Greg Monroe vs. Everyone Else

by Gabe F-B on May 22, 2010 3:22 PM EDT

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Monroe seems to be Pistons fans most popular choice among players who will probably be available (he's definitely the choice of pistons.com editor/Jod spokesman, Keith Langlois).

I don't want Monroe.

I'm gonna try and illustrate why with stats (courtesy of draftexpress.com)

Monroe:

Basic Statistics Per 40 Pace Adjusted

Year	League	Team	GP	Min	Pts	FG	FGA	FG%	2Pt	2PtA	2P%	3Pt	3PtA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	TOT	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	PFs
2008/09	NCAA	Georgetown	31	30.9	17.2	6.3	11.0	57.2	6.2	10.7	57.8	0.1	0.3	33.3	4.6	6.6	70.0	2.7	6.2	8.9	3.5	2.5	2.0	3.4	3.4
2009/10	NCAA	Georgetown	34	34.2	19.0	7.0	13.3	52.5	6.7	12.4	54.5	0.2	0.9	25.9	4.8	7.2	66.0	2.6	8.8	11.3	4.4	1.5	1.8	3.9	3.0

Villanueva:

Basic Statistics Per 40 Pace Adjusted

Year	League	Team	GP	Min	Pts	FG	FGA	FG%	2Pt	2PtA	2P%	3Pt	3PtA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	TOT	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	PFs
2003/04	NCAA	Connecticut	32	19.0	18.3	7.2	14.1	51.4	6.1	10.9	55.6	1.2	3.1	36.7	2.7	4.0	66.7	3.6	7.2	10.7	1.5	0.4	3.1	2.5	4.6
2004/05	NCAA	Connecticut	31	25.8	19.9	7.5	14.4	52.1	7.2	13.8	52.2	0.3	0.6	50.0	4.6	6.7	68.8	3.9	8.3	12.1	1.9	0.9	2.7	3.3	3.2

Aldrich:

Basic Statistics Per 40 Pace Adjusted

Year	League	Team	GP	Min	Pts	FG	FGA	FG%	2Pt	2PtA	2P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	TOT	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	PFs
2007/08	NCAA	Kansas	40	8.3	13.3	5.1	9.8	51.8	5.1	9.8	51.8	3.1	4.5	68.4	4.0	10.1	14.1	0.6	1.3	4.0	2.5	5.7
2008/09	NCAA	Kansas	35	29.6	19.9	7.6	12.7	59.8	7.6	12.7	59.8	4.7	5.9	79.2	4.0	10.7	14.8	1.4	0.8	3.6	2.1	3.4
2009/10	NCAA	Kansas	36	26.8	16.2	5.9	10.6	56.2	5.9	10.6	56.2	4.3	6.3	67.9	4.4	9.7	14.1	1.2	1.1	5.0	2.2	3.7

Ed Davis:

Basic Statistics Per 40 Pace Adjusted

Year	League	Team	GP	Min	Pts	FG	FGA	FG%	2Pt	2PtA	2P%	3Pt	3PtA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	TOT	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	PFs
2008/09	NCAA	North Carolina	38	18.8	12.8	5.0	9.7	51.8	5.0	9.7	51.8	0.0	0.0		2.8	4.9	57.3	4.2	8.5	12.7	1.1	0.7	3.3	2.0	3.7
2009/10	NCAA	North Carolina	24	26.9	17.6	6.3	11.0	57.8	6.3	11.0	57.8	0.0	0.0		5.0	7.5	65.9	3.8	8.8	12.6	1.3	0.6	3.7	2.6	2.4

Whiteside:

Basic Statistics Per 40 Pace Adjusted

Year	League	Team	GP	Min	Pts	FG	FGA	FG%	2Pt	2PtA	2P%	3Pt	3PtA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	Off	Def	TOT	Asts	Stls	Blks	TOs	PFs
2009/10	NCAA	Marshall	34	26.1	19.0	7.1	13.6	52.4	7.0	13.4	52.2	0.1	0.2	60.0	4.7	8.0	58.8	3.9	9.0	12.9	0.4	0.8	7.7	2.7	3.5

----------

Monroe:

