Comments on: How do you grade the Pistons for drafting Brandon Knight? http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/ Your Go-To Source For Pistons Coverage Thu, 23 May 2013 03:38:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: j http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-32022 j Tue, 28 Jun 2011 01:01:27 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-32022 well now that david west opt out, pistons should try do a sign and trade for him. it would be west for gordon, and daye, and maybe a future 1st or something like that. i would add cv too, but i just don't think the hornets got any other expensive guy they could add it. hornets could be pretty good with okafor, landry (i think its him), ariza, gordon, and paul. well now that david west opt out, pistons should try do a sign and trade for him. it would be west for gordon, and daye, and maybe a future 1st or something like that. i would add cv too, but i just don’t think the hornets got any other expensive guy they could add it. hornets could be pretty good with okafor, landry (i think its him), ariza, gordon, and paul.

]]> By: Dan Feldman http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-32007 Dan Feldman Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:05:51 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-32007 <p>It would make sense for the Jazz to shop Millsap and Al Jefferson (doubt they trade Favors). But I bet they can get better players than the guards the Pistons have available.</p> It would make sense for the Jazz to shop Millsap and Al Jefferson (doubt they trade Favors). But I bet they can get better players than the guards the Pistons have available.

]]> By: Dan Feldman http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-32005 Dan Feldman Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:03:12 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-32005 <p>I haven't had any problems, but I've heard the complaints. I'm looking into a different site with polls, but a lot of others also have problems. As soon as I find one that appears like it will work for everyone, I'll switch.</p> I haven’t had any problems, but I’ve heard the complaints. I’m looking into a different site with polls, but a lot of others also have problems. As soon as I find one that appears like it will work for everyone, I’ll switch.

]]> By: Dan Feldman http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-32003 Dan Feldman Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:00:18 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-32003 <p>Didn't Greg Monroe fill and a need, and wasn't he the best player available last year? Why don't you give Dumars an A+ for that pick, instead of "no credit" as you often state?</p> Didn’t Greg Monroe fill and a need, and wasn’t he the best player available last year? Why don’t you give Dumars an A+ for that pick, instead of “no credit” as you often state?

]]> By: RandomGuy313 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-31974 RandomGuy313 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:18:01 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-31974 @Tre: Trust me I share your enthusiasm with regard to BK. I think we should step away from "All-Star potential" though as it is a subjective acknowledgement and with PGs like DRose, JWall, DeRon Williams and Rondo it is unlikely that BK would move past those entrenched players in the near future. I need to see his rookie season before I consider him in the class of the aforementioned PGs; however as of right now he is the best option to play point with the Pistons and that is what this team desperately needs. As much as rebounding and defense was a detriment to this team, the inability for most of our players to create their own shot or get easy buckets alarmed me. Without Tay we do not have any post options, so we are relegated to isolations and pick and roll and/or pop plays to get buckets. Before selecting BK; Bynum, Stuckey and BG were your penetrators; of those Bynum had the highest  assist ratio at 26 (Hollinger stats). Contrast that with  someone like Rondo or DeRon Williams they are at 44 and 32 respectively. This is where I see BKs potential. Stuckey and Bynum have shown effectiveness in getting buckets and breaking down defenses, but it has not translated into getting easy buckets for their teammates at a rate that a PG should; my hope is that BK will be able to fill that void. @Tre: Trust me I share your enthusiasm with regard to BK. I think we should step away from “All-Star potential” though as it is a subjective acknowledgement and with PGs like DRose, JWall, DeRon Williams and Rondo it is unlikely that BK would move past those entrenched players in the near future.

I need to see his rookie season before I consider him in the class of the aforementioned PGs; however as of right now he is the best option to play point with the Pistons and that is what this team desperately needs. As much as rebounding and defense was a detriment to this team, the inability for most of our players to create their own shot or get easy buckets alarmed me.

Without Tay we do not have any post options, so we are relegated to isolations and pick and roll and/or pop plays to get buckets. Before selecting BK; Bynum, Stuckey and BG were your penetrators; of those Bynum had the highest  assist ratio at 26 (Hollinger stats). Contrast that with  someone like Rondo or DeRon Williams they are at 44 and 32 respectively.

This is where I see BKs potential. Stuckey and Bynum have shown effectiveness in getting buckets and breaking down defenses, but it has not translated into getting easy buckets for their teammates at a rate that a PG should; my hope is that BK will be able to fill that void.

