Comments on: Have the Pistons made a promise to DJ White? http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/ A Detroit Pistons blog Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:18:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: The “DJ White is a Piston” post | Detroit Bad Boys http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-140659 The “DJ White is a Piston” post | Detroit Bad Boys Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:30:33 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-140659 [...] Indiana with the 29th overall pick. I guess we should have figured — it was a month ago that word of a promise first [...] […] Indiana with the 29th overall pick. I guess we should have figured — it was a month ago that word of a promise first […]

]]> By: Pistons reveal which players have worked out | Detroit Bad Boys http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-139772 Pistons reveal which players have worked out | Detroit Bad Boys Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:17:34 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-139772 [...] inclined to believe him, but only because that rumor didn’t seem to grow legs beyond the initial report. But if the Pistons did make a promise, I’d expect David to brush it off, just like how Joe [...] […] inclined to believe him, but only because that rumor didn’t seem to grow legs beyond the initial report. But if the Pistons did make a promise, I’d expect David to brush it off, just like how Joe […]

]]> By: LawyerBoy http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137051 LawyerBoy Wed, 28 May 2008 22:46:49 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137051 No offense to a solid contributor on the blog, but Craig is so wrong about this. Just because he's an MSU alum doesn't mean he understands what's going on at Indiana. I HATED White for about three years (especially since he was the Steve Fisher-lite, Mike Davis's prized recruit). With one single year the guy has assured me that he could succeed under the right direction (ours) in the pros. He was always a nice, quiet unassuming guy on campus (reminds me of Tay's demeanor) and it finally clicked for him on the court this season when Indiana needed his leadership the most. Claiming he was deferential in any way is plain wrong. He's a warrior out there who absolutely does not shy away from the big game pressure or take ANY play off. He won Big Ten Player of the Year with numbers of: 17.4 and 10.3 on 60.5% shooting from the field. To put this into perspective, Pac-10 wunderkind Kevin Love had 17.5 and 10.6 on 55.9% shooting and he's going to be a guaranteed Top 10 pick. I understand I'm comparing apples to oranges to an extent (freshman v. senior, Big Ten v. Pac-10) but we're talking #29. Those of us who know the real D.J. White know he's a phenomenal talent who has gone through hell and back and managed to overcome all sorts of adversity. I don't care what position he plays, he'd be a great addition to the team. Period. No offense to a solid contributor on the blog, but Craig is so wrong about this. Just because he’s an MSU alum doesn’t mean he understands what’s going on at Indiana. I HATED White for about three years (especially since he was the Steve Fisher-lite, Mike Davis’s prized recruit). With one single year the guy has assured me that he could succeed under the right direction (ours) in the pros. He was always a nice, quiet unassuming guy on campus (reminds me of Tay’s demeanor) and it finally clicked for him on the court this season when Indiana needed his leadership the most. Claiming he was deferential in any way is plain wrong. He’s a warrior out there who absolutely does not shy away from the big game pressure or take ANY play off. He won Big Ten Player of the Year with numbers of: 17.4 and 10.3 on 60.5% shooting from the field. To put this into perspective, Pac-10 wunderkind Kevin Love had 17.5 and 10.6 on 55.9% shooting and he’s going to be a guaranteed Top 10 pick. I understand I’m comparing apples to oranges to an extent (freshman v. senior, Big Ten v. Pac-10) but we’re talking #29. Those of us who know the real D.J. White know he’s a phenomenal talent who has gone through hell and back and managed to overcome all sorts of adversity. I don’t care what position he plays, he’d be a great addition to the team. Period.

]]> By: IndianaLove http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137046 IndianaLove Wed, 28 May 2008 21:56:58 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137046 I personally think that DJ would fit in good with the Pistons. Keep in mind people he has played out of position his entire career at IU. There were several Big Men recruited to come in to play the 5 and allow DJ to move to the 4 but they never lived up to hype or transferred. Also as far as competitiveness he lead the US PanAmerican Team in scoring and rebounding last year and that team had several NBA Prospect and a couple of First Round Locks. If DJ does not get picked by the Pistons he will make some team a valuable addition as I see him getting better and better each year I personally think that DJ would fit in good with the Pistons. Keep in mind people he has played out of position his entire career at IU. There were several Big Men recruited to come in to play the 5 and allow DJ to move to the 4 but they never lived up to hype or transferred. Also as far as competitiveness he lead the US PanAmerican Team in scoring and rebounding last year and that team had several NBA Prospect and a couple of First Round Locks. If DJ does not get picked by the Pistons he will make some team a valuable addition as I see him getting better and better each year

]]> By: Sauce1977 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137020 Sauce1977 Wed, 28 May 2008 17:01:51 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137020 This draft has a lot of 4s and 5s. I don't expect to see projected point guards. I guess they missed the part where we selected guys like Stuckey and Afflalo. This draft has a lot of 4s and 5s. I don’t expect to see projected point guards. I guess they missed the part where we selected guys like Stuckey and Afflalo.

