Comments on: John Henson to Pistons in ESPN’s updated mock draft http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/ Your Go-To Source For Pistons Coverage Sun, 19 May 2013 15:50:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: ray http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74143 ray Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:45:47 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74143 The best teams in the play-offs had game changing players ...who could create mismatch problems.... Henson is a safe pick that's all ...... Just good enough so that we will be around the 13th pick next year.... We take a risk ..on a perry jones... If he pans out....it changes the pistons for years to come..... The best teams in the play-offs had game changing players …who could create mismatch problems…. Henson is a safe pick that’s all …… Just good enough so that we will be around the 13th pick next year…. We take a risk ..on a perry jones… If he pans out….it changes the pistons for years to come…..

]]> By: CNA5 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74123 CNA5 Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:37:42 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74123 Let me ask you a couple of questions:   1.  If you trade up for Drummond, who/what do you trade?  How high do you try to trade?  5?  7?  The #9 pick and both 2nds probably won't get you to 5.   My gut tells me that the Pistons will try to get Drummond if they can.  And, if for some reason he falls to 9, they'll take a shot on him.  (again, this is purely my opinion)   2.  Why do you think that the Pistons 'overestimate its current talent base'?   Here's a number for you.  44.  44 wins often is enough to make the playoffs as an 8 seed.  Given that the Pistons played a stretch (after the dreadful start and before 'experimenting') where they went 20-20, there's enough evidence to suggest that they should be in contention for the 8th playoff spot.   When you factor in that the Pistons didn't even have a zone defense (most teams employ multiple) because of the shortened training camp and a new coach, it's not unreasonable to assume some improvement.   I don't think anyone in that organization believes that they are one player away from contending.  There are a lot of talented players in this draft that don't have complete games yet.  Drummond has a huge frame with excellent athleticism, but is years behind with offensive post footwork and struggles to focus.  Moultrie is not a good defender at this stage, despite having the physical tools to be one.  Henson is slight of frame and lacks polish offensively outside of 10 feet.  But, he's a great shotblocker and rebounder.  Zeller runs the floor well, finishes well around the rim, and has a few craft post moves.  UNC struggled mightily defensively when Henson was hurt in the ACC tournament.   And, this all may be moot if there's a run on bigs early and a talent like Lilliard or Kidd-Gicrist or Barnes drops to 9.  Remember, the Pistons drafted Knight without a workout because they never anticipated he'd drop below 5 (many had Knight drafted in mocks at 3). Let me ask you a couple of questions:
 
1.  If you trade up for Drummond, who/what do you trade?  How high do you try to trade?  5?  7?  The #9 pick and both 2nds probably won’t get you to 5.
 
My gut tells me that the Pistons will try to get Drummond if they can.  And, if for some reason he falls to 9, they’ll take a shot on him.  (again, this is purely my opinion)
 
2.  Why do you think that the Pistons ‘overestimate its current talent base’?
 
Here’s a number for you.  44.  44 wins often is enough to make the playoffs as an 8 seed.  Given that the Pistons played a stretch (after the dreadful start and before ‘experimenting’) where they went 20-20, there’s enough evidence to suggest that they should be in contention for the 8th playoff spot.
 
When you factor in that the Pistons didn’t even have a zone defense (most teams employ multiple) because of the shortened training camp and a new coach, it’s not unreasonable to assume some improvement.
 
I don’t think anyone in that organization believes that they are one player away from contending.  There are a lot of talented players in this draft that don’t have complete games yet.  Drummond has a huge frame with excellent athleticism, but is years behind with offensive post footwork and struggles to focus.  Moultrie is not a good defender at this stage, despite having the physical tools to be one.  Henson is slight of frame and lacks polish offensively outside of 10 feet.  But, he’s a great shotblocker and rebounder.  Zeller runs the floor well, finishes well around the rim, and has a few craft post moves.  UNC struggled mightily defensively when Henson was hurt in the ACC tournament.
 
And, this all may be moot if there’s a run on bigs early and a talent like Lilliard or Kidd-Gicrist or Barnes drops to 9.  Remember, the Pistons drafted Knight without a workout because they never anticipated he’d drop below 5 (many had Knight drafted in mocks at 3).