]]> By: neutes http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-31973 neutes Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:05:11 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-31973 You can't say we filled a need until we know if Knight will be any good, and we won't know that for awhile, probably not for a year or two. We need a good PG, but if Knight only becomes an average PG, well, we already have an average PG in Stuckey, so we're just running in circles with this pick. If Knight becomes good then you can say we 'filled' a need. The thing is our biggest true need is probably at SG, but nobody wants to admit that. If Stuckey become a competent SG then we possibly filled a need there indirectly even if Knight is only average at PG, because we still upgraded one position. If Knight become great then we upgraded two positions. You can’t say we filled a need until we know if Knight will be any good, and we won’t know that for awhile, probably not for a year or two. We need a good PG, but if Knight only becomes an average PG, well, we already have an average PG in Stuckey, so we’re just running in circles with this pick. If Knight becomes good then you can say we ‘filled’ a need. The thing is our biggest true need is probably at SG, but nobody wants to admit that. If Stuckey become a competent SG then we possibly filled a need there indirectly even if Knight is only average at PG, because we still upgraded one position. If Knight become great then we upgraded two positions.

]]> By: oats http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-31964 oats Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:09:19 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-31964 On to my own grade. After arguing against Knight, it should come as no surprise that I gave the pick an A. First of all, that is where the talent was. Knight was the best guy I had left in that tier of players. Plus, despite my argument that he doesn't fill a team need, the facts of what I said earlier hold true that you have to grade the draft off of what was there. It's a weak draft so I'd rather take a gamble that a talented kid will soon fill that area of need than reach for an inferior talent in an already weak draft. There are any number of reasons for Knights sub par stats. Knight is a smart and hard working kid who seems pretty mature, and that is exactly the kind of guy you bet on making the improvements he needs to make. There have been a lot of guys that game into the league with Knight's flaws that never became the kind of guy Pistons fans are hoping Knight becomes, but he has as good of a chance of over coming those odds as any one else. He will be a pretty good player and could be really good. That is exactly the outlook I was looking for with the 8th pick in a draft whose top part projects as poorly as this one did.   By the way, while I think he doesn't fill an area of need and might never do so, he does improve the team. First of all, it gives the team a point guard that can shoot, which is very nice to have. I don't think it is mandatory, as Jason Kidd with the Nets or Rajon Rondo now have proven, but it is a good thing to have. Plus, we now will have a guy who can run the pick and roll. Monroe could be awesome as the pick setter if he can implement the mid range game he showed in college. Daye could also be a force to reckon with as the screen man in the pick and roll. I'll throw in Jerebko and Wilcox as other guys who could be good in that role. While I don't think the pick and role is enough to make Knight fill the need of a point guard who significantly improves our passing, it could get close.   I think Knight is currently far from the answer at point guard we need, and might never be that guy. Still, he is a good player that could make it there. The A+ decision would be if Dumars could make a trade that allowed us to get someone from the Markieff Morris, Kawhi Leonard, Chris Singleton, and Kenneth Faried group while still getting Darius Morris and something else (pick, future pick, young player, or cap relief). That scenario may be imaginary for all I know, but it currently looks possible. I'd have taken a stab at it, but I'm obviously not Dumars. As it is, Knight's flaws prevent taking the best player available who happens to play a position in need of an upgrade from being the ideal scenario with how this draft played out, and it keeps the pick from getting an A+. Knight was still the best talent available, he does play a position in need of an upgrade, and he might be able to be that upgrade. That gets an A. On to my own grade. After arguing against Knight, it should come as no surprise that I gave the pick an A. First of all, that is where the talent was. Knight was the best guy I had left in that tier of players. Plus, despite my argument that he doesn’t fill a team need, the facts of what I said earlier hold true that you have to grade the draft off of what was there. It’s a weak draft so I’d rather take a gamble that a talented kid will soon fill that area of need than reach for an inferior talent in an already weak draft. There are any number of reasons for Knights sub par stats. Knight is a smart and hard working kid who seems pretty mature, and that is exactly the kind of guy you bet on making the improvements he needs to make. There have been a lot of guys that game into the league with Knight’s flaws that never became the kind of guy Pistons fans are hoping Knight becomes, but he has as good of a chance of over coming those odds as any one else. He will be a pretty good player and could be really good. That is exactly the outlook I was looking for with the 8th pick in a draft whose top part projects as poorly as this one did.
 