]]> By: Craig http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137017 Craig Wed, 28 May 2008 16:47:01 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137017 Don't let all this hoosier homerism cloud your vision. As a msu alum, i saw plenty of DJ throughout his whole career, and would be very disappointed if we drafted him in the 1st round. First, I'm not sure why we need a watered down Baby eater. Maybe we could snag glen davis too, and have a bunch of 6-8 power forwards on the bench? As a senior and leader on that team, he disappeared or deferred to Gordon way too often. 2nd round flyer, maybe. 1st round guaranteed contract? A little too much corn in your diet, hoosiers. Don’t let all this hoosier homerism cloud your vision. As a msu alum, i saw plenty of DJ throughout his whole career, and would be very disappointed if we drafted him in the 1st round. First, I’m not sure why we need a watered down Baby eater. Maybe we could snag glen davis too, and have a bunch of 6-8 power forwards on the bench? As a senior and leader on that team, he disappeared or deferred to Gordon way too often. 2nd round flyer, maybe. 1st round guaranteed contract? A little too much corn in your diet, hoosiers.

]]> By: JackDutch http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137010 JackDutch Wed, 28 May 2008 16:10:29 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-137010 i remember seeing white a while ago and being impressed. i think it was when davis was still the coach. i didn't really know what happened to him. sounds like iu f-ed him over. nice job, indiana alums. i enjoy those conference players of the year that slip into the late 1st round. i remember seeing white a while ago and being impressed. i think it was when davis was still the coach. i didn’t really know what happened to him. sounds like iu f-ed him over. nice job, indiana alums.

i enjoy those conference players of the year that slip into the late 1st round.

]]> By: Taco John http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136988 Taco John Wed, 28 May 2008 14:21:59 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136988 When did this need for a center (or better yet a "true center," whatever that means) come up? There's only one or two guys you would call a traditional center in the conference: Big Z and Dwight Howard. The Pistons handled Howard pretty well by throwing a variety of bodies at him. They won an NBA title with a 6'9" center. You no longer need a 7-footer to compete for an NBA title. Backup SFs aren't exactly a rare commodity. We can pick one up in free agency. We could resign Hayes. We could roll the dice with Hermann. Now if you can get a Chris Douglas-Roberts or a Brandon Rush at 29, you do it. Assuming this series plays out according to conventional wisdom, if we went into next season with a roster of: Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Sheed, McDyess (starters) Stuckey, Afflalo, Hermann, Maxiell, Johnson (main rotation) Ratliff, random perimeter player (active reserves) Samb, DJ White (inactive reserves) I would be very happy When did this need for a center (or better yet a “true center,” whatever that means) come up? There’s only one or two guys you would call a traditional center in the conference: Big Z and Dwight Howard. The Pistons handled Howard pretty well by throwing a variety of bodies at him. They won an NBA title with a 6′9″ center. You no longer need a 7-footer to compete for an NBA title.

Backup SFs aren’t exactly a rare commodity. We can pick one up in free agency. We could resign Hayes. We could roll the dice with Hermann. Now if you can get a Chris Douglas-Roberts or a Brandon Rush at 29, you do it.

Assuming this series plays out according to conventional wisdom, if we went into next season with a roster of:

Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Sheed, McDyess (starters)
Stuckey, Afflalo, Hermann, Maxiell, Johnson (main rotation)
Ratliff, random perimeter player (active reserves)
Samb, DJ White (inactive reserves)

I would be very happy

]]> By: Jim http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136986 Jim Wed, 28 May 2008 13:51:01 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136986 Chad Ford says that this rumor is not true; "Another bad one floating around the Internet has the Pistons promising to take Indiana's D.J. White with the 29th pick. Pistons president Joe Dumars isn't in Orlando, but I contacted him via e-mail and he said the rumor is totally untrue. The Pistons are bringing in a number of players, haven't committed to anyone and are even looking at possibly moving their first for a couple of second-round picks." I'm hoping we can pick up a back up swingman, but if the value isn't there then lets just take the best player available. Either way I trust Joe D...he's almost always done well with his late 1st round picks. Chad Ford says that this rumor is not true;

“Another bad one floating around the Internet has the Pistons promising to take Indiana’s D.J. White with the 29th pick. Pistons president Joe Dumars isn’t in Orlando, but I contacted him via e-mail and he said the rumor is totally untrue. The Pistons are bringing in a number of players, haven’t committed to anyone and are even looking at possibly moving their first for a couple of second-round picks.”