]]> By: CNA5 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74120 CNA5 Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:18:15 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74120 He's never going to play much above 230.  There's a huge difference between size and strength.  He's always going to be on the small side and will likely be unable to effectively guard guys with length and bulk (think: Marc Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Hibbert, etc.).  Keep in mind, Camby played the majority of his career at 6'11 230.  Rasheed also was 6'11 230.  Serge Ibaka plays around (6'10) 235.  Josh Smith (another athletic forward) plays around 230 as well.  The key, really, is if he has enough strength to at least slow his man in the post for help to come.   His two positive attributes do project positively to the next level- weakside help shotblocking defender and an excellent rebounder.  His length and ability to get off the floor fast translate well.  That's why many view Henson as most NBA ready.  The things he does well right now are based on physical attributes that translate- lateral quickness across the lane, timing shots as they leave hands, quickness on stepping out on pick and rolls, and having excellent hands around the rim for lobs and put backs.  Those will all be there on the next level, even at 220 lbs.   The real issue with Henson is: 1.  Can he at least hold defensive position in the post against most teams' smaller of the two bigs.  This is a legitimate question where the answer may be no.  That's why the Pistons (presumably) brought Henson in with a large group of bigs (including Leonard) to test him. 2.  Is that FT issue mechanical or mental?  Most think it's mechanical and will require work.  He has no offensive game outside 10 feet.  He's crafty with a hook shot with his long arms and quick leaping.  He has a nice spin move baseline.  He's very good at cutting through the lane and finishing and also running in transition.   Moultrie and Leonard have not shown Henson's ability to block shots.  Both struggle covering on the pick and roll.  Both players are better offensive prospects than Henson, but it's unclear if Leonard has the overall skill set to defend true centers or become a weak side shotblocker on the next level outside of a zone.  (UNC played mostly man defense)  Moultrie, while a gifted athlete and a very good rebounder, is a head scratcher with his 0.8 bpg.  How does a 6'10 235 lb power forward with excellent athleticism and a 7'4 wingspan not show a propensity to block shots?   The workout was a big key because they got to see how Henson battled 1v1 in the post defensively.  I don't know if this is a smoke screen or not (it could be).  But, if we AssUMe this is true, it bodes well for Henson's ability as a pro prospect.  That was a pretty big workout. He’s never going to play much above 230.  There’s a huge difference between size and strength.  He’s always going to be on the small side and will likely be unable to effectively guard guys with length and bulk (think: Marc Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Hibbert, etc.).  Keep in mind, Camby played the majority of his career at 6’11 230.  Rasheed also was 6’11 230.  Serge Ibaka plays around (6’10) 235.  Josh Smith (another athletic forward) plays around 230 as well.  The key, really, is if he has enough strength to at least slow his man in the post for help to come.
 
His two positive attributes do project positively to the next level- weakside help shotblocking defender and an excellent rebounder.  His length and ability to get off the floor fast translate well.  That’s why many view Henson as most NBA ready.  The things he does well right now are based on physical attributes that translate- lateral quickness across the lane, timing shots as they leave hands, quickness on stepping out on pick and rolls, and having excellent hands around the rim for lobs and put backs.  Those will all be there on the next level, even at 220 lbs.
 
The real issue with Henson is:
1.  Can he at least hold defensive position in the post against most teams’ smaller of the two bigs.  This is a legitimate question where the answer may be no.  That’s why the Pistons (presumably) brought Henson in with a large group of bigs (including Leonard) to test him.
2.  Is that FT issue mechanical or mental?  Most think it’s mechanical and will require work.  He has no offensive game outside 10 feet.  He’s crafty with a hook shot with his long arms and quick leaping.  He has a nice spin move baseline.  He’s very good at cutting through the lane and finishing and also running in transition.
 
Moultrie and Leonard have not shown Henson’s ability to block shots.  Both struggle covering on the pick and roll.  Both players are better offensive prospects than Henson, but it’s unclear if Leonard has the overall skill set to defend true centers or become a weak side shotblocker on the next level outside of a zone.  (UNC played mostly man defense)  Moultrie, while a gifted athlete and a very good rebounder, is a head scratcher with his 0.8 bpg.  How does a 6’10 235 lb power forward with excellent athleticism and a 7’4 wingspan not show a propensity to block shots?
 
The workout was a big key because they got to see how Henson battled 1v1 in the post defensively.  I don’t know if this is a smoke screen or not (it could be).  But, if we AssUMe this is true, it bodes well for Henson’s ability as a pro prospect.  That was a pretty big workout.

]]> By: Butterscotch http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74106 Butterscotch Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:28:12 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74106 AUSTIN RIVERS!!!!!!!!Please Joe!!! AUSTIN RIVERS!!!!!!!!Please Joe!!!

