Chad Ford senses John Henson, Arnett Moultrie or Meyers Leonard are Pistons’ most likely draft targets
Chad Ford of ESPN, who has the Pistons taking John Henson in his latest mock draft:
The Pistons really need both length and athleticism in their frontcourt. We’ve had Jared Sullinger in Detroit the past few mock drafts, but I’m getting a sense that a player like Henson, or even Arnett Moultrie or Meyers Leonard, may have a better shot. All three seem like a bit of a reach at No. 9, but long athletes don’t grow on trees and the Pistons might have to just take a risk here.
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May 1, 2012 • 2:55 pm
by Tiko
how can we acquire another pick to get two of those guys?
hypothetically speaking, what can Stuckey get us? I know its very unlikely Dumars trades him but who could be interested in him enough to give up a value pick, like 10-20 range?
May 1, 2012 • 3:25 pm
by tarsier
Stuckey becomes a tricky case with his early and late season swoons. It is not really known if those were injury-related, but this is a catch 22 in any case.
If they were not, he is the same unreliable player as ever. Certainly talented, but no consistency of performance. Like a Nate Robinson who plays better D and looks more like an NBA player.
If they were, he certainly deserves the dreaded injury-prone label. This is still the better case, but it means his value would certainly not be at its peak right now.
Contrary to at least one of the writers on this site (I believe Patrick but sometimes I forget who wrote what articles; and by sometimes, I mean always–the only way a remember who said what is when it is in the comments and there is the helpful picture next to the comment), I believe Stuckey’s highest value is at SG. Technically, at PG or SG he will play as a combo guard. But his highest value is when the roster hole he fills is SG simply because there are very few good SGs in the league and there are great PGs coming out of the woodwork.
Although, if Stuckey can return to form and play really well some more with Knight, he will continue to show his highest value which is that he perfectly compliments most of this league’s combo guards (which every team has but can’t figure out how to best use). Since almost all the other combo guards are basically small, quick guys whose greatest asset is scoring and are only going to be averaging probably 6 apg at best, allowing them to share distributing responsibilities with Stuckey while sticking Rodney on the better opposing guard on D could really increase the value of having a Steph Curry/Lou Williams type on your team.
May 3, 2012 • 2:58 pm
by Don Brake
I agree, Stuckey probably has the most tangible trade net worth (problems notwithstanding), so I’d like to see Joe Dumars try to work something out with him. Is there anybody who we could package with him realistically?
May 1, 2012 • 3:02 pm
by omar
yo we need to draft perry jones he has lots of potential he is way much better than them other guys
May 1, 2012 • 3:33 pm
by tarsier
Yes and no. He has lots of potential, much more than the others mentioned. And if the Pistons draft 9th, PJ3 is available, and nobody like Drummond shockingly drops, I agree that Jones should be the pick. But as of now, Jones is not much better than the other players in question. And it is far from a guarantee that he ever will be. It is possible, not almost certain.
But if the Pistons don’t luck into a top 3 pick, I would definitely be ok with them trading down to the 12-18 range and picking up one of these bigs there. They just seem too much of a reach at 9. Especially when you consider that all we’ve seen from Macklin suggest that PF/C may not be as desperate need for the Pistons as it was once assumed to be. I certainly don’t expect Macklin to change the NBA landscape or anything, but he could be a Brendan Haywood level player.
May 1, 2012 • 3:44 pm
by acr
Definitely agree with the trading down idea…
May 1, 2012 • 6:06 pm
by sop
Except these guys won’t be available past 13. SIZE RISES as you get closer to draft day. I bet only Moultrie will go outside of the lottery.
May 1, 2012 • 3:31 pm
by sop
I’d rather have Sullinger and figure out the shot blocking aspect later. Out of the four listed bigmen he’s clearly the best prospect right now(as in most skilled both offensively and in term of rebounding, strongest, as good or better of a shooter) and he’s over a year younger than Henson or Moultrie. If the Pistons pass on him for a scrawny shot-blocker it would be incredibly disappointing. If you wished that the Pistons had taken DaJuan Blair 3 years ago, then you should be on the Sullinger bandwagon because he’s going to be similar but much better offensively.