By the way, while I think he doesn’t fill an area of need and might never do so, he does improve the team. First of all, it gives the team a point guard that can shoot, which is very nice to have. I don’t think it is mandatory, as Jason Kidd with the Nets or Rajon Rondo now have proven, but it is a good thing to have. Plus, we now will have a guy who can run the pick and roll. Monroe could be awesome as the pick setter if he can implement the mid range game he showed in college. Daye could also be a force to reckon with as the screen man in the pick and roll. I’ll throw in Jerebko and Wilcox as other guys who could be good in that role. While I don’t think the pick and role is enough to make Knight fill the need of a point guard who significantly improves our passing, it could get close.
 
I think Knight is currently far from the answer at point guard we need, and might never be that guy. Still, he is a good player that could make it there. The A+ decision would be if Dumars could make a trade that allowed us to get someone from the Markieff Morris, Kawhi Leonard, Chris Singleton, and Kenneth Faried group while still getting Darius Morris and something else (pick, future pick, young player, or cap relief). That scenario may be imaginary for all I know, but it currently looks possible. I’d have taken a stab at it, but I’m obviously not Dumars. As it is, Knight’s flaws prevent taking the best player available who happens to play a position in need of an upgrade from being the ideal scenario with how this draft played out, and it keeps the pick from getting an A+. Knight was still the best talent available, he does play a position in need of an upgrade, and he might be able to be that upgrade. That gets an A.

]]> By: Tre http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-31962 Tre Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:16:06 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-31962 @ Jake - As as fan , when I heard Thompson name called I was beyond thrilled !!! Out of EVERY player projected to go to us , Thompson was the one pick I absolutely couldn't live with, Leonard as well . . . Although I believe He will turn out to be one of the best players to come out of this draft ! @Oats - I agree @RandomGuy - I believe Knight has All Star potential ! He's Athletic / Talented / && Can Score ! That's features All Stars have !! We just have to see if all that can translate to the NBA , && he can develop some more @ Jake – As as fan , when I heard Thompson name called I was beyond thrilled !!! Out of EVERY player projected to go to us , Thompson was the one pick I absolutely couldn’t live with, Leonard as well . . . Although I believe He will turn out to be one of the best players to come out of this draft !

@Oats – I agree

@RandomGuy – I believe Knight has All Star potential ! He’s Athletic / Talented / && Can Score ! That’s features All Stars have !! We just have to see if all that can translate to the NBA , && he can develop some more

]]> By: oats http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-31961 oats Mon, 27 Jun 2011 06:43:20 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-31961 Well, the Pistons need a point guard that improves our passing. We don't know if Knight actually will do that. Maybe it is the fault of the goofy Calipari offense, but Knight's stats look like those of a guy who may never be a starting caliber point guard. He might be Ben Gordon though, which is a guy we already have on roster. Bad shot selection, low assist numbers, and high turnover rates don't make him look promising. Plus, a better player in Irving is getting compared by draft expert Chad Ford to Mo Williams. Ford thinks Knight looks like Mo Williams with worse point guard skills. Just because he was the second best point guard in this draft and we need help at point guard does not mean he fills a need for the Pistons. Well, the Pistons need a point guard that improves our passing. We don’t know if Knight actually will do that. Maybe it is the fault of the goofy Calipari offense, but Knight’s stats look like those of a guy who may never be a starting caliber point guard. He might be Ben Gordon though, which is a guy we already have on roster. Bad shot selection, low assist numbers, and high turnover rates don’t make him look promising. Plus, a better player in Irving is getting compared by draft expert Chad Ford to Mo Williams. Ford thinks Knight looks like Mo Williams with worse point guard skills. Just because he was the second best point guard in this draft and we need help at point guard does not mean he fills a need for the Pistons.

]]> By: oats http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/comment-page-1/#comment-31960 oats Mon, 27 Jun 2011 06:29:19 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2011/06/how-do-you-grade-the-pistons-for-drafting-brandon-knight/#comment-31960 The Heat need a PG in a bad way. Chalmers is a bench guard and the rest of their guys should not be playing. PG and C are their positions of need, and Irving is the best player available. That is an A+ if I ever saw one.   As for making a huge impact immediately, well, no one can be expected to do that in this class period. Given that, you can't lower the grade because of the guys not in the draft. You grade the pick based on the players available, not on the impact on the team. The Heat need a PG in a bad way. Chalmers is a bench guard and the rest of their guys should not be playing. PG and C are their positions of need, and Irving is the best player available. That is an A+ if I ever saw one.
 
As for making a huge impact immediately, well, no one can be expected to do that in this class period. Given that, you can’t lower the grade because of the guys not in the draft. You grade the pick based on the players available, not on the impact on the team.

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