Efficiency Statistics

Player Info					Shooting Ratios							Passing Ratios				Defensive Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PTs/g	FGA/g	Pts/Play	TS%	eFG%	FTA/FGA	3PA/FGA	Ast/g	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	BK/g	STL/g	PF/g
2008/09	NCAA	Georgetown	31	30.9	12.7	8.1	0.99	0.61	0.58	0.60	0.02	2.5	0.32	1.03	-2.59	1.5	1.8	2.5
2009/10	NCAA	Georgetown	34	34.2	16.1	11.3	0.92	0.57	0.53	0.54	0.07	3.8	0.33	1.14	-2.36	1.5	1.2	2.6

Villanueva:

Efficiency Statistics

Player Info					Shooting Ratios							Passing Ratios				Defensive Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PTs/g	FGA/g	Pts/Play	TS%	eFG%	FTA/FGA	3PA/FGA	Ast/g	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	BK/g	STL/g	PF/g
2003/04	NCAA	Connecticut	32	19.0	8.9	6.9	0.99	0.57	0.55	0.29	0.22	0.7	0.10	0.59	-3.92	1.5	0.2	2.3
2004/05	NCAA	Connecticut	31	25.8	13.6	9.8	0.95	0.57	0.53	0.46	0.04	1.3	0.13	0.57	-5.46	1.8	0.6	2.2

Aldrich:

Efficiency Statistics

Player Info					Shooting Ratios							Passing Ratios				Defensive Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PTs/g	FGA/g	Pts/Play	TS%	eFG%	FTA/FGA	3PA/FGA	Ast/g	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	BK/g	STL/g	PF/g
2007/08	NCAA	Kansas	40	8.3	2.8	2.1	0.92	0.56	0.52	0.46	0.00	0.1	0.06	0.24	-5.36	0.9	0.3	1.2
2008/09	NCAA	Kansas	35	29.6	14.9	9.5	1.13	0.64	0.60	0.46	0.00	1.0	0.11	0.64	-3.11	2.7	0.6	2.6
2009/10	NCAA	Kansas	36	26.8	11.3	7.4	1.03	0.60	0.56	0.60	0.00	0.9	0.12	0.55	-3.69	3.5	0.8	2.6

Davis:

Efficiency Statistics

Player Info					Shooting Ratios							Passing Ratios				Defensive Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PTs/g	FGA/g	Pts/Play	TS%	eFG%	FTA/FGA	3PA/FGA	Ast/g	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	BK/g	STL/g	PF/g
2008/09	NCAA	North Carolina	38	18.8	6.7	5.0	0.92	0.54	0.52	0.50	0.00	0.6	0.12	0.55	-3.56	1.7	0.4	1.9
2009/10	NCAA	North Carolina	24	26.9	12.9	8.0	1.03	0.61	0.58	0.69	0.00	0.9	0.11	0.48	-4.88	2.7	0.4	1.8

Whiteside:

Efficiency Statistics

Player Info					Shooting Ratios							Passing Ratios				Defensive Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PTs/g	FGA/g	Pts/Play	TS%	eFG%	FTA/FGA	3PA/FGA	Ast/g	Ast/FGA	A/TO	PPR	BK/g	STL/g	PF/g
2009/10	NCAA	Marshall	34	26.1	13.1	9.4	0.95	0.55	0.53	0.59	0.02	0.3	0.03	0.16	-6.46	5.4	0.6	2.4

----------

Monroe:

Usage Statistics

Player Info					Complete Metrics				Possession Info			Possession Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PER	EFF	EFF/40	WS/40	Pos/g	Tm Pos/g	% Tm Pos	Pts/Pos	FGA/Pos	FTA/Pos	Ast/Pos	TO/Pos
2008/09	NCAA	Georgetown	31	30.9	25.5	17.7	22.9	11.5	11.5	65.5	17.5	1.11	0.70	0.42	0.22	0.22
2009/10	NCAA	Georgetown	34	34.2	25.9	21.6	25.2	12.5	15.4	66.8	23.1	1.05	0.73	0.40	0.24	0.21

Villanueva:

Usage Statistics

Player Info					Complete Metrics				Possession Info			Possession Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PER	EFF	EFF/40	WS/40	Pos/g	Tm Pos/g	% Tm Pos	Pts/Pos	FGA/Pos	FTA/Pos	Ast/Pos	TO/Pos
2003/04	NCAA	Connecticut	32	19.0	23.4	11.4	24.0	11.1	7.8	70.2	11.1	1.15	0.88	0.25	0.09	0.16
2004/05	NCAA	Connecticut	31	25.8	25.9	17.3	26.8	13.4	12.4	71.8	17.3	1.09	0.79	0.37	0.10	0.18

Aldrich:

Usage Statistics

Player Info					Complete Metrics				Possession Info			Possession Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PER	EFF	EFF/40	WS/40	Pos/g	Tm Pos/g	% Tm Pos	Pts/Pos	FGA/Pos	FTA/Pos	Ast/Pos	TO/Pos
2007/08	NCAA	Kansas	40	8.3	22.2	5.2	25.2	13.9	2.7	69.0	3.9	1.05	0.78	0.36	0.05	0.20
2008/09	NCAA	Kansas	35	29.6	31.6	23.9	32.2	18.6	11.8	69.5	16.9	1.26	0.81	0.37	0.09	0.14
2009/10	NCAA	Kansas	36	26.8	28.7	20.0	29.9	17.4	9.7	70.1	13.9	1.16	0.76	0.45	0.09	0.16

Davis:

Usage Statistics

Player Info					Complete Metrics				Possession Info			Possession Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PER	EFF	EFF/40	WS/40	Pos/g	Tm Pos/g	% Tm Pos	Pts/Pos	FGA/Pos	FTA/Pos	Ast/Pos	TO/Pos
2008/09	NCAA	North Carolina	38	18.8	20.5	11.3	24.1	13.7	6.3	76.0	8.3	1.06	0.80	0.40	0.09	0.17
2009/10	NCAA	North Carolina	24	26.9	26.8	18.9	28.1	15.9	11.1	73.0	15.2	1.16	0.72	0.50	0.08	0.17

Whiteside:

Usage Statistics

Player Info					Complete Metrics				Possession Info			Possession Ratios
Year	League	Team	GP	Min	PER	EFF	EFF/40	WS/40	Pos/g	Tm Pos/g	% Tm Pos	Pts/Pos	FGA/Pos	FTA/Pos	Ast/Pos	TO/Pos
2009/10	NCAA	Marshall	34	26.1	29.8	19.6	30.1	15.6	12.0	71.0	16.9	1.09	0.78	0.46	0.02	0.16

Summary:

First I'll start out with the positives for Monroe; he played a larger role in Gtown's offense than any of the other big guys, and while he wasn't as efficient from the field as one would like, he did a good job of drawing fouls, which kept his TS% at an acceptable level. He had the most assists, and the best A/TO ratio. Also, he created more steals than the other big guys, which suggests good lateral fluidity.

Now the other side of the coin, and why I prefer the alternatives: The other guys blow Monroe out of the water when it comes to blocking shots, and they all rebounded at a higher rate, and at a much higher rate when it came to offensive rebounding. Shot-blocking and offensive rebounding are hugely important stats for projecting college PF/C prospects. Blocking shots is probably the most important "athletic indicator"-- because it tells a great deal about a PF/C prospects explosiveness and timing. Offensive rebounding is the best "hustle" stat-- telling about aggressiveness (and it shows an understanding of angles/positioning).

A PF/C prospects who is weak at both offensive rebounding and shot-blocking is troubling, because it suggests both a lack of aggressiveness and a lack of NBA caliber athleticism. Players with this combination of issues typically have limited ceilings (i.e. the very best case scenario is a guy roughly as productive as LaMarcus Aldridge).

On top of this is the fact that Monroe was the most turnover prone player (by possession). This is another issue where taken on its own, it might not be much of a concern, especially if the player is contributing in a number of areas (think Evan Turner). But if a player already has several holes in his game, adding a high turnover rate makes the prospect even riskier.

Finally, just take a look at the comparison between Monroe and Villanueva... They are remarkably similar players. CV actually has slightly better rebounding numbers(!), while Monroe has the edge with assists, but they are very close in most categories. Why draft an offensive-minded big when CV's contract runs another four years?

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Comments

Monroe could go anywhere in the top 6

All those teams need him and fits very very well with any of those teams. Dont expect him to be there at 7. Also WHiteside will kill in workouts so his stock will rise so he might go at 7

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia

by dubzfan on May 22, 2010 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

I’ve got Monroe going 6th to the Warriors.