May 1, 2012 • 3:35 pm
by tarsier
I do not want someone similar to DeJuan Blair with the 9th or 10th pick. But I agree that Sully is a better pick than Henson or Moultrie.
May 1, 2012 • 3:38 pm
by acr
My vote is for Henson if we pick 9. 9 is probably too high for him, but it’s definitely too high for Moultrie or Leonard. While we can knock him for being skinny, Henson just seems like more of a player than Moultrie or Leonard – a bit more athletic, active, and with a better motor. I kind of like Henson more than Jones too…
Of course, best case scenario is to get lucky on May 30 and then draft Davis…
May 2, 2012 • 3:38 pm
by Alex
coming from someone who’s watched a lot of Henson and Moultrie, I might go as far to say that Moultrie is the better athlete. Hes just as explosive but he runs better than Henson.
May 1, 2012 • 3:41 pm
by omar
i mean you right but perry jones 6’11 he has the length and long athletes i think he will be better than them other guys
May 1, 2012 • 3:45 pm
by vic
i think sullinger is good, but if we want to compete for a championship in a few years – you dont see a lot of competitive teams that lack a 7 foot shot blocker. If we have a chance to add that piece now before we start making the playoffs and missing the lottery – then I’d say go for Leonard. (Miami lacks it, but they also have 2 of the top 5 players in the league, and didnt win. Oklahoma lacks it, but they have a shot blocker and a big defender.) Dejuan blair, Paul Millsap, Luis Scola arent major pieces for championship teams.
May 1, 2012 • 4:39 pm
by tarsier
Millsap could be the 2nd best player on a contender. Just saying.
May 1, 2012 • 5:34 pm
by vic
they are almost a contender mainly because of the post presence of Al Jefferson, and the defensive presence of Derrick Favors. Plus Kanter is a beast of a rebounder.
That’s just my opinion though.
Undersized PFs can do big things, but they aren’t the spade in your hand, so to speak. unless they rebound and defend like Dennis Rodman/Ben Wallace.
just my opinion
May 1, 2012 • 4:40 pm
by tarsier
Scola and Blair not so much.
May 1, 2012 • 3:47 pm
by vic
Jones III is okay but he is a small forward. we signed Tayshaun already. I’d rather replace Tay with Jae crowder and get a 7 footer in round 1
May 1, 2012 • 3:50 pm
by Nick II
I like henson or leonard.I’m very high on Leonard more. http://youtu.be/KWuHewIV5JU
May 1, 2012 • 3:52 pm
by omar
perry jones is way better then them guys im telling you jones has a lot of potential and he is a all around player in a shooter
May 1, 2012 • 3:53 pm
by omar
naw he is a power forward perry jones
May 1, 2012 • 4:03 pm
by sop
agreed. Jones is definitely a PF. He’s just a face-up PF who likes the mid-ranged jumper. People get that confused with a SF.
Ranking of the Top bigs in Pistons range:
1. PJIII
2. Sullinger
3. Terrence Jones
4. Meyers Leonard
5. John Henson
6. Arnett Moultrie
May 1, 2012 • 5:19 pm
by acr
I don’t know man, from this list and for what the Pistons need (reb, blk, good motor) give me Henson. He played less min than the other guys on the list and averaged the most blocks per game by far, and nearly the most rebounds (2nd only to Moultrie, who played almost 7min more per game).
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2011-2012
Henson 29.1 min 13.7pts 9.9 reb 2.9blk
Leonard 31.8 min 13.6pts 8.2 reb 1.9blk
Jones 30.7min 13.5pts 7.6 reb 0.6blk
Sullinger 30.4 min 17.5pts 9.2reb 1.1blk
Moultrie 35.8min 16.4pts 10.5reb 0.8blk
Jones 29.3min 12.3pts 7.2reb 1.8blk
May 1, 2012 • 5:20 pm
by acr
no clue what’s up with the formatting… sorry.
