Glenn
10-08-2007, 12:48 PM
Jason: How come Steve Nash is being paid around $11 million when Allen Iverson is being paid $19 million? Isn’t Nash better?
Langlois: It’s all about timing and perceived value, Jason. When Nash signed his deal, he was 30 years old and had been a very good player – a two-time All-Star with Dallas – but not a superstar. When Iverson signed his, he was not only a perennial MVP candidate and All-Star but a marketing marvel who sold tickets. Philadelphia could not have afforded to let him get away, so of course the 76ers offered him a maximum contract. There were many basketball observers who felt, even then, that paying Iverson that kind of money was foolhardy because building a team around a slight guard who needs the ball and shoots as much as Iverson does would not come close to producing a championship, and the 76ers really never came close despite one NBA Finals appearance when the East was barren. But we’ll never know if that was Iverson’s fault or management’s – Philly never put appropriate talent around him. Nash found the perfect situation in Phoenix with Mike D’Antoni going to a free-flowing style that fits Nash’s talents to a T.
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Darrell (Albany, Calif.): I understand practices last roughly two hours. Even with two-a-days, that’s only four hours. What do players do with the rest of their time during the preseason?
Langlois: It amounts to a lot more than four hours, Darrell, when you factor in the time back and forth to the arena or practice facility, the taping and stretching and weight lifting and time received taking ice or heat treatments for the inevitable sprains, strains and twists, film study, etc. With “the rest of their time” during training camp, you do as much as you can to stay off of your feet and get rest.
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Mark (Grand Rapids): Shawn Marion and Kobe Bryant look like they will remain with their current teams, but what do you think of possibly sending Raja Bell and Marion to the Lakers for Kobe? Or the Suns could send Marcus Banks, Boris Diaw, Bell and Marion for Kobe and Lamar Odom.
Langlois: I don’t think the Suns would have much interest in trading with the Lakers, and I don’t think the Lakers are any more inclined to deal away one of the NBA’s biggest drawing cards in a market that must put forth stars. If we could do this deal in a vacuum – no concerns about marketing ability or reluctance to trade within the division – I’d do either deal in a heartbeat if I were in Phoenix’s shoes, because I think Kobe is head and shoulders a better player than Marion.
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Bill: Why aren’t the Pistons jumping at the chance to sign Chris Webber? Don’t you think there are two players we can sacrifice? Nazr Mohammed is not productive and is in the last stretch of his career. Flip Murray is expendable. Signing Webber presents no risk and he adds excitement to the team.
Langlois: What do you mean by “sacrifice?” Cut them? The Pistons aren’t going to cut anybody making that kind of money, certainly not Mohammed, who has four years and roughly $25 million left on his contract. Mohammed is by no means in the last stretch of his career, either. I’m of the opinion that the Pistons got from Mohammed what they reasonably expected to get from him last year, about eight points and six boards in 20 minutes a game while he was in the rotation. Mohammed just turned 30; Webber’s 34. Granted, Webber was an elite player before knee injuries robbed him of one of his most valuable assets, his explosiveness. But he’s not that guy anymore. Could he still help an NBA team? Absolutely. But he can only help a real contending team, like the Pistons, if he has a niche role, and right now the Pistons have too many other frontcourt players with niche roles. I’m not ruling out Webber playing for the Pistons at some point this season, but only if they find a trade partner to thin out the frontcourt first – and I don’t see Joe Dumars being the one to initiate that conversation at this point.
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Kevin (Bloomfield Hills): I read on Hoopsworld.com that Flip Murray “is still on the roster at the moment, but a recurring memo in Detroit’s media is that the combo guard will be traded before the start of the season.” Have you heard anything about this? Also, when is the deadline to cut down to 15?
Langlois: I no longer think Murray is very likely to be traded, Kevin. Anything is possible because you never know what might happen. Certainly, other GMs around the league will look at the depth the Pistons have in their backcourt now and, if injuries strike, they’ll call Joe Dumars. Murray would be a very attractive target for any number of reasons: (1) They’ll assume Joe D isn’t in the mood to trade Billups, Hamilton or his two rookies, Stuckey and Afflalo; (2) Murray comes relatively cheap and is in the last year of his contract; (3) Murray can play either guard spot and is a versatile scorer who can defend. I think the Pistons see Murray as a very nice security blanket in case Billups or Stuckey are out for any extended periods or if the rookies go through typical rookie slumps. But if the Pistons trade him, there would have to be something attractive to them in return. Certainly, they would not be willing to take on a longer contract unless it was a special circumstance, and likely it would have to include some sort of draft sweetener – say, the option to swap first-round picks.