Also, I’m not interested in Whiteside at all. He’s reminds me too much of Thabeet.

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 22, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean, Christ, look at his assist numbers:

In 851 minutes played last season, Whiteside had a grand total of 9 assists.
I understand not every big can be a Chris Webber type passer but COME ON. 9?!? You’re getting one assist for every 95 minutes played. Not even Zach Randolph is that much of a blackhole.

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 22, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

…and 7.7 blocks per 40. That doesn’t happen very often.

by Gabe F-B on May 22, 2010 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

That's assuming his scrawny ass doesn't break in half during a season.

Thabeet averaged roughly 6 blocks per 40 over his college career, and he sucks.

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 22, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Thabeet...........

Averaging 13 min a game, 68 games this season, is averaging 1.3 blocks. That’s 3.6 blocks per 36 min

by JC no1 pistons fan on May 22, 2010 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Amir Johnson, his first "full" season with the Pistons

Averaged 3.9 blocks per 36.

Clearly we shouldn’t have TRADED AMIR NOW!

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 22, 2010 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

For salary-saving purposes

We traded Amir Johnson, to add on to the 19 mil cap space we have to 22 mil. I really don’t mind if we have Thabeet

by JC no1 pistons fan on May 23, 2010 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

totally

thank god we got that 22 mil, that shit paid off in a big way

"not by the face, but by the name they knew him-- racist against rappers, they all look the same to him"

by Mike Payne on May 23, 2010 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

lol

I love how a sarcastic response about Amir’s per-36 numbers turned into a sarcastic response about how we traded Amir away for nothing. It made me chuckle.

by garrettelliott on May 23, 2010 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Me too, Garrett.

by Birdman84 on May 24, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s assuming his scrawny ass doesn’t break in half during a season.

uh, Marcus Camby? Pau Gasol?

Basketball ≠ Football

by Gabe F-B on May 23, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Why bring up two guys bigger than Whiteside? What point does that prove?

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 23, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Has Whiteside played against anybody?

That’s what worries me about him. It’ll be interested to see who he has to work out against.

by Quick Darshan on May 23, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Whiteside is the Marshall dude

Marshall does not have a good team. That’s why his assist numbers are so low. Whiteside is too boom/bust for this team.

by Biz Markie Moon on May 23, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention, Whiteside is ridiculously immature.

Whiteside’s fundamentals, basketball IQ and overall awareness are well below average, even considering his freshman status. He at times looks out of place in Marshall’s half-court offense, looking as if he’s not quite sure where he should be at any particular moment, which at this late stage in the season makes you wonder about his ability to process an NBA team’s far more complex playbook.

Whiteside had a very difficult time qualifying academically for college, only actually getting into school at age 20, and is reportedly having problems staying eligible now that he’s already there, which will likely leave him no choice but to enter this year’s draft.

"Immature" is the word you hear most often associated with Whiteside both on and off the court, as there will certainly be a large degree of hand-holding and coddling that whichever team drafts him needs to do in order to help him reach his full potential. There are major questions about his work ethic and intensity level, which is a bit concerning considering how far off he currently is from being able to contribute to an NBA team.

There’s no point in taking a project player with a bad attitude. Unless you liked Darko.

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 23, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe the Trailblazers can draft him......

da dum tiss.

by Biz Markie Moon on May 23, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Usually I prefer

ba-dump-tssh

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 23, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

oh terrence…

Gasol is listed at 227 pounds… guess what Whiteside weighed in at? Exactly 227 pounds.

And Camby weighed 223 pounds at his draft combine.

I honestly don’t get it, why disagree with basic facts?

by Gabe F-B on May 23, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Oh, I thought you meant RIGHT NOW, not when they were drafted.

Yeah, they came into the league around 225-230, but both have put on at least 20 pounds since then (most places I’ve seen listed them between 240-250).

But there’s one big difference between Gasol/Camby and Whiteside.

Gasol/Camby are hard-workers.
Whiteside is a bitch.

Therefore, if Whiteside puts on 20 pounds, it’s likely going to be all fat.

by Terrence J. Lynch on May 23, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Therefore, if Whiteside puts on 20 pounds, it’s likely going to be all fat.