May 1, 2012 • 5:41 pm
by vic
I like Henson too but just consider this in comparison:
Henson – Junior 3rd year playing, with best PG in nation
Leonard – Sophomore barely played first year, playing with shoot first combos
Henson – 180 lb to 220 after 3 years
Leonard – 7’1 245 right now
Henson – energy guy, defending PFs
Leonard – main big, defending centers. Could blossom in a support role to Moose, with more focus on D.
Leonard- much better field goal percentage, shooting percentage (strength and skill)
Henson – hustle guy, but will thin frame translate to NBA? Usually in the NBA the good rebounders/defenders are also strong
May 1, 2012 • 5:49 pm
by vic
They have similar production if you look at their situations – but i think a wise investor would invest in the higher ceiling.
Especially considering a 7’1 center in full bloom would push Monroe down to PF, making his job easier. Putting Henson in would keep the toughest defensize assignment on Moose, and Henson would just be a weakside shot blocker.
I think the center that is strong enough to defend his position has more value, and it puts Moose in a position to create more value by dominating opposing PFs.
May 1, 2012 • 6:01 pm
by sop
What I want to see from Henson at the Chicago Combine: Bench the standard 185lbs more than 5 times
What I want to see from Leonard at the Chicago Combine: be in the middle of the pack for the quickness drills and don’t get lost in the transition drills on defense.
May 1, 2012 • 6:11 pm
by acr
You’re definitely right that Leonard’s size would be nice – but then we get into the whole is Monroe a 4 or a 5 debate. I personally think he’s a tweener, but think that he has more success as a 5(ish). I just don’t see Monroe hanging with athletic PF’s like Josh Smith, Blake Griffin, Amare (sorry I cut my hand on this fire extinguisher) Stoudemire, etc. Not that Henson would out muscle those guys or anything, but he would be a different look than Monroe for those type of match ups – we could match up better to a larger variety of players. With Leonard, they wouldn’t have the ability to place Moose in the best position to do some damage – either offensively or defensively – against different types of 4s or 5s.
totally agree on the critiques of Henson – but we’re picking at 9 unless we get lucky…
May 1, 2012 • 5:44 pm
by sop
I understand we need blocks, but if you can’t hold your ground as a defender then you’re a liability on defense even if you can come over and be a good help shot blocker from the weakside. The point is Henson is already a Junior and still exhibits Austin Daye-like physical features as a post player. At best Henso weighs 220 on a 6’10″ maybe 6’11″ frame. If you’ve watched JaJuan Johnson on the Celtics at all this year you know that’s too slight.
Secondly Leonard often displays bad body language on calls he doesn’t like and when he’s not getting the ball. More importantly he only averages 8.2 boards for a guy who’s at least 3 inches taller than most of his opponents.
Sullinger on the other hand, if he works hard, could become a player nearly as good and similar to Kevin Love.
May 1, 2012 • 5:55 pm
by acr
All 3 are flawed in some way – Henson’s thin as hell and can’t shoot free throws, leonard is “athletic for a 7 ft dude” but he’s really not that athletic, and Sullinger is just too slow and plodding for my taste – I don’t think that he would fit well with Monroe (but I agree, could be a pretty good scorer/rebounder). Plus he went to Ohio State, so we have to hate him on principal…
No one is going to be perfect at 9, but I can see Henson running more with the young guys on our team than the other two and contributing with blks, rebs, and some scoring…
May 2, 2012 • 8:36 am
by Steve K
I tried defending Sullinger on this site about a month ago. It’s a lost cause. Due to his freshman hype and OSU roots, he’s persona non grata. Oh, and the fact that he’s not Anthony Davis hurts as well.
I do like the Kevin Love comparison, though. It’s not likely, but ya never know. He could blossom.
