The roster is now overbooked by one warm body.

Who do you think will be gone when camp breaks?

This is not who you "want" gone, this is who do you think actually will be gone.

I think its Meija, contract not guaranteed, we still keep his rights if he signs with a team overseas? just like Acker, might be better for his development too...

As much as I think Lindsey should just retire and make this easy, I'm not counting on it.

As Langlois has been saying for months now (and if anyone knows, he should), look for the Pistons to give Murray to whomever will take him in exchange for more valuble 2nd round picks.

Maybe we can own the whole 2nd round in 2009?

Stuckey gets Murray's role, and how many guys capable of playing SG do we need?

I voted Murray, but it depends on how much Hayes signed for. If it's a small amount it's probably Mejia because we can just bring him back next year anyway.

I'd rather have Mejia pushing guys in practice then Murray demanding the ball.

Meija doesn't belong to us if we cut him like Acker. Acker was with us a whole season and we tendered him an offer. He was restricted, so when he refused the offer we retained his rights. Not the same with Meija. I'd rather Hunter retired AND we dealt Flip. Then we'd have an open roster spot in case of injuries, future deals. In either case, I think we find a taker for Flip.

I say Dupree. He has very little experience and didn't play last season so he is now of little use. Afflalo is considered a better prospect so there is now no point of keeping Dupree.

easily dupree im. unless he flips people on their heads, he's out like tom.

It's gotta be Dupree. They have expressed zero interest in putting him on the floor... he wouldn't be missed.

While I hope and wish it's Ronald Dupree, my gut is telling me it's Sammy Mejia...I think Dumars and Dupree have some sort of tight niche with eachother, and him being a veteran and all, I don't think Mejia will be on the club Opening Night Vs. Miami...

Who knows though, if it were up to me Ronald Murray, Ronald Dupree, Nazr Mohammed and Sammy Mejia would all pack their bags...

SIGN C-WEBB JOE, WE HAVE NO F-ING CENTER!!!

Renee (Troy): OK, so we add Jarvis Hayes. Who gets cut – is it Ronald Dupree or Flip Murray? Can we buy out player contracts and add more players? I still think we should add Webber, if possible.

:langlois:
The Pistons were about $1.6 million under the luxury-tax threshold before signing Hayes, who’ll eat up most of that. My guess is the Pistons would have less than $500,000 to offer Webber at this point. Yeah, they could buy out players or simply waive them and swallow their contracts – and, if they had to do that, Dupree would be the likeliest target because he’s due the least amount of money. I think the Pistons are inclined to hang on to Murray now as the third point guard, viewing Lindsey Hunter as more of an emergency type who will be used to mentor the rookies.

Looks like it's Fitch.
http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/langlois_blog_071015.html

The Pistons trimmed their roster to 16 on Monday, one above the regular-season limit, by waiving guard Gerald Fitch. Fitch played three minutes in the preseason opener against Miami, going 1 for 2 at the free-throw line and picking up an assist.

Also, no, it's not, since someone else still has to go.

Fitch appreciation thread?

please oh please flip murray oh god i don't believe in you but i might start if you intervene to throw flip murray off this squad

Its going to be Dupree. Unless they decide not to keep Mejia around, Dupree doesn't stand a chance. I always loved his hustle but he's just not showing that he deserves to be on this team. Then again, I haven't seen much of Mejia so I don't have anything to go on there.

Breaking down the Pistons' roster

by A. Sherrod Blakely
Monday October 22, 2007, 7:27 AM

AUBURN HILLS -- Despite a 3-4 preseason record, Detroit Pistons coach Flip Saunders isn't fretting about his team's losing record.

"You have to understand, these are learning experiences," Saunders told reporters following Detroit's 104-80 loss at San Antonio on Saturday. "I don't look at the score, I look at how a guy is playing in situations."

Indeed, Saunders' expectations for each player depends on their level of experience as well as the role they are expected to play this season.

