Who do the Pistons draft?
Porter is the perfect replacement for Prince, jack of all trades kind of guy. Poythress has potential but has been horribly inconsistent. Goodwin and Muhammed will most likely be gone. And I like Oladipo but I think you could get him later in the first.
The person that would be available to them that I would take is Archie Goodwin. He is far from a finish product, but he is a promising offensively talented player that has the most up side in my opinion. He is the closes player in college that I've seen just on pure body and as athlete to D-Wade. I think he is slightly taller, but not quite as fast.
He's not 6'5 he's closer to 6'3-6'4. He is a two guard but the reason he is seen as a combo guard because he is so ineffective without the ball in his hands and likes to control the ball like a point guard. He suffers from Tyreke Evans syndrome.
I'm usually pretty spot on with guessing a players height. I'm guessing he is 6'5 in shoes or 6'4.75. We won't know who is right until the combine, so I'll leave that off for now. Unlike Tyreke who dribbles without a purpose, I see Goodwin being a more decisive player its either he is going to create a shot for himself or slash towards the rim.
I think they are very easily in the situation to simply just draft the best player available. They have no glaring needs, really. All they need to do is to build their identity around the Twin Towers idea. Those are their future stars and franchise cornerstones. Don't forget that they will have a lot of cap space this year, especially now with Calderon's expiring contract. I have a feeling they might reel in Eric Bledsoe who will be a RFA, and he would be a nice, athletic, young fit.
Everyone thinks that Bledsoe is going to be an RFA because of the trade rumors surrounding him but he isn't. He will still be under contract with the Clippers next season if he isn't moved. He will be an RFA in the summer of 2014. Bledsoe also isn't really a PG.
Archie Goodwin is not a combo guard. He is a 2 guard and only that. Just because he was forced to play the PG position for a few games when Harrow was out does not make him a combo guard. He's 6'4-6'5 with a good wingspan which sounds like a prototypical 2 guard.
They should target Otto Porter or GR3, Calderon could hold the point guard spot for 2-3 years and Knight is their future 2 guard/sixth man, Monroe and Drummond have the future frontcourt settled. Detroit should look to add another first round pick and draft Trey Burke to be their future point guard.
I actually if they have solid pieces they can trade and it is pretty set on what they need, I would try to move up and grab a 2 guard and resign Caulderon
Trade Stuckney and depending on how Caulderon play this year even Knight may be expendable since Will Bynum is better off the bench and outplays him a lot.
trade Maggette if you can
Keep Singler who is a perfect glue guy who can produce but will never put up enough stats to warrant big money.
Caulderon
????
????
Monroe
Drummunds
Bench:
Bynum
English
Singler
Charlie V(contract too hard to move)
Knight(possibly moved)
Everyone else could be moved or possibly kept if they have long term potential.
Come July Charlie V will certainly be amnestied. They should look to add Otto Porter. He is going to be a very solid pro. Archie Goodwin is shooting 27 percent from 3 in college...that is not a pure SG in my opinion. He also only has 3 more assists than TOs for the season so he obviously won't be a PG either. Being a combo guard isn't purely about size it is also about skill set. He very much reminds me of another freshmen that played for Calipari and shot 27 % from 3....His name....Tyreke Evans....Lebron's Hairline knows what he is talking about.
When you think of a true SG do you think of Ray Allen of D-Wade? I understand not everybody fits into a specific mold but when you talk about a true SG the first thing you should talk about is shooting...is that really that crazy of a concept?
Wade is considered a combo guard by many. He is most effective bringing the ball up and attacking the rim. Before Lebron came to town there was really no debating the fact that Wade was a combo guard. Now that Lebron is the primary ball handler Wade has been less effective scoring the basketball because he has been asked to play in more of a traditional SG and featured in a spot up role far more often. If Ray Allen was in his prime he would certainly compliment Lebron and the Heat much better than DWade does at this point...at least from an offensive point of view.
Goodwin is a DWade Clone but unlike Wade, Goodwin was not unheard of as a Freshman in college...Not saying he will be as good but their similarities are obvious...and Goodwin is a Legit 6'5" and almost looks taller cause of his length when you watch him..