May 1, 2012 • 3:59 pm
by Nick II
I like Perry Jones potential, but athletic shot blocking 7 footers don’t come around too often.Especially were the Pistons might be picking at.So I will roll the dice on Leonard.
May 1, 2012 • 4:01 pm
by omar
but leonard is so soft doe
May 1, 2012 • 4:04 pm
by sop
Jones is just as soft as Leonard if you’ve watched any games
May 1, 2012 • 4:05 pm
by Mark
If we could get 2 of these guys somehow, I’d be on board. But just 1 isn’t going to do much. All 3 seem like 3rd bigs on a championship team at their peak. We need at least a bonafide #2 big that can start on a championship team someday.
May 1, 2012 • 4:22 pm
by sop
uhhh then hope we win the lottery because the fact is we will probably be stuck at 9 and you don’t usually get repeat champion franchise players at 9. It’s all nice to talk about what we need, but the point is what can we actually get.
May 1, 2012 • 4:11 pm
by omar
but im saying perry jones is way better then leonard jones is a animal he is going to be a pistons
May 1, 2012 • 4:12 pm
by Nick II
@Omar Did you watch Ill play this yr to say that Leonard is soft? He ain’t soft his teammates just suck and they wouldnt pass him the ball.
May 1, 2012 • 4:14 pm
by MNM
I’m trying to get excited about this before May 30th, but..it’s just..so..hard.
May 1, 2012 • 5:42 pm
by Lorenzo
If we end up staying at nine, any pick is going to be a gamble as no one is likely to come in and make an immediate impact (as Joe himself has said). While Sullinger has a chance to be a solid rotation player in the NBA and would be a decent pick overall…I think we should swing for the fences and go for someone with the highest ceiling; that’s why PJIII makes the most sense in my humble opinion. All the players we would be looking at in that spot would be flawed, take the one who has a chance to do something special; PJIII has the raw attributes for that, where his head is or isn’t is a different issue though. In the NBA you need some special players, a team of average players might get you in the playoffs year in and out but only teams with special players can legitimately compete for a title. Rotation players are easier to get a hold of; let’s take a swing at a potentially special player.
May 1, 2012 • 5:45 pm
by sop
Almost guarantee Sullinger and PJIII will be gone by the time we pick. Size rises as the draft nears.
May 2, 2012 • 3:32 am
by Lorenzo
You might very well be correct on that one. Just going of hypotheticals here and based on some mock drafts…DraftExpress for example has Henson, Zeller, and PJIII being picked around us. Also seen Sullinger being around us in other mocks. It’s all just speculation….but I do agree with you, big guys get over drafted, wouldn’t be surprised if those guys are off the board by the time we are on the clock.
May 1, 2012 • 6:57 pm
by d_ronii
I don’t understand why People are talking up PJ III so much. He is not a KD SF that can ball handle, shoot, and jump out of the gym. He looks ok in the college paint but he will get man handled in the nba. Give me the 7 foot center any day
May 1, 2012 • 7:23 pm
by sop
PJIII is NOT a SF. He’s a face-up 4 who likes to drift out onto the perimeter, but that tenancy needs to be stifled not encouraged. He needs to learn that he’s not going to be T-Mac, but that Lamarcus Aldridge is a good ceiling to aim for.
May 1, 2012 • 7:29 pm
by d_ronii
Do you think the Pistons need a face up PF with no defense? He’s a project – , Austin Daye part 2. Im tired of projects. Just give me somebody that can contribute day1
May 1, 2012 • 6:58 pm
by Bygdygod
If we pick at 9 I take Sullinger then Henson based on this group of players the 2nd rd hope for Festus Ezil an Jae Crowder. Sullinger may be a boozer Elton brand type player which is borderline all star. Henson to me would be a Camby Tyson chandler type so I think you can’t go wrong with either but I just like the scoring ability of Sullinger. Festus can come in an be a back up Center an reach to be a dale Davis type in the future. Crowder I just see a tough guy on the perimeter for defense hard nosed guy mybe a baby less crazy artest.
