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Draft Night Kind Of A Yawner For Pistons
I don’t necessarily think the Pistons had a bad night at the NBA Draft. I’m just not sure there was a lot they could have done the way it was going to unfold. It’s just one of those drafts that is hit and mostly miss.
What I do like about Austin Daye, the Pistons’ first-round pick, is that there is a good skill set to work with. He isn’t a project from the sense he is going to fumble the ball around or anything. He is exceptionally long and has athleticism. I also like the fact his father was an NBA player and a high profile college player (Darren Daye from UCLA), which means the kid will know exactly what is expected of him.
The downside is Daye is skinnier than a rail. From that standpoint, he should have stayed in college another year or two. He is not going to step in and start right away, or contribute that much.
DaJuan Summers - I wasn’t that impressed with an NBA prospect. Saw him play quite a bit at Georgetown, too. Maybe the Pistons know something I don’t. Jonas Jerebko is a European on which the only comments I can make are based on what I’ve read or they’ve told me. Don’t see him having a major impact, either.
The pick I like the most was Chase Budinger at 44th overall. Good value there. Tough, athletic kid, who can shoot. See him playing in the league for awhile. But Joe Dumars traded him for a second-round pick and cash considerations to Houston. Can‘t say I was impressed with that move.
Obviously, the Pistons can’t use the draft as a cure-all. That has to come through free agency and trades. Have to think Dumars has something up his sleeve. July should be a lot more interesting than June.
Random Thoughts
- The more Fernando Rodney closes games, the more he looks like the answer at the spot. That, however, only makes the notion somehow even scarier, doesn’t it?
- Honestly, I think the Islanders would be crazy not to take John Tavares, one of those kids who is already a Canadian icon, ahead of Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman in the NHL Draft. Tavares is a special player. Scouts have overanalyzed him Can skate? Give me a break. Hedman is going to be very solid player, but not necessarily a great one. The best player in this draft might be Matt Duchene, who will likely go third overall to Colorado. His impact could be immediate. A lot of will there - in addition to skill.
http://tinyurl.com/kp8cmv My column in Sunday's Oakland Press about how it usually ends bad for Tiger standouts in Detroit http://tinyurl.com/kp8cmv
My Column in Friday's Oakland Press on Tigers and Magglio: http://tinyurl.com/ksfbsw
What I do like about Austin Daye, the Pistons’ first-round pick, is that there is a good skill set to work with. He isn’t a project from the sense he is going to fumble the ball around or anything. He is exceptionally long and has athleticism. I also like the fact his father was an NBA player and a high profile college player (Darren Daye from UCLA), which means the kid will know exactly what is expected of him.
The downside is Daye is skinnier than a rail. From that standpoint, he should have stayed in college another year or two. He is not going to step in and start right away, or contribute that much.
DaJuan Summers - I wasn’t that impressed with an NBA prospect. Saw him play quite a bit at Georgetown, too. Maybe the Pistons know something I don’t. Jonas Jerebko is a European on which the only comments I can make are based on what I’ve read or they’ve told me. Don’t see him having a major impact, either.
The pick I like the most was Chase Budinger at 44th overall. Good value there. Tough, athletic kid, who can shoot. See him playing in the league for awhile. But Joe Dumars traded him for a second-round pick and cash considerations to Houston. Can‘t say I was impressed with that move.
Obviously, the Pistons can’t use the draft as a cure-all. That has to come through free agency and trades. Have to think Dumars has something up his sleeve. July should be a lot more interesting than June.
Random Thoughts
- The more Fernando Rodney closes games, the more he looks like the answer at the spot. That, however, only makes the notion somehow even scarier, doesn’t it?
- Honestly, I think the Islanders would be crazy not to take John Tavares, one of those kids who is already a Canadian icon, ahead of Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman in the NHL Draft. Tavares is a special player. Scouts have overanalyzed him Can skate? Give me a break. Hedman is going to be very solid player, but not necessarily a great one. The best player in this draft might be Matt Duchene, who will likely go third overall to Colorado. His impact could be immediate. A lot of will there - in addition to skill.
http://tinyurl.com/kp8cmv My column in Sunday's Oakland Press about how it usually ends bad for Tiger standouts in Detroit http://tinyurl.com/kp8cmv
My Column in Friday's Oakland Press on Tigers and Magglio: http://tinyurl.com/ksfbsw
posted by Pat Caputo at
11:12 AM
14 Comments:
Pat,
It's hard to argue with your points in terms of the draft. I pretty much agree with you across the board.
It looks like the Pistons are aiming to be players in the free-agent market. I saw ESPN's Chris Broussard saying that Detroit is targeting Hedo Turkoglu, who has already opted out of his Orlando contract (now that they have Vince Carter) and Utah's Carlos Boozer, who looks like he is going to opt out of this contract.
Broussard seemed to indicate Ben Gordon was probably going to stay with the Bulls unless he gets the kind of contract Ben Wallace got from the Bulls when he left Detroit.
I think free agency is what this off-season period is going to be about for the Pistons.
Pat, Rodney is always just one flat change-up away from disaster, like in Seattle last year. I fear that will happen when it matters most, like in a show-down game to make the playoffs, or in the playoffs. He's the best we have now, and doing the job great, of closing games. All closers are human. Dave
I was disappointed in the draft for the Pistons draft two reasons: A) Due to physical limitations Daye is unlikely to contribute much next season. B) I was sort of disgusted that Joe and Curry were slingin' around all this character stuff about last season on draft night. It only emphasizes how little control they had over the team and how toxic the chemistry of the team that Joe constructed (destructed?) last season. Will see if free agency can right this ship.
Pat, Rodney always had great stuff but his control sometimes is absence. He does show he is more focus being a closer than a set-up guy. I wish he would his slider one or twice an inning about at the knee level or lower just to keep the hitters from sitting on his fastball or change-up. I like idea of him wasting a pitch when he ahead in the account.
Personally my thoughts on the Pistons draft is... Who cares!!! really they needed front court help. More importantly what this club needs is an impact player. They have the green to do it. Personally I think there are many ways dumars can go. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds. I kind of wouldn't mind seeing them trade for McGrady. (Yeah it be nice for bosh and Amare, but I don't think we have enough for either of those players). But you get McGrady and maybe sign a Marion. Then next year you get yourself a Joe Johnson. Who knows maybe Arnie can work magic with McGrady if not so be it you got a nice chunk of change going into next season. where this only so much to go around. Give Daye some time to build.
I know joe says he doesn't want to wait until 2010. Which tells me he might make a trade, but there is nobody out there that makes me stand up and go wow we will be int he finals next year. Know what I mean..
Pat Man I may have a heat attack watching Rodney but the S.O.B is getting the job done. What is the difference from last year?
The guys got 15 saves in 15 opps. What is going on
hey book any rumors at what the Tigers might be looking at... ? I mean I still think they need another bat and another arm....
Sandy Gholston,
Boozer, obviously, makes more sense than Turkoglu. To me, Orlando got to the finals because of Howard. Period. Pistons need size, not someone who hangs out on the outside that much and isn't much of a defemder.
Caputo
Dave,
I hear you on the changeup. But all pitches have the same issue - the hanging breaking ball, the fastball down the pipe. It's the pitcher throwing it. Rodney has a track record for the other shoe dropping.
Caputo
Larry Baker,
Joe said the same things after the '08 season - and then traded for Iverson. Go figure.
Caputo
Barry,
I agree about Rodney - except the part about wasting a pitch. He is not good deep into the count. He has to be ahead for his changeup to be effective.
Caputo
Maddog52,
Unless Daye develops, it was pretty much a dud. Certainly the immediate impact will be limited.
Caputo
Steve,
His key is velocity. When he throws in the mid-to-high 90s it provides more difference in velocity from his change. When he is ailing a bit and not throwing as hard, hitters adjust to his "stuff" easier.
Caputo
Maddog52,
Corey Hart from Milwaukee is a possibility.
Caputo
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