I’m hoping we can pick up a back up swingman, but if the value isn’t there then lets just take the best player available. Either way I trust Joe D…he’s almost always done well with his late 1st round picks.

]]> By: Birdman http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136983 Birdman Wed, 28 May 2008 12:46:51 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136983 So, he's an undersized 4? I'm a little skeptical. Undersized players that lack elite athleticism (is that a word?) have a very difficult time in the NBA. The Pistons need help at SF or C, and it seems that White is neither. So, he’s an undersized 4? I’m a little skeptical. Undersized players that lack elite athleticism (is that a word?) have a very difficult time in the NBA. The Pistons need help at SF or C, and it seems that White is neither.

]]> By: Dylan http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136982 Dylan Wed, 28 May 2008 12:44:10 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136982 As someone that blogs about Michigan basketball and the Big Ten I would definetely be happy with a DJ White selection. DJ is very long, has a very high release on his shot and was a consistent producer over his career at IU. He is not a super freak athlete but can step out and hit a jumper and from what I have seen seemed like a very solid rebounder as well. One of the reasons I think so highly of DJ might be because I watch the games when he destroys Michigan (Taco John mentions 22 and 21...yea..) so easily. Although I will say his shot is very hard to block and one of the few people I have seen do it is Ekpe Udoh. As someone that blogs about Michigan basketball and the Big Ten I would definetely be happy with a DJ White selection. DJ is very long, has a very high release on his shot and was a consistent producer over his career at IU. He is not a super freak athlete but can step out and hit a jumper and from what I have seen seemed like a very solid rebounder as well.

One of the reasons I think so highly of DJ might be because I watch the games when he destroys Michigan (Taco John mentions 22 and 21…yea..) so easily. Although I will say his shot is very hard to block and one of the few people I have seen do it is Ekpe Udoh.

]]> By: Shinons http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136981 Shinons Wed, 28 May 2008 12:39:33 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136981 Nice to see all these fellow IU alumns on here. Makes me feel a little less out of place wearing a Pistons shirt to work today in Indianapolis. I also endorse him - LB, TJ, and PR all hit the nail on the head with him. The only extra thing I can add is his leadership. He's a guy who gets excited out there and really, <i>really</i> wants to win. Even when he was hurt, he was always into the games, fired up, and excited. Nice to see all these fellow IU alumns on here. Makes me feel a little less out of place wearing a Pistons shirt to work today in Indianapolis.

I also endorse him - LB, TJ, and PR all hit the nail on the head with him. The only extra thing I can add is his leadership. He’s a guy who gets excited out there and really, really wants to win. Even when he was hurt, he was always into the games, fired up, and excited.

]]> By: Taco John http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136977 Taco John Wed, 28 May 2008 11:36:08 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136977 As for game film, there's an IU fan who puts together highlight films, so you can get a little look at DJ <a href="http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=82353392" rel="nofollow">here</a>. My favorite might be <a href="https://oncourse.iu.edu/access/content/user/cbburnet/Filemanager_Public_Files/AtMichigan.wmv" rel="nofollow">this game against Michigan</a> were he went for 21 points and 22 boards. As for game film, there’s an IU fan who puts together highlight films, so you can get a little look at DJ here.

My favorite might be this game against Michigan were he went for 21 points and 22 boards.

]]> By: Taco John http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136976 Taco John Wed, 28 May 2008 11:32:42 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136976 @Quick Darshan: No way. He's too slow to back up Tay. The best I can say for DJ in perimeter defense is that IU the last two years, much like the Pistons, likes to hedge on all screens, which means DJ regularly was out trapping a perimeter player, getting switched onto little guys, bothering a guard who was looking to penetrate, etc. Against college guys, he more than held his own. He was able to get out there, bother the guard, not pick up cheap fouls, and rotate back to his man. I'm somewhat concerned about his ability to do this against NBA guards and forwards. @Quick Darshan:

No way. He’s too slow to back up Tay. The best I can say for DJ in perimeter defense is that IU the last two years, much like the Pistons, likes to hedge on all screens, which means DJ regularly was out trapping a perimeter player, getting switched onto little guys, bothering a guard who was looking to penetrate, etc. Against college guys, he more than held his own. He was able to get out there, bother the guard, not pick up cheap fouls, and rotate back to his man. I’m somewhat concerned about his ability to do this against NBA guards and forwards.

]]> By: Laughton http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136969 Laughton Wed, 28 May 2008 09:20:23 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2008-05-27/have-the-pistons-made-a-promise-to-dj-white/#comment-136969 Jawai that is. Jawai that is.

]]>