May 1, 2012 • 8:52 pm
by frankie d
if henson had that kind of athleticism, he’d be a top 5 pick.
he is an awkward player, imho, someone wuthout the fluidity of guys like camby or tyson.
combine that with his lack of strength and you have “bust” written all over him, if he is a top 10 pick.
i agree about crowder and ezili.
i’d bet that ezili would beat out henson, if they competed head to head for a rotation spot.
while ford is usually plugged into joe d’s thinking, i just hope joe changes his mind.
wouldn’t mind moultrie, but all of those guys are better picks post-lottery.
May 2, 2012 • 4:16 pm
by Alex
I’d say hes as athletic as Camby and Chandler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOEO4NjIwBA
May 1, 2012 • 7:08 pm
by Coach_Ackley
It’s this simple.. Sullinger to short he’s not a PF he’s a C and plays no Defense, PJ3 all the skills in the world but does he have the fire plus he plays no Defense, Henson to skinny and has no Offense and Leonard while he does need to get stronger he is no push over I watched him play a lot in the big ten this year and most times he looked really good and he has the skills to be really good on Offense and Defense and that is what the Pistons need not to mention he’s 7’1″ and 245lbs. and will get bigger and strongeras his body mutures….. So I say hands down that Leonard should be the pick…
May 1, 2012 • 7:19 pm
by sop
yeah but at 7’1″ he should have been dominant on the glass at the college level but he wasn’t.
May 2, 2012 • 3:17 pm
by Coach_Ackley
There has been PLENTY of players who rebounded like Loenard in collage and came into the leauge rebounding better once they got drafted.. You can bet that once he gets on a team those rebounding numbers will go UP….. The kid just needs to learn to use his body and Coach Frank and Coach Rodgers will get the most out of him… Just ask Moose……
May 2, 2012 • 3:37 pm
by Chris H
One thing to remember is that Leonard hasn’t played in the frontcourt all that much. As I recall he was a guard until his junior year. Most guys learn a lot those first few years. While development is partly player attitude, I think if pushed by the right people Leonard will learn to do well in the pros. Maybe he sould have dominated more in the college ranks, but he was still raw at the position.
May 2, 2012 • 7:39 pm
by Coach_Ackley
I agree 100%……
May 1, 2012 • 7:27 pm
by DG
I’m tired of the skinny guys that end up too fragile for the league. They never seem to hit their athletic potential for some reason. I Like Leonard the most for this reason. He’s already shown he can put on some weight. He can be the defensive player that allows Monroe to move to power forward and Monroe can supply the offense while Leonard develops. I think he will be the most complete player of the bigs listed 5 years from now.
Of course I wouldn’t mind seeing Joe combine his two second rounders into a late first rounder and parlaying that into Fab Melo as a backup center as well. I’m really hoping Joe has something in mind in terms of trading Villanueva, Gordon and/ or Prince (least likely). If he can move one of those two for a bad contract and a draft pick and then amnesty the bad contract, he might have something. I don’t think that Villanueva and Gordon are bad players on all teams. I think they just don’t bring what the Pistons want/need (defense and hustle).
I’m thinking that a 5 man big rotation of Monroe, Leonard, Macklin, Melo and Maxiell could be very nice. and difficult for most teams to compete against.
May 1, 2012 • 8:08 pm
by Corey
Leonard averaged almost 10 rebounds per game last year. How dominant do you want? We aren’t going to get a perfect player at pick #9. I honestly don’t understand, with the way big men are drafted on potential so much, how Leonard can still be there at 9. He’s 7-1, a great athlete, and only a sophomore – and he can play. He’s not polished by any means, but if he was he’d be the 2nd pick in the draft. If he hangs around just long enough to be available for the pistons because his team was bad last year, I’ll be grateful.
As far as amnesty, I think a team can only amnesty contracts that it had before the new CBA, not ones it trades for. So it’s amnesty CV or BG or nobody.
