There’s really nothing cooking these days in terms of actual Pistons news, but I can point you in the direction of a pretty interesting (and on-going) mock draft. The guys at SB Nation have organized a draft with bloggers representing each team, and Indy Cornrows (whose Pacers don’t actually have a first-round pick) is posting the results.
So far there have only been six picks, and at this rate it’ll probably be at least Friday until I get a chance to throw out a name for the Pistons. The picks made thus far are below (with the representing blog in parenthesis):
- Greg Oden, Blazers (Blazers Edge)
- Kevin Durant, Sonics (SonicsCentral)
- Al Horford, Hawks (Impending Firestorm)
- Mike Conley, Jr, Grizzlies
- Yi Jianlian, Celtics (Green Bandwagon)
- Brandon Wright, Bucks (With Malice)
The way they’re doing this draft allows teams to make realistic trades and whatnot if we so choose, but I like Detroit’s chances to grab decent player (and most likely a point guard) at No. 15. I’ll probably mention the mock draft again to solicit input once it comes closer to being my pick, and I’ll try to update this list as time permits. We’ve already been talking about the draft for the last couple of weeks, but feel free to campaign for your favorite player in the comments if you want to influence who I announce as Detroit’s choice.
Update: OK, here’s the update:
- Corey Brewer, T’Wolves (I heart KG)
- Al Thornton, Bobcats (Blogcats / Bobcats Planet)
- Spencer Hawes, Bulls (Blog-A-Bull)
- Acie Law, Spurs (Kings traded down … ) (Pounding the Rock)
- Javaris Crittenton, Hawks (Impending Firestorm)
Both Law and Crittenton are off the board — damn it!
- Jeff Green, Sixers (Passion and Pride)
- Julian Wright, Hornets
The Clippers are due up, and then me picking for the Pistons. I hate the fact Joakim Noah is still available — he wouldn’t exactly fit on the Pistons, but he has to go sooner or later, right? Is he a better pick than Rodney Stuckey or Nick Young, who’d actually fill a need for the Pistons?
Update: The blogger representing the Clippers ended up trading the 14th pick to the Suns (in exchange for the 24th and 29th). That guy took Noah, I took Nick Young from USC — here’s the write-up I included:
After trading Carlos Delfino to the Raptors, we were in need of a perimeter player who could back up both Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton. Young fits the mold. He should provide instant offense off the bench, hopefully helping prevent quite as many long stretches where the team struggles to find the bottom of the basket. The moment he signs a contract he’ll be one of the few players on the team who can create his own shot. Plus, his midrange game is strong, so he should also be able to contribute within the flow of the game.
I got all of that from piecing together various scouting reports (as well as this interview with Young by my FanHouse colleague Nate Jones). Who knows if it’s true — I don’t watch college ball, so I haven’t seen him play.
15th selection: Acie Law 6-3 186 PG Texas A&M Sr.
27th selection: Morris Almond 6-6 214 SG Rice Sr.
(unless a really good center slips down)
I feel we got a pretty good pick in Wright… I was hoping for Yi to slip, and he nearly did. But Brandan Wright’s a pick that might go top 3 most years.
I love Acie Law. I watched that kid hit some ENORMOUS shots at the end of games– game-winners and shots that sent games into overtime. When he was shooting at the end of a game, it always seemed like a sure thing.
That being said, I think you have to take a look at who’s left at our slot. This mock draft is really just good for bragging rights down the road, but it’s entirely possible that someone like Jeff Green or Joakim Noah could slip to number 15. I really don’t like Noah– I find him abrasive and obnoxious. However, if he were to become a Piston, his effort and hustle could be exactly what this team needs as a spark. There’s no way he should slip that far, but I think college basketball fans nationwide tend to not like him very much. That alone could influence how far he drops. Nobody works harder though, and I think I could learn to love a kid like that. I could also learn to forgive him for his harsh features.
Acie Law or Taurean Green please!
Acie Law at 15
DeVon Hardin at 27
joakim noah = sideshow bob part deux. maybe a little more talent and a little less flopping. but sweet lord, the hair.