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Sarah (Ohio): I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the 50th anniversary throwback jerseys that will be worn during some games this year. What will they look like and when are they first going to be worn and when can we buy them?
Langlois: I turned your question over to Craig Turnbull, Sarah, the vice president of brand management here at Palace Sports & Entertainment. Here’s what he said: The 50th anniversary jerseys will be home whites, very similar to what the Pistons wore 50 years ago after moving to Detroit. The first wearing of those uniforms is scheduled for Dec. 7 when the Chicago Bulls come to The Palace. And they’ll be available for purchase in early December.
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Bryan (Remus): How do you spell the first name of the 7-footer from Senegal? I’ve seen it spelled different ways. Also, I think Boston having three superstars is going to give the Celtics terrible chemistry. Does this sound reasonable?
Langlois: It’s Cheikh Samb. We’ve seen it various ways, too, but we were told last week that the correct way to spell it is C-h-e-i-k-h. As for the Celts, I think Kevin Garnett will do whatever it takes to make it work. There could be problems trying to find enough shots for Ray Allen and Paul Pierce – not necessarily to keep them happy, but to maximize what they do best. It’s possible those two get in each other’s way.
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Mohammed: I really hope Chauncey starts averaging 20 points and 10 assists and Stuckey follows with 14 points and five assists. Do you think that’s possible?
Langlois: My guess is your numbers are a little high across the board given the roles I foresee. Billups’ minutes should go down because Stuckey gives the Pistons a more reliable option behind him. Could his production stay the same or even increase? Yeah, it’s possible, if he’s fresher. If the Pistons get 30 points and a dozen assists out of their point guards, that would be a luxury. Stuckey, of course, could see other minutes backing up Rip Hamilton, but Flip Murray’s strong camp has him the favorite, as of now, to back up Hamilton. That could be a good thing for Stuckey, initially, as it allows him to concentrate on learning to become an NBA point guard.
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James: Can we obtain Ron Artest from Sacramento?
Langlois: Sure, right after the Red Wings sign Claude Lemieux.
Langlois: It’s all about timing and perceived value, Jason. When Nash signed his deal, he was 30 years old and had been a very good player – a two-time All-Star with Dallas – but not a superstar. When Iverson signed his, he was not only a perennial MVP candidate and All-Star but a marketing marvel who sold tickets. Philadelphia could not have afforded to let him get away, so of course the 76ers offered him a maximum contract. There were many basketball observers who felt, even then, that paying Iverson that kind of money was foolhardy because building a team around a slight guard who needs the ball and shoots as much as Iverson does would not come close to producing a championship, and the 76ers really never came close despite one NBA Finals appearance when the East was barren. But we’ll never know if that was Iverson’s fault or management’s – Philly never put appropriate talent around him. Nash found the perfect situation in Phoenix with Mike D’Antoni going to a free-flowing style that fits Nash’s talents to a T.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darrell (Albany, Calif.): I understand practices last roughly two hours. Even with two-a-days, that’s only four hours. What do players do with the rest of their time during the preseason?
Langlois: It amounts to a lot more than four hours, Darrell, when you factor in the time back and forth to the arena or practice facility, the taping and stretching and weight lifting and time received taking ice or heat treatments for the inevitable sprains, strains and twists, film study, etc. With “the rest of their time” during training camp, you do as much as you can to stay off of your feet and get rest.
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Mark (Grand Rapids): Shawn Marion and Kobe Bryant look like they will remain with their current teams, but what do you think of possibly sending Raja Bell and Marion to the Lakers for Kobe? Or the Suns could send Marcus Banks, Boris Diaw, Bell and Marion for Kobe and Lamar Odom.
Langlois: I don’t think the Suns would have much interest in trading with the Lakers, and I don’t think the Lakers are any more inclined to deal away one of the NBA’s biggest drawing cards in a market that must put forth stars. If we could do this deal in a vacuum – no concerns about marketing ability or reluctance to trade within the division – I’d do either deal in a heartbeat if I were in Phoenix’s shoes, because I think Kobe is head and shoulders a better player than Marion.
