With the Pistons Summer League play officially over, the NBA doldrums have begun. Sure, DBB will still be abuzz with trade options, rumors and more questions than answers, but the sporting press is about to go quiet. So to keep our collective Pistons hunger satiated, I'll chime in when I can with a good old Matt Watson-style Layup Drill post. What's buzzing around in NBA news in the last 24 hours?
- The Pistons closed out the Las Vegas Summer League with a 4-1 record, thanks to the inspired play of Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers, Jonas Jerebko and Sean Singletary. BleacherReport has a game 5 recap-- and for those who missed it, here's the box score.
- Austin Daye spoke with Eli Zaret for a brief interview, talking Summer League, playing for the Pistons and more.
- DBB's own Kevin Sawyer will be in Detroit on Tuesday, auditioning for an open spot in Automotion. I can speak for Kevin's dance skills, but I'm not so sure how he'll handle the wardrobe requirements: "Dancers are required to wear sports bras (no body suits), shorts, tights and shoes."
- Examiner's Dave Ryan asks "What does the future hold for Pistons forward Jason Maxiell?"
- "The once popular idea of him as a starting power forward seems to have sailed away quietly into the night. It's just too hard for 6'7" guy to match up against the likes of Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett on the inside for 35 minutes. Even when Maxiell is on the court, he usually needs a taller center to play alongside of him. Dumars must have realized this at some point over the past year or two."
- While we Pistons fans can't disagree that Maxiell's skidded a bit this recent season, Dave Ryan didn't "examine" Maxiell's play against Howard in the 2008 playoffs, nor Dumars' extension offer this past season. Also, DNP-MCIAFI.
- For those who haven't seen it, A. Sherrod Blakely put together a piece about Amir Johnson's hope to turn potential into production with the Bucks. Might Bucks GM John Hammond have been Amir's greatest proponent in the Pistons organization?
- "He (Hammond) was the one who helped me get through my seasons in Detroit when he was there," Johnson said. "He was constantly talking to me, getting me on point. I think he's really helped me with my NBA career."
- Bethlehem Shoals: "Big Baby Probably Not What The Pistons Need". Thank you. Although he could have banked on plenty of nail salon endorsements in the Detroit area.
- Also, while I can't speak to the BleacherReport's editorial standards, a contributor there has put together a piece about Detroit's frontcourt options. This has been hashed, re-hashed and double-re-hashed here ad nauseum, but in case you want to read again... I voted for "Bill Russell" in the reader poll.
- Last, as reader Brgulker pointed out, Matt Watson is back from Summer League. This rumor has yet to be confirmed on DBB by Mr. Watson himself. Welcome back!