +0000

I’m a big believer in Hollinger’s system, too. But I don’t think it takes into account level of play. So, Daye is the type of player who would be overrated in it.

Producing in the West Coast Conference isn’t as impressive as a major conference. But I don’t believe he was penalized for that.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:54:24 +0000

Yes, he has a good shot. But he didn’t parlay that into impressive numbers at Gonzaga. What makes you believe he can do that in the NBA against stronger and faster players?

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:52:02 +0000

He was confident he’d be a first-round picks. It’s tough to pass up that kind of money.

By: James

James — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:35:40 +0000

Dan, don’t you think you are being a little hard on the pick? The consensus ranking from the websites you listed was 20 and we took him at 15. So we took him a little early compared to where he was ranked by the media, but you give out a D+? Seems a bit harsh to me. If we would have taken some one univerally ranked as a second round prospect, then a D+ might be in order.

Even with a great summer re-make, I can’t see the Pistons winning it all this year, especially with the recent moves of Orlando and Cleveland, so I don’t mind taking a guy who’ll probably need a little time to make an impact. An angle that’s not covered in this article is how “stats” guys percieved him. He had a much better rating with them and was even ranked the #4 player in the draft by ESPN’s John Hollinger. His draft ranking system has a very good track record, so I think there’s reason to be optimistic about this pick. I have no problem if you would have preferred other players, I just think D+ is being a little tough on him.

I enjoy the blog, keep up the good work.

By: toasterhands

toasterhands — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:31:57 +0000

Good stuff Dan.

Why don’t you tell us what you really think.

By: oracle

oracle — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:06:46 +0000

You don’t know what you’re talking about if you grade this pick a D+. Daye’s strength/athleticism obviously are lacking, but his skill set is impressive for a 6’11″ forward. He’s only 20 years old, and if he had stayed in college another year and put on 20 pounds (which he can surely do for us next year with Arnie Kander) then he would have been a top 5 or at least top 10 pick next year. How many 6’11″ guys shoot 43% from 3? Even Rasheed couldn’t hit that number. Yes, he needs to bulk up, but this is a pick for the future, not now. Your grading is ridiculously pessimistic.

We didn’t draft Lawson because, as Joe D. said, “we’re comfortable with our backcourt of Stuckey, Bynum, Rip and Aflallo. The front court needed help.”

Blair was still around to be chosen at 35, and we passed on him again, why don’t you critique the Dejaun Summers pick over the Daye pick?

And James Johnson was not highly regarded as a prospect by most draft sites. In 2 years when we have a solid 6’11″ forward who shoots the lights out and gets 20 minutes a game, and James Johnson is sitting on the inactive list or is waived, we’ll see if this pick was a D+.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:34:51 +0000

Does anyone know the reason he came out of school early for the draft? Was there some reason other than he though he would be a 1st round pick? He seems like he would be a player that would benefit from another year in college.