The Pistons held a press conference yesterday to officially introduce Nazr Mohammed and Flip Murray. Joe Dumars pretty much said all the right things — the Pistons will still be a tough defensive team without Ben Wallace and Wallace’s departure has not lowered expectations or goals for the upcoming season. Flip Saunders, who seemingly never clicked with Wallace in the first place, wholeheartedly agrees. From the Detroit News:
“We have a chance to be a better defensive team,” he said. “I know that sounds crazy. But the No. 1 thing you have to be able to do is stop perimeter penetration and I am excited about (Murray’s) ability to defend on the perimeter. When he came into the league, he was known as a defensive player.”
Flip Murray a defensive stopper? OK, so maybe Saunders’ Kool-Aid needs a little more water, but it’s clear that the Pistons braintrust is feeling optimistic about the upcoming season.
It was after the press conference, though, that I think Dumars made his most interesting points. In a radio interview with WDFN, Dumars clarified the reasoning behind the Dupree signing and stated plainly that he’s not planning on trading Carlos Delfino. MLive’s Full-Court Press has a link to the actual interview and transcribed the interview (not 100% word for word, but close enough for context):
Q: There is speculation that you acquired Roland Dupree in case you have to move Carlos Delfino in a trade; perhaps a sign-and-trade deal with Al Harrington. Is there any truth to that speculation?
A: No. First of all, Al Harrington is looking for $10 million a year and Delfino makes no where near that, so a sign-and-trade doesn’t really work. We got Dupree because we needed depth after losing a guy like Mo Evans. We felt comfortable bringing in Dupree to fill that hole because he doesn’t need to make a big transition to learn the system.
Q: Is Flip going to give Carlos Delfino a bigger chance this season?
A: I think he did well with his minutes down the stretch. Yeah, we’ve had that conversation and we intend for him to play this year. He’s a guy that deserves to get some time. He’s a 24-year-old guy that brings something to the table that we didn’t have last season. He’s a good open-court player, a good finisher around the basket and I like him a lot.
So that’s that — make of it as you will, but it sounds to me like Delfino will still be here come training camp. In case you forgot what Delfino is capable of doing given solid minutes, DBB reader Matt Gibson dug up a couple of box scores from late in the year: against the Bucks and against the Wizards. Considering Delfino is making just over $1 million this upcoming season and the Pistons hold a team option for $1.8 million in 2007-08, there’s absolutely no reason not to hold onto him for at least another year to see what he develops into given actual playing time.
Dumars: Pistons’ defense won’t rest [Detroit News]
Dumars WDFN notes: Being a GM isn’t like fantasy basketball [Full-Court Press]
I hope Delfino proves me wrong. I will be pulling for him big time. I will still be very suprised to see him rocking a Piston jersey come opening day.
Can’t blame the guy for wanting to play.
Can’t blame Joe for wanting him to play.
But, I can’ blame Flip for not playing him last year. Two box scores don’t tell the story on this guy. He was lost on offense and defense, missed everything, and complained to the press right before the playoffs (for the second year in a row).
First of…wooh go me. Second I think the complaining hes done was actually miss translated. Now I agree he was a bit lost on offense but you also need time to get used to the system. Defense I thought he did good for the most part. A couple cheap calls but thats what happens when your a young guy that noone knows. If Delfino does end up getting time and sucking I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong. But lets see what he does when he does get time.
Sometimes gettin’ time can be all the difference…
Last year the Sacramento Kings had a young guard, Ronnie Price; that I could see loved ‘d’ & gettin’ into ‘d’ with his low-posture like a minnie ronron, & instead Jason Hart(perceived to be stronger on offense) would get the nod for playing time at back-up p.g.
When Ronnie did get on the court, he was so impatient to show he deserved to be there he made assinine mistakes & choices, rushed things as young players are wont to do that feel they haven’t had a chance….
in Vega$ when he had time with Francisco Garcia & Kevin Martin out he put up 30 points. I think Delfino just needs to relax, the coaching staff needs to draw up some plays so he knows where he’s gonna get the ball…etc…blah-blah-blah. Right now, I don’t see that he’s been given a chance to really show what he can do considering Mo’ Evans had most of his minutes last season.
Of course, that was that when Dumars said he would not trade Darko too.
You just have to wait and see what happens. No one is safe in this day and age.
I’m very interested in what Delfino will do in the first 20 games this season. I’m tired from people screaming how he was such a gem last season, only to see him rot on the bench game after game. People have been praising his ability to drive and create his own shot for a year now (despite, you know, not actually seeing him play all that much). I remain pretty skeptical, but I hope he proves me wrong.
The last thing I’d want to see is Delfino turning into darko and being traded then he starts doing well. I’d be angry if joe D does that
The last thing I’d want to see is this for a second time. Never again.