Here's a breakdown of how each of Detroit's 16 remaining players have fared in camp thus far:

STARTERS
Chauncey Billups -- He came into the preseason looking to be more aggressive. Although his preseason numbers don't reflect this, Billups seems more eager to attack teams offensively by driving to the basket and looking to score.

Richard Hamilton -- A left ankle injury sidelined what had been a very positive preseason for Hamilton. Like Billups, he too is looking to be more aggressive offensively this season.

Tayshaun Prince -- Expected to become more of a focal point offensively, Prince looked a lot like the Tayshaun Prince of the past. He still is Detroit's most versatile player, but he still appears to have at least two or three teammates ahead of him in the scoring pecking order.

Antonio McDyess -- Not surprisingly, McDyess has had no problems adjusting to playing with the team's starting five after spending the past three seasons as a valued Pistons reserve. His defense and rebounding still are strong, but his jumper has been shaky, which is the norm for McDyess this time of year.

Rasheed Wallace -- Detroit's "new" center came into camp in great shape having lost close to 25 pounds. A solid rebounder and defender in the preseason, the Pistons will need more of the same from Wallace when the regular season begins.

BENCH
Jason Maxiell -- Arguably Detroit's best player in the preseason, Maxiell was a force at both ends of the floor. Consistency remains his biggest hurdle.

Rodney Stuckey -- The prized rookie has shown both the potential and problems that come with the job for first-year players. Like most rookies, the key for his development will be in how quickly he learns from his setbacks that are sure to occur at various times this season.

Jarvis Hayes -- Maybe the biggest surprise of training camp, Hayes averaged 12.6 points while playing a team-high 28 minutes per game. He should see 15-25 minutes per night.

Nazr Mohammed -- A calf injury shelved Mohammed for all but two preseason games. He's the team's lone backup center with experience, but expect for Mohammed's minutes to be scarce again this season.

Flip Murray -- Had some really strong performances, and others that were less-than-memorable. Murray officially will be listed as a backup to Hamilton, but expect Hayes and Stuckey to fill in for Hamilton while Murray will be used sparingly.

Arron Afflalo -- Known as a defensive stopper, Afflalo has proven he can be a decent scorer as well. He won't be a part of Detroit's regular rotation, but he's shown enough promise to make Saunders comfortable playing him, if needed.

Amir Johnson -- No Pistons player suffered more in the preseason than Johnson, who missed the first seven games with a left ankle injury. The Pistons will start the season unsure of what to expect from Johnson, who might be healthy enough to play in the preseason finale gainst Washington.

Lindsey Hunter -- He'll be playing more of a mentor role with the team this season. He'll be used more as a substitute in special situations, like when Detroit wants to cool off a hot-shooting guard.

Cheikh Samb -- Displayed good instincts defensively and a nice-looking baseline jumper. Is at least another year away from helping the Pistons; will spend most of this season with Detroit's Development League affiliate in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Others currently on roster: G Sammy Mejia and F Ronald Dupree.

Stuckey, Maxiell and Hayes are locks for the 6-8 spots.

Nazr's incompetence is competing with Amir's ankle for #9.

For the spot minutes at #10, Afflalo has clearly won first crack. He's had the best October of anybody.

I wonder if anyone will even sign Dupree once he is cut?

Maybe Charlotte now that Morrison is hurt?

Houston is apparently considering waiving Jackie Butler to get down to the roster limit.

If he can keep his weight under control, there is a lot of potential there.

I'd waive Dupree and Mejia to sign him.

I'm too lazy to look it up, but is the roster deadline Monday or tonight?

I've seen both reported in multiple places.

I would guess Monday.

:mccosky:


Rip is back

Rip Hamilton returned to practice today and looked no worse for wear after missing the last two weeks with a left ankle sprain. He pushed himself extremely hard and pronounced himself ready to go. So, other than Rodney Stuckey, the Pistons are at full strength.