Acie Law IV 15, Jared Dudley 27
In order of preference at #15
1. Javaris Crittenton
2. Rodney Stuckey
3. Acie Law
Basically, take the best available point guard
At #27, take the best available player.
No underacheivers please (Devon Hardin). Want someone with a good work ethic.
I would take the best player that drops. I wouldn’t go out of the way to fill a need and grab someone who’ll only be a career backup. Shoot for a potential impact player.
Oh, and is Sean Williams worth a gamble at 27? It sound like if he wasn’t a head case he’d be the perfect guy to take.
Crittendon at #15, the Ukrainian center Kyrylo Fesenko at #27.
DeVon Hardin is not an underacheiver. I dont even know where you got that. For Example, after his freshman year he only shot around 40% from the line but he kept working on that aspect of his game and by the end of sophmore year he got up to 75%. He is a hardworker, with a GREAT work ethic.
Acie Law at 15! I hope he’s available!
From what I’ve read, it appears that we couldn’t go wrong with any two of the following three: Acie Law, Rodney Stuckey or Morris Almond. Law seems like a guaranteed solid pro point guard. Stuckey and Almond seem to be either quality backups for their careers or sleepers that will become all stars. Grab the best available big man in the 2nd round. I agree with Quick Darshan, take the best talent that’s out there instead of focusing on trying to fill a need. We need to get much faster, move athletic and find some flat out scorers man. Some cats that can fill it up all by themselves. We don’t have anyone on our squad now that could take over a game all by themselves(ala Wade, Lebron, etc.) True Chauncey can get hot from three but he’s not a flat out scorer that can dominate single handedly when necessary.
Crittenton all the way
I’m stealing thunder.
#7- Corey Brewer to T-wolves- great pick
#8- Al Thornton to Bobcats- a little higher than expected but a good pick imo
Law will probably be gone at 11 to the Hawks. Im gonna hope for Crittenton at 15 I guess. I really dont like the pick at 15, we’re right in the middle of the draft. We can’t quite get at the elite guys but we arent so low that we would be taking a possible project/backup. Of course since most GMs seem like idiots I’m gonna hope someone drops to us.
I want Kevin Durant.
We are built to win now. Picking a player that is a project is not the way to go. We need some one who can contribute right way.
In the real draft, this is the spot where some lottery lock inexplicably nose-dives and GMs are suddenly flying through scouting reports to try to figure out why, so this could be an interesting pick.
I have a theory that the Pistons can afford to be a little risky. Their primary need is a backup point guard or a combo guard. This means that what they NEED is someone who can give them some scoring for 15-20 minutes a game and get to the basket.
They’ll have their pick of a handful of guys who fit this bill at a bare minimum, even if they never become starters. So why not pick a guy who could really turn out to be huge? My vote, according to this logic, would be Stuckey. There is no question he’ll be a servicable backup who can get to the basket, but he might be much more.
At 27, I think they should get someone they can stash away for a year or two. I wonder if Tiago Splitter wouldn’t fall this far. The scouting hasn’t been great on him, but that is in light of lottery expectations. As a late 1st rounder who could be brought over in 2008, He has a lot of value at that slot.
… Delfino’s been traded to the raps http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=txraptorsdelfino&prov=st&type=lgns
Who the fuck is going to be the backup sf. Dupree? I’m so sad
Since Law is off the board and Delfinos been traded. Nick Young with the 15th pick.
Yes. Phoenix will take Noah. Nick Young’s the best player on the board. Incredible athlete.
Good pick.
I will be overjoyed if we get Nick Young. If he can mimic Rip’s off the ball game, he’ll become a force.
Now, if Arnie Kander can whip up a magic formula to fix Sean Williams character issues, that’s who you take at 27.
Yep, take Sean Williams at 27. The Kid is a blocking machine he averaged 5bpg at BC, he will definately improve Detroits interior defense. Also he plays in the post and Detroit is lacking a solid post presence. He got kicked off his college team for pot, but hopefully Rasheed can be a good influence on him.
Sean Williams sounds good but i would hope joe would give him a thorough interview before even thinking about drafting him. If not I wouldnt mind a PG like Taurean Green or a speedster like Aaron Brooks maybe or even a guy like Petteri Koponen who sounds like a pretty interesting prospect.