Both incredible athletes, both unstoppable going to the rim, both extremely aggressive and draw fouls, both suspect when shooting from range, both can run point if needed, and both around 6'5" with 6'10" wingspans...I don't get the "can't play cause he's a combo guard" debate...
Pistons should draft any of those mentioned except Poythress and Oladipo mainly cause 'Dipo shouldn't be picked as high as the Pistons should be picking and Poythress looks like a top 3 pick at times and undraftable at others and wouldn't waste an important pick with a guy like that...
I think Burke will be the better player but I think MCW might fit better on this roster especially if they are planning on playing Knight extended minutes off the ball. MCW could take the bigger, stronger SGs in the league while Knight would still guard the same position. Knight is certainly a lights out shooter who is not a playmaking PG. Being undersized it seems like he may be best in a Jason Terry role off the bench playing big minutes. It will be very interesting to see which direction they go. At least they know they don't need a big guy...
I think alot will depend on how Calderon and Knight go in the back court together. What position is Knight going to play ? Is he undersized for a SG ? Will Calderon re-sign with the pistons ?
I would even like to see them trade this pick for Jeremy Lamb...
Otto Porter will be a good role player in the mold of Tayshawn Prince. However he does not have his stroke or foot speed and is not the athlete Prince was. Prince back then when he still had Billups was getting a lob dunk at least once a game. I just think this team should look to get someone that has more potential then being a role player.
Tayshaun was one of the 50 best players in the league at the time of his prime. However Porter has vastly improved his shot and has more than doubled his 3pt percentage to 46% this year. Tayshaun never shot better than 35% from 3 during his career at UK. There #s are pretty similar outside of 3's. Prince could be a bit more athletic and a slightly better on ball defender but I think Porter has pretty big potential the way he has been improving so quickly. If I am Detroit I jump all over this guy If I can.
If Knight is not a point guard then he certainly isn't a starting two. I could see taking Marcus Smart, Trey Burke or MCW if they plan waiting a year to find their perimeter playmaker. If Mclemore and Shabazz aren't available by the time the Pistons draft maybe they draft the best point guard or small forward available.
So far the Pistons have stayed patient in their rebuilding efforts, and if they leap for a guy like Goodwin solely in order to fill a need it would be a step back.
I agree with you guys at the bottom. They should take otto porter or smart or MCW, which ever one they think will be the best for them. Knight could be a ben gordon type player who can score 20 off the bench and play at the end of games off the ball or create offense for himself. He has talent, he is just not suited to be a starting point guard and they would get more from him if he was able to come off the bench like a lou williams, mo williams last year. He should be playing a little more off ball now that calderon is there so we can see how effective he can be in a role that is better for him.
The Pistons are playing Knight at PG but rather like Stuckley before him there seems to be a lot of logic in suggesting his best position long term will be SG. Someone like MCW would make a lot of sense as he is tall for a PG and so could maybe guard the opposing SG's whilst Knight guards the smaller PG' on defence and they play their true role on offence. Porter would also be a good choice, I did think about Bennett but he seems more a PF than SF so I'd discount him. Bazz would also be a nice option at SG/SF and I agree lets amnesty Charlie V.
The pistons should stay the course and draft the BPA. They are doing a great job the last few years taking the player that slides to them with monroe, knight and drummond all coming to them in the 7 to 10 range. If BPA is a center take him, if he is a PG still take him. Hopefully Bazz or B-mac slide for some reason and they can get them to fill a need. They definitely shouldn't reach for a perceived need as they are still in a great position to be acquiring assets.
If nobody falls I honestly am hoping they get marcus smart. That kid seems like he has a very bright future in basketball. Its pretty obvious to me that a team with brandon knight at the starting pg spot has a relatively low ceiling.
It is entirely possible that one of those two players is in the 7 to 10 range. The draft is a crazy thing man. Brandon knight was a consensus top 4 pick that slid right to detroit at 8. People rise and fall every year at draft time for different reasons. The tourney, workouts, measurements, interviews, all of this stuff has yet to happen and has a huge effect on the draft. with zeller, noel, len, bennet, mcw, smart and all the euros that are available its totally possible. I mean its not the most likely scenario but the pistons have gotten a top 5 talent in the with 7th, 8th, and 9th picks 3 years in a row. None of them have bulging dicks.