This is what’s known as the “Villanueva post-UCONN diet”

"The Lakers were favored 8 to 1 odds to beat the Pistons. Bullshit." - Bill Davidson, Championship parade, 2004

by Skylar on May 23, 2010 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Whiteside is a bitch.

…?

You wanna tone it down a bit? It’s clear you don’t think much of Whiteside, but there’s plenty of substantive reasons/rationales against drafting him. Honestly, randomly calling the kid “a bitch” doesn’t reflect very well on you. But to each his own, I guess.

by Gabe F-B on May 23, 2010 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure he was turnover prone per se...

Of that group, and of just about any group of big men, Monroe is the best passer. You’d have to look hard to find a college big man who had an A/TO ratio above 1.0. Chris Webber didn’t. Brad Miller didn’t. Tim Duncan didn’t. I can’t think of a player who has, other than Draymond Green, whose transition to the NBA has yet to be complete.

Ball handling translates very well to the NBA, and for a team that lacks a prototypical point guard, I think he’d be an outstanding contributor in this area. That’s a big part of his appeal.

by Kevin Sawyer on May 24, 2010 1:23 AM EDT reply actions

Monroe is obviously the best passer, but he’s also the most turnover prone. His turnover/possession ratio was high for a potential lottery pick. Combine that with his lack of elite rebounding, and especially poor offensive rebounding, and his awful shot-blocking… it’s possible he overcomes these weaknesses, but I know if it were my job on the line, it’s a gamble I wouldn’t take.

by Gabe F-B on May 24, 2010 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions

On Whiteside

Look at his numbers against ODU and UNC. I don’t think those block and rebound numbers are going to hold particularly well. It’s like that one dude from Cornell, who racked up big stats against a whole bunch of 6’4 Ivy Leaguers.

by Kevin Sawyer on May 24, 2010 1:27 AM EDT reply actions

Look at Greg Monroe’s stats against Syracuse on Jan 25th. Single game sample sizes = meh

by Gabe F-B on May 24, 2010 3:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for taking the time to do this, Gabe

Nice post. Aldrich looks pretty nice, and he put up his numbers at a big school against quality teams (although I echo your sample size comments).

My Blog

by brgulker on May 24, 2010 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Also, I’m struggling to figure out the recent obsession with “passing skills” of late. I don’t care if my center can pass the ball or not. I’d rather him be able to catch the ball, drop step, and dunk while on a regular diet of eating babies.

My Blog

by brgulker on May 24, 2010 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Why the obsession with passing skills?

Did you see our team last year? An army of good to excellent perimeter shooters who threw up bricks all year long. A center who can distribute the ball is going to have more opportunities to drop step and dunk because teams know he can find the open man in after a double team.

Did anyone complain about Arvydas Sabonis’ turnovers?

by Kevin Sawyer on May 24, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Did anyone complain about Arvydas Sabonis’ turnovers?

Why would they? Sabonis never had a turnover rate as bad as either one of Monroe’s two seasons in college.

by Gabe F-B on May 24, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sabonis no turn ball over, ball over turn Sabonis.

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on May 24, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Well, that got a chuckle (and a rec) out of me.

by Birdman84 on May 24, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, let me get this straight. Which is harder to find?

A big man who can rebound, defend, score in the paint, AND pass is one of the hardest things to find in the NBA — right?

Guards who can put the ball on the floor and then pass to an open teammate.

Which does our team need more urgently? An interior presence or the next Sabonis?

Honestly, for a full year, all we’ve done is complain about the lack of a post presence on both ends. Then, a big man with almost no interior defensive skills comes along but can apparently pass the ball (an quite often to the other team, it seems), and people are flocking to him. Where did that come from? I don’t get it.

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by brgulker on May 25, 2010 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

If he's the next Sabonis

He should go number one. That Monroe shows signs of having the same set of skills makes him very interesting to me at the seven. I don’t see any great interior scorers being available. Aldrich isn’t. Davis couldn’t even score for a crappy UNC team.

by Kevin Sawyer on May 25, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally, I love big men that can pass the ball.

I love having 5 players that all have ball skills. It makes for beautiful offense. Unfortunately, most of these players tend to be weak on defense. But, hey, the Kings were fun to watch for a while and if they didn’t get 100 fouls called against them in Game Six, they might have won it all.