May 2, 2012 • 1:32 am
by tim
pretty sure that is just has to be a pre-cba contract, regardless of when they acquire it. Could be wrong
May 2, 2012 • 3:54 pm
by Alex
I totally agree with this. If Leonard were to enter next year, he would likely end up being a top 5 pick.
May 1, 2012 • 8:18 pm
by frankie d
the better value in the draft is going to be in the 15 plus range. after the initial guys – davis, drummond, kidd-gilchrist, robinsonb – there is going to be a lot of uncertainty. guys will slide. i don’t know if it would be possible, but i’d love to trade the 9th pick for a couple of picks in the 15-25 range. those guys might be just as good as a guy picked 7th.
as ford said, henson is a real reach at 9.
i’d wait and draft withey in the early second, for my shot blocker.
May 1, 2012 • 8:22 pm
by Sam
Henson!!
May 1, 2012 • 8:36 pm
by djunak
Leonard, and trade back into 1st rd and get R White
May 1, 2012 • 10:09 pm
by Max
OFF TOPIC: Tay is on NBATV as a commentator tonight. He has done a pretty good job so far of offering substantive analysis while betraying a slight tremor of nerves in his voice.
May 1, 2012 • 10:28 pm
by D_S_V
It’s that veteran leadership! Giggity.
May 1, 2012 • 10:55 pm
by Daye and Knight
At 9 I rather have Perry Jones III than those 3. If it came down to just them 3 I would take Henson but I would try and trade the pick for a big man or during the off season trade for a big man or find one in free agency like Lopez or Randolph or if we’re lucky McGee might want to come here for the mid if he wants to come to a team where he knew he would start right away. Either way, look for options OUTSIDE the draft if it comes down to players that would be a bit of a stretch to get with the 9th pick
May 2, 2012 • 1:33 am
by tim
mcgee is a pipedream. dude is going to get 9+ no doubt.
May 2, 2012 • 6:41 am
by Lorenzo
Yeah totally agree. No way McGee is happening, the kid was saying earlier in the season he wanted 14 mill per. season (lol)….yeah so without a doubt he is not going to be accepting/settling for any sort of “exceptions.” Better chance might be with the likes of Humphries, Jordan Hill, Mahinmi, Hawes, Kaman, or with the lower tier restricted bunch in Lopez and Thompson. Names might not set the pulses blazing but at least are more realistic option than McGee (no chance.).
May 2, 2012 • 8:44 am
by rick
Lets put it this way he aint getting anywhere near 9million from any team serious about contending. I like the kid but he just doesnt have that type of game yet and the last thing we need is player getting paid before getting established. Dont get me wrong hes good but he been on like every bad highlight reel I can think of all year. Anyone trying to coup 9million better at least be dominating and not getting dominated. He on the other hand tends to get dominated.(see Durant dunking on him last week?) With all the negativity and such I would notbe suprised to see him get a contract similar to what Charlie V recieved. Charlie V may get under peoples skin but he has a body of work/resume, and I feel like he needs coaching and working out more than anything. McGhee relies on his talent and he will never be confused with anyone having basketabll I.Q. at least not now. I was all for him earlier in the year but after seeing him and players attacking the rim on him with dunk after dunk after dunk on top of bonehead plays can he really command 9million anything? He will get paid just not what people think. Plus he is restricted if Im not mistaken which means Denver can match. Id be suprised to see some team throw the house at him because then I dont think Denver will match because of all the other players that they have. Right now if Detroit offered him mid level he should sign on one year then re-up long term the following year when Detroit’s books get better. Tome I dont think he has as many options as we may think because of his play lately. I could be wrong but you never know in this league. In the end commanding 9million or anything more may be the pipe dream for McGhee.