The draft is crazy but this is one of the weakest in recent years and BMac is a classic low risk high reward prospect. Even if he doesn't develop his all around game like he should he will still be an elite shooter and athlete. I can't see him falling out of the top 5. Charlotte,Phoenix, Sacramento, Minnesota, and Orlando would all love for him to be there when they are picking...and at least 2 or 3 of those teams should be picking top 5.
I feel like Porter has a good work ethic and he will be a good get for the Pistons. He reminds a lot of kawhi leonard and how they continue to get better every year. Kawhi leonard had a horrendous 3 point shot at san diego st and now he's a solid 3 point shooter for the spurs. Obviously his work ethic could change once he gets his NBA contract but to me he seems like a great kid with a love for the game
I think they should hope they line up in a place to choose Shabazz or Ben McLemore. Both guys project as 2 guards in the NBA and could certainly score the ball pretty quickly into their careers.
Detroit is ranked 22 out of 30 in points per game and they seem to have their front court locked up. Drafting Shabazz or McLemore would give them a guy to put next to Knight going forward and potentially give them a 15-20 ppg scorer. Knight isn't the best shot creator, so maybe a guy like Bazz would be a better fit because he's better in the one on one game and he could play some 3 if they decide to keep Calderon around.
So is Lebron not a Small Forward since he isn't small? Or is a Power forward not a PF if his game is finesse instead of power? Ummm no. You don't have to be a great shooter to be a shooting guard. There are different types of players that play the same position. Point guards were made to be pass first guys but that has changed and evolved to scoring as well as passing and scoring more so than passing in many cases
I am guessing you were attempting to respond to me. The question was about a TRUE shooting guard...which to me means traditional. The game is far from traditional this day and age. Players like LeBron didn't exist when they originally came up with positions. LeBron can play all 5 positions effectively. He doesn't fit into a defined role like someone like Ray Allen who is a TRUE shooting guard. He isn't going to bring the ball up...he isn't going to play the 4. I understand why everyone is calling me out here but I am not saying you can't play SG if you can't shoot. Tony Allen can't shoot and he is very good because he can defend...nobody is calling Tony Allen a TRUE SG though.
The issue here is in the semantics. LeBron could start at SF, SG, PF, C, PG and it wouldn't change the kind of player he is...however he is as unique a player since Magic Johnson. Most guys fit into more traditional positions and roles. The roles have evolved to stretch 4's and combo guards, point forwards and swingmen. The game has changed but no matter what anybody says a True SG is somebody with a jump shot..think Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan...they are all great shooters and that is all I am referring to.
I just don't think Otto Porter can cover SF's in the NBA. His lateral quickness is not very good and he won't compare athletically to NBA SF's. He plays a lot of zone at Georgetown but I just don't see him playing man to man against NBA caliber SF's.
Also he isn't the greatest at creating his own shot so he should use his size but he isn't the strongest person either so I just don't see what his role will be other than a decent bench player.
With a lot of frontcourt guys within Detroit's draft range they could of course let Maxiell move on and amnesty Charlie V and perhaps look to draft another big man. Utah took Kanter when they had a loaded frontcourt and if there were not suitable players in SF or PG position I wonder if Detroit might be tempted to take another big man or even trade the pick for a more established PG or SF. If they chose not to amnesty Charlie V, he would be an expiring 2013-14 contract and so is Rodney Stuckley, so one of those two in a package with this year's pick might be an option for Joe Dumars to look at using if the draft did not look good for them.
I'm a believer in the best player available strategy once a team reaches a certain level of prosperity, but I don't think Detroit is there yet. So where are the Pistons true needs going forward?
They have their bigs of the future, so PF and C are out. It's still too early to give up on Knight as a PG, and Singler and Stuckey could be good bench pieces on a playoff team.
So that leaves SG and SF as the two big needs. Assuming the Pistons stay roughly where they are now in the Standings they would have a pick between 6 and 11. Who's the best 2/3 that will be available in that range?
A.) Oladipo
B.) Muhammed
C.) Goodwin
D.) Porter
E.) Poythress