Comments on: Will any of Detroit’s ‘weird forward types’ exceed expectations?

By: Max

Max — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:28:22 +0000

You’re right but the league is playing small ball more frequently now and he could play power forward against other small forwards and tweener powers.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:17:10 +0000

Always room for Workaholics here as far as I’m concerned.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 03:16:46 +0000

Prince doesn’t really like playing PF and he partially blamed it for all of the back injuries he had a few years back. Not sure he’d be all that into that idea, especially since he’s even older now.

By: lvmainman

lvmainman — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 01:31:03 +0000

The Nets are better than the Bulls without Rose, the Knicks, or a Bynum led 76ers. The Hawks will struggle to get the 8th seed. The Nets added a healthy Lopez, Joe Johnson, a defensive hustler in Wallace, and have a 6th man in Marshon Brooks.

Pistons are definitely on the outside looking in.

By: Max

Max — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 23:17:13 +0000

I think the Pistons should play some small ball with Tay at the four so they can play a team of Monroe, Prince, Maggette, Stuckey and Knight. This could be the best offensive five man unit at Frank’s disposal this year.

By: copacetic

copacetic — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:05:09 +0000

Weird forwards? I hope it sticks. Any workaholics fans out there? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imSH7AVyTdc

By: Jordan

Jordan — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:28:15 +0000

Dude its a terrible trade for memphis. No one should have to explain why.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:19:35 +0000

If Atlanta and NY are competing for the 8 spot, something went drastically wrong. I know those teams are flawed, but still. The Hawks still have one of the best frontcourts in the league in Horford-Smith and their guard play is solid enough. The Knicks are the Knicks, but if they all stay healthy, they should be penciled in for 46ish win range. I really only see one spot in the East up for grabs in the playoffs. If everyone stays healthy on these teams, Miami, Boston, Chicago, Philly, Indiana, NY and Atlanta should be locks, and Brooklyn is very close to that group. I’ve written it earlier, but I think there’s a really good chance the Pistons are a much better team but still don’t sniff the playoffs. They’re closer, but a lot of other teams improved too. The Pistons didn’t really add any significant veteran pieces that will help right now (unless you count Maggette, who is an injury risk). They are just banking on their young guys getting better really fast. That could work, but it’s certainly far from a guarantee.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:14:22 +0000

Haha … glad we’re both consistent then — you with the Gay trade scenario and me with my rebuttal.

I think the solution, for now, will be to just not play a couple of those guys. I don’t think Daye, Singler or Middleton will crack the rotation this year. Villanueva could, I guess, if he’s been as impressive as the camp reports say, but we’ve heard that noise about him before. My guess is Prince/Maggette take up most of the SF minutes, with maybe a sprinkling of Jerebko. Up front, Monroe is obviously going to get as many minutes as he can handle. Maxiell will probably begin the season as a starter, but I expect Kravstov to push for a rotation spot. Jerebko/Maxiell and maybe Villanueva will vie for the backup PF minutes. I hope Drummond cracks the rotation at some point, but I don’t expect him to out of camp.

As for T Will and Flynn, although I’m somewhat intrigued by both guys, I just don’t see the Pistons making any kind of roster move to accommodate one or both, unless they have just unbelievably impressive preseason performances. I would really, really like to see them find a way to keep Williams though.

By: vic

vic — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:08:25 +0000

“There is no veteran backup for Stuckey”,

SOLVED – Maggette: same playing style, practicing at the 2. Hopefully Frank will play him there.

“and defense is going to be an issue until someone emerges as a viable partner for Monroe.”
KRAVTSOLVED. Plus a hungry Maxiell in a contract year was the reason they went .500 in the last part of last year. (He was added to the starting lineup.)

I still think the Pistons will make the playoffs… Not sure, but still over 50% chance in my opinion. I think we’ll be competing with Washington/Atlanta/New York.

This year there’s really no reason to wish for the draft anyway. The difference between a number 12 and a number 16 pick will be pretty minimal, and on a much lower plane than last year. Last year you were getting top 10 level talent at picks 14-20. This year after the top 5, you’re just getting a college basketball player that might get better.

Might as well shoot for the best.