]]> By: tarsier http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74092 tarsier Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:12:59 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74092 "Most of those teams between picks 2 and 5 have the cap space to take on this kind of money" You're talking about taking on approximately $27.7M. I don't think you realize how rare that kind of cap space is. 2nd pick: Charlotte ($15.0M of cap space) 3rd pick: Washington ($12.4M of cap space) 4th pick: Cleveland ($26.5M of cap space) 5th pick: Sacramento ($13.9M of cap space) Your premise that most of these 4 teams (I assume most would mean at least 3, not the almost 1 that is actually the case) have the cap space to absorb 3 large contracts for a pick is absolutely false. Granted, I don't think any of them would take such a deal anyway. But they aren't allowed to even if they went off their rockers and decided they wanted to. “Most of those teams between picks 2 and 5 have the cap space to take on this kind of money”

You’re talking about taking on approximately $27.7M. I don’t think you realize how rare that kind of cap space is.

2nd pick: Charlotte ($15.0M of cap space)
3rd pick: Washington ($12.4M of cap space)
4th pick: Cleveland ($26.5M of cap space)
5th pick: Sacramento ($13.9M of cap space)

Your premise that most of these 4 teams (I assume most would mean at least 3, not the almost 1 that is actually the case) have the cap space to absorb 3 large contracts for a pick is absolutely false. Granted, I don’t think any of them would take such a deal anyway. But they aren’t allowed to even if they went off their rockers and decided they wanted to.

]]> By: Vince http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74087 Vince Tue, 26 Jun 2012 08:56:45 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74087 @Shane Zeller is a much more polished player then Henson, he's physical, he can rebound he can shoot and he's a shot-blocker.  @Tom Y. Leonard is low risk, his athleticism is off the charts, the dude is 7ft1 and has huge reach, he'd be waaaay more NBA ready then Henson, dude is huge and has a better game imo. @Stuckey and whoever, Moultrie, Harkless and Fab Melo are in my opinion sleepers in this draft, Harkless has had a strong draft combine performance and has been wowing everyone, Moultrie has always had a consistent game and he's a solid player. Fab Melo still has room to improve but the guy has size and game, I like all three prospects but I think taking them with the 9th pick might be a reach, I'd take Leonard or Zeller over them, but I'd take any of that trio over Henson. That being said, its no knock on Henson, he's just not what the Pistons need. @Shane Zeller is a much more polished player then Henson, he’s physical, he can rebound he can shoot and he’s a shot-blocker. 

@Tom Y. Leonard is low risk, his athleticism is off the charts, the dude is 7ft1 and has huge reach, he’d be waaaay more NBA ready then Henson, dude is huge and has a better game imo.

@Stuckey and whoever, Moultrie, Harkless and Fab Melo are in my opinion sleepers in this draft, Harkless has had a strong draft combine performance and has been wowing everyone, Moultrie has always had a consistent game and he’s a solid player. Fab Melo still has room to improve but the guy has size and game, I like all three prospects but I think taking them with the 9th pick might be a reach, I’d take Leonard or Zeller over them, but I’d take any of that trio over Henson. That being said, its no knock on Henson, he’s just not what the Pistons need.

]]> By: Tom Y. http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74085 Tom Y. Tue, 26 Jun 2012 08:29:04 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74085 And Leonard isn't low risk And Leonard isn’t low risk

]]> By: BIG MARV http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74062 BIG MARV Tue, 26 Jun 2012 05:33:02 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74062 I just saw nba TV's mock draft and they got Austin Rivers at the no.9 spot.... I hope not that will be a disaster for detrot, that will be a Matt Millen move when he use to draft all those WR every year. I just saw nba TV’s mock draft and they got Austin Rivers at the no.9 spot…. I hope not that will be a disaster for detrot, that will be a Matt Millen move when he use to draft all those WR every year.

]]> By: Stuckey and whoever http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74061 Stuckey and whoever Tue, 26 Jun 2012 05:04:19 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74061 YES! YES!

]]> By: Stuckey and whoever http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/comment-page-1/#comment-74060 Stuckey and whoever Tue, 26 Jun 2012 05:03:55 +0000 http://www.pistonpowered.com/2012/06/john-henson-to-pistons-in-espns-updated-mock-draft/#comment-74060 What happened to Moultrie you were promoting earlier? What happened to Moultrie you were promoting earlier?

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