If Kevin Love were a little taller and could block some shots, he’d be my ideal big man.

As for Monroe, he is probably more Brad Miller or a post-knee surgery Chris Webber.

by Quick Darshan on May 24, 2010 7:54 PM EDT reply actions

Greg Monroe is a skilled big...

…and could be one of the best players from this draft…He can hit the 14 ft jumper and can clearly pass the call…He will only get stronger as he matures…His defense will improve once he gets to the NBA….I really see Monroe as a Kevin Ganrnet type player…Id love to see this guy in Detroit!!!

by BennieBladesFan on May 24, 2010 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

KG? Monroe is a horrible defender

That’s why people here don’t want him, he’s soft. KG happens to be one of the best defensive players in the history of the game, I can’t see the comparison myself.

I can’t speak about his jumper, but he is very turnover prone, which nullifies his passing abilities.

by bearded thundar on May 24, 2010 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Defense can improve...

…especially in different systems…plus as he gets stronger his low post defense will improve as well.

by BennieBladesFan on May 25, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

not to that extent though

You have to be hands down one of the best defenders coming out of college to even consider being compared to KG. The only guy who could possibly deserve that compliment would be Varnado as he set the blocks record

by bearded thundar on May 25, 2010 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah look at how CV and BG improved when they changed systems

and were coached by a supposed defensive specialist…

I agree that defense can be taught, but toughness on defense cannot be. You’re comparing someone who has been described as soft on defense to one of the most intense players to ever play the game. KG has more intensity in his right nostril than Monroe likely has in his entire body.

Aldrich on the other hand seems like a baaaaaaaaad man. Like Laimbeer dirty with the back talk of Mahorn and the postgame of James “Boudha” Edwwards.

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on May 25, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly my point

You can’t just lightly toss around the name KG when you’re talking about defensive ability, especially when it comes to guys who just lack that internal toughness

by bearded thundar on May 25, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

We make points. Together.

All for one, and one for all.

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on May 25, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

we do indeed make a good team

especially against the invading Minnesota fans

by bearded thundar on May 25, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

good point bennie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"not by the face, but by the name they knew him-- racist against rappers, they all look the same to him"

by Mike Payne on May 25, 2010 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know … The post got stronger as it matured … but I’d say … it needs some work on the front end … !!!

My Blog

by brgulker on May 25, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Monroe wil be the pick!!!

by BennieBladesFan on May 25, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Bennie 4Prez!!!1

by Gabe F-B on May 25, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m just messing with you, BBF.

My Blog

by brgulker on May 25, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh i know man...Its all good.

by BennieBladesFan on May 26, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Monroe will be the pick...

,,,unless we trade up I should say.

by BennieBladesFan on May 26, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

unfortunately...

…you might be right.

by Gabe F-B on May 26, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

i agree...

…with gabe… …f-b

"not by the face, but by the name they knew him-- racist against rappers, they all look the same to him"

by Mike Payne on May 26, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Whatever...

My money is still on Donuts Montezuma

Jonas Jerebko once killed a charging female rhinoceros in heat protecting its young with nothing more than a hook shot.

by The Boourns on May 26, 2010 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

Doughnasas Moonajoona

by Biz Markie Moon on May 26, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions

At this point I'm fine with whomever we pick, as long as it is a big.

My top tier is either Monroe or Aldrich.

A question mark like Whiteside would be welcomed.

Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?

by Kriz on May 26, 2010 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

not a problem

Dumars already said he fully intends to draft a big with both picks, unless if someone special falls to the second round

by bearded thundar on May 26, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm With Kriz

I don’t follow college players enough to know the nuances of each guy beyond what’s been said here. I just hope we pick someone big, who can contribute right away and not just waste away on our bench like so many Pistons rookies before him.

by garrettelliott on May 26, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

You said something key.

Whomever we pick, must be given plenty of time. If our pick is going to fail let it fail on the court, not on the bench.

Same for the second round pick.