Looks like the Pistons have started doing some more workouts. according to draftexpress
Rodney Stuckey Jun 23rd Upcoming
Brent Petway Jun 11th Completed
Artem Zabelin Jun 11th Completed
Ramon Sessions Jun 13th Completed
Mohamed Abukar Jun 14th Completed
Stanko Barac Jun 14th Completed
Nick Young Jun 15th Completed
DeVon Hardin Jun 15th Completed
Hmmm coincidence Delfino was traded on June 15th?
Also a very good bit on this guy Kyrylo Fesenko
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewprofile.php?p=1065
Those sneaky pistons
Fel, I read that too… last year. I’m pretty sure it was even a post on this site. Look at the date. It says 2006 not 2007. But you bring up a good point about Nick Young, the thing is it still doesnt make sense. What if Young is gone by then? Then their left without a backup sf. I still think they got a guarantee from Hill that he’ll sign here.
Doh I should pay closer attention hehe. They could be planning on playing Amir some at the 3, otherwise he would be stuck behind sheed,dice, maxiell and possibly someone they get to man the 5. But your right they could be opening up minutes for Hill. Which if he stays healthy and comes off the bench Dice style I really find him appealing with his ball handling and slashing. Seems like he played pretty well in the playoff series, Orlando just stunk as a team.
A couple of you wanted to get Devon Hardin. Well it seems like he pulled out http://draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2127
Sean Williams is gone on the mock but not sure how disappointed I would be if we miss him for real.
So it seems like our 2 options are a big or a PG.
Bigs like Kyrylo Fesenko, Aaron Gray, Marc Gasol, Kyle Visser, Nick Fazekas
PG like Taurean Green, Gabe Pruitt, Zabian Dowdell, Ramon Sessions, Aaron Brooks
For the bigs I like Fesenko’s upside and it sounds like he really attacks the basket like a certain Baby-eater we all know. Though Fazekas could maybe come in and score right away but seems more like a PF where we are kinda stacked atm. The other guys seem like slow plodders.
I actually kinda like all the PGs in there own way. Green has been on the big stage, Pruitt would give us some more athleticism, Dowdell some defense with his gogogadget arms, Sessions sounds like he can really run a team, and Brooks brings crazy speed.
So I will vote Fesenko at 27 and trade some 2nd rnders to move up and try and grab Pruitt or vice versa. That would give us an athletic PG and another C to stash away.
The more I’ve read, the more I would love to get Sean Williams. And also if we dont get a pg with our first pick, I would be interested in Koponen as well. He sounds like an interesting pg.
On the players “Fel” mentioned:
Fesenko: A possibility.
Gray: Hell no. No athletic ability.
Nick Fazekas: No. We already have a PF that shoots too many jumpers.
T. Green: Career backup. Next Jacque Vaughn
Pruitt: Let’s just get the USC backcourt. Was forced to play PG and acquitted himself nicely.
Brooks: Shoot first. Pass never. Next Nate Robinson.
Don’t know much about the others.
Jared Dudley- He is the BPA.
He is a point forward, and Detroit has needed a backup for Tay for quite some time. He’s NBA ready and he can do it all. He is unselfish, he is a winner, great work ethic. He can crash the boards which is something Detroit needs, he’s a great defender, and can score which is good especially on the nights Tayshaun goes cold
MattW already took Young as a winger. While I do like Dudley we are already set at the 2/3 with Acker and Young backing up Rip and Tay + Flip and possibly Hill. Best choice now would be a PG since I’m not sold on any of the bigs to play center for us. I’m voting for Pruitt.
Acker is a combo guard not a wing. And Young is a SG he wont see a lot of minutes at SF. Flip is also a combo guard who doesnt play SF.
Tay/(hole)/Hill?- Possibly- there is no guarantee that he comes over.
Dudley remains my first choice.
In order of preference -
Draft no.15 - PG
Law
Crittenton
Koponen(sleeper)
Dowdell(sleeper)
Draft no.27 - Strong-PF/C - play with back to the basket/post
Splitter
Fesenko
Fazekas
Any know word on that Greek player?