The fallout from Stuckey injury won't be completely known for a couple of weeks. Initially, it looks like Flip Murray will back-up both guard spots. It seems like, at least at first, that Flip Saunders will use a three-guard rotation rather than throw Arron Afflalo into the fire. I think Saunders, wisely, will pick his spots when to use Afflalo.

Something else to look for: To ease the burden on Murray, you might also see Jarvis Hayes and Tayshaun Prince on the floor together with Chauncey Billups. The two are interchangeable between the shooting guard and small forward spots, though Prince would draw the tougher of the two defensive assignments.

It looks like Ronald Dupree will be the odd man out, again. Third time in five years the guy will have gotten cut from the Pistons. No official decision will be made until Monday, but the writing is clearly on the wall for Dupree. It may be the best thing for him, though. He was never going to get much of a chance to win a rotation spot here, and his $825,000 is guaranteed. Hopefully he can catch on with another team and double his salary. He is, like I have said, one of the real good guys in the league and you want good things to happen to good people -- at least once in a while.

If Dupree is out, that means rookie Sammy Mejia is in. He would spend most of the year in the D-League with Cheikh Samb -- which is nice because they both speak Spanish, giving Cheikh somebody to talk to. Sammy could make an extra buck or two serving as his translator. When I was watching them play in the summer league in Vegas, Cheikh wouldn't let me interview him unless Sammy was there to translate. Sammy has a great sense of humor, by the way. He's always smiling, singing or dancing in the locker room before and after games. The guys seem to like him. He says everybody calls him Sam or Sammy, except one person. Guess who. Rasheed calls him Stanley. Who knows why?

LMFAO at the last sentence at of the article.

Why doesn't dup ever think about going to Europe

http://www.comedycentral.com/images/events/nycomedy/nycf_m3_andrew_dice_clay.jpg
" Yeah, Stanley...you know, like da powah drill? "

:mccosky:


Lineup changes
With Rodney Stuckey (broken left hand) out up to six weeks, Saunders has had to juggle his rotation. Flip Murray becomes the primary backup at point guard and shooting guard, meaning the Pistons might for the most part use a three-guard rotation.

Another possibility is to use Jarvis Hayes and Tayshaun Prince on the perimeter with Chauncey Billups .

Rookie Arron Afflalo will be used in certain situations, and Lindsey Hunter , not expected to be on the active roster for the first couple months, is back in the fold.

"Lindsey is going to have to play some," Saunders said. "But going in, we weren't going to use him much early so he's not in the shape he needs to be to play extended minutes."

In the frontcourt, if the season started today, Amir Johnson would be out of the rotation. He is working himself back after an ankle injury.

"It's going to take time, a lot of time," Saunders said. "The ankle is still weak. He doesn't have the explosiveness, he doesn't have his lateral quickness and he gets bumped off (his spot) pretty easy right now. But, he's got a week, so we'll see."

Cut down time
The Pistons have until Monday to cut their roster to 15 players. Ronald Dupree , most likely, will be the last man cut.

Anyone else looking at the waiver wire and thinking we should maybe get rid of both Mejia and Dupree? I know he's another guard, but Hassan Adams intrigues me, here, and there are others.

Hassan Adams is garbage, he will never see the floor if he comes here anyway...besides if he was much of anything I'm sure Cleveland would've kept him...

If there were any free agents to go grab, how about Earl Boykins

I don't think Adams is garbage, especially when compared to Dupree or Mejia, but I agree that he wouldn't get much play. Boykins still isn't signed? Whoa.

I mentioned Jackie Butler in another thread, if Houston waives him.

I'd rather sign Juwan Howard than Butler. At least Howard you know doesn't suck and will work in emergency situations.

But butler is a real center while juwans natural position is the 4

But butler is a real center while juwans natural position is the 4

Butler isn't even a real NBA player. He's a joke.

7 feet 300 lbs of unathletic and stupid. I'll pass.

He's 22 years old. When given minutes he can score and rebound. He's not the best shot blocker but his great free throw % makes up for it. I'd take butler for the minimum

Butler isn't even a real NBA player. He's a joke.

