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Stoudemire Deal Might Not Make Sense (Or Cents)
It’s not that I don’t think Amare Stoudemire is a really good player. Obviously, he is. But it doesn’t seem to me as if he would necessarily solve the Pistons’ problems.
He is a big, powerful player who runs well in the open court, but he is not an exceptional off the ball defender at the rim nor post presence, which is what the Pistons really need. He has had knee problems, and his attitude has been less than stellar.
If this were prior to his knee injury, or before his attitude soured, the Suns wouldn’t even consider giving him up.
Would I trade Rasheed Wallace even up for Stoudemire? Not sure. Wallace’s expiring contract means a lot to the Pistons. They would be on the hook with Stoudemire at $15 million next season. Tayshaun Prince’s name has been speculated, but Prince’s role is a defensive one for the Pistons. Richard Hamilton would have to guard Joe Johnson, LeBron James and Paul Pierce in the playoffs. He is a good defender, but Prince is better. Rodney Stuckey is a building block for the Pistons future at a relatively inexpensive price and perhaps Joe Dumars’ best draft pick ever. Doubt he will part with him.
In the past, Dumars has had his best success seeing something special in players like Hamilton and Chauncey Billups others didn’t - and being right. That’s more the type of move he should be looking to make now to shore up the Pistons rather than taking a costly shot at Amare Stoudemire.
Random Thoughts
- This much I know: If Michigan beats Michigan State Tuesday and finishes .500 or better in the Big Ten, it will make the NCAA tournament. And the Wolverines would deserve it. They have remarkable strides in John Beilein’s second year as coach. Michigan played a very good game over the weekend at Connecticut.
- Don’t be surprised if, as the NFL combine nears, Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji’s name does emerge as more of a possibility for the Lions at No.1 overall. He’s 6-4, 335 pounds and they are looking for gap control defensively more than anything else. Raji was the most impressive player at the Senior Bowl.
He is a big, powerful player who runs well in the open court, but he is not an exceptional off the ball defender at the rim nor post presence, which is what the Pistons really need. He has had knee problems, and his attitude has been less than stellar.
If this were prior to his knee injury, or before his attitude soured, the Suns wouldn’t even consider giving him up.
Would I trade Rasheed Wallace even up for Stoudemire? Not sure. Wallace’s expiring contract means a lot to the Pistons. They would be on the hook with Stoudemire at $15 million next season. Tayshaun Prince’s name has been speculated, but Prince’s role is a defensive one for the Pistons. Richard Hamilton would have to guard Joe Johnson, LeBron James and Paul Pierce in the playoffs. He is a good defender, but Prince is better. Rodney Stuckey is a building block for the Pistons future at a relatively inexpensive price and perhaps Joe Dumars’ best draft pick ever. Doubt he will part with him.
In the past, Dumars has had his best success seeing something special in players like Hamilton and Chauncey Billups others didn’t - and being right. That’s more the type of move he should be looking to make now to shore up the Pistons rather than taking a costly shot at Amare Stoudemire.
Random Thoughts
- This much I know: If Michigan beats Michigan State Tuesday and finishes .500 or better in the Big Ten, it will make the NCAA tournament. And the Wolverines would deserve it. They have remarkable strides in John Beilein’s second year as coach. Michigan played a very good game over the weekend at Connecticut.
- Don’t be surprised if, as the NFL combine nears, Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji’s name does emerge as more of a possibility for the Lions at No.1 overall. He’s 6-4, 335 pounds and they are looking for gap control defensively more than anything else. Raji was the most impressive player at the Senior Bowl.
posted by Pat Caputo at
2:28 PM
2 Comments
