Detroit Bad Boys - Pistons, Bucks complete sign-and-trade for Brandon JenningsA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2013-08-07T15:35:54-04:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/43369252013-08-07T15:35:54-04:002013-08-07T15:35:54-04:00Dumars: Jennings no lock to start
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/agWR8XKnZWB5M5glycq-KpfgbIE=/0x141:2692x1936/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17526177/20130406_kkt_sh5_168.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who should be in, who should be out of Pistons' rotation?</p> <p><span>Chauncey Billups</span> signed to be the starting point guard. The incumbent starting point guard, <span>Brandon Knight</span>, was traded away for an even better starting point guard -- <span>Brandon Jennings</span>.</p>
<p>But anyone thinking that Jennings is guaranteed the starting point guard role ... well, they're probably right, but Joe Dumars isn't <a href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2013/08/brandon_jennings_isnt_guarante.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+detroit-pistons+%28Detroit+Pistons+Impact+-+MLive.com%29">guaranteeing anything</a>. </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I don't know yet," Dumars said Tuesday after <a href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2013/08/brandon_jennings_says_trade_to.html">introducing Jennings in a news conference at The Palace</a>. "I can tell you what Mo has told every guy from Chauncey to Brandon to every guy. He said, 'Look, come in and earn it. I'm going to give it to whoever earns it.' He said that to every single guy.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And while I think this supposed competition isn't going to be much of a battle it did get me thinking about something important -- who is in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> rotation and who is out?</p>
<p>Dumars didn't shed much light in the linked article. He says that the starters are <span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Greg Monroe</span> and <span>Josh Smith</span>. Starting point guard and shooting guard is up for grabs. The bench unit is completely up in the air. </p>
<p>You can toss Jennings and Billups into the mix with either the starters or reserves. That brings our rotation to five players. Most teams go between eight to 10 deep on their 15-man roster. </p>
<p>So which of three to five of the following players deserves to be part of the rotation? Listed in order of minutes played last season:</p>
<p><span>Kyle Singler</span>, <span>Rodney Stuckey</span>, <span>Will Bynum</span>, <span>Charlie Villanueva</span> and Jonas Jerebko. New players thrown into the mix this season include former Italian League MVP <span>Luigi Datome</span>, lottery pick <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> and second-round picks Tony Mitchell and <span>Peyton Siva</span>.</p>
<p>Let's say you're in charge. Form your rotation. Starters and reserves. Who is stuck on the bench? Who's wearing a suit night in and night out? </p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/7/4599050/brandon-jennings-pistons-starting-point-guard-chauncey-billups-will-bynum-peyton-sivaSean Corp2013-08-06T15:45:29-04:002013-08-06T15:45:29-04:00Transcript and audio: Pistons introduce Jennings
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WGgiK59uwXEfkkocBjxgquvomM0=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47827855/large_detroitbadboys.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104286940&color=000000&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false"></iframe></p>
<p><em>Also see: <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/6/4594802/brandon-jennings-detroit-pistons-lob-city-milwaukee-bucks-press-conference">Sean Corp puts Jennings' first presser into context</a> </em></p>
<p><b>Joe Dumars:</b> First of all, I just want to thank you all for coming out and welcome <span>Brandon Jennings</span> and his mom to Detroit. Welcome to the Detroit family.</p>
<p>The basic reason for doing the deal to bring Brandon here was that we looked at Brandon's skill-set, we looked at what he's done on the floor for the past four years, and we just felt like he would be a really really good fit here in Detroit with the roster that we've put together. We felt that he's a guy that can score *and* distribute, and that was important to us.</p>
<p>We also like the fact that he has five years of pro experience, one in Italy and four in Milwaukee. And we thought that he could step right in, hit the ground running and fit with the rest of our guys. So, when this opportunity came along and John Hammond started discussing it, the more we discussed it, the more I felt really comfortable that Brandon could be a great fit for us.</p>
<p>So, [I'm] very, very pleased to have him here and looking forward to him joining the rest of the guys and getting going, building chemistry and being a point guard that can come in and, like I said, as we said, hit the ground running and help us immediately. And so, that was the basis for doing the deal, and we're extremely happy to have Brandon here.</p>
<p><b>Jennifer Hammond: </b>This is a question for Brandon ... Wondering, what you feel like you can bring to the table with this <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> team and just your impressions of the team, some of the young talent and some of the guys they've gotten this summer?</p>
<p><b>Brandon Jennings:</b> Well, first off -- I'm just real excited to be here. This is a new beginning for me in my career. I think just being here overall is going to help my game and my career, take it to the next level, especially with the pieces that we have.</p>
<p>Things that I can bring to the table, just a lot of energy, of course I want to win, I've helped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> get to the playoffs twice already. So, I just want to bring that winning mentality back into Detroit again.</p>
<p><b>Vince Ellis: </b>A couple of days before the news came out, you were at the Drew League wearing a Detroit Bad Boys t-shirt, a picture got widely circulated across Twitter. Did you have an inclination this was going on at the time -- and, how long did your fandom of the Pistons go back?</p>
<p><b>Jennings: </b>Well, actually, I had just saw the shirt and I just liked it, I guess. (Laughter) Um, yeah. I just liked the shirt, that's all.</p>
<p><b>Langlois:</b> Brandon, Joe talked about what you can do for the Pistons. How do you see the talent you're going to be playing with, especially that front court, helping you become maybe a better point guard?</p>
<div class="pullquote">"I guess you can say we can bring the "Lob City" to Detroit this year."</div>
<p><b>Jennings: </b>Well, just for one, this will be my first year actually playing with a front court like this, with Drummond, <span>Greg Monroe</span> and also <span>Josh Smith</span>. I think we got the two top big men in the league, especially two young guys that have a lot of potential. They're going to make my job a lot easier, and of course I'm going to make their job a lot easier. I guess you can say we can bring the "Lob City" to Detroit this year.</p>
<p><b>Vince Goodwill:</b> Going into free agency, you had to have a lot of high expectations for what you thought you were going to get on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/british-open">the open</a> market. How frustrating was that process for you to be sitting and waiting and not get the contract that you initially thought you were going to get?</p>
<p><b>Jennings:</b> Well, it wasn't that frustrating at all, because I know I had a good agent in my corner, so the main thing is sometimes you just have to be patient, and wait. And that's just all I was doing all summer is being patient and waiting. I just kept my mind on working out and just trying to get better. Just didn't think about it too much.</p>
<p><b>Bob Wojnowski:</b> You come here with a lot of credentials but also questions about your offensive efficiency, take a lot of shots, stuff like that, just things that people critique your game on. Do you come here with something to prove, with maybe even a little chip to show you are more of a complete player?</p>
<p><b>Jennings: </b>Yeah, of course I have that chip on my shoulder. But this year I think you're going to see a whole different player, just with all the talent I have around me. The veterans that's in the locker room -- guys like <span>Chauncey Billups</span>, <span>Rasheed Wallace</span>, Joe Dumars, Mo Cheeks -- all these guys played at high levels. So now I can just actually be himself and be who I was five years ago when I was in high school, playing AAU basketball.</p>
<p><b>Ellis: </b>Since you didn't dodge my first question, I'll ask this question. When you look at the Pistons' tradition, and -- talk about Detroit vs. Milwaukee -- from outside looking in, people will look at Milwaukee and Detroit as similar cities, rust belt cities, Midwestern cities. Why here and not Milwaukee?</p>
<p><b>Jennings: </b>Well for one it was out of my control. For two, Detroit has more championships, they're the Bad Boys. If you go back in the 80s when Joe Dumars was playing and Isiah Thomas, probably the best two guard backcourt ever to play the game. Just real fiesty, this is actually a great sports town just overall. They have a lot of tradition here.</p>
<p><b>Question: </b>Joe, this is a two-pronged question for you. With the moves that you have made this summer, are there still more coming, do you still feel like there are some things that you would like to try to do, and secondly, do you feel like Brandon is perhaps the piece that can get this team over the top to compete for the playoffs again for the first time since 08-09?</p>
<div class="pullquote">"The roster that we have right now is a roster that can compete for the playoffs."</div>
<p><b>Dumars: </b>Yeah, I do feel like the roster that we have right now is a roster that can compete for the playoffs. In terms of being the last move, I would say Jennifer that I don't foresee us doing anymore big moves. Maybe something smaller. With signing <span>Peyton Siva</span> yesterday we have 14 roster spots, and so we'll probably look at filling the last spot with a frontcourt guy. But I don't foresee any other major deals going on, I think this -- it would have to come out of the clear blue if it did. I think from what I'm seeing right now, this is probably the last major deal we're going to do.</p>
<p><b>Langlois:</b> Joe, I'm guessing you've seen Brandon play for four years, you kind of knew what he can do on the floor. Given your relationship with John Hammond, did you feel like you had a better insight into him than maybe other guys you might acquire via trade?</p>
<p><b>Dumars: </b>John and I have talked about Brandon quite a bit, even before we talked about actually making a trade, just over the years, over the last four years being there, I would ask him about different guys on his team, Brandon, what kind of kid is he? Just in normal conversation that we would have. I've been in some ways knowing about him and talking about him over the last four years just because John and I are so close and we talk about our teams all the time.</p>
<p><b>Question:</b> Joe, this is a question for both of you guys. There's been a lot of talk about how Brandon has to change his game -- or maybe submerge his game -- from what it was in Milwaukee. A) Do you agree with that, and B) what does that exactly mean? What type of player does he have to become compared to the player that he's been?</p>
<p><b>Dumars: </b>I think anytime you put a lot of talent on the floor, I think it's incumbent upon everybody to make sure that their games mesh. I don't think it falls upon one guy to do that. I think Andre and Greg and Josh and Chaunce and everybody else, you have to kind of sacrifice to make sure that it works and to make sure that you have good chemistry. If you're trying to depend on one guy to make sure that the chemistry is good, that's usually not going to happen. So, I would say that falls on every single guy on our roster to make sure that the chemistry works.</p>
<p><b>Question:</b> But did you have that conversation with him initially?</p>
<p><b>Dumars: </b>We have that conversation with every player. Every player we have, we talk about that. So we don't ever single out one player about making it work, we have that conversation with every single player that we acquire.</p>
<p><b>Terry Foster: </b>Brandon, you said a few minutes ago that we will see the player that played five years ago. Who is that guy, and how can that guy help this team this year?</p>
<p><b>Jennings: </b>Well, I mean, just to answer the question, like he said, I definitely have to change my game for this team, for my teammates, everybody to be successful. Just with the talent that I have around me, you know we have a great front court, we have some great vets, we have Stuckey, we have Billups, we have a bunch of great players, so the things that I was doing in Milwaukee, I won't have to do here, take all those bad shots, because we have so many pieces.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"Detroit has never been afraid to have guys who kind of bring a little edge. That works in Detroit."</div>
<p><b>Wojo: </b>Joe, just looking at your offseason overall, with the moves you've made with Brandon and Josh Smith, bringing in very talented guys that maybe have an edge to them, or maybe people have had questions about them before. Is there some element of you that is going back to the formula that worked before where you get pieces that, like I said, have an edge and questions and put them together and make it work?</p>
<p><b>Dumars: </b>I don't know if that's been "the plan," I can't say that's been the plan. I will say this, is that, I think most of you guys in this room realize that over the last, I don't know, 20-some years, Detroit has never been afraid to have guys who kind of bring a little edge. That works in Detroit. I can't speak for other places, but, to bring guys in with an edge, playing with a chip on their shoulder, that's always been successful here. So we're not afraid to go down that road, that doesn't dissuade us at all from going after guys like that. As a matter of fact, we like guys like that.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/6/4595088/brandon-jennings-pistons-press-conference-audio-transcriptMatt Watson2013-08-06T14:58:16-04:002013-08-06T14:58:16-04:00Jennings promises fewer bad shots, improved game
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/omnrrzZur6yUIF3x6CilgCz2h1s=/0x225:2955x2195/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17466957/20130406_ter_sn3_023.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Brandon Jennings says lob city is coming to Detroit and that he is ready to take his game to the next level. For the Pistons to make the playoffs he might have to.</p> <p>Brandon Jennings says he is bringing lob city to Detroit and that he is going to be a new and improved player ready to lead the Pistons to the playoffs.</p>
<div style="float: right;">
<p style="text-align: left;"><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104286940"></iframe></p>
</div>
<p>"You could say, we're going to bring lob city to Detroit this year," the 23-year-old guard, known for a certain amount of swagger, said at his introductory press conference Tuesday at the Palace of Auburn Hills.</p>
<p>And while this might seem to play into the stereotype of what others say to criticize Jennings -- that he is immature and cocky, it came off more like an excited player that wants his game to recede into the background. To let others have the spotlight while he keeps the show running smoothly.</p>
<p>Because he was speaking less about himself and more about his new teammates.</p>
<p>"It's my first year actually playing with a frontcourt like this, with (Andre) Drummond, <span>Greg Monroe</span> and Josh (Smith)," Jennings said. "We have the two top big men in the league, two young guys that have a lot of potential. They're going to take my game to the next level and I'll help take their game to the next level."</p>
<p>And Jennings knows what it is going to take to take his game to the next level -- more efficient play. Many critics of this deal have said Jennings is going to have to change his game if he and his new <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> squad is going to reach the goal of making the playoffs. In fact, Jennings is one of them.</p>
<p>"I definitely have to change my game for this team," Jennings said. "The things I was doing in Milwaukee, I won't have to do here. You know, <b>take all those bad shots</b>, because we have so many pieces." Emphasis mine.</p>
<p>Well, if Jennings hasn't spent his time reading criticism of the trade, he has an uncanny ability to get right to the heart of the matter. And Jennings was was refreshing with most of his responses at the press conference after a week of relative silence following the trade that sent him to Detroit on a three-year, $24 million deal in exchange for <span>Brandon Knight</span>, <span>Khris Middleton</span> and Slava Kravtsov.</p>
<p>And one thing president of basketball operations Joe Dumars made abundantly clear was that this move was about the team taking the next step.</p>
<p>Knight, the younger, inexperienced Brandon, is gone. He had too much to learn and might not be a point guard long term. The team just couldn't take the risk. In his place is an older Brandon. A Brandon with holes in his game, yes, but also armed with obvious point guard skills and a playoff pedigree.</p>
<p>"He's a guy that can score and distribute. .. We also liked the fact that he has five years of pro experience," Dumars said. "We thought he could step right in, hit the ground running and fit with the rest of our guys."</p>
<p>And immediately means now. With big money spent on Jennings and Smith, the odds that the team loses its draft pick to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Charlotte Bobcats</a>, and Dumars in the last year of his deal it is playoffs or bust.</p>
<p>Jennings thinks he will be part of the solution to the playoff drought and is clearly excited to be on a team he sees as more talented than the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> team he left behind.</p>
<p>"This year I think you're going to see a whole different player just with all the talent I have around me," Jennings said of his aforementioned big men, while also name-checking Rodney Stuckey. But he acknowledged the older guard that can help him improve his game as well. "The veterans in the locker room, <span>Chauncey Billups</span>, <span>Rasheed Wallace</span>, Mo Cheeks, Joe Dumars.</p>
<p>"Now I can come in and be myself."</p>
<p>Myself, apparently, is a player that knows how dumb it is to take off-balance 18-footers.</p>
<p>One last note, Dumars confirmed that the team was likely to fill its last roster spot on a big man to finish out the roster. He also said that this was probably the final big move of the offseason unless something came completely out of the blue.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/6/4594802/brandon-jennings-detroit-pistons-lob-city-milwaukee-bucks-press-conferenceSean Corp2013-08-06T10:52:14-04:002013-08-06T10:52:14-04:00Jennings news conference streamed at 2 p.m. today<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="/rss/stream/4336925">Jennings news conference streamed at 2 p.m.&nbsp;today</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p></p></div>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/6/4594066/kcp-news-conference-streamed-at-2-p-m-todaySean Corp2013-08-05T11:37:50-04:002013-08-05T11:37:50-04:00Jennings being officially introduced Tuesday
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/z5rEqxgXlUm_dM9NTHMKWv8R8OI=/0x69:2521x1750/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17401593/20130427_kkt_sh5_489.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>News conference will be streamed live on Pistons.com. One question hopefully on the docket:Who is the starting back court?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> have announced that they will formally introduce <span>Brandon Jennings</span>, the newest member of the organization, at 2 p.m. Tuesday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.</p>
<p>The introductory news conference will also be streamed live on <a href="http://www.nba.com/pistons/?tmd=1">Pistons.com</a> and <a href="http://www.palacenet.com/">Palacenet.com</a>.</p>
<p>The 23-year-old point guard signed a three-year $24 million deal as part of a sign-and-trade that sent <span>Brandon Knight</span>, <span>Khris Middleton</span> and Slava Kravtsov to the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a>.</p>
<p>Ever since the signing both sides have been strangely mum even after the deal was official. Although this <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/08/brandon-jennings-detroit-pistons-trade-jersey-photo/">awesome photo</a> went a long way in making me feel better about the trade.</p>
<p>The only official word I've seen is when he was approached at the <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2013/07/31/brandon-jennings-happy-with-move-to-pistons">OVO Bounce Tournament</a> in Toronto.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Jennings declined to say much, saying he wants to "stay under the radar for now," but did admit "I'm happy" about the trade.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Hopefully, he will be a little more forthcoming during the news conference. Also interesting will be how close president of basketball operations Joe Dumars plays his cards to his vest. This move seems to have implications both at the shooting guard and point guard position.</p>
<p>Before the trade and after the signing of <span>Chauncey Billups</span>, <a href="http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/2013/07/chauncey_billups_gets_his_no_1.html">Dumars stated</a> that the competition to be starting point guard was "wide open." At the time, Chauncey said he <a href="https://twitter.com/Sloc12/status/357191590118293504">expected to be</a> the starting point guard.</p>
<p>Presumably, that is no longer the case with Jennings in the fold. But in the event that Billups won the PG job, Knight could have easily slid over into the shooting point guard role.</p>
<p>With Knight gone one could imagine that Chauncey Billups could also easily slide into that same shooting guard role just like he did with the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a>. Only problem is <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--chauncey-billups-has-point-to-prove-in-return-to-detroit-200340755.html">one of the reasons he signed with Detroit</a> was his desire to end his career "playing my position" meaning point guard. He also stated "I never saw myself as a shooting guard. I never wanted to play it."</p>
<p>The question is, does Chauncey want to start and be a shooting guard or does he want to be a reserve and be a point guard? And would the team even give him his wish, whatever it may be?</p>
<p>A Billups-Jennings back court might be too porous defensively and starting <span>Rodney Stuckey</span> would compound the spacing issues sure to come with a <span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Greg Monroe</span>, <span>Josh Smith</span> front court. This could mean that the starting shooting guard spot is rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's to lose.</p>
<p>If any answers are forthcoming, we'll report on them Tuesday.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/5/4590554/brandon-jennings-will-be-introduced-tuesdaySean Corp2013-08-01T14:23:14-04:002013-08-01T14:23:14-04:00Possible big men to replace Kravtsov
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HlvK_XC6N-8tmcIpgCKWHFEh4qk=/0x652:2782x2507/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17228093/20130318_ajw_aa1_099.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Slava Kravtsov was sent to Milwaukee in the trade of two Brandons. Possible replacements include Ben Wallace, Cole Aldrich, Jason Collins and Malcom Thomas.</p> <p>An overlooked aspect of the <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/7/30/4572788/brandon-jennings-detroit-pistons-trade-brandon-knight-nba-trade-rumors-2013">big trade featuring</a> <span>Brandon Jennings</span> and <span>Brandon Knight</span> was was that the Pistons sent away second-year big man Slava Kravtsov as well. Kravtsov was not only poised to be part of my favorite meme of 2013 (Boy! Mop Water!), but he was the Pistons only legitimate reserve center.</p>
<p>With Kravtsov gone and the Pistons now having an open roster spot it stands to reason that the team would want to bring in another big man to help in the limited role that will be required -- basically a big body and/or someone who can rebound, block shots and hand out fouls to help protect Greg Monroe and <span>Andre Drummond</span>.</p>
<p>At this point in the offseason pickings are somewhat slim but I scoured the Internet to come up with some sort of reasonable list of possible replacements. A couple caveats -- some players that could have made this list appear to have already signed to play overseas or latched on with other teams. I don't think that is the case for anyone below but I might be mistaken. On with the list.</p>
<h4>Veterans</h4>
<h5><span>Ben Wallace</span></h5>
<p>Nothing needs to be said about the rationale of bringing back one of the greatest Pistons of all time. He sat out all of last season but stayed in shape and near the team and indicated he wasn't completely interested in staying retired. Could he join <span>Rasheed Wallace</span> and <span>Chauncey Billups</span> on the Pistons Nostalgia Tour or is that just overkill? I'm sure the team would make room for him if he was interested.</p>
<h5><span>Cole Aldrich</span></h5>
<p>Already an NBA journeyman looking for his fourth team it's hard to remember that Aldrich was the 11th pick in the 2010 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA draft</a>, just four spots after the Pistons selected Greg Monroe. He was also picked ahead of <span>Ed Davis</span> and <span>Larry Sanders</span>. Aldrich is a legit 7-footer who can rebound and block shots but is unskilled offensively. In a 15-game cup of coffee with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> he showed off some legitimate NBA skills.</p>
<h5><span>Jason Collins</span></h5>
<p>Yep, he's gay (yay <a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1704183_1704257_1704513,00.html">mid-90s references!</a>). But more than that he is a 12-year NBA veteran who will body up his man and isn't afraid of using his full allotment of fouls. An extra big man wouldn't be asked to do much and having a legit veteran might help out Detroit's young frontcourt.</p>
<h5><span>Tyrus Thomas</span></h5>
<p>Was a limited but reasonably productive player who used explosive athleticism to make up for lack of smarts. He soars for blocks and rebounds and can run in transition but has no offensive skill and can play out of position. He signed a huge deal with the lowly <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a> and had a nice first season but the bottom has completely fallen out the past two seasons and he was amnestied. Could be a worthwhile reclamation project if he just needed to escape the toxic atmosphere in Charlotte.</p>
<h5><span>Drew Gooden</span></h5>
<p>Gooden has always seemed like a sort of numbskull who was just too naturally talented not to be productive. He's not a great defender and he'll leave you shaking your head but then you look at his stats and he's surprisingly effective. That is, until last season when he played only 151 minutes and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> couldn't wait to be rid of him via the amnesty clause.</p>
<h5><span>Hilton Armstrong</span></h5>
<p>Armstrong is akin to a AAAA player in baseball. Those are the guys that are too good for the minors but can't quite make it all fit together in the big leagues. Armstrong hasn't played in the NBA since 2011 but played well in the D-League last season as a man among boys.</p>
<h5><span>Hamed Haddadi</span></h5>
<p>Never did much as the last big man off the bench in Memphis but he does have NBA experience, rebounds, and won't get pushed around on defense. Plus, the first ever Iranian in the NBA can join the first Swede in the NBA as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a>.</p>
<h5><span>Kyrylo Fesenko</span></h5>
<p>More than just a big body, Fesenko showcased some legitimate skill as an NBA defender in Utah. Things never quite worked out there and he went to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> in 2011-12 but barely played before being waived. He latched on with Chicago but never suited up there either. I have always read that he's a good teammate and hardworker.</p>
<h4>Young Guns</h4>
<h5><span>Malcolm Thomas</span></h5>
<p>Thomas has been with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> and remains on their radar, but they seem to be kicking the tires on longtime veterans like <span>Marcus Camby</span> and the Pistons would be wise to swoop in and offer him a guaranteed deal. Thomas is more of a power forward, standing 6-9 at 225 pounds, but he uses his athleticism and 7-foot-2 wingspan well. He is fresh off a dominating performance in the Las Vegas Summer League to the tune of leading the league in rebounding, including a record 22-rebound game. Thomas has been brought in by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> and the Bulls largely on his defensive promise and I wouldn't mind joining that club.</p>
<h5><span>Henry Sims</span></h5>
<p>There are worse options than bringing back one of <span>Greg Monroe's</span> old teammates on the Georgetown Hoyas. Think of it as an olive branch for all the ridiculous trade rumors he has been and will be subjected to. Sims was a D-League MVP last season thanks to his Monroe-like ability to use his feet well, make the right passes out of the post and at the elbow and ability to rebound and block shots. He is highly skilled and might be worth bringing on to see if he can develop into an actual rotational NBA player.</p>
<h5>Derrick Nix</h5>
<p>The former Michigan State Spartan is well known to Pistons brass as he played in nearby East Lansing and was brought in by the team for a workout during the predraft process. Nix is a beefy, 270-pound load on the block and has shown somewhat surprising agility considering he's built like a Mack truck. Plus, I would consider this a personal favor as my co-worker's 12-year-old son DVR'd the entire NBA draft and anxiously watched the entire thing just waiting for Nix's name to be called. I miss being that kind of wide-eyed fan and think it would probably make his day if Nix got a shot in Detroit.</p>
<p><b>Update:</b> As mentioned in comments, Nix <a href="http://who%20were%20desperate%20for%20anyone%20with%20size%20and%20a%20pulse">signed a three-year deal</a> with Slovenian club Krka in late July.</p>
<h5>Jack Cooley</h5>
<p>Cooley is a basketball vacuum, able to Hoover up any available carom off the glass. He was third in all of college basketball in rebounding percentage despite standing at just 6-foot-9. He's also has touch around the rim but not really a jump shot to speak of. As a poor man's <span>DeJuan Blair</span> you could do much worse.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/1/4579488/2013-free-agency-pistons-center-power-forward-Ben-Wallace-Jason-Collins-Cole-AldrichSean Corp2013-08-01T08:34:49-04:002013-08-01T08:34:49-04:00Jennings is a risk, but a good risk
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0gAssCWdAex8sDdCQ5BdAIaIyyU=/0x360:2910x2300/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17181531/20130415_ajl_sh5_268.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Just when you thought you had made it through the five stages of grief with the Josh Smith signing, this news hits. Brandon Jennings is a Piston. But it may make more sense than you think.</p> <p>There's no telling how the move will play out. But the problems that existed with the Smith deal aren't present with the Jennings move. There are red flags, concerns that Joe Dumars just signed the biggest, flashiest available player left. But there are reasons to feel good about it - in fact, this move may have made the summer for Dumars.</p>
<p>Here's why.</p>
<p><b>Jennings isn't as bad as you've heard</b></p>
<p>Many saw <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/7/23/4548076/explaining-why-brandon-jennings-still-doesnt-have-a-job">B-Ball Breakdown's analysis</a> of why Jennings has been unable to land a contract up to this point and shuddered with relief that Dumars denied interest in the point guard. He's known for his lousy shots, his weak defense, some poor advanced figures.</p>
<p>But he's not that bad.</p>
<p>He brings a fine assist percentage, assist/turnover ratio, and steal percentage. He's also obviously a volume shooter, yes, which is not ideal with his 51% true shooting, but it could be worse. The league average TS for point guards is 52.7%, so he's not tremendously below it. He's an average point guard, maybe slightly below because of his shot selection, and 23 years old. That's fine for this contract.</p>
<p>Most importantly, Jennings can run the pick and roll. Brandon Knight can't. Last year according to Synergy Sports, Knight averaged .69 points per possession and a 20.6 turnover percentage as the pick and roll ball handler. Jennings' numbers were .84 points per possession and 14.5 turnover percentage. John Calipari spoke earlier this week <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/truebluepistons_130731.html">with Keith Langlois</a> on the subject, that Knight never touched the pick and roll in college.</p>
<p>Entering the season with Knight as the presumptive starting point guard would have left a huge void in the offense due to this inability. We saw last year when Will Bynum stepped in the transformational effect the play has on an offense, particularly with an athlete like Andre Drummond on the court. Adding Smith makes the play that much more important.</p>
<p>Let's play a quick game of alternate reality. Suppose yesterday Dumars pulled off a sign and trade of Brandon Knight, Khris Middleton, and Slava Kravtsov for Jrue Holiday. That'd be pretty nifty, considering he cost the Pelicans Nerlens Noel and a first rounder in next year's wildly anticipated draft. Well, last year Jennings shot the ball less than Holiday and for a better TS. His assist to turnover ratio was much better, their steal rate was identical, and Jennings' Synergy numbers were better on the pick and roll. Where Holiday has been on the decline in the key efficiency figures the past three years, Jennings has shown signs of progress. Brandon Jennings is the superior player. And he's on the hook for about $17 million less.</p>
<p>Or what about Jeremy Lin? Well, Lin and Jennings are twins. Lin's a bit more efficient as scorer, Jennings a bit more efficient as a passer, both weak defensively and paid nearly exactly the same. This may be a case where we're getting carried away with name and reputation.</p>
<p><b>Improves balance, flexibility, roles</b></p>
<p>Joe Dumars deserves credit for his patience in the Jennings negotiation. The amount, length, and return in the sign and trade are all reasonable, and he a showed utilization of leverage in a way that he hasn't in previous signings.</p>
<p>He didn't overpay for Jennings, something that would have been easy to do - which is readily apparent taking a look at other guards in his draft class or John Wall. The price tag was reasonable and the three year deal was ideal. Long enough to have his Bird Rights if he's a success, short enough to hedge the risk if he's not.</p>
<p>Some may feel Knight's value was higher than just inclusion as a sign and trade, but the Bucks were in a great position for the deal. They could have held on to Jennings at the qualifying offer and had a decent point guard at a bargain price. Dumars had to negotiate acquisition costs with two separate entities, Milwaukee and Jennings, and he was successful in both.</p>
<p>One of my personal biggest concerns in discussing a potential Jennings sign and trade was that it would be for either the Charlie Villanueva or Rodney Stuckey expiring contracts. If it is possible to run into difficulty in re-signing Monroe or Drummond due to too many long-term contracts, it seemed like loading up with long term deals for players like Jennings would be the way that it would happen. But their exclusion from the trade keeps cap flexibility intact, allowing the front office to adjust if there is an expansion in the salary cap <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/7/26/4559660/Pistons-Josh-Smith-Andre-Drummond-Greg-Monroe-nba-salary-cap-boost">as Sean Corp suggested</a> or budget if necessary.</p>
<p>This move also provides Maurice Cheeks something the past three Pistons coaches haven't had: the players and skills that the roster needs to be successful.</p>
<p>I don't want to pick on Knight, but his removal from the roster helps with this. He's young, hard-working, and hopefully he can one day fulfill his potential. But as a Piston, he struggled running an offense, struggled to find a position, struggled with turnovers, struggled at times defensively, and struggled through a horrendous shooting slump last year. He was set to play a big role again this year. Taking the question mark that Knight represented out of the equation makes it so that Cheeks doesn't have to be a mad scientist to be successful. The skillset of a guy like Billups, Stuckey, or Singler is much more defined without the highs and lows that has been seen through Knight's development process.</p>
<p><b>All in</b></p>
<p>Spending $80 million on Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings wouldn't have been how I'd have spent the summer. I was hoping for cost-effective, efficient production. Well, Dumars certainly had a different plan.</p>
<p>Take another read of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/7/11/4513412/my-approach-to-josh-smith-as-a-pistons">Kriz' masterpiece</a> on her approach to Smith as a Piston. One paragraph that particularly stood out was her mentioning of odds. On paper, it's tough to see Smith or Jennings significantly impacting the Pistons' odds. Plugging in figures, neither addition does in the way that guys like Darren Collison and Brandan Wright would have. But maybe there's something we're missing.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/7/30/4570784/shot-creation-nba-value-rajon-rondo-russell-westbrook">Tom Ziller had a great piece</a> on this earlier this week in his look into shot creation, with the primary point that it's complicated. Maybe Jennings and Smith improve with a steady, talented guy like Moose alongside them. Maybe Moose's efficiency will improve with less responsibility on the offensive end. Or maybe the whole mix really would have been better with Collison and Wright. I don't know. We'll see. The change is so dramatic that it's impossible to make any particularly bold claims with certainty.</p>
<p>Jennings certainly represents a risk, but he was a necessary risk. If Dumars was betting on Smith, it was best to go all in with Jennings as well - particularly if the price was right. While the odds for Jennings are uncertain, the bet for Knight was that this year he would develop capabilities that he has never shown the signs of attaining.</p>
<p>Again, I don't know if this is going to be successful. I'm not going to try talking myself into the idea or out of it, and certainly not worried about convincing anyone else. But it will be fun to watch. Even if it's a disaster, it'll be fun. This will be an aggressive, attacking, athletic team that could overwhelm a lot of teams or be a dysfunctional mess. For the first time in a lot of summers, I'm legitimately excited to see what it looks like.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/8/1/4576490/nba-free-agency-jennings-signing-is-a-risk-but-a-good-riskSteve Hinson2013-07-31T12:27:03-04:002013-07-31T12:27:03-04:00ESPN's Kevin Pelton gives Jennings trade a B+
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_vWKm76xetW6-CUgQ51pzf41cG4=/0x200:2965x2177/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/17162743/20131313_mbr_bs5_136.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>ESPN's Kevin Pelton seems to think the deal is a win for the Pistons.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/7/30/4572788/brandon-jennings-detroit-pistons-trade-brandon-knight-nba-trade-rumors-2013">Brandon Jennings was acquired by the Pistons</a> on Tuesday in a sign-and-trade deal that sends <span>Brandon Knight</span>, <span>Viacheslav Kravtsov</span>, and <span>Khris Middleton</span> to Milwaukee. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/7/15/4526652/pistons-rumors-2013-brandon-jennings-bucks">61-percent of 3,477 voters</a> indicated a couple of weeks ago that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> should try to acquire Jennings and now that they have gone and done it, it seems the majority of the vocal fans do not like it. </p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/TradeGrades-130730/trade-grades-brandon-jennings-detroit-pistons">ESPN's Kevin Pelton</a> feels differently, though, giving Joe Dumars a B+ for the estranged GM's latest move.</p>
<p>Pelton provided a blind comparison of Jennings with <span>Jrue Holiday</span>, stacking up their usage, true shooting, assist, turnover, and win percentages, and their respective WARP. Jennings, 23, appears to ever-so-slightly come out on top of the little younger Holiday, who will make $44 million over the next four years. </p>
<p>Pelton writes: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think we can agree that the two players are statistically similar. Despite a much better field-goal percentage, Holiday is the less efficient scorer because he takes fewer 3-pointers and gets to the free throw line far less often. His superior assist rate is offset by far more turnovers. By my WARP system, their seasons were basically identical. PER gives Holiday the slight edge, while Win Shares dramatically favors Jennings because they give less credit to Holiday for playing a larger role in his team's offense.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>After admitting that Holiday is better and discussing some of the potential problems for the Pistons, Pelton went on to add: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>On a more positive note, Jennings is hardly a non-shooter; per Synergy Sports his effective field-goal percentage on spot-up attempts (.492) wasn't much worse than Knight's mark (.516). And both Jennings' greatest strength (taking care of the basketball) and weakness (inaccurate shooting, especially in the paint) fit well with the Pistons' big lineup. Detroit has an excellent chance of rebounding those misses, which isn't possible with turnovers.</p>
<p>Joe Dumars has upgraded Detroit's lineup this offseason without getting substantially older. A core of Jennings (23), Monroe (23) and Drummond (who doesn't turn 20 until next month) has plenty of upside, and even Smith is just 27. Dumars is certainly taking a risk that these pieces will fit together, but if nothing else the 2013-14 Pistons will be a fascinating experiment. Compared to the extended run of boring mediocrity since the dissolution of the 2004 champions, I think the effort is worth it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Now, your thoughts and rebuttal grades.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/7/31/4575154/brandon-jennings-trade-reaction-detroit-pistons-rumorsPackey