7 feet 300 lbs of unathletic and stupid. I'll pass.

Butler is about as athletic as it gets for 300 lbs.

Kinda like Robert Traylor, but about 4 inches taller.

RIP Ronald

http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/19/19817/19817_2.jpg
"Goodnight sweet prince"

Butler is about as athletic as it gets for 300 lbs.

Kinda like Robert Traylor, but about 4 inches taller.

He's so good that no good team in the NBA wants anything to do with him...

Mejia Makes His Mark
by Ryan Pretzer
Pistons.com

As the starters and a few other veterans were joking and casually shooting free throws toward the end of Sunday’s practice, Pistons rookie guard Sammy Mejia was still at it with assistant coach Dave Cowens. A jumper. Another jumper. A move with his back to the basket. A drive from the left side of the lane. The 6-foot-6 Mejia even took a couple stabs at a running hook shot. There would be nobody better to learn it from than Cowens, who crafted an effective one during his Hall of Fame career.

Mejia, 24, listened intently, his face and body language a model of concentration. If there is a guidebook for making an NBA team as a second-round draft pick – especially a team that has already committed to a pair of rookies and a win-now mentality – Mejia has read his cover to cover. Since his surprising selection in June, he has worked to put himself in a favorable position.

First-round choices Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo have generated more buzz and will have a greater impact on the Pistons in 2007-08. But with the Pistons’ final roster to be announced shortly, Mejia, the 57th overall pick, appears to be in the mix as well. He won’t make it based on his preseason stats (he hardly played), just persistence and the knowledge nothing could be taken for granted.

“I always feel I can do better,” Mejia said. “I don’t think I had a bad training camp, I’ve done a lot of things well. Obviously there’s a lot of things I need to work on, as well as every other player in this league.”

Mejia had a solid career at DePaul, averaging 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 123 games. His selection after the Pistons had already drafted two guards drew quizzical looks at the time, but his demeanor and 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame made him a safe choice. Pistons head coach Flip Saunders said an ankle injury made it tough to full evaluate Mejia in training camp, “but he’s a pretty smart player and he shoots ball pretty well. Those are his main strengths.”

On a roster full of smart players who can shoot well, however, Mejia doesn’t help Saunders fill an obvious need, making minutes hard to come by. He averaged only 9.0 minutes per game in the preseason, appearing in six of the team’s eight games. Mejia said the reduced playing time has been his toughest adjustment.

“Coming from high school and college, they put you right out there pretty much. You played such a major part of whatever school you went to and you do a lot for that team,” the Bronx, New York, native said. “At this level, everyone’s as good as you if not better and you understand you have to find a niche, how you’re going to fit into this team and do something that’s going to make this team better.”

Finding a niche will involve a lot of late practice sessions with Cowens and the other assistant coaches. Improving his offensive efficiency is Mejia’s focus after shooting 4-of-17 from the floor in the preseason. “You’ve got to take advantage of the few opportunities that you get. You’re not going to get a lot of open shots, and when you do they expect you to make them,” he said. “Understanding that and being able to capitalize on those things are what make you a good player in this league.”

“This league” is where Mejia would like to stay, though a stint or two with the team’s Developmental League affiliate in Fort Wayne is a possibility. While Mejia wouldn’t mind extended playing time, he’s looking forward to spending a lot of his first NBA season with the Pistons.

“I’m happy to be here and trying to stay up here as long as I can,” he said. “If they feel like the best way I can help this organization is to go down there for a couple weeks, months, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m all about helping this team win and trying to get better so I can help the team win. That’s the ultimate goal.”

Super Cogent Awards all around for Atticus771, b-diddy, Joe Asberry and Wil Ledezma on the Mejia predictions.

"Butler isn't even a real NBA player."


ha...true...although he does have more rings than Dirk, Nash, Marion, Amare, Melo, LeBron, KG, Pierce, Arenas, Ray Allen, C-Webb, Reggie Miller, and Barkley COMBINED...

lol