May 2, 2012 • 10:59 pm
by Lorenzo
I agree with you that he doesn’t deserve 9million based of his immaturity but he will get 9million, he will likely get more than 9 million. In fact when Denver traded an all-star center for him that sealed the deal for him to get 9 million. And I think someone will throw the big bucks at him and I can’t possibly not see Denver matching an offer…if they don’t they essentially give away Nene, a true all-star 5, for nothing. Lets not be fickle, teams will deal with head cases AND give them money as long as the talent ceiling is high; they’ll roll the dice, unfortunately this isn’t the NFL. Watch for him to get a DeAndre Jordan level contract or higher. Yeah he isn’t worth that money but teams are going to prospect, especially for an athletic big, no matter how much of a head case he might be.
May 2, 2012 • 1:52 am
by rick
Anyone with any sense is going for defense. I would surely want to know a certain persons background in scouting players on here since they want to call or lable guys a bust because they dont like that particular skillset. Im taking Henson because the last time I checked Detroit needs defense. Half the people want two players who probably have similar game, which makes no sense at all(Leonard teamed with Monroe). Second Im not waiting on Myers Leonard to get it because during many Big Ten games he seemed lost. Everyone is gone over his size but what athletic skill set has he shown that translates over to the NBA. As far as anybody knows he a poor man “Darko” but I guess if people tell themselves enough times hes 7’1 245pds it will matter. Who cares if Henson is 220 now how much did Camby or Chadler weigh when they came out because that would be the comparison. When he gets into condition and plays enough he will be ready. Im not for taking on projects(Leonard). The kid might be good but in terms of where Detroit is headed, Henson would be the pick or JonesIII. Detroit will be one of those teams that run the break and I know Leonard is a seven footer but he just didnt have enough heart for me in the big ten games I watched. Its easy to say he played with crappy players but he was the one who chose to go play with those crappy players. My point is he is still raw and JonesIII/Henson have played three years of ball and are rotation ready. Sullinger is too small and not athletic enough to pair with Monroe. Myers Leonard could be good but with what type of impact for the Pistons? It seems people are resigning themselves to take this guy for the sake of taking him. Is he better than Kostas Koufas, who left after one year at OSU and if not why pick him up at number 9? Withey I’ll pass on and keep Macklin.
May 2, 2012 • 3:52 pm
by Alex
Jones III has has played 2 years of college ball and not 3. And second of all like Leonard, he disappeared in games. However, I’m not against picking PJII, in fact, I would be happy with Detroit drafting PJIII, Leonard, or Moultrie with the 9th pick.
May 2, 2012 • 1:57 am
by RussellC
If lucky enough to get the third pick trade with Portland for their two lottery picks. Get any two of PJIII, Henson, Zeller, Sullinger, Moultrie, or Leonard. Got to get Crowder in round 2 and Ezeli if possible. The trade with Portland could send Stuckey and bring back Wes Matthews who can guard three positions. Why not take a chance. One of those guys may turn into a star and develop along with Knight and Monroe.
May 2, 2012 • 10:46 am
by Corey
How did the lakers get a dominant all star center without a top lottery pick? By taking a young big man who was nowhere near ready in the late lottery. Then they spent years developing him and now he is one ofthe best centers in the league. The Pistons need to swing for the fences. Leonard has all the physical abilities to be an all star center. I honestly don’t understand why he’s projected to even be there at 9. But if he is, I pray Jod takes him.
May 2, 2012 • 12:33 pm
by vic
agreed.
Imagine if we had drafted Deandre Jordan when he was undervalued. guys like that don’t get traded easily. The easiest way to get them is to get them while their undervalued.
Tyson Chandler is built more like Leonard, and Marcus Camby is built more like Henson. They are both athletic. Tyson has anchored a championship team. Camby hasn’t. Camby has 15-20 pounds on Henson. Do we really want to wait to see if Henson can put on more weight like we have tried with Daye?
When you already have a top PF, but you still need a shot blocking center, i think you have to go for it.
But i could be satisfied with either one. I’d trust Arnie Kander & Coach Frank to work out with them both and make the choice. I just think Leonard has the edge in value.