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Bill: Why aren’t the Pistons jumping at the chance to sign Chris Webber? Don’t you think there are two players we can sacrifice? Nazr Mohammed is not productive and is in the last stretch of his career. Flip Murray is expendable. Signing Webber presents no risk and he adds excitement to the team.
Langlois: What do you mean by “sacrifice?” Cut them? The Pistons aren’t going to cut anybody making that kind of money, certainly not Mohammed, who has four years and roughly $25 million left on his contract. Mohammed is by no means in the last stretch of his career, either. I’m of the opinion that the Pistons got from Mohammed what they reasonably expected to get from him last year, about eight points and six boards in 20 minutes a game while he was in the rotation. Mohammed just turned 30; Webber’s 34. Granted, Webber was an elite player before knee injuries robbed him of one of his most valuable assets, his explosiveness. But he’s not that guy anymore. Could he still help an NBA team? Absolutely. But he can only help a real contending team, like the Pistons, if he has a niche role, and right now the Pistons have too many other frontcourt players with niche roles. I’m not ruling out Webber playing for the Pistons at some point this season, but only if they find a trade partner to thin out the frontcourt first – and I don’t see Joe Dumars being the one to initiate that conversation at this point.
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Kevin (Bloomfield Hills): I read on Hoopsworld.com that Flip Murray “is still on the roster at the moment, but a recurring memo in Detroit’s media is that the combo guard will be traded before the start of the season.” Have you heard anything about this? Also, when is the deadline to cut down to 15?
Langlois: I no longer think Murray is very likely to be traded, Kevin. Anything is possible because you never know what might happen. Certainly, other GMs around the league will look at the depth the Pistons have in their backcourt now and, if injuries strike, they’ll call Joe Dumars. Murray would be a very attractive target for any number of reasons: (1) They’ll assume Joe D isn’t in the mood to trade Billups, Hamilton or his two rookies, Stuckey and Afflalo; (2) Murray comes relatively cheap and is in the last year of his contract; (3) Murray can play either guard spot and is a versatile scorer who can defend. I think the Pistons see Murray as a very nice security blanket in case Billups or Stuckey are out for any extended periods or if the rookies go through typical rookie slumps. But if the Pistons trade him, there would have to be something attractive to them in return. Certainly, they would not be willing to take on a longer contract unless it was a special circumstance, and likely it would have to include some sort of draft sweetener – say, the option to swap first-round picks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah (Ohio): I was wondering if you could tell us anything about the 50th anniversary throwback jerseys that will be worn during some games this year. What will they look like and when are they first going to be worn and when can we buy them?
Langlois: I turned your question over to Craig Turnbull, Sarah, the vice president of brand management here at Palace Sports & Entertainment. Here’s what he said: The 50th anniversary jerseys will be home whites, very similar to what the Pistons wore 50 years ago after moving to Detroit. The first wearing of those uniforms is scheduled for Dec. 7 when the Chicago Bulls come to The Palace. And they’ll be available for purchase in early December.
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Bryan (Remus): How do you spell the first name of the 7-footer from Senegal? I’ve seen it spelled different ways. Also, I think Boston having three superstars is going to give the Celtics terrible chemistry. Does this sound reasonable?
Langlois: It’s Cheikh Samb. We’ve seen it various ways, too, but we were told last week that the correct way to spell it is C-h-e-i-k-h. As for the Celts, I think Kevin Garnett will do whatever it takes to make it work. There could be problems trying to find enough shots for Ray Allen and Paul Pierce – not necessarily to keep them happy, but to maximize what they do best. It’s possible those two get in each other’s way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mohammed: I really hope Chauncey starts averaging 20 points and 10 assists and Stuckey follows with 14 points and five assists. Do you think that’s possible?
Langlois: My guess is your numbers are a little high across the board given the roles I foresee. Billups’ minutes should go down because Stuckey gives the Pistons a more reliable option behind him. Could his production stay the same or even increase? Yeah, it’s possible, if he’s fresher. If the Pistons get 30 points and a dozen assists out of their point guards, that would be a luxury. Stuckey, of course, could see other minutes backing up Rip Hamilton, but Flip Murray’s strong camp has him the favorite, as of now, to back up Hamilton. That could be a good thing for Stuckey, initially, as it allows him to concentrate on learning to become an NBA point guard.
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James: Can we obtain Ron Artest from Sacramento?
Langlois: Sure, right after the Red Wings sign Claude Lemieux.