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Troy Weaver, the Detroit Pistons’ current General Manager, spoke with the media today. He had some interesting insights to offer, as well as the answer to a roster question that’s been in the back of my mind for some time now. However, that’s not REALLY what we’re here for. We’re here because Troy Weaver graced us with this:
Troy Weaver on his aggressive approach to building the Pistons: "When I was growing up, I didn't stick my toe in the pool. I jumped in. I sit at the front of the roller coaster with my hands up. I'm not going to come in and be gun shy. My clip will be empty."
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) January 14, 2021
MY.
CLIP.
WILL.
BE.
EMPTY.
Just gaze at it. Bask in it for a second. Couple things:
- This is, how do the kids put it... Big DC Energy
- You think the Pistons can finagle a Michigan Adventure tie-in out of all this? Give a little love to Pistons fans on the west side of the state? Get some photos of Weaver at the front of a roller coaster?
- He just says the clip is empty, he doesn’t say whether or not he hit anything - which means we can use this quote regardless of whether Weaver succeeds or fails in his mission to build the team
- How do you think Troy Weaver feels about those rides that are really tall, but only go up and down? These:
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We knew this about Troy Weaver. After the way he detonated and reconstructed the Pistons roster in about 10 days, if nothing else, you knew Troy Weaver had an idea of how he wanted this team to be built, and that the final form of the team was more important than whatever materials went into the construction.
We’ve talked about Weaver’s lack of desire to Red Paper Clip his way to the team he wanted. This is just who he is.
As someone who has chosen to view the particulars of what the Pistons do on a day-to-day basis, that can feel... a little bit like riding a roller coaster. With every quote, though, Troy Weaver enunciates that he has a vision and plan for how the Pistons team is going to run. And, if nothing else, I respect the clarity of vision Troy Weaver has.
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If you were wondering why the Pistons chose to keep Rodney McGruder over Dzanan Musa, well, here you go:
Troy Weaver says that he grew up in the same neighborhood as Rodney McGruder's dad, and McGruder went to his high school. Says Rodney doesn't get enough credit for how much he's helped the young players. "He’s been a tremendous worker, tremendous kid who’s dear to my heart."
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) January 14, 2021
Where does this fall on the Deividas Sirvydis Favoritism Scale?
No news on whether or not Killian Hayes is getting surgery to repair his hip injury:
#Pistons Troy Weaver on Killian Hayes' injury: "It's a gut-punch for the kid because he wants to be successful, like any young player. That progress has slowed down and he has to make sure he takes care of his injury."
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) January 14, 2021
If I HAD to guess, I would guess Hayes is still evaluating his options.
Troy Weaver likes what he’s seen from the guys he’s drafted:
Troy Weaver on the rookies: "I'm extremely happy with the core four. They're the first in the building, last to leave. We can debate the player, but we can't debate the person." Mentioned all are high-character, hard-working players.
— James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) January 14, 2021
Lastly, Weaver started the availability with a (early?) victory lap on Jerami Grant:
Troy Weaver said he's not surprised by what the world is seeing from Jerami Grant. Said that there was a mutal belief in each other.
— Lauren L. Williams (@LaurenWilli23) January 14, 2021
But “My clip will be empty” joins “Significant recruiting victory,” and “Form a ******g wall” in recent Pistons quote history. Give us more notable quotables in the comments below.