May 2, 2012 • 3:50 pm
by Chris H
I don’t know enough about draft history to know about player development in the past, but I can’t remember when talent needed to be developed so much prior to benefits. In terms of the draft I can really only remember into the 90s, and while there were busts, and player value changed over the course of their respective careers I think that most people had a solid idea of what player they were getting when they drafted. Since the season is over with and we’re all looking forward to the draft maybe that is something Dan and Patrick could run an article on. How the drafting of players has changed over the past 10-20 years. It’s possible I am wrong though and that free agency is what really changed the draft game because GMs know they aren’t really getting their players for life, they just get them until that contract is up.
May 2, 2012 • 5:08 pm
by Matt
I think the big change is that players generally stayed in college longer, unless they happened to be a can’t-miss kind of talent.
Now, there seems to be more of a stigma attached to players who stay in college longer. It seems that GMs are more willing to draft on potential and, if a player is in college longer, it’s easier to pick his flaws apart. Plus, the thinking is that, if a guy was good enough to be drafted earlier, why would he go back to school?
May 2, 2012 • 3:46 pm
by Alex
Watch this video on Meyers Leonard. You guys are seriously underrating his athleticism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIHKeM8yuKA
May 2, 2012 • 5:42 pm
by Max
I only have one criteria: DE-FENSE!
May 2, 2012 • 7:37 pm
by Anthony
Draft Leonard, Amnesty Charlie V, Sign Chris Kaman (Leonard can develop), and BOOM Pistons look nice now and for the future.
1. B. Knight
2. R. Stuckey
3. T. Prince
4. G. Monroe
5. C. Kaman
Top Reserve – B. Gordon / J. Jerebko / M. Leonard / K. Singler
The Rest – W. Bynum / V. Macklin / Austin Daye
Maybe – Maxiel and Big Ben
May 3, 2012 • 10:33 am
by sebastian
The Pistons should draft a man with their 1st Round Pick – Royce White. If the Pistons are able to have certified psychologist to perform the required tests to determine if White can overcome his fear of flying, then I say draft this dude. Start him at the “3″ and make Tay OUR 6th-man.
Then go after Ian Mahinmi in free agency. Amenisty Charlie V., he’s trash anyway and want come back to haunt the Pistons, like Ben G. would if amnestied and pick-up by an Eastern Conference team.
Trade the Kyle Singler draft rights to Toronto for Solomon Alabi.
PG- Knight/Bynum
SG- Stuckey/Ben G.
SF- White/Tay
PF- Moose/Jerebko
C- Mahinmi/Alabi
May 4, 2012 • 9:35 am
by Lorenzo
The kid has talent but I would be shocked if any team drafted him in the first. And frankly his psychiatric issues are way more complicated than just a simple fear of flying. Anxiety issues aren’t something you can “overcome” per say, they are always there, they simply have to be managed. Which is a bit of any oxymoron as there is nothing “simple” about managing the condition. White will need psychiatric care for the course of his life to manage his condition…the complicating factor is the career path he’s going down is extremely public and presses him against a plethora anxiety filled conditions. We really have no insight in how his medical management is progressing and it’s increasingly difficult to understand/predict how he will handle a move to the professional ranks. There are a number of “troubled” kids that come into the league and they mature; this is something more, this is a situation where it’s difficult for even medical personnel to determine how the chips will fall. If feel bad for the kid but this fella is a GM’s nightmare… purely because of the volatile nature of the situation; if we are strictly talking Pistons, only a non-guaranteed second round flyer would suffice.
May 4, 2012 • 9:52 am
by Riz
Perry jones has way 2 much potential. 6’11 with explosive athleticism and range out to 3. The knock is he disappears in games they said the exact thing about Monroe. You have to take the most skilled basketball player it’s hands down jones.
May 4, 2012 • 4:20 pm
by djunak
The thing about Leonard no one has mentioned that he passes really well. I think this is a Kid JoD should take a risk on. I also like R. White but only with a pick in the 20′s or early 2nd round. If he can control his issues he will be the steal of this draft. He has top 5 talent and the body of an NBA player.