Where in the world is Cheikh Samb?

by Kriz on May 26, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

so totally agreed

and that’s another thing i’m pissed about this last season. i love Jonas almost as much as you do, but I really would have liked Daye and Summers to get real, meaningful playing time along a stretch where they could find consistency and we could see what we really had in them. I trust Kuester’s understandings of their games better than mine and his behind-the-scenes experiences in practice, but man- give them burn to burn out or to light up.

"not by the face, but by the name they knew him-- racist against rappers, they all look the same to him"

by Mike Payne on May 26, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Especially towards the end of the season, if you know what I’m saying.

/dead horse beaten

by garrettelliott on May 26, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagreed.

"not by the face, but by the name they knew him-- racist against rappers, they all look the same to him"

by Mike Payne on May 26, 2010 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Big MFing rec to Kriz on that one.

My Blog

by brgulker on May 27, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Just let everyone know

Artsiom Parakhouski looks like an even better prospect from the combine results.

6’10.25" without shoes, standing reach above 9 feet but most importantly only 6 percent body fat and 268 pounds. That’s what you want out of any center, a giant mass of muscle, that if nothing more, would clog up the lanes on defense. I can’t wait to see his bench press and vertical leap (and really they should list the hand sizes and measure squats for bigs)

by bearded thundar on May 26, 2010 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

I LOVE NOT BEING ABLE TO PRONOUNCE NAMES!

Just kidding, I like the way he sounds. Plus, he played for Radford, which is about three hours away from where I live, so that would be pretty cool. I’ve never actually watched him play though, and personally, I’d like to have Omar Samhan or Varnado, just because I actually know about them.

by Biz Markie Moon on May 27, 2010 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

statistically speaking

Parakhouski was one of the best centers in the entire NCAA, top 5 in many categories across all positions actually. I really want an extra 2 second rounders, that way if we trade up, we could get Cousins, Varnado, Parakhouski and Ryan Richards (read the Keith’s piece on him)! That would likely fit all of our front court problems in one swoop, and the best part is that we could get those picks on the cheap by either buying them or trading future seconds (we’ve got a ton next year and 2012)

by bearded thundar on May 27, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

If we’re so keen on those guys, though, aren’t other teams as well? It would be interesting to see the random names other teams’ fans are throwing out there with their fingers crossed.

by garrettelliott on May 27, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

yes and no

We in Detroit have different views on what we want out of players, and that’s why you saw Ben Wallace go from nothing to HOF defender here and then disappear again in Chicago and Cleveland.

Varnado is viewed by many as purely an undersized defender (anyone heard that before?), where as if you watch him it is evident that he worked a lot on his frame and does have a nice touch around the rim. Can he step out and hit 15 footers? Highly doubt it, and that’s why he’s not a lottery pick. But he does everything I want at a high level, and that’s rebound, block shots and defend the post (mind you he completely took out Cousins on many occasions, had he not fouled out they would have won the first meeting).

I’ll give you Parakhouski, it makes no sense that he’s rated that low. Who cares if he did it in a weak conference, any time you have someone average 14 rebounds per game (and that is NOT an efficiency stat) you have to take a flier. Just look at Rodman, he average 15 boards per game in a weaker league before the Pistons took him, and look at what he did, even getting 19 boards one year (earning himself a reference in MIB). I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the Texas trio took him late in the first.

But Richards has come out of no where, and as I understand it, has only worked out for the Pistons so far (I didn’t see him on any mock drafts yet, but draftexpess did note that he has very nice physique and Keith talked about his great shooting touch).

by bearded thundar on May 27, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for all of your insights, BT (and everyone else who has contributed in the draft talk). It really makes me excited for the draft even though I’ve never watched any of these guys play, yet I feel like I know them.

by garrettelliott on May 27, 2010 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

thank you, that was the goal

When I was writing my reports, my number one goal was to allow those who couldn’t watch, see the players for themselves. I can’t speak for the others, but I had a lot of fun with them, and think they also benefited my writing in general.

I wrote another piece about 2 weeks ago, once Mike gets settled in there should be a slew of articles running in. This should be an exciting offseason, I see a lot of different ways that Joe can improve this team – if management lets him play his hand right. That would be the biggest hindrance, as the best (and easiest) way to get better would be to take on salary, and according to Mike+Terry ownership has forbade him from increasing payroll (which could mean we’ll end up wasting our expiring contracts).

by bearded thundar on May 27, 2010 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions