Meet the new Pistons, same as the old Pistons...
Ah, not really, but it does bring bad memories for Pistons' fans they passed on Michigan's Glenn Robinson III with their second-round draft pick, their only selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, Thursday. Instead, they picked Spencer Dinwiddie, a 6-6 combo guard at No.38 overall. Robinson went two picks later to Minnesota.

Spencer Dinwiddie: Seems to have an upside

Is this another case of the Pistons passing on Trey Burke to choose Kentavious Caldwell-Pope last year, which was widely panned, and helped lead to the end of the Joe Dumars' era?
No.
Burke was the national college player of the year and brilliant. GR III constantly disappeared for the Wolverines. He didn't have a bad college career, but he wasn't nearly the star he was projected to be when he arrived in Ann Arbor.
I think the draft overall Thursday pointed out the increased value on height for backcourt players and small forwards by the league.

GR III: Slip understandable

Michigan's Nik Stauskas is 6-6 and long; he was taken eighth overall by Sacramento. Michigan State's Adreian Payne has a lot of length and the versatility to play on the perimeter as a big man, so he went 15th overall. Coming into this draft, you could make a very strong case Gary Harris was the best player from this state. He lasted until 19th overall (drafted by Chicago and traded to Denver).
Mitch McGary has size. He went 21st overall to Oklahoma City, a perfect fit for McGary. Robinson doesn't, so he fell. He is kind of basketball's version of a football draft pick you're not sure of if he is a linebacker or a defensive end, the classic 'tweener. He seems to be too small to play three in the NBA, but doesn't have the guard skills to play two.
We have to see on Dinwiddie, and if Stan Van Gundy has better evaluation skills than Dumars. Dinwiddie was off the radar of most basketball fans in this state, but he does have slashing skills and took Colorado to places it hadn't been in a long time. He has the proper size for his position as it stands in 2014.. There are some injury concerns, but maybe that is why he was available. Time will tell, of course, but it is doubtful passing on GR III will come back to haunt the Pistons like doing the same with Burke did.

My column on the Red Wings off season and pending free agency: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20140625/needs-obvious-for-red-wings-but-not-easily-filled-in-nhl-free-agency-pat-caputo-says

My column on the Pistons leading up to the NBA Draft. http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20140623/its-rough-at-38th-overall-in-nba-draft-for-detroit-pistons-pat-caputo-writes